Andrew immediately ordered droids to transport the matter converters and the fabricator to the workshop module and informed Aelita that she would need to activate them once she was back.
He could have done so himself with the help of the manuals attached to the devices, but he decided to leave it to an actual engineer.
The news of the unexpected treasures spread fast, and all the ladies who wanted to take the matter converters from the crystal chest immediately sighed in relief.
If they had chosen them from the box, they would lose out a lot after finding these.
After the discovery, Andrew and Tanera spent almost an hour looking over the treasures, mainly focusing at the ones Jalina was unable to identify, but even though they were all precious items, none of them could be used by them as they were designed for other species.
-If the supervisor agrees to reinstate your trading privileges, I'll have a hard time deciding what to buy from you.
The merchant said, after they finished looking over the items.
-There is no hurry; even if you can't trade for all of them at once, they will still be here when you return next time.
-Next time, it might be my brother who comes here, and knowing him, he will do his best to clear out your stock.
The elf retorted.
-You can always tell me what you want to buy later, and I'll save it for you.
I don't think Terelen would mind.
Andrew shrugged.
-Thank you.
I will, but first, you need to get your trading privilege back and the moment you do, I'm claiming Aelita as my champion again, and I'm certain that my brother will want to claim you as his champion again.
The elf said.
-Didn't you claim new champions when we got blacklisted?
The human asked, surprised.
-No, we were doing our best to remove you from the blacklist and to be honest, the two of you have the highest chances to survive the invasion in this part of the galaxy, especially with that monstrous shipyard of yours.
She explained.
-Andrew, we have an incoming merchant ship, and it's a big one.
Sensors indicate that it's a destroyer class.
Lanarine's voice interrupted their conversation.
-That can't be right.
The galactic supervisor is not due to come here till tomorrow at the earliest.
Tanera said, visibly shaken.
-There is more.
Lan added.
-It's being pursued by two destroyers and eight frigates.
The design matches the ships that left when we took care of the assassins.
-I'm on my way.
In the meantime, sound the alarm and scramble the fleet.
If they enter our territory, we will take them out.
Andrew said, and started running towards the command center.
This kind of threat was not something that they could take lightly.
Before he got back, Sarill already informed everyone about the danger and the fleet was put on alert.
Runir once again did her best to hide some gunships in the asteroids, to ambush the enemy if they decided to come to their system.
The other stations did the same, just in case the enemy decided to visit them.
They knew that in such an event, they would not be able to win, but at least they would make the enemy pay dearly for attacking them.
All three subordinate station masters took their duty to protect the territory deadly serious, and they would rather die than lose another home.
-Report.
Was the first word Andrew said after entering the command center.
-All stations are prepared with their shields up and weapons loaded.
The fleet has scrambled and is in the process of hiding itself.
Lanarine said.
-Runir is on the line asking for permission to try and hide some fighters among the asteroids.
Sarill said a moment later.
-Granted, but tell her to be careful with that.
Andrew nodded after thinking it over.
-Andrew, Captain Rodill wants to speak with you.
Ilia contacted him directly.
-If it's not important, it'll have to wait.
He responded.
-System master, allow us to join your fleet in defense of this system.
Rodil asked, through the Ilia's bracelet.
-Why should I trust you?
Not long ago, you were trying to attack my station to capture Iliana.
-Things are different now.
We were captured, and that means my previous orders don't apply anymore, and since Lady Iliana is on this station, I have to protect her, not to mention that I prefer death in battle, than what my sister will do to me if she hears I was here nad did nothing to protect her friend.
Rodil said, hoping that Andrew would allow his men to join them and fight for him.
-You do know that once you do this, you won't be able to go back to the Adurian Council?
Andrew asked.
-I am aware, and so are all my men.
-Ilia, what do you think about this?
Andrew asked,
-I can't say I like the idea, but that's why most of them joined the navy, so please let them join our forces.
She pleaded, despite her personal feelings.
-Alright, scramble your fleet and follow fleet commander Runir's orders.
But if you betray me, your sister will be the least of your worries.
-I won't betray you. I swear on my honor as an Adurian officer.
Rodil said, seriously, and Andrew could hear Iliana gasp over the comms.
-We shall see, now move your ass if you want to help.
He ordered, while making a mental note to ask Ilia what this oath was about that it surprised her so much.
-Sarill, inform Runir she is getting reinforcements, three frigate and five corvette class ships, that are coming under her command.
A few minutes later, the Adurian fleet launched, and after receiving orders from Runir, they took their positions.
-I will also join your forces.
Tanera said, wanting to leave, only to be stopped by Andrew, who caught her by her hand.
-I'll agree, but you need to hide your ship like we did with the others.
I dont want the enemy to know there is a merchant ship joining the defense for now.
-Why?
The elf asked, confused.
-They don't have a problem with attacking merchant destroyer class ships, so who do you think will become their main target if they see your ship taking part in the battle?
Andrew asked.
I dont want to tell Terelen that his sister got killed in my territory.
He added.
-Alright, I'll hide, just inform Runir.
Tanera agreed, hearing his reasoning.
She knew that the human and her brother were friends, and she didn't want to be the reason their friendship fell apart.
-Then go, and try not to get yourself killed.
He finally let her go, and before he knew it, she was gone.
After receiving the information about Tanira joining them, Runir found her a good hiding spot that would allow her to fire on the enemy, while being shielded by the asteroid.
-Lan how much longer till they get here?
Andrew asked, seeing that everything was ready to greet the guests.
-The merchant ship will arrive in about ten minutes and the pursuing fleet two minutes later.
They are coming straight here, and I don't think they will approach the other stations.
She answered.
-That's not fair. Why do you guys always get all the fun?
Drevon asked over the comms, visibly trying not to swear at his bad luck.
The big alien had been itching for a fight for a while now, and he was again going to have to watch from afar while Andrew took out the enemy.
-I spoke too soon.
Lanarine suddenly said.
-The enemy forces are splitting up, the main force is still pursuing the merchant ship, but there are now two frigates on course to all our stations except for the newest one.
She said.
-Ask and ye shall receive.
Andrew said with a smile
-Finally some action.
Drevon said, excited at the opportunity he was presented with.
-You and your big mouth.
Rhuneek said, shaking his head at his friend's antics.
He could do without a battle, and frankly, he enjoyed the peace he had had since he became the station master.
-Boss, do you want these ships in one piece, or can we just blow them up?
Zira asked, with a predatory grin.
-If you can take them in one piece without too many losses, then that's the preferred solution, but I won't mind if you simply blow them up.
Andrew answered after some thought.
-Happy hunting.
He added, with a smile of his own.
The next ten minutes went by in the blink of an eye.
The merchant destroyer jumped out of the FTL, and it was evident that it was in one hell of a fight.
-This ship is so damaged that it's a miracle it even managed to get here.
Lan said, looking at the sensor data that showed serious battle damage the destroyer had sustained.
-Andrew, we are being hailed.
Sairll reported a moment later.
-On screen.
-It's only Audio.
The girl said and connected the call.
-System master, please help, we are being pursued, and we can't run anymore.
A female voice came through the speakers.
-Get to the other side of the shipyard and wait there, we will take care of your pursuers.
Andrew replied.
-Thank you.
Came the reply, and the call ended.
Two minutes later, two destroyers and two frigates jumped into the system.
-Sarill, hail them.
The girl nodded and opened a channel to the enemy ships.
-This is system master…
Before Andrew could even finish, the whole station shook when its shields got assaulted by fire from the one destroyer and both frigates, while the other destroyer opened fire on the shipyard.
-That was rude.
Andrew commented.