Xi Yan began his sector-wide broadcast address at the Sea of Stars Community's first assembly. After sixty years of experience, he was thoroughly familiar with such occasions.
Looking at the alien leaders below, all equally solemn and dignified, he could not help feeling a little wistful.
Humanity had begun as a weak civilization. The United Nations of Earth had grovelled to curry favor with aliens, while the United Nations of Earth had remained unwaveringly hostile toward them. Only he had truly earned the aliens' respect. He had won humanity a reputation across the universe.
Pushing all other thoughts from his mind, Xi Yan faced the countless billions of lives across more than a dozen interstellar empires and finally spoke.
"To every intelligent civilization and every sapient being in this universe, greetings. This is the Sea of Stars Community."
Xi Yan's voice was not loud, but every being waiting before a Smart Wristband or television could hear him.
"Tens of millions of years have passed since the previous generation of civilizations. We have brought civilization and prosperity to a lonely universe, spreading life through silent galaxies. Yet throughout those countless years, the Sea of Stars has remained mired in violence and division. Wars and conflicts have never ceased."
"Out of this chaos, we have resolved to make this Sea of Stars great again."
"I have always believed that even beings utterly different in appearance and nature share a yearning for peace and prosperity. Thus, to honor our consciences and uphold order in this Sea of Stars, I took the lead in organizing our Sea of Stars Community."
"The Sea of Stars Community will become a platform for exchange and cooperation among our interstellar civilizations. We cannot bring everlasting peace to the universe, but we can minimize conflict and violence wherever possible-seeking