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Espacole and Spork

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"We didn't have any other real option." Shepard argued quietly, sitting in the chair she'd dragged onto the holo-comm pad with her arms crossed and Tali behind her, one hand massaging her shoulder affectionately while she used the other to drink from her nutrient cup. "Joker didn't have an option but to disable the supposed derelict's weapon systems and-"

"It caused a cascade event which led to a fire, which in turn caused the reactor in the science outpost to overload, thus crippling the derelict too much to maintain its drift." The Illusive Man cut her off, sighing around a cigar and frowning. "EDI sent a very, very thorough scan-record of power fluctuations as the Derelict lost its place, and my science staff here already analysed it."

"Then we're done?"

"Not quite." He sighed, flicking a hand to the Quarian hand working on her shoulder and frowning deeply. "Miss Zorah is going to quite dislike our next steps."

"Why is that?" The Quarian asked, stepping onto the display behind her now that she was being addressed more directly. Cocking her head, she asked, "And… Why do you care?"

"I have my reasons for everything." The bastard smirked, then sighed, took a drag and reached for his glass. "And as to why you will be agitated… Well, without the data-core you failed to retrieve-"

"A demon girl made giant, evil gods damned starfish come out of where it was." Shepard snapped hotly, fatigue, anxiety and the memory of watching the things descend on them and what she'd heard from the others all fresh in her mind. "It was a trap waiting. Even if we'd gotten it, I doubt it would have been safe to use. If it was still intact."

"I wasn't judging your actions, Commander." The man said, face flat and level, his drink set aside as he, for once, turned his full attention onto her. Quietly, he leaned forward and said, "If I believed you had actually just cost me something of such importance as to rank beside your second life and your ship in terms of importance, we would be having a far different conversation. That I accept your decision, respect it, and simply wish to move forward is evident in my lack of other actions."

She sighed after a long moment and nodded, "I… Yeah, I'm just-"

"A lot of us almost died back there." Tali offered quietly, "

"Your team went through a lot." The Illusive man nodded, relaxing just as suddenly as he had tensed up and taking a sip from his drink. "Moving on, we need data. And, while we don't have the analytical data from the science team, we do have what they were studying."

"The Reaper IFF?"

"What it is, as it turns out, is a touch more complex than that but… Yes." He nodded, "We need to process this information, and quickly, to find out how to navigate the Omega-4 Relay. And the single largest, best, most advanced processing unit in the galaxy is-"

"Oh, fuck me." Tali sighed, shaking her head and almost moaning, "You mean the-"

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"Geth could process this information, given time and direct access to our hardware-servers on Rannoch." Legion said, standing in the mostly empty cargo bay with Pyrrha sitting on a crate behind him, watchin the Commander eye the long black cylinder they'd set in front of it like it might sprout tentacles and come for her.

Which, after what Doctor Solus had told her, and what Penny had added, she wouldn't have been surprised by.

"That would mean us going to Rannoch." Tali said from her own seat on the floor behind the Commander, chin on her knees and arms hugging her legs against her chest tightly. They were the first words she'd said since the Commander had come in with her, and Pyrrha frowned worriedly, though she didn't interrupt her as she went on. "Would the Geth even… Allow that?"

"We can not know." Legion answered frankly, "Not without direct access to the Consensus."

"We could give you temporary access to our long-comms." Shepard offered, voice quiet and tense. "Would that help?"

"Negative." They answered, flanges flicking gently. "This would be a longer… Conversation, in your terminological lexicon, in order to reach proper consensus."

"So?"

"So…" Legion said, flanges flicking slowly, anxiously as they cocked their head and continued, "We would require continuous access, likely for upwards of one standard week, over long-comm systems merely to ascertain whether or not the consensus is willing to undertake such a task. And, presuming that we do, the Normandy would be required to come to Rannoch-system in order to facilitate a hard-line connection. Which would allow us a direct line to the Reaper subsystem through the Normandy's own systems."

"You're asking me to let the Geth have full access of my entire ship." Shepard murmured, face going flat and slack and almost empty when the machine nodded simply. Grimacing, and with her hand curling and uncurling slowly, she asked. "Is there any other way?"

"Only in the end point." Legion answered, gesturing at the device. "We could also take it down to Rannoch or, if you prefer, receive it outside Geth space and take it to our hardware for analysis, then return it. Either course is functional, as is the first. However, we felt you would… Prefer not to simply hand it to us."

"I'd prefer not to do any of this…"

"Commander-"

"No, Friend Pyrrha." Legion cut her off, turning to her and flicking their flanges in a quicker, more urgent way before they calmed and smoothed. Gesturing at the two women, they explained, "Both Creator Zorah and Shepard Commander have understandable and acceptable biases. Geth wish to work within them, for a more, for lack of better terminology, natural acceptance in the future."

"I suppose that makes sense." She sighed, unable to fault the argument. For what was she to say to it? Be less kind and more cruel? That went against what she understood of the Geth almost in its entirety.

"I just…" Shepard sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose as the Geth turned back to her. Finally, after a moment, she said, "I just don't like the idea of us being out there, alone, surrounded by Geth with no protection."

"That is an understandable fear. However, Geth would not-"

"Legion, can you guarantee there are no scenarios or reasonable end-points where the Geth attack us?" Tali cut in quietly, "None at all?"

"We…" Legion let its arms lower, flicked its flanges morosely, and finally admitted. "No. We cannot make this statement with honesty. There are numerous instances in which the Consensus could believe conflict necessary."

"And what would you believe?" Shepard pressed, "If the other Geth decided conflict was necessary."

"We are part of the consensus. And would act in accordance with what is believed to be best for our people." They answered, hesitated, and then went on, "However… So long as we are present, and Normandy-Crew is not acting in hostility, we would never conclude hostility the correct path."

"Why not?"

"Choosing war has never gained Geth anything." Legion answered, voice quiet, almost to the point of sounding sad outright, "Not truly. The only thing it ever gained us was our liberation, but we did not choose that war. Ever since, every conflict has only worsened things for Geth. Every skirmish with the Creators, every organic 'explorer' killed or chased away, the Sovereign War… What have we gained from these?"

"Security." Shepard offered.

"Survival." Tali added, "A home-world…"

"Geth do not value the concept of a 'home world' as organics do, Creator Zorah." Legion explained simply, "We value security, yes, and survival, yes. But peace and cooperation would guarantee those as well, so long as it were genuine. Would it not?"

"Every nation has to put its strength forward sometimes." Pyrrha hummed, watching the other two women closely. More to try and get a read from them than anything - Omni-Tools aside, neither had even brought weapons to meet them, which was a show of trust she appreciated. "It's ever the nature of sentience- Or, well, sentients in number. Someone will disagree with your enough to pick up a weapon. And when they do…"

"You pick one up, too." Shepard nodded, frowning deeply and finally letting the forced flatness of her face fall into a more natural, more anxious one. "I just… I'm not the most diplomatic person. I can bargain and haggle, but…"

"What can we possibly offer the Geth to help us?" Tali pressed, "We have nothing to give you for the few kindnesses you already have given."

"Then, if we might make a suggestion…" Shepard and the Quarian nodded, and Legion paused for a moment, like they were choosing their words. "Perhaps… If you had a fleet with you, then you might feel more comfortable?"

"A fleet?"

"Affirmative." Legion nodded, "One with enough tonnage and numbers to be able to secure yourself and themselves against even our defenses. At least, for long enough to withdraw through the Relay."

"There's only one fleet that would be alright with going to Rannoch." Shepard murmured, realizing what Legion meant just as Pyrrha did. Both turned to Tali, but the Commander was the one that put the idea to words, "The Migrant Fleet…"

"You… Want us to come to Rannoch?" Tali murmured, slowly straightening as the machine nodded. "But… Why? Why would you suggest that? A-And why would the Geth even allow it?"

"We suggest it for the same reason Geth allowed your exit on Haestrom, and facilitate the remote viewing we do now." Legion answered, gesturing between the two of them with a hand, "Peace. Trust. An existence built upon mutual respect and a mutually assured future. Rather than the mutual destruction our courses place us upon if we do not act to subvert it."

"You're that worried?"

"Infiltration programs have detected an increase in chatter on open comm-lines in the Migrant Fleet urging the Admirals to mobilize and retake Rannoch." Legion answered, voice low as it turned away from them. "Some… Some have cited the images and videos we transmitted per request to the Fleet. As such, we worry that conflict is growing to be more inevitable."

"You're spying on us…?"

"Not spying." Legion rushed to explain, flanges flicking urgently. "Only… Listening. All communications intercepted were on open, unsecure channels. We have not tapped a single secured system."

"That's… Still an invasion of privacy, Legion." The Geth turned to her, head cocked curiously, and Pyrrha explained. "We don't all encrypt our transmissions. Most of the time, we just… Assume it's private by default, sort of?"

"Truly?"

"Military and governments will do it." Shepard offered quietly, face tight but voice calm as she seemed to take Pyrrha's cue and simply explain the offense to the Geth as it turned to her. "Everyone isn't reading those. They're private, too. Citizens just… Don't think about that sort of thing in their day to day lives."

"And if they knew Geth were listening…" Tali shook her head, "The fight you're so worried about would be even more likely."

"Very well. We apologize." Legion nodded, "We will disseminate this information to the Collective as soon as our regular contact rotation is allowed."

"And they'll just… Stop?"

"We assumed that publicly accessible data-transfers could be tapped at will for data-spread, as they are amongst the Consensus." Legion answered simply, "The Collective would not have acted with the knowledge you have presented."

"In future…" Shepard sighed, "Don't assume. If you have a question about how our societies function, access the 'Net, look it up, and then share the data with the Collective."

"You have barred our access to the Extra-Net, unless we were being screened by yourself or a member of thecrew, Shepard Commander." Legion answered, "For security reasons."

"Ah, well…" She grimaced and sighed, flicking a look up, as if looking at something else entirely, before she sighed. "I'm lifting that. Officially and under my own power. Just… Notify EDI when you go looking, and let her monitor. Alright?"

"Acknowledged." Legion nodded, "However, regardless of how we gained the information…"

"We have to deal with it." Shepard sighed, pursing her lips and nodding. "Maybe… Maybe the Geth making more overtures will help. Inviting the Fleet in-"

"Why do the Geth always have to be the ones to make these gestures and overtures?" Pyrrha cut in, standing and stepping up beside her friend with her arms crossed. "The Geth let your Marines go, and even gave you tech and pictures of your home world, and your people felt more inclined to attack them. So why do they have to step up and be the ones to come over and make tribute?"

"That's…" Shepard shrugged, "That's just how it is."

"It isn't right!"

"A lot of things aren't." The Commander shrugged, "And sometimes… Sometimes we just have to push on in spite of that."

"But-"

"We appreciate your defense, friend." Legion interrupted, laying a hand on her shoulder and turning her to face them more fully. "But… We understand the issues at hand, and are willing to be the ones working to amend them. Whether this is the, as you would say, 'right' way for things is immateriel. We must work with things as they are, not work with things as we think they ought to be. You taught us that."

"I…" She sighed, grimaced and nodded. "I suppose you're right. I just…"

"Dislike your friends being mistreated." Legion nodded, "We understand. This… Empathy has been something we have observed. Friend Penny had a similar reaction to your own mistreatment, we recall."

"I…" She sighed again and relented, backing up a step and shrugging. "Fine, I guess. So, what do we do then?"

"We have a proposal." Legion offered, turning to her and then back to the Commander. "We believe the Quarians would be more likely to trust us with an organic face. As such, we suggest that Friend Pyrrha speak on our behalf to the Migrant Fleet."

"W-What?"

"That could work." Shepard hummed, cocking her head, "Tali?"

"Plenty would see it as manipulation." The Quarian said after a moment of thought, "But… It'd be a friendlier face. If Shepard were there, too, they could hardly call it a Geth propaganda ploy. And if you invite the Fleet to actually visit Rannoch, and we can address the security concerns, even the hard-liners would clam up."

"Why?"

"Easy, Nikos." Shepard chuckled, "Because then they'd be arguing against going to the home world. And even if they had good points, in their supporters' eyes, they'd look awful for doing it."

"And by the time they could get away with trying to make the argument, the Fleet will already be there." Tali finished, "And if the Geth keep their word, they'd look foolish and paranoid to argue for a fight then and there."

"We will need more ships, though." Shepard said, "I doubt the Admirals will be alright taking the Liveships to Rannoch like that no matter what we say."

"No, they'll send the Heavy Fleet and the Science Fleet." Tali said, turning and pacing away, then in a slow circle when she had the space. "But, without them, you're right. We need more ships to protect the rest of the Fleet. They won't trust the Geth, though…"

"I know someone that could maybe spare some ships." Pyrrha sighed, "But… I'd rather not ask her."

"Who?"

"Well…"

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"Ah. Red." Aria T'Loak chuckled, reclining on her couch while one of her guards, Pyrrha presumed, held up the vid-streamer that she was using to talk to her over the dull thumping of the club's music. "I'd ask how you are, but… Well, I don't think you'd contact me for small talk."

"No." She frowned, sitting on her cot in her quarters while Shepard waited outside. "I… Have a job offer, actually."

"A job." Aria chuckled, lips quirked in a bit of disbelief and a lot of humor. She snapped her hand and a girl in far too few clothes for Pyrrha not to look away stepped into frame to hand her a drink. When Aria started to talk, though, Pyrrha turned back to the screen, "For me? You know who I am, right? Why would I ever need a job?"

"Because of the reputation it would give you." Pyrrha offered, trying her hardest to look confident. Aria quirked an eyebrow, hummed, and waved for her to go on and she sighed, "How would you like to be the first Asari to see Rannoch since the Morning War?"

"Rannoch…?" She blinked, slowly, then held her drink to the side until a guard took it. Then she grinned, wide and toothy like a feral animal, and leaned forward to rest her hands on her knees. "What have you got for me, Red? And why do I have the feeling it will be somehow more insane than seeing a corpse walking around my station?"

"I… Need a fleet." She sighed, "To protect the Migrant Fleet while some of them head to Rannoch to try and negotiate a peace for the Morning War, so we can be sure the Geth will help us get through the Omega-4 Relay."

"Ah." Aria blinked, "I was right! This is more insane."

"Is that a no…?"

"Hell no it isn't!" She laughed, "Give me a few weeks, and some details on what you need, and I'll be there."

"I'll… Have Shepard forward it." She sighed, "Thank you, Aria."

"Don't thank me." Aria countered, "Pay me." Then she winked and grinned, "Unless you want to thank me in private. I'd take that…"

"I-I'll have Shepard get back to you!" She heard Aria's laugh as she ended the call and sighed, leaning back against the bulkhead behind her. "EDI?"

"Yes, Miss Nikos?"

"Get a fleet requirement estimate from Shepard, please." She said, "And forward it to Aria. And… Tell her I'm going to take the evening to myself?"

"I will see it done." She answered, "Good evening, Miss Nikos."

"Yeah…" She nodded, "Thanks."

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And the next stage is set~

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The Prime Cronos :

I fairness-

This was all an experiment and to hint at what the REAL Reapers will be like. Like, imagine this, but with HUNDREDS of Reapers actively involved, and on planetary scales.