Even against the combined strength of the Federation's 137 major Star Sectors, the greatest enemy remained the Burning Legion, their old adversary from 2,000 years ago.
Although civilizations capable of putting up a good fight occasionally caused the Federation trouble, amid the Doomfire unleashed by the rapidly developing Federation fleets, they either submitted or were enslaved. No matter how well an isolated civilization fought, it could not withstand an endless stream of fleet bombardments. This model of civilization in the interstellar age was a contest of absolute strength in its most naked form.
Prince Haramad of the Consortium, the Federation's loyal ally, held his own great gamble from 2,000 years ago in the highest regard. Risking the demons' wrath, he had provided Azeroth, which had only just emerged from the mire of civilization, with everything it needed. That investment had bought the Consortium 2,000 years of rapid expansion. Merchants pursued profit, and so wherever Federation armies appeared, Consortium outposts followed.
Even the remote Pruk Star Domain was no exception. Moreover, under the Consortium's internal regulations, trading station managers could use every resource at their disposal to assist Federation forces when necessary. This rule was practically the best proof of the close ties between Prince Haramad himself and the Federation's upper leadership.
Times had changed. It was no longer the Consortium that held the advantage, but the Federation.
"Large numbers of demons have appeared at the borders of the Star Domain! They appear to be preparing an invasion on an unimaginable scale!"
In the most prosperous city on the Pruk Star Sector's capital world, an Ethereal hurried into the Consortium's regional headquarters with the latest battle report in hand. The instant the local director received it, the light beneath his body's wrappings began to flicker, a sign of an Ethereal's emotional