"Looking at things from as unbiased a perspective as I can manage... my planet is probably one of the better ones you could have landed on, and I'm probably one of the better people," he says. "The second-best place I can think of... has a historical problem with trying to conquer other planets to add to their eight-planet empire, but I've met their Empress and she's as sensible and levelheaded a person as you could ask for; if you got in with her you'd be all right. I'm thinking about this because with the stakes as high as they are, I want to be sure you have access to the best possible resources even if that means recommending you set up shop with a rival political entity."