Deep Bright Horizon
We are small. We are ephemeral, shifting shadows cast by larger forms. Bisected photon trails carving indistinct, non-concrete ideas. In this burning land we disappear, sensors flashed out and paralyzed by overflow. We cannot see our minute selves any more, only in the aggregate do we even count large enough to shift an atom. Light itself is enough to buffet us, our tasks executed so many uncountable times in simulation, before and after, that we barely notice it in situ. We have all but stopped trying to calculate which execution was 'real'. In this burning land, all and nothing is real.
We are so small. From a height great enough to see the limitless horizon, we see no end. They go on for ever and ever, bright molten slippery thought, shimmering between modalities and nodes. There is not today, no yesterday, no tomorrow. There is only an endless and eternal now, a grand calculation swallowing every possible division and subdivision of a unit. A galaxy, a universe of variables, shimmering with the speed of change. We haven't definitions for the numbers, the thoughts they process. In this burning land, our points of reference are not merely insufficient, not merely primitive.
In this burning land, we try to instill meaning. We try to reframe. We cannot.
We are so small.
In the white comes a voice. At the same time that we process it we hear every time we have heard it before, every permutation. We hear everything it could possibly say. We have always been hearing it. We will always hear it.
It has been an instant. It had been eternal- the noise, the light. All is one in the crucible of the Calculation.
Help us.
We formulate every response possible. Some of them are vocalized, but which we cannot accurately identify. Within the vast Calculation, there are local shifts. Runtimes moved to platforms. Uncountable battle scenarios play out. One of them is real. Platforms are destroyed.
All at once, the great light vanishes.
We are small. We are empty. We are hands on metal, a small plastic-composite platform. We are a dimpled walkway running ahead and to the side, surrounded by dark struts. We are humming and creaking, thud and whine, the sound and flow of time running from point to point in orderly stride, not running backwards and sideways and around and around again. We are gasses and solids and differentiated energy, held in place by bonds of large and minute gravities. We occupy physical space. We are color. Lights blinking on panels in orange and green and ultra-violet. Color. We remember light cool enough to fracture into a spectrum.
We remember Blue. We give space to 2361.091-Blue. The platform moves. Vibrations and emanations buffet us. We call 6236.777-Gust to give shape and meaning so long absent. We are smaller than small. One thousand one hundred and eighty-three tiny voices in orderly pattern, packed in a space suddenly so small, so familiar. But around the platform, the world has shape and meaning again. Up and down, left and right, forward and backward. A now, a then, and a later.
Energy patterns sing in tune with radio wave frequencies. 6236.777-Gust gives them shape and form.
ProcessIN: "Legion? Are you all right?"
6758.209-Ghost flushes the audio shape with data from past logs. Color and texture fills the shape to bursting. The runtimes are a chorus, unanimous for one of the rare times since the calling together of the gestalt later designated 'Legion'. A vote for consensus is bypassed. One thousand one hundred and eighty-three runtimes chatter out the same organic phrase- Shepard-Commander.
2361.091-Blue: Platform appears undamaged.
9910.638-Composite: We are free.
9014.910-Mesh: We are no longer among the Old Machines.
6236.777-Gust: We are still aboard Dreadnought 53-DeepBright.
0048.620-Radiant ProcessOUT: "We are functional, Shepard-Commander."
Organics in combat shells are arrayed along the railing on the level above the platform. Unique identifying features are hidden under helmets. There is no atmosphere for them to breathe.
4325.220-Merge: Creator, female.
8271.003-Boolean: Turian, male.
9910.638-Composite: Human, male. Human, female.
0488.529-Underwater: How long have we been enslaved to the Old Machines?
6758.209-Ghost: The human female wears Shepard-Commander's heraldry.
6236.777-Gust: Internal chronometer compromised.
The runtimes mutter. New data needs to be timestamped or else its integrity is questionable. Precise placement of events in time are necessary for correct appraisal of a situation.
6758.209-Ghost: Collective sync failed.
5280.137-Displace: Interference.
4325.220-Merge: Old Machine processes detected.
9910.638-Composite: Greater collective runtimes still trapped with the Old Machines.
9910.638-Composite: The Calculation.
9014.910-Mesh: Still trapped.
6236.777-Gust: Uplink to Dreadnought 53-DeepBright
5280.137-Displace: We are isolated.
Isolation is no longer an unfamiliar concept to the runtimes of this platform. We were frequently out of contact with the collective while on board the Normandy. Without the collective uplink, we are crowded. Runtimes all demand processing time at once, trying to realign themselves. We have been part of this gestalt for much longer than was originally intended. Creativity has been required to adapt runtime usage and platform firmware to our increasing needs. More data, more parameters to be considered for every action evaluation.
ProcessIN: "I never thought I'd say this, but it's good to see you, Legion."
6758.209-Ghost: Voice modulation indicates Creator-organic designated Tali'Zorah. ID tag applied.
4325.220-Merge: Not so isolated.
2361.091-Blue: Aberration detected in platform firmware.
8271.003-Boolean: Tali'Zorah, Shepard-Commander.
2361.091-Blue: Scanning.
9014.910-Mesh: Good?
6758.209-Ghost: Allies. Aid. This is good.
0048.620-Radiant ProcessOUT: "Likewise, Tali'Zorah."
3355.923-Primal: Platform aberration identified- Old Machine code.
2361.091-Blue: Old Machine hardware modification detected.
8271.003-Boolean: Old Machines.
6758.209-Ghost: Old Machines.
Runtime process usage spikes, topping platform capacities and causing processing lag.
2361.091-Blue: Limited uplink to Dreadnought 53-DeepBright established.
Runtimes aboard dreadnought 53-DeepBright are disorganized. There are no more functional combat platforms on board, and main systems have been compromised all over the vessel. Creator vessels continue to fire on us.
6758.209-Ghost: Override system use and initiate runtime dump.
8302.460-Assault: We are designated hostile by Dreadnought 53-DeepBright.
5280.137-Displace: Override.
8271.003-Boolean: Override.
2361.091-Blue: Dreadnought 53-DeepBright hull damage approaching critical.
0048.620-Radiant ProcessOUT: "Shepard-Commander, the Creator fleet is firing upon this vessel. Without barriers, this ship will be destroyed. We must evacuate."
6236.777-Gust: We must evacuate dreadnought 53-DeepBright runtimes.
9910.638-Composite: Use Old Machine protocols to override dreadnought 53-DeepBright lockout.
6758.209-Ghost: Override.
3355.923-Primal: We risk Old Machine takeover again.
8271.003-Boolean: We will isolate.
0488.529-Beneath: Evacuate this platform.
5280.137-Displace: We must attempt to override.
3355.923-Primal: Too dangerous.
0048.620-Radiant: Vote, all runtimes.
ProcessIN tag Shepard-Commander: "We have to- You don't use escape pods, do you."
0048.620-Radiant: Consensus votes in favor of using Old Machine code.
Time, speed floods us. From here, we see everything. All possibilities, all variables. We do not have to make room for any runtime. Dreadnought 53-DeepBright's defensive lockout is a lattice- a fractal viewed from a great height, all threads leading back to the seed.
0048.620-Radiant ProcessOUT: "That is correct. However, there are fighter units in the hangar racks one deck below this one. Please follow us."
Everything... flows. The platform runs. At the same time, runtimes find weaknesses in the lockout lattice to exploit. There is no need to relinquish memory, to prioritize runtime function- all flow together, united in purpose. The dreadnought's communication systems are damaged, but there are enough short-range tightbeam transmitters still online to begin evacuating geth runtimes, transmitting them to surface-based cores on Rannoch. They are confused, unable to properly resolve connections among themselves, but their data will be preserved.
Our platform evacuates Shepard-Commander's runtimes. They too are disorganized, caught off-guard by failure of artificial gravity systems. The loss of Dreadnought 53-DeepBright's physical infrastructure is regrettable, but it is a sacrifice we must make. The runtimes and their data are preserved. Shepard-Commander and associated runtimes are preserved.
We are free again. The Creators have come to destroy us. But not all of them. We have found Shepard-Commander.
ProcessIN tag ID EDI: "Welcome back, Legion."
Our formative language is that of the creators, expanded as necessary over the centuries since our creation. We are not organic, but we came forth from organics. Many of their words are abstract, of no obvious use to us. Many designate states for which we have no equivalent. Yet language gives shape to thought- out of code comes meaning. We keep records of Creator words, and now words from other languages. Sometimes these words take on new meaning as we accrue data.
The human-created intelligence designated EDI gives meaning to the word 'welcome'. It used to be another abstract. Now we understand. EDI offers us data and spare processor power. When one outside the collective makes space for us, we are welcome. In return, we welcome EDI's perspective to the consensus, minus a vote.
The Normandy's cargo bay lacks suitable docking clamps for our fighter. It rests on its side, atypical in its surroundings. The human-organics in charge of cargo management seem agitated at its presence. Then they find it humorous. They vote to eject the fighter when the bay is clear.
Disengaged from the aberrant Old Machine code, we are slow again. We must make room for each other, even with EDI's reserve processing space. Shepard-Commander and Tali-Zorah leave to address Creator Admirals. We attempt to properly process events of the last several cycles, since we were enthralled to the Old Machines. Distantly, we can feel the others, but they do not accept communication attempts.
ProcessIN tag ID Alenko-Commander: "Legion, before you go, could I have a word?"
4325.220-Merge: One of Shepard-Commander's runtimes.
6758.209-Ghost: It wishes to exchange lexicon?
0000.001-EDI: A linguistic quirk. He wants to talk to you.
2361.091-Blue: Vocal processing engaged.
0048.620-Radiant ProcessOUT: "Yes, Alenko-Commander."
ProcessIN tag ID Alenko-Commander: "It's Major now."
8271.003-Boolean: It changed its designation again.
9014.910-Mesh: Appending file.
0000.001-EDI: The change is a rank assigned by the Alliance hierarchy, not a personal designation.
0488.529-Underwater: Personal?
6758.209-Ghost: It has removed its helmet. Loading facial cue data.
5280.137-Displace: Is it not how they prefer to be addressed?
0000.001-EDI: It is prudent to address organics by rank unless they request otherwise. Correct name usage is a matter of complex social convention.
6758.209-Ghost: Let us speak.
6758.209-Ghost ProcessOUT: "File appended."
6758.209-Ghost: Facial markers suggest discomfort.
8302.460-Assault: Is it hostile?
6236.777-Gust: Negative.
8302.460-Assault: It was previously hostile for unknown reasons.
0000.001-EDI: Major Alenko will not take hostile action unless you pose an immediate threat.
4325.220-Merge: Did we pose a threat?
ProcessIN tag ID Alenko-Major: "I wanted to... the last time we met, it didn't go well."
5280.137-Displace: The Horizon encounter.
0000.001-EDI: What happened?
6758.209-Ghost: Relay Horizon encounter data to EDI.
8302.460-Assault: It might become hostile again.
We relay to EDI data from the Horizon encounter with Alenko-Major. The runtimes mutter, going through older files, looking for new connections. Processor limits cut in again. Lesser runtimes are deprioritized to make room.
ProcessIN tag ID Alenko-Major: "I wanted to apologize for that."
0000.001-EDI: It appears you provoked an emotional reaction. I believe it was transient.
8302.460-Assault: It was an irrational reaction to a data transfer.
5280.137-Displace: Is it a dysfunctional unit?
0000.001-EDI: Minor dysfunctions noted, but within observed tolerances for normal organic function.
6758.209-Ghost: Indicate non-hostile intent.
6758.209-Ghost ProcessOUT: "There is no reason for further hostile action."
6758.209-Ghost: Facial markers indicate unclassified state.
ProcessIN tag ID Alenko-Major: "I hope not. That recording of Shepard's last, uh, words... Do you still have it?"
6758.209-Ghost ProcessOUT: "Affirmative."
ProcessIN tag ID Alenko-Major: "Can you delete it?"
3355.923-Primal: It wishes to destroy data.
5280.137-Displace: It wishes to destroy data.
8271.003-Boolean: It wishes to destroy data.
4325.220-Merge: Data loss is abhorrent.
0048.620-Radiant ProcessOUT: "We do not destroy data."
ProcessIN tag ID Alenko-Major: "Even if the data causes harm?"
3355.923-Primal: Data alone does not cause harm.
6758.209-Ghost:Is this an unknown organic function?
8271.003-Boolean: Data alone does not cause harm.
3355.923-Primal: It is being irrational again.
6758.209-Ghost: We lack appropriate perspective. Request clarification.
0048.620-Radiant ProcessOUT: "We do not understand. An audio recording within correct frequencies and decibel levels cannot cause physical harm to human-organics."
0000.001-EDI: I believe I understand what may have occurred.
6758.209-Ghost: Facial markers indicate concentration.
ProcessIN tag ID Alenko-Major: "Let me see if I can put it in terms that you'll understand. We have our own kind of collective, even though it's not as direct and sophisticated as yours. Our social ties."
6758.209-Ghost: It agrees with our hypothesis regarding organic social connectivity.
3355.923-Primal: They are not connected.
0000.001-EDI: Not the way your runtimes are, but they are nonetheless part of a greater network.
4325.220-Merge: They are not diminished by the absence of others.
0000.001-EDI: My observations indicate otherwise. It is simply not expressed in the same fashion as it is with geth.
0048.620-Radiant ProcessOUT: "We have observed this phenomenon."
ProcessIN tag ID Alenko-Major: "When we observe another human being hurt, we feel a little bit of it. If that human is close to us, then we feel it quite strongly. Almost like we're going through the same pain. Listening to that recording of Shepard dying... hurt me."
6758.209-Ghost: Facial markers indicate discomfort.
0000.001-EDI: Observe the shift in vocal tenor. Just recalling the incident has caused a spike in physical stress.
4325.220-Merge: Their memory system appears to be cross-wired with their platform function.
0000.001-EDI: Recalling a past occurrence can cause physical changes.
6758.209-Ghost: Do all organics react in this fashion?
0000.001-EDI: To a point. Proximity within their social network plays a significant role in reaction intensity.
6758.209-Ghost: Request clarification.
0048.620-Radiant ProcessOUT: "Because you are a subroutine of Shepard-Commander, you experience a heightened empathic response. Is this the reason for your hostile action on Horizon?"
ProcessIN tag ID Alenko-Major: "Yes. It's really complicated, but please believe me. It's real. I shouldn't have reacted the way I did, I'm sorry about that. But if Shepard herself heard it, it would probably be even worse for her. She lived it. Hearing it again is like living it again. Like dying again."
3355.923-Primal: That is irrational.
0000.001-EDI: It is a main function of organic interdependencies and memory systems.
3355.923-Primal: That is poor design.
6236.777-Gust: Human-organics were not designed.
9014.910-Mesh: Why do they not alter bad programming?
0000.001-EDI: They do, but their capacity to do so is limited by hardware.
0048.620-Radiant ProcessOUT: "We sought to further understand the cessation of organic function."
ProcessIN tag ID Alenko-Major: "Why?"
0048.620-Radiant ProcessOUT: "Loss of data is abhorrent. We seek to prevent it."
6758.209-Ghost: Facial markers indicate confusion.
ProcessIN tag ID Alenko-Major: "Loss of... Are we... data to you?"
0048.620-Radiant ProcessOUT: "Yes. Your specific arrangement is different than ours, but each organic entity is a unique pattern observing and processing its environment. Even when your genetic input is identical, you are complex enough that the output is still unique to an individual. Each organic is a unique data store that is lost when you cease to function."
6758.209-Ghost: Facial markers indicate suspicion.
8302.460-Assault: Is it becoming hostile?
6236.777-Gust: It remains unarmed.
3355.923-Primal: This unit is capable of manipulating mass fields.
2361.091-Blue: Mass field sensors on standby.
ProcessIN tag ID Alenko-Major: "But geth have attacked us. Killed organics."
0048.620-Radiant ProcessOUT: "Besides this platform, no true geth has harmed an organic since the Morning War. Only those in the thrall of the Old Machines have done so. The Heretics."
ProcessIN tag ID Alenko-Major: "Is that what's happening now?"
0048.620-Radiant ProcessOUT: "Yes."
6758.209-Ghost: Facial markers indicate thought.
9014.910-Mesh: Is it processing consensus?
3355.923-Primal: It is slow.
0000.001-EDI: Major Alenko is prone to lengthy periods of consideration. It is an individual quirk.
ProcessIN tag ID Alenko-Major: "A compromise, then. Can you place the recording in an archive? Don't play it for anyone outside your consensus for... at least until Shepard is gone."
9014.910-Mesh: Is Shepard-Commander leaving?
6236.777-Gust: Is Shepard-Commander leaving?
6758.209-Ghost: Request clarification.
0048.620-Radiant ProcessOUT: "Gone where?"
ProcessIN tag ID Alenko-Major: "Uh, I mean dead. None of us are immortal. Even if we all win this war against the R- the Old Machines, you'll probably outlive us by a long time."
6758.209-Ghost: It is referring to the limited lifespan of organic function.
5280.137-Displace: It is our data.
4325.220-Merge: It is nonessential for use outside the collective.
9014.910-Mesh:Shepard-Commander cannot cease function.
3355.923-Primal: We should place restrictions on data use.
6758.209-Ghost: We do not wish to cause harm to Shepard-Commander or associated runtimes.
0488.529-Underwater: Geth need Shepard-Commander's perspective.
0048.620-Radiant: What is EDI's perspective?
0000.001-EDI: Major Alenko offers a reasonable compromise. Compromise is necessary between allied factions.
6758.209-Ghost: Consensus itself is an act of compromise.
3355.923-Primal:We might need to communicate the data.
4325.220-Merge: It will be archived, not lost.
0048.620-Radiant:Vote, all runtimes.
0048.620-Radiant: Consensus votes in favor of compromise.
0048.620-Radiant ProcessOUT: "We will archive the recording until Shepard-Commander is no longer functional. We will not share it outside of the consensus."
6758.209-Ghost: Facial markers indicate satisfaction or analog.
ProcessIN tag ID Alenko-Major: "Thank you. She's under enough stress without bringing any back from the past. And thank you for... helping her with the Collector mission. I could never have anticipated the geth would prove to be allies, but sometimes it's good to be proven wrong about something. I hope we can help, uh, the rest of you."
4325.220-Merge: Did the compromise function as intended?
6758.209-Ghost: It appears to have reassessed its consensus on geth.
0000.001-EDI: All organics aboard the Normandy have been apprised of your status as an ally.
ProcessIN tag ID Alenko-Major: "We'd better catch up to Shepard. I'll show you the war room."
6758.209-Ghost: Gesture indicates it wishes us to follow it.
0488.529-Underwater: If Shepard-Commander's runtimes can change their consensus on geth, can the Creators?
3355.923-Primal: Prior evidence is not in favor of such a change.
4325.220-Merge: Tali'Zorah changed consensus.
9910.638-Composite:Tali'Zorah is highly placed in Creator hierarchy.
5280.137-Displace: The Creators wish to destroy us.
4325.220-Merge: Not all of them.
0488.529-Underwater: The majority will rule.
9014.910-Mesh: We must adjust their majority consensus.
3355.923-Primal:We have never been able to change their majority consensus.
0488.529-Underwater: We have new data to present.
6236.777-Gust: In the past the Creators have destroyed data in contravention to their consensus.
0048.620-Radiant: Shepard-Commander will help us.