Chapter 125

Within the Imperial Ascendency home galaxy, the Ur-Didact has completely undergone a transformation in terms of his views on humanity. His mind, which was damaged and influenced by the Gravemind was now healed and he could see the bigger picture.

The humanity of today was different from the humanity that he fought against thousands of years ago. He learned about all the things that the current humanity had achieved and was quite impressed with their achievements and how they handled things.

He was also surprised at how they approached their new responsibility of inheriting the mantle from the Forerunners.

The Ur-Didact found himself drawn to their tenacity and resilience. It was as if the genetic imprint of the human spirit had been etched into the fabric of their very beings, a burning resolve that echoed through the eons since he had last encountered them. He was staggered by their capacity for growth and adaptation, their will to survive against all odds.

In this new era, where humans walked side by side with the Covenant species, something unprecedented had occurred in the delicate dance of interstellar diplomacy. The Imperial Ascendency offered unity on an unfathomable scale, a cosmic amalgamation of species and cultures under one banner, and at its helm was Axel.

It was Axel who had captured his respect most of all. The emperor's intelligence was impressive; he navigated the complex web of intergalactic politics, handling disputes with delicate finesse while also demonstrating a shrewd military tact. His rule was marked by an astute balance between authority and compassion.

In Axel, the Ur-Didact saw an echo of what he himself had once been: a leader elevated by circumstance but defined by character. The Forerunners, his people had lost their war and now were just a memory held within the Domain.

The Domain had been discovered alongside the Forerunner world of Genesis over a decade ago. Even now the Domain remains out of public reach because of its inherent dangers and the sheer incomprehensibility of its knowledge. To the unprepared mind, the Domain could be a deadly weapon.

For the Ur-Didact, he had wanted to see this new Galaxy for himself and the species that were within it. As a result, he was granted his request and assigned to work alongside Miranda as she engaged in diplomacy with the other species of the galaxy.

Meanwhile back on Illium, Axel had just finished his time with Matriarch Lidanya and had returned to his ship. Upon returning, however, he was greeted by a surprising sight. Catherine, whom he didn't know had arrived, was waiting for him within his lab.

As he walked in, she spun around in his chair turning to face him with suspicious expression on her face, "Cheating, already," she jokingly said referring to him spending hours with Matriarch Lidanya.

Axel smirked, "Jealous, are we?"

"No, just curious since Cortana has told me some interesting things, so i just came here to remind you what you will miss just in case you forgot" She rose from her seat, walking towards him with a teasing smile. "And what will I miss?" Axel inquired, playing along in her little game.

Catherine stopped just a short distance away from him, her piercing gaze never leaving his. She then gently traced a finger down his chest as she attempted to whisper in his ear, but because of their height difference Axel was the one who had to lower his head for her to whisper in his ear, "Everything."

She said as she teased Axel by stepping back, "You know your too popular to the opposite sex," claimed Catherine. "Back in our galaxy, you basically have cult following of women that worship you like a deity. Now, here in this new galaxy, you have Asari Matriarchs flirting with you."

"Too popular?" Axel smirked, towering over Catherine as he leaned further into her space, his mischievous eyes fixed onto hers, "Or maybe you're just too possessive."

Catherine scowled prettily at him before giving him a light shove on his chest. "Possessive? Please, I don't need to be possessive to know where your loyalties lie. All I'm saying is, don't be easily seduced by those succubus's, I've seen how influential they can be with their bodies."

Axel chuckled, bringing his hand up to tenderly brush a stray hair from her face. "Is that worry I hear in your voice, Cath? Or maybe a hint of jealousy?"

She rolled her eyes at him, scoffing lightly, "Neither. Just giving you a friendly warning."

Continuing their playful exchange, he said, "I think your concern is misplaced. It's not my heart you should be worrying about."

Catherine's eyes flared with curiosity as she tilted her head, waiting for him to elaborate. "Oh? And why is that?"

In response, Axel merely darted his gaze down to the ring firmly secured on his finger, a symbol of their marriage.

Catherine glanced at the ring briefly before returning her gaze back to Axel's face. A warm smile graced her features as she stepped closer and whispered, "You're right. I have nothing to worry about...but you…" She pointed towards him playfully," ...keep your eyes in check."

Their playful banter filled the room with warmth and intimacy as they enjoyed the time they spent together. Later Axel had learned that she had come to join him in his personnel exploration of the Galaxy.

———

8 Months later (2162)

Within the Dakka system, the Quarian fleet had just arrived to see their new homeworld which they chose to call New Rannoch. The massive ring world was unlike anything they had ever seen before. The structure was an awe-inspiring feat of engineering, stretching 30,000 kilometers in diameter which was more than enough to fit the Quarian population.

A multitude of biodomes, each housing an entire ecosystem, were distributed evenly around the ring. From lush rainforests to serene lakes and thriving cities, it was a testament to the technological prowess of the Imperial Ascendency.

In the central hub of the ring world was a towering spire that extended far into the heavens. Streams of spacecraft could be seen departing and arriving as they moved between this impressive monolith and the various biodomes. It was a bustling spaceport that also housed administrative offices, infrastructure controls and hubs for trade and commerce.

The Quarians gazed at their new home with wonderment and awe. The green-blue jewel floating in space was like a beacon calling out to them, beckoning them home. It was more than they had ever dreamed of. More than they had ever hoped for after being forced from their original home world.

As the fleet approached New Rannoch, the Quarians were greeted by a welcoming committee led by Miranda and the Ur-Didact. The committee assured them that their new world was ready for habitation and would far exceed their expectations. There would be no struggle for survival here and overtime no need to wear suits or fear disease.

The emotion in their eyes was palpable as they disembarked their ships, their hands reaching out to touch the soil of their new home. They were in awe, some crying tears of joy, others laughing with pure elation. After centuries of wandering, they had finally found a place where they could live without fear of persecution or scarcity.

At the ceremony that marked their arrival, Admiral Shala'Raan vas Tonbay addressed her people. Her voice echoed across the gathered crowd, filled with emotion that only magnified the significance of this moment.

"Today marks the end of our journey. Today, we are no longer wanderers or refugees but citizens of New Rannoch," she said, her voice filled with pride and gratitude. "We have been given something precious; a second chance to build a home and a future for our children."

A wave of applause could be heard throughout the crowd. They had spent the last 8 months working to understand the technology that they were about to be introduced to.

As the Quarians got settle into their new world, a new galactic announcement was made by the Imperial Ascendency and the Quarian government.

The announcement revealed their Alliance and the establishment of the Quarians back onto the galactic stage. In addition to that, a new inter-species station much bigger than the citadel was announced to be under construction. The station would allow all species to cohabit and interact on a scale never seen before, forging new alliances, promoting trade, and advancing scientific and cultural exchanges.

All species would be invited to come and establish their embassies on the station to further cooperation on a galactic scale. Obviously, many seen the true purpose of this announcement and the station which was to rival the Citadel Council's influence.

The station would be built in a neutral system which the Ascendency would open to the public once the station was completed.