Codex Entry: Virtual Intelligence (VI)
A virtual intelligence is an advanced form of user interface software. VIs use a variety of methods to simulate natural conversation, including an audio interface and an avatar personality to interact with. Although a VI can provide a convincing emulation of sentience, they are not self-aware, nor can they learn or take independent action.
VIs are used as operating systems on commercial and home computers. Menial VI 'agent's are also available. Agents are compact and specialized. Some serve as personal secretaries, filtering calls and scheduling meetings based on user-defined priorities. Others are advanced search engines, propagating themselves across the ExtraNet to collate user-requested data.
Commercial VIs in a variety of stock personalities are available at any software retailer. Boutique firms and hobbyists also build unique VIs to personal specification. Although software emulation of living personalities is illegal, reconstructions of famous historical figures are common.
Codex Entry: Artificial Intelligence (AI)
While a virtual intelligence is little more than a sophisticated interactive operating system, an artificial intelligence is a self-aware computing system capable of learning and independent decision making. Creating an AI requires adaptive code, a long education, and a specialized quantum computer known as a 'blue box'.
In the Milky Way, artificial intelligence is considered a threat to galactic civilization. The Geth – synthetic lifeforms who turned on their quarian creators – are often used as an example of the destructive capability of rogue AI, and those who attempt to create AI without strict Citadel Council oversight are subject to sanctions or even arrest.
Chapter I – When a dream has fallen apart…
"And how do you feel about it?", Sara asked, whispering, while going beside her brother.
"Don't know…it's kinda creepy.", Scott replied, sounding uneasy, "And dad had this connection as well?"
"It seems so.", Sara replied, matching the sound of his voice, "I don't know…it is indeed kinda creepy, but also fascinating."
"You don't need to worry.", SAM replied in the private channel, to both of them, "The number of possibilities for me to interact with you has only increased, but is not identical to the relationship with your father."
"And you're using the implants for that?", Scott asked, sounding rather curious, "How is it possible that nobody noticed such hidden features?"
"I needed to override some protocols.", SAM replied, sounding even a little bit happy, "The normal implants doesn't have these features.", and then, as if he has noticed what he had said not before now, "But without your father's authorization I wouldn't have done it."
"And why is that?", Sara asked, her curiosity stirred up, "Why all this secrecy about the whole thing?"
"Your father has forbidden me to tell you.", SAM said in a matter-of-fact tone, "But he changed his decision in part of the authorization as well, so it could be possible, that I can freely speak about this now as well.", he paused for a moment, "I am not sure yet. Allow me to analyze it and I will see, if I can answer the question."
The Twins looked at each other for a moment, confused about this, but then shrugged it off. They entered the bridge of the Hyperion, where Captain Dunn, Cora and Liam were already waiting at the railing of the elevated back part of the room.
"Ryders.", Captain Dunn greeted the two, before looking at Sara, "Good to see you on your feet again.", then she looked at the screen, "We're at the Nexus." The screen showed a huge blue shining planet at the bottom, while still quite far away a space station was seen. A ring was identifiable, as well like two plates at the bottom and top of the ring. "It's the forward hub for the entire Andromeda Initiative.", Captain Dunn reminded everyone, "The asari, salarian and turian Arks should be there, too."
"Let's hope they've had better luck.", Scott replied to this information.
"Starting our approach now.", one of the pilots, a woman, announced, while the structure came closer and closer on the screen. In the meantime the true size of the station started to become visible: the Hyperion, one of the biggest ships ever built, was smaller than a part of the plates by several degrees – it couldn't compare actually. Within the ring itself – which owned a middle structure across its diameter – the Hyperion would fit at least a hundred times. The plates were even bigger, stretching out from the top and bottom of the ring, vertical to it, having enough space for perhaps few hundred Ark Ships.
"It's almost as big as the Citadel back home.", Liam said, stepping closer to the screen and meaning the biggest space station of the Milky Way.
"Nexus Control, this is Ark Hyperion, requesting docking clearance.", the pilot from earlier said into the Com, adding a minute later, "Captain, I'm only getting their automated approach channel, not a live person."
"Well like it or not, we're here.", Captain Dunn replied stubbornly, "Take us in.", and the Hyperion started to move right at the middle structure of the ring, passing the plates above and below itself. So close it could be easily seen that some parts of the plates weren't finished yet, showing only metal scaffolds.
"Construction should've been finished by now.", Cora explained, sounding confused.
"Could be worse…", Liam said, smirking.
"How?", Sara asked a little bit angry, "Habitat 7's a bust, we might've started a war with the first aliens we met, and our Pathfinder's incapacitated. This better be rock bottom."
Everyone, above all Liam, looked at her in awkward silence. "Green across the board.", the pilot broke the silence, "Docking initiated." The Hyperion has reached the middle section of the middle structure within the ring. It was broader than the remaining rectangular staff-structure connecting both sides of the ring and had the shape of a rhombicuboctahedron, whereby at its top and bottom it was connected to the remaining structure, being an integral part of it. The other four flat and straight parts of it owned gates in their middles and the Hyperion was floating right at one of these – the gates had the perfect size for being a Hangar for an Ark. The bow of the Hyperion entered the only opened gate, before stopping the ship, while more than 3/4 of it was still outside. The engines of the Ark, till now spread in all four directions, were folded back together, uniting with the shell of its Ark.
"All right.", Captain Dunn sighed satisfied, before looking towards Cora, "I got us here. Good luck, Pathfinder."
Cora nodded towards it, before inviting her team members to follow her with her as the lead as well. Together they left the bridge, while the Captain and her staff remained at their spots. "The captain just called you 'Pathfinder'.", Sara said accompanying Cora, while the guys were behind them, "This is really happening."
Cora took a deep breath. "I hope your father will be satisfied with my work.", she replied not so sure about herself, "This should've been his moment." She sounded a little bit sad about that.
"But now it's yours.", Sara replied, trying to hide her true feelings, wanting to sound confident, "You just need to decide what you're going to do with it."
Cora nodded towards that, leading the team to the tram. They went throughout the Atrium, a big chamber right behind the bridge. They needed to go stairs down to enter the real part of it. The Atrium was divided by a huge wall occupied with terminals, while all around the room plants within boxes were found. The only part where both parts of the Atrium, which were designed mirror-inverted, were connected, was close by to the stairs. While passing they eavesdropped to some conversations talking about connecting the Hyperion with the Nexus for coordinating the supplies.
They moved passed an open door, which led to another stairs. To the right was another door, leading to the other side of the Atrium, while right at the bottom of the stairs was a bigger one, leading towards a smaller chamber. Its left side was occupied by huge holo-projecting devices and some crew members were obviously analyzing data there, while the right side owned only benches and plants. This time they ignored the talking of the crew members and went straight ahead to the door on the other side of the chamber, further to the right side.
Next they reached a section which was designed identical on all decks of the Hyperion: stairs, close to devices, which led to a door; on the other side of the door was a corridor, which ended up at the door to the tram. Scott had to deal with a possible overload in the identical section of the Cryo Bay, back then when they hit the anomaly the first time.
Once inside the tram, Cora activated it to drive to the docking section of the Hyperion. "It'll be nice to see some friendly faces this time.", Scott said, sounding really hopeful.
"The Nexus runs a support crew.", Cora informed him, "Just enough to finish building the station and provide safe harbor for the Arks."
"Means we can start waking our people up.", Sara added in the same way like Scott.
"They built a bar, right?", Liam replied, amusing the others, "Gotta have champagne for the welcome party."
"You're expecting one?", Scott asked, smirking.
"After what we've been through, I could use a buzz.", Liam answered only, before sighing.
"We all could.", Sara agreed, nodding.
"Yeah.", Liam nodded, sounding a little bit upset, "Rough ride so far."
"We'll bounce back.", Cora added, sounding more confident, "Real food and a shower are just ahead."
The tram stopped finally, opening up to another, quite short corridor with a closed door at its end. "Here we are.", Sara said, following Cora like the rest. The acting Pathfinder opened the door with the help of her Omni-tool, but on the other side only darkness awaited them.
"Uh…", Liam commented, sounding quite unsure, "I don't see any champagne."
"Where is everybody?", Scott asked, confused, while stepping through the door as the first one. After his eyes have accustomed to the darkness, he realized that there were lights, even when they were quite small and only few. Still they allowed him to see, that the path ahead was relatively open and empty, beside plant boxes here and there.
"Well, this can't be right.", Sara mentioned, following her brother like everyone else. Beside plant boxes few devices, looking stored away, were seen on the left side.
"It's like everything's on standby.", Cora realized and moved ahead to a circular, flat device right on the ground, which turned out to be a projector – one moment after stepping closer the hologram of it a lilac, transparent Asari appeared above it. Its appearance looked artificial.
"If it's a surprise party, they're doing an awfully good job of it.", Liam commented from another part of the section.
"We could see what the VI has to say.", Cora informed the others, before stopping at the hologram, "Introduce yourself."
"Welcome to the Nexus, gateway to Andromeda.", the transparent VI began with a high-pitched voice, "I'm Avina, a virtual intelligence designed to assist you with immigration." Her body and face were not designed very much in detail, but still one could see holographic clothes on her transparent body.
"Ehem…", Liam barged in, "Can you tell us where the welcome party is hiding?", whereby he tried to sound as clear as possible.
"I'm sorry.", Avina apologized, "My code is limited to information and simple interaction simulations.", she raised her right arm and a holographic list appeared below it, "Please select from the following pre-programmed responses."
The list was short: Immigration, Andromeda Galaxy, The Nexus, Living arrangements and current year. Cora chose 'Living arrangements', by asking: "Where do the colonists live right now?"
"Once you've cleared immigration, our helpful staff will assist you in choosing the homeworld of your dreams.", Avina started to rattle off her script in a polite manner, "Will it be the tropical paradise of Habitat 7? The gentle rolling hills of Habitat 3? Or perhaps the mysterious twilight world of Habitat 5? Whichever you choose, rest assured our Pathfinders have carefully vetted all colony worlds to ensure your security and prosperity."
"Oh, boy.", Scott replied, shaking his head.
"Habitat 7?", Liam said the obvious, "That's where we landed. She's way out of date."
Cora chose 'current year' next, hoping for a better answer: "What do you mean with current year?"
"The current year is 2819.", Avina started to rattle off politely again, "After spending 600 years in stasis, it's normal to feel disoriented or confused upon arrival. Our helpful medical staff can assist with any physical or psychological aftereffects you may be experiencing."
"Well, she's got the date right, at least.", Sara commented that, sighing.
"So where is everyone?", Scott still asked the most urgent question. Cora logged off, whereas Avina said her goodbye by further rattling off scripts, which could be found in a Vid-advertising as well.
"Right….", she sighed, "That was helpful." They left the projection device of the VI behind and went left, where a ramp let to an area found lower than the rest and with much more plants. They started using their Omni-tools now for scanning after any lifeforms, which could talk as well. After passing the plant boxes, they found something.
"There's a guy.", Liam explained, pointing at a man, bowing down to work at an opened circuitry box within the wall there, "Maybe he's got champagne."
They approached him together, although the guys needed to stay behind, because there wasn't enough space around him. "Hi there.", Cora greeted him, attracting his attention and so he stood up and turned around, wearing some kind of engineer overall with helmet, "We're from Ark Hyperion. And wondering where everybody went…?"
His eyes opened widely, but he didn't say a word.
"Did he hear you?", Liam asked from behind, starting to wonder.
"Did you say an 'Ark'?", he finally asked, sounding confused, but also quite disbelieving.
"This is the Nexus, right?", Sara replied instead, "Pretty sure we parked in the right place."
"And for what it's worth, your VI over there could use an update.", Cora added partially joking.
The engineer looked from one face to another, still looking as if a miracle has happened. "Of course.", he answered the joke, but stammering a little bit, "I'm sorry…it's just…we thought you were all dead!"
Now it was the pathfinder's team's turn to open their eyes wide openly, in shock. "What?", Cora asked, not able to say something else right now.
"Or captured.", the engineer replied, sounding more sure now, but not very comfortable, "Or lost in dark space, or…", before stopping and showing a happy smile, "But you're here. You have no idea how much this means."
"I don't believe it…", suddenly another, deep flanging voice said, coming from the spot the team has entered the lowered section of this area. Everyone looked that way and saw a Turian, a tall alien race, which resembled partly a lizard, partly a bird and partly an armored tank thanks to their skin, looking like the one of a dragon. Their faces looked like a mask thanks to their carapace and the moveable set of mandibles. The turian's face was chalky-white; below his deeper set, small eyes were thick blue lines and at the top of his skull horns progressed backwards, typical for the male version of these aliens. He wore a dark armor suit with glowing green-blue lines.
"I'm Tiran Kandros.", he introduced himself, while the Pathfinder team stepped towards him, "I lead our militia on the Nexus.", before grabbing Cora's hand and shaking it forcefully. His face was hard to read, not untypical for his species, but probably he looked happy, deducing from his voice.
"I'm Cora Harper.", the acting Pathfinder introduced herself, before pointing at her team members one by one, "This is Scott and Sara Ryder, as well like Liam Kosta – we're part of the Pathfinder team."
When the word 'Pathfinder' was said, Kandros startled up and became much more focused than one moment before. "I'm sorry for the confusion.", he apologized, "Our sensors told us an Ark had arrived, but Heleus is notorious for scrambling equipment.", after taking a short breath, he added, "We thought you were just another malfunction."
"But aren't you expecting us?", Scott asked, sounding confused.
The Turian shrugged with his shoulders, while his mandibles – split apart from the chin – moved lightly. "You're the first Ark we've seen.", he explained, "After a year of waiting and no sign of the others, we shuttered this section and stopped looking."
"You've been stranded for a whole year?", Liam asked astonished.
"Longer.", Kandros corrected him, "I'll fill you in on the way to Ops Center.", and turned around and moved ahead, explaining: "We arrived fourteen months ago. Right away we hit a band of dark energy that knocked us off course."
"We're familiar with it.", Scott informed him, following.
"Then you'll know why we call it the 'Scourge'.", the Turian continued, reaching the tram, which was connected to the Nexus' tram network as well, "We lost whole sections of the station. A lot of people died.", and after having entered the tram, "No power, no food…the chaos went on for months.", he connected his Omni-tool with the tram, "It finally led to armed rebellion. When order was restored, the insurgents were banished. 'Exiles' we call them."
"Are things back to normal?", Cora asked hopefully.
The Turian shook his head. "Not even close.", he replied, "But you're here now, so maybe the worst is over.", then he activated the tram and it started driving.
"No word from the other Pathfinders?", Cora continued asking, sounding shaken.
"No word from anyone, Period.", Kandros replied, sounding casual.
"Any threats from the locals?", Liam inquired.
"So far, we've stayed hidden.", the Turian answered, "We're in no shape to deal with an attack."
"We've had a first contact situation on Habitat 7.", Scott explained, "Whole thing went south. They tried to kill us."
The Turian shook his head once again. "That wasn't first contact.", he disagreed, "We know about them. Those aliens are going to be a real problem."
"This day just keeps getting better…", Sara commented, sounding lightly sarcastic.
The tram stopped and Kandros led the team outside. Liam ran past them, having increased his speed, while explaining: "You guys go ahead. I'll check out the security situation.", and one moment later he was out of earshot.
Kandros waved them to the right, going a ramp upwards, leading above the door they have passed just now. "You should know our command structure has been fractured.", the turian continued explaining, "Some of us are filling in for leaders who died.", but then he needed to stop, when two members of the Nexus crew ran past them, asking each other, "Is it true?"
The other one of the two answered: "They said drop everything and report for duty."
The Turian continued moving upwards, reaching stairs and sighing loudly, before finishing his sentence: "…and no one was expecting an Ark to finally show up.", explaining the odd encounter in this way as well.
At the end of the stairs they reached an elevated position, a crescentic platform at whose wider end a line of panels was waiting, with some staff at their corresponding positions: most often these were humans, turians or asari. "Docking procedures are green across the board.", one of them reported, sounding disbelievingly.
"Stand by to merge Hyperion power into the grid.", another one, a female, said to her colleagues, but also into the radio, right before everyone stopped doing anything. They turned towards Kandros and the three humans, entering this place and awe was seen on some faces, while hope on few and disbelief on many. Nobody moved for a while, till a Salarian stepped forward.
His species was amphibian and his body looked fragile, but there for tall. His eyes were dark, while his skin was a mix out of grey, light orange and white, although the edges of his eyes were clearly pure orange mixed with red. On his head were the two horns typical for his species, while his body was covered in a typical blue-black and most of all white uniform of the Initiative. "The crew of the Hyperion…", he greeted the newcomers, sounding melancholic.
"Good luck.", Kandros replied only and turned around, leaving the pathfinder team as if they were surrounded by wild animals.
"I'm Jarun Tann, Director of the Initiative.", the Salarian introduced himself, "You have no idea how much your arrival means to us."
"We've heard about what happened, and we're ready to help.", Cora replied for her team members, "At least we hope-"
"We could use any supplies you have.", a human woman joined the conversation. She wore the same uniform like Tann, but more fitting to her species; she had short, ginger hair and her eyes looked tired. "Food, water – we're short on everything.", she explained, still sounding determined.
"This is Foster Addison.", the Salarian introduced her, "She oversees Colonial Affairs.", before starting to look around among the three newcomers and then asking curiously, "Where's the Pathfinder?"
"You're looking at her.", Cora replied, taking a breath, "At least the acting one."
"You're not Alec Ryder.", Tann commented, sounding confused, "Acting?"
"Our Father is in stasis.", Sara explained, "He breathed in too much toxic atmosphere and our sickbay wasn't able to save him…yet.", she casted a glance towards Cora, "The stasis prevents him from dying."
"I am acting as Pathfinder until he can wake up again.", Cora continued the explanation, "These two act as my lieutenants."
Disbelief was seen on the faces of these two, but on Addison's something else was seen as well, even when only for a moment. She turned away, before somebody could look at her more precisely. Nobody said something until she said few seconds later: "Please understand: the entire Initiative is at risk.", and moved forward. Her voice sounded controlled.
She led them to the panel on the other side of the crescentic platform, where a holo-window was projected, being used as a screen. On this screen parts of the Heleus Cluster, as well like some nebulas were seen. "None of the golden worlds panned out.", Addison continued explaining, "They're a bust. And there's been no word from the other Arks.", she turned towards her audience, her face looking like made from stone.
"What happened to them?", Cora inquired.
"Unknown.", Director Tann replied, "Our supplies are nearly depleted. Rationing bought us some time, but even that's running out."
"We need to find more resources.", Addison continued, "But that takes people, and we can't wake them up-"
"-until they have somewhere to live.", Sara finished the sentence for her, "A golden world."
"Now more than ever.", Addison agreed, nodding, before adding more grimly, "We need a Pathfinder."
"It now falls to you, three.", Tann continued looking at the three humans, "Are you up to the task?"
"Well, we came a long way for nothing, if we're not.", Scott answered this question, trying to rise the spirits a little bit with his carefree sounding voice.
"We'll all die if you're not.", Addison crushed this attempt, sounding a little bit angry even.
"That's no way to treat guests.", suddenly another voice was heard and everyone turned around. A female Krogan approached the little group, representing her species as the only one here on this platform. She looked like a dinosaur, but with a wide instead of a long mouth, standing on two feet and equipped with two proper arms, while her frame was less edgy, instead rather fluid, almost gentle. She wore an Initiative uniform as well, but with much more blue than everyone else and beside her dark eyes, her brown scale armored skin on the upper end of her skull, there was also blue paint, looking like a distinctive mark of a gang or something like this. "I'm Nakmor Kesh, superintendent of this station.", she introduced herself, whereby her voice sounded deep, but still soft, "I hope they haven't scared you off already."
"It's nothing personal.", Addison replied and it looked like spark was seen between these two women, "But now isn't the time for on-the-job training."
"At least these tree here seem willing to try.", Kesh countered, "We could use a fresh perspective."
"You've heard my concerns.", Addison replied, looking like she would gnash her teeth each moment, "I'll leave you to it.", and then she left them, leaving the platform.
"We're all feeling the pressure.", Tann seemed to apologize, before changing the topic, "I would like to know more about what happened on your way here, Harper. Let's go to my office for that. There we can also discuss giving you a scout ship."
Cora nodded, but still asked: "Should they come along?", pointing at the Ryders.
Tann hesitated first. "They can come along, when we have discussed the details.", he finally answered and led the way. Cora looked at the two, shrugged and then followed him simply.
"Welcome to the Nexus.", Kesh greeted the Ryders properly, grinning a little bit.
"I can't believe how far off-track things have gone.", Scott commented, shaking his head.
"It's bad.", Kesh nodded, "But it's not over. Not yet."
"Ma'am.", a female member of Kesh' staff interrupted the conversation, "The Hyperion's core is now online."
Kesh nodded and satisfaction was seen on her face. "Let me show you two something.", she said, pointing at the other side of the platform and leading the way, towards the middle panel, which she started using now, "An hour ago, that was all dark.", some kind of engines started to be heard, while she used her free hand to point at the steel wall in front of her, protecting a window, "But with the power from your ship – you're keeping the lights on.", and the wall started to drive down, showing what was behind it, "As long as this is done, your Pathfinder and you two have my vote."
The Ryders looked at the showing scenery behind, showing one of the plates of the Nexus, still under construction. "And when the power runs out?", Sara asked, sounding skeptical.
Kesh grinned again. "There for talking with Director Tann is necessary.", she answered, "Make sure that doesn't happen.", and then she turned around to go to another section of her workplace, before adding, "And don't be shy – come see me when you have a chance."
Scott exhaled loudly. "And it really became worse.", Sara complained, but smirked as well, remembering her past words.
Scott looked at her. "Then it's our job to make it better.", he replied, smiling warmly, "For dad."
Sara looked at him, before she started to smile as well. "For dad.", she agreed.
"Mass Effect Andromeda", all copyrights reserved for Bioware and Electronic Arts
But the changes are mine.
Author's comment:
Sorry for the delay, but I warned you already, that updates could come irregularly. Semester started and downtime is hard to find. But we reached it, the Nexus, and expect to read a chapter each day from now on, because I try to upload one each day till I finished the whole Nexus-Thing – at least the beginning of it.
With this chapter the world of Mass Effect Andromeda has begun to open up, so I will do it as well. There were some Side Quests on this station and I will try to include them, to let the world feel bigger and more alive.
At the start of this chapter I wrote two Codex Entries of the actual game. The reason for this is simple: This project isn't only for the ones, who know Mass Effect, but also for the ones curious about it. That is also the reason why I described the three new races introduced in this chapter properly. From now on I will try to include Codex Entries at the beginning of each chapter – for the ones knowing all this stuff already, you can skip them. Feel free to do that, if the codex bores you, as well. They are properly marked there for.
So till next time.