When word was received of Pavonis' completion, the Colonial Affairs Ministry approved an additional 40,000 applications for colonists (many of whom are volunteering to work in the iron, agate, and copper mines); the Colonial Expeditionary Legion's engineers are preparing to build additional settlements as a result. Having decided their single garrison would not be enough to defend the colonists in light of recent tensions between Yanalopan and Byorn, an additional three legions that were currently on reserve have been sent to keep the peace, and if necessary, provide security for negotiations.