The leadership of the United Nations of Earth and its people were clearly not the same species.
Or rather, once ordinary people became part of its leadership, their species changed.
They went from common citizens to rulers.
From workers to vermin.
The moment they took their lofty seats, a gulf naturally opened between them and the citizens of the United Nations of Earth.
As long as private interests existed, a privileged class would always exist. And so its leaders moved in the opposite direction from its citizens, whether human or alien.
The leadership of the United Nations of Earth surrendered to the Great Khan. That way, they only needed to pay him tribute to preserve their exalted positions.
But most of its people could never accept that.
Unfortunately, the illustrious legislators chose surrender. The Great Khan's fleets had already entered United Nations of Earth territory, and all its fleets had been dispatched to the front.
Now, command of those fleets lay not with the United Nations of Earth, but with the Great Khan.
So why should its fleets obey the Great Khan's orders?
Advance, and die at the hands of their fellow humans. Retreat, and die at the Great Khan's hands. They refused to be driven like cattle by a savage Marauder.
Upon entering Human Federation territory, the fleets quickly began to turn.
The Human Federation's flagship, the battleship Boundless Glory, held position far behind the lines in the star system. Dressed in his Marshal's uniform, Sidney sat in the command room with a group of senior commanders.
"The United Nations of Earth fleets haven't attacked. They're turning."
"Then hold position. Let them turn."
Sidney, too, hoped they would not have to fight those fleets to the death.
The Human Federation and the United Nations of Earth should have been