Why Humans Avoid War

Rykov POV

As I was ushered through the Hall of Governance, I slowed to admire the artwork scattered throughout the premises. Murals depicting the cosmos, carvings of ancient deities, cultural artifacts from eons ago...

"Commander Rykov." The Yendil guard said my name slowly, since his species had difficulty pronouncing the "r" sound. "Is there a reason you have stopped?"

I shook my head. "Just looking. It's fascinating, a showcase of every-"

"You can browse the exhibits at another time. The Senate is waiting," he growled.

"Right."

Perhaps I should have been irritated by this guy's impatience, but frankly, I was just happy he wasn't afraid of me. Most aliens I had spoken to since my arrival were walking around on eggshells, terrified of saying the wrong thing. Despite centuries of restraint and nonviolence, they thought humans would snap on a whim.

Why had Terran Command insisted on my testimony before the Senate? Why bother to comply with their subpoena? This would just be the next farce, the latest inquisition against humanity.

I forced a smile as I strolled into the central chamber, sensing all eyes turn toward me. The new Speaker was standing at the lectern, glancing over a briefing packet. His name was Retke, formerly the Covian Ambassador. His species was middle of the pack on the aggression scale, and he was one of the younger representatives in the Senate.

Other than that, I didn't know much about him, but I wasn't expecting him to give us a fair shake. This was his golden opportunity to prove himself, and to earn political points with Ula's supporters.

"Commander Rykov of the planet Earth. Please, have a seat at the designated bench," Retke's voice was smooth and silky, pleasant to the ears. "I'm sure you understand why you are here."

"Thank you, Mister Speaker. I am aware of what you wish to discuss," I replied.

He tapped his claws on the lectern. "Very good. It has been an interesting few weeks, has it not?"

I sighed. "That is one way of putting it."

"I think many of our listeners have valid concerns about the events that transpired. Would you not view your nanite weapons as cruel and excessive?"

"Depends who they're used against."

"And who decides who deserves such a fate, Commander? I do not believe all humans are evil, as my predecessor did...but some of you are. You know this. What happens if your weapons fall into the wrong hands?"

As tempting as it was to argue, this guy was actually making sense. All it took was a few trigger-happy idiots in the chain of command to set off Armageddon; the same reason nuclear proliferation had almost ended in human extinction. It was too easy to rush to judgment, as we had almost done with the Devourers at the start of this mess, before we learned the full picture.

"Those are valid questions, Mister Speaker. But let me ask you, what happens when the next Devourers come for us?" I paused, giving my words time to marinate. "How do we protect the Federation, without some sort of deterrent?"

"Answering a question with a question. You should run for office, Commander, you're a natural." A few light chuckles came from the representatives. "I can see the wisdom in having a...last resort, as you say. But there needs to be failsafes, oversight, transparency. If you truly desire peace, these weapons do not belong in the hands of one species alone."

I narrowed my eyes. "That's not my call, Mister Speaker. Is there something else that I can answer?"

"Yes, yes. Your government has failed to offer a sufficient explanation for several matters. Let's start with the easy question...where is General Kilon? Your ambassador claimed he was a passenger on your ship, and nobody has heard from him since."