"Hmmm... now this is a most interesting development," Grand DaiMon Drexil said from his private chamber aboard the Ferengi flagship Avarice. "The Federation has liberated Rostella IV. The odds on this whole conflict have changed dramatically!"
[The odds are now three to two in favor of a victory for the allied forces,] his bookie on Ferenginar told him. [There's been a change in the Federation chain of command, and they're sending more ships. The G'kra have weighed in as well.]
"Three to two, eh? I'll raise my stake to 250 million bars of gold-pressed latinum, Delcor."
[An excellent decision! Do you wish to place a side bet on casualties? The latest projection for an invasion of the Mulluran Empire is 50 million civilian casualties for the enemy.]
"Hmmm... with the Federation in charge they'll likely try to push that number down. I'll place an extra 20 million bars on a figure of 30 million or fewer."
Drexil's betting strategy was interrupted by an alarm from the bridge. [Sire, we're being hailed by a vessel from the FCA. Liquidator Brunt wishes to speak to you...]
"I'll have to get back to you later, Delcor," Drexil said nervously as he cut the link to his bookie.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Tarik exclaimed. "That bastard was actually placing bets on the outcome of the war???"
[That's correct. Apparently in his zeal to apply Rule of Acquisition #34 he forgot Rule #125!]
"If you would enlighten me, Grand Nagus..."
Rom sighed. [Rule #34: War is good for business. Rule #125: You can't make a deal if you're dead.]
"So what happens now? Who are you appointing to command your forces?"
[Bashar Egma aboard the Usury shall hold the Ferengi banner. His adjutant is SubDaiMon Nog, who was one of our first exchange officers in Starfleet.]
And Rom's son, Tarik recalled. "I will contact the Bashar at once. Once your fleet is reorganized and resupplied, the Federation intends offensive action against the Mullurans within 48 hours."
Before the Senate Special Committee On The Prosecution Of The Mulluran War -- Day Four
"How long ago did you suspect that Senator Dalrymple and Admiral Sinchak were in collusion with the Mullurans?" Senator Spock asked of Vice Admiral Richard Wallace.
"Last year, when Sinchak sent a message informing us that Federation policy prohibited our involvement in the Mulluran invasion of Nausicaa. I will also add that efforts to accommodate thousands of refugees in the wake of the conquest were also hindered by Sinchak's lack of action," Wallace said, stopping briefly to take a drink from the glass of water at his podium.
"Was the Senate informed of the imminent threat to Nausicaa?"
"Yes, Senator. Intelligence assessments by myself, by Commodore Mallory, and by General Tarik were forwarded to the Senate through the proper chain of command -- which, as we all know, culminates in the Political Affairs Liaison, Admiral Jeffrey Sinchak." The crowd in the senate gallery murmured.
"The full texts of these assessments is entered as Exhibits 102, 103, and 104 respectively," Spock informed the President of the Senate. "You have reviewed Exhibit 105, Admiral Sinchak's summary report to the Senate Foreign Affairs and Defense Subcommittees. What is your assessment of the summary report?"
Wallace cleared his throat. "If you will pardon my candor, Senator, I think Sinchak's summary report is a heap of targ dung."
Chuckles from the gallery. Spock raised an eyebrow. "If you would elaborate on your colorful metaphor for the benefit of the Committee, Admiral..."
"Mulluran troop estimates were downplayed by a factor of eight over what our intelligence intercepts suggested and what the actual combat has borne out. Two new Mulluran ship classes were completely omitted from Sinchak's summary report, when in fact we have engaged these vessels repeatedly over the course of the past year. Sentient rights violations were left completely unaddressed, despite ample evidence collected by Starbase 901, foreign governments, and independent monitoring bodies. And this doesn't even begin to address the level of Mulluran espionage taking place prior to the outbreak of hostilities. Believe me, Senators, if you had seen the actual reports we turned in, rather than Sinchak's summary report, you'd have signed a declaration of war without hesitation."
"So you mean to suggest that Admiral Sinchak deliberately shaded his report to promote an agenda contrary to Federation interests?"
"Senator, I don't mean to suggest a damn thing. I mean to outright state that Jeffrey Sinchak is a traitor, that he deliberately misled the Federation Senate, and in the process jeopardized the lives of thousands of Starfleet personnel -- to say nothing of the civilians we are charged to protect. And that Jeremiah Dalrymple was his accomplice in the Senate. You will note that Exhibits 117 through 122 are repeated requests by General Tarik to upgrade equipment and staffing for the 28th Marine Expeditionary Force, which was dispatched undermanned and underarmed for its designated mission. All of them except Exhibit 122 were denied by the Chairman of the Military Procurement Committee -- Senator Dalrymple. Likewise, the station itself was only upgraded from a century-old design after nearly being destroyed. Exhibit 123."
The murmuring from the gallery became more intense. Dalrymple, sitting at a separate table, became red in the face. "You don't know what you're talking about! I had the best interests of the Federation in mind!"
"And how was that, Mr. Dalrymple?" Spock asked. "You've shown no compelling proof that you had any legitimate Federation policy aim in mind. For the past four days, you've offered nothing in your defense. Sir, you are a traitor and a coward -- and you shall be damned by your actions."
The gallery exploded. The President of the Senate pounded his gavel. "There will be order on the floor! The Committee thanks Admiral Wallace for his testimony and asks that he remain on Earth until these proceedings are concluded, unless further testimony is needed. Admiral Sinchak is stripped of all privileges and confined to the brig pending remand for court-martial. The vote for impeachment of Senator Dalrymple shall proceed this afternoon at 1400. The Committee is in recess until that time."
"297 to 81 in favor of impeachment! What were the other eighty-one thinking?" Tarik asked.
[The usual peaceniks, and the Andorian delegation being contrary as usual. But Dalrymple is impeached. First time in history. And the removal vote looks good as well.] Wallace told him.
"I'm more interested in seeing the son of a bitch prosecuted. How about Sinchak?"
[His political capital vanished with Dalrymple. Even if he survives a general court-martial -- which I doubt -- his future career prospects are less than those of an Enterprise redshirt. How about the Ferengi situation?]
"Mr. Liteboulght was able to provide the necessary information. How that man was able to dig into a Ferengi offshore gaming racket, I don't know. But the Grand Nagus was informed and is now using Drexil's dessicated remains for snuff. The new guy seems pretty sharp; we'll see."
[The Bajoran militia is sending some ships your way, and given his previous... relations with Swarva I'm sending Paul to negotiate involvement on their part.]
"I'm sure Mr. Deveraux will find his assignment most challenging and enjoyable," Tarik said with an evil grin.
[As long as he keeps his mind on fleet maneuvers and not docking maneuvers, we should be okay. I'll head out there as soon as these hearings are over with. In the meantime, the Joint Chiefs have approved offensive actions against the Francona regime.]
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