Volan III

Volan III was the third planet in the Volan system in the Demilitarized Zone, one of two planets in the system known to be settled (the other is Volan II). By the terms of the Federation-Cardassian Treaty, the Federation-settled system was given over to the Cardassian Union, and its residents given the choice to either get out or accept Cardassian rule. 

The planet became a hotbed of Maquis resistance as Cardassian settlers began moving to the planet; the Maquis based here carried out operations both on- and off-planet. The Cardassians settled in their own enclaves, but the colonists resented their presence and violence was almost inevitable. (, --"Flash") In 2370, Gul Dukat took Benjamin Sisko to the planet to prove that there were former Federation citizens willing to commit terrorist acts against Cardassians. 

Until he left in 2371 to plant evidence for the Cardassian show trial of Miles O'Brien, a surgically-altered Cardassian operative had lived for many years prior among the Federation colonists, having taken the identity of former Rutledge officer Raymond Boone. 

In 2371, Legates Turrel and Ghemor decided to try a different tactic with their new colonies: making an attempt to peacefully win over their hearts and minds. A junior gul, Tayben Berat, was sent as the Cardassian envoy. Berat spoke with the colony's leader at that time, Governor Soon, and then to a crowd of colonial residents, seeking to allay their fears and find a way for Cardassians and former Federation citizens to coexist.

Sadly, Berat's attempt at rapprochement with the colonists came to an abrupt end when an assassination attempt nearly killed him. Though Berat survived, he was left with a permanent disability as a result, a significant portion of the use of his hands lost to him, in addition to other symptoms. Berat fought to retain his command, and also fought to continue his mission and to return to Volan III once he was sufficiently healed, believing that to make this return and try again even after suffering so much at a colonist's hands would be just the sign they would need to begin establishing trust.

Instead, although Legate Ghemor saved Berat's command, he was not able to override Central Command's insistence upon sending a crackdown force into the system under the leadership of Gul Evek. (--"Flash")