Was one of those long ongoing series, lost track of maybe 5 years ago. Had several distinctive plot points I remember, but have been unable to find due to lack of remembering any names (aquatic aliens species might have started with a Q. Quarians? Confidence low). Key points remembered:
Starship captain (male) pov, mostly exploration and diplomacy. Last book I recall was about a diplomatic mission to a planet of aquatic aliens who's defining characteristic was being so empathic (not psychic power) that interaction with humans almost impossible. Main characters were the captain of ship, a young woman genetically engineered for super empathy for purpose of diplomacy with said aliens, and a related young man genetically engineered for intelligence (son of rich person who did all this illegal engineering, and had private ship accompanying main ship). That book was mostly on the ship leading up to the actual diplomacy.
Other plot points in setting were: human space constrained by some invisible tech barrier from more advanced species on other side. Diplomacy with a humanoid race that communicated very slowly and was easily offended. First contact with a different advanced race that ended with some absurd celebratory dance.
Starship captain (male) pov, mostly exploration and diplomacy. Last book I recall was about a diplomatic mission to a planet of aquatic aliens who's defining characteristic was being so empathic (not psychic power) that interaction with humans almost impossible. Main characters were the captain of ship, a young woman genetically engineered for super empathy for purpose of diplomacy with said aliens, and a related young man genetically engineered for intelligence (son of rich person who did all this illegal engineering, and had private ship accompanying main ship). That book was mostly on the ship leading up to the actual diplomacy.
Other plot points in setting were: human space constrained by some invisible tech barrier from more advanced species on other side. Diplomacy with a humanoid race that communicated very slowly and was easily offended. First contact with a different advanced race that ended with some absurd celebratory dance.
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