It took another two hours for Andrew to finally learn what all of the beings wanted to do after hearing and discussing the available options.
In the end, more than half of them decided to return to the cryosleep, to wait for the empire to make contact with any star nation founded by their people, if there even were any at all.
The rest decided to stay awake and join the empire, either permanently or until they could be sent back to their own people.
Andrew agreed immediately and left this matter to Cerberus and some of his subordinates to handle while he went back to take care of his work, which was always piling up.
Thankfully, the next few days were calm so that he could catch up with it.
However, on the fourth day, he was summoned to the command center, as he was working in his office module.
-Andrew, we have a priority message from Ghost Six.
Sarill informed him the moment he entered the command center.
-Patch him through.
-Your majesty, it's beginning.
The system master just informed me that they had already received the attack orders and plans.
The captain of the stealth ship informed the emperor and sent orders, along with copies of the traitors' and the federation's attack plans.
-Thank you, Captain. This is very important.
Stand by for now, but the moment it starts, jump away and get back here.
-Yes, your majesty.
The captain responded, and the connection closed.
-So what the two system masters said is true, they want to use the same method as the Kinokians at Alpha Pictoris.
Runir commented after looking through the enemy plans.
-Yup, and they are almost ready.
Andrew confirmed.
-It says here that they are a bit worried about our battleship and the ships we got from the wrecks, but they think that the vessels are still undergoing repairs, and that the battleship can be overwhelmed with enough numerical advantage.
Arien chimed in.
-Yeah, and the ships tasked with taking on our flagship and her escorts are the traitor forces, though their only objective is to destroy the battleship.
-I wish them luck with that.
Runir smiled coldly.
She loved her new flagship, and she was not planning to let it get destroyed just because these guys were afraid of it.
Additionally, neither traitors nor the federation had any idea about what was about to hit them, so she doubted if the enemy would have the time or the resources to go after her flagship, which was also escorted by one of the main fleets, so even getting to it would not be easy, much less destroying it.
-We shall see if they have what it takes to even try to destroy your ship, and do try to remember that most of the traitors are not exactly the most disciplined bunch.
I bet that they will lose any will to fight once they see our new ships.
Giarna chimed in over the comms as she was with her fleet at the moment, getting used to her new flagship, which was finally repaired two days ago.
-I must admit that their plan is quite good, and if it were not for the two system masters, we could be in trouble.
Drevon said, as he also studied the enemy plans.
-I agree, especially with the part of their plan where they intend to open more wormholes from their territory, in addition to the forces they amassed here already during the last few days.
Rhuneek added his two cents.
-I agree that without their plans, we would have some difficulties in repelling their attack, but with the forces listed here, I very much doubt that they could take down the empire.
At most, they would weaken us and maybe take down a few systems, but that's about it.
Runir said, after she finished reading all of the data sent to them.
-True, but they might have ulterior motives, and you said it yourself, that they aim to destroy us while weakening the traitors, so they could swoop in and take over without much resistance.
Binon said, joining the discussion.
-That is most likely their main objective, but I have a feeling that they might be up to something else as well, and I doubt we will like it if that's the case.
-It seems that we won't need to wait too long to find out.
Lan said, sending her data to the main screen.
-We have a dozen portals forming in our territory and another half a dozen on our borders.
At the same time, the captain of the stealth ship called once again.
-Your majesty, the traitors just received orders to move out within an hour.
The captain reported.
-This makes no sense; their plans state clearly that they will start their offensive tomorrow.
Andrew said, surprised at this change of plans.
-Well, they just moved ahead of schedule, and I think I know why.
Lanarine said.
-Two of the portals that are forming inside our territory have the same energy signatures as the Kinokians.
She added, to clarify, and everyone was shocked at this revelation.
-If the federation allied itself with these mushroom bastards, we might have a lot of trouble on our hands.
Runir stated the obvious.
-Giarna, Arien, both of you take one of these portals and rush there as soon as possible. I'll take care of the traitors and the Federation forces.
The Admiral ordered.
-On our way, and be careful.
Both of them said and moved out immediately.
-Sarill, divert two of the patrol fleets to each of the portals, and tell the reserve forces to be on standby.
She added and left the command center to board her ship.
-Ghost six, get back here as soon as possible, and tell the system master to get a move on if he wishes to get out of here before the fighting starts.
Andrew ordered.
-On our way, your majesty.
The captain said and closed the channel.
A moment later, the icon of Ghost Six started moving, as well as the icons of the system master's fleet.
Within a few minutes, all the forces in the empire were on high alert and getting ready to scramble on a moment's notice.
At the same time, the traitor fleets also started to move.
-Vulcan, get ready to unshackle the AI the moment the enemy fleets reach our borders.
Nairin, prepare the Judas protocol ready.
Scramble all the fighters across the territory.
The moment the enemy shows up, let them have it.
Andrew gave the orders.
-Tanera, we might have Kinokians coming to play with us again.
The moment we confirm this information, I want you to inform the guild about it.
I'm sure that their enemies would love to know that some of their forces are absent and engaged somewhere else.
-You can count on that.
Came the answer of the merchant.
-If no one else, then all the elven star nations would be more than happy to hear about it.
She added.
-Good, if you can, then send them the information as soon as it is confirmed.
-Alright, just send me the proof that it's them.
Tanera agreed immediately.
In the end, even the merchant's guild had more than enough of the Kinokians and would not shed any tears seeing them getting a beating they most certainly deserved.
Not to mention that sharing this information with the enemies of the mushroom bastards would gain them a lot of goodwill and even some favors with the nations they shared it with.