"Still, they will likely feel cheated."

We could say that the absurd amounts of lifeforce were reserved to our new colony's citizens? Or that Sparkles was aiming so people would be able to share with their loved ones.

"And you believe—'Sparkles'—will agree with this? I have known pretty boy for a while and I'm not sure they'd be thrilled."

That is indeed a concern. I don't actually want to withhold this from people forever, but there are obvious safety concerns.

Do the Saddes want to join the conversation?

Yes.

Extra-dimensional Sadde thinks local Sadde has it covered.

In that case they explain the situation.

"I think that creates all the wrong incentives—bribe them or they turn against us, rather than rewarding continual cooperation regardless of source. But on the other hand the deck is already stacked against us, what with the three of you being genetic engineering projects. On a third hand I'm pretty sure our mere existence would be a relief to the various interplanetary governments, a consortium that isn't the Feds. And on a fifth hand, the Feds could truthfully say that we have ridiculous magical firepower in the form of the 'flayers and that we're a threat. Which also means we won't be pushed around by them, however."

Yes, those are great points. I don't want the general public expecting us to start anything. But I am not sure if being obviously absurdly magical does not give us an advantage.

"Yeah, that's more or less what I was thinking. I also think we shouldn't delay, that gives them more time to—mobilise, do something unexpected. Perhaps we should just send representative ships to all major planets and perhaps some bigger colonies and just—do it."

That would tie up a lot of manpower to do fast, but should be doable. Getting the ships might take longer, I think.

"Can we cheat with absurd amounts of magic?"

Absolutely. It's still going to be logistically complicated to enable all ships to fly, but Sparkles can provide their structure like everything else.

"We should probably try to not depend much on him, though, he'll eventually have to—leave."

I can't say I am in favor of keeping him longer than what is strictly necessary.

"Yeah. Okay, so, if we just simultaneously visit every planet soon enough, the Feds won't have time to sow too much mistrust, and we can start from there, right? How does that fail?"

Our first impression does not go that well. The Federation already foresaw that tactic and warned the planets.

"First thing's just a matter of diplomacy, second thing is that plus being fast."

I meant that they already contacted their member planets and they are more posed to start a fight than hearing us out.

"Don't think they have that much power over sovereign planets... well maybe some of them, hmm. Ward the ships extremely thoroughly?"

They nod. I would suggest using your illusions or the mindflayers to disguise the ships but that doesn't scale and might send the wrong impression.

"Yeah, best to just be very peaceful and extremely magical."

Yeah, make a public display like going to hospitals or a nursing home and lifeforce dump on people?

If we do that before properly contacting the governments it sounds more aggressive to whoever is suspicious.