The ready room door opened and Hok started to enter, but Chief Engineer Nick Saunders walked out.  Stepping aside, he let the lieutenant pass.

“Have a seat, Mister Hok,” said Captain Kirby.

Hok sat in the chair across from the captain.  He wasn’t comfortable because he knew what was coming.

“We need to discuss why you were so adamant about not being part of the undercover mission,” said Kirby.

“Yes, sir,” said Hok.

“I read your file before you came on board,” said Kirby.  “I had the final say if you did.  You may not know this, but there were very few postings available to you.  Most COs were skeptical about having you on their crew.”

Hok didn’t know that, but he shouldn’t have been surprised.

“You were facing being assigned to a remote science station in the ass end of Federation space,” said Kirby.  “I didn’t think that was fair, so I decided to give you a chance.”

“I appreciate that, sir.”

“Now I’m not saying this to make you feel you owe me,” said Kirby.  “I just wanted you to know the truth.  I believed you had something to offer and so far you’ve done well.”

“Thank you, sir.”  Hok knew he was being redundant, but he was waiting for the proverbial hammer to drop.

“I know what happened to your family and I’m sorry.”

Hok nodded.

“I know you left Ferenginar and went to Earth because you lost your business license.  You lived there five years, started a business, then lost it because of a fire.  Right after that, you enlisted in Starfleet.”  Kirby paused.

“Sir, I don’t know…”

Kirby held up his hand.  “I just want you to be aware of what I know and what I suspect.”

Hok frowned.  He knew, if someone cared to try, they would figure out he was hiding in Starfleet for protection.

“Whatever happened and whoever is after you, don’t you think you can trust your captain?” said Kirby.

How could Hok explain?  How could he say, if the misunderstanding with the Orion Syndicate was resolved today, his name was cleared, and his license was restored, he would resign his commission and go back home to be a true Ferengi?

It isn’t that simple, sir.”

“I get that, but this is an extremely important mission and the Eagle was chosen to do it.  Not because I’m a good negotiator, but because of you,” said Kirby.

Hok rolled his eyes.

“Ensign?”

“If there weren’t any Ferengi in Starfleet, would someone still be assigned to this?” said Hok.

“Yes.”

“Then maybe we should consider why it’s so important for me to be included.”

By the expression on Kirby’s face, Hok could see the captain was caught off guard.

“Sir, Commander Allen and Doctor Weaver can handle what needs to be done on the resort.  I’m more valuable helping you negotiate with Klunt.  Why didn’t SFI or Commander Perry realize that?”

The captain’s forehead wrinkled and the room fell silent.

“All right, Mister Hok, you’re staying here.  I’ll contact Commander Perry’s ship and let him know.”

“Thank you, sir.”  Hok was visibly relieved.

“You’re dismissed,” said Kirby.

As Hok was leaving, he saw the concern in Kirby’s eyes, but that dwarfed the concern of his own.  Something was afoot and he had to figure out what it was.