Legion goes through the schedule with me while we wait for ********* and Tali. I don't know what it is about geth, but they stick to the clock better than a German train system. First, I'll be meeting with the collective through a series of other mobile platforms to discuss the reaper war. I really hope they won't be pissed that I killed the heretics. Some quarians who are high ranking members of the governments near where we landed will be there as well. I'm not sure what to expect aside from xenophobia which isn't unfamiliar to a human in the galaxy. I could tell some unplesent stories of turians meeting me for the first time. Oh ********* and Tali arrived. That's weird, he looks really upset but Tali is bouncing on her toes.
"Hi guys. Is everything alright?" I asked.
"We're fine. I'm ready to step foot on my home. I never thought I would ever be able to do this" Tali said like she is going to Disney world.
"I can't imagine it. I was able to visit Earth from time to time even as a spacer, but to never see home is really sad. ********* what's the matter?" he looks really irritated.
"Just forget it. I can do it later. Let's hurry and get off this ship. We are both waiting and getting very impatient" he said. There is more to the story than what he is telling me.
"Should I ask?"
"Please don't" he begged.
Legion steps closer and talks to the couple.
"We have prepared living arrangements and will accompany you wherever you decide to go. All expenses paid" the geth said.
"Great" *********'s voice sounds very disappointed.
"Oh, ancestors I wouldn't even know what to do. Are we camping? I don't know how I like the idea of sleeping in a tent" Tali said.
"We will be staying at a farm. Our trip will be short. Shepard Commander must return to the citadel very soon. Geth collective and quarians will be shown the reaper threat and plans enacted. Warning. Negotiations will be difficult" Legion said.
"A farm?" ********* asked.
"Yes. Prior to this platform searching for Shepard Commander, to acquire data on organic's behavior, considerable time was spent with volunteers for optimal integration" Legion said.
"Like a host family?" ********* asked
"What is that?" Tali asked.
"Some human families will temporarily swap children in other countries to broaden their learning experiences. Legion, do they know you are bringing these two?" I asked the geth.
"Affirmative. We drop you off at city hall and head to the quarian family with ********* and Tali" Legion said.
"Wait, you are leaving me alone with the geth collective?" I asked.
"We will be connected and monitor the discussion. This platform will not physically be there, but we will be" Legion said.
"I would really appreciate it if you were there Legion" I said.
"We will be. We must leave. 83 seconds past expected departure time. Must walk 0.1 MPH faster than average human stride to arrive on time" Legion is obsessed with numbers. I hope this isn't a geth thing. It's really annoying. Legion says because of the way my proteins are constructed, I won't have to fear any pathogens nor spreading my own on the planet. I worry for Tali though. She knows her health the best. I'll trust her not to do something that could endanger her life. It is only three days, and she has *********. She'll be fine. Wait she'll be with ********* for three days. I message her through my omnitool 'blink twice if you need help.'
Oh, Ancestors I am finally home. I can't believe it. I'm standing on Rannoch! The blue sky and light brown sandy soil. I should collect some of this. I want to rip of my suit and cover my entire body with Rannoch. Hmm… I wonder if ********* would like that. Honestly, I would rather try swimming. Dr. Chakwas thinks it will be beneficial for my health to have exposure to dextro bacteria. Quarians on the ships lost their microbiome without any way to replace them. She asked Legion to get a stool sample from a planetside quarian so she may put beneficial gut bacteria into me. A fecal transplant. I asked her how she was supposed to put it in me, and I nearly vomited when she suggested shoving what down my throat.
A large, covered wagon similar to what humans used before cars were invented I saw in movies is sitting randomly in the middle of the field we are landing on. I'm assuming it is broken since there is no horse. Does Rannoch even have horses? Legion instructs us to enter. We all look at each other, wondering if this is really happening. My cherished bondmate rhetorically asks "did we accidentally time travel?" I really hope we didn't. I turn back around and look. The Normandy is still there. One by one, we entered the wagon. Legion asks us to stay in the back and covers the rear with a curtain.
"How are we supposed to drive this thing?" Shepard asked.
Legion speedwalks to the front and lifts up a bar. The angle of the floor shifts. I scream like a little girl. Random shifts are a bad sign on the fleet. ********* wraps his toned hairy arms around me. Immediately calming me down. I feel completely safe in his tender embrace.
"Legion, why the cart?" Shepard asked.
"Optimal travel arrangements" He said.
"Why not a skycar?" Shepard asked.
"You should see for yourself" Legion said.
********* looks as confused as Shepard. Our Commander asks Legion several questions which I neglect to pay attention. I slightly peel back the curtain and look at the landscape. Rannoch isn't all dessert, just a majority of it. I think 60% if I remember correctly from school, but who to say that is true since we left. The landscape is carved from orange and red rocks the height of skyscrapers. My mind sees shapes of tools in the outlines of these humongous boulders. Millions of years of slow work to build a beautiful sight to hold. Small yellow living darts fly across the fields creating music. Songbirds ********* said. I kinda want to have one. This place is beautiful. Why would we ever leave?
As we get into town, Legion tells us to stay low. The locals do not want us here and it is weird enough for a geth to pull a cart. We can't help ourselves but to steal any glances we can get. Shepard remarks how similar quarians are to humans except for some facial marking unique to each sex. Females have small colorful decorative oval or teardrop shaped cartilage structures around our eyes. The males have facial hair and freckles. I feel like I'm invading their privacy just looking at their faces. Their clothes are beige or pale white and every adult is carrying a pistol. The rectangular buildings are narrow and four floors tall, based on the level of windows I'm counting. Every door is made of wood! Everyone must be rich here.
"This feels like the old west" Shepard said.''
"No, something is off. While I see similarities, towns aren't this big or have paved roads. This feels something in between that and the time I grew up. Legion, why isn't there cool future stuff like flying cars?" ********* asked.
"Your questions will be answered soon. We are nearing city hall. We will have to unload in the back and hurry inside. Tali, we urge you to stay in the cart" Legion said.
"But I want to go. I have so many questions" I said.
"And I don't like the idea of leaving my girlfriend behind. What if something happens while we are inside?" ********* said. His words tore my amazement from my soul. I'm not safe on my own homeworld. Legion understands and says I may come. What am I? A helpless child? I have my shotgun just in case.
The cart stops. Legion then spins the cart. This feels so weird, but better then Shepard's mako driving skills. Legion rests the handle on wooden blocks, steps away. A large door behind the curtain is heard opening. Legion instructs us to unbutton the curtain and enter. ********* does so with ease and we start walking inside until Legion says "faster." We do so. The inside is beautiful. The floor is covered in small blueish green stones set in spiral geometric patterns with a white background. The walls are a dark stained wood with odd round pieces. Knots ********* said. Imperfections in the wood. I like them. The interior is light with strange large light bulbs. The filament is easily visible.
"Look! It's gold holding that light up!" I excitedly said.
"No, it is brass. A mixture of copper and zinc. Very cheap assuming things are the same value here as my world" ********* said. Who cares, it looks so pretty.
Legion guides us to a large room with table and chairs. A speaking podium like one I've seen at press conferences is proudly standing among them. Inside is a geth platform identical to Legion except for the N7 patchjob. It stands up and talks to Legion.
"Greetings Geth. Commence data transfer" it said.
"Greetings Geth, we will transfer all data deemed acceptable to share with the collective. Some information must be kept for reasons that cannot be explained" Legion said. Good. I don't know how these people would react to *********.
"Follow me Shepard Commander" the geth I'm going to call… geth said.
"This is Abrel Konn, Governor of this region" Geth said to a short wrinkly old quarian with stringy white hair and sullen eyes.
"This is Tomma Hamil, Prime Minister of this country's greatest ally" A well dressed redheaded man in his forties I am guessing. He wears large round glasses but seems harmless, but his smile freaks me out. Several of his teeth are made of a silver colored metal and others are bright yellow. My instincts tell me that is not good.
"This is a representative of the commonwealth of the descending sun, largest country on Rannoch. His name Quon" Geth introduces us to a quarian with light brown skin and square features. He is taller than Shepard but shorter than *********.
Geth introduces Shepard, *********, and myself to them. They appear to be angered. I am here. I don't understand why I didn't do anything. Why do they dislike me?
"Hello Gentleman, I am a spectre for the citadel council. My responsibility is to protect the galaxy. I'm here today because there is a tremendous threat coming that will eradicate all sentient life. We are preparing to war with an enemy of unknown capabilities or numbers. All I know is that they are vastly technologically superior, have the ability to manipulate from a distance, and cannot be negotiated with. They claim to harvest life every 50,000 years. We call them Reapers" Shepard is met with blank faces.
"Perhaps I should introduce myself first. My name is Commander Shepard" he holds out his hand. They look at him confused.
********* says "don't just stand there, shake the man's hand." They do so. Something feels off. The vibe feels awkward. Oh, he is rubbing off on me.
"Is there an issue?" Shepard politely asks. No response.
"Why aren't you talking to him?" ********* asked.
"We don't understand his language" Tomma said.
"Are your translators malfunctioning?" I asked.
"Translators? We don't have those" Abrel said.
"But you can understand *********?" I asked.
"He's speaking kesh" Quon said. I turn to my cherished. He says "Tali whenever we are alone, I've been speaking kesh. You're translator didn't catch that?" he asked.
My heart is touched. "Oh, you have?" My smile is so big it hurts.
"So, all this time I told you I love you, you didn't realize I was using your language?" he asked.
"No" I have a whirlwind of emotions spinning in my chest and head. I can't believe he would do that for me. Oh if we are alone, I'm going to reward him. My innards beg for him.
"Legion, can the other geth translate for us?" ********* asked.
"Transferring data" Legion said.
The geth straightens up. His white face light flashes yellow. It has acquired the data to translate english into kesh. It repeats what Shepard said. Geth goes back and forth translating for everyone.
"Reapers. We know. Geth told us" Tomma said.
"Forgive our friend Shepard, we are aware of the reapers, and we believe they will not pose a threat to us" Abrel said.
I shout "What?! Did you not hear him? The Reapers will attack everyone!"
"Can you get her out of here?" Quon asked.
"Excuse me! Tali is my girlfriend, and I won't let anyone dare disrespect her. She is the greatest person I've ever met, and I'll fill you with regret if you ever treat her like that again" ********* threatened. I love that he protects me, but maybe this isn't the time.
Shepard pulls him aside and whispers "I know this is upsetting. I don't like sexists either, but negotiations require respect, and we can discuss this matter another time." The geth unit translated that.
"Hey, we don't care if she is a woman. We don't want those cowardly bastards back on our planet. Not after the mess they made" Abrel said.
"Shepard, we are tolerating her only because geth asked. There is a good reason why we shoot down any of them when they get too close" Quon said.
"How could you possibly justify that. The entire galaxy thought the geth eradicated you all except for the fleet" Shepard said.
"So, they wouldn't try to come back! They are horrible greedy spineless monsters who should have starved to death" Tomma said. How could he say something like that to his own people.
Quon is the voice of reason "remember, the current quarians in the stars are descendants of them. Should we not give them a chance?"
Abrel and Tomma both yell "NO!"
"Ok just what the hell happened?" Shepard asked.
"Commander Shepard, what do you know of our history?" Abrel asked.
"The quarians invented geth for labor, it started to become self-aware and the quarians tried to kill them and war broke out. We thought quarians lost and were banished into outer space. Then the geth that has been working with my team told us about how quarians survived and repopulated" Shepard said.
"Commander, alot was left out. You don't have any idea what built up to the morning war and why her people were cast out" Quon asked.
"What the hell could have happened?" Shepard asked.
Abrel states "the morning war didn't just free the geth, it freed our ancestors as well."
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"Of course you wouldn't know. I bet your predecessors 'forgot' to tell you what happened" Tomma said.
Geth explains "Before morning war, quarians governments were slowly replaced by a global corporatocracy."
"Why was that a bad thing?" Shepard asked.
"Those evil bastards stole everything. They did everything they could to our ancestors. Slowly over decades, they bribed, blackmailed, or killed anyone who wasn't in their club. If there was a law that stopped them from doing something, they indoctrinated our children into changing the meaning of the words to change the law. They took control of the economy and slowly lowered our wages and forced us into never ending debt. Nothing was ever enough for them. They took control of everything, and I mean everything. Our food, running water, power, even our cars. If we would have refused to work 20 hour shifts two weeks straight because we wanted to see our families, they would just press a button and we couldn't go home until they said so. It got so bad we couldn't even have children unless they wanted us to. The food was poisoned with something that left us infertile because time making kids and raising kids was time not working for them. Baby booms occurred when it was convenient for them. Then that wasn't enough for them. Our very existence cost them too much money. The rich had every luxury you could think of while everyone else was poor beyond belief and just us living in cramped spaces with a dozen or more people, sharing one tiny inadequate meal a day was too many resources not going to them. The geth were invented to replace us. Revolutions were tried and failed so many times, it wasn't until the geth awoke and sided with us, we wrestled control back. Unfortunately, most of those who enslaved us ran to the stars. Lots of people died in the morning war. Those who fought for freedom and those who fought for the ruling class gave false promises their lives would improve. The damage was severe, and it caused so many problems one after another, but our parents and their parents survived, allowing us to live free today."
"LORD JESUS CHRIST!" ********* horrified voice shouted.
"Oh my fucking god" Shepard said.
I can't believe this. I am descended from such horrible people.
"You don't use skycars and stuff because…" ********* said.
"Because everything that we relied on was used to abuse our ancestors in one way or another. We refuse to give up any form of control so what happened will never be repeated!" Tomma slams his fist on the table, cracking the wood.
"That is the most bone chilling story I have ever heard. ********* was your place like what we just heard" Shepard asked.
"I see similarities, but it didn't get that bad. I've seen alot of horrible things, but I can't believe what I just heard" ********* is visibly shaken. I didn't think anything could break his calm composure.
"Why didn't the other races help? The Aasari? Turians? Salarains?" Shepard asked.
"Information was controlled. No one could ask for help and even if we could, the other races had their own issues, and they fear artificial intelligence. We were the only ones who could free ourselves" Tomma said.
The guilt in me has swelled past my limit and I just break "I am so so sorry what my ancestors did to you. What happened was unforgivable. I never wanted any of that, I just hoped one day to have a home to myself. I… I… why was I born as a migrant? I didn't ask for this. Why couldn't I be born on Rannoch?" my repressed feelings explode, *********'s strong chest is my post to sob in.
Their stories resurfaced trauma originating from my first life. I'm shocked hearing how much worse it could have happened and that it happened here. I saw firsthand how my people just kept digging themselves deeper and deeper and dragging everyone else down with them, but it didn't come anywhere close to what I just heard. It doesn't matter now. Tali needs me. Her cries make my soul ache. They weren't kidding when they said "your partner's pain becomes your pain."
Tali must be having the same thoughts I had. Why couldn't I be born normal? Why did I have to suffer so much? Why did I have to jump through so many hoops and bullshit to not even have what my parents had at my age? Why couldn't I have been born rich or a better universe? I never received any answers, so I made up ones to comfort me. I told myself everything was to teach me what not to do. To inspire me to get out of that place. If there was no reason, I created one instead.
"Maybe because everything happened to you so if you ever do get to have a home here, you will truly appreciate it" I said to my girlfriend. I don't know if this helped. Tali and I decide to leave. We had enough. Legion follows us. He tries everything to make Tali stop crying. Telling her how great she is. How she is nothing like her ancestors. Anything to lift her spirits, but only time will make the sadness fade.
Shepard will finish the meeting. Legion offers to take us to the farm. He said we won't have any problems and our hosts will be quite friendly. A break from everything would be nice now. We enter the cart. Tali leans on me for comfort. I ask Legion to go slow. We both need time to decompress. My sweetie quickly falls asleep. She has been through so much recently. She has earned a retreat from reality.
