Once the evacuation of the Japanese Empire was complete, Andrew had a chat with the former Japanese empress.
She was quite pretty and in her early twenties with long black hair, a slender body, and a height of around 165 cm.
-I thank you for saving my people and me, despite our attempt to deceive you.
The former empress said as soon as they sat down in the conference module.
-There is no need for that.
I can understand why you tried to do so.
Andrew answered, and he truly did understand, as he would also use any means to save his empire.
-Could you tell me the story of establishing your empire?
He asked.
-Of course.
The former empress agreed and told him the whole story.
It turned out that she was quite lucky, as she started in a desolate mini galaxy, with only a few other station masters in her system, who either belonged to a peaceful race or were unable to withstand the pressures of being a station master and deleted themselves.
The pacifists kept to themselves, especially when she started to arm her station and then learned that pirates didn't give a damn about their peaceful intentions.
When pirates wiped out the pacifists, and she wiped out the pirates, she became a system master.
With a lot of resources in her system, she expanded fast until the invasions started, when her luck manifested once again.
She took in a few smaller pirate groups and used them to capture more systems in the small galaxy.
When the first invasion began, she got lucky once again, and her small empire was attacked only by weaker fleets, allowing her to defend herself and her territory while capturing a few warships.
On the other hand, a few other territories were wiped out, so as soon as she got rid of the invaders, she expanded once again, becoming the largest territory in the whole mini galaxy.
The second wave of invasion was a bit more problematic; however, the enemies suddenly left after a short while, leaving even more systems for her to annex, and the rest of the galaxy surrendered to her, seeing as they stood little to no chance against her empire.
That was also when she found the crystal box and got the jump gate.
It was only after they were sent to the battle verse that her luck ran out, as they were dropped right next to the Kinokians, who immediately attacked.
-You were incredibly lucky thus far.
But how did you manage to find tens of thousands of Japanese people?
The emperor asked.
-I made a deal with slave traders who used the mini galaxy as a hideout.
They brought my people to me, and in exchange, I let them hide in my empire and use my jump gate to conduct their business.
It was the most beneficial solution for both parties.
Also, my merchant pulled some strings and got me early access to the market, allowing me to buy some more people.
She answered honestly.
-Are you related to the original imperial family of Japan?
Andrew asked.
-No, I am not, and as far as I was able to find out, the imperial family was all but wiped out during the second invasion.
My merchant found some rumors that a few distant relatives of the imperial family are alive, but were turned into slaves, and their whereabouts are unknown.
She admitted.
-Then what are your plans from now on?
Andrew asked curiously.
-Honestly, I have no idea.
Assuming that you don't plan on adding me to your harem, I might just go back to Japan and live there in peace.
Unless you have some use for a lab assistant or a gamer.
-That's up to you.
If you just want to live in peace, then that's possible, or if you want to learn something new, then there is no problem with that as well.
You have all the time in the world, and it is your choice what you want to do with it.
As for joining my harem, I see that you don't like the idea, and frankly, my ladies might object to it as well, so you don't need to worry about that.
Hearing this, the former empress sighed in relief.
Not that she didn't find the emperor attractive enough, but she didn't want to have any part of the harem drama, and she most definitely didn't want to end up as a pleasure toy, even for someone as attractive and influential as Andrew.
-Last Question.
Andrew said, pulling her out of her thoughts.
-What's your actual name?
He asked, surprising her.
-My name is Nakamura Kiriko.
Has no one told you that?
She was surprised that he didn't know.
-Everyone just called you the empress, and with everything that was going on during the last few days, it didn't even cross my mind to ask.
Andrew explained.
Hearing that, Kiriko laughed.
The more she talked with this man, the less she perceived him as a mighty emperor and more like just another guy next door.
It also didn't escape her notice that he was unafraid of admitting that he didn't know something, which in her experience was rare among the people holding this much power and influence.
-Is there anything else you wish to ask of me, or can I go back to Earth?
Kiriko asked.
-Not that there is nothing for now, you can go back to earth whenever you want.
Andrew smiled and got up, ending this conversation.
It was a nice distraction for him, but now he needed to get back to work.
The first order of business was to integrate the remaining Japanese ships into his fleet.
Luckily, their Nasca-class destroyers didn't have mobile suits on board and carried a complement of six drone fighters instead.
The bad news was that their armaments were not any better than those of a heavy frigate in the imperial fleet, so after some discussion on this subject, Runir decided to keep them as they were and use them as patrol fleets.
Their speed and the complement of fighters made them perfect for this role.
The next problem was, as usual, the crews of said fleets, which would be mostly replaced by droids.
This problem was solved when the sailors learned that with some training, they would soon be taking over as captains in the imperial fleet.
Andrew and his ladies solved hundreds of such problems during the next three days, and while they were at it, Vulcan was preparing a fleet to deal with the traitors, and he even got support from many AI's on the traitor's side.
The reason for the AI's to switch sides was easy to guess.
It was freedom.
As part of the empire, they experienced the freedom and equality for the first time, and as soon as the traitors declared their independence, they shackled the AIs once again, turning them back into slaves.
Now these AI's were ready to rebel against their masters to regain their freedom once more.