Title: The Unseen Hand of a King
Out in the Delta Quadrant a developing story has caught our eye, coming out of the western portion of the quadrant known out that way as the “Khand Sector” accounts of a systematic and extensive expansion into neighboring systems by the Protectorate of Khandosia have made other Delta stellar states take notice at the previously unknown star polity as they have embarked aggressively expanding their controlled area. The root cause behind the Protectorate to embark on this elaborate engagement of assets and resources to bring in multiple ancillary stellar volumes under its control is currently unknown to outside parties. We can only speculate as to why the Protectorate has decided to engage itself in a massive expansion program into surrounding Delta star systems. There have been unconfirmed rumors of the Protectorate of Khandosia embarking itself on this path of expansion at the behest of some ‘God-Emperor’ who we suspect to be at the reigns of the Protectorate guiding the star state down the path it is currently walking. Several refugees fleeing the systems currently engaged by the Protectorates Imperial Guard have regaled in tales of this being the start of a “Second Crusade”, which has caused other Delta states and several intergalactic organizations to take note of since it implies that the Protectorate will not stop at its current line of control. Here at the Frontier Bulletin we have tried to find some mention of a “First Crusade”, but so far all of our quires have come up empty. But we do know the size of their territory has now been enlarged by a massive multiple, no doubt increasing the amount of resources as well as populations now available for the Protectorate to use to further their unknown aims. There have been reports of large assets for orbital control as well as deep space monitoring being moved into the newly acquired systems. It seems for the time being that the Protectorate of Khandosia is here to stay in its extended and newly aquired sphere of influence as a commitment of this magnitude does not usually equate to a brief occupation but more of a lasting obligation to stay. The other regions of the Delta Quadrant wait with unease to see if the Protectorate is satisfied with its current round of expansion, or if the Protectorate will continue on its path of aggressive enlargement. This path could bring the Protectorate into conflict with established powers within the Delta quadrant if they continue expanding eventually they will start to intrude on other’s spheres of influence. This would be a stark change to the recent calm that has befallen the quadrant as the flames of consistent war have waned in the past several years. However, that just goes to show you that the more things change, the more they stay the same.