They all have a hive mentality? I can see that with the Uetie, because I specifically said they did, and kind of with the Syastin, kind of, but may I ask how you got that from the Vollori and the Arak'un? I don't see them as being much different from a human's loyalty to a country, albeit a bit more strictly enforced in some cases.

Oh! Yes, each planet does have an individual ruling body. I suppose those would qualify... Now I feel a bit foolish. I didn't really think I specifically addressed any of them. I guess it is because I was pretty focused on the empire as a whole, and didn't really feel that I specifically addressed any of the individual ruling bodies that I said they aren't really there. I meant that I didn't think they were in a position to be discussed, I guess. But if you have something you want to say about each, by all means!

Thank you! It took me a little while, because I always believed that it would be impossible for a single government to control something as vast as a galaxy, but I'm glad I've made it work.

As far as the breaking of the "Prime Directive," that isn't done just on a whim, but is rather done through the councils. Think of it like drilling for oil in a national park. Normally it would never be allowed, but if the state of Texas would go into complete economic collapse if they didn't get that oil, and there was no other oil anywhere else, the Federal Government might allow Texas to drill in one of their National Parks. But before they would do that they'd try and find other oil, or bargain for oil from another country. The Empire wouldn't want to break their rule of protection, but they would to preserve one of the governments within their body if there was [i]absolutely[/i] no other alternative. Does that make more sense?

Thank you very much for being willing to do this. Do you want to move on to a different area, or have you got anything else to say right now for this?