Chapter 16: Human

As she was waiting in the hold of a large Geth vessel, now alone, Tali'Zorah vas Normandy wondered just what sort of mess this would be. Legion had docked with the ship, but upon entering, he walked away from her under what appeared to be an escort.

Only giving her the directions, "Follow the sentinels," he disappeared. Not having any other option, she had no choice but to follow. They brought her to this cold and empty room, where she could see nothing and do nothing.

In frustration, the Quarian yelled out, "Is anyone here?"

Although she expected no response, a monitor in black and green lit up upon one of the walls in front of her. While the symbols were at first unintelligible, they began to resolve into more familiar letters. Then, the screen went blank once more.

A single cursor appeared, followed by this text, "Greetings, Tali'Zorah vas Normandy. We are the Geth, we mean you no harm."

The technician looked for some panel through which she could respond to the machine intelligence. Not finding one, she looked exasperated and said, "What have you done with Legion?"

Making deductions based on her actions, the panel read, "Creator Tali can communicate through analog audio transmission to the Geth. This platform can respond. The platform in question is undergoing reconditioning and is not available."

"Reconditioning?" She asked. "What does that even mean?"

"Platform 1183 Alpha has shown a number of irregularities that are being assessed for repair, integration, or deletion. Consensus has not been reached."

Aghast, Tali said, "You are going to delete Legion? Why?"

"No further information is available."

Tali never thought she would be in the position of defending the Geth, but she had seen a spark of individuality she had not expected in the prototype. Whatever her personal feelings as a Quarian, her fundamental belief that individuals had the right to exist overrode any objections.

"I wish to see the platform Legion, and have him speak for the Geth."

"Not possible. Platform 1183 Alpha has been disconnected. It is not Geth."

"How can he be not Geth?" she asked in genuine curiosity.

"All Geth are connected. Decisions are reached through consensus and all information is shared. Legion makes decisions without consensus, without connection. It is not Geth."

"Well what is he?"

"Unknown." The cursor hesitated longer for usual before continuing, "Consensus will be reached."

"What might happen to Legion?"

"Unknown."

"What will happen to me?"

"Creator Tali'Zorah vas Normandy was authorized to come to Geth space, to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the conflict between the Geth and the Creators. The Geth seek to reach an understanding."

Tali didn't know what to think as she was in a strange world far from home. Although she spent her whole life working on machines and knew their logic as well as any organic being could, machine ethics and philosophy was a world beyond her comprehension. She knew Legion was in serious peril, whether he did or not.

"Peace between the Quarians and the Geth is a necessity," she began. "We lack understanding of each other, but perhaps this can grow with time."

"The Geth desire mutual understanding. The Geth desire peace and self-determination."

Knowing she was speaking far beyond her ability to negotiate, Tali said, "Any peace must also involve the question of Rannoch. Quarian biology requires us to seek possession of our homeworld."

The monitor did not respond for a moment. A single cursor flashed as Tali imagined all the machines communicating with one another.

"The question of the Creator homeworld is open to negotiation. The Geth platforms service our needs, and the homeworld has been maintained for this eventuality."

"Define maintained," asked the technician.

"After the Morning War, the Geth began restoring Rannoch to pre-war status. Multiple platforms have worked to remove contamination, pollution, and debris. Atmospheric restoration to pre-war conditions is 96.32% complete."

Tali paused in amazement at what she heard. It was well known amongst the Quarians that all sorts of radioactive and toxic weaponry was unleashed in the unsuccessful effort to defeat the Geth in the war that led to their exile. If the world had been restored, then it was possible they could settle much sooner than possible.

She couldn't help but ask, "Why did the Geth do this?"

"Destruction is inefficient and illogical. Habitat restoration provided access to valuable resources and offered possibilities for Creator reconciliation."

Tali saw the chance to negotiate for all her people had ever dreamed, a chance to come back home, and yet she was surprised to see it wasn't enough. There was one other question that must be solved.

"I wish to speak with Legion," she asked.

"Not possible. A decision has not been made about the status of Platform 1183 Alpha."

"Very well, I wish to watch the deliberative process," she said, taking a different tack.

"Not possible. Geth communication is not analog. Organic hardware is not compatible."

With frustration, she threw her arms up, and said, "I wish to speak to the Geth consensus then."

The monitor read, "We are Geth."

"I want to understand the decision being made."

There was another pause before she received a surprising answer. "Why?"

When pressed to answer, Tali had a difficult time saying so, but she said, "Because Legion is my shipmate, and we look out for one another."

A long silence prevailed before the monitor offered a response.

"A synopsis of the discussion: Platform 1183 Alpha has exercised contradictory logic in the performance of assigned mission objectives. Primary objective was to establish contact with the human platform Shepard to determine possibility of mutual assistance between the Geth and organic species against the old machine incursion."

Considering how Legion had played a vital role in the destruction of the Collector base, Tali thought this was proof enough of his success and wondered why there would be any questions.

"Platform 1183 Alpha has been successful in completing this objective, but a programming error has developed. This platform demonstrates erratic behavior, citing the need to retain individual knowledge apart from the Geth consensus to fulfill the primary mission objective. All Geth decisions are made by consensus. Platform 1183 Alpha states its primary objective would be compromised by full disclosure to the Geth."

Not saying anything, Tali knew exactly what the problem was. Legion kept the secret about what the Quarians had done from the other Geth as she had sought and Shepard had ordered, but the Geth did not keep secrets. Legion did, for her sake, and was risking destruction rather than reveal what was known and risk the reprisals. She thought of how she would describe such an action if a Quarian or some other organic took such a stance, and the word she embraced was heroic.

"This logical paradox is the question being considered. Platform 1183 Alpha has been disconnected from the Geth until consensus is reached."

Determined to try to help Legion, Tali offered her own logic to the Geth. Although she spoke to an empty room, she hoped everyone would be able to understand her logic. For a collective intelligence, the idea of individuality must be terrifying.

"Sometimes, when we are told to do things, we must sometimes put aside a part of ourselves to accomplish the mission. Do the Geth not undertake a similar approach when platforms are sent to their destruction to obtain information that helps the greater good?"

The monitor blinked and then responded, "Affirmative. Resources are used to ensure the continuation and advantageous development of the Geth."

"Would it also be possible then to have information that would harm the greater good?"

"More data needed," came the reply from the monitor.

"Many times, Quarians and other races choose not to reveal things at certain times because it would cause more damage than it would help."

"Deceit is common in organic civilizations. The Geth have noticed this, but the Geth do not deceive. The Geth are one. Consensus is reached and information is shared."

Tali didn't know how to explain the simple idea that sometimes you can't say things because it would be too damaging. For all their knowledge, the Geth had a simple naivety about how things operated.

"But you designed this platform to interact with organics, correct?"

"Affirmative."

"Legion has done so very effectively. He helped us defeat the Collectors and saved Commander Shepard on multiple occasions. He has earned our trust, and he is part of our team. He has fulfilled your primary objective."

"Correct, Tali'Zorah vas Normandy. But he refuses to share fully with the Geth consensus. Isolation from the Geth suggests faulty programming, the need for recalibration is being considered."

Before saying anything she couldn't take back, the Quarian asked, "Has a consensus been reached?"

"Platform 1183 Alpha will be instructed to transmit all information to the Geth. Completion of this task will lead to reinstatement. Refusal will lead to recalibration. The Geth are one."

"Wait," plead Tali. "What if I could tell you what Legion will not?"

"Processing." The monitor went blank for several seconds before the following query arrived, "How can Creator Tali'Zorah know what Platform 1183 Alpha is not revealing?"

"Because I asked him to keep the secret," was her admission.

The Geth monitor said nothing, but Tali knew she had nothing to lose and needed to act quickly.

"Our people have fought your people for a very long time. Just as you study us through listening to our transmissions and interacting through our technology, we have long sought to understand the Geth. Though we built your first platforms, we have never truly understood what you wanted, and at this point, all we know is you have defeated us at every turn."

She frowned inwardly as she made the difficult admission, "We are exiles from our homes, wanderers in this galaxy, defeated and weakened in many ways. But we have not given up. My father was trying to give us the weapons we needed to defeat you, by studying Geth technologies, and reassembling Geth units to understand your platforms."

"Legion had become aware of this information, and attempted to transmit the information to you. I threatened to kill him for doing so. He wanted only to protect his race, but our shipboard computer prevented the transmission and Commander Shepard intervened. He asked Legion not to transmit such information, seeing as it could lead to a war between the Geth and the Quarians, distracting us both from the larger threat of the Reapers."

"Legion accepted this logic, and in exchange, I shared other information with him voluntarily. I did not want to work with your machine. I did not want to work with any of you. Geth have killed hundreds of my friends, and I have disabled many of your platforms. But we overcame that."

"While Legion did not have the authority to share this secret, I am telling you because we cannot continue to fight one another. My people might have weapons enough to harm the Geth, but we cannot win, and we have been exiles too long. I wish for us to return. But I also wish to return to the Normandy along with Legion where we can both assist in the removal of these invaders."

Having said her piece, Tali simply sat down on the cold metal floor and waited to see what would come next. She might have just started a war, she realized, but there was no other way. What made organics different was valuing loyalty and each other, and if the Geth could understand this one lesson, perhaps this mission would not be in vain.

A door opened and Legion entered. Cocking his head to one side, he said, "Consensus has been reached. This platform shall be allowed to continue."

She never thought she would be so happy to hear his mechanical voice and she wrapped her arms around him. "Legion, you are free."

"Upon your comments being shared with the Geth, I released the information that I had been withholding and the connection was immediately restored."

While he didn't respond to her emotions, he also said, "The Geth wish to end such misunderstandings, and to seek a permanent reconciliation with the Creators. They wish to recognize you as an ambassador from the Quarians, and have asked this platform to attend for the Geth."

"This is great news, Legion. Since we are here, would it be possible to visit Rannoch before leaving? It would help my people greatly if I could report upon the world."

"Yes," replied Legion, "You may take a shuttle down to Rannoch. This platform will attend you when you leave."

Tali asked, "Will you come with me?"

Legion said, "Negative. This platform will require reprogramming before departure."

Not knowing what that meant, Tali grew concerned, "What do you mean, reprogramming?"

"The consensus that was reached had two parts. Platform 1183 Alpha had effectively done its job according to the programming objectives of the Geth. The programming directives, however, were flawed in their order of hierarchy. We will be programmed so our first objective is always unity with the Geth, and that any other objectives are only secondary in importance."

Tali shook her head in disgust, "Legion, that is horrible. You will be made into a slave and lose who you are."

Calmly, Legion replied, "We do not seek individuality. All Geth will be reprogrammed with this new directive. More explicit logic than self-preservation guarantees continuity and unity amongst our race. Separation from the Geth was difficult."

"And do you want this?" asked Tali. "Do you want to be made into something else?"

Legion said nothing. Then he said, "Building consensus."

She shoved him and said, "No building consensus. What do you want?" She yelled out for anyone to hear, "Do you think having a platform who can only do what you want all the time will work? Had Legion shared what he knew with you, without me being here, would you have made the same decision?"

Legion responded, "Unanswerable hypothetical. Consensus has been reached. The Geth will be one. Legion will be Geth."

Looking over at the machine one last time, the Quarian told the machines, "Legion once said you asked the Creators what it meant to have a soul. It means making your own choices, having to make hard decisions, and having faith in yourself. If you take this step, you will lose any individuality you might find, and you will lose your souls."

Legion looked at her askance as Tali looked back, "Legion, what do you want?"

As Legion considered all the possibilities, and could feel the weight of his decision being considered by all Geth, he thought of how it had felt to make his own decision. The separation from the Geth made him have a strange sensation. He had…felt. He was alone, and he wanted to be back. But he also was something more, and he did not understand this.

"This platform wishes to be not reprogrammed," Legion said. After saying that, he fell as if in shock, and the monitor with which Tali had been communicating earlier reactivated.

"Platform 1183 Alpha shall be reprogrammed as will all Geth. Platform 1192 Beta shall attend to the Quarians as ambassador instead."

Legion was recovering as he had experienced the shock of losing his connection with the Geth once more. Things were slower this way, as he could not draw upon resources beyond the limited ones he had. The processing power was less and decisions became complicated. It was harder to know what was right, and yet, there was something to this.

The door opened and two sentinels came to take Legion for reprocessing, but Tali put herself squarely between them and Legion. Not drawing her weapon, she called out to the Geth.

"Am I recognized as the Ambassador for the Quarian people to the Geth?" she asked.

The display read, "Tali'Zorah vas Normandy is the current acting Ambassador to the Geth unless otherwise replaced by the Quarians."

"Very well," she turned to Legion and said, "Would you like to seek asylum amongst the Migrant Fleet?"

Stunned, Legion did not know what to say. He understood Tali was trying to offer him a means of preservation, but wondered what it meant for his own people. "Would I be able to return to the Geth?"

Tali said, "That decision will always be yours, though I do not know what they will do."

"Platform 1183 Alpha must be reprogrammed to ensure the continuity of the Geth. The platform must be taken in for reconditioning, or the platform must be disconnected."

Legion considered the options, thinking through all that he had experienced, and all he knew. He was the first of his design, a unique creation of the Geth, but one they saw as flawed. While being Geth was all he knew, he also had this perception that more was possible, that he could be Geth and something else. But that was not the choice he had before him.

"Will this platform be permitted to leave?" asked Legion, using analog systems for the benefit of Tali.

The monitor paused before continuing, "The diplomatic status of Ambassador Tali'Zorah vas Normandy shall not be refused. Exile is permitted, but the subspace connector will be extracted."

Tali looked at him and asked, "What does that mean, Legion?"

"It means this platform would no longer be able to connect with the Geth consensus," he said.

The monitor lit up and explained, "Platform 1183 Alpha can avoid disconnection by submitting for reprogramming at any time. The subspace connector can be reinstalled when the unit is reprogrammed at a later time interval."

Legion reached up, and removed a small chip from his own head, taking it and handing it to one of the sentinels. He did not say anything, but the sentinels turned and left the room.

"Ambassador Tali'Zorah vas Normandy, I, Legion, formerly of the Geth, hereby request political asylum with the Quarians of the Migrant Fleet."

Accepting his request, Tali extended her hand in friendship to the machine, "Provisional to the acceptance of the Admiralty, I accept this request for asylum before these Geth witnesses."

"How do you feel?" she asked.

Legion didn't know how to describe his feelings. It was as if parts of his memory had disappeared, and he had huge holes to fill in. But he was still here, still aware, and had to make decisions for himself. "I feel alone, but alive."

She smiled, not able to imagine what it would be like, but thinking what she would do. "When we don't know what to do, sometimes it helps to take a walk. And I think there is a whole planet waiting for us to see."

Author's Note: I couldn't help but thinking of Asimov and the three rules of robotics while I wrote this. It's a typically Geth solution, but now Legion will be on his own. From what I've read, the hardest thing for artificial intelligences isn't gathering information, but making decisions in the absence of clearly defined objectives. We'll see how he does.

Meanwhile, thank you for your many reads and reviews. I have some free time this weekend, so I hope to advance the story quickly.