Chapter 78 From Sparrow to Eagle.

Andrew called everyone except the sleeping ladies and Iliana who was watching over them into the command center to let them hear what Terelen had to say.

-Since we are all here now, let me explain what is going on and why I decided to help you.

The elf said.

-The creators as you know, made this universe as a science experiment, and as many such experiments before, they abandoned it when they grew frustrated with it.

However, the fate of the universes they abandon is not what you might think.

They didn't exactly abandon you to your own devices but gave you the stations and let you fight among yourselves for a year.

That year is a protection period during which the other universes can't invade this one and the merchants are dispatched to make sure you have a chance to grow.

After the time is up, the merchants will still come, but we will be able to decide with who we wish to trade and the rest is left on their own to survive.

Also after the protection period is over, the other universes will be able to attack this one for its resources and to capture you as slaves.

-How do you know all this?

Lanarine asked.

-Because a few thousand years ago it was my universe that was abandoned and we had a really hard time defending against the invasion.

This is also the reason we joined the merchant guild, the resources we get from universes such as yours are split between the guild and our own star nations.

Terelen explained.

-Then why are you telling this to us now?

Andrew asked.

-Because you and Lady Aelita are nobles of our empire and as such you need to know what's going on, but earlier I was unable to explain everything because of the merchant guild rules that don't allow anyone below the system master rank to know about it.

-Alright, continue.

Andrew nodded with understanding.

-As I said before, the raids and invasions will start in about a month or two at most and the reason for it is that your universe is developing much faster than normal and this shortened the protection period.

If past experiences are any indicator, it will start with an increase in pirate activity and there will also be some refugees seeking asylum or a master to serve.

These are people from other universes who lost their homelands and managed to escape.

If you agree to take them in, I recommend implanting them with chips as there were accidents where pirates infiltrated territories and stations posing as refugees.

Other than that there might be some offers to join the star nations from other universes such as the Moon Elf Star Empire.

Of which you are citizens, but you have the right to establish your own star nation and it would simply be treated by the empire as an ally.

Another thing I mentioned before is that since this is a special case we, the merchants were granted a privilege to choose our champions.

Me and my sister had chosen Lord Sparrow and Lady Aelita as our champions.

This allows us to help you prepare for the invasions and also makes us your exclusive merchants after the protection period ends.

It also allowed me to come here to help you as my sister continues to work as a merchant and should be coming here tomorrow to take my place while I go to fulfill my duties.

Now for the preparations we need to make before the invasion starts.

The elf said after a slight pause.

-As far as I know, it will take you a week at most to research all the necessary technology to build your first ship dock and a drone fighter factory module.

But thanks to your salvage from the pirate ships we can trade the fighter factory module and other necessary technology that will allow you to start building the fleet.

Other than that we can also provide you with anti-ship weaponry such as missile launcher modules, torpedo launcher modules, and kinetic cannon modules.

For the energy-based weapons you will need to do the research first as right now there is no way for you to power them.

-How many containers would all of that cost?

Andrew asked.

-For the ship dock, capable of producing ships up to the frigate class and a drone fighter factory module along with two cannons and two missile launchers and a supply of munitions for both of them.

The guild requires two containers.

As for the shipbuilding and repair, drones, and droids blueprints, that will cost you 100 silver credits.

The rest of the required modules you will need to research on your own but that should not take any longer than two days.

By that time my sister will be here in my place so you will be able to buy everything you need the moment the technology is researched.

-You have a deal, and also we still have over 60 crates of salvage that we had no time to even open till now, will she be able to trade with me for their contents?

Andrew agreed and asked as this was important.

-Yes, she will have the same authority as me in that matter.

Terelen confirmed.

-Alright, is there any more information that we need to know about right now?

The human asked.

-No, there is nothing urgent right now and the rest of the information can be passed on by my sister, right now I only have some private matters to discuss with you before I can go get some rest.

The elf said.

-Alright, let's go get the containers and we can talk on our way.

Andrew said, determined to also finish the work and get some sleep.

The rest of you should get some rest, and Aelita, that means go to sleep and not go tinkering with the ship and fighters.

He said, noticing that the girl was about to return to the hangar.

-But, I want to finish inspecting them.

She protested.

-They are not going anywhere, and you can inspect them to your heart's content after you get some rest.

He answered shaking his head.

The Cheroni relented after hearing that and turned around to go to the bedroom module instead of the hangar.

-What did you want to talk to me in private?

Andrew asked when he and Terelen were on their way to get the containers.

-I want to buy another container of raw nanites from you, but not with the guild transaction.

I need it for my private purposes.

The elf said.

-Alright, since you want to buy it then I see no reason not to sell it to you.

Andrew agreed.

-Aren't you gonna ask for what I need it?

Terelen was surprised at the human's lack of interest.

-If you want to tell me, I will listen but other than that it's not my business what you do with the stuff you buy from me.

-I will tell you either way so you won't be surprised tomorrow when you see my sister.

The nanites are the price the King-Emperor set for the possibility of getting a new body for me.

The elf said.

-What's wrong with this one?

Andrew asked.

-Nothing other than the slight detail of me being way too short for an elf.

Every other one of my people is at least 180 cm tall, so I want to get a body that is a normal height for my people.

It will allow me to not embarrass my future bride when it's time for the ceremony and no one will call me a mini elf anymore.

Terelen admitted with a bit of shame in his voice.

-In that case, the nanites will be my present for you.

Andrew said after hearing the merchant's words.

-But that's too expensive for a gift.

Elf tried to protest.

-Nothing is too expensive when it helps someone avoid being bullied.

I know the pain of that kind of treatment and if I can help you then why not?

You can also take it as a payment for helping me become a system master.

Andrew said.

-Thank you.

Terelen said, accepting his host's generosity.

-Also about the girl you wanted me to find.

He started, trying to change the topic.

-Did you find Alex?

Andrew asked quickly.

-Yes, I did find her, but she's in another galaxy.

The elf said seeing the agitated human.

-Which one?

-She is in the so-called Pegasus dwarf galaxy.

-Come to think about it, which galaxy are we in?

Andrew asked remembering that he had no clue where he was.

-We are located in what you humans call an Andromeda galaxy.

-How far is that?

The human asked.

She is more than a million lightyears away from here, so instant communication is not happening anytime soon, and going there is impossible right now.

But I can tell you that she is a system master already as the only other stationmaster got killed by an asteroid the day they arrived there and right now she is on her way to build a fleet.

What's more, she was also chosen as a champion by her merchant, so you don't need to worry about her too much.

Terelen told him everything he knew at once to avoid agitating the human even more.

Hearing this, Andrew sighed in relief.

-And did you find the others I asked you about?

The human asked, curious about the people who tried to kill him.

-Yes I did and from all of them only one is in this galaxy the rest of them are spread among other galaxies some of which are very far away from here.

Terelen said taking a look at his tablet.

-Who is in this galaxy?

Andrew asked.

-Sophia Hajduk and she is around 6000 light years away from here.

The Elf said.

-Good, send the data to my command chair, I'll take a look at it later.

he said calmly but inside he was fuming.

Sophia was one of Agness's friends and she loved it when his half-sister embarrassed him before them all, not to mention that she also helped his accursed sister find out about the account which cost him a beating.

If she was still alive when he was ready, he would enjoy making her life a living hell.

-It is done.

Terelen said, unaware that his companion was planning a hellish surprise for the woman he just mentioned.

-Thank you.

Andrew said.

-No problem, you helped me a lot so this is the bare minimum I could do for you.

-I also have a favor to ask you.

Andrew said hoping that it was possible.

-Can you change my surname back to my Mother's surname in the database?

He asked.

-Yes, if you wish for it, there is no problem with that.

All I need is the surname of your mother to change it, but why do you want to change your surname?

Elf asked as this was not a typical thing to ask.

-Sparrow is the surname I got when I went to live with my father after my mother died.

He didn't want people to know of my origin, but since now I don't need to humor him anymore and I hate this surname, I want my old surname back to honor my mother.

Andrew explained the situation.

-Alright, so what is your mother's surname?

Elf asked after he understood the situation.

-Eagle, my mother's name was Joanna Eagle.

He said, faintly recalling his mother's smiling image in his mind.

Terelen started poking his tablet as soon as he heard the name.

-It's done, from now on you are known as Andrew Eagle by the merchant's guild.

Changing the name in the Imperial database will take a bit longer, but I'll take care of it when I go back.

the merchant said.

-Thank you Terelen, you have no idea how much this means to me.

Andrew said with tears in his eyes.

-No thanks are necessary, it's my job and after hearing your story, I did that with pleasure.

Terelen said with a smile.

-Now let's get the containers and get some rest or my sister will kill me.

He added.