I was enjoying my early morning jog when I got the news. The queen of Nexus Ursa was interested in annexing our world. But that would be illegal and she would have to lose part of her territory as compensation if the courts agreed with me. She sent an emissary. An old woman with cunning eyes. She asked for an audience with me and the council. She explained that she was sent to tell me that my planet was next on her list of conquests. I reminded her that she said the planet was not going to be taken. I have the conversation on record. I sent it to the galactic court and they requested the queen to send her solicitors to answer for this. She didn't send one so the court ordered the banks to suspend her request for a loan. I asked Jesse my friend who lives nearby to buy the loans so she will be in our debt. Once the loan was sold to us I sent an emissary with a note. She better pay the money or she has to handover a section of her empire.
She sent a solicitor to the courts and they agreed with us. She had one year to pay the loan or else she will forfeit her empire. The werewolves were laughing as they watched the Nexus emissary leave. The tourists came and we greeted them warmly. We saw the request to have some endangered species to find a permanent home. We petitioned for our planet to be a reserve where they can live in peace. The request was granted and they were hauled in. We kept them as pets since they sensed peace being near us. The tourists were surprised that they were tranquil when the ones in the galactic zoo are feral. For them it takes strength and willpower to keep these from killing each other or the keepers. I didn't feel the need to cage them so they were bred like rabbits and kept as pets and guards. The Nexus Ursa sent a note saying they will get revenge but we had found out their allies had loans too so we nab them as well. They couldn't attack us because not paying the outstanding loan would mean they would be on the street.
The law allowed us to occupy five empty systems that were nearby Nocturna. The reason they were empty was because the previous wars had killed the residents. There was no one who wanted to live there because some were superstitious. Now we were populating them and also protecting the endangered ones so we earned the respect from nations. We were extremely careful. It was a pain but we were not interested in wars. Trading exotic items meant we were rich. We make sure to have the latest tech and the deadliest weapons. So no one in their right mind chose to attack us. We had thousands of years of experience. They lived for eighty to a hundred years with knowledge passed from generation to generation. We even hired mercenaries as extra help. We had every preparation and stood ready. The announcement came that our sector was going to war so no tourists allowed until it comes to a stop. We prepared the kill box and got ready.
The Nexus Ursa sent their war machines and we used Atrope missiles. This tiny missiles dissolved their crafts and the few brave idiots who chose to ally with these slavers. The only survivor went back to tell them. We followed them and destroyed their supply chain. Their strongholds, the weapons factories and liberated some of their enslaved worlds. We made sure to our ground so they couldn't move forwards. We were quick when we struck their installations so they couldn't get us. Fly like a butterfly and sting like a bee. The ones they enslaved were small nations so they accepted the protectorate status. We explained that they didn't need to pay tribute. They were free to be themselves. We are their protectors. If anyone dares to attack then we will defend them. They happily joined us to help destroy their evil masters and with the liberation of the other worlds.
The courts forced Nexus Ursa to sell their crown jewels in order to pay reparations. We bought some while other nations bought the rest. After they had paid them. They still had to pay us. The courts ordered the banks to empty the accounts of the royal families to pay the loans. They had to pay extra a means of reparations. Both sides of Nocturnals were happy. We lost none but the enemy had lost a lot. They sent the next volley of fighterships and we used exploding drones to take them out. The next ones got sliced by the laser grids and some of them got blown to bits after our railguns shot metal rods at the speed of light. They never got a chance to reach our homes. We formed blockades and they chose not to surrender. They watched as we blew up their facilities. We didn't have to threaten them with orbital bombarding. They surrendered after our men and women came down in pods and captured the capital. The queen had to apologise as she abdicated from the throne. The people were out on the streets. They were lied to and so once they knew what was going on they preferred a regime that dealt with fairness. We didn't stay more than a year. The power was given to the people and they chose a democracy.
We celebrated as the space lanes were open for tourists. We weren't on the edge of the eastern quadrant. We were closer to the core worlds. This made things a lot easier for us. We had customers from all over the galaxy. We started growing sapphires and other precious stones. It was a closely guarded secret. We sold them once we were sure there was a demand. The majority request was the pearls. A quiet trip to Earth and back was enough for us to grow them on one side of the beach. The other side was purely for recreational use only. We had tourists who came during the winter wonderland period. They would be awed by the snow sculptures competitions and ice hotels. I was taken to the next planet that was under our jurisdiction. The planet was called Sasha. The capital was Alexandria. I was surprised since the capital was the only city. The rest were farm both land and sea. This was a no tourist zone. There were military installations. We weren't fools.
Blockers work twenty fours a day. Seven days a week to make sure no one comes here without our permission. I got to see an underground city which was amazing. The people were transported by the elevators that goes sideways. To up and down we used the escalator. The outer walls were all glass which meant we could see outside and the outside can see in. We had brought marine life from Earth so they flourish here. They assured me that no one had brought a shark. They had nightmares about those things too. No jellyfishes as well. I got to see giant squids and much more. The whale population was slowly increasing. I was pleased to see dolphins swimming in pods. We went to the surface level. Once we reached the beach we decided to go snorkeling. The next few days were pure entertainment. The farmers knew how to have fun. They were pleased to see us as I was happy to see them.
We reached the next one was the Void Nova. I guess the ones who named them were nerds. Oleg was snickering as was Roland. It was a gaming world. The terrain was prepped for race tracks and casinos. There were a few hotels and restaurants. The one in charge was Kirigan and Kaz. The twins happily bowed as we entered their private planet. I saw Soren and his significant other enjoying a dance. I asked if Jesse was here since he was in charge of getting some documents. Kirigan pointed to the restaurant on the far end. He brought us floating transportation to get us there. We shook hands and he gave me the loan documents. Some were paid but other were outstanding. He promised to handle it gently. I explained, "I was hoping you would be the emissary who handle the negotiation of Nexus Ursa, Mins and Tres who are coming to apologise. I was hoping you would collect the tributes before discussing trade as you accept their apologies."
He accepted it without question. He sent his brother Zed to collect the debts while he handled the apology tour. I told him to be careful of the Curator. He likes to steal things. The Nocturnals agreed the Minx and Tres should come to Nocny for the entire ceremony. Jesse handled it while I enjoyed touring the planets that are under my command. It felt weird but the others assured me that it is nothing to be ashamed of. The third system was called Midnight Sentry. The planets and all the surroundings was a military base. One planet was storage for weapons. The next was for intelligence gathering. The next planet was for repairs. The next one was testing floors to see how the soldiers improved their skills. The planet Mjölnir was barracks filled with battle hungry soldiers ready to deploy at a moments notice. This place was off limits to none residents. The next system was named Adeline. It was a system that had all sorts of resorts. Both cruise ships and planets just for tourists only.
A portion of the revenue goes to Nocny. They came for all over for the different types of healthcare treatments. We had signed in with the galactic entertainer enterprise so we were able to have casinos. We had no interest in extending to the other systems. The senate had meetings to discuss the apology and sent us tributes of rare artifacts and jewellery. We accepted them and placed them in our special vaults. Then we signed the treaties to make sure it didn't happen again. The protectorate states came to sign and we made sure they felt safe and welcome. They received blood money for the loss they had suffered the riches that were absconded were returned post haste. They were officially placed under our jurisdiction and our empire slowly grew. Soren was smiling. The others nod their heads to approve. He smiled, "I have tough shoes to fill during my reign." I winked, "You will be fine Søren. I have seen your reign it will be no different." He thanked me as he left to dance with his dear one. I took Oleg's hand and danced the night away.