Looks like level 9 really does require "squads at or above relic 7", just like the description says. Level 4 already requires a full r5 team. At r3, the datacron can be equipped but is downgraded from level 4 to 3 so the last bonus doesn't apply. The same would happen with a level 9 DC on a squad that doesn't meet the all-r7 requirement.
So I guess we're supposed level a DC to 9 and reroll until we get that sweet JMK bonus, all the while believing we won't have to take Snips all the way to r7 because the Road Ahead said r3. Then GAC is about to start, the expensive DC turns out to be partially useless, sunk cost fallacy strikes again and we buy another relic pack. It's the little things.
