Jack of Harts

Betelgeuse had colonized a half dozen nearby star systems by slow-boating it across the interstellar void.  They avoided single-star systems in favor of multiple star systems full of available real estate, and even the youngest of them had millions of inhabitants.  The oldest housed billions, though none matched Betelgeuse’s population.  They were preparing their first colony expedition in four centuries when our scout appeared out of hyperspace in their midst.