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Chapter 35: A House Divided

Year: 2185CE

Location: Normandy SR-2, Bridge

"Why can't we ever go somewhere full of bunnies and rainbows?" Joker mumbled to himself as he guided the Normandy smoothly toward to their next stop.

Their destination? Geth headquarters.

Yes, that's where they were heading.

How many captains in the galaxy would be crazy enough to storm a station packed with homicidal killer machines? One. And how many pilots in the galaxy would be brave enough to approach said station? One.

Joker had never been the type who would be easily unnerved. That made him the perfect pilot for someone like Shepard. All other helmsmen in the Alliance would have wet their pants and jumped out of the airlock the moment a Geth walked into the cockpit. But not Jeff Moreau. And currently, he had one standing near him at the bridge.

It's just a fancy mech, Joker tried to convince himself. A fancy mech that has millions of murderous cousins...

He shot an uneasy glance at the Geth that had been tinkering with the console for a short while now. Although he was certain Legion wasn't hacking into the systems (EDI would have informed them otherwise), Joker felt more than a little uncomfortable for having someone else touched his ship.

Shepard, however, said nothing. Standing a step behind the pilot seat, the commander allowed her new toy to run the show. The amount of trust she had in the AI was astonishing. Shepard wasn't gullible, Joker knew that for certain. But sometimes, he had to wonder if she just had balls of steel, or if she was a compulsive gambler. Or perhaps both. That would explain some of the risks she had been taking. Including this one.

Joker couldn't ignore that nagging voice inside his head as that weird-shaped structure increased in size by the second. This was wrong. This was very wrong. Couldn't Shepard see it?

Still, the commander remained silent as they approached the lion's den. Joker bit his tongue to keep his snark to himself, but the attempt was futile. After all, he was Jeff Moreau, not Kaidan Alenko; keeping his mouth shut wasn't Joker's strong suit.

"You know it's just our heat emissions that are hidden, right?" Joker said to the Geth, feeling obliged to point out the obvious. "They can look out at a window and see us coming."

"Windows are structural weaknesses," stated Legion, looking up from the console. "Geth do not use them. Approach the hull at these coordinates."

There were sexy human-like AIs, and there were plain vanilla boring ones. Legion was definitely the latter.

The second Legion turned its full attention back to the console, Joker rolled his eyes, and moved his arms and his mouth robotically. It was a damned good robot dance done while sitting, in Joker's not so humble opinion. His convincing impersonation – and juvenile mockery – was short-lived, unfortunately, as Joker suddenly found himself to be on the receiving end of the infamous Shepard's Death Glare.

That woman could stop an army with that one look, Joker swore. Wisely holding up his hands in silent surrender, Joker declared a truce. Still, he pushed his luck by making a face before he put his antic to rest, which Shepard let him slide.

"Alert," warned Legion. "The facility has little air or gravity. Geth require neither."

"Noted," said Shepard, then pressed her earpiece. "Miranda, tell our team to prepare for zero-G combat."

The door to the bridge opened and announced the arrival of another visitor. Without glancing at the security camera, Joker decided to have some fun and played a quick guessing game. Who could it be? The best friend, the boyfriend, or the second-in-command?

Alenko.

When Joker turned to reveal the answer, his blood almost froze. Joining them was neither of those three, but Tali.

Oh shit. A quarian and a Geth walked into a cockpit...

"This station was once called Haratar by my people," said Tali in a strangely strained tone, looking straight at their destination ahead of them. "Abandoned three hundred years ago when they were forced to leave the Perseus Veil. I did some research last night."

Shepard's voice softened a notch. "You sure you want to come along? It's okay if you want to sit this one out."

"I'm with you, Aerin," said Tali. "I understand why you have to do this. But I'll be ready if anyone decides to turn on us."

Even though Legion didn't react to Tali's less-than-friendly declaration, tension in the air suddenly grew thicker than a krogan's skull. Without another word, Shepard steered Tali away from the bridge.

Some matches were made in heaven, some were made in hell. While Shepard and Joker were the former, Tali and Legion were definitely the latter.

Still, disaster avoided, for now. Joker released a breath of relief. But how long could the uneasy truce last?

Location: Geth Heretic Station

After crawling inside a dead Reaper, infiltrating the Geth headquarters felt like a walk in the park. Maybe he had been hanging around Shepard a little too long, Garrus mused as he watched Legion cutting through a thick door with its laser tool.

"Won't we be detected?" asked Garrus. "Don't they have intrusion alarms?"

"Sensors have been reduced," said Legion, prying the door open manually and leading the team into an empty hall. "We have infiltrated their wireless network and filled the data storage with random bits."

"You are distracting them with junk data?" said Kaidan curiously.

"Yes," replied Legion. "The heretics must scrub this 'junk' data. They have partitioned themselves into local networks, working in parallel. Any alarm we trigger will not go beyond the room we are in. Only accessing the main core will trigger a station-wide alert."

Smart, Garrus thought. Although he would expect nothing less from the most sophisticated AIs.

A few steps behind them, Shepard followed with Miranda by her side, Grunt and Mordin at her heels. The rest of the team covered the rear.

"Shepard-Commander," said Legion when Shepard was near. "We concluded that destruction of this station was the only resolution to the heretic question. There is now a second option."

"What's that?" asked Shepard.

"Their virus can be repurposed. If released into the station's network, the heretics will be rewritten to accept our truth."

"You mean reprogramming them?" said Shepard.

"If Geth are alive," said Mordin, who seemed to be the only person who was fascinated by a trip to the Geth headquarters, "reprogramming kinder than destroying. Like Genophage. Change, not death. Unless rewriting into obedience is immoral. Thoughts?"

"That's brainwashing if they're organics," Kaidan pointed out. "Careful, Commander. That sounds dangerously close to indoctrination."

Garrus agreed. "Maybe this is how AIs settle religious disputes."

"Kill them or pull their teeth?" Grunt shrugged. "What's the difference? They're killed both ways. Take away their fighting spirit, what else matter?"

"The difference is," Garrus explained, "if you give them back their heretics, they'll get stronger."

Shepard thought for a second. "They're your people, Legion. You must have an opinion."

"This is new data," said Legion. "We have not yet reached consensus."

"Either way," said Miranda, "the heretics are no longer a problem. That's the purpose of our mission."

"Agree," said Shepard. "Let's move while the heretics are distracted."

Fish in a barrel. That phrase came to Shepard's mind when they initiated a surprise attack on the dormant heretic units. The Geth fought back, quite admirably so, but they never had a chance.

"Why are all the heretics attached to these hubs?" Shepard asked as she approached one of the hubs that used to house the Geth just moments ago.

"These are mobile platforms," Legion explained. "Hardware. The crew is software. They are communing through the station's central computer."

"I'm not sure I follow."

"The heretics connection to the main computer to exchange data-memories and program updates. We gain complexity by linking together. To be isolated within a single platform is to be reduced. We see less. Comprehend less. It is quieter."

Shepard chewed on that information for a second. "If you exchange data – memories – how do you keep track of which ones are yours? How do you stay 'you?'"

"There is only 'we,'" Legion told her. "We were created to share data among ourselves. The difference between Geth is perspective. We are many eyes looking at the same things. One platform will see things another does not and will make different judgments."

"The heretics are part of you, then," Shepard concluded. "I can see why you'd be conflicted about the heretics. In a way, whatever you do to them, you're doing to yourself."

"Yes. Once they return to us and upload their memories, we will share their experience of being altered."

And that's when Shepard saw a problem. "Once you remember the experience as the victim, you'll regret the decision." She frowned, shaking her head. "Every other species I know of might be psychologically scarred by a traumatic experience like that."

"It is not clear if Geth can be 'traumatized,'" said Legion. "We do not feel pain as you do. We cannot predict what the effects will be. However, once the decision to rewrite is made, it cannot be unmade. Therefore, we must consider all ends before passing judgment. To do less would be irresponsible."

"Couldn't agree more," Shepard muttered, sucking in in a breath. This mission had become more complicated than she thought.

"How large do you suppose that room is?" Garrus asked Kaidan when they walked down an empty hallway with a series of windows on one side.

Shepard glanced inside. To call it a room was an understatement. The space beyond the windows was enormous, dimly lit, with some sort of computer units lining up neatly in rolls.

"I can't see the end of it," said Kaidan, trying to peek through the window.

"The station is over 15 kilometers long," Legion told them. "That room may run the length of it."

"What are these? Databases?" Kaidan asked. He couldn't seem to contain his curiosity, Shepard noticed, as his inner-geek seeped through his professional front.

"Processors," replied Legion. "Each contains thousands of Geth."

Shepard arched an eyebrow at that, and reevaluated the seemingly harmless room. "Millions of Geth are right inside..." she breathed.

"Can't they see us walking by?" Garrus pointed out quietly as though he was afraid they would be overheard.

"They are no more aware of us than you are of cells in your bloodstream," said Legion.

"That's... a comforting thought," Kaidan commented under his breath, although his tone suggested otherwise.

"I'd rather by a cell than a target," said Garrus. "Let's just sneak by and call it a day."

Shepard nodded. The three of them arrived consensus without a word as they continued their path. The cautious silence only lasted until they came to another set of windows.

"This isn't like the other room we saw," Shepard pointed out in a low voice.

"This is a database," said Legion. "It contains a portion of the heretics' accumulated memories-" Legion paused; its headlight flashed brightly for a second. "Wait. We discovered copies of our current patrol routes in this database."

"What?" Shepard frowned in confusion.

Legion clarified, "This suggests the heretics have runtimes within our networks."

"They're spying on you?" asked Kaidan.

That made sense. "We wouldn't be here if the heretics wanted to be friends with the Geth," she said to Legion. "Why wouldn't they spy on you?"

"You do not understand," said Legion. "Organics do not know each other's minds. Geth do. We are not suspicious. We accept each other. The heretics desired to leave. We understood their reasons. We allowed it. There was peace between us."

"Things change, Legion," said Shepard. "It couldn't have lasted forever. You disagreed about what path your race should take."

"Human history is a litany of blood shed over differing ideals of rulership and afterlife. Geth have no such history. We shared consensus on such things." Legion lowered its head as it pondered almost human-like. When it spoke again, it sounded strangely lost and confused, "How could we have become so different? Why can we no longer understand each other?" It looked back up at Shepard. The plates around its face fanned out as if it was raising its eyebrows in confusion. "What did we do wrong?"

A week ago, if someone had told Shepard she would feel compassion for a Geth, Shepard would have told them they were crazy. But now, it didn't feel so crazy after all.

"It's not your fault," she explained to Legion patiently. "When individuals are separated, they develop in different ways. When they get back together, they don't always get along."

"If this is the individuality you value," said Legion, "we question your judgment."

Shepard snorted a faint chuckle despite their situation. "I don't blame you. Sometimes I question our judgments."

"This topic is irrelevant," Legion declared, back to its usual crisp tone. "We must return to the mission."

That she agreed. "Have you reached a decision about whether to rewrite the heretics or not?"

"We are still trying to build consensus. Some processes judge destruction preferable. Others rewrite."

What about you? Shepard almost asked. But she reminded herself, there was no 'me,' only 'us.' "Let's keep moving."

"This is it?" asked Shepard when they reached a console glowing in bluish green tone.

"Yes," said Legion. "We will upload a copy of our runtime into the core. It will delete all copies of the virus. When complete, it will notify us."

"All right. Do it."

"The indexing operation will take time. The heretics will respond with force to our upload. We must hold this room."

"You heard him, people," said Shepard to her team. "Spread out and hold the line!"

Holstering her assault rifle in favor of her sniper rifle, Shepard remained on the upper level to guard the console with the snipers on her team. The rest of the squad covered the lower level, flanking each possible point of entry.

"Did you just refer to Legion as a 'he'?" asked Garrus as he aimed his sniper rifle right at one of the entrances below.

"Did I?" Shepard flipped a switch on hers and watched it expanded to its full glory. "He, she, it. Legion is one of us."

"We can override some of the station's internal systems to defend us," Legion told her by the console. "Are you ready to begin?"

Shepard pointed her weapon at another door while Thane covered the last one. She eyed the battlefield below; everyone was in position.

"Override their systems, then start your upload, Legion," Shepard ordered, feeling the adrenaline in her veins. "We'll defend this position."

"Data mine and analysis complete," Legion announced, and not a moment too soon. While the current wave of attack had been taken care of, no doubt more Geth were on their way. Millions of them.

"Stay on guard," Shepard told her team, then joined Legion by the console.

"Shepard-Commander," said Legion, "it is time to choose. Do we rewrite the heretics, or delete them?"

"Wait a minute. Why are you letting me make this decision?" asked Shepard. "They're your people, Legion."

"We are conflicted," Legion admitted. "There is no consensus among our higher-order runtimes: 573 favor rewrite, and 571 favor destruction."

"Almost a tie?"

"Shepard-Commander. You have fought the heretics. You have perspective we lack. The Geth grant their fate to you."

You've gotta be kidding me.

A strange sense of deja-vu rushed over her. The fate of the Rachni had been in her hand three years ago, and she had prevented the extinction of that species. And now, another genocide was waiting for her. Well, if the Geth were organics, it would be genocide.

"Wait, Aerin, think about this," said Tali as she joined them on the platform. "If you rewrite these Geth, they will join the others. Legion's Geth will be stronger. Can we trust them not to attack us in the future?"

The notion of having a larger synthetic army to fight the Reapers was too tempting.

"It may be safer to simply destroy this station, Commander," Miranda suggested, unknowingly read Shepard's mind as she arrived a step behind the quarian.

History loves to repeat itself, Shepard knew that much. She had to be certain.

"There's no guarantee they won't come to the same conclusion again, is there?" Shepard asked Legion. "To worship the Reapers, and attack organics?"

"There is a non zero-probability of error."

Translation: No guarantee.

Shepard took a long breath then asked, "And you don't have any trouble wiping out your own people?"

"Every sapient has the right to make their own decisions," said Legion. "The heretics chose a path that prohibits coexistence. Their choice was to remove our right to make decisions using this virus. We choose to defend ourselves."

"That doesn't make sense." Tali shook her head. "If they 'have the right to make their own decisions,' how can you suggest brainwashing them to accept your way?"

"We stated the option exists," said Legion. "We did not endorse it. It is Shepard-Commander's decision."

All eyes were on Shepard.

Brainwashing the enemies to increase the size of your own army. No, that's Sovereign, that's the Reapers. Not her.

"I wouldn't brainwash an organic race," said Shepard, reasoning aloud. "I can't see treating the Geth differently."

"The question is irrelevant," said Legion. "If we do not rewrite them, we destroy them. That is why we are here. Do not hesitate now. They will exterminate your species because their gods tell them to. You cannot negotiate with them. They do not share your pity, remorse, or fear."

Yes, do not hesitate now. "Then blow them up," Shepard announced. "We have a chance to end this. So let's do this."

"Acknowledged," Legion said and immediately went to work on the console. "Collapsing antimatter magnetic bottling mechanisms."

"That sounds ominous," said Garrus.

"Done," said Legion a second later. "Destruction imminent. Recommend withdrawal to Normandy."

The ground shook. "Agree," said Shepard, heading for the exit. "Let's get the hell out of here!"

Location: Normandy SR-2, Communications Room

"I'm glad you didn't take that risk," said Kaidan. "I know it's tempting to have a larger army of Geth fighting on our side."

"If they remain our allies," Garrus emphasized. "The Geth have always been a threat to organics. Don't know if Legion's Geth would be enough to turn the tide."

"Even Legion's Geth could become a problem in the future," Miranda pointed out. "It's easier to destroy some of them now than later."

"Legion said it's not impossible for the remaining heretics in isolated systems to rebuild," Shepard revealed, trusting those words wouldn't get out of this room. They were alone in the debriefing room, just the four of them. "But even if they did, it would take many years."

"Which none of us would be alive to see," said Miranda, "if we don't take care of the problems we have now."

Shepard nodded. "We've to install the IFF."

Kaidan frowned. "The IFF is a Reaper tech. We don't know what it'll do to the systems."

Miranda shook her head. "We don't have time to build another Normandy and run a simulation."

"You sure there's no other way?" asked Kaidan after a pause.

"None," said Miranda. "If we don't install the IFF, we can't even go through the relay."

And if we can't go through the relay, every human dies, Shepard heard Miranda's unspoken word loud and clear. So did the other two men, judging from their expressions.

Kaidan's frown deepened but said nothing. Neither did Garrus.

She certainly shared Kaidan's concern...

"Commander," Miranda probed. "We've come this far..."

They had, hadn't they?

"One hell of a ride," Garrus commented under his breath.

"Tell me about it..." Shepard mumbled back.

From the Gates of Hell, to the cold operating table, to here in her new Normandy. She was revived to do one thing, and one thing only: To stop the Collectors. The IFF was just another risk she had to take to do her job, and she had taken so many she'd lost count.

"I'm with you, Aerin," Kaidan told her quietly. "No matter what. You know that."

To that, Garrus nodded in agreement. "You know I'm ready. Just point and I'll shoot. Let's bring the fight to them."

For a moment, Shepard looked between those those two men. Geth, Benezia, Saren, Sovereign, and now Collectors. They had been through it all together. And they could do it again, couldn't they?

Yes, they could. They had to.

Shepard steeled herself and ordered, "EDI, install the IFF."

And so she rolled the dice once more. How many times could she get lucky before she ran out of luck? Shepard didn't want to find out.

"It may take several hours before the IFF ready for shake down," said EDI. "I will alert you as soon as it is ready."

"Head back to Omega, Joker," said Shepard. "It's time to end this."

A/N: And so ended all the loyalty missions. I've been waiting to write the next two chapters when things hit the fan. It'll be different, and it'll be fun (at least for me to write).

Thanks for following this story, and thanks for reading! And a special thanks to bluemerlin who always leave words of encouragement every time. I appreciate your support, thank you!

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