The next few days went by relatively calmly, as there were no attacks nor were there any guests coming.
During this time Nairin took full advantage of the two days she was given to prepare everything.
On the first day, she designed and built the substation using all the modules she had ready and adding some that she needed to make it operational.
Since the station was supposed to be automated and operated remotely, she saved a lot of time by not adding any life support or even shields at the moment since she didn't need them for the time being.
Resulting in the substation coming online by the end of the day.
The next day Nairin decided to build another substation, this time a resource collection one, and expand the production substation.
By the end of the second day, she no longer needed the resources from the main station.
She then decided to use the third day to increase the resource-gathering and production capabilities of both stations, to prepare for the main task that stood before her.
During these days, the two new stations were also expanded a lot.
By the end of the first day, both stations were powered by hydrogen generators, shielded with tier 2 shields and armed with railgun modules and by the end of the second, they possessed some production capabilities, which also helped with their expansion.
During these two days, Andrew noticed that Arien has been accepted by everyone, which made him sigh in relief as he was worried about this.
At the moment he was sitting across from the commodore, who was trying to figure out a way to win the game of chess, not realizing that she had already lost and there was nothing she could do about it.
Arien became curious when she saw Runir and Tarina playing the game and once they explained the rules and she watched their game, she wanted to try and got hooked.
Of course, she challenged Andrew after playing a few games with other ladies, despite everyone's warnings.
Nobody was surprised when Andrew won their game, but everyone was surprised when Arien, wanted to challenge him again.
It turned out that she was a very competitive person and loved a good challenge.
-Do you plan to move anytime soon?
Andrew asked, tired of waiting for her to decide on the next move, which lasted the last ten minutes.
-Don't rush me, I'm thinking.
She answered, without even raising her sight from the chessboard.
Andrew smiled in amusement but didn't say anything more.
-Andrew, come to the command center as soon as possible, we might have a problem.
Lan's voice came from his comms bracelet.
This surprised both of them.
-I'm on my way.
Andrew answered while getting up and Arien also got up to go with him.
-We can finish this later.
She said, leaving the chessboard as it was and following him to leave the conference module.
-What's going on?
Andrew asked the moment they arrived at the command center.
-We have a few groups of pirate ships coming our way, and their course will get them here before they reach the other two systems.
-That's not a problem, especially with our new shields.
The human said, having full confidence in their new defensive capabilities as all the tier 2 shield generator modules, were already upgraded to tier 3.
Upgrading the shield modules had a lot more sense than replacing them as it only took a few minutes for the droids to replace and add the parts needed for the upgrade.
-Well, that's not all, we also have three ships from the federation, coming our way, and from their size and mass, I predict that they are frigate class or possibly even heavy frigate class.
Lanarine dropped another bombshell.
-If they came here to look for trouble, then they will find it.
Andrew said confidently as with the anti-ship armaments on the station, they could easily take on a destroyer or two and even give a cruizer a run for its money.
Not to mention the drone fighters, which according to the tests, could take on a frigate class ship without a problem and even had a chance against a destroyer.
The only thing holding them back was the availability of the explosives, limiting their ammunition, thus preventing Andrew from unleashing a swarm of drone fighters which could even threaten a heavy cruiser.
He also remembered their last visit and the gifts they left behind, so he immediately categorized them as enemies.
-How far out are they?
Andrew asked.
-They just entered our sensor range, but they are moving really fast and their course will bring them here in 21 hours.
Lan reported.
-Is there a merchant vessel with them?
-No there is not.
The geologist shook her head.
-Will the pirates arrive before them or after them?
-They will arrive before the federation ships, the first group will be here in about 5 hours.
-Alright monitor the situation with the pirates for now.
Andrew said and activated his comms bracelet.
-Runir and Tanira, come to the command center please.
He said.
-Maybe they will know something about the three frigates coming our way.
Andrew explained, seeing Arien's questioning gaze.
-We are on our way, Tarina's voice came from his bracelet at the same moment.
It didn't take long for the two ladies to arrive, still wearing their workout clothes as they were in the fitness module just now.
-Why did you call us?
Runir asked.
-We have three federation ships coming our way and they are most likely three frigates or even heavy frigates.
I was wondering if there is some reason for them to come here after the stunt they tried to pull on us the last time they were here.
Andrew asked, the shocked girls.
-Give me a moment.
Runir said and went to the sensor console, taking it over for a moment before her expression changed, from a surprise to fear and anger.
-There are only two reasons they are coming here in this formation and with these ships.
She said icily and turned to Andrew.
Only then did he see her eyes full of a mix of fury and fear.
-They are either coming to kill us all or they are here to demand that you hand over Tarina and me to them.
She explained.
-I'm not handing the two of you over to anyone and if they want to attack us, then be my guest, I'll send them to hell and maybe even take their ships afterward.
Andrew said, his voice as calm and as cold as the space itself and the whole atmosphere around him changed, making Arien take a few steps back as she had never seen this side of him and it terrified her.
She heard from other ladies that Andrew changed drastically once he was enraged or in a battle situation, but this was her first time experiencing it, and to say that he was enraged would be like saying that the sun's surface is warm.
It lasted only for a few seconds before he took a deep breath to calm himself down and go back to normal.
-I take it, that if they get their hands on you two, it would not end well.
Andrew asked in his usual tone.
-You see this formation?
Runir asked.
-Yes, does it have a meaning?
-This is a formation used to retrieve traitors or deliver punishment.
Tarina said, finally finding her voice.
Both of them knew they were exiles now, but this showed that their people also saw them as traitors, which shocked both of them and filled them with rage and fear.
Hearting this Andrew nodded in understanding, before turning to Sarill who was listening to the conversation from the communications console.
-Hali the federation ships, I want to talk to them.
He said before sitting in the command chair.
-The channel is opened.
Sarill said a moment later.
-Federation vessels, this is system master Andrew Eagle, you are approaching my territory.
State your business in doing so.
-This is Captain Trwen from the Five Species Federation punitive force, we are coming to retrieve two traitors from your territory.
We demand that you release Runir of the Roan clan and Tarina Zeir into our custody.
If you fail to fulfill our demands, we will have no choice but to classify you as an enemy of the federation and capture or destroy your station in order to deliver justice to our people.
The federation Captain said arogantly.
-First of all, the two ladies you are talking about are my slaves and as such are under my protection, so no I won't be handing them over to anyone.
As for becoming enemies, you dont need to wait to classify me as such.
We became enemies the moment the minister Darge, decided to try and blow up my station.
Not to mention that he already told me that these two women belong to me and no one from the federation will be coming for them, but it seems that his word is worth less than nothing, seeing as you came for them.
Andrew said coldly.
-I have no knowledge of such incidents or any promises made by Minister Darge.
All I know is that the two of them were exiled and not only did they not terminate themselves but also betrayed the federation.
I care not, what they did to earn the title of a traitor, and I will deliver their punishment with or without your cooperation.
Captain Trwen said, with confidence.
-We shall see about that Captain.
Andrew said and closed the channel.
-That went well.
Andrew commented a moment later.
-Sarill, open the channel to the incoming pirates, I need to talk to them.
He said a moment later.
-Which ones?
She asked surprised.
-All of them.
She was confused by this request, but she did as he asked.
-Attention incoming pirate vessels, This is system master Andrew Eagle, you are approaching my territory, state your reason for doing so or change course immediately.
Andrew said, already suspecting what they wanted from him.
It took a moment but soon came the answer.
-System Master, we are coming in peace and wish you no harm, we are coming to pledge our allegiance to you if you will allow it.
To Andrew's surprise, it was a female speaking and she was even a human.
-Who are you and why should I take you all in?
He asked.
-My name is Theresa Moore, And I was a station master like you, until I got captured by pirates.
Now I'm the one in charge of these ships and all the groups following me.
-I heard that the invasion fleets, target the pirate ships indiscriminately and show no mercy.
Since I'm not a big fan of dying and I have no way of getting better ships to try and fight, the only way for us to survive is to pledge allegiance to someone and I heard that you are also a human, so I decided to take a chance and ask you to take us all in.
Theresa explained.
-I have already taken in a fleet of pirates and my understanding is that there is some kind of deal prohibiting other pirate forces from approaching anyone who has taken in a pirate fleet already.
-You are correct, but this deal also has an exemption for fleets that are in desperate situations, and we are in more than a desperate situation.
The woman said, and sighed.
-I was trying to avoid telling you this to at least have some possibility of negotiating terms, but since you know about the agreement, there is no point in hiding it.
This is our last chance for survival and if you won't take us in, we won't even live long enough to see the invasion fleets.
My fleet is very low on fuel and we are almost out of ammunition, not to mention that over half of my ships are damaged to various degrees.
The woman admitted.
-With all this in mind, we offer to serve you and even become your slaves if it's the only way for you to accept us.
Theresa said with a pleading tone.