[snip]

Josan spoke again breaking the silence, “..You and your crew seem to be contemplative, Captain Glen, on some matter. It may be many ages since I last held a physical body such as this, but unless I miss my assumption you appear unsure on how to proceed with something, or wish to inquire on some matter that we have spoken or not spoken about?” the being asked.

Verity considered her words carefully before responding, mindful of the delicate situation they were in. She met Captain Glen’s eyes briefly before turning her attention back to Josan.

“Yes, Josan,” Verity began, her voice steady. “We appreciate the information you’ve shared with us about the Dilithium deposits and the potential dangers they pose. However, what we’re truly concerned about is the well-being and autonomy of the native inhabitants of EP19. While what you’ve offered would protect the resource, it doesn’t guarantee the safety of the people who call this planet home. We’ve seen the destructive power at your disposal, and we have a responsibility to ensure the safety and freedom of all sentient beings in the galaxy. We need assurances that the ascended beings won’t interfere with the development and self-determination of the EP19 inhabitants. Is there a way we can work together to ensure the safety of the EP19 inhabitants while also safeguarding the Dilithium? Perhaps a mutually agreed-upon set of guidelines or a shared oversight committee to address any potential conflicts?”

OOC: Did Josan offer a Starfleet General Order? I changed that bit.

OOC: No Josan didnt, they basically said you’re free to trade with them interact to a degree, etc but you cant tell them about the Ascended nor of the station’s experiments etc. They also said that if the station ever choses to change, alter, or eliminate and start over on the planet that the Federation doesnt interfere. TBH Glen’s words on a new General Order are probably your best best, coordaining off the region and systems and letting the station, Ascended and natives go on there way. As I’ll explain shortly, but this is there space even if its within and near the borders of Federation space.

Glen added, “The kind of negotiations my XO suggests are well above our paygrade, Josan. Generally, our diplomats would come and discuss the finer details with you, but they aren’t here, and right now we do have you here in person. I’m not sure that a shared oversight committee could ever work when the rich economic value of this planet is known about. So, what I would suggest is that I don’t tell the Federation about the Dilithium deposits and we remove ourselves entirely from this system, making a Starfleet General Order than no ship should come here. We allow the natives of EP19 to develop without outside influence, and for you to observed them, but we would ask in return that you observe and respect our fundamental principles against the the deliberate killing of a large number of intelligent beings from a particular nation or planet?”

• Glen, CO

Verity nodded thoughtfully at Captain Glen’s proposal, appreciating the effort to find a compromise. She turned her attention back to Josan, considering the gravity of the situation.

“Josan, Captain Glen raises a valid point. If we were to keep this information from the Federation and ensure no further Starfleet involvement, it would grant the EP19 inhabitants the freedom to develop on their own terms. However, we would need your assurance that you will abide by our fundamental principles and refrain from causing harm to the native population. This includes not interfering with their development or using your advanced technology to their detriment. Can we trust that the ascended beings will respect these principles?” As another thought came to mind she continued “We understand that your civilization operates on a different plane of existence, but in this shared space, we must find a way to coexist peacefully. If we can establish this understanding, we may be able to avoid a potentially catastrophic conflict that would harm both our worlds. Ultimately, the goal here is to protect both the EP19 inhabitants and the Dilithium resource. If we can reach an agreement that ensures their safety and autonomy while safeguarding this valuable material, it would be a win-win situation for all parties involved. What are your thoughts on Captain Glen’s proposal?”

V. Aphelion, First Officer

Josan took in what the group was saying, “..While this system does lie in what you consider your claimed space and the station system just outside your claimed borders. The fact is that EP19’s system is ours, you may not have known it at the time nor did the others who were here previously known as the Klingons. But they did not impact the station’s ability to continue its experiments upon EP19 until the past year or so. We applaud your desire to respect the natural order developing life forms, but in this case these are not naturally occurring organics. They are and were artificially created by our sciences for one purpose to exist for our VA station’s and our own scientific questions to continue. If the VA station ever decides to remove the native life as I said it would be a painless and unfelt process, they simply go to sleep and then have their biological functions cease, from there automated clean up drones would vaporize any remaining traces so that the station may start over as it needs to do so..” Josan said.

”..If though you can not feel this is agreeable to your morals, we understand. Then we would suggest you cut contact fully and cording off this area of space from you or others interfering, until such time that the VA’s station experiment is complete or we Ascended choose to alter the scope of the station’s experiments..” Josan stated.

It seems likely their only recourse would be to do a General Order cordon. Despite their desires to protect the natives, Josan was right that the natives were not a truly naturally evolving species, their origins were artificial from start to finish, their very DNA was programmed to proceed in one form or another that while it may seem natural to their understanding was for the sole purpose of a giant eon’s long experiment on the limits of organic life. It may not be right to their morals, but it was seen as right to the Ascended, and like it or not at least for the foreseeable future the Federation did not have the forces, or likely technology to really damage or stop either the Ascended or VA station from doing its purpose if it so choose. The choice was Glen’s though as he was the Federation CO on the spot to make the call.....

GM CockRoach