with the cluster 'bonuses' it made it such that fi/co in cluster attacks were only defensible in cluster/galaxy.
while the re-addition of hypergate might give the same 'overall' etas, it is not the same as it was last round. there is no attack bonus for in cluster (in r23). therefore, you still have the ticks for allies to send defense before it ticks into the only cluster/galaxy defense area.
though, i do have to agree with your post above mine ^^^ (on the lifestyle stuff
)