Booting Up Space Lawyer Mode...

[Joy 0]

Captain? Kith?

 

Take a look at the Ferengi formation. They are lining up in the Aegis shipping lanes. I bet he's counting on Article 18 Section 2, which guarantees a neutral avenue for passage of goods and persons. He'll likely claim a right under treaty to be there.

 

Remember Admiral Goram's habit of shutting down civilian traffic? If there is a clear and present danger, it is quite proper to declare a state of emergency or martial law, and all civilian traffic must comply with military authority. All merchant treaties go poof for the duration. I thought some of Goram's dangers were obscure and distant, but this one is quite clean. I don't know if you want to declare the emergency, or the Cardassians, but if you order him to move, and he doesn't, you have your act of war, and I'll certify that to San Francisco.

 

The main reason to delay on this is if the Cardassians want time to scramble their fleet.