After the battle ended, the three diversion fleets ran for their lives, knowing well what will happen to them if they get caught.
For the most part, they managed to keep the Imperial fleets at bay by avoiding direct confrontation and kiting them by making a fighting retreat.
When they saw that one of the fleets wanted to disengage and go back to the main system they attacked only to retreat again.
Now, however, they heard that there was another fleet in the main system which undoubtedly would be sent after them, right after the main fleet was wiped out and nobody wanted to weait for it's arrival, not after what they tried to do to the empire.
Not waiting for any kind of orders, the three fleets broke contact and jumped out, leaving any vessel too damaged to jump to the Imperial Navy.
As soon as Runir and the other fleets dealt with the stragglers, mainly by boarding them and taking them over, they all rushed to the main system, despite being contacted personally by Andrew, who had already told them everything that happened and confirmed that the system was secured.
-These bastards have to pay for what they did.
Arien said loudly.
The meeting was anything but calm, as everyone wanted to take revenge.
Not only for the attack on the empire, repelling which had a steep cost, not only in ships and stations, but also in casualties.
The empire lost ten percent of its stations and 22 percent of its fleet, including many crewed ships.
The total number of dead and missing reached over 250 people, which was the largest loss the empire had ever suffered.
-They will pay, but we are not exactly in any shape to mount a counteroffensive.
Andrew said, trying to calm her down.
-He is right, as much as I wish to go and kill the bastard who ambushed my fleet at the beginning, we lost too many ships to do it at the moment..
Almost half the fleet is in the docks undergoing repairs, more than fifth was destroyed, we lost over thirty systems, which need to be recaptured and rebuild, the main system suffered a lot of damage which needs to be repaired.
So we need to be patient and focus on rebuilding, and then we can go and wipe them out.
Runir said with a serious tone, under which boiled rage as hot as the stars themselves.
She lost people and ships again, and this time she knew who to blame for it.
The Admiral swore that this bastard who stabbed her fleet in the back would pay for what he did, and if by some miracle she captured him alive, she was going to skin the bastard alive.
-Can I say something?
Jennifer, who was also present, because Andrew invited her, hoping she would have some insights on the matters they were discussing.
-Please.
Andrew agreed.
-You don't need to attack them in an all-out war for the time being, but I think a show of force could have a deterring result.
-What do you have in mind?
Runir asked.
-The system in which you were ambushed.
Right now it serves as a proof that the empire is vourlneble and can be taken down or at least forced to retreat.
So let's turn it into a lesson on what happens if you betray the empire and stab it in the back.
The lieutenant suggested.
-We can't conquer it, there are at least three systems we lost on the way to it.
Arien shook her head.
-Who said anything about the conquest?
All you need to do is go there and destroy everything in that system, wipe them out completely, and leave the wreckage for all to see.
-It's extreme, but it could buy us time to rebuild.
Andrew said as he thought about the idea.
-From what a few veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan told me, they would have a lot less trouble there if they could use this approach, but back then, there were these things called war crimes and the Geneva Convention.
Which, by the way, no longer apply, so I see nothing wrong in showing them whoos the boss.
Janifer pushed on.
-At the very least, it will show that the empire is more than capable of reaching out and dealing with anyone who supported the attack.
She added.
Runir took a look at the data they still received from the relays and the system was far from being ready for an attack with most of it's fleet destroyed during their attack on the empire.
-I think we should do it and maybe try to capture that bastard alive.
Runir agreed.
-He at least should know who was behind this whole mess.
She added.
The prisoners they caught had no clue who orchestrated the attack.
It was a secret only known to the leaders of the territories that took part in the attack.
What they did know was that the fleet that lured them into an ambush was the only one sent by the culprits, the rest was gathered from dozens of smaller and larger territories who wanted to destroy the empire before it grew to strong.
-I don't think that's necessary; there is a better way to get that information, and it's much less risky.
I will personally take care of it; you just focus on destroying that system.
Andrew said with a smile, but one look into his eyes was enough to send chills down everyone's spines.
The meeting continued for a few more hours before all the necessary decisions were made.
Right after it ended, Tanera asked Andrew to come to her office.
-While you were fighting, the guild responded to the inquiry about buying the slaves.
They agree that creating such a precedent would not be in the guild's best interest, but they also can't allow you to simply buy such a large amount of slaves at your credibility level.
So they sent a compromise for your review.
She explained when he took a seat across from her.
-What's the compromise?
Andrew asked, intrigued and surprised that the guild didn't decline his proposition.
-The guild will allow you to buy a thousand slaves each week, but there are conditions to meet.
First, you won't get any additional points for buying slaves.
Second, you can't buy slaves of a single species; they have to be mix with a minimum of five species during each purchase.
Third, you can only use this purchase method until you reach the minimum standard for a star nation.
After that, this contract ends, and everything goes back to the standard setting.
-Tell the guild I agree.
Andrew decided on the spot.
This deal was not exactly what he wanted, but it was still better than nothing.
-Alright, by the way, I also selected more slaves to be bought before the contract takes effect, so you might want to review the list.
She said, displaying the list on a screen in front of him.
Andrew took a look at the list before approving the purchase.
-Also If you want to quicken the rebuilding process, I can still get you station modules and even ships if you want.
She reminded him.
-I'll come to discuss this tomorrow, today I still have a lot of work to do, and also schedule the slave transport with Iliana.
She will want to know that there will be more patients coming her way.
He said before leaving her office.
Andrew wasen't kidding about having a lot of work to do as he already found a great target to capture who should know the identity of the mysterious culprits behind the attack on his empire.
Three hours later the fleet of over seven hundred ships jumped out of the system followed by a smaller fleet of only eighty ships.
Runir took command of the first fleet as this was a personal matter for her, and she even took Jannifer with her as an advisor.
The second fleet was commanded by Arien and it's target was a small territory consisting of only two systems which joined in on the attack on the empire.
Now the territory was left with only half a dozen corvettes and one frigate supplemented by fighters and the defense satelites that were delivered by the empire during the invasion, so they were basically useless against the imperial fleet.
The plan was for Arien to jump in outside the system and wait for Runir to finish her work.
She didn't need to wait long.
Runir's fleet jumped straight into the enemy system and immediately opened fire.
The remnants of Drenel's fleet were targeted first and simply annihilated with minimal resistance on their part.
The system defenses were the next in line and suffered the same fate as Drenel was so surprised that he forgot to activate them before he ran for his evacuation frigate.
Unfortunately for him, it was targeted and ripped to pieces before he got to the docking module.
Unable to escape, he offered to surrender on an open channel; that way, he still hoped to have a chance to survive, even if he was to become a slave, it was better than death.
Runir hesitated to accept his surrender as she would happily watch him die.
-The Emperor asked to bring him alive if he surrendered.
Jennifer reminded her.
-All ships hold your fire on the station for now, send a recovery team to catch this bastard, and I want him checked and double-checked for any surprises, then tied up and under constant guard of at least ten battle droids.
If he tries to escape or attacks the droids, kill him immediately, preferably as slowly and painfully as possible.
She ordered.
-Wow, you really hate this guy.
Jennifer said, surprised at the sheer hate in Admiral's voice.
-I lost a lot of good people because of his betrayal.
Runir stated, trying to sound calm, but Jennifer heard the hatred and pain in her voice.
Drenel was swiftly captured and searched thoroughly before being tied up and brought back to the flagship at multiple gun points, before being placed in the brig with ten battle droids guarding the entrance, in case he tried to escape by any chance.
Then he was shown in real time as all he worked on for such a long time was being shredded by the Imperial fleet.
What he didn't know was that he was not the only one, as the footage was transmitted to anyone in range of the relays.
The only change made to the footage was that the part where Dranel surrendered and was captured was cut out, making everyone believe he died when his station was destroyed.
There was no commentary, no message, there was no need for one.
The footage itself was message enough, and everyone who saw it understood the price for betraying the empire.
Once Runir did her part, Arien got to work.
She contacted the system master, who by this point was terrified by the mere presence of the fleet and even more so when he discovered that the defence satellites were refusing to target the imperial ships and started powering down.
-You saw the footage, if you don't wish to end up like him, I suggest you surrender immediately.
She said coldly.
-I'll surrender on the condition that neither I nor my people will be killed or tortured.
The system master responded after a moment of silence, he took to gather his thoughts.
-I can promise you that you will survive as will your people, as for anything more, you will need to ask the Emperor himself.
She responded.
-I agree.
All ships power down, we are surrendering to the Imperial fleet.
You're lives are guaranteed as is mine, so don't resist.
In less than an hour, all seven ships and three more that were undertaking repairs in the shipyard were boarded and taken over; the same happened to the two stations.
They were spared, as there was no sense in destroying two perfectly good stations along with their shipyards.
Within the next four hours, both systems were added to the Empire's territories and were assigned new station masters.
-Well, the two of you better start talking, and you can begin by telling me who stood behind the attack on my empire?
Andrew said, as soon as he entered the storage module, he used it as a make-shift prison cell.
-And if we refuse?
Drenel asked with a scoff.
-Then my friends here will have some fun.
Drevon…
Andrew pointed at the shark-like alien who just entered the module.
-Likes to eat his pray while they are still alive, bite by bite, while relishing their screams, and it had been a long while since the last time I allowed him this pleasure.
Drevon smiled at this, showing rows of shark teeth, sharp enough to cut through bones like butter.
Droga, on the other hand, likes to insert his spikes into someone; it calms him down, and it also was quite a while since the last time I allowed that.
Andrew pointed to a porcupine-like alien who entered right after Drevon.
Droga even pulled out one of his spikes and checked it with his thumb.
-My spikes are a bit dull, but that only makes the whole thing more fun.
He smiled with real pleasure expressed on his face.
-You're bluffing, I know there are laws against that on your planet.
Drenel said with arrogance.
-And how do you know about that, I wonder.
Andrew asked.
-I had a human slave, but your fleet killed her when they destroyed the station, along with my other slaves.
She told me that torturing a prisoner of war is a war crime in your world, and there is a tribunal that takes care of war criminals, mostly by imprisoning or hanging them.
He said with a scoff.
Andre just started laughing, at first lightly, but a few seconds later he roared with laughter as did Drevon and Droga.
-What's so funny?
Drenel asked, a bit worried about their sanity, since insane people didn't care about any consequences.
-Does this look like my world?
Andrew asked when he could speak again.
-The laws you just mentioned are laws of my world or rather were the laws of my world, but this is not my world and even if it was, there is no one there to police these laws.
Which is irrelevant since I never signed these laws, so they don't apply to me or my empire.
Andrew explained, observing with great satisfaction as Drenel started to shake in fear.
The human didn't mention that he had taken all of his slaves and welcomed them into the empire as citizens, since the ugly alien didn't have long to live.
-Now that we have explained this part.
Here's how we are going to do this.
-The one who will answer my question will be spared, while the other one will witness a game of rock, paper scissors between my friends here, the winner of the game will be the first one to choose which part of the body to eat or or insert a spike into.
Andrew said, taking a seat on a chair brought in by a droid.
-Let the game begin.