Star Emperor

The next morning, Andrew came to the command center after his workout to begin the research and check if there was something he needed to know.

As usual, Lanarine was already at work, but he didn't bother with her and went straight to the command chair.

The first thing he saw was the notification that no more storage capacity was available, and collecting resources was suspended.

-It looks like getting more drones paid off.

He murmured to himself and proceeded to the scouting reports which didn't show any results for now, but he was certain that sooner or later they would find something.

Next in line was the research module which he activated and started to research the component manufacturing module.

This cost him 80% of his resources, but the research would be complete within two days.

The second research module would have to wait until he got enough materials to start researching another piece of technology.

As soon as he confirmed the research topic, the resources began to move through the resource distribution module and the countdown started with 46 hours to go.

At the same time, he was notified that the resource gathering was resumed and the resources started pouring in.

After making sure that everything was working as it should, Andrew once again left for the education module.

Lanarine was surprised and also hurt that he didn't even acknowledge her this time.

The day before he was not friendly but at least he acknowledged her existence, but right now it was like she had become nothing to him.

She had no idea why it bothered her so much, but it did and the worst part was that she could do nothing about it.

Another thing that was bothering her was the research he just started, she wanted to be a part of it when they finally started to do research and now she was just a witness to it, and not even that as to be a witness, she would have to be acknowledged as a person which she clearly was not.

She had no idea how to repair the situation between them and even if she had, there was nothing she could do, other than follow his commands until he lowered the control setting.

The day went almost exactly like the previous one with Andrew calling once around noon to hear the reports and coming back in the evening to send her to get some rest while he looked over the reports and logs.

She had no idea what he was doing the whole day, but it slightly pissed her off when she saw that he was happy when he came back in the evening.

Lan even started to suspect that he preferred it this way and the thought terrified her as if that was true then she would be stuck like this forever.

She was in this setting for only two days and she was already miserable, what would happen to her if she was left like that indefinitely?

She'd rather not think about it.

Her only hope to avoid such a fate was for him to lower the setting or to crank it up.

At least then she would not have to think about it, since her thoughts would be suppressed.

The next day was almost the same as the previous one with the only difference being that she received orders from him to focus on the asteroids that were at least twenty meters in diameter or bigger, starting with the closest ones and a start of another research as the drones managed to fill up the storage modules again.

This time he selected the medical module since their only way to treat injuries right now was the first aid kit they received at the beginning.

At the end of the fourth day, Lanarine was almost sure that this was some form of punishment and she had to admit that it was creative and very effective if that was the case.

That day the first research was finished and now they, or rather he, would be able to get the basic component manufacturing module from the merchant which meant that he would no longer need to buy the basic modules and could simply produce them.

Since the resources were again topped off he selected another research that he was able to afford and it turned out to be the drone battery upgrade.

With this, the drones would be able to work for twice as long on a single recharge.

While Lanarine was almost in despair during the last few days, Andrew was very happy with the progress in his studies and even more so with his body weight loss.

Right now he lost most of his belly and the rest of his body also slimmed down a lot.

He was nowhere close to being as slim as he had been before he got to his father's residence, but he was getting there.

His studies also went along quite nicely and in only four days he managed to finish the work that would take him over three weeks in school.

If he kept up at this pace then he would be able to finish the high school material in around three months and get his body in shape at the same time.

Other than that he was also happy about the research and even more about the hydroponics at which he saw some of the seeds starting to sprout. 

That evening he ordered the drones to gather 200 tonnes of uranium ore to be sold to the merchant.

He didn't need that much money but it was better to be safe than sorry.

This time the shopping list was quite short, but he would have to see if the merchant had anything new that he would be interested in.

The fifth day arrived and the basic medical module research was finished, but he didn't add any new research as he needed the materials to sell.

After he finished everything he had to do, Andrew turned in the command chair in Lan's direction.

-Lower the control to zero.

He said surprising her.

She was sure that he would never again give her back her freedom.

-I'm sorry, for everything.

She said immediately, not sure if she would have another opportunity to apologize.

Until this moment she was almost sure that he would keep her in that state for the rest of her life.

-That doesn't matter right now.

He said, shaking his head.

-Right now you have a decision to make.

The first option is to buy the modules you had previously with some extra to not leave you too much behind and leave.

I won't attack you as long as you won't attack me and we can live in this system without getting in each other's way.

This option also comes with your permanent freedom.

He explained emotionlessly.

The second option is for you to stay here, continue doing your job, and try not to piss me off again.

This option however gets you stuck on a level 1 control at all times with the possibility of dialing it back up if you come up with another bright idea that has no sense and its only result is me getting pissed.

He presented the second option.

-The choice is yours, there is no third option and you have the time to decide until the merchant gets here.

Having said his part he got up to leave.

-Wait.

He stopped, waiting to hear what she had to say.

-I will choose the first option, but I will need my beginning module, I can't just buy one because they are not sold by the merchant.

She said, without thinking too much about it as it was the only option that guaranteed her freedom.

Andrew thought for a moment and he had to admit that she was right.

-Alright, You can take the beginning module along with your armory and the two hydroponics modules that contain your plants, additionally, I will give you twenty million credits to buy all the modules you had plus some extra.

The merchant should be able to add you to this system's station masters list.

As soon as your station is assembled you can use your drones to reposition it to wherever you like or I can do it with my drones.

Lanarine nodded agreeing to his terms, but something was wrong with this whole thing.

She thought about the options once again and it hit her like a brick to the face.

-Why do you want to get rid of me?

She asked suddenly after figuring out his motive.

-Why couldn't she just accept and be done with it?

Andrew thought, cursing himself for being too obvious.

-If you really have to know, then the reason is simple.

He said.

-We don't trust each other so we can't rely on that, the contract we tried didn't work and as useful as you were, I don't need or even want a slave.

So the only solution that leaves us both alive and free is to give you back your station and be done with it.

He explained his point of view.

-Besides, you have already chosen the first option and there is no going back from that so just accept it and go live your life as you see fit.

Andrew added before finally leaving the command center and a speechless alien woman in it.