-Andrew are you sure that's what you want?
Even with the deletion of the data, you could get it all back in a matter of weeks and still be able to trade with the guild.
The merchant tried to change the human's mind.
-I'm sure.
Andrew replied.
-Even if I deleted all the data, which is impossible without destroying the station, who can guarantee that the guild won't demand anything more, just for me to have the option to trade with them?
He asked, making both elves speechless as he had a point.
If he yielded now, no one could guarantee that the guild would not impose another ultimatum on him.
-Then what are you going to do?
Terelen asked.
-I'll trade with the empire or even with some station masters in this universe, in the worst-case scenario, I'm sure that some pirates would be willing to trade with me.
Andrew explained while shrugging.
-And if that doesn't work?
The elf didn't give up.
-The I can always be self-reliant.
I have water, I have crops and food supplies, and I can produce almost everything I need the rest I can trade for, or wait for the matter conversion technology.
Truth be told, I dont need the guild as much as they think I do.
-Give it a rest brother.
Tanners said, seeing her brother opening his mouth to argue further.
-Before you came back we discussed this very thing and Andrew was always ready to be cut off from the guild, so there is no sense in arguing about it.
Besides, I think that it's a great idea for him to trade directly with the empire.
She added.
-Oh and how do you plan to do that?
Terelen asked.
-He is a noble and so is Aelita, this system is his territory, which means that technically it's also a part of the empire.
According to the guild rules, they cannot interfere in a free trade within the empire's borders and they also cannot stop trade between factions from the same universe.
Let's not even mention the pirates, who do not follow any rules when it comes to trade.
The longer she spoke, the more shocked Terelen became.
He knew the rules and she was right about all of it, however, there was a small problem with this idea.
-Sure they can't stop you from trading with the empire, but the problem is that without the guild, there is no way for anyone from the empire to come here to trade unless you have a jump gate somewhere around here that I managed to overlook.
The Elf said sarcastically.
-There is no gate… yet.
But you might want to remember that the gift contains every technology below tier 4, and the jump gate is a tier 3 tech if I'm not mistaken.
Andrew said and looked at Aelita.
She immediately ran a search and found what they needed.
-It's here, this thing will take a while to build, but we can manage it.
The Cherin said with confidence.
-You heard her, we will have a jump gate soon enough.
Andrew grinned.
-I give up, do what you want.
Terelen sighed in defeat.
-Since that's sorted out, can you tell me what medium should I use when trading with the empire?
Andrew asked, still smiling.
-The resources you sold to the guild should be acceptable, other than that, the technology, helium 3 is also widely used, in short, everything that has any value will do.
Tanera said, also smiling.
It wasn't often that she saw her brother defeated in a discussion.
-Truth be told, the empire needs resources, so with your access to this asteroid belt, you should not have a problem with buying anything you need.
Terelen said.
-That's great news, but first I need to build the gate and connect it to the network.
Andrew said.
-That should not be a problem, all you need to do is activate the gate and the empire should be notified about it coming online immediately.
In the end, this is the empire's territory.
Tanera said.
-Great, but it will be a while before we can even start building the gate.
First I need to upgrade everything that can be upgraded to tier 3 and start building a fleet.
-That's also not bad, as it will take some time for the empire's merchants to prepare for entry into a new market.
We will inform the Empire Merchant Association about it when we get home.
Terelen promised.
-Thank you both…
-The pirates stopped, and only one ship approached now.
Andrew's thanks were interrupted by Lanarine.
He had almost forgotten about the pirates, thanks to the problem with the merchant's guild.
-How far out are they?
-Their main force stopped about 10 lightyears out, but the one still approaching has accelerated and will arrive within 15 to 20 minutes.
Lan reported.
-Smart approach, if they all came here they would certainly be perceived as a threat and possibly fired upon the moment they jumped in.
However, sending one ship ahead shows that they most likely wish to negotiate and even if you fire upon them, they will only lose one vessel.
Runir said, approaching Andrew with the best assessment she could get from the data they previously gathered on pirates.
-As for what their intentions are, we need to wait for them to contact us, but the main motives for them coming here are either to trade or they wish to become your subordinates.
That's the best I could dig out from the data and information we have on them and the inventory of captured ships we have.
Tarina also approached with the data she collected.
-Great work, both of you.
Andrew praised their efforts.
He already suspected as much, but it was a good opportunity for the two of them to show him their skills and start laying a foundation for their future positions on the station.
Their work and analysis of the scarce data they got on the pirates, impressed him, it also proved that they were serious about making the federation regret kicking them out and they were willing to work hard to achieve that goal.
-Runir, what is your assessment if they decide to attack us?
Andrew asked.
-In the best-case scenario, we should be able to wipe them out without any damage to the station, but we might lose some fighters.
In the worst-case scenario, we still wipe them out, but we lose most of the fighters along with the Corvette and the station sustains light to moderate damage, but that's dependant on their attack aproach and many other factors.
She answered, without hesitation.
-What did you base these scenarios on?
Andrew asked, curious about her reasoning.
-In the first variant, the enemy would use a standard approach, closing in on the station and opening fire, maybe even trying to board, but they would be fighting with an emphasis on their survival.
In the second variant, they would come with an all-or-nothing attitude, which might push them into using raming tactics.
Both scenarios are possible, but it's also evident that we have the advantage in shields and firepower, so the outcome is mostly the same, and only the amount of damage we take is different.
-In their place, what would you do to ensure your victory?
Andrew asked, curious about her opinion.
-I would not attack this station in the first place and if I were forced to attack it, I would send half of the ships on a suicide run to ram the station, prioritizing the weapons and hangars as they are the biggest threat.
However, even if my plan were to succeed, it would cost me half the fleet and the station would still pose a threat.
I estimate that in the best possible conditions, this fleet's chances of destroying or taking over this station are less than 10%.
The girl explained her reasoning
-Great work, keep it up and inform me if you find anything that might look suspicious, no matter how small it is.
Runir nodded and returned to her station.
-Now Tarina, explain to me your reasoning about their motives to approach us.
Andrew turned to the diplomat.
-Their intention to join us is self-explanatory as the invasion is coming and the merchants already informed us that the pirates are looking for anyone who would accept them as the
invading fleets have a habit of wiping out every pirate ship they encounter.
So by joining us, they have a higher chance of survival, not to mention the stability of having a permanent base and access to resupply and repair for their ships and many more advantages they lack at the moment.
As for the trade, it's simple, they are running out of supplies, and there are not many stations left around, that would be an easy target, not to mention that there is no guarantee that the food that they rob, would be compatible with them and it would still cost them precious resources to attack a station no matter how weakly defended it would be.
Tarina explained her reasoning.
-There is also a small possibility that they are running from another pirate fleet and are looking for protection, but it's a small possibility as we didn't detect any serious damage to their ships.
She added, just thinking about this possibility.
-Good job, now try to figure out a strategy for each of these scenarios, it doesn't need to be perfect as we are missing a lot of information about our guests, but make sure that it's adaptable to any scenario you can think off.
-I can try, but I can't promise you anything.
The diplomat said with a bit quieter voice and looked down like she was ashamed of failing his expectations.
-No one is demanding the impossible from you, just do the best you can, and that will be enough.
Andrew said while raising her head to look her in the eyes.
Ever since she was left here to die she became a bit indecisive and insecure, which was a problem Andrew would need to deal with eventually, but right now he needed her help in dealing with the pirates.
Tarina nodded and returned to her station, diving right back into her work, for the few minutes they had left before the pirate ship arrived.