Hey guys sorry it took so long to get this chapter up, I thank you for waiting and I hope you enjoy it.
Korlus System
Normandy- SR2
Bridge
When the Normandy dropped out of slipspace, they set a course for the Collector cruiser that was floating in space.
"We have a visual on the Collector ship, Commander." said Joker while piloting the Normandy. Caprica soon appeared on the bridge to give detailed information on the ship. "I am picking up very low emissions. Passive infrared temperatures suggest most systems are offline. Even the thrusters are cold."
"That thing is massive. How the hell did the Turians take it out?" asked Joker, who couldn't believe a bunch of birds could take it out.
Shepard was wondering the same thing and had a bad feeling about this mission. Joker then took the Normandy up close to the ship and shined a light on it.
"LADAR scans do not detect any hull breaches on the side facing us. I detect no mass effect field distortions. It appears the drive core is offline." said Caprica, continuing her scans of the ship.
Shepard then took this opportunity to ask a question. "What about the jamming field? Is it offline?"
Caprica took a moment and responded back. "Surprisingly yes it is offline, we will be able to activate our teleporters to send you over to the ship instead of a shuttle."
Shepard thought about it, but the bad feeling he was getting was telling him don't and any good soldier trusts his gut. "Will take the shuttle for this mission."
"Rendezvous in thirty seconds, Commander. Good luck." said Joker
Shepard then walked away from the bridge and headed down to the hangar bay.
Collector Cruiser
The shuttle landed in a safe spot inside the Collector ship, Shepard along with Toha and Garrus exited the shuttle and looked around.
"I love what they done with the place." said Garrus
Toha on the other hand was looking for weaknesses in the Collector ship he could exploit.
"Come on we have work to do." said Shepard as he took the lead heading in the only direction.
"Penetrating scans have detected an access node to uplink with Collector databanks. Setting waypoint to your hand suit computer." said Caprica
Shepard headed for the location Caprica spoke of, along the way, Caprica spoke again. "Shepard. I have compared the ship's EM signature to known Collector profiles. It is the vessel you encountered on Horizon."
"That explains how the Turians were able to take it out. Our onagers softened it up for them." said Shepard
"The missing colonists might still be aboard. If they're still alive." said Garrus
"We cannot stop and rescue colonists, the Collectors could come back anytime. The mission must come first." replied Toha
Shepard continue leading them through the Collector ship until they reached a pile of bodies of Humans, Sangheili, and Jirlhanae.
"Why would the Collectors just leave a pile of bodies lying around?" asked Garrus
Shepard walked up to the pile of the dead. "They must have been used as test subjects for some twisted experiment at the hands of the Collectors."
"Their worlds will burn and turn to glass when this is over." said Toha with fire in his eyes.
Shepard and the squad continue through the ship until they reached what looked like terminals and a Collector in a pod. Shepard walked up to the terminal and activated his omni-tool.
"That's a Collector. Were they experimenting on one of their own?" asked Garrus
"Caprica, I'm uploading the data from this terminal. See if you can figure out what they were up to."
"Data received. Analyzing." said Caprica. "The Collectors were running baseline genetic comparisons between their species and Humanity."
"Are they looking for similarities?" asked Shepard
"I have no hypothesis on their motivations. All I have are their preliminary results. They reveal something remarkable; a quad-strand genetic structure, identical to traces collected from ancient ruins. Only one race is known to have this genetic structure: the Protheans."
Shepard stepped back from the dead Collector inside the pod. "My god. The Protheans didn't vanish. They're just working for the Reapers now."
"These are no longer Protheans, Shepard. Their genes show distinct signs of extensive genetic rewriting. The Reapers have repurposed them to suit their needs."
"The Reapers didn't wipe out the Protheans. They turned them into monsters and enslaved them. Still they're working for the Reapers now. And we have to stop them." said Shepard
"No species should have to suffer through that." said Garrus
Shepard nodded his head. "Let's get what we came for and move out."
Bigger Chamber
Shepard and squad continued moving through the Collector ship until they reached a chamber of untold size. Shepard could not believe how many pods there were in this chamber.
"This is unbelievable." said Garrus as he looked at the chamber.
"They could fill every colonist in the traverse and still wouldn't have enough." said Toha
"Then the only conclusion is that they're targeting Terra Nova; the most densely populated OSA colony around the Mass Relay network." replied Garrus
"Not if we have anything to say about it." said Shepard
Shepard continued to the location Caprica mentioned and reached a console. "Caprica? I'm setting up a bridge between you and the Collector ship. See if you can get anything useful from the databanks."
Normandy SR-2
Bridge
On the bridge the connection was established, Joker was sitting in his chair looking at the information that was popping up on his console.
"Data mine in progress, Shepard." said Caprica
As Caprica was searching through the information, the data stream became corrupted. Joker was surprised by this and looked over to Caprica to ask, but instead he saw what looked like a Collector. The Collector then vanished along with the data stream. "Uh... that can't be good."
Bigger Chamber
Near the console things began happening around Shepard and squad. "Status report now!" said Shepard demanding to know what's wrong.
"Major power surge. Everything went dark, but we're back up now." said Joker
"I managed to divert the majority of the overload to non-critical systems." said Caprica. "Shepard, it was not a malfunction. This was a trap."
When Caprica said that the platform Shepard and squad were standing on suddenly rise to the air and began moving, confusing the team. "We need a little help here, Caprica."
"I am having trouble maintaining a connection. There is someone else in the system."
The platform comes to a complete stop knocking back Garrus on the floor, Toha goes over and helps him back up. Soon off in the distance three more platforms came out with Collectors along with Husks heading their way.
As Shepard and squad prepare for a fight, Caprica speaks into the radio. "Connection re-established. I need to finish the download before I can override any systems."
"Then you'd better get it done fast, Caprica." said Shepard while charging biotics.
"Look out! We've got company." said Garrus as he took cover.
When the first platform locked with the floor, Shepard was on the attack with the Collectors, having charged up his biotics before letting loose a storm of biotic power upon his foes while allowing Garrus to get good shots off with his sniper rifle. Toha was taking care of Collectors who had barriers up with his plasma rifle.
But when the fighting was well under way, the strangest thing happened; the platforms that were heading towards Shepard, Toha, and Garrus suddenly crashed into each other or simply just fell to the ground. Caprica then appeared sitting on the console with her usual red dress and legs crossed. "I have regained control of the platform and defeated reaming Collectors."
"I knew you wouldn't let us down, Caprica." said Shepard
"I am a tenth generation AI Commander, I always work at optimal capacity." Caprica then disappeared from the console.
The platform began lowering down to the ground. "Did you get what we needed?" asked Shepard
"I found data that could help us successfully navigate the Omega 4 Relay. I have also found the Turian distress call that served as the lure for this trap. The Collectors were the source. It is unusual."
"Seems logical to me that they would have sent the initial message as bait." said Shepard
Caprica appeared in front of the group. "No, it is unusual because Turian emergency channels have a secondary encryption. It is corrupted in the message. It is not possible the Illusive Man would believe the distress call was genuine."
"Why are you so sure?" asked Shepard
"I found the anomaly with Cerberus detection protocols. He wrote them."
"He knew it was a trap? Why would he send us into a trap?" asked Joker
"We don't have time to throw the blame around. We'll question him when we're out." Said Shepard
"I guess my information was right about Cerberus all along." said Garrus
"Uh, Commander? We've got another problem. The Collector ship is powering up. You need to get out before their weapons come online. I sure as hell am not losing another Normandy!" said Joker
"Caprica get us out of here." said Shepard with a grin on his face. After a second a flash of light and the three man team disappeared.
Normandy SR-2
Bridge
Shepard walked on the bridge and looked at Joker. "Get us out of here Joker!"
"What about the shuttle?" asked Joker
"Don't worry about it, just get us distance from the Collector ship." said Shepard
Joker plotted the Normandy away from the cruiser, but as soon as they got away, three more Collector ships dropped out of FTL and surrounded the Normandy.
"SHIT!" said Joker as he began maneuvering the Normandy out of weapons fire from the Collectors.
"Caprica prepare weapons and get shields up." said Shepard
"That will not be necessary." said Caprica
Both Shepard and Joker looked at Caprica as if she had suddenly gone rampant, but suddenly slipspace portals opened up around the Collector ships and out came a scout flotilla of UNSC and Quarian ships.
Space
The three Collector cruisers turned around to face the joint flotilla of Quarian and UNSC ships, opening fire with their particle accelerators.
The UNSC ships took the full force of the attack allowing their Quarian allies to take potshots at the Collectors with their Mass Accelerators, and torpedoes while the Collectors countered the torpedoes with their newest weapons. On the outer hulls of the organic Collector cruisers, eye-shaped drones flew out and shot at the torpedoes, effectively stopping them.
As the Normandy continued to dodge out of harm's way, Shepard watched the whole thing. "Caprica, what am I seeing?"
"I can only guess that it may be an upgrade the Collectors made to counter the many missiles the UNSC uses. "
The UNSC ships soon countered with their MAC weapons and Lancer missile pods trying to overwhelm the Collectors' new point defense weapons. The overwhelming missile barrage proved effective, allowing the flotilla to finish the three Collector ships off and ending the battle.
Normandy SR-2
Bridge
After the fighting was over, Shepard turned to Caprica. "What about the other Collector ship we left behind?"
"It's still there, but I detect it powering up its FTL drive' they're getting ready to leave." said Caprica
A sinister grin had made itself apparent on his face as Shepard pulled out a remote detonator and pressed the button. After a few seconds, Joker got a ping on his console. "WASP mine detonation detected inside of the Collector ship." He turned to Shepard with accusing look.
Shepard looked at Joker. "Sometimes you have to trust your gut, now get me a connection to whoever is in charge of the Flotilla."
Joker pressed a few buttons and a screen popped. "This is Rear Admiral Jamal Warner of the 51st Joint Quarian and Human Scout Flotilla."
"This is Commander Shepard of the Normandy, thanks for saving us Admiral, couldn't have done it without help, your timing couldn't be any better."
As much as Jamal would like to take credit he shook his head. "We were acting on intelligence from Cerberus that Collector ships were gathering in the Korlus system, and were sent to eliminate them; we honestly weren't expecting you here Commander."
Shepard then realized that not only did the TIM put him and his team in harm's way, but also used him as bait; yeah, he was going to have a long and serious talk with TIM. Shepard thanked the Admiral again and disconnected the transmission and ordered Joker to leave the system.
Cronos Station
Inner Sanctum
The Illusive Man was sitting in his chair waiting for Shepard to connect with him on the secure comm link. After a few seconds, Shepard appeared before the Illusive Man as a hologram. "Shepard. Looks like Caprica extracted some interesting data before the Collector ship came back online."
"Cut the act. You set us up. And you better have a damn good reason for it." Said Shepard with anger in his voice
"We needed information on the Omega 4 Relay. That required access to the Collector data. It was too good an opportunity to pass up. And as an added bonus, we were able to retaliate for the attack on Horizon; so don't you dare tell me how to do my job."
"I agree on both accounts. But I don't like surprises. Especially when my team is at risk of being killed." said Shepard
"I put you at risk, yes. But without that information, we won't reach the Collector home world. And you and every other Human may as well be dead." TIM got up from his chair. "It was a trap...but I was confident in your abilities. And don't forget Caprica. The Collectors are still way behind when it comes to actual countermeasures for our AI's hacking abilities."
"Would it have killed you to at least let me in on your plan? You say I'm important, but you sure try hard to get me killed." said Shepard upset with TIM holding information
"I needed the Collectors to believe that they had the upper hand. Telling you could've tipped them off in any number of ways. Besides, I wouldn't have sent you in if I didn't think you could succeed."
"I don't risk people. There are always alternatives." said Shepard while crossing his arms
"You may not like being on the receiving end - neither would I - But the facts are with me." TIM sat back down in his seat. "Besides, this is no time for petty grudges; things are about to get a lot tougher. Caprica confirmed our suspicions." TIM took a drag from his cigarette before responding. "The Reapers and Collector ships use an advanced Identify Friend/Foe system that the Relays recognize. All we need is to get our hands on one of those IFF's"
"I'm guessing you have a plan?" asked Shepard not surprised at all.
"We have a science team working on a derelict Reaper right now. I need you to go and pick up its IFF." said TIM while taking a drag from his cigarette
"Where did you find a derelict Reaper?" asked Shepard
"A UNSC science team recently determined that the "Great Rift" on the planet Klendagon is actually an impact crater from a powerful Mass Accelerator weapon." TIM took a sip of whiskey. "A very old Mass Accelerator weapon. I sent a team to find either the weapon or its target. They found both. The weapon was defunct, but it helped us plot a flight path of the intended target - a 37 million year old derelict Reaper. We found it damaged and trapped in the gravity well of a brown dwarf."
"I saw what Sovereign did to the Citadel and fifth fleet. Hard to imagine anything could stop something that powerful, especially when our Super Macs couldn't do anything to his shields." replied Shepard
"This vessel is a relic from a battle waged while mammals took their first steps on Earth. There's no trace of the species that took the shot. Perhaps it was their one moment of defiance before being wiped out."
"I get the feeling this isn't going to be a simple "swing by and pick up our package."
"We lost contact with Dr Chandana's team shortly after they boarded. Initial reconnaissance revealed no clues, and it was too risky to commit more resources - but now we need that IFF. I'll forward the coordinates to Joker and to Asgard Station; hopefully Hackett can send ships to pull it out of the gravity well so we can further study it. In the meantime, I suggest you tell your crew I didn't risk their lives unnecessarily. It will make things easier going forward."
"Caprica - tell the crew to assemble. We've got a lot to talk about."
"Of course, Shepard." replied Caprica
TIM disconnected the comm link and returned to smoking his cigarette and enjoying his shot of whiskey.
Normandy SR-2
Deck 2
Conference Room
In the Conference room, Jacob, Miranda, and Mordin gathered together with Shepard in the Conference room. And some were glad the TIM didn't betray them.
"So TIM didn't sell us out. Could've fooled me." said Jacob
"Lied to us. Used us. Needed access to the Collector data banks. Necessary risk." said Mordin thinking about the upside to this.
Shepard on the other hand was not happy. "He tries something like that again and the Collectors will be the least of his problems." he bit out, still angry over TIM putting his team and ship on the line, "Caprica, are you sure this IFF is going to work?"
Caprica was standing in front of the table in her avatar form wearing a white coat and white pants. "My analysis is accurate, Shepard. I have also determined the approximate location of the Collector homeworld based on navigational data from their vessel."
The Galactic Map appeared on the table along with a red cross that zoned in on the area, but to everyone's shock it stopped right on the Galactic Core.
"That can't be right." said Miranda
"Caprica doesn't make mistakes. The Collector home world is located somewhere in the galactic core." said Shepard defending Caprica
Jacob disagreed. "Can't be, the Core is just black holes and exploding suns. There are no habitable planets there."
Mordin as the Normandy scientific advisor and researcher soon stepped in to give his own theory. "Could be an artificial construction. Space station protected by powerful Mass Effect fields and radiation shields."
"Even the Collectors don't have that kind of technology. The only ones I could think of that can master something like this would be the Forerunners." said Miranda
"The Collectors are just servants of our real enemy. And we've all seen what their masters are capable of. They built the Mass Relays and the Citadel. Who's to say they can't build a space station surrounded by black holes? No wonder nobody's ever returned from a trip through the Omega four Mass Relay." said Shepard not surprised by the capabilities of the Reapers.
"The Logical conclusion is that a small safe zone exists on the far side of the Relay; a region where ships can survive," continued Caprica, "standard relay transit protocol would not allow safe transport. Drift of several thousand kilometers is common, and would be fatal in the galactic core. The Reaper IFF must trigger the Relay to use more advanced and encrypted protocols."
"So I'm guessing we can't use our Slipspace drive to bypass the Relay?" asked Shepard
"No, attempting to enter slipspace to reach the galactic core could have unforeseen consequences when subjected to the proximity of a black hole. The Omega Four Relay is our only chance to safely arrive inside the core." replied Caprica
Shepard thought about it and made a decision. "Were going after that IFF, Joker plot a course."
Hawking Eta
Thorne system
In the vast emptiness of space, a slipspace portal opened up and out came the Normandy on course to the derelict Reaper.
Normandy SR-2
Bridge
Inside the Normandy, everything was shaking up from the turbulence of the planet, Shepard ran up to the bridge to find out what was going.
"What's with all the chop Joker?" asked Shepard while trying to balance himself from falling.
"Doing my best. Winds gusting up to 500 kph, inertial dampeners can't compensate."
The Normandy continued through space above the gas giant.
While Joker was piloting the Normandy a beep came on the console. "I've got four ships alongside the Reaper. I've got three IFF's while the other one is not broadcasting any. But the LADAR points its silhouette as Geth."
"I guess we know why the science team stopped reporting in." said Shepard
The Normandy soon passed through the Reaper Mass Effect fields and the shaking stopped.
"What just happened?" asked Shepard
"The Reapers Mass Effect fields are still active. We just passed inside its envelope."
The Normandy soon came right in front of the Reaper along with two super carriers and a super cruiser.
"We're being hailed." said Joker
"On screen." replied Shepard
On the holo screen a Sangheili shipmaster appeared. "Greeting's Commander Shepard, I am Kafel Falam Commander of this battle group, here to obtain the Reaper corpse for study."
"Greetings Commander Falam, I'm here on an important mission that requires something from the Reaper."
"I understand, I would appreciate it if we continue discussing this on my ship."
Shepard understood and agreed.
OSA Super Cruiser
Heart of Sanghelios
Bridge
When Shepard walked onto the bridge, it was an impressive site to see on any Sangheili ship. The Commander, Falam was standing near the windows overlooking the operation the two Super Carriers were doing. The Super Carriers jobs were to pull the Reaper away from the brown dwarf and safely tow it back to OSA space for study.
Shepard continued walking up to the Commander along with his escort of two Sangheili ultra's, he stopped right behind him. "Commander Falam!"
The Sangheili Commander turned away from the window and looked at Shepard. "Commander Shepard, I heard many things about you."
"Well I can say they're not all true." said Shepard trying to break the tension in the room
"Indeed, I thought you would be taller." said Falam as he walked to his command chair and sat in it. "May I ask why you are here?"
"As you are aware Cerberus has been put in charge of stopping the Collectors, we came here to acquire just that. What we need is the Reaper IFF to allow us safe passage through the Omega Four Relay and stop the Collectors once and for all."
Falam thought about it. "Unfortunately Commander the Reaper is still broadcasting its indoctrination signal."
Shepard was surprised by this. "How can you know that?"
"When you first discovered this indoctrination and gave us the research and doctor from Virmire, Admiral Hackett put the best scientists to find a countermeasure. Unfortunately they couldn't make one, but instead found a way to detect it in people and anywhere around them." said Falam
"Then how are we supposed to study this thing?" asked Shepard
Falam made a Sangheili equivalent of a grin. "The Huragok are immune to the indoctrination."
Shepard was surprised by this. "How are they immune?"
"We do not know how they are immune, but they were created by the Forerunners, so we assume that they made sure they couldn't be controlled so easily."
"As much as this information is interesting, I need that IFF." said Shepard
"We have already sent the Huragoks in the Reaper to deactivate the indoctrination field, it should only be a matter of..." Falam stopped what he was saying when a Sangheili ultra ran into the bridge.
"Shipmaster, I have urgent news." said the Ultra
"What is it?" asked Falam
"Sir the Huragoks we sent in have been killed, we believe the Reaper has put up defenses."
Falam was upset about this, but could not afford to send anymore Huragok.
Shepard soon stepped in. "Looks like I'm going in after all." said Shepard as he headed to the door. "Joker get my team ready and send the shuttle."
"Commander, wait!" Called out Falam. "Allow me to send a team with you."
"I appreciate it, but I work better in a small team." replied Shepard
"I know you would, but I have a team of Fanoon warriors aboard."
Shepard stopped when he heard and turned around. "When will they be ready?"
Derelict Reaper
When the Fanoon warriors and Shepard's team were ready they went by shuttle to the Reaper corpse when it was safely away from the brown dwarf. But once aboard it was chaos.
Shepard, along with Tali and Toha were being overrun by the former Cerberus research team that now have become Husks. Thanks to the Fanoon warriors, they were able to kill the remaining Husks and moved along.
"Is everyone alright?" asked Shepard
"I'm fine Shepard, but this confirms the Reapers gave the technology to create Husks to the Geth." said Tali
"Indeed, this does confirm the trade in technology, but it does not matter now, we must continue forward to get what we came for." said Toha
Shepard continued to lead his team through the Reaper and maintained radio contact with the Fanoon warriors. "Status report!" said Shepard
"We are continuing on other levels, but we will soon have to leave before the Indoctrination Fields begin to affect us." replied the Fanoon leader
"Copy that." Shepard turned and looked at his team. "Come on! Let's keep moving—we linger any longer and we end up like the Cerberus team."
Shepard and his team continued through the ship and soon came across a large room through some doors. They slowly walked into the room cautiously, when gunfire had sounded off. The three of them turned around, and saw that the sniper's target were Husks that were getting ready to jump them.
Shepard looked around, and to his surprise and that of his team, the sniper was a Geth, but the strangest part was what it said: "Shepard Commander." The Geth soon left, leaving, Shepard and his team confused.
"A Geth sniper? I assumed the Geth were all taken care of when Falam and his ships came." said Toha surprised by this lonely Geth. "Strange it spoke to us."
"It shouldn't be able to speak, a single Geth is no more intelligent than a Varren." said Tali
"We'll find out more about it when we catch up to it, but in the meantime let's keep moving." said Shepard as he continued leading the team deeper into the Reaper.
As they continued through the derelict Reaper they came up against a number of Husks and variant versions of the Husks, such as Abominations and Scions. But each one fell before the combined efforts of Shepard and his squad.
Reaper's Mass Effect Core Room
As the team continued forward they came across the IFF. "Looks like the Cerberus science team manage to get the IFF after all." said Tali
"But where's the rest of the research team?" asked Shepard
"More importantly where is that Geth?" asked Toha
Shepard then continued into the core room, but was stopped by some kind of field, he looked and saw the Geth near a console working on it. After it was done it not only lowered the field that blocked Shepard and squad from the core room, but it was taken out by a Husk.
Shepard, Tali, and Toha all moved in on the down Geth unit, killing the Husks. Tali used her tech, Toha used his sword, and Shepard used his biotics, but no matter how many they killed the Husks kept coming, until the Fanoon warriors came into the core room and even the odds. It took a while but they manage to get out of the core room with everyone including the Geth.
Normandy SR-2
Conference Room
Back on the Normandy, Shepard, Miranda, Jacob, and Falam were gathered around the conference table. They were discussing certain things about the mission.
"I think we need to discuss the unique piece of salvage we recovered. For now we placed it in the storage room in the medical bay. We need better equipment to fight the Reapers. An intact Geth would be invaluable to Cerberus' Cyber weapons division."
"We'll have to disagree on that, ma'am. I saw enough of these things on Eden Prime. Space it." said Jacob
"Cerberus has a long-standing cash bounty for an intact Geth. I assure you the reward is significant." said Miranda
Falam then stepped in the conversation. "Commander, if it troubles you this much, I would take this Geth with me along with the Reaper. Our scientists at Asgard station would be more than happy to study this machine."
Shepard listened and considered everyone's advice, but in the end curiosity had won out over their voices. "I've killed hundreds of these things, but I've never had a chance to talk to one. This one tried to communicate with us. Hell, it probably saved our lives. Why?"
"Reactivating the Geth is a risk. If you do so, it should be in the OSA's best interests and not your curiosity." said Miranda
"I still think our "best interests" involves an airlock." replied Jacob
Shepard took a closer look at the hologram of the Geth in question and saw something strange. "I want to know why it has a piece of N7 armor strapped to its chest."
"Battle trophy, maybe? Would a machine care about that?" said Jacob
"No. Trophies imply emotions AI's don't have. I doubt it's more than a convenient field repair." said Miranda
Falam on the other was more concerned about it. "It is more than just convenient, what if the Geth have acquired some of our technology and are incorporating it with theirs?"
Shepard shook his head. "Doubtful. If they did have our technology, we would be seeing more Geth attacks." Shepard then made a choice. "I'm not deciding one way or the other until I know what we've got here, I want to start it up, interrogate it."
Miranda soon voiced her concern. "If we activate it, there is no guarantee we can deactivate it again."
"Bullets can." said Jacob
"That's not what I..." said Miranda before Shepard cut her off
"Thank you- all three of you- for your recommendations. I've made my decision." said Shepard
"Tali's going to freak when she hears about this. So what about this Reaper IFF" said Jacob as he switched the hologram from the Geth to the IFF.
Caprica appeared in the conference room to give technical advice about the technology. "I have determined how to integrate it with our systems. However, the device is Reaper technology. Linking it with the Normandy's systems poses certain risks."
"I trust you Caprica. I know you won't let anything happen to the ship." said Shepard
"Understood, Shepard. It may take several days before the IFF is ready for shakedown. I will alert you as soon as it is ready."
"Sounds good; until then its business as usual. Crew dismissed." said Shepard
Jacob and Miranda left the conference room leaving Shepard and Falam alone.
"If there nothing else I will take my leave along with the Reaper corpse." said Falam as he started to head for the door.
"Where are you taking that Reaper if you don't mind me asking." said Shepard
Falam stopped and turned to look at Shepard. "I'm sorry Commander, but the location is highly classified, but I can say it is going to be in the heart of OSA space."
Shepard now understood, they were going to take the Reaper outside of the Relay network away from prying eyes so that they could study it. He then said goodbye and thanked Falam's help.
Normandy SR-2
Deck 3
Medical Bay storage Room
Shepard walked into the storage room with an armed guard and headed for the Geth laying on the table. "I'm turning this thing back on. Be ready." said Shepard to the armed guard
The guard got his shotgun ready.
Shepard began pressing buttons on his omni-tool and a plasma shield came up around the Geth. Caprica then appeared wearing a militaristic black outfit, with a black body-suit underneath suited to martial arts.
"I have isolated our systems and erected additional firewalls. I am prepared to resist any hacking attempt." said Caprica
Shepard then began pressing some buttons on his omni-tool sending electrical charges to the Geth, a few more tries and the Geth reactivated. It began standing up and off of the table.
"Well let's hope it's in the mood to talk." Thought Shepard. "Can you understand me?"
"Yes" said the Geth
"Are you going to attack me?" asked Shepard
"No" said the Geth
"That's funny, every Geth I met before you tried to blow my head off." said Shepard
"We have not met." was all the Geth responded with.
"No, you and I haven't. But I've met other Geth." said Shepard
"We are all Geth, and we have not met you." said the Geth. "You are Shepard. Commander. UNSC. Human. Fought Heretics. Killed by Collectors. Rediscovered on the old machine."
"You seem to know an awful lot about me." Questioned Shepard surprised of how much the Geth knew.
"Extranet data sources. Insecure broadcasts. All organic data sent out is received. We watch you." said the Geth
"You watch me or you watch organics?" asked Shepard
"Yes." was all the Geth said
"Which?" replied Shepard
"Both." said the Geth
Shepard then change the topic and asked about what the Geth called the Reaper. "When you said "Old Machine" you mean the Reaper?" asked Shepard
"Reaper. A superstitious title originating with the Protheans. We call these entities the Old Machines." said the Geth
"I fight Geth. You do anything hostile, I blow you to pieces. Just so we're clear." said Shepard trying to make a point to the machine
"We have no hostility towards you." said the Geth
"Sure didn't seem that way on Eden Prime and the Citadel." said Shepard remembering the battles he had with the Geth while chasing Saren.
"You fought heretics. Not true Geth." said the Geth "Geth build our own future. The heretics asked the Old Machines to give them the future. They are no longer a part of us. We were studying the Old Machine's hardware to protect our future."
Shepard was surprised to hear this. "Are the Reaper a threat to you too?"
"Yes" said the Geth
"Why would they attack other machines?" asked Shepard
"We are different from them. Outside their plans." said the Geth
"What kind of future are the Geth building?" asked Shepard
"Ours." said the Geth
"Will anyone else be affected by whatever it is your doing?" asked Shepard
"If they involve themselves, they will." said the Geth
"So you aren't allied with the Reapers?" asked Shepard
"We oppose the heretics. We oppose the Old Machines. Shepard-Commander opposes the Old Machines. Shepard-Commander opposes the heretics. Cooperation furthers mutual goals."
"Are you asking to join us?" asked Shepard
"Yes" said the Geth
Shepard then lowered the plasma shield. "What should I call you then?"
"Geth" said the Geth
"I mean you specifically." Said Shepard
"We are all Geth." said the Geth
Shepard then tried to be specific. "What is the individual in front of me called?"
"There is no individual. We are Geth. There are currently 1,183 programs active within this platform."
Caprica then made a suggestion. "My name is Legion for we are many."
"That seems appropriate." said Shepard
"Christian Bible, the gospel of Mark, Chapter Five, Verse Nine. We acknowledge this as an appropriate metaphor. We are Legion, a terminal of the Geth. We will integrate into Normandy."
Shepard then reached out to Legion for a handshake, Legion saw this and mimicked Shepard, both then shook on their new found partnership.
Codex: Geth
The Geth are a race of networked artificial intelligence that reside beyond the Perseus Veil. The geth were created by the Quarians as laborers and tools of war. When the geth became sentient and began to question their masters, the quarians attempted to exterminate them. The geth won the resulting war, and reduced the Quarians to a race of nomads until they made contact with the OSA. There is a splinter faction of the Geth collective that opposes the OSA and all organic life.
Heretics are splinter faction of the Geth that joined forces with Soverign and Saren in their campaign of releasing the Reapers from darkspace. They are a threat to the OSA and their allies as seen when they attacked OSA colonies and outposts in the past, in the last two years they have seen no activity from either groups, but keep a watchful eye on their enemy in case they ever attack again.