THE FERENGI ALLIANCE is a mystery to Non-Ferengi. Located Rimward of the Federation, the Ferengi have specialized in 'strong arm' extortion rackets, 'company store' trading policies and such like for decades.

First contact came when Ferengi ship attacked the USS Stargazer and Jean-Luc Picard executed his Picard Maneuver to destroy the hostiles. They have enjoyed 'Trading Partner' status since.

During the Dominion, the Ferengi Fleet took a 'Neutral' stance and only joined the Alliance after the Dominion seized the personal accounts of Ferengi citizens on Cardassia.

Exactly whom they are allied with is unclear. The sole purpose of the group seems to the the furtherance and expansion of Ferengi trading concerns. They are solely driven by the material possession of Latinum, and their 'currency' is fast becoming a common sight throughout the Alpha Quadrant, rivaling the Federation Uni-Credit as a means of trade.

The election of a more moderate Grand Nagus in 2376 seems to have tamed some of the more rapacious members of their Halls of Trade.

They have seemingly ceased the more predatory trading practices... at least in areas subject to the scrutiny of Allied Starpowers. Their MARAUDER class cruiser/Heavy Traders are fine ships, equal in size and power to an Akira class ship.

CURRENT FEDERATION STATUS: ECONOMIC HOSTILE COMMANDER'S DISCRETION