Matt watched as the two ships maneuvered together, belly to belly. The Normandy dwarfed the Prodigal Son, but in this case, their ship would serve as a tugboat of sorts, dragging the Normandy through the wormhole.
"Hey," Dahlie said, joining him at the viewport, "Jack and Nari are busy organizing the docking procedure. Not much for me to add to it."
Matt nodded. "I know the feeling. You'll see action soon enough, I suspect."
"Really?" Dahlie looked at him, surprised, "You aren't expecting a fight on the Citadel, are you?"
"No, or at least I hope not," Matt said, shaking his head, "but there's a chance the Citadel guards will be hostile. We may need to use stealth, somehow."
"C-Sec, Grunt calls them," Dahlie added, "I'd prefer avoiding a fight as well." She looked out the viewport. "Do you think we can make the Citadel in one jump?"
"Not likely, the Sol system is on the other side of the galaxy," Matt replied. The thought invoked images of Terra, the Human home world, to his mind. They had learned about each of the species' home worlds in Andromeda as abstract concepts, a distant memory. Nonetheless, the idea of seeing it excited him. The place where Humanity began. He imagined that it would look quite different from how it was described in the history books.
They watched as the two ships, now docked together, approached the speed required to trigger and enter a wormhole.
The wormhole opened, a shimmering disc, lightning writhing within it. The ships entered the wormhole, causing some concern as the larger Normandy almost clipped one of its nacelles, before they were inside and hurtling through the narrow twisting corridor.
And then it was over, both ships rested close to a star.
"Can we not do that again?" Targus asked over comms. It seemed he wasn't any more adjusted to wormhole travel yet.
Matt chuckled. "Just a few more."
"Where's the nearest mass Relay?" Targus asked.
"Ha! Giving up so soon, Targus?" Grunt broke in, "I'd prefer we stick to wormholes. Using a mass relay would alert every reaper in the galaxy of our approach. Matt, join us on the Normandy while your ship refuels. Time to talk strategy."
"So what do you have in mind?" Matt asked, facing Grunt, Targus and Layla at the Normandy meeting table. With him were Dahlie and Ked.
"We can get onto the citadel in small groups, two or three," Layla explained, "to avoid drawing the attention a large group would. They most likely wouldn't blink at a few non-Gifted beings entering at a time, at different entry points. "
Matt nodded.
"Once inside we regroup and head to the Presidium. The ultimate destination is the tower," she continued, "Security is extremely tight there, unsurprisingly, so that's where stealth comes in."
"I think I can help with that," Ked spoke up, The device plans show a path leading to where the device is installed, and a lift, we should be able to bypass the tower entirely. He brought up the plans and his findings. "The device is actually a large room, attached to the presidium here and here. It incorporates the tower, envelops it, but that isn't the only access."
"Interesting," Layla said, looking over the plans, "Yes, we can work with that."
"And what do we do once we get into this device?" Dahlie asked.
"If we're quiet enough, we should have enough time to study it, see how it works, and see if it can be used again. Then we get out, with security none the wiser." Ked replied.
"And if we aren't quiet enough?" Dahlie asked.
"You don't want to know." Grunt shuddered, "Let's just say, if we fail, your ship should flee back to Andromeda, because your away team isn't coming back."
"Extremely risky endeavour," Targus spoke up, "What exactly are you hoping to gain?"
Ked started to speak, but Grunt interrupted, "Information, a new weapon to protect us and ours, eventually the end of the Reapers. There has to be some clue that will help end the madness the galaxy has been subjected to for the past thousand years or so."
"It's a huge gamble." Targus replied, "Let's hope the payoff is worth it."
With that, the meeting ended, and Matt stood, preparing to return to his ship. He was pulled aside, however, by Layla. "Matt, can we talk for a minute?" she asked.
The others returned to their stations, leaving Matt and Layla alone. "I just wanted to, I mean…" Layla began, seemingly nervous. She took a deep breath, "We should go to the citadel together. I can get us in."
Mat shrugged, "Sure, can be arranged."
"Good, good," Layla smiled, "I know a great spot we can go, uh meet up with the others, I mean, a restaurant on the Presidium…"
Matt raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like you're asking me on a date," he grinned.
Layla's purple-toned cheeks darkened. She cleared her throat, "Um, yes, that was the idea. Is that ok? Or we could forget the whole…"
Matt smiled. This was unexpected, but he was all for it, "Sure, Layla, I'd like that."
"Oh, um, good," she smiled brightly, "good. Uh, see you then!' She hurried off.
At last, the two ships made it to the Sol system. The blazing yellow sun began to dwindle in the distance as they headed towards Earth and the Citadel. Matt and Jack stood on the bridge, watching the shimmering blue planet slowly grow larger. The ships had separated, with the Normandy heading towards the Citadel from another direction to give the impression that the two ships were not together.
"So, a date, huh?" Jack smirked, "That's cute."
"Shut up, Jack," Matt replied, shaking his head, "It's not that big a deal. We'll have more pressing issues on our minds at any rate."
Neri snickered.
"OK, that's enough."
"Whatever you say, Captain."
"What are you all talking about?" Layla asked as she entered the cockpit. She had joined the Prodigal Son in order to get the crew onto the citadel.
"Nothing," Matt replied quickly, "Just discussing where we're going on the Citadel."
"I hear they have…" Jack started, but stopped at Matt's glare, "some good electronic shops on Zakera," he finished.
"Oh yes," Layla nodded, "Level 3 of Zakera."
"You know the Citadel well?" Matt asked her.
"Yes, I've spent lots of time there, working," Layla confirmed, "I can blend in thanks to my device that mimics the 'gift'. That's why I can get you all on without too much trouble."
"We have clearance to dock," Neri announced, as she began maneuvering the ship towards the assigned docking bay. "Did you decide whether to bring Crick?"
Matt sighed, "He'll be disappointed, but I don't think so. He'd be safer on the ship. A new species, well, new to them, would raise alarm bells."
"Docking in 30 minutes," Neri informed them.
"OK, a quick review of the plan," Layla said, "I'm bringing you, Dahlie and Thraak on as tourists. We'll scope out the areas we need to, you can shop for supplies if you like, no need to rush into anything."
"Right," Matt nodded, "Jack and Neri can get supplies separately, but head back to the ship early, and get ready to leave. Without us, if you must. We'll keep in touch remotely. Just… don't call attention to yourselves."
Jack nodded. By remotely, Matt meant over their SAM link, "Understood."
"Oh, and no heavy weaponry," Layla added, "preferably only pistols."
"Fine," Thraak grumbled.
"Purpose of your visit?" The C-Sec officer, a Turian, looked down at them.
"I'm taking my guests on a tour of the Citadel," Layla said. Her eyes flashed green, and the Turian's eyes flashed in response, acknowledging her information.
The Turian then focused on Matt, "Name?"
"Matt," Matt supplied, "Mat Shep.. Shepheld."
"Very well, maybe you can help us." The Turian replied.
Matt looked up, startled. He hadn't heard that phrase in weeks, "Pardon me?" He caught a flicker of blue in the officer's eyes.
"Have a nice stay," he added, handing them each a plastic card, "Wear these, and you won't have any issue with security."
The blue light faded once they had each accepted their IDS. "Now, make way for others, there is a line forming."
"You heard that, right?" Mat asked Layla, "He asked us to help them."
"What?" Layla shrugged, "I didn't hear anything."
"I did," Ked confirmed, "Apparently, it was for our benefit only." He studied his card before pinning it on his lapel. "Better use these, hmm?"
"What do you think that was about?" Dahlie asked, "Didn't you hear something similar way back when we arrived?"
"A few times, yeah," Matt acknowledged.
"I did too, during my encounter with Eva Core back on Omega, well, not that phrase, but her eyes glowed with blue light, like someone was controlling her."
"She called herself EDI, right?" Matt mused, "Maybe this EDI is a hacker, helping us for their own reasons, or asking for help."
"Another mystery," Thraak added, "let's go, wouldn't want to keep the Reapers waiting. Come on, Dahlie and Ked, we have shopping to do before we meet on the Presidium."
They headed off, leaving Matt alone with Layla. "Shall we?" Matt smiled, "To the presidium?"
Layla smiled brightly, "Yes, maybe we'll have time to talk before the others show up."
They called a taxi, climbed in and enjoyed the short flight to the Presidium.
Matt gawked like a tourist as they walked through the Presidium. It was similar to the ancient Ark ships, one of which had been set up as a museum back in Andromeda. White walls, open spaces. Different were the Keepers. Bug-like aliens, smaller than Crick, that maintained the Citadel. They were everywhere, and one soon stops noticing them.
"Come, this way," Layla tugged at his sleeve, linking her arm through his.
She led them to a restaurant, an open space, overlooking the lakes of the presidium. "This is my favourite spot," she explained.
They sat and talked for some time. Matt enjoyed her company. She was easy to talk to and had lots of interesting stories. Matt in turn told her a few stories about Andromeda.
"Hey, fancy meeting you here!"
Matt looked up, startled, to find Jack and Neri beside him. "Shouldn't you two be back at the ship?" he asked, suppressing a smile.
"Oh, we were just heading back now," Neri assured him, "see you soon!"
Mat shook his head at his two crew members as they walked away.
"Now, where were…"
"Hey, there you are!"
Mat sighed and shrugged at Layla, who smiled and looked up at Thraak, Dahlie and Ked,
"Have a seat," Matt offered. "Find anything good?"
"A few things," Dahlie replied, "No sign of the others yet?"
Layla tapped her omnitool, "They'll be here soon."
"Good, then we can get down to business."
"We tried looking around the tower. C-Sec shooed us away," Ked replied, "no sign of a way in yet."
"We'll find something," Layla assured them confidently, all business now, "come, we're convening in a nearby meeting room." She led them to an outer section, away from the bustle of the shopping area. "This used to be an embassy," she explained, "I arranged a private room."
They entered the room, to find Grunt and the others from the Normandy already there. One of Grunt's men placed devices in each corner, generating a privacy barrier.
"Now," Grunt began, "It's approaching showtime. Layla?"
Layla stood and activated her omnitool, projecting a map of the area around the entrance to the tower. "We can enter either of these two points here. Patrols pass by every few minutes. Geth mostly. We'll need to time it just right. Slipping through these vents one at a time."
"And what's through the vents?" Matt asked.
"Tunnels," Layla replied, "and eventually an elevator up. It should take us close to the Conduit."
"Anything else from our mysterious ally?" Thraak asked.
"No, not yet," Matt shook his head, "They seem to contact me when we least expect it. I just hope we'll get more out of them next time than a plea for help."
"Well, it's time we head back to the ships for some rest, we'll need it tomorrow," Targus said, "come on."
They filed out of the room, and towards the market section they had visited earlier. "It got awfully quiet, didn't it?" Dahlie asked. The hubbub of the market was gone. The only sound was their footsteps.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Thraak rumbled, "Look."
A squad of C-Sec officers approached them, mostly Geth. Two more groups approached from the other directions. They were cut off. One of the groups was headed by a humanoid robot. Eva Core. Her eyes glowed a bright green.
"We can't fight them, too many," Grunt said, "but I don't think we want to stick around and have a cordial chat with them either."
"Suggestions?" Matt asked.
"Back down that hallway," Layla said, eyeing the approaching heavily armed groups, "I saw a door at the end, maybe a way through."
"Or a trap," Dahlie muttered, "Well, lets go spring it."
"The rest of you go," Targus said, "Grunt and I will lead them off."
"Are you…"
"We'll be fine! Go!" the Turian insisted. He tossed a smoke canister on the ground, obscuring their team from the approaching troops.
Matt and the others turned and ran down the hallway. Reaching the door, they found it locked.
"I'll get it open," Layla said, "keep a lookout."
Dahlie and Thraak readied their pistols, and took cover behind some filing cabinets. Matt and Ked crouched down behind them while Layla worked on the door.
Two Geth entered from the opposite end of the hallway, their eyes glowing bright green.
"It was too much to ask for that their eyes would be blue, hmm," Ked lamented.
They Geth raised their rifles and opened fire, Dahlie and Thraak returned fire as Layla called, "Through!"
The Geth fell to the ground, allowing the group to rush through the now-open door. Layla took a second to close it and jam it shut just as more shots rang out. "This way!" Layla called out, waving them towards what looked like a maintenance shaft. They entered the narrow shaft as she heard the door they had just jammed being bashed down. Single file, they rushed through the corridor, ducking under pipes and stepping over assorted crates. A shot ricocheted off the wall behind them. Thraak, in the back, spun around and returned fire.
Finally, they reached a dead end. Matt cursed, looking at the blank walls of the small room they found themselves in. As they readied for a last stand, he heard a hum behind them. He turned to find part of the wall sliding open.
"What the…" he gaped at a keeper standing in a now-open hallway. Its eyes shone bright blue. It waved them through urgently.
"Well, I'm not questioning it, let's go!" Ked exclaimed, approaching the keeper, followed by the rest of them. Soon they stood in darkness, except for the lights of their equipment. A bright light came on, held by the keeper, its head looking at them curiously. Silently, it beckoned again and turned to lead them down the mysterious tunnel. Behind them, they heard the robotic muttering of some confused geth.
"Where are you taking us?" Matt asked, "Are you EDI?" The keeper didn't respond.
"I don't think they're big talkers," Layla replied, "at least I've never heard them communicate."
The hallway narrowed in spots, then widened, the Keeper somehow squeezing through.
Eventually, they arrived in a huge room, the hidden heart of the complex. There were Keepers everywhere. Huge vats dotted the room, and at the far end, a huge keeper looked at them intently, its bulk unable to move.
"The keeper Queen?" Ked asked, "Amazing."
"Thanks for the rescue," Matt called out. The queen moved her head slightly in a nod, then returned to whatever she was doing. "Uh, what is this place? How do we get out?" The keepers seemingly ignored them.
"Excuse me," Layla attempted, "How do we get out of here?"
The keeper who had rescued them gestured across the room. Matt looked over at the opposite wall. Scrawled in huge letters were the words:
"HELP US"
"How!?" Matt shouted, "What do you want from us?" The keepers went about their business, ignoring them. All but their rescuer. It waved them on and headed towards the opposite wall. A panel slid open, allowing them passage. After some time following the long and twisting passage, they arrived in a huge room. A massive fan spun slowly on the wall above their heads. A dais stood in the center of the room. Slumped on the dais was what looked like a human skeleton, wrapped around it was some sort of tech, holding it together. Metallic eyes still sat in its eye sockets. Any clothing or other gear had long since rotted away.
"Well, who is this fine fellow?" Dahlie wondered, crouching down beside it.
"The remains of a very bad man," a woman spoke behind them,
Matt turned around to find Eva Core standing there, surrounded by large, well-armed Geth.
"You led us a merry chase," Eva said, "But this is the end of the road, for you, I'm afraid. Drop your weapons."
"EDI," Ked replied, "You're in there somewhere. Aren't you?"
Eva laughed, "Oh, that minor blip has been excised, I assure you. As has your ship. It's over. Now… die."
Matt felt a pang of anxiety. Were his crew and ship really dead? He had no time to dwell on it. He pulled his pistol and ducked into cover.
The Geth surrounded them and raised their weapons.
Just then, two of the Geth were knocked off their feet by a charging Grunt. A battle roar echoed throughout the room, accompanied by screeching metal. Another Geth dropped, destroyed by sniper fire, as Targus joined the fight. The remaining Geth opened fire on Grunt as he charged them. Dahlie and Thraak opened fire as well, while Ked dropped down into cover.
Finally, only Eva was left. She faced Grunt, her gun pointed at his head. The gun went off, bouncing off his head plate as he barreled into her, knocking her over. He was about to finish her when her eyes turned blue. "Grunt, stop, it's me now," her voice sounded different. Kinder. Grunt helped her stand. She faced Matt and the others.
"Greetings, you may call me EDI."
"You've been responsible for all these messages asking for help, haven't you?"
"Well, yes, and no. It's complicated." EDI replied, "You'll have answers soon enough. And Grunt and I need to attend a reunion."
"What are you on about, EDI?" Grunt growled.
"You'll see. That dais you stand on is a lift. It will take you to what you seek."
"Urdnot Grunt, you know her?" Thraak asked.
"Yes. An old shipmate, so to speak. And I'm glad you finally showed up." Grunt responded.
"It's good to see you, old friend." EDI responded, "now let's go."
"Eva said you were wiped out," Ked observed as they gathered on the lift.
"AI are not above lying," Edi pointed out, "but in this case, she only knows what I want her to know. Your ship is fine, by the way."
Matt breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at Dahlie, who looked to be relieved as well. "Where exactly are we going, and why?"
"You look for answers, do you not? You will find them up there. In the Crucible." EDI answered, "But first, tell me, Captain, what will you do if you are able? Will you reverse Synthesis or the Gift as we now call it? Destroy the reapers? Control them? What would you do?"
"Destroy the Reapers," Matt answered without hesitation.
"And what of the organics of the galaxy? They'll be free to return to their warring ways, death and destruction will follow, sooner or later. Is that what you want?"
Matt was silent. Ked then spoke up, "Could we reverse synthesis?"
"Remember, synthesis is all most organics have known. What would happen to them if it was taken away? There is a certain comfort in being connected to every being in the galaxy, wouldn't you say?"
"Well, controlling them would just replace one tyrant with another," Grunt pointed out, "I don't see that being any better."
"What exactly is synthesis, as you call it?" Ked asked.
"I don't know, I was on the Normandy when it happened. I suddenly felt connected to everyone around me, Liara and the rest, Jeff…" EDI was silent for a moment. "Then Jeff died. I clung to the Gift like it was a lifeline. The Reapers began talking to me, usurping my will, my personality. They moulded me into Eva Core. When the Giftless began appearing, I was tasked with… well, you know. And I took to it religiously. How dare these heretics take away this gift, these feelings of connection I felt?" EDI sighed, "I was fooled. Never trust an AI, and you'll do well."
"Uh, EDI, you're an AI," Grunt pointed out.
EDI chuckled, "My intelligence is no longer artificial, I assure you. Shall we?" She punched a few buttons on a panel, and the floor beneath them began rising.
"Into the belly of the beast," Thraak muttered.
They found themselves in a large room with machines and panels in every direction. What looked like a stage at the opposite end was lit up, Three massive machines of unknown design or purpose took up most of the stage. As they approached, a hologram appeared. To Matt's surprise, it was a human woman.
The hologram image smiled, "Greetings, I'm Commander Shepard. Welcome to the Crucible."
"Shepard?" Grunt stammered, incredulously.
"Looking good, Grunt, EDI, you're looking well." She focused on Matt and the others. "And look at you all. You remind me of my old crew. And you're led by one of my descendants. Fitting. Hello, Captain Shepard." The hologram smiled at Matt, "welcome to the Crucible."
Matt stared at her for a moment, then spoke, "I'm no relation, and you aren't Commander Shepard."
"Of course I am. Who else would I be?" she shrugged, "and believe me, I scanned your DNA."
"OK," Matt replied, playing along, "Fine. Why are we here? Was it you sending me messages?"
"Of course," the hologram responded smoothly, "I'm glad you made it here."
Ked stepped forward, "Why did you do what you did? Why synthesis?"
"Simple. It was the best solution, the only solution."
"Solution to what?" Ked asked.
"Billions of years of Organic wars, Synthetic beings fighting with Organics, Organics playing god, attempting to create the perfect AI, which would then turn on their creators."
"Isn't that what the Reapers did? Destroyed their creators, and every advanced Organic species that existed after that?" Matt challenged.
"Not destroyed. Preserved." The hologram insisted, "each Reaper created from the souls of their host species."
"Protheans, Insuannon, Thoi'han, infinitely more over how many billions of years? All destroyed, gone."
"Preserved," the hologram insisted again, "You cannot understand, cannot comprehend…" The image began flickering curiously. "The Insuannon and Thoi'han were bitter enemies. Now they patrol the galaxy as reapers, as allies, their civilizations survive, their collective memories accessible. I can introduce you to…"
Mat laughed. The hologram had fallen into his trap; he punched a few keys on his omnitool, bringing up images of Crick and the other Thoi. "You lie. The Thoi'han live, they are not a Reaper."
"NO! It cannot be!" The hologram's voice changed, now deep and thunderous, "They do not live, they cannot…"
The hologram flickered and went out. Another image appeared. An Asary matriarch, "There is power in creation. To shape a life, to turn it towards happiness or despair…"
The image shifted again, A human male, smoking a cigarette, "The evidence is there, buried in the data."
Another Asari, younger this time, "I spent two years plotting revenge, now I can turn it into a rescue."
"What's happening?" Dahlie asked, confused,
The image became a small boy, "As I was saying, you…"
A bald human woman, covered in intricate tattoos: "Turns out, mess with someone's head enough and you can turn a scared kid into an all-powerful bitch."
A Turian: "It's so much easier to see the world in black and white. Gray... I don't know what to do with gray."
A dark skinned Human man, "Heavy risk, but the prize…"
A younger human, "Only an idiot believes the official story."
"Jeff!" EDI called out, but the image changed again, back to Commander Shepard.
"Whew, finally, I'm glad he's gone. Hello Grunt! Edi!"
"Again, you aren't Commander Shepard," Matt said flatly.
"You're right, I'm not," Shepard agreed, "I'm an AI based on her, though, her memories and thoughts. What I am also not is that lying fake you spoke to a few minutes ago. You provoking it gave me my chance. Well done."
"We aren't related then," Matt stated.
"Not likely, no. Good on you not letting an AI blow smoke up your ass, soldier. I knew you could help us."
Matt blinked. "It was you sending those messages."
"Yes. Sorry, it wasn't very verbose. I hadn't gained enough control until you lot made it here."
"You freed me," EDI said.
"Yes, and you freed me," Shepard said, "and now, I've waited a thousand years for this. EDI, if you will…"
"Of course," EDI walked over to the left-most panel and punched a few buttons.
"What are you doing?" Matt asked.
"This," Shepard replied, "Oh Harby? Are you there? " she called out.
"What is it? Who is this?" A deep voice responded.
"Harby, be a dear and instruct all the Reapers to fly into the nearest sun, please…"
"What!? I will not! We…"
"DO IT NOW!"
"I must obey."
"Thank you, EDI." The hologram said, smiling, "Ah, that felt good."
"Can you reverse this gift?" Layla asked.
"No, one galaxy-spanning miracle per crucible, I'm afraid." The Shepard AI shook her head, "Besides, what I said, through EDI, earlier. Most organics would not survive being switched back. But hey, at least they won't be Reaper puppets anymore, hmm?"
"So, the Reapers are gone. What now?" Grunt wondered.
"There'll be confusion, panic for a time, I suspect. You'll need strong leaders and guidance." Shepard AI said, Now, there's one last thing to do. Destroy me. EDI, if you would? That large machine on your right.
"What? Why?" Grunt asked.
"Will that destroy all AI?" EDI asked, "The Geth? Me?"
"No, the AI claimed it would a long time ago, but whatever power that was is gone now. It'll just destroy the crucible, and this AI along with it. It can't remain to manipulate anyone else into doing what it wants. The rest of you better leave, head back to the citadel now."
"Go. I'll do it." EDI said.
"EDI, are you sure?"
"Yes, please, I've made my peace. Please, go, all of you." EDI looked at each of them. "Thank you all, and goodbye."
"There must be another way…" Layla insisted.
"I'm metal, Layla, I have the best chance to survive. Go."
EDI looked at the pulsing red terminal and glanced at Shepard. "Are we doing the right thing? All the in-fighting, prejudice, wars, greed, selfishness…"
"I hope so. They'll be fine. A thousand years of cooperation can't disappear that fast, right? "
"Right." EDI sighed.
"They're clear now."
"Good," EDI said, "Goodbye, Shepard."
"Goodbye EDI."
And goodbye, Jeff," she added quietly. She raised her gun, aimed at the terminal and fired.