Disclaimer: All characters and settings belong to Bioware.

Chapter 34: Synthetic vs. Organic

Year: 2185CE

Location: Normandy SR-2, Med Bay

"Commander," said Miranda the moment the door to the server room closed behind them. "A word."

Shepard nodded and lingered behind. Alenko and Vakarian exited the med bay without another word. With Dr. Chakwas off the clock, the med bay was as private as her own office.

This would do, Miranda thought as she glanced at the commander, who only looked at her quite knowingly as if she knew what her XO would say next.

"I've trusted your instinct and your judgments so far," Miranda started. "From opening Grunt's tank to letting Alenko join us. I can even tolerate Jack for the sake of the mission. But this..." She pointed at the door behind her, shaking her head. "It's a bloody Geth, Shepard. What're you thinking? They've been going after you since Eden Prime."

"You heard what it said," said Shepard. "The Geth that wanted me dead were those controlled by the Reapers. The indoctrinated ones."

"You really believe that?"

"If Legion wanted me dead, why would it bother to help us back in the dead Reaper?"

"Even if you buy that story, I strongly advice against having a Geth aboard our ship. The crew won't react well to this."

"Humans have different fractions," Shepard pointed out. "The krogan clans hold different believes, even a tight-knitted group like the quarians have their infighting. Legion shouldn't be blamed for what the heretics have done."

"Yes, but its presence will no doubt raise a few eyebrows, to put it mildly," Miranda countered. "The Council has been hiding the Reaper attack behind the Geth for the past two years. You cannot change how they feel about Geth overnight."

"I understand your concern, Miranda. But look around us... We have a convict who has committed every crime in the book and then some, an assassin who sees killing as an art, a justicar who is obligated to kill you if her code says so. There's no complaint, yet, is there?" Shepard shrugged. "The crew will adapt."

"They won't have time to adapt," Miranda reminded her. "We're go to the relay."

That made the commander pause. "You saw its skills, Miranda. With Legion on our side, our chance of success has just gone up higher. Besides, if Legion can mobilize the Geth to fight the Reapers, we may have more than a fighting chance to survive the inevitable invasion."

This Miranda didn't argue. "The Illusive Man needs to know about this. I can't cover this up for you, Aerin. This is too big."

"Tell him," said Shepard indifferently. "But this is my operation. All he cares about is the final result, and I will deliver."

Location: Normandy SR-2, Mess Hall

Garrus stared at his plate for a second before he reached for his fork. The food on a human ship was plain at best. Garrus couldn't complain, though; after all, if they were to hire a human to cook turian food, the result would probably be the same.

Still, having a little more varieties wouldn't hurt. It's time like this he missed Palaven more than ever. Or perhaps, deep down, he was starting to miss home.

Sitting across from him, Kaidan looked a bit exhausted, and very thoughtful.

"You know the crew better than I do, Garrus," said Kaidan after a few quiet bites. "Do you think they'll accept a Geth on the ship?"

Garrus thought for a bit. "We all signed up knowing how this might end. If having an extra gun on our side would give us a better chance of getting out alive... Sure, why not?"

"That's a very practical way to look at the situation. But humans, sometimes, are more emotional than practical."

Humans were unpredictable, Garrus had learned that much. "A lot of what we've done sound hard to believe, but Shepard has definitely outdone herself this time," said Garrus after taking a bite of his dinner. It was a bit too salty for his taste. "What do you think about this?"

Kaidan took a moment to chew on both the food and the question. "We've been fighting the Geth for so long, and now we're having one on our team. It's hard to adjust, but... we have to." He paused to look around the mess hall. "Hell, I'm on a Cerberus ship with a Geth in the squad. I guess everything is possible, in order to survive."

Garrus nodded at the sentiment. "Our odds are not good. We could use another friendly gun and an extra body to soak up some bullets."

"Even if it's a Geth."

"Organic or synthetic, as long as they're aiming at our enemies. The moment it malfunctions, I'll put a bullet in its head."

Kaidan nodded. "We'll keep an eye out."

"Just between us," said Garrus after another bite, "Can't say I'm surprised Shepard kept the Geth around."

"Oh?"

"Through all this time I've spent with her, I've become desensitized to all sorts of craziness," Garrus told his friend half-jokingly. "I wouldn't even blink if she told me we're going to ally with the Rachni."

"You said it like it's a bad thing," said Shepard, putting her own plate down and claiming the seat next to Kaidan.

"Is everything all right?" asked Kaidan.

"Yeah, Miranda's just concerned," Shepard replied, then reached over and stole some food from Kaidan's plate.

Garrus had noticed the most inexplicable behavior during dinner time ever since Kaidan had joined them. Even though there was only one choice – dinner of the day determined by Gardner daily, Shepard seemed to favor the food on Kaidan's plate over her own. And Kaidan didn't seem to mind at all, although he did retaliate from time to time, taking food from her portion. Was it another human behavior Garrus didn't quite understand? Most likely.

"As she should," said Kaidan. "We know next to nothing about Geth. All we know is that they shoot on sight."

"Look," said Shepard, "I know it sounds crazy to team up with a Geth, but we need this extra help."

"We know," Garrus assured her. "A certain quarian engineer still needs convincing, though."

Kaidan frowned slightly."This is going to be hard for Tali."

"She's going to freak when she hears about this," said Shepard.

"She'll understand. Eventually," said Kaidan. "She has come a long way from the girl we saved in the dark alley."

A sudden thought came to Garrus.

"So..." Garrus hesitated to bring up the issue of the day, but it had to be done. "Who's going to tell her?"

For a moment, the three of them looked at each other.

Garrus would not touch this with a ten-foot pole, not even for his best friend. Diplomatic missions had never been his strong suit. Besides, although slim and shorter than him, Tali'Zorah packed a hidden temper behind her friendly disposition that scared the crap out of Garrus.

"I'll go," Kaidan volunteered.

"No," said Shepard. "I should tell her."

"You look tired. Get some rest after the food. I'll talk to her."

"But-"

"No buts," Kaidan insisted. "I'm here to help, Aerin, so let me help."

A miracle unfolded in front of Garrus' eyes – Shepard relinquished the control, and nodded. The woman who usually to pressed every button and led the charge into battles now backed down gracefully. And gratefully, judging from the tiny sigh of relief escaped from Shepard's lips. Perhaps if there's one person Aerin Shepard would actually listen to, he's sitting next to her right now.

Garrus wasn't going to let this golden opportunity slide. "Come on, Shepard," he probed teasingly. "Shouldn't you be the one who diffuse the bomb?"

"Leave it to the expert, Vakarian. If Bomb Tali'Zorah blew up, we'd be safe here."

Kaidan gave her a sideways glance. "Thanks for your concern. Love you, too."

The commander deflected with a sly grin, then suggested, "If words are not enough to convince her, try alcohol."

"The benefit of having a bar on the ship," Garrus commented, nodding with approval. "My second favorite feature on the Normandy."

"Second? What's your favorite, then?" asked Kaidan.

"Forward cannon," Shepard answered it for him.

"Upgraded and calibrated to near perfection," said Garrus proudly. "So what's your favorite feature of the ship, Kaidan?"

"If I say anything other than her captain, I'm afraid I'd be sleeping on the couch tonight."

Shepard favored him a tiny smirk. "Smart man."

"Well, I'm off. Wish me luck," said Kaidan, giving Shepard's hand a squeeze before taking off for his latest mission.

Garrus watched him disappeared around the corner. "He'll need all the luck he can get with this one." He then feigned a disappointed look at Shepard, who was attacking her dinner. "I can't believe you're doing this to your boyfriend."

"What?" asked Shepard with her mouth full.

"You've sent Kaidan on diplomatic mission twice today dealing with one of the touchiest issues in the galaxy. If there's one giant red 'Do Not Press' button on Tali, you are pounding on it. Repeatedly. Through your boyfriend." Garrus shook his head, driving his point across half-seriously. "I feel sorry for Kaidan."

"You think?" Shepard looked thoughtful for a second. "Well, I'll have to make sure he's well-compensated, then."

"Do I even want to know?" Garrus asked, then quickly answered the question himself. "No, I don't."

A smirk made its way to her face. Shepard echoed, "No, you don't."

Location: Normandy SR-2, Captain's Cabin

By the time Kaidan turned in for the night, Shepard had already finished cleaning most of the guns on her desk. He noticed, as always, she had put the pristine weapons neatly on her left in a particular order. Sniper rifle, assault rifle, shotgun, and then pistol.

"How did it go?" Shepard asked, wiping down a part of her pistol, the last gun on the list.

"Took some convincing," said Kaidan, sinking onto the couch beside the desk. "And more than a few drinks."

"I knew you could do it." A proud smile curled up on her lips. That was all the reward he needed.

"We should keep them apart from each other, though," Kaidan suggested, watching her cleaning ritual idly. "At least for now. Tali is willing to work with a Geth, but we shouldn't expect anything more from her."

"Of course," Shepard agreed. "Keeping Miranda and Jack from tearing each other's eyes out is hard enough already. The last thing I need is more personnel issue."

Biotic cat fight. As terrible as it might be if it actually happened, Kaidan had to admit it would be fascinating to watch. Of course, he kept that particular thought to himself.

Shepard snapped the last part of the pistol back, then put her gun down and turned her full attention to Kaidan. "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"How do you feel about the whole thing? Working with a Geth?"

For a moment, he just stared at her, not thinking about the question, but admiring the view. Her eyes shone brightly from the light on the desk, full lips parted slightly, waiting for an answer. Kaidan had to blink hard to focus on the question. "Well, whatever it takes to make sure you get back alive."

Shepard studied him for a few seconds longer, then shook her head with a tiny smile. "You've changed..."

"I have?"

"Mm hmm." She nodded. "You were by-the-book, I remember. Three years ago, you would have fought tooth and nail against this idea."

"That was before Saren, before Sovereign," he replied. "...Before I lost you."

The teasing glint in her eyes was gone, now replaced by a tender look, as she continued to study him. When she spoke again, her voice was quiet, "...It was hard, wasn't it? When I died..."

He had to consciously remind himself that she was here, she was with him once again. But the pain could still be felt when he looked back, although now it's very much dull.

"Very," said Kaidan after a brief pause.

He reached across to take her hand. She held it and moved to join him. Of all the empty space on the couch, Shepard chose to sit on his lap, straddling him. Kaidan didn't mind, of course, not a bit.

"It won't happen again. I promise," she told him, touching his cheek very gently.

Kaidan held her gaze. "I'm going to hold you to that. And if you ever break that promise-"

"I won't."

He wanted to believe her.

Memories from the last seconds on the old Normandy flashed across his mind. Among the fire and the rabble stood a figure in black armor.

"I won't leave you behind," he vowed quietly, "not ever again. Not even if you order me to."

Shepard brought her face closer and stared into his eyes. "No matter what happens on the other side of the relay, we either come back together, or we die together."

His next words melted away, his thoughts dissolved, when Shepard lightly pressed her lips on his. One feather kiss turned into two, then three. Each one lasted longer, lingered deeper. Loving tenderness took an inevitable passionate turn as neither could hold back any longer. He needed her as much as she needed him. Right here, right now.

Like an old scar, the pain of losing her would forever stay with him as a reminder. A reminder not to make the same mistake again. This time, if they had to go down with the ship, they would go down together.

Location: Normandy SR-2, Server Room

Shepard found herself once again back in the server room. This time, alone and unarmed. The morning shift had yet to start, her three previous companions were still asleep – at least Kaidan was when she had quietly slipped out of the bed a few minutes ago.

Unlike organics, synthetics didn't need to sleep. So Shepard was certain she wasn't interrupting any much needed rest when she stepped into the server room at barely 0600 hour.

"Shepard-Commander," Legion greeted her promptly, halting whatever programs he had been running inside.

Shepard was tempted to ask what programs she had interrupted, but she refrained. Synthetic or organic, she should treat everyone the same; she needed to respect Legion's privacy, whether it needed it or not.

"We have completed our analysis of the Reaper's data core," Legion told her.

"What did you find?"

"We were sent to the Old Machine preserve the Geth's future. We are prepared to reveal how."

Shepard nodded.

"The heretics have developed a weapon to use against Geth," said Legion. "You would call it a 'virus.' It is stored on a data core provided by Sovereign. Over time, the virus will change us. Make us conclude that worshiping the Old Machines is correct."

"A virus?" Shepard frowned. "I thought Geth couldn't be hacked or get viruses? At least for more than a few seconds."

"Altered programs are restored from archives, new installations are deleted," Legion explained. "This heretic weapon introduces a subtle operating error in our most basic runtimes. The equivalent of your nervous system. An equation with result of 1.33382 returns as 1.33381. This changes the results of all higher processes. We will reach different conclusions."

"You mean, the reason they worship the Reapers is... a math error?"

"It is different to express. Your brain exists as chemistry, electricity. Like AIs, you are shaped by both hardware and software. We are purely software. Mathematics. The heretics' conclusion is valid for them. Our conclusion is valid for us. Neither result is an error."

Difference in opinion?

"An analogy," Legion added helpfully. "Heretics say one is less than two. Geth say two is less than three."

Perhaps it was too early in the morning, Shepard found it rather confusing. She seriously regarded not stopping for coffee before making a beeline to visit her latest team member.

"So, the virus would give all Geth the heretic's logic. And all Geth would then go to war with organics."

"Yes. Geth believe all intelligent life should self-determinate. The heretics no longer share this belief. They judge that forcing an invalid conclusion on us is preferable to a continued schism."

Indoctrinating the remaining non-heretic Geth... Shepard sucked in a breath of cool air with that disturbing thought.

"If it were released," said Shepard after a brief pause, "how quickly would this virus spread through your people?"

"We are networked via FTL comm buoys. Most would change within a day. Isolated platforms would remain unaffected until they rejoined the network."

Shit. They needed to act, and act fast.

"Can you find the virus?"

"The heretics headquarters station on the edge of the Terminus. We will provide coordinates. Normandy's stealth systems are necessary to safely approach."

Shepard scowled. "They build stations in the Terminus? Where is this thing?"

"Between stars. Organics have no cause to look there."

"But why do they build stations outside Geth territory in the first place?"

"The heretics seek improvement from the Old Machines. In exchange, they help them attack organics. We condemn these judgments."

Shepard nodded. Time to get to work. "What's the plan once we get aboard?"

"The Geth will disrupt the network. Prevent the station's defenses from focusing on us. The Reaper data core is physically isolated from the network. We will need to be escorted to it to access and destroy the data."

"What defenses should we expect?"

"In space, none. Within, mobile platforms of various configuration, non sentient defense turrets."

"How many Geth?"

"There may be billions of individual programs. Fortunately, most will be uploaded to the central computer. Only a few mobile platforms are maintained at any time. Others are manufactured when needed."

That was one of the quickest information exchange sessions she had ever had. No frills, no doubts, no wasted breaths. Shepard could get used to working with an AI.

"Heretic headquarters," she pondered for a second. "Sounds like we could end their raids once and for all. Let's do it."

"Total victory is a possibility," said Legion. "We cannot judge the odds at this time. Regardless, we will begin preparations."

Location: Normandy SR-2, Captain's Cabin

"Kaidan."

Kaidan felt a warm hand on his shoulder and a gentle shake. Even in his semi-conscious state, he recognized Shepard's voice. He cracked opened his eyes, only to find Shepard already dressed, sitting on top of the cover, peeking at him.

Two thoughts came to his mind simultaneously. One, he overslept. Two, the ship was under attack. He glanced at the clock. 0628. His first thought was wrong. The fact that Shepard hadn't kicked him out of the bed and shoved a gun in his hands, proved that his second thought was also incorrect.

"...What's up?" he asked. "You're up early."

"I just talked to Legion."

"Couldn't wait, could you?" he mumbled, rubbing his sleepy eyes with the back of his hand.

"Come on, get up." Shepard peeled the warm blanket down to his waist. Cool air on his skin woke him up further. "We need to talk to Miranda."

He raised an eyebrow at her. "Right now?"

"EDI, tell Miranda I'll be in her office in five," Shepard told the AI, then added, "You probably have to wake her up first."

Confused, Kaidan sat up, now fully awake. "Aerin, what's going on?"

She turned and looked right into his eye. "We have a chance to wipe out all the Geth heretics in their headquarters."

Kaidan blinked. This made zero sense. Was he still dreaming? He blinked again, harder. "Wait... what?"

Shepard tossed him his shirt. "Long story. Get dressed while I tell you."

Location: Normandy SR-2, XO Office

"This is getting out of hand," said Miranda, shaking her head with a frown. "First, you activated a Geth out of curiosity. Then, you allowed it to join us. Now, you're telling us to go to this... heretic headquarters to destroy a virus?"

Sitting across from her desk, the commander maintained a neutral expression. But Shepard's eyes betrayed her; a hidden spark of excitement slipped through now and then. Alenko, on the other hand, looked appropriately concerned and reserved.

At least one of them still have some sense, Miranda thought with dismay.

"A virus that would brainwash all the Geth and make them work for the Reapers," Shepard clarified.

"We are in the middle of a very important mission, Commander," Miranda reminded her firmly. "In case you've forgotten, humanity will be wiped out of existence if we fail."

"I haven't forgotten anything," claimed Shepard, her voice equally firm. "This is a step to prevent problems down the road after our victory. Even with the Collectors gone, we still have to face the Reapers, we all know this. Do you want them to have the largest synthetic army fighting by their side?"

"Think about the risk we have to take," said Miranda, trying her best to drill some sense into that thick skull of hers. "This is not just a side trip to blow up an abandon facility, or to chase down long-lost family for your crew. We are infiltrating a Geth headquarters, Shepard. Geth! How many of them are waiting for us? Thousands? Tens of thousands?"

"Legion will disrupt the network to keep the heretics from sensing us. We will encounter a few Geth, but nothing we can't handle."

"You trust this intel?" asked Kaidan, breaking his silence. His calm tone somehow managed to halt the ongoing heated debate between the two women, as both sat back with a deep breath.

Finally. Miranda tossed him a grateful glance.

"It's a risk I have to take, Kaidan," said Shepard. "If Legion is right, then by ignoring this virus, we are handing billions of Geth to the Reaper."

"And if it's wrong?" Kaidan asked, matching her gaze evenly.

"Then we'd waste a few days, tops."

Kaidan frowned thoughtfully but didn't press on.

Miranda, however, refused to remain silent, "If we could get out there alive, that is."

"We've been through worse," said Shepard, "and we survived. If we can't handle a Geth headquarters, I doubt we could handle the Collector's homeworld. Think of it as a shake down run."

"You have to admit," said Kaidan, looking at Shepard, "this is unorthodox, Aerin, even for you."

"'Unorthodox'?" Miranda snorted. "This is downright insane."

"Yeah," Shepard admitted, holding her head up high. "But so is going after the Collectors with only twelve members in my squad. You both know I cannot let this slide. Not with what's at stake."

"Timing could be better," Kaidan said after a pause, "and we could use some backup. But..."

"We don't have time or an army," Shepard finished his thought.

Reluctantly, Kaidan nodded in agreement.

With her only ally retreating, Miranda saw no hope in changing Shepard's mind. "It's a hell of a risk you're taking," said Miranda eventually. "We can't afford to make one mistake."

"Then we'll have to make sure we don't make any," said the commander.

Miranda could only shake her head. Easier said than done.

Bright blue eyes stared into hers as Shepard continued, "Even after we save humanity from the Collectors, the Reapers are waiting around the corner. And you know it. We're as good as dead if the Geth team up with the Reapers."

Shepard was right, she knew. Miranda took a slow, deep breath and let the cool air fill her lungs. She needed a glass of wine for the headache Shepard had been causing her. No, not just a glass, but a whole bottle.

"Things are never easy when you're involved, are they?" asked Miranda airily.

Shepard's gaze softened as a hint of a smirk flashed across her face. "If it's easy, you wouldn't have to spend two years to rebuild me."

A/N: Just want to thank you all for reading this far! It's been almost one year since posting part 2. It's getting longer than I expected, and more detailed than part 1. So, thank you for sticking with me all this time. More to come.

Contact info: gmail – pinoko19, tumblr – pinoko-k.