For some reason, I been reading lots of the reddit sci-fi about first contact and high alien civilizations and the interactions between humans and the galactic community. Well...I decided to make up something small and short. Nothing that's gonna be stellar or win a Bradbury award. Nevertheless, have a good read.
We saw the true face of humanity...and it horrified us.
When the humans of
Earth arrived on the galactic scene, it was totally by happenstance.
The Benldi were the first race to encounter the humans. The humans
barely colonized any worlds outside their own home world when the
Benldi met them. It was the first extraterrestrial race that the
humans met. While there was apprehension from both sides, there
became a bit of understanding and eventually a bond of friendship
formed. The humans received technology from the Benldi in exchange of
granting one of the worlds in their solar system to call their home
after the race called the Trulax nearly destroyed their world and
wiped out their entire civilization. Humanity gladly accepted and
offered the planet they called Saturn to call their own. Being that
the gas giant was almost identical to their planet, the Benldi
settled quickly.
Over the decades,
each race learned much from the other. Humanity did learn how to
achieve faster-then-light technology; as well as learn about the
Intergalactic Federation. Eventually, the Benldi took several of the
human representatives to the Intergalactic Federation Central Planet
of Gordaus IV to formally introduce them to the galactic stage. Many
of the other races were suspicious of the humans. Mostly because
Earth was on furthest part of the Milky Way and there was very few
worlds in that part of the galaxy, more that were even populated. But
eventually, the humans were accepted into their community. The
Federation were quickly impressed in how humans were so versatile in
skills and politics. The humans rose in respect within the
Federation, especially in commerce and humanitarian aid. To see human
medical vessels during conflicts or the massive commercial trade
ships were welcomed in almost every system.
While the humans
were welcomed and considered one of the more even-tempered races,
many of the member worlds were concerned with the race as a whole.
Looking at their history, they saw that the humans were war-like and
capable of savage acts. When the Troduk Ambassador asked the Human
Representative about their history of wars and bloodshed, the Human
Representative smiled and said, while humanity almost fell into
extinction in the sixth world war, they were able to set aside such
violence and turn towards peace. We don’t like how we are when we
are at war.
Many of the member
worlds scoffed at her answer. The Gundgee, one of the most savage
members of the Federation insulted the humans time again saying their
youngest pouchling can defeat any human. The Human Representative
always smiled and laughed saying pray for the day you ever truly
fight one of the humans.
The Federation would
quickly learn the prophetic words of the Representative. The Trulax
made a return to attack several of the Federation worlds. They
targeted many of the human colonies. The Trulax enslaved many humans
in their conquests. Any types of peaceful resolutions were ignored.
Only war was the language the Trulax would speak. After one of the
medical ship was destroyed during a peaceful mission to render aid to
the Zeulua, Humanity knew they was only one response.
When the Human
Representative called for a special session of the council, she
informed them that they tried to be peaceful and find a way to
resolve this without bloodshed. Now there was only one response for
such useless slaughter. War was the be declared. Many of the other
races laughed and stated human never liked to fight. You were
peacemakers and traders. What do you know of the arts of warfare. She
said just because we don’t like to fight does not mean we not
capable.
When the Trulax sent
their First Pride Fleets to the Sol system, they destroyed several
colonies and stations. When they reached the outer orbit of Uranus,
the Trulax were met with the Human response fleet. Hundreds of
battleships of different classes opened fire on the Trulax vessels.
In a matter of minutes the Trulax ships fled the system. But the
humans, set a final message to the Trulax Empire to cease their
attacks or they will face something called The Totality of War. The
Federation while impressed with the defense of the human’s
territory, it was only one battle. The Trulax would quickly respond
with virus-bombing a colony world at the edge of human space.
The revenge fleets
of Earth would travel to the Trulax system in a campaign of revenge.
Several observation ships were dispatched to observe the humans in
war. What they saw sent chills to their core. The first world of the
Trulax Empire was destroyed by planetary bombardment. Mass driver
bombs rained down onto the planet that caused tectonic collapse to
the world. Void cannons tore the atmosphere of the planet caused the
skies to turn into nuclear fire, wiping out the whole population in a
matter of minutes. The Trulax defense ships were all but annihilated
in one massive battle above the Trulax throne world. It was said that
the destruction of the ships were so horrid, that bodies of the
Trulax were in orbit around the planet that would remain for decades.
The Trulax, never known to surrender attempted to communicate with
the human for terms. The pleas were ignored. The commander of the
revenge fleet sent a response, “You wanted to see the true face of
war, you not have it. You will now see the war in totality.” Words that
were broadcasted to the whole Federation to hear.
Thousands of human
solders landed onto the surface of Trulax Prime to lay waste to the
population. And that was when the true meaning of horror was
displayed and the face of humanity was revealed: Tanks that fired
thermonuclear energy that vaporized bunkers, atomizing the defenders
inside. Guns that fired beams that caused alterations of gravity
around their targets, making them nothing more than mounds of
condensed materials. Grenades that possessed the powers of a mini
black hole that caused such devastation that to even describe it
would be unbelievable.
The destruction of
Trulax lasted for only three standard days and the number of
causalities on both sides were enormous. The final bastion of Trulax
fell after three hours of fighting when an orbital strike of rail
cannons destroyed the place, wiping out the Trulax Royal family. It
was then the attacks ceased and the humans pulled back their attacks.
Federation observers witnessed the aftermath of the attack with
sickening horror. Reports came in stating that nearly ninety-seven
percent of the Trulax race was simply eradicated which was over
eleven billion inhabitants. The planet itself suffered so much damage
and destruction, that it would take generations for any restoration
efforts show any significant progress.
And of course, the
humans, who caused all this genocidal destruction were the first with
relief ships to help restore some sense of stability to Trulax Prime.
The human representative was called before the Federation council to
give account on the ruthlessness of Humanity. Many of the member
races would research the complete history of Earth and the armed
conflicts of this race endured. The Gundgee, who loved war as much as
any other race were appalled by how the Humans waged the attack on the
Trulax.
When asked how could
a race that was so diplomatic and willing to aid others without any
hesitation can be so ruthless and so blood-thirsty. The Human
representative simply answered. “We abhor war because we are very
good at it. We don’t want to fight but when we are pushed to it, we
shall fight and make sure those we fight never wish to strike up arms
against us. When total war is called, we do not hold back and as you
can see from the results. The price is a steep one.”
“There is an old
Human proverb. War is the last defense of peace. Fight to restore
that peace.”
It was then we saw
that humans are capable of doing whatever it takes, even genocide to
preserve the peace in the galaxy. Behind the face of charity and
goodwill lies a heart and mind that could very destroy us all. If
anything, the Trulax Genocide has taught us. Never push the humans to
war.
