When intelligent life, in all its strangeness and complexity, began to spread throughout the galaxy civilizations came into conflict with one another. But most civilizations wanted to coexist in peace with one another.
The Symposium was constructed to be a place of learning, harmony and peaceful exchange. It was a beautiful grand station, positioned so that it was equidistant from every participating world. This meant that it was actually pretty far from any individual system.
Over time, being named Cultural Representative became a high honor reserved for each planet’s most insufferable academics. The cultural exchange was vigorous, but not harmonious.

“Hubble Sees a Supermassive and Super-hungry Galaxy” by NASA Goddard Photo and Video is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

My very short story collection, The Mountain’s Shadow is available now from Amazon and Smashwords!

Everyday Drabbles © 2025 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0