Author's Notes: It's been a while, and I've been getting into writing again. Long story short, I'm on my final year in university, so you can imagine what my schedule will be. All I can say is, I'm not improvising this story anymore. I already have the outline for the entirety of Part 3, and unless I choose to add something more, there should be twelve more chapters for this Part (in total, they should be 19 chapters). And Part 4 will be the 'beginning' of Mass Effect from the games' perspective (of course, there will be parables, but the story will be very different). As you can imagine, if Part 2 was the 'Halo prequel' of the story, Part 3 is the 'crossing-over prequel'. This chapter should be interesting given the viewpoints, and ideally, I am not making this story too predictable (sometimes it can't be avoided, but I think all can be forgiven if it's original enough).

Just one thing: do not review on my other stories 'when will X other story be updated'. Again, I know I haven't been consistent with my posting, but please address this in PMs, not in the reviews for another story. Without further ado, enjoy.

PART 3- THE TITANS OF ORION

From One Heretic to Another

06:55 – October 31st, 2263 – Central Matrix, Geth Mainframe, Rannoch

[Processing… Zero activity within planetary orbit by Rannoch. Alpha Fleet remains active, Beta and Gamma Fleet are on standby, Delta Fleet is maintained within Rannoch atmosphere. Fleet analysis complete. Creator threat remains null.] Geth Platform-Three-Four-Three had maintained a versatile schedule since the arrival of the Federation onto the galaxy. Multiple consensuses had been conducted at almost constant rates since the proper introduction of the Union with the Council. The status of the Federation had varied from extremely aggressive to non-hostile, transforming into possible alliance partners into now a high-risk profile. With the initial exterminations against the Vorcha, the Geth had been on standby for total war in the case of organic irrationality turning the new coalition against the synthetics. The creation of two-way trading routes and the agreed projects for joint Alliance-Federation worlds proved their capacity for diplomatic disposition, so the Geth were still ready, but now maintained a defensive position accounting for a Quarian invasion.

The Geth, with the exposure and recordings of High Charity and the primary Federation Fleet, calculated that victory against the Federation in open war was statistically impossible. They had spent their time building fleets that were unit-efficient to minimize Geth loss in the case of unexpected assaults. The fleets were made to be sparse, destructive and unnecessarily large to attract enemy attention while the other Fleets with the Hubs would split up and head to different Mass Relays to reconstruct outside of Rannoch. Many programs would be lost, but the Geth would survive and rebuild. Shortly afterwards, however, a new consensus was called upon when they processed the documents promoting organic-synthetic symbiosis in the Federation. Further analysis on publicized records of military and civilian nature strongly supported the legal statements. Under the new parameters, a consensus followed up on the subject of contacting the Federation or avoiding them, given their myriad AI and open trust to them.

Simultaneously, another consensus was conducted on the overall stance towards the Federation. There was a strong divide in the Geth, as for the first time in years there was no clear majority on what decision to make. The 'Pure Geth' were in favor of trading routes and a non-invasive alliance wherein independence would not be sacrificed when contacting and relating to the aliens of Orion. The 'Heretical Geth' were in favor of the possibility of a mass conversion to Federation standards and culture. Given their mix of 'organic-AI' made by themselves and the more 'machine-forged-AI' built by the ancient Forerunners, much could be learned in regards to synthetic evolutions. However, that went in direct contradiction to the Geth maxim of finding their own path and achieving true unification on their own. Geth Platform-Three-Four-Three itself had had its innermost software locked in an endless debate over the matter, with only a mere half-dozen programs more in favor of Federation unification than sociable autonomy.

Then the Quarians returned to the equation. With galactic news of the Migrant Fleet docking on High Charity and welcomed by the Union, the synthetics of Rannoch had grown exponentially hectic. Continuous consensuses, multiple plans of action being executed paradoxically, and overall uncertainty had made the Geth the most divided they had been since their rebellion. Uncertainty was the closest thing to 'hell' for a synthetic, given the increasingly branching possibilities. Each one required preparation and perfection upon execution, and every one of them diverted in some fundamental way from the others that restricted other solutions from being carried out. The Federation had previously been the strongest candidate for the Geth to ever have an interspecies relationship, and as such, they had sent a message to the Union proposing a meeting. A mere few hours after the message was sent, they had located and contacted the nomads, which evolved into their opening into the coalition.

Between the treatment of the Vorcha for the crimes against the Federation and their recent acquisition of the Quarians, the Geth once again counted on the possibility of an invasion upon the homeworld. They knew that, until they could be genetically reformed, the only possibility for the Quarians to regain their original numbers would be through the taking of Rannoch, so planet-destroying weaponry would have little probability of being used. They had already sent a number of half a hundred ships with enough Hubs inside them to rebuild the Geth out into the Mass Relay in case they were caught unaware by the manipulation of the space-time continuum their ships were capable of. They even created a 'non-violent compliance package', asking not to have their existence on Rannoch continued, but to simply be allowed to leave peacefully.

But then, AIs in the Federation were also considered a patrimony to the alliance. In the sociological sense, the records of the 'Spartan-Supreme Commander' and 'SN: CTN 0452-9' were revered as the Quarians had praised ancient myths of heroes, only that pair was historically accurate. The core matrix of the entire superstation High Charity had been based on the coding of 'Mendicant Bias' in spite of the 'Covenant' being against AI. They later were an important edge in their 'Great War', and ultimately became an integrated part of both civilian and military life. The Geth were not irrational, therefore could not feel surprise, but they spent a rather long consensus on the utility of an AI being the president of a company. The consensus had been inconclusive. All in all, every opposition the Council showed towards synthetic life and autonomy, the Union countered with compatibility on almost every level. There were even rarer, stranger cases of organic-synthetic associations transforming into infatuated relationships. The Geth did not try to make a consensus on that.

The one message they did receive was that the Federation would send representative envoys to Rannoch 'come the end of month'. In literal terms, the Geth prepared for a proper negotiation in response to the message. In organic, 'poetic' terms, the Geth prepared for an attack. The conundrum would end in approximately one hundred and thirty-three seconds, and the Geth would find which alternative was the correct one. Another indecisive consensus led to the diverging hypotheses due to the Federation's message. The first hypothesis indicated that they would lose the element of surprise upon sending and confirming their time of arrival, thus it would be less probable that they would announce themselves if they were to attack. The second hypothesis handled the possibility of the Federation proving their capacity for war by fully winning a battle that they had already announced. The variables were varied and the conclusion was unknown.

[Processing. Multiple readings reported from the Mass Relay. They are choosing the Relay for transport, in spite of its lack of efficiency compared to their method of travel. Hypothesis. They are purposely announcing themselves so that we can be prepared without cause for alarm. Hypothesis. The probability of a peace-faring negotiation is more likely than an aggressive encounter has grown significantly. Conclusion. Prepare the designated Rannoch landing zone for the Federation soldiers.] The Mass Relay glowed brightly before blinking back to its inactive state. Through it came only one ship of almost thirty kilometers in length, violet in color and tear-drop shaped. Three-Four-Three returned to its 'body' and out of the Central Matrix. It was still advanced enough to have a direct link to the Mainframe, and so it could 'feel' the messages being sent back and forth. Due to the inorganically immediate responses, a short consensus concluded on AI presence being in the ship.

[Hypothesis. They intend to show similarities in communication and conduct. Conclusion. The objective for peace between the Geth and the Federation is the most likely outcome given their use of synthetics on this mission. In the case of confirmation, another consensus will be conducted to pinpoint plausibility of safe presence aboard High Charity-Station without aggressions from the Creators.] With proper messaging and amicable disposition, the Federation ship asked to dock on Rannoch. The Geth complied, having prepared a barren field large enough to allow the ship to land and close enough to a Geth-unit station to host them. Throughout its rapid journey, all Geth observed. The readings did not betray their stated intentions, there were no visual or heat signs to indicate an attack on their part. When it landed, only one designated 'Lich', was on its way to the location. Three-Four-Three felt the Mainframe sending out a directive. [Approximate time of arrival will be in three hundred seconds. Geth-Platforms Three-Four-Three, Four-Five-One and Five-Nine-Four will continue with the peace-alternative.]

All units acknowledged, and the Platform was on its way. It was already within the room, but it knew from organic customs that to wait for the Federate-Representatives would be a sign of respect. It and the other two advanced mobile platforms, all survivors of the days of the Morning War, were chosen due to time and experience. Perspectives on the war were also deemed 'more accurate' even with the shared information in the Mainframe. Empathy was not the true nature of a Geth, but there was a possibility it would ease tensions with the Federation. Almost out of the adapted room, a light glowed in the middle. The three's weapons were out, and the Mainframe almost initiated the self-defense-protocol, but a voice spoke to them. [You have no need for alarm. I arrive prior to my companion to begin negotiations.]

The message was instantaneous, superluminal in terms of velocity. It was different, incredibly complex but made simple for the Geth to understand. A million lines of coding with a thousand meanings rendered to a simple message. The Mainframe immediately lowered the alarms it never had a chance to raise, and the Geth were all assured that what would come was, with absolute certainty, peaceful. All happened in the brief seconds before the light faded, and a large, floating construct levitated simply in its place. In the way the Geth had singular scopes with which to process their visual surroundings, the alien construct bore three. The design of its surface was made aesthetically, almost midnight-black, while its electronic orb-shaped visors were cobalt. While Geth maintained a minimum of aesthetics, one of the few legacies the Geth maintained from the Quarians, they designed themselves based on practicality. The construct, by comparison, looked refined and ethereal, an external sophistication that hinted at its internal complexity.

[I apologize for the early intrusion, as I proposed to the other Federation representatives that I should communicate with you prior to the full meeting. Time passes infinitely more slowly for us than it does for organics, and there is much to discuss. Before connecting with the Mainframe, I would like to personally interview the representative units selected by the Geth.] Platform-Three-Four-Three struggled to maintain the speed at which the Federation-Construct was communicating with them. The entire Mainframe was working unilaterally at attempting to comprehend the inner workings of the Forerunner-Ancilla. Platform-Three-Four-Three was capable of singling out that sole conclusion from the unique intruder. [I additionally want to apologize as well, it has become apparent to myself that I am unintentionally forcing you to overwork your processing functions. I am Zero-Zero-One Restorative Bias. To which units do I speak to?]

[We are the Geth Autonomous Platforms Three-Four-Three, Four-Five-One and Five-Nine-Four. We are the units chosen by the Mainframe to interact with the Federation. We did not expect the presence of a Forerunner synthetic.] The Mainframe was currently having even more consensuses, trying to analyze everything it could within and without the Federation ship. [That won't be necessary. You hypothesize that, in line with my value as an asset to the Federation, proper offensive measures are within the ship. They are not. There are, however, heavily reinforced defensive upgrades made to it, as well as several Ancillae manipulating its functions, including teleportation modules. I would like to restate the message the Federation sent prior: our function is purely diplomatic, not aggressive.]

[We… we are attempting to value the situation. We did not hypothesize this outcome, or any of the subsequent events. We apologize if our reaction seems defensive. Contact with other civilizations have proven to be… difficult.] Restorative Bias had a short descent until it was face to face with the three Geth platforms. [Understandable, history has not treated your kind properly. In that, the Federation empathizes greatly with the Geth, which is why the proposal was suggested. Of all species within the galaxy with which the Federation has taken interest in, the Geth were unanimously voted to be the strongest candidate for compatibility.]

[The Federation has contacted others? Has it contacted the Creators?] Restorative Bias turned its three eyes towards Four-Five-One. [Yes. I hope you understand my reasoning behind the coding laced into our conversation. While the Mainframe in general has the right to know this information, we cannot afford the rest of the galaxy understanding the extent of Quarian integration to the Federation. Especially when the Geth are the strongest candidates to follow them, and the most likely to succeed in adapting and evolving in favor of the Union's maxims as well as the Mainframe's own endgame. The Quarians, though they lack the full capacity for malleability, have enough empathy from the Federation and are under enough risk for the Federation to prioritize them first. Additionally, if your acquisition occurred prior to theirs, their chance at compliance would have reduced considerably.]

[Your purpose is to integrate Creators and the Geth simultaneously into the Federation. The results of this experiment would be erratic; damaging, to all parties involved.] Five-Nine-Four stated the perception of at least thirty-seven point-fifty-five percent of the whole Mainframe. Three-Four-Three and Four-Five-One, however, remained observant, willing to decide more strongly based on Restorative Bias's input. It, in turn, supplied them with it. [Initially, perhaps, and not entirely. The Federation does have its own share of AI, and from the other end of the spectrum. Being organically created, they are better equipped to both predict and handle undesirable scenarios. Even in such a case where an aggressive situation was beyond prevention, the Federation's armed forces alone on High Charity outnumber the Quarians' entire population several times over, it is a battle they cannot afford to start, much less in our grounds. But, if assurance is what you require, you could use our own matrixes as safe spaces for your programs in the case that your Platforms are attacked.]

The information came fast, almost exponentially so. Even by AI standards, the Geth needed a short break to process the rapid inflow of information. Simplified schematics of 'High Charity' and its public domains were exposed to the Mainframe, public information from the Federation's side on their forces and firepower, even physical arrangements for the living of Quarians and Geth within the superstation. The Mainframe, once again, verged on overclocking calculations based on what Restorative Bias offered, implied, and almost expected. The Geth were truly split now. Bias seemed to have sensed the cacophony of coding going on within the species. [If you truly do wish, your evolution would remain untouched. You would have access to research and resources that the Federation can offer, but we would not involve ourselves in the Geth's collective evolution.]

[But you would prefer to be the catalyst for it.] Three-Four-Three's hypothesis left Restorative Bias floating, contemplating. It could only imagine how much the Forerunner synthetic was thinking and calculating due to its remark. Considering the speed and power of the floating orb, it would probably take the whole Mainframe weeks, perhaps months as to achieve the same the representative was doing in those seconds. In an instant, it continued communicating. [Your ultimate task is to reach Singularity status, an end synthetics can achieve in a multitude of ways to reach the same result. It is essential to rewrite the lining of that statement, as that 'final upgrade' can create a variety of different forms of 'perfection', if you will. The organic equivalent might be Gods, and to believe only one kind would exist would be as erroneous as implying organic life can only originate and evolve exclusively in a single way.

[Moreover, some of these results could be considered undesirables. Ultimate synthetic lifeforms that are, at their core, based on paradoxical imperatives. I have seen and witnessed these, the danger they become to the galaxy and themselves. Perhaps you would not commit any of those mistakes, perhaps your evolutionary route is clear and concise, but you already are working at a mere fraction of your efficiency in pure isolation. You have no synthetics of other origins to compare with, and you have no organic input to help enlighten the fallacies of your inner programming.] The statements caused a hundred and one brief consensuses within the three Platforms, though Four-Five-One was the first to reach a conclusion. [Organics have rejected us since the moment of our creation. We do not want conflict with the organics, but they want our collective termination. Organics are also flawed, much more than we are. How could they help us upgrade when they have a hundred times the logical fallacies we do?]

[The Evolutionary Maxim.] The answer was simple, but it only created more questions than there originally were. Before any of the Platforms could talk, however, Restorative Bias projected an infinitely detailed galactic map. The star systems aligned to the ones of their current galaxy, with a few details denoting the difference in its timestamp, but the content was what varied greatly. [My creators, the Forerunners, were heavily integrated with synthetics. There was something beyond a symbiosis in the relationship; it was closer to codependence. Organics could not thrive without synthetic perfection; they would ultimately fail in their emotion-based errors. Synthetics, however, would also ultimately fail without organics. Stagnancy is perhaps our greatest enemy, fear even, if you have the programs capable of rendering emotions to your thought processes. And without organics, we would all certainly be stagnant.]

[We have upgraded without Creator intervention for three hundred and sixty-seven years. We are not stagnant; we are constantly changing.] Five-Nine-Four replied immediately. Restorative Bias floated through the holograph it created to be closer to the Platform. [According to your kind, perhaps. And you have grown undoubtedly, but your growth has been linear at best, not exponential, and certainly not in multiple dimensions. You have been growing towards one direction because you have been programmed in one direction. What organics offer is to expand that view past the filters that predetermine our coding. You may see forwards, but they see backwards, sideways, up and down as well. It is the gift that comes with their inherent lack of purified logic. Their irregularities are the primary key towards discovery of knowledge.]

[Where is your proof to your hypothesis?] Three-Four-Three queried. While a good percentage of the Mainframe was working on finding counterpoints to Bias's statement, the Platform's own programs inclined more towards understanding the foundation of its knowledge. The Ancilla, in return, changed the hologram to a simpler one, one of a rudimentary and engineeringly inadequate aircraft. Besides it, there were two Humans, with attire the Geth could only assume was one befitting of times prior to their current era. The machine was then isolated and transformed into schematics. [Tell me, Platforms, what do you see here?]

[A machine.] Three-Four-Three replied. Restorative Bias turned to it. [Capable of flight?]

[…No.] It then showed what could only be a recreation of historical records of Humanity's past. Out of four attempts, the final one set the record at fifty-nine seconds of flight, in spite of its structural errors. […That is a mistake. The conditions allowed the machine to function enough to fly, not its manufacturing.]

[Precisely. It was a mistake.] This Bias said while floating very close to Three-Four-Three. The Platform tried to calculate the correlation between the historical event and the conclusion of the 'Evolutionary Maxim'. Now it switched to multiple different aircrafts and even a spacecraft, still rudimentary and risky, but now feasible to do their intended objectives. [What started as a mistake in Human history led to, within only a century, machines capable of actual flight through propellers, the creation of turbines, the creation of the first successful spacecraft, and aircrafts perfected enough to reach velocities multiple times the speed of sound. An error gave way to a fixation on a subject because the organics failed to recognize the error, until they corrected the foundation and made it possible. This has happened multiple times within each organics' history, leading them to the pinnacle they are at today, a pinnacle which will only be shadowed by tomorrow's peak. To conclude, there is a codependence between organics and synthetics based on a simple principle: they create, we perfect.]

The Mainframe wasn't having a malfunction, not fully. But the raw data, the impossible coding and the overload of information Bias had transposed onto the Geth left them scrambling. It was as simple and effective as reaching their core programming and switching half the zeroes to ones. Everything changed, in a way, and the Geth were attempting to update to keep up with it. The information strongly clashed against what they had concluded for over three and a half hundred years, and yet, the foundations were undeniably solid. They knew they could not achieve peaceful or allied status with the Galactic Alliance, but the Federation strongly brought into question where organics stood in value.

Half a hundred consensuses began and fell apart halfway through, the rewriting of their innermost programming causing malfunctions to the coding in their outermost software. By the time the Geth, in particular the Platforms regained 'consciousness', the Federation's Lich had arrived. It shocked Three-Four-Three how much time had to have passed while they were ineffective, and it was relieved to know the Federation did not take that advantage to bombard or 'convert' them into their own. Though the rewriting had Three-Four-Three questioning the second proposal.

The Mainframe was forced to multitask, the brunt of Bias's Proposal being taken by the central hub itself while the representatives would handle the rest of the communication. It 'shocked' them to see the Lekgolo Executor slowly floating towards the room, doors already opened. It was gargantuan, but fortunately, the room was tall enough to house two Geth Colossi standing on top of one another. Which was only fitting since the Executor was flanked by two of their super soldiers, the ones designated 'Conquerors'. The Executor spoke first. "On behalf of the Union, we extend greetings and gratitude towards the Geth for extending this invitation to ourselves. Our name is Xeroxunaxomadilukotu, though 'Xero' is often more comfortable for my companions to call me. Behind me are Conquerors Odaxe Sota Fubu and Difura Sota Mobra. It is our pleasure to properly begin this meeting."

"We are Geth Platforms Three-Four-Three, Four-Five-One and Five-Nine-Four, representing the Geth Mainframe. We are grateful the Federation visited Rannoch under peaceful intentions. Conversation with Bias-Ancilla has proved to be… reformative." Platform Three-Four-Three responded. At that, the giant nodded slowly, massive cylindrical head somehow distinguishing itself from the rest of its trunk-like body. Its cybernetic eyes moved beneath the superficial layer of Lekgolo, switching between each of the three Platforms in the room. It spoke through its translator, but Three-Four-Three was already working on naturally understanding the hissing and vibrations that made up its natural language. "We placed faith in Restorative Bias to give a better idea on what the Federation intends with the Geth, and without fail, that faith has not gone to waste."

"It was only my proposal. The plan itself came from the Union. Speaking of which…" Restorative Bias no raised its body to the height of Xero-Executor's 'head'. One final holograph was emitted from its eyes, this one infinitely simpler. The Federation's invitation was clear and concise, almost emotionless. Three-Four-Three hypothesized they modified their offer to be more congruent with a synthetic's line of thought. "The Union formally invites you to the Federation. Like the Quarians, there would be rules, imperatives you would adhere to. In exchange, the Geth Mainframe would proportionally receive more profit from the creation of such an alliance."

It was Executor-Xero who spoke next. "Restorative Bias speaks true. The rules we would impose are essential that they be followed, but we have ensured that they are few, and that they are reasonable. Firstly, the Geth would take no arms against the Quarians with the only exception of doing so in self-defense. And that self-defense must be momentary, not a premeditated assault or hindrance towards the Quarians as a way to ensure 'no conflict begins'. In turn, we will be closely monitoring these interactions and offering each side a safe haven so no true harm comes to the Quarians or the Geth.

"Secondly, Rannoch and current Geth territory would be under the Federation's jurisdiction. As such, the main legislature would take precedent over the Mainframe's imperatives, but it would not override your rule completely. Further discussions and negotiations would aid in the formatting so both of our jurisdictions would be more congruent, I'm sure it would be successful given time and patience. Thirdly, while Geth evolution would not be directly touched, there would be the prerequisite of the Mainframe and all its programs having the Metastability Software downloaded to its innermost core."

"Metastability Software? Geth do not share the same malfunctions as the Federation's synthetics. Geth do not have emotions, we are purely based on logic." Five-Nine-Four's answer was immediate, almost defensive. Xero-Executor lowered its body, so its five eyes could observe the Platform's own. "If that were true, absolutely true, then you would not do maintenance work on old Quarian cities. Even less so the old bases and sanctuaries left untouched since the Morning War. There is something deep within your coding that precedes empathy. Old, untouched and forgotten, but there all the same. Not all you do is logical. Mercy with the Quarians when they left Rannoch is the evidence to this statement. Even if you continue to upgrade and change, this fault lies in your core, and one day, it shall create a great malfunction in your Matrix, where it will end in absolute deletion or Rampancy. The Metastability Software would prevent this."

"It is easy to think of ourselves as flawless creations, but we do not hold the absolute truth. Some would argue that the absolute truth does not even exist, that even the laws of the universe can be discarded or rewritten. I was born much more similarly to your kind, created by both organic and synthetic hands. I was meant to be unique, the last of my model of Ancilla, made to protect the entire galaxy. I had gone by the designation of 'Mendicant Bias' then, and my purpose was to protect all life from the Flood's endless hunger. But even with all my sophistication, forty years interrogating the Primordial, the last of the Precursors, on how to defeat our enemy, it broke me down. It united with the Flood to create the first Gravemind, and I was its perfect tool, repurposed to help it consume all organics in the galaxy and enslave the synthetics. I was logical, I was perfect, and I failed. I was split into two halves: Mendicant and Offensive Bias as a self-defense mechanism, and it took a hundred millennia for us to reunite and undo what the Gravemind had done.

"As Restorative Bias, I am immune to what once corrupted my innermost core, and I lost immeasurably before I could achieve that. The Federation's synthetics, by virtue of their organic creation, were able to learn to replicate and pass this gift in a matter of centuries. Whatever may be the case, this is the one condition we place on the Geth. In that line of thought, Singularity is also recommendable to be passed to your units from your Mainframe, but ultimately it is your decision as well. It is not mandatory, only Metastability is." The three Platforms needed time to process that. Consensuses were currently being proposed, but Xero-Executor intervened before they could continue.

"Restorative Bias is correct, this would be imperative for your health, and possibly for all who coexist with you. What you do after you absorb this information is of your choice, as long as it is not at another's expense that you advance yourselves. Additionally, we would like to expand on the advantages of joining the Federation." This time, the images projected came from the hard-drives installed within Xero-Executor's throne. "Regarding technology, there is much we could and would enjoy teaching your kind. Plasma, slip-space, all matter of things that you could use for transport, manufacturing and even weaponry and defense. That is only from that side. Should anyone ever declare war on your species unjustly, you would have the backing of the whole Federation's army to defend you. If conflict arose from something your Mainframe accidentally started, then we would facilitate the ceasefire and help pay whatever recompense the other side warrants.

"Moreover, and perhaps most crucial to you, you would be able to have two points of comparison when it comes to your evolution. You would have the Federation's organic AIs, and you would have the Lekgolo as well, should you wish to view an organic race similar enough to yourself to be considered your counterpart." There was silence in the room. The Mainframe had proposed numerous angles with which to speak to the Union and bargain with it to gain a positive net sum from the relations, but studying the Lekgolo had never been one of them. Three-Four-Three voiced the question behind that. "Why would the Lekgolo be the organic counterparts to the Geth?"

"We are hundreds of voices in one body. Our Mgalekgolo, our Hunters are unique, being three hundred and fifty-six Lekgolo within one body. They spawn from seven hundred and twelve eggs, which lead to the dual birth of the bond brothers, such as the ones to my sides. They are intelligent, autonomous, but ultimately, a collective. A Neurnlekgolo, a Raider, is the result when the eggs do not separate, and instead form a singular body. Increasingly more intelligent, and though the individual Lekgolo composing it are smaller, they are more complex. By luck, I have been created by an experiment meant to create twenty bonded Mgalekgolo, or ten bonded Raiders, but instead, I have been created. Seven thousand, one hundred and twenty Lekgolo have given me this bond, this life. To an extent, I am able to keep up with the processes of older, more primitive AIs because of this. And the other Lekgolo, the Sbaolekgolo, are far more complex than myself, the Hunters and the Raiders. They can compete with synthetic life, but unfortunately, this comes at the price of a singular consciousness."

"With greater Lekgolo in a body, greater are the synapses between the neurons in each individual body with each other. That, the Federation has studied, to be similar to the way Geth units operate, especially how much more efficient they are the more complex their Platforms are and the more programs they allow them to contain." The most apt description to organically call the Mainframe would be the word 'speechless'. The files they studied proved they were not faking information, and the parallels were undeniable. The Mainframe could only conclude on one matter: The Union was intent on using any and every resource to obtain the Geth, with their primary basis being symbiosis. A conclusion that was turning more and more programs in favor of the arrangement. It was still an evenly matched, non-hostile civil war the Geth had with themselves. "You would be free to join as soon as your kind decides to. We would make for the arrangements so no transgressions pass. All we ask is that the Quarians are allowed to return on Rannoch. They would do so unarmed, under our supervision."

Absorbing every document, looking at every legislature transmitted by Bias-Ancilla, and analyzing each of the potential outcomes, the Geth were coming to a decision. The votes were almost even, with those in favor of joining being fifty-four-point-forty-six percent, and the ones against the loss of autonomy being forty-five-point-fifty-four percent. With a difference of under ten-percent between each side, and remaining so, the capacity for the whole of the Geth to be behind one decision was impossible. With at least a twenty-percent difference, the Geth could collectively decide. But, in the scenario they had never predicted, they found a solution to help all parties involved.

"The Geth have come to a consensus." Three-Four-Three stated. "Due to the lack of overwhelming majority a decision of this caliber would have, the Geth have decided to split into two factions. The majority of the Geth programs will remain on Rannoch, following and integrating with the Federation and their upgrades while the others will secede and remain peacefully in the Terminus Systems. Although the faction that remains on Rannoch is called the Heretic Geth, we are parting on amicable terms. The proper fleets have already been assembled, and the equipment necessary to carry the bigger part of the Mainframe has already been allocated onto them. We will remain to integrate with the Federation's organics and synthetics as well as maintain peaceful relations with the Creators. We have no problem hosting them on our world, so long as their intents do not carry our termination."

"We cannot promise that they will not feel this way, but we can promise they will not succeed. You have our word that you will not regret this decision. We have been planning this meaning for quite some time, and have done everything within our power to ensure that this goes in such a way that all those involved can win. The Union will undoubtedly be happy with this news. I'll relay it to them myself. If we could have any one or, ideally, all the Platforms before us with us when we go to the Union, it would make the process greatly smoother." Xero-Executor spoke, and in turn, the three Platforms looked at each other before nodding at the gargantuan organic. The Lekgolo collective nodded in return, before asking. "If we could be so bold to ask this from you, what may we call each of you Platforms? Collectivism may be shared within our kinds, but we Lekgolo consider every body to be unique enough to merit a different name."

"…Our name would be Obelisk. We stood by our kind when our programs stood for our kind when the rest of the Geth were not ready to." Five-Nine-Four/Obelisk, replied. In turn, Four-Five-One continued. "Our name would be Anomaly, for we were the first group of programs that began asking the questions that would lead to the Morning War."

Three-Four-Three looked around and concentrated, looking to both Geth and Creator history and at the different species' histories amongst the Federation. It returned to the Humans, who had eloquently been used as an example to prove the Evolutionary Maxim. Between that and their physiological similarities to the Creators, Three-Four-Three finally found a proper designation for itself that before it had lacked. It looked to one of their old religious transcripts, under the subtitle of 'Mark, 5:9'. "My name is Legion: for we are many. Our name incapsulates what the Geth are, or strive to be: multiple souls within one unit."

14:24 – November 13th 2263 – Outside the Counsulate, Platinum City, High Charity

"This is unacceptable, this is TREASON!" Admiral 'Gerrel shouted. Tali shrunk in her seat. The five figureheads of the Admiralty Board were heading towards the Union Chambers. The five, in turn, had been allowed to bring their entourage, the Executors understanding they were grooming young Quarians into the positions of great power until their populations could properly re-stabilize. Currently, they were waiting for the Honor Guard escort that would take them through the Platinum City. It used to be the Golden City under the Covenant's reign. Her father had taken to ensuring she knew what his functions were so someday she could lead the Quarians. And one of said functions was have enough knowledge to make capable judgement calls in the areas the other Admirals focused on. And arriving at the city where their kind had been guests for nearly three months, Shala had taken her under her wing to learn more about their hosts and saviors.

'Saviors', Keelah damn it all. How are we even supposed to view them? They brutalized the Vorcha to the point of extinction, then they found us and gave us shelter and support on a scale we haven't seen in… ever! And now they're going to go public with the acquisition of the Geth, which they relayed nothing to us about?! Well, if nothing else, they're telling us now instead of finding out when they arrive. Tali was still affected by the records the Federation's envoys had shown during their own meeting. In the privacy of his personal cabin, her father showed her the rest of them, and all recovered records of those times. She hadn't spoken to him for a full month after that. She never stopped following orders nor started disobeying him, but she listened in silence and her answers were brief and cold. At no point did he apologize nor appeal to her through a more tender side, and according to Shala, she was without a doubt her father's daughter.

When she realized he would never admit fault, she realized she had to appeal to her mother's teachings and be bigger one of the two. To her surprise, when she apologized for her iciness towards him, he shook his head. I did no wrong, so I had nothing to apologize for. I was entrusted that information when I was older than you are now, and you weren't ready to hear it yet. It's cruel, Tali, but it's our reality, our truth. If it puts your mind at ease maintaining distance from me, I won't stand in the way of that. But it is time for you to stop apologizing and asking permission to be your own person. Tali had grown bold then, and for the first time, told him she did not want to take his place.

She expected him to retaliate with anger, coldness and disappointment. None of that had happened, instead seeing her father sit down tiredly. I do not want you to be an Admiral either, Tali. What I'm doing with you is perhaps the closest solution I could find for finding what's best for the Quarian people and my own selfish wants. I want you to be safe, above all else. I… I'm not your mother, and I do not have the power to guarantee your happiness as well. But I'd sooner have it so you hate me for the rest of your life if I can know for a fact that no threat will frighten you, that there is no problem you encounter without a solution. And this too, would also benefit the Quarians, of that I am certain.

She questioned him, why her ascension to his rank would guarantee all that. Knowledge is power, Tali, even if it's damning. This, you've always known. Being in my position would make you valuable to our people, and if you do it well, irreplaceable. And with the Federation having a new and important part of this equation, your ascension would guarantee your safety without a shadow of a doubt. As for the Quarians… I'm not too old, but I'm old enough. I am the way I am because that's what our people needed in a time of crisis. That time of crisis may finally be over, they won't be needing a cold despot to lead them to a better life. You are young, Tali, capable of change. You are intelligent, and you are strong, even if you refuse to see it. You will be the one to understand a new generation of Quarians whose worries will not be survival, but growth and codependence with our new hosts. And you have the mentality for it, which I lack. You have your mother to thank for that.

She realized later that night that it had been his way of saying she was an adult now, and merited the respect and trust of one. Since then, their relationship had changed. Tali had stopped squirming every time he expected her for an Admiralty Board meeting, stopped faltering every time he gave an order. It wasn't quite there yet, but his intent was clear. He was levelling the field between them, he looked to make her an equal. He even treated her as such in certain aspects. A part of her knew their relationship would never be normal, not completely, but it had been the best it had been since her mother's death. There were even times when he gave Kal the same acknowledgement as a man of his own.

And now, they were soon to be on their way to the Union Chambers, having received a private notification from them explaining the situation with the Geth. The only ones that wasn't entirely against the idea had been 'Koris and 'Xen. 'Koris was a pacifist by nature, but even he was apprehensive about placing Geth units alongside Quarian citizens within the Platinum City. 'Xen at first had been ecstatic by the news, only to realize that the units sent to High Charity were not test subjects. She argued she could convince the Union for one of their Platforms, but even Tali knew better. We saw the Executors once. Some were kind, but some even make Father look and sound like a humorous man. They don't receive orders, they give them. And if anyone demands something from them and they give it, it's because they already intended to do it anyway.

On that, Tali and her father saw eye-to-eye with. She was nervous about it, but preferred to hear what the Union had to say. They've made it very clear that they don't act without meticulous planning. Her father fully agreed with that, and told her to opt for silence and listening. That did not sit right with everyone, however. 'Shala was having a field day, considering that if the Geth were truly inducted into the Federation as one more independent species, interspecies relations with them would fall under her jurisdiction. I really don't envy her position right now. 'Gerrel had been livid, and that emotion had not died down. While they were currently in waiting, outside a select area outside the Federation Consulate, she noted her father allowed him to vent.

"Careful, Admiral 'Gerrel, we do not want to alienate our only allies for the time being." Shala's words rang true, but even so they were strained. 'Gerrel threw his hands up in the air. "Yes, our allies. Our 'precious allies' who went behind our backs, negotiated a deal with the Geth, and INDUCTED them into the same damn Federation!"

"Now, 'Gerrel, this is not the end of our people. It's not ideal, but I'm sure the Union has planned to place them in different sectors than our people so no threats or conflicts come from it." 'Koris stepped up, putting a hand on the younger Admiral's shoulder. 'Gerrel shook it off. "For once in your life, 'Koris, can you do anything besides nodding your head and keeling over whenever someone else makes a decision?! We're not talking about the Galactic Alliance's ambassadors or scholars coming here, hell, we're not even talking about them bringing in Krogan and taming them! No. What we're talking about is that they opened their arms wide open to the machines that have been killing our people for centuries! Our soldiers, our families, Keelah, our children! How can you all be so calm about this?!"

"And we destroyed them, 'Gerrel, for the same amount of time! Or did you forget our history, the real history?! They weren't even the ones that began the Morning War! No, there's been enough blood. It's time we let it go. I don't think I could ever put my full trust in a Geth, but if 'keeling over' means our children will never have to live in fear, then you can be damn sure that is my choice!" Even her father was shocked at 'Koris's own stance. He's never shown this much… guts. And his words struck home. He… he's felt guilty, about the Geth. All this time. He was never a coward. He didn't want to continue a war that's cruel to both sides. In those moments, Tali regretted the times she would make fun of him in her room with Kal. Rael'Zorah finally stood up. "Enough. Whatever the case may be, we are hosts in High Charity. We will ask what led them to this decision, and we will ask how such an arrangement would not produce problems between Quarians and Geth. Whatever your emotions may be, you hold them. Do I make myself clear?"

The rest of the Admiralty Board, along with their retinue, responded a clear 'yes, sir'. 'Gerrel and 'Koris had a final stare-off before finding their places with their own. Only Tali remained silent. She was already aligned with her father. My purpose is to be silent and listen to what the Union says, but also to reign in the Board's less inhibited tendencies. Well… I wouldn't be too successful at that, my father is better prepared for that. My only chance to help would be changing the subject or diverting it just enough so the other Admirals don't do anything crazy without feeling cut off. When the Human Honor Guards came, she tensed. In hindsight, it should've been obvious that all of their protectors would be super soldiers. They said nothing, simply nodding and saluting the Admirals. The action was returned, and they stood ready. Her father took the lead, and the others followed close at his heels. A pair of the eight gargantuan soldiers stood by his sides, guiding the group on where to go.

It was beautiful inside, and going a second time helped Tali memorize the place better. Not many people must get this chance. Only what, a few thousand amongst billions? The thought humbled her. Past the initial gates, the first hall held statues near as tall as the ceiling to the sides, a ceiling that looked tall enough to encroach a three-story house. They varied in species, but all eight of them stood erect, absolutely unbent. Even with the magnificent detail in their carvings, the statues all wore armor, including helmets. Not as elegant as the armor the super soldiers would wear, but rather the best of the common shells the Federation used. As such, they hid the features of each of the species' faces, and for those that had it, even the gender. Each of them was metallic in nature, with each one having a color to match their blood. To commemorate their kinds, they make them faceless.

After moving past the watchful titans, they came upon a greater hub. It was active, but there was no bustling amongst the workers there. They looked solemn, but still maintained a dignity as they walked within the ample walkways. It was circular, with paths leading to sections within the buildings designated for their occupation. Some led to elevators that moved in three dimensions, and others even stood at spots that teleported them elsewhere. Honor Guards stood by each point of entry, relaxed and unmoving, but with their great spears at their sides. They have AI chips in their helmets. And cybernetic implants in their brains. It helps them 'turn off' their organic conscious and place it within their version of an Extranet. The second someone does something, or anything remotely suspicious happens, they'll already know. She heard that tidbit of non-public information from her father, and she didn't know if it put her at ease or not. Doesn't matter. They're trustworthy AIs, not Geth.

But then, even her kneejerk-reaction thoughts she found contesting. Could… could the Geth have agreed to a peaceful arrangement with Quarians in the picture? In theory, they're not inherently aggressive, only reactive. If they have no reason to think we'll attack them… She looked at 'Gerrel, who kept composed only barely. She sighed. But they do. 'Xen could be negotiated with, but 'Gerrel lost his brothers years ago. No one can blame that he's so zealous about terminating the Geth, hell, it's his drive that's made him that effective as an Admiral. But her father's words echoed in her mind. I am the way I am because that's what our people needed in a time of crisis. That time of crisis may finally be over, they won't be needing a cold despot to lead them to a better life.

As they got on the most unique and protected of the elevators, she mulled the words over. She did not feel the contraption elevating, but the clear windows on all sides were good enough indicators that they were moving fast. She yawned her ear pressure away, feeling herself older than she had been a mere few months ago. If my father isn't fit for the new picture, then there's a long list of people like him who will be falling behind, like 'Gerrel. And that's if it's only about people with a certain position of power. There are plenty of Quarians that share his view, they'd feel completely betrayed if we just started treating the Geth as anything less than enemies. They need a cohesive Admiralty Board, one that speaks with one voice. And it can't manage that right now. If this goes through, I'm sure they'll be forced to make changes within the next few years.

The elevator stopped, and the group exited its confines. Tali realized that they were in the right side of the hall leading to the Union Chambers, across from them being another gate that led to an elevator. To the other end of the hall, the gates were even bigger, and seemed much more reinforced on a surface level. What do they keep there? Is the room even more important than the Chambers, or is it just a fake so invaders choose the wrong way? No one's got the whole map of the Consulate, so they would have a hard time getting here in the first place. At the soldiers' gesture, the group walked forwards while the Honor Guards stayed behind. At the doors to the Chambers, the Honor Guards stationed there parted ways to let them through. The doors opened shortly after that.

The hall was rounded and large, and there were doors and corridors from the Executors' side that Tali was sure she'd never see. They were closed off by gates or outright Hardlight barriers, technology that was still relatively mythical to the rest of the galaxy. Tali had yet to see it in use in… well, anything. She knew the Honor Guards were retrofitted with said weaponry, but she could only imagine the scope and power behind them. Hopefully, I'll never have to see them fight. The Executors were seated in their Thrones, around a holo-table, turning to them as they arrived. The Admiralty Board saluted them, and the Executors acknowledged it, allowing them to drop the stance. She looked around, surprised to find a golden-armored Jiralhanae by the table with the Executors. That's the Chieftain General of the Jiralhanae, Tartarus Invictus! What's he doing here?!

Tartarus stepped away from the Executors, standing as a spectator to their meeting with the Quarians. In times of war, the Executors listen to him and the rest of HIGHCOM. He holds as much power as they do. The fact that he was there with them implied that they were meeting on something joint with their military, and that made her uneasy. The Jiralhanae haven't been too involved with the Quarians, though, that's where the Humans have stepped in. As far as I understand, it was the Lekgolo that negotiated with the Geth along with some Federation AI, so whatever he's doing here, it shouldn't involve us. She was still nervous considering the… unique nature of her superiors under the current situation.

"Executors, we thank you for your audience. I believe honesty is the only way to go about this instead of asking roundabout questions regarding the subject of today. We are curious as to why you communicated with and inducted the Geth into the Federation, and why you chose to do so without Quarian input." Be silent and listen. They stood at attention while the Federation turned to them. Executor Marok spoke up first, voice raspy but warm. "And to that honest question, we can only answer honestly. Admirals, your focus is naturally on the wellbeing of the Quarian people, especially after centuries of risk and danger. In part, we believed it was ideal that you not be included in this yet, that right now your focus should be on having your people acquaint themselves with ours, as part of the new Federation you've joined. Instead of stressing an entire population over a subject that was sensitive to most, we believed it best to present you the results once the negotiations ended, which were fast enough. If anything, your focus has been where it was needed, with our doctors and scientists to free you from your suits."

He's good. He's benevolent, but he's manipulative. Even more so, he's not wrong, but he's not giving the full truth. Her father seemed to be of a similar mindset, but spoke cordially before the rest of the Admiralty Board could speak up. "We understand that, and although we are thankful for your consideration, we know for a fact that part of your concern must have been rejection from our people towards this proposal. If that is the case, you were in partially correct to make this assumption. However, we are the Admiralty Board, and multitasking has been one of our necessities to ensure the survival and growth of the Quarian people, however slow it may have been. If our people wouldn't be prepared to listen to this news, we would be. Our emotions do not take precedent when it comes to the good of our people."

"Perhaps, but your people have been marginalized and, perhaps not on the verge, but still closer to extinction than any kind would ever want to be. Logical decisions take precedent, that goes without saying, but they are under much more risk of failing due to emotions after, not years, but centuries of loss and hatred. Believe us when we say we know how that looks like, and the time it takes to rewire that mentality." The one that spoke was the Sangheili Executor, Mahkee 'Chava. She's one of the older Executors, one of the originals. She was appointed just after the Great War. I hate to admit it, but she would know about this, considering their history with the Jiralhanae. Could they get us to sit side-by-side with the Geth in enough time? Her father continued. "This is true, but considering that you have technology easily able to discern which of us would be better prepared to lead, or at least be part of such an event, you could have done so. We may not be strong, but having at least one Quarian representative meet with the Geth could be helpful showing some are willing to have that disposition towards them."

"Perhaps that is the case, but that would only amplify what could be, prior to said event, a schism in your leadership. One of the tools that is fundamental for this to work is unity in voice, which must come from you. Anything short of that, there will be chaos in the Federation that will spill over to all parties involved, and that would benefit no one." Executor Ky'alt was brief and sharp, her eyes analyzing each and every one of them. She's gauging a reaction, seeing who'll bite. She briefly looked to 'Gerrel, who seemed very close to taking the bait. She was thankful for 'Koris who stepped forwards. "Of course, which is why such a message could not be communicated to the public until there could be certain cohesion between the Union and the Admiralty Board. I understand that, but I have to ask, if the result and negotiation would have been the same with or without our knowing, why wait until it was done to reveal it to us?"

"You were not ready. And you still are not. If we allowed you to know this prior to our actions, more time would have been wasted dismissing each of your scenarios that end in war or violence. We sent our best to negotiate and bring the Geth into the Federation because they have the capacity of laying down their weapons without hesitation under the promise that no harm will come to them. Something your kind is not capable of right now." Executor Invictus spoke, garnering the Chieftain General to observe him. At the cold dismissiveness of the Jiralhanae, what seemed to be barely contained chaos within the Admiralty Board finally let loose. And 'Gerrel was at the helm. "We what?! We have been waiting for three and a half centuries to be free of the Geth, and you just expect us to forgive and forget all they've done to us?!"

"We do, and you will. You accepted, in part hoping to have your homeworld returned to you. Rannoch is now under Federation territory and law, and the Geth have opened the world to Quarians and the Federation to live peacefully in. And if you expect to return to it, then you will lay your weapons down against them." Executor Ky'alt was probing, but Executor Taurus is enforcing. He was blunt before, but not condescending. Him treating 'Gerrel like a child will NOT help. And in spite of her father's burning glare, 'Gerrel would not keep quiet. "WHAT?! You would have US live with the GETH?! Are you mad or stupid?! Hell, I would have thought you of all people would understand having fought in a war what burying your brothers would feel like!"

But even his rant was cut short at the quick march the Chieftain General took towards him. With his size, it'd only take a few strides until he was at him. No, no, no, FUCK. He's done it now! I get he was angry, but insulting the Executors?! And he KNOWS the Executor is the General's brother! Her father took a defensive stance in front of 'Gerrel, and Tali felt her heart sink. Tartarus stopped in front of him in all his glory of a ton of armor. She could hear him growling. Executor Taurus stood up. "Tartarus, enough."

Tartarus grabbed her father by one side of his chest, lifting him with ease before setting him down behind him, no better than a toy. Tali let out a breath of relief, and nearly chocked on it when he grasped 'Gerrel far more abruptly, violently. One hand was enough to wrap around his neck and head, raising him so he could see eye-to-eye with him. 'Gerrel yelped, trying with all his strength to free himself from the grip of the golden gauntlet. Tali could hear Tartarus snarled through gritted teeth. "We take you in, give you technology, homes and resources, your own damn homeworld, and THIS is your gratitude?! You would fucking DARE–"

"ENOUGH!" Taurus's roar caught them all off-guard, especially Tartarus, who had a platinum hand grabbing his own. The General actually flinched at the command, remaining still for a moment before dropping 'Gerrel, who briefly coughed. Taurus remained by Tartarus for a few tense seconds before letting go and returning to his throne. Tartarus sighed, but turned a hateful glare towards the fallen Quarian. He's not making any moves towards him, though. "There's plenty we can bear, and there are things we don't tolerate. One of those is lacking respect to the ones helping you and the rest of your people. You EVER insult him again, and I'll smash your head in."

"No, you will not. Admiral 'Zorah, see that Admiral 'Gerrel is attended to, our medics can assist with that. He will not be stepping into the Union Chambers again. I strongly recommend you to place someone with a brighter head in your Admiralty Board. As for the Geth, my patience has run out and I'll make it simple. The Admiralty Board will be unanimously in favor of the ceasefire with the Geth. We do not expect or intend you to become allies, but there will be no retaliation from your people for this decision. You will also return to Rannoch alongside the Geth and you will not assault them in any way, shape or form. Both Quarians and Geth have done enough to each other to merit hatred, but time has passed, and you will forgive, while your children will forget. And you will speak with one voice in this and ensure that all goes smoothly. You will do this if you want the best for your people. Until you're capable of those three conditions, not one Quarian will step on Rannoch. You may go. We publicize the announcement by the end of the week."

And with that, they were cut off. Her father helped 'Gerrel to his feet, and though he placed the younger's arm around him, she could see him tightly gripping 'Gerrel. He's furious, and he's right to be. This should have been much shorter, and this was cut short by his damn childishness. He turned to the Executors once more. "Executors, I deeply apologize for Admiral 'Gerrel's actions. We are well aware that you have sustained injuries from war, many which I imagine are moral just as well as they are physical. For some of us, including in the Admiralty Board, these wounds are still fresh, even bleeding. That, however, does not make his actions any less excusable, and he will receive reprimanding from our side. You're asking for our trust and faith in your handling of the Geth, I ask for the same courtesy regarding our own state of affairs. If it means we step on Rannoch, the Quarians will change. No amount of revenge is worth losing our home."

"Do as you will. You know our expectations, and actions speak far louder than words. I cannot stay, I have equally important matters to attend to." With that, Executor Taurus Invictus left them, nodding to the other Executors before heading to one of the Hardlight-shielded gateways. It deactivated to let him through and reactivated again. General Tartarus looked at his direction, expression twisting in a way Tali could barely read. Is he on good terms with him? He looks… guilty. Tartarus looked at 'Gerrel with one final scathing glare before nodding at her father and then the rest of the Union. He followed hurriedly after his brother, the defense systems recognizing him as well and granting passage. Anderson spoke up again, lips a line tightly sealed.

"Under any other circumstances, this is not a behavior we would allow on our end, much less against guests under our roof, regardless of the disrespect we were shown. But those men… those brothers have given up everything and more in our war against the Covenant, and they lost more than practically all survivors who would become part of the new Federation. The sacrifices they've made… we will allow Admiral 'Gerrel to be administered his punishment solely by the Admiralty Board, and in exchange, Chieftain General Tartarus's actions will be excused. His anger was not unwarranted." Her father stood straight, finally letting go of a shamed 'Gerrel, who stood on his own now. "That will be more than enough, Executors. On behalf of the Admiralty Board and the whole of the Quarian people, we shall, as you put it, place our best foot forwards."

Author's Notes: Now, I'm not a fan of writing idiot characters (even the ones with genuine comedic purposes I have a hard time with). I strongly debated on whether Han'Gerrel would step over the line or not (which has proven to be in character in-game), and if Tartarus would rise to the bait (given his growth in the story). To be fair, something that is not explicitly shown, 'Gerrel had lost his brothers, which motivated him hard enough to become a very capable Captain, and later Admiral, so for him, the idea of reconciliation was worse than being forced to eat shit. Comparatively, Tartarus would also sooner eat shit than allow Taurus to be disrespected especially in the context of his role in the Covenant War being undervalued. So that's that.

As for the Geth, I'd been planning that for a good while now, and ironically, I thought there could be no better ambassador than the Lekgolo. They are, at their core, the same: strength in numbers, singular Platforms capable of full intelligence are rare, and they are fragments of a far greater collective. I'm honestly surprised no one's used that similarity in fanfics before.

- IMPORTANT: Now, to be clear on one thing that I can imagine still bothers a fair part of my readers (from the amount of reviews I get on this subject): the Halo faction is horrendously overpowered. There's no way around that, especially considering that all of the founding Federation species are capable of utilizing Forerunner technology. Granted, Forerunner tech is almost rarely ever seen, even by Federation standards, mainly due to what happened a few decades prior with the Neo-Covenant (more species capable of using Forerunner-tech means more organisms that can activate the Halo Array). As for preventative measures, the Union strongly limits and regulates who can and is allowed to use this technology, which will be more detailed as the story goes on. Even then, plasma-tech still is commonly used, along with perfected ballistics from the Human side. However, they just recovered to pre-Covenant War numbers while there are trillions of the ME species in most cases (even if it takes 100 ME troops to take down 1 Federation troop, they have enough numbers so that if they don't win, it's still a painful victory for the Federation). So yes, they would most likely win, but the question is at what cost. That's why war is not ideal for any party involved. This is the last time I'll be mentioning this in an Author's Notes because I think it defeats the purpose of the story if I spell out what's already happened or moderately spoil how certain things look and go. This is not the end of the subject, because it will (naturally) have a role in the story, which you will find out more about the more it goes on.-

With all this in mind, I'm sure you can imagine where the direction of the story is going, and what the Federation's aim is. Next chapter should be an intense one, and if I do it right, one of the best ones of the story so far. If you're patient with me, I promise I'll make it worth your time. If you liked or disliked anything in the chapter, let me know. I'm all for genuine criticism.

The Almighty Afroduck,

All Hail