“Alright everyone, look sharp, lets get ready make peace with some Ferengi traditionalists.” Krey said to assembled group in the large diplomatic conference room. The Dergan delegation were waiting in the next room, and the Ferengi were on their way from the transporter room. Everyone other then Krey was wearing their standard duty uniforms, Tyler stood out as usual due to his blue tunic.

“All this pomp and circumstance, fuck, I just wanted to talk business and make a damn deal.” Pogg exclaimed as he followed the security escorts into the room.

“Who’s in charge here, where’s this Tyler guy?” He added.

Tyler slowly raised a hand, after getting a look at his portly, diminutive, chubby cheeked Ferengi counterpart in the flesh for the first time. “I’m Captain Tyler, uh, and this is Ambassador Krey, and Captains Kerak, Priax, and K’lev. Welcome aboard.”

“I’m Daimon Pogg, but you already know that, these are 2 of my aides, their names don’t matter to you. Let’s move past the Federation fan fare and get down to it then shall we?” Pogg had a seat on his side of the table while his aides remained standing behind him. One had the obvious look of a bodyguard, the other seemed more like an conniving accountant.

“As you wish Daimon.” Krey said as the 5 Federation representatives all took their seats.

“I’m not a fool, I can see that the 3 largest Alpha Quadrant powers are obviously moving into this region of space. And I will grant that one of my Sub-Daimons going nuts and shooting down one of your ships in orbit over the Hogworld(the universal translated the Ferengi’s perjorative literally) is not a good look. But since then you’ve wiped out half of my commercial fleet and started a rebellion on a planet that I and my associates have large scale business ventures on. This isnt a very nice way to build a relationship.”

“Oppressing an entire species through cultural manipulation and threatening force in the form of orbital bombardment with Disruptors isn’t a lawful business practice, respectfully Daimon. But I do regret the unpleasantness between us, and I can speak for the Federation when I say our response was measured, and we consider that matter closed and will not seek further hostilities with you.” Krey interjected.

“Who’s oppressing, we just sold them replicators, operate a few mines and refineries and offered them ongoing assistance with their fledgling space program. And they currently have a large outstanding debt with us. If they don’t want us around, we can accept that, but we will want payment.” Pogg replied, he knew he was holding a losing hand, and would have to cave to any demands that were made, but still, he could try bluff until the end to get good terms.

“I had a feeling you would bring that up. And a Dergan delegation is actually aboard, and willing to discuss payment infact.” Krey then leaned over and whispered to Tyler.

Fred tapped his come badge and said “Bring ’em in.”

From the waiting room behind Krey emerged three Dergans. The President, Hasdrub, his Defense Secretary, Boul and the orchestrator of the swift rebellion and Launch Director Barka walked over to the head of the long conference table as 2 security officers pulled the gravsled with the cannister of pure latinum on it. After heaving the canister onto the table next to Pogg the security withdrew to edge of the room.

The Daimon couldn’t pull his eyes away from the flowing purplish-brown super liquid suspended in the translucent cannister.

“We consider this full and final payment of our debt with you. Any Ferengi vessel approaching the planet Derganix from here forward will be fired upon. We want you to leave us alone.” The President declared.

“It’s a trick Daimon.” The weasely looking aide said.

“Scanner” Pogg said after a few seconds of staring at the latinhm and reached out a hand to his bodyguard without taking his eyes off the cannister.

The aide to his right fumbled around his pockets and produced a small scanning device. A Soval security officer placed his hand on his phaser as the Ferengi placed the device in his bosses hand. The senior member of security detail waved off his officer with calm outstretched palm from behind the the Ferengi’s back.

“Fuck me, its real…where did you get this much latinum from? There’s no deposits on your world.” The Daimon passed the scanner back to his aide and looked directly at Hasdrub.

“Where they got it doesnt matter to you.” Tyler adroitly said, using the Ferengi’s own words from moments before.

“Hmmm.” Pogg’s eyes widened as he realized that much latinum plus his current dilithium holdings could very well put him on the Ferengi Trading Commission Top 100 Businessmen List. If it still existed.

“I think this will settle are accounts with you. It was a pleasure doing business with you over the years.. As long as you keep your distance from us, we’ll keep our distance from you.” Pogg said feigning graciousness.

“And we’d like you to void all claims to the dueterium rich asteroid clusters on or near our planets orbit.” Hasdrub added, after exchange a glance with Tyler.

“Got any more latinum, that dueterium processing barge wasn’t cheap.”

Kerak growled from the his seat to the far right of Federation side.

“Alright, alright, you can have the fucking barge.” Pogg relented.

“Well, I think this is good progress. I’ll have my staff prepare a document outlining the deal that’s been struck here. Just so both sides have it in writing.” Krey interjected.

“Ok, but you’ve also illegally impounded some of my vessels and taken people hostage. The last I knew the Ferengi and the Federation and its allies had very amicable relations. I don’t see why that can’t continue out here in the Beta Quadrant. We just want you to respect our business ventures and various and claims and concessions that we own, thats all. Minus the Dergans dueterium fields of course. And atleast tell us what crimes you’re claiming my people committed” Pogg figured he would stonewall at this point and hopefully get to keep the rest of his assets in this and the surrounding systems.

K’lev shifted uncomfortably in his seat, he could think of atleast a few felonies that all of his prisoners had committed.

“Well as for your 3 shuttles that were impounded, we’ve concluded our investigations and will release those vessels back to you now. They’re right there. And the crews will be released by the Culver City. You can have ’em all back, at your convenience.” Krey pointed out the windows.

“Minus the black market dissapator weapon that was mounted on one of them.” The Ambassador added.

“Damn effective when the going go tough, can’t say they aren’t an effective deterrent. But without that weapon, my commerce fleet is open prey to marauders around these parts. And my ships don’t have a long enough range to ship our product anywhere that’s worth shipping it to.” Pogg leaned back in his chair, as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He’d given away the game, he was at their mercy now.

“And that product is?” Captain Priax asked.

“Dilithium my good Captain. High grade, refined dilithium. This system and several of the surrounding systems all came from dilithium rich stellar nursery when they were formed.”

Krey looked to Tyler and K’lev on his left, and Priax and Kerak on is right.

“We might be able to come to a mutually beneficial arrangement then. How much dilithium are we talking about?” Krey said.

“Hehe, how much do you want?” Pogg smiled wide realizing he might be able to salvage his entire economic empire with one big score.

Tyler, who, as a warp theorist knew the back of a napkin math to figure out how much dilithium was needed to run a starship and for how long, typed out a messaged and slid it over to Krey. It read-

1 iso-ton of refined dilithium would be enough to run all allied operations in the expanse for the next 2 years.

Going rate for dilithium is 1000 Federation Credits per ton.

“How about an iso-ton?” Krey said cooly after reading the padd.

“Oh is that all, sure, we can fill that order for you.” In reality he only had 2 iso-tons ready to ship. But still, that was half his stock sold, in one deal.

“But how are you going to pay for it?” Pogg added.

“Well, what if we were to offer you, say a 2 year, free lease on a pair of type-R long range freighters.” Krey knew they’re was several of the venerable, long range, warp 9 frieghters sitting in a surplus depot just on the other side of the transwarp conduit from Framheim.

“2 years? That doesn’t even get us back to the edge of Romulan space, let alone any markets worth selling to.” Pogg complained.

Krey looked to Tyler and said “Take a break?”

Tyler nodded.

“Why don’t take a break, so we can confer on how to proceed, but in principle, we have a deal on all the other aspects we’ve discussed here I trust?” Krey asked.

Pogg quickly realized he might be able to not only salvage his empires existence, but grow it and get access to a new and potentially lucrative market.

“Sure, take whatever time you need. Its not like a business to run or anything.” Pogg waved his hand dismissively.

“We’ll recess for 10 minutes then, and see what we can come up with.” Krey said as nodded and rose.

“We’ll forward the proposed agreement to you when its prepared Mr. President.” The sly diplomat said to Hasdrub.

“Thank you for your assistance Ambassador. Captain Tyler, our people owe you much, and we would gladly accept your assistance in running and maybe expanding our new orbital station. But aside from a small team there, we would like to limit our contact with you and any other species in this region of space. After what we’ve been through, I feel we will need some time to…sort ourselves out, and find our own path forward.”

“That’s perfectly understandable Mr. President. I’m sure the Ambassador and his stay could draft an agreement that would ensure that your wishes are respected.” Tyler replied.

“Indeed.” Krey nodded.

And with that, the meeting adjourned, the Dergans returned to the surface, and the Federation representatives all met in an anteroom next to the conference hall.