[ WP ] You discover that Earth is the `` North Korea '' of the galaxy

[ The following is an excerpt from A Compendium of Inter Galactic Politics: System `` Kajeel,'' Sub-System X, Red Region, Planet: `` Blue.'' The text has been auto-translated into the language and cultural style deemed most appropriate for the current reader. ] 
 
 `` Should we assist them?'' I look around the room, interpreting the visual cues of the Representatives gathered before me. Despite the immense trouble of inter-species body language, it was clear no one seemed very excited by the idea. 
 
 ***Sir… do you really think that is a good idea? *** My second-in-command's thoughts project clearly in all of our heads. ***We've seen no positive indicators on any survey for this planet, and every cognition report agrees that the Primary Species is not cognitively stable enough for us to risk exposure. *** Various sounds and movements of assent circle the table. *Be cautious here, Sir. Not a single Representative reacted favorably towards your previous question. The primary emotional response was Fear. * 
 `` Understood, Urx,'' I say in response to Urx's public and private thoughts. `` But still, I will have neglected my duties if I do not pursue this issue with the Representatives. I ask again, should we assist?'' 
 
 Silence grips the Representatives. A few shift as I swing my gaze from face to visual receptor to interaction sphere. After several moments, the Representative of the Korgal system stands. I, along with several other species with more sensitive ears, hit the proper sequence on our Aural calibrators. Even so, I wince as Artün's immense voice booms around the room. 
 
 `` It is not that we do not wish to help, General. It is that the consequences of our help could lead to the destruction of many. Look at how they treat each other. Look at the death, the war, the *hate* over minor differences *within* the Primary Species. And they have so devastated their own planet that we can not even rank a Secondary Species out of the many that could have filled the role. It is impossible for them to work on their own planet, so it is *beyond* impossible for them to work with us, or the many others we Represent. So despite our personal wishes, it would be irresponsible for us to lend our aid.'' 
 
 Artün sits. I wait until I'm sure the echoes of his voice have ceased before readjusting my calibrator. After a few moments, I stand. `` Thank you for your words, Artün. And I have considered all that you have said before this meeting, and I know it is true. But you speak of our responsibility to avoid devastation. How does that responsibility work with this?'' I press a button on the table. The room dims, and an image of the Blue Planet blossoms above the table, complete with the asteroid on an impending collision with it's moon. `` If we let this happen, this will almost certainly be an Extinction Level Event on this planet. It will be a total reset for all life there. Is it not our responsibility to avoid that?'' 
 
 `` It is not, Sir,'' the Ormaani Representative's voice tinkles musically in the air. `` Our responsibility is to the members we Represent. And they are not members.'' 
 
 `` So let's make them members.'' ***Sir…*** `` Stop. I know. But I can not do nothing while we tacitly condone the erasure of an entire planet out of fear. I will not let that be my legacy. I know they could be problematic, but we can not do nothing. We're putting it to a vote, will we send an envoy to offer membership to the Primary Species on the Blue Planet, and perhaps save every species there, or do we let them all die?'' 
 
 I hit another button on the table, and the room darkens as each Representative casts their vote. After a brief moment, the room brightens, and the results flash onto my screen. While no one but me is able to see the results, Urx can read my emotions. 
 
 *Sir, –* I shake my head. `` Thank you all for your input. The measure did not pass. We will have a brief recess. I will call you all back in a few moments.'' The room empties, leaving Urx and I alone with the projection of the Blue Planet hovering over the table. 
 
 `` Not a single vote, Urx.'' 
 
 *Sir! It is an egregious breach of protocol to share the results with-* 
 
 `` I know. But it's too late. Not one vote. How can they all be so afraid?'' 
 
 Urx was still for a moment, then walks to the table and presses a few buttons. The asteroid disappears, the moon changes positions, and the Blue Planet's angle alters. After a few seconds, flashes of light flicker across the planet's surface. My eyes linger on the projection, then I look at Urx. 
 
 *How can you not be? *
