After months of preparation, the expedition was ready to launch. The sleek shapes of the stealth frigates drifted from the Shadow Wing docking bay into open space. Jason watched the departure from the operations room. Making first contact with the Triangulans carried great risk, but the potential rewards were immense.
The small task force consisted of science vessels and fighters for protection. Vara Talus would lead the mission with handpicked operatives and scholars. Her loyalty and combat skills made her ideal, though Jason kept close tabs on those venturing into the unknown.
"Bring honor to the new dynasty we forge," he instructed Vara before departure. "But remember, there are some prices too high, even for victory."
"I hear and obey, my Emperor," she replied, kneeling with fist over heart. "We shall meet these Triangulans with open hands but guarded minds."
Now, gazing out into the void as the ships dwindled from sight, Jason tried to suppress the uneasy feeling their quest stirred in him. So much hinged on this contact. The temptation to interfere with reports from the expedition was strong. But he must keep perspective. Micro-managing led to blind spots. He would respect Vara's judgement on negotiations.
Turning from the viewport, Jason headed for the sanctuary of the strategic planning chamber. The familiar surrounding helped calm his mind. Here he could sift the endless data feeds and shape events from the shadows. Patience and preparation were his allies now.
During the long weeks of travel, regular updates arrived from the expedition. They reported curious discoveries about Triangulum - immense sphere-shaped worlds housing whole civilizations, particle accelerators spanning multiple star systems, macro-engineering on a galactic scale.
The Triangulans themselves remained elusive. Vara's linguists deciphered some communications but gleaned little about their culture. References to "The Caretaking" appeared repeatedly in context with the mammoth projects detected across multiple galaxies. It seemed this ancient race saw itself as custodians of cosmic order.
Finally, the stealth frigates entered orbit around one of the vast sphere worlds. Scans showed a sprawling cityscape of alien design blanketed the interior surface. But no inhabitants could be detected.
Vara led a team aboard one of the silent spire-ships hanging ominously above the city. They moved cautiously through cavernous corridors, the only sound their own echoing footfalls. No record or remnant offered clues about where the Triangulans had gone. It was a technological mausoleum.
Days of searching yielded little until a faint energy source was detected at the sphere's exact core. Proceeding toward it, they entered a towering vaulted chamber. In the center stood a rippling pool of silver liquid from which the energy emanated.
Vara's report described what happened next:
"We approached and detected strange distortions in spacetime surrounding the pool. I ordered the team to halt while I took readings. But as I came within 20 meters, an overwhelming force seized control of my body and drew me toward the liquid. I managed to discharge my emergency plasma grenade as I lost consciousness."
When the team recovered Vara's body, her vital signs were stable. But deeper scans showed catastrophic neural trauma. The technology was too dangerous yet to comprehend. With heavy hearts, they withdrew back to the stealth frigates.
For Jason, it was a sobering reminder of the perils lurking amidst the wonders of the universe. Perhaps some knowledge was not meant for mortal minds. This humbling experience must be a lesson rather than utter defeat.
The mission may have failed to acquire wormhole technology, but was not without gains. The extensive data gathered about Triangulum civilization provided valuable insight. Once analyzed fully, it could aid Jason's designs.
Upon the squadron's return, Jason went to the medical bay where Vara lay in an induced coma. Though she could not hear, he spoke as if to impart understanding.
"Your loyalty has carried us far, but I fear this time it led you beyond reason. When you awake, we shall speak of moderation, old friend."
There were many paths forward. In time, answers could be found to overcome the mysteries of the sphere vault. But such knowledge must be tempered by wisdom. Vara would recover to fight again another day.
Jason returned to the strategic chamber, reflecting on difficult decisions ahead. Perhaps the Coalition remnants were the correct foes for now. At least their dangers he comprehended. The vaults of Triangulum would still be there when the empire stood ascendant once more.
For today, consolidation was the priority. But soon they would need to resume the offensive. The timing must be carefully judged. Expand too fast and rebellion took root. Too slow, and enemies surrounded them. It was a fine line to walk.
Jason opened a comm channel to the Council. "Set course for the Zeta-5 shipyards. The arsenal must grow if we are to reclaim territory in coming cycles."
There was still far to go before fulfilling the prophecy and his vision of an ordered cosmos. The Coalition's grip over the Andromeda Core Worlds must be broken before Shadow Wing could leverage real power. Many more alliances would need forging along the way.
But united now the Council stood ready to serve his ambition. Each mind added to the web expanded its possibilities. Jason closed his eyes, envisioning the strands stretching out through all Creation, subtly guiding events toward purposeful ends. Infinite moves and countermoves filled the void.
It was a game only the far-sighted could hope to grasp at the highest levels. And Jason Wake intended to be the apex player when the final cosmic era dawned. For the present, building towards that distant endgame move-by-move was reward enough.
Patience, planning, vision - these were the keys in a contest played across cosmic timespans. The faithful like Vara served their role, so too the more pragmatic among the Council. Jason wandered a razored path between extremes, ever calibrating the strengths at his disposal.
There were always new worlds and civilizations to fold into the tapestry. But he must avoid overextending too far. Consolidate, then expand; progress in phases was the way. Much had been set in motion these past months. Soon tangible results would follow.
Let the Coalition grasp at fleeting power a little longer. Their turn would come. For today, Jason had transfers to authorize, agents to dispatch, and Vara's confronting experience to contemplate deeply.
Tomorrow's opportunities would unfold in due time. Until then, there were endless moves to consider from the sanctuary of the sealed chamber. Jason allowed himself a sly smile. The game was afoot once more.