Eight Tiers (2)

"The second tier consists of protected states. Their cultures are still those of primitive natives, but they are somewhat special. They have already come under the effective control of some power within the Gate World, though they have not been annexed. They are not much stronger than the first tier, but they are at least somewhat more civilized, and they have one or more powers backing them. The states under the Holy Worm Commonwealth belong to this second tier."

The second tier was the most common bottom rung within the Gate World. Thanks to the interstellar merchant trade network, all first-tier primitive native civilizations in the Gate World had already been discovered. For all kinds of reasons, they would be attacked by higher-tier nations or factions within the Gate World. Some were annexed and became part of the higher tiers, while others were left behind for various reasons. Those were the second tier.

They generally had a basic interstellar market. Since public security was maintained by higher-tier nations or factions, merchants could trade there without worry. They usually traded mineral raw materials, slaves, light industrial goods, and the like. Those were the public transactions; privately, contraband and intelligence were also traded.

Having finished with the lowest tiers of the Gate World, Norman began discussing the tiers above them.

"The third tier is known as warlords. Their strength varies greatly, but even the weakest warlord possesses a fleet that can be deployed and commanded at any time. These are factions with a certain amount of influence in the Gate World."

"Wait. You said their strength varies greatly? Describe it."

The Collectors suddenly cut in, interrupting Norman's explanation. As for how greatly their strength could vary, the Collectors wanted to know just how powerful the strongest could be and how weak the