Harbingers

When a new Discovery Lander goes online and relays a “Sentient Life form Validated: Network Relay Viable" message, a Harbinger team is assembled and immediately jumps to the planet.

There are three primary members of the Harbinger team:

Ambassador: A diplomat with extensive military training. An Ambassador's role is to meet with global leaders, introduce them to the Merge, and assess current geopolitical dynamics. They are prepared to defend themselves in the event that first contact becomes violent. Depending on the level of societal sophistication on the planet as well as population size, the Ambassador may bring a delegation to help with bringing all factions to the table.

Lead Scientist: A generalist with the ability to quickly analyze the scientific development of all species and races on the planet. The Lead Scientist heads up a team of specialists who are tasked with meeting with the greatest minds on the planet to gauge the depth and breadth of knowledge possessed by the indigenous sentient species. One overarching goal is to facilitate and exchange of ideas and begin the process of scientific advancement if the appropriate infrastructure exists. Should the civilization be in a position to implement the manufacture of Merge tech transpods, the Lead Scientist will provides blueprints.

Armed Forces Representative: A high-ranking officer (the specific rank is connected to the military sophistication of the sentient species on the planet) who meets with military leaders from around the newly opened planet to assess the destructive capability of all weapons of war as well as analyze the sophistication of battlefield strategies and tactics. This officer also leads a team of soldiers who set up a perimeter around the Discovery Lander to prevent anything that might trigger the Creator Tech to shut down, including the inadvertent or intentional destruction of the Lander, attempts to harvest Protens, or interruptions to the Servitors' efforts to survey the planet.