| “ | You did this. | „ |
| ~ Taris to Picard when her ship's self destruct was activated. |
Taris was a Romulan female first introduced in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode Contagion. An officer in the Romulan Empire's military she first encountered the USS Enterprise in 2365. She would later become a major antagonist in Star Trek: Online. In that game she was an ally of the Iconians, who in the Star Trek Online universe are considered the ultimate Bigger Bads.
She was portrayed by Carolyn Seymour.
History[]
By 2365 Taris held the rank of Sub-Commander and was in command of the warbird Haakona. Learning that the Federation starship USS Yamato had penetrated the Federation-Romulan neutral zone she had her ship follow the Yamato but lost track of the ship. The Yamato discovered a planet but had to leave after being scanned by an Iconian probe, which transmitted an Iconian computer program which in turn was causing major system malfunctions throughout the ship.
The Yamato traveled to meet the USS Enterprise near the Federation border. In the meantime, having found the Yamato Taris had her ship follow the starship under cloak. When the Yamato transmitted its logs to the Enterprise, Taris tapped into the transmission and copied the logs. Unbeknown to Taris or her crew, they were also infected with the Iconian computer program when they did that. A few moments later the Yamato exploded after anti-matter containment was collapsed by the Iconian program. She de-cloaked her ship and contacted the Enterprise. She denied destroying the Yamato, saying if their intentions were hostile they wouldn't have stopped just with the Yamato. Taris demanded Picard leave the Neutral Zone, to which he replied that the Enterprise would leave when they found the cause and were satisfied Taris was not responsible.
However, instead of leaving the Enterprise proceeded deeper into the Neutral Zone. Realizing that they might be traveling to the lost world of Iconia Taris had her ship follow the Enterprise under cloak. By the time the two ships reached Iconia they were both suffering major system failures due to the Iconian program. Taris tried to claim Iconia for the Empire before being told by Commander Riker that her claim was invalid since they were in the Neutral Zone. The Enterprise sent an away team down to an ancient Iconian installation. After he was infected by the Iconian program, Data was able to cure himself by shutting down and purging all the memories since the infection. Picard meanwhile destroyed the Iconian installation to keep their technology from falling into anyone's hands. Before the installation blew up Picard stepped through an Iconian gateway, which transported him to the Romulan ship.
On board the Romulan ship Taris angrily informed Picard that her ship was set to self destruct and she was unable to deactivate the countdown. After informing Picard that at least he would die with the Hakonna Taris could only watch as Picard was beamed back on board the Enterprise, who told Taris how to purge the Iconian program and stop the self destruct sequence. The Hakoona purged the Iconian program and went on her way back to Romulan space.
The Devil's Heart[]
After the incident at the Iconian homeworld, Taris continued in command of the Hakoona. Taris was an efficient commander who weeded out crew members who didn't meet her expectations, while training those that remained to ensure a higher level of performance. As a result, the Hakoona had a slightly smaller crew than most warbirds.
Learning that the ancient Iconian artifact called The Devil's Heart had resurfaced, Taris set off to claim the jewel and its powers for herself. Knowing that the Enterprise had found the Heart, Taris destroyed Starbase 193 in order to lure the Enterprise to the area, however the station's commander had anticipated being used as bait and had already evacuated the station. Realizing that it was a trap, Picard did not order the Enterprise to proceed to the Starbase 193 site and continue on the course the Heart was giving him.
Taris intercepted the Enterprise and attempted to destroy it. However a member of her crew who belonged to Ambassador Spock's reunification movement opened a small hole in the shields. The Enterprise was able to fire her phasers through the shields. Taris apparently died as the Hakoona was reduced to a lifeless hulk.
Star Trek Online[]
In 2382 Admiral Taris was appointed by Fleet Commander Tomalak as his second-in-command. She was ordered to mobilize and re-organize Romulus’ military forces.
When Tomalak suffered a defeat against Empress Donatra's fleet at Xanitla on Stardate 60900.31, Admiral Taris defected with twelve ships to the Imperial Romulan State. (2383)
The Empress sent Taris as representative to negotiations with the Romulan Star Empire at the Romulan capital, Ki Baratan, in 2384. Donatra recalled her when Praetor Tal'aura was found murdered. Taris was ordered to prepare for defending Imperial territory.
In the following two years, Taris maintained a low profile during the troubles between the two Romulan states and passes many her responsibilities over to General Tebok. Late in the year, the Admiral informed Donatra about her investigation concerning claims that the Sword of the Raptor Star has been recovered at Levaeri V. She remained there until 2387.
That year, Taris ignored Donatra's order to return to Romulus and does not change course. In addition, Taris had Commander Arranhu launch explosives into the Hobus star, causing it to go supernova and annihilate Romulus and Remus.
Following the destruction of the Romulan homeworld in 2387, Admiral Taris recalled all remaining vessels to return to Romulan space.
Over the next two years, she organized these ships into a new fleet. She closed holes in the chain of command by approaching each ship's captain personally. Outside observers expected the Romulan military to be fully operational within seven months. Despite Taris' orders for the fleet to focus on relief efforts and the defense of border regions, Federation analysts warn that these ships could conquer civilian-led colony worlds to be brought under military control.
In 2391 Starfleet Command pulls back from the Klingon-Romulan border. Admiral Taris silences complaining colony leaders with a sharp rebuke: "We are Romulan. We fight our own battles. I would rather see Romulans die with pride in their hearts and swords in their hands instead of mewing for protection like scared younglings."
Later that year, a Klingon Councilor, J'mpok, commanded a fleet of loyal houses to invaded the Zeta Pictoris System. His forces were defeated by a Romulan fleet led by Admiral Taris.
Following her decisive victory, Rator III proclaimed Taris leader of the Star Empire. Achenar Prime and a dozen others worlds chime in. In response to that, Taris broadcasts in an empire-wide address: "I am a military commander, and I would prefer to remain so. The seas of politics are rife with submerged hazards and hidden perils, and a wise person does well to avoid them. But my Empire calls and I cannot resist her plea." She calls for the colony leaders to meet at Rator III for select representatives for a new Romulan Senate, make plans for organizing a government and building a new capital.
In 2392 the Romulan Colonial Organizational Committee, formed under Taris' directions, meets in the first completed building in Rihan, the new capital. Taris indicates her support for reviving the monarchy but notes that the Romulan people should have to decide whom to crown ruler.
Several ongoing RCOC legislative sessions are interrupted by Admiral Taris and General Tebok, who argue about the role of the Romulan military. While the General wanted to protect the core worlds by abandoning areas bordering Klingon space, Taris regarded it as their duty to protect every world. No decision was found in the debate. (2393)
When a permanent government is formed in 2394, Taris was made Praetor of the Romulan Star Empire.
Praetor Taris lodges an immediate complaint with the Federation Council when Captain Barax Wenn of the U.S.S. April reveals that the destroyed Starfleet ship U.S.S. Kelso was illegally using a cloaking device. (2395)
In 2396 the planet Kevratas is plagued by disease, making the Praetor quarantine Kevratas System by blockading it with Romulan ships, although a cure is available. Starfleet Admiral Zelle comments that Taris would be more compassionate if she saw someone dying from Bloodfire.
Taris orders General Tebok to take down the resulting Kevratan insurrection. Instead, he refuses to fire on civilians and the Praetor orders him to resign his position as Fleet Commander. The Romulan Senate overrules her decision and Tebok remains in command of the military. (2397)
In the following year, Tebok promotes General Velal, who is openly critical of the Praetor and her policies.
Tebok dies in 2399 when his ship, the I.R.W. Alth'lndor was destroyed by an antimatter containment failure. Praetor Taris ordered that all fleets have to report to her directly until a new Fleet Commander is chosen. Velal objected to that and the Senate promptly passed a bill that calls for Senate approval for all high-level military appointments.
The Senate sought to restrict the praetor's power even more in 2400, causing a clash between them and Taris. In a rare personal appearance, she argues: "In the absence of a monarch, and at a time of extreme upheaval in the Alpha and Beta quadrants we must have one voice to speak for our empire to the galaxy. Only by expanding the praetor's powers will we have stability and strength. A disharmonious chorus leads to chaos." Although Taris sways some Senators to her side, her general unpopularity with the Romulan populace makes the Senate proceed with the plan to limit the praetor's executive power.
As another possible problem for Taris, Starfleet Intelligence decode messages which make the reports about the Alth'lndor's destruction questionable.
In 2401, General Velal entered and alliance with the exiled Sela in order to remove Taris from power.
The conflict further fractured the empire and Taris faces a growing rebellion when Kevratas and Abraxas Prime support Velal. According to Starfleet Intelligence reports, Taris was locked in her rooms for a few days when the Romulan Second Fleet approaches Rator III on Stardate 80957.96, however, when Velal's fleet enters orbit, she is already gone. The reign of Taris is over when the Senate proclaims Sela Praetor. (2403)
In 2407, Praetor Sela revives Taris' idea about a Romulan monarchy. Later on, she becomes Empress of the Star Empire.
Taris and her Reman allies, including Commanders Arranhu and S'hanclado, hide with her in the Iconia System until they are found by Starfleet. Taris is captured and her responsibility for the Hobus supernova is revealed. (2409). She was held at Facility 4028 but disappeared, with the only hint being an Iconian energy signature detected near her cell.
Trivia[]
- When making Face of the Enemy, Seymour returned as another female Romulan Commander named Toreth. The producers had considered reusing Taris for the episode, but decided against it as they believed she had been killed during the events of Contagion.