Hi everyone! Today I post the second episode of my fanfic, as I state before, I recommend to read it on AO3 instead, and also it will be five in total episode which I have in mind.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/86718566/chapters/229523681

I hope you like it, comments and opinions are appreciated.

Captain’s Log, Stardate 67496: The USS Mar del Plata has been requested to conduct negotiations with a ferengi merchant named Wisk, owner of one of the top one hundred most profitable franchises in all of Ferenginar. He is the current owner of a natural satellite. Culturally, moons represent the ultimate achievement for a Ferengi businessman, much like owning a skyscraper or acquiring an island was during humanity’s Industrial Age.

Starfleet is interested in establishing an outpost in that moon, including a mining and refinery laboratory, as this natural satellite possesses iridium deposits that could be vital for maintaining ships near this system in the event of an emergency.

Wisk has proven to be the legitimate owner of the moon, recognized as such by nearby alien civilizations, so we have no choice but to respect his property. We assume Wisk does not know the true value of what he owns and merely holds it as a symbol of status and a display of vanity.

Captain Mark Epsilon, Commander Antos, and Security Chief David welcomed him in the transporter room.

“What a polished and pale place!” said the Ferengi, Wisk.

“Greetings,” the captain said. “Starfleet is eager to negotiate the placement of a laboratory, along with an outpost, on the moon you own.”

“I am glad you are no longer trying to claim sovereignty over something that isn’t yours. I would also like to know what this proposed outpost will look like.”

“Well, we have some prefabricated spheres in the shuttlebay if you’d like to see them. But first, setting aside our scheduled meeting for a moment, we would like to invite you to a banquet featuring the finest delicacies of Ferenginar straight from our replicator. It would be a pleasure to have you evaluate the authenticity of their flavors.”

“Oh! I see you know the 214th Rule of Acquisition quite well!”

“I am not familiar with the Rules of Acquisition.”

“So it’s a coincidence then? Because the two hundred and fourteenth rule states: ‘Never begin a negotiation on an empty stomach.’”

“In that case, I hope your ‘stomach’ is no longer ‘empty’ after we eat.”

“Well, thank you…” he replied, looking a bit confused.

David found the situation amusing; Commander Antos, not so much.

The four of them made their way to the turbolift while Wisk observed how many women were working on the ship, including Hecate, who was in charge of the transporter room.

“Shuttlebay.” the commander ordered inside the turbolift.

“And how many women… ‘work’ on this ship?” Wisk asked.

“All of them.” David replied.

“Very funny. I meant how many human females are on this ship.”

“I haven’t really counted, but last time I checked the stats, I’d say about 52%. Does that figure interest you for some reason?”

“The truth is, Ferenginar has changed in recent years. It’s uncomfortable, though… I’m trying to get used to it. At first, I thought it was just some sexual game made up by the previous Grand Nagus, but it’s strange to think they can view life the way men do, socially and profit-wise. Do you understand what I mean?”

“In the past, humanity believed women’s sports weren’t as interesting as men’s. I suppose it was about time we realized otherwise, wouldn’t you say?” David remarked.

The turbolift doors opened, and the ferengi merchant sighed.

“I don’t think it’s that difficult for your kind to go against your customs. You wouldn’t understand, is not easy for us.”

Inside the capsules, several engineers were working, including the ferengi Narad. Wisk slowly approached her, smiling as he drew himself up straight in front of her.

“Is something wrong, Wisk?” David asked.

“As I told you, Commander, I am trying to get used to seeing clothed women, but not so much if they are ferengi. After all, everyone knows that ‘women and finances don’t mix.’”

He turned around and took a few steps.

“Don’t worry, we are aware of your preferences. Only men will be present at the negotiation table, and…”

Before the captain could finish his sentence, and before anyone could react, a screech pierced the air. They watched as Narad lunged at Wisk, pummeling him until he hit the floor.

“Get that… get that smug grin off your face, you damned…!” Narad yelled, before unleashing a stream of insults in the ferengi language.

Confused but acting quickly, David pulled Narad back as she fought with all her strength and fury, swinging her free hand along with a tool she had been holding in the other hand. Meanwhile, the captain and the commander helped Wisk to his feet.

Due to his injuries, Wisk was taken to sickbay, and David took care of Narad before heading to sickbay himself to make sure everything was under control.

“Bah! What do you even have security for if you’re not going to control your subordinates?” Wisk asked as a hypospray was administered to him.

“As chief of security,” David said, “we will take action regarding this matter. If you would like to file a formal complaint, I’d be happy to take it down.”

“You can count on both security and the medical team for that.” Dr. Carmen added.

“Fine, Doctor. Perhaps there’s something that justifies why she attacked me. It isn’t the hospitality I expected to receive on a Starfleet ship, especially since I don’t recall ever seeing her in my life.”

“I can’t give you any answers just yet. Do you need anything else?”

“Yes, since you mention it, I do need something else. I need to know if you are a man or a woman? I know David is a man with long hair is rare to see on a human, I associate it more with certain Romulans, but women with short hair confuse me, making me mistake them for men.”

“I am a woman.”

“Oh, it’s just that you look very different from what I would expect of a human.”

“Right. I don’t conform to conventional beauty standards for a human woman, is that it?”

“Exactly! It’s like seeing a ferengi with large lobes! It would be a distinct trait of a Ferengi male if a woman had them. A tomboy.”

“Do you realize that humanity left those gender distinctions behind centuries ago?”

“I just found out. Still, I wanted you to know the reason for my confusion. Thank you for clarifying.”

“Have you considered that perhaps your attitude was what prompted her to hit you in the first place?”

“I didn’t even speak to her! And besides… Oh, I see. I’m sorry. I’ll go back to the captain.”

“Yes, you’d better leave.”

Once Wisk had stepped out, David and Carmen were left alone.

“I mentioned it to the captain. I can’t believe Narad had that kind of strength. She really strike him.”

“Medically speaking, I can say the same. Two bruises on his face? I don’t know what she would have done if you hadn’t stopped her. Did she tell you why she did it?”

“Narad started trembling and couldn’t even bring herself to look at me. Once she calmed down, she didn’t offer any resistance to going into the brig. I was planning to leave her there until negotiations are over, though I think as a doctor you should evaluate if something is wrong with her. Could she be under some kind of influence? Maybe the last repair she did on that planet resulted in a possession, it wouldn’t be the first time something like that happened on a starship.”

“We can’t rule out that possibility, but if it really were something or someone trying to control her, why beat up a ferengi businessman instead of someone on the bridge? Either way, I’ll run some tests on her to get a better idea of what’s going on.”

Sooner rather than later, Doctor Carmen headed to the brig, where she asked the security guard to let her in.

She offered to talk, though having first made sure to learn more about Narad’s background beforehand.

It all began sometime in the year 2373, shortly after Narad turned five. A complicated time marked by Borg assaults and the Dominion War.

An unidentified ferengi made contact with a Starfleet outpost.

“Incoming transmission, on screen.” said an Aenar who served as the communications officer for that outpost back in 2373.

“You are approaching a Starfleet outpost.” said an elderly human who acted as the station commander. “State your intentions.”

“This is a lucky day for the Federation. I am willing to make a donation, a rare thing among Ferengi, though I don’t know if that’s talked about in Starfleet.”

“It’s a common rumor. As long as it isn’t a trap, I suppose we can accept it if it’s an act of good faith.”

“Perhaps, yes… I suppose your kind is more tolerant in that regard, so let us make a verbal agreement and I will bring it to the colony. Do you accept the gift?”

“As I said before: if it doesn’t pose a problem for third parties, go ahead.”

“Good! An oral contract, I like it! Quick and implicit. The product in question is Narad. She is a very poorly behaved servant. I tried telling her that ‘there are plenty of fish in the sea,’ but she didn’t listen. You can change her name if you like. I will also send over her basic file; do not return her.”

The communications officer informed the station commander that they had received telemetry regarding what was beamed down. It was a female ferengi child.

“Wait, you can’t just abandon a child! Are there no family members who can take care of her? She’s one of your own! You can’t treat her like a product!”

“Too late for returns, and no, I don’t want her anymore. She’s worthless. As the 82nd Rule of Acquisition says: ‘The more flimsier the product, the higher the price.’ Enjoy.”

“Wait!”

The transmission cut out, and the Ferengi ship went into warp.

They never found out if he was her biological father, an onerous adoptive parent, or a guardian; in any case, he simply wanted to get rid of her.

In short, Narad grew up in the Federation. If Klingon children were the target of jokes, you can imagine Narad being compared to an elephant, or asked if she could hear the teachers too loudly, among other inappropriate comments.

Not only did she feel isolated, but as a teenager, she learned she had been abandoned at the age of five, the only mercy being that she was handed over to the Federation.

She later joined Starfleet seeking a sense of belonging, but she never dared to socialize much. After all, if not even other ferengi paid attention to her, it would be impossible for other species to ever consider her a friend or a couple.

It was that very lack of social skills that pushed her even further apart.

All her life, she had compared herself to people of every species which, in her point of view, fit better in the federation.

At certain times of the year, Narad would try to learn more about ferengi culture, going so far as to sharpen her teeth, all with the dream of one day returning there and being treated better than when she was little, especially given the news she heard about women being granted more and more rights on ferenginar.

Returning to the present, Doctor Carmen had taken the time to learn almost all of this, so she focused on listening to Narad’s repressed feelings rather than asking questions.

All of this unfolded while Mark Epsilon entered the guest quarters with his head held high, his hands clasped behind his back, where Wisk was staying.

“Are you feeling alright? Did you enjoy the food?”

“Everything was spectacular! Even your medical equipment is quite good, and I’m glad it’s free. On Ferenginar, you’d all be rich. If only you knew how expensive anything related to healthcare is there, you’d rather die than let them get their hands on your savings!”

“The negotiations will take place as scheduled. I apologize for Narad’s behavior; it won’t happen again.” the captain replied.

“No problem at all. I know my complaint will be answered cordially and appropriately, right?”

“We are evaluating whether she requires disciplinary action or even a court martial.”

“Perfect. In any case, as someone who knows a thing or two about women, let me tell you: don’t be too hard on her. I understand they can be hysterical; they know nothing about business, and therefore they are wild. Did you know that not too long ago they were forbidden from wearing clothes? If you see women for what they truly are; animals without rights, you don’t hold a grudge, especially if it’s a ferengi woman.”

“I must ask you to refrain from making sexist comments on this ship. On your moon, you are free to behave as you wish, but try to stay out of trouble while you are on board.”

Wisk’s eyes widened, looking surprised and thoroughly taken aback.

“And how is this my fault?! She attacked me!”

“I recall you saying that women were bad for finances. That’s enough, do not do it again.”

“If you only knew what women say when a man isn’t around! And I never raised a hand against anyone!” the merchant replied in his typical high-pitched Ferengi voice, wagging his index finger.

“Then be better than them!” Mark Epsilon replied reasonably. “Besides, didn’t you say you don’t hold a grudge against them? At any rate, we will begin negotiations shortly.”

After a group of diplomats arrived on board, everyone sat down at the conference table. Although the proposal had already been presented, they were present to evaluate the situation on behalf of the captain and the commander.

Time went on, winding through the loaded questions Wisk kept throwing at them.

“We are interested in setting up a laboratory for exploration purposes.” Mark Epsilon emphasized.

“Oh, really? What kind of exploration?”

“We believe this system may contain a hard-to-detect anomaly, making this moon the best location to focus our efforts to learn more about it.”

“Aren’t the starships you have enough? I know you’re capable explorers.”

“The anomaly could be anywhere in the system. If you allow us to install an outpost base of operations to serve as a laboratory, you will receive all the data we collect. Furthermore, you will receive 20% of whatever the facility generates in exchange for allowing us to work on your moon.”

Wisk tutted, wagging his index finger back and forth.

“Do you think I’m an idiot? Doesn’t it? I know what the Federation cares about when it comes to territory, and that’s minerals. You’re after the iridium, aren’t you? Because you didn’t mention it once, and I know you know it’s there. Did you think a man like me wouldn’t know the value of what he owns? I’d be a terrible businessman!”

The captain remained silent, but due to his Benzite nature, he managed to conceal his surprise.

Seeing this, Commander Antos stepped in to address Wisk.

“We couldn’t be certain there was iridium. Can you confirm that for us?”

“Did you really not know?”

“We were so focused on studying the anomaly that we overlooked the iridium altogether.”

“How do I know you’re not lying to me? You said you were going to give me twenty percent!”

“That is negotiable. But we can talk about what actually interests you: do you want the iridium?”

“Yes, but I can’t mine it. Everything I have is tied up in goodwill, mortgages, and other things you probably wouldn’t understand.”

“Then this is your lucky day! Starfleet could set up the mining operation, and you wouldn’t have to spend a single gram of latinum.”

“It’s hard to trust you, knowing you tried to scam me.”

“It’s not a scam. I’m surprised a Ferengi like you isn’t familiar with the 3rd Rule of Acquisition!”

“‘Never spend more for an acquisition than you have to.’ Why bring up that rule now?”

“This benefits both of us. We weren’t willing to offer a higher percentage because we didn’t think it would be useful to you. At the same time, you just brought up a concern that Starfleet can cover: the overhead and operational costs of mining.”

“Twenty percent feels miserable.”

“You’re an accountant, right? Calculate the overhead and costs required to extract that iridium. 20% is even more than you could ever net on your own. Let us absorb an unforeseen expense, and you get pure profit with zero risk. What could be better than that?”

Wisk paused, mulling over the proposition.

The captain took the opportunity to chime in:

“I understand there may be rules making you think twice, but it all comes down to calculating our offer against what it would cost you to do it yourself.”

“True…” Wisk licked his lips and stared intently at the commander. “You’re from Bajor, aren’t you? You’re quite the haggler for someone from a religious, moneyless civilization.”

“Oh, I take that as a genuine compliment. I truly believe Ferengi are the most adaptable species in the universe. You always have to take risks to turn a profit, and only time proves you right, that’s a burden the Federation never has to worry about.”

“Finally, someone who gets it! You know what? You’ve got ferengi business very well. You’ve really got the lobes for this, Commander. That’s something I don’t say about just anyone in Starfleet…” He glanced sideways at the captain and raised his hand. “No offense, of course.”

“Just between us; man to man, as two people who understand how these things work…” Commander Antos replied slyly. “This is an unparalleled opportunity you can’t afford to pass up. With this, you’ll be head and shoulders above other ferengi. How many manage to strike successful deals with the Federation or Starfleet? You are playing in other league! Think about it carefully.”

Captain’s Log, supplemental: Negotiations have gone remarkably well. Surprisingly, we did not anticipate iridium becoming part of the bargaining process, and I personally expected them to demand a higher percentage. Fortunately, Commander Antos demonstrated an understanding of ferengi culture I was previously unaware of. As a result, we signed a contract prior to concluding the meeting. He has my most sincere congratulations for his performance.

Mark walked down the corridor alongside Antos after leaving the Gardel & Sinatra bar.

“Number One, you did an outstanding job at the negotiation table. I knew you weren’t interested in the religion of the Prophets of Bajor, but I had no idea you were a follower of ferengi philosophy.”

“Not even for a second. I detest the idea of a culture nearly venerating materialism. it’s the exact opposite of what any intelligent civilization preaches.”

The captain stopped dead in his tracks.

“But… you know the Rules of Acquisition.” Mark pointed out, sounding more amused than confused.

“I know a few, but that doesn’t mean I practice them. I figured reading them would prove useful in convincing our lunar guest that this deal was an… investment.”

“Antos, let me tell you: the day I need someone to gaslight or pull off a bluff in front of an enemy ship, you have free rein to do it. I’m thoroughly impressed.”

“It’s an honor to hear that, Captain.”

“Please, call me Mark. You’ve earned it. You were eloquent, and you got him to sign that contract.”

The next day, the captain called Engineer Narad to his office after Doctor Carmen provided her assessment after reviewing her life story, since Captain Mark Epsilon had originally recruited her based on her academic performance rather than her personal background.

Her actions seem to be justified but also need to be treated. But the doctor didn’t tell everything about what Narad had said to her.

Narad opened the door to the captain’s quarters, where Mark was sitting in front of his computer.

“Come in.”

She bowed her head and began speaking at a frantic pace.

“Please, Captain, I love being on this ship. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I’ve dreamed of all my life, and I don’t want to lose it. Please, please don’t discharge me.”

“First of all, make visual contact, engineer.”

Narad raised her gaze, her eyes glistening; in her mind, she was already convinced she was being kicked out.

“Starfleet values your academic qualifications, but if there’s one thing it values even more, it’s that you embody the spirit expected of a Starfleet officer.”

“I know… I’m so sorry…”

“Your actions were entirely out of line, and you nearly cost us an opportunity to negotiate with a prominent and respected ferengi businessman.”

“Forgive me, Captain, I couldn’t help myself. Those comments… they hurt so much. Why do Ferengi still see us as inferior or the weaker sex? What’s the point of it?” she asked as tears began to stream down her face.

“To put your mind at ease: you will keep your post. However, it is under the condition that starting now, you will undergo remote psychiatric treatment with any counselor of your choosing. Doctor Carmen will have access to your progress reports, and there will be strict confidentiality, so no one else will know what you discuss. She will be the one to certify whether you are fit to remain on board.”

“Thank you! Thank you so much, Captain Mark Epsilon! I swear it won’t happen again. I… I don’t know what came over me. I’m not like that, and I don’t want this to leave a bad spot or tarnish my career.”

“As captain, I must remind you that actions have consequences, and they could be far more severe in the future. But as for the other matter, I can hazard a guess. Respectable as Wisk may be, was he a bit of an… ill-mannered idiot? Am I right?”

A small chuckle escaped Narad through her while tears still coming out as she covered her our mouth.

“That’s right, Captain. Did you notice it too?”

“Wisk didn’t make the best impression on the crew. David mentioned to me that you landed some solid hits and that he is sad you’re not on the security officer. I thought you might like to hear that. If there’s nothing else to say, you are dismissed.”

Narad left cheerfully to dry her face, still reeling from the whirlwind of emotions, from feeling as though her career was over to feeling truly understood, feeling immensely relieved all at once.