Survival of the fittest

Chapter 12

Shepard entered Aki's quarters and frowned at the lack of the younger sibling "EDI?"

"yes commander?"

"where's Aki?"

"Aki is currently in the main battery- would you like me to relay a message via intercom?"

Jane chuckled "oh-uh no, I'll wait here"

Aki sat on the edge of the cot and laughed as Garrus relayed his story of how Turians relieve stress, "so- it's just a huge fuck-fest?"

"I guess so, it works, helps us to focus"

"well, who wouldn't be focused after a night with you?" she purred softly turning to flash Garrus a wicked smile, "I've missed you"

"hmm…" he walked over to her taking a seat beside and wrapping his arms tightly around her body, "yeah, it's been a minute since we've had a breather"

"let's make up for that shall we?" her mouth was against him in an instant, armour and clothes strewn around the room.

Garrus watched every movement she made on top of him, arching his back against the nails that raked down his chest, her lips touched every inch of his body as she trailed down, warm breath making him twitch.

Aki grinned as he sat up pulling her soft body against his, she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist, his plates were open his member slipping straight into her sopping core.

Aki threw her head back with a loud moan, his hands on her hips bringing her body to pace with his hard rapid thrusts. Aki wrapped her arms around his neck, her mouth against his, tongues dancing as their bodies collided.

Aki felt his plates scraping against her nipples, his hands under her ass now bringing her up and down harder and faster, Aki held him tighter groaning at the soft clicking his mandibles made as he spurred them on.

"fuck Garrus" she moaned moving her lips from his mouth to the crook of his neck, he grunted frowning as she adjusted herself placing her feet flat and leaning back so she could rest her arms at her sides and bounce herself up and down. Garrus growled at the new pace his eyes on the bobbing of her breasts.

"you're amazing" he grunted watching the sweat that dewed on her flesh, he felt her tighten around him member and groaned on the edge himself.

Aki's body juddered relentlessly as she called out his name managing to keep her pace so Garrus could hit his high. Garrus came loudly gripping her tightly as he spilled his warmth. Aki managed to keep up for a few more shallow thrusts before they slowly unravelled themselves from each other, laying down on the cot, Garrus pulled her back into him using his foot his drag a blanket up so they could pull it over them.

Aki entered her quarters and arched an eyebrow at Jane who lay on her bed flicking through a data-pad she had left out, "hey"

"hey" Jane smiled up at her, "I thought I'd just wait but got bored and started reading- "

"my private files?"

"hmm" she frowned sadly at her younger sibling, "I- I didn't realise you did this many jobs"

"wet-work is… in high demand"

"Aki- some of these people. why do you keep the records?" Jane pressed softly

"Jane, I've killed a lot of people" Aki nodded removing her jacket, she walked to a small stool in front of her weapons table and ran a hand through her hair, "some were so awful, they were murderers and terrorists"

"and the others?" Jane asked

"yeah- there are some I think about all the time" she shook her head once almost angrily, "some just kids, teenagers, parents, some in crossfire" she ground her teeth

"Aki…"

"don't Jane, I know the things I've done are awful but honestly there is no bringing back the dead the most I can do is remember them" she smiled to her sister lost in thought, "i had a small team, seven of us, there's only two of us left now, some of them died during these missions we don't always know what we're walking in to, so every mission could've been the one that ended me. So I learnt to cope by keeping records"

"i guess everyone has their own coping mechanisms" Jane nodded "how's things with Garrus?"

"they're good Jane, I wish I had of taken my chance with Garrus sooner" she smiled sadly, "when i trained in Rio it was just train, sleep, eat and repeat. On missions, especially the kind they sent us on, we couldn't bring ourselves to get close as recruits, too many died, more went missing, it was competitive"

"competitive?"

"we fought to become the best amongst ourselves, the sparring was endless, i think it made a lot of us loathe each other"

"did you like Rio?"

"it was- eventful" she held her hand out her biotics engulfing her hand, she clenched her fist the blue dissipating "it taught me control"

Jane nodded "i understand and for what it's worth i'm glad you've found someone, he's a fantastic man, you both deserve some happiness"

"thanks"

"oh- and I woke the Geth up" Jane beamed "its name is legion, and we have a favour to do for it"

"okay-" she frowned "that was a lot to take in in one sentence- sometimes i have to question your impulsiveness" she laughed "let's hope it doesn't turn homicidal, least you have me to take it out" she winked.

"Tali-"

"went berserk?"

she nodded "yeah"

"i'm surprised she hasn't shot it"

Jane nodded "she tried"

"the reaper IFF has been integrated with the ships systems, however I would recommend a thorough analysis before you attempt to use it"

"do what you've got to do EDI, we'll take shuttles for the next mission, gives you a chance to iron out any bugs"

They were on course to the heretic's base, Jane was uneasy, she had decided on taking the whole crew just in case things got awry.

"separate into two shuttles" she looked to her crew and smiled brightly as they all got suited, this was her family "Jack and Miranda, separate shuttles"

Jack arched an eyebrow "yeah- wouldn't wanna see the cheerleader get spaced"

"play nice" she warned still with a trace of smile on her lips, "Joker, we're heading out, take care of the ship… no scratches"

"aye-aye commander"

The shuttles docked and the crew headed into the hull of the heretic ship, Legion informed them of the lack of air and how their presence wouldn't be known unless they set off specific sensors around the ship.

"Shepard-Commander. We concluded that destruction of this station was the only resolution to the heretic question. There is now a second option. Their virus can be repurposed. If released into the station's network, the heretics will be rewritten to accept our truth."

Aki looked to the Geth who faced her sister and frowned,

Tali shook her head, "The geth are already a threat to organics, though. If we give them back their heretics, they'll get even stronger."

"that doesn't sound like a great plan" Garrus piped in

"maybe" Aki murmured, "I mean he's not exactly like the ones we fought-"

"you don't trust it do you?" Tali snapped at her

"hey- it had plenty of times to kill-"

"this is crazy!" Tali shouted "you know what they are like- you were there! you saw the destruction"

Aki shrugged her shoulders, "it's not our decision" she looked to Jane who was staring at the machine in front of her.

"Why didn't you mention this before we came aboard?" she asked

"We did not know the virus was complete. It is. It can be used against the true geth at any time. Our arrival was timely."

"They're your people, Legion. You must have an opinion about this." Jane prompted softly; her own crew were torn over this… how couldn't it be?

"This is new data. We have not yet reached consensus. We will process as the mission proceeds."

"Okay" Jane nodded "Let's move while the heretics are distracted."

They made their way further into the ship, coming across glowing network panels that Geth were linked up to.

"Interrupting data streams will alert local network. We recommend pre-emptive strikes against hard link routers." Legion stated to their lingering guns.

"you heard him" Jane nodded.

They took out the first Geth hub "try and salvage some supplies, could be handy"

Legion explained that the hubs were like a memory link much like a shared brain.

"If you exchange data and memories, how do you keep track of which ones are yours? How do you stay "you"?" Jane pressed

"There is only "we" We were created to share data among ourselves. The differences 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 judgements. "

"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."

"Every other species I know of might be psychologically scarred by a traumatic experience like that."

"It is not clear if geth can be "traumatised". We do not feel pain as you do. We cannot predict what the effects will be."

"I don't know whether I should feel sad about that" Jane admitted before looking away "come on"

Down the next corridor they ran into more enemies, they quickly took them out and came to the next room which had more Geth hubs.

"remember take them out quick and salvage materials" the crew nodded and began the onslaught.

Jane and the squad were quickly making their way through the facility.

"oh wow-"they came to a halt at a room full of geth servers

"How large do you suppose that room is?" asked Garrus.

"The station is over 15 kilometres long. That room may run the length of it," responded Legion.

"What are those?" asked tali.

"Processors," said Legion. "Each contains thousands of geth"

"Can't they see us walking by?" she pressed

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

"This isn't like the other hubs we've seen here," Jane stated coldly.

"This is a database," replied Legion. "It contains a portion of the heretics' accumulated memories."

Legion scanned the room once quickly,

"Wait, we discovered copies of our current patrol routes in this database. This suggests the heretics have run-times within our networks."

Shepard looked at Legion, "We wouldn't be here if the heretics wanted to be friends with the geth. Why wouldn't they spy on you?"

"You do not understand. 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."

"It couldn't have lasted forever. You disagreed about what path your race should take. It's normal that there would be animosity"

"Human history is a litany of bloodshed over differing ideals of ruler-ship and afterlife. Geth have no such history. We shared consensus on such things. How could we have become so different? Why can we no longer understand each other? What did we do wrong?"

"they made a bad choice, let them own it. You're not responsible for their decisions only for what the decision might now cause." Jacob offered

"it's actually not a bad point" Aki smiled

"That is logical for an individual mind. We are not fully individuals. There are pieces of us in the heretics. One of those may be at fault. This topic is irrelevant. We must return to the mission."

"Have you reached a decision about whether to rewrite the heretics or not?" Jane asked softly

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

"then let's continue"

They made their way to the central console.

"Is this it?" Jane pressed flicking her eyes to the Geth who approached her.

"Yes. 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. The indexing operation will take time. The heretics will respond with force to our upload. We must hold this room. We can override some of the station's internal systems to defend us. Are you ready to begin?"

"okay legion, we've got you covered" Jane nodded to her crew "Let's do this!"

"hold this position if we can- no-one will be able to flank us"

"we got this"

The geth were entering from the level below them, meaning if they could hold this spot they would have to walk through the whole room to get to the stairs that led to their level.

Plenty of time for Jane, Garrus and Aki to snipe. Jack, Samara and Miranda throwing biotics wildly, the Geth were severely outmatched. Grunt, Tali, Jacob, Mordin and Thane were waiting at the foot of the stairs for any stragglers…

The data mine and analysis were complete.

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

"They're your people legion, it should be you that chooses what happens"

"We are conflicted. There is no consensus among our higher order run-times; 573 favour rewrite and 571 favour destruction. Shepard-Commander, you have fought the heretics. You have perspective we lack. The geth grant their fate to you."

Every pair of eyes shifted to where Jane stood, awaiting her decision.

Jane faltered slightly, she frowned "You don't have a problem killing your own people?"

"Every sapient has the right to make their own decisions. The heretics chose a path that prohibits coexistence."

"If they're…rewritten. Your people will accept them back? Will they even want to go back?" Jane asked

"They will agree with our judgements and return. We will integrate their experiences. All will be stronger. "

"Take them, then. When we get control of the core, release the virus." She stood straight and smiled this felt like the correct course of action

"Acknowledged." Legion turned to the console, "Releasing virus. Note, remote access via high gain transmission required. "

"what does that mean?" Tali asked.

Legion continued, "The virus will be sent to heretics in nearby star systems. This station will broadcast a powerful electromagnetic pulse through FTL channels."

"oh shit-How powerful?" Jane pressed

"Yield in excess of 1.21 megawatts. Alert, EM flux will be hazardous to un-shielded organic forms. Addendum, the interior of this station is not shielded."

"Fuck- everyone get back to the shuttles! Hussle people!"

They had less than three minutes,

"move your ass vakarian" Aki joked with a smirk, "getting' old?"

"oh yeah" he sprinted faster; Aki groaned softly little tease chasing after him

-
They got back on their shuttles taking off as quick as possible, the station pulsing with green light.

"What happens to the heretics now?" Jane asked

"They will isolate themselves and reconsider their past judgements."

"it'll take a while then" Miranda scoffed

"We think at the speed of light. In the time it takes you to voice a question, I could review all my time aboard the Normandy. When they have reached new judgements, they will leave their hiding places and return to us."

The shuttle pilot spoke up, "Commander, you have a message waiting from the Normandy."

"Everyone?!" Miranda roared at Joker, jabbing her finger angrily in his direction, "You lost everyone and damn near lost the ship, too?!"

"I know, alright! I was here!" he looked defeated; his cap pulled low over his eyes.

"It's not his fault, Miranda," Jacob defended, "None of us caught it."

"The harmful data in the Collector drive was even more sophisticated than the "black box" Reaper viruses I was given" EDI stated

"Is the ship clean?" Jane pressed "We can't risk this happening again…"

"EDI and I purged the systems," replied Joker, "The Reaper IFF is online. We can go through the Omega 4 relay whenever you want"

"Don't even get me started about unshackling a damned AI," Miranda snapped with a sneer.

"What could I do against Collectors? Break my arms at them? EDI cleared the ship."

"I assure you; I am still bound by protocols in my programming. Even if I were not, you are my crew mates."

"EDI has had plenty of opportunities to kill us," Jane smiled sadly running a hand through her hair, "and come on, We need all the help we can bloody get."

"The Normandy has gotten all the upgrades needed, thanks to you, Commander, I feel confident that the ship is ready to go after the Collectors now. If that is was you decide." Jacob nodded to Jane

"We have to try and save our crew. We're going now." Jane ground her teeth, Chakwas was taken… they had to go and fast.

"Get ready all of you!" Jane snarled

"Aye aye."

"Course plotted for the Omega 4 relay. ETA about 2 hours. I'll let you know when we arrive." Joker stated over the intercoms

"Great"

Shepard made her way to the communication room to speak with the Illusive Man before the mission began.

He went on a usual tangent, telling her what a great opportunity this was, that the danger was worth all of this risk, that everything that happens now was down to her being the most incredible asset he could've gained… it was all bullshit, he'd lied and used her for his own gain and frankly Jane had had enough.

She kept the conversation as brief as possible nodding and offering a yes here and there before slamming her hand against the off button.

She sighed deeply and headed to Aki's quarters- she felt sick… this was a suicide mission… she had dragged the most precious people in her life into a suicide mission.

She entered in and crossed straight over to the blonde who sat at her weapons bench sharpening her swords. Aki stiffened against the arms that wrapped around her body, dark hair fell over into her face, the smell of perfume lingering in the strands, "I love you"

"I love you too Jane" Aki returned the embrace not turning to look as jane broke away slowly and exited the room. She stepped into the lift and headed for her own room.

Jane inhaled deeply, this was it, she walked inside and turned, her eyes filling as she looked upon Kaidan's photo which sat on her desk. She shook her head once banishing him from her mind as she flopped onto the bed.

"we'll get through this" she promised aloud.

Aki glanced at the door watching as Garrus crossed the threshold, he walked to her side and wrapped his arms around her, "you're the second person to do this… should I be worried?"

"eh?"

She laughed "Jane came by"

"oh" he mumbled nuzzling into her neck before resting his chin on top of her head, "don't die okay?"

"hmm, I was about to say the same to you" she chuckled placing her weapons down and standing up to turn and face him.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed tightly, "we'll survive Garrus, we always do"

"I know" he purred, "but in case we don't make it through this mission, I say we make the most of this right here, I want you Aki"

She looked up at him, her eyes ablaze with lust, "then I guess you better take what's yours"

They lay together panting softly. Aki rolled onto her side her hand cupping his injured mandible, her heart thudded loudly in her chest, "Garrus, you're right we could die tomorrow… I need you to know that…I love you"

His eyes shot to her, he gripped her body tightly pulling her against her frame, "I love you too" he moaned against her dewy skin.