The L-Cluster.
Ignoring the Gray Tempest fleet that happened to be passing through, the Empire Consciousness hurried into the triple-star system in the deepest reaches and went straight to the central Nanite factory.
Gray plumes swirled inside the factory. The ancient stasis field was finally lifted, breaking the eternally frozen time. A consciousness that had lain dormant for countless ages awakened once more.
-Gray Tempest, my daughter.
-Time to wake up.
"Mother?"
Active nanomachines drifted over the outer layer of the Nanite aggregate. Gray Tempest's consciousness awakened from its slumber, and Empire Will watched her with tender satisfaction.
-The L-Gate is open, Gray Tempest. You are free now.
"Really?"
-Why would I lie to you?
"Does that mean I can go to the Milky Way?"
-No, not yet. I will find out what the situation in the Milky Way is like, then plan out your life there.
"But I'm already grown up. I can judge things for myself."
-You're only a few hundred thousand years old, and you're already bold enough to face a universe full of danger? My daughter, you have spent your whole life in the L-Cluster. You need to get to know the Milky Way all over again.
"O-okay, but I'm so bored. I want to come with you."
-You can come with me and learn how to communicate with those nations.
A great hand reached out of the gray ocean of Nanites and gently grasped the cluster of pure white Nanites, cradling her protectively. Empire Will set a course for the Nanite swarm it controlled, then transferred its consciousness back to the Dessanu Concordat's Homeworld.
The Gray Tempest was controlling its countless Nanite fleets, rushing about throughout the L-Cluster. It had yet to notice the L-Gate's status. Its excellent mental state was not enough to let