As the Pirate fleet approached the station, the download of Aelita's gift was completed.
At that moment the whole station lost power and everything went dark.
-Aelita what's going on?
Andrew asked nervously.
This was the worst possible moment for having such a problem.
-Don't worry, the system is simply rebooting.
The engineer answered calmly.
A few seconds later everything powered back up and all systems were back online.
Then the notifications started popping up, which made everyone surprised at first, but the moment they saw what they were about, they were all shocked to their core.
most of all the two elves were so shocked that their jaws hit the floor.
These notifications were informing them that the research was finished and they came in an endless flood.
For the next few minutes, the command center biped with the sound of incoming notifications, each one meant a finished research topic, and soon there was a unique sound, signaling that their research went from tier 2 to tier 3.
However, the notifications didn't even slow down and kept coming in faster and faster until there was no more beeping sound but just one continuous signal.
The information on the screen was scrolling so fast that there was no way to read it.
Everyone was looking at Aelita in shock, wondering if this gift she just received was going to research every technology in their tech tree.
If that were the case, then they would become the most powerful people in this whole universe.
Just as Andrew was about to ask about it the notifications stopped coming in and an eerie silence enveloped the command center.
-Aelita what was that?
Lanarine asked before anyone else could.
-Give me a moment.
The Cherin said, looking at her holo screen.
Everyone waited for her answer not daring to make a sound or even breathe loudly.
-Our technology was researched to the pinnacle of tier 3, the next research we do will be from tier 4.
Aelita said excitedly, after looking at the tech tree.
Hearing her words made everyone ecstatic as normally it would take them months to reach this level of technology.
The only ones who felt the headache coming their way were Andrew, Terelen, and Tanera.
-The guild will love to hear about this, and how do I even explain it to them.
Terelen said shaking his head, hoping against hope that this was just a dream.
-I'm not sure if they will believe us but all we can do is to tell the truth.
Tanera said with resignation in her voice.
-Is there a possibility of the guild having a problem with this?
Andrew asked.
He was happy about all the technology that was just gifted to them, but he was also worried about the trouble this could cause.
-That depends.
If they believe us that it was a gift from a powerful being, then they shouldn't have a problem with it as I doubt, that they would wish to piss a being this powerful off.
But if they dont believe it and assume that you got this technological leap from smugglers or by any other illegal means, they might blacklist you.
The Elf explained the situation.
His words poured a bucket of cold water at everyone's enthusiasm.
If they were blacklisted, they would have a lot harder time acquiring new modules and other items.
Fortunately, the food was not their concern as they already had enough rations to last them for a minimum of a year and the crops in the hydroponics modules would be ready to be harvested soon, but there were other things they needed and there was no way for them to gain these without merchant's help or acquiring the matter converter technology, which would take a long time to even begin this research.
-Then the faster you contact them the faster, we will know.
Andrew sighed.
-If they want I can provide the video footage of what just happened and we can also provide the data we downloaded.
The human added, trying to help.
-That might be necessary, but let me talk to the guild first.
Terelen said and left for his ship.
Andrew suggested using the communications module of the station, but it turned out that the merchant guild used encryption to prevent their communications from being intercepted and only the merchant ships could decipher it.
-What's the status of the pirate fleet?
Andrew asked after the elf left the command center.
During all the excitement, everyone forgot about the pirates.
-They will arrive in the system within an hour.
Lan answered, after taking a look at the sensor data.
-Keep an eye on them and tell me if there is any change.
The human said and opened the research list, looking over all the research that had just been completed, there were hundreds of upgrades available now, not to mention all the modules, drone, and droid blueprints.
-Aelita, upload all the drone and droid schematics to the production modules and order the ship crew droids and battle droids for all our ships and the station.
Additionally, start recalling all the drones and droids for upgrades.
He said after a few moments of searching through the data and finding everything he wanted at the moment.
-Nairin, how many pirate ships have we been able to repair so far?
He asked, looking at the student.
-We have 6 of them, the rest were used for parts.
The girl answered.
-Good, have the droids prepare them for launch.
He ordered, before turning to the next person.
Sarill and Jalina, go and bring my, Aelita's, and Lan's armor here along with our weapons.
Also bring tasers for everyone and arm yourselves as well.
-Tarina and Runir, I want your assessment of the pirate fleet and their possible reasons for coming here.
Andrew said, not even waiting for the other's response.
Hearing his orders everyone moved and began working on their assigned tasks.
-Lan Find me the best place to hide our fleet, preferably close to the station and concealed from sensors.
As he finished, Tanera approached him and asked in a whisper.
-Why did you suddenly start giving them these tasks?
-Because they were worried about the potential blacklisting, and also I needed these thighs done either way, so it's like killing two birds with one stone.
Andrew whispered back.
-I can understand their worries, if you are blacklisted, it will make a lot of trouble for you and leave you at a disadvantage.
The merchant said, after thinking about it for a moment.
-No it won't.
Andrew said confidently.
-You all are forgetting that both I and Aelita are nobles of the empire, and if it comes to that, we can trade directly with the empire's merchants, and the guild won't be able to do anything about it.
This statement shocked the elf, she indeed had forgotten that he was a noble and as such he had access to the empire's markets.
Furthermore, he had a lot of technology and ideas that the empire would love to acquire to strengthen its position among the star nations of their universe.
-You mean that you dont need the guild?
She asked, shaken by the revelation.
-Being blacklisted, would at most be an inconvenience.
Andrew said, not bothering to whisper anymore.
-Besides, the guild and the empire are not the only potential trading partners out there.
He remembered that there was a trade going on between the stationmasters in the game and if push came to show, he would try and trade with other people from his universe.
Possibly even establishing his own merchant fleet if need be.
Hearing him say that, made Tanera realize that this human didn't need the merchant's guild at all, he treated it as a convenient option among many others.
-Since when?
She was barely able to ask, through the shock of her worldview being dramatically altered.
-Since I was able to build my own modules and raise my own crops.
Andrew answered amused at her surprise.
-The guild was supposed to become unavailable after a year, so I always prepared to become independent from it.
He added with a smile.
The merchant had a lot of trouble adjusting to the new reality she was introduced to for the past few minutes.
Then came another blow.
-I'm sorry Andrew, but the guild decided to blacklist you and Aelita.
Terelen said entering the command center.
-Let me guess, do they consider the gift as cheating?
Andrew asked.
-Yes, they do, and your status as our champions was revoked immediately.
Both me and my sister are ordered to leave as soon as possible and cease all trade with you unless you agree to a full deletion of your research data and start from scratch.
Terelen said with shame in his voice.
The Elf knew Andrew long enough to know that this was not an option he would even consider.
-Then so be it, from now on, there won't be any trade between us and the merchant guild.
Andrew said, without even hesitating.