Examining the V-8 Romulan Bird Of Prey Episodes
This write-up is based on the the Two TOS Episodes; "Balance Of Terror" and "The Deadly Years" to explain what we are seeing and hearing on screen. While watching each episode I combined them together to form my theory. I didn't over analyze anything so you may determine my findings to be unlike others.
Final Assumption
The BoP that we see in "Balance Of Terror" was tailored for there mission and don't represent the typical V-8. The V-8 was tailored for high power output, with fuel being used up rapidly. The V-8's in "The Deadly Years" where of typical configuration. The FASA ship stats are of the typical V-8 configuration.
Balance Of Terror Assumptions
The Cloaking System
The cloaking system on the BoP(Romulan Cruiser) blinds most sensors from
detecting it. However Motion Sensors at medium range can give an approximate location of
the ship. At close range ship energy can be detected,computer consoles, voices, internal
ship systems.
The BoPs cloaking systems "...power cost is enormous."
The V-8 Warp Drive
The ship uses warp power but during this mission the power wasn't channeled for warp speed but to provide extensive power to the Plasma Weapon. The warp power also assisted in operating the Cloaking device and providing a higher yield for impulse thrust. By the time the Enterprise encountered the BoP the warp fuel was exhausted and the warp systems where offline.
Scotty only detects "...simple impulse..." cause the Warp Systems and Engines are no longer powered. Kirk says "We can outrun them?"
Note: One can assume that the V-8 had warp drive when it came across the Neutral Zone and while it was attacking the outpost. But chances of that are small.
The Impulse Engines
The impulse engines during their outpost attacks PROBABLY had warp power channeled to them to give a slightly higher thrust and better acceleration. Not at anypoint does the BoP reach warp speed.
The Plasma Weapon
The Plasma weapon was the only weapon system used on this BoP, when tied into the warp drive this energy weapon produces more damage than a typical V-8. This was demonstrated only against the outposts.
The Romulan Commander is reluctant to fire because it "...waste energy. He has estimated we have only enough..." to get home.
At one point the Enterprise evaded a Plasma Bolt by turning about and retreating at full warp power, the Bolt was able to gain on the Enterprise despite full warp power, its unclear if the Enterprise or the Bolt actually entered warp but the Bolt continued to follow and it impacted the Enterprise after the Bolt diminished in strength....it didn't do full damage.
Not at anypoint did the Bolts fired from the BoP stear in any direction.
The Outposts
The outposts where attacked in the order of 2, then a hour later 3, 8, then 4. The BoP was operating on warp power but not speed during its attack.
The Proximity Phaser Blasts
The Enterprise is capable of using the standard phasers as proximity detonations, these where used by the Enterprise with a best guess(sensor only) targeting since the Enterprise only had an approximate location of the close range BoP.
The Sensors
The Enterprise and the BoP where both using passive sensors to detect each other, this also allowed the other to hide from each other. The BoP didn't have a choice actually, all they had where passive sensors while cloaked. The Enterprise used primarily Motion sensors to detect the moving BoP, but when the BoP halted movement the Enterprise couldn't track her anymore.
"Motion sensor signal stopped."
Kirk suggested If the Cloak was on, then there sensors are
down. The BoP later can only detect a possible sensor shadow and not the Enterprise.
"They may not be aware of us. Their invisibility screen may work both ways. With that
kind of power consumption, they may not be able to see us."
Detecting the Enterprise While Cloaked
The BoP throughout its encounter with the Enterprise was detecting the Enterprise by using passive sensors, since passive sensors are less accurate than active sensors the BoP thought the Enterprise was a sensor shadow because the enterprise was following the BoP by following the same path the BoP flew. Later the BoP discovered that the sensor shadow was actually the Enterprise when the Enterprise broke off and changed heading.
Later the Bird of Prey choose to halt all movement and to power its systems down to hide from the Enterprise. The enterprise did the same. This hiding lasted over 9 hours until the BoP picked up from the Enterprise a signal from one of the Enterprises Bridge consoles.
The Deadly Years Assumptions
The Plasma Weapon
This weapon was of the typical configuration and not assisted by the warp engines in the way that they where in "Balance Of Terror". The BoP's wheren't using full power. They where just pounding the Enterprise with multiple shots.
Warp Speed
The Enterprise went to warp five and then the Romulans attack, the Enterprise droped out of warp and then 10 Romulan ships surrounded the Enterprise at a range of 50 to 100,000km, after getting hit thirteen+ times the Enterprise then went to Warp 8.