Chapter 73 The System master (part 3)
Andrew took the words of Runir and Tarina seriously and thought them over.
There was no way to avoid a confrontation with the federation, so the only thing he could do was to get ready for it.
-We have incoming communications, but it's from outside of the system, and we have a ship incoming through the FTL.
Lanarine's voice brought Andrew back to reality.
-How far out is the ship and can you identify it?
He asked immediately.
-The ship is 40 lightyears out but it will arrive in around 20 minutes with its current speed, I can't identify the ship type but it's big.
She answered looking at the data.
-Wait, it just started to broadcast the merchant ID signal.
Lan added as soon as the change occurred.
-Power up the weapons and shields to full.
Andrew ordered.
- Already done.
Aelita predicted this order and prepared everything.
-Open a channel and put it on the main screen.
Andrew said, curious who was calling right now.
-Station master Sparrow, It's good to see you.
Terelen said the moment the connection was established.
-Sorry for dropping by unannounced, but there are things we need to urgently discuss face to face.
The Elf said with a serious tone.
This surprised everyone as usually, the merchant was mostly emotionless in their interaction.
-Why do I have a feeling that there is trouble coming my way?
Andrew asked.
-Probably because of your great intuition, but I can't tell you any details before I get there.
Right now I'm calling to be sure you won't fire on my new ship.
Elf said, trying to get back to his emotionless voice and failing.
-Alright, you are always welcome here, I'll see you when you arrive.
Andrew said.
-Thank you, See you soon.
The transmission ended.
-Does anyone else have a feeling that we won't like his news?
Andrew asked the ladies and all of them nodded.
-This is unusual, to say the least, there are still two days before he is scheduled to return, and this bigger ship of his also isn't a good sign.
Iliana offered her opinion.
-Agreed, not to mention that he has something to say that can't be mentioned over the communications channel, even when you are the administrator of the relay.
Lanarine added.
-Yes, this all shows that we are either in great trouble or something happened in the Elven empire.
Andrew nodded.
The next half an hour seemed to last a few hours, but the wait was coming to an end when a destroyer class vessel docked at the station.
-Permission to come aboard?
The elf asked.
-Granted, what is so important that you arrived so early, and what's up with this ship?
Andrew asked, without beating around the bush.
-The ship is a symbol of my new station.
Thanks to the raw nanites I bought from you, I got promoted, not only in the guild but also in the Empire.
Terelen answered.
-As for the rest, let's wait till everyone is assembled and I would like you to call the other stationmaster that is active in this system.
The elf said seriously.
-Let's go to the command center.
Andrew said and led the way.
-Lan, contact the student, Terelen has something to announce and he wants everyone in this system to hear it.
-Right away.
The woman said and opened the channel to the Student.
Other than that everyone was assembled, even Runir and Tarina were present.
-Hi, Lanarine, why are you calling me?
I thought that I had the time to think things through.
The student asked.
-The merchant just arrived and asked for us to contact you, he has something to say and wants us all to hear it.
Andrew explained.
-Since we are all here, I'll get straight to the point.
Terelen said.
-This whole universe is about to become a warzone, and you all are far from ready for it.
The elf said surprising everyone.
-Sorry, to interrupt, but this universe is already a warzone.
Andrew said.
-In the guild's eyes, the battles here are nothing more than skirmishes on a very minuscule scale.
The war I'm talking about will start soon and it involves many other universes, especially those that are low on resources.
Normally, you would be open to being invaded only after a year, when the guild would stop sending merchants, but right now this universe is developing way faster than it should and so in less than a month, the other universes will be able to attack you, and you are far from being ready to deal with them.
Terelen said, making everyone feel the gravity of the situation.
-Why are you telling this to us?
Andrew asked as he was the first one to get his voice back.
-Because the guild decided to allow all the merchants to pick their champions in this universe and inform them about it as well as assist them in some ways to give this universe a fighting chance.
I have chosen you as my champion, and right now I'm here to assist you in any way I can.
The elf said.
-My sister has chosen Lady Aelita, but she is now in the empire, waiting for the items that are being prepared for the two of you.
Andrew's jaw hit the floor as he heard what the elf was saying.
-But I'm not an independent station master.
Aelita said, hearing that she was chosen as a champion.
-You do not need to be, the only requirement is that you are not a slave, and it's even better that you were given the title of the Moonlight Lady and are considered a noble lady of the Moon Elf Star Empire.
Terelen explained.
-Besides, my sister is also an engineer like you and even if she never met you personally, she is impressed at your accomplishments.
He added.
-Alright, so what can you do to help, and is there something we need to do to officially become your champions?
Andrew asked, seeing Aelita's dazed expression.
He was not surprised as this was the only time someone other than him praised her engineering skills, and the girl was not used to being praised.
-To officially become champions the two of you need to become the system masters.
-Then you might want to come back in around two weeks as it will take at least that long to get every stationmaster in this system under my control.
Andrew explained.
-That's where you're wrong, with my help you can become a system master by tomorrow.
Terelen said, surprising everyone once again.
-How?
The human asked, unable to figure it out.
-It's simple, my ship will bring all the stations in this system here and all you need to do is conquer them and implant a chip into their stationmasters.
The elf said like it was a normal thing to do.
-Like I said before, the invasions will start in about a month, or two at most and that's if we are incredibly lucky.
So there is no time to waste.
Also, when you become a system master, I am authorized to sell you the anti-ship weaponry you want and help you with other things, but this will need to wait until you conquer this system.
Andrew had a hard time digesting all the shocking information he just received.
Only an hour ago he was already happy to finish conquering the system in two or three weeks and now he can do it within 24 hours.
-If that's the case, I will surrender, but I want to be implanted by Aelita's chip, not his.
The student said.
She understood now that there was no way for her to remain free and if she pissed the human off, he would simply blast her and be done with it.
-But I don't have a chip coded to me.
Aelita said, hearing the student's decision.
-Making a new set would take a week, so just accept mine, and I will simply hand you over to Aelita.
How does that sound?
Andrew proposed a solution.
-Or you can just surrender to Lady Aelita and become her subordinate.
Terelen added another option.
-But if I do that, I won't be able to be a station master again.
The student protested.
-To be honest, I don't see any of you ever becoming a stationmaster again, unless you surrender and become stationmasters under the system master authority.
The elf said.
-Is that even possible?
Andrew asked, surprised.
-Yes, but to do so, you would need to conquer more systems, and then you can send your subordinates to become a station master in one of these systems.
Terelen explained.
-I need to think about it.
The student said.
-You have time until we get the others here.
Andrew said.
She nodded and closed the comms channel.