That last sentence was clearly meant for more than one person.
Aurelian noticed Maeron sitting farther down the table, looking completely innocent.
That was never reassuring.
Cassian continued, "The next issue is future expansion rights. Several nearby systems are likely to become targets once the March stabilizes and once we determine how the Kharov respond. We are not launching a full war today, but the family must decide how conquered or secured territories will be assigned before people begin acting on assumptions."
That made the room sharpen.
Aurelian understood why.
Resources were one thing. Temporary bases were another. But territory, especially habitable worlds, was where branch interests became serious.
Cassian brought up the first highlighted zone. It was not Kharov's core territory, but a chain of systems lying near the edge of their influence, between the March's current reach and several smaller Kharov-aligned commanders.
