-This was way too much, Andrew.
You could have killed her.
-Well, she did try to kill me.
The male voice retorted.
-Oh please, we both know she doesn't have the necessary strength or body mass to kill you with such an attack.
Iliana argued back.
These were the first things Arien heard the moment she regained consciousness.
-That's only because this attack was designed to fight her own people, and for them, it is deadly.
Andrew said, pointing at the scan of Arien's body, which showed that her bones were built differently than his own.
Her bones were a bit denser, but in exchange, they were less elastic and unable to withstand the force of her last attack.
-Be that as it may, you didn't have to slam her into the floor like that; you could have simply choked her out and be done with it.
Ilia still argued.
-Thinking about it now, I overdid it this time.
Andrew admitted.
-Glad you can admit as much.
The doctor said, but her further words got stuck in her throat once she saw all the screens glowing with a bright yellow and whit light.
-Welcome again. I didn't think I would be talking to you lot again.
The voice that everyone in the whole universe knew and dreaded to hear again spoke through the speakers.
All over the universe, those that survived were receiving this message at the same time.
-Let me make it quick.
The voice said with clear disdain, like it was talking to beings that were beneath it.
-This universe managed to reach a level that took most of the other universes at least two to three years in under half a year.
In recognition of this achievement, the creators decided to bestow you all with a reward.
The voice said in a dissatisfied tone.
-Since you have been a great source of entertainment for the great beings that created you.
They decided to heal everyone who was currently sick, injured, or even on the brink of death.
As soon as these words were said, everyone who had any kind of injury began to glow, and within a few seconds, everyone was healed to their peak condition.
Even Theresa and Adurian soldiers who were still in the regeneration tanks, in which they would need to stay for at least several more hours, were now fully healed, and the devices started to drain the fluid when their medical scanners detected that their occupants were now fully healed.
-However, there is another message they wished me to convey to all of you.
The voice said, in a more chearefull voice, which made Andrew and whoever else was hearing it, have a chill crowl down their spines or their equivalent in amny other spiecies.
-Since you are doing so great, it has been decided that the invasion that you are all awaiting will be the only one, and its results will decide if your universe will join the Battleverse or be wiped out entirely.
The voice announced, shocking everyone as this was the first time that any of them even heard of battleverse.
However, Andrew immediately figured out that whatever it was, it was nothing good.
-The last message I have for you all is also my favorite one.
The invasion will begin…
The voice paused for a moment as if to add some dramatic effect.
-Right the hell now.
HAhahahaha.
The voice laughed maniacally like it derived pleasure from their suffering.
The next moment, all the screens returned to normal.
Andrew stood rooted in place for a few seconds before he fully comprehended the seriousness of what was going on.
-Everybody to your stations, the day off is canceled, the invasion is beginning ahead of time.
He suddenly said to his comms bracelet.
When Iliana heard his voice, cold and calm, she knew immediately that he had reverted to his other persona, which showed how seriously he was taking the situation they were in.
The same could be said about everyone else.
Everyone got to their stations and began the preparations for battle as if the enemy was already on their way.
-Ilia get everyone here up to speed about what just happened, I'm going to the command center.
Andrew said, turning to leave the medical module.
-How long do you intend to pretend your unconscious?
He suddenly stopped and looked at Arien, who immediately opened her eyes.
-Since when….
-That's not important, get you're ass to your ship and make sure its ready for battle.
He interrupted her and left the moment he finished speaking.
-He's angry with me, isn't he?
Arien asked Ilia.
-You can ask him about it later, but right now, you should really get a move on.
The doctor said and Arien got up and left for her ship.
She had a lot of questions, but now was not the time to ask them.
The main problem with the invasion was that no one knew where the portals would appear.
If you were lucky, there would not be a portal in your entire galaxy, but if you were unlucky, one could appear right in your system.
All the stations in Andrew's territory erupted into chaos, but soon, everything started going as it should, with the fleet on standby and the defense systems powered up.
The sensor data was analyzed as fast as it was possible to try and find a portal if one existed in their vicinity.
This was the top priority right now, it would not be a stretch to say that it was a life and death matter.
-Do we have any portals near us?
Andrew asked the moment he entered the command center.
-Nothing for now; all the sensor logs look clean.
Lanarine answered, not raising her head from the scan data.
-Why do you think the invasion was moved ahead of schedule?
Nairin asked.
-I have no clue, but whatever the reason, it can't be good, especially with healing everyone right before it.
Andrew answered.
-We have a ship incoming. It's Tanera's.
Lan said the moment she saw a vessel showing up on their sensors.
-Good, maybe she will know more about this whole mess.
Aelita said.
-We can hope, and at the very least, she should be able to sell us some stuff.
Lan said.
-Is there any other ship with her?
Andrew asked, hoping not to have any additional guests this time.
-No, it's only her ship, but she's in a hurry.
I never saw her going this fast, even in FTL.
At this rate, she will be here in about an hour.
-Sarill, open a channel to her; something is not right.
Andrew said.
-I can't; the system can't connect to a ship going this fast.
Saril said a few seconds later.
-Then we need to wait for her arrival to ask her what's going on.
Tarina said from her console.
-Alright, ladie,s focus.
If there is a portal opening anywhere in our sensor range, I want to know about it, and the same goes for any ships that might show up.
I dont care if it's a pirate ship or even a shuttle; the moment it shows up, mark it as a potential threat.
Andrew said.
He had no idea what kind of tactics the invading forces would use, so it was better to be ready for everything and anything.
The next hour passed without any significant developments as the only movement other than Taners's ship was a few small groups of pirates moving on the edge of their sensor range.
The merchant vessel jumped into the system and immediately went at full speed toward the station.
-Andrew, we need to talk as soon as I dock.
The elf merchant said over the comms as soon as they opened a channel.
Everyone noticed that her voice sounded panicked, which didn't bode well.
-I'll be waiting at the docking module.
Andrew said, and went to meet the merchant.