The worlds send a representative for their people to the capital planet and they attempt to regulate laws for everyone, like taxes and slavery and the like. It worked because no planet wanted to give up his own right to soverinty but enjoyed the freedom and peace that came with traveling to other worlds with certain constants. It worked with a great deal of compromise and talk.

[She watched its death.]

I find that paranoia is as detrimental to one's life as the one who takes it.

[Because, honestly, it had been paranoia that had led to her death. And one of the greatest manipulators to ever exist.]

Besides, self-preservation hasn't really been a priority with me, if it means I can help others.