Star Emperor

The next morning Lanerine arrived at the command center first after a shower and a meal.

Andrew was not present yet as he was in the fitness module so she started her work without waiting for him.

Just like the day before he arrived around two hours later, by which time she managed to scan another four asteroids, but this time she found nothing worth mentioning.

Thinking about it she finally figured out why the mining scanner was so inaccurate, it was just the basic model, just like everything else.

Even the geological scanner she used was only a basic one and the main reason for that was a lack of access to higher-tier equipment.

-Good morning, how are the scans turning up?

Andrew said just as he entered the command center.

He was sore all over his body from the workout, but he was still determined to continue no matter what.

-Good morning, today's scans didn't reveal any deposits that could be useful, but the scan of the last asteroid yesterday revealed something interesting.

I took the liberty to send the report to your console.

She answered, grateful that he didn't scare her like before.

-Thank, you.

The man said and went to see the report.

-You don't have to arrive here so early, if you want you can sleep in once in a while or just use the fitness module or whatever you want.

He said before taking a seat at the console.

-Thank you, I might just take you up on this offer.

She answered with a slight smile.

After that short exchange, they both focused on their work.

Andrew first set some new targets for the drones, before he got to read the reports, starting with the one she said was interesting.

The moment he read through the data his eyes went wide.

-Is this report accurate?

He asked surprised.

-As accurate as I can make it with the equipment that we have.

Lenarine answered.

-Are you saying that there is an asteroid that has over half a milion tonnes of Uranium in it, and it's just sitting practically next to our station?

He could not believe it.

Lan nodded confirming once again, satisfied with his reaction.

-If we could unlock the processing module and enrichment module, we might be able to get a nuclear reactor.

She said happily as this would allow them to stop relying on solar power modules as much and with the amount of uranium in the deposit they would not need to worry about power for many years.

-It's much more than that, and first, we would need to reach the third tier of modules to do what you are thinking about.

His words poured a bucket of cold water on her enthusiasm, as it would take them a long time to reach that level.

Also, she had no idea what she was so happy about, she was satisfied that her work impressed him so much but other than that there was nothing to celebrate for her.

-With just a hundred tonnes of ore we will be able to buy all the modules we need to start research and upgrades to the station, not to mention all the tier 1 modules that we need or want.

He explained happily, then showed her the price of the resources and uranium ore was at the first ten of the most expensive materials.

This surprised her greatly, she knew that it was a valuable resource, but she never suspected just how much value it really had.

Seeing the price for a ton she was speechless.

-I think that a reward is in order, for such a good job, so you can choose any three modules that you want from the list, or you can wait for the merchant to come back with an upgraded one if you prefer that.

Andrew said with a broad smile on his face, this was exactly what he needed to level the playing field with others who formed groups.

Lanarine was speechless at his words.

She didn't have much experience with slavery other than reading about it but to her knowledge, it was not usual for a master to reward their slave for their work.

Especially with such a reward like the one he was offering her.

She even had thought of asking for her freedom instead, but rejected this idea as he would most likely decline.

Additionally, she had just proven she was a valuable asset, and no one in their right mind would let her go after something like this.

This made her unable to be happy about it.

Seeing her sad expression Andrew guessed what she was thinking about and started to think about a way to free her without jeopardizing his safety or splitting the station as he wanted it to remain the way it was for now.

He didn't want to make a beauty sad if he could help it, but he also didn't want to die to make her happy.

Thinking about it he pulled out the information he got when he bought her, and sure enough, it stated in the later section that he had only skimmed over that her people were almost fanatical when it came to upholding an agreement or a contract.

This gave him an idea.

-What would you say about receiving your freedom instead?

He asked after making sure that read the information correctly.

-Don't toy with me, I know you won't let me go. 

She hissed angrily, her skin turning dark blue and green.

He expected this kind of reaction.

-Hear me out before you reject it, and for the record, I am serious about it.

He said hurriedly, not wanting to piss her off even more.

This immediately got her attention as anything was better than being a slave, dependent on their master's whim.

She had to admit that for the short time, they were interacting he was always treating her with respect and dignity, but if she could get her freedom it would be preferable.

-Well, tell me what you have in mind then.

She said, a bit softer but still a bit angry.

-What would you say about replacing slavery with a contract?

Andrew asked, surprising her completely.

-And what would be the terms of said contract?

She asked suspiciously, still not believing that he would really return her freedom.

-I don't know what kind of terms you would want to include but mine are simple,

The stations stay together, you don't try to hurt me in any way or form, and we continue to work together.

Andrew revealed his conditions for the contract.

After hearing his terms, Lanarine started to believe that she might get her freedom back, and the terms were not complicated and there were no hidden meanings to them that she could find.

-I want to add some terms.

She said, after thinking for a few minutes.

-First, I want the chip removed from me permanently when the merchant returns.

Second, you won't touch me unless it's an emergency or I allow it.

Third, I want to have a say in the decisions about upgrading the station.

She said, hoping that he would agree to her terms.

It was already a gamble for her as he could simply say that he would just keep her as a slave and didn't have to agree to anything.

However, to her surprise, he agreed to her terms after a moment of thinking about it.

-Do you want to write it down somewhere or do we just use a verbal agreement?

He asked.

She preferred to have it all in writing just in case, so they wrote the contract on a thin copper plate as there was no paper on the station.

They both signed it and left a seal in the form of their fingerprint made with their blood.

As soon as it was done, Andrew delivered the first part of the contract.

-Dial down the control to level 0.

He said, turning off the slavery chip.

Lan immediately felt the difference as nothing was restricting her right now.

-Thank you.

She said not hiding her happiness and relief.

Till that moment she was still not fully convinced that the human would uphold his end of the bargain.

But seeing him honoring it right after it was signed, made her impression of him rise again.