Its navy was unmatched, its armies feared everywhere, and its citizens believed no force and existence could ever rise against them. So when one of their scouting fleets entered the edge of an uncharted sector, no one gave it much thought. No one noticed one drone had survived, damaged, burning, but still alive. The Empire fleet didn't notice, the Admiral didn't hear. A new voice cut through the Empire's comms, loud and sharp, with no static, no decay.

Its navy was unmatched, its armies feared everywhere, and its citizens believed no force and existence could ever rise against them. So when one of their scouting fleets entered the edge of an uncharted sector, no one gave it much thought. No one noticed one drone had survived, damaged, burning, but still alive. The Empire fleet didn't notice, the Admiral didn't hear. A new voice cut through the Empire's comms, loud and sharp, with no static, no decay.

To most in the chamber, the humans appeared ordinary even fragile, soft skin, two eyes, no claws, no fangs, no natural armor, compared to most galactic species they looked harmless, almost amusingly so. Ambassador Chen led the human team with calm precision, flanked by two military advisors in ceremonial uniforms that displayed no visible weapons. The two human advisors suddenly seemed sharper, colder, focused in a way Zixthor's instrument struggled to describe biochemical readings spiked. Yet instead of panicking like other species, the humans became calmer, their minds clearer, their bodies steady. Their hurting in a circular formation said the female advisor, tracing the reaper movement across the holographic display, forcing colonists toward the center, standard pack behavior.

To most in the chamber, the humans appeared ordinary even fragile, soft skin, two eyes, no claws, no fangs, no natural armor, compared to most galactic species they looked harmless, almost amusingly so. Ambassador Chen led the human team with calm precision, flanked by two military advisors in ceremonial uniforms that displayed no visible weapons. The two human advisors suddenly seemed sharper, colder, focused in a way Zixthor's instrument struggled to describe biochemical readings spiked. Yet instead of panicking like other species, the humans became calmer, their minds clearer, their bodies steady. Their hurting in a circular formation said the female advisor, tracing the reaper movement across the holographic display, forcing colonists toward the center, standard pack behavior.

Humanity was new, weak, and desperate to belong, so they followed every rule even when others didn't. Now Ambassador General Rebecca Parks stood before that same Council, but this time she wasn't asking for help. Earth will retrieve its people from Zarian space with or without Council approval. Every hidden weapon, every converted ship, every ounce of fury stored across 200 years of humiliation. When the council called for peace talks, humanity didn't request terms.

From one of our scout ships, Ambassador Lyra Knight's song of the Axian snapped her quills rattling. From the bridge of our flagship, the stellar dominance I waited for Earth's panic, for emergency transmissions. Your counsel's debates were thorough, though I must say Admiral Brightwing your report on humanity was partly right and partly adorable in its mistakes. Before I could reply a tiny shuttle detached from Earth's orbit, no weapons, barely shielded, piloted by her alone. Nick's interrupted her light's glowing with irritation.

From one of our scout ships, Ambassador Lyra Knight's song of the Axian snapped her quills rattling. From the bridge of our flagship, the stellar dominance I waited for Earth's panic, for emergency transmissions. Your counsel's debates were thorough, though I must say Admiral Brightwing your report on humanity was partly right and partly adorable in its mistakes. Before I could reply a tiny shuttle detached from Earth's orbit, no weapons, barely shielded, piloted by her alone. Nick's interrupted her light's glowing with irritation.

From one of our scout ships, Ambassador Lyra Knight's song of the Axian snapped her quills rattling. From the bridge of our flagship, the stellar dominance I waited for Earth's panic, for emergency transmissions. Your counsel's debates were thorough, though I must say Admiral Brightwing your report on humanity was partly right and partly adorable in its mistakes. Before I could reply a tiny shuttle detached from Earth's orbit, no weapons, barely shielded, piloted by her alone. Nick's interrupted her light's glowing with irritation.

From one of our scout ships, Ambassador Lyra Knight's song of the Axian snapped her quills rattling. From the bridge of our flagship, the stellar dominance I waited for Earth's panic, for emergency transmissions. Your counsel's debates were thorough, though I must say Admiral Brightwing your report on humanity was partly right and partly adorable in its mistakes. Before I could reply a tiny shuttle detached from Earth's orbit, no weapons, barely shielded, piloted by her alone. Nick's interrupted her light's glowing with irritation.

From one of our scout ships, Ambassador Lyra Knight's song of the Axian snapped her quills rattling. From the bridge of our flagship, the stellar dominance I waited for Earth's panic, for emergency transmissions. Your counsel's debates were thorough, though I must say Admiral Brightwing your report on humanity was partly right and partly adorable in its mistakes. Before I could reply a tiny shuttle detached from Earth's orbit, no weapons, barely shielded, piloted by her alone. Nick's interrupted her light's glowing with irritation.