((VIP Quarters, Soval))

After realizing there was a reason that it took 2 of his crew to place the heavy latinum next to him on the pad, Lieutenant Commander K’lev took the antigravity sled that the Soval‘s transporter chief had offered him and reported to Tyler’s temporary accommodations on the old cruiser.

“Enter!” Tyler hollered as he heard the door chime.

“Ah, Captain K’lev, perfect timing. I was just double checking the current standard for weights and measurements of raw pure liquid latinum according to the Ferengi Commerce Exchange. Come in, come in, have a seat, as you can see I have more space then I could ever use in this quarters.” Tyler said as he motioned at the large and arguably luxurious quarters that Captain Priax had assigned him. Commander Danny Wong was seated on a love seat, and LCdr Mee IH was layed out on his side on a large sectional couch.

K’lev pushed the sled bearing the canister into Tyler’s guest quarters, leaving it off to the side just inside the door.  As he walked into the main sitting area, he looked around, whistling low.  “And I thought my cabin was big,” he said with a wry chuckle.  Finding an empty seat, the Orion sat down, but not before nodding respectfully to both Commander Wong and LCDR Mee IH.  “Not to presume, sir,” he said to Tyler, “but I’m guessing that there’s more to this than just a latinum delivery?”

“Indeed. So, I asked you for this meeting for a few different reasons. First, I recieved orders to chose about 80 members of my crew to be reassigned immediately to a new ship that is being ferried out to us, the remainder will be transported back to Federation space on the Soval and reassigned to other duties, I’d like to offer you a chance to fill out your crew and take whoever you’d like out of the remaining 190 officers and crew. I know that the CC, like the Blythe has been running with less then a full complement for the last several months.” Tyler walked over and handed a padd with the list of available crew.

“I still don’t agree with you not being on the list of the 80 going to the new ship Cap.” Danny said in a gruff tone. K’lev had arrived only moments after a contentious exchange between him and Tyler when Tyler had shared the proposed list of crew he wanted to have assigned to the new ship.

The entire senior staff and all of the 2ICs of every department along with a hand picked roster of the most deserving crew were on the list. Tyler had intentionally left himself off of the list because he knew a formal inquiry into the downing of the Blythe would undoubtedly occur and he didn’t want it to effect the operations and duties of the new assignment. A sentiment that both Wong and Mee IH disagreed with. Tyler had ended the debate by mentioning the fact that the new ships billet called for a CO with the rank of Commander with experience in tactical and patrol operations. Those stipulations distinctly implied that Commander Wong would be perfect for the roll, not the bookish scientist Tyler.

“Regardless Number One, uh, so, the second reason I asked you here Captain. The shuttles, prisoners and uh that little canister you have there. They will be key to our upcoming negotiations with the Ferengi. I uh, heard that you had your crew remove and impound the Breen Dissipator Weapon from the Ferengi shuttle, prudent decision to be sure. Do you know how much a litre of pure liquid latinum equates to when converted to Gold Pressed Latinum?” Tyler asked K’lev.

K’lev accepted the PADD with the available members of Blythe’s crew; he would review it once back aboard the Culver City and relay any requested transfers at that time.  The comment about Tyler not joining his senior staff on this new ship surprised the young lieutenant commander, but he let that matter rest, if only for now.  Tyler’s question on latinum production gave him pause for a moment.  “Not off the top of my head, but it’d probably vary based on proportions of gold to latinum in a brick.  I don’t know the usual formula; if I had to guess, though, at least a thousand bricks?  Probably between a thousand and twelve-hundred.”

“Your guess was much closer then mine” Tyler chuckled.