They were exactly as peaceful as they seemed. That's what made me suspicious.

[He sits up, giving her a good once over. He can't get close to do so, but it's just a cursory glance. Age? Seems the same. Hair. No injuries. Not all that much has changed.]

Glad to have you back, Fareeha.

[Good enough a greeting. But as per usual, he's quick to inform her of what's going on. Recently he's found his footing again, his old role, and god he wishes that it actually didn't fit like a glove.] Thisavrou had no military. Nor did they have any prolonged conflicts. Almost any integration went the same way. Say, take their altercation with the Sli'arth far back in their history. They were a nomadic and hostile and aggressive species. The Savrii easily convinced them that they would share their resources.

But we both know if a warlike and aggressive species attacked a planet with infinite resources and no apparent military, how that would actually go.

The intermediaries did this to us because we had the ability to maintain our dislike and suspicions. We never "integrated".