One Earth convened at the galactic council—a group of 13 civilizations discovered and befriended through wormhole technology. The planets enjoyed peace and prosperity until ''they'' arrived—endless waves of robotic invaders attempting to sabotage free trade operations.


    "Earthlings, we need everything you''ve got. You''re all next," pleaded an alien species on the brink of extinction.


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    One Earth donated trillions of cybernetic resources.


    In a backroom:


    "It''s happening again," said a council member.


    "What''s happening?" asked another member.


    "Fear …"


    "I don''t quite understand."


    "Look at us; half our population suffers from incurable diseases because most can''t afford cybernetics, and yet …"