"Welcome to Galatica Historia, this semester will focus on previous galaxy spanning empires and similarities between them despite vast gulfs in time, biology and theology."

Began the instructor, a large avian biped with a round face and curved meat eating beak.

"I am Kir'willtrue and I will be your teacher for this course. I have taught and studied this subject for over a hundred [standard year]s. Today we will learn the very basic common knowledge and I will field any questions you chicks have about the subject."

The class of organics, constructs, and holographic avatars murmured and the class began.

Kir'willtrue started with, "The basic fact of Galactica Historia is that despite the many surface level differences, physiological differences and religion differences, all empires shared a plethora of traits."

Tapping the wall behind her, a vast table of blurred subjects became visible. One column resolved into view; Length of reign has a constant value that can be applied to all empires*. * Note: This does not apply to one empire*

One insectoid raised a wing cover waiting to ask a question.

"Yes Guk'ix the Tunlak in the front row, what is your question?" Kir'willtrue asked.

She was expecting a statement of impossibility or question about how that formula had been found. She had an old physical note listing responses in either case. In preparation, she began to unfold it.

The Tunlak asked, "Why is there an exemption?"

Kir'willtrue sighed, defeated. "That exemption is the one empire that has defied all rules and predictions we could make for other empires."

"Why?" buzzed the Tunlak.

"Because humans are the exception." Kir'willtrue said bitterly.

Unbidden, by the top left corner of the teaching wall, a tally appeared with dozens of marks. It had a title stating _Humans are the exception!_, and a date that was the previous class's starting day. The marks vanished, replaced by a solitary mark and the current day.

Kir'willtrue steamed ahead explaining the formula that had been discovered to predict how long an empire would last on the galactic scene. She ignored the blatant attempts to get her to explain the human exception. They had an entire unit dedicated to them. Besides, the last class hadn't gotten a mark on that infernal virus of a tally on the first day, and she wouldn't let this class get a second.

———

Several one sixty fourth cycles later.

Kir'willtrue was a wreck. Her usual vibrant red plumage had lost its sheen and her robe rumpled. Slumped over her teaching station, she thought of her predicament. The last couple of six–fours had been disastrous. A few of the brighter students had looked up humans on the Gal-Net and had started to ask questions…

All those questions about why the human empire couldn't have its time of reign put into the formula that could be used for every other empire. Why is the formula taught if it isn't universal, was the data on the empires accurate and on and on. Her credibility to the class had tanked when she couldn't come up with a comprehensive answer. The humans hadn't been culturally absorbed by another empire or defeated in conquests, they had voluntary dissolved after getting bored! Half of class didn't even show up anymore!

Just as she was musing on ending her career and mining rocks for the rest of her life, the college's technician came in. Gym was a small bipedal construct, and had been with the faculty since its creation. Some rumors surrounded him, saying he was from one of the ancient empires but no one gave them any stock.

"New students got you down again Mrs. Willtrue?" He asked.

Kir'willtrue moaned, "I am a laughing stock. If not for that damn abberation of an empire. Galactica Historia could predict the rise and fall of empires rather than be a simple elective class…"

Gym chuckled, "Easy there Seldon, predicting the future ain't nothing to joke about. Besides I know how to get those younguns to pay attention."

He walked to her side and whispered several things to Kir'willtrue. Her eyes lit up with a malicious glint.

"Thank you so much Mr. Gym, I know just how to make use of that!" Kir'willtrue trilled.

Feathers bristling she began to make a lesson plan. Gym looked at her, nodded and continued his maintenance work. A few minutes later, and after some small chat he left, whistling as he closed the door.

So far Mrs. Willtrue was very different from her predecessor, Gym thought. But not too different, after all no teacher or staff had ever thought to ask how he knew so much about humans, history or old machines. Besides, he knew they thought old Jim couldn't really have been with the college since it was created. It was nearly a full galactic cycle old.

But humans are the exception after all.