Everybody from GDW, to DGP, to Loren at GT wanted to blow them up or have them break down into a balkanized, feuding mess. Virus does both of course.
As an aside, part of the basis for future development of the region of the Solomani Confederation I envisioned revolved around the final long range expedition as mentioned in 'Solomani & Aslan' returning back to Home c. 1120. Finding everything pretty much trashed, they are able to help with rebuilding efforts and by 1206, they've established a small pocket empire. I also liked the idea of the Solomani making much more use of biological robots (as envisioned in Arthur C. Clarke's "3001: The Final Odyssey") than the Imperium and the implications of those mixing with Virus were interesting.
As an aside, part of the basis for future development of the region of the Solomani Confederation I envisioned revolved around the final long range expedition as mentioned in 'Solomani & Aslan' returning back to Home c. 1120. Finding everything pretty much trashed, they are able to help with rebuilding efforts and by 1206, they've established a small pocket empire. I also liked the idea of the Solomani making much more use of biological robots (as envisioned in Arthur C. Clarke's "3001: The Final Odyssey") than the Imperium and the implications of those mixing with Virus were interesting.