The Empire had once tried to cooperate with the Habinte Unified Worlds on scientific research, but progress in acquiring knowledge of more advanced hyperlane technology had remained frustratingly slow.
To master hyperlane compilation technology as they had, the Empire's scientists apparently needed thousands of years to compile a catalog of hyperspace fluctuations.
It was a task spanning an immense stretch of time, and according to them, they had begun compiling it in the distant past.
Later, as the Empire's forces withdrew from the Dacha Star System because of the "Starfish's humanitarian condemnation," the Empire received a new message from their chief representative.
{Habinte Unified Worlds: Honestly, you have been a good friend. But we have now given you what you came here for, and if you need to leave, we will not stop you.
However, we have determined that our ways of life are incompatible. We worry that you may covet what we possess in the future.
So, to avoid any hostility, we are willing to give you a world. We will handle its transportation, so there is no need to worry.}
{Sea of Stars Most Holy Human Empire: We gladly accept.}
"The Habinte... they belong to the same era as you." The Time Worm remembered these reclusive beings.
"Didn't I tell you? In that era, every empire was searching for a way to save the universe. The Habinte possessed technology that could modify hyperlanes. Their solution was 'splendid isolation': separating their Core Sector from the rest of the universe."
"It was undoubtedly an escape, but at least they passed some of their technology on to the Excerptors-specifically, their planet-moving technology. If the Infinite Machine succeeds in creating a universe, that technology could be used to move the planets there."
Under the watchful eyes of countless technicians, a massive installation