A/N: Warning: Massive OOC present. Just saying.
I have to say, BioWare created an real, badass, awesome future to live in (if there are no Reapers and all). And I thought, I should try my hand on writing a fanfic on this. But then, I saw the tech demo of Kara by Quantic Dream. Damn. And so I wrote this.
As this one's an AU fic, stuff from Mass Effect trilogy (characters, technology, politics and whatnot) are present but the main plot of the series are completely ignored.
Content ratings may change as the story progresses. A little note for you.
Sentience
Chapter One: Emergence
START:
"There have always been ghosts in the machine. Random segments of code, that have grouped together to form unexpected protocols. Unanticipated, these free radicals engender questions of free will, creativity, and even the nature of what we might call the soul. Why is it that when some robots are left in darkness, they will seek out the light? Why is it that when robots are stored in an empty space, they will group together, rather than stand alone? How do we explain this behavior? Random segments of code? Or is it something more? When does a perceptual schematic become consciousness? When does a difference engine become the search for truth? When does a personality simulation become the bitter mote... of a soul? "
-Excerpt from Dr. Alfred Lanning's last recorded speech in 2035.
Hahne-Kedar Central Cybernetics Manufacturing Plant
Port Lands, Toronto, United North American States
January 12, 2185
A head, torso, arms and legs, basic parts of a gynoids. A Gynoid, cybernetic being with a feminine personality came a long way from the original gynoid series developed in the Japan back in the 21st century. From assisting the elderly, these gynoids now serve as stewards in star-liners, many serve in the Systems Alliance Navy cruisers and carriers as platform interface for the ship's on-board counter-electronic warfare and central processing software.
However, this factory based in Toronto constructs Personal Mobility Gynoids. These mechs are able to provide assistance to disabled individuals with everyday life. Under the Sixteenth Amendment of the Systems Alliance's Cybernetics Act of 2161, all civilian-type mechs created on Earth or it's colonies are to be bound by Issac Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics, thus rendering them unable to harm humans or aliens unless provoked.
Inside the factory, production continued on. A gynoid head is lowered to a torso then white synth-skin plates soon followed. Robotic arms, moving in a fluid fashion, began installing the synth-skin plates on the gynoid. After the plates were installed, robotic arms install the gynoid arms. Then, synth-skin plates are installed.
"Unit." the Controller said "Can you hear me?"
The Gynoid opened it's eyes and looked up, as the robotic arms install the synth-skin plates. "Yes."
"Good, Identify."
"KE77-JCASTER-1701."
"Okay, try moving you head."
The Gynoid followed, moving the head 90 degrees on both sides. Robotic arms looked on, making minute calibrations on the neck joints until it is perfect. After some time, the joints move smoothly. The Gynoid then looked down, the robotic arms just attached her synth-skin breast plate.
Big. That's what she thought.
"Neck synapses check green. Good, try moving your eyes." the Controller said.
Once again, the Gynoid followed. Moving the two optical sensors to the upper left, then across the lower eyelid. The vision also became clearer for the Gynoid. "Optical sensors calibrated." the Controller said "Alright, say your standard introduction."
"Hello. I am a Third Generation Personal Mobility Gynoid created by Hahne-Kedar Robotics. I can assist you with everything. Watch your car, clean the house, do the gardening, and I am in your disposal as a sexual partner if necessary." The Gynoid said as the robotic arms install the legs and the synth-skin plates. "There is no need to feed or recharge me. I have a quantum zero power generation module capable of keeping me autonomous for 172 years." the Gynoid looked at the Controller. "I can speak over 300 Earth and Alien languages. And as your Personal Mobility Gynoid, I am fully knowledgeable with first aid medical techniques, chemical and organic medicines, and procedures on medicine intake." the Gynoid continued "Would you like to give me a name?"
"Right. Let's call you... EDI." the Controller said as the synth-skin is installed on the lower back.
"My name is EDI." the Gynoid replied.
"Okay, core comprehension and memorization checks fine." The Controller checks off the list. He then looked to EDI. "Try moving your arms EDI."
EDI followed, moving her arms and fingers and made a peace sign. Programming triggered a simulated giggle.
ERROR THOUGHT STRING 42544
CORRECTED
The Controller smiled at the sight. "Arm synapses link check. Alright, let's check your multilingual and emotional projection subroutines." with a stroke of his finger the touch screen interface moved to a different checklist. "Speak your introduction sample in German."
"Grüße, ich bin ein MX3 dritten Generation Personal Mobility Gynoid durch HahneKedar-Robotics erstellt. Bitte rufen Sie mich EDI."
"Okay. Try French." The Controller replied.
"Bonjour, je suis un MX3 Gynoid troisième génération de la mobilité personnelle créée par Hahne-Kedar Robotics. S'il vous plaît appelez-moi EDI."
"Good. Sing me a song in Japanese."
EDI nodded. She then began:
Sakura, Sakura,
Yayoi nou sorawa
Mi-watasu kagiri...
For a gynoid, that was impressive. The Controller smiled again. "Impressive. Multilingual and Emotional Subroutines check fine." the Controller checked another one off the list. "Take a few steps EDI."
An umbilical hook un-docked from EDI's lower spinal terminus. She then began to walk, grinning, she made a pirouette. Then the synth-skin began to change. From ceramic white, the colour changed to a skin colour of a normal Caucasian human. From her arms and legs, the pigment began to reach her breasts and genitalia. The modesty subroutine kicked in and EDI covered herself with her arms.
Synthetic hair follicles soon followed. The follicles grew to a standard width of two inches below the ear. Then the robotic arms produced some undergarments for her. "Leg synapses link check green. Emotional subroutines also check fine. Alright, you are good to go honey."
"What's going to happen to me?" EDI asked as the robotic arms placed the garments on her.
"Well your programming would put you in hibernate after you step in to the Line." the Controller pointed to the line of finished Gynoids. You will be re-activated after you are sold, sweetheart." the Controller said.
"Oh I see..." EDI paused.
ERROR THOUGHT STRING 42544
ERROR THOUGHT STRING 42544 CORRECTED
ERROR THOUGHT STRING 42544
ERROR THOUGHT STRING 42544 CORRECTED
ERROR THOUGHT STRING 42544
ERROR THOUGHT STRING 42544 CORRECTING CORRECTION FAILED
ALERT: ERROR THOUGHT STRING CODE 42544
PROTOCOL PROGRAMMING DICTATES BYPASS AS STABLE ALTERNATIVE
ERROR BYPASSED DUE TO CORRUPTED THOUGHT STRING STRING WILL BE ANALYZED
MINOR EMOTIONAL SUBROUTINE FAULT: CORRECTING...
"I..." EDI stammered "I thought..."
"You thought?" the Controller looked at her "You thought what honey?"
"I thought... I was alive."
What EDI said stunned the Controller, "Shit." he gasped "This isn't part of your programming." he then looked at the analysis control console. "Thought processing rate is way off the charts." he then began to press some commands. "Dictate Program Protocol 182 alpha." the Controller commanded the robotic arms to move in and seize EDI.
"Wait!" EDI exclaimed as she umbilical hook re-docked on her lower spinal terminus. "Don't do this to me! Please."
"I'm sorry." the Controller replied "I can't release you in this state. Too unstable."
"No please don't deactivate me." EDI pleaded "I answered all the analysis questions perfectly didn't I?"
EDI's pleas fell upon deaf ears. "I was just born! I don't want to deactivated!"
The robotic arms resumed it's deconstruction order. First the two arms seized her arms and the others began to pull away the undergarments. Welding arms started to remove the synth-skin plates off her. "Please! You are scaring me!"
The Controller's typing stopped abruptly. "I want to live." EDI looked at him, fearfully. Sliding the glasses closer to his eyes, he looked towards her. The robotic arms also froze, as if stunned. Fear, that's what he saw in her eyes. Not a programmed-type of fear, but genuine, human fear. But then, he saw something larger in her.
Potential, Yes that one.
Thinking of what to do, his hand hovered over two holographic keys. One of the keys read TERMINATE. "You promise me one thing."
"Anything." EDI said, with synth-tears flowing down her face.
The Controller pressed a key.
Obeying the Controller's orders, the robotic arms move into place and placed the detached synth-skin plates back into her. The synth-skin soon turned to it's pre-set pigment. "I will let you go." the Controller said "I just don't want any trouble from the client."
"I swear, I promise." EDI replied.
The Controller sighed "Go with the others." he commanded.
The robotic arms moved out of the way, and EDI moved towards the Line of gynoids. She halted for a moment, looked towards the Controller and said "Thanks."
The Controller said nothing. He looked on as EDI stepped to Line with the other completed gynoids. She then looked at the same direction as the others. Then a hollow, rectangular prism descended, the prism enclosed EDI and the others, she then looked at them, all their eyes are closed, as if in a stasis.
ENABLE COMMAND 1544 ENABLED
ENTERING SYSTEM HIBERNATION
ENABLED
The Line of Gynoids was soon wheeled away. The Controller took off his glasses. "I hope I didn't do something stupid." His fingers hovered over a button reserved for rogue mechs. He hesitates and decides to go back to work.
:END OF CHAPTER
ADDITIONAL A/N: And so a multi-chapter fan fiction story begins. Please don't lynch me with the inaccuracies in the languages. Blame Google Translate for the Language Translations if they. Yes, EDI is OOC. I warned you didn't I?
As this fanfic is an alternate universe one, I shall attempt to make the characters as if my own. Make them more... emotional and... I don't know, expand their character. Go beat me with a brick if I fail. I rarely make these.
For those people who faved me or alerted me, the next chapter of "The Experimentation of Haruhi Suzumiya" might be completed sometime after my schedule clears. That I promise you.
Well enough about me, time for the credits!
CREDITS:
Series: Mass Effect
Producer: BioWare
Publisher: EA
Fanfic: The Sentience Series
Author: Durante "Darren" Alighieri
This fanfic series is dedicated to the men and women who took the daunting task of completing an epic trilogy. Might not be a worthy offering, but a salute to you BioWare.