SDNW4 Diplomatic Communications Thread

[Alyrium Denryle]

To:The Multiversal Empire of Happiness
From: The Technosocialist State of Ranoidea.
Regarding: Extension of Diplomatic Relations.

To Whom It May Concern,

We are interested in extending diplomatic relations toward your State, recently having appeared in our galaxy. However, before we do so, we wish to know something about your culture and over-arching goals so that we know how best to assist you in adjusting to your new home, and so we can develop strong ties as nations. If you would be so kind as to furnish the requested information, we can begin the process of negotiating embassy locations and standard diplomatic privileges.

[Beowulf]

TO: Saint #3, The Multiversal Empire of Happiness
FROM: The Office of Katya Perry, Wairen Bureau, Tianguo

We are mystified as to the contents of your diplomatic note. Checks of the Guangdong Warp Gate logs indicate no warp passage occured at the date and time you claim to have attempted travel. A warp gate activation request was noted for that period, however, our generators remained offline as the activation request did not come with the signature of an authorized gate. Proper warp gate protocols do not result in a warp bubble formation when the target gate is non-cooperative. We suggest you utilize a authorized warp gate for travel on your next attempt. Nearby authorized warp gates can be found in the following countries:

• Sultanate of Klavostan
• Shinra Republic
• Interstellar Union of Worlds
• Holy Empire of Suzumiya Haruhi

Thank you for your consideration.

//SIGNED//
Zheng Long
Assistant Underdirector for the Rimward Widdershins Quadrant
Wairen Bureau

[fgalkin]

[Widebeam hyperwave transmission from sector C-6 detected]

Greetings, fellow sapients of the galaxy. In light of recent galactic events, we have decided to reconsider our long-standing policy of isolation, and are now seeking diplomatic contact with your civilizations.

Below you will find a set of first contact questions that would greatly assist us in establishing diplomatic relations with your people.

I. Please arrange the following statements according to their compatibility with your civilization’s objectives, principles, and values, starting with the most compatible and ending with the least compatible.

1) The primary purpose of any civilization is to ensure the comfort and prosperity of its citizens.
2) Nature exists only to be conquered; one day we shall be as gods.
3) The universe is a dangerous place and we must be dangerous in return. None shall threaten us without suffering the consequences.
4) Our way is the correct way. Therefore, it is only fitting that we share it with the galaxy.
5) Power is its own reward.
6) Few things are nobler than the quest for knowledge. Fortunately for us, there are many mysteries in the universe yet unexplained.
7) Order and Stability are vital to the survival of any civilization, and must be pursued even at the expense of growth and innovation.
8 ) We are but insects in the grand scheme of things, and must be careful not be stepped on.

II. Hypothetical Scenario: It is the year 4400 according to Standard Human Calendar. Your civilization has achieved complete dominance in the Galaxy. Every one of your rivals is either destroyed or has been converted into an ally. Your citizens are free from want and need. Your civilization is free to undertake any project it chooses at its leisure, with the resources of the entire galaxy at its disposal. Please indicate the primary focus of your civilization’s energies and attention in this hypothetical situation.

Please send your responses, as well as any inquiries of your own to our communication relay station in Sector C-6.

Many thanks for your cooperation.

---------------------------------
Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

[Chaotic Neutral]

Greetings, fellow sapients of the galaxy. In light of recent galactic events, we have decided to reconsider our long-standing policy of isolation, and are now seeking diplomatic contact with your civilizations.

Below you will find a set of first contact questions that would greatly assist us in establishing diplomatic relations with your people.

I. Please arrange the following statements according to their compatibility with your civilization’s objectives, principles, and values, starting with the most compatible and ending with the least compatible.

1) The primary purpose of any civilization is to ensure the comfort and prosperity of its citizens.
2) Nature exists only to be conquered; one day we shall be as gods.
3) The universe is a dangerous place and we must be dangerous in return. None shall threaten us without suffering the consequences.
4) Our way is the correct way. Therefore, it is only fitting that we share it with the galaxy.
5) Power is its own reward.
6) Few things are nobler than the quest for knowledge. Fortunately for us, there are many mysteries in the universe yet unexplained.
7) Order and Stability are vital to the survival of any civilization, and must be pursued even at the expense of growth and innovation.
8 ) We are but insects in the grand scheme of things, and must be careful not be stepped on.

II. Hypothetical Scenario: It is the year 4400 according to Standard Human Calendar. Your civilization has achieved complete dominance in the Galaxy. Every one of your rivals is either destroyed or has been converted into an ally. Your citizens are free from want and need. Your civilization is free to undertake any project it chooses at its leisure, with the resources of the entire galaxy at its disposal. Please indicate the primary focus of your civilization’s energies and attention in this hypothetical situation.

Please send your responses, as well as any inquiries of your own to our communication relay station in Sector C-6.

Many thanks for your cooperation

Many welcomes newcomers! It's always good to have another civilization around.

As per your instructions, we have attached our response to your questionnaire.

I. Questionnaire:

1) Few things are nobler than the quest for knowledge. Fortunately for us, there are many mysteries in the universe yet unexplained.
2) Power is its own reward. (It should be noted that power can be used to create knowledge.)
3) Nature exists only to be conquered; one day we shall be as gods.
4) The primary purpose of any civilization is to ensure the comfort and prosperity of its citizens.
5) The universe is a dangerous place and we must be dangerous in return. None shall threaten us without suffering the consequences.
6) Our way is the correct way. Therefore, it is only fitting that we share it with the galaxy.
7) Order and Stability are vital to the survival of any civilization, and must be pursued even at the expense of growth and innovation.
8 ) We are but insects in the grand scheme of things, and must be careful not be stepped on.

II. Hypothetical Scenario: The primary of our civilization is Science. With improved technologies, we can do more with fewer resources, and invent new ways to keep citizens entertained and healthy. Our surplus resources would go to yet more science, and, when we are capable, we will travel to other galaxies/clusters/superclusters/universes to uplift the inhabitants of every civilization.

Our goal is never accomplished, there is always another technology to invent, more ways to improve, more people to save. The quest is eternal.

We would also like to see your response the questions.

Signed

Janet Thorpe, Temporary Replacement Diplomat to Saint 472 (Gone Orbital Diving)
Multiversal Empire of Happiness

[Zor]

From: The Hon. Stepan Xiaowen, Commonwealth Ministry of Foreign Affairs
To: The Lost

On behalf of the Nova Atlantean Commonwealth of Worlds, I welcome your society in a spirit of friendship. In responce to your first question, i must state that these are only general principles. Their is some disagreement among some of the citizenry for our society is democratic.

1) The primary purpose of any civilization is to ensure the comfort and prosperity of its citizens.
2) Few things are nobler than the quest for knowledge. Fortunately for us, there are many mysteries in the universe yet unexplained.
3) Nature exists only to be conquered; one day we shall be as gods.
4) Our way is the correct way. Therefore, it is only fitting that we share it with the galaxy.
5) Power is its own reward.
6 ) We are but insects in the grand scheme of things, and must be careful not be stepped on.
7) The universe is a dangerous place and we must be dangerous in return. None shall threaten us without suffering the consequences.
8 ) Order and Stability are vital to the survival of any civilization, and must be pursued even at the expense of growth and innovation.

II:If such a state of affairs, we would focus on accelerating the Evolution of all species along technological lines. We would seek to expand our minds and improve the capacities of our bodies. We would cast off the weaknesses and shortcommings of biological evolution, while retaining and refining what elements of which are worth retaining. An ascendant civilization, were weakness has been removed, not by the destruction of the weak but by refinement and upgrading. Perfection is unobtainable, but we shall strive for it none the less. We will also refine our knowledge of the universe and seek new frontiers to explore.

And on behalf of the commonwealth several inquiries...

1-What are your commerical policies and are you willing to trade?
2-What is your civilization's moral framework?
3-Does your society favor the Individual, the internal faction or the Collective?
4-How open is your society to new ideas, concepts and ideologies?

[Master_Baerne]

<Snip>

FROM: Gloriana Proeliam, Countess Yvette, Her Ascendant Ladyship's Minister for Foreign Affairs
TO: The Lost

Firstly, allow me to extend the greetings of the Ascendancy and Her Ascendant Ladyship. We welcome you to the galactic stage, and hope to enjoy friendly relations with your nation. As requested, I have (in consultation with various others, in order to obtain as general a response as possible) arranged the statements provided in the requested order.

1) The primary purpose of any civilization is to ensure the comfort and prosperity of its citizens.
2) Order and Stability are vital to the survival of any civilization, and must be pursued even at the expense of growth and innovation.
3) Few things are nobler than the quest for knowledge. Fortunately for us, there are many mysteries in the universe yet unexplained.
4) Our way is the correct way. Therefore, it is only fitting that we share it with the galaxy.
5) The universe is a dangerous place and we must be dangerous in return. None shall threaten us without suffering the consequences.
6) Power is its own reward.
7) Nature exists only to be conquered; one day we shall be as gods.
8 ) We are but insects in the grand scheme of things, and must be careful not be stepped on.

The second question, I must admit, proved rather more difficult for myself and my advisors to answer. A situation so far outside the realm of probability as this one has usually not been studied or prepared for in any serious way, and the question proved particularly difficult because our nation's three primary goals, namely safety, prosperity, and comfort have all been taken care of. It is probable that in a situation such as the one described, the Ascendancy would focus on improving understanding of various mysteries, such as the appearance of the Central Alliance and various other powers in formerly-unoccupied space, the origin of the Chamarran species, and the specific nature of the Collector AI race.

The Ascendancy would be very interested in hearing you nation's own response to your questions, and would like to add a simple inquiry into why, exactly, you refer to yourselves as the Lost.

With the hope of future friendship,
Gloriana, Countess Yvette

[Zor]

(Hit the wrong button)

[Force Lord]

[Widebeam hyperwave transmission from sector C-6 detected]

Greetings, fellow sapients of the galaxy. In light of recent galactic events, we have decided to reconsider our long-standing policy of isolation, and are now seeking diplomatic contact with your civilizations.

Below you will find a set of first contact questions that would greatly assist us in establishing diplomatic relations with your people.

I. Please arrange the following statements according to their compatibility with your civilization’s objectives, principles, and values, starting with the most compatible and ending with the least compatible.

1) The primary purpose of any civilization is to ensure the comfort and prosperity of its citizens.
2) Nature exists only to be conquered; one day we shall be as gods.
3) The universe is a dangerous place and we must be dangerous in return. None shall threaten us without suffering the consequences.
4) Our way is the correct way. Therefore, it is only fitting that we share it with the galaxy.
5) Power is its own reward.
6) Few things are nobler than the quest for knowledge. Fortunately for us, there are many mysteries in the universe yet unexplained.
7) Order and Stability are vital to the survival of any civilization, and must be pursued even at the expense of growth and innovation.
8 ) We are but insects in the grand scheme of things, and must be careful not be stepped on.

II. Hypothetical Scenario: It is the year 4400 according to Standard Human Calendar. Your civilization has achieved complete dominance in the Galaxy. Every one of your rivals is either destroyed or has been converted into an ally. Your citizens are free from want and need. Your civilization is free to undertake any project it chooses at its leisure, with the resources of the entire galaxy at its disposal. Please indicate the primary focus of your civilization’s energies and attention in this hypothetical situation.

Please send your responses, as well as any inquiries of your own to our communication relay station in Sector C-6.

Many thanks for your cooperation.

---------------------------------
Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

From: Tagdef Borlon, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Centrality and Ravin Nostrum, Foreign Secretary of the Centrality
To: The Lost

I. We believe that the seventh statement fits our nation's character best. For more than a thousand years, the Centrality has become a byword for order and stability. Some would call this opression, but send those naysayers to an anarchic world, and they will understand why people need direction in their lives.

As for the statement incompatible with our conduct, we have difficulty finding one from the statements you have given us. It may be because some of the other statements are either our goals, or simply do not have anything to do with us. Our opinion is that there could be more statements, but it is your choice.

II. This is hard to answer. To have an entire Galaxy at your command is, quite simply, almost too good to be true. You can do so many, many things, that it can be difficult to choose what you desire most! If we must confine ourselves to a single project, it would be to design and build vessels capable of extending our reach to other galaxies, until finally this Universe salutes under the Black Star: an orderly, stable universe.

As for our standard procedure when encountering new civilizations:

1) We would like to establish diplomatic relations, perhaps establish an embassy in your capital...if you have one or something similar. Of course, you are free to establish your own embassy in our capital.

2) After the establishment of diplomatic relations, we could reach for some sort of trade arrangement. Details could be discussed while discussions regarding diplomatic relations are being made.

3) We would ask you how your civilization works: your political system, society, values, morality, openess, culture, etc.

That is all, for now.

[Karmic Knight]

Response to Relay Station in Sector C-6

Greetings unknown people, in accordance with a policy of galactic interconnectedness, we respond to your query openly and honestly.

I: Our arrangement is based on a most important to least important scale, the numbers assigned by your communication are kept for easy viewing access.


1) The primary purpose of any civilization is to ensure the comfort and prosperity of its citizens.
6) Few things are nobler than the quest for knowledge. Fortunately for us, there are many mysteries in the universe yet unexplained.
3) The universe is a dangerous place and we must be dangerous in return. None shall threaten us without suffering the consequences.
7) Order and Stability are vital to the survival of any civilization, and must be pursued even at the expense of growth and innovation.
5) Power is its own reward.
8) We are but insects in the grand scheme of things, and must be careful not be stepped on.
4) Our way is the correct way. Therefore, it is only fitting that we share it with the galaxy.
2) Nature exists only to be conquered; one day we shall be as gods.

II: In the hypothetical scenario, the government of the Unified Kingdom would plan its pursuits to seek ways to distant galaxies and other stars to make contact with other species and governments.

III: To better understand the ideals behind this communication's species, we would like to understand, in detail, what is widely considered the greatest achievement in realms of philosophy, technology and government.

- Jushin Gabriel, Foreign Affairs Clerk
Unified Kingdom of the Knights of Order

[Master_Baerne]

FROM: His Excellency Dr. Bernard S. Johnson, Her Ascendant Ladyship's Ambassador to the Technocracy of Umeria
Commander Robert Dahomey, Ascendant Starfleet, Naval Attache
TO: His Excellency Dr. Maxim Chernov, Second Technarch for Foreign Affairs

Sir,

In light of both the friendship between our nations and the considerable Umerian experience with coordinating small hypercapable naval craft, the Ascendant Starfleet would like to request that Umerian personnel be detached as instructors for Ascendant carrier operations officers. It has been some two centuries since the last time carriers were present in our fleet list, and we would greatly appreciate any experience the Umerian Space Security Force would care to share.

Sincerely,
Dr. B.S. Johnson
Cmdr. R. Dahomey

[Tanasinn]

Office of Foreign Relations
Elysion City, Elysion
Sector Zero

"...and that's all they sent," the junior analyst reported. Hugh Bishop absent-mindedly nodded his head as he scanned over the transcript of the message from this latest newcomer to the galactic scene. It was...unusual, to say the least. It reminded Hugh, at least in part, of some standard-form psychological evaluation surveys, giving no mention to the usual contents of early-contact diplomatic communiques - trade agreements, diplomat exchanges, embassy establishment.

"Judging by the contents of this message," Hugh said finally, "We're dealing with a truly alien entity here. A widebeam communication asking for basic information from anyone who cares to respond - this is information they could look up on the galnet, if they were so-inclined."

"I agree, sir," the junior analyst said unnecessarily.

Hugh considered. The Humanist Union's relationships with alien powers - which, he was quite confident, included these newcomers - rarely went beyond 'polite.' New humanist ideology taught that different sapient species were, at their most basic, "rival animals," warranting caution and vigilance. To trust baselessly was to recklessly expose human life to danger, and the same applied for alien species in their relations with humans - a point they were sure to be cognizant of. Some people made more out of this then there needed to be, but Hugh wasn't one of them, "It's all very basic information, I think, nothing we should be concerned about discussing in a first contact situation. Particularly since if they want this information, they can get it elsewhere even if we deflect. Draft up a basic response and forward it to me for corrections and additions."

"Sir," the analyst said, and excused himself.

---

Code: Select all

I. Please arrange the following statements according to their compatibility with your civilization’s objectives, principles, and values, starting with the most compatible and ending with the least compatible. 

1) The primary purpose of any civilization is to ensure the comfort and prosperity of its citizens.
4) Our way is the correct way. Therefore, it is only fitting that we share it with the galaxy. 
3) The universe is a dangerous place and we must be dangerous in return. None shall threaten us without suffering the consequences.
2) Nature exists only to be conquered; one day we shall be as gods.  
6) Few things are nobler than the quest for knowledge. Fortunately for us, there are many mysteries in the universe yet unexplained.
7) Order and Stability are vital to the survival of any civilization, and must be pursued even at the expense of growth and innovation. 
8 ) We are but insects in the grand scheme of things, and must be careful not be stepped on.
5) Power is its own reward. 

Code: Select all

II. Hypothetical Scenario: It is the year 4400 according to Standard Human Calendar. Your civilization has achieved complete dominance in the Galaxy. Every one of your rivals is either destroyed or has been converted into an ally. Your citizens are free from want and need. Your civilization is free to undertake any project it chooses at its leisure, with the resources of the entire galaxy at its disposal. Please indicate the primary focus of your civilization’s energies and attention in this hypothetical situation. 

"In the event of total galactic dominance, the Humanist Union's long-term plans include expansion beyond the galaxy.  The continued development of the human form and mind is of paramount importance.  Guaranteeing the security and prosperity of the human race is a duty that extends beyond galaxtic control.  The ultimate goal of the Humanist Union is the development of the human species to the point where the state becomes a vestigal organ, at which point it will be disassembled."

Also included in the message, unbidden, were several data files, labelled under "for your further consideration." Included are a brief history of the Humanist Union and generic data on its current state, V. Kuznetsov's The New Humanist Ideology, and assorted works by several prominent Union intellectuals, among them, Coordinator Roland Stein.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

[Widebeam hyperwave transmission from sector C-6 detected]

Greetings, fellow sapients of the galaxy. In light of recent galactic events, we have decided to reconsider our long-standing policy of isolation, and are now seeking diplomatic contact with your civilizations.

Below you will find a set of first contact questions that would greatly assist us in establishing diplomatic relations with your people.

I. Please arrange the following statements according to their compatibility with your civilization’s objectives, principles, and values, starting with the most compatible and ending with the least compatible.

1) The primary purpose of any civilization is to ensure the comfort and prosperity of its citizens.
2) Nature exists only to be conquered; one day we shall be as gods.
3) The universe is a dangerous place and we must be dangerous in return. None shall threaten us without suffering the consequences.
4) Our way is the correct way. Therefore, it is only fitting that we share it with the galaxy.
5) Power is its own reward.
6) Few things are nobler than the quest for knowledge. Fortunately for us, there are many mysteries in the universe yet unexplained.
7) Order and Stability are vital to the survival of any civilization, and must be pursued even at the expense of growth and innovation.
8 ) We are but insects in the grand scheme of things, and must be careful not be stepped on.

II. Hypothetical Scenario: It is the year 4400 according to Standard Human Calendar. Your civilization has achieved complete dominance in the Galaxy. Every one of your rivals is either destroyed or has been converted into an ally. Your citizens are free from want and need. Your civilization is free to undertake any project it chooses at its leisure, with the resources of the entire galaxy at its disposal. Please indicate the primary focus of your civilization’s energies and attention in this hypothetical situation.

Please send your responses, as well as any inquiries of your own to our communication relay station in Sector C-6.

Many thanks for your cooperation.

---------------------------------
Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

Dear Xeno,

Not to sound utterly prudish, but the Byzantine Imperium's official and unofficial intentions are well known. The bigger question that needs answering is what are your intentions.

Signed,
Lord Inquisitor Dominus Farad'n
Ordos Diplomatica
The Imperial Inquisition

[fgalkin]

Widebeam hyperwave transmission from Sector C6

Greetings, fellow sapients of the galaxy.

We sincerely thank you for the time and effort you have taken to answer our questionnaire. As our knowledge of the galaxy at large is rather limited, your answers will help us greatly in understanding your civilization.

In regards to your own questions, we hope that the information below will be helpful to you:

Our civilization is called the Lost, although you may choose to refer to it by any name that is convenient to you. There are several reasons why we have chosen that name for our civilization, the most obvious one being that until recently we were “lost” to the galaxy by virtue of being completely unknown despite being a spacefaring civilization for over seven thousand standard human years. Now that we are ending our period of isolation, it is possible we may well have to change that name to “the Found” in the near future.

Our civilization is comprised of two member species. The primary and most numerous consists of, in simplest terms, a sapient collection of exotic energies inhabiting a material host, usually an artificially constructed organic or mechanical body. The secondary member species is represented by organic hermaphroditic humanoids of the following dimensions [ht: 120-150 cm, wt 40-60 kg]. In addition, we make use of numerous species of non-sapient organic and computational beings, including several common and widely distributed species of galactic megafauna. However, they are not considered to be full members of our civilization due to their inability to fully participate in its activities.

While we do not believe that the internal workings of our civilization are particularly relevant to any diplomatic or mercantile exchange, we are willing to share the following information:
1) Our civilization believes that large-scale long-term projects that benefit the civilization as a whole take precedence over short-term temporary gains.
2) Industrial output and the allocation of resources are determined by our primary decision-making construct based on the criterion listed above.
3) The above policies are made and carried out with the full consent of the individuals who comprise our civilization.

We do not believe that any meaningful sort of “cultural exchange” is possible between our peoples due to the great differences between the individuals who comprise our civilization and those of the species that make up the galactic powers. Many of our cultural practices would be impossible to perform by a being comprised solely of matter.

However, we are very interested in the exchange of goods and information between our peoples. In particular, we are interested in obtaining the following items:

1) Information pertaining to the causes, methodology and motivation of the arrival of the Central Alliance.
2) Information pertaining to the causes, methodology and motivation of the arrival of the Multiversal Empire of Happiness.
3) Information pertaining to the causes, methodology and motivation of the arrival of the Refuge.
4) Information pertaining to the origins of the Chamarran species.
5) Information pertaining to the origins of the Human species on the planets Earth and Nova Terra.
6) Information pertaining to the activity of “godlike” beings and entities.
7) Information and technologies pertaining to the travel between universes.
8 ) Information pertaining to the interaction of energy entities derived from sapient material beings (“souls”) with the material universe.
9) Information and technologies pertaining to communication with extradimensional entities.
10) A detailed explanation of the cultural entity known as “Animal House.”
11) Items of high utility function for the facilitation of the acquisition of the above.

We are offering the following items in exchange:

1) Information pertaining to the activity of “godlike” beings and entities on a universal and multiversal scale during the period of 15 billion to one million standard human years ago, and our extrapolations based on that data.
2) Information pertaining to the interaction of energy entities with the material universe.
3) Technologies pertaining to the manipulation of the fabric of spacetime on a small-to-moderate scale.
4) Technologies pertaining to the construction of large-scale space habitats.
5) Technologies pertaining to dramatically increasing the output of existing power sources.
6) Technologies pertaining to instantaneous transit between distant locations (up to and including adjacent superclusters) (NOTE: According to our estimations, none of the civilizations in the galaxy have the level of technology or the industrial base necessary for the practical implementation of these technologies)
7) Technologies pertaining to inertial and gravitational manipulation.
8 ) Technologies pertaining to the safe and efficient operation of hyperdrives in shoal regions.
9) Technologies pertaining to large-scale extraplanetary resource extraction, including but not limited to, the safe use of swarms of self-replicating machines.
10) Technologies and methodology pertaining to the domestication of several species of galactic megafauna.
11) Items created with the implementation of the above technologies, including assorted weaponry.
12) Assorted exotic raw materials, including but not limited to large quantities of the substance known to the galaxy as tiberium/rubiconium/vegemite and its derivatives, as well as small quantities of assorted psychically-resistant substances.

Unfortunately, for security reasons, we are unable to disclose the location of our primary population centers. We are, however, able and willing to accommodate the representatives of governments and individuals interested in trade and communication at our newly constructed diplomatic facilities. The location of these facilities will be disclosed to you in a subsequent communique.

We thank you for your cooperation and understanding and wish that our relations will be friendly and mutually beneficial.


--------------------------------------------
Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

[fgalkin]

From: The Lost
To: The Multiversal Empire of Happiness


As per your request, our own civilization’s answers to our first contact questionnaire are listed below:

I. Please arrange the following statements according to their compatibility with your civilization’s objectives, principles, and values, starting with the most compatible and ending with the least compatible:

6) Few things are nobler than the quest for knowledge. Fortunately for us, there are many mysteries in the universe yet unexplained.
7) Order and Stability are vital to the survival of any civilization, and must be pursued even at the expense of growth and innovation
8 ) We are but insects in the grand scheme of things, and must be careful not be stepped on.
5) Power is its own reward.
3) The universe is a dangerous place and we must be dangerous in return. None shall threaten us without suffering the consequences
4) Our way is the correct way. Therefore, it is only fitting that we share it with the galaxy
1) The primary purpose of any civilization is to ensure the comfort and prosperity of its citizens.
2) Nature exists only to be conquered; one day we shall be as gods.

II. Hypothetical Scenario: It is the year 4400 according to Standard Human Calendar. Your civilization has achieved complete dominance in the Galaxy. Every one of your rivals is either destroyed or has been converted into an ally. Your citizens are free from want and need. Your civilization is free to undertake any project it chooses at its leisure, with the resources of the entire galaxy at its disposal. Please indicate the primary focus of your civilization’s energies and attention in this hypothetical situation

a) Discovery of a universe with laws of physics vastly different to our own
b) Modification of our people to enable their survival in the above universe
c) The development of a means of travelling between universes with the goal of permanent relocation to a)

I hope this answers any questions you may have.


----------------------------
Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

[Chaotic Neutral]

To: The Lost
From: The Multiversal Empire of Happiness

As per your request, our own civilization’s answers to our first contact questionnaire are listed below:

I. Please arrange the following statements according to their compatibility with your civilization’s objectives, principles, and values, starting with the most compatible and ending with the least compatible:

6) Few things are nobler than the quest for knowledge. Fortunately for us, there are many mysteries in the universe yet unexplained.
7) Order and Stability are vital to the survival of any civilization, and must be pursued even at the expense of growth and innovation
8 ) We are but insects in the grand scheme of things, and must be careful not be stepped on.
5) Power is its own reward.
3) The universe is a dangerous place and we must be dangerous in return. None shall threaten us without suffering the consequences
4) Our way is the correct way. Therefore, it is only fitting that we share it with the galaxy
1) The primary purpose of any civilization is to ensure the comfort and prosperity of its citizens.
2) Nature exists only to be conquered; one day we shall be as gods.

II. Hypothetical Scenario: It is the year 4400 according to Standard Human Calendar. Your civilization has achieved complete dominance in the Galaxy. Every one of your rivals is either destroyed or has been converted into an ally. Your citizens are free from want and need. Your civilization is free to undertake any project it chooses at its leisure, with the resources of the entire galaxy at its disposal. Please indicate the primary focus of your civilization’s energies and attention in this hypothetical situation

a) Discovery of a universe with laws of physics vastly different to our own
b) Modification of our people to enable their survival in the above universe
c) The development of a means of travelling between universes with the goal of permanent relocation to a)

I hope this answers any questions you may have.

We have noticed that you put comfort and prosperity of your citizens very low on your list. What is the purpose of a civilization if not keeping it's citizens happy?

As for your hypothetical, why do you place so much value on moving somewhere else? Have we offended you in someway we are unaware of?

Widebeam hyperwave transmission from Sector C6
However, we are very interested in the exchange of goods and information between our peoples. In particular, we are interested in obtaining the following items:

1) Information pertaining to the causes, methodology and motivation of the arrival of the Central Alliance.
2) Information pertaining to the causes, methodology and motivation of the arrival of the Multiversal Empire of Happiness.
3) Information pertaining to the causes, methodology and motivation of the arrival of the Refuge.
4) Information pertaining to the origins of the Chamarran species.
5) Information pertaining to the origins of the Human species on the planets Earth and Nova Terra.
6) Information pertaining to the activity of “godlike” beings and entities.
7) Information and technologies pertaining to the travel between universes.
8 ) Information pertaining to the interaction of energy entities derived from sapient material beings (“souls”) with the material universe.
9) Information and technologies pertaining to communication with extradimensional entities.
10) A detailed explanation of the cultural entity known as “Animal House.”
11) Items of high utility function for the facilitation of the acquisition of the above.

We are offering the following items in exchange:

1) Information pertaining to the activity of “godlike” beings and entities on a universal and multiversal scale during the period of 15 billion to one million standard human years ago, and our extrapolations based on that data.
2) Information pertaining to the interaction of energy entities with the material universe.
3) Technologies pertaining to the manipulation of the fabric of spacetime on a small-to-moderate scale.
4) Technologies pertaining to the construction of large-scale space habitats.
5) Technologies pertaining to dramatically increasing the output of existing power sources.
6) Technologies pertaining to instantaneous transit between distant locations (up to and including adjacent superclusters) (NOTE: According to our estimations, none of the civilizations in the galaxy have the level of technology or the industrial base necessary for the practical implementation of these technologies)
7) Technologies pertaining to inertial and gravitational manipulation.
8 ) Technologies pertaining to the safe and efficient operation of hyperdrives in shoal regions.
9) Technologies pertaining to large-scale extraplanetary resource extraction, including but not limited to, the safe use of swarms of self-replicating machines.
10) Technologies and methodology pertaining to the domestication of several species of galactic megafauna.
11) Items created with the implementation of the above technologies, including assorted weaponry.
12) Assorted exotic raw materials, including but not limited to large quantities of the substance known to the galaxy as tiberium/rubiconium/vegemite and its derivatives, as well as small quantities of assorted psychically-resistant substances.

Unfortunately, for security reasons, we are unable to disclose the location of our primary population centers. We are, however, able and willing to accommodate the representatives of governments and individuals interested in trade and communication at our newly constructed diplomatic facilities. The location of these facilities will be disclosed to you in a subsequent communique.

We thank you for your cooperation and understanding and wish that our relations will be friendly and mutually beneficial.

We would be willing to tell you almost everything about ourselves in exchange for improved hyperdrive performance in shoal space. In addition, we would like to see your weapons and reactors, perhaps we could learn something from them.

Signed,

Saint 472
Multiversal Empire of Happiness

[Simon_Jester]

We, the ruling council of the Technocracy of Umeria, send cordial greetings to the civilization known as the Lost.

We find your first contact message to be an interesting variant on the norms typical of interstellar civilizations greeting each other for the first time. Few beings we know of devote much time or energy to the discussion of their basic motives, and so it surprised us to find a culture that would consider the basic motives of others to be more important than all other considerations. Indeed, the nature of your message has already attracted interest from a number of prominent Umerian sociologists, and we would like to contact you with an eye to dispatching a xenosociological research mission to your state in the next several megaseconds, should you consent to such a thing.

Addressing your questions required an extensive conversation among the Council, and some of us feel we owe your first contact section a modest measure of gratitude for asking the questions in the first place; they proved quite invigorating. While we did manage to settle on a broadly consistent ordering of priorities quickly, disagreement over the details took quite some time to resolve.

We settled on the following answers, in the interests of free and open discussion of national motives and interests and for the sake of greater understanding among the stars. While not every statement here represents the opinion of every Technarch, let alone of every citizen of the Technocracy, all have received the approval of the Council of Technarchs in formal conclave.

With respect to the first portion of your questions, the most compatible statements are listed first, least compatible are listed last, and all statements are listed with associated commentary.

6) Few things are nobler than the quest for knowledge. Fortunately for us, there are many mysteries in the universe yet unexplained.
This is highly compatible with the Technocracy's values and culture. Indeed, "compatible" is not a suitably strong word in Galstandard English; "resonant" might be a better choice. Ignoring persons of no account, it would be difficult to find any citizen of the Technocracy who disagreed with this proposition.

1) The primary purpose of any civilization is to ensure the comfort and prosperity of its citizens.
This is highly compatible with the Technocracy's values and culture. Our government regards the well-being of our citizens as its chief responsibility, and the main justification for the government's existence.

We have seen the disastrous failure of many societies- human and nonhuman alike- after the population was trusted to look after its own well-being, while the government pursued other concerns. Far too often, the population failed to look after itself, triggering a collapse of the general social fabric, which took those 'other concerns' along with it.

No being can accomplish anything of importance if they do not look after their health; no civilization can do so either. Any government which neglects this reality neglects its obligations- and in the end, its own interests.

It must be noted that the Technocracy rejects the notion that human well-being is best served by the unlimited accumulation of personal wealth. The nature of sentient beings is complex, and there are many ways for an excess of comfort and prosperity to make an intelligent creature less healthy, competent, and well-adjusted. The state would likewise fail in its obligations if it did not take this into account when setting policy.

3) The universe is a dangerous place and we must be dangerous in return. None shall threaten us without suffering the consequences.
This is an overly strong statement, but one compatible with the Technocracy's values and culture. Umeria maintains a high state of military readiness, in hopes that potential opponents will be deterred from causing unnecessary strife and destruction. The existence of threats to Umerian society, as such, is not cause for aggression, but violence against the citizenry cannot be tolerated, encouraged, or invited.

7) Order and Stability are vital to the survival of any civilization, and must be pursued even at the expense of growth and innovation.
This is moderately compatible with the Technocracy's values and culture. It is the view of the Technocracy's government that any truly efficient government must seek to prevent radical disruption of society. We believe that the best way to achieve this is by vigorously clearing the government of power-hungry and abusive individuals. This makes it possible for the state to adopt flexible, responsive policies which can be modified incrementally, without the need for revolutionary overthrow of old systems in favor of new ones. Wherever revolutionary change is necessary, it is a sign that the government has failed in its duty.

There are, we freely acknowledge, other models of government. Advocates of such governments would seek to cast an unfavorable light on the Technocracy's approach to stable government- and its methods of choosing suitable officials to run it. Insofar as these models represent successful alternatives for governing a civilization, they may have a point. We feel that their track record in this respect leaves much to be desired.

4) Our way is the correct way. Therefore, it is only fitting that we share it with the galaxy.
This is not incompatible with the Technocracy's values and culture. We are happy to discuss the methods by which our society operates with interested parties, which can reasonably be interpreted as "sharing" it. Moreover, our society has a good enough track record compared to its neighbors that we feel reasonably confident in saying we have attained a correct way, though surely not the only correct way.

For specific practical reasons, other states trying to emulate the Umerian form of government may fail badly, and quite a few have failed in the past. Therefore, it would be absurd for Umeria to promote our form of government aggressively. It is not the Technocracy's policy to use state resources to encourage others to adopt a technocratic form of government, has not been for many centuries, and will not be for the foreseeable future. All things considered, we much prefer a policy of noninterference in foreign nations' political affairs.

2) Nature exists only to be conquered; one day we shall be as gods.
This is somewhat incompatible with the Technocracy's values and culture. The second part of the statement is an extremely ambitious, unfalsifiable prediction that we are strongly averse to endorsing. Moreover, it implies a vague definition of "gods;" to Stone Age primitives the mere act of using a personal communicator is godlike, but this is now a commonplace for beings throughout the galaxy- few of whom would consider themselves to be gods.

The first part of the statement implies a degree of hostility to the natural world that is inconsistent with Umerian ecological policy. There have been times in the past when the Technocracy engaged in destructive exploitation of planetary environments, but this was always an emergency measure.

There are no doubt individual Umerian citizens who would strongly agree with this statement, with ambitions along the lines of a "conquest of nature." But this is not official state policy or a strongly prevailing cultural ideal.

8 )We are but insects in the grand scheme of things, and must be careful not be stepped on.
This is moderately incompatible with the Technocracy's values and culture, as it is a statement made without adequate evidence. We know of indications that entities powerful enough to casually present us with existential threats may exist, and have absolutely no desire to attract hostile attention from such entities. However, the Technocracy is far from convinced that the fearful, bordering-on-paranoid approach implied by your Statement Eight is the appropriate one.

5) Power is its own reward.
This is extremely incompatible with the Technocracy's values and culture, to the point of being utterly inimical to the core values of our government and disgusting to many of our citizens. While it cannot be denied that there are times when the exercise of personal power is enjoyable to most sentient beings, one of the Technocracy's founding tenets is that in any decent and civilized being, the desire for power must be controlled.

Ideally, we would employ senior officials who feel no pleasure whatsoever at the exercise of power. In practice it is difficult to square this requirement with the need for suitably competent and vigorous leadership, but we do try to strike a balance. Any citizen who demonstrates excessive desire for power is a priori disqualified from positions of high responsibility in the Umerian state.

Indeed, a prominent case springs to mind of a Umerian head of state being summarily and spontaneously executed for seeking to aggrandize himself beyond what is allowed by our law and custom. Fleet-Captain Daniels' act of tyrannicide was in the highest traditions of the Umerian state, and she is rightly remembered as one of our national heroes for this reason (among others).

We now move on to the second portion of your questions.

II. Hypothetical Scenario: It is the year 4400 according to Standard Human Calendar. Your civilization has achieved complete dominance in the Galaxy. Every one of your rivals is either destroyed or has been converted into an ally. Your citizens are free from want and need. Your civilization is free to undertake any project it chooses at its leisure, with the resources of the entire galaxy at its disposal. Please indicate the primary focus of your civilization’s energies and attention in this hypothetical situation.

We found it difficult to project how our civilization might behave in response to such a course of events, since we cannot imagine how this might come to pass as a practical matter. The idea of a galaxy at total peace and organized along the lines of the Technocracy strikes us as "utopian," in the original sense of "cannot possibly exist anywhere."

However, it is possible to answer your question with honesty, if not with reliable precision.

In the total absence of external threats, and given a level of economic development sufficient to supply the reasonable needs of all citizens, the Technocracy would obviously need to seriously reconsider its priorities. Increased leisure time would tend to lead to sloth and decadence among the citizenry, a problem we would be hard-pressed to engineer around in the absence of the present diversion of GDP to security and economic development projects.

The sole remaining security concern would be to attempt to keep some kind of eye out for hypothetical external threats that might arise- some kind of intergalactic invader, or strongly-godlike beings. This might require funding of programs aimed at detecting and escaping or neutralizing the hostile actions of such threats. However, we cannot assume that this would consume a significant fraction of our civilization's resources, since we do not know what those resources might be spent on. Therefore it is of little import in a general discussion of national policy.

After discussion among the Council of Technarchs, the general consensus was that we would respond to this situation by devoting our main energies to cultivation of science and the arts. Greatly increased resources would allow new opportunities to investigate fields of science previously unconsidered, such as experimental astrophysics or large-sample-size ecological studies. This would be in keeping with the traditional Umerian practice of extensive pure research funding, merely on a larger scale.

It is difficult to predict exactly what forms of scientific research we might pursue for obvious practical reasons: we do not know what we do not know. It would have been equally difficult for the pioneering Umerians of the 25th century Golden Age to predict the areas of interest to researchers today.

Aside from this, the Technocracy's main concern would be maintaining such the existing happy order, however might have found ourselves in it. To this end, it would be necessary to keep the citizenry's collective wits sharp and their behavior well-guided, lest the system collapse into decadence or internal strife. We would encourage all citizens to participate in scientific endeavors if their abilities lay along those lines. Since the majority of the population will likely not be suited for this, the state would encourage mass participation in culture and the arts, along whatever lines of cultural development seemed consistent with maintaining the galaxy in the existing utopian condition.

The most alarming prospect we could readily imagine in this situation would be reaching the "end of science," a notion often thrown about in the past by those who believed all relevant knowledge about the universe to already have been discovered. If we were to run out of viable avenues of scientific discovery, our civilization might well stagnate entirely unless we could find new paths to pursue, paths we cannot predict from our present condition.

[Shroom Man 777]

[This message comes after the second transmission of the lost.]

BRAGULAN RESPONSE TO THE LOST
From the People's Department of Limited Foreign Interaction and Human Affairs

The Bragulan Star Empire cordially welcomes your nation to the intragalactic cosmopolitical stage and as such, in the comradely spirit of glasnot and bragstroika, shall answer your questions with full honesty to enhance your cultural learnings of Bragulan Byzonism for make benefit your mysterious nation of the Lost.

Da. To truly show the glouries of Bragulanity and Byzonism, it is most regrettable but we will not be arranging your provided statements according to their compatibility with your civilization’s objectives, principles, and values and so forth.

Instead, we shall arrange statements of our own making that are ideologically correct and thus completely compatible and in keeping with the doctrines of Byzonism, for the motherland and the proud proletarian peoples of Bragulanity.

1.) The power of Byzon is everything; defeat is absurd!
2.) The unquestionable might of Bragulanity is its own reward, to both Bragule and all peoples of the universe.
3.) The Bragulan way is the only way. Therefore, it is only fitting that we force it to the galaxy.
4.) To forever stomp on the faces of humanity and other Byzonically-challenged species.
5.) "Few things are nobler than the quest for knowledge." This statement is agreeable to Byzonist ideology for the Imperator Byzon is the Coryphaeus of Science and Brilliant Genius of Bragulanity.
6.) With this knowledge, all others shall be insects to our grand scheme of things, and they must be careful not to be stomped on by us.
7.) The universe is a dangerous place for we are dangerous in turn. We shall threaten all without suffering the consequences.
8.) The primary purpose of any civilization is to ensure the Bragulanity and Byzonism of its citizens.

In supreme Byzonic consideration, we have worded the above statements as closely as possible to the original ones you have provided.

II. Hypothetical Scenario: It is the year 4400 according to Standard Human Calendar. Your civilization has achieved complete dominance in the Galaxy. Every one of your rivals is either destroyed or has been converted into an ally. Your citizens are free from want and need. Your civilization is free to undertake any project it chooses at its leisure, with the resources of the entire galaxy at its disposal. Please indicate the primary focus of your civilization’s energies and attention in this hypothetical situation.

In your hypothetical scenario, in the year 4400 all standard and non-standard human calendars will be burned in the ash heap of history along with those who have refused to accept the greatness of Byzonism and Bragulanity - as stated by your scenario. In this idyllic state of Byzonist supremacy, mayhap the Bragulan Star Empire will finally find rest as its dominion over the galaxy has been assured.

But the struggles of internationalist inter-speciesist Bragulan Byzonism never cease, and thus the Bragulan Star Empire will never find rest. With recent discoveries of intergalactic travel and even confirmation of the existence of other universes, it is thus necessary that Bragule uses its assured dominion over the galaxy to bring about its assured domination over this universe, and all others.

Consider this:

"Byzonism seeks power entirely for its own sake. We are not interested in the good of others; we are interested solely in power. Not wealth or luxury or long life or happiness: only power, pure power. What pure power means you will understand presently. We are different from all the oligarchies of the past, in that we know what we are doing. All the others, even those who resembled ourselves, were cowards and hypocrites. The Byzantine Imperium, Humanist Union and the Centralite Fascists came very close to us in their methods, but they never had the courage to recognize their own motives. They pretended, perhaps they even believed, that they had seized power unwillingly and for a limited time, and that just round the corner there lay a paradise where all beings would be free and equal. We are not like that. We know that no one ever seizes power with the intention of relinquishing it. Power is not a means; it is an end. One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes the revolution in order to establish the dictatorship. The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power." - Quotations from Imperator Byzon chapter 489, verse 1

[Tanasinn]

Office of Foreign Relations
Elysion City, Elysion
Sector Zero

"...and as you can see, Director," Hugh finished, "Our speculation about the highly alien nature of these 'Lost' appears to have been true, or is otherwise part of an intentional ruse." The Director of the Office of Foreign Relations - Amos Bowman - gave a brief nod.

"The former seems more likely that the latter, considering their sudden appearance and the nature of their inquiries. We'll find out how sincere they are for certain based on what they're willing to part with in economic agreements for the intelligence they've requested," the Director paused to consider, "they've a particular interest in outsiders and outsider transit methods; I'm sure you've noticed, yes? Yet they claim to have technology pertaining to instant supercluster transit. Interesting."

"If I had to venture a guess," Hugh said cautiously, "I would ascribe it to their self-proclaimed 'long term outlook.' Desire to expand to the greater galaxy would certainly explain this fixation. It's possible their own long-transit technology is inefficient enough that they expect to gain some leg-up from other outsider powers. Or a simple fabrication, though it would be bold to make such a claim baselessly."

"A matter for the DEI," the Director replied, "One, I fear, they'll make little headway into. It's terribly difficult to penetrate societies as alien as these 'Lost' seem to be."

"These organic secondaries they mention," Hugh said, "Will probably bear further investigation as we formalize relations and gather more information."

"Certainly, that will take some time - they've made it quite clear that their culture wants nor needs outsiders," Bowman paused, "In any case, we will begin opening formal relations, then. Draft up a proposal to establish formal diplomatic, economic, and non-aggression agreements. Include a suggestion that we exchange permanent diplomats. Express our interest in their technology and introduce them to our usual export goods - heavy industrial products, ships, weaponry - to see if they have any interest there. As for their informational requests...let's give them a freebie."

"Sir?" Hugh asked, doubtful.

"Draft them up an explanation of 'Animal House,'" Bowman said, slightly amused, "Insipid information of little value and an easy way to start building good will. If nothing else, we'll undermine our local rivals in seeking valuable information for worthless information."

Hugh gave a slight smile, "As you say, Director."

--

Code: Select all

(Attached to the Humanist Union's message are a myriad of documents pertaining to the establishment of formal trade agreements, the exchange of diplomatic envoys, and non-aggression proposal.  Included among the myriad of uninteresting dross one might expect to find in such typical exchanges is a brief section detailing, of all things, an absurdly popular (some would say absurdly stupid) sitcom.)

"The cultural entity called 'Animal House' is what is referred to as 'entertainment.'  Entertainment is media developed for the purpose of providing satisfaction and distraction to sapient organic life forms, and takes a myriad of forms.  'Animal House' is what is referred to as 'comedy,' which can be understood as  entertainment media designed to stimulate the mind though methods that produce an intelectually pleasurable sensation.  The situations depicted in 'Animal House' - though not true of all entertainment media - are fictional.  Entertainment media are also used by corporate and government entities to encourage a particular way of thinking, or to distract consumers from other events."

[fgalkin]

To: Saint 472, Multiversal Empire of Happiness
From: The Lost, Section for Trade and Diplomacy

Greetings, fellow sapients.

We thank you for your answer. To answer your own questions in turn,

1) We believe that the purpose of any civilization is to protect its own existence. The needs of the individual are thus less important than the preservation of the whole. However, we must clarify that this view is largely based on the nature of the member species that comprise our civilization and may not necessarily apply to the human species.

2) You have not offended us in any way, and in fact, this goal has been chosen by our civilization several millennia before we have learnt of your existence. Our desire to leave can be attributed to our fundamental disagreement with several laws which govern this universe. As we do not have the means to alter the nature of the universe, the only option remaining to us is to leave it for one more acceptable to us.

In turn we must ask you whether the “Multiversal” part of your name refers to an extra-universal presence by your civilization, and whether you have the means for travel between universes. In addition, we ask for you to clarify the status of one Janet Thorpe, Temporary Replacement Diplomat to Saint 472, and this individual’s authorization to speak for your civilization.

We feel that our civilizations have a lot to offer to each other, and wish to open diplomatic and economic relations with your nation. We are ready to send an ambassador to a location of your choice to discuss the specific details of our cooperation. Likewise, we are willing to receive your own envoys at our newly-constructed diplomatic facilites in Sector G3 [coordinates attached].

We hope that our relationship will be friendly and mutually beneficial to our civilizations.

Representing the Lost,

Lilith.

---------------------
Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

[Chaotic Neutral]

From: Saint 472, Multiversal Empire of Happiness
To: The Lost, Section for Trade and Diplomacy

1) We believe that the purpose of any civilization is to protect its own existence. The needs of the individual are thus less important than the preservation of the whole. However, we must clarify that this view is largely based on the nature of the member species that comprise our civilization and may not necessarily apply to the human species.

Why create a civilization in the first place? If it's only goal is existence, and it tramples over the individuals, the group as a whole may end up worse off. If we read that portion of your statement wrong, and you were instead referring to the protection of the majority of its citizens, then we ask, why is existence so important? If you lead an unhappy existence, then what is the point of living?

If the differences in our philosophy are due to your species characteristics, then we would like to have more information on your species thought processes. It would both be good for our researchers, and it would be useful if any of your species find themselves living in our nation.

2) You have not offended us in any way, and in fact, this goal has been chosen by our civilization several millennia before we have learnt of your existence. Our desire to leave can be attributed to our fundamental disagreement with several laws which govern this universe. As we do not have the means to alter the nature of the universe, the only option remaining to us is to leave it for one more acceptable to us.

Not to offend you, but, what do you mean by "fundamental disagreement"? Do mean something simple, such as gravity being too weak, or something abstract, such as not being able to be in two places at once?

In turn we must ask you whether the “Multiversal” part of your name refers to an extra-universal presence by your civilization, and whether you have the means for travel between universes. In addition, we ask for you to clarify the status of one Janet Thorpe, Temporary Replacement Diplomat to Saint 472, and this individual’s authorization to speak for your civilization.

That part of our title was based on our founder, who was from a different universe, not a presence as of now. Somewhat ironicly, we were later forced to create a multiversal teleporter to escape our home universe, though those were left behind, and the materials to create more would take an unacceptable amount of standard resources.

Janet is my wife, she was filling in for me while was at an orbital diving competition. She is as authorized to speak for us as I am.

We feel that our civilizations have a lot to offer to each other, and wish to open diplomatic and economic relations with your nation. We are ready to send an ambassador to a location of your choice to discuss the specific details of our cooperation. Likewise, we are willing to receive your own envoys at our newly-constructed diplomatic facilites in Sector G3 [coordinates attached].

Very well, you may send them to sector A-26.

We hope that our relationship will be friendly and mutually beneficial to our civilizations.

As do we.

[fgalkin]

To: Saint 472, Multiversal Empire of Happiness
From: The Lost, Section for Trade and Diplomacy

Why create a civilization in the first place? If it's only goal is existence, and it tramples over the individuals, the group as a whole may end up worse off. If we read that portion of your statement wrong, and you were instead referring to the protection of the majority of its citizens, then we ask, why is existence so important? If you lead an unhappy existence, then what is the point of living?

We do not believe there is a true distinction between the group and the civilization. While, as we have discovered, humanity has a variety of political systems and methods of government, our species has only one that is suitable. Thus, the preservation of our civilization is also the preservation of our species.

If the differences in our philosophy are due to your species characteristics, then we would like to have more information on your species thought processes. It would both be good for our researchers, and it would be useful if any of your species find themselves living in our nation.

As we have indicated before, we do not believe that a true cultural exchange is possible between our people and those of the rest of the galaxy due to certain aspects of our species. Likewise, we do not believe that there will be any emigration by our people to any nations. However, we may be willing to share some information on our people with other civilizations.

Not to offend you, but, what do you mean by "fundamental disagreement"? Do mean something simple, such as gravity being too weak, or something abstract, such as not being able to be in two places at once?

We do not wish to reveal this information at the present time.

That part of our title was based on our founder, who was from a different universe, not a presence as of now. Somewhat ironicly, we were later forced to create a multiversal teleporter to escape our home universe, though those were left behind, and the materials to create more would take an unacceptable amount of standard resources.

We would be most interested in acquiring this technology, regardless of the cost of construction

Janet is my wife, she was filling in for me while was at an orbital diving competition. She is as authorized to speak for us as I am.

We thank you for this information.

Very well, you may send them to sector A-26.

We shall be sending a delegation shortly.

Representing the Lost,

Lilith.

------------------------------
Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

[Chaotic Neutral]

From: Saint 472, Multiversal Empire of Happiness
To: The Lost, Section for Trade and Diplomacy

We do not believe there is a true distinction between the group and the civilization. While, as we have discovered, humanity has a variety of political systems and methods of government, our species has only one that is suitable. Thus, the preservation of our civilization is also the preservation of our species.

Very well, we will not criticize you, we were simply looking for your reasons.

As we have indicated before, we do not believe that a true cultural exchange is possible between our people and those of the rest of the galaxies due to certain aspects of our species. Likewise, we do not believe that there will be any emigration by our people to any nations. However, we may be willing to share some information on our people with other civilizations.

That's is unfortunate. Though, we would still like to take you up on your offer.

We would be most interested in acquiring this technology, regardless of the cost of construction

That would be, in a word, difficult. I don't specifically have all of the information, but to put it bluntly, we cheated. We used technologies from starships that came through an existing multiversal rift to create them, and creating them without shortcuts would take much more technology than we currently have.

The only place in this universe that might have a few of these parts would be our flagship, the Density, and we certainly aren't selling it's reactor, shields, or weapons.

We shall be sending a delegation shortly.

We will be happy to receive them.

Signed,

Saint 472
Multiversal Empire of Happiness

[fgalkin]

To: Bragulan Star Empire, People's Department of Limited Foreign Interaction and Human Affairs
From: The Lost, Section for Trade and Diplomacy

Greetings, fellow sapients.

We thank you for the time you have taken to answer our questions.

We have reviewed your message and found it most satisfying and a very welcome contrast from the dreary messages of our human neighbors. We feel that there is great potential for friendship and cooperation between our people and your glorious Star Empire that will not be hampered even by the distance between our two nations.

We have found the supplementary materials you have sent us most enlightening (and far superior to analogous materials sent by our human neighbors). In particular, we have found Imperator Byzon’s discourse on the nature of power profoundly moving. Previously, we have believed that no true cultural exchange is possible between our people and those of the rest of the galaxy due to certain aspects of our species. However, the writings of Imperator Byzon have shown us the error of this assumption, and we wish to learn more of his wisdom. As such, we politely request that you send us additional writings by the Imperator and other prominent Bragulan visionaries.

Finally, we have decided to take advantage of your glorious policies of glasnot and bragstroika and will be sending a delegation to the BEEEF. As this will be the first true contact between our two peoples, our delegation will contain an Emissary authorized to represent our civilization. Likewise, we are willing to receive your own envoys at our newly-constructed diplomatic facilities in Sector G3 [coordinates attached]

We look forward to visiting your Star Empire and experiencing the glories of the Bragulan civilization firsthand.

May our relationship will be friendly and mutually beneficial to our civilizations.

Representing the Lost,

Shroom.
---------------------------------
Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

[Force Lord]

[Tightbeam message]

From: Center of Foreign Affairs, The Centrality
To: The Humanist Union

To whom it may concern:

The Centrality is interested in discussing several issues with the Humanist Union, after years of lack of contact. We like to know where our diplomats can meet.

Sincerely,

Tagdef Borlon, Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Ravin Nostrum, Foreign Secretary

From: The Center of Foreign Affairs
To: The Humanist Union

To whom it may concern:

We question the competence of your diplomatic staff.

We must be frank, your lack of response to our previous message to you is vexing, to say the least. Was there a clerical error? Or you simply gave our offer a lack of priority?

We await your response.

Sincerely,

Tagdef Borlon, Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Ravin Nostrum, Foreign Secretary

[Tanasinn]

[Tightbeam message]

From: Center of Foreign Affairs, The Centrality
To: The Humanist Union

To whom it may concern:

The Centrality is interested in discussing several issues with the Humanist Union, after years of lack of contact. We like to know where our diplomats can meet.

Sincerely,

Tagdef Borlon, Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Ravin Nostrum, Foreign Secretary

From: The Center of Foreign Affairs
To: The Humanist Union

To whom it may concern:

We question the competence of your diplomatic staff.

We must be frank, your lack of response to our previous message to you is vexing, to say the least. Was there a clerical error? Or you simply gave our offer a lack of priority?

We await your response.

Sincerely,

Tagdef Borlon, Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Ravin Nostrum, Foreign Secretary

From: The Office of Foreign Relations, the Department of the State, Humanist Union
To: The Center of Foreign Affairs, Centrality

I would like to apologize personally for the tardiness in this reply. Recent reorganization within the Office of Foreign Relations has led to some degree of unfortunate disarray, and it appears your message was indeed lost in a clerical error produced by our reorganization. The Office of Foreign Relations and Humanist Union did not intend to communicate a lack of interest in diplomatic matters.

That established, the Humanist Union would be amenable to diplomatic discourse. As you say, it has been a significant amount of time since our two states have had meaningful diplomatic contact, and we understand your desire to remedy this ongoing situation; we find ourselves similarly inclined, particularly in the face of recent events in spinward space and occupied space at large.

We would be agreeable to a meeting of diplomats in a location within the Centrality, the Humanist Union, some neutral third location, or on representative vessels thereof. I away your reply.

Respectfully yours,
Hugh Bishop, Lieutenant Director
Office of Foreign Relations
Department of the State
Humanist Union