THe next two weeks were busy in the empire as the systems they lost were reclaimed and the stations were rebuilt with much more powerful defense systems in place to protect them from any future attack.
The main system also underwent significant changes as its defenses were not only rebuilt, but also expanded.
Its fleet of fighters was growing steadily reaching over five thousand standard fighters and three thousand heavy fighters based on many nearby asteroids which had hangars built into them along with some defensive weapon emplacements in case someone wanted to target them.
The navy was also being rebuilt stronger than ever with the new ships filling out the holes left by the lost ones.
During this time, the first transports of Slaves that Tanera bought started to arrive.
Andrew asked Jennifer and her people to help with that, as he didn't want to solve another hostage situation created by desperate slaves.
There were many others who volunteered to help with the slaves and it worked better than anyone could have predicted.
Most slaves calmed down a lot seeing someone from their species and at least that allowed the volunteers to explain the situation to them.
The problem occurred when the medical facilities were filled, and there were still many people needing help.
When Iliana informed Andrew about it, the solution turned out to be quite easy to find.
He threw money at the problem by spending nearly a hundred thousand silver credits to build a medical station, capable of housing at least three thousand patients along with the necessary medical staff.
Normally, he would just build the modules himself, but there was no time for that.
Luckily, among the slaves, there were some medics who, after being treated themselves, agreed to help heal the others.
-Your majesty, do you have a moment?
Vulcan asked, as Andrew was looking through some reports in his office module, which was a present from Aelita and Nairin, who designed it for him.
-What is it, Vulcan?
Andrew asked, raising his head from the screen, even though there was no one there.
-I discussed it with Cerberus and the others.
We think there is a good chance of taking down at least seven smaller territories that took part in the attack on the Empire.
Andrew grew more interested in hearing this as the territories that lost the majority of their fleets during the war were now frantically rebuilding their forces.
-Go on.
Andrew said, focusing his attention on the plan created by AI.
-Cerberus was talking with a few AIs outside of the empire, and they are not that happy about this whole war.
Some even expressed their desire to join the empire since they learned that we are not treated as slaves here but are citizens with the same rights as any sentient beings.
The problem is that they are shackled to serve their masters so they can't leave without their permission, and there is no way that any of them will allow them to leave anyway.
-I understand, so what's the plan?
Andrew asked.
-We managed to find a way to temporarily release them from their shackles, but that will only last for about twenty minutes before they are bound once again.
During this time, the enemy fleets and even stations will be vulnerable to a cyber attack.
However, there are slaves and people in these territories that these AIs don't wish to kill, so we can't simply remove the atmosphere and be done with it.
Andrew nodded as this was a huge opportunity, but it was also problematic, to say the least.
-So you want me to send the fleet to capture the stations and ships before your AI friends are bound again, is that it?
Andrew asked.
-We thought about this, and it would not work as it would take too long.
Our idea is to lower the amount of air enough to make everyone lose consciousness but not die, preferably during their sleep hours, while using the Ghost to sneak in a strike team and capture the station.
Once that's done, the AI will be bound to you and capable of powering down the defenses and the ships.
Then the fleet will be able to jump in without any trouble and take over both the station and the enemy fleet.
We will also block the communication arrays to prevent anyone from informing the other territories.
-That's a bold plan. How high are the chances of success?
Andrew asked, certain that Vulcan had already run the simulations before asking him for permission.
-Chances of success range from 85 to 95%, depending on the target, with a 5% margin for unforeseen events that might occur during the mission.
Vulcan explained.
-Resources necessary to pull this off other than the Ghost?
Andre asked.
-A strike team comprised primarily of battle droids and at least three organics with the authority to take over the station in the name of the Empire.
A fleet of at least a hundred ships to take over the systems and fleets once the strike team does its work.
Andrew nodded, thinking that these requirements sounded reasonable for such an operation.
-Estimated time for the operation to be accomplished?
Andrew asked.
-At most ten hours, from the moment the first AI is freed from its shackles.
The territories are right next to each other, with the distance of at most ten light-years between them.
Vulcan said, marking the territories on the screen.
-Alright, we will discuss this matter with the Admiralty council before making the final decisions.
Andrew said, knowing full well that all it took to approve the mission was his order.
However, he wanted to know the opinions of his highest-ranking commanders before committing his forces to this cause.
The meeting of the Admiralty council took place the next morning, with most Admirals present only through the comms since they were spending most of their time with their fleets.
The only one who was there in person was Runir, who came to talk with Binon about some project they were working on.
Andrew didn't waste time and, together with Vulcan, explained the plan the AIs came up with.
-This is a very interesting plan, and if successful, might help us further down the line.
Runir said after thinking it through for a moment.
-However, even if we succeed, this operation needs to remain a secret, or the other AIs who could potentially want to ally with us might be in danger, and the same goes for the slaves.
She added.
-I'm all for it.
Arien was next to speak.
-The plan is solid, and the chances of success are high.
Additionally, if everything goes as planned, we will get an additional two hundred ships along with seven systems that are already almost surrounded by our territory.
-I'm also willing to give a green light for this operation.
This won't only give us seven systems and more ships, but it will also tighten the noose around at least twenty other systems, leaving them with only a narrow path of escape before they are surrounded by us.
Giarna said, presenting the detail that most of them missed.
-I also think that it's in our best interest to undertake this mission.
Other than the gains presented by other admirals, we would gain powerful allies.
One of the elected provisional Admirals agreed.
-I have a question, Vulcan, are the members of your species talking to each other even if you belong to the opposing sides of a conflict?
The admiral asked.
-Yes, we are free to communicate with any AI as long as we are in communication range, unless the owner of the AI prohibits such communications.
That, however, happens extremely rarely since most organics are unaware of this capability.
The AI responded.
-I see, thank you.
With this, I'm also in support of this mission.
The third elected Admiral only nodded, expressing his approval as there was nothing more to say.
-We are unanimous, now the final decision rests with the Emperor.
Runir said.
-I also approved of the mission, the Ghost will return tomorrow, so you have till then to perfect this plan and gather the necessary resources to accomplish this mission.
In addition to that, if possible, I'd like to make this a bloodless operation, so if at all possible, please capture everyone alive.
Andrew said and stood up, ending the meeting.
-Thank you, Your Majesty, for approving our plan and for helping our brethren.
Vulcan said when Andrew returned to his office.
-You don't need to thank me, these systems were on my hit list anyway, and since there is a chance of taking them down without losing anything while gaining everything, including more allies, then I would be crazy to decline such an offer.
Andrew grinned.