Picard fumed silently as he followed Jabra'ad onto the bridge
of the _Independence_.  This was exactly the sort of thing he didn't
want to deal with, and yet there was no way to back out gracefully.
He didn't think the Ferengi would attack, not with the Enterprise
here; but it was certainly going to make for an awkward situation
all around.
     "The Ferengi are hailing us, Captain," said a pretty, red-
haired woman from the communications console.
     "On screen," directed Jabra'ad.
     The main viewer filled abruptly with the image of a Ferengi
DaiMon, his jagged teeth bared in an unpleasant smile.  "Captain
Jabra'ad," he said in his whining voice.  "We meet again."
     "DaiMon Gark," acknowledged Jabra'ad, icily polite.  "May I
ask what brings you into this sector?"
     Picard's eyes narrowed.  Ferengi were repulsive at the best
of times, but there was something uniquely loathsome about the
expression on this one's face.  He didn't recognize the look, but it
couldn't mean anything good.
     "We are merely protecting our interests, Captain," replied
Gark, rubbing his hands together.  "As are you, it seems."  His
beady eyes flicked to Picard.  "What is a Federation starship
doing in this sector?  And what is the Captain of that starship
doing on board a Confederation vessel?"
     "Captain Jabra'ad and I were merely making each other's
acquaintance," said Picard coolly.  "I trust that you do not
intend to ask what we had for dinner?"
     The Ferengi's smile froze.  "Of course not, Captain..."
     "Jean-Luc Picard, of the Federation Starship Enterprise."
     "Captain Picard, of course.  But you must understand my
concern.  It would not be...wise for the Federation to take sides
in this dispute.  I merely wish to be sure that you do not act
unwisely."
     "I am touched by your concern, DaiMon Gark," Picard replied.
"But I assure you your fears are groundless."
     "Good, good," said Gark.  "Then I trust you will have no
objection to returning to your ship immediately."
     "I beg your pardon?"
     "You say you have no intention of taking sides," Gark
explained patiently, "so I assume you will have no objection to
returning to your Federation ship and taking it out of the way."
His ghastly grin widened.  "You see, Captain Picard, we've come
to destroy the _Independence_.  And if you attempt to stop us...
we will destroy you."

      "Are they crazy?" exploded Riker.
      "It would appear so," observed Picard dryly.  He strode out of
the Transporter Room, heading for the turbolift.  "I managed to get
DaiMon Gark to give us ten minutes' grace--told him a man in his
position could afford to be generous."
      "With three Ferengi ships armed to the teeth, I guess so,"
Riker snapped as they entered the turbolift.  "Bridge."
      The lift began humming, and Picard rubbed his head
thoughtfully as he paced around the capsule.  "It's a delicate
situation, Number One.  If we defend the _Independence_, we appear
to be allied with them against the Ferengi.  If we don't defend the
Traders' ship, we're guilty of standing by and letting hundreds of
innocent people die in a hopeless battle.  The _Independence_ is
more than a match for one Ferengi vessel, but she can't possibly
defeat three of them."
       "Did Captain Jabra'ad have any suggestions?"
       The doors opened on the familiar scene of the bridge.  Picard
walked quickly down the ramp to take his seat in the Captain's
chair.  "He didn't say anything," he replied when Riker had seated
himself by his side.  "Just smiled and escorted me to the
transporter room."
       "He's confident," said Troi, her dark eyes distant.  "Now
that we're here, he feels secure.  A little afraid, but mostly
secure."
       "Maybe he's got an ace up his sleeve," suggested Riker.
       Picard's jaw tightened.  "For his sake and ours, Number One,
I certainly hope so."