Chapter 143 The wormhole.

It took Andrew a while to get over the news of someone using slavery chips to force their slaves to commit suicide or to force them to fight a losing battle.

He always knew that there was such a possibility, but it never crossed his mind that there would be someone capable of doing this.

Thinking about it calmly, he shouldn't be too surprised, considering that many people on earth did similar things, or would love to have this kind of power over others.

All he needed to do was to look at World War 2 to find examples of such things, minus the slavery chips.

However, at the moment he had bigger worries.

For example, the wormhole the fleet came from.

He had no idea where it led or if it was guarded on the other side and if so, then who was guarding it?

Seeing as it was quite close, compared to Tiza's station, he wanted to take the system for himself and build defenses to prevent anyone from using the wormhole without his approval.

However, he needed the input of others and he needed to find a crew for the new station.

Asking everyone about their opinion was easy as all he needed to do was to call them and explain the situation.

Everyone agreed that the system in question was way too important to leave it be.

As for the crew of the new station.

There was no shortage of volunteers from all the stations.

Not that the people hated their new homes, but expanding the territory meant gaining more status and resources.

Not to mention that everyone felt indebted to Andrew for taking them in and providing them with a home.

However, the one finally chosen as the station master was the most unexpected one, to say the least.

Captain Rodill stepped up asking for the privilege of becoming the station master.

-Lord, Andrew.

As much as I like leading my people into battle, I was never trained to do so.

My previous post was a small defensive outpost and I would like to return to the duty I know best.

He said, surprising everyone.

-You do know that becoming the station master will require a slavery chip implantation at least for now?

Andrew asked, surprised at Rudil's request.

-I am aware, but seeing the way you treat all your subordinates I don't mind.

Also, my people would love the idea of having our own station, even if it's mainly a guard post.

He added.

The Adurians, Andrew caught, saw how his territory operated and how the lord treated everyone, and they didn't want to go back to the Adurian space.

The main reason was that they would most likely be treated as traitors since they fought for Andrew more than once at this point.

The other reason was, that they didn't want to become a cannon foder for the Invasion fleets, which they saw on the sensors, more than once.

The Adurian territory was not conquered, but they paid for it with many ships and the lives of their crews.

-Since that's the case, You will be implanted with the chip today, but the system itself needs to wait until we are ready to take it.

Andrew agreed.

He didn't want to implant another chip after he saw how they could be used, but that was the only way for him to fully trust Rudill.

-Nairin, start the production of the module parts, you have both cargo ships at your disposal and I want that station up and running as soon as possible.

He turned to the young engineer.

-Boss, do we even know where this wormhole is connected to?

Drevon asked.

-Not at the moment, but as soon as the station is ready and armed, we will find out.

Andrew assured him.

-In addition to the station I suggest sending some ships.

They could patrol the system and maybe even find out why the slaver's base disappeared.

Arien proposed.

-That's a good idea, but for now, we can't send too many ships.

Our fleet is small, and some of the ships are still undergoing repairs.

Runir, chimed in.

She listened to Andrew and contacted some of the older and more experienced captains and soldiers.

At first, she was afraid that they would laugh at her, but to her surprise, they all took the matter seriously, and not only did they not belittle her, but some even praised her for seeking help, instead of trying to get over it by herself.

In the end, they all did their best to convince her that she was not at fault in the incident that cost them ships and the lives of their comrades.

-This is war, and in war people die, the best you can do as a fleet commander is to try and minimize our losses.

From what I have seen till now you are doing a magnificent job in that regard, especially considering you're age and lack of experience.

However, you must always remember, that the enemy wants to kill us too and they will do so if given the opportunity.

Drevon said when she contacted him to ask for advice.

The other people gave her similar advice and they managed to convince her that without her, they might have suffered even more losses than they did.

All of that gave her the confidence to return to her post as the fleet commander.

-Figure out what we can station in the system for now, we will increase the fleet there as the ships become available.

Andrew said, happy to see the fleet commander back and in such a short time too.

Runir nodded, accepting the task.

-We will be able to send the first transport of modules and drones, tomorrow.

This also includes the weapons and shields for the station.

Nairin said after a few minutes of calculating the time needed for the production of everything the new station would need.

-With any luck, the station should be ready within 36 hours, and with the sizable asteroid belt in the system, it should be able to start producing fighters within two days.

She said, sending the timetable to everyone.

-Good work, now let's make it happen.

Andrew said, ending the meeting.

-During the next 24 hours, Aelita and Nairin, oversaw the production and loading of the module's parts and the drones to the two massive cargo ships.

At the same time, Runir delegated 12 gunships 3 corvettes, 1 frigate, and 1 heavy frigate, to the fleet that was going to escort the transport and then guard the system during the station's construction.

Rodill and many of the military officers were discussing the best way to set up the station, so that, its armaments could fire at the incoming ships.

The best solution they came up with was to set the station behind the wormhole exit.

This would make it harder for the enemies to fire at it and impossible to target it from the other side while giving the station and the fleet a great firing position right behind any incoming ships.

Soon the fleet was ready to depart and thankfully there were no enemies near their route or in the system they were about to take over.

During this time there were also no attacks on the territory as most invading fleets were either moving away from Andrew's territory or, holding positions in the system's they have taken over.

Once the fleet arrived in the system.

The warships immediately took defensive positions, while the two transport ships opened up their cargo bays and the drones they carried started taking out the parts and assembling the modules.

in less than six hours, both ships were emptied and on their way back to pick up the cargo of the module parts and additional drones.

During this time the station was growing fast.

It was already shielded and armed, with some capabilities to mine resources.

However, it was far from finished

Nairine's predictions about the station were spot on as within 36 hours, it was built and within 48 hours, it could start producing its own heavy fighters, which it did as Rodill wanted to have as much firepower at his disposal as possible, considering that he was now literally guarding the gate to the territory.

Andrew sent him also some bombs and missiles for the fighters, since in case of any hostile force showing up, he would need to hold out until the fleet was able to come to his aid.

The last delivery from the cargo ships also contained fifty scout drones, meant to search every inch of the system looking for the slaver's base, Arien saw.

It was important to find it if it was still there since it was a potential threat.

Rodill wanted to send one of the drones through the wormhole to see what was on the other side but was stopped by Andrew.

-We will send a drone, but first, we need to secure this system.

The last thing we need is to provoke another fleet to come through the wormhole while we are not sure if the base Arien saw was moved or is still there, hidden somewhere.

The new station master agreed with this logic, especially since he was in no hurry to try out his armaments in real battle.