| |
| Name: | Velal |
| Gender: | Male |
| Species: | Romulan |
| Occupation: | General |
| Allegiance: | Romulan Star Empire |
| Actor: | Stephen Yoakam |
Velal was a Romulan subcommander (later general) of the Star Empire in the 2370s.
In 2375, Senator Kimara Cretak arranged for Velal to take her place at meetings on Deep Space 9, while she attended a Federation-Romulan conference on Romulus. However, she was imprisoned for treason against the Empire and Velal took her place as the Romulan attaché to the station. (DS9: "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges")
Upon being assigned to Deep Space 9, he was promoted to general. He was later present at many meetings with Benjamin Sisko, William Ross and the then-General Martok. At a meeting with the three after the catastrophic Alliance loss at the Second Battle of Chin'toka, Velal was told that his people's starships were vulnerable to the Breen energy dampening weapon, as were the Federation's. He expressed dismay that the Klingons were the only member of the Alliance that could protect them from the Dominion, telling Martok his people were grossly outnumbered. He was also unsure that Damar and his Rebellion could assist them. (DS9: "When It Rains...")
Several weeks later, he met with Ross, Sisko and the now Chancellor Martok, to discuss the Dominion withdrawal from their territory. Velal thought it would be wiser to contain them within their new perimeter, rather than to mount a major offensive, which he believed would cost them "thousands of ships." However, after Martok and Ross stated they wanted to attack, Velal relented. (DS9: "The Dogs of War")
Background Information
Velal was not named in the script of "When It Rains," and was simply referred to as the "Romulan General". The character played by Yoakam was revealed to be Velal when he was named in the script of "The Dogs of War".
It seems likely that Velal led the Romulan fleet at the Battle of Cardassia in "What You Leave Behind". Whether or not he survived is unknown, as he may have been aboard the IRW D'ridthau, the Romulan flagship, which was destroyed in the battle.
Velal is only the second Romulan general seen in Star Trek. The first was Movar (TNG: "Redemption, Part I" and "Part II".