The Galactic Senat fell silent. An assembly of 1000 representatives of sentient races of the Galaxy sat in silence. A rare sight to behold in any government anywhere.
With fear, with sadness but also with respect. They were silent. The Fa'enni representative was speaking. Fa'enni who for hundreds of cycles brought warnings of disasters. Fa'enni who was always ready to help. For hundreds of cycles, they have helped countless times to anyone in need. But when the time come no one came to their aid. The representative was female. Her tall and delicate noble form was known so well to all of them. She was a member of one of the few paradise world races that achieved FTL. They knew no struggle, no strife, the concept of violence or war was unthinkable not so long ago for her or her race. She was tall, easily one of the tallest known species of Galaxy. Some of her species could reach even 1.8 standard meters and weigh about 25 standard units. The galactic average was less than 1.5m and 30 units in weight. Her skin once pinkish white and sparkling when she moved now was unhealthy pale. But that was understandable. Her eyes once sparkling blue gems were darkened by grief and despair. Fa'enni naturally flew in the air with the use of their colourful wings, but her lay limp on her back. Grief bound her to the ground. But she didn't cared. The cold plastmetal of the station was still warmer than her broken and cold heart. They watched and listen. Because they knew it will be the last time Fa'enni are seen. And they feel ashamed and relieved. Ashamed because they knew it was their actions that allowed this. All of this. And relieved that they were spared. But they listened as the millennia-old tradition dictated so they could remember Fa'enni forever. Few mourned as they really tried to change this but they failed.
Only one representative sat indifferent as if he utterly didn't cared. Xhretsla was a race of warriors. For generations, they stood guards of the Federation. But it came with a price. Officially they needed the blood of the other intelligent races as a necessity for their own survival but in reality, they demanded it because they were warriors and hunters. Everyone else was just mere prey for them. Once per one thousand cycles, they picked one race to pay tribute with blood. Maybe they should do this every 500 cycles? This time it was Fa'enni that will be sacrificed. Their meat and blood will nourish his race for the next thousand cycles. This time we will take the whole race. He licked the scales on his reptilian face.
The Fa'enni representative with grief and resignation started after the introduction. "As you know my species was selected to be Xhrestla sacrifice. They razed 7 of our worlds. They decided that my species will be enslaved and destroyed. So far we have lost over 50 million of my kin. Soon we will all die. Only 3 of our worlds are left. We can't fight back. We don't even know how. We can only run. We are so afraid. I beg you! Have mercy or at least..." she couldn't finish and almost bursted into tears. But she must stay strong to the bitter end. She could not ask aloud to kill her race faster and end this terror.
Murmurs of sheer fear rose from the audience. That was not what tradition dictated. They should only take one planet! But no one dared to even look upon Xhretsla's representative. No one dared to oppose them. Fa'enni senator continued.
"As all, you know as well my race has the farsight. Our visions are not often but they are precise. And hear my warning. The Devourers are coming."
Xhretsla senator nervously arose. His imposing 1.7 standard meters tall immediately brought all the attention to him. His hissing voice was smoothly translated via the general translator of the station.
"Don't lie to ussssss! Our sensorssss are ssssilent. Our fletsss didn't found any scoutssss. The Devaurersss not coming!"
She looked at him without any fear as there was no point in it now. She will die anyway from his or his kin's hand.
"They are coming. But incoming from the Galactic South. The Vision told us about the great pain, shock, and ruination of the race and its broken and beaten spirit brought to near extinction. Only a handful of survivors left. In the Vision, we saw dead worlds, barren of all life. And fear. The Fear is so great that is burning like a branch tossed in the fire. We doubt that's the Devourer's feelings and fate. Because they are death and all what darkness of the Void hold worst. You all have about the half standard cycle."
The male who sat behind her coughed and tried to mask his great surprise. She paid no attention to him yet. Many representatives of more fragile species fainted. Xhretsla looked a bit pale but said.
"We will check. I'm gonna ssssent sssscoutssss imidietly. But that will not change the fate of your kin."
He looked finally upon her platform that was placed on the ground in the center of the hall and saw some old Fa'enni sitting beside her. But he was big. Much bigger than he was. Hmmm... No matter, he has scouts to send now.
Fa'enni Senator asked once again for attention. 'What does she have to communicate now? I'll personally kill her and will eat her. Or eat her alive' Xhretsla thought with fury.
"A long time ago. Almost 400 cycles ago my race saw in the farsight great danger. A great pain, fear, and despair. In the Vision, we also saw a location of paradise world. Far, far away to the galactic north on the unmapped fringes. We didn't know what to think of it back then. But we have sent an expedition to check that world. The trip alone took our fastest ships almost two cycles and we spent another half on search. But we found it."
All senators in the assembly were stunned. A paradise world? That means maybe a new race was found.
"As you all suspect we have found the new race there" she continued "we spent there almost 30 cycles. Teaching them and giving some technologies, history of Galactic Comunity and..."
She smiled for the first time since her kin started dying. "Did you know they managed to harness the FTL without radiation shields?"
Disbelief arose- the void radiation would kill anyone stupid to try to use a such ship. Even Xhretsla who hails from the harsh world of class 4 would stand no chance to survive! She started talking once more resigned to the fate of her people. But the memories of that past better days kept her spirit up.
"We warned them about Devaurers. And advised them, they should join the Galactic Federation to be protected. They accepted our gifts. We exchanged some technology and knowledge despite some hardships in the translation. However, they refused our invitation to join our community. They instead told us they are eternally grateful for what we did for them. We returned to the core worlds from their fringe world after promising to keep their existence secret until they are ready. We kept it secret even from our own brothers and sisters. Finally, they are here. They want to speak."
The old Fa'enni stood up. But now it was clear that this is no Fa'enni at all. Everyone started to comment but fell silent when he started talking.
"Welcome everyone" his voice was harsh yet solid. And somehow threatening like he tried to remain calm as if some anger boiled in him. He wasn't using the translator. He knew the Galactic Universal Language, very impressive. His form so similar to the Fa'enni but without their wings. And he was much more massive and even taller. So similar but so much different. Really the paradise worlds born quite similar inhabitants.
He continued: "My name is Richard Raven and I'm the ambassador of the Terran Commonwealth. Over 400 of your... years ago Fa'enni made first contact with us. That time we were euphoric. Excited over the fact that we humans are not alone in the universe. We couldn't communicate at first and later it was so frustratingly hard that we barely could tell Fa'enni about us. Who we are. And I see now that clarification must be made. Alpha Centauri where Fa'enni made their first contact with us was not our home star. It was our scientific colony."
Everyone looked at him in shock. Their species used the FTL without radiation shields and lived?! How? Impossible! Even the Fa'enni senator looked at him with disbelief. The Human however was unfazed even baffled by their reaction. He continued after a while.
"You see... The Fa'enni have given us not only tremendous knowledge and technology from our dreams but also they gave us a warning. And due to this warning, we asked them to keep secret of us."
He smiled. His teeth shined bright. He was not a docile paradise worlder. How Fe'anni overlooked something like this!? That was the smile of the predator.
"They cured all illnesses that killed so many throughout millennia. They teach us so many things which helped us finally achieve peace. Elevate our knowledge to levels impossible at first to even grasp. Finally, peace and prosperity were possible for all humans. Thanks to their gifts we were able to repair all damage that in our own foolishness we inflicted upon our cradle Earth. And for all what they did we are eternally grateful to them."
Ambassador looked straight to the Xhrestla delegation and told with a strangely confident voice: "And we will not allow for the genocide of the Fa'enni race from the hands of some bloodthirsty lizards!"
A furious growl arose from the Xhretsla representative and his aids. His angry hiss started to rise: "how dare you ssssspeak like thisssss! You will..."
"SILENCE PUNNY LIZARD!" The human ambassador shouted with a voice that knew no disobedience. And to the shock of everyone Xhretsla, first time ever obeyed. Only the Fa'enni was too afraid of what she heard to even move. How they are going to fight against such warrior species as Xhrestla? They should be like my people. They were so similar to us when we meet. The sole concept of violent full-scale war was alien to most Galactic races. But Human continued with a cold almost calm voice. Much more sinister and menacing that his previous shout. He clearly was angry. No. That was the wrath of some primordial evil full of uncontrolled fury.
"Just shut up. We, humans, are at war with Xhretsla Hegemony, and you, Senator, and your delegation are the last of your kin to learn about it. Your entire army and how u call that sick fuck who rule over you? No matter. The Head Fucker personally rejected our peace offer and he is not yet fully aware of how fucked you are. Don't worry. Soon you all will learn."
All the Senat gasped at the sheer amount of profanities this ambassador have uttered. Disgusting. How he can call himself a diplomat?
Xhretsla started laughing instead of being angered. The prospect of a such great excuse for the next war was too exciting for him. More blood for him then, especially from a paradise world fledglings. Marvelous.
"At war with ussss? Xasxasxas. And what will you do againsssst ussss? You and what army?"
At this very moment, doors to the chamber burst open and Xhretsla warrior stormed in. He jumped to his senator and representatives and nervously whispered to them bringing the comm device with him. At this sight of the visibly shaken genocidal lizard human smiled. With a cold smile full of satisfaction. Many senators that sat nearby saw that smile. It looked so cruel. But how? No one smiled like that except Xhretsla and they were cruel predators. Human spoke before anyone else could and addressed the Xhretsla delegation.
"Your fleet known as the First Bloody Fang that was destroying Fa'enni's world of Ethosh V is not 'out of reach' it's also not 'too busy to respond'. It is rather 'out of commission'. We offered them the chance to surrender but your kin chose to fight. It's annihilated now. I just received confirmation. And as I look at reports I must say it was pathetic. That was your mighty fleet? That was a shield against so feared Devaurers? It took only 5 of our scout ships to destroy your entire vanguard of 60 lighter ships. Scouts I believe. Before the core of our 115th fleet even arrived 10 of our Valiant class dreadnoughts from vanguard formation destroyed over 140 of your capital ships. When the main force of our fleet arrived 10 minutes later fate of the rest of your 300 ships was sealed. Every single trace of Fa'enni onboard was rescued and recovered. And as you know First Bloody Fang is destroyed now. No survivors. No prisoners were taken. But instead of dropping to their knees and begging for mercy your ground forces still killed Fa'enni on the surface. Drunk with the blood of the innocent. Blood of children of Fa'enni on their hands. So our soldiers descended. Don't expect any mercy from Humans. Only the ones who show mercy can expect it. You are just trash. And as such you will be dealt with."
Fa'enni senator blinked in total disbelief. What did he just say? Humanity challenged Xhrestla Hegemony and destroyed one of the 10 Fang Fleets? It took her breath... Xhrestla's retaliation will be monstrous...
Xhrestla senator tried to regain his composition. He tried to understand what was happening. That Human wasn't lying. His high command confirmed all of it. Any contact with First Blood Fang was cut. Just a few desperate messages reached Throneworld. His superiors informed him also about the total blockade of Xhretsla Worlds and demanded actions in the Senate. But what they have told him... Gargantuan ships of unknown design big as cities or entire moons, mighty beyond any imagination. They sent only one transmission. Text only. "Return to your space. Abandon futile resistance. Await judgment." Any ship that tried to contest their might was annihilated. Some were drifting now as burned-out lifeless husks. Some were destroyed without any trace, and no single particle to be found. What he can do? What bill he could think of? All useless...
Meanwhile, news of a new threat that fell upon the Federation started reaching ambassadors of various races. Any other race wasn't affected yet but news of the crushing defeat of the Protectors of Federation shaken all of them. Xhrestla mighty fleets should be undefeated. It was them who fended off Devouers fleets 5000 cycles ago. Murmurs, whispers, and pleas for instructions started to rise. Xhrestla ambassador paid no attention to them. He looked with horror and anger at the human. He wanted to yell and threaten. He wanted gods who make his species special and chosen to intervene. But he was only able to utter a broken whisper that everyone hear: "Why?"
Silence once again. Human graced him with a single glance that shook his warrior soul to the core. This was the sight of death itself. And for the first time ever he felt what fear is.
"Because we promised Fa'enni that we will arrive if they ever face any danger. And we failed to be there for them when your slaughter started. Because they trusted us while knowing nothing about us. And because they gave us hope when we gave up." Fa'enni's representative finally gathered all her courage to turn and face The human. The human who she thought knew so well and he surprised and terrified her with unpreceded wrath, fury, and killing intent. She asked softly only a question she must have to know the answer to: "We gave you hope?"
"Yes, noble Shanti of Fa'enni. Hope for the future and your friendship. Promis where we are not alone in the dark uncaring Galaxy. That day we promised our alliance to your race for all healing of our bodies and our souls you did. Back then we knew nothing about the true peace you brought to us. But still, we have made the promise. And we humans never forgot our promises. We are so sorry we have failed to protect your people."
She was speechless. Why him... No. The Ambassadors speak on behalf of all of their race. So why they were sorry? What they could do? No. Fa'enni would never ask for their help out of fear that Humanity would be destroyed as well. Her diplomatic vessel, the last ship of Fa'enni was intercepted by human diplomatic ship while en route to this very station. And she did only then told him of the dire situation of her kind. And she begged that he would not endanger his own people. And yet he discarded it with the promise of war to warmongering Xhrestla. She failed to protect them. Shanti closed her eyes and turned on the communication implant. One of the wonders of Human-Fa'enni technology that allowed for instant communication between the stars with the usage of hypercom in her ship. She wanted to see what he was talking about.
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And she saw with her own eyes. Jaggernaughts of warships! So many over the skies of all what was left from the Fa'enni worlds and even above one pthat already has been taken by Xhretsla. Some of them as big as cities, and a few of them big as moons. Barring any access to the planets below. So many that it seemed like even the light of stars must ask for permission to reach the planets below. Thousands of mighty warships which sharp forms promised only decimation and death. She trembled. Her people were safe. She knew that in an instant when she saw the Xhretsla fleet burning on the high orbit of the Ethosh V. Millions of their warriors were being slain by the monsters on the planet's surface. But these monsters would risk their lives to save even one Fe'anni. They were fast, oh so fast! No living creature this big can move with such speed and grace, but they did it. They shrugged off the heavy fire of enemy warriors like one would shrug raindrops. Their weapons, strange kinetic projectile weapons which each pull of the trigger meant death. No armor could stop it. No cover was enough. She saw the first time ever fear of the Xhrestla warriors when they tried to run but they were way too slow. Catched and put down with swords. Butchered as her kin was just an hour ago. She saw one of the monsters made of steel, fury, and fire gets shot by multiple Xhretsla railguns and plasma guns while he was shielding with his own massive body three Fa'enni children. The three small figures were curled and covered behind this menacing titan of war. In its shadow they were safe. Protected against all evil of the Galaxy. That human automaton will die soon. Then she saw it. The bright red blood. It was not an artificial being. It... He! He was alive. She saw as this Behemot dropped his destroyed helmet. That amount of plasma fire would kill anyone. Yet he stood. She saw as he threw a small container to Xhretsla warriors and then they exploded. The children were safe. Human stand up and moved forward, his killing wasn't done yet. Her vision blurred with pain. Such aggression. Such fury. Unbearable. But the surge of her people's hope was giving her power. And The most strange in all of that was the endless compassion of Humans who protected Fa'enni. She couldn't comprehend how being so cruel to be able to kill can be this compassionate at the same time. And she felt something changed in her people. Something snapped. She felt different. Disturbed...
The sudden roar of Xhretsla shook the hall as the roar of the warrior who brought a comm device to his representative boomed in the quiet assembly hall.
"You will pay for this transgression human!" He sprinted and jumped to kill the old human. Fully grown Xhretsla weighs almost 60 units. He will crush that old feeble body of this man and then Xhretsla will drink his blood. His kin will pay all their blood.
Human stood unfazed but what can be done in such a short time? Only a few species would be able to dodge as fast an opponent as Xhrestla warrior.
"Ahhhh!" The entire hall gasped in disbelief. Human was so fast. He catched Xhretsla warrior in the air. And HELD HIM WITH ONE HAND. His cold eyes looked at the reptile. His grip was like iron, solid and unforgiving. Xhretsla in assembly started to be very very afraid. This new species somehow was superior.
Raven continued as if nothing happened. "You see lizard. Im not from a paradise world. Not even garden one. I envy you all truly. A few years after Fe'anni have left we finally cracked the Galactic Universal Language. We learned slowly everything that Fa'enni gifted us. We heed their warning. 'Be aware of dangers of the Galaxy and predators in the void'. So we did. We were preparing for a day like this to come. The only way humanity knew and could." he looked calmly around with flames of anger in his eyes. He was speaking so calmly and slowly that everyone in the audience start to curl in fear. "We have built new warships. Developed new technologies. Raised armies and navy alike. We forged new weapons and armor." every single sentence was like a crack of whip making everyone in the hall freeze in fear. But the Human representative continued with the same calm, cold voice." When our arsenals were full we were finally ready. If wise and noble Fa'enni are so afraid of these Devouers it will be our duty to find them and stop them. Our hunt started."
"Hunt Devaurers? Are they out of mind?" startled whispers were heard in the assembly. He placed Xhretsla warrior gently on the floor but still held his throat effortlessly. Xhretsla hissed profanities, visibly struggling to free himself but to no avail. More and more scared of that old human. His claws that killed so many were unable to even tear Human suit not to mention pierce his skin. "So allow me to continue"
"What are you!?" Xhrestla Senator asked Human who still was holding his warrior by the throat. Human smiled "Oh I'm sorry. After long confirmation, we have learned how we should introduce our race. Pardon me and allow me to start a new."
He cleared his throat. All Senat attention was his. He must be a harsh worlder like the Xhretsla but probably from class 20 world. Truly a hellish place...
"My name is Richard Raven. My people call ourselves Humans. Our average height is 1.8 standard meters tall for our females and 2 meters for males, average weight is 50 standard units for females and 85 for males. We originate from class 18 Deathworld we called the Earth in the Sol system. By your Federation classification, we are persistent hunters. Omnivore predators."
Fe'anni Senator looked at the human and dropped to her knees. All assembly looked in disbelief. A Deathworld? Sentient and sapient omnivore persistent predators?
The classification was clear. The best worlds to evolve life were paradise worlds with their light gravity, serene conditions, and utter lack of predatory flora and fauna. After them came garden words from which almost all of the Galactic Federation races hail. Then harsh worlds. Hell worlds. And finally dreaded Deathworlds where even the planet itself wants to kill you with earthquakes, volcano eruptions, crushing gravity, unstable weather patterns, and unstable geology. With an abundance of competing dangerous wildlife, even flora is dangerous- poisonous and even predatory. Bacterias and viruses- threats so small but so dangerous. No one could hope to survive such conditions. And rank from 1 to 20 where 1 was best and 20 was worst. No deathworld can produce sentient life! Especially class 18. But... He catched the Xhretsla warrior in mid-air. Restrained him with one of his hands. He clearly is from the high-gravity world. His posture, muscles. Everything now was screaming for danger to every single representative in the hall. Even to those who never meet any predators before as their species can remember. They are facing a real, menacing predator. No one here can even slow him down. The man continued and looked at Xhrestla warrior in his grasp.
"Im old you see. Thanks to the one Fa'enni technology we were gifted I'm over 300 of your years old. And I'm long past my prime. But I'm far more wiser and patient than my race younglings. So holding that barbaric lizard is tiring for this body of mine."
300 cycles? How? So many questions. He continued with satisfaction and very proudly.
"But back to the topic. 30 years ago we found traces of an unknown high-technology ship in the eastern fringes. Our Hunter followed trails and found a freshly destroyed planet. We were close. And 15 years ago humanity finally found one of as you called them the Devouers worlds. Our hunt found its prey. It turned out they called themselves the Huluk. Race that was billions of years old. The space they controlled was small. Only 150 inhabited planets stretched in 250 light-years radius. And we learned why they attacked everyone. Why do they exterminated so many races? They just wanted to be left alone. No interference. No change to their ways of life."
Everyone in pure shock looked at him. Humanity not only hunted but established contact with such an evil foe. How foolish they could be?
The human ambassador sighed and shook his head at not-so-distant memories. He smiled and announced to all of the Senat: "But fear not Races of the Galaxy. Thanks to Humanity diplomation we finally made them understand all what they have done wrong and we managed to change them!"
Murmurs of disbelief and shock rumbled through the entire hall. Xhrestla Senator's jaw dropped. First time today the chancellor managed to speak. He was Jovian. One of the oldest Federation member races.
"You changed them? How? They are no threat anymore?" Human smiled. But that wasn't a nice smile at all. Is this race even capable of a true smile?
"Oh, indeed I can assure you that they are not a threat anymore." Chancellor felt great joy with this news. "So how u managed to achieve this tremendous feat?"
"It was very easy. We offered them peace if they unconditionally surrendered. We will allow them to live in a contained space where no one will ever dare to enter. They refused."
Chancellor was puzzled "But if they refused then... how?"
"We have changed them into soon-extinct species. After they declined they started a war. We soon found evidence of their deeds. More and more of their atrocities were soon known. So we have changed our tactics, as always Humanity has- we adapted. We destroyed every single Huluk ship we could find. We dispatched fleets of Hunters across the galaxy to find and destroy any sign of their civilization. And we will destroy remnants in the galactic south as Lady Shanti warned. In the end, that's what we persistent predators do. We chase our prey until we can kill it. We annihilated them, erased their history and we will expunge anything related to them. And we will see this soon end. We have glassed their core worlds with the actinic fire of nuclear warheads. Only their home world left. But not for long. We have infiltrated their data networks and we were shocked to our very souls. They killed 60 million species acorss billions of years and kept records. Not a single data about this species. Not even their names. But records like "Star system X223432 planet 2 signs of sentient life detected. Planet purged". 60 million different sentient species. 60 million entries about how they destroyed planet. Kinetic weapons. Saturated bombardments. Throwing planetoids to unsuspecting primitive tribes. 60 million sentient races gone. Never to be known. More than we could ever meet."
Chancellor in pure shock asked: "But you said humanity solved this all with diplomation? And now you speak of War!"
Ambassador looked at him with a cruel smirk and the chancellor started understanding how serious is the situation they are in: "We Humans say: the war is an extension of negotiation. So in its core war is nothing more than a little bit more chaotic diplomation."
Silence once more fell over Senat. Human emotionessly continued like as he was ordering a drink or meal.
"So we exterminated them. We cracked their homeworld core and hurled what was left of it into the gravitational pull of their star. Wiped clean their home system of any trace that they ever existed. But we were not cruel. Huluk may be evil but they were not cruel as well. They killed swiftly. But they killed too many races to be forgiven. And you see they willingly chose to be at war with Humanity. And we are so much better at it."
Then he looked at the terrified Xhretsla warrior in his grip. "But it so happens that we are at war with you as well reptile. And you have chosen it as well. Rejected our mercy. Embraced war and lusted for our blood. And what's more atrocious your race is cruel. You killed and hunted weaker races who you claimed to protect. Took pleasure in tortures and treasured fear of your victims. Huluk does not deserve to be called the Devouers. But your race yes. You are real Devouers. This is not recognized as an ambassador. Am I right Lady Shanti?"
She nodded as she was too scared and shocked to say anything. She thought they are done for when that warrior jumped at them. But to hear that Devouers are no more overwhelmed her. And the true anger settled in her soul for the first time ever in her entire life. Her people died in vain at hands of Xhretsla. Ambassador Raven was right, they are true Devouers of life.
Human looked in eyes of the Xhretsla warrior. "Don't worry nameless warrior of race that soon case to be. Or maybe not? It's not my decision in the end."
Ambassador clenched his hand into a fist. Yellow blood and fragments of bone and scales burst from now a dead warrior. The Xhrestla delegation watched in horror as one of their greatest and strongest warriors, one of the most grizzled veterans was crushed like an eggshell by old human. The darkest horrors of the void came to be. Demons made flesh manifest and called themselves Humans. Xhrestla knew the depths of their defeat. They must do anything to save their race.
Shanti almost fainted. She should have. But that change in her... She just smiled. The same cold smile as her human... Friend. Yes, a friend! She smiled as she watched the lifeless body of the reptile alien. The alien that contempt her people. So that's how revenge feels? Oh, how sweet it was.
Xhretsla senator was on his knees. He didn't understand anything. Deathworlders... Gods above and below save us! But he knew that his Gods were hidden or run out of fear of Humans and their Gods. No salvation will be delivered. His comm device was bursting with dreading signals of ruin and death. Death of fleets that guarded their precious Empire disguised as Galactic Federation. He could not move. Even for him, such violence was hard to bear. Nightmare. But he knew he was not dreaming.
Human spoke once again: "I was sent here to announce that you are now safe. And with the hope, we can join your community since Huluk are not a threat anymore. Then we found out what you have done to Fa'enni. I almost dropped dead when Lady Shanti told me what fate you all sentenced her race for. In instant, I connected all fleets of the Terran Commonwealth I could reach. Violated all protocols but time was too precious to waste. Twelve fleets were in jump range to immediately help Fa'enni and all of them jumped without a single doubt the same second they heard grim news. They jumped full of rage and with the certainty of war. Our admirality was in disarray due to my actions but when I told them the news as well they all were enraged. Maddened with our own carelessness. We should have stand guard. We should have sent our Atla class Combat Planetoids to protect our dearest friends. But Fe'anni were so certain they will be protected. The Federation should have protected its weakest members. We were not aware of this barbaric tradition of yours. So we once again have adapted. We didn't come here to join your disgraced Federation anymore. We came here to rescue our only allies and first-ever xeno friends. The Fa'enni. We will be their shield as they are not able to defend themselves. As they are merciful, wise, and incapable of violence we will be their sword as Violence is our sister and Death himself our trusted friend. And we will never fail again."
He looked upon Shanti. Some unknown force filled her. At first, she was afraid and wanted to reject it. But her race as the only one in Galaxy knew of mana- magic as humans will call it later. And she recognized and embraced that force with all her might. It was the force of Humanity's persistence and unbreakable will that filled her. A pact was formed as the will of humanity to protect Fa'enni meet Fa'enni's will and cry for help. She was the catalyst. Through her, all Fa'enni instantly knew that Humans on their worlds are allies and friends. Not conquerors and monsters they seemed to be. As of now, Fa'enni and Humans are one. Linked by the will of both species and mana that can change anything. She stands up. Knowledge of centuries surged her and every Fa'enni and Human alike. They were bonded. Here and now. They knew each other history. She blinked, paled, and gasped in pure horror. All wars of humanity. All atrocities. All primordial wrath of predators left alone for millennia in the darkness of space. They were their own predators and prey alike. The Hunters who didn't need prey anymore because they were above primitive instincts that made Xhretsla hunt other sentients. The human ambassador didn't even flinch. But in his eyes, she saw that he felt the touch of mana for the first time. And she also saw the immense sorrow and pain over the fate of her people. And that he knew the lengths of crimes that were inflicted on peaceful Fa'enni. One tear of compassion dropped from one of his eyes. And the spark of primordial anger shone in second.
He started speaking again with uncovered contempt and rage: "And now 'esteemed' members of the Galactic Senate listen. And listen well. This is Lady Shanti of Fa'enni. Beg her for forgiveness. Beg her for mercy. Because Humanity have brought its gifts for you. But your actions adapted our gifts. We came with everything best we had to offer. But now? It's all the worst we have." He slowly rose his hand and pointed toward the Fa'enni senator. "This is Lady Shanti of Fa'enni and she will be your judge, prosecutor, and lawyer. She will decide of your judgment."
And he added with an adamant voice of pure certainty. Whisper full of promise: "And we will carry her will as will of all her race and judgment to whatever length will be it necessary"
All members of the senate remembered what he told before: humans always keep their promises. No one dared to even move. Suddenly from nowhere materialized dozen of humans. In their power armors, they were towering like the titans of war, each one of them easily over 2.2 standard meters tall. Broad, massive, horrifying. Their strange kinetic weapons were in their hands, not risen, not yet anyway but everyone could see the promise of quick and merciless death in their eyes. Their eyes were so cold yet not cruel. Old Ambassador sat, his work finished and the biggest of humans entered his spot with thumps like thunders of his armored feet in the dead silence of the senate building. He had to be as massive as a tank. Shanti flew in the air with her strength renewed and sat on his shoulder pauldron.
For him she was weightless. She knew that now. Her personal weight of 23 units was less than his weapon alone. And over there, on his shoulder, she felt finally safe. She felt a little buzz over her skin when the power armor force field enclosed her.
He was a behemoth of steel, fire, and wrath. The Hero of great might, combat prowess, and unfathomable compassion. The same as one she saw via her communication implant and spell of vision. Protectors of Humanity. The Soldiers of Earth who know no fear. The Deathworlders. The Greatest apex predators in the entire Galaxy. The Vanquishers of the great enemy of all life- Devouer. The Heroes of Fa'enni and their saviors.
She rose her hand. She knew they will obey any command like Ambasador Raven promised. Now she and only she understood the darkness of despair that Humanity knew before they met. Now she understood how much her people did for the humanity.
And she finally understood the old farsight that made her race find Humans in the first place. It wasn't them who were in danger. Fa'enni were. She deep below knew a terrible truth.
Her people were saved by a cosmic fluke, they saved themselves by accident. And just to the quirk of who Fa'enni were, depths of their compassion that didn't allow anyone to be left alone in need, her kin befriended Humanity. We warned them and Humanity took our warning to their hearts. But Humanity never have to be afraid of anything.
The Fear of this galaxy is afraid of them. She will never doubt Humans. She knew they are her people's most sworn allies even if most Fa'enni didn't even know one hour ago that Humanity existed. And she was given absolute power now to destroy or forgive and spare.
The power that not so many cycles ago she would scoff and despise.
The entire arsenal of humanity's myriads of weapons, tactics, and all of the evil humanity was capable of was her to command. As well as their endless capability to forgive and spare- their unfathomable mercy. All at her whim.
The entire Galaxy hold their breath as betrayed and sold race was about to pass its judgment. They all trembled in fear just upon the gaze of her deep blue sparkling eyes knowing the depths of their own sins, corruptions, and transgressions.
The Titan and Fairy on his shoulder. Like the mighty Oberon and wise Titania of human myths. She smiled.
Right here.
Right now.
She was the most powerful being in all of creation. And she liked that. The Human warriors waited for her decision. Ever ready to strike. Ever ready for war and peace alike. Always vigilant.
The Protectors of humanity stood silent.
And now the Protectors of Fa'enni.