-I didn't want to believe it when you told me, but your people really are a handful.
Aelita said the moment Andrew entered the command center and sat in the command chair.
-What can I say, they thought they were dead anyway, so they took the chance to try and escape.
He said, shaking his head.
Deep down, he knew that he would make the same decision if he were in their palace.
-Why didn't the chips work on them?
Nairin asked, surprised that humans could ignore the technology meant to induce total obedience.
-I have no clue, but it's possible that on the lower settings, the chips don't affect my species the same way they affect others.
It's something to discuss with them later.
-Do you think they will want to join the empire?
Lan asked, knowing that Andrew would not force anyone to join against their will.
-Most likely, I mean, where else can they go?
Their stations were taken over long ago; they have no ship and nothing to keep them alive in the long term, so I think they will stay.
At worst, they might want to return to Earth.
Andrew shrugged.
He wanted to send a team to Earth a long time ago.
But since Earth is considered a death world and a high-ranking one at that, he never did, not wanting to get some of his people killed for nothing.
-I don't think this would be such a bad idea.
Sarill said after a moment of thought.
-Truth be told, I would also prefer living on my home world, or at least have the possibility to visit it sometimes.
She added.
-If we manage to find it, you can visit it as often as you wish.
Andrew said with a smile.
The only reason he had to visit Earth would be to visit his mother's grave.
Other than that, he treated his homeworld as a food basket for the empire and a convenient trade materials stockpile.
The rest of the day went by without anything noteworthy, but the next morning, Andrew received a message from Ilia, stating that Lieutenant Miller wanted to speak with him.
She was not seriously injured, so there was no need to put her into the regeneration tank, and after a few hours in a medical capsule, some sleep, and food, she was ready to leave the med bay.
Andrew invited her to have breakfast with him.
-So what did you want to talk about?
He asked after giving her some time to enjoy the food.
-I wanted to ask, what do you intend to do with us?
She asked, skipping the whole sir and your majesty part, per Andrews' request.
-Truth be told, it depends entirely on you.
He responded.
-I can arrange a station for you, or you can join the navy, there is also the possibility of joining other stations, or becoming a captain of a transport ship.
This is my Empire, but I have no desire to control every citizen or their lives.
As long as you don't commit a crime or inconvenience any other citizens, you can do whatever you want.
He listed a few options.
-You can even get an education in any field you want.
This is not Earth from before the Event; there are no money restrictions, since, other than trade with the guild, we don't use money, the resources are plentiful, and the possibilities are endless.
The only thing that is required is that you work and contribute to the empire, since I dont want to have a bunch of parasites, riding on the work of others.
Other than that, it's your call.
Andrew explained slowly.
-So you would not oppose if I choose to go back to earth?
Jenifer asked carefully.
-Not at all, I'll even add some droids for your protection and to help establish a safe place to live.
Truth be told, I wanted to send a team to Earth for a while now, but considering the dangers waiting on our planet, I decided against it and kept relying on Droids and drones.
She was shocked hearing this, as she was almost certain he would oppose her idea.
-Alright, but in that case, what would you want me to do about working for the empire and all that?
She asked.
-There are plenty of things to do on Earth that benefit the empire.
Left on earth, there are billions of tons of materials that we can use, which are collected by droids and drones right now, so you can always join that effort, or you can start a farm if you wish to go that way, you can also, go around collecting data and sending it back here.
Or you can do all of these at once, whenever you feel like it.
Andrew shrugged.
-Additionally, whatever you find that picks your fancy, you can keep, no questions asked.
He added.
-How does any of that help the Empire?
She asked, not understanding the concept.
-Whatever you choose to do, it will always benefit the empire.
If you choose to gather materials to be transported and sold or used here, it will benefit the empire.
If you choose to start a farm and produce food, it will also benefit the empire, as the organic food is extremely valuable here in space.
If you choose to help clean up the planet, that also helps the empire, as every little bit counts, and the trash is recycled into useful materials.
Andrew explained.
-So basically, whatever I do will benefit the empire in one way or another.
She said, finally getting what he meant.
-Yes, and it will also benefit you.
Andrew confirmed.
-These choices are only examples.
The possibilities are endless and depend only on you.
-This is a lot to think about.
Jennifer sighed.
-It is, but you have all the time in the world to decide what you want to do, so don't rush it.
Also, if at some point you change your mind and decide that you want to go back to space, there is no problem with it at all.
So it's not like you'll be stuck with whatever you choose.
-You know, if the event never happened, you would grow to be a great businessman one day.
She smiled.
-I'll take it as a compliment.
Andrew smiled as well, not adding that by now he would be mentally impaired if not dead, thanks to his fake family, so he would never grow up to become a businessman.
They spent the rest of the meal chatting about everything and nothing.
Before they parted ways, Andrew informed her about the facilities they all could use on the station and asked her to inform others as well.
After the breakfast, Andrew got back to work, visiting the med bay, answering a few calls from the neighbouring territories, listening to the reports about the internal affairs, and so on and so forth.
While doing all that, he was awaiting the decision about the slave acquisition, hoping that it would be approved, allowing him not only an opportunity to save a lot of slaves but also to increase the population of the empire, which was tragically low at this point.
While he was thinking about this issue, Lan's voice cut through his thoughts, bringing him back to reality.
-There is a fleet approaching our borders, but it looks like one of our neighbors is their target, judging by the size of their forces.
She said, displaying the fleet on the main screen.
-Alert the fleet and all the systems in that area are to go to high alert and be ready for battle.
Andrew ordered immediately.
He didn't know what the incoming fleet's target was, but he was not taking any chances.
-Runir immediately moved out with her fleet, additionally redirecting two patrol fleets into the area.
Arien sent half of her fleet as reinforcements, keeping the other half in the Rodill's system where they usually were stationed.
Giarna also wanted to send forces, but was stopped by Andrew and ordered to keep an eye on the Milky Way territories in case this was some ruse to divert their forces.
Soon after the fleets moved out, they received communication from their neighbour, Drenel, whose territory was the most likely target.
Andrew was uncertain how to classify his species, but the alien looked like a mix between a spider, praying mantis and a lizard.
In other words, he was not easy on the eyes in the least.
-Emperor Eagle, please send help. My forces can't possibly win against more than five hundred ships.
Drenel pleaded.
-My fleet is already on its way, we have a mutual defense agreement between us and I intend to keep my word.
Andrew said, seriously.
-Thank you, I appreciate it.
The territory owner sighed in relief.
-That's what allies are for.
Please inform your fleet that friendlies are coming. I don't want any accidents between our fleets.
-Of course, I'll get right on that.
Drenel said and disconnected soon after.
Less than two hours later, the two patrol fleets redirected by Runir entered the allied territory and started taking defensive positions.
The enemy fleet would arrive faster than Runir's main fleet, but only by a few minutes, so their advantage from getting there first would not be too big.
Besides, altogether, the enemy fleet consisted of 540 ships, while Runir's main fleet had well over a thousand, in addition to the two patrol fleets, each consisting of fifty ships, and the territory's defense fleet of 320 ships, and the system defenses.
With such a massive numerical advantage and firepower gap, the Admiral was sure that the enemy would turn around and flee the moment she jumped in.
The enemy fleet jumped into the system at a distance of approximately twenty light seconds and started closing in on sub-light engines, while forming a box formation as they went.
It was far from the effective firing range of even the energy-based weapons, but it allowed Runir and her fleet to arrive in the system before the enemy covered even half of the distance.
She hailed the approaching fleet immediately upon arrival, while her fleet took positions at the front..
-This is Fleet Admiral Runir Roan, of the Lantean Empire's Navy.
You are trespassing on our allied system.
State your intentions and affiliation.
She demanded after introducing herself.
As a response, the enemy fleet jumped, only to reappear inside the effective firing range and open fire on her fleet.
-Return fire.
The Admiral ordered, right before her ship shook from a hit to its rear shields.
It took her only a second to figure out what was going on.
-Retreat, all ships, emergency jump!
She ordered, realizing they had been betrayed and lured into a trap.