[ WP ] In the future earth has met numerous alien civilizations , all of them evolved as herbivores . Humanity 's evolution and history makes diplomacy interesting .

**T**he cradle of Humanity was a harsh, unforgiving world. 
 
 Strange beasts and predators lurked on its surface. Inclement weather meant exposure could kill. 
 
 Even now, as Iyat stared through the viewport, it looked hostile. 
 
 They'd tried to put it off as long as possible. A routine survey probe had logged the mammalian bipeds several thousand rotations ago. Hairless, clawless, and venom-less, they should n't have survived long on their world. 
 
 But survive they did. They fought back the night with fire, fought the beasts and the predators and the terrors of their nightmares. And when the beasts were extinct and no predators lived to hunt them, they'd fought each other, too. 
 
 And the galaxy had watched, with bated breath and tilted ears, as Humanity spread across their world, aching to be freed from its cradle. They'd grown quickly. The Commonwealth scarcely had time to send a second wave of probes before Humanity had developed gunpowder. By the time the first manned survey expeditions had been mounted, Humanity was already waiting, staring up into the stars, dreaming of other worlds. By the time the second wave of ships arrived, Humanity was a spacefaring race. And still fighting each other. 
 
 Iyat knitted her forelimbs together nervously. At least Earth had plenty of water. 
 
 
 -- - 
 
 
 Shit. Shit. He'd *planned* for this, and now it'd fallen apart. 
 
 He keyed the comms. `` Houston, this is Falcon. All systems green - we made it.'' James paused. It'd be several minutes before their message was actually received. Enough time to think. They'd just traveled faster than any man ever had. His name would be remembered for the rest of history. 
 
 He'd need something important to say. Something that kids could read about in history textbooks. James had thought up a bunch of phrases before launch, but now... 
 
 `` One small... Leap. For a ship.'' 
 
 Shit. 
 
 Rita rolled her eyes. `` You had months to prepare, James.'' Mark quietly chortled from the copilot's chair. 
 
 `` Well, it's a big moment, okay?'' 
 
 `` Is the mic still hot?'' 
 
 Well. So much for first words. `` Uh... Hi, Mom.'' 
 
 
 -- - 
 
 
 Blinking flashes lit up the display, and Iyat let out the long breath she'd been holding in. There'd be no putting it off any longer. 
 
....Warp signature detected. Class 0.5 drive. 
 
 Time to suit up. 
 
 
 -- - 
 
 
 The room exploded into cheers and thunderous applause that refused to die. 
 
 `` Copy, *Millenium Falcon*, you are cleared for your return journey. Have a safe trip. Godspeed.'' 
 
 Administrator Halloway allowed himself a small smile. There'd be plenty of time to celebrate, later. Champagne. Press conferences. Parties. For now, though, the cameras were still rolling, and they still had to get their men home safely. 
 
 `` Sir, they're back.'' 
 
 He was instantly alert. `` Already? The drive should n't be charged for two hours.'' 
 
 `` Copy, Administrator, drive is at 16 % and climbing.'' One voice called from the corner of the room. 
 
 `` It's not us, sir.'' 
 
 `` Alert the President immediately.'' 
 
 `` He's... already aware.'' 
 
 `` Excuse me?'' 
 
 `` They're landing in D.C.'' 
 

