This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.
The original was posted on /r/hfy by /u/Away_Succotash_864 on 2025-12-08 00:07:37+00:00.
For years, nothing had been heard from the spiral arm once ruled by the Zorva. The silence was unsettling. The Zorva had always been reserved, yes - but contact had never ceased entirely. Now? Nothing.
When the Galactic Council finally sent inquiries, the reply was brief and absolute: “This territory is now administered by the Human Empire.”
The news sparked alarm. Not too long ago, humans had been fledgling - Fragile, chaotic, barely mastering faster-than-light travel. How could they have taken control of a region the Zorva had stabilized for millennia? And what could have happened to the Zorva? To find answers, the Council dispatched a delegation.
The humans welcomed them warmly, with courtesy and hospitality. They told them about their history: the rise from a single planet, the struggle with overpopulation, the leap to the stars, first contact with the Zorva…
They dined together. The food unsettled the diplomats at first - strange moods, brief dizziness, confusion. But discomfort melted into a serene clarity. The dishes were… delightful. They sharpened the mind. They felt right. Everything felt right.
The humans spoke calmly of Zorva’s end as a spacefaring species, their use of Nanobots to achieve that goal, of the reservations where the few that were left now were kept. The diplomats found this entirely reasonable - beneficial, even. They felt relieved, almost euphoric, and invited the humans to tour their ship.
The crew was introduced. The humans offered valuable gifts and, of course, Earth’s culinary specialties. The diplomats persuaded the crew to taste them immediately. During the tour, the humans suggested finishing it alone, so as not to tire their guests further. It was time for rest. Sleep. Recovery. The delegation agreed without hesitation, left the ship, and lay down right outside to sleep.
The humans remained aboard. More colleagues arrived. There was much work to do.
Nanobots - the only true revolution humanity had achieved since FTL. They were the key to seizing Zorva worlds and technology. With Zorva knowledge, humans had been able to develop nanobots capable of subtle neural influence: thoughts, emotions, insights. First tested on Zorva in controlled labs, this was now the first live deployment. The food had been laced with them. The bots had calibrated quickly. These aliens wouldn’t just eat dirt if a human told them to - they’d fight for the privilege.
Once enough nanobots were seeded aboard to replicate rapidly, the humans left resource capsules for them and more “Earth delicacies” for the Council. Then they woke the delegation.
With heartfelt farewells, the humans expressed gratitude for the visit - but urgent duties called. The delegation should return home. They would meet again soon. Grateful beyond words, brimming with trust, admiration, and loyalty, the diplomats departed. Their ship slipped into FTL, its cargo quietly replicating.
Just before departure, the humans had made one last, casual remark: “In two years, we will claim our rightful place on the Galactic Council. It will be a great day.”
And as the delegation returned - filled with new faith, new devotion, new obedience - the Council soon understood completely: Yes.
It would be a day of joy.