47 Chapter 46
Before leaving, Axel had gotten permission from the Monitor to set up a small research base within the installation. In exchange the Monitor get's to watch their progress and interact with them. The Monitor would only help them a little when it came to their research but would mostly be interested in observing how they approached and solved problems. The Monitor wanted to see how they compared to Axel.
Back to the Leviathan, they had already exited the installation by going the same way they came before. And after a few moments they had arrived at the entrance where the ocean once gain parted and the Leviathan was able to return back to the surface of the planet.
Once their the two frigates were there holding their position just as ordered, while the Cruiser and two destroyers were still in orbit above the planet.
Axel had contacted the them letting him know that their mission was a success and that they had discovered Forerunner architecture below the surface of the planet. He didn't go into greater details as he didn't know who could be trusted with this information.
While most of his crew was loyal to him, he still needed to be careful to prevent the spread of crucial information regarding what the fact that they had found a Forerunner shield world. Not that the Security Council knew what it was, but their curiosity is what would cause problems for Axel the most.
After establishing contact with the rest of the battlegroup, Axel had regrouped in orbit above the planet and had departed back to Algolis, where Axel would try and gather loyal or trustworthy scientists, engineers, and Forerunner specialists to set up a secret research base within the planet.
He would also start a new project to create a flash clone of himself and make it into an AI so that he can really start to move his plans forward. There was only so much that he could do by himself, not that he didn't have any help, but if he had an AI that could assist him then he could expand his influence even more.
Once the AI was completed, he would first have it start spread propaganda about his achievements and creations, which will gather him more support from all over the UEG and UNSC. At the same time he would be gathering evidence against Admiral Parangosky and Admiral Gardner.
The remaining members of the Security council could be considered allies or was not a threat to his plans.
As the Leviathan and the rest of Battlegroup Tango approached Algolis, Axel found himself lost in contemplation. He had already begun to assemble a list of potential recruits for his research base. The most brilliant minds, those who could be trusted and who shared his vision for Humanity's place among the stars.
The flash clone was a tricky business though. The legality of it was ambiguous at best and if its existence was discovered, it could lead to severe consequences. But Axel had always been willing to take risks, especially if the rewards were high enough. The AI, based on his own mind, would be invaluable.
His plan went beyond just a shield world and advanced technology. It stretched into politics, public opinion, the overall direction of humanity. An AI would help him manipulate these aspects with precision and subtlety that human hands couldn't achieve.
But before all of that he needed to first deal with a new situation that had arisen. Catherine was due to have his child in a days. It was expected to be a daughter and Catherine had already decided on the name.
As these thoughts occupied his mind, he looked out the window in his captain's quarters to the distant specks of Algolis. Catherine's impending child birth added a new element into his plans. He cared deeply about her, and the idea of having a child was both exciting and daunting. The responsibility of fatherhood was not something that he could simply ignore or delegate to others.
Indeed, Axel had always been an individual who believed in facing challenges head on. He had started as a young Lieutenant in the UNSC fleet, working his way up to a two-star Admiral with determination, a keen strategic mind, and his intelligence.
This personal endeavor, however, was an entirely different adventure. It was one that involved diapers, sleepless nights and a whole new level of love and commitment.
As he drew closer to Algolis, he mentally strategized his next moves like a grand game of chess. First, he would be present for the birth of his daughter and make time to watch her grow up.
Next, he would set his research team abuzz with activities in the newly discovered Forerunner shield world and simultaneously kick start the risky flash clone operation. Once that was done, then the AI propaganda would spin stories about his heroism and scientific breakthroughs to earn him more followers across UEG and UNSC.
Then came gathering evidence against Admirals Parangosky and Gardner while ensuring they stayed oblivious of their impending downfall. All this while securing alliances within the Security Council and among other high ranking members of the UNSC.
He rubbed his temple as if trying to physically chase away the enormity of his tasks ahead. A soft chime sounded, indicating they were docking with the station orbiting above Algolis.
Axel proceeded to the Hanger and took a Pelican down to the planets surface where the main facility for ONI section three was located.
Once the Pelican landed, He stepped off onto the solid ground, and immediately set a brisk pace towards the medical section of the facility where Catherine was currently located.
As he walked towards the medical section of the facility he was greeted by soldiers and staff alike. The soldiers paid their respects with a salute, while the staff simply greeted him verbally or shook his hand since he was their boss.
After a few minutes he had arrived at Catherine's room where he saw her resting on the bed.
There was a radiance to her that he hadn't seen before, a certain glow that lit up her face despite the physical exhaustion.
He approached her gently, pulling up a chair next to the bed. "How are you feeling?" he asked softly, taking her hand within his own. Catherine gave him a tired but contented smile and placed her other hand on her swollen belly.
"I'm just fine," she murmured. "But our little girl is getting impatient."
Axel chuckled, feeling an inexplicable warmth spreading through him at the statement. His daughter, their daughter, was eager to see the world.
"Seems she's picked up your impatience then," he quipped, earning a soft laugh from Catherine.
For the next few hours Axel had stayed by her side occasionally feeling her belly for the small kicks that his daughter would give. Eventually 2 days had passed and it was time for daughter to enter the world.
A team of doctors and nurses, swiftly made their way into the room.
The atmosphere turned tense, but Catherine remained calm, her hand firmly wrapped around Axel's. He gave her an encouraging smile, squeezing her hand in response.
Hours passed like minutes. Axel stood by Catherine's side, providing a comforting presence through the laborious process as the tension in the room built up.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of anxious waiting, a soft cry echoed through the room. The intensity in the air dissolved almost instantly into excited whispers and a flurry of activity as the nurse cleaned up the newborn and handed her over to Axel.
Axel felt an unusual sensation as he held the tiny life in his hands. Pride swelled within him as he gazed at the small face that looked back at him with curiosity.
Catherine was exhausted but she looked at Axel and their daughter with joy clearly reflected in her eyes. Despite the ordeals of the delivery process, she was radiant; the glow had not diminished but rather intensified. "Miranda," she whispered softly, "Her name is Miranda."
Axel repeated the name silently to himself as he watched Miranda's little fingers wrap around his own. Overwhelmed with emotion, he gently placed Miranda into Catherine's waiting arms before pressing a soft kiss onto both his ladies' foreheads.
After the successful birth of his daughter, he was now a proud father. However, he now faced the challenge of balancing his career plans with the responsibilities of raising Miranda and being present in her formative and early years.
