
Not mature enough for that
by Michael Collard
"Just a little help"
"Nope"
"But Dad, they're hilarious. They'd make a great contribution to the galactic culture. Everyone will find them entertaining."
"Nope"
"Just some help with the physics. They're so inefficient. At this rate they won't leave the planet for a long time."
"Nope"
"Getting to space is just a side hustle for them. They barely even can reach into space. It's a hobby to them. They'll never make it with that kind of priority."
"Nope"
"Ok, fine. How about we help them maintain their planet? It's getting pretty bad."
"Nope"
"Just some help on cleaner energy, that's all. Simple chemistry changes here, change resource use over there."
Zincherion sighed and his gaze moved from the blue and green planet to his son, Jensiathon.
"They need to figure it out for themselves. They need to want it, and then achieve it. Without that desire and maturity and cooperation they wouldn't make it. "
"But Dad... Without our help, or them figuring it out soon they might not make it."