While Andrew was putting the traitors in their place and learning about new abilities of Vulcan's shipyard.
He had no idea how much attention he brought to himself and his empire.
-So, do you finally know where your mark is?
A voice came out of the communications device.
The room looked like a giant conference room designed to host at least two hundred different beings, with differently sized chairs surrounding a giant round table made of crystal.
Each seat was connected to a communicator to avoid gathering everyone for every discussion.
-Yes, the merchants sold me the information.
The only person actually in the room answered.
It was a female who would be able to pass as a human if not for her lavender colored skin and bat-like wings on her back.
Added to the fact that she had fangs that would make Dracula jealous, and her fingernails were long enough and sharp enough to put Freddy Krueger to shame.
This all contrasted with her voluptuous figure and beautiful face.
In short, she looked like a demon, or rather a mix of a succubus and a vampire.
-Do we even want to know how much this information costs?
Another voice asked.
-I used my personal credits for this info, so it's none of your business.
The beautiful alien retorted.
-Knowing you, you bought much more than just the location, so you might as well share some info on the newbees who sent your fleet packing and destroyed your jumpgate.
Another female's voice chimed in.
-How long has it been since we placed a mark on anyone, much less a new arrival?
An ancient voice asked.
-We never placed a mark on a newbie, but then again, there was never a new star nation capable of going against one of us.
A scholarly-sounding voice answered a few seconds later.
-This is getting interesting.
Big sister, give us the info.
I'll even pay you for it.
A cheerful younger voice said with excitement.
-The last time I shared my information, you took all the fun from the event.
The demon-like woman argued.
-It's not our fault that you waited so long, and we got bored.
The younger voice defended them.
-I'll share the info, but the moment any of you interfere, I'll be visiting you.
The beautiful alien said in a sweet voice that made everyone feel a shiver go down their spines, or its equivalent for their species.
They all knew that, as beautiful as she was, this woman was a born sadist and she took great pleasure in others' suffering.
Especially when she herself was the one inflicting said suffering.
-Alright, we won't interfere as long as you are not in any danger, so spill it already.
An impatient male voice said.
-As you wish.
She said and sent the information she received from the merchant guild.
It contained a full dossier on Andrew and all his ladies, the current location of the Lantean empire, its fleet, its subordinate systems, and even the station masters in said systems.
-I don't know if they are just lucky or unlucky.
A calm female voice came after a few minutes of silence.
-Of all the places, they were sent into the abandoned galaxy.
The voice added.
-My thoughts exactly.
Another female chimed in.
-Even if there are two species of elves on his station and he has some ties to the Moon Elf Empire, it would be a miracle if he survived over there, especially with over half of his subordinates rebelling and declaring independence right after they arrived.
-At least he has good taste in his partners.
A hypnotizing male voice said after looking over the data.
-All his empresses are beauties, and I wonder if you would allow me to snatch a few of them before you take him down?
-I don't think so, and like I said, if you try anything, I'll be visiting you.
The demoness shot that idea down.
She already had an idea in mind that would make Andrew suffer, and it involved his ladies.
-You can have them after I'm done, and if they survive.
She added.
-Once you are done with them, then even if they survive, they won't be beauties anymore, and I'll be surprised if any of them were sane at that time.
The male answered with regret in his voice.
-Then, if you behave and don't spoil my fun, I'll save one or two for you.
She said, after thinking about it for a moment.
Compared to her, it was way worse for any female to fall into his hands.
-You can discuss this later, for now, I want to know what your plan is for this empire?
The cheerful and excited voice asked.
-For now, I'll be observing them and gathering information.
They also need to become stronger to make it at least a bit challenging and more enjoyable.
All the voices agreed to that, since they all had more than their fill of hunting a weak prey which left them utterly unsatisfied.
-You are forgetting that the elves might not take kindly to this new empire appearing inside the abandoned galaxy.
We all should remember what happened to the last bunch that tried to claim that place and take down the long ears.
The calm and ancient voice said.
-The Elves won't do a thing for now.
They are busy dealing with the Kinokians on the other side of their territory.
The scholarly voice said.
-You also forget that this empire is marked by us, and I doubt that the long-ears will want to piss us off over this.
-You got that right, but it would be fun to go to war with the elven empires once more.
Another voice entered the conversation.
-I'm sure you would love to have another bloody war with them.
But remember that they most likely learned their lesson after the last time, so your usual tricks might not work like they used to.
A calm female voice said.
-That was over a thousand cycles ago.
The male voice said with a laugh.
-Then, how about I'll let you have some fun with our mark's fleets when the time comes.
The beautiful sadist proposed.
-That sounds fun as well, but they will need to expand the fleets over a thousand times for me to even have some fun.
-They will have the time to do it, and if you haven't noticed, the information I sent you mentions that they have the part of the shipyard set.
The demoness said.
-Let me guess.
The ancient voice said.
-You want to wait for them to build it and then take it for yourself?
It asked.
-If they build all of it, then they will become a worthy prey much faster.
Additionally, we all know that once this set is completed, it can build entire fleets in a matter of days.
She answered.
-It is also good to know that the merchant guild did as we asked and didn't interfere too much with their development.
The demoness smiled.
-You're really into this, aren't you?
The calm female asked.
-It's been a long time since I suffered such a defeat, and I want to even the score personally.
Additionally, we can't let it slide that we lost the fleet and a jump gate, even if it was a fluke that allowed it to happen.
If we look weak, then our Ilinian Collective will become a joke, and we can't let that happen.
The demoness said, and once again, everyone agreed.
Being part of the first thousand required not only power and influence to keep their position.
It is also required for their reputation to remain undamaged, and such a defeat was nothing less than an invitation for their rivals to attack, since it made them look weak.
-So it's decided.
The ancient voice said.
-It's your target, so you can do as you please with it, and we won't interfere unless you are in danger or you invite us to do so.
-Thank you, elder.
The demoness said happily.
The other voices all agreed and disconnected from the meeting.
-Have fun, sis, and leave some for me if you can.
The cheerful voice said right before disconnecting.
-I'll have fun, you can count on that.
The beautiful alien said quietly to the empty room.