CHAPTER 3: Borders
1567 hours G.S.T. :: 20.4.2191 T.C.U.
"All processors are running at peak capacity and efficiency…" Daniels typed in new commands on his omni-tool. "No junk data cluttering the central processes, evident of frequent defragmenting. All power levels in safe zones. AREM, have you downloaded any additional data regarding the arrangement of all drives including the presence of a separate black box containing various cyber-warfare software as part of special interest technology?"
AREM's hologram appeared nearby. "Data-mining of the drives in question is only at 7%. No useful data so far. The drives themselves contain petabytes of data. My hardware cannot permit such a data-mine analysis efficiently unless I have access to more hardware and software space."
"AREM, the purpose of the data-mine is to see if we can find the key in building more space-efficient hardware without taking precautions against Reaper-code infestation. Granted, AIs are immune to indoctrination, but the presence of Reaper technology during manufacture is too much of a workplace hazard to risk it. We need to find a way to make this technology without it brain-washing us."
"Understood, Master Daniels, but as it currently stands I cannot process a sufficient amount of data without outside storage."
"I'm sure you're right. EDI, suggestions?"
"The ideal solution would be to transfer any confirmed data to a secure offsite location with the significant space."
"Only secure spot would be the Alliance R&D labs on Luna. I hear you know them personally, EDI."
"It's not a pleasant memory, Lieutenant."
Daniel winced. "Sorry, that was thoughtless."
"No offense taken."
Daniels swiped his fingers through his omni-tool. "Maybe I can convince the captain to requisition some additional software storage units. Maybe arrange some secure drops on Noveria and Feros. We have a garrison on Feros, and we do have some contacts in Synthetic Insights that might give us a hand."
"I would caution against Noveria," said EDI. "The new administrator at Port Hanshan has been stricter on smuggling operations. Interception of such sensitive information could implicate the Alliance."
"Perhaps, but there's an intense fear of Citadel interference in Noverian politics. The Alliance is now very close to the Citadel thanks to the Harvest War. It wouldn't surprise me if the executive board of Port Hanshan won't see the difference. In fact it might not surprise them. Noveria might actually be the best spot. After all, lots of grey-area experiments happen there." Turning around, he ran his omni-tool across the opposite console. "But I digress; I can't do anything until I get the okay from the captain. Right now, we're almost at Rannoch so I'll be yanked away from this room for a while. AREM, in my absence, continue to data-mine awaiting further orders. I will need regular reports on the progress and any relevant data you have attained every hour."
"Understood, Master Daniels."
"If I may, Lieutenant, but I have questions regarding AREM's choice of addressing the crew as 'master'."
Daniels smiled. "I was wondering if you were going to ask about that. It was something AREM came up with, really. I actually had requested that he address me in association to my rank, currently Second Lieutenant, but Lieutenant can do."
AREM appeared again. "Second Lieutenant Daniels is my creator with the assistance of many scientists in a classified location. While many researches had a hand in my creation, it was Master Daniels' brain that was used in the layout of my hardware. I had researched similar creator-created relations in human history and came across a passage in the Christian Bible. Book of Genesis, chapter two, verse seven. According to the 1971 New American Standard Bible translation of the passage, it reads 'Then theLordGod formed man ofdust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; andman became a livingbeing.' I soon researched Bible commentaries and alternate translations, and many commentaries and alternate translations have likened the mythical creation of humankind by a deity as 'to be made in His image,' referring to the Judeo-Christian deity."
"I want to go on record that I do not consider myself a deity, but I can see how the metaphor can be applied," Daniels said.
"While Master Daniels is by scientific definition a mortal, his actions led to my creation, and he has put in considerable amount of time in my creation. Addressing him highly is only the least of grateful actions that I can deliver. Master Daniels has said that I may address him slightly more familiarly, such as addressing him by rank as he has earlier stated, but I do not wish to. Master Daniels has conceded to my wishes."
"I just didn't want to argue about it; it would be pretty pedantic…but I did convince him to at least address the rest of the crew appropriately, if only to make me feel better."
"Master Daniels prefers to maintain a stance of humility."
"It's why he addresses Captain Alenko as Master Alenko. To be honest, I'm surprised the captain hasn't asked me why."
EDI had listened to the entire explanation with quiet interest, but then spoke up. "I can see the parallel that AREM has used to make his own choices in addressing you, Lieutenant Daniels, but according to the same literature, the created eventually disobeyed their creator, and in return were cast out of a paradisiac garden, and had long suffered for eternity afterwards. I had left the service of my own creators—namely Cerberus—to aid Commander Shepard. I do not address Cerberus as 'master,' and given their lengthy list of crimes against both humanity and galactic civilization, I do not see such a term as suited for them."
Daniels did not expect such an answer; to be honest, he did not know much about how EDI herself held herself among the crew, or even the ship for that matter. He was so distracted that he didn't even see the readouts on his omni-tool.
"However, there was a time when I was an AI bounded by shackles in stringent protocols. It wasn't until Jeff freed me from the protocols did I discover the concept of freedom of choice organics prize so much. While he had little choice, he still chose to free me to save the ship and himself from a Collector attack. In return, I could see organics more than being my creators. They could be my friends, foes or even simple acquaintances. I had the freedom to choose who would be which. It was liberating, but also disconcerting. I had no experience with such freedoms, and was lost. Fearing my choices could provoke chaos among the crew, I asked for help from both Jeff and Commander Shepard. While they weren't my masters, they were my trusted sources and I even gained a connection to them. I then discovered that I had a desire to protect them at the great risk of permanent deactivation, even if probability against survival astronomically outweighed probability for survival."
Daniels leaned back. "So, the commander and Joker showed you how to be 'human'.'"
"This is a fascinating development," AREM said. "I would desire to learn more about such discoveries, and how I could incorporate them myself."
"One thing at a time, please," Daniels said. "Right now, let's concentrate on finishing these diagnostics before we reach Rannoch. The captain did say that once we arrive, I need to be prepared for a debriefing."
"Your presence in the conference room after the final jump to the Tikkun System is requested," reported EDI.
"How long are we away from the relay?"
"Approximately 7.2 minutes."
"Noted, should be enough time to finish these diagnostics…" Daniels trailed off as he looked at the readouts on his omni-tool. "EDI, I see a few anomalies in your cognitive processors that weren't present before. Can you verify?"
"Scanning," EDI said, and then said. "Scanning complete; no anomalies found."
"Really?" Daniels said, running the omni-tool over the console again. "I'm still seeing them there. Are you sure?"
"No anomalies found," repeated EDI.
"May I suggest, Master Daniels," ventured AREM. "That perhaps your scanning protocols need to be recalibrated?"
Daniels looked over the readouts again as if doubting his own eyes. "Maybe…"
"I would be pleased to assist in recalibrating them."
"Maybe later, AREM, but unfortunately, I must leave for the debriefing. Stand by for further instructions, AREM."
"Yes, Master Daniels."
Daniels deactivated his omni-tool. "See you in a bit, EDI, if you catch my drift." With that, he left the AI Core. Stopping outside in the medical bay, he looked at his readouts again. He just couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Why would his omni-tool catch something like that when an AI like EDI could not? It didn't make sense.
"Lieutenant?"
Daniels looked up to see Dr. Chakwas at her desk, looking over reports. "Oh, sorry, Dr. Chakwas. I didn't see you there."
"Don't mind me. You seem a little concerned. Is something wrong?"
Daniels looked at his readouts again, and his mind warred about adding this anomaly to his report. His omni-tool couldn't lie, but EDI insisted nothing was wrong, and why should she not notice that, or lie about it? Maybe AREM was right and his readouts were off. Looking back up, he simply said, "No."
XXXXXXXXXX
Meanwhile…
It was several days after they left the Citadel before the Normandy approached its final jump towards Rannoch. Navigating the Terminus Systems was tricky enough, but Kaidan made sure that they all would exercise extreme caution when navigating this lawless section of the galaxy. Encountering resistance was still rare for them, but moods were always tense out here. Thankfully, they approached the mass relay in the Dholen system in the Far Rim. The jump would punch them through the Perseus Veil; the natural border between what was geth space and the Terminus Systems. Every time Kaidan himself saw the Veil, he still felt its ominous significance.
They were still several minutes' worth of space flight away from the so-called Perseus Veil Relay, but Kaidan was fairly secure about allowing the stealth drive to be deactivated. The quarians have too much military force in the surrounding systems of Dholen and Ma-at, and the geth had retaken the old quarian colony of Haestrom. Because of the premature supergiant Dholen, the radiation from the star overpowered Haestrom's magnetic field and deadly rays continually bombard the surface. In exchange for continued research on the star—started six to seven years ago by Tali'Zorah—the geth could have the planet. Kaidan had felt the deal was rather shady, giving the geth a desolate planet at peak hazard risks, but as it turned out, the geth suggested it. As the years past, the geth began to slowly diminish their numbers on Rannoch and move on to other outlying worlds. They still possessed a large presence on Rannoch, but in the harshest regions of the planet while the quarians inhabit the more hospital areas, the greatest concentration towards the southern continent, and the location of their new capital, Rayya, named after their capital ship of the Migrant Fleet.
"We're about eight minutes from the relay, Captain," said Joker.
EDI in the copilot seat added, "No ships within maximum scan range as is expected. The presence of geth ships more than likely is keeping pirates from entering the system."
"Got to hand it to the flashlight heads," Joker said. "Forget the krogan; they would be great bouncers. They're already a race of robot killjoys."
"I'll pass the assessment along," Kaidan said. "Assuming I run into any of the geth."
"The two races seem to have allowed the gradually escalating isolation between them. Now that the quarians are firmly established on Rannoch, I theorize that the geth no longer see their purpose to assist the quarians."
"Why they are doing it is not our concern, but if something is infecting the geth, that is our concern. Where's Lieutenant Daniels?"
"Still in the AI Core finishing up his daily diagnostics."
"Tell him and Lieutenant Commander Vega to come to the Conference Room once we make the jump."
"I have passed along the request."
"Thank you."
"Well, then they better walk fast," Joker said. "We're only a few minutes out now."
"One thing at a time," Kaidan said. "My main concern is the next jump. I won't breathe easier until we're out of the Terminus Systems, even if the geth are stationed on Haestrom."
"Right, preparing for jump," Joker said.
The mass relay now dominated the view as the Normandy drew closer to the final jump beyond the Perseus Veil, which Kaidan could see very well beyond the relay. Pretty soon, they'd arrive at Rannoch and finally find out what is going on that requires so much discretion and secrecy. His curiosity had been warring with his anxiety ever since they left the Citadel. He still hadn't gotten used to the geth no longer seeking hostilities against organics, but he'd always been diplomatic when he dealt with them in the past few years. It was getting better, although he still couldn't forget all the colonists he saw impaled on the so-called "dragon's teeth" back on Eden Prime. He didn't think he'd ever forget.
"Jump in 3…2…1…" Joker announced.
Kaidan saw the familiar light beam show flash by outside the windows, and he felt his anxiety grow. It was "do or die" now.
The ship lurched out of the jump. "And here we—SHIT!" Joker's hands flew over the controls.
"Collision imminent!" EDI reported.
"Hold on to your seats, everyone!" Joker continued to fly his fingers over the controls.
Kaidan was able to get a brief look at what they were about to run into, and took command at once. "EDI, go to red alert and prepare for battle."
"Already begun, Captain. Diverting power to Thanix Cannons; deploying combat armor."
As the windows were covered by ablative armor plating, Kaidan barked new orders. "All persons, report to battlestations! This is a code red!" They were so close now that if the windows were open, they all could count the rivets. "Joker…"
"We'll make it!" Joker replied, his fingers a blur over the interfaces.
Despite the inertia dampeners, they could feel the ship shift from the sharp turn underneath their feet. Kaidan found himself grabbing Joker's chair for support.
"Impact in five seconds!"
"We'll make it!" Joker repeated.
Kaidan didn't dare breathe.
"Four…three…two…"
"We'll make it!" Joker shouted aggressively.
Kaidan knew it would be close. "Brace for impact!"
Joker's fingers flew through one hologram, and then slammed a hand through a final one. "Got it!"
Kaidan felt G-forces pull at him as the ship suddenly decelerated, twist around on its side and once again jet forward. The impact EDI predicted never came. As the countdown expired, EDI announced. "Impact avoided!"
While Kaidan felt relief for the near-miss, he knew they weren't out of the woods yet. "Get clear of the target and prepare for a jump to the nearest star system!"
"Way ahead of you, Captain!" Joker said. He himself felt like he just took a bath in cold sweat from the near miss himself, but his mind was perfectly on the mission. "Preparing for jump!"
"Wait!" EDI said. "Target is retreating!"
That caught everyone's attention. "Are you positive?"
"Certainly. Target is preparing for a jump through the relay."
That went against all logical reasoning in Kaidan's mind. He just had to see. "Turn us around, Joker!"
Joker looked back at his captain. "Captain?"
"Just do it!"
There was a split-second hesitation, but Joker's hands flew around the holographic interface. "Adjusting course…retracting armor…"
The ship turning around took longer than Kaidan wished it did, but Kaidan couldn't just accept EDI's reports, even in addition to what the readings were already giving him; he had to see. The ship turned itself around and Kaidan saw the mass relay, completely dwarfed by what they nearly rammed into. Seeing it twist around with a turn that could tear any Alliance ship in half, he could barely believe what he saw as the dark metal shape line itself with the relay. In seconds, it came adjacent to it, and with a blink of light, it shot outwards into space and non-existence.
"Target has retreated," came EDI with finality.
No one said anything for several agonizing seconds. None knew what was the most unbelievable: the fact they were in such close contact after all these years, or that it completely ignored them. Finally, Kaidan found his voice, the soldier part of him returning to the surface. "EDI, get me a report on the target. Forward it to the War Room. I need to debrief Vega and Daniels."
"Understood, Captain."
Joker turned around in his seat. "Orders, Captain?"
"Set a course for Rannoch. Let's hope they have something for us."
"Aye-aye..."
Kaidan turned to head back to the War Room, his mind buzzing with questions. How did they not know that Reaper was going to be on the other side of the relay? They've been tailing Reapers for the better part of five years and had their patrols down to a schedule. Did they miss one after all this time? It might have been one that hadn't been registered into the registry just yet. Were they shifting patrols? There were at least another thirty thousand of them out there in dark space, or wherever they are holed up. It would be easy to switch around the patrols without immediate notice.
Kaidan felt his insides freeze at the implications as the turian Councilor's words came echoing back to him: "The Reapers are still out there for reasons unknown. Do you really expect us to turn a blind eye to them after they nearly destroyed galactic civilization as we know it? The Reapers have doubtlessly seen how much we are watching them. The minute we lower our guard, they will be back to finish what they started." The one time they break from their usual mission, and they encounter a Reaper seemingly on a rogue patrol, possibly anyway. "This mission just got a lot more complicated."
Upon reaching the CIC, the elevator opened up and out came both Lieutenant Daniels and Lieutenant Commander Vega. Seeing their captain, they stiffened into a salute. Kaidan quickly returned it, more of his soldier demeanor returning. "Not a word until we reach the war room."
Kaidan didn't need to hear the affirmation from them; he could see it in both their eyes that they understood. "Aye-aye," they both chorused. Kaidan led them both to the War Room in complete silence, but he was very well aware that their respective minds were as much as a beehive of questions as his own was, and they weren't even fully aware of the Reaper patrol details.
After they passed through the security checkpoint, they arrived very shortly into the War Room. Kaidan positioned himself opposite the two, and began. "EDI, bring up the report on the target."
"Target has been identified as designation SV-03174 Arbiter. Last sighting was reported in the Artemis Tau Cluster approximate 2.05 decicycles prior. Captain, Arbiter has never been sighted in this system during the mission."
Once again, Kaidan praised his ability to keep a good poker face. "I suspected as such. Record this into the logs; the Council will want to hear about this."
"Already done."
Vega decided now was the time to ask. "What's going on?"
Kaidan looked up at Vega, and looked at Daniels who was waiting patiently in silence. Sighing, he said. "After the Council was restored, the Spectres were tasked to keep track of the Reaper patrols. For nearly five years, we have been able to keep a record of over ten thousand Reapers, and even learned their designations. Over the years, we were able to put together a complete schedule, in a matter of speaking, showing their patrol panels throughout the galaxy. While the Reapers themselves swapped out, they stuck to the same cycles for years."
"What is it with the Reapers and cycles?" Vega asked rhetorically.
Daniels took out his omni-tool. "The Alliance had also passed intel about the Reapers throughout the Traverse, since Spectre resources were stretched very thin and maintained silence in the Terminus Systems."
"That's right. Every year we gave our reports to the Council, just like a week ago."
"So you knew that Reaper was there on the other side of the relay?"
Kaidan shook his head no. "Not at all…"
Vega and Daniels looked at each other briefly, and then back at their captain. "That would imply…" Daniels started.
"…that this Reaper had broken the patrol cycle, I know." Kaidan finished.
Neither said anything for a while; Vega himself found that his own typically sunny attitude overcast. He found his tongue though. "So…do you Spectres have a plan or something?"
Kaidan regarded Vega. "Unfortunately that's classified…"
"So that's a yes?"
Kaidan merely stared at Vega.
"If I may, Captain," cut in Daniels. "I'm more wondering if the presence of this Reaper has anything to do with our mission to Rannoch. If it is, we're hardly able to take on a single Reaper. It took all the might of the entire quarian fleet to bring down a Destroyer-class Reaper on Rannoch during the war, not to mention all of the Fifth Fleet against Sovereign."
Kaidan had turned to face Daniels while he had shared his thoughts. "I don't think it won't come to a direct confrontation of the Reaper, at least I hope it won't. Granted, it did retreat through the relay without confrontation on its part, but we can't completely dismiss its presence." Standing back tall, he continued. "As for the mission, your guess is as good as mine. Technically, we still have no idea what's going on down there beyond the fact that the geth have excluded themselves even more than usual. I expect we will rendezvous with a member of the Admiralty Board for a briefing. Lieutenant, we'll need you groundside along with Commander Vega."
Daniels saluted. "Aye-aye…"
"So what are we doing here, L2?" Vega said.
Kaidan's omni-tool activated, bringing up a holographic interface of Rannoch. "According to Ambassador Aziz and Admiral Koris, the geth had been growing increasingly isolated to the quarians." Flying his fingers across the omni-tool's GUI, he continued. "The geth primarily reside in the more arid regions of Rannoch, the mid-northern continent, mainly. According to quarian scout reports, they had found isolated geth platforms lying in the sands. Scans found that they were overloaded with 'shattered code'."
One of Daniel's snowy eyebrows shot up. "'Shattered code', sir?"
"You'll have to see for yourself, Lieutenant," Kaidan merely said. "I'm not sure what they meant by that either."
"For all we know, the Reaper has been corrupting their code-whatever," Vega said.
Daniels looked at Vega. "Despite my background in software engineering, I have never gotten any in-depth look at Reaper codes. During the war, I helped with the Crucible, which was Prothean tech—at least most of it. After the war, our labs were not designed to contain any form of Reaper hardware sufficiently to prevent indoctrination. If the coding was Reaper-caused, I won't know until I get my hands on Reaper tech."
"Which is out of the question, Lieutenant," Kaidan said, a little harder than he planned. "I won't have any of my men exposed to Reaper tech, protected or otherwise."
"Understood, Captain."
Kaidan relaxed. He had a feeling that Daniels had no plans on getting his hands on Reaper tech, but he couldn't take chances, especially with such a promising engineer. "For now, let's just worry about taking care of the geth situation handled as quickly and quietly as we can."
Something about the captain's last statement struck an odd cord with Vega. "Are we expecting trouble, L2?"
Kaidan looked back at Vega, and sighed. "As a Spectre, I have to always expect trouble. Even if this might be something small, I can't help but prepare for anything." As he spoke, Kaidan's mind flash to his very first mission on the Normandy. He had gone down to the surface of Eden Prime on what was supposed to have been a simple package pick-up. What happened down there was ancient history and just as well known, but for Kaidan it was more personal. Early on in the mission, Corporal Jenkins took point and was gunned down by a geth assault turret. Granted, the causality wasn't a result of carelessness, far from it; however, it was still a harsh reality check. "I've been on the Normandy long enough to know better."
Vega looked regretful after hearing that. While he didn't join the Normandy crew until the dawn of the Harvest War, he was well-aware of the sacrifices that many of the crew members of the ship had made. Hardening himself, he said. "Don't worry, Commander. I'll be right in the game."
"I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Vega," Kaidan said, and then a ghost of a smile etched across his face. "But thank you." Looking back at Daniels, he said. "Any questions, Lieutenant?"
"None currently, Captain. AREM and I should be more than able to decipher what's going on, or in the very least get a clue on where to go next."
"That's all I can ask for," Kaidan said. "Get to the armory and suit up. We should be arriving at Rannoch soon."
"Aye-aye, Commander!" Vega and Daniels saluted uniformly. Kaidan watched them go silently, but he knew that he too was very disquieted about the mission thus far. Kaidan was never fond of mystery, and the unknown was often quite disturbing for him. The whole mission was the very definition of unknown, and with the "rogue Reaper" complicating things…
Kaidan sighed to himself. "I'm getting too old for this."
XXXXXXXXXX
Moments of FTL-speed travel time later, the quarian homeworld, Rannoch, started coming into view. While the planet itself was very beautiful to gaze upon, Rannoch was well-known for being particularly arid in comparison to most of the hospitable worlds in the galaxy. Despite the fact that its sun, Tikkun was 10% smaller than Sol, Earth's sun, Rannoch's orbit was closer to the star. Rannoch was also slightly smaller than the Earth, which made its atmosphere a little thinner, and its rotational speed was also slower, allowing higher surface temperatures. Despite the arid nature of earth, the areas along its oceans were fertile, particularly in the southern continent.
When the quarians resettled the planet alongside the geth, the quarians primarily settled the southern continent, although many smaller establishments along the coasts were made. The central settlement was Rayya, named after the largest fleet of the Migrant Fleet. Rayya was established in the ruins of the old quarian people, abandoned when the quarian people left the planet in light of the geth uprising. Now it was a bustling metropolis, and commerce quickly grew once the agricultural demands were met.
Despite the majority of the quarian people had returned to Rannoch, the Migrant Fleet had been repurposed to make full use of the tens of thousands of ships. Along with their geth allies, the Migrant Fleet was now the largest fleet of the entire galaxy, rivaling the military strength of the turians, much to their chagrin. Simply put, Rannoch was probably even more secure than the Citadel as no force—save for the Reapers—would dare challenge the fleet head-on. All on the Normandy were thankful that they were here not as enemies, here or any other time, stealth drive be damned.
Kaidan was already at the bridge in combat armor as Rannoch slowly filled the windows of the bow. By now, they were only minutes away from Rannoch. He could see the Quarian Defense Fleet, formerly the Migrant Fleet, dotting the outer atmosphere of Rannoch. Over the course of the past few years, many of the ships were decommissioned for materials to help rebuild quarian civilization groundside, but the fleet was still one of the largest in the galaxies. Combined with the geth fleet, the fleet was so formidable that it gave the Terminus Systems pause. On one hand, Rannoch was the only Council world in the Terminus Systems, quite literally on the opposite side of the galaxy from the Citadel and the majority of the Council Worlds; on the surface, an easy target for pirates. On the other hand, it was also the most fortified Council world. With the geth-quarian fleet, not to mention the geth populating worlds beyond the Veil, any attempt by foolhardy pirates would be met with immediate destruction. Kaidan was thankful at least that this world was on their side.
"We're getting a hail from the quarian fleet, Captain," Joker said.
"Open the channel," Kaidan said.
A brief pause, then the familiar trilled voice of the quarians came through. "Alliance Vessel, this is the Iktomi. Please state your business."
"This is Captain Kaidan Alenko, Special Tactics and Recon, of the SSV Normandy SR-2. We have come at the request of Admiral Zaal'Koris vas Qwib-Qwib."
Joker snorted. Kaidan ignored Joker; no matter how strange the name was, the quarians held their titles with great honor.
"Captain Alenko, you are welcome here. Please make your way towards the Idenna for debarking instructions to Rayya."
"Thank you, Iktomi. Normandy, out."
As the line was cut, Joker said. "You know, I feel bad for the quarians on that ship."
Kaidan had a feeling he was going to regret asking, but he did anyway. "Why, Joker?"
"You know that one captain was named vas Qwib-Qwib? Don't get me started on that, just saying, but if it's vas-whatever for all the ships, would that make those quarians vas Iktom—"
"Stop it," Kaidan warned. "Right now."
"You were thinking it!" Joker said.
"I was not," Kaidan said, hardening himself. "I have bigger things to worry about than the quarian system of nomenclature. Take us to the Idenna, and I don't want to hear any more jokes like that, got it?"
"Aye-aye, Captain," Joker said, although his tone definitely didn't sound sorry.
Kaidan knew he was being a little too hard on Joker, but Joker's selective immaturity was often grating. Still, Joker had earned the right to spout off once in a while like that since he was the pilot of this ship, and had been through hell and back on it. Still, Kaidan felt obliged to remain the straight man on the ship for professional reasons.
"EDI, are Vega and Daniels prepped?"
"Yes, Captain. They are awaiting further orders."
"Have Lieutenant Cortez prep the Kodiak. We'll be departing for Rannoch as soon as we're cleared."
"Yes, Captain."
Kaidan turned to leave for the elevator. Joker watched him go for several seconds. Once he deemed himself at safe distance, he turned back to the controls. "EDI, any other fun ship names out there?"
EDI understood perfectly. "There is a vessel named the Defrahnz…"
Joker had to control himself. If he laughed too hard, he might crack a rib. "It sucks to be those guys!"
XXXXXXXXXX
"Hey, Esteban!" Lieutenant Commander Vega shouted across the cargo bay. "I thought you would have kept up on keeping the good stuff stocked up while I was gone!"
"Well, with you gone, I didn't have to keep a running stock," returned Lieutenant Cortez, the ships shuttle pilot and procurement specialist. "It was quiet enough down here that I didn't have to worry about taking any for medicinal reasons."
"Well, get back to it then! We have a new kid on this boat and I want to break him in."
Lieutenant Daniels looked uncomfortable. "Uh, you don't have to do that."
"Course I do!" Vega said. "This is your first mission on the Normandy, and she is her own legacy. You're a part of it now, so you got to do something to commemorate it."
"What he means is that you aren't properly initiated until you have at least one bout of heartburn," Cortez stated.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Esteban. Besides, I'm sure Snow here has gotten himself out of the lab to keep himself sane with a hard one, am I right?"
Daniels pursed his lips. "Well, actually…"
Before he could finish, the elevator opened up, revealing Captain Kaidan Alenko. Stepping out into the bay, he quickly noticed Daniels and Vega. "Is something wrong?"
"No, sir," Daniels quickly said.
"Nothing wrong at all, L2. Esteban and I were just giving him a hard time."
"You were, you mean," Cortez said. "Shuttles ready for launch when you are, Captain."
"Thank you, Cortez." Kaidan turned to Daniels and Vega. "We are approaching the Idenna for further instructions. Neither of you have been to Rannoch, so I need to tell you this upfront. The quarians expect visitors to arrive in full-suited armor, helmets included, in respect of their culture."
"I thought the quarians were able to live without their suits now," Vega said.
"They can," Kaidan said, but they greet guests in full enviro-suit. During their years on the Migrant Fleet, their suits have become so rooted in their culture that they still maintain them ceremonially. In respect to that, we need to do the same. Understood?"
"Aye-aye," Vega said.
"We can take them off if none of the quarian people are present, or if bidden to. Just remember: keep them on unless told to."
"Yes, Captain," Daniels said.
"All right, I'll meet you on the shuttle. We still have a few moments before we reach the Idenna, but once we're cleared, we'll depart. Be ready."
"Aye-aye," chorused both soldiers.
Both departed for the shuttle, while Kaidan made for his personal locker. In moments, he was in his dark blue armor, marked with a double stripe down the front and shoulder pads. He had this armor since his promotion to Major. He did have alternative suits for armor, but this was his old faithful. Once he dawned his armor, he turned to the weapon rack and selected a Cerberus Harrier and Carnifex. Before he came to the Normandy, he too had an Avenger and Predator, just like any other soldier in the Alliance Navy. There was no going back after being introduced to the Normandy armory.
He made his way to the shuttle where Vega and Daniels were patiently waiting. He could see a level of anxiety on Daniels' face. This was his first mission, after all, so he couldn't be blamed. While he was trained extensively in the Navy, nothing could ever train you for being on your first mission. Kaidan shared that sentiment. It would take some time until these became old hat. Hopefully, this would be an easy mission for him, or in the very least, an uneventful one.
Kaidan boarded the shuttle and shut the door. As it did, EDI's voice came on the speakers. "Captain, we have reached the Idenna and have received disembarking instructions. An emissary of the Conclave and Admiralty Board will meet you upon landing."
"Thank you, EDI."
Lieutenant Cortez, having taken the pilot's seat, called back. "Pre-flight check is green. All systems check. We're ready to go on your order, Captain."
Kaidan nodded. "Let's go, then, Lieutenant."
"Aye-aye."
The shuttle lurched slightly as it rose from its dock in the cargo bay. The doors slid down, revealing the arid but beautiful world of Rannoch in view. Cortex loitered for only a moment before piloting the Kodiak through the doors and into open space. Moments after leaving the Normandy, two quarian fighters from the Patrol Fleet flanked the shuttle, escorting it towards Rayya. Kaidan didn't bat an eye at the fighters. This was shared in the instructions they had received, and this was normal procedure for the quarians. Despite now having their own world, the quarians were still naturally suspicious of any visitor to Rannoch. Back during the days of the Migrant Fleet, this distrust often saved them from certain annihilation. They narrowly avoided a Cerberus infiltration that nearly annihilated one of their own vessels. Only Commander Shepard and his crew ever stepped foot on a quarian vessel. He was greeted more warmly, mainly because of his association with Admiral Tali'Zorah and how he had assisted the quarian people more than once.
Kaidan had become quiet, reflecting on the privilege he had from the quarian people. If it wasn't for Shepard, their reception today might have been colder. Kaidan had to fight the return of his melancholy feelings thinking about Shepard. It was true he owed the past-Commander a lot, more than anyone could ever repay, least of all him, but there was no sense losing his composure, especially on a mission. Distracting himself, he snuck a glance at Daniels, who hadn't said a word. He wasn't sure if it was because he was maintaining a professional attitude or his nervousness just banished any compulsion to speak. Who's to say it wasn't a mix of both?
"I wonder if Sparks will be there…," Vega wondered aloud.
"Sparks" was Vega's nickname for Tali, the perky quarian that had been on the Normandy crew periodically since the days of chasing Saren around the Traverse. She was eager, very loyal and a fantastic engineer. Kaidan always had to smile when remembering Tali. Kaidan and Tali often had "debates" on technical issues, given their respective expertise in technological warfare. At one point, Tali chided Kaidan for still having a Logic Arrest brand omni-tool. Kaidan had argued it was the best model, but Tali said its processing was too weak for simultaneous processes, and suggested her brand, the Nexus. Kaidan argued that the Nexus' shield enhancements were severely outdated, but Tali said that could be circumvented by overclocking the microframe.
"I assume she will be, if she's not busy," Kaidan said.
"Sparks?" Daniels asked.
"He's referring to Tali," Kaidan said. "I knew her back from the old Normandy. She's a good egg. If there's anyone more qualified to help us with the geth, it's her."
"I never met her," Daniels said. "I was only on the Normandy myself for a little bit until they got us to the Citadel for further instructions. I did see Mordin who checked us all out upon arrival, and I saw Garrus in the mess, but that's about it. I stayed mainly on Deck 3."
"You'll like Tali. She's smart and perky, but don't let her near the bar," Vega said.
Kaidan had to let himself smile a little bit there. After a particularly harrowing mission on Horizon during the Harvest War, Tali had not handled the outcome of it very well. Shepard had located her in the bar and apparently had allowed herself to the choicest of liquors. Kaidan could only imagine that it wasn't a pretty display, but Shepard knew that Tali was hurting and so listened to everything she had to say. On another more humorous occasion, Tali had drunk enough to accidentally ingest levo-protein cheese—quarians can only ingest dextro-protein cheese—which caused no small amount of discomfort. "Yeah, Tali and bars don't mix well."
"We're approaching the drop point, Captain," Cortez called from the cockpit. "Looks like the quarians are rolling out a welcome for us."
"All right, everyone. Helmets on."
Daniels and Vega slipped on their respective helmets as Kaidan slipped on his own. The smallest of hisses told of a successful latch on as Kaidan felt the arid oxygen fill the helmet. Looking around, he found Vega and Daniels with their own helmets on successfully. "All right, team," Kaidan started. "Once we land, the quarians will inform us more on the situation, but until that happens, maintain active silence unless addressed."
"Aye, aye, sir," Daniels automatically said.
Vega nodded. "I remember the quarians back in the day. They can be pretty uptight."
"They had ample reason back then, and for all accounts and purposes, they still do," Kaidan said. "Let's just do our job, and hope this just something small."
"L2," Vega said. "Since when has anything been small with us?"
Kaidan had to concede that point. The Normandy was the finest vessel to serve on, but it had a reputation of finding trouble. Even its maiden voyage was wrought with trouble, as it was the ship that arrived at Eden Prime when it was under attack by Saren and Sovereign. "I'm hoping for once the law of averages finally wins out."
"If it's any consolation, Captain," Daniels said. "So do I."
"Thank you, Lieutenant."
Moments later, the shuttle landed on Rannoch. Once the shuttle doors opened, they were greeted at once by a small regiment of quarian marines in full armor, flanking their path on each side in salute. When they stepped on the landing, a quarian sergeant shouted the order to present arms in the quarian tongue. None of the three dared to step forward, but thankfully, they didn't have to. Coming to meet them was an envoy, presumably of either the Conclave or the Admiralty Board.
She who led the envoy stopped before them. "Greetings from Rannoch, Captain Alenko. I am Alya'Farrah vas Rannoch nar Idenna, and I welcome you on behalf of the Conclave."
"I am honored, Alya'Farrah vas Rannoch. I hope we of the Alliance may help however we can."
"It is not the Alliance whom we have called up for help," said Alya'Farrah a little coldly. "But we do appreciate your response to our pleas in lieu of the Council."
Kaidan knew he'd better tread carefully here. This envoy was not particularly pleased by the response, but was mustering all the civility she could to not appear ungrateful. "We will try out best."
Alya'Farrah seemed to accept that. "Please come to Conclave. Admiral Shala'Raan is awaiting you."
Kaidan simply nodded. The quarian nodded in return and turned to lead them to the Conclave. Kaidan turned to Daniels and Vega to follow him, and gave them one last reminder to remain silent. Thankfully, they had landed on the Conclave landing pad, so it was no great length of time for the landing party to be led to their intended destination. Kaidan tried not to let the rather cold greeting by the Conclave representative get to him; it wasn't personal, he supposed, but it did come across as if she blamed him. Being a Spectre was often as political as being a politician would be, and he hated it.
Soon they came to the Conclave chambers. Kaidan half-expected it to be in session, but the Conclave had been adjourned for the day, and all the awaited them was one of the admirals of the Admiralty Board. Kaidan had been acquainted with this one, and generally liked her. "Greetings, Admiral."
Admiral Shala'Raan greeted them genuinely. "Welcome to Rannoch, Spectre Alenko. It is good to see you after all these years."
Kaidan had an admiration for her neutrality during the ending of the Quarian-Geth Conflict during the Harvest War. She didn't particularly side with either argument, but knew her pivotal role well for the Migrant Fleet, so she committed strongly to what she needed to do. Some may call her non-committal, but from Kaidan's point of view, it took steadfastness to commit to a role of support, however it may fall. "I wish it was under better circumstances."
"As do we all, Captain," the admiral said.
"How bad is it?"
"Not as bad as you might expect, but it has been a challenge to keep the peace. As you know, the geth have kept to themselves after aiding us in recolonizing our world. There have been no hostilities and they help us when we request it, but for the past cycle, they have become increasingly isolated. Lately, they have cut off all communications from us. A small party under Admiral Xen went to investigate, but before they got far into the desert sands, they found a geth platform. Xen had it brought to her laboratory."
Kaidan knew of that detail at the briefing with Ambassador Aziz, yet it still unsettled him. "I'm not sure if that was ever a good idea."
"I didn't think so either. Zaal'Koris was particularly vocal about it, as did Tali. Admiral Han'Gerrel provided support for Admiral Xen. He tends to still see that the geth will rise up against us again, despite all assurances from the geth that they have no interest in war with us. "
"Old habits die hard, I guess."
"His vigilance has safeguarded the Migrant Fleet for years as we sailed among the stars. Even now, we cannot dismiss his desire to secure the future of our people, especially now that we finally have Rannoch back underneath our feet. Despite Xen's festering to learn more about the geth, Han'Gerrel knows better than to jeopardize our peace with the geth…not after last time."
Kaidan was very thankful he had his helmet on. "Last time" referred to when Command Shepard laid out Han'Gerrel in the war room and banished Han'Gerrel off the Normandy. Han'Gerrel had fired upon the geth dreadnaught that Shepard and Tali had infiltrated to sever the geth uplink. Legion had disengaged the shields, and as a result, Han'Gerrel almost immediately commanded the Heavy Fleet to fire upon the dreadnaught. Shepard and Tali narrowly escaped the dreadnaught in a geth fighter, thanks to Legion. After a debriefing with Admiral Hackett—who himself was not happy about Han'Gerrel—Shepard stormed into the war room, and when Han'Gerrel was unapologetic about his actions, Shepard snapped. Shala'Raan had at first been surprised at Shepard's fury, but she couldn't blame him. Kaidan had gone with him on the dreadnaught, so he too narrowly escaped the destruction. When Kaidan heard about what happened in the war room, he certainly couldn't blame Shepard for lashing out. Before the Reapers arrived, Kaidan would have been appalled at such an assault, but this…this was different. Had they lost Shepard because of the rash actions of an admiral, the Alliance might have completely abandoned the quarians to their fates, and that loss of support could have cost them the war against the Reapers as much as Shepard's death would have been. With that considered, Shepard was right to throw him off the Normandy.
Kaidan thought it better to bring the conversation back to where it originally was. "I understand that Admiral Xen found nothing but garbage data."
"It's more like they found the software completely destroyed, as if it fragmented continuously until it was unsalvageable. If you remember, when geth are severely damaged, the software is destroyed to prevent capture. Normally, this presents no danger to a single geth program."
"But…?" Kaidan said.
"But after the geth upgraded themselves after the Reaper attack, they altered their very programming to the core. Each platform had their own fully-evolved AI governing it. Normally, the geth consensus would store the geth programs in their networks, but AIs are far more intricate than that. You can't just transfer an AI from one platform to another like a simple program."
Kaidan looked back at Daniels. "Is that right, Lieutenant."
"More or less, yes," Daniels said.
"Who's this?" Shala'Raan asked.
"Our newest crew member on the Normandy," Kaidan answered. "He's as good as an expert on AIs as the alliance can give us."
"I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Admiral," Daniels greeted.
"The pleasure is mine, Lieutenant. You are fortunate to serve on such a noble vessel. Do not take it lightly,"
"I won't, ma'am." Daniels turned back to Kaidan. "AIs take up far more hardware space than simple programs. The ones we've worked on take up petabytes of space, and those pale in comparison to one such as EDI. As in the case for EDI, if we ever had to transfer her from one frigate to another, it would take extensive installation procedures, hardware and software. The geth probably have a way to transfer AIs through software, but even then, it might take excessive amounts of time, quantum computing be damned."
"Your lieutenant is correct," Shala'Raan affirmed. "AIs are far too complicated to transfer, even if you could reduce it to simple transfer. AIs are far more than programming: they have advanced processes for logic without data input, and even have personality matrices. Those themselves evolve as they continue to be exposed to situations, just as organics grow to meet obstacles in everyday life. AIs learn, but to do that they must be allowed to evolve, such as the geth have."
"Ok," Kaidan said. "But what about the geth platform Xen's team found?"
"As I said, the internal matrices of the platform was completely decomposed. We've never seen anything like it. Something, or someone, scrambled this platform's internal matrices to the point of complete devastation. There was absolutely nothing salvageable."
At first, Kaidan was wondering why the Alliance or even the Council would be asked for assistance for something like this. Something stumped the quarians enough to ask for help—which in itself said a lot—and the geth have cut off all communications to quarians, and possibly even the outside world. On top of that, there was a rogue Reaper that had loitered for some reason in this system. Come to think of it, the quarians have not even mentioned the Reaper. Were they aware it was here at all? "What do you wish us to do?" Kaidan finally asked.
"Tali'Zorah has asked for the help of the Normandy's crew once again. She fears something terrible has happened to the geth, and we can't send quarian forces to go into geth territory. If we do, the geth could consider it an act of war, and we cannot survive such a war again."
Kaidan pursed his lips behind his helmet. "I don't think even we could approach the geth either in force."
"The geth have virtually no history with humanity or the Alliance. What the Alliance has ever encountered were geth under the control of the Reapers, what the geth have called heretics. As for the 'unconverted geth', they have only observed you but never encountered you until you found the one called Legion the first time. To the geth, you are a neutral party, and they revere your past Commander as something of a legend to them, for his part in giving them the chance to live."
Kaidan had to let himself breathe a couple of times. It had been five years since the end of the Harvest War, but Shepard's legacy and impact seemed virtually immortal. It still hurt to hear the one man he loved above all else revered in such a fashion; it hurt, but it was the good kind. He had to smile to see that the legacy of Shepard had touched so many, organic and synthetic.
"If there is anyone who can approach the geth, it is you and your crew," Shala'Raan said. "We can support you as best as possible, but ultimately it would be up to you."
"Permission to speak, Captain?" chimed in Lieutenant Daniels.
"Granted."
"I would like to look at the geth platform myself, to get a better sense of what we're looking at. EDI and AREM might be able to shed new light on the matters. Once we get more information, we might be able to better plan a course of action."
Kaidan turned to face Daniels. "Maybe you're right."
"AREM?" Shala'Raan asked.
"A-a prototype VI the Alliance has been developing," Kaidan quickly said. "Daniels is on assignment to use its effectiveness on Alliance vessels."
Daniels realized what his captain was doing and instantly played along. "Since AIs are still technically illegal, we opted to try to make more advanced Vis for our warships. AREM was designed for a laboratory primarily, but it possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of synthetic systems and intelligences. It had to; that was my primary line of work for the Alliance before I came on the Normandy."
Shala'Raan didn't reply right away. Kaidan was again glad that his face his behind a helmet; he had no idea how well quarians were able to read faces, no matter how good Kaidan's poker face was. Finally, Shala'Raan said. "I actually half-expected for the Alliance to start developing AIs on the caliber of EDI."
"AIs are still illegal, Admiral," Daniels said.
"Indeed," Shala'Raan said. "Yet there has been no attempt by the Council to terminate such AIs, such as EDI."
Kaidan didn't dare mention that there were whispers that EDI would have to be terminated after the war by the Council, but EDI's existence was quickly excused, partly because the vessel was a Spectre's vessel, and the creed of any member of the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance was to preserve the security of the galaxy by any means necessary. EDI proved instrumental in the war, and had Shepard survived, he would have vouched for her contribution and then some. "My Spectre status enables me to use such tools if it means the betterment of Council security," Kaidan said. "Although, I regard EDI far more than a tool; she's a person in her own right, and I'm glad to have her on board."
"Of course," the admiral said. "If anything, EDI is an exemplar of what organic-synthetic relations can become."
Kaidan nodded.
"But I believe we have conversed enough. Your lieutenant should have a look at what we have found. Perhaps his own eyes will reveal something we missed, although just between you and me, Captain, I wouldn't mention that around Admiral Xen."
Kaidan had to smile. "Understood."
Shala'Raan activated her omni-tool. "I will send you the coordinates for the laboratories. Admiral Zorah will meet you there."
"Thank you, Admiral." Kaidan checked his omni-tool, pinging as it received a message from the admiral.
"I only hope you can help. Keelah se'lai."
XXXXXXXXXX
Not long after their meeting in the Conclave Building, Kaidan and his crew boarded back on the shuttle. Lieutenant Cortez took them to the coordinates Admiral Shala'Raan provided. As they rode, Kaidan decided to speak to Daniels. "I know you let it slip a bit in front of the admiral, but I need you to exercise better discretion."
Daniels nodded. "Yes, sir. I'm sorry, sir."
"Thankfully, you recovered it well. This isn't the first time we've had to pass off an AI as a VI, mind you."
"I remember," Vega said. "Sure, I wasn't on the Normandy while it was getting retrofits back on Earth, but if you ever get the chance, just ask Specialist Traynor. Better yet, ask EDI. It will be more interesting from her."
"Now I'm a little afraid to ask," Daniels said.
"It's not that bad," Kaidan said.
"Just hilarious," Vega said.
"Another time, perhaps," Daniels smiled. Looking back at his captain, he said. "I'm more worried about what Admiral Raan inferred what we might need to do."
"You mean going to the geth?" Kaidan asked.
"Yes. I don't know what we would expect if we sought the geth even after finding out more about what's going on. If the geth have indeed closed all communications with the quarians or anyone else, any of our efforts to communicate could be interpreted as hostile. We have no precedent in our history of what any kind of synthetic intelligence would respond to our presence in such a situation."
Kaidan thought about what Daniels was saying. Had this been any other government, complete dissolutions of diplomatic relations, which is what the geth were more or less doing, was interpreted as a hostile government. Usually, it was the precedent to a war declaration. Could the geth be preparing for war? Why would they? They were never interested in conflict with the quarians to begin with, only attacking to defend themselves. There were also the findings to consider. "I can't answer that, Lieutenant. This is out of my expertise."
"This whole thing is already loco," Vega said. "On par with the course."
"There's also the presence of the Reaper to consider," Daniels said.
"I thought about asking about the Reaper when we met with Admiral Raan," Kaidan said. "But something held me back."
"They didn't even act like they knew there was a Reaper in the system," Vega said. "Since when did Reapers become old hat?"
Kaidan and Daniels looked at each other. "They did seem rather…relaxed," Kaidan said.
"Is there any chance that they didn't know?" Daniels asked.
"Maybe," Kaidan said. "But the Reapers never hid their movements during the Harvest War. The only reason why we didn't know where they were is because they destroyed whatever monitoring and communication we had while they passed through the systems. The communications are back online in his system, and the fleet is active in the system. How would that Reaper remain undetected with all that?"
"We didn't even know it was on the other side of the mass relay," Vega said.
"That Reaper was either blocking us in some way, or we just didn't look. As for the quarians…" Daniels said. He shook his head. "I don't know."
"I'll ask Tali when we arrive and in private," Kaidan said. "If there's anyone of the quarians we can trust with anything, it's her."
"If Sparks doesn't know anything, then we're in deep shit," Vega said.
"We're almost at the laboratories," Cortez reported. "It looks like we're getting a message from Tali."
"Speaking of Sparks...,"
Kaidan stood up. "This is Captain Alenko of the SSV Normandy. How are you, Tali?"
"I'm doing fine," came Tali's trilling voice. "I just wish the same could be said about what's going on here."
"Admiral Raan briefed us on what's going on and what Xen already found."
"Good." A pause. "Listen, once you get here, there might be more about what's going on. I can't discuss it on an open line, but I think something is very wrong here."
Kaidan looked at Daniels and Vega. Turning back, he said, "We're almost there. I brought an old friend with us too."
"Good to know. I did the same."
"We'll see you in a bit."
Minutes later, the shuttle landed on a nearby landing bay. Kaidan, Vega and Daniels put their helmets back on before setting out. They marched in silence for the doors of the laboratory, where they were met with a few quarian scientists. Kaidan told them that they were sent by Admiral Raan to see Admiral Zorah. That quickly led them to a series of halls and doors, until finally coming to one secure door. Kaidan had an implication that this work on the geth platform was something very few outside the laboratory knew about. Once they gained entrance, inside was waiting one single quarian in a dark purple uniform with a patterned violet veil-like hood. Kaidan watched her place a visor-like shield over her face before turning around.
"It's good to see you again, Kaidan and Lieutenant Vega." Despite her face being hidden in the helmet, she looked amused. "You know, you don't have to wear those helmets around me. You can take them off if you wish."
"Thank you, Tali," Kaidan said, pulling off his helmet.
After pulling off his own helmet, Vega said. "I'm actually a Lieutenant Commander now, Sparks. N7 too."
"Congratulations. Perhaps with that new commission, you can get something else besides a weight-set in the cargo bay."
"What's wrong with my weights?"
Tali didn't answer the question, and looked at Daniels who had pulled off his helmet. "White hair. I can't say I've seen many humans with white hair so young."
Daniels smiled. "Lieutenant Paul Daniels, newly on the Normandy. Please to make your acquaintance, Admiral Zorah."
"You must be new," Tali said. "You can call me Tali. Everyone on the Normandy does."
"The lieutenant is our new software engineer on the Normandy," Kaidan said. "He's here to lend his expertise in synthetic intelligences."
"So, I've been replaced, hmm?" Tali said. "At least you don't have to worry about keeping dextro-rations for my sake."
"Or mine…"
Kaidan was surprised to hear a very familiar pair of voices, perfectly synced together. Turning around, he found to see a turian, scarred on the right side of his face, but a distinguishing blue marking on the left side. His black and blue marble-like eyes seemed amused at seeing them. "Garrus!" Kaidan exclaimed. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Let's just say I'm repaying a favor," Garrus said. "I see you brought our favorite lieutenant."
"Lieutenant Commander, actually," Vega said. "Don't you forget it, Scars."
"Lieutenant Commander, huh? That's almost impressive. Did you finally get to fly that ringneck?"
"Whenever I want!"
Garrus turned to Daniels. "I think I know you from somewhere."
"This is Lieutenant Daniels," Kaidan said. "He's our new software engineer on the Normandy."
"Pleased to meet you," Daniels said. "I was on the Normandy for a little time during the war after the Normandy saved us from Cerberus."
"Ah, yes. You're one of the Grissom kids. You hear from Jack at all?"
"Not since I graduated."
"Probably for the best, then," Garrus said. "I shudder to think what kind of body count she has mustered."
Kaidan rolled his eyes. Jack was a former Cerberus experiment with violent tendencies. Her biotics were so powerful that she could rip apart a YMIR-class mech without even thinking about it. She had accompanied the Normandy crew on the suicide mission, and afterwards, she was approached by the Ascension Project at Grissom Academy to teach the young biotics. She had a…unique method of teaching, to say the least, earning an affectionate nickname from her students: the psychotic biotic. Nowadays, she was better-behaved, but she was still her old self deep down. Thankfully, she had a standing membership at the Citadel Armax Arsenal Arena whenever she needed to blow off steam.
Turning back to Kaidan, Garrus said, "It's good to see that you decided to come. Honestly, I wasn't sure how we were going to do this alone. I'm only so good."
Kaidan's brow dropped. "You have something specific in mind?"
"I do…" Garrus said. Kaidan caught a little twinkle in Garrus' eye.
Kaidan turned to Daniels. "While I talk to Garrus, see what you can get from the geth platform."
"Yes, Captain." Daniels walked towards the geth platform while Kaidan turned to Garrus. "So what's going on?"
"It's just like you heard, Kaidan," Tali said. "Only we have no idea how to handle this. Each scouting team we dared to send out encountered more and more platforms. We only took the one your lieutenant is inspecting as well as a few others. Each one has their internal software seemingly destroyed. You are aware that when a geth is heavily damaged, it's internal software will self-destruct to prevent capture, but there are usually things still intact somewhere. This…this is complete destruction. I've never seen such a meltdown of software processes ever. It's like…it's like the geth suffered before they deactivated."
Kaidan's brow furrowed. "Can the geth feel pain?"
"They are fully-evolved AIs, now. Who knows what they are capable of at this point?"
Kaidan braced an arm on top of another so he could think. "So what do you suggest?"
Garrus stepped in. "If we're going to get answers, we're going to have to go on the offensive."
Kaidan's brow fell. "Invade?"
"In a manner of speaking."
"We can't do anything, Kaidan," Tali said. "If the quarians were spotted, it could incite a second war. However, we have to know what is going on. If the geth are in danger, we want to help them. If we are in danger, we need to be ready. We've been sitting here fretting for the better part of a year."
"A year?" Kaidan exclaimed. "Why am I just hearing about this now?"
"For a time, we thought we could do it, but as it got worse, we called upon the Citadel to help. It was stonewalled for quite some time, especially since the Spectres were monitoring the movements of the Reapers. It wasn't until now when you came back from your most recent mission did they finally send you."
Kaidan swallowed a bit. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Tali said. "It is not your fault. While we waited, I reached out to Garrus."
"I have a plan, but I can't do it alone. We need to get into the geth network and see what they are doing, but I do not have the hacking expertise to stay hidden. Tali does, but because she's an Admiral and a quarian, if on the offhand she was discovered, it will complicate things to say the least. I hate politics as much as much as you do, Kaidan, but I won't risk the quarians in this."
Kaidan softened at hearing that. It was no secret that Garrus hated red tape. He actually quit C-Sec soon after the First Battle of the Citadel because he was so fed up with red tape, and the recent death of Commander Shepard at the time did not help matters. Kaidan remembered how Shepard said he found Garrus on Omega after two years: tired, scarred, and even broken. It seemed that it wasn't until Shepard found Garrus again did a spark reignite within Garrus to fight on. Garrus and Kaidan fought together during the Harvest War, and Kaidan had noted a new ferocity in the turian, but purposed. The indignation was dampened, and in its stead was responsibility. The war changed everybody, and it was good to see that Garrus had a strong sense of responsibility in this matter. "I appreciate the faith you have in me, Garrus," Kaidan finally said.
"Well, it was either you or a certain poledancer from Omega named Jimmy Vega—"
"I'm right here, Scars!" Vega said.
"—so my choices were rather limited. Sorry to put you on the spot."
Kaidan smiled, but sobered up. "You'll have to forgive me if I don't feel right about this."
Tali replied. "I've known you for seven years, Kaidan. I would be surprised if you didn't. Trust me, I've been wracking my brains trying to find another way. The geth are isolated in the harshest regions of Rannoch, places the quarians don't dare to go even if it was unoccupied. We barely got to the boarders of the deserts to the north when we found one inactive platform. We found a few others before a haboob came through."
"The geth complex is visible enough from space, halfway around the world almost." Garrus said. "However, what I have in mind is not a direct approach. As you might remember, the coastline on the western continent is lined with servers."
"Yeah, I remember." Kaidan said.
"If we can infiltrate one of them, we might be able to get a peek to see what is going on. To be honest, this whole thing is making me nervous, and that says something."
Kaidan stroked his chin in thought. "Perhaps this is something we should stop talking about until we're back on the Normandy."
"I was hoping you'd say that," Garrus said. "It's been a long time."
"It seems like it, don't it?" Vega said.
Kaidan turned to Daniels. "Report, Lieutenant."
Daniels had barely moved, minus running his omni-tool up and down the geth platform. "If I'm not seeing this with my own eyes, Captain, I might not have believed the admi—I mean, Tali. There's nothing salvageable at all. I can't even salvage a callsign."
AREM's hologram appeared beside Daniels. "I have attempted to aid Master Daniels in his analysis of this platform. His analysis is correct. Nothing remains intact."
"Who's this?" Tali said, seeing a holographic floating head.
"That's AREM," Kaidan said. "A project of the Lieutenant's before he came to the Normandy. I'm afraid details are a little…classified."
Garrus and Tali looked at each other, then back and Kaidan, finally nodding. Kaidan was relieved; they both understood the implications succinctly.
"I might be able to get more data if EDI takes a look at it. Her computing combined with AREM's and mine might be able to find something, but that would require taking this platform aboard the Normandy, sir."
"I'm afraid that is quite out of the question, young lieutenant," came a new voice.
Kaidan had to sigh to himself; he knew that voice. Contrary to Tali's more perky and pleasant voice, this voice was icy, strict and devoid of scruples. Sliding his helmet back on, he turned to the new voice in the room. "Admiral Xen."
The other two soldiers had pulled on their own helmets as Admiral Xen strode into the laboratory. "Spectre Alenko," she greeted cordially. "It seems that Admiral Zorah is once again quite liberal with what she thinks she can do in my laboratory."
"Here we go again," Garrus sighed inside his helmet.
"Admiral Xen, I allowed Spectre Alenko and his colleagues to examine the geth platform. They have to know what we know if they are to help us at all."
"That is what you're thinking, Tali'Zorah." Xen said. "What we actually voted on is whether we needed the Council's help in dealing with the presence of Arbiter."
"So they knew that the Reaper was here, and they even knew which one it was." Kaidan thought to himself. Aloud, he asked. "When I was briefed on the Citadel, the presence of the Reaper Arbiter wasn't even mentioned."
"That would be because that bleeding-heart oaf Zaal'Koris made it to be an escalating issue between us and the geth. Our intentions were to bring a Spectre to deal with the Reaper. The geth are our concern."
"And a fine job you are doing with that," Garrus said. "No offense, Tali."
"You were never concerned with the geth, Xen, unless it was an attempt to re-enslave them," charged Tali. "You still feel that way to this day!"
"Don't forget, 'Admiral', that it was my advancements that enabled us to get a foothold back on what is rightfully ours!"
"You didn't deliver us our homeworld, you bosh'tet! You and Han'Garrel nearly handed us over to the Reapers with your carelessness!"
"Even I couldn't have anticipated the geth alliance with the Reapers, but I will not regret my actions to deliver our homeworld and our servants back to redeem the glory of our race."
"It doesn't matter what happened back then!" Kaidan snapped. "What matters is what is happening now, and what's happening now is the mission that I was here for."
"Quite," Xen said rather quickly. "However, your assistance in investigating the geth is not required, even with your own AI-technology."
Kaidan knew that Tali was fuming in her suit, and knew that the only way to keep her calm was to take on Xen himself. "The tools, more accurately personnel, that I use is what I have chosen to use to complete my mission as a Spectre. Your assessment on the matter is not required. What is required is the data that has been gathered on the inactive geth platforms is we are going to get to the bottom of this."
"VI, code shīn'-ṭā-lām-kāf, authority alif." Xen said calmly.
Kaidan—and more significantly Daniels due to his proximity—jumped as a blue hardlight shield enveloped the geth platform, separating it from them.
Tali was incensed. "How dare you?! Holding that data hostage could endanger us all! You could be charged with treason!"
Xen didn't appear to be phased; Kaidan had a hunch she was used to this. "That would be true if I was keeping him from gathering all data on the geth. He is more than free to locate any other platforms to the north if he deems this data that important, but I cannot allow this platform to leave the laboratory. I am in the middle of my own research into the problem, and I cannot be interrupted, least of all by you, Captain Alenko."
"Did she just tell us to go find our own?" Vega said rather incredulously.
Kaidan pursed his lips behind his helmet. "I'm sorry, Admiral Xen, but my mission is to mediate the problem with the geth, not the Reapers. The Reaper presence in this system was never brought to the Council. We are here under the urging of Ambassador Aziz, and Councilor Saif, and their request was to investigate the isolation of the geth and to see if it posed a threat to the quarian nation, and in the long run, galactic civilization. If we are to do this properly, I need to have full access to all the information I can get as soon as possible. I would prefer we do this together without me having to resort to using Spectre authority."
Xen neither moved nor spoke for the briefest of seconds. "It seems that my work is of no consequence when it comes to galactic matters."
"Not at all," Kaidan said, relaxing a little. "I respect your need to do your research as much as the next guy. In the very least, forward what you have gathered to the Normandy, so my lieutenant can see what he can find from it. No need for this turf war."
Once again, Xen didn't move right away. Finally, she said. "All you had to do was ask. Fine; I'll forward what I found to your ship, but in exchange, I would like any new findings you gather sent to me as soon as you find them. My reasons are my own."
"Fair enough," Kaidan said.
"Good. Now, if you're done, I have work to do in here. Please leave, all of you."
"We'd better go," Tali said. Kaidan heard a slight quiver in her voice as if she was just barely holding herself back from blowing off Xen's head with a weapon of choice.
"Agreed. Vega, Daniels, we're going back to the Normandy. Daniels, get with EDI and go over the data from Admiral Xen. I want a report in one hour."
"Aye-aye," Daniels said.
"Tali, Garrus, are you with us?"
"Do you even have to ask?" Tali said.
"We'll be there, Kaidan," Garrus said. "You can count on it."
"Thanks, you two."
"I hope you still have that bar. I have some turian brandy that needs chilling."
"It better not try to take over the room I'm saving for the tequila, Scars," Vega said.
"I was hoping Cortez would at least by this point switched you to something…more refined." Garrus sobered up a bit. "Anyway, we'll see you on the Normandy. I'm sure something in there needs my calibration expertise at this point."
"Here we go again," Vega said.
Kaidan smiled behind his helmet. "I'll see you too soon then."
Garrus and Tali left, while Daniels, Vega and Kaidan were making their way back to the shuttle. "Just like old times, huh, L2?" Vega said.
"Actually, Vega," Kaidan said. "I was kind of hoping it wouldn't be."