They Answered The Call
novel
When humanity first ventured into space, they discovered the Galactic Commonwealth—an ancient and powerful alliance that barely noticed them. The embryonic Republic of Humanity, a mere curiosity to the far more advanced members of the Commonwealth, was quickly forgotten about or viewed with pity as they struggled to expand and colonize their area of space. One Commonwealth species, the arboreal Eleani, took an active interest in this fledgling polity as humanity fearlessly cast themselves into the expanse. They reached out in friendship, offering guidance to the nascent Republic. In humanity, they saw a reflection of themselves long ago—and they were determined to help their younger cousin-kin avoid the mistakes they once made. This unsolicited act of kindness was never forgotten by humanity as they expanded and traversed the void, with the two species becoming fast friends as the Eleani watched their cousin-kin earn their place among the stars with benevolent pride. Decades later, the Insectoid Empire launched another period of swarming and attacked the Galactic Commonwealth again. An aggressive, spacefaring hive-mind species of wasp analogues controlled by intelligent queens, this time they did not stop after seizing a few uninhabited border planets like they have always done before. Instead, they tore right into the very heart of the Commonwealth itself, intent on extermination. Killing over 100 billion souls across dozens of worlds as they advanced without mercy, they des