In the weeks following his escape, Jason's focus was on consolidating the remnants of his empire and seeding dissent against the new Galactic Coalition. Careful planning and precision strikes on supply lines allowed his forces to stockpile resources and technical data for the battles to come.
Under his strategic guidance, Shadow Wing launched raids on Coalition shiptards and research facilities. The stolen prototypes enabled rapid development of technologies optimized for asymmetric warfare. Each successful operation expanded their capabilities.
But Jason knew Darius Kross's empire would never be restored through covert action alone. To retake even a fraction of his vast domain, he needed to think bigger.
During a strategy meeting, he addressed the council. "Our progress has been excellent thus far. Yet to achieve final victory, we must look beyond the worlds we once ruled."
Jason interfaced with the holoprojector, displaying a map of the known universe. He highlighted a glowing sphere comprising thousands of galaxies.
"Behold, the Andromeda Supercluster. Our old empire spanned but an insignificant fraction of it."
Zooming out further, dozens of other superclusters came into view against a backdrop of infinite space and darkness.
"Beyond what we can fathom lies an endless sea of galaxies teaming with civilizations and dangers unknown. If we limit our vision to petty surroundings, how can we hope to attain true mastery?"
He let the grand scale of creation sink in for the council. Their eyes were wide with wonder and possibility. Jason continued.
"I have intercepted transmissions from a newly discovered civilization in the Triangulum Galaxy. They possess an ancient technology that could aid our expansion exponentially."
The projection shifted to display strange angular architecture and sleek spacecraft of vast proportion.
"This technology can artificially induce supermassive black holes capable of generating traversable wormholes. Such gateways would allow instant travel between galaxies."
The council murmured in excitement. With wormhole generators, no distance would be beyond their reach.
"Imagine," Jason said, "Fleets that can strike anywhere without warning, then vanish back into the cosmic web. The Coalition tries to surround us, only to find Shadow Wing coming at them from every direction."
He smiled at the possibilities. Perhaps they now had the means to fulfill that fanciful prophecy of his ruling the entire multiverse.
"This opportunity is too valuable to ignore. I am convening a science division to study the wormhole technology. We will operate in total secrecy. When the time is right, we will have a means of expansion beyond any adversary's comprehension."
The course was set. Making contact with the Triangulans would not be easy, but the payoff justified great risk. Already, Jason could envision strands of a vast intergalactic network with himself at the center. The board had expanded exponentially.
While the wormhole initiative progressed in secret, Jason also set plans into motion to begin destabilizing Coalition worlds. If power was left concentrated under his enemies, they could eventually locate Shadow Wing's hidden bases in the outer systems.
He deployed agents provocateurs to key Coalition planets, seeding anti-government movements and stoking existing tensions. As protests grew and order frayed, Shadow Wing would strategically abduct certain dissenting factions, relocating them to abandoned outer colonies. There they would build power and prepare for revolution.
The Coalition responded as anticipated, cracking down with authoritarian measures, further inflaming dissent. It was a classic insurgency model Jason recalled from his military studies back on Earth. He almost felt nostalgic seeing it play out on such a grand scale.
Additionally, Jason commissioned an elite intelligence team directly under his control. Network infiltration and misinformation could be powerful tools. The fanatical Vara Talus volunteered herself for the unit.
"You have become indispensable, Lieutenant," Jason said while reviewing the team's first dossier. It contained potential compromising material on several Coalition commanders. "I foresee many tasks ahead for your wraiths to muddy the waters."
Vara's eyes gleamed with zeal. "Information warfare and shadow games hold much promise. We live but to serve your will."
Yes, Jason thought, he could put Vara's skills to good use. Her devotion bordered on obsession, but fanatics had purposes in reshaping societies. She would help spread the legend of Darius Kross like viral contagion throughout Coalition space.
Jason's plans were coming together on multiple fronts. With the Council of Shadows to direct strategy and powerful agents like Vara as his instruments, progress toward restoring the empire accelerated.
Yet doubts plagued Jason's mind in quiet moments. He questioned if resurrecting a figure as vilified as Darius Kross was wise. Perhaps he should detach fully from the past and lead with his own voice? But the legendary name still carried power and fear he could leverage as a weapon. And many former citizens yearned for the stability Darius once provided. The line between dictator and savior easily blurred.
For now, Jason decided maintaining his role as Darius was expedient. But he vowed to create something greater than before. The new empire would be shepherded with wisdom and not ruled by fear alone. In time, he could gradually reform it into a force for order. With likely centuries ahead in this enhanced body, Jason bore responsibility for long-term change.
There were other concerns too. Jason felt they were becoming over-reliant on his planning and direction. Eventually, his restored empire must function without micromanagement. He needed to carefully groom successors for leadership roles - not sycophants, but those capable of wise command.
Jason realized that while he had expansive vision, there was still much to learn about statecraft and managing power structures. His successes so far were partly due to the legend of Darius, not merely his own skills. Hubris had been the downfall last time. He would not make the same mistake twice.
For now though, forward momentum was key. Once they contacted the Triangulans and secured wormhole technology, everything would change. Jason only needed stay vigilant a little longer. Each day brought them closer to shaking the very pillars of the universe.