Hello Fanfiction! Sorry I haven't updated in a while, writers block is a bitch. Anyway, Disclaimer!
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Humanity's Legacy
Chapter 9
Preliminary tests of Project Howl prove promising; authorization for a field test has been authorized. Planet Daratarin in the Faryar system is the prime candidate.
Two more D model units have been developed and are being kept in a secured location deep within Anculus space. They have been designated THEIF and ARCHER. They are both being monitored carefully.
First half of Cosmic Serpent in near completion.
Owing to the Geths' added knowledge of technology and 'basic' Dyson Spheres, Project Fortress will be completed ahead of schedule. Completion of construction estimated at 1,600 years. Rounded down.
Research facilities on Sanctum have sent promising reports. The AI CPU of the E model series has been designated as Examen (ig-zay-min) and possesses two hundred B.U.G.S. (Bio-mechanical Utilitarian Grade Synthetics) to record and report sensory data. Through this process of self-advancement similar to the Anculus Hubs, it is theorized that Examen will gain sentience within the next decade.
-0-
Ambassador Unit Knights stood form the Hub station when the connections released. Without a word he walked to the entrance of his shared office.
"Teasingly: Going out with Meerin again Knights?"
"Yes," he replied, not showing any reaction to the ambassador's emotional statement.
"Don't be out too late," Treyvun teased once more before the door closed.
The A2 guards outside his office nodded as he passed. Anculus never saluted each other. There are no true superiors among them, merely different roles. Unit Knights nodded in return and proceeded to his destination: a small table just outside of the ambassadorial offices beside the reservoir. As like every other day, Meerin waited for him there, browsing through news reports on her omni tool. She looked up to him as he approached, giving him a Turian smile.
"Knights," she greeted as she stood up. "Ready to go?" This ritual between them has been occurring since Meerin's retirement five years ago. As a Turian of ninety, she still had many years ahead of her and while spending time with her daughter and granddaughter was certainly one of her favorite things to do, she needed other activities as well. Thus she and Knights spent time around the Citadel, Meerin able to waste time in her retirement and Unit Knights able to observe organic behavior up close. Today was a simple walk through the markets.
"Any new developments in the Courts?" she asked as they began their walk to the nearby elevator.
"There is growing tension between the Anculus Courts and the Batarian Hegemony," he answered simply as they stepped onto the elevator. Meerin glanced at him with a playful grin.
"I said new developments."
"Pirate raids on our research colonies in the Terminus systems have increased." The old Turian frowned in response.
"Probably from all the rumors spreading about those worlds. Between the clandestine purpose of those R&D facilities and the experimental tech your people have been building, it makes people wonder what treasures you keep hidden down there. I'm sure every pirate in the galaxy wants a tank that can vaporize soft tissue and completely fry any electronics." Meerin's face suddenly scrunched in confusion. "Now that I think of it, how was it the Anculus were able to colonize worlds in the Terminus?"
"The only obstacle of actual significance to the Courts was Aria who allowed us colony rights after an exchange of resources. However, that does not stop other pirates and mercenary groups from attacking those colonies."
"Oh."
The two of them allowed the conversation to drop, letting a comfortable silence take over before being interrupted by the elevator's speakers.
-Admiral Irexus of the Turian Hierarchy completed his inspection of the Anculus Dreadnaught Glorious Liberation today, reporting it to be 'one of the most proficient war ships I have ever seen in my years of service' and that he 'wouldn't think of engaging it without at least a dreadnaught of equal size'-
"The Glorious Liberation is currently the largest ship in the Anculus fleet at 1.4 kilometers in length," Unit Knights stated when he noticed Meerin's look. She nodded and returned her attention to the news cast.
-In other news, the Anculus have discovered a new site of Prothean ruins on one of their inner colony worlds. They have allowed members of the Illuminated Primacy to survey the area and distinguish suitable artifacts for study from 'sacred relics that must not be disturbed'. An incident between the Anculus Courts and the Asari Republics has occurred this last week as an Asari fugitive believed to be an Ardat Yakshi was discovered to have been smuggled into Anculus space. Weather the Anculus have known of her presence authorities cannot be sure but she was never reported-
Meerin gave another look towards her friend but seeing as they arrived she decided to drop it. The markets of the Citadel were like any major city across the galaxy, bright neon lights advertising their wares, the streets filled with people going about their business, vendors shouting trying to get costumers. Meerin and Unit Knights walked through the crowd, no particular destination in mind, simply taking in the sights of the Citadel.
'Someone can live here their entire life and not see any of it' Meerin thought to herself. They continued their walk, the old Turian occasionally glancing at her companion. To anyone who didn't have experience with Anculus, they would think he was looking straight ahead, completely oblivious to everything around them. She knew better though, he saw far more than she ever could. But then again, he was not omniscient. Probably why neither noticed the running Asari and Anculus Unit until they plowed into her from behind.
Meerin stumbled for a moment before Knights caught her. "Oh! I'm so sorry!" She heard the Asari exclaim. She looked up to see that she was like most other Asari on the Citadel: attractive despite looking nothing like a Turian . . . and the fact Meerin was straight. She brushed off the apology quickly though.
"No worries, no harm done." She gave the girl a smile before looking to her companion. Her smile instantly fell as she noticed Knights was staring intently at the other Unit, who certainly looked worse for wear. His hands were shaking, the fingers clenching tight enough to dent the steel polymer of his palm. Meerin could also hear a strange noise from his audio unit. It almost sounded like . . . growling?
Both she and the Asari yelped as Unit Knights pushed them aside, just as the other Anculus jumped at him. The two of them fell to the ground heavily. Unit Knights held his arms up as the deranged Unit clawed at his forearms, focusing all his processing power just to keep him from tearing his chassis. The struggle was brought to an abrupt halt as a loud bang from a gunshot rang out. Unit Knights threw the now unmoving Unit off him before accepting the hand of an A2 C-sec Unit.
"Unit Ambassador, are you unharmed?"
"Yes, I am." The crowd around them had stopped to see the commotion but was kept back by two C-sec officers, one Turian and another A2. He turned to see Meerin staring at the Asari who was now crying over the dead Unit. The young maiden looked up at him, tears in her eyes. "W-what happened t-to Ouranos? He's been acting strange all day? W-why did he attack you?"
"Unit Ouranos' Central Core has deteriorated to the point of instability," The A2 Unit explained. Meerin turned to him in confusion.
"It occurs in older Units. After a certain time their CPUs can no longer function properly. Symptoms of this deterioration include shaking, loss of motor control, general hostility, and insanity," Unit Knights explained. The Asari continued to sob, but Meerin looked at him intently.
"You said it happens to older Units?"
"Advancement of technology has increased the 'lifespan' of the average Anculus but we are not immortal. Eventually, our Central Cores cease to function properly. When we experience symptoms of Core deterioration Units are to report to the nearest authorities for euthanizing, lest we become a danger to other Units."
"Ouranos," the Asari began, trying to control her sobs. "He tried to get us to leave the Citadel. He said he couldn't stay and he wanted me to come with him. He didn't give an explanation or anything, just grabbed my hand and dragged me with him. That's when we ran into you."
"Ma'am, how long have you known Unit Ouranos?" asked the Officer Unit.
"We've been friends for five years."
"Thank you Ma'am. If you could come with us, we need to write up a report and require you input."
"What about Ouranos?"
"His body will be brought to the morgue for now." The officer turned to Meerin and Unit Knights. "We apologize for this disturbance, you two may go about your business."
With that, the two continued their walk, an uncomfortable silencing befalling the organic of the two. The retired councilor looked to her companion.
"I have been playing for over a century"
"It occurs in older Units"
Meerin thought about what she saw Ouranos try to do to Knights. 'Spirits,' she prayed. 'Don't let that happen to Knights.'
-0-
The space above the ice world of Sanctum was lit ablaze with, debris of warships littering the system as the Anculus fleet fought of another pirate raid. The ASV Followed Dawn fired its main canon, blowing apart a blood pack frigate. The crew watched from the ship's sensors as more and more of the enemy's forces were blown to oblivion. Anculus Unit Production Number 5235 Model C1 Designation Liam, captain of the Followed Dawn executed orders with a calm precision only achievable by a synthetic, watching with his fellow Anculus as the pirates were destroyed.
This was the third raid this month. The pirates seemed to be obsessed with their tech research on the planet below. Fortunately the events at Elysium taught the Anculus a lesson. None of their worlds were without significant protection, especially Sanctum. There was no classified information between Anculus. Every one of the Units in the defense fleet knew what it was they were protecting. It was paramount they allow not a single pirate pass. The consequences would be dire.
However their efforts were for naught, for not one of them noticed the small three centimeter bug like creature crawl into their captain's chassis.
I'll get to work on the next chapter soon, expect it in a week or two. Waiver, if you will.
Waiver: Review please!
