The 3rd rule scene was one in which Quark out-logicked the Vulcan. On DS9 a recurring theme was the tension between the Federation and the Cardassians over settlers in border territories, and there was always all kinds of meddling and skirmishing to see that one side or the other prevailed. The Vulcan was a meddler who felt that peace was "worth any price", and Quark had to point out that further meddling was no longer a cost-effective approach, since both sides were sick of fighting and would probably be willing to negotiate.

Indeed. Quark, Odo, Garak...too bad the writers decided to de-claw all three of them by the end.

Fuck more stories about the federation. I want Star Trek: Alien Greedheads edition.

Basically yeah - anyone wearing a starfleet uniform was uniformly uninteresting.