Insect Wars: Dark Zone or Light Universe?

I agree with the previous argument that HDS was not indirectly stealing memories at long range. That sort of thing collapses under its own weight.

I also agree that stealing memories for the HDS might have been a function of assassins, since Kai does what no one else who kills predecessors has. Of course, Kai being decarbonised, protoblood operated, and having his memories already in a predecessor waiting to come home might be a unique case.
He’s literally a memory channel, without barriers to an influx.

It might be that HDS did some picking and choosing of the memories he would keep, or the memories he would take, which would cut
down on the number.

The fact remains that it couldn’t have been other memories seized from the fall of Brunnis 2. That HDS was destroyed when Kai took his memories back.

I too have noted the contradictory statement of Kai about the Brunnen G in Supernova. I assume that Kai’s reference has to be to the archaic brunnen g of the dark zone, before the move to the light universe, and before the shield.

As for whether there was traffic beyond the shield after it went up. Did the Brunnen G ever leave after the shield, but before Kai.
I would have to say that there is no evidence whatsoever to support that contention. At best, we can only support such a notion by seeking ambiguity in statements which would seem to imply no traffic, and no communication.