Chapter 139

A/N: Just a little hint into what this new galaxy will be, no it is not star wars, StarCraft, star trek, or even Stargate. The only thing I will hint at is that it will be a brand new galaxy involving the precursors.

The story is still going through the mass effect arc so don't always expect to see developments of what's going on in the other galaxy.

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"Sir, here is the report from the research team" said Taylor as he handed Axel a data pad containing information about a recent ancient ruins site that they had surveyed.

"It took a few weeks to decipher the language and study the technology, but we now have a name of the species that the ruins belong to" explained Taylor.

Looking at the data, Axel noticed the names of the species that the ruins belonged to, "The Protheans, huh" he knew the name because of the Asari Scientists who had a lab on Atlas Station. They had provided valuable insight into who the Protheans once were and gave the Ascendency some information on the Galaxies history.

Upon learning about what the Asari scientists knew, Axel was curious as to what happened to the Protheans since they couldn't have just vanished from the Galaxy. It was similar to the Forerunner in his galaxy who was first thought to have vanished but was later found to be wiped out due to the Halos to prevent the spread of the Flood.

He figured that something major must have happened to the Protheans for them to simply have vanished from the galaxy without any explanation.

Looking through the information on the data pad, the research team uncovered a Prothean data cache containing an extensive library of coded messages and scientific data. It would take months to decode and understand all of the Prothean Knowledge that it contained.

"Start on this right away, Taylor," Axel ordered, handing back the data pad. "And continue our exploration of each unknown planet within the Attican Traverse, I have a feeling that we will uncover more of these ruins and be able to learn what truly happened to the Protheans."

Taylor nodded and left to return to his duties. He was currently assigned to oversee the various research teams which were dispatched across the galaxy. Normally this was Catherine's job, but because she was occupied researching the cure for the genophage, the responsibilities were taken over by Taylor until she was done.

Within the Ascendency home galaxy, the Spartan IV project was successful and had produced its first batch of multispecies Spartans made of various races.

The diversity within the ranks was remarkable, reflecting the incredible unity among the Ascendency races. From the four-foot tall Unggoy, who were surprisingly quick learners and perfect for stealth missions, to the massive Jiralhanae, whose brute strength was incomparable. The Spartan-IV project was not just a symbol of military might, it was a representation of their collective will to protect the Ascendency.

Despite their new roles, the Spartans were given ample respect for their individual cultures and traditions, an ideal Axel firmly believed in. He knew that without this understanding and respect for diverse cultures their unified front wouldn't be possible.

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Aboard the Endeavor, Captain Harper reviewed the day's work and the ongoing preparations for exploring further into the planet. Progress was steady. The Spartan-IIIs and marines had completed construction of their temporary base and now shifted focus to internal security and maintenance. The science teams worked tirelessly, studying the data collected from the drones and probes, deciphering alien plant specimens, and taking apart unknown minerals. Everyone was busy.

Suddenly, Lieutenant Meyers came over the comms, sounding tense. "Captain Harper, our perimeter sensors have detected movement, multiple heat signatures moving towards our location."

"Understood, Lieutenant," Captain Harper responded quickly. "Ready the personnel for potential first contact but remember, we are not here for a conflict. Keep weapons at nonaggressive positions unless attacked first."

"Yes, ma'am," Meyers responded as he prepared his team to encounter the incoming aliens. The marines created a defensive position around the base, with Spartans placed at strategic positions within their ranks.

A few seconds later the aliens had came into sight. They had Pale white skin with with a strange mark on their forehead and faces. Their eyes looked to be dark grey or possibly black, but Meyers couldn't really tell.

(Image Here)

They were wielding strange weapons which looked to be long staffs made out of an unknown material. The staffs were glowing with a bright blue color at each end and were giving off a strange energy signature.

The alien group halted a few yards away, their gaze moving curiously among the humans assembled before them. Suddenly, one of them stepped forward. He was slightly taller than the rest and bore an intricate symbol on his forehead that glowed in tandem with his staff.

Suddenly, the alien raised his staff high in the air and let out a resonating, harmonious chant. The others responded in kind, their voices blending into an eerily beautiful chorus. Then, all fell silent.

That's when the symbol on the lead alien's forehead started to glow in tandem with his staff. Large amounts of energy started to build up into the staff.

"Sir what's it doing" asked one of the marines.

"I don't know, but stay calm," Lieutenant Meyers ordered. "Prepare for any possible..."

Before he could complete his sentence, a brilliant burst of energy shot out from the staff's tip, sending them flying back a few feet from where they were standing.

Regaining his bearings, Lieutenant Meyers saw the aliens charging at them with hostile intent. "Stand your ground! Open Fire!" Lieutenant Meyers' voice boomed over the startled exclamations of the marines.

The marines and Spartans-IIIs, though taken by surprise, quickly recovered and began returning fire. Despite the unexpected hostility, they remained calm and collected, their training kicking in.

"Fall back to defensive positions!" Meyers commanded.

The marines followed his orders, falling back to their previously constructed fortifications while laying down suppressing fire.

The Aliens moved with a fluidity that was almost ethereal, darting to cover and avoiding gunfire with effortless ease. Their staff weapons cracked with energy, sending bolts of energy streaking towards Meyers and his team.

In the midst of this hostile encounter, Captain Harper's voice called over the comm, "Lieutenant Meyers! Status report!"

"We're under attack! Unknown species." Lieutenant Meyers replied as he ducked behind cover from incoming energy bolts. He peeked over the top of his cover to assess the situation and fired a few shots at an Alien attempting to flank them.

"Get those scientists out of there and return to the ship" responded Harper.

"Understood, Captain," replied Meyers, before turning to his comm officer. "Sergeant Hicks, initiate evacuation protocols for all research personnel, now!"

"You've got it, Lieutenant," came the quick reply. As Hicks sent out the command to the science team, Meyers turned back to the battlefront. The aliens were relentless, but so were the Marines and Spartans. They continued to hold the line long enough for the scientists to evacuate aboard the transport ship.

Once they were onboard, the rest of the marines and Spartans slowly retreated back towards the transport ship. Once onboard the ship lifted off leaving behind the makeshift camp that they created alongside everything they brought.