"The Great Material Continuum is the force that binds the universe together. There are Millions upon Millions of worlds in the universe. Each one filled with too much of one thing and not enough of another, and the Great Continuum flows through them all, like a mighty river. From have to want and back again. If we navigate the river with skill and grace, our ship will be filled with everything our hearts desire." -Nog "Deep Space 9" on barter and trade.