[ Technological variation? Well, it makes sense that not all organizations would have come up with something like the Prime Directive, which puts almost all of the Federation planets on equal or nearly equal footing. ] The Federation has a strict policy against interfering with civilizations that have not yet achieved warp capabilities. [ A pause. Maybe he should elaborate on that. ] The ability for interstellar flight.

[ His brow quirks. Most people don't see it past his Vulcan demeanor. ] I have never been accused of optimism before.