A hall of Votar VII.
Votar VII was the seventh planet in the Votar star system.
Votar was strategically located between the Federation and the Cardassian Union. If the colony could not be completed, the Cardassians would be able to take possession of the world. Therefore, in the 2360s, it was the site of a Federation colony, constructed as a joint venture between the Rigelians and the Kaylar. There were a number of Rigelians, led by Administrator Pahtel, and over two hundred Kaylar, led by Administrator Areen.
The Kaylar were contracted to provide construction and repair services for suitable compensation. However, in 2368, the Rigelians attempted to renegotiate their contract with the Kaylar laborers and tried to force a lower rate of compensation upon them. The Kaylar refused the terms of the new contract and in response launched an attack on a dam and a power planet, "repossessing" the facility, and cutting the power it provided, plunging the colony into darkness.
- The presence of a dam adjoining the power plant indicates that this is likely a hydroelectric power plant.
The Rigelians believed that the Kaylar would destroy the dam if their demands weren't met, and prepared to abandon the colony. The USS Enterprise-D was dispatched to the Votar VII colony to end a labor dispute. Early attempts at diplomacy and a non-lethal assault led by Worf were met with resistance from the Kaylar as the Rigelians had convinced them the Federation would side with them and force the Kaylar out. Meanwhile, the Kaylar had no intention of destroying that which they'd built. Once these facts came to light, Worf threatened to abandon the Rigelians to it and to cut future Federation contracts with the Rigelian group. This brought both sides to the negotiation table to find an amicable resolution to their dispute. (TNG comic: "A Matter of Dates")