While Jean Turner was busy finding allies and strengthening herself in Deadman’s port, her first ally was climbing the chain of ascension with the help of a certain AI.
Ascendant Nyon was walking in the haul of Highlord Ma’lash’s mothership. Despite losing all of hs units in the battle of Bel’Shir, Nyon proved his bravery by protecting the terrazine from the terran thieves. As a reward to his bravery, Ma’lash brought Nyon back to the Death Fleet.
Generally speaking as long as the tal’darim society existed, ascendants always had followers. Previously Nyon had few units because he was ashamed from being defeated by Jean, and no warrior wanted to follow a coward. But now that he redeemed himself in battle, more and more followers joined Nyon. In the few days Nyon had already regained hundreds of zeolets and stalkers.
Another thing was that as soon as Nyon returned to the main forces he was challenged by a lesser ascendant in a Rak’Shir duel. The ascendant had 200 zeolets and 50 stalkers and was a threat to the weaker ascendant, but with the help of Assistant Nyon won with ease. The ascendant was made into a vanguard, and the survivors of his forces joined Nyon, doubling his army.
Nyon walked into Ma’lash’s hall. Dozens of other ascendants were already present and were sitting by the place of the chain of ascension. Ma’lash was at the top. Nyon greeted Ma’lash, who ignored him, and found his place in a somewhat higher part despite being weaker than everyone around him. Some ascendants were above him. One of them was Alarak.
“Report.” Ma’lash ordered after a few minutes when all the ascendants were present. The ascendants reported their gains. The tal’darim society was usually scattered across the stars under a few powerful fleet lords(Ascendants with starships). Nyon was once one of the fleet lords before Ma’lash took away his ships as a punishment. These fleet lords carried out missions to strength their own forces. Only when the entire society had one target would the Highlord assemble all the fleet lords and form the menacing Death Fleet.
“My warriors have wiped out 5 Nerazim outposts.” Alarak reported proudly. “Those cowards have no place to hide under our detection.”
The other ascendants continued reporting their spoils.
“I have destroyed 3 feral zerg hatcheries.” That was a female tal’darim. Nyon recognized her as Ji’nara, a fearsome warrior.
“I have burned a terran colony and killed those weak terran to the last.”
“Speaking of weak terran,” Alarak suddenly grinned wickedly and looked at Nyon.”Ascendant Nyon, how does it feel like to be defeated by a fragile terran with no psionic power?”
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Nyon’s expression changed, and for a moment he wanted to challenge Alarak for the insult, but the Assistance stopped him. He did a trick so they could sense each others words without anyone else noticing it.
“If you want to die then stand up and challenge him.” Assistant said coldly. “You’ll lose and die pointlessly. Don’t do that.” She stated, and Nyon calmed himself.
Alarak frowned, unsatisfied. The ascendant was calmer than he expected. His plan was to anger the ascendant so much that he drew blade on him, which will give him an excuse to punish or even kill him. Nyon had been a powerful fleet lord before making the mistake of being defeated, and he would become a threat to his power. The fact that Nyon came back from the failure and gained more forces in a few days was a proof of his potentials. Alarak wanted to make sure he could never challenge him, but in the chain of ascension the highers ones couldn’t actively attack the lower ones with no reason. His perfect plan of eliminating opposition somehow failed.
“I have redeemed myself on Bel’Shir.” Nyon replied. “It is the decision of Highlord. Do you wish to challenge it?” The other ascendants observed the conversation. Even Highlord Ma’lash was curious how Nyon would respond.
Alarak responded quickly. He didn’t want to anger Ma’lash the same reason Nyon didn’t want to anger him. “I am not questioning Highlord decision. I merely question your ability to carry out the will of god.”
“Fine.” Nyon turned to Ma’lash. “I will prove my strength by fighting the Firstborn.” The ascendants exchanged confused looks. The Daeleem protoss was a force to be reckoned with. Their Golden Armada, despite suffering defeat at the hands of the endless swarm, was still menacing. Even the entire Death Fleet needed to be careful. Besides the armada, the combined ground forces of both Aiur and Nerazim protoss was also frightening. Only the few powerful fleet lords, such as Alarak, dared attacking the Daeleem. The few forces of Nyon didn’t stand a chance.
Ma’lash thought about it for a while. “There is a Daeleem facility in this coordinate. I’ll give you a ship. Go, but if you fail, then don’t come back.” Just like Alarak said, Nyon was too weak. His forces were weaker than the other ascendants of his place and he had few ships. Ma’lash didn’t even consider giving Nyon his ships back. If Nyon won and came back, then he would be stronger and victorious and suitable for his place. If he died, then his place would be opened up and someone capable would take his place. Either way, Ma’lash wins.
The Highlord handed Nyon a crystal. Nyon took over the crystal and observed the information within. After he was done, he bowed down to show gratitude before leaving the council. On the way out, he used his psi energy to consult Assistant.
“We can’t win a straight up engagement.” Nyon stated for a fact. “The defenses are too powerful. If I fail, then I might as well be dead.”
“Only fools will do a straight up engagement against a superior force.” Assistant replied. “Show me the data, and I will find a way through.”
“Are you sure?” Nyon doubted. “The defenses are impenetrable.”
Assistant smirked. “Nothing is impenetrable. Everything has its weaknesses, and I am designed to find those weaknesses and use them.”
“Very well.” Nyon acknowledged and assembled his warriors. He had no choice but to trust this girl that had a tendency of bring miracles.