text: [Themes: sci-fi, war]
  
  "We're here now, we might as well, go look for it."
  "Very well, I wish I could be of more help, but I'm afraid in my current status I can only wish you luck." The hologram says and then describes what the emitter looks like so you'll know what to look for.
  
  You and Alyssa head in the direction the Hologram gave and eventually reach an elevator. You both enter, and wait for it to take you down. You might not be in any danger, and you've been in worse situations than this, but you feel the need to tell Alyssa something.
  
  "Alyssa, if we don't get out of this I just want you to know that..."
  
  She stops you.
  
  "Captain, if there's anything down there, we'll be able to handle it. And you don't need to tell me, I already know."
  
  The elevator door opens ending the conversation, and you both exit.
  
  After much exploring there's no indication that anything living is down here, you were worried for nothing fortunately. After searching countless rooms with research notes and devices you have no idea what they do, you eventually come across what you were looking for. You grab the emitter, which is a lot smaller than you thought and leave.
  
  Upon reaching the ground floor, you see the Silver Sentinels, apparently they've exterminated all the tentacled beast, but you still aren't carrying your guns so they continue to perceive you as harmless. They patrol by and you hurry back to the Hologram.
  
  "Well, hello again, and I see you have the emitter! It wasn't too much trouble I hope."
  "None at all actually, nothing down there, except a lot of weird looking devices and research notes."
  "Hmm, yes while you were gone I was overriding the computer system to see what the hell they were working on, interesting stuff I must say. And actually somewhat original, I didn't know they had it in them. They never did get to test all their ideas out of course though, what with the outbreak occurring, well I guess your Empire will get that honor. I just hope they're wiser with playing god than the Xont were. Well I'm ready to be downloaded, you ready? I'll tell you how to work it so you don't accidentally destroy me."
  
  > Wait!
  You think about the Empire getting a hold of this stuff, and you just don't know if it's a good idea. Sure, the Empire's enemies are certainly pretty bad, but the Empire isn't exactly benign. With all that extra power, you don't think it would be used entirely for good. You quickly ask the Hologram a question.
  
  "After I download you, can you set some sort of self-destruct sequence on this place?"
  "Wha...what?!" the Hologram says very surprised. Alyssa is a little surprised as well.
  "Well can you?"
  "No, since I'd be out of this system, but I could tell you how to do it. I don't understand though, I thought you'd want all the technology for your government."
  "Part of me does, but the other part thinks it's a bad idea. Some of the things you said hit home too. The Xont became power mad dictators and eventually fell due to their own arrogance. I see that all too likely to happen given the history of humanity."
  The Hologram smiles.
  
  "If you even considered that, then there already is more hope for your race than you think. A typical Xont, would've been GIMME GIMME GIMME! Very well, but why keep me? Even though I consider myself sentient, I would surely fit under Xont technology."
  "Well I'm still human, I can't leave with nothing! Besides you are alive and you should be allowed to live. You hold the knowledge of the Xont but you could dish it out in small bites as it were. Give us only what you think we're ready for."
  "Ha ha ha! Wouldn't that make ME a kind of god? Though I do like the sound of it, so what you're suggesting is that I guide your scientists and leaders so they use the knowledge for more beneficial ends and not necessarily just for the traditional kill, crush and destroy ideology that everyone seems to favor."
  "Yeah, you think you could do it?"
  "I don't know, they might just get sick of me and erase me."
  "Hey you said you evaded that fate from the Xont for centuries and they were already in control of the galaxy. Humanity can't stand a mystery, if there's something they even THINK you're holding back, trust me, you'll be kept alive."
  "Hmm, your race sounds more interesting the more you tell me, I don't think you could persuade me not to do it now. Okay here's how to set the sequence, now listen carefully..."
  
  After downloading the Hologram, you set the sequence and run as fast as possible, you and Alyssa get out, passing the bodies of some Elojin who must've been attempting to ambush your team. An explosion follows and you and Alyssa dive for cover. Soon some of your team comes to meet the both of you.
  
  "Sir what's going on?"
  "We'll soon see." You say looking at the holo-emitter.
  
  When the Empire ships arrive you give a story that doesn't explain exactly everything, but then they don't need to know. You leave out the Xont, and mind control. You say Salo died in a Lizard ambush, and feeling slightly bad about LaFleur's death, you say he died bravely in combat and should be rewarded posthumously. Ultimately you tell them you found the holo-emitter in some non-descript cave. Your superiors are satisfied with your story and take the emitter. They write Paradise off as low priority and send you on your next mission. You and Alyssa grow a little closer due to the events that occurred on Paradise, realizing you should take advantage of the situation you both pursue a "secret relationship", your team knows, but without an Indoctrinator looking over your shoulder; it's not really given a second thought.
  
  But this is not the end...
  
  The Empire leaders aren't pleased at first with the Hologram's "teaspoon" feeding of knowledge, but they learn to deal with it. It proves to be beneficial; the Empire grows stronger without going overboard. The Hologram remembering the mistakes that were made with the Xont tries to guide humanity towards a more "enlightened path" he isn't entirely successful, but some restrictions are loosened up, and the Indoctrinator Order is weakened a bit. It truly is a golden age that humanity can be proud of.
  
  And by the time you retire, you and Alyssa are allowed to get married and live your remaining years in peace.