Chapter 111

Before the expedition began, Axel had postponed it for another 5 years just to allow things to develop a little more within the newly established Imperial Ascendency.

The year was now 2562, 15 years after the war had ended and the Galaxy was united under the Imperial Ascendency. Life was as peaceful as it once was before the war started, except now they have countless more benefits and improvements in their lives.

The average life span of a human was estimated to be able to reach 300 years of age thanks to the enhancements that were available to the humans across the Galaxy. Some humans didn't take them, out of fear or because of their religious beliefs, but the majority who did saw a massive improvement in their health.

Normally the age of 70 and up was considered the age for retirement and when people were old, but with the advancements in science and technology, things were different now. The elderly at this age were as vigorous as individuals in their prime.

People would remain young until the age of 150 when they will start to have the appearance of a middle-aged human and look elderly by the age of 260. Those who were between the ages of 50-90 saw massive improvements in their bodies and minds. They were stronger, their minds sharper, their senses heightened and their bodies more resilient. Despite being in the early years of the extended lifespan, they performed tasks with an efficiency that matched, if not surpassed, those of their younger selves.

Of course, how people would look once they reached the age of 150 and up was all just speculation as no human has reached that age yet. With this increase in lifespan also came with an increase in the number of people that can work. Now that the average age was estimated to be 300, millions of humans were able to work again.

The entire dynamic of society had changed with the introduction of these enhancements. The paradigm of traditional employment had shifted, people in their hundreds still fervently engaged in their professions. Science and innovation were on an exponential curve, progressing at a pace that seemed almost supernatural. The elderly, equipped with a lifetime of knowledge and wisdom, stood side by side with the young, their minds untamed and brimming with fresh ideas.

Axel was at the age of 72 now, but his enhancements and augmentations made him look like he was in his late 20s. Catherine was two years younger than Axel, making her 70 years old, but with the enhancements and augmentations she looked in her late 20s as well.

Miranda had reached the age of 36 and was now a Vice Admiral within the Imperial Navy. She hadn't married anyone as nobody even came close to her standards, which were very high. Many people tried but ultimately failed, they were no match for the person they were being compared to, which was the Emperor, Axel himself.

Arthur and Andrew had reached the age of 23 and had both went to university and already graduated with degrees in their respective sciences.

Arthur had chosen to specialize in computational physics, while Andrew had pursued neurobiology. The twins were remarkably intelligent like Axel, they had graduated at 16 and entered college immediately after. They both spent 6 years in college before they were sent to a research station to study forerunner artifacts and technology.

Unlike their sister, the two of them already had girlfriends and such, living a more conventional life despite their extraordinary talents and the limitless possibilities that the current age presented.

The other species within the Ascendency, weren't granted these augmentations as of yet, since Axel required them to earn the right to get the augmentations. This was different for the Ascendency military which were granted the right to have augmentations, in exchange for a lifetime of service.

Most of the species within the Imperial military didn't take the augmentations as they considered themselves strong already. The few that did, however, saw a massive improvement in their combat capabilities.

Alongside all of this, Axel had started a research project on creating a new Spartan IV program which would be available for all species of the Imperial Ascendency. A substantial amount of research was needed first before they started recruiting candidates and it was expected to be done by 2567.

In the meantime, the exploration fleet had assembled in front of the dimensional slipspace gate which would allow them to travel to another Galaxy.

A massive fleet of 10,000 ships carrying 50 million volunteers from every race had lined up in front of the massive gate. Within the fleet was a Colony ship which was made to accommodate every race within the Ascendency. The Grunts and Yanme'e were the main engineers and mechanists onboard each ship because of their natural talent which made them the most efficient.

Every race served a multitude of roles within the fleet to ensure its safe operation in another Galaxy far far away. In addition, each colony ship was equipped with a few medium and small Assemblers to maintain production of important equipment and vehicles until they built another dimensional slipspace gate in the other galaxy, connecting their galaxy and the new galaxy.

The trip would take 6 Months utilizing the dimensional slipspace gate while normal slipspace drives was estimated to take more than 600 years to reach the new galaxy. So, once they arrive, they would have to find a suitable location to start building the second dimensional slipspace gate.

The resources needed to build it were already being carried onboard one of the massive cargo ships within the fleet alongside enough resources to sustain everybody within the fleet for 5 years before they ran out.

As the fleet prepared to go through the gate, everybody onboard each ship had prepared for the long trip. They were about to embark on a journey of discovery, the likes of which had never been undertaken before.

Joining him were Catherine, Miranda, Omni, Cortana, Thel 'Vadam, Atriox who had come to realize the error of his ways and was now a devout follower. There were more high-ranking people from each species who were chosen as leaders to join Axle on this adventure.

Once everything was ready, the fleet had gone through the dimensional slipspace gate where they would spend the next 6 months.