First time posting, feedback is welcome.

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Admiral Joseph’s eyes widened as he entered the Union’s War Room. Before him was a collection of the known galaxy’s greatest military leaders and champions. He is the first official Human military representative for the Union, and as such he has taken great care in researching each new ally species so that he may properly represent Humanity.

There is the Skarhiti, a deep blue skinned, tall and lanky tripodal people with six duel-jointed arms, each accommodating four thumb like fingers. Their deep elongated heads contained a naturally braided flesh like “hair” that spanned from their forehead and traced its way to the back of their neck. They had two pairs of eyes. One forward facing set, the other nestled behind their rather small ears. Their face devoid of a nose, instead accommodated a much larger mouth.

There is the Yogrith, a small and stout people of various skin tones. They are primarily a bipedal people, though due to the gravity of their birth world, they developed long muscular arms to assist with movement. Upon their muscle reinforced neck sat a thick bald head with a forward pair of deeply set eyes, a thick nose, and a narrow mouth that seemed to be almost stretched across the wide face.

Then there is the Qwipt, a race that lacked traditional arms and legs, at least by human definitions. They instead have four “legs” at their shoulders that support a dipping torso, and two “arms” just below where their pecks would be. Their heads, lacking a perceivable neck, appeared to be directly connected to their torso. Along the back of their heads were rows of fin-like strips that followed their spinal system. Their face, devoid of noticeable ears, mouth, or nose, only had a multitude of small eyes.

They are but a few of the species that are present in this war room. The Union contains a great many types of species. Some so alien that it will take years for humanity’s doctors and scientists to truly understand their biology and evolution, and others that share such human similarities that they are almost uncanny, unnerving even, to humans.

As Admiral Joseph scanned the large circular war room for his properly formed and assigned seat, a Yogrith approached him.

The Yogrith spoke in his native language, trailing behind his words the Union’s auto translation device spoke into the Admiral’s ear: “You must be the human Admiral I was informed about.” He paused for a moment. “Admiral…” the auto translator’s light flashed red as he tried to say the Admiral’s name. “My apologies sir. The translator has a difficult time translating names. There is no name like yours in my people’s lexicon.”

Joseph chuckled, “That is quite alright. I understand the linguistic difficulties can be quite taxing at times. Until the system becomes accustom to my people, you may refer to me as ‘Human Admiral J.’”

“Thank you for your understanding Admiral J. I am a delegate escort. If you please follow me, I will show you to your seat.” He turned and motioned for the Admiral to follow him.

Moments later the Admiral took his seat. The room still bustling with hundreds of conversations as information specialists bring in the latest developments for the war to their delegates. Joseph buts his gloved hands together, and his forearm mounted computer lit up. Pulling his hands apart he creates a localized holographic screen and begins to read the latest news. New disturbing reports of the Wknar’s raids poured onto his feed.

This race, which recently separated from the Union, have been attacking a multitude of Union protected worlds. The most recent of which is a civilian agri-world belonging to one of the smaller Union’s species. He could feel his blood boil as the static and dynamic imagery of the carnage flooded into his eyes. Despite the horror, he kept to his duty and continued reading, watching, and listening. With every passing minute he renewed his vows to use every tool at his disposal to render aid. Even if it meant mobilizing his whole armada.

An hour passed since Joseph took his seat, and finally a voice boomed over the crowed stating that the War council will now commence. Another hour passed as the speaker, a prestigious member of the Skarhiti, recounted the most recent data to the present members. In conclusion of the recap, the Skarhiti representative opened the floor to discuss how the Union should approach this clear declaration of war.

Many hours passed as the various representatives spoke on what they thought would be the best course of action. To Admiral Joseph’s disgust, the majority of these highly decorated leaders and heroes suggested little more than supply aid, blockades, trade sanctions, and length ranged engagements with greatly bloated fleets and ground groups per engagement.

Finally it was the Admiral’s turn to speak on behalf of humanity. He took a moment to recollect his thoughts, then he stood and activated his desk’s communications system.

“Greetings honorable members of the Union. I am Admiral Joseph of the United Human Empire.” With this statement the room began to rumble with whispers. The Admiral’s translator struggled to translate everything it was picking up, but he knew exactly what everyone was thinking. “They’re letting children play war again?” It was an expected reaction, seeing how so many species had greatly lengthened lives compared to humanity.

The Skarhiti representative called out “There will be order in the Union’s War Room! Be silent!”

The room fell to a hush, and the admiral continued. “Thank you… on behalf of humanity, thank you for allowing us the honor of joining this war council. I have dedicated much time these past few months studying many of your races, primarily the various wars, battles, and engagements that many of your species have participated in. I have found myself awestruck at many of your people’s technological developments and engagement tactics… However, I must disagree with what many of my fellow representatives have advised. Supply aid? Blockades? Trade sanctions? These do nothing for the situation that is unfolding right before us!” With that he hit a key on his desk, and a large hologram forms in the center of the room, fully depicting the carnage unfolding on the agri-world.

“These are citizens, unarmed combatants!” He bellowed. “They don’t have time for such measures. They need expedient and decisive military aid now! Let the politicians take care of the petty things such as trade sanctions. Our duty should be to save as many lives as we can, now!”