“Izra, your resignation will not be required or expected. You had no way of knowing that Human Ambassador Tom would leave his political career behind for one in technological innovation. It is the will of the Galactic Council that you remain at your current station to guide humanity as they encounter other solar systems. We suggest you meet with the interplanetary ambassadors from Alpha Centauri, and find a way to peacefully introduce the humans to their neighbors.”
“Thank you for the prestigious opportunity. I will set a course to orbit Rigil Kentaurus immediately.”
“Ambassador Rax, humanity’s expansion is not a military threat. At most, it could pose an economic one. As I have told you, pretty much daily, for 6 of the previous 10 cycles, the border between military and civilian technology is a grey area for humanity, but they are a peaceful race unless you rile them. Yes, it is true the same engines on their military vessels are in use on their exploration vessels, but I do not recommend a ‘preemptive strike’. Preemptive of what?
I have been with you here in orbit around your home world for 10 cycles, and still, you refuse to listen to my warnings against sending a military fleet to, and I quote ‘stop those primates in their tracks, and if they whine enslave them.’
My understanding of human anthropology is very limited, but from what I have read, enslaving a sentient being is one of the few things they will rally around, and attacking a colony ship is a second. Please, I beg you, reconsider.”
“Izra, their military power is inconsequential next to the might of the Kentauri Empire. We could jump into their home system and glass their home world. Their recon tech is, admittedly, impressive, but they lack the strength to repel a single Kentaurian battle cruiser. We will send 3 for good measure.”
“The Galactic Council will not support this. Do not do this, this is a rash decision fed by greed and pride. I implore you, stand down your armada.”
“Ha! The Council would have to unify the armadas of at least 5 civilizations to approach the size of one Kentauri fleet. Wars are expensive, but our primary export is military assets. Most of the galaxy uses our tech. You would not be able to fight us for long and the humans will only have our forces split for a brief time, before we concentrate on you.”
“Are you threatening me, Ambassador Rax?”
“No, I merely wish to imply that we do not respect the Galactic Council’s authority on this matter. Especially when there is so much for the Kentauri to gain from such a brief conflict.”
“Rax, I have known you since our academy days, this is rash, even for you. I understand the pressure of politicians, believe me. And I understand the perceived economic boom that could result but… humans are brilliant. Their short life spans push them to take larger risks and innovate at an aggressive pace – and that is during peaceful times. During conflict they actually increase their rate of invention. Do you know what the average success rate of a prototype is for humanity?”
“No, but probably a 20% failure rate out of all attempts?”
“90%. Nine out of ten human attempts to develop a new technology, fail.”
“Haha! You prove my point old friend, they are weak! We can destroy them with ease-“
“No.”
“No? But you just said…”
“The number of solutions that humans try before they find one that is ideal, is massive compared to most other sentient species. And, at first, this appears extremely wasteful.”
“It does, and I’m still waiting for you to make your point.”
“The most useful of humanity’s inventions were made by accident, while attempting to solve something else.“
“I don’t see how that helps them.”
“My point is, humans learn more from their failures than any other known species in the galaxy, or the ‘Milky Way’ as they call it. And while their methods of mass production are incredible, the one thing they are best at mass producing, is ideas. And by extent, invention. My kind have always found creativity to be the best indicator of survivability for a sentient species., and humanity have broken the scale for that characteristic.”
“But that process still takes time, they will be conquered before they can learn too much from us.”
“Well, then I must leave. I can see your mind is already made firm on this matter. My hope is you will consider at least meeting with them before committing an act of war.”
“I will be reprimanded for letting you leave, given what you now know. Some of the generals would prefer you be held our prisoner. I would not like to see you held in such a way, and will personally see you out.”
“I understand, thank you.”
Project Icarus 