At the southeastern edge of the Milky Way Galaxy, on the border of the Blorg Hegemony.
A science ship constructed from nanites rested at the edge of the star system's gravitational field, facing deep space.
This was the very edge of the Milky Way Galaxy. Beyond it, there were no more star systems, only endless emptiness and darkness.
"My Blorg friend, this will be our last mission together. Once this expedition is over, we'll go our separate ways until we meet again someday."
"Human friend, we hate to see you leave. You brought us interstellar culture, enlightened us, and explored space alongside us. You will always be friends of the Blorg!"
The tall, terrifying-looking Blorg scientist kept shaking the human's hand with a tentacle, sobbing softly. "I don't want you to go. Our friendship spans the stars, and no one can destroy it!"
"We'll meet again. You can visit the Empire someday. With our connections, we can get you a discount."
The human and Blorg friends stood on the science ship's bridge with their arms around each other. The Blorg was even willing to let the human stand on its flat head as a demonstration of how close they were.
"Reporting to the Human-Blorg Joint Scientific Expedition: preparations are complete. We can jump at any time."
"Good. Begin."
The human disintegrated into a cloud of nanite dust, then re-formed into a human body on the bridge floor. The Blorg shifted its enormous bulk, waving its tentacles as it gripped the control panel and began tapping away.
This vessel was a science ship attached to the joint human and Blorg expedition. The friendly relationship between humans and the Blorg had begun many years earlier.
Even back on Earth, humans had been eager to broadcast information about themselves to the outside world.