The council was taken aback at the words of the small Human ambassador. With confusion and concern apparent in his voice Primarch Gesh asked, “What do you mean the Krador are still a threat? Didn’t your fleet destroy their armada and capture the Nest? Your ships neutralized what forces remained active. Surely enough time has passed without incident that any you missed would have died of starvation by now.”

Looking down at podium in front of him, ambassador Ahuja nodded along with each of the points Gesh was making. Taking a moment to consider his words, he explained, “Nothing with the Krador makes sense given our previous assumptions and the new information we have received from those actions. Absolutely nothing.”

He raised his head and continued, “The Krador is a space faring species which has displayed mastery over significant technological advancements. Despite this, they showed almost no innovations in tactics or technology since we first encountered them. Our ability to fight them increased significantly when we discovered their responses to certain stimuli always produced the same reactions. From fleet actions to personal martial arts, we have been able to devastate huge numbers of them with relatively minimal effort. Never once did they adapt in any way to our actions.”

Turning slowly on the platform to face the gathering he went on, “Our analysis of captured subjects has showed conclusively their intelligence levels are no greater than non-sentient animals. This holds true even for the larger specimens we originally mistook for queens. I ask you: how did this species ever develop faster than light travel? How did they even get to the stars?

When we captured the Nest we found nothing about their logistical infrastructure added up either. It contained significant chambers with dwindling supplies of food. It makes no sense that they were attempting to continue expanding their population as they were. Something is just not right here.”

Stepping out from behind the podium the little human began walking slowly around the floor as he spoke, “We have been analyzing the butchered species found in their foodstuffs. We cannot be certain, but we believe some of them may not be native to any currently known systems. A few even wore clothing. None of the planets in Krador infested space contained any ruins or other indications of previous societies capable of that level of manufacturing.

Additionally, a comprehensive analysis of Krador FTL technology has revealed some deeply concerning discoveries. While it holds many similarities, there are design features that indicate a greater understanding of FTL technology than any of our species currently possess.”

Raising his hand and waving it toward the gathered assembly he continued, “In contrast to this, the weaponry of the Krador is primitive. So much so, in fact, that it has led us to the conclusion its primary purpose is not to efficiently kill for resources or aggression. There are numerous ways much more technologically primitive beings cold efficiently pursue those ends. No, honorable ambassadors, Krador weapons are not only made to kill, but to terrorize.”

A quiet fell over the room that was eventually broken by the Say-ved ambassador.

Orienting her scales in a display of respect she remarked, “As you know, none of the council races hold a real understanding of the predator mind. In the past we would have held any such inconsistencies simply to the irrational nature of carnivores. Yours was the first species to show us this was not always the case. Earth has been our newfound guiding light in these matters. Please, honorable Apex Ahuja, explain what you think these discoveries mean. What is to be gained for them by inciting terror in their prey?”

In a gesture many in the room did not fully comprehend, the Apex ambassador placed a hand over his heart and bowed his head to the Say-ved ambassador before speaking, “Your words do us great honor Matriarch. Thank you.”

Looking up he again addressed the room, “As many of you know, our species has had great wars amongst ourselves in the past. In these conflicts we forged and refined the arts of warfare that you all now benefit from. Among the tools we practiced in this pursuit was Psychological Warfare. It is the practice of wearing down of the will of the enemy to maintain or continue conflict. We believe that is one facet of what the Krador were here to do.”

The Cheech ambassador spoke up, “But why would the Krador need to do this? They were swarming whole worlds with or without the need for this tactic. If this led to weapons that were less effective as you say, would this not be counterproductive?”

Turning toward her he responded, “That is a good question. We ourselves were befuddled by it in the beginning. After some deliberation and thought on the conundrum our intelligence division has suggested something quite disturbing. We now believe that the Krador may be little more than a weapon sent here from somewhere else. If this is correct, they are merely a tool wielded by a yet unrevealed hand.”

The council chambers erupted in a murmur of confused and anxious whispers. Many species displayed clear signs of agitation. The Cheech ambassador’s feathers ruffled in an iridescent puff. The Say-ved Matriarch rustled her scales in nervous patterns. The Primarch’s fur bristled and he got a momentarily perplexed look on his face. Perhaps the most obvious display was from the Queshian ambassadors with vibrant hues of color rippling across their skin.

Va’roo spoke up with his deep bass voice, “How sure are you of this supposition my friend?”

The quiet rumbling died down as everyone again turned to Ambassador Ahuja.

Shrugging his shoulders and raising his hands in an apologetic gesture he admitted, “It is at this point an unproven theory. It has as the advantage over other possible explanations in that it makes sense of the data we have collected. We do not at this time possess proof. We are of course open to any other explanations for the information we have gathered.”

The Broda thought over this response as he slowly tapped his hoof-tipped fingers on the table in front of him. A contemplative quiet hung in the air as the assembled delegates considered the ramifications of this possibility and what it would mean to their people.

The tapping stopped and Va’roo looked down to the little Human and probed, “What do you need from the Council? How can we help you discover answers to these questions?”

Ahuja straightened up and responded, “Nothing. You have given us all the resources we feel are necessary to inquire into this. We will pursue this. We are already deeply indebted to all of you for your astounding generosity to our people. “

The Grend ambassador leaned forward and the plates on his back rasped off of one another. He declared, “In light of the billions of lives you have saved and the countless credits of infrastructure you have protected, we feel the debt is ours. You have refused the leadership of this council when we offered it. You even declined a seat in the council as a peer. Surely there is something more we can do. Name it and the Council will see to it.”

As he finished speaking the gathered assembly all vocally hailed their approval.

When the room quieted down again, Ahuja moved to stand behind the podium. He looked down and slowly shook his head. He was overwhelmed by their sentiments.

Still looking down he breathed, “You have all done so much more than you know for us. We were a fractured and divided planet before the Broda found us. We were full of conflict, hunger, inequality, and sickness. The common condition of humanity was one that desired peace. Always present, however, were envious voices calling us to make war and take what our neighbors had. You have brought abundance to our people, all our people, in a way we never dreamed possible. For the first time in our history Earth is at rest from war.”

He looked up at the room and continued, “Beyond this, you have reminded us of something we were taught millennia ago. A reality about what we are that was never truly forgotten but had fallen into background cliché. In those ancient days words of truth were uttered teaching us it is more blessed to give than to receive. Humans are only truly healthy in our souls when we are, by our own choice, living lives of service to others. You have taken away the need to pursue the trivialities of maintaining shelter, food, and material wants. You have freed us to do what we were made for.

Every human desires to be the hero of their own story. Many of us are and don’t realize it. The greatest gift you have given us did not arrive in cargo containers of energy generators or raw materials. The greatest gift you have given us is the opportunity to become the hero of your story.

To us this is too precious a thing to endanger. That is why we have neither taken leadership nor a seat on the Council. It is why we do not ask for more than you have already given us. In voluntary service our species has found rest in this war to protect you.

The wisest of us fear losing this newly rediscovered ancient identity. It is this fear that leads me, on behalf of the people of earth, to make a costly request of this Council.”

Primarch Gesh stood up and leaned forward on the table before him and with solemn approval said, “What can be done to remove this fear in your hearts? The Apex need only speak it and we shall all see it done.”

Va’roo seconded the sentiment and said, “You should be afraid of nothing. Whatever you request will be provided.”

A cacophony of similar sentiments erupted through the room by every gathered species. When all had their say, the room calmed down and refocused on the diminutive human.

“We feel there is a conflict coming that may be beyond our ability to win given the current strategic situation. If the advanced FTL capabilities of the Krador are any indication, we may not be able to get to you all in time to mount a defense. Our fear is that we will be unable to protect you.”

The Grend ambassador interrupted, “Do you need more resources for ships? We will provide them!”

Nodding to the Grend Ahuja went on, “We cannot be certain that more fleets would help. There are too many planets and too much distance. We have a different solution in mind.”

He picked up a small remote off the podium and pressed a button with his thumb. The lights in the room dimmed and a large semi-transparent hologram of the Broda home world appeared. In orbit around it there were thousands of small spherical satellites. They expanded out away from the planet in every direction.

From the darkness, the human ambassador’s voice calmly outlined the proposal, “We have designed planetary defense systems for your worlds. We would like you to build them.”

The voices of the Queshian ambassadors traded off as one began and the other completed the question, “Will the Apex provide personnel to operate the systems?”

With a firm voice Ahuja countered, “Not if we can avoid it, no. We would prefer their use to be solely under the control of your governments. These satellites wield significant destructive capabilities and would provide great military power to whoever controls them. We believe that to allow control to be taken from you would be counterproductive. Our goal is to empower you to defend yourselves long enough for us to get there.”

Over the next two hours the Human ambassador outlined the specific technologies and uses of the defense networks. The council members asked many questions and received lengthy answers. When it was over the entire assembly started emptying out of the chambers to contact their people to begin the construction.

Soon only Va’roo and Ambassador Ahuja were left. The giant walked over slowly to the podium. The two of them stood there in silence for a moment staring at the image of the Broda homeworld.

Va’roo let out a sigh and inquired, “So you really think something else is out there? Someone sent the Krador to make their ruts easier to travel?”

“We do. It has many of the leaders of my people deeply concerned,” Ahuja affirmed.

They sat for a few moments more before the Broda kneeled down and again broke the silence, “You look different. Are you well?”

Ahuja looked down at himself and then up to the Broda now face to face with him and, relaxing a little, explained, “I haven’t eaten much the past few days. Briefings and meetings meant little time and, well, stress makes us lose our appetites. I am sure I will get back up to weight when I get home. My wife hates it when I get too skinny. She says I am less enjoyable to hug.” He softly laughed with the last remark.

The giant looked over at him and asked, “Do humans produce excess skin when they do not eat? That is very odd.”

Smiling, the ambassador clarified, “Oh, no, it is a figure of speech about losing fat. It is oftentimes a desirable thing unless it is unintentional.”

Va’roo huffed slightly at this and solicited, “I take it this was not intentional?”

“No, it was not,” the older man confirmed.

Va’roo stood up to his full height again and invited, “Would you do me the honor of joining me for a meal? The humans on my ship say the chef makes a passable vegetable protein burger.”

Some of the worry bled off his face and Ahuja smiled and nodded in the affirmative.

As they were walking to the door of the hall Va’roo confessed, “This information you presented makes me worried for my people. The Krador were devastating. If they were only a tool wielded by another, how calamitous must the real threat be?”

Ambassador Ahuja concurred, “These are dark and serious possibilities indeed.”

Changing his tone and taking on a hint of nostalgia he shared, “I have loved and studied history for many years now. When I was a younger man I came across an ancient blessing from the 18th dynasty of the great civilization of Egypt. That is to say about 3,500 years ago. In the closing years of the last century by our rechkoning it was brought to light again in a story told about, of all things, humans and aliens living on a huge space station. It was a wonderful series.”

Taking on a slightly more informative tone he elaborated, “You see the Egyptians lived in a great desert along a beautiful river. When they traveled for trade or war they had to cross a huge sand filled expanse. Even our species finds those places dangerous to be exposed to. Wild predators, robbers, or the relentlessly burning eye of the sun all claimed lives in the desert. Before going on such an expedition a traveler would often be told by priests or loved ones, ‘God be between you and harm in all the empty places you walk.’”

The little human put a hand on the Broda’s leg to stop him. When the giant turned he saw something dark and almost feral in the old ambassador’s eyes.

Not wavering from Va’roo’s disquieted stare Ahuja promised in a gentle yet fierce tone, “Do not worry for your people. I speak for all of humanity when I tell you that though we are not gods, we will stand between you and harm in all the empty places you walk. Let them come  .”