"Most of our technology is actually very old, and has only recently been rediscovered," Citan explained. "Our ancestors had space travel and a great many other wonders that we're only excavating now." As far as the surface was concerned. He supposed he didn't need this veil of secrecy, but it was so much easier.

And he never knew when something would be used against him. "Perhaps someday we'll return to the stars once more."