Created by Captain Michael Turlogh Kane on Aug 16, 2016 @ 4:37am

THE FERENGI ALLIANCE

The FERENGI ALLIANCE of the 25th century has entered a new period in its history following its union with the United Federation of Planets. Never a militarily powerful species, the small territories of the Alliance had nevertheless a strong economic tradition, which began to change when the Ferengi branched out into the galaxy.

Official First Contact between the two governments occurred in 2364, and over the next twenty years both societies grew closer together. Ferengi merchants expanded throughout the Federation, primarily trading on worlds and outposts far from the Federation's core worlds. A seismic shift began to occur in Ferengi economic thinking - as they tapped into the Federation's enormous trading network, the Ferengi began to move away from cut-throat free enterprise and towards a business model that was compatible with the Federation's values of social justice and equality.

As economic rivalries with the rising Orion Syndicate began to impact on them during the 2380s, the Ferengi moved towards diplomacy to enhance their relationship with the Federation. The two powers became economic allies, forming a trading bloc where tariffs were reduced and the flow of goods was unimpeded. This move strengthened both the Federation and the Ferengi so well that in 2395 there occurred the most momentous event in Ferengi history - the Great Merger with the Federation.

Under the direction of the ageing Grand Nagus Rom, a new relationship was negotiated between the Ferengi and the Federation. In return for being absorbed into the Federation, the Ferengi would gain monopolies and exclusive rights over many trade routes, as well as becoming the administrators of the Federation's Department of the Treasury. The Great Merger, Rom declared, would be the most profitable venture the Ferengi people had ever undertaken.

Not all of his people followed suit - some traditionalist Ferengi fled their homeworld and founded a New Ferenginar and retained the name of the Ferengi Alliance.

Since the Great Merger, the Ferengi have become citizens of the United Federation of Planets, gaining a seat in the Assembly. Today, they oversee and direct the Federation's macro-economy, and have been responsible for keeping a steady course in galactic markets since then.

The Ferengi people seem to be enjoying life as part of the great alliance, and although some traditionalists on Ferenginar continue to agitate for independence, the current Grand Nagus has no plans to cancel the Great Merger. Although some sociologists have wondered aloud at how quickly the Ferengi have shifted their philosophy without massive social upheaval, most see it as a financial master-stroke and a perfect example of how seizing a business opportunity can result in long-term gains.

Today, Ferengi show little appetite for service in Starfleet, preferring their traditional roles in finance. They remain shrewd (and occasionally devious) merchants, and can be found on almost all settled Federation worlds and colonies, plying their trades in the new economy of the 25th century.