They made power by fusing particles together, which created metals like gold. But these metals were trash, they had no use for something so soft. Fortunately, the humans like this shiny stuff, so it doesn't end up in the waste heaps. -- Anon Guest
[AN: Safety warning for new players - do not use gold made with fission. That stuff is incredibly radioactive and therefore dangerous to many life forms]
Technology is incredible. The same power behind a Jaquard loom has powered everything from adding machines to space missions and beyond. The same power that came fossilised peat powered those machines for well over a century[1].
Some civilisations are way past that point.
The Ryssio had made artificial stars to power their technology, and were sort of watching the Galactic Alliance's polities as a kind of hobby. The only thing that interested them in interaction at all was disposing of their industrial waste - gold.
Once the centres of their artificial stars start gathering gold, maintenance is vital. Nobody wants a reactor going nova. There's messy heavy elements everywhere, and it takes centuries to clean it all up.
The Alliance knew very well that the Ryssio were leaps and bounds above them, pondering the gift of gold like most would examine a gift from the Fae.
"It is of no value to us," said Rysso. "Perhaps you have a use for it? We'd rather it not clutter up the scenery."
The Alliance said, "We know several who'd kill to have it, but it will cause them more harm than good. We find it useful for electronics, but... some in our gathering value it as money?"
"Money," said Rysso. "Some of your allies use... industrial waste... as money?"
"Your industrial waste is a relatively rare metal, and lots of people think it's pretty. They like to decorate with it."
"Decorate what?" wondered Rysso.
"Unfortunately, many of them like to decorate everything with it."
Rysso learned about Deregger CEO's during that conversation, and wondered how soon those people might acquire mental help.
[1] The UK recently ceased using coal power after 145 years. Celebrate.
[Photo by Zlaťáky.cz on Unsplash]
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