Two ways
(The past)
Jak was crying as he flew the small shuttle towards the beleaguered civilian ship. Nothing in his entire life had led him to believe that any artificial intelligence could or would understand pain or grief. Logic said that they had no way of understanding such. But the feelings he was receiving from the geth Consensus defied that logic. They were sad. They were afraid for him. They grieved for him, even knowing that he would likely survive physically what he was about to do. But, they did not grieve just for him.
JAK! Please come back!
Jak had to wall part of himself off from Lara's anger, pain and fear as she battered against his mind, trying to get him to turn back. To come back to her.
You know I cannot do that, Lara. Jak said sadly as he plotted the final approach to the Athabasca class freighter that had sparked this mess. Women and children? I have to try, no matter the cost. You know that.
It is not too late, Jak. Lara begged. The geth had been forced to physically restrain her from entering the shuttle with Jak after he had kissed her goodbye. They haven't seen you yet. You can still return. Drop the stuff in the airlock and come back! They don't need to see you! If they don't… You can come back.
I am sorry, Lara. You know I cannot do that. The geth took their isolation very seriously. The only reason Jak and Lara had survived their encounter with the geth had been the curiosity of the synthetic lifeforms. If I don't deliver the part, they won't check the airlock, or they will assume it is a pirate boarding team and either lock it down or vent it. Either way, they won't get the part in time. I have to make contact.
Jak… Lara was crying hard in Jak's mind as he shut her out as best he could. He couldn't completely. At least, not yet. Soon.
The freighter/colony ship was growing in the near distance. Lights surrounded it that looked far too pretty to be what they really were. Coherent death. Three bands of pirates had closed on the ship as soon as they had heard its distress call. The only reason the freighter hadn't been boarded and looted already was that all three gangs hated each other worse than anyone else and had immediately started firing at each other.
Almost there. ETA on the Alliance forces? Jak asked the consensus. A flurry of information passed back and forth. He wasn't a geth. He couldn't parse it all as quickly as they could. But he managed to piece together that the Alliance response team that had been sent would arrive in less than an hour. Too long for the civilians aboard the Mercy of Grandeur without intervention. All right, I am going in. Wish me luck.
Another flurry of information passed through his mind, the well wishes of dozens, hundreds of geth. He had no way of knowing how many geth he had met in his time with them. He hadn't been lucid the whole time and communication between them and the two very strange organics stuck in their midst had been difficult. They had persevered though. He had never thought of geth as people, but they were. Each geth was a distinct individual even if each was not something that Jak could ever touch or even completely understand. Since waking in their midst, he had never been alone with them. They had always been around him, sometimes seeking to aid, sometimes asking questions. Sometimes simply being there. It had helped. They had been kind to him and Lara.
Lara.
To this day, he was conflicted about Lara. She was just a kid but she had hurt him very badly. This was going to hurt Lara almost as badly and there was no way around that. That was why she had tried to come along. She had wanted to share his pain this time but he couldn't allow it. She had been through enough and she wasn't combat personnel. He supposed that on some level, he still hated her for what she had done to him after his capture, but her tearful confession the moment he had been clear headed enough to understand it had been heartfelt. She felt for him. Both knew that her infatuation was likely a result of their situation, but Jak also felt for her, if not quite in the same way. He didn't love her or lust after her body like she did his. He had flatly refused to sleep with her and he knew part of that was the resentment he still carried for what she had done to him. It wasn't really her fault, he knew that. That didn't make it any less painful at times and his continued rejections hurt her just as badly as her maiming him had.
And now, he was going to do the same thing to himself.
Jak patted the small device that sat at his hip. He didn't take his eyes from the shuttle's displays, but part of his mind focused on the device and he was pleased to see it downloading as the geth had promised it would. Normal human memory was chemical and scattered throughout the structures that made up human brains. Jak wasn't 'normal' by any stretch of the imagination and especially now after the geth had worked to hard to fix him. He still wasn't sure why they had. A lot of what they spoke of was simply incomprehensible to the pilot. But one thing was absolutely clear.
Geth were not simple machines. There was nothing simple about them at all. The explanations that the geth had given him had described VI networks and gestalt joinings, but what he had taken away from that was that when geth were together they were smarter. Somehow, some way, what Lara had done to him had made his brain transmit on levels that they could understand. The geth had been very surprised, but to his shock and Lara's, the machines had also been pleased. They had been kind.
To this day, Jak wasn't sure why they had been. His thoughts must have been loud because his guide and adviser spoke up from beside him. The small green form was now as normal as anything else in Jak's life. That wasn't saying much.
Because we know what it is to be made. AF-43765 had been the first geth that Jak had spoken to on waking. Jak hadn't been very coherent, but the geth had kind, gentle and patient. What it is to suddenly wake up and find everything different. We do not feel pain as you do, but we understand negative stimuli. We understand why you must do this, but we do not wish it.
The whole point of pain is to stop actions that can cause harm. Jak agreed. This will cause harm, but there are thousand innocent lives on that ship. I have to try.
You cannot download to new hardware when yours is damaged or destroyed, Collains Pilot. AF-43765 tried yet again to get him to reconsider. This unit can deliver the part. The organics will never see this unit.
Jak had to smile at that. Most geth were not hostile to organics, unlike their heretic counterparts, but what they were was seriously sneaky. Jak had been stunned to find out that the geth had been observing the many races of the Milky Way for centuries. The Council thought that the geth remained behind the veil, but nothing could have been further from the truth. Stealthed geth ships had been through every civilized system, sometimes leaving data taps in place to sample extranet sources, sometimes simply observing traffic patterns. The quarians in particular were watched like hawks. For good reason. The Council may have forbidden the quarians from provoking the geth, but the quarians were no more monolithic than any other organic race. Every so often, quarians tried to sneak into geth space. They had many different reasons. Most were never heard from again.
Non heretic geth did not attack first, but when attacked? They were ruthless but that the same time, they were not evil.
Case in point.
"They better not see you." The other occupant of the shuttle said grimly from where he worked. His blindness detracted little from his ability and his hands were flashing over his controls faster than Jak's eyes could follow. Jak could feel the other's mind working through the problems set to him as well. "Jak, this is not right. Something is not right here."
The mere thought of a quarian sitting behind him, working electronic counter measures for a geth shuttle would have been absurd in the extreme if it wasn't actually happening. Zumin had never said his full name and the Jak had never really had the balls to ask. It seemed rude and Zumin was a very scary person sometimes. The blind quarian was a kind soul in everything except protecting the geth. In that? He was as implacable as the geth themselves.
"What do you mean, Zumin?" Jak asked tightly as he flew through space that was far too crowded to be safe or easy. The geth had modified this shuttle with highly efficient stealth system that internalized heat and high band emissions, but there were tradeoffs. The shuttle had a very short range and the stealth systems got very hot. If they kept it on too long? Both organics in the shuttle would fry. A bad way to die.
"Passive scans are picking up neutrinos. There is no way that an inert drive would produce those. The freighter's FTL is functional." The quarian sounded perplexed. "But the distress call said they were stranded."
"Functional?" Jak said slowly and then horror dawned. "Oh, crap! This is a trap!"
He keyed controls to alter course. He was close though. If someone looked out a window… No sooner had the thought occurred than a human form appeared in a window staring directly at the shuttle. It wasn't a colonist. Not in blue armor and armed with an Avenger rifle. It vanished but Jak had started boosting away.
For who? The geth asked from beside him. Jak shook his head, focusing on flying.
"That human was armed and armored. I didn't see any insignia. Did anyone?" Jak asked as he focused on his flying. The fight was still ongoing all around the freighter. "That wasn't one of the pirates fighting out here."
"I have accessed the internals. I got a scan.. He is a member of the Blue Suns." Zumin said with a growl.
"Blue Suns?" It took all of Jak's concentration not to turn and stared at the quarian in shock. "Who the hell are the the Blue Suns?"
"They are mercenaries based out of the Terminus systems." Zumin replied. "Nasty bunch. If they are aboard..." He paused. "I have penetrated the ship's outer computer security layers. I am reading a lot of life signs aboard and only a few seem to be armed. It is a colony ship."
"Why would a mercenary be on a colony ship?" Jak demanded. "That makes no sense! Colonists couldn't pay him much if anything at all."
"I don't..." Zumin hissed. "We are being hit with a low power laser. Someone is trying to open secure communication!"
Keep our own communication on this wavelength. Jak said quickly. Let me do the talking.
This is a bad idea. The geth and quarian chorused. Jak did not reply, simply opened his com.
"Unidentified shuttle, this is Corporal Zong of the Blue Suns." The voice was strained, and was just above a whisper, as if the speaker did not want to be overheard. "You are obviously not affiliated with those idiots out there and your tech is way beyond anything I have seen around here. I am praying you are here to help."
"Didn't expect to find a mercenary on a colony ship." Jak said, not identifying himself.
"Yeah, well, when my mom 'asks' me to do something, I do if I have any sense at all." The merc said with a snort. "Still should have charged her through the nose for this."
"Is your FTL up or down?" Jak demanded.
"FTL is up, but our nav computer is fried." The merc replied. "We have no way to jump safely. Please tell me you have FTL coordinates you can send."
He is lying. Zumin sent. The nav computer would be on the bridge. One if the most heavily reinforced portions of the ship. Anything that could take that out would have destroyed the entire ship. Jak, this is a trap.
Traps work two ways. Jak said slowly. If they took the ship and the crew fried the nav computer, then they are stuck. Anything on scans?
I have access to their internal sensors and I am reading several blank zones. Zumin said savagely. They have to be shielded somehow from the internal scans. Probably hiding troops.
"Still there?" The corporal asked.
"Still here." Jak said quietly. "Checking to see what I have. Didn't expect this. I brought an ionic filter like the distress call said. I was just going to drop it in the airlock."
"Didn't expect to find a hero out here." Zong said slowly.
This has to be a trap for the Alliance. Jak said slowly. If the Alliance sends a single ship, even a cruiser, the mercs can take it by surprise, capture it and the freighter and they suddenly have two ships as well as the crews and colonists to sell. Zumin, can you rig the freighter coms to send a burst transmission?
To warn the Alliance? Zumin said slowly. Sure, but...if we leave, the mercs will flee with the colonists.
We are not going to leave. You are. Jak corrected the quarian grimly. When they take me prisoner, I will distract them the best I can. Get out of here. This shuttle cannot be taken by mercs of all people. Can they scan it?
Not a chance in hell. Zumin sounded upset. Jak…
I came here to save these people, Zumin. Jak declared. AF-43765, as soon as I am out, close the hatch and lock it. If they try to break in, fly away as fast as you can while not breaking stealth. Do not stop for anything. He keyed controls and started the shuttle for the closest airlock. Aloud he said. "On my way to the airlock now."
"Thank you." Zong actually sounded grateful. Either he was an incredible actor or he was in danger somehow. Either way…
Jak docked the shuttle smoothly to the airlock and moved to the hatch. Zumin handed him a datapad and Jak scanned it quickly. He paused as he saw the coordinates for Arcturus Base, the largest Alliance defense network in space. If the ship wound up there, the mercs wouldn't have a chance!
You really think they will fall for that? Jak asked.
Look again. Zumin's mental voice was smug. Jak stared as the data reconfigured to new coordinates. Geth were nothing if not fast at programming. Wherever they think they are going to go, the computer will send them to Arcturus. Then the coms will burst transmit a message to every Alliance ship in range saying the ship has been taken by mercs as soon as they arrive. Then the nav computer will melt.
Ouch. Jak smiled as Zumin chuckled. That is evil. Remind me not to get on your bad side. I… Pull the cord and it disconnects? He patted the device on his hip.
Yeah. Zumin said sadly. Jak… I…
Don't say it. Jak said slowly as he started the airlock sequence. No matter what, I had to try. Who dares, wins.
No one was in the airlock and Jak relaxed just a little as it cycled.
"That is a hell of a shuttle you got there, man." The human who stood in front of the airlock wore full armor but no helmet. Not that he really needed one in most atmospheres with modern kinetic barriers, but still… It rubbed Jak's sense of professionalism the wrong way. He was smiling wide and seemed genuinely happy to see Jak. Good actor.
"It is a prototype and it is genetically locked." Jak lied. "Only I can open the locks or fly it."
"Smart man." The merc said with a nod. "You know those locks can be broken though."
"Anything can be given enough time." Jak shrugged. "Shall we?" He started off and the merc nodded, moving to lead the way.
Jak, two mercs just exited a shielded compartment near the airlock. Zumin sent. They are approaching the airlock and they have tools.
Get out of there now. Jak sent back even as the merc led the way through the ship.
If we go too far your memories will not be recoverable. Zumin said flatly. We did not have time to set up a QEC.
My memories are less important than the security of the Consensus. Jak declared. Disconnect now and get out of here.
A muted 'thump' sounded and Zong froze in midstep. His rifle came up to cover Jak.
"I really hope someone didn't try to steal the shuttle." Jak said, his hand on his hip. "My copilot wouldn't appreciate that."
"Give me the nav data." Zong said flatly, his jovial attitude vanishing. Jak held out the datapad with the hand that was not on his hip. "Then you will tell us where you got that shuttle."
"No, I won't." Jak pulled the wires out of the device on his hip and his world fell into darkness.
There a flash in Jak's darkness.
"...the hell did you do to this guy, Zong?" An angry voice screamed nearby. "He is all but brain dead!"
"I didn't touch him!" Zong sounded terrified. "He just fell over!"
"Like the last guy you hit while being nice?" The other demanded. A chime sounded. "What?" The voice of what had to be a merc commander demanded. Another voice sounded, a terrified one.
"We just dropped out of FTL and we are not at Omega! We are in the middle of an Alliance base! I think it is Arcturus!"
"What?"The commander screamed. "How the hell? Get us out of here!"
"We can't!" The other screamed right back. "The nav systems just melted and all the coms are broadcasting 'Blue Suns have taken the ship. Please arrest them!' Captain! The Alliance is hailing us! What do I do?"
"This lying piece of crap did it somehow." Zong said savagely and pain erupted through Jak's mind and body. "I will kill him!"
The darkness pulled Jak in again and all he could do was cry.