To Andrew's surprise, the AIs were not the only ones switching sides.
A few system masters and even small territories' leaders had secretly initiated contact with the empire.
Some expressed their desire to rejoin the empire under the condition that they would receive a pardon and maintain their standing in their territories.
A few, however, explained that they were forced to leave the empire with the others under a threat of being destroyed if they refused.
The most surprising one was a leader of a mid-sized territory, who was threatened with his sister's life.
-Emperor, I know that this changes nothing, and I'll accept the punishment for betraying the empire, but please, save my sister.
The alien pleaded over the comms.
-Why didn't you reveal this information to us sooner?
Tarina asked.
-Because I was being monitored at all times and had no idea where my sister was being held.
Now that their supervisor has left, thinking that it's way too late for me to do anything.
I have found out where my sister is being held, but I lack the means to free her, and as long as they have her, I can't go against them.
-And how exactly did you discover where your sister is being held?
Runir asked, sensing a trap.
-She is in one of the systems bordering the empire.
The system master of that place contacted me and even proved to me that he indeed has my sister by letting me talk with her for a moment.
-So what's in it for him?
Andrew asked.
-He wants to use my jump gate to go to the star nation founded by his people.
However, there is no way for him and his fleet to just come here without raising suspicion, and entering the imperial territory is suicide without your majesty's permission.
The alien explained.
-So you want me to allow him passage, and he will release your sister, is that it?
-Yes, your majesty, and as compensation for letting him get away, he shared some information that should be of great importance to the empire.
-Let's hear the information.
If it is useful to us, he'll get the deal.
The emperor said, his interest piqued.
-Your majesty, it is no secret that you plan to deal with all the traitors, and the five races' federation plans to use this chance to deal a crippling blow to the empire, or at least its fleets.
Someone informed them about the defeat you have suffered in the Milky Way galaxy at the hands of the race known as Kinokians.
The federation is planning to use jump gates to transfer its fleets to the traitors' territories and lay in ambush to destroy the imperial fleets.
Right after that, they plan to use the same tactics as the Kinokians to deal with your home world and the empire's main system, attacking from the outside and using the portals to surround the defense fleets and wipe them out.
-If this plan works, we would lose most of our fleets, as well as Earth, which is our main food source.
Runir stated after thinking about it for a while.
-Alright, this is indeed important news, so you may let the system master know that he has a deal.
Her and his fleet won't be attacked unless they try anything stupid.
As for you.
Andrew paused.
-You also earned yourself a pardon, so you won't be executed.
However, your territory will be confiscated, and you will be degraded to a station master.
Do you have any complaints about my decision?
-No, your majesty, and thank you, your majesty.
The alien said and bowed deeply.
-I would have to be crazy to complain.
He thought to himself, as he had just gotten much more than he ever expected.
-Send me all the data and get to work, my ship will leave shortly.
Also, if you get any information that can be useful to us, contact the Empire immediately.
Andrew said and ended the connection.
-Well, ladies, what are your thoughts on this matter?
The emperor asked.
-I already sent orders for Ghost Six to go get the woman.
As for the federation's plan, it is incomplete.
Runir said with confidence.
-You mean that he concealed some information, or was lied to?
Aelita asked.
-No, they were simply not told that as soon as the empire is crippled, they are next.
The federation won't want anyone strong enough to challenge them to be left after this, so the moment they achieve their goals, they will most likely turn on their so-called allies.
By that time, both the empire and the traitors' forces will be damaged and exhausted.
A perfect situation to capture a lot of territory while crippling their enemies.
The Admiral explained.
-We should also take a closer look at the sensor data from the relays we left in their territories.
I would not be surprised if we found the federation diplomatic ships visiting them.
Tarina added.
-It is obvious that the enemy does not know about the Judas Protocol.
Nairin pointed out the obvious.
-I'm no strategist, but I think that if we use the protocol at the right moment, we might turn the situation around and cripple not only the traitors, but also the Federation, or at least considerably weaken them.
-You're right, we can do it, but what this conversation uncovered is that our intelligence gathering abilities are nonexistent.
Tarina stated a fact.
As a diplomat, she needed all the information she could get on her potential opponents.
Especially since they were now in the battle verse and the stakes would go up sooner rather than later.
-I'll deal with that part.
Andrew chimed in.
He already knew who he would need to talk to to create an imperial intelligence agency.
This was a colossal oversight on his part, as a good intelligence network could have helped him and the empire a lot in the past, and was extremely important for their future.