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The planet of Jeskyň has a rather scattered population, and it means when the world leaders are all called to a summit regarding interstellar relations, it is a rather small summit. Riva, the leader of the South-East Opal, a relatively young Jeskyr with light yellow skin and a long, braided mane, is among them, and glo is one of the few members here not entirely familiar with the other attendees. Even so, Riva is thrilled, because glo has been hearing about the Alliance for ages and now glo gets to finally do more.
They listen to the ambassador committee explain the concept, they ask questions. The ambassadors, two Triceratons and a human Terran, answer their questions in what can only be described as luxurious detail, and the longer they speak, the more excited Riva gets, because what the so-called “Pan-Galactic Alliance” promises is peace. Peace, everywhere. Not one planet, not one galaxy, pan-galactic.
Pan. Galactic. Peace.
The concept fills glow with excitement, especially presented alongside the many examples of how the PGA has already done good. Entire planets coming together as if by miracle, trading knowledge and resources with ease unseen in many of the smaller similar unions.
But, once the ambassadors leave the room so that the Jeskyrs can convene, it turns out that not everybody shares in Riva’s thrill.
Many attendees voice concerns over the concept, and most vocal among them is Mor Eatleaf, one of the eldest members of the summit. Ki insists, continuously, that this decision can’t be rush, like there is any possible chance declining the offer would have benefits.
Riva’s brow ridges furrow in frustration and impatience. “Imagine, people! Intergalactic peace!” glo exclaims. “And they’re making actual progress towards it! Is that not incredible?”
“This is the same galaxy where several of our astronauts went missing,” Mor says, and kir voice is grim. “We can’t go into this blinded by hope.”
“And we can’t turn them away because we’re blinded by fear, either!” Riva stands up, glow tail lashing so fast its glowing tip is drawing circles in the air behind glow. Bright-eyed and with glow chest puffed up, glo looks at the Jeskyrs around the room. “Something monumental is happening here, and we have the chance to join in making the world better, not just a country, or a planet, or even a galaxy, this is peace borderline beyond comprehension!”
Riva looks around with as much seriousness as glo can muster.
“Do we want to make history, or do we want it to leave us behind?”
⭑ ⭐ ⭑
Several months later, a small blip goes off on the wide screen in the PGA headquarters.
“The Jeskyň embassy team is saying they’re discussing integration,” Donnie announces to the few agents in the room. Ten, even five years ago, this would’ve been a big, celebratory announcement. Nowadays, a new planet on the roster gets a few scattered “woo”s at most.
“That was quick,” Casey Marie leans in to look at the message over his shoulder.
“Jeskyň has a relatively small population.”
The two scientists look over to Bishop, dressed in black and white, looking through a random part of the paperwork that has been steadily piling up over the past few months. Donnie rests his chin on his hand, asking one of his new favorite questions: “And how do you know that, Bishop?”
He doesn’t look at them. “The Jeskyrs we’ve communicated with seemingly tend to know each other more often than not. There is a young ambitious one and it was actually glo who spearheaded the idea of joining us. Riva Glowborn, I believe.”
The blip on their screen shines bright, and the agents of PGA go back to work. And Bishop goes back to work, too.