Elder Cultivator

Dozens of individuals sat within a large meeting auditorium, there to represent the various interests within the lower realms. Despite all of their advancements, communications between systems were not instant. Thus, for important occasions everyone had to be within the same system- which meant they might as well meet in person.

In this case, they met within the borders of the Shining Cooperative. That was because the location was convenient for most parties involved. There were representatives of the Lower Realms Alliance, the Free Planet Guardians, the Adamant Federation, and of course the Shining Cooperative themselves.

The former Trigold Cluster planets preferred to keep their independence, but they shared mutual enemies. The Shining Cooperative was closer to the Alliance both physically and politically, but they still kept separate governance despite the freedom of movement across their borders.

Anton looked around at everyone. Nobody seemed willing to break the silence. “No need to be so glum. Though today’s matters are of great importance, it’s nothing so urgent as being drawn into another war. Though we do intend to prevent that.”

Tor of the Shimmering Spears was the main representative of the Free Planet Guardians- the more friendly of the former Trigold groups. Even so, he didn’t seem to be much in the business of speaking. “And how do you plan to do that?”

“Personally? The usual way. Build us up so we cannot be overcome. But the project we have in mind will go far beyond myself or the One Hundred Stars.”

Aerona drew attention to herself, not with a sound but a mere flicker of her energy. That was precisely what it was meant to do, nothing more or less. “Everyone is interested in maintaining their own sovereign claims on their territory. That is understood. And we have no intention to limit current claims in any way. In fact, we intend to encourage expansion.” Before anyone could ask what the difference was from their current policies, Aerona repeated her words, driving forward more information. “We wish for everyone to expand as far as they can to starve out the upper realms.”

Along with her words, people gained an understanding of traveling tens of systems or further, a vast expansion. And while she would be able to judge the agreement of those involved swiftly if she needed to, taking their time was best for long term stability.

Ravil of the Righteous Inscription Sect, a mighty formation master from the Shining Cooperative, took the opportunity to speak. “A bold plan. But would we not spread ourselves too thin? The galaxy is vast.”

“But the Trigold Cluster and Exalted Quadrant are very finite,” Aerona said, both agreeing and explaining. “We ask for your cooperation, as the expenses will be significant. However, we do not intend to colonize every system. Not completely. All we need is a few million ships, and an equal or higher number of individuals willing to spend time in relative isolation.”

A woman threw back her head, laughing uproariously. “Is that all? A few million ships! Capable of interstellar travel, no less.” The woman was Varinia of the Fearsome Menagerie- they felt no need to change their sect name from those who resided in the upper realms. However, she had gone down the path of Assimilation, as many of the Adamant Federation. “You will simply drain us dry of everything.”

“It need not be all at once.” Aerona didn’t let anything disrupt her calm delivery. “A hundred planets can produce ten thousand ships each in a reasonable time frame. And the numbers are only an example, as long as we encapsulate every system potentially within the reach of the great powers in the upper realms.”

“For what purpose?” Ravil asked. “Do you intend to set a barrier around the lower realms, just as the Scarlet Alliance?”

“An intriguing idea,” Aerona said. “But one that may prove too costly, given the differences in natural and ascension energies. But no. The intention is to starve them out by making sure they establish no footholds of any sort. That would make us all far more secure. By the next Cycle, there is no real chance they can conquer us. They would simply lose forces they cannot spare.”

“So, what,” Varinia butted in again. “We send people to be watchers? Why not just send your scouting drones? Surely you can make a million of those.”

Aerona prepared a response, but Anton spoke first. She was good for negotiations, but sometimes you just needed to get a point across. “We could,” Anton said. “Easily. The Lower Realms Alliance could place people or machines at every point in the lower realms that any of us will ever go. We can tuck them in nicely around every system you occupy. And if you want to move into one? Just tell us and we’ll make room.”

Varinia grimaced. “Well when you say it like that…”

“The goal,” Aerona projected her peaceful demeanor. “Is that everyone be responsible for their own regions. Keeping undue influence of the upper realms away is in our aligned interests, even for those who wish to have nothing to do with the Scarlet Alliance. I’m sure you would all be more comfortable. But we must spread to every star within a vast area. Of course, this plan may not be the perfect method. It is merely the one we have come up with. If anyone is in disagreement that it is necessary?” Her power received a consensus from all involved. “Then the details of how we wish to accomplish it can be worked out. It need not be the same methods for all. We merely need to know the timeframes people find acceptable, the resources they will commit, and of course the pledge to manage your regions.”

Varinia glanced over at Tor. “We will need to work out something. Lest the Adamant Federation get boxed in.”

“We are not prepared to make permanent concessions on claimed territory,” Tor replied. “But we need not concern ourselves with how a two dimensional map would look. We can easily enough split into layers, however. As long as we are prepared to share longer borders and negotiate. It would be a matter of whether we intend to reach towards the galactic roof or floor.”

The Lower Realms Alliance was also hooked around the Shining Cooperative- but the Alliance’s trail of systems spreading out to the east didn’t truly cut off the other’s path to expansion. They hadn’t even gotten close yet, and moving around a thin trail in three dimensions was more or less trivial. However, it would be good to measure what people thought was acceptable, in case future expansion might lead to tensions. They did have to think about centuries in the future, after all.

The other matter of import was deciding how they would deal with any occupied systems they found- and perhaps other expanding groups. Though it was easy enough to agree on a peaceful approach until they confirmed some sort of allegiance with the great powers.

It was something more than a widespread and sustained scouting plan, but not quite an expansion imperative. But they had found that even five or ten systems beyond their borders was not a sufficient gap to guarantee safety from other locations in the lower realms. Slow but thorough exploration would still be valuable, but a general survey seemed imperative. As their own systems of travel improved, so might those around them- narrowing the gaps that once felt insurmountable. Especially if the lower realms ever began to adopt the interstellar teleportation the Scarlet Alliance had been implementing for some time.

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While the information was valuable to the Scarlet Alliance, they didn’t actually know what to do with the knowledge that there were stars that radiated natural energy in Trigold Cluster territory now. Except to maintain caution… and perhaps set up long term surveillance, if they ever got to the point where plastic ships worked. Wooden ships might be fine, but those would likely be reliant on formations- which the enemy were prepared to detect. Running purely on technology would be a valuable advantage- though they were aware that such technology was no longer their exclusive domain.

That was a long term project to assuage a single source of worry. Before that, they needed to handle something else. Though it was an important project, the team involved was actually relatively small with occasional exceptions.

Chidi joined others to work on Koralo’s plan to modify the energy draining formations of those same enemies to their own benefit. And specifically the benefit of Catarina and Timothy. While Chidi believed he had about a fifty percent chance of freeing them from danger himself, he didn’t intend to risk the devastation that could happen the other half of the time. And this way he was studying the energy still, so it could boost his potential for Negation.

He had to stay away from the lab equipment and actual formations, but he could work on things from a theoretical standpoint and apply his knowledge. And he could turn off his Negation. He just didn’t want to. Without it, he was little more than a normal human with effectively no energy of his own. One with significant training in sword techniques and a body that was somewhat more enhanced than others, but he could still be injured by something with equivalent power to a Spirit Building cultivator in an accident.

Plus, it was decent training to maintain that state, especially where it might be considered a risk. He would have to be conscious with his control, but even in the worst case he would only cause disruptions. The energy didn’t just cease existing, it was simply forced into a state of inaction.

Their teams were working tirelessly to determine exactly what ratios would be safest. They even considered a combination of the formations and Chidi and one of Aconite’s energy negation compounds. Though Chidi would probably be an emergency measure rather than the actual plan.

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It was unfortunate that the Exalted Quadrant stood between Runa and the Scarlet Alliance. Of course, that very thing was what had brought her into contact with them. Now, they surrounded their mutual enemy. Sort of.

The Scarlet Alliance didn’t quite have the physical size to control the movements of the Exalted Quadrant… but they certainly had the necessary power. Zaur was dead. Conveniently, that reduced the pressure on the Chaotic Conglomeration- and as they were wont to do, that allowed them to push for resources on the border.

Personally, Runa thought they should secure their previous positions, as the Exalted Quadrant was likely to push back twice as hard. But some cultivators couldn’t see beyond the next year or decade.

They might be content to live for a few centuries, but Runa was set on hitting at least a millennium. It just seemed like a good number. Her ambitions didn’t end there. She had a lot of Augmentation to go before even thinking about Domination… but it wasn’t off the table. Which was a huge surprise.

Crossed Antennae seemed to think that some of the members of the Scarlet Alliance were guaranteed to advance to Domination given time- and not in a vague sense. Instead, the void ant thought that every prominent Augmentation cultivator from their founding generation would have a good chance. “Of course, Catarina will make her play first,” the void ant signed.

“You think so?” Runa asked. “In what manner?”

“Likely some sort of grand formation. That could be her anchor. It is her style. Oh, and the wolves might do it too.”

“That’s a bit… optimistic,” Runa said. “The number of Domination cultivators in the Exalted Quadrant can likely be counted on two hands. And you’re talking about nearly matching that.”

“Not all at once, of course. And some may fail, perishing. But you have seen the talent they draw in.”

“I’m not saying I would be upset if your words came to pass,” Runa shook her head. “But I don’t think it’s possible.” She hadn’t thought she would be friends with an ant before… but at some point, she’d naturally fallen into it. With no offense to Crossed Antennae, Runa would still prefer a human friend though. Too bad Velvet was both busy and distant. Having helpers from the Scarlet Alliance made their messages more consistent, however. “How goes your colony foundings?” Runa asked.

“I was able to go and return without fear. In some manners, I wish we spread more quickly,” Crossed Antennae said. “We were free to do so along the borders. But here, a more conservative approach is reasonable. We wish to remain hidden among our allies.” Her antennae twitched, indicating there was something more.

“What is it?” Runa asked.

“I do not believe I should say. Though you are our primary point of contact, sharing secrets of others unnecessarily is a breach of trust.”

“Is it something that could harm us?”

“That would depend on how one defined ‘us’.”

“The Spirit Slicing Sect?” Runa asked. “I know you’re supposed to be neutral but-”

“You should have no worries.”

“How about the Conglomeration?”

“As a whole? There will be no issues.”

“Crossed Antennae.” There was rarely a reason to use her name, as it was clear when the void ant was being spoken to. But sometimes, emphasis was required. “Is someone planning a civil war?”

“It might be nothing. Or some… intersect conflict.”

Runa shook her head. “That is, unfortunately, quite typical. Are you at risk of discovery?”

“We should not be.”

“But…?”

“How does one choose between nominal allies?” Crossed Antennae asked.

“Usually by how much they like them. Though people will give various ‘practical’ or ‘moral’ reasons.” Runa shrugged. “How likely is this conflict?”

“Unclear. Because I’ve never lived among humans.”

“Of course you have. What about in the lower realms?”

“There were very few humans on Akrys. And everyone there chose unification.”

“Oh. Right,” Runa said. “I guess the important question then. Would the conflict be between groups that accepted the knowledge pact?”

“If there was going to be a conflict, one of those who accepted the pact might become aggressive against one outside. They seem likely to abuse the knowledge meant for fighting the Exalted Quadrant.”

“Perhaps we should point them towards the weakened border worlds.”

“But… did you not say the Exalted Quadrant would be pushing back?”

“Sometimes, people just need something to do to keep out of trouble. And sometimes they need a little kick in the teeth,” Runa shrugged. In the worst case… they’d probably win their little conflict, which could convince others that the knowledge pact was worthwhile. Though conflict with fellow Chaotic Conglomerate sects was very close to breaking the terms of that pact. If they actually started the conflict… there might be issues. Though provoking it wasn’t much better. Maybe Runa could convince Crossed Antennae to tell her the actual details.

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