—- The Village of the Janinar —-

The Janinar gave no emotional display as the two advocates, a human and a Vulcan, presented the evidence that the Starfleet personnel had uncovered. They were silent for a moment, telepathically speaking with each other to figure out how they would approach this new evidence. It was not fair to say that either side was clean, the Federation farmers had caused the deaths of their people by smearing cow dung on the Cardassian base as a prank, but they had no way of knowing that the Cardassians had planets explosives inside the fertilizer in the first place.

Matthis Bernard glanced nervously at Commander Olivia Carrillo as the Janinar remained passive, internally debating the merits of the case. Finally after deliberation they looked at the human lawyer Bernard and the Chief Janinar who had been interacting with the Starfleet officers spoke, “We realize both the Cardassian and human populations of this world are unable to remain without conflict. Thus both species will be required to leave the planet in one solar cycle.“

Bernard objected, “The farmers’ prank was juvenile but not intended to hurt anyone.”

The Janinar remained unconvinced, “Conflict seems to be the constant. We have allowed co-habitation for far too long, clearly.”

As the small team that had come from the Captain’s Yatch returned Commander Olivia Carrillo asked, “So what does this mean?”

”It means Commander that the Janinar have made the decision that both humans and the Cardassians must leave Pangangar within the space of one year,” said the Vulcan lawyer Slaj. He seemed unmoved by the situation that this was causing, as now the crew had to inform the villagers that though they had secured the release of the detained farmers they had lost the right to the planet.

Chief Diplomatic Officer Lieutenant Diya Acharya nodded, “While Pangangar is within the Federation run neutral zone, the Janinar lived her before either race and thus according to Federation law they have the say. Things get muddier since they initially allowed human settlement, but given recent events I don’t know.”

”Add to that that we do no know the level of power the in the Janinars’ possession,” Slaj said, “Their telepathic gifts are formidable, and while they seem committed to peaceful coexistence, Starfleet has not tested the limits of their resolve.”

—- Captain’s Yatch, Pangangar —-

“The USS Washington is on route to either take the farmers off world, if they’ll go or work out a more permanent diplomatic solution,” Commander Carrillo said, having finished her briefing of Captain Cruz back aboard the USS Luna. An Obena-class ship was more equipped for planetary evacuation, and then there was a long and potentially difficult conversation to be had with the settlers. Though they only numbered in around four thousand, as opposed to millions, it was still a sensitive topic.

“We’re ready for liftoff whenever you are,” Winfield said, having run through all the pre-flight checks. 

“Slaj and Mister Bernard will be remaining here to continue arguing the colonist’s case,” Carrillo said.

”And who’ll ensure the Cardassians leave on time,” asked Winfield.

”They don’t want open conflict with the Janinar, and they’re likely as in the dark about the extent of the Janinar’s abilities as we are,” Carrillo said, “So Starfleet is assuming that they’ll leave, plus we’ll be checking up on the world now that we know they’re here. The point of having a secret base is a bit moot once we discovered the secret base.”

Carrillo headed outside after having given a liftoff goal of two hours from now. The Luna was a good ship, and had every luxury that she could imagine wanting, but it was nice of be out of the artificial environment for a bit and feel a real sun‘s light beating down on you. She’d served on planet-side bases before and there was nothing that she missed more, though she also knew that it was harder to be in Starfleet and not deal with life aboard a ship at some point.

There was the unmistakable crunch of rock underfoot behind her and Lieutenant Lambert came up and stood beside her looking at the world they were about to leave.

”You okay?” Lambert asked.

”I just got yelled at by farmers for the last few hours,” Carrillo said, “Just decompressing a bit before we head back to the Luna.”

”We saved the accused, and found out the truth,” Lambert said, “that’s all we can do.”

”I know it just doesn’t feel like a win,” Carrillo said.

”Well Commander. Olivia, life isn’t all wins, I might still be figuring out the twenty-fifth century but even I know that much,” Lambert said, “Even back in my time sometimes it felt like you’d take one step forward and two back.”

”You’re right,” Carrillo relented. She had to deal with this before going back to the team who would feel equally defeated by the farmers being exiled within a year. As a Commander she was an emotional flag pole, offering guidance to less experienced officers about how to react to a setback.

She turned and looked at the time lost officer, “You’re right Pierre, thank you.”

”Any time Mademoiselle,” Lambert grinned and then held out his hand and gestured to the Captain’s Yatch, “We should go, Winfield wants us in our seats for take off, and I wouldn’t keep the man waiting.”