[ WP ] A peaceful alien race is besieged by another race in the same galaxy . As their last planets fall and their home-world comes under threat they do the unthinkable . They ask for aid from the only known creatures more brutal than their foes in exchange for FTL technology . Humans accept the deal .

`` Radiation?!'' The general sputtered `` That ’ s... Insane!'' 
 
 The chamber evidently agreed. The war council of the senate had been silent until this point. But learning that the humans had defiled Kresna 4... shudders shook the room. 
 
 `` How will they resettle their young?'' The senator from the Iron Spire gasped `` They've poisoned the entire surface for a generation. They ca n't use it anymore, can they? Are the humans immune to radiation? We always feared...'' 
 
 The adjunct was gentle with his words. He knew there would be much need of softness in the chamber today. `` No, Senator. Our best understanding is that it kills them, albeit very slowly.'' 
 
 The Senator shook her head wildly, before composing herself `` Then... Why?! It does n't make any sense! We've never even... Every species that has ever developed large scale nuclear arsenals has blown themselves to bits! We only survived by total disarmament!'' 
 
 `` Our intelligence indicates that the Humans themselves feared this possibility, but instead of disarming...'' The adjunct looked at the floor. He spread his hands wide to indicate his shameful lack of understanding before the senate. 
 
 `` Yes?'' The General barked `` What did they do?'' 
 
 `` They built more.'' 
 
 The Senate shook in unison, gasps and shrieks and the flapping of wings echoing through the chamber. Demands for clarification came from every direction at once. 
 
 The adjunct spoke clearly. `` They called it the policy of assured destruction. The major powers gave every separatist faction on the planet as many nuclear weapons as they wished. In this way, any wars that occurred would result in the destruction of all factions at once. We estimate that each of the 300 or so factions could have destroyed Human-Prime many times over. It seems to have worked, while it lasted.'' 
 
 `` Disgraceful!'' shrieked the General, climbing his table and digging his talons into its shined top `` Madness! They gave that much firepower to every minor faction? What if a death cult received them? What if they fell into the hands of amphibians or the dull-witted? How could they be so irresponsible?'' 
 
 The senator was calmer `` You say it worked'while it lasted'. What event ended this policy?'' 
 
 `` The Secna. When we sought to seize Kresna 4 for our Young, the Secna engaged the Humans. They spoke diplomatically with them.'' 
 
 The General laughed derisively `` And what? The Secna convinced these apes to stop aiming their weapons at each other?'' 
 
 The Senator did not laugh. Her eyes opened wide and she flew out the doors. Many other senators did the same, as the realization dawned on them. 
 
 The adjunct whispered above the din. `` Yes. They convinced them to aim their weapons at us.''
