He said:
"She's beautiful," - Carla murmured, looking at Qwea Marolla. Natural, smooth forms of ship seemed to be strangers from another galaxy - so strongly she was different from our ships. Green transparent coating, changing to shades of brown in various angles of falling rays, only added to the impression that ship was really organic, alive, breathing.
"She's the state of art," - confirmed Steven, - "It took a hell of money to get this bird, Alenko. Couldn't you choose something not so magnificent? I'm afraid of fouling this wonder with my dirty boots".
"It was the only military frigate docked in Citadel this morning," - I replied, stepping into the lock chamber, - "We're lucky she's fast enough - even the SSV Normandy has exceptional speed characteristics, and Normandy SR2 has several modifications enhancing acceleration - most ships will be turtle compared with her".
"Yeah, very lucky," - Steven replied, immersed in his thoughts. Three hours before he coded peacefully, and now he's assigned on SpeCTRe mission. I'd be nervous, too. In fact, I am nervous.
Airlock opened, not like normal one with separating folds, but like membrane shrinks, drifting apart from central fissure. Not exactly comforting door to pass. On the other side stood unknown salarian, far more green that commander Lerlon. He blinked on us, then checked something on data pad: "SpeCTRe Alenko. Mr. O'Bryan. Ms. Neno. I'm lieutenant Thobbs. Welcome aboard of Qwea Marolla".
She said:
I haven't decided with ground party yet. I could visit neither geth station nor Rannoch - it all required hardsuit, and only hardsuit my artificial limb, which might be removed only several hours later, could fit into was Grunt's. Presence of both Legion and Tali was obvious, but I needed in someone more emotional than Legion but less than Tali to make personal opinion. So I started to remember what each member of my crew was doing at moment:
Miranda, Thane and Kasumi were taking Oriana and her family from Cerberus - I prefer them not to have hostages. Liara found work for entire family somewhere in asari space. The task was to find a place where group of humans will be unnoticed and lead them there without drawing attention - so I gave up initial idea to send Jacob with Miranda as second person familiar with Cerberus' customs.
Grunt, Jack or Zaeed were excellent negotiators - I'd better send armed grenade then any of them.
Garrus - well, Garrus was born for such task, eye of the sniper combined with technical grasp. If I need third party which can discuss possible complications, Vakarian will be almost ideal candidate - his view of Tali as junior sister combines with acceptance of geth reasons. Plus, he didn't shoot so many geth as Wrex or exploded so many as Kaidan, my usual companions, and doesn't hate non organics so much.
Mordin, as developer of artificial hand, is urgent on procedure of its removal. What a pity - I'd rather hear his thoughts about ancient quarian culture from Rannoch.
Samara is the person I can completely trust when we protecting the innocents, but her aversion of grey situations make her completely inacceptable for this mission.
So only Garrus left. I pushed buttons on terminal to connect with its twin set near the main batteries.
"Garrus, are you busy?" - I started, surprised with lacking clicks of controls.
"Not really. That new batteries and matrices are completely amazing - they should be calibrated once per week, not three times per day. I've already started to become bored, but you'll always find some work for me, Alyson" - turian chuckled.
"Yeah, only for your entertaining. What can be better than escort our little sister to home?"
"You mean - guide little sister to homeworld? Why not. It seems to I haven't got my fair portion of headshot geth two years ago," - through comm link I've heard something like arming weapons. Knowing Garrus, I might suggest that he shows how to snipe geth right now. He was the very model of the teacher turian - strict, fair, charismatic, but doing extreme steps sometimes, - "No, Garrus, your task is watch and listen. Legion may be good guy which saved our lives sometimes, but you can't be too careful. You're tech and sniper simultaneously, so if anything will be suspicious..."
"Grab Tali, admiral and rest of organics, shoot all non-organics, inform "Normandy" and run away. I get it. No need to worry about", - really, no need to worry. Sometimes I feel like mom of big and noisy family.
"See you in cargo hold in fifteen minutes. Shepard's out".
He said:
Our cabins on "Qwea Marolla" were separated - surprisingly to military ship, hull consisted of small cages which could be tightened during the attack. My cell was near the CIC, Neno's - on main living deck and O'Bryan found himself near the main batteries. The first destination was one of the Cerberus' bases, and I wasn't sure if I should take Neno with me - maybe some time is required to her to become full-functioning part of the team. It's always hard to biotic, especially for L2 - any new noise, scent or flash of light can cause severe migraine. It'd be better to check her condition.
I went downstairs to living deck and instantly saw lithe redhead female hiding at the smooth curve of the ship. She glanced worriedly at any person approached to her. No, not that fast - Jamila definitely gave her meds before departure, but knowing how awfully Carla damaged Alyson, powerful biotic for herself, I became very nervous about the salarians.
"Is everything okay down here?" - I inquired, preparing my biotic barrier. Carla looked at me with some concern, then decided on respond: "No, not okay. Don't you see? They're watching."
It was bad. First they watching, then they give orders: "Who are they? Your son and husband?"
Carla looked on me as if I were an idiot: "I've never had either husband or son! They're... they're different. Alyson knows them. You know them, too, but not so good. Not so good!" - she shouted aloud, worried grey eyes met mine, I hugged unstable biotic and she started sobbing: "She knows better. How can she know better? How... why..." - woman only sobbed now, not saying a word. I started to understand why nobody used the most powerful biotic among humans in combat before. Slowly she rose her gaze, and pure, relaxed grey eyes stared at me: "What... What's happened here?"
"May I check your meds display, Carla?" - I suggested in my best peaceful tone.
"Oh no. I damaged someone again?" - I have to admit, worried but not mad Carla was beautiful. Not as beautiful as laughing Alyson, however. "No, Carla, you've just became very sad," - I replied, haven't got any intention to add possible paranoia to her misfortunes, - "I'm familiar with meds, and don't worry, I'll only look".
Carla became completely shy, but nodded and activated her omni-tool. I quickly went through biotic parameters and level of meds in blood and brain - nothing unusual. Not at all precisely - such mix of neuroleptics may cause instant brain blackout of any normal person, but Carla lived with it for eighteen years. So either it was a natural reaction on a change of background which would dissipate in a few hours or Neno's anamnesis got one more point.
She said:
Little research ship of quarians docked to Normandy - people haven't believe in success of this mission so sent the smallest ship Flotilla possesses. Not that I wasn't surprised for myself when Legion told geth aren't using resources of Rannoch, just nearby asteroids, so it was a chance to kill entire problem with one shot. However, some quarians still blame geth for all misfortunes, and geth... well, if what they say about Morning War and present intentions is right, I'm completely on their side. Another problem what geth underestimate the power of Reapers and keep being isolationists in hope that when Reapers will come, they'll have enough power to stop them. Such thoughts, as I assume, occurred to Council and the Illusive man. Hell, every group in the galaxy seems to be stuck with own problems, completely ignoring bigger threat. I've spent enough time making peace, that's will be over now - I'll concentrate my efforts on those who can really help, while others are free to do whatever they want. And my first possible allies are AI and giant fleet of ancient ships. Reason for optimism.
"Equalizing interior pressure with exterior atmosphere," - EDI's clear voice could be heard perfectly even through lock. Tali fidgeted right side of me, Legion was moving his facial plates. Gladly Garrus hasn't checked his rifle. Finally door slid apart, and small team entered. I instantly recognised Zaal'Koris and Kal'Reegar, but third member of group, quarian in the black envi-suit, still was a dark horse.
"Welcome abroad of the Normandy," - I greeted, surprised with Tali's reaction. Young woman definitely was familiar with all of the newcomers and on some invisible reason became really excited.
"Glad to see you again, captain Shepard. It's nearly all of soldiers I could persuade on discussing peace with geth - Kal'Reegar vas Lanya nar Castor and Dero'Reegar vas Moreh nar Castor," - both marines seemed to watch Legion and haven't paid attention to rest of us. Tali fidgeted more, and suddenly I realised the reason of her actions. Guys can be such a jerks.
"Admiral, this is Legion, independent mobile geth platform who suggested the negotiation. And you possibly remember Garrus Vakarian who was in my crew on Alarai. Let's proceed to the debriefing room," - I waved towards to elevator, which luckily was big enough to make it in one turn, in spite of my decision to show to quarians people they will work with. Dero' and Kal'Reegars were watching Legion, which was moving his plates and clinging to Tali, which transferred her weight periodically from one leg to another and moved slightly to Garrus, who was pressed into the Zaal'Koris which studied my arm. I smelt an awkward situation.
"It's untypical to see human with such parts. My condolences, Shepard, I know what it's like - wear such piece of a metal. Why don't you try cybernetics? It has vast usage among my people - mostly immune modifiers, but even they frequently has another functions. Such artificial limbs are very uncomfortable in combat," - admiral was first who broke the silence.
"Actually it isn't supposed to be permanent - mechanical parts are just cover for tissue regeneration. I'm already stuffed with cybernetics from top to toe," - I've already hesitated if I enjoyed such breaking of silence when elevator stopped and opened doors. I guided the guests to C-Sec past the former workstation of secretary. Poor psychologist now received mental help for herself, - "Did I understand right that you guys are brothers?"
"Cousins," - answered Kal, - "And Tali is the granddaughter of the aunt of the wife of cousin of wife of our second cousin".
Yeah, quarians are just one big family, I got it.
"You humans have very expressive faces," - chuckled Dero'Reegar, - "Quarians prefer to know all degrees of relation before assignment on the another ship. Clan member often share ideology and naturally keep themselves together, so this can lead to repeatedly mixing the same blood without even realising that".
Sound of his voice was rather low, and even if my nose wasn't enjoying the scent of envi suit, I must confess it was rather attractive. Kal'Reegar must be in uncomfortable position with such relatives.
"Not to mention every little cousin in radius of hearing tends to start running after you?" - poor Tali's helmet turned red, as for me. C'mon, guys, change the topic, -" Oh, look at this! Do you think this little girl shoots real nuclear blast?". Keep your hands out of my Cain, you tech freak!
"Unlikely, Kal. This cycloid bulges must be for radial component of mass effect field, but they're huge - bigger than any I've seen before. Such massive radial component makes this launcher just a very effective shotgun, so radiationless - you don't really want emitting particles after shot be near you?". Great Universe, here we go again. Not so many time before I wondered if it would be Miranda who toss Garrus over the room or Garrus who will snipe Miranda first when they were discussing same topics. Turian's facial expression was impressive when he found out he will be the one dancing in the mess hall.
"Actually it shoots old-fashioned bullets, but force of explosion approaches to nuclear blast. I've heard Shepard used it only once - against the Thresher Maw".
"You killed the Thresher Maw not using the vehicle?" - Zaal'Koris glanced at my hand once more. I've already started to feel nervous about this glances.
"Yes. I'll do everything for my crew, no matter how possible it is. You should've known it before trial, Admiral" - I opened the door of debriefing room.
"No, no, Shepard, I'm glad I had a chance to talk to person who shares my opinion concerning Geth," - Tali glanced disapprovingly but told nothing, - "So Geth decided to give Rannoch back to us. What do they want for it?"
"We are looking to answers. Answers on questions about Morning War. Questions about our place. Our purpose. We can't solve the problem of our evolution without boundary conditions".
Participants slowly took the places on armchairs standing by the new table. I and Miranda tried best to turn this place to better, keeping in mind its initial purpose - debriefings. We hadn't led any really long discussion - say, for three hours, - here, but the table wasn't lowering now and every seat was equipped with miniature console - not every person on a ship was a sniper able to see small details on common screen. Armchairs were constructed considering individual preferences of every member of crew - to be honest, it was ten armchairs for squad members, several extra ones in corner, two enormous mutants looking like a throne and capable to hold very big krogan and very heavy geth, and one box. Well, since I sleep on a Claymore, I can understand Jack's wishes.
"I can't speak for all my people. You will ask questions, I will contact with another admirals. But I just want you to know - this conflict was a mistake. It was the fault of my people..."
"No, it wasn't! We defended ourselves, we were aware of dangers of AI!" - Tali jumped out of her seat, pointing at Admiral, - "When you erasing the data from your omni-tool, you shouldn't feel sorry. When you're erasing the dangerous data, a virus, you should be proud of this actions!"
"But when you try to destroy entire sapient species, you're committing genocide," - Kal'Reegar interrupted the young woman, - "Rush actions is not always the right ones. We should study the Geth, try to understand what..."
"Study our own programs? When you do this, it means your code is lame. And lame code should be destroyed".
"It's our children we're talking about. No matter if we love the way Geth going on or not, we are responsible for them. And you'll never shoot at child - you should do everything possible to make peace in family, except violence".
I stood up: "And it's a reason we're crossing Perseus Veil and heading to main station to build the consensus". As a prove to my words, room glowed dimly, indicating the crossing of relay. On a Normandy, this procedure was silent - on an older ships with not so sophisticated dampeners successfully used regular passing of relays as wakeup call for next shift.
Tali's pointing hand dropped. "Keelah. We're in the region controlled by machines, and any mistake in their calculations could lead to morality reversal and our instant extermination. Let alone the possibility Reapers could rewrite heretics back again".
"We understand the anxiety of Creator Tali'Zorah, but this risk is evaluated as mutual. This crew and Shepard commander especially has proven the effectiveness in combat, so in case of disagreement Zero Server will be in not less danger than crew".
"Zero server?" - Dero'Reegar looked surprised, - "Are the Geth servers aren't equal - providing own small part of computing and maintaining permanent connection with others?"
"Zero server is the central processing and keeping the information unit among the Geth. We have three levels of backups and local administration - second servers, which direct the action of local mobile platforms and keep the backups for several hours, first servers which provide tactical and not long-term strategic planning and have backups for several days, and zero server with mirrors which is the centre of strategic planning and backup of all information Geth could collect".
"Keelah," - Tali froze, - it's the keeper of memory of all our ancestors".
Engineering deck, lower level:
"May I talk with you?" - Samara approached cautiously, biotics prepared to keep her from falling on lattice floor.
"What do you need, blue grandma?" - Jack replied, distracted from watching the opposite wall. Young woman still can't understand why boss lady needs in so many biotics, but while she's fed, safe and has regular missions to kill someone, young woman wouldn't mind, - "Talk to Cerberus cheerleader instead. Or Shepard. I don't need another pussy to tell me what to do".
"Actually I came to talk about your training. I think I have something you can use," - Samara sat on the floor in her usual meditating pose, not paying attention to offensive tone of opposing side.
"I? Can Use? Something from you? Screw that, you're weaker and I'm stronger. Teach that bitch instead, and maybe our little chat after everything will be other will be a little longer, for my pleasure. Your uniforms are the fucking good start."
"You may be stronger than me, but not as strong as ideal you. Your emotions are the reason why you'll lose the fight against Shepard even if she is twice weaker than you".
Jack was going to shout that she will wipe the floor with Shepard but shut own mouth. Knowing boss' temper it may end in actual fight, and Shepard was famous for ability to beat the impossible odds. "Maybe I'll listen to you - but hell, don't start entire "keep your emotions under control" thing. So?"
"It is about controlling emotions, but isn't about suppressing emotions. Have you looked at Shepard in combat?"
Jack shook head in denial. Battle when you have time to stare at another female during the fight it's crappy battle, for her opinion.
"She uses own fears, hate, love - not they use her, but she fuels her biotics power with it. I heard you were on Horizon so can understand what I'm talking about. No dissipating the energy, no useless but spectacular gestures, no worthless flaring - but when she strikes, she puts all her passion in it. You're very similar in this aspect, and you only need to know how to lead your emotions in useful directions, while Miranda needs to understand how to not suppress them. It seems to I already know how to teach both of you - invite Shepard and make a sparring. Are you in?"
Tossing Cerberus bitch to the wall and become granted for this? You must be kidding. "Of course I am. When to start?"
"To equalize chances I suggest to start immediately."
Quarians' research ship, on the way to Zero Server:
All four quarians seemed depressed - Kal'Reegar was rocking back and forth, Zaal'Koris buried helmet into hands, whispering something barely audible, Dero'Reegar who was currently piloting slowly drummed on control panel, Tali'Zorah was glancing on Legion, brothers, Garrus and again on Legion. Legion transmitted requests for access to acting Zero Server. Garrus felt that agreeing on this mission was a decision which will likely bite him in ass - all the setting needed in only one match to explode. Shepard definitely fits better for such missions, he thought, I swear she can talk Reapers to situation they will cry and go charity.
And then little ship left the shadow of Rannoch and shown planet, with its corundum dust shining in atmosphere, surrounded with myriads of Geth station with semi-transparent sun batteries, moths flying to fire. It didn't look like Flotilla, where ships were seriously worn and didn't match to each other - all of Geth ships looked the same, at least at first view, when dark silhouettes of dropships are unnoticed. All this stations constantly moved antennas and photo elements, and most actively - at the border of view, where tiny insects trembled with anticipation for something bigger. Finally, huge black wings appeared, carrying massive structure, drifting lazily, nearly touching the atmosphere. Black concentric parts were decorated with antennas, dropping the reflections on polished metal of wiring system. Heart of the system looked like the centre of the flower.
"I can't believe in this. So long time we thought that all the memory about our people is lost forever, and now we know Geth kept it. And this station - it's so beautiful" - Tali found another object to stare at. Quarians were always fascinated with flowers - things that were extremely rare back on Rannoch, natural creation envi-suit beings are never able to enjoy fully - how they can feel the scent, the silk of petals?
"Don't fool yourself," - Dero'Reegar tilted his body to see docking sequences, - "Why Geth may need in all of this sentiments? I bet they kept only useful data".
"Incorrect. Psychological profile of Creators explains many moments in paradigms of high-level processes organisation in Geth. They'reused for statistical part boundary conditions based onto".
"They inherited many things from us. They grew older. To live parents' house, only one stage of growing up left".
"Beautiful words, Admiral, but children normally not forcing parents out of home while growing up".
"No matter. It was many mutual mistakes... our mistakes. But now we shouldn't live past, it's time to move on. I'm here to finish the war that started 300 years ago."
Dero'Reegar made an indefinite sound but said nothing. Garrus turned his minds back to the time when Geth supposed to be their main enemy. This creatures are butchers in battle, bomb site on Virmire have proven it - turian still wondered how Shepard and Wrex managed to tear apart Juggernaut, Prime, Destroyer and at least couple of snipers in less than a minute. He still can't understand how they all, he, Miranda and Alyson shut down Colossus on Haestrom. This pieces of metal don't afraid of heat, cold, lack of atmosphere, toxins and many other things may kill normal soldier very fast. Let's face it - it's dangerous to share the galaxy with such beings. From this point of view quarians were victims during Morning War - they never had a chance against sapient machines, their population was decimated, Council turned his back on them. What if this happened to turians - would he still say that people got that they deserved?
That's why Alyson suits better to this mission, thought sniper. She deals with grey situations far better.
They dived under the petals to find small docking bay without any signs of pressure equalizer. Two mobile platforms, not looking at geth Garrus usually saw - geth trooper with wheels instead of feet and impressive asset of hands definitely wouldn't left unnoticed - waited inside. There weren't any source of light, so quarians turned opacity on helmets off while platforms provided dim light from their head lamps. It was the first time Garrus could see Tali's face so he couldn't help but stare until warning look of big purple eyes made him concentrate on his way.
Station hasn't got rooms - it was one big space filled with data servers and wires from here to there columns happened, situated obviously on purpose to provide rigidity. It looked like ancient library, and platforms marked on a map Legion activated on his omni-tool seemed to be keepers of quietness and order. From time to time technical consoles were busy with geth, which exchanged memory cores, data holders, checked current, voltage and temperature - but they needed in another one - central console, general output.
"What's central console look like exactly?" - Garrus inquired. He imagined some kind of hologram representing quarian woman in traditional long dress, - "Some kind of VI?"
"Unlikely. Geth don't care about aesthetic functionality. So voice synthesizer".
"This," - Legion pointed forward.
"What - this? There's nothing," - Tali finally was distracted from the scenery.
"This. Output cable. It mounts to output cable of some VI and transmits data directly to visor".
"So actually only one person can talk to Geth?" - young woman sounded disappointed, - "What will the rest of team do?"
"I suggest to move to surface and get some data Shepard asked," - Garrus turned to Legion, - "Is there any mine we can use to set sensors?"
""Deepest mine existing to event Creators call "Morning war" is in area where reparation work are still unfinished. We have no data concerning its condition".
"Reparations still unfinished? Impossible! It can't took three hundreds of years to fix it!".
"I'll explain you what's the problem on our way to surface," - Kal'Reegar volunteered, - "As I assume, Admiral, you'll be the one who will talk to Geth?"
"I will. Help me with cable," - Zaal'Koris replied, immersed in thoughts. Tali hurried to do this. "I stay, too. Someone needed to pilot the shuttle," - older Reegar made himself heard.
"Dero? Don't you want to visit our homeworld?"
"I can't understand why everyone is so obsessed with this piece of a rock. It's definitely not the best place to live. If we were clever, we'd settle at another planet long ago."
Tali stiffen her lips but concentrated on work. "Ready. You may start initializing".
Several lines appeared on the glass of old man's - now it was visible that Admiral was rather old, at least by Garrus' estimation of his skin colour - helmet. He surprisingly fast typed response - Zaal'Koris was never the best soldier among quarians, but he was remarkable engineer. Next lines made him slow down, on the next portion he stopped and closed eyes.
"We should go," - whispered Kal'Reegar, mostly to call party out. Reegars, Tali, Legion and Garrus proceeded in silence, but after several meters turians looked back to check old quarian. Admiral stood, his hands still, and silently cried.
He said:
O'Bryan wasn't found neither in his section nor in mess hall, engines or batteries. Pinging his omni-tool hasn't given any results, but I practically don't hope on it. I already directed my steps at CIC to order Steven appear through comm link, but suddenly faced him sitting on stairs with unreadable facial expression.
"What's the look, O'Bryan? Stole one of Neno's pills?"
"No. But it's good idea," - he stood and stopped to bite own tress, - "Do you know what's complicated when working in crew?" - engineer looked at me suspiciously, - "Oh, you do know. That big blue eyes. That sad look. One glance - and you're lost, my friend".
Excellent. He never mentioned relationship between me and Alyson before. What changed now? "And why do you talking to me about that look?"
"And to whom else should I talk? I wish you saw how she looked at me today. I so wanted to comfort her, but you succeed instead of me".
Great, now I have two psychically instable crew members. "Steven, are you aware she's dead?"
According to his reaction, obviously not. He looked at me in a way like it was I who was insane. "Who, Carla? When? How?"
"Ah, you're talking about Carla. Nevermind".
"Stop, and who are you talking about. No - don't reply, I already know. Our romantic hero first human SpeCTRe defender of the puppies Alyson Shepard?"
"Nevermind!"
"Speaking about Shepard, we are supposed to persuade her to visit Citadel and talk to Anderson? A little not that thing that SpeCTRes usually do. And don't tell me that Cerberus facility we are going to now has any relation to this".
Sometimes I think Joker wasn't that bad. On the other hand, it was I who stalked Shepard with questions about missions back on the first Normandy - all in all, it's unfair to keep crew into darkness.
"Okay, I'll try to explain", - Steven nodded repeatedly with enthusiasm, - "That woman, clone, is not Shepard. It's most likely artificial creature made by Cerberus. How and why - it's a big question which we're going to investigate".
"I remember the big package of encrypted data about Cerberus and their bases which researched something like cloning. Remember very well - I bought asarian server on reward from help in decrypting, but it's still not complete".
"Yeah, that was the data I and team looted from Cerberus ship. Cerberus wasn't very glad about sharing it with Alliance. All major tech worked on this project - Arnold, Ulrichsson, Green. I think you also counts as major expert," - guy smiled, - "We need that data to prove that clone is not Shepard... just to be safe. She may not know what Illusive Man uses her, think that her decisions are independent - but TIM isn't that type who can be fooled easily. Or understood easily. He may play with people's fears about Reapers to gather forces under her colours - under his own colours. That's why all preparations to invasion are strictly classified. People will follow Cerberus' puppet while she's beloved hero who saves colonies - and speaking honestly, this works for us, - but everything will be safer if when hero will start to sacrifice aliens or claim human dominance we will be able to prove that she is not a hero at all".
"Understood, commander".
In the middle of somewhere:
Rannoch. Birthplace of both geth and quarian civilization. In fact, every sapient life needs an odds to start - without fighting for survival wild nature evolves lazily, staying on the level of primitive protista. If so, Rannoch was an ideal place for birth of new race, with Tuchanka as close second.
Unlikely Palaven, homeworld of close to quarians turians, Rannoch is rich with metal. Small heavy planet situated close to star, red giant, absolutely flat and open to all winds. Gravitation force don't let atmosphere to leave, but constant hard emission from sun causes permanent hurricanes. Unlikely Earth, where must common elements are iron, aluminum, oxygen and silicon, Rannoch consist of silver, aluminum, chrome and manganese. Percentage of oxygen is rather low, but since main metals are rarely found in their oxidized form, nearly all of it is in atmosphere, while planet core is pure metals covered with thin film of oxides. But the same compounds are the curse of planet surface - corundum dust, moving high speed with the winds, erodes all weak structures in a moment - that was the reason insects never was able to have wings and stayed to be pathetic creatures hiding in the tiny layer of soil. Trees were never able to grow high and all the specimen are short but steady - as all animals, as quarians, too. In condition of dominating toxic heavy metal, it took very many time for life to find out how to survive, and even after that bacteria and viruses were poorly represented. Species whose way didn't include permanent lurking in the ground cared to develop proper natural defense - thick skin, minimal number of pores and other openings, transparent not moving eyelids.
Quarians continued natural evolution with customs - clothing covering almost all body, constantly checking equipment for possible malfunctions, - and scientific progress. One of the most popular inventions was protective bubble, shielding buildings from strong winds and all-penetrating corundum dust and later surrounding entire cities. However, strangers exiting bubble could hope only on mercy of Keelah, goddess of winds, so every friend wished him safe road, good wind sent by Keelah - Keelah se'lai. Cities were made in style which allowed the fastest reparations - hexagonal pavement, made from aluminum alloy, similar blocks for walls, usually decorated with polished silver patterns, and roof with mosaic parts of pressed polished chrome oxide. Early this walls weren't totally soundproof, so care about neighbours is inexplicable part of quarian society. Such care developed later in rather fair distribution of resources - urgent for life and central for metabolism soluble chromium salts were rather rare, as well as soil. So technical revolution which led to robotс industry became vital for society forced to survive on tiny hostile planet with environment slowly eating down any infrastructure. Vast amounts of non-oxidized aluminum and silver were found not far under the surface and became blood for newborn cybernetics and interstellar flights. People finally threw away dusty blanket of atmosphere to face alien life and soon, hardened by devastating nature of Rannoch, have proven themselves as intelligent technics with only flaw - weak immune system, since their homeworld had successful protection system. It hasn't stopped quarians for long - they created own avatars, cybernetic creatures called geth, which were especially designed for aggressive environment.
The minute after quarians stopped to fight for their lives with nature, they started to develop culture, especially music, never popular while permanent howling wind muffled any other sound. It was the time of rapid growth of arts, architecture, and programming - intelligibility won the battle with reliability, and more and more sophisticated geth and other devices appeared. Unluckily, race which not so far considered complicated odds for one person as normal when it comes to survival of entire population wasn't understanding towards to needs of newcomers, geth what started to ask questions. Unclear question of what one soul means comparing to spirit of all people and what to do when centralised, disciplined, fairly distributing society faced plenty of resources and freedom led to view on geth as a tool to show status. Quarians paid for that very soon.
Garrus never was a fan of long scientific speeches, but Kal'Reegar wasn't either, so introduction in quarian history was rather brief - planetopter took them from Zero Server station to surface, and now they were above abandoned city. Tali was looking out of window, almost incapable to notice anything because of dust. Giant shadow suddenly crossed the view - remains of tower, long ago maintaining barrier above city. Losing height, planetopter approached to now polished streets, heaps of sand and dust in corners, breached roofless buildings, in their almost circular form resembling split blisters. Soon after Garrus noticed another building - pile of bubbles, standing on each other, partially shattered.
"Is that our destination?" - turian asked Reegar which currently checked map on omni-tool. Such amounts of metal scrambled the systems, and it was clear what inside the mine they have to count only on old maps and own sight, being aware that after the war mine can be utterly damaged.
"It is," - answered quarian, looking out. Then his concern moved to Tali - young woman seemed to be completely depressed. "Are you okay, Tali'Zorah?"
"I'm... It's... This place is a huge grave of my people. And now we should invade this grave for possibility of saving lives, and I don't know what to think. Another civilization from planet which born all of these disastrous Reapers, and our ancestors... doesn't it look like people created Reapers are our ancestors?" - following the shocked gaze of every person in shuttle, Tali corrected herself: "Not in a biological sense, but in spiritual. That folk created AI which is trying to destroy galaxy, and we..." - woman looked at Legion and suddenly stopped. "Well, we... created dangerous things... beings..."
"Geth do not plan to attack organics unless organics will invade our future," - Legion flopped his plating.
"Well, what if Reapers will re-purpose you again? You haven't got any morality, just mathematics, so change from friends to foes may be sudden and very dramatic".
"Estimated influence of advanced biochemical reactions to steadiness against Reapers equals... 0.70 percent. Organic creatures commonly incline own emotional response to fit present situation. Saren SpeCTRe calculated that most effective response to Reapers invasion is joining them. Shepard Commander calculated that resistance will have any chances and persuaded Saren SpeCTRe to terminate own process. We have achieved consensus that this was an example of organic reprogramming."
Shuttle landed, rising the cloud of dust. Reegar decided to not open the door until the dust will accumulate.
"But organics are unique, and our feeling of word will be checked with background, past experience, feelings and wishes. Organics may choose if obey the orders or not. Reprogrammed Geth will act all as one".
"Incorrect. Common platforms actually will do the same, but platforms based on quantum computers, such as servers, will process information and building unique decisions. Example from organic life: when some source emits heavy propaganda, majority will accept it without asking questions, but several specimen will resist".
"I... I should think about it"
Reegar finally ordered to leave shuttle, and group proceed under dim light - particles of dust in atmosphere screened the solar radiation. Garrus' expectations were wrong - wind wasn't howling, they were too close to remains of wall which once was the basement of bubble. Now turian could see that spheres surface part of mine consisted of were covered with inscriptions - several words were undetectable, but old, red ones which obviously written with stencil, told something about limitation of number of children to improve the distribution of resources, some of them cheered the increased production; but the graffiti-like patterns told about limitation of bureaucracy and appetites of "apex" of society.
"I can't understand. Rannoch is exemplarily rich with natural resources, why the problems with distribution appeared?" - Garrus inquired, helping Kal and Legion to clear the way through debris.
"Not distribution of heavy industry products. It's about light and food industry. See?" - Tali pointed on badly injured statue representing woman in traditional clothes and working gloves and man in overalls, rising his omni-tool, - "Most of population was busy in machinery, but government set low prices on it. Still, this products, as well as raw aluminum, were first numbers in export. Food and clothes were extremely expensive, there were enormous farms which produced low-quality products what usually decayed on storehouses," - door was finally opened and they entered surprisingly spacious room. Floor tingled and crunched under their feet, making the disturbing feeling that moment after aluminum alloy plates will break into pieces and team will fall into deepest mine on the Rannoch. "Trading technical products for food and clothes may help, as well as putting money into agriculture instead of industry, but relationship with Council races were complicated from the beginning, and our government wanted us to be independent and be able to resist against any threat. This was a reason of Geth, of weapon technologies... of everything. Yeah, of everything".
"Sometimes our ancestors weren't so wrong, however," - Kal'Reegar reminded about own existence, - "Look at this power station - it was clearly designed to survive nuclear war, and successfully dealt with all of these corundum storms. I bet if we will clean this granny a bit, power to several elevators will be restored".
She said:
Smell of antiseptics. Light note of clean sheet. Flower scent of dr. Chakwas new uniform and disturbing, tracing down the spine smell of Mordin's smock. I'll finally get rid of mechanical arm - motors of this thing are really slow, I want more freedom, even in questions of own outfit. To faster adaptation of my neural system to new arm switching with minimal anesthesia was suggested - which is good when it comes to possible morphine tolerance, but very bad when we speak about pain threshold. I have no idea what it will be like and how long will it take, but Reapers wouldn't sit and wait until I'll found out how to wear armour and use biotics with artificial limb.
All preparations have been already made, and I'm lying in the small chamber of the creepy biotics check apparatus. It's interesting why Cerberus haven't bought all these equipments at first time, - we had completely nothing before Horizon, and it's damn luck that only harmed biotic was I with my fancy elastic neural system - such events would kill any other biotic from the team if they were on my place. I'm very lucky - my system isn't particularly strong (as Jack or Samara) or capable to be steady for dramatic affects (as Miranda or Kaidan) - it's just elastic - easy returning at beginning state. I'm twice lucky since one of labs which is friendly towards to Biotic Wing agreed to sell us both portable kits (gold cases - yes, they're that heavy while containing basic tuning tool and popular meds and their colour is golden) and med systems. And now I was wired top to toe in same kind as victim of brutal experiment, pumped up with morphine, lacking my AMP and waited for my doom.
Blue lights slowly lit up, mechanical system constructed especially for this procedure (no chance it will survive biotic outburst) buzzed slightly and established contact with now bare clamps on my arm. After the countdown it will cut off cybernetics of artificial limb, plug my own nerves in and pull out the wiring. I was afraid about procedure, so inhaled deeply while Mordin's voice pronounced "Five. Four. Three. Two..."
"One"
My world burned in red colour, then faded in blue when eyes adjusted to the instant shine of sun. My entire body was eyes - or one big eye stared lovingly on star. Huge bluish-white sphere warmed me up, and I wished to become closer with it - but can't. Attempts tore my body apart, and in desperation, I covered the parts of skeleton of my body with skin - and somewhere deep inside, my reason to be proud, little wonderful creature took its place, developing under the protection of caring organs which were feeding it, teaching it. Finally I longed to set it free, so made a breach in own tissues...
Sharp pain filled my body. Then the world went dark.
In the middle of somewhere:
With two quarians and geth, reparations went faster than Garrus expected. They've already passed seventeen levels, only ten more left. What was bad, lower sections were blocked with skeletons - Tali became very nervous, so her task was the deposition of sensors. Quarians definitely know how to built steady constructions - many monitoring systems just needed the couple of heavy punches in corpus to start working.
But it all was useless. They've found several deposits of valuable mineral so far, but nothing that may refer to sophisticated civilization. Rannoch, tiny piece of metal in space, was completely empty.
She said:
"Commander, you made everyone nervous. You lost consciousness at the same moment we plugged organic nerves in. I strongly not recommend repeating such experience - it took two hours to wake you up, and during that, your muscles were trembling, temperature was falling and eyes moved fast, what evidencing about severe brain damage".
I finally managed to regain feelings. All limbs were too weak to move, colourful circles were running in sight while I was rising eyelids and stopped motion when it was ready. Spicy scent of ozone filled the room - my biotics wasn't particularly glad with procedure. Trying to remember what happened to me, I found out that some parts are missing - I can't remember anything about the manipulations itself, but I recall...
"Hallucinations," - I whispered, - "It was just horrible hallucinations".
"I understand," - replied dr. Chakwas, - "Traumatic shock and opiates can both cause this condition. Keep in mind that if hallucinations will repeat, you may hurt people severely. It's better for you to try to sleep while I'm checking your implant".
Yes, wish for sleep has already overwhelmed senses - it was action of morphine. Morphine - I was aware about possible tolerance, but I never expected such terrible visions. This trick of devil isn't worth such consequences - pain, after all, is hard to cope but fair when it comes to senses. My eyelids slowly closed again, to find peace and inviting darkness this time.