Chapter 874
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Chapter 874
The second Trigold system was much more populated than the first, with three planets occupied at least in part. A typical terrestrial planet, a particular moon around a gas giant, and a rocky planet that had further mining operations upon it.
There were also scouts throughout the system, though Varghese was fairly certain their own ships were not spotted. At least, the enemy didnt seem to react. It was always possible they were planning some sort of trap, trying to catch them unaware, but as long as the forces with him didnt fly too close to any planets it would be difficult to catch their ships.
Their ships picked up durable defensive formations and a significant volume of cultivators present. Without approaching closer and narrowing their scans they couldnt count specific cultivators, but if they followed typical patterns each major area had dozens of Life Transformation cultivators. Not an unsurpassable barrier, but it put them not too far behind Inistras numbers, if they didnt consider Assimilation cultivators. And while Assimilation cultivators were a large factor, this being just one system meant they would need significant cooperation with the Shining Cooperative if they wanted to wipe them out.
And that was the default intent as far as Trigold cultivators were involved. Varghese didnt think that it was incorrect, either, given how this group had come to be known by them via a biological weapon of sorts. Instead, his thoughts were focused more on whether it was practical. How much of the Lower Realms Alliance would they have to call upon, and for how long?
They moved on to another system, but instead of going deeper into enemy territory they simply moved laterally. If they were spotted and their retreat cut off, the ships could probably jump past a system or two if they had to. Even so it was still better to avoid being in a position where anyone could try to block their retreat. They werent even close to a point where they were required to take risks. Better to maintain caution and see what they could learn before the enemy even had a proper idea that they were being watched.
The next system was much the same. Just two planets occupied, with one being more of a major planet. Given the size of the planet and the quantity of natural energy, Varghese could have easily accepted that it was the same. But something stuck in his mind. He couldnt quite put his finger on it.
Upon spending some days scouting a third system, Varghese had some thoughts. He shared them with the captain of the ship he was on. They would have group discussions about gathered information later, but they tried to avoid transmitting unnecessarily in enemy territory. Even if the enemy had no way to intercept their transmissions- unless they had been spied on quite a bit more than they thought- transmissions might still be noticed and indicate their presence.
The Trigold Cluster isnt particularly known for diverse architecture, are they? Varghese asked.
Theyre quite a large group in the upper realms, arent they? Xaliima replied. With hundreds or thousands of planets, I wouldnt be surprised if they had more than that many styles between them.
Maybe, Varghese agreed. But these we havent really come across sects, exactly. There have been members of known sects with others, all in a particular style.
So theyve finally learned to share? Xaliima shook her head. No, shouldnt joke. I understand your feeling. Its odd. If anything, rather than too diverse the styles are too consolidated? Very few things stick out in the cities.
Perhaps they didnt want to expose any of them as targets, Varghese said. But there are still a few clearly more fortified places. I can only imagine they would be the important places.
They werent able to resolve their thoughts into anything clear at that moment, but they kept them for later. More brains could work together to draw conclusions. Maybe it would be nothing important, but someone would have to convince Varghese otherwise. It was something itching in his brain, and he was determined to scratch it. He just had to find the right thought.
I read your argument previously, said one man. I dont know if your insights have any substance to back them up. Picking a few styles for each planet doesnt seem unreasonable, given the level of direct control we know they exert over their people.
Varghese nodded. He supposed he had been considering people had the freedom to choose. And that they would have more diverse cultures, outside of the particularities sects tended to require for growth of their disciples.
That may be so, said one woman. But the spacing was odd. Too many empty, unused plots of land. We didnt get close enough to determine conclusively, but I would postulate that they were used previously.
What would that imply? Xaliima asked.
Destroyed buildings that werent rebuilt, the woman said. For one reason or another. Perhaps they were unnecessary for the population. Or perhaps the original population was gone.
Varghese frowned. Do you think they replaced another population?
While we tend to know them as infiltrators, the woman began, In none of these places did we see them hiding or living among any significant population of those outside of the Trigold Clusters factions. They openly occupy these planets. Quite different from what we know, but it has already been postulated that they would be the result of a different sort of large scale test compared to the infiltrations and invasions.
It was a disturbing and unfortunately easily believable thought that they might have conquered each of the systems that they had seen- most likely only the terrestrial planets had been occupied, though there was no certainty that some others had not developed space travel as well in the current region.
The first man spoke up once more. I do find myself somewhat convinced by that line of reasoning. Though a larger scale analysis of the data we have collected will most likely be necessary. Even then, we will likely be unable to conclusively determine it.
Varghese nodded. But his instincts told him that was what hed been leaning towards. It only made him all the more eager to kill them but given what they had seen already, they had to think very carefully about engaging in larger scale hostilities. The Lower Realms Alliance alone should be able to dominate them in battle, but not without cost. How much of their population and effort were they willing to spend on the war? How many deaths would be acceptable?
But that was just based on direct conflict. If they fought smart and took their time, they might do significantly better. But they hadnt even seen the enemys core worlds. If they were significantly more powerful well, Varghese might have to call upon Anton after all. And that would be a shame, pulling him away from making peoples lives better just to kill. Though of course, not having the Trigold Cluster around would probably be better for people.
Then there was the possibility of just not fighting them. Varghese didnt like that at all. But waiting a couple decades for an influx of Assimilation cultivators in the Shining Cooperative? That might be worth it.
Assuming they were willing to wait that long. Because the Shining Cooperative certainly wasnt any more fond of the Trigold Cluster, and they had suffered much greater losses to the mold on attack on Mazlerth. And it could reasonably be called an attack instead of just an unfortunate circumstance with what they knew now.
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Chapter 874
The second Trigold system was much more populated than the first, with three planets occupied at least in part. A typical terrestrial planet, a particular moon around a gas giant, and a rocky planet that had further mining operations upon it.
There were also scouts throughout the system, though Varghese was fairly certain their own ships were not spotted. At least, the enemy didnt seem to react. It was always possible they were planning some sort of trap, trying to catch them unaware, but as long as the forces with him didnt fly too close to any planets it would be difficult to catch their ships.
Their ships picked up durable defensive formations and a significant volume of cultivators present. Without approaching closer and narrowing their scans they couldnt count specific cultivators, but if they followed typical patterns each major area had dozens of Life Transformation cultivators. Not an unsurpassable barrier, but it put them not too far behind Inistras numbers, if they didnt consider Assimilation cultivators. And while Assimilation cultivators were a large factor, this being just one system meant they would need significant cooperation with the Shining Cooperative if they wanted to wipe them out.
And that was the default intent as far as Trigold cultivators were involved. Varghese didnt think that it was incorrect, either, given how this group had come to be known by them via a biological weapon of sorts. Instead, his thoughts were focused more on whether it was practical. How much of the Lower Realms Alliance would they have to call upon, and for how long?
They moved on to another system, but instead of going deeper into enemy territory they simply moved laterally. If they were spotted and their retreat cut off, the ships could probably jump past a system or two if they had to. Even so it was still better to avoid being in a position where anyone could try to block their retreat. They werent even close to a point where they were required to take risks. Better to maintain caution and see what they could learn before the enemy even had a proper idea that they were being watched.
The next system was much the same. Just two planets occupied, with one being more of a major planet. Given the size of the planet and the quantity of natural energy, Varghese could have easily accepted that it was the same. But something stuck in his mind. He couldnt quite put his finger on it.
Upon spending some days scouting a third system, Varghese had some thoughts. He shared them with the captain of the ship he was on. They would have group discussions about gathered information later, but they tried to avoid transmitting unnecessarily in enemy territory. Even if the enemy had no way to intercept their transmissions- unless they had been spied on quite a bit more than they thought- transmissions might still be noticed and indicate their presence.
The Trigold Cluster isnt particularly known for diverse architecture, are they? Varghese asked.
Theyre quite a large group in the upper realms, arent they? Xaliima replied. With hundreds or thousands of planets, I wouldnt be surprised if they had more than that many styles between them.
Maybe, Varghese agreed. But these we havent really come across sects, exactly. There have been members of known sects with others, all in a particular style.
So theyve finally learned to share? Xaliima shook her head. No, shouldnt joke. I understand your feeling. Its odd. If anything, rather than too diverse the styles are too consolidated? Very few things stick out in the cities.
Perhaps they didnt want to expose any of them as targets, Varghese said. But there are still a few clearly more fortified places. I can only imagine they would be the important places.
They werent able to resolve their thoughts into anything clear at that moment, but they kept them for later. More brains could work together to draw conclusions. Maybe it would be nothing important, but someone would have to convince Varghese otherwise. It was something itching in his brain, and he was determined to scratch it. He just had to find the right thought.
I read your argument previously, said one man. I dont know if your insights have any substance to back them up. Picking a few styles for each planet doesnt seem unreasonable, given the level of direct control we know they exert over their people.
Varghese nodded. He supposed he had been considering people had the freedom to choose. And that they would have more diverse cultures, outside of the particularities sects tended to require for growth of their disciples.
That may be so, said one woman. But the spacing was odd. Too many empty, unused plots of land. We didnt get close enough to determine conclusively, but I would postulate that they were used previously.
What would that imply? Xaliima asked.
Destroyed buildings that werent rebuilt, the woman said. For one reason or another. Perhaps they were unnecessary for the population. Or perhaps the original population was gone.
Varghese frowned. Do you think they replaced another population?
While we tend to know them as infiltrators, the woman began, In none of these places did we see them hiding or living among any significant population of those outside of the Trigold Clusters factions. They openly occupy these planets. Quite different from what we know, but it has already been postulated that they would be the result of a different sort of large scale test compared to the infiltrations and invasions.
It was a disturbing and unfortunately easily believable thought that they might have conquered each of the systems that they had seen- most likely only the terrestrial planets had been occupied, though there was no certainty that some others had not developed space travel as well in the current region.
The first man spoke up once more. I do find myself somewhat convinced by that line of reasoning. Though a larger scale analysis of the data we have collected will most likely be necessary. Even then, we will likely be unable to conclusively determine it.
Varghese nodded. But his instincts told him that was what hed been leaning towards. It only made him all the more eager to kill them but given what they had seen already, they had to think very carefully about engaging in larger scale hostilities. The Lower Realms Alliance alone should be able to dominate them in battle, but not without cost. How much of their population and effort were they willing to spend on the war? How many deaths would be acceptable?
But that was just based on direct conflict. If they fought smart and took their time, they might do significantly better. But they hadnt even seen the enemys core worlds. If they were significantly more powerful well, Varghese might have to call upon Anton after all. And that would be a shame, pulling him away from making peoples lives better just to kill. Though of course, not having the Trigold Cluster around would probably be better for people.
Then there was the possibility of just not fighting them. Varghese didnt like that at all. But waiting a couple decades for an influx of Assimilation cultivators in the Shining Cooperative? That might be worth it.
Assuming they were willing to wait that long. Because the Shining Cooperative certainly wasnt any more fond of the Trigold Cluster, and they had suffered much greater losses to the mold on attack on Mazlerth. And it could reasonably be called an attack instead of just an unfortunate circumstance with what they knew now.
Chapter 874The second Trigold system was much more populated than the first, with three planets occupied at least in part. A typical terrestrial planet, a particular moon around a gas giant, and a rocky planet that had further mining operations upon it. There were also scouts throughout the system, though Varghese was fairly certain their own ships were not spotted. At least, the enemy didnt seem to react. It was always possible they were planning some sort of trap, trying to catch them unaware, but as long as the forces with him didnt fly too close to any planets it would be difficult to catch their ships.Their ships picked up durable defensive formations and a significant volume of cultivators present. Without approaching closer and narrowing their scans they couldnt count specific cultivators, but if they followed typical patterns each major area had dozens of Life Transformation cultivators. Not an unsurpassable barrier, but it put them not too far behind Inistras numbers, if they didnt consider Assimilation cultivators. And while Assimilation cultivators were a large factor, this being just one system meant they would need significant cooperation with the Shining Cooperative if they wanted to wipe them out.And that was the default intent as far as Trigold cultivators were involved. Varghese didnt think that it was incorrect, either, given how this group had come to be known by them via a biological weapon of sorts. Instead, his thoughts were focused more on whether it was practical. How much of the Lower Realms Alliance would they have to call upon, and for how long?They moved on to another system, but instead of going deeper into enemy territory they simply moved laterally. If they were spotted and their retreat cut off, the ships could probably jump past a system or two if they had to. Even so it was still better to avoid being in a position where anyone could try to block their retreat. They werent even close to a point where they were required to take risks. Better to maintain caution and see what they could learn before the enemy even had a proper idea that they were being watched.The next system was much the same. Just two planets occupied, with one being more of a major planet. Given the size of the planet and the quantity of natural energy, Varghese could have easily accepted that it was the same. But something stuck in his mind. He couldnt quite put his finger on it.Upon spending some days scouting a third system, Varghese had some thoughts. He shared them with the captain of the ship he was on. They would have group discussions about gathered information later, but they tried to avoid transmitting unnecessarily in enemy territory. Even if the enemy had no way to intercept their transmissions- unless they had been spied on quite a bit more than they thought- transmissions might still be noticed and indicate their presence.The Trigold Cluster isnt particularly known for diverse architecture, are they? Varghese asked.Theyre quite a large group in the upper realms, arent they? Xaliima replied. With hundreds or thousands of planets, I wouldnt be surprised if they had more than that many styles between them.Maybe, Varghese agreed. But these we havent really come across sects, exactly. There have been members of known sects with others, all in a particular style.So theyve finally learned to share? Xaliima shook her head. No, shouldnt joke. I understand your feeling. Its odd. If anything, rather than too diverse the styles are too consolidated? Very few things stick out in the cities.Perhaps they didnt want to expose any of them as targets, Varghese said. But there are still a few clearly more fortified places. I can only imagine they would be the important places.They werent able to resolve their thoughts into anything clear at that moment, but they kept them for later. More brains could work together to draw conclusions. Maybe it would be nothing important, but someone would have to convince Varghese otherwise. It was something itching in his brain, and he was determined to scratch it. He just had to find the right thought.I read your argument previously, said one man. I dont know if your insights have any substance to back them up. Picking a few styles for each planet doesnt seem unreasonable, given the level of direct control we know they exert over their people.Varghese nodded. He supposed he had been considering people had the freedom to choose. And that they would have more diverse cultures, outside of the particularities sects tended to require for growth of their disciples.That may be so, said one woman. But the spacing was odd. Too many empty, unused plots of land. We didnt get close enough to determine conclusively, but I would postulate that they were used previously.What would that imply? Xaliima asked.Destroyed buildings that werent rebuilt, the woman said. For one reason or another. Perhaps they were unnecessary for the population. Or perhaps the original population was gone.Varghese frowned. Do you think they replaced another population?While we tend to know them as infiltrators, the woman began, In none of these places did we see them hiding or living among any significant population of those outside of the Trigold Clusters factions. They openly occupy these planets. Quite different from what we know, but it has already been postulated that they would be the result of a different sort of large scale test compared to the infiltrations and invasions.It was a disturbing and unfortunately easily believable thought that they might have conquered each of the systems that they had seen- most likely only the terrestrial planets had been occupied, though there was no certainty that some others had not developed space travel as well in the current region. The first man spoke up once more. I do find myself somewhat convinced by that line of reasoning. Though a larger scale analysis of the data we have collected will most likely be necessary. Even then, we will likely be unable to conclusively determine it.Varghese nodded. But his instincts told him that was what hed been leaning towards. It only made him all the more eager to kill them but given what they had seen already, they had to think very carefully about engaging in larger scale hostilities. The Lower Realms Alliance alone should be able to dominate them in battle, but not without cost. How much of their population and effort were they willing to spend on the war? How many deaths would be acceptable?But that was just based on direct conflict. If they fought smart and took their time, they might do significantly better. But they hadnt even seen the enemys core worlds. If they were significantly more powerful well, Varghese might have to call upon Anton after all. And that would be a shame, pulling him away from making peoples lives better just to kill. Though of course, not having the Trigold Cluster around would probably be better for people.Then there was the possibility of just not fighting them. Varghese didnt like that at all. But waiting a couple decades for an influx of Assimilation cultivators in the Shining Cooperative? That might be worth it. Assuming they were willing to wait that long. Because the Shining Cooperative certainly wasnt any more fond of the Trigold Cluster, and they had suffered much greater losses to the mold on attack on Mazlerth. And it could reasonably be called an attack instead of just an unfortunate circumstance with what they knew now.
