Note of the aims/ideas of this Fanfic
1. Battle between Theocratic and Atheistic outlooks at technology.
2. Apply 40k Theories of AI to the Mass Effect Universe
3. Have fun with a Tech Priest in a highly technological society.
4. Psyker 40k Theories implemented to Mass Effect Bionics.
5. Make C4R into a Magnificent Bastard!
Looking over the reports given from the last few weeks Commander Shepard was hard pressed to find any real information. They had been high tailing it throughout the Terminus System for any signs of Geth when their entire computer infrastructure was hacked.
The frightening thing was it seemed almost all of Galaxy's network was hacked as well.
Since he was already in the Terminus System Shepard was placed as one of the several SPECTORs that were assigned to search for the origin of the signal. While analysis was hard, Shepard was told of one of the few things they were certain of.
That thing was that the signal originated from the Terminus System.
"And they did not give you any more information, besides that?" The nearby Quarian bickered as she was checking data upon her Omni-Tool.
"The Council is either way too hush-hush about this, or they really have no clue about the event." Shepard admitted as he settled into his chair, "What do you know? What's your excuse for not knowing anything?"
"You shame me to compare me to the Council's dogs." Tali'Zorah replied back as she pressed another button, "My excuse is that there is no data left behind. Viruses, especially Malware like we experienced, should have left something behind on the disks. However it seems to have wiped even Hard Drives."
"So exactly what the Council said." the Commander noted as he looked towards the star-map.
"At a basic level, yes." She assumed while pressing a few buttons, "However I was able to get something a little bit more. It seems the virus might not have affected the memory because it literally was a broadcast. Sorta like a live stream that spanned across the Galaxy."
"So you're suggesting it was not a virus?"
"That seems to be the case, at least, when it comes to the common terms of a computer virus. Viruses never originate from a broadcast as we can pinpoint exactly where the broadcast came from with external tools."
"But since the things ranging from Omnitools to refrigerators joined the broadcast we have no idea where it came from."
"Exactly."
"Surveys are in." The two turned to look towards Ashley Williams as she came in with a tablet, "I'm sending them all over to you now. Commander, do you want it uploaded to your starmap?"
"Has it already been processed by the planet?"
"That is what you requested, the estimated time everyone's computers began to go on the fritz." She answered as she pressed a few buttons.
Soon there was a variety of new values displayed upon the map, each with a time written upon them. Everyone in the room took a closer look as they tried to figure out what exactly was there.
Each was within a few minutes from the other, comulating that all the signals were received within an hour.
"Looks like they were right to think it came from the Terminus System." Tali admitted as she focused down the chart, "As we guessed, the signal followed the Relays."
"Meaning it hijacked the Extranet." Shepard shot off.
"Indeed it did. Though… Ashley, some of this information is wrong. Some of these planets have yet to be fully colonized to my knowledge."
"I cannot say where that data came from." The Military Woman admitted as she backed off from the map, "All I know is this is what the Alliance gave us."
"Well this might be the answer, Commander." Tali called out as she pointed to a spot in space, "Right there is the lowest time that was given for the event. Seems there is a relay right next to it that leads into 'nowhere'. Relay 425."
Pressing a few buttons Commander Shepard opened up the SPECTER database. He gave a grimace as he looked at the result, "That Relay has been flagged by the Citadel Council about five years ago. Reason given: 'Humanity claims it was opened before they knew of Citadel Space, however we believe it was opened post discovery of Humanity.'"
"Your people are flaking Citadel Law it seems, Shepard." Garrus Vakarian said as he walked up behind them, "I'm surprised they allowed you to become a SPECTER even with something like that on their records."
"The Council does not care if a race does something that is illegal." Tali shot back as she gave the Turian what everyone assumes is a stink eye, "It's only when it comes back to bite everyone that they really care to enforce it."
"I can agree to that." Walked in the Krogan as he carried around his shotgun, "And don't you try and protect them Garrus."
"I'm not going too, I've seen what they do." The Turian admitted as he raised his hands in a joking manner, "Learn anything about the location, Shepard?"
"Yup, it seems there have been reports of ships disappearing near it for about two months." He answered while bringing up the reports on his Omnitool, "It would make sense that they've been active for a few months, maybe the earlier broadcast was an accident."
"Or a test." Tali suggested as she rose from her seat.
"Joker!" Shepard shouted as he made his way towards the front, "Set course for Relay 425! Everyone else prepared for combat against whatever organization that broadcast was from. They probably prefer to use machines, to prepare for that."
With that the Normandy activated its faster than light systems, throwing itself through space towards the closest relay. Within moments the crew was subjected to unparalleled Faster than Light travel.
It was a few hours travel, traveling through one relay to another. Within a few moments the ship finally breached the last relay that they were looking for.
Wargear now equipped Shepard walked into the bridge and looked at the star map to confirm his suspicions, "Has anything come up from the scanners yet?"
"Yes sir!" Called out one of the junior officers, "Two systems in there is a green planet that has some plant life on it. Sending the coordinates to the Star Map now."
Shepard gave a nod, walking up to the map and giving another look at the massive display, "Can you get us there Joker?"
"Heh, there is nothing I can't do Shepard." The Pilot cheered as he engaged the FTL Drive, "You better get to the drop bay, we will be there in ten."
"Good job everyone." The Commander answered back before quickly leaving the room and to the elevator. He pressed a few buttons on his Omnitool to activate the coms, "Tali, Garrus, you two are on me. We are arriving in ten and I want to be on the surface by the half."
With that he arrived. Quickly the SPECTER got out his equipment and started looking over his gear. The Avenger Combine was a must have followed by a M-560 Hydra for what was surely going to be hell of a lot of armored enemies. He made sure to equip a variety of things such as high explosive grenades.
He would be an idiot not to take that kind of fire power.
"Came as soon as we heard you, Commander." Garrus the Turian said as he walked into the armory, "You, me, and the Qurian?"
Shepard looked up from his equipment, noting the other partner approaching him, "Yup, I need some anti-tech and good shooting for today. I don't need anyone running out into the middle of precision gun fire."
"A sound choice then." The Turian admitted as he picked up his rifle and a few grenades, "Besides robots, do we have any other guess what's down there?"
Commander Shepard thought to himself for a moment, "I cannot really say, Garrus. From what I assume are old STG records its just a normal human colony. However from my experience 'normal human colonies' will still have a lot of armored mechs. Of course there are other things possible but I would not want to jinx it."
"So Geth are likely then?" Tali'Zorah assumed as she got a submachine gun out.
"Yup, since you said it we will run into it." Shepard joked as he approached the M35 Mako, "Alright, let's get moving everyone."
The ride of course was going to be cramp and odd, but that is what happens when the Vehicle itself is only tied down with a series of straps to the ship. As everyone felt the ship began to decelerate the coms came online, "Commander, Joker here, we are arriving at the planet known as… Hellway. Pretty bad name huh. Anyways the scanners got a small settlement lit up with activity. Sad thing is that it's got a series of Anti-Air guns strapped to it, so I am going to drop you a way out to make sure we are not sniffed out."
With a nod Shepard activated his coms, "Understood Joker, same as usual. Stay out of sight of anything dangerous and activate stealth. If something finds you, send a message then slip on out of here."
"Putting the crew first, I see. Alright I wish you luck. Good thing is that the Extranet is working here so if something does happen send me a message."
"I can do that, thanks Joker." The Commander hung up as he patted the Quarian's Shoulder, "You ready?"
"Of course I am, all Quarians are trained to drive from a very early age." Tali joked as she engaged a few buttons and switches, "System live and ready for airdrop Joker."
"Lucky you, we are arriving now. Opening the tailgate now."
Just as the Pilot said the hatch before them opened up into what Shepard could easily describe as a temperate world. With a push of the pedal from Tali they were sent free falling into the open air.
"I hate this part." Garrus said as he shook his head.
"You and me both." Shepard admitted as they soon made contact with the ground.
With a smack on the ground they were sent flying up again. The Mako was ominously known as 'The Alliance's Ball' and for good reason too. It took a few dribbles before they finally settled themselves on the ground.
"Stuck the landing." Tali said as she gave a short laugh, "No need to thank me."
"Drive." The stomach hurt Turian told her as he tried his best to keep down his meal.
"On it."
And with that they began the drive towards the settlement. As they got closer they watched as the lush forests were beginning to be chopped down in favor of industrialized areas. The closer they got, the more Shepard felt his hair stand up on his back.
"You wanna make a call if anyone is home." Tali said as she moved a hand towards the radio.
"That will just announce our presence, Tali." Garrus shot back as he flicked her hand away from the console.
"Garrus." Shepard said to get the Turian's attention, "You, you are feeling it too right? Same to you Tali."
"By the Spirits something is not right." The Turian answered the Commander, "This place looks normal, but damn it's giving me the shivers."
The driver took a deep breath for herself, "I agree, something is not right with this place. I think someone is watching us."
"Joker should have pinged the nearest AA gun. Take us to it Tali." Shepard ordered as he made sure his armaments were ready.
"Don't worry, it's right up here." She said while taking a right turn.
Soon they arrived at the location. It looked to be human standard by Shepard's judgement, which meant there was a defensible bridge with probably several automated weapons on it.
"If you see any weapons sticking out of it, fire at them." Shepard commanded as he got out his rifle, "We would have heard something from the locals if things were still going good."
"Got it." And with a press of the button the main cannon went off several times into the structure. The sounds of whatever was being destroyed was being muted by their canopy but they all sure as hell heard the main cannon.
However soon after their main gun started firing several weapons from the station opened themselves up and started their own shots.
"Receiving fire!" Tali screamed as she began to do maneuvers with the Mako! She was lucky with the occasional rocket being shot, however she was receiving several smaller arms to the mass effect shield as they fought back.
"Damn it! Shepard I am going into the foliage after that we go on foot!"
"Sounds good to me." Shepard camly answered back as the Mako quickly ditched itself behind a nearby hill.
Within moments they were upon the complexe, firing their rifles and submachine guns into the position. Shepard himself dived for the nearest cover, receiving a few bullets in the shields as he did. The others fared about the same as they took cover behind some concrete.
"Alright everyone." Commander Shepard announced over the coms, "These are machines, so best to just give overwhelming fire to them since they will never take cover. If you see it about to hit you, take cover."
He got a chorus of affirmation, to which he began, "Alright, peak out in three, two, one, FIRE!"
With a roar all of their arms were all fired into the machines. As none had shielding, they were easily shattered with several rounds of overwhelming fire. The moments Shepard felt his heat clip nearly end, he took a moment's cover and exchanged for a new one only to began shooting again.
Such a firefight was enough to defeat all the nearby turrets. Each turret filled with enough holes to change their classification to swiss cheese. At least that's what Shepard thought to himself as he gave the signal to advance.
They were inside the building now, taking out the several turrets that were meant to guard the inside. Only after all those that they crossed the bridge to be welcomed by a nice size mech.
"I'm not dealing with you!" Shepard announced as he quickly switched for the anti-armor rocket launcher and fired a rocket into the machine. The next moment Shepard was welcomed with the shattering sound of mechanical parts exploding into pieces.
"That's all the hostiles." Garrus announced as he opened his Omnitool.
"Good, Tali, go over and take down the AA-Gun."
"Doing." The alien answered as she popped open a control panel.
"Garrus with me, we are going to be on Overwatch."
"Understood commander."
Their position by all means was quite optimal for firing positions. Weapons out they aimed waited for what seemed like minutes. Once again that nerve was coming on Shepard though he knew it never went away the moment the approached this position.
"Tali, status?"
"I… don't know!" She called out while giving the machine a smack, "Everytime I try something it acts like it's about to crash the entire operating system. These weird symbols keep coming up too. Of course no one installed a turn off switch in this thing, so we are stuck-!"
There was a sudden cut off to her words, which quickly made the two males turn to see her on the ground gabbing at her mask. Commander Shepard quickly crossed the gap between the two of them and picked her up.
"TALI!" He shouted before looking over her suit. However it was then that her speaker started to speak.
It was not her voice but a series of what he could only describe as someone speaking through several walls amplified upwards. That only lasted a few seconds as the speaker's true voice came up, "Commander John Shepard, Spawn of Hannah Shepard and Hero of Elysium. It is a pleasure to meet you at last."
"Who are you! Stop whatever you are doing to Tali or I guarantee I will shoot you personally!" Shepard called out as he weighed the options of piercing her suit to get some air to her.
"Attachment to Xenos will only get you shot by an Inquisitor, Commander. Then again this Galaxy has a sore lack of them."
"Let her breathe or else!"
"Fine, though know if she even touches my Holy Machine Spirits again I will not hesitate to sabotage the system to allow bacteria in to grant her filth a slow death. Though I need something to allow a Xeno to live. Would you please answer some questions I have."
"Do it damn you!"
There was a moment, a deafening lul in the air before Tali suddenly stopped struggling. She seemed to be testing her arms for a moment after, which showed the Commander that his companion was at least conscious. In a moment he noticed her making a gesture as if to compliment her speech, but nothing came out.
"Give her her voice back."
"I will not Commander for why should I give a xeno a chance to speak in her heinous ways. You might consider answering my questions before making further demands."
Shepard looked up towards Garrus, who looked confused as all hell. Knowing he was basically on his own at the moment Shepard began, "Fine, I'll talk to you. Firstly though I need to know who exactly you are and how you got all that information."
"I am Tech Priest Arc Domonius C.4.R of the Machine God' Mechanicus, Commander Shepard. As for how I got this information you all have foolishly created an intergalactic Noosphere that was not properly cared for." The machine began as a series of filtered noises came up, "On Terra calendar 7.154.183.M2 you fought against a large force of AIs supporting rogue Specter Saren of the Turian Hierarchy. Why were the Abominable Intelligences helping the organic?"
"W-what?" Shepard could not believe his ears, "What the hell is an Abominable Intelligence?"
"What the Xeno Council calls Geth. Why would the Organic and Abominable Intelligence be working together to destroy the center of the Xenos Galactic Empire?"
Shepard could not help when he heard those words, wondering to himself who this being was. He called himself… something he could not really get a fucking grip on. However, his question, that there was something Shepard never expected to hear.
"Saren simply went rogue and supported the Geth's attack on the Citadel. Nothing else to it… Tech Priest." Shepard answered sarcastically.
"I find that explanation laughable, Xenos Lover." The speaker mocked Shepard as it seemed to give another burst of filtered speech, "I have already heard what the Xeno Council declared. If you are simply going to spout their lines I will have no choice but to-"
"Fine, I get it." Shepard said as he prepared himself, "They were both working for something called a Reaper by the name of Sovereign. It was the big ship that attacked the Citadel directly."
There was another burst of binary as if it meant something, "You speak as if the ship is a being, Shepard. Is it also an AI?"
"You can say so, yes." He admitted as he was starting to realize more and more what he was dealing with, "Anything else, you bastard?"
"Yes, I am now displaying an image on this Xeno's cogitator, do you recognize them?"
While he was talking about a cogitator of some kind, Tali's Omnitool lit up to display a four eyes alien that Shepard had never seen before in his life. It was not a Turian who had them Vertical, but instead these were more horizontal to each other.
"N-no I do not. Are they what you are!?"
Quickly Shepard found himself on the receiving end of another burst of noise before, "I am no Xenos Shepard, I am as human as you are."
"Then what the hell did you do to Tali! You made me think you were a Batarian!"
In a moment there was another plip of static, this one much worse than the previous ones, "I am not a slaving Xenos, Commander!"
"Then what happened to all the people on this planet!" Shepard pointed out as he made a gesture around himself, "Where is everyone!"
"You are looking at the culprits right now, Commander."
He was caught off that for a moment, "What are they?"
"That I do not know, Shepard. They have, for a Low Gothic way of putting it, spirited away the planet's previous occupants."
"Alright," Shepard asked as he thought to himself, "However that does not tell me what happened to all of the ships that-"
"COMMANDER! SOMETHING BIG IS COMING OUR WAY!" A sudden blast of Joker from Shepherd's Omnitool stopped him.
"Those filthy xenos have received the rare honor to serve the Machine God and his Prophet, Commander. The same goes for yourself and your crew." The voice said as it gave one last plimp of binary, "You shall have the honor of becoming a Skitarii Alpha once I am done with your augmetics. I have already sent an envoy to pick you up."
"INCOMING!" Called out Garrus as three separate landing vehicles came down from above them and dropped mechs onto the battlefield.
In a split second Tali took out her sub-machine gun and shot down the control panel for the AA gun. After that she pressed a button on her Omnitool and began to speak, "Damn bastard can connect to devices that are not even wireless! I'm free of his control now!"
"Damn him!" Shepard called out as he got called out, "Joker, the AA is down come and get us ASAP! Got it!?"
"I'll try commander, but whatever is coming out from behind the moon looks really fucking nasty."
"Roger that. If it's too risky leave and come back later." Shepard said as he jumped mounted his rocket launcher, "Alright everyone, hold out until Joker can get here!"
"Of course we need to hold them off." Garrus said as he prepared his weapons.
"Well, no more hacking. Damn him!" Tali got herself into position.
This was going to be one hell of a firefight, that Shepard knew.