(Aftermath of the explosion, Across the Universe)
In the immediate aftermath of the explosions, the first reaction across the galaxy was confusion.
Then came fear.
But as the hours passed and no clear explanation emerged from the authorities, that fear slowly began to transform into something far more dangerous.
Doubt.
For the common citizens of the universe, the psychological shock of the Cult's coordinated attacks ran far deeper than the destruction itself, because for many of them, faith in the system had already been eroding for months.
Ever since the collapse of the old order and the chaotic power struggles that followed the Great War on The Pit, the promise of stability had repeatedly failed to materialize.
The newly restored Universal Government, now operating under the nominal leadership of Eternal Sovereign Kaelith, had promised order.
Security.
Protection.
Yet despite those promises, hundreds of planets had been hit.
