Holly, Well thougt out and intersting to read. Bravo for having the time to sit down and contemplate Steve's reasoning. I always thought that the uprising couldn't take place in Teckla because: 1.) The Teckla were not, as a majority, upset. (Remeber the conscripts.) 2.) The Empire already had a sound, economic foundation. 3.) The Empire has a strong enough, and loyal enough (The majority being from the elite themselves), military to put down any uprising. 4.)The Empire has Sethra Lavode ('nuff said on that). John D. Barbato, OD