I am SO sorry for how LONG it took to update this...Writer's Block to the EXTREME! (I cannot WAIT until we get to the Skyrim Quest-line...)
Ok, let's begin our tale with the Geth in the woods, Apex. Now, our dear little synthetic is, what you might call, the pinnacle of Geth development...now, onto the tale of this wondrous little machine...
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...HAH! Ok, ok, onto the story...
Apex: A Light in the Dark, A Shield from Harm
Apex reactivated his systems an hour or so after the crash. His segment of the ship had broken off in re-entry, so he braced himself for impact, and set himself into standby. Now, he was online again. He scanned his platform, and was satisfied to learn it only took minimal damage. Apex searched around, and found his weapons, as well as their spares. He took his usual loadout, and also grabbed one of his Spitfires. He took the rest of the weapons, and put them into a pack, which he then grabbed.
He scavenged his module for something he could use, and, when he found everything he could carry, he locked down the module: it wouldn't do to let any wildlife, or worse, native sentient life, gain access to his plethora of Geth Technology. He took the time to finally look around: his compartment had crashed into the side of a mountain, with his exit sitting near the edge of the pathway down the mountain. He decided to take the time to scan the landscape. He uploaded the scans to his Omni-Tool, using it to make a rudimentary map of the region. He looked around, and determined that he was in the northern region of this continent. He determined, by the angle of his pod, that the rest of the ship had gone to the north.
When he was readied, Apex climbed down the mountain, after leaving a beacon to allow him to return to the compartment at a future time, and departed, ready to return to the others.
Apex continued through the forest, his weapons at the ready. He scanned the forest for threats. He had seen many creatures already, one, a bear like the ones on Earth, having attacked him. He quickly eliminated the threat, and was now leaving the forest, and coming along a path. He followed the path, and soon...found a cave. Outside was a pair of human-like creatures. However, there were multiple differences: their noses were long and beak-like, and their hands and feet...had 3 phalanges, and long, bird-like talons. They also seemed to be sprouting feathers. And behind them...were 2 humans, one male, one female. Both were critically wounded, no way to save them.
Apex actually understood what the creatures were saying. 'The language of this world appears to be similar to the standard language of the galaxy,' Apex thought, 'This is most convenient.'
Apex eavesdropped on the conversation.
"These 2 almost ruined the ritual."
"I know: they should consider it an honor: their daughter will be part of something grand..."
"Well, they should not worry: their daughter will be joining them soon...heheheheh..."
Apex believed he now understood what was going on: these creatures were tribals that were going to sacrifice a girl, the dying human pair's daughter, in some kind of ritual. This angered the Geth, who then left his cover and pointed his Spitfire at the monsters. "I will be the judge of that."
"Intruder!" one of the creatures shouted. Both creatures then had fire coating their hands. Ignoring this, and filing the phenomenon away for future study, Apex opened fire on the creatures. One was shredded by the shots, but the other brought up some kind of barrier, that blocked the attack. Apex, however, charged and activated his Omni-Blade. Before the creature could react, Apex buried the weapon into the monster's head.
Both creatures were now on the ground, deceased. Apex looked into the cave, and prepared to advance...before a small sound to his side got his attention. The human female reached to him. He stared at her, his single optic looking the dying woman over. "P...please...Ameela...our...daugh-ter...those...Hagraven...they'll...kill...her...please...don't..."
Apex knelt by the human and put a comforting hand on the dying woman's shoulder. "I have no intention to let these creatures get away with it. I will enter the cave, rescue your daughter, and destroy any and all of the "Hagraven" that stand in my way..."
The dying woman gave a weak smile. "Thank...you..." And with that, the woman was gone.
Apex closed the woman's eyes, and stood, switching to his Javelin Rifle. His optic narrowed. "Hideous creatures...Directive: Rescue Child Ameela." Then, his optic turned red. "And eliminate all Hagraven in this cave."
Apex snuck through the caves, making his way through them: as much as he wanted to destroy these Hagraven, his main directive was to save the child Ameela. Once he was certain the girl was safe, he'd fall back on desire: he'll go in and kill every single Hagraven in this cave, without pity or mercy.
Eventually, he came to the main chamber of the cave, himself on a ledge overlooking the room. In the middle was a stone slab or altar of some sort. Surrounding it was 3 Hagraven. Soon, a forth one entered...with an 11 year old human girl, garbed in ragged clothing, being dragged along, its small arm clenched in the taloned hand of the monster. Apex laid himself prone on the ground, aiming his sniper rifle, watching the situation. The Hagraven dragged the girl over to the altar, where another Hagraven aided its counterpart in yanking the girl onto it, stretching her arms and legs out, and restraining her limbs. Then, one of the Hagraven produced a green glow in its hand, which it charged, and launched it at the struggling girl, who strangely calmed down, a dazed, unfocused look in the girl's eyes.
If Apex had blood, he had no doubt it'd be boiling right now. After observing what some of these creatures were doing, he realized that they could manipulate abilities that were, in no way, close to Biotics. He didn't know what they were, only able to guess it was an ability with traits like those from various galactic fantasies called "Magic", although, when he got the time, he'd research the abilities to figure out how they ticked. Either way, though, somehow, they were using it to affect the girl's mind. He realized that he had to act fast, as the Hagraven that dragged Ameela in pulled out some kind of sacrificial dagger. Apex's optic narrowed, as he took aim at the Hagraven, as it raised the dagger into the air...
*PEW*
The Hagraven's head exploded, falling backwards, and the dagger flew away. The Hagravens (and Ameela, who seemed to have snapped out of the "Magic" effect placed on her) looked up at the ledge, as Apex straightened himself out, lowering his sniper rifle to his side. He knew he was spotted: no point in hiding now. "I am here due to the dying wishes of the parents of Child Ameela. I am rescuing her, and you will not stand in my way."
One of the Hagraven made the (extremely stupid) decision to tempt fate and try to stab the girl with its claws...Apex's draw was faster, and the Hagraven found itself headless in a millisecond. Apex swiftly swapped for his Pulse Rifle and leapt from the ledge, landing and opening fire on another Hagraven, killing it. The last one tried to charge the Geth, only for Apex to knock the Hagraven into the ground, and activate its shield pulse punch, smashing the head of the Hagraven in.
Apex, seeing the 4 Hagraven dead, approached the altar, and activated his Omni-Blade, using it to slice the restraints, freeing Ameela. After getting off the altar, the girl initially edged away from Apex, before stopping, and thinking. Then, she stuttered, "You...you met..."
"I met your mother, I assured her I would rescue you...as she passed on..." Apex said the last part with a saddened voice. Tears welled up in the girl's eyes, and Apex knew why: she was, by every definition, an orphan now, and all due to a barbaric religion practiced by these disgusting bird people...Apex placed a caring hand on the girl's shoulder. "Go...hide somewhere...I will take care of you..." He stood up, put his Pulse Rifle up, and pulled out his Spitfire. "...But first..." He loaded a fresh Thermal Clip into the weapon.
"First?"
"I am going to avenge your parents' death by eliminating these creatures." And that he did: as Ameela hid in a small crevice, Apex walked through the cave, finding more Hagraven and some witches that followed them. He destroyed them all, without pity or mercy. He collected the daggers from the witches and even took the robes of 2 of them, fashioning them into a crude cloak. When it was all over, he returned to Ameela, and led her out. Once she saw her parents' corpses, the girl finally broke down crying. It took hours for Ameela to calm down enough for Apex to lead her away, and even then, not until he'd buried the corpses in makeshift graves.
After some time, Ameela told Apex of a nearby city, Falkreath. After getting supplies (and Apex getting Ameela's help in getting a more skilled tailor to perfect Apex's cloak), and Apex gaining word on an Orphanage in the eastern area of the region, in a city called "Riften", the duo moved for the location. As much as he needed to get back to his companions...Apex couldn't leave Ameela on her own...
The duo made their way across the region they were in, making their way towards Riften. They were forced to travel through cold forests, and over mountains, with Apex fighting several creatures that came across their path. Eventually, they were forced to stop to camp. Apex managed to hunt down some creatures which he was able to cook up for Ameela. While Ameela was eating, however, she finally asked the question Apex knew was coming. "I was wondering...what are you?"
Apex looked at her for a moment, before answering, "I am Geth. A collection of unique runtimes bound together by Reaper Code. I was designed as the ultimate in Geth Military Hardware, with the runtimes required to operate my various functions. My activation occurred weeks before the Reaper-Code Upgrade and the Sacrifice of Legion." Ameela looked confused by what he said. Apex didn't know how to explain it any better though, and, indicating such, Ameela continued eating.
After a minute or two of silence, Ameela asked, "Who...is Legion?"
"Legion was the Geth responsible for our ascendance into true Sentience. During the war a year ago, the Reapers sought to take control of us, and used a special code to increase our individual intelligence a hundred-fold, but also to shackle us to their control. Legion was one of the only ones to remain free of their control, and, with the aid of Commander Shepard, freed us. Then, sacrificing himself, Legion uploaded himself and split his mind up and distributed it among the Geth, giving us intelligence, but lacking the shackling to the Reapers. It is thanks to him and his sacrifice we are as free as we are today, free to chart our own couse, to build our own futures." Ameela seemed awed by the story...then again, now that he thought about it, Apex DID think it sounded a bit like a legend. "You should get some rest, the final stretch of our journey is tomorrow."
Ameela nodded, and went to sleep, Apex keeping watch the whole night.
"We've made it," Apex stated, as they walked up to the gate. The guard took one look at the cloaked figure that was Apex, and hastily let them in. Once inside, the duo met with a woman with face paint covering half of her face. "I am looking for the orphanage," Apex stated, "This girl's parents were killed by Hagraven near Falkreath."
"Those damned Hagraven, they'll pay for this," the woman stated.
"I have already dealt with the Hagraven. They have payed...with their lives..." Apex stated.
The woman's eyed widened. "You must be strong to take on an entire coven of Hagraven on your own..." She then looked at Ameela. "The orphanage is that way. What have you heard about Honorhall Orphanage?"
"Nothing, merely that it is an orphanage," Apex stated, "Why?"
"...You'll need to see it for yourself..." the woman replied, "What is your name by the way, I am Mjoll, a Nord."
"My designation is Apex. I am Geth."
"Apex? Anyways...see you around." With that, Mjoll just walked off.
Apex then led Ameela to the orphanage. Once he walked in...
"Those who shirk their duties will get an extra beating. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Grelod."
Apex's eye narrowed. He didn't like the sound of that.
"And one more thing! I will hear no more talk of adoptions! None of you riff-raff is getting adopted. Ever! Nobody needs you, nobody wants you. That, my darlings, is why you're here. Why you will always be here, until the day you come of age and get thrown into that wide, horrible world. Now, what do you all say?"
"We love you, Grelod. Thank you for your kindness."
"That's better. Now scurry off, my little guttersnipes."
Apex said to Ameela "Stay close, I am expecting problems..." and they approached.
"This is an orphanage, not an inn. Begone from here."
"I WAS here, because I found a child orphaned, however-"
"I see, MOVE!" she shoved Apex out of her way. The Geth wasn't fased much, more surprised than anything. She then grabbed Ameela. "Good, now GET TO WORK URCHIN!"
Then, Apex moved to stop her. "Now that is quite enough, BITCH!" Apex delved into his list of human expletives for that one.
Grelod's face was contorted with rage. "Who do you think you are?! Maybe you need a lesson as well!" She then pulled out a sword and swung at Apex.
"No!" Ameela shouted...
...And Apex caught the Iron Sword's blade in his hand.
"...What?!" Grelod asked in surprised, and fear, as the 3-fingered hand clenched the blade, squeezed just the smallest amount...and shattered the sword.
Then, the hood fell away...revealing Apex's mechanical, lit head. "You have made your final mistake, Grelod...when you attack a Geth, we WILL defend ourselves." Apex then wrenched the sword from the woman's hand. The woman then picked up an axe and swung...only for the Geth to swipe it out of his way. He brought his left arm back...and an orange light glowed, forming a blade...which he impaled the headmistress through with.
"You...will...pay...They...will...get you...for this..." Grelod stated.
"No, they will not. This must be what Mjoll meant to warn me of, meaning you are known for this. And when the children reveal you attacked me first...you are finished Grelod. As my companion Braydon Warwick would state, 'May you burn in Hell!'" Then, Apex extracted his Omni-Blade, swung around...and decapitated the cruel headmistress.
The children slowly gathered around the body...and they started getting excited. Apex then said, "What a worthless waste of life. This woman...why do humans like this still exist? It does not matter...I've made my decision..." He looked around, and saw a woman hiding. "Come out..."
The woman did so. "Why did you-"
"She attacked me," Apex said, picking up the broken Iron Sword, "She then used that other weapon against me. Therefore, I responded to these attempts to end my 'life' through lethal force."
"So..."
"I killed her in self-defense..."
The woman gaped. "I knew she was cruel...but...to think that she was capable of such acts...Well, I guess that puts me in charge."
"Acknowledged." Apex then picked up Grelod's impaled and beheaded corpse by the collar of her clothing, while picking up her head by her hair. "I will take the corpse, and explain what happened. Should anything occur-"
"What is going on here?!" A guard walked in. Then, he saw the corpse of Grelod, and the...thing...holding the corpse and head, and drew his sword. Immediately, the children formed a wall between Apex and the guard. "What happened here-"
"Don't hurt him!"
"Yeah, Grelod attacked him!"
"She didn't give him a choice!"
But once the other children quieted, Ameela spoke. "Please...just let him go...Grelod attacked him when he tried to stop her from mistreating me...and before that, he saved me from Hagraven...please just let Apex go..."
The guard looked from Ameela to Apex, and back again. He thought, before finally...he sheathed his sword. "Alright...it appeared it was in self-defense anyways...at least now the orphanage will have a headmistress who is good to the children now. However..." he pointed to Apex, "...there will be fallout for this. I suggest you leave Riften, until it blows over."
"Acknowledged. One more thing, however: I have decided that I would be...more comfortable...with Ameela with me." Everyone looked at the Geth, shocked.
"Why?" the new headmistress asked.
"Do not be offended, but I am uncertain that her being here would be a good thing: I saved her at her mother's final request, so I would like to be there to ensure my efforts were not in vain. I do hope you understand my position..."
The woman thought for a moment, before replying, "Yes...I understand, and while I do not like killing, I cannot help but feel glad that Grelod is gone. If you ever find yourself welcome in Riften again, you will always be welcome here. By the way, my name's Constance. I believe you were called 'Apex'?"
"Yes, I am Apex. I am Geth." He raised the hand he used to catch the blade, and, seeing no damage, he stated, "In retrospect, I had nothing to fear: this platform appears near-immune to Iron Melee Weapons." He showed the hand, shocking the others present with the lack of damage.
"Incredible," the guard said, "What is your armor made of?"
"I do not possess armor. I am a collection of programs held in a platform. In essence: this is my 'body'."
"Incredible. What are you?"
"I am Geth. I am a Synthetic construct."
"You mean like those Dwarven Automatons from the Dwarven ruins?" Constance asked.
Apex thought a moment, before stating, "That analogy seems appropriate, more information needed, though. We must get going. I do not believe this town will accept my presence much longer."
"Do not worry, I will lead you out, but we must get going," the guard said.
"Acknowledged."
The duo left Riften through the north gate, and the guard finally asked, "So, where are you going to go?"
"I am searching for my companions. We were aboard a Kowloon-class Freighter Winona, a flying vessel, when my compartment detached and crashed near the Hagraven Coven I found Ameela in. The ship itself continued north where it crashed. I plan to find it."
"I heard rumors of a strange flying object appearing, and crashing near Dawnstar to the north. That might be this flying ship 'Winona' you refer to," the guard responded.
"I thank you for this information. Now we know where to look," Apex replied.
Then, the guard said, "Oh, by the way, here: a map, so you can find Dawnstar. We would be right..." he pointed near the lower-right-hand corner of the map, "...here."
"Thank you for your aid. I will hopefully see you again."
"Stay safe, friend. By the way, name's Gregneld Stone. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine. Fare the well." Apex nodded, and he and Ameela headed off to the north. Now, they know where the others are, and, with Ameela's safety Apex's responsibility, they move off to join their companions.
Before you guys rag on me about "Spitfires are heavy weapons: they don't use Thermal Clips", Apex uses the Multiplayer version of the Spitfire, which does use Thermal Clips.
Also, the pose Apex takes just after sniping the first Hagraven (the one with the sacrificial dagger) is basically the one Legion takes in ME2, just after he saves Shepard from those husks.