I rejoiced as I saw the capital city, Scaria, of my first of many to come planets, getting rebuilt and further improved. I plan on making this city my stronghold, for now, especially considering the heavy defensive capabilities. The city has taken its toll through the siege, but the impressive plasma shield has absorbed most of it. The main problem is the tunnels.

Another project I have tasked Chief General Bonanza with is to get control over the whole planet. Scaria isn't the only place people were living, and especially the civilists need to be informed who their new overlord is and what has changed. Since only soldiers inhabited Scaria, I tasked my thirty thousand men strong units with the repair of it. Currently, General Aquila, who arrived with the reinforcements, leads the defensive blockade in space together with two other captains. Still, I will need to get competent personal I can trust as fast as possible. Orio needs administrative personal, and since I plan to make it my own, I will need to nominate my own people. Otherwise, control can slip very easily. Orio will also need a governor, and since I'm leading massive armies, I can't possibly be on Orio whenever I'm needed. For this position, I already have a person in mind.

Another problem I must solve is to get cable pilots to refill our ranks. The fleets have suffered the most under the war.

The Federation rewarded our mission with a total of five million ducats, which seems like a lot, which it is especially considering an average monthly salary for a soldier is 150 ducats (which is being paid monthly by the Federation). Still, a large chunk of this money will go to the soldiers as rewards for their heroic actions and the deceased's families. Also, hundreds of new ships need to be ordered, and still existing ships and cruisers need to be repaired. I hope enough ducats will remain to make Orio a stable income source to fund future operations and build a healthy foundation for my place in the vast galaxy.

To achieve that, I need cable people, the same as a trustworthy governor. I will need to head towards my home planet Adria.

"General Reymon (promoted from Chief Commander), I entrust you and Chief Commander Bonanza Orio. I will try to get back as soon as possible, but it will take some months. We discussed everything important already; furthermore, my instructions and plans for Orio are in my office. With greater power comes greater responsibility. I count on you, General."

"Orio will be safe, don't worry, Chief General. No offense Chief General, but I advise against traveling with such a small force. We are in newly conquered territory; a fight can break out at any moment."

"Don't worry; I'm more than capable of defending myself. I'm not a Chief General for no reason." I replied with a laugh.

Some minutes later, a small fleet consisting of a custom-made Matt black ship which is fifteen meters long, five meters wide, and has a lean frame, leaves the runway. Additionally, four standard military one-man hunter ships escort the extraordinary ship.

Planet Adria, Michigan, 223AD.

A luxurious Matt black ship with reinforced silver glass in the bridge accompanied by four hunters lands in Adria's capital city Michigan, at the runway reserved for the military only.

Three one meter long black steel logs exited the plane's bottom, enabling the aircraft to stand without using its engines. A broad door opened at the back, a moving-out plate connecting to the ground allowing the passengers to exit the plane comfortably. A man in his late twenties, with broad shoulders, wide black trousers, and a green T-shirt, exits the plane. Seemingly rejoicing in the sun rays, having missed them because of a long flight. Shortly, four soldiers in full white armor exit the plane, equipped with expensive plasma rifles and a pistol at a belt to their right.

Two minutes later, a group consisting of an officer in grey clothing, and two soldiers, also in full white armor, approached the aircraft.

"Welcome back, Chief General Rostov! It's great to have you back on Adria." The middle-aged officer energetically greeted the man in the green T-shirt.

"It's great to be here again, Officer Smith. I see you are still on duty; you really love your job." I smilingly answered while shaking his extended hand. We know each other since I enlisted in the army when I was fifteen.

"So, what brings you here, Chief General?" Officer Smith asked me while drinking a cup of coffee in his office, waiting for the soldiers to offload the necessary cargo and shift it in three black cars, transporters to be exact(your everyday craftsman car).

"Can't I just visit my family?" I asked half-jokingly.

"A man as important as yourself can't stay away from the front just because of such a petty reason. I heard you managed to conquer your first planet; there surely is enough work to do."

"You are right; I'm, in fact, searching for capable people to manage and develop Orio, my new planet. I could use an experienced officer like yourself. When you are interested, we could surely work something out."

"Thanks for the offer, but as you probably guessed, I'm very content with my current position. Should I change my mind, I will hit you up."

*knock* *knock*

"Enter."

"Sir, your entourage is ready to head out." A soldier reported.

"Well, it's time to go; it was nice seeing you again, Officer Smith."

"Likewise, Sir. I hope you succeed on your mission."

"I will," I replied with a confident smile.

Shortly afterward, a convoy consisting of three black, seemingly usual transporters exited the airport facility.

The convoy stopped before a beautiful white villa with a lot of glass and a gigantic pool in Michigan's wealthy area. A wide view down into the valley is the trademark of this area.

"Stay in the cars. I will be back shortly." I ordered through the SDC.

I exited the transporter at the front and made my way towards the big villa.

I ringed the door.

"Who is there?" A grumpy voice asked through speakers at the doorframe.

"Michael, a friend of Rick."

"A moment, please."

"Sure."

Two minutes later, the door opened, and my bald friend Rick Pepperstein stood in the frame. A towel wrapped around his groin, the rest of his body naked and slightly wet.

"Ah, Michael, it's great to see you again! I would hook you, but as you can see, I'm kinda in a precarious situation."

"No hard feelings, it's great to see you again too. Can I come in?"

"Sure, as you probably know on the right is the kitchen, in the fridge is beer, I'm right back by you, just putting on something real quick."

I went to the kitchen while inspecting the art and decoration Rick's house has to offer, which is a lot. I, for example, have never seen one-meter-long serpent fangs; that must have cost a lot.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"No problem. I didn't announce myself beforehand, after all."

"Truth be told, I don't have much time. I just arrived, and you probably heard by now that I conquered Orio, so I'm really busy. If it's fine with you, could you grab everything you need for this sweet investment opportunity you telling me about, a mine, right?"

"Yeah, a recently discovered red crystal mine, to be exact."

"So if it's possible, just grab your stuff, and let's go there. We can talk while driving. I wish I could spend some more time on silly things with you, like back then, but my position simply doesn't allow that anymore."

"I understand. The mine is actually quite a distance away; we could use my helicopter if you want to."

"I would love to; sadly, I have a lot of cargo that I need. If you have the time, it would be great to have you on board for this trip; if you don't mind, I need to visit or rather recruit several people on the way for important positions in Orio."

"That's fine with me. My company does operate without me anyways. If something big comes up, they can call me."

"That's great. Let's get going then. I will wait for you in the car."