Soon after the short meeting, the Federation's diplomatic vessel left along with its escorts.
-She won't be an elder diplomat for long.
Tarina said quietly, watching as her sister's ship jumped away.
-If she even survives, you mean.
Runir said.
-You mean that they might execute her for this?
Andrew asked.
-The punishment usually depends on one's station and the importance of the mission they were given.
Considering they sent an elder diplomat, this had to be a high-priority mission, so she could expect everything from demotion to execution and even exile.
Tarina explained.
-You saw it yourself, we were both just students tasked with protecting Tibrana which was our main objective while taking over the system was secondary.
We failed and were exiled; if not for our families pleading for us, which was more for show than anything else, we would most likely have been killed on the spot.
The only thing she has going for her is that you agreed to keep some form of communication between the Federation and the Empire open.
The diplomat said.
-Or she can always push the blame on us.
Runir suggested.
-There is this possibility, but it would not help her much, since it would be admitting that someone who didn't even finish the diplomatic school defeated her.
Tarina smiled.
-What do you think the Federation will do when they learn that there wont be an alliance nor will we accept their ambassador?
Andrew asked.
-It's a tricky question, but I think they won't do anything for now.
If they could destroy the empire, they would not bother sending a diplomat.
At most, they might try to find a way to wage another war by proxy to weaken us, but it's unlikely.
I'm more worried about the effect her visit will have on our neighbors than anything else, as it can be easily misinterpreted.
Giving them the idea that we are colluding with the Federation.
-If this happens, then I'm counting on you to clear up any misunderstandings.
Andrew smiled.
They didn't need to wait long for her words to become reality, as right the next day, the inquiries started flooding in and Tarina spent a lot of time convincing everyone that the empire didn't intend to become allies with the federation.
At the same time, there was a bit of a problem with the slaves who were bought and healed.
The most problematic of all turned out to be humans.
To get the situation under control, Andrew went to the medical station himself.
What he found there was not too far away from a riot as the humans and the other races started demanding to be sent back to their home worlds or to have their own stations as soon as they heard that they were now free.
-SHUT THE HELL UP ALL OF YOU!
Andrew used the internal communications channels and roared into the microphone in his helmet.
The small crowd momentarily stopped their aggressive demands, not knowing what was going on for a moment.
Then a burly, tattooed man approached.
-Who the fuck are you to tell us to shut up?
The man raised his hand like he was going to slap Andrew, despite the latter wearing power armor.
He never got a chance.
Andrew moved like lightning grabbed the man's hand and with a crack, had broken it like a twig.
The assailant fell to the floor screaming in pain.
This was enough for everyone to understand that the armored person was not to be provoked.
-My name is Andrew Eagle and I'm the emperor, additionally I'm the person who bought you all, saving you from becoming a lab rats or emergency rations for others.
Andrew said calmly while slowly walking towards the front of the crowd, where the battle droids were standing guard, trying to keep the situation from escalating or the mob from storming the medical facilities.
-Now that you know who I am, I want to know what the hell is going on here?
The crowd was not expecting that the emperor would come himself, and for a moment, no one spoke.
-Since you can't even tell me what do you want then why the hell are you standing here?
Andrew asked after a moment of silence.
Hearing that a woman in her thirties stepped forward.
-We want to go home and I don't only mean humans, we all want to go back to our own planets.
She said.
-Well, as much as I wish to oblige with that, the only home world that's inside our borders is Earth, as for the rest, the only other home worlds we know of are the Adurian council and the Five races federation.
So there is no way to send you all home.
Andrew explained
-Then, at least send us home.
The woman said.
-And then what?
Andrew asked.
-The Earth is part of the empire, so no matter if you are there or here, nothing changes.
-Our whole planet can't belong to you alone; it's a human home world.
The woman almost shouted.
Andrew took off his helmet, revealing his face, which made the woman gasp in shock.
-You're human.
She said, not believing her eyes.
The last thing she expected was that the Emperor was a human and a young one at that.
-That's right, I'm a human, and for your information, not only Earth but the whole Solar system belongs to me.
He said in a calm voice.
-Impossible, all the governments would not submit to you, no matter who you are.
The woman said, getting angry.
-What governments? Do you even hear yourself?
-Everyone was removed from the planet; there is not a single human left there except the one on the station in the system.
-So what, there are borders and laws that you also need to follow.
The woman shouted, getting red in the face.
-I don't need to do anything.
The only borders I see are the borders of my empire, and there are no laws that I need to follow.
You might not remember what the messenger from the creators said at the beginning, so let me remind you.
The only rule is the survival of the fittest; nothing else applies.
Additionally, in this empire, I set the rules.
Andrew said coldly.
-The same goes for all of you.
This is my nation and my rules.
If you don't like it, then I can sell you back into slavery and buy someone who will appreciate it instead.
These words made everyone freeze in place.
They still remembered the horrors of slavery and never wanted to go back.
The emperor's words also made them think about what they were doing.
Ever since they got to the empire, they were healed, fed, clothed, and had a comfortable bed to sleep in, among other things they enjoyed.
-You're a tyrant.
The woman shouted at him.
-While yes I am, in the end, I am an emperor, and all emperors are tyrants by definition.
Andrew laughed at the woman's stunned face before becoming deadly serious.
-I'll let this slide, but only this one time.
If there are any more disruptive activities organized in the empire, the leaders will be executed, and the participants will be sold back into slavery.
He said loudly enough for everyone to hear.
-You can't do that.
A human male said, stepping to the front of the crowd.
He was in his late forties with more than a bit of gray hair.
-I can and I will if you force me to.
Andrew looked coldly at the man, making him tremble in fear.
-Let me explain the situation to you all, so that there is no misunderstanding.
After the second wave of invasion ends, we will be sent onto the battleverse to face much more advanced star nations without any restrictions, and the last thing I need in my empire is an internal conflict.
AS such, there won't be any leniency for anyone who tries to undermine the empire.
If you wish to leave, just say so.
Andrew finished.
There was no need to add anything else since everyone knew what leaving meant.