For the next two days, Andrew kept his word and got as much rest as he possibly could.
The same went for everyone else.
To their total surprise, nothing happened this time.
No surprise attacks, no disasters or diplomatic emergencies.
The whole empire was peaceful, allowing them to rest and recharge before the challenges waiting ahead.
The main reason for that was the imminent transfer to the battle-verse.
No one had time to fight among themselves or look for trouble when they expected to fight for survival the moment they arrived.
Additionally, this little R&R worked miracles for morale.
-That was fun.
Andrew said when he returned to the command center.
The timer showed a little less than 20 hours left till the transfer.
-I have to admit that we all needed a break.
Nairin agreed, despite being the one who complained the most, since her projects were being delayed.
-Yeah, but now it's time to go back to work.
Lan smiled while looking over the reports the automated system prepared for her.
-What is the status of the empire, right now?
Andrew asked, wanting to know if they were ready or not.
-Our preparations are ahead of schedule.
Most systems have at least some defense satellites, and every one of them has at least three hundred drone fighters of various types.
Aelita reported.
-The fleet is also prepared, all the systems have their own fleets on standby, while the main fleet is read to launch at any moment.
Runir was next with her report.
-All the stations are supplied with enough food and water to last them for at least three months.
Their resources are being replenished as fast as they can be used up, and their ammunition supply is at maximum capacity.
Jalina reported next.
-The star gates are being distributed as fast as possible, at the moment we can connect to more than 45% of the empire whenever we wish to do so.
Additionally, the star gate on Earth is now operational.
Nairin reported.
-The ship and droid production is at its optimal levels; the next batch of cruisers should be ready within 6 hours.
Vulcan also reported.
One after the other, everyone reported their progress.
All in all, they were as ready as they were going to be for what awaited them in less than a day.
At the ten-hour mark, Andrew ordered everyone to get some sleep.
For the past ten hours, everyone was making sure that there would be no screwup or failure.
The admirals were all on board their flagship, preparing the fleets.
Droids and drones were fully recharged, and the fighters were armed and ready to launch at any moment.
The problem now was that hardly anyone could get any sleep, with all the excitement and worries constantly going through their minds.
Luckily, Iliana was prepared for this.
Suspecting that something like this might happen, she sent sleeping pills to every station within the empire.
The pills were designed specially for every species and tested rigorously to avoid any incident.
She had learned her lesson when it turned out that the pills designed to put Andrew to sleep turned out to be deadly for him.
That time, she avoided accidentally killing him by sheer luck, and she never wanted to experience something like that again.
This time, the medicine worked as intended, and within a few minutes, everyone except for the watch duty personnel was asleep.
After eight hours of sleep, everyone was refreshed.
With two hours till the transport.
They all had time to get ready without any rush.
An hour before the transfer, everyone was at their stations, making last-minute preparations and checking everything for the last time.
Throughout the empire, the status boards were showing green status, and the reports were sent to Andrew, who looked through them one by one.
The new ships were crewed by droids and their new captains and divided among the main fleets to boost their combat abilities.
At the same time, another batch of ships was being built, but this time it was not only the cruisers.
Andrew decided to build 10 cruisers, 20 destroyers, 20 heavy frigates, 25 frigates, and 25 corvettes at the same time.
While other shipyards would build all the support ships along with more warships.
When Andrew finished reading the reports, fewer than five minutes were left on the timer.
-I think that I should say something to everyone, but nothing comes to mind right now.
The human said, making all the ladies laugh.
-You were watching too many movies.
Theresa, who came to be together with everyone during the transit, said.
-Yeah, the whole inspirational speeches are great looking at the screen, but you should refrain from making one.
Runir, added through the comms channel since she was in her cruiser at the moment.
-Two minutes left.
Lanarine informed them, looking at the timer.
-Sarill, open a channel to every station in the empire and all the ships.
Andrew said calmly.
-Everyone, this is Emperor Andrew Eagle speaking.
We are about to enter the Battle Verse.
The only orders I have for you all are:
Battle stations, and kill whoever is dumb enough to attack our empire.
Good hunting.
He said, and for a moment before the channel was closed, he heard cheating from across the empire's territory.
At the same time, throughout all the stations and ships, the battle station alarms came to life.
-Transit in:
5
4
3
2
1.
Lan said, and the moment the timer hit zero, a blinding flash of light enveloped what was left of their universe.