Wren glanced up as Doc Longfellow stalked into her Ready Room and settled into the couch against the wall, staring at the door as it opened once more to reveal her Chief of Science, T’Penga.  Park Seoyeon sat on the far end of the couch, sipping at her tea, amused.  She looked to the Chief Medical Officer to the Vuican and back again, “Who peed in your replicator?”

Walton let a small smile cross her lips before she gestured to the chair for T’Penga to sit in, “I seem to have stumbled into something out of an old Earth sitcom.  Who’s mad at who?”

Longfellow’s scowl remained, “It’s the old ‘needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one.”  He handed the PADD to Park and gave an updated report on what they had learned from Muerta.  To his credit, his clinical explanation was bereft of bias and judgment.  He finished with, “And that’s where the disagreement begins, Captain.”

T’Penga took the seat offered and looked at the Captain. “Captain the doctor is correct. This is a case of the logical axiom the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one. It seems that Muerta Haga is the last of her people capable of bearing children. As such if we grant her asylum we will condemn the entire race of Argovans to extinction something we cannot do. However, to deny the asylum would be condemning Muerta to a life that is not really a life at all. I would like to add that the Prime Directive applies here as we cannot interfere in how the Argovans run their society. I do not envy you, Captain or the decision you have to make. However, if it helps, I can offer you a third solution. If Muerta would agree and with Dr Longfellow’s help I believe we can sequence Muerta’s genome. We can extract the parts of her DNA that allow for the reproduction and give it to the Argovans. This way Muerta gets her freedom, and the Argovans get what they need to survive. According to my calculations, not only is that the only viable option where no one dies, but it has a 63.2% success rate.” She handed a PADD which contained her research to the Captain as well as one to the Doctor.

Seoyeon spoke from her side of the couch, “It’s all well and good, Lieutenant…but the Argovans will never accept our suggestion, help, or copying of the bits and pieces of her that’ll help them.  I took some time with the reams of data she provided when we found her – there are no other viable subjects.  There is her…or nothing.  According to her data, the remaining Argovan people are not suitable for any of this.”  She put her hands up, “The xenophobia and isolation is what got them here.

Longfellow intoned, “Yes, the Prime Directive can be applied here.”  He had been working on his PADD and read from it, “…no Starfleet crew person will engage with said society or species without first gathering extensive information on the specific traditions, laws, and culture of that species civilization. Then Starfleet crew will obey the following. If engaged with diplomatic relations with said culture, will stay within the confines of said culture’s restrictions. No interference with the social development of said planet.”  He continued, “However…that’s section 2, which applies to aliens we’ve already encountered.  There are cases where asylum has been used against the Prime Directive.”

Park sighed, “The Argovans are rule followers.  They’ll no doubt have researched us, even from a distance.  We can try and stand on asylum…and it might work.  Lieutenant T’Penga is right – we grant it…the Argovan people cease to exist in five years.” She tapped at her PADD, “We’re talking over 500,000 people.”  She raised her hands again in defense, “There’s not an easy answer here.  Whatever we do we doom someone or a lot of someones to a death no matter which why you phaser slice it.”

Walton looked to the gathered officers, “We’re an hour away from their arrival, and we’ve come to the conclusion that somebody has to die.”  She shook her head as confused looks spread across the room, “I’m not mad at you…I’m mad at this situation.  It’s a no-win scenario.  They are my least favorite scenario.”  She glanced to Longfellow, “Did she say what she would do if we sent her back?”

Henry grimaced, “I didn’t ask.  Given her propensity for escape…she’ll probably try again…one way or another.” Wren frowned, and it was his turn to sigh, “I don’t like to talk about my patients in the light of what they might do to end their lives and escape their situation, Captain.  My priority is to keep them alive, safe, and healing.  I didn’t ask because I knew the answer she would give…and I didn’t want those words on my soul.  Sir.”  He held her gaze for a moment longer, “I won’t ask her, Captain.”

Walton understood, “We all have our boundaries and lines, Doc.  We’ll try the diplomatic options with Charlie’s team and the suggestions from science and see what we get in response.  Lieutenant T’Penga will work with Charlie to prepare for the possibility of us turning her over.  Longfellow – keep observing her and helping her recover.  If she asks…tell her we’re no closer to a decision and that we’re….”

He finished it for her, “…working on it.  I’d like to request security posted outside and inside sickbay, Captain.  The Argovan playbook has never been particularly…predictable when pushed.”  She gave a nod and dismissed the group.

They had one hour.