Laurel Adams, governor of Biko

"So...This is a lot."

I looked at the sky and saw a faint light.

"Yeah, planetary shields tend to be a lot."

I felt nervous, as an obelisk flashed and the capital was covered in faint blue light.

"Seems a bit much."

"The enemy has trillions of people... We have 300 settled systems, 700 unsettled ones."

I looked at the screen, as seemingly endless amounts of material came out of the Starforge. I watched as a massive space station, no, a Carrier, was built.

"It's not just forcefields or an interdiction field, it's sensors, it's automated defenses, it's a host of things. If it was just the fields this would only take maybe an earth day tops. What we are doing is hardening your system."

"And."

"Don't worry, we've done this before. Really wish the UNSC hadn't dragged their heels on the peace treaty, really wanted to harden your system earlier like Corporate space. But you know how long it takes for them to deal with anything."

"Yeah, I do."

"So you're number 70 or so. It looks like it's going to take roughly another 5 years or so before all of our populated sectors are up to snuff."

I read a report.

"There is an unscheduled solar flare near-"

"It's not a solar flare."

"Um... what?"

"Yeah... Coming here was kind of a time-sensitive issue."

I froze.

"What?"

"Yeah. Had to set up the IF right away. Really I meant to do this sooner but I had to set up in Corporate space because the UNSC had to be dicks about, you know, fucking off. Really we got here just in time."

"There's another."

"Once again, not solar flares."

"Then what are they?"

"That would be Covenant fleets being...god what's the word...oh yes being yeeted into the sun."

I froze.

"What does Yeet mean?"

"Not important. The people of Biko are just absolutely lovely people so it's only natural that you gave their fleet a warm welcome. Oh, that's another one."

"They're burning alive."

It hit me.

"You sent them into the star."

"I prefer to call it praising the sun, hope that's not a problem."

"How many ships?"

"Well from the looks of it around a hundred thousand Covenant ships are burning to death. Don't worry about it, governor! It's good practice."

"For what?"

"For when they burn in hell."

He sipped his drink.

"So this is day three, we're going to need another 4 days before we get you to a level where I think you'll be stable."

I thought about it.

"The people of Biko thank you for your services."

"Meh don't thank me until the jobs finished... Also, as I said, we are going to leave behind a Carrier to build up a system fleet for you guys. We've already contacted the local resistance groups and we are going to start officer and other training programs for you guys."

He looked at me.

"We are going on a bit of a recruiting drive so if anyone on Biko wants to join the fleet that would be great."

"I will bring the message down."

"Thanks! Sorry, got to get back to work."

I sat down on my chair and took deep cleansing breaths.

"Did we have any visuals on the rim?"

"Yes, governor."

"Show it to me."

I watched as a massive fleet semi-materialized and then vanished, a Covenant fleet. Their timing matched with the flares, I blinked and slumped.

"Sir?"

"I need beer."

"Can do, sir."

I leaned back, I couldn't decide if I liked the good doctor or if he was going to give me a heart attack. I suspected the reply was both.