“We’re sending our best and brightest to show the rest of the galaxy what we’re made of. That’s why you were selected, Juno. You’re at the top of your field.”

“You’re sending me to peacock for humanity, sir?” Miller squirmed in her seat. Everyone else tensed up a bit at the ease of her response.

“I want you to do what’s best for humanity. They say we’re coming in this thing as equals, but they’ve put alien species in special command. It’s not a coincidence the most powerful civs are at the top, either. They’ll be giving you orders. You’ll have to follow what they say, but if they give you the wrong orders… in that case, I want someone who knows how to act on their own.” Juno was confused, but intrigued.

“You want me to willingly disobey their orders?”

“I want you to do the best job you can. Show them what marines are made of. Be diplomatic. Help out, and play the humanitarian. Do what they tell you, as long as it doesn’t conflict with human interests. Juno, you’ve been selected because of who you are. You know how to act on your own. You aren’t afraid of the command structure breaking down. Your record shows that you’re tough, independent, and most importantly, loyal. For this kind of operation, that’s more important than all the bribing and back room hand shakes our politicians can make. Hell, it’s worth more than a rifle. We need you for this.”

Juno didn’t know what to think. She understood why they wanted her, but there were so many questions. Did she want it? She had never negotiated before, never seen an alien. She’d never been under a chain of command outside of the Marines. She’d never even been outside the human systems, and the way it sounded, she’d be traveling all over the galaxy…

A part of her was afraid, another part hesitant, and yet another curious.

She spoke finally, “I’m a marine. A soldier. I don’t know anything about diplomacy or interspecies…” She didn't even know the word, “Am I the right fit for this outfit, sir?”

“I wouldn’t be here if you weren’t. There will be other humans just like you willing to pick up whatever slack you leave behind.”

“If I may,” Hernadez broke in to Juno’s surprise, “Will she retain her rank, or have to start over again? And what office will she work under? I mean, what happens if she’s stranded on the other side of the galaxy?”

“Well, Captain, that’s for the coalition to decide. You understand that, marine? If you accept this, you will no longer be a marine. You will be outside the chain of command for us, outside the chain of command of every human being alive. You’ll be under the command of this new force and whatever authority they conjure up in other parts of the galaxy. As of acceptance of this assignment, you will be on your own.

“As for rank, I can assure you, it’s a promotion. You will be second in command of a unit, to the captain of the ship you’re assigned to. There will be one CO above your captain, and then the Director of Human Affairs. Beyond that, you’ll only have to answer to the head aliens. All this is outside of human interference. Humanity will be trusting you to get the mission done with no red tape, no Branch Head breathing down your neck, and no oversight. Complete freedom.” That word both scared and enticed her.

“Are you saying she will be a black operative?”

“Not in so many words. She will be part of a new organization. She’ll answer to a board and that board will report to us and to other species.”

“But, essentially, she’d be leaving the command of humans to serve under aliens?”

“Yes. And, whenever conflicts arise between their interests and ours, I know the gunny here will be loyal to us.” Juno didn’t like the sound of this. It was intriguing, but no oversight? No human chain of command?

“So you’re saying a board will command us, and all these other species?” Juno asked.

“Yes. The boards, human and alien, will make sure you’re in line with their interests. This is by review, not by command. They’ll also issue you your orders. Whatever comes up, it’s up to you and your unit to solve it with the resources provided. You’ll be a problem solver for the galaxy. That means everyone in it. Everyone is going to want something done. And humanity needs someone who will look out for human interests no matter the situation.”

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“How many other species are up for this?”

“Fifty.” Fifty. What can fifty different species do together? She’d seen what happened when you got fifty soldiers in a room together with no unified leader. It would be chaos.

She looked around the room at each one of them.

“Your record shows you can do it. And everyone in this room has vouched for you. They think you would serve well under this new program.” Sergeant Major Alloy sighed and then leaned forward. Juno was curious about what he had to say.

“It would be a terrible loss to lose a marine like you Gunny, but the fact of the matter is, this thing is going forward with or without us. I’d rather have you on board this initiative making sure humanity is on the priority list. None of us can do it. You’re still young, ambitious. You can go places we can’t. I believe you’re the best fit for this outfit and the perfect marine to send to show that we mean business.”

“And we know you can fight.” Marlon added.

“We know you can lead.” Miller said.

“And we know you can navigate your way through sticky command situations. I hate to lose you Gunny, but they’re right. You’re perfect for this job.” Hernadez added. Even you, Hernandez?

“Well, what do you say, Gunnery Sergeant Juno. Will you be First Officer Juno, for all of humanity?”

.........................................................................................................................................................

A bit of a short chapter today. Because the chapter is so short, here is some extra lore to pad it out:

Advanced space faring civilizations are designated as Prime Civilizations, with a number and letter associated alongside the title. This is how species in the galaxy rate themselves against others on a galactic scale.

Because of the maturity of the Milky Way, it is flourishing with life. However, not all life is intelligent, and not all intelligent life is space faring. These civilizations are called subprimes. The rest of the galaxy watches these subprime species with particular interest.

It is common for Prime civilizations to seek out and help to progress lower lifeforms when they see potential within them. It is beneficial for both sides, as those who are lifted up gain centuries of technological advances in quick succession, while the Prime Species gains a loyal ally. Sometimes, the subprime species is so strongly tied to the species that lifted them from their homeworld, they become inextricably tied to them.

Typically, relations last a long time and serve to strengthen both parties, but this is not always the case. Betrayal, diplomacy failure, and political discourse are all common issues.

Because of their high value nature, progressing species are typically sighted long before they arise into galaxy spanning civs. This is both so the Prime Civ can gain control over a new potential superpower, or to economically improve their own position within the galaxy. Thus, an economy has arisen around the propagating and establishing of new advanced civs.

The galaxy is too big to truly harvest all of its information. New species constantly pop up, empires grow, and then both fade into the background for various reasons. This being said, it is just as common for a species to achieve galactic power on their own, without oversight, suddenly appearing on the galactic playing board without anyone’s prior knowledge. These civs typically do not last long.

Though uncommon, when a civilization does rise to power on its own, it has no ties or allegiances to anyone else in the galaxy. This leaves them vulnerable, but also leaves them autonomous. If the species is strong enough to keep their position within the galaxy then they are likely a civ to be feared throughout the rest of the galaxy.

One such civilization were the Sitarans. They were a self made civ, born near the chaotic center of the Milky Way. When the Sitarans finally achieved intersystem travel, they expanded into the galaxy at an astounding rate. Highly advanced, and war-like, the species competed with, and in some rare instances, out competed the most advanced civs of the time.

After their sudden arrival, the political map of the Milky Way was thrown into complete disarray. Empires crumbled, peaceful races were exterminated, and the Sitarans were completely wiped from the Milky Way. This was all because, completely out of nowhere, the Sitarans crashed onto the galactic stage, bringing with them a long, bloody and devastating war.

The chance of such a civ appearing again is not negligible, but is so low that in the tens of thousands of years of galactic history, no other civ has risen to that power since or before. However, this has left a minor stigma attached to new self-made Prime Civs. Even if these threats are never actualized, older species are quick to remind their neighbors of the horrifying history of that time.

In reality, most civs hate self-started species because of a few factors, including jealousy, fear, and because the power balance shifts in unexpected ways. Self-made civs have no ties to other species, no loyalties, and no responsibilities. They can expand as they wish, do as they please, and grow as strong as their own spirit allows them. Not all species have this privilege. Humanity, fortunately, is one of those species.