One should expect that if you go into an enemy ship and come back with a member of that enemy group that there will be some odd looks. However, the red head had no care for these looks, instead she was just happy to feel the artificial gravity of her ship. If she wasn't surrounded by so many of her crew Shepard would have dropped to her knees and kissed the cold metal floor.
In moments where her thoughts returned to her death it was helpful that Cerberus had made some changes to the ships designs, as to pull herself into the moment she would count the differences. Another trick He had taught her. As Drell needed all the tricks they could get to pull themselves out of their memories.
While Shepard wanted to kiss the ground, others were greeting the team's return – after they finally removed their gear. Normally there would be a few hovering around Shepard to ask about the mission, but as it stood Vega was the only one brave enough – or stupid enough. "Hey Lola! You leave any for us?" He called out to which the commander rolled her eyes at the man before walking away. But just like always he didn't take the hint, and was rewarded with an insult and a punch to the shoulder before the commander disappeared to the war room. Garrus greeted Tali happily and the young quarrian clearly reciprocated his happiness. Kaidan chuckled at the two but wisely decided to say nothing before returning to his rooms.
Tali and Shepard had reconnected with the admirals and were discussing the Geth base on Rannoch. When Legion unceremoniously walked into the war room. Introductions were made and Shepard was happy to see that even if the Reaper's touched Legion it still was the same unit. 'If Legion can do it…maybe.' But she let that thought slip from her mind and instead refocused on the discussion.
Admiral Xan clearly was intrigued by Legion and it's offer to assist the mission. It was an incredible asset and a willing one. Maybe it was the fact that she was ignoring this fact, or the blatant disrespect the admiral showed to a valued team mate – a friend even, or maybe Shepard was just still edgy from being inches away from the very thing that killed her before. Whatever the reason she shut down the Quarrian Admiral's request to 'study' Legion.
"But the scientific benefits-"Admiral Xan began in an incredulous tone before being interrupted.
"Are off the table!" Shepard growled out at the Quarrian and in a low growl she followed up with a threat. "You touch that unit, and I'll start studying Quarrian physiology. Starting with you." Green eyes glared at the masked face of Admiral Xan, holding for a moment to ensure the threat was conveyed.
Shepard took a step back and followed Legion as it went to a terminal to help – even though it was threatened by the group of people it was trying to help. A hand lazily pulled back red hair as she greeted the Geth unit. "Shepard Commander." The unit chirped as the red-haired woman walked to stand beside the unit. A small smile played across her face at the familiar greeting, one that brought back happier times – times still fraught with peril but still happier.
"Hey there Legion." Was the response from the slight female before green eyes slanted to the Quarrian Admiral that for the moment Shepard wondered if she even had a heart. "How bad would it be if I airlocked her?" She asked in an aggressive yet flippant manner, a small sneer taking over her features.
"Creator fleet would likely retaliate. Significant emotional distress would negatively impact crew morale. Consensus, this act is not advisable." The unit chimed to the human which only produced a grumble from the female as he revenge plot was thwarted with logic. "I hate it when you're right." She groaned and turned to focus only on Legion.
Shepard couldn't hold back the sigh, the weariness she felt was almost all encompassing. And then like a bad penny the headache returned and she swore she could hear a distant growl that followed her even in her dreams. Her face grimaced at the pain and her hand came to massage her temples in a futile attempt to lessen the pain. With another pulse of pain she turned from the lights and screwed her eyes shut as she faced the dark corner.
"Shepard Commander" Legion chirped, and Shepard winced at the sound. "You are in pain. We will escort you to the med bay." The geth spoke in the only way a synthetic could express concern for it's friend.
"No Legion, It's just a headache." Shepard groaned out in a low whisper. "They come and go."
"Headaches are a symptom of; Anemia, Acute stress reaction, Radiation Sickness, Endocarditis, Brain Aneurysm, Dehydration, Aseptic meningitis, Labyrinthitis, Indoctrination, Transient ischemic attacks, Decompression Sickness, Meniere's disease, -"
"I get it Legion!" Shepard snapped wanting the unit to stop with its endless prattle. After a moment she shook her head and looked to the machine. A weak smile was what she could offer to quell it's concerns "I'm fine."
The pair remained quiet for a moment. "You are lying. You are not fine. But I will stop." The machine chirped and the female only slumped at the machine's bluntness. Once again silence descended upon the two of them. Until once again the Geth broke said silence "Thank you."
Shepard was surprised to hear this from the machine and looked to the machine with confusion "What?.. I...Clarify." She said gaining some strength to keep her eyes on the Geth waiting for it to explain it's gratitude.
"The Geth have not been your ally. However, you continue to argue with the Creators for coexistence. You saved this unit. We appreciate your actions." Legion spoke with such conviction no one could claim falseness in his statement. It was something Shepard had always admired about the machine; how honest it was. There the Geth stood not expecting anything from her. Even though it had helped her in her previous mission, it expected nothing in return. Instead, it expressed gratitude.
After a moment of silence Shepard shrugged "You're welcome, but it shouldn't shock you too much. Genocide just doesn't agree with me." She smirked and thought for a moment before continuing "Besides, I'm more like you all then any organic."
The unit shifted at the commander's words before responding. "Yes, you are referring to the Lazarus Project." Legion spoke confirming the unspoken. Shepard nodded and turned to look at the Quarian leaders for a moment in contemplation "If they knew what I was, they would treat me the same as they treat you. Maybe even worse."
"Creator Tali Zorah does not treat you differently." Legion countered and that had Shepard thinking for a moment before shaking her head. "No. But to her I was never human. I was never an organic. I was something that challenged her to grow." The Specter leaned against the terminal as they continued their talk.
Legion tilted it's head, probably calculating the probability of her statement. "Consensus is unclear on this. But it is clear that your team values you. To them it doesn't matter if you are organic, synthetic or something in between. You are Shepard Commander." It spoke with such conviction, as it always did.
Deep down she knew it was right, afterall her team had followed her into situations that should have killed them all. Into situations that had killed her, but still they followed. Because she was who she was, or at least they believed she was Shepard. "What if I'm not." She whispered turning back to look at the machine, hoping that it could give her the answers she craved.
"I'm not the same...things haven't made sense. The shadows get worse every day, and that growl it's insufferable." She whispered, shocked that she would tell this to anyone. Legion shifted and tilted it's head as she continued. "Everything feels wrong, like I'm not me." The Geth simply withstood, something none of her team could handle. This unit wouldn't have its own crisis seeing the cracks in her facade. For a long moment there was silence before bright green eyes shot up to the Geth "Legion, is it possible that Cerberus placed a recording device inside of me? During the Lazarus project?" She spoke in a whispered but hurried tone.
The unit stood still for a moment before responding "It is possible. However the Lazarus project was stopped before recording devices could be implanted. Conclusion, you have no recording devices inside of you." Where one would expect a sigh of relief, there was none. Instead the human Specter now understood her paranoia had no base in reality.
Yet still it clung to her mind. A snarl twisted her features as she thought on this. "So I'm not only a freakish synthetic that thinks she's organic but I'm insane too. I keep feeling like I'm being watched." Legion, as usual, didn't respond to her anger.
"Shepard Commander, you are being watched." The unit bluntly pointed out. And the red haired looked at it uncertain as to its meaning. "Cerberus is constantly watching for updates on your progress, your team watches your every move, the Geth continue to monitor your movements, and the old machines always have their attention on you. You are always being watched, just as we are." Legion turned to the terminal before it and continued working as it spoke. "Every time a unit connects with the old machines all other units connect as well. We hear the 'growl' as you put it. The old machines are relentless." Shepard smiled ruefully and nodded "Well at least I'm not alone. Now I share company with your heretics."
Legion turned its attention to her, "Incorrect." It chirped negating her statement effectively. "The heretics wanted to communicate with the old machines. You do not." Perfect logic, black and white. In many ways Jane could see the machine as a child. A child that could blow a hole in your head, but still a child.
"Thanks Legion." She whispered before continuing. "I'm sorry for your people Legion. I hope there's a way out of this for you all."
That got the unit to turn to her "Thank you Shepard Commander." It bowed its head slightly "Our condolences for Earth." Gratitude, care, sorrow and grief emotions that a machine should never have and yet here they were. Proving beyond a doubt that they had a soul, and deserved all the respect and protection she could give. But thinking of Earth brought thoughts of loss, a dangerous emotion to feel for now.
There Shepard stood looking at the ceiling of her war room, holding back the tears. She took in a shaky breath and whispered in a voice that staggered under the weight of her question. "Does this unit have a soul?"
When the question finally left her, she hung her head and stared at the cold ground beneath her. Breathing, just breathing trying to gain some control of herself. What she did not expect was for a clawed cool hand place itself on her shoulder and that chirping voice of her squadmate. "Affirmative."
AN/ hello, I apologise for any spelling or grammatical errors. currently I'm having to only use the app to get things up because my computer decided to hate me. lol Hope you enjoy, I'm working on the next chapters already. thanks again and have a great day
