((Soval, Ready Room))

As the Culver City joined the motley formation of ships in orbit around Derganix, Captain Tyler was actually in the Sovals ready room with Captain Priax and Ambassador Gorddan Krey, the embarked Emissary. They were discussing how they planned to conduct the negotiations with the Ferengi which were scheduled to start in a few hours. They had been meeting for about half an hour and were nearly finished.

“So, having the hostages that the Dergans had captured released was a good step towards building some diplomatic capital. And, from what you told us and the reports you’ve filed Captain, I feel that the goal of Dergan independence is all but assured at this point regardless of how the Ferengi feel.” The Ambassador said to Tyler.

“Indeed, I doubt the Ferengi will try to retain any sort of influence or presence on or near Derganix now considering the current state of affairs. Though they may hold a bit of a grudge and try to conduct reprisals when we depart. Though I think our strategy of having Captain Kerak imply that the Klingon Empire will be conducting routine cloaked presence patrols to keep them honest will certainly have them think twice.” Tyler added.

Just then they got word from the bridge about the Culver City‘s arrival and the prisoners they were transferring to the Sovals brig.

“Well this adds a random variable into the mix now doesn’t it?…That being said, this could provide us a chance to show the Ferengi that they aren’t the only ones who have an issue with people taking matters into their own hands. And by extension we can show them that we too, will police our own criminals. I suggest we convene an open court martial and invite the Ferengi to attend.” The Ambassador said after they had sat in silence for a few minutes.

“Would releasing the Ferengi that the Culver City arrested before we begin the court martial be appropriate in this case?” Captain Priax asked.

“I think that would be another gesture of good will that would be well received.” the Ambassador replied.

“I agree. Let’s arrange it.” Tyler said, after noticing the 2 were looking at him as if waiting for his orders or permission. Tyler was not prone to being an assertive leader, and to be fair he found it necessary to remind himself that he was in command of the mission atleast a few times each day.

“As for a court martial, we need 3 Flag ranked officers and a prosecuting JAG officer to properly convene the proceedings. With Captain K’lev recusing himself, does that not leave us 1 Flag officer short?” Tyler shifted in his seat.

“Though I have served in the diplomatic corps for several decades, and hold the rank and title of Ambassador, I was a member of Starfleet for the first half of my career, and still hold an active commission with the rank of Captain, so we are covered there.” Krey replied.

“Alright, sounds like we have a plan then. I’ll invite Captain K’lev to attend the conference, and inform him of our plans for the court martial and coordinate the release of the Ferengi prisoners he is currently holding.” Tyler said as he stood, sensing that the meeting was at a natural conclusion.

((USS Irrawaddy))

While Tyler was attending the meeting aboard the Soval, Ingram and Singh were busy coordinating operations around the system. The repairs and upgrades to the dilapidated old station were going well. The current plan was to have the Slivin, under cloak, provide a quiet, unseen escort for the group of Ferengi shuttles that were departing from Bok Station around Formica and en route towards Derganix at that exact moment. Though they were reasonably sure that they had taken out all the shuttles that were armed with Breen Dissipator weapons, considering the downing of the Blythe everyone was erring on the side of caution and weren’t taking any chances or trusting the Ferengi at all.

“So the Slivin reports 3 of the remaining 5 Ferengi shuttles are on their way to rendezvous with us.” Ingram said to Singh as he read from his padd.

“Indeed. The engineering team on the station is reporting that all repairs to the hull have been completed and that they are beginning the next phase of work to get the place ready for permanent habitation by the Dergans.” Singh replied.

“Wild news from the Culver City eh? 3 of their security officers are being charged with assaulting the Ferengi prisoners they took into custody a few days ago. It’s not the most common criminal charge in SCMJ(Starfleet Code of Military Justice), usually Starfleet psych screenings catch most folks who would be predisposed to committing offense of that nature. But then again, people can always just snap for all sorts of reasons I guess.” Ingram said as he took a seat at the pilots console.

“Looks like the Soval is transmitting a series of orders. They’re asking the Culver City to park the Ferengi shuttles they captured next to the Soval, and are requesting they try to accommodate the 6 shuttlecraft that don’t fit in the Sovals shuttlebay.” Singh chuckled.

“Good news for the volunteers then. Looks like they won’t be cooped up for the remainder of the mission.” Ingram noted.