Andrew thought about the proposition he had just received.
On one hand, he would gain more ships and at least a few hundred subordinates, but on the other hand, he was wary of biting more than he could chew, as he already had a bunch of former pirates to deal with, and even if all of them were ex-military, he still didn't trust them fully.
Now he would have another bunch of pirates to deal with, and he had no idea if they could be trusted at all.
-I need to discuss this with my people, for now, change course to the system 14 lightyears from your position, it's uninhabited so you should be safe there and wait for my call.
He said.
-Alright, we will wait there for your answer.
Theresa said and ended the call.
Soon all 27 ships changed course for the system Andrew asked them to wait in.
He then turned to everyone present.
-I would like to know your opinion about this matter.
He said.
-She seemed to be telling the truth and the sensors even picked up that over half of the ships in her fleet were damaged, some of them even quite seriously.
Lanarine said.
-We could always use more people and ships, but the question is, can we trust them not to stab us in the back?
Runir said, sharing her opinion.
-We can use the same approach as with Arien's fleet, give them the possibility of getting their own station in exchange for taking over a system for us and defending the territory if it is attacked.
Aelita suggested.
-Even better, we can now repair all their ships, I just finished building the ship parts manufacturing module, so there should be no problem with repairing them all and the ships that Arien's crews left on the station.
Nairin said with a grin.
-This could work, and we would be getting another system from it.
Tarina chimed in.
-Iliana, what's your opinion?
Andrew asked surprising everyone.
-I have no problem with it as long as there is not a bunch of pirates around who can't keep their hands or whatever to themselves.
The doctor said over the comms bracelet.
-Also how did you know I was listening in?
She asked surprised that he noticed.
-I noticed it a long time ago and just kept it to myself till now.
Andrew answered amused, then he turned to Sarill.
-Get Rhuneek and Drevon on the line, I need their opinions as well as yours.
He said, shocking her.
She never thought that he would even consider asking for her opinion.
Soon both station masters were displayed on the main holo screen and had the situation explained to them.
-They are right that the deal between the pirates does allow them to use this exception when they are desperate, and I dont see the problem with having more ships and people at our disposal.
Rhuneek expressed his opinion on the matter.
-I agree, there is no reason to leave them to die when their fuel runs out, especially when as you say, they can take another system and add it to the territory.
The hulking shark-like Drevoin nodded.
-Thank you for your input.
Andrew said turning to Arien.
-I'd like to hear your opinion as well.
-My opinion is to take them in and use the same approach as with my fleet.
She said, after a moment of thought.
The commodore had been in a similar position only a few days ago and she sympathized with the pirates who were now awaiting Andrew's decision.
Then he turned to Sarill and Jalina, who were discussing the topic.
-What are your opinions, ladies?
-I see no problem with it, if I'm honest the bigger the territory we have the better and the safer we will be.
Sarill said.
-I also agree with taking them in, especially after what we had learned about the origin of the pirates from Arien.
Jalina said.
Arien had explained to them that most pirates were ordinary people, who were given a choice of death in their own universe or becoming pirates in another universe.
The choice seemed obvious until you were left with a gunboat, without any permanent base,
and a bunch of strangers as your crew.
Not to mention that the stationmasters quickly became armed as well and soon were able to outgun you.
-In that case, we will accept them, if their commander can answer the question that's bugging me.
Andrew said and asked Sirill to contact the new group of pirates.
-I take it you have made a decision?
Theresa asked the moment she answered the hail.
-Not yet, you said that you were a station master before you were captured by the pirates, so why didn't you use your own station or take over another one since there are thousands of them all around us?
Andrew asked as this was the part of her story that left some doubts in his mind.
-I was captured, quite early and the crew that captured me destroyed my station.
Then when they sold me to other pirates who accepted me not as a slave but as a crew member, I was notified that all my rights and privileges as the station master were revoked.
This was confirmed when I tried to take over an abandoned station, the notification on the console stated that Pirates cannot conquer a station.
If that was not the case, I would not be here pleading for you to take us in, but I'd rather have a station of my own.
Theresa explained the situation.
Hearing her talk about it, Andrew was convinced, as far as he could tell, that she was either telling the truth or she was the best actress he had ever seen.
-Then you will have a station of your own.
Andrew said, finally convinced about their sincerity.
-What do you mean?
Theresa asked, not understanding what he meant.
-I'll take you all in, but you won't be stationed here.
The same as the fleet I took in before, you will conquer an abandoned system for me to add to the territory.
He explained and sent her the coordinates of another system close neighboring his territory.
As far as he knew, there were stations there once, but they all went dark a while ago, so he concluded that they all wiped themselves or the pirates took them out.
-This is the system I want you to take over for me, as for how it works, you will take 5 ships and come here to accept the slavery chip along with at least one of your subordinates, who will become the new station master.
You will remain here as a liaison, while the ships you bring along will take parts of the beginning module and some drones to put them together.
Then your fleet will need to bring all the stations or what's left of them and salvage all the modules that are in good condition to start building your station.
In normal circumstances, we would start immediately supporting you with more modules but we have some enemy vessels incoming so it might take at least a day before we can send more modules your way.
Andrew explained.
-Alright, you told me what we can get, but how much will it cost us?
Theresa asked with a hint of suspicion in her voice.
-When your station is established, you will be required to send some resources back here, and your fleet will be required to defend the territory if it's attacked.
Other than that, you are required to share any innovations, inventions, or research you will acquire with the rest of the territory.
-Alright, these are good terms and I accept.
The pirate leader said, happy with such light conditions.
-When do you want us to come, now or after you deal with the enemy ships?
She asked a moment later.
-You can come now, from what I gathered, you can get here within 5 hours, while the enemy will need at least 20 hours.
Andrew answered.
-And what about my ships?
Theresa asked after someone reminded her about the issue.
-Once they come here they can be repaired and refueled, as for ammo replenishment, it will need to wait for a while.
-Thank you, I'll choose the ships to accompany me and will be on my way shortly.
She said right before closing the channel.
-Aelita, prepare a beginning module for them and some drones to get them started.
Andrew said as soon as the call ended.
-I'm already on it, the modules will be ready for them the moment they arrive.
She answered.
He nodded and turned to Nairin.
-When did you get the time to build the ship parts manufacturing module?
Andrew asked, surprised that she would do so faster than he did as he was planning to build one that day.
-You do know that my component manufacturing modules count rose to 60, with most of them being used to build the new resource substation I had two of them work on this.
The idea was to repair all the ships, we have in the hangar, and I will need the parts to start building ships as soon as the shipyard is ready.
Additionally, I'm building two more of these, to make the process faster.
If all goes well, we will have all the ships repaired before tomorrow evening.
-Nairin explained.
-Good thinking, I'm impressed.
Andrew praised her work, making her smile happily.