(OK, I'm fairly drunk, so not really knowing how this is going to turn out)
Lieutenant commander Harvis of the interstellar federation was looking at the data from the newly discovered species.
"So, what the exploration corps are saying is that we are facing yet another xeno empire, this one with a humanoid build, going 60% on cat-like humanoids and 40% on fox-like humanoids, correct?"
"Yes, lieutenant commander Sir. Preliminary reports indicate a stage 3 civilization, with early attempts at reaching solar system bodies, several colonies out of their origin planet but no significant space force or planet or system busters."
"Barely better than barbarians then. Do they have anything significant to offer in terms of trade?"
"Well, there are the usual ressources within their home stellar system, an asteroid belt, a planet close enough to the star to be terraformed, but appart from that, no exotic mineral or unusual technology."
"That's quite disappointing, I'd hope our forays into sector 6-B would lead to something better than yet another variant of the humanoid base plan."
"Well, lieutenant commander Sir, if I may, there is a part of their science that is more advanced than our own. It's just that we wouldn't consider it under normal circumstances, but since we've been at peace for more than a hundred standard cycles, it might be interesting for the interstellar federation."
"Really then? Please do tell me how those barbarians barely into space age have anything of value to trade with the interstellar federation?"
"Well, it's at times obvious and not so easy to see, Sir. You'll notice that besides the standard humanoid body plan, both major races on the planet have extra furry bits. We're talking tails and ears there, both feline and canine. While they were, and still are, developing space flight and stellar expansion within their home system, their science has developed among pathes no other stellar empire has bothered to dwell upon."
"Novative research? That's quite impressive for a stage 3 civilization. What domain did they improve upon the current knowledge of the interstellar federation?"
"Well... Sir, both base lifeforms are humanoid fury creatures, so it makes sense they developed supreme... grooming products..."
"Are we seriously going to consider entry into the interstellar federation based on shampoo and conditioner?"
"Sir, we're talking about centuries if not millennia worth of research on products specifically aimed at taking care of fur and hair. From our preliminary forays, most of it would be applicable for humans and related spacefaring species."
"Is it better than whatever we can manufacture now, ensign?"
"Slightly better, Sir, and at better cost from them. Talking care of fluffy tails and ears apparently does lead to unusual breakthroughs. My advice would be to let them join and build upon their strengths instead of shunning them due to a lack of overall power.
"Very well, ensign. I trust your judgement. We'll open trade negociations with them as soon as they have something beneficial to and from us."
(Sleep is mightily calling. Have a great day.)
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