Ground Rules

Posted on Thu Apr 24th, 2025 by Lieutenant Commander Samuel Bancroft & Captain James Cohen & Lieutenant Shral ch'Vyrhor

1,156 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: M02 - The Sixteenth Rule
Location: Observation Lounge, USS Hooke
Timeline: Present

James contently stared out the window at the two ships that moved alongside the Hooke on either side of him were a Ferengi ship and a Cardassian warship. It only served to point out the fact that both representatives of the Ferengi Alliance and Cardassian Union were now coming aboard. If they weren't already aboard to begin with, he grinned when he heard the door open behind him. James turned to see a short stocky Ferengi standing there, "Welcome aboard the Hooke."

Parin grinned revealing two rows of sharpened teeth, "Thank you Captain." He said rather politely, though he was already formulating in the crooked Ferengi head of his. "You have a lovely ship sir." He added in a feigned effort to butter up the Captain, to cozy up to him. Parin had a long and deep relationship with a number of people in the Federation, though many of them held to the same ideals as what Parin assumed the Captain held to.

"Thank you," James added a slight lowering of his head. "Please take a seat." He indicated the seat in front of him.

Sorvatt Prail had followed behind the Ferengi, though the Cardassian had never met the Ferengi before now. He felt a surge of mild disgust when the Ferengi complimented the ship. It would have been a good compliment had it not been so backhanded, "Hello Captain, it's been a long time."

James looked up and saw Sorvatt Prail standing there, now this was someone he'd not seen in a long time and grinned regardless. "Gul Prail!" He said then frowned, "I figured you'd been made a Legate by now?" He took a step forward and extended a hand almost immediately after having taken the necessary steps to get around to the other side of the table.

Sorvatt shrugged, "I would have thought the same thing. I see they gave you your own ship," Sorvatt looked around the conference room, or it was an observation lounge per Starfleet, and eventually his eyes landed back onto the Captain as he took the man's hand and shook it warmly. He even clasped it in both hands, "I'd heard a rumor that you'd been given a command anyway."

James nodded slightly nervous, "Yeah," He said finally. James had met Sorvatt during his time aboard the Dale when the ship was assigned a joint mission with the Cardassian Union during their post-war rebuilding efforts. Despite having served in the Dominion War, James didn't hold a grudge against the Cardassians, they'd suffered just as much if not more than the Federation had, even if they did cause some of that suffering.

Parin could only watch the interaction between the two men with a terrified gaze, "You two know each other?" He croaked.

Sorvatt answered for the Captain, "Yeah we served together during a joint mission between the Cardassian Union and the Federation." He was speaking as he sat down three seats away from the Ferengi. Sorvatt found that they'd all had a terrible odor that he didn't like. This one was not much different, despite all the radical changes that had taken place in the Ferengi Alliance.

Parin swallowed, "Oh I see." He said then turned his attention away from such matters, "Where is the Federation ambassador that will be negotiating with us Captain? Surely it's not you?" There was a twinge of nervous laughter behind both questions.

James found a seat and took it, he folded his hands across the top of the table, "Lieutenant Nuri Varrom isn't an ambassador she's a diplomat, but I suppose it's close to the same thing. She's also settling into her quarters and the conference doesn't start until tomorrow anyway. I just wanted to sit with the two of you and lay out some ground rules before the conference begins.

"I'm sure I don't have to express how happy I am to have you both on my ship. However, I implore you both to please stay away from those nasty areas that would result in either of you being in the brig." James had taken a much more serious tone of voice as he informed them of this. He knew Gul Prail would behave himself, he'd worked with the Federation and Starfleet before. It was the Ferengi that James found himself not trusting.

"Why certainly," Parin croaked.

Sorvatt looked at his Ferengi counterpart for a moment and realized just how interesting this was probably going to get. The last time he'd worked with James, the man was a Commander and the Executive Officer of his previous ship. Sorvatt recalled James' captain talking very highly of him. Now Sorvatt would get to experience James the Captain and Commanding Officer. "You won't have any problems from my team Captain." Sorvatt added without looking away from the Ferengi.

James' expression changed to a more gentle grin, "Good." He added then sat back slightly, "You'll both be filled in on areas of the ship you're allowed to be in. Also I implore you both to behave around my crew," His eyes sharpened quite a bit, "No asking for what is it?" He tilted his head slightly and his expression became a bit more humorous, "No asking my crew for Oo-mox," He added.

The Ferengi became slightly uncomfortable, "Of course not Captain. As you know, the Ferengi people are very different than they used to be. Under our new Grand Negus the Ferengi have had a great many... Reforms." He could feel the eyes of both men on him and knew he was outnumbered. He'd have to retreat for the time being.

"Good," James leaned back in his seat. He didn't buy into this whole reformed Ferengi business especially with Parin, he'd already read the profile. Besides he knew their cultural need to acquire and make profit hadn't changed a whole lot even if Parin insisted otherwise. "Then we won't have any problems." He looked at Sorvatt for a moment, "I'll be hosting dinner in my private dining for the two of you. I hope you'll be able to join."

"Certainly," Sorvatt said. "Will Miss Paige be there?" Sorvatt hadn't seen the girl in quite some time.

"Oh absolutely," James told him.

"I'll be there as well Captain," Parin managed.

James stood up, "All right," He pressed a small button next to him alerting Security to the fact that the meeting was done and they could escort the two of them to their assigned quarters. "You won't be escorted all over the place, but I want to make certain neither of you get lost." He added just as the security officers walked into the room.

Sorvatt grinned, "Very well Captain." He said, "I'll see you this evening." He then followed the security officers and Parin out the door leaving the Captain to his thoughts once more.

Gul Sorvatt Prail
Written by: Sam Bancroft

Parin
Written by: Shral ch'Vyrhor

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