Did you just refer to Hard Knocks as a "smaller alliance"?

They've arguably had the most strategically advantageous position in the game for years now, and have exerted a lot of control over all of J-space.

Wormhole mechanics heavily favor the defender, and they have the most lucrative resource nodes in the game.

If we want to discuss real estate, stratification, and tiny renter alliances getting rolled or Borg'd, okay. But Hard Knocks does not fit in here.