Fyi, I'm 3.8 mil gp and I'm stuck on normal sector 2 again. Since relic delta doesn't apply to conquest (normal mode anyway), if you don't have several fully developed squads to deal with specific enemy squads, there's no fun to be had. For me, I have no way that I know of (after testing a dozen different lineups multiple attempts over the past few days) of defeating Malak in a sith empire squad. There's really no difference between normal and hard modes; the squads are the same, just slightly lower power level. So once you're able to get through normal, don't think twice about moving on to hard for the better rewards.