The Next Step - Part 1: Negotiations (Backpost)

Posted on Wed Feb 25th, 2026 @ 5:21am by Captain Maho Takahashi & Lieutenant Commander Kurumi Ebisuzawa
Edited on on Wed Feb 25th, 2026 @ 5:23am

1,529 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: The Breen
Location: Holodeck One
Timeline: After 'Times Like These'

Following the conclusion of the senior staff briefing, Maho had sent a memo to Kurumi. She had meant to bring it up to close out the staff meeting, but in her haste to get everyone back to work, the subject had slipped her mind. In the memo, Maho had requested to speak to Kurumi in Holodeck One at her earliest convenience, as there were a few things she wanted to go over with her security/tactical chief.

Kurumi arrived at the holodeck doors, she looked a little flustered. She understood that the Captain needed her for something, but this seemed... irregular. Plus, she had to put a pause on her rounds for the day. That was one thing she had to complete later now.

The doors opened and she walked in.

The holodeck was already running, and Kurumi found herself walking into a simulation of the Myogi's conference room. Maho stood facing the windows. A PADD held behind her back, but the contents of which were hidden from Kurumi's view in the manner in which Maho held the device.

When the arch disappeared, Maho turned around to face Kurumi:

"Thanks for coming, Commander:" She said, bringing the PADD in front of her. "There are three scenarios I wanted to go over with you. The first two have no time limit, but the third one does. You'll understand when we get there..."

"Can I ask captain. What is it exactly you want me to be doing? I have a lot of security duties still to attend to..." Kurumi asked as she looked around the recreation of the briefing room.

"As I'm sure you're well aware," Maho stepped around the table. "With the way that things currently are, even with a Third Officer on board now, the likelihood of someone far down the chain of command needing to take over is much higher than it ever has been. As such, I'm looking for a reserve officer- someone who can take command in the scenario that the entire command staff gets wiped out in one fell swoop. Given your performance record and role as Chief of Security, I wanted to screen you for this role. Of course, you're more than welcome to refuse. I'm sure there are other department heads who are ready to take the next step if you aren't."

Kurumi blinked a few times, she had never considered training in command. But this was an opportunity that she could take. After all, she was a Lieutenant Commander, so this could be a chance for advancement. "Ok." Kurumi said. "So what do I have to do?"

Nodding, Maho raised her head.

"Computer, load scenario one:" She called out.

Beeping in acknowledgment, three figures suddenly appeared in seats at the table: A Klingon, a Romulan, and a Ferengi. Once the figures materialized, frozen in place, Maho turned back to Kurumi.

"For this first scenario, you will be resolving a mining dispute:" Maho motioned rtowards the Ferengi. "The Ferengi discovered dilithium deposits in a system along the Klingon-Romulan border." Maho then motioned to the Klingon. "The Klingon wants to secure mining rights for the Empire, while the Romulan thinks a Klingon presence this close to the border means a military buildup for a potential invasion of the Star Empire could happen. Starfleet has been called in to resolve this dispute peacefully."

"And just so I know. Who owns the asteroid currently?" Kurumi asked.

"The Ferengi does. He's trying to sell it to the Klingon, but the Romulan is here to put a stop to it." Maho explained.

"And why does the Ferengi want to sell it?" Kurumi asked curiously. "Its not like them to sell an asset unless it was either worthless, or generating debt. Even so they'll likely over charge or put the price up regardless."

"The Klingon and the Romulan both want the Ferengi dead." Maho elaborated. "The cowardly Ferengi is attempting to bargain for his life by selling his operation to the highest bidder... Is that enough information to start the scenario?"

At this point, Maho was somewhat concerned. She'd had to go over quite a bit of the instructor's notes before even starting the program. Without it running, the program couldn't adapt to fill in the blanks. If Kurumi kept asking questions like this, Maho would be forced to implement the recommendation that it was common for Starfleet captains to have an incomplete brief, and that experiencing the problem, in this case, running the program, was the only way to get the full picture.

"Ok. I got it. Its important to gave the correct details is it not? Afterall, one minor detail being wrong can cause big problems in delicate situations." Kurumi said in response. She cracked her knuckles amd turned to the holograms. "Ok, let me take a shot at it."

With a nod, Maho brought the PADD back to her side.

"Computer, begin Scenario One, enter Lieutenant Commander Kurumi Ebisuzawa as Candidate One." She specified to the computer.

Beeping in acknowledgment, the computer altered the appearance of both Maho and Kurumi's uniforms before the program started. Maho was now standing in a flag officer's uniform, while Kurumi found herself in the white shoulders and red pinstripe of a captain's uniform.

"This is an outrage!" The Klingon immediately shouted. "This Romulan PetaQ (Scum) can't be trusted!"

"The only one in this room who cannot be trusted is you:" The Romulan calmly responded. "Letting a Ferengi criminal slip away to build up militarily along our border? Hardly seems like an honorable act..."

"I will not have you question my honor!" The Klingon growled.

"Ahem..." Kurumi cleared her throat as she approached the table. "Lets all try and be more civilised shall we?" she told them all.

"Thank you!" The rather frazzled Ferengi sighed. "I'm starting to think this whole 'highest bidder' nonsense was a mistake..."

"Yeah no shit." Kurumi said her eyes narrowing at the Ferengi. "If your goal was to anger a Klingon and piss off a Romulan, congratulations. You've succeeded. Now, how about we all sit down and sort this out together?"

"I think you'll find we're already sitting, aside from him..." The Ferengi motioned to the Klingon.

The Klingon scowled in Kurumi's direction before slowly sitting back down.

"Right." Kurumi said simply. She turned to the Ferengi. "So you discovered this Dilithiun rich asteroid and want to sell it. No doubt for a high price." She said before looking to the Klingon. "And you want to buy it for the Klingon Empire..." she looked to the Romulan. "But you don't like the idea of a Klingon facility so close to the Romulan border..."

"Heres a solution." Kurumi said. "Our Ferengi friend here can set up the mining operation. That way he will gain long term investment. Which will work out as more profit." She paused. "The Dilithium mined here will be shipped to both governments 50/50. This will be done by civilian freighters. This way, there is no military build up, all three of you benefit and there is no need for this conflict." Kurumi suggested.

"The Star Empire doesn't even use Dilithium!" The Klingon was quick to point out.

"And you expect us to simply allow a criminal with at least 19 crimes against the Senate to just do his thing so close to our border?" The Romulan also objected, turning to the Klingon. "And I'm sure this Ferengi scum is also wanted in your Empire, last I checked."

"How you got that information, I will overlook for now..." The Klingon sneered. "But yes, the Empire and the Orion Syndicate would be most pleased with his head..."

"So, this Ferengi is technically a crimimal of both governments..." Kurumi said simply. "Then as a neutral party, I have no choice but to place him under arrest and seize all of his assets." She tapped her comm badge and summoned security.

Once two guards arrived, Kurumi looked over towards. "Escort the Ferengi to the brig." She said simply. "He is under arrest until a full investigation into these alleged crimes can be done." She then turned to the Klingon and Romulan. "I believe now that the asteroid you are arguing about is now part of a Federation criminal investigation. Until that investigation is concluded, it is to be left alone. So technically, its now under the protection of The United Federation of Planets."

She paused. "Once we have completed a full investigation and trial of the Ferengi. We will continue the talks on Dilithium rights of the asteroid. However you will have to go through the Federation diplomatic corps."

"Computer, pause." Maho suddenly spoke. In an instant, the holograms froze in place where they were when the order was given. Maho tapped a few notes on her PADD, muttering something that sounded like 'Interesting' as she did so. When she was finished, Maho looked up from the PADD at Kurumi. "Are you ready to begin test two?"

To be continued...

A mission post by

Captain Maho Takahashi
Commanding Officer
USS Myogi

Lieutenant Commander Kurumi Ebisuzawa
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Myogi

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