Strangers

An unknown civilization whose representatives never stayed anywhere for long. For the most part, this civilization became known from discovered ships and other technology. The ships closely resemble standard human vessels, which is why disputes among scientists arise so often. Some scientists claim that humanity is descended from the Strangers, and that we now represent merely another cycle in the history and evolution of the same species. Other scientists claim that the Strangers are descendants of humanity who, for unclear reasons, made a leap backward in time. Ships are often found whose exact design defies analysis, yet such a ship can always be used.
It is now reliably known that ship controls were designed for a humanoid race of the same average height, with the same number of limbs and the same vocal and visual receptors.

Everything aboard Stranger ships is so thoroughly humanized that this cannot be dismissed as coincidence. Either the ships were deliberately designed for humans and then planted for us as some kind of experiment, or they were designed for the Strangers — in which case the Strangers are the same as humans, at least in body.

Some ships contained blueprints and models. After careful study of the monocrystals it became clear that this technology fully matches human technology, yet Stranger devices (despite the fact that they can be manufactured) cannot be modified or copied. Some molecular bonds in instruments and hulls are deliberately assembled so the parts cannot be extracted; attempting to disassemble such a device causes it to self-destruct with practically no energy release.

Lacking any evidence to the contrary, the Confederation supports the Strangers.
When attempting contact, maximum patience and restraint are recommended.

If a Stranger ship with crew aboard is discovered, contact the Confederation immediately and await further instructions.