Posted by Lieutenant Fey Kastil (Chief Medical Officer) in FPT-LS: Andromeda’s Curse - Negotiation - Ferengi onboard

Posted by Captain Zachariah Cobb (Commanding Officer) in FPT-LS: Andromeda’s Curse - Negotiation - Ferengi onboard

(snip)

Stone kept her attention on their guests at all times. She didn’t quite agree with the captain that it was wise to show their guests what secrets they were trying to unlock. Most of this was confidential even to ST members and people. The Ferengi only showed interest in things they could profit in.
She tried to think and understand why captain was showing them all these. Perhaps he would try to convince them, they can deal with the anomaly better then they can, and later share the findings? As far as she understood, they didn’t know much about the anomaly and what it does as well.

Lt. Andrea Stone, COS

Borrick hissed and yelled in that classic barbarian Ferengi way when something whole strange and mystical happens in front of them. Olash glared at him, but his own face was rather pale at the sight of this cloud that was burning the flesh off the humanoid below using ice. Olash and Zanic both feeling quite a bit of unease wondering if Cobb had brought them on board to torture them. Zanic whispered to the DaiMon, “Rule 15. Dead men make no deals.”

All Olash could think was that he must not give his thoughts away. Rule of Acquisition 85: Never let the competition know what yo are thinking, “An interesting way to keep your crew in line, Captain.”
DaiMon Olash
Negotiator Zanic

Zachariah’s face registered no outward emotion, although internally, he was delighted that his plan was working. Borrick and Zanic appeared sufficiently spooked and, while Olash was taking care to maintain a poker face, Cobb wasn’t buying it for a second.
“I have no need to keep ‘em in line, Mr Olash,” he replied, solemnly. “Fear does that job for me. Fear of these things we are ordered to fight. Like your artifact.”

The Ferengi had already seen far more than he intended. It was time to change tack for a while, allow Dr Kastil and her sister’s baked delights play good cop to the ARU’s bad. Marching ahead once again, Cobb led the way to the end of the walkway and into a small office, usually the domain of the Containment Shift Leader but currently vacant due to the accident below them.

“Please,” the captain gestured to several chairs dotted around the room, “make yourselves comfortable and we shall organise some refreshments. Never let mortal danger get in the way of a good cup of tea and some cake, eh?”

Then, leaving Kastil to settle their guests for a moment, he beckoned Stone to one side. Cobb had caught a flash of doubt in the Security Chief’s eyes and he needed to be sure she was on board with his plan. This was a house of cards so precarious that it could collapse at any moment and he had no chance of maintaining it without her help.
“I have nothing to barter with except fear,” he whispered. “I need for those Ferengi to hand over the artifact and run back to the Alliance with their tails between their legs. And the only way I can think of to do that is by showing them the bare, unfiltered truth. There are things in this universe far more treacherous than a missed opportunity for profit, Miss Stone. I just hope I can convince our guests to agree.”

• Captain Zachariah Cobb

She nodded, as she thought she knew what captain was planning to do. Perhaps she didn’t like how the captain was handling things, but she trusted him completely. He fought in wars and came out alive, so what he did must be right. Her way would probably involve showcasing the firepower they had which might end up bloodier.

“Sir, if we manage to convince them, that we know what we are doing when it comes to artefacts without revealing too much information… well they don’t look like someone willing to get their hands dirty to get the job done. Specially when there might be someone else willing to do the job for them. If we share the information about our findings, it could be enough for them to think they made profit. I wouldn’t disclose something that might get weaponized. But I guess we can deal with that later. Getting Einstein out of here and well ourselves and away teams should be top priority.”

Lt. Andrea Stone, COS

“Aye,” Cobb nodded his appreciation for Stone’s suggestion. “Aye. Information is a valuable resource, Miss Stone. You are absolutely right about that! And our guests are no fools. The question now,” he continued, beginning to lead his Security Chief back towards the office, “is, what words do we offer that glitter like latinum, but in daylight prove only to be fool’s gold?”

Then, joining with their Ferengi visitors once again, the captain turned his attention to Kastil. “Now then, Doctor, how are those refreshments coming along, eh? It’s small comfort against this information I have no choice but to share,” and here he threw an apologetic expression at Olash and his men, “but even the smallest of comforts can be a blessing when it matters.”

• Captain Zachariah Cobb

During the discussion between the Captain and the Chief of Security, the Doctor had made sure to provide adequate Ferengi cuisine for the guests along with a number of her sister’s confectionaries that wouldn’t upset their stomachs unless they ate too much. Each Ferengi was served a large portion of snail steak to go along with the confectionaries as well as a paired wine to dull the senses ever so slightly. “I would say the refreshments are going over well and will lead to great opportunity for productive trade.”

• Doctor Fey Kastil

Borrick was indulging far too much. Even for a Ferengi he was very much a coward. DaiMon Olash wiped his mouth after indulging only moderately in the food. “You prepare a very good meal, Doctor. One worthy of serious negotiations.” Olash nodded toward Zanic. Not that Zanic needed his approval to negotiate his own deals. And in fact Olash had built quite the reputations with those under his command of never interfering. Though if they were slow and stupid he had no problem taking a missed opportunity for himself. He turned back to Cobb, “Now Captain Cobb, shall we get down to business. Surely you have enough” he waved his hand looking for the word, “inventive punishments for your crew.” He still wasn’t sure he believed that artifact was dangerous.

Zanic turned to Fey, an eager gleam in his eye. “Ah, good doctor. Perhaps while the big to dos argue we can find a mutually beneficial trade to engage in?”
DaiMon Olash
Negotiator Zanic