I didn't  think about the timeframe, plus, while I'm a fan of Star Trek, I'm not completly up on timeframes, but weren't the Romulans around before TOS?

anyway, good stroy and while an unconvetional direction (following merchants), it's a good idea.

However, if this took you 1.5 years, I am upset I enjoyed it, because I will probably have to wait a long while to see the finished version. :(

Perhaps you should just quit your job and work on this full time? :)