Prologue

[Solana the teacher's perspective]

The class was rambunctious when Solana walked in. Her hair resembled the waves of fire as she raised her voice to control her class “Good morning class, please settle down! Now I know theirs has been some rumors spreading around of a new upstart race Joining the galactic coalition or peoples. But that doesn't mean you’re free to skip homework, understood? Come tun it in if you have it.”

“ yes ma’am!” The class started to settle down. some students digging through bags to submit their assignments. One student, Lunera a Vrexian raised her hand. Her antennae were dancing around in excitement and curiosity.

“Are the rumors true tho? Is there really a new race from the delta sector?” she asked. Vrexians are often the most inquisitive species, especially when there’s a new culture or people to learn from.

*sigh* Solana smiled knowing what would come next “Yes Lunera the rumors are in fact true. A new race from the delta…” The class erupted in excitement and questions. “ What are they called?!” “What do they look like?!” ”How did they make contact with the coalition?!...”

Solana raised her hands to calm her students and regain control of the class, her fiery hair flickered and mimicked her movements. ”Now now class, one question at a time! Miran-de, what was your question?”

Miran-de stood up, her small feathery stature barely visible over the other student's heads “Um… well, I thought that intelligent life couldn't come from the delta sector because most worlds were too dangerous for it to evolve on them.” Miran-de’s species the Antica-ne are the smallest race in the coalition yet the most populated.

“Yes! That was the general consensus however, it seems that this particular race has evolved to endure their planet’s harsh conditions. They are called Hoo-mans, I believe that is how they say it. There isn't much we know about them yet but, they have been open to sharing information about themselves and their nature. From what they tell us of their homeworld they apparently come from a category 6 death-world, some of the most inhospitable planets known to hold life in the galaxy.

The class erupted again ” That's impossible!” “They must be scary.” “I wonder how they managed to survive such conditions?!”

Solan tried again to control her class. “BUT!!! They have managed to tame their world and have developed into an incredibly versatile species. They are quick to adapt to new situations and capable of many feats. Now, Lunera, you have another question?”

“Oh! Uh, what are they like? Are they a peaceful race or a more aggressive culture, like the Quintec and their warrior culture?”

Callisto slammed her two lower arms against the desk ”Hey! We may value warriors but we don't go around looking for a fight! Our culture is more than that!” The Quintec are a crimson mammalian race who are distinguished by their strong physiques and two sets of manipulating arms.

“Sorry sorry, but I meant it more like what are their values on peace and diplomacy? Lunera corrected, her antennae slumping in shame.

“From the documents given by the coalition diplomates responsible for first contact; the Humans are a splintered race that has many diverse tribes or nations. They are not a unified people.” Solana displayed a presentation of the information on the display screen in the class.

“According to the information shared they have had recent conflicts against each other. However, they have recently developed a “United Planetary Nations" where the nation leaders and representatives convene to make uniform decisions and act as a form of uniform governing body.

*Mermering*

Marsa raised their hand “How can a space-faring species be splintered so much? It would be incredibly difficult for them to combine resources and function on a planetary scale, right?

“According to the information provided, it appears that there are too many different cultures that have developed, to combine them would be too troublesome. Instead, they have created a method that allows them to discuss and unify themselves.” The slide shifts to depict the many planetary colonies and satellite stations they have developed in their home star system.

“The United Planetary Nations have sent representatives to the Coalition. The Hoo-mans have conducted a series of democratic votes conducted by their leaders to create a special office called the Committee of Intergalactic Relations. The members are responsible for acting as Humanity's voice within our representative council.”

“So do we have any physical description? I’d like to see how they look,” commented Rhea in a melodious voice.

Solana searched through the documents she received a couple of days ago and produced a series of images on the board. “The Hoo-man race is a bipedal mammalian race, here is a series of reference images provided by the representatives. From left to right is both a ‘male and female’ as the species go through their levels of development.”

Despina an insectoid-like species studied the figures and chittered “Wait I thought they lived on a death-world? I don't see any natural way they could protect themselves."

Solana smiled at that clever observation “This is true, Humans have no natural defenses like your chitinous armor or the sharp talons of the Ivath. Does anyone else have an idea as to how or what they must use to survive and develop?” she asked turning this distraction into a potential lesson in xenobiology.

Europa shot her upper arm in the air “It's their muscles. I can tell that by how their skin seems to fold around the adults, their dense muscle mass must be part of their true strength right? “You are both right and wrong, the home planet's gravity is heavier than galactic standard and their muscles reflect that however, it is actually their stamina and intelligence that makes them a formidable species on their planet.” Solana's hair flickered in excitement with the successful lesson. “So… they just run from whatever attacks them? Rhea mocked

Europa laughed “No they use their intelligence to make tools and weapons so they can hunt and defend themselves. Solana nodded further explaining ” Yes, they developed the tools to gather and hunt and used their stamina to not just run from predators but also outrun their own prey. According to the documents they have also had many bloody conflicts with themselves some of which have led to the development of a variety of martial arts similar to the Quintec.”

Europa's excitement was evident not many other races were adopted fighters nor showed interest in perfecting any form of martial combat. The rest of the class was a mix of interest and worry, except Lunera. Her antennae were again swaying in excitement which wasn't surprising for her people, the Num'ier were Young compared to most other members of the coalition yet showed a vast interest in studying the cultures of others.

Despina raised one of her raptoriales and asked ”How old do they get? They seem to have many stages to their development.”

“well on average Humans can live up to 86 galactic standard years which would be roughly 103 of their solar years. The females of their species typically live longer than the males however, that appears to be decreasing.” Marsa interrupted “That isn't very long at all. Even Rhea’s people live longer than that.”

*Rhea scoffed at Marsa’s comment*

“that is true Humans do have short life spans however this is before galactic coalition medicine and technology. Now if you have any further questions I suggest you record them on your tablets, within a few rotations there will be a new opportunity to discuss this further in this class.

*RING* *RING* *RING*

Solana sighs “Class is dismissed for the day! be sure to complete yesterday's assignments and turn them in tomorrow, and don't forget it's almost the Quazar Festival if you haven't already gotten your tickets go buy them if you plan on attending.” Solana shouted as she watched her students leave, chatting and excitedly thinking of new questions. “Hopefully this Hoo-man ‘girl’ will be a better student than some of these rascals.” she pulled up the bio for her newest student, It showed a young human female. She looks shorter than average with fiery red dyed hair and bright green eyes. Flicking through her scholarly records Solana made some notes on how best she could teach her newest student.