Disclaimer: None of the authors own Mass Effect or Sonic the Hedgehog.

After an extensive conversation on this fic's politics, Masterweaver was inspired to share this omake with us!

APOCRYPHA: Politics and Diplomacy – by Masterwaver

"So," Jewel finished levelly, "we need to assemble a diplomatic party to meet the Citadel. I know, we don't have spaceworthy ships yet, and we don't have a plan for getting past Eggman's fleet once we do, but the earlier we start organizing this the quicker we'll be able to assemble a group once we're ready to go."

The president of the united federation sighed, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his forehead. "After everything else that's happened, I shouldn't be surprised, and yet..."

"And yet," Jewel agreed.

"Assembling this party is going to take some work," the president muttered. "There's a lot of countries-a lot of species-running around on this planet, and those around us. We'll have to figure out what sort of political framework we want to put this in, the image we want to present to the galaxy, making sure everyone is represented equally... and that's before the logistics of support staff and security are considered. And all this on an interstellar ship?"

"It's not going to be easy," Jewel agreed. "But... if I may offer a suggestion?"

"You're as much a world leader as any official politician," the president joked.

"Much to my surprise and concern," Jewel agreed blandly. "I would propose a core group of twenty-one individuals. Seven Humans, each representing one of the continents, seven Brights representing the various branches of our races-mammalian, aquatic, that sort of thing-and seven others for groups that wouldn't otherwise be represented. Wisps, Chao, reformed Badniks, species with only one extent member..."

"Hmm." The president tapped his chin. "Seven for the emeralds, times three for our habit of trios. I agree, it's a good idea. However, there's going to be a matter of... balance. First contact will enflame the more radical sects of our socities-the Human supremacists and the Bright supremacists-and it's probably best to mitigate that as much as possible. If we do go with your proposal, then I'd suggest making sure the Bright/Human ratio looks even."

"So for every Bright in the specialist roles, we'd have to add a Human too." Jewel sighed, but conceded the point with a nod. "Let's identify the specialist concerns and figure the roles out."

"Well, Wisps, Chao, and Badniks are obvious," the president mused. "The Chao and the Wisps will probably need interpreters, but the Badniks... are there any that can be considered 'diplomatic?'"

"I can think of one or two that are at least 'friendly'. We'll work on training the nuances of diplomacy into whoever we recruit."

"Good enough. Let's assume that the Chao and Wisps 'assistants' count as one Human/Bright duo. Species with one extant member... that'll have to be a Bright. As well as any representative of hybrids."

Jewel straightened up. "Hybrids?"

"It's a political hot-button topic, I know, but a galactic society must have some method of handling interspecies relationships. Having a hybrid in the central diplomatic force would prove us ready to consider such things."

"I suppose that's a fair point," Jewel agreed. "I'll have to look for a good representative, we don't want Shadow to be negotiating things, after all."

"Yes, that would be... problematic. That leaves us two slots for Human representatives."

"Experts on paranormal and corporate concerns," Jewel offered immediately. "Or at least the ones in charge of negotiating such things. I'm sure the other members of the diplomatic party will coordinate with them if their needs and concerns overlap."

"That's fair enough." The president hummed thoughtfully. "One more thing."

"Yes?"

"Sonic and his friends cannot be part of the core diplomatic group. They're qualified heroes, I fully acknowledge that, but matters of politics... no. That said, if they can be attached as part of the security forces, I have no objections."

"Hmm. I agree in principle, Sonic is not suited for this role, but... we may need to pull from their orbit for some of the specialist concerns," Jewel pointed out. "A reformed badnik almost certainly, and the chao and wisp partners..."

"That is true. I'll put some of my people on assembling a first draft for the personnel, and get back to you... let's say, three days from now."

"Thank you, mister president."

"No, thank you for bringing this matter to my attention. Lord knows we don't want another interstellar war..."