"In the heart of this darkness, the human spirit alit and led the world to peace. The contest between the Surgix and the Arfim had escalated and the Surgix had shown that they were capable of harmful actions equal to those that humans are capable of. The Surgix continued to cause harm to the Arfim until the humans intervened. It is not the fault of the humans that the Surgix refused to cease, and that the humans resorted to eliminating all of the Surgix and dismantling their infrastructure with the use of projected explosive tools they categorize as 'weapons'. The humans obviously hesitated when the Surgix were in orbit to continue the contest. See the evidence that the humans attempted to warn the Surgix that they were being perceived as a threat before they reduced the star fleet to zero." Grand Defender Osowl Fitten described the actions of the humans of Tarnak. To the humans in the courtroom, she looked like some kind of armored sea otter and her setting on the servo preferred to translate her words in the voice of Park Eun-Bin, a human she admired. Her defense relied on showing that the humans had fought humanely and to protect the Arfim from the aggressions of the Surgix.

"In conclusion, I'd like to mention that projections of what the Surgix would have done to the Arfim would result in the extinction of the Arfim, had not the humans intervened. Because the humans do not have the means or the methods that would have resolved this any other way, their only other option would be to step aside and allow the Surgix to continue their campaign against the Arfim. It is not in human nature to stand idle and watch innocents suffer, without feeling compelled to intervene.

We have already accepted human nature, but we have not accepted the human species into Cave Gods And Friends Association. Since humans are not part of our allegiance, should their actions be held to our governing, or to our policies? Should they be required to follow our rules, and also receive no privileges or protections? The humans acted independently, and yet, with the exception of the nature of their actions, the spirit of their efforts does seem to align with our way of doing things."

Osowl Fitten sat down and closed her flax-colored eyes. Behind her the commanders of the human military were seated, wearing their uniforms with chevrons representing their degree of knowledge of warfare, a distinctly human endeavor. Unfortunately, the degree of human warfare so greatly exceeded the nasty business of the Surgix horde, that the result was the swift and efficient eradication of all Surgix equipment, fortifications and the Surgix themselves, who were actually killed by the humans - but only as a last resort when the Arfim refugees were pursued into human territory. Images of the humans firing warning shots and using sound amplifiers with recordings of Surgix in distress to attempt to warn the Surgix before they committed to using harmful actions on them.

When nothing would stop the Surgix advance, the humans were triggered into a state of war, and then they used harmful actions to remove all things Surgix, resulting in a morbid peace, during which the Arfim began to recover and rebuild, with human assistance.

"Ladies and gentlemen, bringers of peace and harmony, esteemed artists, conflict-resolvers, lend to me your attention." The Blue Light Watcher, a species the humans saw as anthropomorphic tarantulas, had a device that instantly spoke in perfect mechanical English, whatever her urticators vibrated. Her name was Exalted Inquisitor Ghox Byle, and like Osowl Fitten, she had an exceptionally successful career.

"Two years ago, the Surgix sued for peace. This is because the humans attacked them on Tarnak IV, the last remaining colony of the Surgix in the Tarnak System. The severity and brutality of this attack must be noted. It does not show any sort of restraint until after the Surgix surrendered. Even after the Surgix had surrendered, individual human soldiers killed Surgix that were trying to surrender. Therefore, despite the description of the Battle of Tarnak and the repelled Surgix Invasion of Tarnak, there was a third, much darker chapter in which the human generals decided to attack the remaining Surgix forces before they could possibly launch a second invasion attempt.

This sort of excessive use of violence is a uniquely human capability. Not even the Surgix were ready to engage humans in this sort of contest. The Surgix have renounced war, disarmed themselves and have applied for membership in Cave Gods And Friends Association. The humans, they don't even want to join, they have said to us that they don't need our guidance, that they are capable of making moral choices on their own. This arrogance, coupled with their extreme capabilities in conflict resolution, should mean that those among us who have made preparations to deal with the humans, should be allowed to utilize those preparations." Exalted Inquisitor Ghox Byle concluded.

The Cave Gods deliberated on the matter, having come to the trial with an unusual offer. Sixteen members of the human government were physically present, enough to cast an overwhelming vote for their whole species, and all of the electors had brought a unanimous decision with them, should the Cave Gods offer the humans inclusion into the Cave Gods And Friends Association. The Cave Gods were whispering to each other, and the Blue Light Watcher could feel the vibrations of their high pitched voices in the air and knew enough of their language to realize what they were saying.

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Grand Inquisitor Ghox Byle stood in the speaker's corral, after nimbly leaping over the ceremonial fence. She protested by saying "Magnificent teachers and arbitrators, with all due respect, this is outrageous! Never was such an offer made to any species to join our noble alliance! These petty creatures would retain their independent military and be allowed to travel among us, administering violence and warfare at their own immoral discretion? This is an unacceptable reward, when discipline and isolation are called for! You have disregarded the fact that humans cannot Star Sleep! Their minds are too primitive, too belligerent and too savage!"

When Ghox Byle's disorderly outburst was over the Cave Gods tribunal sat calmly blinking at her.

"We have taken your emotional assessment into consideration. We are aware that humans are ferocious and have brought war to our peaceful galaxy. We also know that they alone are capable of ensuring that peace will prevail when the impending disaster of outside invasion occurs. We have seen into the future, and it is humans who defend your homeworld, as a species and as individual soldiers. They fight and sacrifice themselves in battle to preserve you and your descendants. Do you, Ghox Byle, as a Blue Light Watcher, in representation of your kind, really deny that the Cave Gods are wise enough to know what is best for all living creatures in the Milky Way?"

"I do not deny anything like that. We are aware of your wisdom, universally. I rest my case, noble lords." Grand Inquisitor Ghox Byle returned to her seat and awaited the verdict.

"We will have order in this courtroom. We will now hear the recommendation of the jury, who have indicated they have arrived at one."

"We of the jury recommend that humans be invited to join the Cave Gods And Friends Association without conditions. We have determined that even when they choose to unleash their full strength against an enemy, that they are mature enough to choose a level of restraint, and worry more about achieving peace, through what they call war."

"We of the Cave Gods themselves have always believed in this. We have watched the humans from the very beginning, and wondered what the Likeliness made them for. Clearly they are meant for not only battle, but compassion as well." One of the Cave Gods heaved its massive bulk out of its seat by its own muscles, with effort, and stood towering over all the tiny creatures of the courtroom.

"Allow me to show you all an image, one that deeply moves the humans, and inspires them to fight with honor, to preserve those who cannot defend themselves." The Cave Gods who stood alone between the other two spoke through a modified translator. Receivers near each audience member heard the words in their native language, a privilege of communication usually reserved for the formality of things that have touched the hearts of the Cave Gods.

It was the Symbol of Sacrament, a design created by a Blue Light Watcher to describe what they had seen on Tarnak, humans rushing through the Surgix flames to rescue trapped Arfim children. As they emerged on the other side, the humans suffered severe burns but went through the flames anyway. They acted on pure instinct, ignoring the danger and saving all the trapped young ones. The Cave Gods was still standing and asked:

"Do you recognize this symbolic artwork?"

"I do. I was told it would not be presented as evidence in this case. This is an unfair emotional advantage for the defense." Grand Inquisitor Ghox Byle complained.

"This is not being presented as evidence. You yourself created this image. Would you like to share with the courtroom how you really feel about the humans?"

"I would resign my position as Grand Inquisitor if I said how I feel personally." Grand Inquisitor Ghox Byle said. She had suppressed her true feelings, leaving them in her artwork, in favor of doing her job correctly. Her passion was for her duty, but she was beginning to feel as though a higher duty was calling. She sighed, in the way Blue Light Watchers do, and said: "I believe human warriors fight foremost from their hearts, they are inspired to do battle on behalf of what they care about. They might enjoy combat, but their love is for things they defend. They defended the Arfim, who they saw as innocents being persecuted by the Surgix. That is why they went to war. Who among us would not wish to be friends with the humans?"

There was silence, and then the human generals began clapping in approval of the silence.

"Humans, you were asked to bring a decision today. Would you accept our humble invitation to be friends with the Blue Light Watchers - who would see you learn to Star Sleep? Would you accept a treaty - an alliance with the Surgix, who have renounced war because of your teachings on the battlefield? Would you take your place by our side, the Cave Gods And Friends Association, as you are, as the humans of our galaxy?"

"We accept your invitation, this time without conditions. We have agreed amongst ourselves, all sixteen human worlds that are within the Combine Unified Forces. We swear we love peace, and to achieve that we would, for any of you, go to war."

The massive batlike Cave Gods who was standing on trembling legs sat back down heavily after saying:

"Then on this day, within this very moment, it is so."