After the meeting, everyone left to fulfill their assigned role.
Aelita and Nairin went to the design module to design the jammer, needed to stop the scuttling charges from going off.
At the same time, Runir and Arien were preparing their ships to launch and hide in the asteroid.
Binon decided to go with Runir to have more time to find whatever the catalyst for the bombs was.
Other than that everyone returned to their routine duties, with the additional task for Lanarine, who was tasked with keeping an eye on the incoming enemy fleet, as well as Theresa's ships that were scheduled to arrive soon.
Andrew in the meantime used the ship parts manufacturing module to prepare as many parts as he could and did his best to repair all the pirate ships that were left on the station.
Before he knew it, Theresa's ships had arrived.
-Andrew, Thereas's ships have arrived and are requesting permission to land in our hangars.
Sarill, who was getting better and better as a communications technician, said.
-Tell them to land in hangars 2 and 3.
Andrew said.
-I'll go greet our guests.
He added a moment later getting up from the command chair and leaving the command center.
A few minutes later, eight ships landed in the two hangars.
Their look was unsightly, to say the least. Andrew even wondered how these wrecks were even space-worthy with all the scratches, holes, and makeshift repairs riddling their hulls.
Soon the delegation disembarked, consisting of 12 beings, and to the humans's surprise, they were all humanoid and all of them looked female.
However, the biggest shock was the sight of Theresa, being pushed in a wheelchair by one of the aliens.
The human woman was missing both of her legs right above the knee and both her hands right above her elbows.
Truth be told, as far as Andrew could see, the only part of her body still fully intact was her head and most likely her chest, however, he was unable to discern that while she wore the space suit.
It took him a moment to regain his composure, and at this time, Everyone from the ships approached him.
-Hi, you must be Andrew.
Theresa greeted him casually.
-Indeed, I am. Welcome to my station, Theresa.
Andrew answered, trying his best to sound neutral.
-Why the armor? Did you expect us to attack you or something?
She asked, looking at Andrew's armor and weapons.
-A simple precaution, one that saved me once already.
Andrew shrugged.
-Let's relocate to the conference module, shall we?
He suggested after a moment of silence.
Theresa simply nodded, but before they left, Andrew gave some instructions to the repair and maintenance droids.
Ordering them to repair, refuel, and load the module components to the ships.
-Are there any more topics to discuss other than the ones we already discussed?
The pirate leader asked once everyone was seated.
-There are some, and also I need to inform you about a few important matters before we proceed with implanting the chips.
Andrew said and proceeded to explain the whole thing about being blacklisted, the elf empire, and the five species federation.
-Why are you telling me all this now?
Theresa asked once he finished.
-To allow you to make an informed decission, it's still not too late to change your mind.
Andrew answered.
-Actually, it is way too late to change my mind now. Even if you said that you wanted all the ladies in my fleet for your harem, I would need to agree.
Theresa said, shaking her head.
-You see, when I told you that the fleet is in a desperate situation, I was not lying.
The ships we used to get here are the best ships we have in the whole fleet, so you can imagine what the rest of the ships look like.
Additionally, we dont have much more fuel, our ammunition reserves are almost entirely deplete,d and almost half of the fleet can't even make another jump.
The whole idea of us coming here, counting on the slim chance that you would take us all in, was the last gamble we could take and also our only option at this point since we dont even have the fuel to reach any other system master at this point.
The woman explained the whole situation.
-So if you have any additional conditions for us, feel free to add them; we have no choice but to accept them anyway.
She said, uncovering how vulnerable they were at the moment, which made a great impression on Andrew.
-I appreciate your honesty, but there are no additional conditions to add.
What we discussed earlier still stands, so if you agree with the terms, we can proceed with the implantation of the chips.
However, there is something I'd like to propose that's not entirely connected to our deal.
-Oh, what do you have in mind?
Theresa asked, her interest piqued.
-I have a tier 3 regeneration tank on this station, so if you want, there is a chance of regenerating your body.
However, this would mean that one more of your subordinates would need to accept the slavery chip and stay here for the time being to work as a liaison until you are healed.
Andrew said, and all the ladies looked at him like he had just grown another head.
-Can you really regenerate big sister's body?
One of the ladies asked.
To Andrew's surprise, she was a Cheroni.
Only then did he realize that he had focused all his attention on Theresa and didn't even look closer at the females that accompanied her.
-To answer this question, I would need to ask the doctor, but I believe that there is a high chance of that.
Andrew said, taking a closer look on all the ladies, which were still shocked at what he just said.
-And what would be the price for my treatment, I know that such tanks and solutions for them are extremely expensive, so what do you want for healing me?
Theresa asked, suspicion dripping from her words.
-I can't blame you for assuming that there would be a price for this, but there is none.
The moment you accept my slavery chips, you will all become my people, and I refuse to see my people suffering if I have the means to prevent it.
Andrew answered, shocking them all once again.
-And this cheroni…
He pointed at the one who had spoken earlier.
- Would be the next in line to get into the tank.
-Why would I need to enter a regeneration tank?
The cheroni asked, surprised.
-Because you are not the first Cheroni I have seen, and as far as I know, this anorectic look you have is not exactly what your species should look like.
Andrew said, making her jaw drop.
-You mean there is another Cheroni here?
She asked a few seconds later, when she understood what he had just said.
-Well, she is no longer Cheroni; she evolved and became a Cherin.
He explained.
-That's a myth; there is no evidence of cherin ever existing other than some old folktales.
She said, shaking her head.
-Aelita, can you come to the conference module for a moment?
Andrew said to his communicator.
-I'm on my way.
Came the answer.
Less than five minutes later, Aelita entered the module.
The Cheroni who claimed that there was no proof that the Cherin ever existed looked thunderstruck for a moment before falling to her knees and bowing to Aelita.
This shocked everyone even more, especially Aelita, who never expected to meet one of her people here.
-My lady, you have returned to us.
Please forgive me for doubting your existence.
The Cheroni pleaded, not daring to raise her head from the floor.
-Get up.
Aelita said the moment she got her voice back
The nervous alien stood up as she was told to.
-I have no idea what you are talking about with the whole thing about my return, and I dont even care, to be honest.
Aelita said.
-Now tell me, Krina, where is your so-called protector?
She asked, surprising everyone by calling the Cheroni by her name.
-How…
-How do I know your name?
Aelita asked mockingly.
-You might not recognize me in my new body, but the last time I saw you, you were a property of my brother, and I want to know where this bastard is right now.
Krina turned pale, hearing Aelita's words.
Then she connected the dots and gasped.
-Since you two have some things to discuss, you can go talk about it elsewhere. by the way, how is the jammer coming along?
Andrew said before anyone could open their mouth.
-The jammer is being manufactured as we speak; it will be ready in about two hours.
As for having a lot to talk about, I'll take her with me for a few minutes, and I promise
I won't hurt her.
Aelita directed the last part to the ladies in the room, to calm them down as some looked visibly anxious about the whole thing.
-You can trust her, she's not a violent type.
-Alright, but I want to have her back unharmed, and I would also like to know the whole story if you dont mind.
-Agreed.
Aelita said, and she left with Kirna in tow.
-That was a bit unexpected.
Andrew said when the two of them were gone.
-Alright, let's get back to the main topic.
Theresa said, wanting to get this whole thing done before any additional complications appeared.
-You said that you can treat me and you dont require any form of payment for it, does this extend to everyone in my fleet?
She asked.
-Like I said before, if I can prevent the suffering of my people, I will do so.
However, if there are too many, then they would need to wait for a bit.
Andrew answered.
-We have five more in the condition similar to mine and another dozen or so who are either seriously ill or injured beyond our capability to heal them.
Theresa said.
-If it's only this many, we should be able to help everyone, but I will need to ask our doctor for confirmation on that, and there are some things that our current tank can't cure or regenerate, so keep that in mind.
Andrew said.
-Alright, then we can proceed with the chip implantation.
The human woman said with a slight smile.
-Who will be the station master of your station?
Andrew asked.
-That would be me. My name is Zira.
The alien woman with violet skin who pushed Theresa's wheelchair stood up.
-Alright, then who will be the temporary liaison?
-Why don't we leave that position to Kirna since she has to stay here anyway?
Theresa suggested and all the ladies agreed to it.
-Alright, then let's get this done.
Andrew said as he activated the communicator bracelet.
-Ilia, come to the conference module and take three chips with you.
Also, bring some medical droids while you're at it.
-Alright, but why do you need the medical droids there?
Iliana asked, surprised at the request.
-Because I have a patient for you and over a dozen more will get here when we will have the opportunity to treat them.
Andrew explained.
-On my way.
Ilia said and ended the connection.
Then, Andrew made another call.
-Sarill, get Arien, Rhuneek, and Drevon on the line and connect them directly here.
In less than a minute the three of them were on the video call with the conference module.
They just finished introducing themselves to each other when Iliana arrived.