The next day, the meeting resumed, and it was anything but peaceful.
This time, Andrew decided to eavesdrop.
He wanted to know what was going on before he left, and just as he heard the day before, it was pure chaos.
Several factions formed, and all of them had their own agenda.
Some wanted to leave, not seeing any way to survive on their own, and others wanted to join one of the neighboring territories or the empire.
Another faction wanted to remain and still live in the territory, but under another name and leadership.
A small group wanted to become an independent alliance, and there were even a few who wanted nothing more than to reclaim their previous territories.
Andrew shook his head as he listened to all of them trying to convince the rest that they were right.
No matter how he looked at this, there was no way for them to survive when half the fleet would leave with him, and they were adamant about their decision.
He also was not sure if he even wanted this territory at the moment, since establishing a connecting route would take a few weeks at least, leaving this place vulnerable to attack.
-I'm starting to understand why Sophia kept them under the chip's control at all times.
Arien said, also watching the meeting unfold.
-They can't come to a decision even when their lives are at stake.
She shook her head.
Compared to this farce of a meeting, even the most heated council meetings in the empire, which were not her favorite activities to begin with, were calm and civilized.
-If you think this is bad, you should have seen some government meetings on my planet before the event.
Andrew laughed a bit, remembering what Earth's politicians were capable of, only to prove that they were right.
-Whatever the case, they will see who is right the moment we leave.
The human added, pointing at the sensor display.
Every territory surrounding the former association had its fleet at its borders.
Most were there just in case Andrew wanted to launch an attack at them.
However, as soon as he left with his forces, that would change, and these fleets would be perfectly positioned for an invasion.
-It certainly looks grim for the ones that wish to stay here, but I don't see that as our problem.
Arien said, with a shrug.
-The only way this would become our problem is if the ladies here wished to be annexed by the empire, but as things stand, I don't see that happening any time soon.
Andrew said, while watching, the meeting became even more chaotic, slowly turning into a shouting battle royal.
-This is ridiculous.
At this point, I'm not even sure if it was beneficial for the empire to take them in.
The admiral commented, seeing as the women argued.
She was sure that if they were in the same room at this moment, there would already be a brawl, as many of them were shaking with anger.
Just as Andrew was about to reply an incoming communications ping sounded out and the Ghost 1 appeared inside the sensor range.
-Ghost 1 what are you doing here?
Andrew asked immediately after answering the ship's hail.
-Your Majesty, Lady Aelita sent me to deliver a message, since you are out of the comms range.
Captain Verio replied.
-What's going on?
Andrew asked, certain that this had to be important or Aelita would not send a stealth frigate.
-YourMajesty, the second wave of invasion is coming to an end, every merchant was informed about it and Lady Tanera told everyone as soon as she received the message.
The captain said.
-How long?
-The count down started at 170 hours.
I was dispatched immediately, but it took me 42 hours to get here.
Verio, answered.
-Thank you captain, this is indeed very important.
We will be returning shortly, so get refueled and ready to go back with the fleet.
-Yes your majesty.
The captain answered and proceeded to join the fleet in the main system of the former society.
Andrew thought for a moment, doing some simple math in his head.
-Arien, prepare the fleet, as soon as the Ghost 1 is refueled, we are leaving.
He ordered, before connecting directly to the meeting that turned into a total chaos.
-Ladies, shut up.
He said loud enough to get their attention.
-I was just informed that the second wave of the invasion nears its end.
He said the moment they all quieted down.
-It's way sooner than expected and we have less than 130 hours before the invasion ends.
After that, we will have only a month to prepare for the battle-verse.
In light of this development, I'm leaving as soon as the ship that delivered this information is refueled.
This relay will also be removed at that time, so you have about three to four hours to come to an agreement.
Anyone who wishes to leave with me, you need to get to this system before we jump away.
That's all, you can continue your meeting.
Andrew finished.
The ladies were so shocked that they were quiet for the next two minutes before anyone spoke again.
-It looks like we will be busy as all hell, once we go back.
Arien said, after her shock wore off.
-You can say that again.
Andrew agreed.
-Every smaller territory leader with any brain, will look for someone to join.
Even some of the medium sized territories might want to join a bigger one.
He said while holding his head in his hands.
This meant that his territory might expand a lot again, but it also meant a lot of chaos and they didn't have the time to deal with it amidst the preparations for the battle-verse.
As if on cue over two dozen ships entered the society territory.
Without wasting any time Andrew hailed them as they came from Kirna's territory and she promised not to interfere until he left this area.
To his surprise the one who answered his hail was Kirna herself and to his utter shock Ritkil was standing right next to her.
-What's going on Kirna We had an agreement.
Andrew demanded answers.
-Yes we had and it is still in effect, we didn't come here to interfere in whatever you are doing here emperor Eagle.
The alien woman answered.
-We came to talk with you face to face.
Ritkil chimed in.
-What's this about?
Andrew asked, though he already suspected what they wanted.
-We had a discussion when we heard about the end of invasion and came to the conclusion that we can't survive the battleverse even if the two of us joined forces.
Kirna explained.
-We would like to negotiate the annexation of our territories by the Lantean Empire.
Ritkil said without beating around the bush.
Andrew thought for a moment, before answering.
It wasn't like he didn't want to add their territories to his own, especially in light of what was to come, but their timing could not be any worse as he was hours away from returning to the empire.
-If the two of you have nothing against it then we can negotiate over the comms, since I'm getting ready to return to the empire in about three hours.
I am aware that this is not the way such things should be done, but the only other options would be to wait for you here, or for you to come to the empire, both of which will cost us time, which we don't have a lot of.
-That's fine, this whole thing was unexpected to say the least, so we can adapt.
Kirna agreed, while Ritkil nodded.
-Thank you for your understanding.
Andrew said apologetically.
-Now could you list your terms?
He asked a moment later.
The list was short and Andrew expected most of their conditions, which were reasonable.
Of course there were some personal requests, but they were also not surprising.
Both of them wanted to remain system masters which was a standard condition for anyone who wanted to join the empire.
Other than that, Ritkil wanted to keep his harem, to which Andrew agreed without a problem, as long as all the females agreed to be his partners of their own free will.
Kirna on the other hand, wanted to avoid joining Andrew's harem, as she heard a rumor that he gathered beauties who joined his empire for his pleasure.
This request made Andrew laugh so hard his stomach hurt.
-Kirna, I won't deny that I have a harem, but I don't collect beauties for my pleasure, and I never forced any of them to join my family.
What's more you need to be accepted by my ladies to even try to join them as their new sister, so you have nothing to worry about in this regard.
The human explained, after laughing for a full minute or so.
After explaining this matter, Andrew proceeded to inform them what his expectations would be.
Hearing his terms, the two looked surprised as there was nothing there that they could object to.
On the contrary, his terms were more generous than they ever dared to hope for.
The whole negotiations, if you could even call it that, lasted for two hours after which both Kirna and Ritkil pledged their allegiance to their emperor.
-Now go back and inform your subordinates of this matter.
When I return, I'll send ships with relays to connect your territories to the empire.
-Yes my lord.
Both of them bowed slightly before ending the call, and immediately turning their ships around.
-That went fast.
Arien said after the channel was closed.
-Yes it was, and it went even better than I thought it would.
Andrew said calmly, like he didn't just add two medium sized territories to his own.
He knew that these were not the last territories who would want to join the empire and there was a lot of work ahead of them all.