Description
When the Planetary League was founded, humanity had yet to encounter another technological species. Based on the history of the Earth, policy makers decided that if and when other intelligent life-forms were discovered, it would be wisest not to initiate contact. This was as much for the protection of the other species, as for that of the human race.
As new planets were explored, intelligent species were ultimately discovered, and the doctrine held. These aliens were studied from a distance; however, by scientists using stealth technology to conceal themselves.
As time went on, reports from field researchers continued to describe all kinds of disasters from floods and famines to earthquakes to asteroid strikes, that the Planetary League could alleviate, but chose not to.
Tentatively, interventions were undertaken. At first, only in situations where plausible deniability could be maintained; for example, diverting large asteroids on collision courses with inhabited planets. Then, more boldly, as confidence grew in the ability to intervene peacefully, and even benignly in the face of disaster.
Eventually, the Non-Interference Doctrine was officially repealed by the Alien Assistance Act of GSC 139. One of the events that led to this change was the interference of the Convergence with the colony on New Promise. During the conflict between the colonists and the Convergence (also known as the First Convergence War), scouts from the Planetary League discovered Dogur-dann, a rogue planet, and home to the Dogarri. The Alien Assistance Act was passed largely to allow the colonists of New Promise to join forces with the Dogarri against the Convergence.
The Alien Assistance Act also founded the Planetary League Alien Assistance Agency, an organization specifically dedicated to contacting and assisting alien cultures, often giving technology in exchange for trade deals, and occasionally bringing new planets into the league.
Over time, opportunistic forces began to see the potential to exploit the aliens, who were almost always less technically advanced. Eventually, this will to exploit helped to drive the corruption that plagued the Planetary League late in Era-1.
