As the battle progressed, more and more system masters requested aid from Andrew.
Most of them were the ones who signed the mutual defense agreements.
The three units were so busy all the time that Runir designated an additional two groups to help with their workload.
At the same time, the cargo ships were dispatched as fast as they could be loaded with ammunition and new satellites.
Seeing Andrew's territory leading by example, more and more territories began to help others as long as they were capable of helping.
Unfortunately despite their greatest efforts, some system masters fell, giving the enemy forces a foothold, to bring in more forces.
The worst part was, that no one had any spare fleets to send and kick the invaders out and even if they had, it would be far too late as the enemy numbers grew way too fast.
The remaining ships of the defeated system masters either fought till the end or retreated joining another territory.
-Andrew, some portals are beginning to close.
Lan reported, seeing the number of portals which was steady for the last twelve hours, starting to decrease.
-How many were closed?
-Seven as of now, make it eight.
She said as another portal vanished.
Andrew nodded and turned to Sarill.
-Ask the system masters of these systems if they can send help to others.
He said, knowing full well that there were many systems that were holding by a thread.
-The Adurian Council is requesting to speak to you.
The girl reported, just as she was about to contact the systems that held off the invading forces.
-Patch them through.
-Welcome System Master Eagle, We the Adurian council, would like to ask for your help in distributing more ammunition to any system that needs it.
The Adurian elder woman didn't beat around the bush.
-I am aware that there is an enmity between us, but considering the circumstances, I'd like to propose a truce, to help us all survive.
The woman added.
-I accept the truce and if you have more ammunition to distribute, I can send some ships to get it.
Andrew accepted after thinking for a moment.
He liked the elder woman's approach and he also agreed that their conflict not only could but should be pushed aside in the face of the invasion.
-Please do send some ships, our cargo vessels are already doing what they can, but we don't have enough of them.
-I'm sending four ships immediately, just make sure your people dont fire on them.
-Thank you, and on a personal note, tell that ungrateful granddaughter of mine to contact me when she has some time.
With that, the Adurian Elder disconnected the call.
Hearing the last part made the human speechless.
He never expected to meet anyone of Ilia's family in this way.
The four cargo ships soon arrived at the durian space, and not only were they not fired upon, but even escorted by some corvettes to the space stations to receive their cargo.
As this was going on, more and more portals vanished, one after the other, mostly in systems where the invaders were kept at bay and suffered enormous losses.
On the other hand, the systems that were taken over were still being used as staging grounds and the enemy presence in them reached thousands of ships.
-Andrew the system master Zenra is requesting to talk to you.
He only nodded and the system master that requested help earlier appeared on the screen.
-System master Eagle, I must seek your assistance once more, but this time it's not to hold the enemy but to evacuate my territory.
She said with deep sorrow and regret in her voice.
-Why would you want to evacuate, as far as I can see your fleet can keep the enemy at bay without much problem now that they were resupplied.
Andrew was surprised at the request.
-True, but two other territories beside mine have fallen, I won't be able to protect my system against the forces that are amassing on my borders.
She admitted.
-Instead, I want to evacuate and let the enemy have my system, to make the invaders fight it out amongst themselves.
Will you accept my allegiance and that of all in my territory?
-Of course Lady Zenra, I'll welcome you and your people with open arms.
Andrew agreed immediately.
He was not about to leave one of the few people who signed a pact of mutual defense to a certain death.
Not to mention that her plan to use the invaders against each other was quite good.
-What do you need to evacuate?
He then asked.
I need some more defense satellites, to stand in for my fleet as we leave and I would appreciate some transport ships, to help me move as much of my drones, resources, and other stuff as possible.
I plan on destroying whatever I can't take with me.
-I believe I can help you with that, I'm sending two cargo ships with the satellites and some warships to help you evacuate, and my explosives expert, who I think will be able to leave some surprises for the enemy.
-Thank you.
The system master said and they ended the communications.
Andrew looked above his holo-screen only to see the ladies glaring at him.
-Are we getting a new sister?
Nairin asked, with a grin.
-What are you talking about?
I'm just helping her, because of our agreement and the diplomatic relations Tanira made between us.
Andrew immediately defended himself.
Not that it worked as Zanera was also a beautiful female and they all knew that it was just a matter of time before she fell for their man.
-Alright ladies, focus on your work, we can always interrogate him later.
Aelita said jokingly, but the note of anger in her voice assured Andrew that it was not a joke, and he should prepare to face his ladies if they managed to survive the invasion.
For the next five hours, the number of portals decreased by half, and during that time the Evacuation of Zanera was completed.
She left her territory along with her fleet, leaving the defense satellites to cover them.
However, as soon as the satellites ran out of missiles, the enemy was able to break through the debris field and started taking out the defenses.
Once they accomplished that, over an hour after the fleet retreated, they tried to board the station, only to have a nasty surprise as the installation exploded, taking out three ships that docked with it, and several more that were near got hit by the debris.
Seeing the destruction of her station from the ship, Zanera sighed.
She remembered all the hard work she had to put in and all the near misses when she was almost certain she would die, but she somehow always managed to keep her system until now.
-Don't worry, Andrew will most likely make you a system master again.
Binon tried to comfort her seeing how the destruction of her station affected Zanera.
-Why do you call him by his name?
Isn't he your master?
Zanera suddenly asked, after realizing that the explosive expert always used Andrew's name without any honorifics.
-It's complicated, but the gist of it is that Andrew doesn't like to be called lord, highness, or any other titles.
Binon explained, deciding not to reveal that she was also his woman, and she didn't see the need to address him any other way.
-To be honest, I know next to nothing about him, but given the circumstances, he was the best choice when it came to choosing someone to join.
Zanera admitted.
-Well, I can only say that you made a good choice, and you will soon see why.
Binon smiled.
-Let's hope so.
The former system master whispered so quietly that only she could hear it.
Her first meeting with Andrew was brief, which she could understand as the system was still under attack and he didn't have much time to meet her properly, sending her to rest after a brief chat.
In the meantime, the number of portals diminished even more, allowing more and more system masters to send their fleets to aid those who were still under attack.
This saved many systems from falling as the reinforcements often arrived just in time to prevent the defense fleet from running out of ammo.
From the opening of the first portal, only twenty hours have passed, but there were many changes in the map of the sector.
Dozens of systems fell to the invaders, others were abandoned and their forces joined more powerful territories.
Compared to the first scan of the 500 light-years of the sensor range Andrew did months ago, there was barely a fraction of the system lords and territories present when he looked at it now.
Only now did he truly understand the only rule that was introduced at the beginning of it all.
-Survival of the fittest indeed.
He murmured.
He watched his fleet and defenses slaughter any ship that came through the portal into his system.
-Vulcan how many ships did they send through till now?
The human asked.
-12 769 including fighters.
The AI responded.
This was a terrifying number and the enemy didn't look like they were about to stop anytime soon.
-Boss, we have a breach.
Suddenly the AI announced, surprising everyone.
-What kind of breach?
Andrew asked as surprised as everyone else.
The installation was breached in five places and we have hostels on board.
Vulcan said showing relevant camera footage of enemy forces entering the shipyard.
-Activate internal defenses and combat droids, all defense drones are to protect the crew.
GENERAL QUATRETS.
Andrew roared, over the internal communications system.
The next second his demeanor changed entirely, becoming cold and ruthless.
The temperature around him dropped making everyone shiver, and when the ladies saw his eyes, they were terrified as they saw a promise of a gruesome death to anyone who got in his way.
It was a while since Andrew's other persona manifested, and even during this battle he remained himself, but now, he was different and all of them knew what was to come.