“Could they be attacking one of the smaller galaxies?”
“I do not know,” Plausious admitted, “and that concerns me. The Hadarak are creatures of habit, but they do adapt, and when their behavior changes from norms it is a sign of great warning. They do not give up, as far as I have been able to determine, in any of their campaigns. I do not believe they have the intelligence to do so. It is most likely a primary urge to conquer, or perhaps as a proactive means of self-defense. They will not stop unless stopped by others. So this redirect of reinforcements either means a lack of them to send, which cannot be true, or a higher priority target.”
“Are there any indications that the reinforcements coming into this galaxy have lessened?”
“Not at present. Our Deep Core scouts would have reported it by now if it was coinciding with what happened in Yenoiv, though even the Hadarak have to deal with communications delays. Regardless, it is something that needs to be monitored. How close are you to launching your invasion?”
“Not close enough. We are not going to chance losing by going too soon, and building sufficient warships and support industry does not occur quickly. The Grand Border is holding, though pressure on it has increased considerably.”
“How so?”
“Selective raids attempting to point overload system defenses. I am also told they are employing new weaponry to weaken shields and catching many systems off guard. We have suffered some heavy losses, but no system has been fully compromised. The pressure on the border has not lessened. Are you sure those reinforcements are not coming here?”
“Not at present. It is the future that I am uncertain of. Now that Yenoiv is more or less stable, my race will being the slow work of removing the Hadarak that already reside in it while we continue to reinforce the defenses surrounding the Gateways. Our holdings will also begin to increase in number as we expand to more systems in the Rim and bring in additional survivors from our old galaxy. My House has been barred from doing so, and our standing had now decreased with the success of House Mutavi. Their position as leadership will be cemented with this victory, so long as they can manage the removal of the Hadarak. That is a lesser challenge than attaining the Gateways, so I do not think they will fail in it.”
“What does that mean for House Atriark?”
“We are the primary challenger for leadership within our race, and because of this we will be marginalized further. They do not like the majority of our population residing here, beyond their commands, and those of us in Yenoiv are little more than guests. We are effectively exiled until House Mutavi fails and replacements are needed.”
“Do you consider your residing here to be a mistake in hindsight?”
“Not at all. Our House is secure and mostly intact. Only House Mutavi can say the same. The other Houses were forced to leave a great deal of people behind, and though there is an opportunity to bring more out every year, many do not survive long enough to make the journey…for they must continue to fight to hold the systems that are falling, or the Hadarak will sweep across the galaxy with such speed that they will conquer the galaxy before the Pafdreng can finish its work and return to the intergalactic void. Many in our fellow Houses are fighting and dying to give others a chance to escape.”
“I thought you previously said servant races were being moved to Yenoiv?”
“They are, on the orders of House Mutavi. They are electing to take the most valued of servants over fellow Neofan. It is their decision to make, but it is insulting to our Houses to be valued less than a servant race.”
“How did you get all your people out then?”
“We had permission to use other routes, the other Houses did not. They would rather die than be exiled.”
“Is that wise?”
“It is their choice. I am pleased we were able to come to a bargain that gave us a sanctioned option, even if our effective status is exile. The difference is we hold legitimacy that can be plied in a future power vacuum.”
“That is still your long term hope?”
“What other objective would you recommend?”
“You said there are still Neofan surviving in Utovi?”
“For the time being, yes. You would have us rescue them?”
“Why would you not wish to?”
“They are of other Houses. We do not have permission to bring them here.”
“Good men don’t need permission to do what is right.”
“Your philosophy of the lightside does not hold sway within our race. If we disobey the ruling House we will cease to be Neofan.”
“Will you?” Meerkan challenged. “Perhaps the Neofan that embrace the lightside would be strongest of all?”
“Normally I would dismiss such a notion as nonsense, but your ability to fight the Hadarak with…less than we possess gives you some credence. You have spoken of this before. Do you have something new to add?”
“House Mutavi cannot monitor your actions in this galaxy, so why not operate outside their rules if it means preserving more Neofan lives?”
“Sadly, our Houses are not without traitors. I could not be completely sure
