Humanity Unleashed: Episode 2

As the Mastadon reaches the edge of space Ho announces to everyone over the comms,


“Attention all crews, while we are here, I want to spend time looking for technology or even so-called Precursor tech for Humanity. We will set up a roster for rotational purposes starting at 06.00 hrs. tomorrow. Admiral Ho out!”


“Good idea Admiral, after the last month, we can all release the pressure of negotiations blues haha,”


“Something different for everyone.” Ho had noticed the bleak vacant look in the team's eyes.

“Give them a different kind of challenge.”


Captain Hiroshi walked around the bridge checking panels on computer terminals.


“What's that?”


“Unknown sir,


“Call in one of our teams to check it out.” A flurry of calls and orders went out.

A few minutes later a call came in.


“UEFN Mastadon, this is Charlie Squad, Sir we have the item, returning to ship now.”


“All other teams, keep up the search.” Ordered Hiroshi.


20 minutes later Charlie Team carried the artifact to the science lab where study of the item commenced. Then a call came in from one of the teams.


“UEFN Mastadon, this is Alpha Team, Captain you need to see this. Oh, and bring sleds, Sir.”


“We have a lock on your position, ETA in ten.”


As the team entered the fissure, Jong and Hiroshi gasped in surprise at the sight that greeted them.

“These look like Precursor artifacts, we need to get these items home a.s.a.p. I will ask the Council to send more ships to search for more artifacts.” Hiroshi exclaimed.


“Agreed Captain, recall your teams, we leave in an hour.”


Earth scientists carefully unpacked the artifacts repacking them in padded steel containers for teleport to the main Science Institute of Technology in Geneva. In the space of three years, scientists had unravelled the mysteries with this new batch of Precursor technology leading to insight and understanding of this technology pushing Earth's huge technology leap by at least a thousand years. clean energy production, terraforming, the upgrade to current technology leading to sentient A.I’s for use in military environments


The implementation of upgrades to the entire fleet took a decade, with retraining completed, trials were convened every day for three months until the top brass were satisfied with progress.

1,495 Super Carriers, 12,602 Dreadnoughts, 32,803 Battle Cruisers, 27,000 Heavy Cruisers 16,000 Light Cruisers 500,000 Fighter Craft and millions of self-replicating sphere bots no bigger than a football.


“Contact Captain, definitely not ours!” Lieutenant Barklay Hawthorne barked. “Twenty-plus potential bandits Sir.”

“ Very well Lieutenant, hail them.”


After a few seconds Hawthorne replied, “ They are not answering our hails Sir.”


“Open fleet comms Lieutenant.”


“Channel open Sir.” Replied Barklay.


“All ships, stand too and be ready to implement Operation Shatter. Aggy, see if you can infiltrate their systems, shut them down except life support.”


“Accessing….. I have access, shutting down their Engines and disabling weapons…. Completed Captain.”

“Hail them again Lieutenant and this time, keep hailing them until they answer.”

On the very first hail they answered.


Captain,………. Whatever your name is, you are in violation of Galactic Federation Law!”


“ I am Captain Larry Walsh of the United Earth Federation, you are violating UEF Space, Explain yourself!”


“You are in possession of items that do not belong to you, if you hand the items over, we may spare your lives. If not, then we will use drastic measures.”


Larry spoke to Thor, “ Keep control of their vessel please Thor.”



“Yes Captain.”

“Who is that, who are you talking to, release us immediately!”


“Shut up and prepare to be boarded you ignorant mofo!” yelled Larry and cut the comms with the fuming alien. The Hatian, Mendez, and the Alfonso cruisers dispatched soldiers and sphere droids to the alien ships within minutes the crew of every alien ship were incapacitated, then, sphere Bots knocked them all out. returning with unconscious captives.


“Teleports are awesome for this, great invention, they didn’t try to raise shields either.” Exclaimed Private Harris, caught them all off guard.”


“These poor bastards didn’t know what hit them, and will have to toil for the next two years” retorted another squad member, they all laughed.


For the next two years, Councillor Haru’El suffered while the rest of his crew were in high spirits, working 9 hours a day, fed three meals daily, and one day off every week. They were happy with this arrangement. As their time in prison drew to an end, many didn’t want to go home so they approached the prison guards and asked to stay and work.


“All of you?” Corporal Larry Burke gasped.


“Not all, about six hundred of us want to stay and work,” Horatio replied. His name was given to him by a human as his actual name was unpronounceable.


"I can enquire for you but I cannot make any promises it is up to the top Brass to decide.”


“Thanks Sir, we appreciate all you do.”


One week till this bunch of workers are sent home but living in hope of being allowed to stay and work.

Councillor Haru’El couldn’t wait to leave this shit hole of a place, he missed the luxury of his life at the Galactic Council, his beautiful ornate house, and his family waiting for him. On the second to last day, Larry Burke, the guard they had spoken to came to them and announced,


“ Top Brass have considered your proposal to stay and work and……. He paused deliberately allowing the suspense to hang in the air, watching their face seeing hope then despair, he laughed.


“ You all have been accepted.” Whoops of joy and happiness on all their faces.

“When do we start?”


“Woah their boy!, slow down, take it easy. You start work on Monday next week. Tomorrow at 1.00 pm you all head on up to the main office to fill out some forms, they will tell you what to do next.”


As everyone turned to head back to work, Larry exclaimed,


"Hey……. Just a wee warning, don’t gamble with humans, especially in card games, they will fleece you dry, or take your money and leave you with nothing, Our species have played cards for thousands of years and can pick you clean while you watch.”


“Thanks mate, we appreciate the heads up.”


The integration of the aliens into the human workforce went smoothly as work on the Dysons Sphere quickly picked up pace. It was really hard work but paid well, with their first pay they all went to town and had an enjoyable time. After three years of saving, many started buying homes on off world colonies while others bought homes on Earth all hoping to immigrate their families to the Sol system, the place they now called home.

Another ten years tumbled by in the blink of an eye as the alien population grew, they had worked hard to achieve what they had and were blooming. Some became Managers, some earned the title of Forman in their respective worksites, while others created their own legitimate businesses, all were doing exceptionally well.


Throughout the Galaxy, aliens looked towards Earth as a place to live and work, from an initial group of six hundred has blossomed into over ten thousand. From an original 63 separate species to 122 currently. With a harmonious living standard above the average,6 all is well, Earth is growing every year, a magnet for others to work and live in the Sol System. Dyson sphere construction was commonplace throughout the Galaxy.

Humanities enormous economy allowed growth throughout the Sol system with colonies established and planets terraformed for more growth in food production or more space for their populations depending on the need, Mining efforts into new Galaxies with thousands of transport ships moving enormous amounts of resources.


The discovery of more Precursor artifacts sparking more growth in technology, Huma and now alien scientists understanding of Precursor Technology had reached its zenith. Earth’s Space Fleet went from five hundred thousand to over a million ships to protect all of their colonies and planets should the need arise. Shipbuilding capabilities on 25 planets as new fleets are built, very old fleets were stripped of their materials and melted down, recycling a huge benefit to the economy.


“Interesting,” Councillor Ardrax looking at Humanity excitedly exclaimed, their economy allows them to build nonstop with the influx of alien species almost daily.

“How refreshing, they have avoided using the power of Precursor technology as well as their own to destroy, but use their unified technologies to uplift those they deem as worthy. how exciting.” With a gleam in his wise millennia-old eyes he continued.

“Look at what their union of races have accomplished in just hundreds of years, yes hundreds, hunger, poverty, and wars have been eradicated. Peace, harmony, and dare I say it….. love reign supreme.”


Councillor Elana interjected, “You appear to be overwhelmed by Humanity, They copy technology they know nothing about and they use it without knowing the consequences of their actions. I for one think they should be curtailed and if necessary, stripped of their power.”


An uneasy silence fell over the Precursor Council of Elders.


“umm………” mused Ardrax,


Elana looked at Ardrax, “What…… what’s the matter?”


“ Ummm………. I don’t know, I don’t know if we can.”


“What!” exclaimed Elana. “What do you mean by that? Our technology is not inferior to theirs is it?


With the only sound she could hear, absolute silence she screamed,


“ I DON’T BELIEVE IT! I DON’T BELIEVE ANY OF IT I WON'T BELIEVE IT, THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE! “


“Calm down Elana, I’m just saying, I don’t know how strong they are, nobody does. They do not use their power as we have. I for one am not willing to test that theory, are you?”


“We… we .. we must do something, there must be some way around this. If it’s true, they could destroy us, destroy everything. They are too young to wield such power, please Councillors, we need options.”


“YOU WILL CONSIDER NO SUCH OPTIONS.” Supreme Councillor Hellena floated into the vast Council Chamber, barely contained the power of authority oozing from her. Taking her seat at the head of the Council, she continued…


“You forget Councillor,” looking at Elana with steely eyes burning brightly,“ all our Precursor species were once at war, not only with each other but with influential powers from another Universe. Eventually overcoming our adversaries with our unity. Our wars were devastating, billions of lives destroyed, and planets devastated. None of what we went through has impacted their unified races, for sure they are very young compared to us but they radiate maturity and restraint, not only studying what we created but improving on our technology beyond our own.” Hellena looked at every councillor's thoughtful face then continued,


“With no interference or prompting from us, they pursue a path to peace and equality for all, never using nor displaying their overwhelming power as an advantage, relying on their power of persuasion, can we say the same?”

Councillor Dorma thoughtfully replied.

“Then why do they keep developing their technology which is substantial?”


Councillor Ardrax spoke up.

“Humans have a saying, many I might add, but this one comes to mind, Just, In, Case. Just in case, it speaks for itself. I think they know there are ancient beings beyond their Galaxy that could be a threat to them and their Union, they are building and preparing themselves and the galaxy at large for what is out there, One thing I do know from being around them for the last three months, they will try negotiation and persuasion as their first option before even considering drastic action, displaying a vision and understanding far beyond what I expected from a young race.”


Elana asked a question of Ardrax,


“Are they using our artifacts?”


“No,” Ardrax replied. “Our artifacts are locked in what they call Null Space. Due to attacks from the Galactic Federation, comprising a thousand species membership, trying to get our technology, they decided to lock the artifacts away. I sit in on their Council meetings often with interest. Every time they speak of us, it is with reverence and respect. They don’t know we still exist but live in the hope, one day we will return.”


“Ardrax, keep monitoring them, keep an open mind in your conclusions. If they truly fit what we are looking for as Guardians of the Galaxy even though they are very young, they display a comprehensive understanding and fortitude in their actions of what it will take to become Galactic Guardians.”


“I understand Supreme Councillor.” Said Ardrax with a smile to his leader.


“As for the rest of us,” she said thoughtfully, “we should prepare for changes to our way of life as we know it.”


As Ardrax returned to the United Earth Federation Council Space Station, confusion clouded his eyes as he observed all the Council Members in a self-induced trance glowing brighter than what they used to, starting to panic. Beams of pure energy linked all twelve Council Members to the floating crystal in the center of the chamber.

As his mind reached out and touched the glowing crystal he felt the enormous power, breaking his attempted link. He had never felt such power before, reinforcing his mind with his considerable power he tried again and recoiled in pain as his body took a jolt of energy from the crystal which momentarily shocked him at its power. He looked at all the Councillors in shock, their eyes were open and staring at him.


“You………… “ pointing his finger at the Council, you can see me?.......... What has happened, why…… how is this possible?” After what seemed like an eternity the Council spoke as one replied,


“WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE, YOU ARE COUNCILLOR ARDRAX, A PRECURSOR, LONG THOUGHT DEAD EXCEPT FOR US. WE KNEW OF YOUR EXISTENCE THE FIRST TIME YOU CAME TO VISIT, BUT COULD NOT SEE YOU. NOW THROUGH OUR TECHNOLOGY, WE SEE ALL. WE ARE THE DECENDANTS OF THE ORIGINAL COUNCIL OF TWELVE. GREETINGS ELDER, WE ARE PLEASED TO FINALLY MEET YOU”


As the Council disengaged from the crystal they all turned as one and bowed to Ardrax. Manna broke the Council link to the Union.


“Elder, we apologise for our actions, you came back as we completed upgrades to our software, please, do you require refreshments?”


“No..no thank you.” He thoughtfully replied. As the humans would say, the cat is out of the bag now, he wondered how the Supreme Councillor would react to the revelation that they were no longer hidden.


“I have never seen this,” pointing at the crystal. “this is new to me.”


“Our combined science teams have created this quantum node enabling us to upgrade our technology wherever they are located in the Galaxy,” replied Hanna, “without being there in person. It is an Artificial Intelligence superior to anything that exists in this Galaxy. Through this A.I Node we can upgrade our Technology from here, anywhere in the Galaxy and beyond. We have CRB’s no bigger than a football throughout this Galaxy and beyond which see and hear everything that communicates or flies, spaced a distance of one thousand light years apart. Our probes use fazed cloaking to hide, extremely difficult to detect."

"Our tech has enabled us to see you with clarity, but not only you,” she turned and waved her hand activating a giant view screen in the center of the chamber,

“Something old is on the edge of our Galaxy, we are not sure what it is, but it’s definitely there.”


“They are ancient entities eons old, we have fought some of them in our history and looks like they are awakening again.”


“Thank you for your help Elder but can I ask a question, have you tried negotiating with them?” Hanna asked.


“We tried and failed Ardrax replied, “except for one entity which told us to die.”


“Please Elder” replied Hanna, “We need as much information as you can give us, we will link our minds with you if you allow it. We swear an oath to you, we will not take any other information but what you share with us, on our honour, you can break the link anytime you feel uncomfortable.”


“I will need to talk with our Supreme Councillor Hellena before I can share anything, She will need to know the situation between our peoples. I will return when I can.”


Bowing as one as Ardrax returned to his dimension.


Back at Precursor Dimension Hellena sat in wide-eyed amazement as Ardrax revealed the situation facing them, he told her when he returned, their minds were linked with a quantum crystal upgrading their systems everywhere in the Galaxy, revealing him in the process. Ardrax told her that they knew he was there the first time he saw them but could not see him until their upgrade. He also mentioned but was unsure, their bodies were transforming to a higher plane of existence.


“I must see this for myself, inform the Council of the situation, and we will meet with them At their Space Station in 1 hour.”


“That was quick, looks like the whole Council is coming.” The Menjellan Councillor Ra’Ani mentioned.


“ They radiate apprehension, but also excitement for some reason.“ Replied Hanna.


“Proceed with an air of caution Councillors,” replied Councillor Draenar of the Kraxys


“Let us prepare and greet them in the Council Chambers,” Hanna stated while projecting her thoughts to Ardrax to meet them there.


As the Precursor Council arrived, Hanna and her Councillors bowed as one. Hanna spoke first,

“Greetings Precursor Elders, welcome.” Then Hanna gasped in horror, “Please Elder Elana, please stop, our technology can hurt you.” Too late, the crystal reacted to the unauthorized access attempt shocking Elana's brain, pain streaking through her body. Gasping for breath Elana stood up dazed and feeling sick, she had not felt pain to this magnitude in thousands of years.


“Elder Elana, are you ok, do you need assistance?”


“What………… what happened to me, that hurt.”


“I apologise Elder, we did not mean to injure you or any of the Elders, we didn’t have time to warn you of touching our technology in any form. Safety protocols exist to prevent tampering or unauthorized access.”


“We owe you an apology.” Looking around her colleagues with anger in her eyes, “Please forgive us.”


“It is I, on behalf of our Council who ask for your forgiveness, because of our stupidity, we injured not one but two of our Elders.” Exclaimed Hanna.


“Thank you Hanna, and we accept.”


“Two?” inquired Elana


“I was the first.” Ardrax Laughed with humour in his eyes, he saw the anger in her eyes and gave her a wink. “Like you, I have not felt pain in millennia, exhilarating!”


Talks between the two parties went on for hours, discussing technology, science culture, encompassing all aspects, information freely flowed both ways.


“Hanna, may I speak with you?”


“Of course Elder Hellena.” Replied Hanna. They both sat at a table by themselves.


“You know Councillor, I’d like to know where your technology came from, did your species create it’s own, or get help from somewhere else?”


“In a sense, yes we had help, Extraterrestrial help.”


“An Alien species gave you the technology?“


“Not exactly,” replied Hanna, "the spaceship crashed in 1947 and has been in the hands of Humanity ever since. 355 years have elapsed since then.“


This news was hard to fathom, or believe yet here they were. In a little over 3 Centuries, advancing beyond much older species by millennia.


“ How did you decipher and implement the technology so quickly?” gasped Hellena.


Hanna spoke again,

“We are Humanity, we conquer our fears, then use that as a catalyst for our indomitable spirit. We are curious, a desire to investigate, to reach for the unreachable, break down the unbreakable, see the unknowable, forging a path of creativity unbridled, We are adaptable, problem-solving on a grand scale, able to modify a situation on the fly, and turn that situation into a successful outcome. We are Humanity, underestimated, overlooked, but with a surprising grit and ingenuity, inspiring creativity to solve the unsolvable.”


“That is who Humanity is, we get things done when no one else can by using our failures as an inspiration, fuelling Humanity to solve the unsolvable. Failure is not an option, when we put our collective minds together to solve issues, we can solve anything."

Hellena couldn’t stop staring at Hanna and quietly spoke in a humble tone,


“I…………… I see, I think we have a lot to learn from you and hopefully you from us, we’re not perfect, but we’ve had millennia to learn from our mistakes. But your people,” she humorously said after a very long pause, “Can I have some of that?” They both laughed long and loud.

Then with a serious note in her voice, she told Hanna,


“It is Humanities tenacious attitude and focused vision of a brighter future for your species that drive you to make decisions uncommon to most, but works for you. We have seen great strides in living conditions, Terraforming, construction, and food production that feed every person in your union, off the scale."

Hanna nodded in agreement then continued,


“Our history is full of struggles we created in our ignorance, slavery, and domination through two World wars with many other skirmishes throughout our colourful history creating a theatre of mistrust. We have come a long way since then, learned crucial lessons from our past, and faced issues with dialogue, not confrontation. Our history is important to us, where we came from, who we are.” Hanna continued,

“We look to our past for guidance, to walk and talk our future into existence.”


No one uttered a sound, just silence, then Elena spoke,


“I don’t know what to say,” replied Alena, “your words speak volumes of a maturity imbued with wisdom I have not seen in any other species.”


“Hanna, we are impressed with your leadership and your vision, it is a breath of fresh air.” Stated Hellena with conviction.


Ardrax stepped forward and chimed in,

“You,” pausing for a moment continued, “you, your Union of species, is the rock of ages you speak of in your religious writings, the foundation upon which every species of this Galaxy and beyond, can build their futures upon. Your trail-blazing example is a pillar of hope shining in the void for all to see.”


Hanna thoughtfully spoke,

“ Not too long ago in our history Humanity was deemed as primitive and weak, not worth a mention. The Galactic Council sent an emissary offering membership to the Galactic Council, we accepted their offer. Then just a few days later, they summoned us to a meeting to discuss our role with them. During our discussions, we were informed there was a caveat to our membership, Humanity would come under the guidance of the Galactic Council as a junior member with all the rights and protection on the condition we share our resources and technology.”


Hanna continued.. “After a brief discussion with our team, we told the Galactic Council Humanity would not submit to slavery, nor would we share our resources and technology with a community bent on domination of it’s perceived weaker members. Through shouts of indignation and threats from the majority of their membership, we stated our rejection of their conditional membership proposal resulting in threats of war and how were we going to get out of the chambers. We revealed the power we could wield with our fleet decloaking into view, blotting out their Star. To gasps of horror and fear etched on their faces, we teleported out and returned home.”


"We know we are feared by most of the Galaxy-, even the Galactic Council stated they were in fear of us,” Hanna continued.. “fear and mistrust is a foundation built on quicksand, doomed to failure. That is not the future we want, if necessary we would negotiate the pants off a rock and then add that rock to our foundation strengthening our unity even more.”


.” The Menjellan Councillor Ra’Ani stepped forward and said,

“There is a saying in the Human language, united we stand, divided we fall, our unity is what makes us strong. We strive every day to strengthen the foundation we stand on, with trust, humility and honesty." Ra’Ani continued,

“The Galactic Council haven’t any idea of what lurks in the Void and I presume the same can be said about the Galaxy as a whole, we must inform them without delay."

Ardrax asked Hanna.. “How are you going to deal with this problem, or even consider uplifting the Galactic Federation?”


“Unknown Elder Ardrax, how do we uplift them?” Replied Hanna in exasperation. “As far as we are concerned, they are not worthy of uplift just yet. They show no remorse whatsoever, their actions speak volumes as to their intent."