---Andromeda Supercluster Forum--- (Forum Live Translation Construct in effect).

The forum administrator looks at his display, concern on his face that the last item for the day is scheduled for many hours.

“The final item for this Mark, is a newly inducted species has created an item of destruction two tiers above their technology level. V’tek’clor from the Collective is here as a fact-finder in this matter.”

“Thank you administrator. The Human Primus, now Empress Astoria, claimed to have discovered the apparatus while trying to invent an orbital warp aperture. Here are my findings:

The Primus was awarded by the system as being primarily responsible for Human warp technology, giving her a personal tech rating of 1 before reaching tier 1.

Upon our arrival, it was apparent that the Primus and her consorts had reached tier 1, and the Primus later confirmed that she was tier 1 with tier 2 access to the exchange in both Aether and Tech.

It is believed that that her Primus token was redeemed for some aether-based ability.

Primus used the tier 3 device that alerted the Forum in a pique of frustration, vanishing the smaller moon around the planet.

Primus was hospitable to the Collective’s Envoy Vessel after said Incident.

Primus recommended that Humanity not share her tech and aether ratings, recommending tier 1 or lower in tech, and zero in aether.

Primus claims that Humanity is easy to anger and prone to violence.

“Thus sums up my fact finding.”

“This is not much to go on, Individual Clor. Were there no remnants of the Moon’s destruction? Were there no indications that the Primus was intending to deceive?” The Herrat representative, a lower councilor of the 1000 most populous races in the Matrix.

“Councilor of Herrat, the moon was annihilated. There were trace signatures of a tear in space-time, but none significant enough to warp the small moon. The Primus has a skill that allows her to manipulate antimatter-matter annihilation that is uncommon in the Supercluster. The fact that she used a purely tech approach to using annihilation as a warp system using only tier 0 and possibly tier 1 components is quite absurd and absolutely reckless.”

“The Herratian alludes to an important topic, that of the thoroughness of your investigation.” Senior Councilor Mubvidunk of the Bvida Fungus Colonies accuses.

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V’tek’clor must acknowledge the opinion, as the words of the top 100 races in the Supercluster cannot be taken lightly, “Three important notes kept me from pressing as far as this forum may usually investigate. First, is that I was addressing a Primus. The Matrix has a history of giving them vast leeway to perform as they see fit.” The forum nods in that assessment. “Second, she self identified her race as easy to anger and prone to violence, which she demonstrated prior by destroying a moon.” Far less agreement, but acknowledged. “And third, while the Collective employs many defenses capable of handling tier 3 threats. However, defending against large amounts of anti-matter is a difficult prospect.”

That last point is irrefutable. Even small amounts of anti-matter can potentially de-stabilize planetary defense shields made of aether.

“You acted out of cowardice. It was your duty to find out all that you could about the device, about the threat to the Supercluster,” the Herrat are also quick to anger, V’tek’clor notes.

“Prudence often looks like cowardice to the under-informed,” Senior Councilor Tislaren of the Winded Wing Empire, an avian race of prolific clutches stated. “I would say that the Envoy was tasked with investigating the device and the overall threat of a rapidly advancing Primus with a tier 3 personal tech rating. He has also accurately stated that the Matrix tends to give a Primus unlimited patience. The Forum must be wary of setting a dangerous precedent with regard to punishing or restricting such a racial leader, when the Matrix has not.”

Senior Councilor Mubvidunk gorbles his agreement, “Senior Councilor Tislaren is wise. Perhaps the Primus has sent him with the appropriate tool to check her species, while not endangering the Matrix’s habits with species senior leadership. We restrict Humanity to tier 0, and not allow them to advance unless a certain percentage of their population achieves a new tier.”

“Sensible, but what of personal ratings? The Collective has indicated that many of the Primus’ companions already have a higher personal rating.” A lower councilor that V’tek’clor had not heard speak before, says.

“Does this really matter? Their colony is at the very edge of patrolled space, and from the brief contact the sensor drone had with the Human ship, Earth is significantly further away, nearly at the opposite edge of the Milky Way. Even if the Humans were a dire threat to their galaxy, they would be marginal at best to the Supercluster.”

“Perhaps it was more of a notice to pay attention to this Astorian Empire? The Matrix flagged this device by this person. Most new races aren’t of any interest until their first Mark in the Matrix. Perhaps this is Andromeda telling us we should make an effort to reach out. And as the V’tek representative said, the Primus was hospitable.”

“The Sekdati can confirm their willingness to do business. One of the smaller races we are in a merchant’s consortium with have contracted to mine in an asteroid belt in their Moiriax system. They have also participated in the Exchange by offering portable mining devices for sale.”

“They have also agreed to the Collective establishing a Grove on the Astorian Home World.”

V’tek’clor feels many eyes stare at his avatar. This was before their claim on Elysium was announced. The Hades system is currently too far to maintain the Collective’s link. If our survey of the moon comes back as favorable as the initial report from Penny, it may necessitate creating a second Collective while our communications network is expanded. Second Collectives have been started before, but have always been brough back into Unity.

“This discussion is getting off track. I move that we vote on the proposed sanctions on Humanity and we can discuss the benefits of Astoria after this session is adjourned.”

Their motion is seconded, and a vote of the Forum ensues.