Chapter 36: EDI & the Virtual Aliens pt. 2

The virtual aliens are a race of former organics who downloaded their minds into a virtual world aboard a starship long ago to avoid the destruction of their civilization. The crisis: their home world's star was at the red giant stage and was about to go supernova. To survive, the virtual aliens built five starships: Algol, Biham, Cor Caroli, Duhr, and Elmuthalleth named after the gods their ancestors used to worship, each come equipped with a network of supercomputers. One billion virtual aliens transferred their consciousnesses into the supercomputers, which contained an entire virtual world for them to inhabit for the duration of the crisis. With purpose-built AI piloting the ships and maintaining the virtual world, the virtual aliens departed their home system and began a millennia-long sojourn across the galaxy.-Cerberus Database

Avernus Station

Avernus Station is a Cerberus research base that was constructed beyond the Omega 4 Relay to research the Reapers' technology. One of the achievements of the station was finding a colony of Reaper units called the Adjutants and controlling them, they would go on to take Omega from Aria until the warlord and Shepherd took it back. It is one of the few Cerberus facilities that weren't destroyed by Alliance and Citadel forces. Nowadays it is the main base of CAT6, a former mercenary unit turned pro-human group…made up of former Alliance washouts and Cerberus operatives.

In the Director's office, Shade went to the communicator and pressed a button; an older woman appeared and gave her a salute. Shade sat down on a seat and lit a cigarette. "Status report, Captain"

"Shade, we found them…unfortunately with their drones, they out number us greatly"

"It won't matter when they have a taste of our new weapon" Shade said. "Minimize the damage as much as you can…the cargo inside is quite valuable"

"Understood ma'am" Communicator turned off, Shade heard footsteps behind her. Gemini stood at the door crossing his arms frowning, he was always frowning but more so than usual. "Something the matter, Gemini?"

"I can't believe we're dabbling into Artificial Intelligence…" he grumbled. "I would have thought history would have told you how much of a bad idea this is" He came forward and looked at the image of the Phantom Ships. "We know next to nothing about these Virtual Aliens, except from what Cerberus was able to find out" he looked at Gemini. "I hope you have a plan…because I can't tell you of the shitstorm that will happen if these things go rogue."

"Please, I always have a plan…" Shade said. "Once our men subdue the Virtual Aliens…we will be sending them to Renata at the Barn" Gemini eyes went wide, the K2 station aka The Barn was very infamous even by Cerberus standards. It was where the darkest of Cerberus work was held, genetic experiments using humans, alien, and Reaper technology. It is said operatives that come back from working at the Barn are never the same person ever again.

"The Barn…shit…" Gemini said.

Shade raised a brow. "Do I sense sentimentality from you, Gemini?" she asked.

"I wouldn't wish my worst enemy to the Barn; this is cruel even for you…"

Phantom Ship: Duhr

Inside one of the phantom ship in one of the networked servers was an entire virtual construct of the Virtual Aliens' world before the sun in their home system went supernova. In this world, time does not move…the Virtual Aliens still looked the way they did when they evacuated their planet. Or rather they chose to look like they did before, due to being made out of data they could change their appearance to anything they want. To make the inhabitants of this world as comfortable as they can, the ships' AI simulated everything from when they were organic...but as much as the inhabitants appreciate this, they knew the truth their whole civilization is gone…not even ruins remained.

A young man got out of bed and stretched a useless gesture as he no longer felt tired but it was a routine to at least make him feel like his old self. "Lna?" He looked around, no sign of his troublesome younger sister…he went to look for her and found her room empty, she must be out to another server probably visiting a friend. "Hmm?" He looked on the desk to find a transmission code, he went over and scanned it…last message was from a place called Neo Arcturus. His sister has been communicating with the outside world, something that was forbidden by the Magistrate, the leaders of their people. He heard a sound from a behind him.

"Um…I can explain, Jura…" the young man crossed his arms while Lna talked about her new friend EDI, and the world she lived in. Apparently Lna and this EDI have talking with each other for some months.

"I'm glad you had your fun, because you have to end communication"

"But Jura…!"

"No buts, the fact that you haven't been found out by the Magistrate is a miracle in of itself" Jura said. "But there's a reason why outside contact is forbidden"

"The galaxy is different" Lna said. "Besides, I'm tired of just wondering the galaxy…it's been 8,000 years" Jura became quiet, his sister was not the only one that was tired of roaming the galaxy…many of his people were in fact tired. He had to admit that he was also tired…but what else could they do? Without the ships and the servers, they would cease to exist. His thoughts was broken as sirens sounded, it was different from the routine sweeps of the Operators…they were under attack.

Neo Arcturus

At Arcturus Joker and EDI followed Jacob back to the Alliance barracks for some medical attention and repairs. Currently the Corsair barracks was being built; until they were done Corsair members assigned were sharing the barracks with the Alliance soldiers. Once inside, Joker was treated for the fractures in his arm…luckily it wasn't too bad and he got off with an arm brace. After it was done, Joker balled his hand into a fist and cringed…he had some dull pain and his hand was a little swollen. "Thanks doc"

"It is no problem; now remember no strenuous activity…or else the bones won't set properly"

"Don't worry about me, doc this ain't my first rodeo" The door opened and EDI came in to check on Joker. "Hey EDI"

"Are you okay?" Joker smiled as he grabbed the AI's hand and kissed it, the doctor watched the two lovers' scene and grimace at it. He cleared his throat getting Joker's attention; he walked forward with two pills in his hand.

"Take this, it should help with the pain for now" the doctor said. "Now if you excuse me, I have other patients "Although the man didn't show it, he was disturbed about their relationship…he got the message and they left. As they were walking the barracks, there was some nervous looks on some of the soldiers faces as they looked wearily at EDI. The war was over and yet the war was still fresh in everyone's minds…even though AIs like the Geth and EDI were instrumental in securing victory against the Reapers, many thought that it was only a matter of time before another broke out, this time with their former allies. And if there are any more people like the three human thugs that attacked the Geth and then EDI…that war was going come sooner rather than later. Joker looked at EDI, he hoped it would never come…Jacob came towards the couple.

"Joker, good to see up and about"

"Jacob, is the Geth…?" EDI asked concerned.

"Navi? He's fine…two of my guys are fixing him up" Jacob said. "I should thank you for helping him, I underestimated the anti-AI settlement here….that ones on me"

Joker raised a brow. "You have people now?" he asked. "And when did you join the Corsairs?" When the Corsairs became official, every race was scrambling to bring their best soldiers into this new organization. Hackett contacted him to lead a squad of his own, and it couldn't have come at a better time as he was figuring out what to do with his life now that the war was over and Miranda and Orianna was reunited. "I take it Miranda is with you?"

Jacob shook his head. "Nah, she's back in the Sol system with Ori" he said. "She's an instructor for Grissom Academy"

"Er…Grissom Academy? Isn't that where Jack works…?." Joker said a little pale. "The repair bills are going to skyrocket"

Jacob chuckled. "Miri said she would be her best behavior if Jack is…" he said. "But I get the feeling they enjoy arguing with each other" His omni-tool beeped and he opened it to reveal one of his people. "EDI, good news…Navi is just fine" he said. "How about I introduce you my whole team?"

Hades Gamma

Back in the Hades Gamma system, the Phantom ships were deep in battle with CAT6 ships. To safeguard the Virtual Aliens inside, all inhabitants were sent to a special server that was independent from the main servers inside escape shuttles. In the unlikely event the Phantom ships are destroyed, the AIs was to jettison shuttles to safeguard the Virtual Aliens. Attack drones came out of Algol and Biham while Cor Caroli and Duhr went about disabling the enemies' systems. Elmuthalleth was in the middle sending out sentry drones to coordinate the other four ships.

CAT6 fighters bobbed and weaved through the drones trying to get to the ships while the dreadnoughts covered them. Four drones gathered together and then separated as it passed a ship and discharged. "Damn it! My systems are fried….I'm dead in space!" one of the pilots said. Back on the dreadnought, the captain sat back in her chair looking almost amused…these Virtual Alien were more formable than she first thought.

"Captain, drones are coming at us!"

"Open fire!" The side guns ports opened and shot down the drones. As amused as the captain was, she knew the longer this battle took the more her forces weaken. She had to blow a hole through the Virtual Aliens defenses. "Arm the Parasite drones…I want this battle to end now" The bottom port opened revealing Oculi-like drones; it flew though the Phantom ships drones as they try to intercept. The drones separate and head for the ships, they crash into the hulls of the ships. Once in thousands of wires came out and latched itself to the ship.

"Parasite drones are in, Captain"

"Activate the worm program" The lights on the Parasites went from red to green. The attack and scout drones powered down and floated dead in space. The AIs in the ships try to fight the hacking attempt but the worm program was unlike anything they've seen before…it spread quickly, destroying security systems and taking control of more vulnerable systems. It wouldn't be long until the Phantom ships were under the control of the enemy; they only do one more thing…"

Secured Server: Duhr

Sirens sounded within the virtual world, a sound they've never heard before but knew of….the Phantom ships were now compromised and the AI were trying to save them. Fear now grew in the Virtual Aliens…their future was now uncertain. But then the siren suddenly stopped and all they heard was silence.

"Jura…w-what's happening…"? Lna asked fearfully. Jura opened a window to contact the Magistrate, the AIs…anyone…but all he got back was the CAT6 insignia. It was over…they were now at the mercy of the enemy, what became of them was now up to their captor.

Hades Gamma

"Captain, its done the Phantom ships are under our command"

The captain sat back in her chair quite happy with their victory. "Contact Director Renata at the Barn, tell her to prepare for our arrival"

The Virtual Aliens are captured and their next stop…Hell! Next Time! As always Review and Comment!