Sitting at a table of fumed oak, under the watchful gaze of ten tense faces, I, a diplomat, felt like I was on stage. Sigurd, the planet's leader, had gathered his ministers and advisers—it's not every day you get to deal with aliens. Excitement hung in the air, some nervously fiddling with the folds of their clothes. My role was to smile, and I tried my best.
"Normally, according to first-contact protocols, we would exchange basic information," I began, "but despite my automated translator, I'm not sure I could have picked up the correct written dialect without samples. That would likely lead to a lengthy pause, amusing to observers. So, I've decided to expedite the process. Do you have any questions I could answer personally? How do I set up your information system for initial contact?"
"We appreciate your understanding," Sigurd replied, "but I must admit that if you had given us a little more time, we could have organized a celebration worthy of such a momentous occasion."
"I can't agree with you," I objected. "There's fear on your planet right now, and you, as a politician, have no right to say 'I don't know.' It's better to answer the questions right now than to prepare for the reception before Ragnarok cults start appearing on Svorin."
"There is some truth in that," Sigurd admitted.
"Here." I pulled out a fist-sized sphere. "This is a data bank. There are several buttons here." I pressed one, and the sphere glowed with a soft white light. "Please have one of your assistants scan several books. This is necessary for language analysis and automatic translation of all the information contained here."
One of those present quickly volunteered and left with the device.
"You mentioned the Goa'uld, who enslaved the human race. What do they look like, and why would a spacefaring species need slaves?" asked one of the advisors.
"The Goa'uld are snake-like creatures that burrow into the spinal column of their victims, taking complete control of their bodies. They originated on a single planet alongside another species of intelligent reptiles, capturing them as hosts. This gave rise to a population of Goa'uld, inhabiting the bodies of Unas and distinct from their aquatic cousins. Initially, they were not as powerful and were unable to subdue their victims in about half the cases. Over time, the Unas developed a civilization.
They discovered the Stargate, mastered it, learned of new planets, founded colonies, and discovered a graveyard of ancient starships. By redesigning the ships, they subjugated the galaxy. They are now the dominant species. They rely on slavery to extract resources and breed new hosts. The Goa'uld have stagnated in their social development, relying on captured technology to become a powerful species. They commonly create false religions, presenting themselves as deities, using technology to create the illusion of miracles. Feudal fragmentation reigns within the Empire, and armies of slaves, fighting in the name of their gods, wage endless wars.
The rulers of Svorin exchanged glances.
"And the Asgardians?" asked Sigurd.
"They are a powerful race from another galaxy. They are primarily peaceful explorers, but they tolerate no harm. They have repeatedly fought the Goa'uld, but to no avail. The Asgard are too few in number to defeat the Goa'uld, so peace negotiations resulted in the Treaty of Protected Planets. According to this, certain human planets remain free from Goa'uld influence. I assume your world is one such planet, created in secret from the Empire. After all, for every such planet, the Treaty requires the Asgard to make concessions to the Goa'uld."
"Can you contact the Asgard so that we can enter into this treaty?"
"Yes, but I wouldn't advise it. The System Lords Commission has the right to demand the exclusion from a protected planet of any technology that could threaten the Goa'uld. For example, electricity generation technologies."
"This is absurd!" exclaimed one of the advisers.
"System Lord Baal blew up two planets to keep them from his rival. 60 million people died there. Are you really ready to call such creatures absurd…"
Svorin's people were shocked.
"Why such cruelty?"
"In fact, Baal was fighting against his overlord at the time. By blowing up these planets, he also destroyed Sokar's fleet. Sokar decided not to risk his ships any more and granted him independence. After which they became quite friendly."
These words seemed to break them.
"How do you survive with such neighbors?" asked Sigurd.
"It's quite simple if you're a minor lord of the Goa'uld Empire yourself," I replied with a smile, my eyes flashing. Someone flinched in fear. "Don't be so cowardly. If I were a typical Goa'uld, I'd introduce myself as your supreme god, like Thor, demand you kneel, and lead my legions through the gates to conquer. But I'm not interested in that, so I'm prepared to maintain normal, neighborly relations. For example, in your presence, I could contact the Asgardian High Council. They'll send their representatives."
"Yes, please."
I activated the communication stone, and a hologram of the Asgardian Senate appeared before me. A minute later, an Asgardian appeared.
"Little Lord Szarekh, why did you get involved with Asgard?"
"I've recently been promoted to Junior Lord. But that's not important. I'm on a technologically advanced planet, superior to Earth, with a unified government that considers Thor its patron. This planet is Svorin. I made first contact. It was different from the Goa'uld: no armies, no demands for obedience, just a simple conversation with the local leadership. I know that according to your laws, when a species has evolved sufficiently, they can be told about galactic affairs. I think they're ready. I think they even sent the first astronauts. They did, right?"
"Yes, we did," replied Sigurd, whose image was being transmitted into my brain.
"Yes, they did. If Thor or one of them could find the time, could he send a diplomatic mission to smooth things over?"
The Asgardian worked silently at the computer.
"Yes, this situation was foreseen. I will contact Thor."
"May I hand the stone over to the local elected ruler, Sigurd, so that he can see for himself the truth of my words?"
The Asgardian looked at me.
"I sent a signal to your stone. You can pass it on to another person."
I removed the communication device and handed it to the leader of the planet.
"Assume a stable position. A vision of the Asgardian Senate will be transmitted to your consciousness, and one of the leaders of that people will speak to you. And don't be afraid, they are benevolent."