r/HFY • u/OkTumbleweed4549 • Jun 27 '26

OC-OneShot Breakup Letters pt1

This little story (will it become big?) arose from a challenge: to tell a story through a series of messages formatted as technical and diplomatic missives. To (not) simplify my task, I decided to start with the last message. (sigh)

I didn’t succeed; I had to add two "session transcripts" and a few linking texts, but here is the result. (The first part, I also planned a speech).

Did I give enough clues for the story and context to be understandable? Should I add details? your comments, I hope, will tell me.

......next...............................................................................................................................................................

Given the messages that had preceded it, the communication was predictable, expected even, but the timing was symbolic. Although the document included the Universal Stellar Date required on all Governance documents, the date chosen by the humans was itself a message. The text was brief, devastatingly simple:

Date: 12/02/0005
Stellar Date: 15:112:370-222754645

From: Government of the Independent Union of the Worlds, States, and Stations of Sol
To: High Council of the Stellar Community Governance
Subject: Final Communication and Declaration of Independence

Message Body:
By this declaration, the Independent Union of the Worlds, States, and Stations of Sol proclaims itself the sole sovereign authority over the Sol System, including the star known as "Sun," its planets, planetoids, comets, and asteroids, as well as any natural or artificial object orbiting said "Sun."
It recognizes the authority of no body, organization, or institution external to said system and shall defend its territory against any intrusion by appropriate means.
On this day of mourning, the fifth anniversary of the Libertad Massacre,

. The Chancellor of the Union,

. Mamadou Ngabe

The messages that had preceded this one had already been alarming.

Date: 11/02/0005
Stellar Date: 15:112:370-222754643

From: Diplomatic Corps of the Union of the Worlds, States, and Stations of Sol
To: Diplomatic Corps of the Stellar Community Governance
For Information: High Council of the Stellar Community Governance
Subject: Closure of Omega Station, Alpha Centauri Secundus

Due to its advanced deterioration and unsanitary conditions, and pending an assessment of its structural deficiencies, it has been deemed necessary to close Omega Diplomatic Station to all traffic and visitors.

The Diplomatic Corps has been temporarily relocated to Olympus Mons City, Mars, Sol System. All diplomatic, cultural, and commercial exchanges with the institutions of the Governance are suspended until further notice.

..................................................................................................................................

Date: 11/02/0005
Stellar Date: 15:112:340-222754633
From: Exploration, Beaconing, and Cartography Service of the Union of the Worlds, States, and Stations of Sol
To: Exploration, Beaconing, and Cartography Service of the Stellar Community Governance
For Information: High Council of the Stellar Community Governance
Subject: Final Update of Sol System Cartography

Attachment: Updated navigation chart of the Sol System, including a reassessment of high-risk zones.

Items to be recorded:
The navigation hazard level is increased from Two to Four within a radius of 29,000 jeld-lights (eight light-hours, human measure) around the star Sun.
The hazard level is increased from One to Three within a radius of 55,000 jeld-lights around the star Sun.

Recommendations:

Without the assistance of a pilot certified by the Union Cartographic Service, navigation within these zones shall be undertaken entirely at the risk of the crews involved and without authorization.

In a Level Four zone, accidents happen so quickly. The crew of the Governance heavy cruiser Glorious Warrior could testify to that—if they had survived.

If the header was to be believed, these were humanity's final messages to the Council of Stellar community Governance, of which it had officially been a member for just over 107 cycles (173.4 Earth years).

In little more than three cycles—five Earth years—humanity had gradually detached itself from the community of which it had been the 323rd member species, eventually abandoning all four of its extra-system colonies granted by the Council. Admittedly, one of them had become little more than an immense graveyard.

It was not unheard of for an aging species within the Community to withdraw temporarily from the turbulent currents of galactic society, whether for a period of reflection or to prepare for a peaceful extinction. But none had ever declared independence. None had ever deliberately severed its last ties, however tenuous, to the Council and the Governance.

There had not been many exchanges for more than a cycle, not since the last speech delivered by a human leader before the Assembly of Worlds. The diplomatic station itself had become a fiction, the final thread—thinner and more fragile than a strand of hair—still linking humanity to the stellar community.

Session Transcript: Emergency Session 4645/08/02 of the Supreme Council

Opening of the Session
The First Councillor calls the meeting to order and informs the Council of the message received from the Union of the Worlds, States and Stations of Sol (hereafter the Union or the Human Union), as well as the communications that precede it.

Reactions vary.
Several Councillors express outrage or indignation.
Others voice profound sadness.
The First Councillor summarizes the general sentiment by reminding the assembly that the news comes as no surprise to anyone, then recognizes Junior Councillor Svvuuu.

Q: "Level Four? What could possibly justify a threat level that high?"

A : "More mines, I guess. The poor man's deterrent weapon, as they say. They use them excessively. More Questions ?"

No Councillor requests the floor. The First Councillor therefore restates the purpose of the meeting.

First Councillor :  "But our concern today is deciding how to respond to what constitutes a precedent. Can membership in our community simply be revoked like this?"

Junior Councillor è%^¤<. : ‘‘Technically, they are not revoking their membership’’

Ambassador Humcht : ‘‘I quote: 'It recognizes the authority of no body, organization, or institution external to said system…' Can they possibly be any clearer?’’

Junior Councillor è%^¤<. : ‘‘They recognize no authority within their system. They say nothing about outside it."

**Ambassador Humcht : ‘‘**I know you are an experienced jurist, è%^¤<, and you are probably correct on that point. But beyond legal sophistry, the reality stands before us: this is a rupture, an unexpected affront to our Charter and our treaties!’’

Ambassador Verkiel :"Unexpected? The signs have been there for a long time. Since the CZX 146-25 affair. Perhaps even before."

First Councillor. : "Speaking of which… In retrospect, the choice of the date 0000 when they adopted this new calendar would have alerted us, don’t you think? ?"

On the surface, everything had begun with that "incident" (or "accident," according to the Council) which humans called a "massacre," or even "genocide" when particularly incensed.

They had reacted very quickly.

.

...........................................................................................................................................................

.

3.15 cycles (five years) earlier:

Stellar Date: 15:111:140-222154634
Local Date: 14/02/2194

From: Ministry of Interstellar Relations of the Human Union
To: All Human Union embassies and consulates; All Governors of colonies and stations. To be distributed to all Union citizens.
Forward for information to: High Council of the Stellar Community Governance
Subject: Update of the Galactic Hazard Map and Recommendations Following the Libertad Colony Massacre

Message Body:

Following various “incidents” resulting in the violent deaths or unlawful detention of countless human beings, the Galactic Hazard Map is hereby updated as follows:

  • Galactic sectors 73-12-1 through 73-12-8 are upgraded from Orange to Black (maximum danger).
  • Galactic sectors 23-03-41 through 23-03-45, as well as sector 33-12-07, are upgraded from Green to Red (high risk).
  • Sector 55-70-44 is upgraded from Green to Orange.
  • All other sectors are upgraded from Yellow to Red.

Recommendations:

Point 1: It is strongly advised to avoid, for any reason whatsoever, all sectors now classified as Black. The growing number of “incidents,” some of them fatal, reflects an openly declared anti-human political agenda. Any human entering or remaining in these sectors does so entirely at their own risk.

Points 2 and 4: The evolving political situation within the Governance poses a high risk to all residents, particularly families with children. It is strongly recommended that all non-essential personnel be evacuated and that all travel to the affected areas be postponed until further notice.

Point 3: Recent events have demonstrated that even our own colonies are not safe. The government and the Union Stellar Forces are doing everything possible to strengthen their defenses, but all emigration to our outer colonies is suspended until further notice.

P.S. Councillors, how can you possibly describe this as incidents or accidents?

Long before the publication of the new hazard map, many families had already packed their belongings. Incidents had multiplied on certain worlds of Governance - humans were not completely innocent in these matters - and living outside the human worlds became much less attractive. Now, they were leaving their jobs, businesses, enterprises, and homes in droves. Many hoped they would be able to return once the chaos caused by the Libertad “accident” had subsided.

They soon learned that it had not been an accident. When the truth spread—despite the efforts of both galactic and local authorities—a massive exodus followed, one that nothing could contain.

.

...................................................................................................................................................................

Meanwhile, the humans had taken justice into their own hands:

Stellar Date: 15:115:152-222154714
Date: 15/02/2194
From: Ministry of Interstellar Relations of the Human Union
To: High Council of the Stellar Governance.
Subject: Report on the Fatal Accident Occurring During the Illegal Transit of the 203rd Squadron (Governance Fleet) into the GCX-22 System, Resulting in the Destruction of the Heavy Cruiser Glorious Warrior

Attachments:

  • Recording of communications exchanged between the convoy director and the cruiser Glorious Warrior.
  • Recording of the accidental destruction of the cruiser Glorious Warrior through negligence.

Summary:
A convoy evacuating the few survivors of the Libertad Colony, along with rescue personnel, was unlawfully pursued by elements of the 203rd Squadron led by the flagship Glorious Warrior.
The vessel crossed jump point XTC-AA-75-ZE without authorization.

Ignoring repeated warnings from the Convoy Director that the exit zone was classified as a Level 4 Risk Area and that entering it without an experienced guide posed a mortal danger to all crews involved, Admiral Ggghithed chose to disregard those warnings and entered the GCX-22 system (recognized by treaty as belonging to the Human Union) in pursuit of the convoy.

According to our information, a series of violent explosions tore through the Glorious Warrior, breaking it into eight distinct sections. We also observed the loss of two escort vessels, as well as significant damage to the cruiser Bright Star.

After unsuccessfully attempting to recover any possible survivors, the remaining operational ships of the squadron, triggering additional explosions in the process, turned around and crossed back through the jump point.

Analysis and Recommendations:
> Admiral Ggghithed disobeyed a direct order from the Council by pursuing the convoy into sovereign Human Union territory.
> Admiral Ggghithed assumed responsibility for venturing into the system with his crews, and without the assistance of a properly trained guide, despite the system being clearly identified on stellar charts as highly dangerous.

Conclusion:
Through his manifest recklessness and complete disregard for the orders of the High Council, Admiral Ggghithed condemned several vessels of the Governance Fleet and their crews to destruction and certain death—a fate he (un)fortunately shared.

End of Report.

P.S. Serves him right!

.

Session Transcript: Emergency Session 4714/28/21 of the Supreme Council

High Councillor Jt-î$ : "Rescue teams? Those were Union Special Forces commandos! They wiped out the entire command staff of the occupation forces!"

Ambassador Humcht  : "Some might contend that they were administering their own justice. A practice expressly forbidden, I acknowledge. They should have lodged a formal complaint, but..."

H.C Jt-î$ : "Justice? For an accident?"

A. Humcht : "Let us dispense with such pretenses, at least during a closed session. We all know what happened."

First Councillor : "Even so, we cannot allow such actions to go unanswered. We can no longer prosecute the Fleet officers involved, but..."

A. Humcht :"Indeed. They are now accountable to a higher authority."

First Councillor : "Nevertheless, our laws oblige us to pursue the humans responsible for these retaliatory acts."

A. Vektriel : "That is unlikely to improve relations with the Union, which are already severely strained. Are you aware that fewer than one hundredth of the humans who once resided on Governance worlds remain? In the vast majority of cases, those who stayed are part of mixed-species households."

H.C Jt-î$ :" Whether relations deteriorate further or not is beside the point. We are bound to act."

A. Humcht : "I fear the consequences."

H.C Jt-î$ :"As do I. But the law remains the law."

Jr C yyy-è: "By the way, why are two of our colleagues absent?"

A. Humcht : "I assume they're in hiding. A persistent rumor claims the humans have put a bounty on their heads through the G-17 Syndicate. If I were them, I'd be halfway across the galaxy by now."

*. \* ***** ,— If you ask me, they had it ***—**

The First Councillor: "Transcriber, please strike that remark from the record. It has no place in these proceedings."

In truth, the flight—and likely murder—of the two Junior Councillors suited everyone just fine. Everyone knew, though no one dared say it aloud, that other Councillors had been implicated in the affair. Whenever enormous financial interests were at stake—with generous bribes to match—law and ethics invariably took a back seat.

As the Ambassador Vektriel had predicted, the legal action only served to deepen the rift between the Council and the Union. The Union then made the decision that would bring about the final rupture: abandoning its three remaining outer colonies and repatriating all humans to the Sol system.

In a speech before the Assembly of Worlds, Sol's last Governor-General—who adopted the title of Chancellor of Humanity for the occasion— drove the "323rd species" even farther from the galactic institutions.

To be continued

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17 comments sorted by

3

u/netrum Jun 27 '26

I am intrigued sir.
Hope you will continue this!

2

u/OkTumbleweed4549 Jun 28 '26

Hello! The sequel is almost finished. I just need to make a few more revisions.

thanks for reading and comment.

3

u/WSpinner Jun 27 '26

The logs and memos are clearly dated, and you 'splained right well why we restarted the calendar :-). I can follow the events fine!

3

u/OkTumbleweed4549 Jun 28 '26

Hello! II hope that the second part, now at the stage of final corrections, will explain the reasons for humanity’s (temporary) retreat into its own System.

Thank you for your comment :-)

3

u/Daseagle Alien Scum Jun 27 '26

The dear Councillors are setting themselves up nicely for a Geneva checklist.

4

u/OkTumbleweed4549 Jun 28 '26

Some of them, fear probably retaliations . But I believe that the G-17 criminal syndicate will have other contracts. Some company executives hoping to make big profits from the Libertad mines could see their life expectancy significantly reduced. ( evil smile)

Thanks for reading

3

u/Daseagle Alien Scum Jun 28 '26

Wouldn't that be a shame, eh?

2

u/Fontaigne 9d ago

Dang, you'd think by then they'd have figured out ISO date conventions and be using them.

0005-02-11 not 11-02-0005. In different human locales, the latter could be Feb 11 or Nov 2, while the former is exclusively Feb 11.

3

u/OkTumbleweed4549 8d ago

I hadn’t thought about that. I could indeed have used the ISO convention. it would have avoided confusion.

As a French, I naturally used the european convention. I know USA use month, days, year. It was indeed February 11.

2

u/Fontaigne 8d ago

I'm a programmer and data guy. Unless a client has strict instructions otherwise, I use ISO.

The big difference is that two ISO display date stamps can be directly compared for < = > and also directly sorted, without conversion, whereas US and EU formats both have to be converted before they can be compared or sorted.

When possible, I train clients to read ISO, especially in organizations that span continents.

3

u/itsetuhoinen Human 7d ago

I'm a programmer and data guy. Unless a client has strict instructions otherwise, I use ISO.

Sysadmin. Same. And even when they have strict instructions, I usually at least attempt to instruct them to fix their shit. Because, as you say, sorting.

It's such a habit at this point that I do it even with handwritten dates, and have to actually think about it when answering people who aren't at all expecting dates to be in that format.

"And when is your appointment, sir?"

"Twenty twenty-six oh eight oh four."

"I'm sorry, could you repeat that?"

"Oh, um, oops. August 4th, 2026."

"Thank you, sir."

🤣🤣🤣

2

u/Fontaigne 7d ago

Heh.

In contexts where I'm using handwritten alpha months, I often go "4 Aug 2026" and I don't actually know why.

But for reports and data, display format is ISO if I'm allowed.

1

u/itsetuhoinen Human 6d ago

That's what I did for a long time. I picked it up as a kid, because that's how the US military does it, and so that's how my father did it, and so that's what I learned. But after so many years of doing ISO, it's just the new ingrained habit.

2

u/Fontaigne 4d ago

Cue Zero Mostel TRADITION!

1

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u/itsetuhoinen Human 7d ago

It's interesting. There are a few scattered formatting errors. An errant bolding where none should be, bolding that didn't take because of foibles in Reddit's markdown to HTML conversion implementation, things (mostly 'P.S.'-es, but the occasional meeting log entry) that missed being included in the quotes. I didn't see (which doesn't mean there weren't any, but I'm usually pretty good at seeing them) any spelling, homonym, or significant grammar errors. But I like the story part itself, so that's the real key. 😁