"Oh, and Captain?" he said, turning back just before the door. "This might be a good time to mention, I have four Ferengi forcibly confined to an undisclosed area of the station under heavy guard." he said, a broad grin on his face now. "I figured that if the Ferengi were attacking, they might try and spring the Brig. The mid 100's levels should be safe enough for now. Charges range from Public Intoxication to disorderly conduct." he said, before departing quickly, lest the Captain was annoyed.
[Promenade]
Stafford blinked, so surprised that he didn't even have time to formulate a sharply worded reprimand before Kinun stalked off. The captain resolved to let it slide. If anyone could trump up some charges that would stick it was the amoral JAG officer.
I have enough problems as it is.With the Ferengi and their cohorts cleared out the Promenade was much more quiet. Stafford saw that most of the civilians had quite astutely not hung around the premises. His cane clicked on the deck, echoing throughout the empty area.
[Diplomatic Situation Room]
The scene was a bit chaotic, to say the least. Security had done a good job of keeping them there and quiet...if a pack of Ferengi could ever be quiet, wrongfully imprisoned or not.
The volume of noise quadrupled when he stepped foot into the room. Pleas, threats, whining, all of it swelled with the appearance of the man in charge. The captain was a bit mollified: if they were begging him to be released they at least knew he was still in command, not their sub-Nagus.
Without a word, Stafford raised his cane high above his head and sent in crashing down onto the enormous table that dominated the room. Wood met wood with an explodingly loud ear splitting
CRACK!Silence finally reigned.
"Gentlemen, I regret that my people have treated you so unfairly," Stafford said. He had a husky voice and an old fashioned earth accent, one another human might call 'country' or 'rural', but just sounded alien to the assembled Ferengi. "Your arrests were inadvertent, and I do apologize."
A few satisfied murmurs were heard.
"However," Stafford went on. "In line with the Rules of Acquisition, I am not giving up an advantage. I am sure you can all appreciate that. I believe that's rule number...six. Anyway, you will all remain here and under guard. Either by force or by negotiation, this Station is staying in Federation hands."