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* Captain America is generally recognised as TheLeader in the MarvelUniverse, as displayed in ''ComicBook/Infinity'', when he leads the combined Shiar/Kree/Skrull fleet, spearheaded by the Imperial Guard and the Avengers. It even goes beyond the Marvel Universe to the DC universe, when Superman nominates him to command the combined Avengers and Justice League team against Krona, something Batman concurs with.

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* Captain America is generally recognised as TheLeader in the MarvelUniverse, Franchise/MarvelUniverse, as displayed in ''ComicBook/Infinity'', when he leads the combined Shiar/Kree/Skrull fleet, spearheaded by the Imperial Guard and the Avengers. It even goes beyond the Marvel Universe to the DC universe, when Superman nominates him to command the combined Avengers and Justice League team against Krona, something Batman concurs with.
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* ''Anime/DoraemonNobitasDriftsInTheUniverse'' has Nobita and friends meeting the [[SpaceCadet Space Knights]], the leader Lian being the TokenHuman. There's also the leader of the Milky Way Drifting Fleet's army, Lian's father Commander Liebert, though the Drifting Fleet's chairman is a fish-like alien.

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* ''Anime/DoraemonNobitasDriftsInTheUniverse'' has Nobita and friends meeting the [[SpaceCadet Space Knights]], the leader Lian being the TokenHuman. There's also the leader of the Milky Way Drifting Fleet's army, Lian's father Commander Liebert, Liebert who's calling the shots behind military operations, though the Drifting Fleet's chairman is a fish-like alien.
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* ''Anime/DoraemonNobitasDriftsInTheUniverse'' has Nobita and friends meeting the [[SpaceCadet Space Knights]], the leader Lian being the TokenHuman. There's also the leader of the Milky Way Drifting Fleet's army, Lian's father Commander Liebert, though the Drifting Fleet's chairman is a fish-like alien.
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Asskicking Equals Authority has been renamed.


* ''TabletopGame/{{Traveller}}''. Humans rule most major states. This is because humans are better organized, more ambitious and more [[HumansAreWarriors militarily efficient]] then others. And thus AsskickingEqualsAuthority. All three Imperiums were human led, though there are many of other species among the Imperial nobility.

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* ''TabletopGame/{{Traveller}}''. Humans rule most major states. This is because humans are better organized, more ambitious and more [[HumansAreWarriors militarily efficient]] then others. And thus AsskickingEqualsAuthority.AsskickingLeadsToLeadership. All three Imperiums were human led, though there are many of other species among the Imperial nobility.
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* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'': Not too surprising, as humans appear to be the most populous species. But in Ankh-Morpork, dwarfs, trolls, and vampires are factions that Vetinari and the Watch deal with like any other guild.
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* Part of Tarquin's GenreBlindness (ironically enough for someone who functions on GenreSavvy) is thinking that his son is TheHero in a party composed of three humans, an elf, a dwarf, and a halfling. Elan knows that the big story is about Roy, who has a more personal connection with the BigBad Xykon, but his father can't see past his own rigid ideas of how a story goes.
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Five Races is getting replaced by Standard Fantasy Races, as per this thread. Five Token Band currently covers five-species bands.


In general, wherever humans coexist with other races, the humans tend to be the dominant or driving force in whatever effort they're involved in. They're the ones who tend to be the guys behind creating TheAlliance and holding it together, the ones coming up with most of the plans on how to thwart TheEmpire, or--in somewhat darker settings--the ones able to manipulate other races into doing their bidding for them. If a FiveManBand is made of [[FiveRaces five different species]], then the human will be TheLeader; if HumansAreAverage, this may overlap with StandardizedLeader.

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In general, wherever humans coexist with other races, the humans tend to be the dominant or driving force in whatever effort they're involved in. They're the ones who tend to be the guys behind creating TheAlliance and holding it together, the ones coming up with most of the plans on how to thwart TheEmpire, or--in somewhat darker settings--the ones able to manipulate other races into doing their bidding for them. If a FiveManBand is made of [[FiveRaces [[FiveTokenBand five different species]], then the human will be TheLeader; if HumansAreAverage, this may overlap with StandardizedLeader.
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* In ''Manga/DeliciousInDungeon'', Team Thorden is lead by Laius (and Falin until they lost her) and Team Kabru and Team Shuro are lead by, obviously, Kabru and Shuro. All four are human while most members of their parties are elves, dwarves, etc.

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* In ''Manga/DeliciousInDungeon'', Team Thorden Touden is lead by Laius Laios (and Falin until they lost her) and Team Kabru and Team Shuro are lead by, obviously, Kabru and Shuro. All four are human while most members of their parties are elves, dwarves, etc.
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* In ''Manga/DeliciousInDungeon'', Team Thorden is lead by Laius (and Falin until they lost her) and Team Kabru and Team Shuro are lead by, obviously, Kabru and Shuro. All four are human while most members of their parties are elves, dwarves, etc.
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De-potholing page quote, per What To Put At The Top Of A Page


->''"Look, little girl. When you [[ViolenceReallyIsTheAnswer want a problem shot]], ask a [[SpaceRomans turian]]. When you [[ObstructiveBureaucrat want a problem talked to death]], ask an [[GreenSkinnedSpaceBabe asari]]. When you [[NiceJobBreakingItHero want a new problem]], ask a [[TheGreys salarian]]. [[HumanityIsSuperior When you want a problem fixed, ask a human.]]"''
-->-- '''Commander Shepard ([[DialogueTree Renegade]] option)''', ''VideoGame/MassEffect2''

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->''"Look, little girl. When you [[ViolenceReallyIsTheAnswer want a problem shot]], shot, ask a [[SpaceRomans turian]]. turian. When you [[ObstructiveBureaucrat want a problem talked to death]], death, ask an [[GreenSkinnedSpaceBabe asari]]. asari. When you [[NiceJobBreakingItHero want a new problem]], problem, ask a [[TheGreys salarian]]. [[HumanityIsSuperior salarian. When you want a problem fixed, ask a human.]]"''
"''
-->-- '''Commander Shepard Shepard''' ([[DialogueTree Renegade]] option)''', option), ''VideoGame/MassEffect2''
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* In ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'', the [[HumansByAnyOtherName Hylians]] are always portrayed as the "leader race," with the Royal Family of Hyrule in charge of the whole kingdom having universally been Hylians. In fact, the only non-Hylian portrayed as being actively in charge of Hyrule at any point is [[BigBad Ganondorf]], a member of the similarly human-like Gerudo race.

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* In ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'', the [[HumansByAnyOtherName Hylians]] are always portrayed as the "leader race," with the Royal Family of Hyrule in charge of the whole kingdom having universally been Hylians.Hylians while the non-Hylians pretty much only have jurisdiction over their own provinces. In fact, the only non-Hylian portrayed as being actively in charge of Hyrule at any point is [[BigBad Ganondorf]], a member of the similarly human-like Gerudo race.

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Condensing, rewriting


* Although there are several different human species in the ''Franchise/ElderScrolls'' series, the Empire that controls the continent of Tamriel is run through all four games in the main series by an Imperial, a human, and all past Emperors in the Empire's history have been Imperial bar one.
** This is partially because the empire had been run by the same dynasty for its entire history, this dynasty was Imperial so it is logical that only Imperials would become emperor.
*** Several sources suggest that not every Emperor bar one ''was'' an Imperial -- the Septims had strong ties to High Rock and Skyrim, and Tiber Septim himself may or may not have been a Nord. Still, Nords and Bretons are all Men. On the other hand, at least one of the emperors had an elven mother, who herself had reigned as Empress (first as regent for her mad husband, then in her own right) and been highly regarded by the populace while doing so.
** However, a lot of this is because of the setting the games take place in. Tamriel is just one continent on the planet that TES takes place, and the others are ruled by many other races. In past eras, in fact, elves ruled the places humanity currently inhabits. There's a chance that the rule of mankind could end just as well, and the Aldmeri Dominion are bent on making making that chance happen.

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* Although In ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'', while there are several different human species in races of Men, they (mostly) more closely fit the ''Franchise/ElderScrolls'' series, HumansAreWarriors mold. The exception are the Empire that controls the continent of Tamriel is run through all four games in the main series by an Imperial, a human, and all past Emperors in the Empire's history aptly-named Imperials, who have been at the epicenter of Tamrielic politics since St. Alessia, and have founded three empires (under the Alessian, Reman, and Septim dynasties) from their home of Cyrodiil. While their [[BadassArmy Imperial bar one.
** This
Legions]] obviously play a large part in ''forging'' their empires, it is partially because their ability as leaders, [[HumansAreDiplomats diplomats]], and [[ProudMerchantRace merchants]] that ''keep'' their empires together. At times in their various dynasties, they've had members of the empire had been run by other races (most notably Nords, Bretons, and even one prominent Dunmer/Dark Elf) in the same dynasty for its entire position of Emperor (or Empress) while successfully maintaining their empires. While other races have, throughout history, this dynasty was Imperial so it is logical that only Imperials would become emperor.
*** Several sources suggest that not every Emperor bar one ''was'' an Imperial -- the Septims had strong ties to High Rock and Skyrim, and Tiber Septim himself may or may not
also successfully taken over large parts of Tamriel, none have been a Nord. Still, Nords and Bretons are all Men. On as successful in ruling it as the other hand, at least one of the emperors had an elven mother, who herself had reigned as Empress (first as regent for her mad husband, then in her own right) and been highly regarded by the populace while doing so.
** However, a lot of
various Cyrodiilic Empires. In-game, this is because of trait typically manifests as bonuses to the setting the games take place in. Tamriel is just one continent on the planet Speechcraft skill and/or racial abilities that TES takes place, and the others are ruled by many other races. In past eras, in fact, elves ruled the places humanity currently inhabits. There's a chance that the rule of mankind could end just act as well, and the Aldmeri Dominion are bent on making making that chance happen.[[CharmPerson Calm or Command]] spells.
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* In ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'', the [[HumansByAnyOtherName Hylians]] are always portrayed as the "leader race," with the Royal Family of Hyrule in charge of the whole kingdom having universally been Hylians. In fact, the only non-Hylian portrayed as being actively in charge of Hyrule at any point is [[BigBad Ganondorf]], a member of the similarly human-like Gerudo race.

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* In ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'', the [[HumansByAnyOtherName Hylians]] are always portrayed as the "leader race," with the Royal Family of Hyrule in charge of the whole kingdom having universally been Hylians. In fact, the only non-Hylian portrayed as being actively in charge of Hyrule at any point is [[BigBad Ganondorf]], a member of the similarly human-like Gerudo race.
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* In ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'', the [[HumansByAnyOtherName Hylians]] are always portrayed as the "leader race," with the Royal Family of Hyrule in charge of the whole kingdom having universally been Hylians. In fact, the only non-Hylian portrayed as being actively in charge of Hyrule at any point is [[BigBad Ganondorf]], a member of the similarly human-like Gerudo race.

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* In ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'', the [[HumansByAnyOtherName Hylians]] are always portrayed as the "leader race," with the Royal Family of Hyrule in charge of the whole kingdom having universally been Hylians. In fact, the only non-Hylian portrayed as being actively in charge of Hyrule at any point is [[BigBad Ganondorf]], a member of the similarly human-like Gerudo race.
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None


* In ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'', the [[HumansByAnyOtherName Hylians]] are always portrayed as the "leader race," with the Royal Family of Hyrule in charge of the whole kingdom having universally been Hylians. In fact, the only non-Hylian portrayed as being actively in charge of Hyrule at any point is [[BigBad Ganondorf]], a member of the similarly human-like Gerudo race.

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* In ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'', the [[HumansByAnyOtherName Hylians]] are always portrayed as the "leader race," with the Royal Family of Hyrule in charge of the whole kingdom having universally been Hylians. In fact, the only non-Hylian portrayed as being actively in charge of Hyrule at any point is [[BigBad Ganondorf]], a member of the similarly human-like Gerudo race.
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* In ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'', the [[HumansByAnyOtherName Hylians]] are always portrayed as the "leader race," with the Royal Family of Hyrule in charge of the whole kingdom having universally been Hylians. In fact, the only non-Hylian portrayed as being actively in charge of Hyrule at any point is [[BigBad Ganondorf]], a member of the similarly human-like Gerudo race.
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* {{Traveller}}. Humans rule most major states. This is because humans are better organized, more ambitious and more [[HumansAreWarriors militarily efficient]] then others. And thus AsskickingEqualsAuthority. All three Imperiums were human led, though there are many of other species among the Imperial nobility.

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* {{Traveller}}.''TabletopGame/{{Traveller}}''. Humans rule most major states. This is because humans are better organized, more ambitious and more [[HumansAreWarriors militarily efficient]] then others. And thus AsskickingEqualsAuthority. All three Imperiums were human led, though there are many of other species among the Imperial nobility.
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* In ''Literature/TheChroniclesOfNarnia'', [[CrystalDragonJesus Aslan]] designates humans as Narnia's ruling class, although the human royals do interbreed with nature spirits and the like over time.
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* In ''StarWars'', [[LaResistance the Rebellion]] against TheEmpire was mostly started by humans. Alien Rebels only appeared in the later episodes, though the StarWarsExpandedUniverse gives alien races more importance in the start of the Rebellion. Also, in the prequels, the two Supreme Chancellors we see are humans.
** The EU actually does make a point, in the Literature/XWingSeries while handling FantasticRacism, that in the beginning, and around the battle of [[ANewHope Yavin]], humans were the ones who were putting themselves on the line, especially considering that the Death Star was functioning. There were nonhumans at various levels contributing, but at the time it was predominantly a human effort, and only after the success at Yavin did others start to support the movement more openly.

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* In ''StarWars'', ''Franchise/StarWars'', [[LaResistance the Rebellion]] against TheEmpire was mostly started by humans. Alien Rebels only appeared in the later episodes, though the StarWarsExpandedUniverse Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse gives alien races more importance in the start of the Rebellion. Also, in the prequels, the two Supreme Chancellors we see are humans.
** The EU actually does make a point, in the Literature/XWingSeries while handling FantasticRacism, that in the beginning, and around the battle of [[ANewHope [[Film/ANewHope Yavin]], humans were the ones who were putting themselves on the line, especially considering that the Death Star was functioning. There were nonhumans at various levels contributing, but at the time it was predominantly a human effort, and only after the success at Yavin did others start to support the movement more openly.
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In general, wherever humans coexist with other races, the humans tend to be the dominant or driving force in whatever effort they're involved in. They're the ones who tend to be the guys behind creating TheAlliance and holding it together, the ones coming up with most of the plans on how to thwart TheEmpire, or--in somewhat darker settings--the ones able to manipulate other races into doing their bidding for them. If a FiveManBand is made of [[FiveRaces five different species]], then the human will be TheLeader; if HumansAreAverage this may overlap with StandardizedLeader.

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In general, wherever humans coexist with other races, the humans tend to be the dominant or driving force in whatever effort they're involved in. They're the ones who tend to be the guys behind creating TheAlliance and holding it together, the ones coming up with most of the plans on how to thwart TheEmpire, or--in somewhat darker settings--the ones able to manipulate other races into doing their bidding for them. If a FiveManBand is made of [[FiveRaces five different species]], then the human will be TheLeader; if HumansAreAverage HumansAreAverage, this may overlap with StandardizedLeader.
StandardizedLeader.

What's really interesting is this is actually quite {{justified|Trope}}. Most evolutionary biologists are certain that a greater ability to cooperate and coordinate than any other species is one of the two traits that enabled humanity to conquer the planet in real life (the other being tool use). Thus, in a world with other sentient species, it would naturally follow that humans would be better at leading compared to others, possibly to the point of leadership being humanity's [[PlanetOfHats hat]].



Compare ''and'' contrast HumansAreWarriors; both may be in play at the same time, but usually it's either one or the other. ''Definitely ''contrast with HumansAreMorons. MightyWhitey is an earthbound sister trope. Goes hand in hand with HumansAreDiplomats, and occasionally with HumanityIsSuperior. Probably influenced by MostWritersAreHuman as well.

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Compare ''and'' contrast HumansAreWarriors; both may be in play at the same time, but usually it's either one or the other. ''Definitely ''contrast ''Definitely'' contrast with HumansAreMorons. MightyWhitey is an earthbound sister trope. Goes hand in hand hand-in-hand with HumansAreDiplomats, and occasionally with HumanityIsSuperior. Probably influenced by MostWritersAreHuman as well.



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Punctuation.


This trope is a specific permutation of HumansAreSpecial.While it can be found in all forms of media, it's particularly prevalent in video games, where it usually translates into some kind of bonus to diplomacy.

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This trope is a specific permutation of HumansAreSpecial. While it can be found in all forms of media, it's particularly prevalent in video games, where it usually translates into some kind of bonus to diplomacy.
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** While we're on the subject of the third game, it's revealed that humanity became the leaders of the galaxy in the war against the Reapers entirely against the [[BenevolentPrecursors Protheans']] expectations. They were expecting ''[[SpaceElves the Asari]]'' to become the leaders of this cycle, [[spoiler:and so seeded their world with artefacts and technology to give them a headstart in their development, but the Asari leadership [[RefusedTheCall foolishly squandered it instead]], leaving the galaxy hopelessly unprepared for the Reapers. The last surviving Prothean you unfreeze from stasis is surprised that the [[PunyEarthlings Dumb Earthlings]] that his people dismissed as a minor player at best are the ones who are actually stepping up and rallying the other races.]]

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A specific permutation of HumansAreSpecial.



While this trope can be found in all forms of media, it's particularly prevalent in video games, where it usually translates into some kind of bonus to diplomacy.

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This trope is a specific permutation of HumansAreSpecial.While this trope it can be found in all forms of media, it's particularly prevalent in video games, where it usually translates into some kind of bonus to diplomacy.



* Captain America is generally recognised as TheLeader in the MarvelUniverse, as displayed in ''ComicBook/Infinity'', when he leads the combined Shiar/Kree/Skrull fleet, spearheaded by the Imperial Guard and the Avengers.
** It even goes beyond the Marvel Universe to the DC universe, when Superman nominates him to command the combined Avengers and Justice League team against Krona, something Batman concurs with.

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* Captain America is generally recognised as TheLeader in the MarvelUniverse, as displayed in ''ComicBook/Infinity'', when he leads the combined Shiar/Kree/Skrull fleet, spearheaded by the Imperial Guard and the Avengers.
**
Avengers. It even goes beyond the Marvel Universe to the DC universe, when Superman nominates him to command the combined Avengers and Justice League team against Krona, something Batman concurs with.

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** In the third game, Paragon Shepard is shown to be capable of [[spoiler: ending the Krogan genophage, allying the [[EnemyMine Krogan with the Turians]], get the help of the Rachni, end the 300-year-long war between the Geth and the Quarians, make most of the Salarian STG defect in order to help them... oh, and berating ''Balak'', who utterly despises Shepard, to lend the Batarian fleet to the cause, whilst he has a gun pointed at Shepard's head.]] Most of the characters react with utter bewilderment that Shepard, in the matter of a few months, manages to solve problems that the Council has failed at fixing for over 1000 years.

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** Played subtly straight during the SuicideMission finale of ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'': for each [[StaticRoleExchangeableCharacter mission-critical role]], two of three ideal candidates are from a species that has that specialization as its hat: quarians and geth for tech, asari for biotics, etc. However, for the secondary leader role (which becomes relevant ''twice''), two of the ideal choices are humans and only one is a turian (a species generally positioned as humanity's primary, albeit relatively amicable rivals).
** In the [[VideoGame/MassEffect3 third game, game]], Paragon Shepard is shown to be capable of [[spoiler: ending the Krogan genophage, allying the [[EnemyMine Krogan with the Turians]], get the help of the Rachni, end the 300-year-long war between the Geth and the Quarians, make most of the Salarian STG defect in order to help them... oh, and berating ''Balak'', who utterly despises Shepard, to lend the Batarian fleet to the cause, whilst he has a gun pointed at Shepard's head.]] Most of the characters react with utter bewilderment that Shepard, in the matter of a few months, manages to solve problems that the Council has failed at fixing for over 1000 years.
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* Toyed with in ''StarControl''. The original Alliance of Free Stars, which included humanity, was actually headed by the Chenjesu, who recruited humanity for their fight against the Ur-Quan. However, the Alliance that springs up in ''Star Control II'', after the first one failed, is lead by a human (the player character), with the Earth Starbase as the main headquarters.

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* Toyed with in ''StarControl''.''VideoGame/StarControl''. The original Alliance of Free Stars, which included humanity, was actually headed by the Chenjesu, who recruited humanity for their fight against the Ur-Quan. However, the Alliance that springs up in ''Star Control II'', after the first one failed, is lead by a human (the player character), with the Earth Starbase as the main headquarters.
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** The EU actually does make a point, in the XWingSeries while handling FantasticRacism, that in the beginning, and around the battle of [[ANewHope Yavin]], humans were the ones who were putting themselves on the line, especially considering that the Death Star was functioning. There were nonhumans at various levels contributing, but at the time it was predominantly a human effort, and only after the success at Yavin did others start to support the movement more openly.

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** The EU actually does make a point, in the XWingSeries Literature/XWingSeries while handling FantasticRacism, that in the beginning, and around the battle of [[ANewHope Yavin]], humans were the ones who were putting themselves on the line, especially considering that the Death Star was functioning. There were nonhumans at various levels contributing, but at the time it was predominantly a human effort, and only after the success at Yavin did others start to support the movement more openly.
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** And the Chmmr take their role in all but name once you get all the relevant plot coupons to complete the second game.
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*** This ''could'' reflect the divergence from the original timeline, ''but'' even there, despite numerous aliens in civilian leadership positions, we rarely saw non-humans in high positions within Starlet itself.
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** JustifiedTrope since Robin is a strategic genius taught by ''{{Batman}}''

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** JustifiedTrope since Robin is a strategic genius taught by ''{{Batman}}''
''Franchise/{{Batman}}''

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