Nexus Effect

Ch.16

“Astounding. So you overcame the processing limitations by distributing the load across multiple VI chips. Such a simple yet ingenious concept. Expensive for sure, but easily doable.” Mordin observed as I did some upgrades and maintenance on Alexa’s chips with my Omni-tool.

While we were on Maskawa, Krarek and Wrekrov had the kind thought to buy some scrap for me like I’ve already proven is a favored hobby of mine. Sure, they used 10 percent of my share of the Eezo job’s payout for it, but I’d spent more than that amount from my share of our starting funds back on Omega.

This scrap included a few more junked drones and damaged ship VI chips. Those boys are so thoughtful. Paretia told me they felt horrible about me getting injured back on Mavigon, but I had to put to rest their guilt. They couldn’t have prevented that Xenomorph from attacking me. I did however ask that, if they do something like this again, spend up to half of my share, because this isn’t just my hobby; it’s all I do on this ship outside of manning the guns.

And sexing my boyfriend/girlfriend and data-twin. Love you~! Love you too babe!

“Yes, she’s custom work, I doubt she could be mass-produced and be affordable. Sure, she can reduce crew requirements for ships, but then that costs jobs. The entire reason I made her was because after killing the pirates who previously owned this ship, we didn’t have enough people to crew her.” I informed my new friend. Mordin and I just clicked. I was only a bit of a geek back in my old life, playing video games now and then or watching science fiction shows and movies, but somehow, with these changes my Displacer made in me, I’m just so glad to get nerdy.

“Hm, unconscionable. Unemployment rates in the galaxy are always an issue and a key cause for piracy. I would still like to bring this blueprint to my superiors for consideration with military ships. I would credit you as the designer and ensure royalties are paid to an account for you.” Mordin stated and I felt all giddy at his praise for thinking I’d developed something worthwhile to the military.

“Well, she’s still a prototype…” I uneasily replied. “Also, wouldn’t that impact the employment rates in the navies?”

“Prototypes can be refined and knowing that to avoid it evolving into an AI is as simple as keeping it on the same restrictions as a VI yet boosting it’s processing power will make that simpler. As for unemployment, no. Such a system would allow fully crewed ships to function more efficiently, while allowing ships that have lost crew or are otherwise forced to operate on a skeleton crew to operate at acceptable levels.” Mordin declared and I hummed before sighing and holding up my Omni-tool.

“I hope it isn’t abused. I’m likely opening up a can of worms here.” I muttered as I transferred the latest blueprints of Alexa with my signature on them to Mordin, who tilted his head in curiosity.

“What is a worm?”

Oops...

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“These Xenomorphs that my superiors informed me of, yours is the crew who annihilated them, yes?” Mordin questioned me after I helped him upgrade his Scorpion pistol. It was a treat to work on such an efficient design. It made the BSA Judgement pistol look like scrap.

“Yes, it was the only way we thought to keep them from spreading.” I said with a sigh, unsurprised the STG knew about us and our hand in stopping an invasive parasitic species.

“This choice of action was made based on your input before you passed out due to your injuries. Where did you learn of these dangerous creatures before?” Mordin questioned curiously, causing me to freeze up. Okay, how do they know it was me who knew beforehand? Nobody would’ve pointed this out in our group. Damn the STG are scary~!

“Uh...um...okay. Mordin? Can I speak to you honestly? Can I trust you to keep my personal information private?” I trust Mordin. I know him. He’s one of the best characters from the series and if I can’t trust him, then I’m screwed.

“If it does not prove a risk to others that can be avoided, then yes.” Mordin honestly replied and I didn’t feel too assured even so.

“I...don’t know if this applies entirely.” I muttered uneasily while going back to finishing updating Alexa.

“Then I cannot promise that. Just know that I will consider your well-being first.” Mordin stated without hesitation and I braced myself.

“I am Geth.” At my statement, he hummed and rubbed a finger against his chin. “Rather, I am a Living Intelligence, hosted by Geth and hosting Geth in turn. I do not know entirely how I came to be in this state, but I am from another universe entirely.”

“Pardon if I do not believe you. Can you provide proof?” At Mordin’s request, I unlatched my helmet and yanked it off before he could stop me. “No! Why would you expose yourself?! Seal your suit before-oh.” Mordin’s glossy black eyes glinted in comprehension as I shook my long hair out. I still need to get a haircut...is it ass length now?! Geth!

Sorry! We’ll turn that off! We forgot about it and you look sexy with long hair anyway. ...My protest is redacted and I’m reconsidering the haircut now.

“I’m synthetic. I may look organic, but this chassis is a prototype. You can even take a sample.” I grabbed a hair and yanked it out, checking to see if a follicle came with it. Nodding, I handed it to him before awkwardly wrapping my hair into a messy bun and working my helmet back on.

“If what you’re saying is true, you are risking much by admitting this to me: an STG agent. I would normally be duty-bound to report this, but my curiosity begs me to consider alternatives. Pray tell; what is your purpose beyond the Perseus Veil?” Mordin questioned as his Omni-tool promptly began analyzing the two-foot long strand of black hair.

‘Should we explain?’ I asked my friends. I’ve already divulged so much to him and Geth didn’t protest.

We have ready access to your memories at this stage. We have seen his character and believe him trustworthy. He may even help us.

“Incredible. This hair is made of keratin, but the follicle that came with it is not composed of DNA. It is a microfactory that constructs a solitary strand of keratin provided it has energy and raw materials. This technology is beyond anything we’re capable of! What other wonders have the Geth manufactured in their isolation?” Mordin questioned excitedly, catching me off-guard with how eager he was to know more. Wait, I shouldn’t be surprised, it’s Mordin.

“Not much to be honest, Mordin. I only appeared to the Geth...I don’t actually know. However, this technology is from beyond this galaxy, from a society that does not discriminate against AI. A rogue element extended all sorts of information to the Geth and now they’re scrambling to prepare for war because they know they’ll be invaded sooner rather than later.” I informed Mordin grimly and the scientist looked down at the table in thought.

“This is dire news. I should report this, but aside from this microfactory I don’t have any proof. Any claims I make would be dismissed without more thorough evidence.” Mordin looked at me and nodded. “I will not resort to dissecting you. I will keep your secret. Now then, if they’re preparing for war, what is your purpose?”

“To spy on the lot of you, report the goings-on of the galaxy at large and help the Geth understand natural-born creatures while they prepare Rannoch to hopefully invite the Quarians to come home.” The last bit was obvious to me, since aside from defending themselves, the Geth didn’t hate their creators, merely feared their reprisals.

“Thank you for telling me this friend. I am unwilling to share this information, but I will still influence things as I can to prepare for potentially opening peaceful interaction between our respective factions. The consequences of exposing you outweigh the risks of leaving you anonymous. Trying to claim the Geth have a spy in our midst will only heighten galactic paranoia and gear our militarys for storming the Veil.” Mordin stated grimly, clearly disliking the concept of sparking a war.

“Thank you.” I knew Mordin was a Consequentialist, but at least he understood the precarious situation and chose the less negatively impactful option.

“What are the Geth preparing to defend against? Is it this Entity that helped make you?” Mordin questioned more out of curiosity. It seems his choice of action had already been made.

“Oh, goodness no. The Geth are preparing to defend against the Terminus and Citadel governments. They anticipate an invasion now, they know you won’t leave them alone like you’ve been content to because of the radical beliefs of the coming Empire from Andromeda.” I informed my friend, who seemed even more interested.

“This Empire has welcomed the Geth to join them I’m assuming?” Mordin guessed, only for me to shake my head.

“Not quite. The person who made this chassis is a renegade, an amoral madman who was at a specific place at a specific time, to encounter me and stuff me into it. He provided a data drive loaded with blueprints, historical archives, sensitive government information. All from Andromeda. The blueprints alone drove the Geth into a frenzy of activity, but everything else points to the Empire coming here. They’ve colonized most of their galaxy and are still expanding.” I warily informed my friend who looked to be stewing on this info.

“...There is no point in me trying to inform anyone. None shall believe me in this matter either. Even less likely than the Geth preparing for war, as everyone always assumes they were anyway. Is there any way to know if they’ll be hostile to the Citadel?” I noted that Mordin didn’t bother asking about the Terminus, because everyone is hostile to the Terminus Systems.

“Definitely.” I squeaked in shock when Marrow’s hands were suddenly on my shoulders and gave a firm squeeze, especially on my injured shoulder, which made me hiss in pain. Mordin was just as shocked by his presence since the Salarian bolted to his feet and had his Scorpion aimed at my boyfriend within seconds. “Hi there. I’m Marrow.”

“First Contact with new alien species established. Cease harming Nora’Feell immediately!” Mordin demanded firmly and Marrow moved his hand from my injured right shoulder to the back of my neck where he began rubbing.

“Sorry. I’m not an abusive lover, but I had thought my girlfriend would’ve been a bit more careful with how much sensitive information she shared with an agent of the local wetworkers. The only reason you’re still alive or not under my thrall is because she likes you and I can tell you’re the sensible sort of Salarian. You may want to put the gun down, your hanger-ons are coming in a few moments.” Marrow casually warned Mordin as his hands massaged me.

Mordin looked at me and I nodded calmly, so he holstered his gun just in time for his STG spooks to enter the engineering bay, scan their eyes over us, then continue on as if they were just passing through. “How did they not realize what you are?” Mordin demanded clinically, his fast-paced monotone completely lacking the slight inflection it usually had.

“Simple. You’d best sit down. I have important information to share with you.”

[01001100 01101001 01101110 01100101]

The rest of the trip was kinda tense. After Mordin was brought in on the secret, he couldn’t help himself with wanting to learn more like the eternally curious Scientist Salarian he was. This wasn’t what made the trip tense however, it was keeping his entourage in the dark that was nerve-wracking.

Mordin was able to placate their curiosity about his fervent curiosity with evidence of my tinkering. Apparently, nobody gave a Quarian tech and let them go ham on it due to socially branding them as pariahs unworthy of attention. I mean, sure, converting a BSA Judgement pistol from a mass-effect miniature rail gun into a pulse pistol using what I’ve learned from my own weapons was probably impressive to some people, but it was just replacing the ammo cube with a plasma emitting diode and letting the gun do it’s usual work from there.

Anyway, Mordin was ‘buying’ blueprints from me for him to propose for production and all that will get a royalty paid out to an account for me. Yay~! I’ll have money! Even though I’m a Quarian-well, look like one, with Mordin’s praise and support, several of those designs might go through! I’m incredibly excited about it!

Careful Nora. You might cause our system to overheat like when you electrocuted us a couple of days ago.

‘I said I was sorry! I thought I had shut off the power feed from the Drive Core!’ It was so embarrassing! I was knocked out in Sleep Mode after that electrocution until one of the spooks woke me up when he found me. That is the last time I try to jumpstart a drone with that much voltage. It worked, considering I had to come up with something to wake up it’s worn-out circuitry or just toss it in the recycler.

However, it also overcharged my nanites for a bit and they finished the last stretch of repairs on my chassis, so win-win, I have my arm back!

Nora, your brain is going off the rails again.

‘Shush you! I can go off on tangents all I like! It’s my brain!’ I playfully replied to my digital girlfriend as I slapped the back of my latest drone, yet another Salarian service unit. This one specifically modified to handle heavy loads for reloading the White-Out’s railgun in case Wrekrov isn’t available for that.

“You done automating the ship for us Tiny?” Speaking of said hulking rude dude priest, he entered my engineering bay and looked at the bulky exposed-wire and pistons drone meant to handle loading the railgun. “Hmph, looks good enough to handle the munitions, not much else though.”

“It’s not like I’m going to have this one clean the lavatory or your sheets.” I wrinkled my nose in a bit of hypocritical disgust. As a devotee to a goddess of Fertility, I expected a bit of perverseness from him, but aside from his rather icky solo sessions in the privacy of his room, he’s been a perfect if rude gentleman when it comes down to it.

“Makes sense. So, the slimy scientist finally got the nerve to approach me.” Uh oh. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner he wanted to know about the Goddess?” Oh. Oh~. I was supposed to do that...

“It slipped my mind? I’ve been kinda busy keeping this ship in shape and tinkering with Mordin...where I could’ve brought it up. Ugh, sorry Wrekrov.” I feel so sheepish right now. I’d fully intended to do that, but in the face of ‘Tell Mordin Everything’ and ‘Mordin Likes My Tech’ I guess aside from spending quality time with Marrow, I’ve just sorta disconnected from the rest of the crew. That’s not good. I’d better spend time with them.

“Bah, I get it Tiny. You’ve found someone to indulge your hobbies with. Urta knows if I found someone as equally reverent to her as I, that I’d drop nearly anything to talk about her with them. That said, I’ve decided to divulge everything I can to the science spook. He may care more about the social and historical aspects, but at least someone somewhere will know more about Urta aside from a few reclusive adherents.” Wrekrov informed me and then leaned down to look into my visor. “That said, I’m hogging his time. You use that to go hang out with Paretia. She’s getting needy.”

What?

[01001100 01101001 01101110 01100101]

“So you finally crawled out of your junk pile?” Paretia questioned me when I approached her in the galley. She was reclining in the floor-mounted seat at the table she’d chosen, swishing a glass of what was obviously alcohol.

“Sorry Paretia. Out of the whole crew, I’ve been ignoring you. I want to change that.” I declared, clearly catching her off-guard since she blinked and steadied her drinking hand.

“Huh? I thought we just didn’t mesh well and were keeping a professional distance.” Paretia replied and I tilted my head at that assumption.

“I just got sucked into my work, we’ve never really talked aside from when I had to inform everyone of things or when we first met where you tried to get into my suit.” At my reminder, her face flared in that unique way that Turians expressed embarrassment or surprise.

“O-oh. I thought that was why you kept a distance. Void knows I’ve pushed potential friends away with my forwardness.” Paretia admitted before downing her drink.

“No? I’ve just never gotten the chance to properly spend time with you specifically. Also, while I was flattered and a bit confused on how to respond, I didn’t take offense.” Not bothering to mention I had become bisexual somewhere along the road. “So anyway, what are your hobbies? You know mine.”

“Your hobbies are tinkering and fucking an exotic male on the regular or an Asari hottie since we don’t have perfect privacy right now. My hobbies are drinking, reading and trying to get laid.” Paretia grumbled unhappily at the last bit as she poured herself another glass from the bottle on the table. “Wrekrov doesn’t find me attractive, Krarek is asexual, then you and the hunk are an item. I’m left to my own devices on this lonely ship.”

“Sorry…” Wait. “Um, actually...I have a proposition for you…”

[01001100 01101001 01101110 01100101]

Marrow froze when he entered his room. I was still suited, because of our clients, but Paretia was completely naked, exposing her exotic and beautiful metallic body’s curves and ridges. She was on her knees on his bed, her hands bound behind her back, a collar on her neck connected to a leash I had in my hands. “Uh...I sensed you were both here and excited, but…”

“Hey honey. I’ve brought us a pet to play with~.” I cooed and patted Paretia’s head, the Turian purred in a surprisingly avian way to the action and dragged her eyes up and down my boyfriend. “She’s all yours~.”

“...Babe. You are the best girlfriend.” Marrow cooed as he became she with her Asari form and sauntered into the room, closing the door behind her as she stripped off her hardsuit.

Don’t you forget it or prepare for trouble!

Or you’ll regret it and make it double~!