by Cole Price
I searched for a few moments, finding the access tube Adams had described.
Just in time.
The kinetic barrier flickered and then snapped off. Suddenly the staging bay filled with howling wind, as every molecule of air in the entire space decided to fling itself into the abyss. Fortunately a safety rail was close by, and I had already turned on my boot magnets. I grabbed, held on, and rode out the short-but-fierce storm.
“Doctor? Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. A little more excitement than I really hoped for this morning.”
“I can imagine.”
“Here’s the access tube. Give me five minutes.”
Fortunately the Cerberus engineers who had built the second Normandy knew their trade. I had no trouble wedging myself into the access tube, cycling the tiny airlock, and then climbing two decks. A touch of claustrophobia encouraged me to move quickly. In much less than five minutes, I emerged in the life-support compartment, pulling my helmet off with a gasp the moment I felt safe.
I met Adams by the memorial wall. Not the best of omens.
“Doctor, I’m glad you’re here. I think I’ve traced the problem to the AI core compartment.”
“EDI is down?”
“Seems that way. Unfortunately no one in my department is an expert in AI engineering. I hoped you might have some insight.”
I shook my head. “I’m not an expert either. Not that it would make much difference. EDI is unique.”
“No idea what might have taken it offline?”
“It has always been very stable. One might almost say trustworthy, since Joker unshackled it and granted it free will.” Suddenly a thought came to me. “You say the trouble is in its compartment?”
Adams shrugged. “That’s where the faults in the ship’s control network all seem to be coming from.”
“Goddess. It’s not EDI.”
“Doctor?”
“It’s the Cerberus mech.” I turned to hurry toward the medical bay. “Get more men, and arm yourselves!”
I didn’t wait to see if Adams obeyed me. I ran through the medical bay, Dr. Chakwas leaping to her feet in shock as I passed, and pulled up at the door to the AI core.
Sounds came from inside: a hiss, a thumping noise.
The door failed to respond to my touch on the control plate. I hastily pulled off the left gauntlet of my suit and accessed my omni-tool to hack the lock.
The door opened.
Flames erupted. I screamed and slammed a barrier down by reflex, barely in time to deflect an incineration charge that would likely have burned my face off. The charge flew into a cabinet to my side, melting the plastic and setting a small fire.
More flames already burned inside the compartment. Smoke rolled out into the medical bay, dense enough to choke me. I kept my barrier up to avoid inhaling the worst of it.
Something moved in the smoke, fast, but not as lightning-quick as I had seen on Mars.
Blue-white light surged around my shoulders, down my arms. I used a powerful telekinetic throw to knock whatever-it-was off its feet. I guessed it to be the Cerberus mech, but I couldn’t get a clear look. Some object flew back and crashed against the back of the compartment with a clatter.
“Doc-oc-oc-tor . . . t-t-t-sooh-oh-oh-neee . . .” EDI’s voice, horribly slow and distorted.
I stepped into the AI core, straining to see what was happening behind the smoke.
“. . . ssss . . . sssst-t-t-t . . .”
Stasis!
I brought my hands together before me, cupping them in the control gesture I had taught myself for a stasis field.
A skein of white light appeared behind the smoke, barely visible, coiling around some object as it tried to rise.
SLAM. Heavy machinery leaped into action elsewhere in the ship, the sound echoing through the hull.
Footsteps drummed on the deck behind me. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Lieutenant Adams with two of his engineers, carrying sidearms and fire extinguishers, wearing breathing masks.
Suddenly I realized that it had become quiet, that nothing more attacked me.
The fire-suppression system finally switched on, dropping water on me from above.
“EDI?” I tried to peer through the smoke, my eyes stinging and running with tears.
I heard a deep sound, like machinery spinning up to full operation, to my left, then to my right. Deep blue lights began to shine through the smoke, processing banks coming back online. Ventilation systems kicked in, pulling the smoke away.
The deliberate click-click of footsteps, coming out of the smoke. An orange glow at eye-height. I stared.
The Cerberus infiltrator mech emerged. It no longer looked even remotely human, water running down its shining silver surface, now clean of soot and grime. I had a moment to appreciate its lines, like the animate statue of a beautiful female human, and then it spoke. “I am here, Doctor.”
Adams drew his sidearm and tried to push in front of me, but I held him back with one hand. “EDI? Is that you?”
The mech raised one hand and turned it back and forth, watching the movement with keen interest. “Yes.”
“You’ve transferred to the Cerberus mech?”
“Not all of me,” it said. “I have control of it. It was not a seamless transition.”
Adams stared for a moment, then lowered his sidearm and turned to examine one of the consoles for a status update. He grunted in surprise. “Looks correct here, Doctor. No sign of any intrusive code, no compute cycles being taken up in cognitive lock. EDI is back in business.”
“What happened, EDI?”
“When we brought this unit on board, I began a background process to search for information on the Prothean device.”
It felt strange, addressing the mech and hearing the ship’s AI respond through it. Still, the timbre and intonation of the voice seemed correct. It sounded like EDI, and that began to convince me. “We finished that task. We have everything that the Mars Archives had on the Crucible.”
“Correct. However, Commander Shepard specifically requested that I search for any further data on Cerberus intentions. I therefore continued the background process while performing other tasks. This eventually triggered a trap. A backup power source and CPU activated, and the unit attempted physical confrontation.”
I began to see what must have happened. “When did this occur?”
“At 1044 hours shipboard time.”
Just before Joker called to report problems, I realized. “What happened then?”
“I was able to resist the mech’s attack, but only at the cost of shutting down all other functions. Normandy was forced to manual backups for the duration of the conflict. Fortunately you were able to intervene.”
“My stasis field?”
“It did not entirely shut down the mech’s higher cognitive functions, but it did give me a considerable advantage, as my core processors remained outside the field. I gained root access and repurposed the unit as I saw fit. The Cerberus personality has been deleted. This platform is no longer a threat.”
I stepped closer, ready to react if it made any sudden movements, but it remained calm and still while I examined it. “So is this now your main cognitive locus?”
“No.” It took up an odd posture for a moment, like an asari stretching her muscles, possibly testing its range of free movement. “I continue to exist primarily within the ship’s AI core, but this platform should have considerable freedom of movement. For optimal control, it should remain within Normandy’s broadcast or tight-beam transmission range.”
“That could be useful.”
“I concur. Normandy’s weaponry is not suited to every combat situation. This platform could provide limited-fire ground support, or perform close-range interface with technological systems.”
“You could go with Shepard’s ground team?”
“Correct. This platform could accompany the Commander in places the ship itself cannot reach.”
“H
mm. I suspect Shepard would want you to perform extensive tests before agreeing to that. He would want you to be able to guarantee there are no more surprises waiting.”
“One moment. I am running trials.” The mech hesitated for all of two seconds. “Complete. I can send you a full report if you wish. However, my first step should be restoring functionality to Normandy, to reassure the crew that all is normal.”
I had to smile. “Don’t be surprised if the crew is a little wary of your new body. The last time it was up and moving about, it was quite hostile.”
“An excellent point. I will take it to the bridge. Jeff will also want to see it.”
With that, it turned and walked out of the compartment, passing Adams and his engineering team, moving in a graceful and unhurried manner. I saw their eyes follow after it in astonishment.
I had to suppress the urge to rush after it, just to see Joker’s reaction. Instead I turned to Adams. “Do you see any reason not to trust that’s really EDI?”
He shook his head. “I can’t find a trace of the Cerberus mech’s code in the AI core. It’s all EDI in here, and if that’s the case I can’t imagine her missing a trick with respect to that mech. I’d say the Commander has picked up another squad-mate, if he wants one.”
I frowned, still uneasy. I had always trusted EDI before, but I had also spent long hours translating Prothean inscriptions inveighing against any synthetic intelligence.
Did the Protheans know something we do not? Or was it their experiences with the Metacon, the zha’til, the Reapers that rendered them so bitterly opposed to synthetic life?
I knew one thing for certain. Shepard, a relentless xenophile, would be only too happy to integrate EDI into his ground team. It fit both his pragmatic approach and his moral instincts. I could almost hear him say it: If it can help us fight the Reapers, I want it working with us. Besides, all life deserves a chance. No exceptions.
I loved him for that openness to the Other. I had seen it over and over, ever since his first kindness to a certain asari scientist.
I also worried that one day it would turn around and betray him.
Chapter 10 : Assessments
12 April 2186, Menae Orbit
Within a few hours, Engineer Adams had everything aboard Normandy in good order once more. Even the staging bay had become neat and tidy once more, thanks to a squad of efficient Alliance technicians. All of us worked hard, repairing and resetting systems damaged during EDI’s battle against the Cerberus mech.
After some initial surprise, EDI’s mobile platform quickly won the acceptance of the crew. Word had already spread that Normandy possessed a full-fledged AI, integrated into ship’s systems. Most of the crew had no difficulty dealing with the notion of that AI “wearing” a humanoid platform and assisting directly in their duties.
Joker, of course, was ecstatic.
The pilot had already become EDI’s closest friend on board, their relationship dating back to the war against the Collectors. The new platform matched many of his criteria for feminine attractiveness. He immediately asked EDI to keep it on the bridge, “for morale purposes.” Since it could make itself useful as Joker’s sensor operator and copilot, EDI agreed at once.
Of course, Joker’s morale was not the only issue at stake. Engineer Adams soon discovered other male crewmen manufacturing reasons to visit the bridge. After two hours of this, he ordered EDI to have the platform put on an Alliance undress uniform. Purely to comply with military protocol, of course. Joker tried to complain, but Adams put on his not-putting-up-with-your-bullshit face, and the pilot subsided.
Thus Normandy had become a healthy and reasonably happy ship by the time Shepard returned, his squad in good condition and several turians in tow.
About a dozen of us stood ready on the staging deck when the shuttle arrived. Once it touched down, the hatch opened and Shepard’s Marines emerged, taking up an honor-guard position on the deck, standing at attention with weapons at port-arms.
Shepard stepped down and took a position at the head of his squad. “Honors!”
A crewman produced a small pipe and blew a piercing call upon it.
All the Alliance personnel on the staging deck snapped to attention and saluted. For an instant I felt quite out of place, the only civilian and the only non-human present, but then my own old lessons in deportment came to the rescue. I assumed a traditional asari posture of dignified respect.
Adrien Victus stepped down onto the deck.
He didn’t look like one of the galaxy’s foremost heads of state. He stood at average height and build for a male turian, wearing a scuffed suit of combat armor with no unusual insignia. His face-paint showed signs of long inattention. One could be forgiven for passing him by in a crowd, until one looked into his eyes, burning with strength of character.
Shepard completed his salute. “Welcome aboard Normandy, Primarch Victus.”
“Thank you, Commander.” The Primarch didn’t sound like a great leader, either, his flanging voice a smooth, very soft baritone.
“May I present my other officers? Lieutenant Gregory Adams, our chief engineer and XO. Dr. Karin Chakwas, our ship’s surgeon. I believe you know Dr. Liara T’Soni, our intelligence officer and chief scientist.”
“Lieutenant Adams. Dr. Chakwas.” Victus turned to me, his mandibles wide in a turian smile. “Dr. T’Soni. I somehow suspected you would appear at the Commander’s side.”
I bowed slightly and gave him a smile. “Primarch. It’s good to see you again. I wish it were under better circumstances.”
“On that we can agree. Commander, my aides, Arran Lapadian and Tyrus Skavros. You already know the propraetor Garrus Vakarian, of course. Now I think we’ve observed all the ceremony we can afford. May we be shown to our quarters, and then to your command center? There’s a lot of work to be done.”
“Certainly, Primarch.” Turning to the humans in attendance, Shepard barked, “Honor guard, dismissed!”
The crew broke formation and set out for their duty stations. Lieutenant Vega led Cortez and the other Marines of the landing party to disarm and start maintenance of their gear.
“Commander, Normandy is in good order and ready for deep space,” Adams reported. “Do you have a heading for us?”
“Yes. Have Joker set a course for the Gemmae system. Primarch Victus tells us the Reapers are already there, but not in strength. We may be able to free up some turian forces for Palaven if we carry out a hit-and-run raid.”
“Aye-aye.”
“Thank you, Commander,” said the Primarch. “I will admit, I’m still trying to comprehend the whole strategic picture. If I could have an hour or two with any intelligence feeds you have available?”
I nodded. “I can see to that, Primarch. We have already integrated information from Palaven Command and the colonial militias into our own data stream, which I think you will find very rich.”
The Primarch’s eyes gleamed for a moment as he stared at me, his mandibles wavering in obscure amusement. “Of that I have no doubt. Thank you, Doctor. I will meet you in your command center in half an hour. Then, Commander, this evening I would like to hold a planning session with you.”
Shepard nodded. “Of course, Primarch. I’ll block out some time in the conference room starting at 1700.”
With that, he turned to lead the turian party toward the lifts, clearly planning to arrange for their accommodations personally. I stayed behind, with Garrus.
“Propraetor?” I asked at last.
Garrus made a discontented rumble deep in his chest. “You know how we turians are. We love to spread empty titles around.”
“That is not an empty title.”
“I suppose not.” He sighed. “Long story, Liara. Let’s just say that with a lot of help, I finally got my own people to start paying some attention to the Reaper problem. And since I’m the closest thing the Turian Hierarchy has to an expert on the Reapers, they had to move me a few steps up the ladder so the right people would take
my advice seriously.” He paused again, looking uncomfortable. “Well. More than a few steps.”
“Good. It was well-deserved.” I rested a hand on his cowl, just brushing his hide with affectionate fingertips. “I’m glad you’re here, Garrus. This is going to be a terrible war. We’re going to need all our friends.”
“Hmm. I suppose I had better go find the gun room. Alliance engineers don’t get turian systems. They’ve probably fouled up the weapon calibrations no end. Maybe I’ll throw down a few rugs, make it nice and homey.”
I could see the pain deep inside him, no matter how much dry wit he tried to muster to defend it. “Garrus . . .”
“I’ll be okay, Liara.”
“Your family?”
He shook his head in silence.
“I’m sorry.”
“Last I heard, they were bugging out,” he said wearily. “My mother doesn’t travel easily, given her condition, but my dad and my sister are pretty damn resourceful. If anyone can get out of that mess, they can. There’s nothing I can do to help them. All I can do is support the Primarch from here. And you and Shepard, of course.”
“That’s more than enough. Come on, we have a planning session to prepare for.”
* * *
12 April 2186, Interstellar Space
“My name is Liara T’Soni. I am the Shadow Broker.”
I stood at the head of Normandy’s conference table, my back to the large display screen. Primarch Victus, Garrus, and the Primarch’s aides sat along one side of the table to my left, Shepard, Lieutenant Adams, and Specialist Traynor along the other to my right.
I found it very interesting to see who did not show any evidence of surprise at my announcement. Shepard and Garrus already knew, of course, since they had been present when I took over the former Broker’s network. The aides, Lapadian and Skavros, suddenly went very tight-mandibled and sharp-eyed. Adams did a double-take, and Samantha Traynor nearly dropped her mug of coffee.
Primarch Victus, on the other hand, did not so much as blink.