Here's the problem with the way I write stories. I make them up as I go. That makes writing for this really hard. I only have a very loose idea of where A I'm going with this. So, really sorry this took so long. I'm hoping the next one won't take so long as I have a week before summer classes start up, but the next chapter will mostly be snippets of Anculus interacting with other species.
Also, there just aren't enough Mass Effect A.I. stories out there so I'm going to give out a few ideas for you. I'll also give some ideas for general au as well. Some of these will be more detailed than others.
1. Humanity never really let go of the Victorian era, the design of that era in general (clothes, buildings, weapons) where kept in the 'modern' world. Humans also developed A.I. and placed them into dolls made of either porcelain (like Plain Doll from Bloodborne) or cloth (like Little Big Planet or Unravel). Alternatively, they could possess the A.I. but are actually in the Victorian Era (i.e. pre space flight) and discovered by a Council race.
2. For those of you who read this, I've decided to write it myself.
3. The Internet was turned into an A.I. and didn't enslave Humanity.
4. A.I. that are indistinguishable from humans (either in way of personality and behavior or they have synthetic human bodies). They can marry, have children (adopted if only personality is same), and even have sex (bow chicka bow wow).
5. BNKR Mass Effect cross over.
6. Humans make A.I. so that they are not alone in the universe and to face the unknown with friends at their sides. (Heavy focus on philosophical and personal relationship between Humans and A.I., rather than A.I. themselves.
Feel free to use any of these to your hearts' content, just be sure to say where you got the idea. Also PM me if you use the idea so I can read the story. This can also be found on my author profile. Disclaimer!
Disclaimer: We own nothing.
Humanity's Legacy
Chapter 12
Batarian Space, Examen Controlled Territory
BHV Dreadnaught Pillar of Stars
The Anculus Sixth Fleet: 150 hundred vessels including 85 frigates, 52 cruisers, 12 carriers (each able to hold 1,500 fighters each), and 1 dreadnaught, and that was only half the fleet. It was a sight to behold. The Sixth fleet acts as the arm of the Anculus. If there is a problem outside the reach of the defense fleets, the Sixth is the one sent. Led by the 1.2 kilometer long ASV Dreadnaught Earned Grace captained by Anculus Unit Model C1 Production Number 6040 Designation Apollo, admiral of Sixth fleet, the mighty cluster of ships was not a sight most would find welcoming.
'It's a good thing it's on our side,' were the thoughts of Admiral Onek Uuran as his gaze scanned the fleet on the back drop of space. His four eyes narrowed as he compared the Hegemony's new carrier ship to that of the Anculus as it drifted by the window. The BHS Violent Swarm was unlike any other ship in the entire Hegemony Navy. Ever since the Anculus had joined the Galactic community and introduced Human tactics and technology, every species in Citadel space (and beyond) rushed to form their own versions of the Human's unorthodox methods. The Violent Swarm was as long as a dreadnaught with shields just as powerful, but instead of a mass accelerator canon it sported landing bays carrying over 1,000 fighters. It is a testament to the Hegemony's capabilities, able to create a ship in few years comparable to ships that have had decades to be upgraded and built upon. And it had no right to be in his fleet.
It was certainly a powerful ship, but its design was green in the field. To use it without proper testing to understand its place among the fleet is simply asinine, but his word was overruled. Worse, the admirals were right in hindsight. If they allowed a single boarding ship to reach the fleet, they could increase Examen's numbers substantially. They needed more fighters to keep those damned things back. Uuran wasn't stupid; he knew they needed every advantage they could get against a foe as unpredictable as this Examen. But that brought up more questions.
Like why the hell would the Anculus bring half a fleet when Examen barely had ten ships?
It just didn't make sense. The Anculus were synthetics, they did things as efficiently and effectively as possible, they didn't use overkill even if they understood the concept. His own force had no more than 30 ships, even if he did bring a dreadnaught and a carrier it was hardly anything less than the situation called for, but 150?! Either Examen was a bigger threat than he realized, or the Anculus knew something he didn't. Uuran hated being kept in the dark. He was an admiral in the Hegemony; he had his pride despite what others might say.
"Admiral, we are approaching the colony," one of his deck officers called out. "Enemy will be in range in three minutes." Uuran turned away from the port window as the shutters closed, blocking the view of the rest of the Anculus fleet. "Good," he said as he placed himself in the captain's chair. "Charge weapons and raise shields. Have the fighters on standby to deploy. What's the status of the Anculus fleet?"
"Anculus ships are ready to engage and holding on your command."
"Good." Another condition to this alliance, the Hegemony will not submit to any authority but its own in this matter. Uuran would not mind taking orders, he did have superiors after all, but he was not complaining. If you want a job done right do it yourself as the Human saying went. Very apt in this case. "Instruct them to remain at the maximum range of their weapons; we want as much distance between our ships as possible."
He could see the brown atmo that was the colony world and not far from that were the ten ships belonging to Examen. Six Hegemony ships and four Anculus including the Followed Dawn, all of them completely repaired as if they weren't damaged at all. The admiral narrowed his eyes. Yes, keeping those boarding parties away is paramount.
"Sir, the enemy is deploying boarding craft!"
"What?!" There were still hundreds of thousands of miles between them, there's no way those craft would reach them!
"Sir, the craft are descending to the planet!" the ensign elaborated before another called out. "Enemy fleet is turning tail! They're making a break for the Relay!"
"Ignore the craft, focus on that fleet. All ships find your targeting solutions and prepare to fire. Keep us in range ensign; we can't afford to let them leave the system."
Uuran knew it was his imagination but he swore he could feel the engines of the two fleets kick into overdrive, rapidly closing in on their prey.
"Targeting solutions found, all weapons ready to fire."
"Hold off, we need to be closer. We can't afford to miss."
It was almost time, just a little closer, a little closer, just a . . . little . . . closer . . . NOW!
"FIRE!"
"Weapons firing!"
It was beautiful. The weapons of 170 ships all firing at once, Examen's ships didn't stand a chance. Their lights blazed against the cold of space before compacting with their targets, lighting a glorious blaze of fire before falling once again into the emptiness of space. What little debris survived oblivion drifted, not even worth salvaging. 'I suppose having such a large fleet didn't hurt after all,' Uuran thought with a smile on his face. The smile fell quickly as he turned his attention to something that would surely prove far more troublesome than a few warships.
"Move the fleet back to the colony. Form a blockade around the planet, not a single ship is allowed off world." He turned to his communications officer. "Have the ground forces prepare to drop. They're going after those boarding craft."
He wasn't surprised when all the officers on the bridge turned to him with wide eyes. "S-sir, are you sure? We have no way of knowing how many of those synthetics are on the surface. Couldn't we just bomb them from orbit?"
Uuran growled lowly as his gaze narrowed on the now quivering officer, fearful of the Admiral's fury. "And bomb our own colony in turn? And break Citadel regulations? Not to mention any survivors that could be down there." He walked slowly to the cowering fool, his gait steady and voice low. "Do you want me to condemn them to death because it's easier? Is that what you are saying Lieutenant?"
"N-no s-sir."
"Good. Now give the order."
As the Lieutenant returned to his station, Admiral Uuran gazed down at the planet before him.
'Pillars grant us strength for the fight ahead; it will not be easily won.'
-0-
Desolas wasn't quite sure what he expected when he was ordered to accompany the Anculus in their counterattack against the Examen. The Turian captain was aware why he was sent specifically, having prior experience to working with Anculus on Elysium, but that in itself did not quite prepare him for what he faced on that Batarian colony. Being trapped in the slave pens with a squad of B1s while being chased by an Examen swarm for example, wasn't high on the lists of situations he thought to be caught in.
"Move!"
His lungs burned as he and the five remaining members of his unit ran passed empty holding cells. He wasn't surprised they were here, this was a Batarian colony after all, but he didn't stop to think any more about it. He could hear the scurrying of hundreds of little insect like legs closing in on them, the speed natural to Turians (and Anculus due to their synthetic nature) the only thing keeping them alive at the moment.
Things had gone Fubar almost immediately. The plan was simple, land on the outskirts, surround the compound, make their way in until the Examen was trapped in the center, and then wipe them out with the new electric rifles the Anculus provided. Pretty simple, but an effective tactic. Except that they didn't see a single sign of the Examen. Not until Unit Rover pointed out that this was the same thing that happened on Elysium fifteen years ago. Then someone shouted those magic words and the shit hit the proverbial fan.
"It's a trap!"
Thousands of the spirits damned bugs poured out of the surrounding forests, cutting off their escape and incapacitating any organics they came across and assimilating the Anculus. Thus leading to Desolas and his unit, consisting of Units Rover, Dogwood, Shepherd, Collie, and Bulldog, running for their lives.
"Captain Arterius!" the Unit next to him called out as he fired his ion charged rifle at the swarms not twenty paces behind them, groups of the bugs being blasted back before being replaced twofold. "Batarian slave pens contain master control rooms. We can seal ourselves inside!"
"Won't they *huff* just eat through the door?!"
"The doors have electrical defense systems, it will delay the B.U.G.S."
"Then move it people, double time!"
They didn't have to go far; the control room was just around the corner and to the right. They stomped into the room, Desolas bringing up the rear. "Seal the doors NOW!" The order didn't come a second to soon, the heavy doors slammed down, cutting off the synthetics from reaching them. The aging Turian glared at the door for a moment before releasing a heavy breath. "I'm getting to old for this."
He got to his feet slowly, trying to get his breathing under control. Turians were built for speed not distance. Once he breathing evened and his heart slowed to normal, he approached the room's biggest feature; a large console and a thick window overlooking the pens. Those same pens being absolutely infested with those spirits damned synthetic bugs. Watching the covering every part of the outside rooms to the point he couldn't even see the ceiling made his plates itch. He turned to the Anculus trapped with him.
"Any ideas on how to get out of here? Those doors won't keep the Examen out for long."
It was Unit Collie that answered him. "Batarian slave pens like this come equipped with a water cleansing system. They flood the pens with water to clear out any feces and refuse present." He point Desolas to a large valve on the wall opposite the console, the words 'CAUTION' above it in bold. "We can use it to clear the B.U.G.S. and make our escape. From there we retreat to the evacuation sights."
"And suggest to the fleet to have this colony bombed."
Desolas' mandibles twitched at this. "It is against Citadel regulations to bomb garden worlds."
"According to Citadel Regulations Section C Paragraph 7: if the parties involved face a high level containment risk on the surface of a garden world, fleets can authorize bombings of the quarantine sights."
The only Turian in the room scoffed. It was hard to argue with synthetics, something he surprisingly forgets often. "Fine, let's just focus on getting out of here first."
"Unit Rover," Collie ordered. "Prepare the water system, we will cover the door." The other Unit nodded before moving towards the valve, the rest of them moving to the door, preparing to once again sprint for their lives. 'Oh good, more running,' he chuckled to himself. Unit Collie called out, "Activate the water systems."
. . . Nothing.
Desolas as well as the other Units turned back to the frozen Unit, his alloyed hands grasping the valve firmly but not moving. "Unit Bulldog, activate the water system," he ordered again and still the Unit did not move. "Unit Bulldog."
". . . I cannot."
"Unit Rover, if you are suffering from a malfunction-"
"I am not," he said, not moving his gaze from his hands. Desolas couldn't be sure, but he swears they were shaking. "Unit," he spoke up. "Why can't you?" The Unit glanced at him for a second before returning it to his hands, still on the valve.
"This is wrong. We should not kill them."
"Unit Rover." The way Unit Collie said that almost sounded like a warning to the Turian, but that couldn't be . . . could it?
"It is our fault, not theirs. We can't kill them for our mistakes."
"Unit Rover." Desolas was sure it was a warning now. He watched as Unit Collie drew a side arm and leveled it on Rover. "Step away from the valve."
"I cannot do that," he replied. Desolas watched the scene unfold before him, his breath caught in his lungs. What was happening right now? Infighting among the Anculus, among synthetics?! Was that even possible?! He didn't know, but possible or not, disaster will follow if he didn't do something.
"Unit Rover." He approached the Anculus slowly, staring into his black visor with his hands raised in a placating gesture. "look out that window. What do you see?" He waited for the Unit to look and answer before he did anything else.
"Examen's B.U.G.S. swarms."
"That's right, and if those swarms get in here do you know what will happen?"
" . . . They will assimilate us."
"And do you know what will happen if they leave this world?"
" . . . "
"They will spread. They will spread across the galaxy, assimilating every piece of technology they find. They'll go to the Citadel, to Palaven, to Mars, to Earth. They will strip everything down to the very last scrap of tech until there's nothing left. They will kill trillions doing that. I don't pretend to know what you're going through right now but do you really think it's worth all those lives?"
Unit Rover didn't answer. He stared at Desolas for what seemed like an eternity, his gaze burning into the Turian despite being nothing more than a blank visor. Finally, he turned back to the valve. "Be ready to run, I'm activating the water system."
Desolas looked at him for a few more seconds before turning to the door with the others. There was something seriously wrong with this, that much was obvious. But what exactly? What did Rover mean by their mistake? He didn't know, but as he ran through the now drenched pens, he knew that by the spirits he would find out.
He swore it.
Waiver, if you will.
Waiver: Review please!
