When Andrew received the signal that Runir and Tarina were ready, he initiated the separation plan prepared by Nairin who turned out to be talented in programming.
The gist of it was that the section that was to be left behind was held in place by over a thousand drones, to prevent it from moving while almost fifty construction drones, separated the predestined connections at the same time.
The whole process took less than five minutes to complete and the best part was that it worked.
-The separation is complete, The main station is moving away, are you sure that you want to continue with the disarming?
Andrew said to his comms bracelet.
-Is there any other way?
Runir asked.
-Well, we can evacuate you, get to a safe distance, and then blow this ship up along with the modules that we left there, it's not like this will damage us in the slightest.
I can simply buy back the modules we lose, and at least you won't need to risk your lives over it.
-We appreciate your concern, but this is more than simply us trying to save this ship, besides it would be great to give Runir's future fleet a frigate.
Tarina answered.
-Alright, just wait for another hour, I should be at a safe distance by then.
-There is no rush, the charges are not on any sort of timer, so get to safety and then contact us.
Runir said, and closed the channel.
It took Andrew another hour to reach the minimum safe distance at which his shields would be able to protect the station from any debris flying his way, however, he wanted to be sure about this so he waited another half an hour before contacting the ladies.
-The main station is at a safe distance, you can proceed with your part of the plan.
-Copy that.
Was the only answer he received.
As he closed the comms channel he saw the elf's ships docking at the main station as there was no reason for them to linger in space without any reason.
Soon everyone beside Aelita and Iliana were in the command center, wanting to see if the plan would succeed or fail.
At the same time, at the docking module, Tarina and Runir were just about to board the ship.
-Ready?
Runir asked her friend.
-No, but delaying it won't change anything.
Tarisn answered with a shaky voice.
-Then let's get it over with.
With these words, both of them boarded the vessel.
Their destination was the bridge, which they found easily as both of them knew this class of ship.
These frigates were used by all the academies and schools as training vessels for their cadets and students.
Arriving at the bridge, Runir sat in the captain's seat while Tarina stood beside her.
-Let's hope this works.
The former Zatulan Cadet said, opening a small hidden compartment in the right armrest of the command chair.
Inside there was a needle and a small device with an open slot.
The girl pricked her finger and placed a drop of her white blood in the slot before closing it and pressing a button on the top of the device.
The device started its analysis and soon the ship powered up.
-Zatulan Bio signature detected, please remain still for the scan.
The emotionless mechanical voice came from the speakers, and right after that, a flat scanning device scanned her face.
At this moment Runir prayed that her data was still in the database and was not changed into exile yet.
-Welcome back Cadet Runir of the Roan Clan.
The same emotionless voice sounded, making her sigh in relief.
But the words surprised her as this message would only be played if she had been on this ship before.
-Vessel identify yourself.
She commanded.
-Frigate class training vessel number 65471 at your service.
Runir's jaw dropped to the floor.
-How can this be?
She whispered.
-What's going on?
Tarina asked, seeing how shaken her friend was.
-This is a training ship from my academy, but it's impossible, it was docked at the academy station when we were taken and sent here.
She mumbled, trying to understand how they managed to get this ship from her academy all the way out here.
-Display mission parameters.
Runir finally said, hoping that this would shed some light on this mystery.
-Access denied, Cadet Runir you don't have the clearance to access the data.
-Frigate 65471, as the highest ranking officer of the federation in this sector, I demand to see the mission parameters.
-Scanning…
The voice answered and they waited for the result.
-Access Granted, Acting Captain Runir.
-Display the data.
The mission parameters were displayed on the holo screen which materialized right in front of her.
Once she read them, she could not stop herself from cursing out loud.
-Those damn slime-sucking, degenerate, brainless morons.
These were her first words and it didn't stop there as she was cursing them for a while before Tanira stopped her.
-What's going on?
She asked, which made Runir come back to her senses.
-They set this ship to blow up the moment it is undocked or someone tries to access its main systems.
In other words, this ship is a sacrificial pawn to them and nothing else.
She explained the situation.
Tarina turned pale after hearing this, as it meant that most of their friends would die one way or another.
-Frigate 65471, activate emergency mission change protocols.
New mission: Protection of the Diplomat Tarina Zeir of the Areini planetary republic.
Confirm change in mission status.
-Emergency mission change protocols are active, awaiting identification and confirmation of the mission change from the diplomatic representative.
-Voice identification, Acting Diplomatic envoy Tarina Zeir of the Areini planetary republic.
The diplomat said.
-Biosignature identification is required.
The ship said after a moment of analyzing her voice sample.
Without delay, Tarina dropped some of her blood to the bio scanner, previously used by Runir.
-Areini bio signature detected, welcome aboard Diplomat Tarina Zeir.
Awaiting authorization for the mission parameters change.
-As a diplomat of the Five Races Federation, I authorize the change of the mission parameters.
Tarina said, doing her best to keep her voice calm.
-Confirmed, Mission parameters changed.
The ship's voice said.
-Excellent, deactivate all of the Ignis explosives and point out any additional explosives or traps that were placed onboard.
-Ignis charges deactivated, no additional traps or active explosives detected.
-Great, go back to standby mode for now.
Runir ordered.
-Activating standby mode.
The ship's voice said and the whole vessel powered down.
With this, both girls sighed in relief.
-You know what, this whole thing just proved how incompetent our species are.
Tarina said after a moment of silence.
-How so?
Runir asked, not liking what she just heard.
-They sent this ship here to destroy the station, but instead of taking us with them, they left us here and they didn't even bother to change our files in the ship's database.
The Areini explained.
-Incompetent or not, this also proves that they have taken back out home systems or at least mine, and with that, they now have the whole fleet of the Zatul and the infrastructure to build more ships if need be.
She said, surprising Tarina.
A moment later, they contacted Andrew and the rest.
-The ship is secured, you can order the droids to remove the charges.
Runir said.
-Great work, we are on our way back, see you soon.
Andrew answered, before closing the channel.
Around two hours later the station was whole again and the droids had removed the explosives.
The ship was in the process of being transported by the drones to the hangar, where it would be unloaded.
All the ordnance in its cargo holds would be removed and stored for future use, but the ship itself or the fighters if the need arose.
-Good work you two, but how did you manage to do it?
Andrew praised their work once more.
-We gambled that the federation didn't change our files in the database and it turned out that they didn't.
However, we also discovered that the federation has taken back at the very least my home system, which means that they have access to a whole fleet of my species along with the infrastructure to build more ships.
-This is an important discovery, thank you for sharing that with me.
Andrew said, turning serious.
With a fleet at their disposal, the federation has become a major threat to them and he would need to address this problem as soon as possible.
-Also I recommend that you gather the explosives and detonate them, to let them think that their plan worked.
Runir suggested.
-It would be a good idea if they didn't stay within range of our comms relay, so they most likely know that their plan failed.
Andrew pointed at the sensor display which showed that the Federation ship just started to move again.
-I don't think they will be happy about their plan being foiled.
Tarina said.
-I don't care if they are happy or not, the next time they come here, I'm opening fire on them, and I don't care if they are accompanied by a merchant ship.
Andrew said, looking at both elves.
-They won't be accompanied by a merchant ship ever again after the stunt they just tried to pull and no merchant will trade with them from now on.
You might want to remember that we are both still here and if the ship blew up, we would have also died.
Terelen said, with an angry voice.
-I sure hope so, because it's the second time, that we have been attacked by people that were recommended by the guild and sent here with you two.
Hearing that Terelen wanted to argue, but was stopped by Andrew's raised hand.
-I don't blame you, you got your orders and you have to carry them out.
That's just the way it is, but please ask the guild to stop accepting such requests.
Andrew said, calming the elf down.
-I can try, but I can't promise you anything.
Terelen said, agreeing.
-Thank you, and while we are on this subject, where is Idara?
Andrew asked.
-She will need to remain in the guild's custody for a while longer, but it has already been approved that she is your property as compensation for the unprovoked attack on your station.
So you will just need to wait a week or two longer for her to return.
The merchant explained the situation.
-Alright, I can wait.
Andrew shrugged, not that he had a choice in the matter.