[ TT ] We find extraterrestrials , but instead of super-intelligent , they are pretty far behind in technology .

When humanity first found signs of life in space, it came in the form of microbes. Then, over the years, as mankind developed ways to extend his reach even further, they found animals, much like those on Earth. Yet, despite more than a century of hunting, not one planet held signs of sentient life. Humanity was still alone. 
 There was a collective disappointment. Everything else seemed to pretty much be the same. Here were slight variations on animals, but nothing drastic. There was a sense of feeling ripped off. “ We were promised creatures of light or twelve armed bartenders. Instead we got a horse with a rat tail! Way to go NASA, ” one popular late night comedian quipped. 
 Then, on one momentous day, in a far corner of our own galaxy, a SeedProbe discovered signs of radio transmissions coming from a planet, Liplet-T91. Analysis confirmed the planet was in the “ Goldilocks zone ” and a good candidate for earthlike conditions. Further observation of the planet confirmed that Liplet-T91 did have some sort of communication system in place. 
 
 AT-Drones were immediately sent directly to the planet. Once the Astral Travel Probes came within orbiting distance of Liplet-T91, remote viewers would be able to see live footage and explore and even communicate with life forms. Once probing technology increased, the need for manned exploration of space became useless. Drones could be sent through space faster and safer than humans. And with the advent of 3D printer drones, humans rarely needed to set foot on a planet without some sort of structure in place. 
 
 Humanity prepared. It would be twelve years. 
 
 Finally, the day came. The computers alerted the world that the AT-Drones were in place. Slowly descending onto the alien planet, falling through the clouds, the historical images were broadcast into living rooms across the galaxy. The first lights of a city could be seen in the night sky. Confirmation of life! 
 
 Closer. Closer. Buildings made of concrete and brick and steel. The drone halted. Humanity had long ago put behind such inefficient means of building. Maintaining its altitude, the drone orbited the planet, scanning the surface from afar. Gasoline. Diesel. Wired communication. 
 
 Liplet-T91 was in the Industrial Age. Centuries behind Humanity. They would hold no great answers. They could offer no advancements in technology or philosophy. And, much to Humanity ’ s dismay, the Liplet-T91s looked exactly like humans. 
 The protocols for discovering a less advanced planet were put into place from the beginning. As humanity had no contact with aliens during its development, they granted the same freedom to any less advanced civilization, should humanity ever happen upon one. All but one of the AT-Drones left. The single remaining drone observed the progression while in orbit. 
 
 Many months later, a new planet was found, also with signs of possible sentient life. However, the humanlike people of Pilpmer-A11 appeared to only be in the First Renaissance. Again and again, more planets were found, yet, not one that humanity could speak to. No other system offered any amount of comfort to humanity. We were no longer alone, but much worse fear had been realized. Earth had been the most advanced planet in the galaxy. Earthians were the most advanced species. The population became polarized in their opinion on the matter. While some claimed this proved that humanity was the best and used the news to inflate Earthian egos, others wallowed in misery at the idea that nobody could help us. Earthians were doomed, some would say, to be on their own. 

