<Starbase Ops, Central Control Room, Incoming Message from Ferengi Vessel>

The Lieutenant at the communications console turns to the commanding officer. "Incoming message from Ferengi vessel Quick Sale"

The commander turns to the lieutenant with an angry look on her face "Put it on screen"

"Yes, sir"

An especially ugly Ferengi appears on the screen.

"I am DaiMon Tiderk of the Ferengi vessel Quick Sale, and this is an automated recording being broadcast simultaneously to the Federation, Klingon, Romulan, and Cardassian empires. 
We are in currently possession of Captain Phillip Davis Raleigh of the Federation vessel Lafayette, who is an expert on the new Federation Lafayette class vessels. We are prepared to sell him to the highest bidder. Bids should be sent as a response to this message, and should be in gold-pressed latinum bars. The highest bidder will be sent the co-ordinates of the lifepod we are setting him adrift in. Message ends."

"Lieutenant, relay that message to Starfleet Command"

"Yes sir. Sir - there's another incoming message - from the Ferengi Council."

"I am Tolk of the Ferengi Council. On behalf of the Grand Nagus, I deny all responsibility for the kidnapping of Captain Raleigh. This act was undertaken by Ferengi traders acting independantly. We will make all efforts to track down the culprit and return your Captain to you, and as an act of friendship we will only charge you at cost price for the time of the vessels involved in the search. Tolk out."