And why they were so out of sorts weeks later during ‘The Cage’

undefined> As she is fatally wounded, Sera activates an implant and turns to dust.

Thus keeping up the rule that the first time anyone from the federation learns of the appearance of a Romulan is the Balance of Terror.

Considering that despite his failures Starfleet has muscled on with fleet automation ever since, no matter how many times it destroys the fleet, I suppose they consider his failure aspirational.

You know what? I’ll take Mack’s take on the idea. Hopefully it will help fill the gap satisfactorily.