The Sec have evolved to become the most powerful species in their known galaxy, and are certainly aware of it. Sec cities, with their teetering towers and perfect climates are the envy of the galaxy, and their post-scarcity existence has allowed much of Sec society to dedicate themselves to enjoying the finer things in life.

This society of leisure is enabled by the existence of the Fel, an evolutionary cousin of the Sec that never evolved past their animal instincts, or at least that’s what most Sec believe. Fel in the wild are savage beasts, but raised in captivity they can be broken and trained to work. The Fel serve as a domesticated serving class, docile and able to perform the difficult tasks needed to keep a modern society running.

Pre-Pes: For much of their history the Sec were not the dominant life form on their homeworld. The Fel, their larger, faster, and stronger genetic cousins, actually dominated the surface. Working in packs of 50-100, Fel would settle an area until they’d hunted everything they could, then would move on to new territory.

While the Sec were far more intelligent than the Fel, they lacked the physical abilities of the Fel and spent most of their lives in burrows and trees, living off roots, grubs, smaller animals and eggs. Unable to safely occupy land, the Sec’s development as a species was severely stunted. Eventually they developed a spoken language and complex societal structures but, despite their intelligence, they were unable to develop any form of agriculture and advances like the wheel weren’t necessary.

Pes: Pes is credited as the first Sec to domesticate a Fel, revolutionizing Sec society and evolution. It’s believed that he traveled the world teaching tribes of Sec how to domesticate and train Fel to serve as pack animals, protection, and manual laborers. In just a century, the Sec replaced the Fel as the dominant life form on the planet.

Pes’s insight was that while a feral Fel will always present a threat, Fel raised in captivity are easily domesticated and trained. Previously, no Sec had dared risk trying to even capture one.

It’s unclear if Pes actually existed or, if she did, if she actually did what she is credited with. But what is known is that the Fel now exist as a 2nd class species. Smarter than a household dog, but not capable of written or spoken language beyond animal noises. They are used by the Sec as servants and laborers.

Archeological evidence has shown that Sec on several continents began construction of Fel training grounds during the same period, following a path similar to the ancient civilizations on earth where things like agriculture were discovered at the same time by societies who could not possibly have made contact.

Post Pes: A pleasant side effect of being hunted for thousands of years, the Sec had very little time for conflict amongst themselves. In fact, in the thousand years since Pes walked the planet, there have only been four major wars among the species. Of course nation states emerged, but Pes’s lessons emphasized the common good over individual needs so mosty tribes simply joined forces until technology allowed for a worldwide government.

Now living in a post-scarcity society, most Sec are happy to let the ruling class rule. Mirroring the tribal practice of going on a hunt as a sign of maturity, those who wish to participate in government or other higher level activities must complete a trial in which they travel to the Fellands on Sec itself where they must capture and break a wild Fel. Only after returning is the individual Sec given the right to vote and own land, among other privileges. Approximately 25% of Sec attempt the trial.

The closest human equivalent is the antebellum south. With the technology to provide almost everything they need and Fel to provide the rest, Sec society is fairly lethargic and decadent with an established aristocracy who control almost all levels of society. Instead of investing in new technologies, Sec society simply reinvests in more Fel to maintain their standard of living, while as a society suffering from entropy. They are still far more powerful than the Klax and Gial, but only while they stay united.

This is perfectly fine for most Sec, but there is a growing movement of Sec arguing that Fel are far more intelligent than commonly believed and that they are more slaves than beasts of burden.