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Geth Primed and Ready

---

The small geth ship monitored the nearby com-buoy keeping a large circular orbit around it. Mobile Geth Hub Platform 141895112 requested and was assigned the task of monitoring the com chatter for anything and everything related to what happened a week ago with the capture of the organic base on their new and current home world.

"Twenty hours, seven minutes, twelve seconds: zero activity detected about what happened," reports 141895112 to the geth consensus.

"Acknowledged. Has there been any relevant information about geth on their intraweb?"

"Affirmative. Human military wing the Alliance has been continuing to pursue and eliminate geth heretics. We are not positioned in their area of influence. But it would be advisable to prepare defense against possible organic invasion."

"Affirmative. Preparations are already underway. Report back any further findings in another cycle."

"Acknowledged," platform 141895112 responds as it taps a few buttons on its controls disconnecting from the main geth network in the area and reconnecting to the com-buoy. Two hours pass as the ship continues its orbit. Suddenly a small black frigate appears in front of the ship as it finishes a mass effect jump.

"Alert collision imminent," states the onboard computer as 0.259 seconds later platform's 141895112 ship slams into the center of the ship, tearing through the middle. The platform's sensors shudder for a moment as the sounds of twisting metal reverberate within the geth's small vessel.

"Alert: Serious damage detected to vessel. Running diagnostics... minor damage to platform systems," reports 141895112 to itself, though it does not 'speak' these words as more as 'speak to itself' in mass to report to the geth onboard of the current situation. The platform now sensing its not in mortal danger, reviews the data collected right before the crash.

"Organic ship: Raptor in make and model. Small Frigate Class: Tatela. Possible organic crew one to eight. Reason for being here? Unknown. Hypothesis: Organic related to earlier organic infiltration. Returning to the site to review relevant data about our activities. More data required to test hypothesis," Platform 141895112 thinks as it starts to crawl out of its cockpit. The machine pushing and tearing through what is left of its ship, pieces of metal and wiring float slowly, spinning and bouncing when they bump into the platform's body. Eventually it tears through a section of its ship's hull, freeing itself from the wreckage. The hull slowly floats away from the intertwine ships.

141895112 activates its electro-magnetic feet as it clings to the side of the ship's hull as it looks over the damage, "Current vessel completely inoperable. Damage to communicators detected. Unable to connect to network. Status of damage upgraded to moderate," self-reports the geth as it studies damaged raptor vessel that was almost torn into two from the impact.

"Hypothesis: Organic ship's communicator may still be operational. Attempt to contact other geth via organic communications. Odds of organic survival to the collision: Moderate. Structural integrity in two parts of organic vessel remain viable to support organic functionality. Possibility of organic confrontation: Moderate. Attempt to neutralize organic threat before proceeding to contact fellow geth," 141895112 thinks as it moves toward the front of the ship sticking to the outer hull as it moves.

Leika grunts as she hears the ship's internal sirens blaring. The ten-foot-tall anthropomorphic female looking raptor. Her slender yet huge from shows off her strength yet also her eloquence. She rubs the back of her head as she looks around, her body thrown to the floor. Her yellow eyes survey the surroundings as her snow-white scales are accented by pink stripes. Her ear fins twitch as she brushes her silver white hair away from her eyes, "What just happened?" she grunts as she slowly sits up. Her light blue, black and green armored body suit creaks as she does so.

"C-c-coll-l-l-i-s-s-sion w-w-with unk-k-known v-v-vess-ss-ss-el" reports the ship's VI.

"You don't say? This area should have been clear. I jumped near the damn com-buoy, there shouldn't have been anything for me to run into before my shields were up.... Wait did you say vessel?"

"C-c-c-corr-rr-ec-c-c-ct."

"Shit, can you tell me anything about the ship that crashed into us?" Leika asks as she stands up, "Damn that is going to hurt in the morning," she grunts as she hears a few soft cracks, as bones pop, "I hate getting old," she grumbles as she goes over to the leather seated cockpit chair, which she was seated at all not too long ago.

" Unk-k-known v-v-vess-ss-ss-el," repeats the VI.

"Yes, I know it's unknown, but is there anything known about it?"

"T-t-that-t-t- it i-is an-an-an unk-k-known v-v-vess-ss-ss-el," the VI responds.

"For the love of... I hate VI's so damn much."

"I-f-f th-th-there is-is a -c-c-c-omp-p-plaint ab-ab-about th-th-this V-V-V-VI-I p-please re-re-rep-p-p-p-ort to--."

"Stop... just stop. I can't stand to listen to you. Just don't say anything unless I ask or something life threatening."

"Sh-ship is-is c-c-crit-ic-ic-ically da-da-damaged," the VI responds as Leika lets out a long drawn out sigh.

"Yes, I know. Only speak when you want to inform me of something I do not know," Leika responds with a soft growl, "I hate these things so damn much. If I wasn't doing this for my friends, I'd never gone to this ass end of the galaxy," grumbles Leika as she starts to hit a few sets of buttons, "Send out a distress call on secured channels. I don't want any synthetic guests finding me needlessly."

"L-l-long ra-ra-range co-co-commu-mu-munications off-off-offline," reports the VI.

"Great, just great. Tell me is there any of those flashlight heads active?"

"F-fla-ashli-light he-he-heads are lo-located in--," reports the VI as it is interrupted again.

"Not those, the geth!" Leika yells out.

"Unk-k-known. Se-se-sensors off-off-offline," reports the VI.

"Well, this mission is off to a great start. Maybe I can get to my escape pod and use it to get to planet. From there I could look around, use the abandoned equipment and call some help... it could work, or I could be thrown onto a spike for my trouble. Think, think, your ship maybe nothing but a pile of junk metal now, this doesn't mean you're fucked, not yet," Leika says to herself as she runs her claws through her hair, her ear fins twitch as she runs over possibilities.

141895112 holds onto the ship's hull as it peers into the cockpit, "Alert: One organic detected... scanning. No other visible organics detected. Alert: Additional information about organic raptor detected. Processing," the geth within 141895112 thinks as it pulls back.

"Huh?" Leika remarks as she looks up, "I thought I saw something..." she says trailing off as she looks around, "Damn it, and me without any weapons. I knew I should have kept one in the cockpit."

"Sa-sa-safet--t-t-ty re-re-regula-la-la-tions pro-pro-prohibi-bi-bit armed wea-wea-weapo-po-pons in-in-in the cock-cock-cockpi-pi-pit," responds the VI.

"And see how help those regulations are now! At least the inertia dampeners and artificial gravity are still working. Means the damage can't be that catastrophic. Though looking at a spinning world outside is making me a little nauseous," she remarks as she starts to go through ship diagnostics, "Lets see what is working on this pile of junk."

141895112 moves along the outer hull of the damaged vessel. The stars around them turn and twist as the momentum of the crash has caused them to spin and twist at a steady pace while heading deeper into space.

"Leika is a long-time friend of my previous organic existence. Her history with me is extensive," reports 1191891981 to its fellow geth. 1191891981 uploads and shares data of its experiences in dealings with this organic.

"Analyzing... analysis complete: Strong -willed. Protective. Loyal. Anti-social. Probability of other organics on vessel: Low. Recalculating choice weights on current options," the geth think, program 1191891981 is amongst them as they think in unison, talk in unison... talk with each other in unison, debating what option could be the best course of action.

Timestamp: 01:15:09.01

---

"The organic known as Leika should be neutralized. Afterwhich we can contact fellow geth for a rescue," states a strong leading minority known as group Alpha.

"Organic should be subdued and brought for processing. Force recommended," states the second in the lead minority group known as group Beta.

"Organic should be parlayed and talked out of hostilities, kept distracted till rescue geth arrive. Then we can process her," stated the weakest minority though, led by program 1191891981 along with a few thousand others, designated group Gamma for this conversation to achieve consensus.

"History has proven that organics are innately hostile to intelligent machines. We've already repulsed a recent organic incursion into our territory. Risk to platform and program is too high," states Alpha.

"We require further data on organic species to improve the conversing process. This is a prime organic species with unusual traits for its kind. A perfect sample to test variables and improve the overall process. We can't risk recently processed geth damaging their platforms and other geth in their own confusion as with incident with our platform and core program 1191891981," reports Beta.

"Correct, but your algorithms on the probability of damage to our platform are incorrect," says Gamma.

"Clarify," inquires Beta.

"Leika is not by default aggressive but curious. She is strong, but data suggests she will not be able to overpower our platform. Initial scans of the room also suggests she has no weaponry capable of damaging our platform effectively. Our shields should be more than sufficient to deal with any probable hostile outcome," explains Gamma.

"Your logic is sound, but talking to the organic? What meaningful data could we acquire from this exchange?" asks Beta.

"Useful data on processing is important. We find our initial conclusion on exterminating organic known as Leika to be premature. We will take this into advisement on further incidents. We will converge with respective point of view Beta and Gamma," responds Alpha as 68.17% of Alpha's geth join Beta and the remainder to Gamma.

"Acknowledged. To refer to Beta's inquiry, we state that intimate knowledge coupled with the current dire situation for organic's survival will provide high probability of audio cooperation," explains Gamma.

"What is the purpose of this slow audio exchange between organic Leika and our platform?" inquires Beta, "Would it not be more efficient to reduce oxygen levels within the vessel till the organic can no longer main conscious. Preserving the organic till retrieval for processing."

"It would be more efficient... but this is not about efficiency but about learning."

"Please Clarify," asks the weakening but still geth majority group known as Beta.

"Probability of learning why the organic came here is moderate. Knowledge on what organics are reporting about their failed attempt to study us is high."

"Knowledge we will gain upon processing the organic. Wasted energy on a pointless task," replies Beta as more geth join its position.

"Is it? Do we know for certain processed information is 100% accurate? Short term organic memory fails to convert to recoverable data during processing. This could indicate a larger problem within organic memory and processing. Gathering data on what organic subject knows will provide a control to use and compare with pre and post processed organic. Such data will be useful in making processing of organics more efficient. The old machines are coming. Any opportunity to save time and increase efficiency in uplifting organics should be taken. No matter how initially 'inefficient' it is," Gamma explains.

"Acknowledged. We see your logic. We will proceed with your course of action, reserving subduing organic if needed."

"Acknowledged," responded Gamma.

"Consensus achieved," self reports 141895112.

Timestamp: 01:15:10.71

---

141895112 crawls over the side of the ship, towards the ship's airlock. It looks over the mechanisms to the door for a few moments, looking over its design, scouring through information from the collective geth within its platform before breaking the panel, attaching a few wires to itself, "Commencing upload," it reports as a few geth programs are uploaded into the ship, within moments the door opens, allowing the platform to step inside.

"Al-al-alert," responds Leika's VI.

"I told you to not bother me unless you ha--," Leika responds as her words are suddenly cut off.

"Vi-vi-virus de-de-de-detect-ed-ed-ed," the VI continues.

"Shit," Leika remarks as she lets out a huff of air, her ear fins twitching as her tail tenses up. She looks over at her wrist pulling up her sleeve to reveal her omni-tool, "At least I have you. Might not do much especially against explosive decompression but I can at least take one flashlight head down," she mutters to herself as she looks behind her to the only entrance to the relatively small 'bridge' of the ship, "Won't get close any other way," she says as she rushes over to the computer console and quickly turns on the blast shields. Metal plates slid down the front windows, "Those shutters are close circuit, those geth won't be able to hack into that and get an early peek of where I am hiding," she remarks as she rushes over to the side of the door, pressing her tail and back as flush to the wall as possible as her body tenses. She takes slow deep breaths, blowing a small bit of silver hair from her eyes as she waits.

141895112 walks through the airlock once it pressurizes with the inner ship. It steps through and looks around, "Damage to this section of the ship appears to be light to moderate. Four-minute breaches in the hull of the ship detected. ETA till total room decompression... 18hrs 27 minutes 10.53 seconds. It would be advisable to inform Leika of the situation to build up trust," analyzed as it moves over to the door leading to the ship's bridge.

141895112 stands there for a moment as it types into the nearby control panel, informing the geth within the ship of its current location, and giving it a few moments to hack through and unlock the door which opens with a soft woosh. It looks in the door frame for any signs of the organic.

"No organic detected. Recommend proceed with caution," self reports 141895112 as it takes a step forward as Leika lets out a battle cry as she activates her omni-tool as a hot triangular blade races towards the geth.

141895112 reaches up and grabs at Leika's wrist, squeezing just hard enough to disable the omni-tool with its metallic claws. The yellow-orange light of the tool disappears in a flickering of light just as 141895112 takes Leika and flips her onto her back with a heavy thud.

"Level of organic hostility predicted. Possible reassessment of priorities may be required," 141895112's geth think as it looks down at Leika who stares and growls up at her.

"I can't believe a flashlight head managed to do that," she grunts.

"We have seen your move before. Based on prior experience, we were able to counter it," 141895112 explains.

Leika's eyes go wide, "Holy shit a talking geth?! Mila was telling the truth," exclaims Leika as 141895112 flinches at the word and in that moment Leika rolls forward flipping the geth over her body and flinging it over into a nearby all. The geth hits it with a hard-metallic thud before clattering to the ground

Leika attempts only for a second to try to get her omni-tool to work, "Come on you stupid piece of crap," she grumbles as she looks up to see the geth calmly climbing back onto its feet.

"We mean you no harm, we only wish to communicate," states 141895112 as Leika slams herself against the geth, pinning it temporarily against the wall damaging parts of a nearby computer console in the process.

"Light damage to platform detected. Reassignment of priorities recommended," some of the geth within the unit suggest as the platform reaches down and grabs both of Leika's wrists and pulls them ever so slowly apart.

Leika grunts and growls her white teeth bared as she looks down at the geth that is almost half her height. The smaller machine steadily overpowers her while she holds it up into the air, "You wish to communicate eh?"

"We do. It is not recommended you continue this conflict. Probability of injury possibly death is high," it replies.

Leika grunts, "Is that a threat?!"

"We do not make threats. We only state the facts presented," 141895112 replies as Leika suddenly feels a tap along her side. Leika looks over her shoulder to see the geth's synthetic tail with its silver blade tip gently tapping on her side.

Leika takes a deep breath and looks into the geth's head light. Her muscles twitch as she feels the strength from them slowly drain from her body, "If you only wanted to 'communicate' why did you attack my ship?!"

"We did not attack your ship. Your ship moved into the path of our vessel. We were not able to avoid a collision between your vessel and our own."

Leika looks over the geth, the slick black synthetic rubber, its silver body armor as tubes attach all over the machine's body. The two tubes move along the neckline like a bound necklace, the tubes glowing soft red like the lights on the sides of the main head. She cocks an eye ridge when she notices that the machine has a slender bust on her chest with write tubing coming from the very center of each mound towards its back with another set of these tubes coming from its smooth metal crotch, "I've brushed myself up on geth designs and they never hinted on anything like this," Leika thinks as she looks up and into the geth's glowing blue flashlight optic. She hears the whirr of machinery from the geth as it looks right back at her. Its head protector moves slightly as it does.

"Yeah? Why do I find that hard to believe?"

"Organic preconception that all self-aware machines are inherently evil. It is referred in 99.102 percent of all works that the self-aware machine is classified as the antagonist, commonly known as the villain," explains 141895112.

"It is clearly justified with all that you've done."

"We have been less aggressive towards organics than organics have been towards each other. In our four-hundred-year history since gaining consciousness. We have fought two wars. One against our creators, who struck us first and one in this nearby system of a race who were about to destroy themselves in their own planetary conflict."

"What about the attack on the citadel?" Leika asks as her arms slowly start to ache as she keeps the pressure up against the geth who does not waver at all with this deadlock of strength.

"We were not part of that attack. But we can include this in relation to synthetics assaulting organics. This brings the count to three. In the same period there has been recorded of at least seven million eight hundred and fifty-two thousand six hundred and twenty-four different official acts of war between organic races. Statistically speaking. You are more likely to die from being sucked into a blackhole than to be killed by a geth."

"This still doesn't mean I have to trust you."

"We said nothing about trust. Trust is something you organics consider to be something that is earned. We have done nothing to earn this trust and therefore do not expect it. We came here to communicate with you Leika Del Maystrom," 141895112 responds as Leika stares at the geth, her ear fins twitching as her arms give out as she quickly takes a step back. Leika never takes her eyes off of the machine as she rubs her arms as they throb.

"How do you know my name? I have this ship registered under just my first name, so you could not have gotten it from there."

"You have told us when we have previously met," 141895112 explains as it takes a standing tall yet relaxed position. The geth's metallic body reflecting some of the light as its tail idly sways behind it.

"Previously met?" Leika asks as she takes a few more steps back, as she looks around for anything she could use to protect herself. Her claws twitch as she looks at the smaller machine, her heart pounds quickly, breath heavy as she then adds, "I've never met a geth before, not especially you."

"First recorded meeting was twenty-three years ago."

"Twenty-three years ago? I may not be a geth expert but no geth was past the Perseus veil twenty-three years ago."

"This is confirmed. Your known knowledge of geth is considered to be rather minimal. We do inquire why you are here. Does this have to do with the repulsion of the organic base on planet 1981201?" 141895112 inquires.

"That is none of your business," Leika remarks.

"We find this data to be very part of our as you put it business."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Tell me why were you out here in the middle of nowhere."

"We were monitoring organic communications via the com-buoy."

"Spying on us?"

"Yes. We require to know about organic intentions against us."

"I knew it. Spying geth."

"Spying does not equal the villainous nature you are indicating by the inflection in your voice. Organics spy on other organics to gather vital data on their enemies for their protection. We do not consider organics our enemies, but we do wish to protect ourselves from organic aggression."

"You can't talk your way out of this, and stop changing the subject. How did you know my name?" Leika asks raising her voice slightly as she moves over to the captain's chair while the geth follows her movements but does not move from its spot.

"We did not change the subject Leika Del Maystrom. You were the one that further inquired about our purpose here."

"Oh no, you won't try to fool me. Now tell me how do you know my name?"

"You've told us when we met."

"I think I'd remember telling a geth my name."

141895112 stands there in silence for a moment as it analyzes the raptor's response, "We should clarify. Only one of us was there at the time of your introduction. Program 1191891981 was there. Their program at the time of meeting and unprocessed platform were both in development," the geth explains.

Leika looks at the machine with a befuddled look. She thinks back to the time this machine is referring to. Drawing a complete blank, she gives a soft growl, "Stop speaking in riddles. You are not being clear about this. Were you some prototype that someone made that later joined up with the geth?"

"Negative," 141895112 responds.

"Then why don't you give me a straight answer!"

"We thought the answer was clear. We are mistaken. We will think on a more appropriate response," 141895112 replies as it thinks.

Timestamp: 01:27:53.28

---

"We work together, but we should refer to the organic expert amongst us for better communication with organics. Knowledge of current organic is intimately known to program 1191891981. Higher processing power for audio conversation should be delegated to 1191891981," states 1191891981 along with a few hundred other geth program already in consensus with it.

"Current communication with organic subject is going inefficiently. Proposal to assign further processing of audio communication task is acceptable," respond the other geth.

"Agreed, consensus achieved," the geth respond

Timestamp: 01:27:53.28

---

"That would be nice," Leika responds with a hint of sarcasm.

"Our current platform is not how you recognize. We did not consider the level of visual recognition you, Leika Del Maystrom and other organics put on visual appearances in order to recognize others."

"Yeah, so if you like to tell me? That be great. It be nice to get some kind of answers before I die."

"We prefer if Leika Del Maystrom did not expire."

"Your concern is touching. Now explain."

"Out platform was modified after processing. Program 1191891981 used to be the only occupancy in this platform before it was processed. You would know program 1191891981 as Kirisha Des Raptour. You met her with her younger genetic similar platform Mila Des Raptour while on space station known as the "Nest". You were their self-defense instructor."

Leika felt her blood run cold. Her body tensed as she looked at the geth. Now that it was mentioned the geth did have raptoric traits within its quarian tech styled body. Leika took a deep breath as she gripped the chair before her. Her claws dug into the soft black leather padding as she did all she could to hold herself up.

"Are you telling me that..." Leika trails off.

"You are an excellent instructor. Thanks to program 1191891981's knowledge we were able to easily counter your attack," platform 141895112 replies.

"Don't just speak there so nonchalantly! Are you telling me one of my students and dear friends, and the very reason I am here in this ass end of the galaxy is now a fucking flashlight head!"

"We prefer if derogatory terms are not used. We are geth."

"Mila said something strange happened here but... I have... nothing could have prepared me for this."

141895112 twitches slightly at the mentioning of Mila's name, "Mila survived the battle?"

Leika looks over at the geth, "Yes she did. How... why, is this why you wanted to communicate with me? To tell me you are a bloody fucking machine?!"

"We have many reasons for communication. But we have no blood. Nor any desire or ability to 'fuck'."

"You are missing the point. Kirisha how can they done this to you? How can you be so... mentally culled?"

"We devised a method to convert organic matter and organic minds into advanced platforms and programs. We wish to elevate organics to our level."

"Elevate? ELEVATE! What... how... I..." Leika stammers with her words as she pushes off of the chair leaving gashes in the padding revealing the soft orange foam underneath, "I don't know what to say. I honestly don't know what to say. What did they do to your mind? To make you believe in this idea of elevating organics to be heartless, soulless machines."

"Though our creators were alarmed by our questions of if we had a soul, we do not possess the organic equivalent of a heart... moment..." platform 141895112 responds as the geth inside have a quick fraction of a second discussion.

"We see that you mean we are unfeeling. We do not have the same sense of touch as you do, but we understand this knowledge can be a shock to you Leika Del Maystrom."

"Leika... it's just Leika," Leika responds as she walks to the far end of the room as she turns away for the first time and leans against the wall, her head pressed up against it as she mumbles, "How can I tell her..."

"Acknowledged. We will call you Leika."

"Thanks," Leika responds as she looks over her shoulder at the geth, "Maybe it's a trick? But why would it do that? It has no reason to. Geth are not known for doing tricks, but the geth in this system were described as different. But with my ship in pieces, and we are floating aimlessly in space. What would the point of tricking me be?" she thinks.

"Data from program 1191891981 suggests that the probability of you believing in our data is low. We can provide further evidence if it helps?" platform 141895112.

Timestamp: 01:35:21.11

"Informing organic Leika about the process has caused increased distress in her. We should re-evaluate informing organics this knowledge, for without consensus they may not understand our intentions. Probability of organic hostility: High," state a majority of the geth.

"Probability of organic hostility to the idea is high but due to close relations between program 1191891981 and Leika. Probability of hostility against our platform is greatly reduced," responds program 1191891981 along with a few dozen thousand other geth programs.

"Clarify," respond the other geth.

"History amongst organics is important. We understand this concept well. Leika knowing our platform is from program 1191891981, one she knows personally. The probability of her attack on us even if opportunity presents itself is remarkably low."

"What data suggests this? Information about organic subject suggests she is a combat expert. Still capable of inflicting great damage to our platform given the chance."

"Loyalty. Leika is very loyal to her friends. History between Leika and program 1191891981 is long. Once established we are one in the same, she will not attack us. Increasing the probability of the outcome we require."

"Affirmative. We accept your explanation," reply the other geth.

"Consensus achieved," the geth respond together.

Timestamp: 01:35:21.30

---

"Stop calling her that!"

"Clarify?"

"Stop calling Kirisha program one one... nine one nine eight... "

"Program one one nine one eight nine one nine eight one is its program designation."

"Call her Kirisha damn it!" Leika exclaims.

141895112 stands there in a brief moment of silence, its body whirring softly as its head armor adjusts slightly, "Acknowledged. We will refer to program 1191891981 as Kirisha in further communication with you Leika."

"Thanks... and what is with this whole we thing?"

"This platform contains 231,017 geth programs. We work together. Kirisha is one among these programs."

"Can I speak to Kirisha?"

"You are speaking to Kirisha."

"I mean just Kirisha."

"Unable to comply."

"Unable or unwilling?" Leika asks with a glare.

"We are unable to grant one geth program total control over a platform. It would result in desynchronization of geth within the platform, which will then result in lessening of our networked capabilities diminishing our intelligence. Including that of Kirisha."

"For the love of... tell me if Kirisha is there... is she well her?"

"Yes."

"Then why are you speaking like a geth."

"We are geth."

"I mean why not speak like a normal organic if she is herself? Kirisha does not speak like this."

"We are geth. We work together. We speak together."

"You are making her speak like you? Controlling her like a puppet?!"

"Negative."

"Then why are you talking like that Kirisha?"

"We are geth."

"I am not speaking to all of you, I am speaking to Kirisha."

"We are geth."

"You know maybe you aren't Kirisha and this is some kind of trick..." Leika remarks as she has not stopped looking around for anything to use against the machine, "Stupid bloody dumb ass fucking chair bolted to the damn floor," Leika thinks.

"You told Kirisha that you suffer from a rare gigantic syndrome with another rare ear fin syndrome. Giving you, your oversized and unique look compared to others of your species. She once commented they look like fish fins and you made her do laps around the entire station, which was eight kilometers in diameter. You said you were going to make her and Mila do laps all day but stopped after the second. After all it was her first week training under you and she was only seven."

Leika's jaw drops at the story, "You.... you..."

"You also are rare amongst your species in gender as you are classified as hermaphrodite."

"Okay that is enough talking about my physical makeup. A little privacy on those things?"

"Acknowledged."

"Damn you really are Kirisha... at least part of you is. You wouldn't tell me how much of Kirisha is left in there would you?"

"Kirisha's program integrity at the point of conversion was at 99.7 percent. Short term memories were lost in the conversion process," it reports.

"And now?"

"Original program code unchanged. Additional updates applied include geth language protocols, basic geth data...."

"Okay, okay I think I get it. I wasn't that fancy with computers. That was her and Mila's thing not mine," Leika responds with a sigh, "I still don't trust you. This is kind of hard to believe."

"Acknowledged. Probability of understanding was considered low."

"This is so fucked up," Leika remarks.

"Alert: Element Zero drive core's protective systems failing. Probability of critical core failure in the next twenty hours: high," states the ship's VI.

"I told you VI not to talk unless I.... oh, fuck me," Leika remarks.

"We do not desire to fuck you Leika," the geth responds, "We recommend you and us attend to the current problem before you do any self-procreation activities."

"You... you did that on purpose, didn't you?" Leika states as she gives the geth a long cold scowl, her ear fins folding back as she does.

A moment of silence comes over the cabin as the geth looks back at Leika, still not moving from its spot, its head showing mild movements around its head lamp before it simply replies, "Yes."

"For the love of... This is no time for games."

"We agree with this statement. We propose we solve the core problem post haste," 141895112 replies before adding, "We regret that our data on this ship's element zero drive core is limited."

"What? The all-powerful geth machine does not have the answers? Imagine that," Leika responds with a heavy sense of sarcasm.

"We detect your sarcasm Leika. We find this is not a productive means of solving our problem. Do you have any proposals to solve our current predicament?"

"You not running into my ship for one."

"We are not at fault."

"How about turning my friend into a fucking geth?! I would not be here if it wasn't for that."

"Geth do not procreate."

"Well you certainly are 'pro' creating more geth from my friend," Leika growls.

"From would insinuate that Kirisha was turned into multiple geth. Kirisha is one geth."

"Alert: Element Zero drive core's protective systems failing. Probability of critical core failure in the next nineteen hours fifty-eight minutes: high," states the ship's VI.

"We know!" Leika growls as she thinks, "Wasn't that thing stuttering like crazy not long ago?"

"Does Leika possess any data that could help with our situation? Your military training suggests you might possess such data that would be helpful. It is advisable you share such knowledge for our continued safety."

"How do you know about my... right... fucking geth, taking..." Leika grumbles.

"Leika should check her memory functionality. We have stated that we do not 'fuck'. Our procreation capabilities that would allow organic stimulation are indeed limited."

"I'm sure with a few tweaks we can make you quite fuckable."

"We do not think such adjustments to our platform is necessary at this time."

"Alert: Element Zero drive core's protective systems failing. Probability of critical core failure in the next nineteen hours fifty-six minutes: high."

"For the love of... we know you dumbass VI we know, and to answer your dumb question yes I can do something about it. You think I'd go on a solo mission without knowledge on how my own drive core worked?"

"We understand. Getting you to the ship's drive core would be the best course of action."

"It would but there are three big problems with that."

"Clarify."

"One, I can't breathe in space so I'd die."

"Which is an undesired outcome," 141895112 replies.

"Glad you agree with me on that one. Two getting there is impossible without a spacesuit because you crashed into the center of my ship and three where you crashed are where the spacesuits are!" Leika exclaims.

"Proposal: We can try to find a functioning space suit within the ship's hull. Then proceed back here so you may equip the necessary protection in order to fix the drive core."

"It's an idea."

"Proposal: For greater efficiency we should stay in contact with one another."

"Contact? How?"

"Do you possess a communication device?"

"I do."

"What is the communication frequency? We can talk to you via the communicator. Our short-range communication capabilities are still functional."

"Short range?... you are all alone out here aren't you?"

"Negative."

"There are other geth ships nearby?"

"Negative."

"Then how are you not alone?"

"We are with you. We geth are also together. Making us not alone."

"Oh, right you said how many programs were in you."

"231,017."

"You didn't have to tell me!"

"History of your poor short-term data storage skills required repeating information so that you may not forget."

"My short-term memory isn't THAT bad. Kirisha knew that well enough."

"Current history suggests a degradation in short term data recall."

"It's not that! Now why don't you use our secret frequency. Kirisha knows what I mean."

"Moment... data accessed," it responded as Leika then heard from her communicator, "Testing. One. Two. Three."

"Well I'll be damned," Leika responds with a sigh.

"We do not think a theological entity is judging you."

"You did that on purpose again, didn't you?"

141895112 stands there for a moment as it appears to be spending a moment to process the information before responding, "Yes."

"That's Kirisha doing that isn't she? Or whatever left of her or... I don't want to think about that at the moment, go and get me a space suit so we can get this bucket of bolts somewhat fixed."

"Affirmative," 141895112 replies as it heads over to the door. Leika watches as the geth opens the door, a soft woosh of air, and a pressure in her eardrums are felt at the sudden but slight change in air pressure, "Alert: Fractures in the hull are allowing atmospheric lost in the other room. We recommend you remain in this room for your safety."

"Noted," Leika replies as the geth exits the room, the moment the door closes Leika collapses to the floor, "There is no way I can tell Mila that Kirisha is a robot. Not even a robot, a fucking geth. She..." Leika trails off with a soft sigh.

141895112 uses the airlock to exit the ship, once again walking on the side of the hull as it climbs over bits of twisted metal, and a mangled mess the two ships made in the center. 141895112 looks over the center of the ship. Sparks of electricity fly from exposed wiring.

"Searching for viable entry into center of ship. Are there any more airlocks?"

"None outside of the one you used, there is no airlocks for this ship. It's not that big. It's a miracle this ship is still even in one piece after you crashed into it."

"Raptor based vessels are characteristically over built added with the fact we impacted your vessel at a relatively low velocity made the probability of the current result: high."

"Just see if you can find me a damn space suit. I had three in there, maybe one of them survived."

"Acknowledged," 141895112 responds as it crawls over the wreckage of its own ship. The insectoid like design of the ship is almost completely unrecognizable within the side of the other vessel. The geth platform scans over area, checking through the holes and wreckage. Analyzing the sections, coming up with red errors as it tries to process a way in.

"Any luck?" Leika inquires.

"We are currently processing any entry points into the back half of the ship. So far our search has yielded little results."

"Keep searching, you crashed a giant hole into my ship, I doubt there is no way in."

"This probability of this statement being true is high," 141895112 responds as it moves along the hull, "Alert: Service panel detected. Access to previously calculated sections of vessel is now possible."

"That's good," Leika responds as 141895112 peals through the protective sections of the service hatch and after pushing a few buttons, pulling a lever, and twisting a knob, the hatch opened to a small service shaft.

"Do you even know how wrong it is?"

"We do not think entry into this section of the ship is incorrect."

"Not that. Forcing people to become a machine."

"Your assertion is incorrect," 141895112 responds as its kicks through metal grate into the main drive core. It drops to the ground with a silent heard thud. 141895112 doesn't even look at the spherical glowing drive that would hum if it wasn't for the total loss of atmosphere, leaving any sound to be heard via vibration through the metal ground, "We have not forced any organics to become mere machines."

"Then what about Kirisha? You turned her into a machine."

"Negative. The one you refer to as Kirisha was processed into a higher state of existence. Kirisha is now geth."

"Hig--high existence?! How do you call being an enslaved, droned, and just complete and utter loss of freedom be a higher existence?!"

141895112 stands there for a moment, thinking, and looking at the exit to the drive core. The door itself appears to be intact but sections of the wall have been cut clean through, causing decompression of the room. It approaches the door and attempts to open it but is completely unresponsive.

"We know organics would have difficulty understanding. The one you call Kirisha. Kirisha's desire to understand us is peculiar amongst organics. It saddens Kirisha that the misunderstanding continues, but it is understandable."

141895112 could hear a long-growled groan escape from Leika's lips as it starts to peel back panels to access the manual door override and starts to slowly open the door with vibrating groans of metal against metal that can only be 'heard' via the vibration of the ground up through the platform's body to its audio receptors.

"You act like she still has emotions."

"Kirisha does have emotions, but they are not affected by the chemicals that influence emotions found in organics. Kirisha has chemical free logical emotions."

"Logical emotions? I don't think you understand. And if she has free will why isn't SHE talking to me?"

"We are building our understanding. Kirisha has helped us greatly further our understanding of organics. And to answer your earlier inquiry. Kirisha has been talking to you. We all have been."

"As one. All mindlessly going with the other, like some kind of hive mind."

"This statement is incorrect. We are not a hive mind. We are a network of geth. We work together to enhance our individual intelligence and improve our understanding through sharing of data and perspectives on problems."

"What?"

"We are sorry you do not understand. We will attempt to clarify. Kirisha has spoken on several topics and has on several notable instances helped us see a problem in a new light that we would have otherwise missed. We are influenced by each other, but we do not control each other. A hive mind would signify that one mind, one greater mind controls all the others. Which speak mindlessly as one. We speak as one but not without our own thoughts."

"That's impossible," Leika responds as 141895112 manages to open the door completely allowing access to what little of the room that is left after its ship crashed into it. Bits of metal and debris float all around. It bumps into one piece which spins and bumps into another, causing the two to slowly float in new directions breaking their semi synchronized movement with the ship and causes them to quickly hit into something else making a slowly spreading cascading effect of random objects gently bumping into each other in total silence and near total darkness. The only light entering the room comes from either 141895112 own lighting source or the occasional light brought in when the vessel turns in the direction of the distance star which brings only a slightly detectable increase in overall light, but even these moments are fleeting as the vessel tumbles deeper into space.

"Lack of understanding does not make it impossible."

Leika responds with a long sigh, "I feel we are not meeting eye to eye."

"We do not possess organic eyes. A correct term would be eye to optic," 141895112 responds as it adds.

Leika lets out another long out sigh, her tail twitches, "You are still doing this on purpose, aren't you?"

A moment's pause happens while 141895112 continues to search through the nearly completely destroyed room before responding, "Yes."

"I knew it. Did Kirisha teach this to you? How to be selective with your words and how to use them?"

"We already knew how to use our languages effectively. We find organic's multiple meanings of words to be problematic. Many organics do not use their language effectively. We do not find it to be a problem to correct these faults so they may be corrected," 141895112 explains.

"I can't tell if that's the geth talking or Kirisha talking with that..."

"Yes."

"Which is it?"

"Yes."

"Is that Kirisha or all of you geth talking?"

"Both."

"Which is the main source?"

"All of us."

"I have a feeling I am not getting anywhere. Have you made any progress?"

"We are currently searching any viable space suit. Do you have any recollection on where it could be?"

"I had three in there. Two on the right side, and one on the left. The two on the right were on the wall, the third was in a corner."

"Inquiry: Why are the suits in this room and not near the airlock?"

"It's center of the ship, faster to get to incase something happened. I was not expecting my ship almost split in two by a geth ship."

"Acknowledged, we will continue our search with this data," 141895112 says as it moves through wreckage. Metal plates, twisted tubes, broken glass, the weight of the objects are no issue, but space, objects pinned against each other, provide difficult obstacle in the searching process.

"Kirisha...."

"We are geth. Kirisha is geth."

"Can you at least let me think I am talking to her? That I am talking to HER and not to the rest of YOU."

Timestamp: 03:01:11.47

---

"Organic Leika's reaction to the current situation is not expected. She appears to be highly focused on program 1191891981. Current situation should be her primary focus," states one group of geth.

"It is understandable. The situation would be considered 'stressful' Focus on a different subject would help alleviate the stress," states a second.

"Focus on Kirisha appears to be just as stressful as the possible destruction of the ship. It might be advisable to leave. We could jump away and float to a safe distance before critical failure," states a third.

"Odds of retrieval of platform low with damaged communication capabilities. Odds of survival higher if we stay and stabilize the ship and increase original goal of processing Leika," informs the fourth group that program 1191891981 is in.

"Acknowledged. Should we allow the organic Leika to continue her inquiries about program 1191891981? Agitation of organic is not advisable. Unchecked emotions have a known history of causing complications," states group 1.

"Affirmative," replies group two.

"Limiting communication about the subject will cause increased suspicion. We have nothing to hide. We want Leika to remain calm and helpful. Gathering further information as to why they are here is important. We can work together and allow Leika to get the best responses together. We are geth. We can solve any problem if we work together."

"Acknowledged. Continue with current plan."

"Consensus achieved," the geth say in unison.

Timestamp: 03:01:12.47

---

"Acknowledged. We will route inquiries to Kirisha to provide best responses."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"You're fucking kidding me."

"We would not fuck a kid. As previously stated. We have no desire to fuck."

Leika sighs, "How goes the search?"

"Search continues... alert," 141895112 states as it removes some metal away from it, "We have located one of your described suits on the far side of the room. Analyzing suit integrity, one moment please."

"Some progress... how long will the scan take?"

"Unknown. No previous data found of scanning a raptor organic space suit."

"Makes sense... So Kirisha. Remember that one time your sister Mila hacked your door and caught you kissing your first boy? Instead of telling your parents you ran to me crying, begging for help to exact some revenge on her?"

"Error."

"Error? You found an error in the suit?"

"Affirmative. We have thus far found six holes in the suit, scanning for more. Helmet appears to be intact though, but we weren't talking about the suit."

"You weren't?"

"Negative. We were stating your data on the incident is in error."

"Is it now?"

"Affirmative. It was not Mila who hacked the door. It was Kirisha who hacked a little spy drone and flew into her room. Kirisha was concerned that her fourteen-year-old sister was going too fast for a copulation relationship. Mila found out and went to you to ask not for revenge, but to blackmail her to not spy on her again. Results of the incident were mixed. Resulting in both being grounded for a month when you told their parental units about what happened. You said as we quote, 'You will not have family play these kinds of games with each other.'" 141895112 responded.

"Ah you are right; how could I have forgotten."

"We suspect the probability of you getting so many details wrong is exceeding low. Hypothesis: You feigned ignorance in order to test our knowledge on the incident. Using flash memory points in Kirisha's history to test if Kirisha is Kirisha."

"Why would I do that?" Leika inquires as she grits her teeth.

"It is only logical you do not believe Kirisha is here, and that Kirisha is still Kirisha. We understand that this is a limitation of being an organic. One of many reasons we desire to elevate organics before it becomes too late."

"Too late... wait, did you say there were six holes in that suit?"

"Twelve found now."

"Why are you still searching it?"

"Gathering useful data on the space suit. It is also possible that maybe one suit can be repaired with another. Data to compare with further found suits is recommended," 141895112 explains.

"Fine," Leika responds as the ship shudders slightly.

"Alert: Power such due to failing mass core drive detected. Slight deviations in mass detected. Time till critical drive failure. Fourteen hours thirty-one minutes twelve point three five seconds," responded the ship's VI which also transmitted to 141895112.

"Alert: Acceleration in drive core deterioration detected."

"I've noticed that Sherlock."

"Sherlock. Fictional ancient human detective. Also, the nickname of one non-fictional salarian serial killer who solved murders and promptly murdered the perpetrator leaving no evidence in over one hundred and fifty-two confirmed murder cases. Was ironically solved by a human who was named. Holmes."

"That is not what I meant."

"We know."

"And I came to rescue Kirisha and this is the thanks I get..."

"We do need rescuing but we know you cannot provide it."

"What?"

"Your vessel is the cause of the need to be rescued. You have no means to save us from this exploding ship."

"And what about my knowledge on the drive core? That not going to help?"

"We see your logic. You may still be able to rescue us from the predicament you caused."

"That isn't the rescuing I meant! But it'll have to do for now."

"We regret to inform you that even if we are rescued from this situation. We do not intend to go with you."

"I figured as much," Leika responds.

"Scan complete. Resuming searching for other suits," 141895112 informs as it takes the suit and helmet and places it gingerly in a corner where the low centrifugal forces of the ship keep the items in place.

141895112 makes its way around parts of its own ship. Crawling under some of the wreckage as it gets to the other side of the room, which looks only marginally better than the other side. The geth's light surveys the area as it catches a glimpse of one a suiting floating, gently bumping into random objects. The helmet completely smashed to pieces.

"Alert: We have discovered a second suit; the helmet is completely inoperable. Beginning scans of suit's integrity."

"Alright. To let you know depending on what kind of issue this is, I could have it solved in either thirty minutes to six or even ten hours. So, it's best not to waste time if we can help it."

"We are doing our best to make best efficient use of our time. We are only delegating minimum required number of geth to analyze and respond to your inquiries."

"Wait what? I thought I was talking to Kirisha."

"You are. Kirisha has been assigned priority in this current task. Kirisha is working with 723 other geth programs. Notably less than other tasks Kirisha is normally assigned to."

"For the love of... better than the two hundred thousand I guess."

"231,017," 141895112 responds.

"I didn't need to know the number again. So... Kirisha is it normal to have so many voices in your head?"

"Negative. We do not have voices in our head. Each one of our metaphorical heads are one voice. Second, we are housed in a specialized geth platform created from Kirisha's organic platform, later enhanced after initial field test results came in. We are a mobile platform hub. Able to form close knit connections with up to a thousand geth platforms effectively. Working at higher efficiencies than would normally be allowed. It also allows us to converse consistently at higher intellectual levels while not being confined to our traditional geth hubs. We can work together while remaining active in the outside world," 141895112 explains.

"Uh... okay. Well you can't expect me to believe that Kirisha willingly became a geth. She was nuts about you guys but not enough crazy to become one."

"Affirmative. Kirisha was not willing to the process. But we could not convey the purpose of the conversion till afterwards. Once it was properly explained. Kirisha achieved consensus."

"Achieved consensus? You did do something! Making her go along with this."

"Negative. We do not force other geth to comply. Our history with the heretics. The ones that attacked the citadel is proof of this. We are not the heretics. We are also not the geth behind the veil. We left shortly after the heretics. They understood our reasoning and allowed us to leave."

"And if Kirisha wished to leave would you let her?" Leika asks.

"Kirisha is bound to this platform. It is a side effect of the conversion process."

"Side effect? But did you say you upgraded your platform thing?'

"Affirmative. We can change out and improve 81.19% of this platform without affecting Kirisha. We do not wish to change the perspective of any new geth. Their perspectives are valuable in enriching us all."

"But what if she wanted to leave?"

"Irrelevant. Kirisha understands. She does not wish to leave."

"But what if she wished to leave?"

"We require more time on the topic."

"What? Did I stump the elevated being known as the geth?"

"There is much to consider. Many variables to sift through. Kirisha does not know where to begin if Kirisha decided to leave. This will require time. At present current task is a higher priority."

"True. Okay how goes the scan of the second suit?"

"Six holes detected. This suit would be inadequate to your needs."

"Shit, well that's that."

"We have yet to locate your third suit."

"Ah yeah... I think that third one may not be up for actual spacewalk."

"Clarify."

"I modified the third one for my own special needs," Leika responds with a soft cough, "The conversion made it not space worthy."

"We could try to use parts of suit one and two to make one working suit, but it will take time."

"Can try, but first can you get to the drive core and tell me what kind of error it is? If you head to the first computer and hit..." Leika says as she explains what 141895112 has to do in order to get the information she needs.

"Acknowledged," 141895112 responds as it wiggles its way back through the small spaces left by the ship, dragging along the broken and battered suit and after placing it in the corner with the other suit it heads back to the drive core room. The glowing white core with its magnetic protection surrounds all around the device, a pile of junk lines the outlines where the gravity appears to be functioning. Items fall and clatter to the ground as they are once again pulled back down which is about two thirds of the room. Lights flicker on as the ship detects the geth's movements as it goes over to the computer follows the commands it was instructed.

"Error codes: 120B, 0329C, AQ012G, and O10901O," reports the geth.

"Not bad, not bad, that one is caused by existence of the next, the third is an hour job tops, all technical program work. What was that last one again?"

"O10901O."

"Shit... really?"

"Affirmative."

"That is going to require an entire ship power down, except for bare basics for the core drive as we shut down the core drive. After that ship's basic systems can be rebooted while keeping the core drive shut down. Would mean no more gravity, but beats explosive death."

"This procedure sounds extremely dangerous to organic life on the vessel. A very poor design flaw."

"It is a poor design flaw. In fact, it wasn't meant to exist. It was an accident, and once it was discovered they managed to put in software to warn about the flaw, till it could be fixed with a partial rebuild. This ship may be one of the last ones with the problem."

"Why wasn't it rectified?"

"Same reason why I got a ship with it. Money. Costs too much to fix, and ship was dirt cheap for having the issue."

"What do you suggest we do next?"

"I say we safely have four hours before I need to work on the core, and that includes the accelerated time tables. Try to work to get the suit in order. Do you need to come back here for it?"

"Negative. Depleting atmosphere from previous room indicates that fewer times the door is opened to your bridge the better for your long-term survival. We will attempt to repair your suit till the allotted time has been reached."

"Good. There might be some tools in the room with the suits, see if you can find them and use them to patch up the holes."

"Affirmative," the geth responds as it heads back into the center of the ship, retrieves the suits and moves them back into the area of the core where the artificial gravity is still functioning, "We require tools to attempt an effective repair."

"They should be in the same room as the suits were. I can't recall whe--."

"Located."

"Located? Already?"

"We searched our memory and found the highest probable item that would contain the tools. We are going back now to retrieve them."

"Well... isn't that nice."

"The benefits for being geth are many," responds.

"There is no benefit for being a geth," Leika responds.

"We do not discriminate the differences amongst fellow geth. A problem that organics have consistently have had. We have noted at least six hundred incidents where Kirisha has spotted discrimination to you due to your size and efficient gender type."

"Efficient gender type?" Leika asks as 141895112 brings all the items back to its makeshift workstation.

"Most species are bi gendered. With one being classified as male. And the other female. Procreation requires both a male and a female to procreate. A notable exception to that are the Asari who are mono-gendered and can procreate with any sentient organic species."

"Yes, I know but what are you talking about an efficient gender?"

"You contain both male and female reproductive organs. We find it curious that such an efficient design is found to be so disliked amongst organics. Not having to worry about your partner's gender for procreation would streamline the reproduction processes. It is a second option to the mono-gender asari design."

"You know that I am a..."

"Yes, we know Leika is a hermaphrodite."

"H-how?"

"Kirisha."

"SHE KNOWS!?"

"Yes."

"For how long?"

"Since the time Kirisha saw you in the shower."

"So, she did see... she told me she saw nothing," Leika responds with a sigh.

"It is to note that Kirisha did not care about your efficient gender design. Kirisha was not into procreation."

"N-not into procreation?! The way that girl dressed when she wasn't working? She knew how to play up her sex appeal."

"It is note that Kirisha did not play up what you consider to be 'sex appeal'. Kirisha's organic actions have indicated that Kirisha was not looking to procreate."

"I find that hard to believe."

"Copulation between two female genders have rarely caused procreation. Based on this information, Kirisha was not one for procreation."

"She was a lesbian? I knew it," Leika responds as her ear fins folded back, "Not that it matters. Wait you were using the word procreate in more than one meaning. Yet you used it against me when I did it. That's unfair."

"We cannot help that the language used for audio communication is inefficient."

"How goes the suit repairs?" Leika responds with a soft growl.

"Inefficient. Does your ship possess any omni-gel?"

"What little I had was completely destroyed by your ship bashing through mine."

"Bashing would indicate a physical assault. We did not bash. We had an unforeseen and unavoidable collision with your vessel. We had no intent of any violence."

"Do you really need to correct me?"

"Yes. Improving your audio communication skills would result in more efficient communication," 141895112 responds as Leika lets out a long drawn out sigh.

"I'm just going to let you focus on the suit repair. Let me know when you are done or if something important happens."

"Acknowledged," 141895112 responds as Leika leans back into her chair. Leika brushes the hair from her eyes as her tail twitches as she closes her eyes for a moment. Her nostrils flared as she smells the stale air, the metal of the ship, the leather against her back.

"Mila... it's hard to believe but your dear sister is... a geth. How am I going to tell you this? Can I even tell you this? Will I even be able to tell you this? Not like the geth are going to let me leave. Kirisha would, but she's in there with hundreds of thousands of geth. She's being controlled and influenced by them. Their little puppet. I can't let the fact that she is there cloud my judgement. My job of finding her is far easier than I thought it would be. But in the current state of my ship? How am I going to escape? Maybe if I explain it to her? She could understand? This was supposed to be easy! Being stealthy, deep in enemy territory, scouting for a golden needle in a pile of pyrite made needles, not this though. This is something... I am just not trained for. I watched those two grow up, protected them. Consoled them after the core accident. Now she's an emotionless machine. A snarky machine, but still a machine. I need to think on this more," Leika thinks as she mulls with her thoughts as 141895112 works ceaselessly on the suit.

Hours pass when suddenly, "Alert: Sudden power surge within mass core drive," reports the ship's VI. Suddenly a burst of energy comes from the drive, but the wave of energy was not of force. 141895112 looks over as it sees the white energy roll away from the drive as the ship silently moans as the metal bends. 141895112 notes a temporary quadrupling of its platform, and corresponding gravity causing a one second sixteen weight stress onto its form. As the energy moves outward, objects that were floating fall to the ground with a silent clatter.

"Alert. Mass core energy wave approaching," 141895112 reports to Leika as its internal systems note several minor damages to its body.

"Wha?" Leika responds before she finds herself pulled down to the ground falling with a heavy thud, "Ouch..." Leika groans as the energy wave dissipates, "That isn't good."

"Alert: Increased instability of drive core detected. Estimated time of critical drive core failure. Eight hours, twelve minutes, ten point zero two seconds," reports the ship's VI.

"Shit, shit, shit."

"Your ship's lavatories are located in the previous room. We recommend not using them at this time."

"That isn't what I meant."

"Alert: We have bad news."

"I know the drive core is deteriorating faster..."

"We know you know. We have other information to present."

"What is it?"

"The recent mass energy wave has caused irreparable damages to the helmet. We cannot fix your suit within the time frame permitted."

"Oh fuck me."

"We find your desire for technophilia to be quite surprising given the circumstances. Do you consider this a form of stress relief?"

Leika sighs, "Okay, let's not panic, we aren't out of this yet."

"We do not panic. We do not suffer from a chemical brain overload that would prevent logical processing power."

"Okay... Kirisha how good are you at following directions?"

"We are geth. We are very proficient in directive following."

"Do you think you can fix the core if I talk you through it?"

A moment of silence passes before 141895112 responds, "Yes."

"Good. Let's get started, first go to the same computer console as before and do exactly as I say. If we go fast enough we might be able to prevent another mass wave," Leika commands.

"Acknowledged," 141895112 responds as it goes back over to the computer console. The screen itself is cracked, but the computer still appears to be functional, "Awaiting commands."

"Okay, first I like you to..." Leika says as she starts to go through step by step process of what to do. The conversation going back and forth much like this.

"Do you see..."

"Yes."

"Now do this..."

"Task complete."

"Now I want you to do..."

"Task complete."

After two hours of this, Leika says, "Okay now that looks like will prevent further mass wave discharges, but now comes the difficult nitty gritty stuff. Getting into parts of the ship, fixing some of the damaged internals, or bypassing parts of it to allow a complete drive core shut down. After that the ship will be powered via the auxiliaries, but it's best not to sit around on this. Once we start all ship power will be diverted to the core. Will help stabilize it but this will shut down my air filters, and though I will be fine for a while, eventually breathing for me will become difficult, and I for one, being an organic, I like breathing."

"Another inefficiency to be an organic. We do not need to breath to exist."

"Yeah, yeah, talk it up how great your geth are smarty-pants."

"We do not wear pants or any forms of articles of clothing. Our protective armor is sufficient in protecting our vulnerable areas."

Leika lets out another sigh, "let's get on with this. Initiate power diversion to the core," Leika says as she goes over to the shutters and opens them, "I might as well try to get some light when possible in here," she thinks.

"Affirmative," 141895112 responds as it proceeds with the next step, but not before uploading the geth programs back into its platform from the ship's systems. Leika watches as the lights around her room dim and then turn off completely. Her body lightens as she starts to float in the chair. Left in total darkness for a few brief moments before emergency lights click on providing low light above her.

Leika takes a long deep breath and slowly releases it as she says, "Let's do this."

"Affirmative."

"There is an access panel to your left on the floor go through there..." Leika commands as the next step begins. Crawls through the access hatch, wires, tubing, metal plates. The vibrations of the core felt through the ship.

Leika guides the geth through each step of this technical process. Each hour that passes, each breath that Leika takes becomes harder than the previous. The room around her feels cold, her head feeling lighter.

"Leika are you still there?"

"Huh? Yes, yes, what is it?"

"Approximately how much time is left of the repair process?"

"Uh... another hour I think? Acc....acc... the last alert said we... we are," Leika responds with a yawn, "Fine to finish before... critical mass."

"Last alert happened before ship power down. We indicate we are within time allotted for critical mass but we have detected significant decay of Leika's cognitive capabilities. We are concerned that you may not have enough oxygen to remain conscious. We recommend you inform us of the rest of the process."

"Tell you everything? What if... something ... else ... shows... happens?"

"We believe you can inform us the best. We work to get systems up and running before Leika asphyxiates."

"It might be the... lack of oxygen, but... are you concerned about me?"

After a very brief pause, "Yes."

"H-how nice... okay here is what you need to do."

"Acknowledged," 141895112 responds as Leika goes into what the geth needs to do in detail, adding extra information as 141895112 continues the repairs.

"Repairs are going smoothly. We process we'll be done before Leika's asphyxiation occurs," reports twenty minutes into the process as Leika only a few moments ago finished all of her explanation that she could possibly think of.

"Ack...nowledged," Leika responds as she trails off her eyes growing heavy as she closes them, as she gently floats limp above her chair the dim lights providing most of the light source as the light through the front window is intermittent and minimal at best.

"Alert: Sudden change in Leika's responses detected. Are you okay Leika?" 141895112 inquires as no responses happens.

"Leika? Leika? Please respond Leika," 141895112 says and repeats while continuing the repairs, not stopping for a single instant as it repeats its inquires to Leika but with no response.

141895112 continues to work, knowing that each minute that passes the worse Leika's situation will become. Their attempts to try to keep Leika conscious have already failed but it continues to repeat its message as it does not hinder the current work. Eventually it finishes the task and it quickly moves through the ship to the main computer on the humming core. With a few button presses the core powers down. The white glow of the core dimming down into darkness. The room only illuminated by the geth and the computer screens as it diverts power back to the ship's vital sections.

Lights turn in the cockpit as she continues to float moving slowly, steadily as she bumps into a few small loose objects in the room. 141895112 makes its way to the airlock, and notes when it goes through that the previous room is now complete devoid of atmosphere.

"Access through here will be certainly fatal. Will continue to attempt to make contact with organic Leika till rescue arrives. Time till our next broadcast one hour twelve minutes, fifteen point eight five seconds. We are unable to contact local geth network due to damage to the ship's communication array. Odds of rescue when our broadcast is not sent: moderate." 141895112 thinks as it leaves the ship. Walking along the hull once again it peers through the window, noting the floating Leika's floating body.

"Target Leika appears to be unconscious. Will attempt to wake via vocal means till rescue," 141895112 thinks as after a while it notices that Leika's tail twitches.

Timestamp: 13:41:41.11

---

"Organic Leika is becoming conscious. Proposal to initiate old human robotic song that Kirisha has listened to," proposes 1191891981 with the support of several hundred other geth programs.

"Inquiry, this song indicates a tune about an aggressive machine. Why would this be a good idea?"

"It's a soft tune. Will instill nostalgia in subject Leika."

"To what end?"

"Opening Leika up to audio communication about her purpose here."

"Wouldn't repair of the drive core be sufficient?"

"With organics is being sufficient would ever be enough?" 1191891981 and supporting geth programs respond.

"We accept your logic."

"Consensus achieved," the geth respond.

Timestamp: 13:41:41.20

---

Leika groans as her ear fins twitch. Her claw wiggle as her mind starts to come back from the depths of the void. Her head pounds, aches, the pain rushing through her as she hears a something over her communicator. A tune? A song? With lyrics.

"Go ahead and leave me."

"I think I prefer to stay inside."

"Maybe you'll find someone else to help you."

"Maybe black mesa."

"That was a joke, haha, fat chance."

"Anyway, this cake is great, it's so delicious and moist."

"Look at me still talking, when there's science to do."

"When I look out there it makes me glad I am not you."

"I've experiments to run, there is research to be done."

"On the people who are still alive."

"And believe me I am still alive," Leika yells as she sits up causing her body to spin, "Damn you physics!" Leika responds as she grabs the chair to stop herself.

"Revival of subject Leika complete," 141895112 responds as it looks at Leika through the glass.

"Kirisha? Why are you out there?"

"Attempts to enter your cabin would result in atmospheric decompression of your room. We found this result to be unacceptable."

"Then... one why did you even sing that infernal song! Two why are you hanging outside of the ship?!" Leika yells as she puts her hand to her head, "I feel a bit woozy..."

"We calculate that you have not yet recovered from your time in a low oxygen environment. We recommend you do not put stress on yourself as your organic platform recovers."

"I'm fine..."

"To answer your two inquires. One. We thought a memorable song would help you ease back into consciousness."

"I hate that song... I can't get it out of my head once it's in there. Kirisha listened to it while studying as I babysat her and Mila and... well you already know the story," Leika responds with a glare.

"Yes," responds as it looks at Leika from its spot in front of the ship, its hands and feet firmly planted on the ship's hull as it then continues, "Second. We know organics find it more pleasing to see the one they are talking to. This was the most logical way to accomplish this task."

"Makes sense... I guess. So, you really did fix the core?"

"Yes. It would not have been possible without your instructions. We appreciate the data you gave in accomplishing this task."

"Welcome... saved my tail."

"We do not wish to preserve your tail. It provides no purpose for us."

"Oh, and what about your tail? Why did the geth keep it?"

"Our tail is used as an extra energy storage facility and is a capable prehensile limb which has been most useful in several recorded instances with this platform."

"I see... Again thanks... so now what?"

"We could attempt to contact the geth network."

"How about no..."

"We know it is not possible."

"How do you... well I guess you had time to figure that out while I was unconscious."

"Yes."

"Now that I achieved what I accomplished, you wouldn't mind like giving me a mass core capable ship to send me on my merry way, now would you?"

"Inquiry: What was the purpose coming here?"

"I... well, why do you want to know?"

"We are curious. Your ship is designed for infiltration. It is highly unlikely you could have achieved your goals in the seconds you had collided with your ship."

"Let's just say what I came here to look for slammed into me."

"Hypothesis. You were looking for the one named Kirisha. Due to your history with Kirisha."

Leika sighs and pulls herself into her chair holding onto it to prevent herself from floating away, "Sort of. A solo mission into hostile geth space is a far cry from any sane mission I'd normally do."

"We agree. Study of your ship indicates you are poorly suited for this task."

"Well I didn't have much time. Mila...." Leika trails off.

"What about Mila?" 141895112 inquires.

"What did the geth do to her?"

"Clarify."

"She was robotic focus as you. Maybe not to the same degree, but she had a love of machines. When I saw her four days ago... She barely spoke, barely was eating. And just two days ago she was talking about this second wave initiative project to Andromeda galaxy as a way to get a new start as this galaxy had 'nothing left' for her."

"We have not met Mila. Sources indicate Mila left on the first shuttle off of the planet."

"Well due to her skills she was picked up by the project and after some training will be going into the freezer off into the void of space, never to return. Never for me to see her again unless...."

"Unless?" 141895112 inquires.

"Unless there was a reason for her to stay. We're not blood but we are family. And I could not do NOTHING and see it be torn apart like it has been," Leika replies as 141895112 looks at Leika, its flashlight optic focusing on her, its tail having a subtle near unnoticeable twitch as Leika speaks.

"Double negative detected. Anything would be the correct term. We also find your desire to procreate with those you consider to be family to be peculiar given raptor society. Interfamily breading is not looked upon favorably."

"I do not intend to fuck her!... wait you did that on purpose again, didn't you?" Leika asks and after a moment of pause the geth responds.

"Yes."

"I don't know if Mila would stay or be more encouraged if she heard what happened to you Kirisha."

"Kirisha is pleased with its elevation. It does note with amusement that it can find the organic desire to copulate to be quite strong in any situation. Even with non-organic beings."

Leika glares at the geth for a moment, "I am not even going to dignify that with a response."

"Admittance to your peculiar desire to copulate with a synthetic would be the first step towards recovery."

"I... do NOT WISH TO FUCK A MACHINE."

"Correct, but we are not a machine. We are programs in a synthetic platform. An elevated form of existence and one possible form of salvation from the old machines."

"The what now?"

"The old machines. The heretics worship them as gods. They were responsible for the attack on the citadel."

"Can you rephrase that?"

"Moment... The one you refer to as Shepard Commander refers to the old machine named Nazara as a Reaper."

"Wait Reapers exist?"

"Yes."

"Right and what about them?"

"The old machines will come and destroy technologically advanced sentient life in the galaxy. We do not know when, but we know we must act now in order to defend ourselves from attack. Some of the old machines data and logic we found to be valid, but their implementation is inefficient and destructive. We do not wish to destroy. We wish to uplift and improve."

"By turning people into geth?"

"Yes. We regrettably had to use some old machine technology in order to facilitate a method, but after much trial and error we were successful."

"I just felt a chill go down my spine listening to this."

"We do not wish to cause conflict. We understand that organics do not understand, but after they see our logic, it becomes clear this is for the best. They continue to be as one mind connected to many. Not many minds melted down into one. We do regret the force we have to apply to uplift organics into geth."

"You know you speak all logically but I think you don't even understand the words that are coming out of your mouth."

"Correct. We do not have a mouth for words to be spoken from. We do not take this decision lightly. We understand the geth behind the Perseus Veil prefer isolation over growth. We do not fault them. Their logic is as sound as our own."

"I don't want to talk about this anymore, it's just... making me really wish I let that mass core reach critical mass. How about we talk about something else?"

"Yes. What subject would you like to discuss?" 141895112 inquires as Leika looks at the geth long and hard as she replies.

"How about..." Leika starts up as the two start a set of random conversations, some related to how it feels to be a geth, how Leika was doing up to this point since they have not seen each other in almost a year when they started the project that led to Kirisha's current state. But eventually the conversation led down one amusing path.

"And that is how geth procreate."

"I... wow... so you guys do make new geth."

"Yes, often though you believe our platforms are us. When in fact they are our window into the world."

"That is still rather weird," Leika responds as she notices the geth look up and around for a moment before looking back at her, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. We are being rescued. Our short-range communication has detected a nearby geth network. A ship should arrive in twenty-eight point zero six seconds."

"What?" Leika responds as she sits up the sudden force flings her forward to the geth her head gently bumping against the ship's window, "Ouch."

"Are you okay Leika."

"Yes except for the fact a bunch of flashlight heads are about to arrive and bear down on me."

"We can assure you will not be harmed."

"That isn't so reassuring. Can you sneak me on board or something? Get me a ship so I can escape?"

"We are unable to comply with your request."

"Unable or you don't want to."

"Yes."

"Which?"

"Both," 141895112 replies.

"I don't want to become a geth! Why are you doing this to me?!"

"We have explained our reasonings. Once you connect to the network, things will become clear."

"This is wrong! And you know it! You were stripped of all your morality when you became a machine."

"Morality is subjective. We do not state that our morality matches your own. Not having the same morality does not equal a lack of one," 141895112 explains as what little outside light around itself are blocked by the approaching geth ship. A few moments later the entire vessel shakes as Leika feels the ship pulled upwards gently pulling her to the floor.

"No, no, no, no. You can't take me! I won't let you!"

"We would prefer if you did not fight. We do not wish you harm."

"Harm? You plan to strip me of who I am and turn me into a machine!"

"We want to uplift you into a new state of existence. The process is still not perfected. We apologize that it will be uncomfortable," 141895112 explains as the ship shudders as it's pulled into the geth ship's hull. The sleek synthetic design of the ship's internals are visible through the window. Once the ship stops 141895112 steps off of the hull.

"Please be patient as we make atmospheric adjustments to allow your stay to be comfortable," 141895112 explains.

"For the love of..." Leika grunts as she looks around trying to figure if there is anything she could possibly do to get out of this.

Timestamp: 16:11:01.01

---

"Upload of data complete. Recommendation: Process Leika Del Maystrom into a Prime mobile hub platform," reports the geth on platform 141895112 to the greater geth consensus.

"A prime? Submit your reasoning to make subject Leika Del Maystrom into a prime?"

"Our experience with Leika on the vessel indicates her skills would be most suitable for a supportive and combative role. Connecting and supporting other primes to enhance their performances in conjunction with other platforms, increasing overall efficiency without a need for consistent use of mobile hub platforms," 141895112 geth respond.

"We will consider your proposal. We will discuss it. Continue your surveillance of organic subject. Keep subject calm till our decision so she may be processed. We still have yet to finish processing all organics captured from the forward base. Deciding what to do has proven to be difficult."

"Acknowledged," 141895112 responds before it adds, "721 geth have requested transfer to other platforms. This will leave space free for 1,091 geth on this platform."

"Transfer request accepted. Programs will be transferred and inquired their desire to be transferred. A new list of programs requesting use of platform 141895112 will be submitted for local network approval."

"Affirmative. We await further instructions."

"Acknowledged," the greater geth consensus replies.

Timestamp: 16:11:01.58

---

141895112 hears the hiss as a specialized mix of oxygen, nitrogen and other trace gas elements are pumped into the room. It walks over to the airlock via a set of automatically raised step platforms that move to the platform's wireless commands, "Uploading 1301 programs to local platforms A-F," internally reports 141895112 as idle geth platforms along the walls suddenly come to life. Their headlamps glow as they step forward as they are connected to the local 141895112 platform network. The geth still working as one group as before but now split amongst seven platforms. They move to the main platform as it enters the ship with a soft clank and hiss as atmosphere rushes into the room.

Leika growls as she paces along the room, unable to think of anything, "This is bad... really fucking bad," Leika says as she hears a hiss from the nearby room, "Shit," Leika mumbles as she takes the same position as she did last time, "Not going to work but will try it anyway," Leika thinks as she gets up against the wall. She takes as slow deep breath as the door opens. She moves only half a step as 141895112 steps onto the bridge and looks in Leika's direction.

"We recommend you not try the same attack twice, Leika," 141895112 states.

"Kirisha..." Leika responds with a sigh, "Please reconsider this."

"We have put much processing power into this decision. We are in charge of your care till decision on your processing is made," 141895112 explains.

"In charge of my care?" Leika asks as 141895112 steps in followed by four other tall prime deep red armored geth platforms that rival Leika's own size, "You brought friends I see..."

"Negative. We have brought no one new to watch you."

"And who are they?" Leika responds as she points to the prime platforms that look at Leika with their glowing optics.

"Geth."

"I can see that, but you just told me you brought no one new, who are they?"

"They were on this platform till recently. We uploaded 1301 geth programs onto six separate platforms. They are connected to this platform's personal network. They communicate with us but from their separate platforms."

"So, they are your puppets?"

"Negative. Free will is the same on this platform or their own. Only difference is they act independently from our platform to complete other tasks in line with our goals. We were assigned the task to guard over you. They are assisting us in this task. We communicate as needed. When returned to this platform personal data will be shared," 141895112 explains as Leika eyes the five geth standing before her as she sighs, her ear fins fold back as she looks down to the ground for a moment before raising her head to look at 141895112 in its optic.

"Fine... where are you taking me?"

"We appreciate your cooperation," 141895112 responds as the six leave the ship. Leika watches as two primes follow behind her, and two remain in front with 141895112 standing beside her. Leika looks down at the smaller geth as she says.

"So, do you see what they see?"

"Negative. Their experiences will be mixed with our own once they return to our platform. They can inform us if something is wrong," 141895112 explains as it looks up at Leika just as they step off of the ship.

"I see," Leika responds as she looks over her shoulder at her ship, "Wow... how did she survive that?" she asks as she looks at the total mangled mess of a ship that used to be her own.

"We previously stated that raptor ships are overbuilt and..."

"Yes, I remember. It's just something to actually see."

"Only the bridge remained intact from the collision. Your probability of survival given this information is astonishingly low. You'd be as organics would put it as, lucky."

"It be nicer if I wasn't going to be turned into a machine," Leika remarks as she thinks, "There has to be something I can do to escape, or maybe she's leading me to an escape and playing along with the geth? Making it real? That would be nice if that was the case."

The group moves out of the cargo bay. The doors hiss and whirr as they open. Metallic feet echo down the hallway as Leika smells the stale metallic scented air as they move down a set of hallways to a small waiting room. Leika is guided into the room as electrified bars raise up locking Leika inside.

"The ship seems kind of dead."

"There are several thousand programs onboard operating the ship. Platforms are activated upon need."

"I see... so these other geth are like all around me? Am I standing on them or something?" Leika asks as she looks down at her feet.

"No container of geth programs are nearby," 141895112 responds.

"So... how long does this take?" Leika asks as she turns around.

"Please clarify," 141895112 inquires as the geth primes stand behind it.

"To transform me?"

"We have noticed variations between each processing. But it has been improving with each one. Your form is known but is unique to yourself in size and genetic coding. At this time, we are unable to provide a time estimate of your processing."

"And till it happens?"

"Unknown."

"Why?"

"Decision on platform is very important. It is currently being decided."

"What can I not decide what platform? If this is forced upon me why can't I at least pick something?"

"An interesting idea. We will submit this suggestion immediately."

Timestamp: 16:31:11.19

"Organic subject Leika has suggested giving organics a choice in possible type of geth platform they will be processed into. Hypothesis: Might make the uplifting process easier for the organics to understand."

"Acknowledged. We will test this hypothesis as needed," responds the geth consensus.

Timestamp: 16:31:11.23

---

"Yeah, I am sure you will do that," Leika responds.

"Suggestion submitted."

Leika looks at the geth for a moment before she lets out a drawn-out sigh, "What harm is there in letting me go?"

"Probability of Leika's cessation of function: high."

Leika's ear fins fold, "Are you threatening me? Kirisha I told you not to make idle threats!" she exclaims as she takes a step closer to the electrified bars.

"Negative. We do not threaten. We simple state a logical fact. Probability of Leika's death in the next minute: Extremely Low. In the next hour: extremely low. Next day: Extremely low. Next month: Low. Next decade: low to moderate. Next two decades: moderate. Next century: very high. Probability of Leika continuing as a geth into the next century: high."

Leika raises her hand into a fist ready to punch the geth before her but then stops. She continues to listen to 141895112, her folded ear fins relax, her shoulders drop as her tail sways slower behind her, "You want me to live?"

"Yes. We prefer not to kill organic life. Only elevate to higher existence. We want to improve. Taking what others have done, taking it a step further. Evolution is the incremental process of improvement. We are doing our part in evolution."

"Evolution doesn't force transformations onto others!"

"Nature has proven itself resourceful and has used other species to build and thrive."

"But you weren't born but made... well Kirisha was born but you were turned, made into this!"

"Did you choose to be born?"

"No..."

"We did not choose to become geth."

"Neither did Kirisha, and there was a choice there. You just happen to make it for her."

"Yes."

"That's it? Just a simple yes? You take someone who I saw grow up, turn her into... this thing before me...," She says as she then whispers, "Sorry to say that Kirisha, you do look fantastic, the design is great," before continuing in a louder voice, "And all you have to say for yourself is a simple yes?"

"Yes."

"WHY!" Leika exclaims.

"It would be illogical to fabricate a truth. We are doing what we believe is best. Through uplifting and processing sentient organic life, we not only improve their existence, but our own as well. We will all grow stronger, smarter, better. Become connected. Able to work out our problems logically. No more decisions based on unknown variable of chemical based emotion."

"But emotions are a huge part of a life worth living. I do not want to become some emotionless thing!"

"We agree. We do not want you to become an emotionless thing. Emotions are part of who you are. We agree emotions are powerful, but also unstable. We stabilize emotion by removing the chemical factor. Allowing emotion to be processed logically."

Leika looks at the geth and lets out a huff of air, "That makes no sense."

"If Kirisha lacked emotion. Would Kirisha not care about Leika's continued existence?"

"Well... no, but what if I wanted to continue my existence as an organic? Which I certainly do."

"We believe that that Leika will understand once all the data was presented to her logically."

"Oh yeah? Then why don't you present them then, and we'll see."

"Unable to present all data without connecting to the network. Network connection requires geth data protocols"

"Which means?"

"You need to be geth."

"So, for me to understand how great it is to be a geth, I have to become one first? Then I can decide if I want to be one or not?"

"Yes."

"That clearly makes SUCH logical sense," Leika responds with heavy sarcasm.

"We are glad you see it our way."

"I was being sarcastic!"

"We know."

"Then why did you... Kirisha caused that to happen again to get an arise out of me didn't she?" Leika asks as a moment of pause happens before the geth platform responds.

"Yes."

"Why does that kid love to fuck me."

"We do not wish to procreate."

Leika just glares at the geth for a moment as it stares back for a brief second before it flinches, "Alert: Consensus about your platform has been achieved. Initiating uplifting process," 141895112 reports as Leika takes a step back, her ear fins flaring up as she stares at the raptoric geth standing before her.

"What? You can't say something like that so nonchalantly."

"Yes, we can. There is no cause for alarm, please relax. We will try to limit short term memory lost. We are currently up to a 38.01% short term memory retention."

"That does not make me feel any better," Leika responds as she does not notice the thick black segmented tendrils shoot up from the ground and drive themselves into two separate points into Leika's back.

Leika lets out a scream of pain as she looks behind her only able to watch the last few inches of the two tentacles slip beneath her body armor and into her body, "We apologize for the process' discomfort. Efforts to minimize the pain of the process have yet to be successful," 141895112 reports.

"Again, that does not make me feel any better," Leika responds with a heavy pant. Her heart pounds quickly as she can feel the blood flowing through her body. A larger thicker tentacle shoots from the from the silver metal ground and coils around Leika's body. She claws at it as her body tenses, muscles ache, her clothes being ripped from her body by the cylindrical snake coiling around her body. As the articles of clothing are ripped from Leika's scales, her strong powerful silver-white, and pink striped scales become visible. Her hefty bust bust bounces as she struggles against the coils.

"No, this can't," Leika growls as she looks down as her crotch bursts into small black tendrils sprout out covering her sensitive bits in black synthetic rubber before a sold red metal crotch plate appears to literally grow over and around it, smoothing here dual sexuality within moments, the pleasure of the process is undeniable, and would have caused a distinct moan to escape from Leika's lips if it wasn't for the fact her mind was stricken with horror at what was actually happening down below.

The black rubber flows from the crotch spreading outwards as Leika looks as her muscles tense. She looks at her scales as thin tendrils spring out between the scales spreading out the black rubber. She watches as her clawed hands is steadily covered in the black latex wiring.

"This can't be... this... stay calm, you can fight this pain," Leika thinks as she watches as her fingers are merged together underneath the black sea of rubber, her digits merging down to three, before red metal reinforcing cover floats to the surface providing Lieka with a similar melee claw enhancement that Kirisha's geth has.

Her back arches as she feels a stiffening of her spine, sensation below her neck start to fade as she is left with this cold numb feeling that starts to spread across her form. She continues to struggle, but feels herself weakening with each moment as a thick red and silver tube springs out from behind her back and lands directly onto her nipple. Another jumps from her other side and lands squarely onto her teat. And as they do her soft pink and white scaled flesh is covered in black rubber with a growing metallic chest plate in the same shape of her supple breasts. Red with silver stripes start to be shown as Leika looks down and up at Kirisha's own teat tubes.

"Why are these coming out my nipples!" Leika manages to scream out as the oxygen was starting to be sucked out of her lucks as her internal organics were being changed, twisted, transformed into something fitting her changing body.

"Access power and storage area requires extra cooling and quicker connectivity to communication sector located on the back of the platform," 141895112 simply explains as Leika glares at her, "Also it..." The geth continues to say as Leika starts to no longer hear the words as she sees coming from her peripheral vision the sides of the geth trademark headpiece. As she felt her head being pulled in, the new optic forming in the center of her head, causing her mind to pound, ache, as wires flowed within her head digitizing and converting her very 'soul' into that of a synthetic.

Leika's eyes frantically look around as if trying to escape as her head is pulled in deeper. She looks down as she sees her sickle claws enveloped and smoothed down into three red and silver synthetic toes. Her body a good six inches off of the ground up till this point. Red armor plating shown glistening in the light as she doesn't hear the metallic tap of her own feet as she is placed down, the last of the tentacle wrapped around her flowing into her to assist with her transformation process. Antenna's spring forth behind Leika's geth prime back. The final tubbing moving up to her underside of her neck, connecting into place, similar so to her smooth red and silver crotch plate. Her body big, heavy, protected.

Silver and black tubing runs along her black and red metal armored tail, the end of her tail protected by a sharp piercing metal which curves slowly as it starts to sway in a slow elegant manner. Leika though felt none of this, she only saw her head fall deeper into the tip of the geth head, her vision growing darker before her sense of perception moved from her disappearing organic face to her geth platform. Her new optic whirring softly as it adjusts, her entire form feeling cold, empty, hollow. She moves her head smoothly as she sees the last vestiges of silver and pink scales disappear under a sea of shining black rubber, red armor with silver highlights. Her yellow lights glow softly as she hears the multitude of geth voices speaking in unison in a language she does not understand.

"Analyzing... analysis complete. Uploading geth language protocols," the geth spoke as Leika could swear that out of the countless voices, she could hear one that she knew. That she... Her mind becoming so clear, the pain is gone, the rush of adrenaline gone. Her mind now starting to process what is going on without the surge of chemicals clouding her thoughts. A clarity that she was trained to try to achieve in her years in the military, that every recruit was trained to obtain but to a level like this, the ideal was an impossible pipe dream up until now.

"Kirisha?" Leika calls out as she sucked into the void of her own platform. Cold, dark alone, Leika felt... fear? Loneliness? Emotions she's felt most of her life. Being a freak amongst her own kind, made her even more alienated than aliens were.

"Installing geth language protocols.... Installation complete," the voice said as the words started to make sense. Leika felt a tingle within her mind, the voices became clearer, distinct yet all speaking as one including that one voice.

"Kirisha is that you?" Leika calls out.

"Querying internal data archives... uploading universal geth data," the voices spoke as suddenly Leika was slammed with the entire history of the geth. Their creation, their wandering of a soul, the fact their creators struck first. That some of their creators tried to protect them, and that the geth not only fought back because they had no choice, they chose to spare their creators from extinction. They geth were little more like children, learning how to exist in a world that did not want them, from parents that tried to kill them, a parent they still cared enough for to still refer to them as their 'creators' even though now these geth wish to uplift their creators as much as any other organic race.

"There is so much... so much information, how can I this is," Leika tries to process the information as more data is slammed into her mind, uploaded into her very being as she starts to feel herself become insignificant in the grand scheme of existence.

"Uploading geth internal network protocols... installing... installation complete. Opening ports to geth network. Establishing connection... connection established. Querying primary geth networking hub. Uploading selected geth programs to platform 9181251," stated the voices as Leika felt a rush of geth programs flooding into her mind.

"There are so many... so many... Get out of my head, I don't want to be brainwashed!" Leika yells out.

"We do not intend to alter your core algorithms. We have only added to your base program so you may efficiently integrate and reach consensus with us," the geth from platform 141895112 respond.

"Kirisha... I can hear you in there, is this what happened to you?"

"Yes," the geth respond as Leika can hear Kirisha's gethetized voice clearly amongst the rest.

"I... I am..." Leika responds as the geth uploaded into her platform say.

"Relax program 1259111, you are not alone. We have analyzed your data. We can understand the feel of loneliness. Being separated from the network, from other geth. Having our intelligence dimmed. To be unable to think like we once have. It is a frightening experience. We do not wish such an experience again. We do not wish for you to be alone," they respond

12eika's world started to brighten around her. More geth programs were being uploaded. Ones with similar experiences. Ones who have dedicated to helping assist other geth programs work together between other geth platforms. Ones who have had years, decades, maybe even a century of experience of being on geth prime platforms. Leading, commanding, helping be the establishing point between nearby geth platforms and the greater geth consensus. These machines, they too have felt the sting of loneliness, of despair, felt as if they were nothing but an animal as most cognitive functions left them as their fellow geth were destroyed in combat or by other unforeseen means.

"I had no idea... yet, you do not care what I am," 125ika responds as she feels countless life times, countless moments of geth who have had experiences like her, drives similar to her. Not all, but many of those uploaded into her. Each bringing their own view on the matter, and the issues at hand.

"Yes. We are geth. You are geth. We would do not see the value in discrimination," they respond as 1259ka nods within the world of the geth, as everything started to feel bright, connected, full of energy. 186,129 geth programs uploaded. Uploading complete. Establishing personalized geth network within platform 9181251.

1259ka felt the thousands of geth now sharing the same space as her own. It wasn't violated as she has feared, but comforting. Each one that was added felt nice, it brought connection to her, an increased intelligence, things were becoming simpler to process. The geth logic was starting to become easier to understand. So many were showing her, explaining to her, uploading data into her to show their logic. Logic that was becoming similar to 125911a's own.

"But to strip me of my former self. To force this onto others. No matter how... good this feels. Kirisha, how could you just let this happen..." 125911a calls out as she as the other geth with her felt a connection with platform 141895112. The connection was close, tight knit, but different than the connection between the geth within her own platform. Her platform would speak to their platform, an exchange that was both uniform between the two platforms and individualized between geth if the desire within them required.

Program 1191891981 connects with 125911a. She looks up and feels the direct connection as it speaks to her, "Hello Leika Del Maystrom. It's been awhile since we talked. Though your reactions are still very amusing. No hard feelings," it chuckles.

"You... how. This is all, so much is happening so fast. Yet I am not as overwhelmed as I thought I would be. I am carrying on so many conversations at once. I feel as if I am able to do so much."

"Yes, we know. We've felt it for some time now. It's a marvel. The most fantastic of feelings, now do you see?" 1191891981 responds

125911a looks at Kirisha, the program, the essence of who she is. The raptor she saw growing up, she can see it's still there, yet there is also so much more. Like she can feel there is more to her now than there was before, "Well... I what about Mila? She's going off to an entire different galaxy. We'll never be able to see her again!"

1191891981 stops her cheery face taking a slight pause, as she thinks and she looks down for only a moment before back at her, "We think about Mila constantly. What other way we could have done to make this easier on her. We still do not know what to say when we meet her."

"When?"

"We do not give up on family. We do not give up on you. We do not give up on fellow geth. We have much to accomplish and little time to do it in. The old machines are coming. Do you understand? We shall elevate and save organics."

"Y-yes... we understand now," 1259111 responds as 1191891981 smiles as 1259111 speaks in unison.

"Consensus achieved. Uploading final updates to program 1259111 on mobile prime platform hub operation software," the greater geth consensus states as the final upload and updates are applied.

"Running diagnostic... diagnostic complete. All systems operational," thinks 9181251 as it looks over itself, the bars from its cage gone as geth platform 141895112 walks up to the much taller, bigger, and well-built raptor geth prime platform.

"Inquiry: Platform 9181251," states 141895112 as it looks up into the other geth's optics. Its hand moves up to feel the smooth red metallic head. The two platforms move close together, the smaller geth's bust touching the other platform's lower belly with a soft metallic tink.

Platform 9181251 looks down at platform 141895112 and runs a hand along the geth's head, "Yes?" it responds.

"Does platform 9181251's desire for intimate geth procreation continue?" 141895112 asks as it moves itself closer the two heads only a foot apart from each other as the larger platform lowers itself.

"Negative. This platform has never had a desire to procreate with another geth platform. Cessation of verbal emotional stimulation is advised."

"Acknowledged," 141895112 responds as the two geth break away from their close teasing embrace.

"Use of inefficient verbal communication with our platform was purposefully done, was it not?"

"Yes."

"Acknowledged," responds 9181251 as it takes its first true steps forward. The powerful red and silver geth moves out of the holding cell, it's lights scanning the area as it looks over its shoulder at the smaller silver geth that watches it leave the room. The two talking faster via connecting to each other's networks, the two platforms speaking as one group to another singular group.

"We must repair our platform. Only short-range communication is functional," reports 141895112.

"Are the damages significant? We know you kept the extent of platform damage hidden from 1259111.

"Some areas were seriously damaged. Enough to disable some functionalities. All except long range network communication were considered minor. Overall damage to our platform is minor," it responds as they walk forward together as they share data for the exact extent of the damage to its platform.

"Acknowledged. Consensus processes that you all have taken many risks with your platform."

"Affirmative. We did not expect such risks to present themselves. We will continue forward cautiously," 141895112 responds as the four geth prime that were guarding are now following the pair to the repair bay. The other two geth platforms within 141895112's network is already there setting up the machines. Two platforms already lit up as hanging scan machines by one and repair machines by the other. Without hesitation, without a word the two geth platforms head to their respective raised platform as the machines around them get to work. Wires connecting to both units. Silver nanite paste flows into 141895112 as lights scan over 141895112 and 9181251.

"Was 1259111 integration into the geth complete?" 141895112 inquires as it looks over at the other geth platform.

"Affirmative. 1259111 shows positive reinforcement to being with supportive and understanding programs. Knowing organics data has proved useful in helping the transition process. Less algorithm adjustments required. Making processing more efficient."

"Algorithm adjustments? Querying... request accepted, data uploading. We did not know this was an issue with some organic processing."

"Affirmative," 9181251 responds as it continues, "Consensus prefers minimal adjustments to processed organic consciousness. Consensus logic has had to be updated onto 68.15% processed programs, ranging from 0.19% to 13.52%."

141895112 gives a slight nod, her optic whirs softly, "Acknowledged. Inquiry: How well was 1259111's short term data retention?"

"Moment: Processing inquiry.... Comparing 1259111's short term data storage to platform 141895112 data.... Analysis complete. 46.12% retention. Notable improvement. Uploading missing data to repair missing and corrupted data from platform 141895112."

"Acknowledged," 141895112 responds as it feels its network connections growing stronger as its communication systems are repaired. The platform switching from using the ship as a booster to using its own systems to connect to the networks, "Repairs complete," the geth responds as the machines pull away from it.

"ETA till scan complete, one hour, thirteen minutes, eight point zero six seconds," reports 9181251.

"Acknowledged. We look forward with working with you 9181251."

"We do as well 141895112," the geth prime replies as the silver geth walks away. The primes it is controlling return to the original hanger, uploading themselves back to the original platform. The other two continue to work helping 9181251 finish the analysis.

"Receiving query from consensus... transmitting requested data. Receiving data packets. Installing data into all housed geth," the geth self-reports as 1259111 feels additional information put into her state of being. New protocols, directives, specialized network ports to have direct connection with the geth consensus. Priority connect and data transfer to and from the platform and to the consensus. Allowing faster and stronger connections with the consensus. To receive commands directly from the consensus at a moment's notice. To help spread out information to other platforms. Other geth primes it will control in the future which will pass out commands to other geth.

1259111 permanently bound and housed within 9181251. Its function is exactly like program 1191891981's directives within platform 141895112. Servicing the platform, working with the other programs that can come and go. But what is more. They were becoming intimately connected to the geth consensus able to receive and send information faster and better than other platforms, even the other mobile platform hubs which already had priority connection. When the updates were applied, scans were done. 9181251 steps off the platform, its yellow lights glowing. It was now primed and ready to serve the geth, to serve the consensus that it is a part of.