(Normal galaxy, 1.5x crisis strength, 2450 end date, a couple of extra AI's. Inward Perfection).
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Strangers and xenos who would like to know more about our Empire, and why every Xing deeply admires the state and the Emperor, know that this is the story of our Sons of Heaven and their subjects. While you fought all over yourselves on your planets, our Liarob prospered, focused inward, in perfect harmony, where everyone considered it to be an honor to fulfill its social and familial obligations.
It is during the reign of the Celestial Emperor Nish-na-Tukan we have learned about the existence of space-time hyperlanes. Some of us advocated burying this secret in place, for there are some things the Xing were not meant to know. The Emperor, however, citing the great scientific achievements of our ancestors, revealed to us the truth: that the only way to give proper honor to them means using whatever means at our disposal to spread our civilization and culture across the galaxy.
First forms of life we encountered were non-sapient. These news were welcomed by us, for we know on our own example, that to be a sapient means to be disruptive and discontent. Our ancestors have long tamed their - and our - urges through philosophy and meditation, but who's to say other sapients would see these matters like us?
Indeed, even non-sapient life can have a global mind of its own - something that was quite fascinating to us, for we saw in the animals of Ayakashi II an example of a harmonious, but still violent society.
It was during our exploration of a Toxic World we noticed a true marvel of sapient ingenuity - a warship that possessed rudimentary intelligence, and agreed to serve us (although this entailed some deception on our part). Our scientists were alarmed by this encounter, yet simultaneously fascinated by it, since it suggested since there are still more things our civilization can to do honor our ancestors and the Son of Heaven.
We were very alarmed at the first sapient species we met in the vast coldness of space. It seemed aggressive and impolite. However, once the first misunderstandings have been resolved, it turned out that these were the Curators, a small people with an admirable desire to remember and preserve.
The new recruits into our esteemed Civil Service had to write compositions regarding the new information about the galaxy. It was only through a mixture of scientific knowledge and literary talent you can pass the exam. You, xenos, too can try it, but remember - 99% of you fail to memorize the necessary rituals of obedience to our ancestors - for entering our Civil Service means accepting our ancestors as yours.
The Bos'Pachtux Progenitors were far more alarming, despite their sympathetic facade. Not only they were patronizing to our culture, our ancestors and our Son of Heaven, they also hinted that they are not really pleased with the way our Empire conducts things, lecturing us about the need to be more "open to the Galaxy". To our Celestial Emperor, this demand reeked of insensitivity and cultural imperialism.
In this way, we expanded through the galaxy, bringing sapience and culture to planets bereft of it. This vision, and loyalty to the Son of Heaven, is what motivated us - from the Head Society Researcher, to regular colonists - in our quest.
Our society always valued its intellectuals. Farmers and traders may be important - although the number of farmers have long been reduced to a minimum by our advanced farming techniques - but it's the cultured intellectual that provided meaning to their lives.
Indeed, our Son of Heaven himself is the chief intellectual and scientists, taking great care in appointing scientists from galactic fieldwork to theoretical duties and back, for the mind begins to stagnate when focused on a single area alone.
It is hardly possible for any xeno to understand the importance we Xing place on meditation and thinking of our ancestors. When we settled a new planet, the first building to be built was always a Temple to them and to their wisdom that allowed us to do such glorious deeds, for we all are standing at the shoulders of giants.
The Institute of Cybrex Studies on Liarob carefully uncovered evidence of their existence all over the galaxy. It seemed that the mindset of these machines was completely different to our own, even taking into account our sentient warship, which had been dug from a planet not that long ago. What could be the reason for them stopping their extermination campaign? Can a programmed, non-organic mind be capable of remorse?
By this point, xenos, you probably think that the accusations thrown at us by the Bos'Pachtux are true and that we are incapable of admiring anyone else achievements' other than our own. The awe felt by us - and even by the Son of Heaven himself - when we discovered the ruined Science Nexus in Dostion disproved these insinuations.
The most generally disgusting sapient lifeform we've met so far, as most of you Xenos would probably agree, were the Fiiral Freeholders (if only we knew what would lay in store for us further...) Their quarrelsome, aggressive nature contradicted the notions of civilization and culture themselves. Their entire existence was an oxymoron, a cruel joke played by the Universe. However, we had no choice at this time other than to pay them off with the fruits of our labor, knowing well that they will not serve the galactic good.
It was at this time we made contact with the Vrinn Mandate. Vrinn, know that our Xeno Relationship Ministry considers you to be one of the best, most civilized xenos in the galaxy, even if our relationship started by you calling us "weeds".
Soon after this, we met more of you. We appreciated the harmonious mindset of the Quepta - it reminded, and still reminds us, of our own Serene Empire. We were intrigued by the appearance of Panaxala, so similar to ours - in fact, our researchers named this the Panaxala Mystery. Although our mindsets are similar, our climate preference was not. Now, most our intellectuals think that our resemblance is simply a result of convergent evolution.
The Tronzau Foundry robot appearance was similar to the one of our sentient warship. However, as you know, the Tronzau had no information about their Makers, leaving it another galactic mystery.
Although most space civilizations confirmed our theory that peaceful, irenic development is what allows a culture to thrive and reach the space age, there were some exceptions, most horrifying of them the Saathid Swarm. Even the Fiiral Freeholders were models of civilization compared to these insectoids.
This was the extent of our galactic knowledge at this time.
Deciding to form a Commercial Pact is a complex process in our Ministry of Xeno Affair. Every high-placed civil serviceman needs to give his report on its potential benefits and drawbacks, in perfect Old Xing. Then the reports are summarized by the Chief Minister, who sends his own report to the Son of Heaven.
The Chief Minister was angry with the Vrinn for denying us access to the core Cybrex world, seen here on the left of the map. The Son of Heaven - the son of the Emperor who started celestial exploration - pointed out to him that anger is an emotion unwholesome in a Chief Minister, suggesting to him that eventually, the Xing would gain access to it, if they approach the situation not with anger and threats typical of a Fiiral Freeholder, but with patience, the ultimate virtue.
As you may remember from your own history lessons, first galactic conflicts took place at this time - the Tronzau machines declared war on the Vrinn. We were disgusted with the aggressive machines' behaviour, continuing instead to explore the galaxy in a peaceful manner.
Although not everyone can pass our Imperial Examinations, we welcome foreign learning when it suits our Serene Empire. For instance, at a certain point, only the Engineering Department head was a Xing, with Physics being headed by mysterious Vendanura, a scientist from another galaxy (at least, according to her), while society was researched by a Curator. It appeared that the Curators' brutish appearance indeed signifies some past experience with warfare, for Sensei Borkaz greatly helped our Ministry of Defense develop new war doctrines.
Approaching the Bos'Pachtux in order to save the Son of Heaven's life was an uneasy decision for us. In fact, he almost contemplating joining his ancestors in a natural death. However, in the end he decided that the methods used by the Bos'Pachtux could help not only him, but the whole Serene Empire.
Indeed, although the Enigmatic Observers were quite thorough in ensuring our Emperor doesn't get to learn the details of their technologies, he still managed to pick a few things - a great boon for the new Ayakashi University.
The Yeon Consciousness, I hope all xeno listeners agree, was a far more palatable Hive Mind than the Saathid Swarm. As for the Vool Vestige, as any of the Vool who might listen to this lecture know - although I doubt there's any Vool among those listening - we generally kept out of their affairs.
Careful planning by the Son of Heaven helped us to rescue our people from the Ransomeers.
The Ministry of Production improved our robotic helpers that allowed more Xing to devote themselves to a sentient's highest calling - intellectual pursuits and meditation.
That was our galactic standing by this time, as calculated by the Ministry of Xeno Affairs.
When the Panaxala joined the Federation, some voices within our government also advocated founding a joining a similar arrangement. The Son of Heaven, however, remained resolute - the Xing unique culture, our ancestors, our poetry, even our drinks and food, will be harmed by overly enthusiastic mixing with xenos. Rather, the Xing fate is to stay harmonious with itself, to make use of xeno things that have proven their worth, but not to change its own nature while unwisely chasing immediate profits.
________________________________________________
Strangers and xenos who would like to know more about our Empire, and why every Xing deeply admires the state and the Emperor, know that this is the story of our Sons of Heaven and their subjects. While you fought all over yourselves on your planets, our Liarob prospered, focused inward, in perfect harmony, where everyone considered it to be an honor to fulfill its social and familial obligations.
It is during the reign of the Celestial Emperor Nish-na-Tukan we have learned about the existence of space-time hyperlanes. Some of us advocated burying this secret in place, for there are some things the Xing were not meant to know. The Emperor, however, citing the great scientific achievements of our ancestors, revealed to us the truth: that the only way to give proper honor to them means using whatever means at our disposal to spread our civilization and culture across the galaxy.
First forms of life we encountered were non-sapient. These news were welcomed by us, for we know on our own example, that to be a sapient means to be disruptive and discontent. Our ancestors have long tamed their - and our - urges through philosophy and meditation, but who's to say other sapients would see these matters like us?
Indeed, even non-sapient life can have a global mind of its own - something that was quite fascinating to us, for we saw in the animals of Ayakashi II an example of a harmonious, but still violent society.
It was during our exploration of a Toxic World we noticed a true marvel of sapient ingenuity - a warship that possessed rudimentary intelligence, and agreed to serve us (although this entailed some deception on our part). Our scientists were alarmed by this encounter, yet simultaneously fascinated by it, since it suggested since there are still more things our civilization can to do honor our ancestors and the Son of Heaven.
We were very alarmed at the first sapient species we met in the vast coldness of space. It seemed aggressive and impolite. However, once the first misunderstandings have been resolved, it turned out that these were the Curators, a small people with an admirable desire to remember and preserve.
The new recruits into our esteemed Civil Service had to write compositions regarding the new information about the galaxy. It was only through a mixture of scientific knowledge and literary talent you can pass the exam. You, xenos, too can try it, but remember - 99% of you fail to memorize the necessary rituals of obedience to our ancestors - for entering our Civil Service means accepting our ancestors as yours.
The Bos'Pachtux Progenitors were far more alarming, despite their sympathetic facade. Not only they were patronizing to our culture, our ancestors and our Son of Heaven, they also hinted that they are not really pleased with the way our Empire conducts things, lecturing us about the need to be more "open to the Galaxy". To our Celestial Emperor, this demand reeked of insensitivity and cultural imperialism.
In this way, we expanded through the galaxy, bringing sapience and culture to planets bereft of it. This vision, and loyalty to the Son of Heaven, is what motivated us - from the Head Society Researcher, to regular colonists - in our quest.
Our society always valued its intellectuals. Farmers and traders may be important - although the number of farmers have long been reduced to a minimum by our advanced farming techniques - but it's the cultured intellectual that provided meaning to their lives.
Indeed, our Son of Heaven himself is the chief intellectual and scientists, taking great care in appointing scientists from galactic fieldwork to theoretical duties and back, for the mind begins to stagnate when focused on a single area alone.
It is hardly possible for any xeno to understand the importance we Xing place on meditation and thinking of our ancestors. When we settled a new planet, the first building to be built was always a Temple to them and to their wisdom that allowed us to do such glorious deeds, for we all are standing at the shoulders of giants.
The Institute of Cybrex Studies on Liarob carefully uncovered evidence of their existence all over the galaxy. It seemed that the mindset of these machines was completely different to our own, even taking into account our sentient warship, which had been dug from a planet not that long ago. What could be the reason for them stopping their extermination campaign? Can a programmed, non-organic mind be capable of remorse?
By this point, xenos, you probably think that the accusations thrown at us by the Bos'Pachtux are true and that we are incapable of admiring anyone else achievements' other than our own. The awe felt by us - and even by the Son of Heaven himself - when we discovered the ruined Science Nexus in Dostion disproved these insinuations.
The most generally disgusting sapient lifeform we've met so far, as most of you Xenos would probably agree, were the Fiiral Freeholders (if only we knew what would lay in store for us further...) Their quarrelsome, aggressive nature contradicted the notions of civilization and culture themselves. Their entire existence was an oxymoron, a cruel joke played by the Universe. However, we had no choice at this time other than to pay them off with the fruits of our labor, knowing well that they will not serve the galactic good.
It was at this time we made contact with the Vrinn Mandate. Vrinn, know that our Xeno Relationship Ministry considers you to be one of the best, most civilized xenos in the galaxy, even if our relationship started by you calling us "weeds".
Soon after this, we met more of you. We appreciated the harmonious mindset of the Quepta - it reminded, and still reminds us, of our own Serene Empire. We were intrigued by the appearance of Panaxala, so similar to ours - in fact, our researchers named this the Panaxala Mystery. Although our mindsets are similar, our climate preference was not. Now, most our intellectuals think that our resemblance is simply a result of convergent evolution.
The Tronzau Foundry robot appearance was similar to the one of our sentient warship. However, as you know, the Tronzau had no information about their Makers, leaving it another galactic mystery.
Although most space civilizations confirmed our theory that peaceful, irenic development is what allows a culture to thrive and reach the space age, there were some exceptions, most horrifying of them the Saathid Swarm. Even the Fiiral Freeholders were models of civilization compared to these insectoids.
This was the extent of our galactic knowledge at this time.
Deciding to form a Commercial Pact is a complex process in our Ministry of Xeno Affair. Every high-placed civil serviceman needs to give his report on its potential benefits and drawbacks, in perfect Old Xing. Then the reports are summarized by the Chief Minister, who sends his own report to the Son of Heaven.
The Chief Minister was angry with the Vrinn for denying us access to the core Cybrex world, seen here on the left of the map. The Son of Heaven - the son of the Emperor who started celestial exploration - pointed out to him that anger is an emotion unwholesome in a Chief Minister, suggesting to him that eventually, the Xing would gain access to it, if they approach the situation not with anger and threats typical of a Fiiral Freeholder, but with patience, the ultimate virtue.
As you may remember from your own history lessons, first galactic conflicts took place at this time - the Tronzau machines declared war on the Vrinn. We were disgusted with the aggressive machines' behaviour, continuing instead to explore the galaxy in a peaceful manner.
Although not everyone can pass our Imperial Examinations, we welcome foreign learning when it suits our Serene Empire. For instance, at a certain point, only the Engineering Department head was a Xing, with Physics being headed by mysterious Vendanura, a scientist from another galaxy (at least, according to her), while society was researched by a Curator. It appeared that the Curators' brutish appearance indeed signifies some past experience with warfare, for Sensei Borkaz greatly helped our Ministry of Defense develop new war doctrines.
Approaching the Bos'Pachtux in order to save the Son of Heaven's life was an uneasy decision for us. In fact, he almost contemplating joining his ancestors in a natural death. However, in the end he decided that the methods used by the Bos'Pachtux could help not only him, but the whole Serene Empire.
Indeed, although the Enigmatic Observers were quite thorough in ensuring our Emperor doesn't get to learn the details of their technologies, he still managed to pick a few things - a great boon for the new Ayakashi University.
The Yeon Consciousness, I hope all xeno listeners agree, was a far more palatable Hive Mind than the Saathid Swarm. As for the Vool Vestige, as any of the Vool who might listen to this lecture know - although I doubt there's any Vool among those listening - we generally kept out of their affairs.
Careful planning by the Son of Heaven helped us to rescue our people from the Ransomeers.
The Ministry of Production improved our robotic helpers that allowed more Xing to devote themselves to a sentient's highest calling - intellectual pursuits and meditation.
That was our galactic standing by this time, as calculated by the Ministry of Xeno Affairs.
When the Panaxala joined the Federation, some voices within our government also advocated founding a joining a similar arrangement. The Son of Heaven, however, remained resolute - the Xing unique culture, our ancestors, our poetry, even our drinks and food, will be harmed by overly enthusiastic mixing with xenos. Rather, the Xing fate is to stay harmonious with itself, to make use of xeno things that have proven their worth, but not to change its own nature while unwisely chasing immediate profits.
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