Chapter 144

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5 years later after Urgnot Thrak started causing problems on Tuchunka. Cerberus, a Human paramilitary group led by the enigmatic Illusive Man, had made it's presence known throughout the galaxy.

They had been caught performing dangerous experimentations on biotic subjects, engaging in terrorist activities, as well as sabotage and assassination plots against various races militaries including the Alliance.

Because of this both the Alliance and the Citadel have declared Cerberus to be a terrorist organization and will prosecute identified Cerberus agents accordingly.

So far, Cerberus has not encountered the Ascendency but if they did, then they better start counting their days.

———

Somewhere in the Terminus systems within his station, the Illusive man was in a meeting with a few of his key operatives. The room was bathed in a dim, azure glow from the giant star that loomed behind him, casting long shadows on the faces of his subordinates.

"The Ascendency," he began, his voice a low rasp echoing around the soundproof room. "They are not to be trifled with." He flicked his cigarette, the ash floating weightlessly before settling down onto his mahogany desk.

"We've been through this, Illusive Man," one of his agents, a stoic human with sharp features, responded, crossing his arms over his chest. "The Ascendency has strength and numbers... and technology. It would be suicidal to engage them directly."

The Illusive Man nodded slowly, pressing his fingers together as he looked at the star in front of him. He was silent for a few moments before he finally spoke again.

"True, we can't face them head on... but we have other means to contend with the Ascendency," he said cryptically, a wicked grin pulling at the corner of his lips.

"Remember the Empress who was attacked on Tuchunka," he continued. "She had an assistant whom I'm sure has significant knowledge on how the Ascendency technology works, if we could somehow find a way to kidnap her then we can advance Humanity to a higher level than the rest of the species."

Another Cerberus agent, a woman with cold eyes and tightly coiled blonde hair shook her head in disagreement, "That will be impossible," she said. "That woman is probably the Empress's close friend so she will most likely be protected by those Spartans."

Hearing the name, the Illusive man himself had lost his smile. He had seen the Spartans in action, and he couldn't help but want to discover what the difference is between the Humans within the Ascendency and those within the Alliance.

Sure, one could see the physical difference through a video recording, but he wanted to know everything from their genetic makeup to their physical capabilities, their combat training, and most importantly, what made them tick.

"We need not engage the Spartans directly," The Illusive Man stated decisively. "Infiltration and subversion are our strengths. We must outthink them rather than outfight them."

The room was filled with a tense silence before one of the operatives snorted dismissively. "And how do we do that? A frontal assault is suicide and anything less direct will be sniffed out by their intelligence agency."

The Illusive Man leaned back in his chair, bathing his face in the azure glow from the star behind him. He was silent for a long time before finally speaking.

"We need an insider," he said, his voice low and barely audible. "Someone who can blend in with the Ascendency, gain their trust, and provide us with the information we need to destabilize them from within."

"But who would be able to..." began one of the operatives before being cut off abruptly by the Illusive Man's raised hand.

"I am aware of the difficulties," he interjected. "But if we manage to pull this off, then we could advance Humanity far above the other species and finally be able to stand against them."

Agreeing with such a massive task that could have various amounts of outcomes, the Illusive man started to find people for this tasks. Preferably people whom he would send to Atlas station as it was considered the doorway into the Ascendency by the rest of the galaxy.

———

On the Batarian homeworld of Khar'shan, the new government was celebrating its foundation as well as the day that they were reborn under the guidance of the Ascendency. While the Ascendency played a major part in its new government, the Batarian Dominion still maintained its independence as an interstellar empire.

They continued to expand, engage with other species, and build up a sizable military. But within all echelons of the Batarian Dominion one could see the influence that the Ascendency had on the new technology that was being introduced.

The Capital city on Khar'shan was completely remade after the war ended and now resembles that of an Asari city in terms of appearance.

Axel was present on Khar'shan alongside Catherine who was taking a break from her work to spend time with her husband. They looked around the new vibrant city and could see how much of an influence their technology had on the Batarians.

The cultural aspects of the Batarians were still present within their new creations which made most Batarians ignore the fact that it was originally technology created by the Ascendency and simply focus on their own technological advancements.

Slavery was long gone from their society, but still the effects of it is still present. Their relations with other races have improved greatly since they were reformed into the new Batarian Dominion, but there were various problems that have appeared because of this.

Terrorist wanting to destabilize the current government, independent slaver groups who fled the Dominion and continue the practice of slavery throughout the Terminus systems.

Apart from these, the Dominion's major problem was its war with a group of Pirates who call themselves the Hegemony's remnants. They were a thorn in the Dominion's side, seeking to restore the old ways, rejecting the reforms and advancements brought about by the Ascendency's influence.

The AIA was working together with the Batarian Intelligence Agency and military to find and hunt these pirates. Besides their war with the Pirates, Khar'shan the Capital was turned into a trade capital within the region.

The economy was booming, and the Batarian people were experiencing a new prosperity not built off the backs of slaves. They traded with the Ascendency, reaping the benefits of their advanced technology, as well as other races.

Atlas Station was the prime place where the Batarian government could change the view other governments had on them and increase their influence.

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A/N: War with the Reapers alongside new military technology coming soon.