((Blythe Bridge))

“…well Daimon Zirk, we do appreciate you informing us of your mining claims and various treaties with the native species of this uh, system. We will gladly acknowledge and respect you mining concessions and your property, but sadly the Federation does not recognize any unilateral treaties between technologically advanced species such as yourself and pre-warp civilizations like the one on Derganix. We have made contact with the leaders of the Derganix people and they have accepted our proposal for a diplomatic meeting.

“Oh they have they?” Zirk looked away from the viewscreen for a second with a scowl.

“As this region has recently opened up to large scale and long term exploration, uh the Federation and other Beta Quadrant powers will be having a permanent presence in the region and we are on a survey and uh diplomatic tour of this region of the expanse since the Shroud has faded.” Tyler continued.

“Shroud? Expanse? What are you talking about? I’m a bit curious as to how all these Federation, Klingon and Romulan ships have suddenly appeared so quickly. It took us nearly a dozen years to get here. My son was born on the way here. Are you all on similar long term journeys?”

Zirk was playing nice to fish for information. This was interesting to Fred. To the Ferengi, apparently this was just a planet they decided to settle. They had left Ferenginar in 2385, long before the expanse was known of or large scale study of the Borg transwarp conduit had begun.

“Apologies Daimon, we thought you would be aware of the region of space you reside in…This whole large area of space used to be shrouded by a warp scattering field that limited ships to warp 2 for eons. The Federation refers to this area of space as the Shackleton Expanse, named so after a famous human explorer. Did you not notice the shroud on your journey here?” Tyler was now the one fishing for info.

“Of course we noticed it, but we don’t recognize your names for this region. As I said our Consortium has claimed the dilithium mining rights in this system and the 3 neighboring uninhabited systems, and we are prepared to defend with deadly force if necessary.” Zirk kicked one of his upper left incisors. They hadn’t noticed the warp shattering field at all, they thought their warp drive was just failing and that’s what had forced them to limp to this planet 5 years before. The shuttles they used were limited to interplanetary travel except for the shuttles that had set off for a neighboring system at Warp 2 three years ago. Warp 2 because they had assumed it was because they were using the same damaged engine cells from their D’Kora. They hadn’t put the pieces together and realized that the entire area had been under the shroud at all.

“As I said Daimon, we will gladly respect your mining claims. But we will be proceeding to Derganix for a diplomatic engagement. We look forward to a prosperous and uh profitable relationship between us.”

“My apologies now Captain, but we cannot allow you to approach Derganix as they are a ‘protectorate’ of our Consortium.” He tapped his console.

“They’re changing weapons sir.” Ingram said.

Tyler’s brow furrowed. Their shields were already up and the 2 Ferengi shuttle might damage their shields, but would surely lose in a fight. The comm channel had remained open to the Slivin the entire time and Fred decided to use his unseen component of the escalation ladder now.

“You may want to be careful who you aim those weapons at Daimon. Captain Kerak if you please.”

The B’rel class ships decloaked with its wing already in attack position and their forward torpedo tube already glowing, ready to fire.

“Klingons too!…I suppose we could be persuaded to allow you past us, for a small fee. Risking the wrath of my Over-Daimon is not worth it without being properly compensated.” Zirk contemplated using the Breen Energy Dissipators against the Blythe, but thought better of it now. Sure he might be able to knock the Blythe out, but the BOP would likely destroy his wingman before he could turn and fire on the Klingons. The black market devices were far too valuable to risk in a fair fight. Now he was just fishing for a bribe.

Tyler wasn’t going to pay a bribe. But he also didn’t want to get the Daimon in trouble with his boss.

“Contact your Daimon and have him contact me directly if he has any issues. We looking forward to working with you in the future. As a bribe, my friend Captain behind you will grant you your lives, if you power down your weapons. I think that’s uh, a more than fair compensation considering your provocation.” He turned and swiped a hand across his neck to Ingram who cut the channel.

“But w…” Zirk was cut off.

“Mr. LaSalle set course for Derganix full impulse. Hit it. Ingram keep an eye them.” Tyler then returned to his chair and saw a shit eating grin on Wongs face. Indeed, aside from the stutter, Fred had come a long way from the nervous Commander who had taken temporary command for an emergency deployment in response to the Vaadwaur crisis.