He Who Saves A Single Life, Saves The World Entire

“But it's a primitive planet. The dominant species has barely conquered gravity enough to put satellites into orbit,” a scientist at the conference said. “They have no control over the weather and their world's oceans show high levels of toxicity. They are just too primitive.”
“Still,” a second scientist said. “That comet is as large as a small planetoid and will most likely wipe out the vast majority of higher life forms, possible even forcing an evolutionary restart. Can we condemn the planet to that when we have the resources to prevent it. You know our philosophies and policies on preserving life. What about our beliefs in the sanctity of life?”
“And you know our beliefs and policies on interfering in the natural development of other species.” The first scientist retorted.
“Alright you two.” The ship's captain said. “Tell me more about this planet and the comet that threatens it. Just the details, skip the emotions.”
“The comet is a twentieth the diameter of their moon and unless its trajectory is altered, it will strike that planet with enough force to liquefy much of its outer crust and burn off most of the atmosphere in less than twenty-five of the planets revolutions on its axis. It currently approaches from the opposite side of the sun and will be invisible to the planet until too late.” The first scientist explained.
“The planet is a liquid water planet … pretty rare … it has a thick atmosphere, mostly Nitrogen and Oxygen. It has one large moon and lies third from its star in the life zone. We are confident that the dominant species does not have technology to deal with it even if they could detect it.” The second scientist added.
The captain nodded. “Tell me about the major sentient life form? Make a case for our intervention?”
“Not sure we should.” The first voice said. “They are smart enough to engineer large cities and escape the atmosphere but have not developed enough yet to do it without spoiling the seas and air around them.”
“No. I mean what kind species are they? What are their philosophies on life, on death? What kind of minds do they have?” The captain said, “Who are they inside?”
She sat down at the table with the mission scientists. “We only have enough energy in the ship's stores to push this comet off its trajectory or to continue with our mission, but not both. If we move the comet and abandon our mission, it will maroon us on this planet for a very long time, possible forever. I want to make sure we are doing the right thing for the right reason.”
“We must save their lives.” The second scientist said. “Look, we value all life equally, not just the most intelligent or the life forms that look pleasing, or that we happen to like. Allow me to visit with these life forms. I will leave my corporeal shell and use my energy form to attach to several of the dominant species and see just what kind of creatures they really are.”
“Done. We'll park behind their moon and await your report. Use the matter mover.” The captain ordered.
The first scientist added, “And don't take too long. We have to decide our course of action within five planetary rotations in order to have enough time to affect its trajectory.”
The second scientist nodded and left the conference. Shortly later, she appeared beside a tall plant on the planet, invisible unless observed directly as a faint shimmer in the air. The shimmer slid through the air and briefly paused beside a small example of the target species, standing beside a two wheeled surface vehicle with pedals. The shimmer slid into the creature and disappeared.