Humans are viewed suspiciously as the notion that they could have uplifted themselves is never entertained by the rest of the universe, At the same time, their work with uplifting dolphins and chimps is viewed as premature and in opposition to normal galactic protocol even though had no idea about the way the rest of the universe operated. There is a heavy emphasis on propriety and protocol, while everyone still seems to bend the rules. While multiple perspectives are offered, the galactic view provides additional insight to the galactic order.

The dolphin crew experiences a mutiny, but eventually, they manage to trick their pursuers and narrowly leave the area without giving up their treasure. The planet itself has a strange history with a bizarre lifeform as well as a pre-sentient species. On the planet, the small band of humans, along wit their dolphin crew and a single science officer chimp, explore their surrounding and gerry-rig an escape. The Earth ship crash lands on a planet and struggles to survive as a space battle rages overhead.

Although not appreciating the significance, they are pursued once word get out with other alien races after their find believing evidence of the progenitors (the original sentient race, long gone) has been found. On a routine mission to evaluate a dolphin crew for 'dolphinning' a space ship, they make a discovery of an ancient, abandoned fleet. This tale takes place several centuries after Sundiver (book 1). Startide Rising is David Brin's 2nd installment in his Uplift Trilogy. Trying to survive in a tough neighborhood

Startide Rising by David Brin