The Mech Touch

f every star system and categorized them into activity zones.

An upper zone corresponded to first-class pioneers.
These regions offered the richest deposits of phasewater and other high-grade exotics.

A middle zone corresponded to second-class pioneers.

A lower zone corresponded to third-class pioneers.

As long as each class of pioneer stuck to the appropriate activity zone, they only had to worry about fighting their rivals.

If a first-class galactic pioneer tried to throw their weight around in a middle or lower zone, they would violate the Big Two ’s rules!

If a pioneer was caught breaking the rules, they lost their status as pioneers and would be hunted by the MTA!

The same applied if a second-class pioneer attempted to abuse a third-class pioneer in a lower zone.

Of course, if a third-class pioneer crossed into an upper zone, they assumed their own risks.
The Big Two would not lift a finger if they bumped into a scary first-class fleet.
They could only blame their greed!

Though these rules appeared to profit first-class pioneers the most since they possessed a natural claim to the bounty of an upper zone, the opposite was true.

This was because there didn ’t seem to be many upper zones.
As the invasion of the Red Ocean reached the center of the dwarf galaxy, upper zones might become more prevalent, but even then the competition to claim these territories would definitely be bloody!

By confining the activities of first-class pioneers to the upper zones, the Big Two essentially wanted to bleed and weaken their strength and numbers in the Red Ocean!

Of course, most first-class states objected to this discriminatory ruling, but the beyonder gates were fully under the control of the Big Two! They couldn ’t possibly send too much forces into the Red Ocean to resist the CFA and MTA ’s stranglehold on conquered territory!

By far, most galactic pioneers were already in their pocket!

Ves found out something else.
”One strange caveat here is that the protection regarding activity zones only apply to galactic pioneers and people under their protection.
This means that we don ’t necessarily have to respect the rights of space settlers or other people. ”

That meant that a second-class pioneer could attack the Terrans or the Rubarthans and not suffer from any punishments by the Big Two as long as their targets weren ’t pioneers or their subordinates!

This elevated the status of galactic pioneers even further, turning it into an essential status if someone wanted to operate in the Red Ocean.

Once Gloriana understood the implications of these rules, she sighed in relief.
”While the protection isn ’t perfect, it ’s probably enough to deter most incidents.
Of course, we also have to make sure we don ’t do anything to third-class fleets when we fly through lower zones. ”

Unless an inferior group directly provoked a superior group, the latter had to do their best to avoid any hostile actions.

Ves shrugged.
”A second-class pioneer wouldn ’t be interested in the paltry amount of wealth and assets owned by a third-class pioneer. ”

All of these elaborate rules signified that the Big Two accounted for many different situations.
Their bias against first-rate states benefited Ves and Gloriana enormously.

”It ’s kind of strange how obvious the Big Two is attempting to hinder the growth and development of first-rate states with these rules. ” Gloriana frowned.
”Don ’t you have the feeling that this is all a scheme that is targeted at the first-rate states and the superstates in particular? ”

”I think there are certainly contradictions between the Big Two and the first-rate superstates.
However, a conflict between the two sides does not benefit humanity at all.
Both sides are careful in staying cordial with each other.
The way the Big Two define their rules and set their prices only hinders the first-rate superstates by a moderate degree.
The Terrans and Rubarthans are still capable of claiming the most lucrative territories in the upper zones. ”

Ves suspected that the Big Two already made a deal with the first-rate superstates.
The former wanted to constrain the expansion of the latter.

The CFA and MTA couldn ’t push the first-rate superstates too much.
The Terrans and Rubarthans were so advanced that they might be able to build beyonder gates themselves!

As long as the growth of the first-rate states did not dominate the Red Ocean Dwarf Galaxy, the balance of power would not tilt against the Big Two.
This was good enough.

”I wonder who else wants to head to the Red Ocean. ” Ves wondered.

Ves and Gloriana already made up their mind to travel there as galactic pioneers.

As for others, they needed to be capable of earning enough merits, which was not a given.

Of course, most people in the Bright Republic didn ’t really think about it too much.
The Sand War still raged on as ever!

The same applied to the Fridaymen and Hexers.

Ves thought that the two bitter rivals would have sought to pause the war in order to preserve their strength and wealth, but Gloriana disagreed!

”I think the war will intensify due to this announcement. ” She spoke.
”I ’ve gotten in touch with some of my friends and family and discussed the new situation.
The Komodo War won ’t die down.
Instead, it looks like it will become more heated! ”

”Why the hell does anyone want to fight over some stupid territory in the Komodo Star Sector when there is a lot of middle zones in the Red Ocean that they could profit from instead? ”

Gloriana sheepishly smiled.
”Both sides want to plunder the wealth of their enemies.
It ’s difficult to earn a lot of merits, but it ’s easier once you grasp an entire star sector! As long as you obtain more wealth and territory, you can make a lot more contributions to the MTA.
It will also be easier to partner up or obtain the services of someone who is capable of earning a lot of merits. ”

Everything revolved around merits!

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