Kerak had nearly completed his circuit of the the rough mid point of inner solar system. They had discovered the Ferengi Xanthanite mine that had been established on the 3rd rock from the sun as they performed a flyby. They were about 10 minutes away from an orbital conjunction with Derganix that was about 50 million kelicams away.

“We are picking up a Ferengi shuttle and a Dergan sphere on scanners HoD. They appear to be communicating on an open channel.” Bamet said.

“Patch us in to their conversation, and lay in an intercept course. QUIET ON THE BRIDGE!” Kerak looked to Plej who stood next to his command chair.

“Bet you a bottle of 2377 that the Ferengi are going to be trying to find another reason to send a bill to the Dergans.” He said.

“2377 is not the finest vintage from even that decade. And I have long since learned to never bet against you sir.” Plej replied.

“Patching into the channel now.” Mereg said and then tapped a button. Kerak raised a hand indicating silence.

“Oh that’s fine friend. We will gladly escort you back to Derganix, there is some rather nasty pirates that have arrived with Federation newcomers. We wouldn’t want anything to happen to you or your fine new sphere.” A Ferengi Sub-Daimon was in the middle of a conversation about how the Dergans had violated a mining concession the Ferengi had established.

“Oh, well, we did clear our flight path with the Duwallan Trade Corporation, and they said we we’re fine to test our engines and manuerability in this region of space.” The Dergan pilot said. He and his 6 person crew were testing the larger and more advanced version of their spheres, one of the large 3 decker versions that had an ion impulse drive that allowed the vessel to attain speeds equal to half impulse after a full day of thrust.

“Ah, I see the issue then. The mining concession is owned by the Duwallan Mining Company. Please check your flight plans with us to avoid any future fines. If you’ll politely just turn your ship around, we will escort out of our territory.”

Kerak coughed. “Greetings. I am Captain Kerak, son of Dang, Battlemaster of the House of Jutarg. We recognize no territorial claims in this region of space, and we feel that the Dergans need not recognize any claims either. To the Ferengi shuttle, I suggest you move along.” Kerak stood. He hadnt been the

“What, who is that? What’s going is someone else in on this channel.” The Ferengi was heard asking one of his crew.

“Yat’c ghech.” Kerak said, and Mereg decloaked the vessel right behind the Ferengi shuttle.

“I already informed you who I was. We intend to enforce freedom of navigation rules, under intellstellar law. You are correct Ferengi, there is dangerous pirates about. But it is yiu, and not us who seem to be playing that role. If you value your lives be elsewhere, now.” Kerak said is a cold tone.

“Uh, wow, um, we don’t want any problems with anyone, we’re jist testing our engines here…we’re really sorry if we caused any issues.” The Dergan pilot replied.

“See, see what I mean, they’re threatening us just for trying to secure our business. This is the kind of species you will run into if you keep venturing further away from your planet.” The Sub-Daimon exclaimed to the pilot, giving of a sense of fear and danger as he had been instructed to by his Daimon.

“To the Dergan vessel, do not fear, we have no quarrel with you, conversely, we are seeking to ensure that your rights as a species are respected. To the Ferengi vessel, we will be escorting the Dergan vessel as it completes its mission, and we will escort them back to Derganix, free of charge. You have 5 seconds to withdraw. Dogh!” Kerak said as Mereg quickly closed the channel.

“Target them with our disruptors.” Mereg complied and a few seconds later the Ferengi slowly moved off.

“They’re moving away HoD.” Bamet said.

“Open a secure channel to the Dergan ship….Dergan Sphere, you may continue on your mission, we will escort you to ensure that your mission is not interfered with further. As this area of space is within 15 million Kelicams of your planets orbital path, interstellar law dictates that it shall be considered as a part of your homeworld. Feel free to operate as you see fit.”

“Well jeez fella, that’s real swell of you. We do have enough fuel for one more test of our engines. The Ferengi seem to keep claiming territory is theirs on 3 sides around Derganix at various points in our orbit.” The pilot, one of the senior most in the Dergan Space Launch Program and who was secretly involved with Barka’s liberation plan, said. His mission was specifically designed to gauge the Ferengi response to them testing their spheres near some of the bonus Ferengi mining claims. And they had just gotten their answer.

“Feel free to conduct your test. We will be standing by to assist you if it is needed. Safe travels… hmm, I did not catch your name Dergan pilot?”

“Oh, it’s Hamil, Pod Pilot Hamil. Thank you, Captain Karak, was it?”

Close enough, Kerak thought. “Indeed Pod Pilot Hamil, good luck with your tests. Slivin out.” Kerak nodded at Mereg, who closed the channel.