For the following week, Andrew focused on upgrading his newly gained systems to the Empire's standards and increasing their defensive capability.
The system masters and territory leaders who agreed to the annexation were a bit surprised when they uncovered the truth about the seven systems that began this whole thing.
However, this information only assured them that their decision was a correct one.
Since the empire could take down seven systems in less than an hour and without firing a shot at that.
They quickly came to the conclusion that the empire could have done the same to them, without much trouble.
Additionally, everyone who contacted the empire about an annexation of their territory of their own free will, not only got pardoned, but they also were permitted to keep their positions of station masters.
This eased the transition by a lot, especially with the crews of the ships, who were not exactly thrilled about being replaced by droid crews.
That lasted only until they heard that the navy was still growing and if they wished they could become officers on the newly built ships, when they became available.
-Andrew, we have incoming ships on the long-range sensor network.
Lanarine called Andrew when he was at the gym working out in his spare time.
-How many?
Andrew asked through his comms bracelet.
-Five, four destroyer-class vessels and one of an unknown configuration.
The destroyers are recognized as the Five Races Federation ships.
-Call Tarina and Runir, maybe they will be able to figure out what they are trying to do.
Andrew said.
-I'll be there in half an hour.
He added, ending the call and going straight to the shower, with an uneasy feeling that whatever the Federation had planned, he would not like it.
When Andrew arrived in the command center, both Tanira and Runir were present.
-This is the Federation's Diplomatic vessel.
The Admiral said, visibly not too happy about seeing one approaching the empire's borders.
The Diplomat's expression was not much better than Runir's, since both of them preferred not to have anything to do with the Federation again, except maybe destroying it or accepting its unconditional surrender.
-Don't contact them until they approach our borders; it's possible they are not here for us anyway.
Andrew said to Sarill, who nodded, signaling she understood..
-In the meantime, the two of you should start working on whatever it is they might want with us.
He turned to the other two ladies.
-And just in case, alert the patrol fleets about their presence.
He added.
The Federation ships were spotted a long way away thanks to the relays the Ghost was dropping, which gave them almost a full day to prepare for their arrival.
The next day it became clear that the Federation's Diplomatic mission was coming to the empire, since they didn't change the course and were only an hour away from entering the Empire's borders.
-Are they in range of our official relays?
Andrew asked, sitting in the command chair.
-Yes, they are.
Sarill answered.
-Hail them and let's find out what they want.
A few seconds later, an Areni woman's image was displayed on the main screen.
She bore an uncanny resemblance to Tanira but was visibly older than her.
At first, Andrew wanted to talk to her directly, but Tanira advised against that.
-If you talk to the diplomat directly, they will think that you acknowledge them as your equal, which will make my work a lot harder.
She said, explaining the Federation's diplomatic protocol.
-Let one of the captains of the patrol fleet talk to them first, that way they can't assume that they are your equal, and it will also mess with them a bit if they haven't updated their diplomatic protocols.
She added with a mischievous smile.
This was her chance to repay them a bit for the humiliation they put her through, and she was not going to miss it.
-This is Captain Kerul, from the Fifth Imperial Patrol fleet, to the incoming Federation vessels.
You are about to cross into our territory. Stop immediately or change your course.
If you don't comply, we will perceive you as a threat and open fire.
You have been warned.
The captain of a destroyer said with a stone-cold face as soon as the hail was answered.
-Please hold your fire, I am an elder diplomat of the Five Races Federation, Tanri Zeir.
I wish to speak with your Emperor personally.
-Diplomat Tanri Zeir, I need to confirm this with the chain of command, in the meantime stop your ships before they cross our borders.
Captain Kerul said with the same tone as before, clearly surprising the diplomat by not caring about who she was, nor showing her the respect she was accustomed to.
The five ships stopped at a distance of a light second from the Empire's borders.
While the captain changed the channel to talk to Runir.
-Admiral, what should we do about them?
He asked, very happy to help his boss and the diplomat mess with the federation a bit.
-As much as I wish to tell you to just blast them to bits, the Emperor wishes to hear what they have to say, so please escort them to the main system.
However, if they so much as power up their weapons, you have my permission to end them immediately.
Additionally, the destroyers are to stay outside the system, only the diplomatic vessell will be alowed to enter it.
-Yes, ma'am.
The captain said and resumed communications with the federation vessels.
Informing them about the restrictions.
The diplomat was not exactly happy about this arrangement, but she agreed to at least have a chance to accomplish her mission.
-Tanira, do you know this woman?
Andrew asked.
-Yes, she's my former family's golden child.
She's also my older sister.
The diplomat answered, not one bit happy to see a member of her family.
-Well, she'll be here shortly, so I suggest we get ready.
She grinned a moment later, remembering what Andrew prepared for just such an occasion.
He was aware that sooner or later, there would be a high-ranking diplomat visiting him, so he prepared some clothing especially for such an occasion.
The ladies who would be accompanying him called their replacements and left to get ready, as did he.
When the Diplomat from the federation arrived, she was greeted at the dock by Jennifer in her dress blues, which, at her request, were retrieved from her home on Earth and brought back a week later.
Andrew also asked her to greet the diplomat, since she at least had some formal training in the officers school.
When the former Marine heard the plan, she was more than eager to help, especially since it would be a great opportunity to wear her uniform again.
-Diplomat Tanri Zeir, Lieutenant Jannifer Miller, Imperial Marines.
Jennifer said, like she has done that a million times before, while standing at attention and saluting.
Tenri was not impressed being greeted by a leutenant, which her translator immediately defined as a lower ranking officer.
But she nodded her head as a greeting anyway, not letting her hurt ego get in the way of her assignment.
-This way, please.
She led the Diplomat and her three-person entourage through the security check.
-Is this necessary?
One of Tenri's assistants asked.
-Yes it is, without completing this check, you cannot leave the hangar much less meet with his majesty.
The lieutenant explained with a serious face.
But inside she was heaving a hard time not laughing as this was an alien equivalent of a group of Caren's and she was their guide enjoying the privilege of seeing them knocked down a noch or two without breaking any protocols.
-Just do as you are told, we need to see the emperor, so if it's necessary, then let's just get it over with.
Tenri said, but she didn't like it any more than her assistants.
-Is there a reason for such security measures?
Another assistant asked?
-Yes, a few months ago, a group of envoys arrived on this station and one of them brought an explosive with him.
That day, the emperor and the head diplomat almost died; since then, there have been security checks for anyone who wishes to enter the station.
Jennifer heard the story from Tarina and even saw the footage.
She agreed that it was Andrew's armor that saved both of them that day.
Seeing him shield Tarina with his own body, armor or not, made her respect the man, since it required a lot of courage to jump in front of an explosion to shield someone.
The same respect she felt towards Droga, who also shielded someone with his own body.
After hearing this answer, there was no more complaining, since they all understood the situation.
A few minutes later, the four of them were escorted by Jennifer and six battle droids to the conference room to have an audience with the Emperor.