Caitian-Dawiar War

The Caitian-Dawiar War was a conflict between the Caitian government, a Federation affiliate, and the Dawiar. It began shortly after the destruction of the USS Polaris, in 2308.Q1.

The Path to War
Tensions had been rising between the Caitian and Dawiar governments for some time prior to the Polaris Incident, specifically over contested expansion and prospecting claims. The Caitians had proven more successful than the Dawiar, specifically taking the Yashrr and Marr'shrr systems, the Yashrr system being mineral rich and containing a Class M world.

The Polaris Incident
On Stardate 22807.8, the USS Polaris was tasked with transporting an ambassador to the Oriolis system, in order to sort out territorial issues that had emerged between the Caitians and the Dawiar. The Polaris rendezvoused with the Fathership Shrr'Harr, and was followed by the USS Dryad.

When the Polaris arrived in Oriolis on Stardate 22808.6, the Shrr'Harr stayed a few minutes away at warp. The Federation ambassador then beamed over to the lead Dawiar ship.

The Polaris was then attacked and destroyed by Dawiar forces using Cardassian torpedoes, as were two Caitian Swarmers, and likely a number of Dawiar craft. The ambassador was left trapped on a Dawiar vessel. By Stardate 22809.7, the Caitians and the Dawiar were at war. Unfortunately, this would later turn out to have come out of a major cultural misunderstanding between the Dawiar, who still practiced Trial by Combat, and the crew of the Polaris.

The War Begins
Later that quarter, reports were received that the Caitians were shifting to a war footing, clearing all small berths in preparation for Swarmer production, along with planning a new shipyard. The Caitians also requested a berth space to repair the Shrr'Harr, which had been damaged at Oriolis. This proposal was accepted by Starfleet Command.

In 2308.Q2, an intelligence briefing was given to high-ranking Federation officials. The Dawiar, despite initiating hostilities, had not been prepared for the outbreak of war, and had launched no offensives. Neither side was willing to risk a major engagement, and both were instead engaging in a build-up.

Towards the end of 2308.Q2, at least one more minor engagement had been fought, with the Dawiar losing two Shakakoun-class light escorts, and the Caitians losing one Swarmer. In response, the Dawiar fleet pulled back to Oriolis.

Federation Politics and Movements
Several members began to reposition their fleets closer to the Dawiar border, in preparation for possible anti-raider missions. The Amarki in particular began campaigning for direct Federation intervention, and the Apiata were reportedly shocked at the lack of intervention. The Diplomatic Service regarded the Federation negotiating position as seriously compromised at this time.

Admiral Kaharungi reportedly advised the President to "Negotiate with our best resources. And do it now", as opposed to taking military action against the Dawiar. Starfleet was beginning to suspect that there had been a cultural miscommunication between the UFP and the Dawiar. Meanwhile, the Amarki continued to push for direct intervention, and began a push to remove the Constellation-class from first line service.

Dawiar Politics
The Dawiar, meanwhile, had not intended for the destruction of the Polaris. They believed that the Federation was fully aware of what they referred to as The Laws, which included provisions for Trial by Combat. The Dawiar had been surprised at the fact that the Polaris had its shields down, and took its lack of surrender messages to indicate that the Polaris intended to fight to the death. They were also shocked at the flagrant breach of Dawiar customs present in the intervention of the other ships present.

By this time, the Dawiar had also signed alliance treaties with the Cardassian Union.

The War Continues
On Stardate 23002.1, the USS Cheron, under the command of T'Mina, encountered a Dawiar ship in Federation territory, shortly after it destroyed a Caitian vessel. The Shakakoun in question was chased out of Federation territory by the Cheron, which was also able to rescue the Caitian survivors taken aboard the Shakakoun.

In 2308.Q4, the USS Enterprise-B was in orbit around a small planet, waiting to investigate the Polaris incident, when its crew was sent back in time to the voyage of Thalisar the Last. At the same time, the USS Courageous was forced to run interference to protect an Indorian cargo ship from the CDF Parok and a Dawiar escort vessel. The USS Sarek was meanwhile transporting Ambassador Sarek to the Qloathi homeworld of Arqueniou, in order to negotiate through the Dawiar embassy located there.

With both sides refusing to commit to a major offensive, a Starfleet Intelligence report indicated that "much of the fighting has revolved around inconclusive encounters in an area of space that forms a cube-like shape defined by Oriolis II, the Dawiar colony of Oldan-Tar, and the Caitian worlds of Ollasa IV and Yashrr,". Both Caitian and Dawiar forces were committed to commerce-raiding operations. The intelligence report indicated that total losss for both sides by 2308.Q4 were as follows: Caitian: Dawiar:
 * 1 Mishir-class Modern Swarmer
 * 2 N'Kara-class Old Swarmers
 * 4 Cargo Ships
 * 2 Freighters
 * 1 Prospector
 * 4 Shakakoun-class Escorts
 * 1 Small Outpost
 * 3 Cargo Ships
 * 1 Freighter

The End of the War
A second SFI report confirmed suspicions that the Polaris Incident had been the result of a cultural misunderstanding. The report says "Apparently it is customary in Dawiar culture that if negotiations hit an impasse on a particular point, combat should follow between the champions of the two two diplomats; in this case, the Polaris and the flagship of the Dawiar,". Fortunately, the misunderstanding was rapidly explained by Ambassador Collins, who was taken off the wreck of the Polaris by the Dawiar, preventing a war between the Dawiar and the UFP.

In 2309.Q1, the USS Enterprise-B was ordered to Arqueniou to collect Ambassador Sarek and transport him to Oriolis II, in order to reopen negotiations. The Enterprise entered orbit over Kharhazad (Oriolis II), where it engaged in the Gor ak Shankou with the Doz Zakul, the Dawiar rite of combat that the Dawiar believed the Polaris understood. The Enterprise easily defeated the Doz Zakul, and was allowed to negotiate with the Dawiar Great King. Ambassador Sarek then proceeded to successfully lay the groundwork for the end of the war.

The Landle Accords
In 2309.Q4, the Caitian and Dawiar governments negotiated a formal end to the war on the Federation world of Landle IV. In total, the war amounted to several thousand dead, mostly due to raids on Caitian worlds and the destruction of two Dawiar outposts.