Xen sighed, she had the task of teaching the primitive natives of Leva how to be proper citizens of the Empire. Looking up at a digital clock with one eyestalk she sat at her desk, as Manuka began to arrive and take their seats. They were adults, hatchlings would be taught in another section of the building that wasn't connected to this one, to ensure adults couldn't just wander into the hatchling section. Once they were all seated, she waggled her eyestalks and stood up. "I am Professor Xen, you are to refer to me as such, or as Superior Female, I am a Letera. You are here today and for the next few weeks to learn how to be proper civilized citizens of the Crystal Empire." The Manuka all looked the same to her, with the exception of the two males in the class, however they looked exactly the same to her too, just easier to tell apart from the females due to their apparent difference in size.

Xen pressed a button on her desk and a holographic display opened, causing the Manuka's eyes to widen, and a couple of them to gasp. Such primitives to have never seen the technology she took for granted. The image being shown was Equis. "This is Equis, the capital world of the Crystal Empire, once you are all done learning here you will be heavily encouraged to make a journey to the capital of the Crystal Empire to view the Imperial Palace in all its grand glory, for now however I shall teach you the customs and regulations of the Crystal Empire for civilians." She switched to another display to change the image, and a nude image of some random Manuka that had been scanned for medical tests popped up. "As you see here, this female is nude as the day she was, born." She had almost said hatched, much to her own amusement after remembering these creatures were something called 'mammals' that gave live birth rather than the much more efficient Letera and Akun way of laying eggs. "In the Crystal Empire, public nudity is legal, as not all species wear wrappings, such as mine and the Akun, we instead use body paint to denote rank, and position within the Empire."

The slide went to another image, showing a human male in a hoodie and sweatpants, on their phone, an earthly model. "However not all species are comfortable with such nudity, such as most Humans, as before their introduction to the Crystal Empire, they where required by laws to wear wrappings, and if they attempted to go out in public without wrappings they'd be arrested, and fined for it. They are beginning to get used to the proper way of doing things however, but onto another important point." The image changed again, to a rather, graphic image of two in the back of an alleyway having intercourse. "While public nudity is legal, public mating is not and is prohibited with few exceptions, doing so will result in heavy fines and likely short stays in prison, or jail, depending on who finds you and where you are." Xen paused to take a gulp of Ippafruit juice from a glass on her desk, it was the perfect warm temperature. "That concludes the topics of public nudity, and public mating, are there any questions at this current time? If so, please raise your arm and I will get to you eventually."

Xen waited, and one of the Manukan Males raised their hand, so she waggled her eyestalks to signal he could speak. "Superior Female Xen, you are not a Manuka, how many species are in the Crystal Empire?"

That made Xen think for a minute, mentally counting them in her head. "Twenty six, twenty seven counting your species being a new addition to the Crystal Empires ranks." That made the male's eyes widen, and he went pale as he sat back down in his seat. Seeing he wasn't going to speak further, Xen continued on. "The males question brings me to our next topic of discussion, detailing to you the species in the Crystal Empire!" The slide switched to show dozens of images.

"The Emperor is welcoming of all species." Xen lowered her eyestalks for a moment, as she had been taught to do since hatchlinghood. "We shall discuss them now, there are the main species of Equis, the ponies." The slide switched to show several pictures of the different kinds of equines on the planet. "This is a unicorn, they are able to perform 'magic' by focusing an unknown energy that I've been told is called Mana, through the horn on their head, in doing so they can perform dozens of different tasks and feats, such as levitation of objects, teleportation, and more, you can learn more about them by searching the growing network of computers for information." The slide switched to another pony, this one a pegasus. "This is a pegasus, the winged subspecies of ponies whom are able to fly, and manipulate the weather with their bare hooves." When Xen had learned that she'd nearly had a stroke from the sheer absurdity of it, and hadn't believed her teacher until the pegasus flew out the window and brought an actual lightning cloud back. After that she learned to just go with it and not question these things too hard, from the looks of it however her Manukan students clearly didn't trust her word, oh well they'd find out themselves sooner or later.

The image changed again. "This is the most basic of the bunch, the Earthpony, having no wings or horns, they work the land and have a strong connection to plants, and sometimes animals, they are the strongest physically of the ponies and are often the producers of food on Equis, however thats changing rapidly as other lesser empires such as Equestria, industrialize their food production with more machinery." Another tap and the image changed again, this time to a pony that had golden slit pupil eyes, fangs and leathery wings that put Xen in mind of the leathery winged creatures of Letera-2 and Vanov. "This is the last subspecies of pony, they are called Thestrals officially, but have earned the nickname 'batpony'."

The slide zoomed in on the image of the Thestral. "They do not however enjoy being called batponies, it is seen as a derogatory remark by most, so keep to the proper name unless you wish to offend one of them. They can see in the dark and are mostly nocturnal, they are not as agile as pegasi but make up for it in the fact they are able to fly for longer periods of time, and in colder weather than even a pegasus could endure safely, like all ponies they are a friendly bunch, if you are not rude to them." Xen switched to another species. "This is an Akun, they are the current backbone of the Crystal Empire industrially and population wise, outnumbering all other species currently within the Crystal Empire population wise." One of the Manukan females raised her hand. Xen waggled her eyestalks to signal she could speak.

"How many people are citizens of the Crystal Empire, Superior Female?" She questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"While I don't know the exact number, it's in a computer database somewhere, the general estimate is sixty-two billion one million forty-five thousand citizens currently, your species is likely to add a few more thousand, to around two million more to that." Everyone in the room went white as a ghost at that, they had been so hopelessly outnumbered that this Crystal Empire could have sent millions of soldiers with nothing but rocks and eventually their old militaries would have been overwhelmed in a tide of bodies. Some silently prayed thanking their Goddesses that hadn't come to pass, and that them being assimilated into the Crystal Empire had mostly been bloodless, mostly. Even if they weren't all happy about the new rules, laws, and regulations at least not very many of them died.

Xen spoke with enthusiasm. "Now onto a species the Emperor Himself." She lowered her eyestalks in reverence for a moment. "Had created! The aptly named, Deathclaw!" The image popped onto the screen looked like a being of pure death, two Manukan females passed out, while one of the males pissed himself at the sight of the creature. That caused Xen to hiss in pure disgust. Such inefficient creatures! The Letera and Akun voided only solid waste, liquid waste was just too wasteful when water wasn't normally plentiful. Plus, it smelled awful if allowed to dry. So she'd have to inform the cleaning staff once class was over. She let out a very human sounding sigh and continued on. "As I was saying before the interruption, the Deathclaw was altered on a genetic level by order of the Emperor, it was already a deadly intelligent predator, with some minor genetic alterations its able to speak, and think just like you or I." She detested saying that, these backwards primitive savages couldn't hope to compare to a proper civilized being, not for awhile until they learned how to properly behave, in her eyestalks anyways.

The image changed from a feral Deathclaw, to one wearing body paint and leather sheaths over its claws and on the tips of its horns, it's face also looked less animalistic. "To get around the fact they could claw you to death with a handshake, they are mandated to wear artificial claw coverings, and optional horn coverings, as you can tell by the body paint, they preferred to use the Akun's system of identifying rank, given the spikes on their back, and their horns making wrappings rather impractical unless for combat, of which they excel at due to their species being designed as living weapons. Make no mistake however they are just as kind as anyone else you'll meet, so long as you don't offend them, just try to be polite and you'll likely be fine, there are only a few thousand Deathclaws at the moment, however a breeding program is in place to encourage Deathclaw only relationships until there are a few million, but its not against the law for a Deathclaw to take a member of another species as a mate." Another concept she found disgusting. She'd never voice it however, the Emperor had wanted everyone to be tolerant of other species, so try to tolerate she would.

The image changed to one that looked like an aquatic bipedal creature with large, yellow teeth, and white eyes. "This is a Merg, formerly a non sentient species called Mirelurk Kings, the Emperor had them altered to be sentient just like he did with the Deathclaw species, they are mutated from an Eponite amphibian called a 'frog', they have recently been introduced to the Crystal Empire, and are currently at a population of less than four hundred, more are being created rapidly until there are at least four thousand, then natural breeding may begin. As your able to tell by the structure of their bodies, they can transition from bipedal to quadruped rather easily, as can the ponies actually, there isn't much information on this species, what with it being so new, should anything else come up about them I will teach it in later lessons."

Xen took a few minutes to scroll through the list of species, trying to find the most interesting ones to teach next, since even though the class was full of backwards primitive savages, she still had a job to do, and by the Emperor she'd do it to the best of her abilities. She hissed with something akin to happiness, and the image changed again to a bipedal reptile with blue and red scales. "This is a Ss'ket, an allied species of the Crystal Empire and its first Alien Contact species, while not officially part of the Crystal Empire en masse, a good number of Ss'ket have moved to the Crystal Empire and become full legal citizens for better opportunities in several different industries. They are a reptile species that prefer tropical climates over all others, but will not refuse to live in colder climates given they have wrappings appropriate for the weather, they are omnivores as are most species within the Empire. However, they refuse to eat anything with Sugar in it unless they have Addictol nearby, as Sugar is a drug to them as Dark Chocolate is to the Akun, or as something the humans call 'Weed' is to them."

The slide switched again, this time to a human male. "This is a Human, they have a long complicated history before the emergence of the Crystal Empire, which spans back several thousand Eponite years, but you will learn more about that in history class, rather than here." The image showed two different humans. "There are two species of human within the Empire, neither are related to one another in any genetic sense aside from general looks, the larger population of humans in the Crystal Empire are Homo Nuclei, the lesser population in the Empire are Homo sapiens, they look nearly identical however there are several key differences." The image showed two human skeletons next, side by side. "Homo Nuclei's skeletons are several dozen times denser than Homo Sapiens, and filled with more heavy metals generally than the latter, they are also generally stronger, and more resistant to Gamma Radiation, and physical damage. Due to the differing biology of the two species performing the same functions, Homo Nuclei are tattooed on the back of their necks with a specific symbol, to ensure medical personal in an emergency do not give them blood from the other human species, and vise versa, this is done at birth." The lesson continued on, the Manuka slowly being taught group by group about the different species within the Empire, and how best to interact with them.

------------------------------Crystal Palace Throne Room------------------------

I smiled as I played another round of Atomic Command on my pipboy, sometimes you just couldn't beat the classics. However I was interrupted when an Akun rushed into the throne room, skittering up to my throne and bending into the special posture of respect reserved only for their Emperors. "A million apologies for not following proper protocol Your Imperial Highness, but a matter of great importance has arisen that I felt you needed to address immediately."

"You may rise, it can't be comfortable to stay bent like that, what happened?"

"Your Imperial Majesty, I did as ordered and had my squad scout out the former Dragon King's den for anything valuable to the Empire as you requested, I found a staff in the creature's skeleton where its stomach would lie, so I picked it up and then, well this happened." He spread his new leathery wings. "And a bunch of large winged creatures began to follow the helicopter, the pilot almost shot some down with missiles in a panic. I thought it urgent to get this staff to you." He held out said staff, and I recognized it instantly, the Bloodstone staff from that one episode! I hadn't thought it existed in this version of Equis because there had been a dragon king not a dragon lord, seems I was wrong however, much to my own delight as I knew what me having the staff would mean.

Reaching out, I plucked the staff from his grip, and as I did red wisps of energy transferred from him, to me. Thankfully I didn't grow wings like he had, and the wings he had, vanished as the energy was transferred to me. Looking down at him I smiled. "You have done me a great service here today, Special Unit Leader Vomo, you're due for a promotion I think, how does Shiplord sound to you?"

Vomo began spluttering, before finally entering the posture of respect. "Your generosity knows no bounds, My Emperor, I will happily take up the mantle of Shiplord." He kept his eyeturrets lowered. Until I motioned for him to rise, to which he obeyed.

"You may head to the starship command center of the Palace and they shall be informed of your promotion, your body paint shall be updated as per protocol as well as your pay, head their immediately, your old squad may be transferred to you as personal guards at your own request should you wish to keep them nearby." He bent back into the posture of respect, but only for a moment before skittering out the throne room as quickly as he could, clearly excited. I looked at the staff in my hands and a smile spread across my face. The alarm on my pipboy was going off, detecting multiple airborne objects around the Crystal Empire's walls, the AA defenses asking for my permission to begin ripping them from the skies, I denied them with a tap on my pipboys screen and walked out to the balcony in which I had made the first speech I ever gave to the Empire upon my crowning as king. I spoke aloud, into a microphone that was wirelessly hooked to speakers around the walls as well as projecting myself via a holographic interface so the dragons flying outside the Empires walls could see, and hear me.

"Behold Dragons, for I have become the new Dragonlord, for I hold the Bloodstone Staff, rejoice for the perils your species has had to deal with in recent times are now over, never shall you starve! Never shall you thirst! Never shall you desire a place to call your home, for the Crystal Empire welcomes all species, please form an orderly line outside the Main Gate for processing, and don't try to eat the buildings, food will be provided within reason as will refreshments." Dozens of roars began to echo throughout the Empire as dragons lifted their heads to the skies and began spitting fire, flying as ordered towards the Main Gate, to be processed. I tapped a few commands into my pipboy and Empire Forces began to move rapidly to solidify my control over the New Dragon Lands that had formed on the Zebrican Continent after the Diamond Dogs took over the old Dragon Lands.

---------------------------------------Mars, Crystal Empire MRF Units---------------------

Mobile Response Forces rapidly converged on the area that the tire tracks led to, however the moment they got within twenty feet one of their vehicles was blown sky high as its fusion plant was struck by a 50 caliber railgun round. United Nations Defense Force, UNDF, soldiers stood in their experimental power armor, hefting long barreled rapid fire 50 caliber railguns that had recoil compensating stocks. "Vacate the area! This is UNDF territory, you are not authorized to be here!"

One of the MRF Unit Leaders called out, their combat armor’s helmet enhancing their voice. "This entire world is Territory of the Crystal Empire, you are here illegally, you will surrender and we will begin peaceful negotiations, stand down!"

The UNDF soldier in charge of the unit on the surface radioed to head command inside the base. "Head Command, this is Roger, the Crystal Empire has discovered our location, but seems willing to negotiate and speak with us, please advise Head Command."

Inside the base, chaos was happening. The Council was in turmoil with one another, or to be specific with the Head Commander, the actual person in charge of the base, but they were in charge of the United Nations Defense Force, they had the top say in any matter. The Commander however failed to realize this, or willfully ignored it. "You can't possibly be serious can you? You all want to just kill the Crystal Empire soldiers outside our base, when they are offering to enter peaceful negotiations so long as we don't kill anyone else? Have you all gone utterly mad?" He said exasperated.

The head of the Council glared down at the Commander, speaking with a thick Russian accent. "Comrade you forget your position within our ranks, we have final say as the Head Council of the United Nations Defense Force, you would do well to not forget this. We have voted, we have decided, the soldiers outside our base shall die and we will up our assassination attempts on their Emperor."

The Commander shook his head. "No, I'm calling a recess in order to get my orders Directly from Earth. I can't allow you to start a war when peace is so readily being offered, you'd squander it due to paranoia." The Commander walked out of the room, the door slamming shut with a bang.

The head of the Council's gaze fell upon one of the guards they had assigned to them. "I am ordering Commander Citadel's arrest for treason, effective immediately."

The guard saluted, and headed out, informing two more soldiers, these ones being Spec Ops which had been at the base since it was finished being constructed. They marched in unison with their rifles down to the Commanders chambers and burst into the door, much to the shock of the Commander. "What in God's name are you two doing?!"

One of them aimed their assault rifle at the Commander. "The Council has ordered your immediate arrest on account of Treason. You are to come with us, or we will use lethal force."

The Commander raised his hands. "Treason?! I'm trying to prevent an outright devastating WAR we have no logical hope to WIN! Think about this soldier, the Crystal Empire Soldiers outside our base are offering us peaceful negotiations, right this moment and all the council wants to do is execute them and start a guerilla war we can't hope to win, when we can't even step onto the enemies homeworld without their gravity causing our hearts to burst inside our chests, use some logic man, and think about this."

This gave the two Spec Ops pause, they trusted the Commander more than the Council to begin with since they had been here with him since the Base was finished, the Council had only recently arrived a week ago to oversee how operations had been going directly, so with some hesitation, the soldier lowered his assault rifle. The Commander gave them a grave look. "We need to arrest the Council, what they're trying to do, it'd start a war, a war that at this current moment in time, we have zero hope to win, we could hurt the Crystal Empire a little, but we're ants compared to it right now, if we tried to fight a war we'd be crushed so rapidly it wouldn't even be funny, the Crystal Empire likely wouldn't even consider it a war, so let's go."

When they got to the Council room, that's when one of the Council guards raised their weapon to the Commander and tried to fire, but was put down by seven rapid shots from both of the Spec Op soldiers rifles in damn near perfect unison. That's when the firefight began.

------------------------Sol System-----------------

Earth's solar system had changed so much in so little time, with Unity being the major factor in that. Unity had set up several dozen hives on Mars, Earth's Moon, and some other worlds. And at the command of the United Nations Defense Force, began to industrialize the solar system, setting up refineries on Europa and Mars, as well as mining the Moon's surface for useful metals, and minerals. Several Unity orbital weapon platforms had been placed around the Moon, and Earth, they were plasma lances, designed to punch through even the strongest energy shields within this galaxy. And from the edge of the solar system, disc shaped starships were moving in, their occupants being tall, grey colored beings with large black oval eyes. Humanity had overstepped this time, Unity was considered one of the biggest threats in the galaxy, Humanity would be the highest if they had better technology, technology they now had and were rapidly adapting to their own uses. That couldn't be allowed to continue if the stability of the galaxy was to remain as it was, so the Grey's had decided to step in.

Author's Note

Heya everyone! I'm back, though I'm not fully recovered 100%, more like 87% more or less, I've got an oxygen machine and several new medications, fun :/, either way, I hope you liked this chapter, and if you did, or didn't, please comment! I thought it very fun to be informative about how the Earth humans from the town of Raspberry, differ from the defacto Fallout Pre War Enclave Humans!, some more information for you regarding the latter species, I suppose. It also was just fun to finally get back into writing, after being stuck in a hospital bed for over a week. Don't forget to share the story around with your friends, comment, and like, I enjoy reading every comment you guys send me, so send more of em! XD

As for renaming the fallout humans from Homo Sapien to Homo Nuclei the latter being latin for 'nuclear' acording to a latin translator, I did so because I've made it clear the humans from the fallout world where different in a few key ways to Earthly humans, and realized they'd need to be identified as a different species, if not in name at least by the empires medical community to prevent any accidents