[ WP ] We explore the galaxy and discover an intergalactic organisation including all other intelligent life in the Milky Way . They never approached us . They studied us , and were too terrified .

George Carlin once said `` If we're the only intelligent life in the universe, the universe aimed very low, and settled for very little.'' 
 
 Bill Watterson's Calvin once said `` Sometimes I think the only proof there's intelligent life in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us.'' 
 
 Wise words. And painfully, true. 
 
 I was part of the party sent to address the Sentient Worlds Alliance once we learned it existed. Our time there was lengthy, but the time we spent actually doing our mission, brief. 
 
 I'm no diplomat. I think I'm pretty well-spoken, but that's not why I was brought. I'm security. I'm a Second Dan in Judo, and was working my way to third before I was tapped. I'm also one of the best shots in my unit, not THE best, but up there. I thought it was ridiculous to say we come in peace and pack me along, someone there in case peace was what we did n't get. 
 
 We were detained almost immediately. Anything remotely dangerous seeming was confiscated. Because of my position, I spent a lot of time explaining our weapons and how they worked. I hated having to sit across from these people and explain the mechanics of a Biopulse Pistol, a Neural Interruption Baton, and the old-fashioned but reliable Taser. When they learned I was trained to fight bare-handed, the interrogation even included a demonstration. Every gasp as I threw or tripped the volunteer to the ground struck me hard. I felt I was selling out the mission with every passing moment. 
 
 It was three long, tense weeks before we were allowed a formal audience. The mission leader's speech was carefully rehearsed, tweaked over his stay to be sincere instead of rote. 
 
 And it was all for nothing. Before we even arrived, they had decided we were not going to be admitted to their alliance. They had a laundry list of our faults. From the large and obvious... the World Wars, the Spanish Inquisition, and so on... on down to minor but still unpleasant offenses, like large swathes of our population `` Joking'' about sexual abuse and violence, for the crime of differing opinion. 
 
 We were being sanctioned. They would ensure any vessel carrying people would not leave our solar system for a `` brief'' period that equated to dozens of generations. Give us time to `` Mature''. They tried to soften the blow by saying this was not `` No'', but `` Not right now''. 
 
 I was sure it was my fault. Everything I showed them about how we defend ourselves. I probably disgusted them most of all. 
 
 While I was busy berating myself, I almost missed hearing my own name. 
 
 `` Sorry, what?'' There was some mild laughter among the species in attendance as I apologized. When they repeated themselves, I felt a great weight in my stomach. 
 
 I was being... detained. Indefinitely. The rest of the mission was to leave, and leave me behind. The mission leader protested, but the councilmen insisted it a condition of mankind being put on the `` Future Consideration'' list instead of being Quarantined. He looked at me, weakly... and agreed. It was the best he could do to salvage the mission. I understood. But it did n't make it any easier. 
 
 Hours later I watched from a window as my ship left without me. I felt useless. Worse than. I felt like a traitor. It had to be my fault they thought we had n't moved far enough past our mistakes. 
 
 One of the councilmen's aides... a very large, reptilian but not unsettling creature, laid a hand on my shoulder. `` You'll forgive us one day, I hope.'' 
 
 `` It's me that needs forgiveness.'' I mumbled back. `` They should never have brought me along.'' 
 
 `` What?'' He seemed genuinely confused. 
 
 `` Me, my weapons, my training. It was like bringing a barbarian to a fancy dinner. I blew it for the mission.'' I sighed. `` And now I'm being kept to analyze what makes humans tick in all the ways we do n't want to be known.'' 
 
 He turned me to face him. `` You are an example of what we hope humans will BECOME, not what is wrong with it.'' 
 
 I could only look up from where I'd been staring at my feet, utterly confused. ``... What?'' 
 
 `` You have the capacity to harm, to kill... and you despise it. We heard it in your voice, measured it in your biorhythms as you described your implements. You told us of many `` Martial Arts''... but you chose one with options to disorient over harm. You have the ability to do terrible things, easier than your fellow human... and yet you are the most qualified to have such at your fingertips because you desire NOT to use them.'' He smiled, which showed a few too many teeth for my liking, but I tried not to respond poorly. He meant well. 
 
 `` But... what use do I have to you?'' I stammered. 
 
 The aide clapped me on the back. `` Every society needs those who can be trusted to leverage power to maintain peace. I'm sure you would make a fine teacher, once you emigrate to your new species.'' 
 
 `` Wait, what was that?'' Emigrate to a new SPECIES? Did I hear him right? 
 
 Another smile. `` The scientific capacity to alter genetic code, and the body in general, has been an Alliance Technology for centuries, improving all the time. I hear a few representatives have stepped forward with requests to... adopt you into their culture. I suspect you'll be very busy.'' 
 
 `` Odds are if you pick the right council species to join... you may be around to see your old one apply with us again.''
