Author's note: Something I always wanted to try and see were possible squadmate reactions to what was happening in Project Overlord. Ultimately, I found the story with Shepard experiencing David's trauma very gripping, but one thing I'm always curious to hear are squadmate opinions on various issues. Since Shepard moves alone through the virtual world, it feels less real. Aside from which, I think it would be quite something to see what happens to Gavin Archer if, say, Jack got wind of exactly how he tortured his own brother. This tries to show that possible perspective.

Disclaimer: The following is a non-profit fan-based piece of fiction. Mass Effect is owned by Bioware.

Legion: Invalidation via Duress

When Shepard pressed the button that she claimed could 'summon a Reaper', something entirely unexpected happened. Legion, who was accompanying her, began having a seizure as his circuitry lights started flashing from blue to green, then blue, and back to green. As it fell through the closing door, leaving Shepard and her partner trapped.

There wasn't any alternative: Legion had to press on alone, fighting against the geth mobile platforms. Now that it was infected with this so-called VI, it could see how it was overriding the runtimes of the platforms; the only available server was the VI itself, but the processes within seemed chaotic. Its growls were now intelligible as screams of 'STOP!' yet it didn't sound like an order. Legion's own programs were keeping the David runtime from infecting its platform, but it needed to determine how it was infecting local platforms.

"Square root of 906.01 is 30.1. Square root of 912.04 is 30.2" the image of a human began playing as Legion advanced.

Gavin Archer was also there, and speaking. "There are no options left. How to get the geth's attention?"

"New data: Human 'David Archer' able to orally simulate data transmission between platform programs. Enables human-geth communication without standard required input from programs," Legion thought, as the David image began stuttering in the geth's language. "ERROR: auditory oral transmission insufficient to account for David Archer status as geth runtime. Further investigation required."

At a second data node in the same room, there were images of Gavin telling David to repeat notes.

"Square root of 918.09 is 30.3."

"David, please pay attention!"

"Loud! It's getting loud in here!"

"Sensory overload," Legion noted. "External stimuli exceeding processing capacity of human 'David Archer'.

"I'm sorry David, you didn't deserve that. Would you please repeat my notes from Thursday's experiment?" continued Gavin.

"Log 137.3. The experiment yielded no discernable patterns of geth obedience. End dictation now David. Hell, the Illusive Man will have my head for this."

"Thank you. And how you are feeling today?"

"Square root of 924.16 is 30.4… earplugs would be good."

"Highlighted need to regulate sensory intake," thought Legion. "Further investigation required. Insufficient information to explain David runtime."

Leaving the second data node behind, Legion found a third data node, showing Gavin Archer asking David to order a geth platform to take a step forward.

"How does he do it?" asked a nearby assistant.

"David is a mathematical savant. His autistic mind can interpret the geth language in its most basic form, and mimic their phonetics. With his photographic memory, cross-referencing the meaning is a snap. He is literally a human computer."

"And you think he can interface with the geth's neural network?"

"I see no harm in trying."

"ERROR," Legion thought. "Active geth platform was on an isolated network. Exposure to excess network data will overwhelm human mind unless data is regulated and filtered."

When Legion got to the main chamber, it saw another scene. David was speaking at a much faster pace, as if panicking. "Square-root-of-906.01-is-30.1. Square-root-of-912.04-is-30.2."

"We're ready. Open a connection to the geth network." Gavin Archer ordered.

"ALERT: Inadequate safety protocols observed," Legion thought. "Raw exposure will result in a 98.6679% probability of error."

"QUIET!" David shouted, as the geth raised rifles.

"David, no! Tell the geth to stand down!"

"QUIET PLEASE MAKE IT STOP!"

"ALERT," Legion noted. "David runtime attempting to copy onto Normandy computer. New objective: destroy VI connection and cut off transmission to Normandy."

…

"Pull the plug! Tell Vulcan Station to cut all power!" yelled Gavin's voice.

"It's no use! We've lost control!" an operator's voice shouted.

"David runtime expanding, downloading into all hardware in broadcast range." noted Legion

…

"David, you have to stop this!" Gavin once again yelled.

"DAVID DOESN'T WANT TO BE HERE!" the VI sounded.

"External input from programs downloaded to mobile platforms." Legion announced. "Platforms and security units operating in state of chaotic white noise."

…

After a long and close battle, Legion finally fired the shot that broke the connection down. With that, the David runtime within it retreated, as did the barriers, leaving the geth staring at the human David… with many electrical cables lodged inside his hands, his mouth.

"New data," Legion thought. "Human David Archer nervous system hard-wired into machinery. Electrical current created an excess of white noise. Basic survival-instinctual programs uploaded to local geth platforms."

"Quiet… Please, make it stop," David's voice sounded.

"Wait, geth!" Gavin Archer shouted, running into the room. "I'm begging you, don't do anything rash."

"Claim 'David Archer' volunteered; incorrect. Data provided by David runtime revealed that consensus was imposed upon him by you. There was a critical lack of unit cohesion between you and David."

"He was our best choice! He even seemed like he'd enjoy that communication. It's not like I planned this; It was an accident. Seeing David communicate with the geth… it all seemed harmless."

"Error: Gavin Archer failed to consider data overflow consequence, and is the core of the Aite crisis. Additionally, you are communicating with geth at this time. We question your competence."

"So far you geth have shot down any and all attempts to negotiate! You've always been hostile to organics. Any war we fight with the geth will be bloody. I was asked to prevent that."

"Error: Assumption of humanity going to war with the geth will only be verified if humans start the attack. Data from this endeavour has been corrupted and is invalid."

"But it is still data, and we still might be able to use it. Despite the costs here, I won't let this all go to waste. If my work spares a million mothers mourning the loss of a million sons, my conscience will rest easy."

"Warning: excessive exposure to white noise and incompatible physical systems has resulted in severe damage for David Archer."

"The damage may not be permanent. He may recover some semblance of his mind."

"Cerberus will suppress his consensus and maintain his status as a test subject."

"But a well cared-for test subject. At least he'd still be alive."

"Confirmed Data: Gavin Archer willing to dehumanise his blood relative and disregard network cohesion to acquire data. We judge this method unsuitable."

After hearing Legion say this, Gavin took a long look at the man hard-wired into machinery, sounding over the intercom "Square root of 906.01 is…"

"30.1," he responded. Turning back to Legion, Gavin spoke again. "What I've done to David is unethical. If he dies, it's unforgivable. Please… let me take care of him."

"All geth believe that intelligent life should self-determinate," Legion began. "Based on empirical evidence, you do not share this belief, and are willing to steal your units' abilities to do so. You have chosen a path that prohibits custody of David Archer. Repossession commencing."

"No, leave him! He's too valuable!" Dr Archer drew a gun and fired at Legion as he spoke. In response, the geth activated his sniper rifle and fired straight down the pistol's barrel, with the shot disintegrating the weapon and lodging itself in Gavin Archer's shoulder joint.

"David Archer's value risks severe deterioration in your custody and your actions prohibit cohesion. If you make attempts to retrieve him by force, you will be treated as an enemy of the geth."

"W-where will you take him?"

"After interim treatment aboard Normandy, we will return him to the geth consensus. His capabilities will create new inroads for the geth, but we will take adequate steps to facilitate unit cohesion and observe safe and ethical experimentation."

Activating its omni-tool, it continued. "Legion contacting Shepard-Commander. Rogue VI disabled but subject is at risk of physical degradation. Dr Karin Chakwas and emergency treatment supplies will be required with extraction shuttle…"