I had a kind of lame idea for a story to write. I've forgotten most of it now, so it's even lamer. Something about aliens discovering Earth, but being friendly rather than hostile. But there's an intergalactic war going on, and of course Earth is drawn into it by their new contact with alien races - it's interstellar politics! With, naturally, the added confusion of Earth's own international politics. There's the decision to be made as to which side Earth will take (symbollically of course, Earth's help in warfare against far superior races will be less than useless), and the ramifications of whatever decision is made. And that's just the start!