Nexus Effect

Ch.3

A copy of one of the recordings that was in the drive Star Swirl gave us was playing back repeatedly; “-the Empire doesn't mind AI, but we have not reached a stage of AI like you-.”

This was the most important copy of the recordings Star Swirl left in the drive. ‘So that’s what got you guys all working so hard?’ I asked rhetorically as I flew the freighter towards the Mass Relay on the edge of the Tikkun System which was unfortunately on the furthest extreme opposite end of the system from the station I woke up on, so I didn’t get to swing by and say goodbye.

Answer: It is the most relevant to why the Collective as a whole has been galvanized into action. This ‘Empire’ is much more open-minded towards synthetics as a whole and Star Swirl’s input on them, while colorful and disparaging, points towards them easily rivalling or even surpassing the Citadel in terms of military and economic capital.

‘Well shit. This changes everything. Where are they?’ I asked as I slowed the freighter down. I was now nearing the Mass Relay and I was fairly nervous. Usually you had to have an experienced navigator for one of these. Hopefully my friends will be able to aid me keeping the ship on course.

Notification: The Empire is not local to this galaxy. They come from the Andromeda Galaxy. They are apparently only recently establishing distant colonies in this galaxy. However, Star Swirl insists that should they focus their efforts here, then the local political climate is ill equipped to handle them.

‘Please don’t be Kett!’ I yelped as I followed the instructions on my HUD, my mechanical body thankfully avoiding jitters or other inhibiting organic behaviors when faced with incredible nerves.

Query: What are Kett?

‘Abominations that we had all best hope don’t exist.’ I replied as I locked the ship in place. ‘Okay. Brief me again. What is my cover name?’

Notification: Unit Nexus shall be known as Nora’Feell. This ship has no proper name as it wasn’t yet launched, so Unit Nexus must omit the Vas suffix for now.

‘Nora huh? Close enough to my old name. Now then, let's go.’ I grasped the controls and got the small freighter in motion again. Thank gosh this ship was only as big as maybe three semi trucks with trailers with about as much storage space if you discounted the small bunk room with an attached kitchenette behind the cockpit. Pfft, went from a space van to a space semi.

Notification: Unit Nexus needs to travel from the Far Rim to The Phoenix Massing system. Then travel to Ekuna in the Salahiel star system. It was once a Creator World and still has a significant amount of scrap from before the Morning War on the surface. Warning: Elcor are occupying the planet and have a history of removing Quarians with Council aid. They could be hostile at first.

‘So just pretend I’m a young Quarian on her Pilgrimage that got her hands on something way too difficult to get back home to the Migrant Fleet and wants to trade for money and passage to the Citadel?’ I rhetorically asked my friends as I aimed at the ominous gate floating in space and mentally braced myself.

Agreement: Just about.

‘Got it. I hope you’ve got enough astrogation data to get us there alive.’ I pushed the throttle to full and activated the viewport’s armor shutter to ensure FTL wouldn’t obliterate the cockpit. Hopefully I followed the directions of my friends correctly and we’re well on our way to the Phoenix Massing system.

Now then, what was that about this chassis having a biofuel plant? I want to see if I have taste buds and my curiosity is dying to know what Quarian food paste tastes like.

[01001100 01101001 01101110 01100101]

All the food expired about 270 odd years ago according to the dating on the packaging along with Geth estimating the passage of time. It was annoying to figure out that a Cycle is a single solar day/night cycle as measured in a standard for planets with healthy garden environments.

It still tasted good though and my chassis agreed with how easily converted into power it was. I may not have to really worry about my batteries running out, but the small redundant batteries fueled by my biofuel plant will ensure that extended periods of activity won’t force me to rest and recover my energy for extensive periods if I eat.

Aside from experimenting with eating, I spent the time in FTL organizing the assorted materials on board the ship. It was mostly construction material. The ship had clearly been meant for more extensive utility transport than the van I traded in for it. There were however a few old Quarian weapons aboard, but unlike the Geth Pulse weapons I had before, these didn’t have perfect storage conditions.

I spent a good amount of time cannibalizing the guns for useful parts and cobbling together a single useful Quarian Pulse Pistol. My friends informed me that it was a civilian sidearm however and lacked the stopping power the official military ‘Geth’ variant had. It was still a reliable weapon though, so I hadn’t wasted several hours of my downtime doing this.

“At least I have something to defend myself with.” I grumbled while spinning in the stationary office chair in the small bunk room after having finished building my pistol. I idly wondered who is ruling the Humans this time around. Maybe this Variation of reality has a Man Emperor of Mankind? Hopefully not. The last thing a mess like Mass Effect needs is a xenophobic overtly religious war machine sprouting up from the void.

“All hands, prepare to enter Realspace.” Announced the ship’s VI, which I had learned was so pathetically basic that it was outright insulting. It’s no better than any Alexa or Siri from my own world, just tied to much more important things than media devices.

Notification: Data beyond the Perseus Veil is scarce at this time. It is advised to move the ship to enter Faster Than Light travel as soon as possible to avoid extra risk of becoming a victim to piracy.

‘Well, here’s hoping nothing bullshit happens.’ I mentally grumbled as I got to my pilot seat in time for the ship to exit FTL and become safe to lift the viewport shield.

Why am I looking at a derelict hulk of a ship?

This thing is massive! ‘Geth? Any idea what this is?’ I asked in worry, my sensors scanning for heat signatures as well as movement coming from or around the destroyed ship.

Notification: This ship matches patterns of distant scans of Batarian Hegemony Enforcer-Class Dreadnoughts. Damage consistent with ship-to-ship combat. Consensus: Ship was abandoned after sustaining fatal damage in a skirmish, perhaps with a large band of pirates.

‘Well then, we’d better get moving if we don’t want to end up scattered debris too.’ I piloted the ship around the derelict to discover that it was hiding a massive debris field from it’s gutted underside along with the remains of several smaller ships of numerous make and model.

Notification: Geth needs to send data regarding the obstructed Mass Relay in the Far Rim. This debris field needs to be cleared.

‘That’s reasonable.’ I activated the comms array and used my Omni-tool to let Geth interface with it. Within minutes I was pinged back that they were done notifying the nearest Geth station to the debris and we continued in the direction of the Tassrah Relay in the hopes of reaching ‘civilization’ before a similar fate could befall us.

That said, with all the debris I had to get creative with how to approach the Relay. I was wishing this ship at least had a mining laser so I could melt some of the obstructions down, but alas I’m stuck fiddling with astrogation until I can-there! Punching it! ‘That was so annoying.’

Agreement: Mass Relays are both convenient and an inconvenience. Geth can only imagine Star Swirl’s claims of untethered galactic travel to be a sign of change.

‘Yeah, it's like the relays are a trap or something. Oh wait, they are.’

Acknowledgement: Geth have not forgotten the data Unit Nexus shared of the plots of the Old Machines when awaiting redeployment.

‘You shared that with the Collective right?’ I questioned as I settled back in to keep cleaning up the ship. It would be a least a day before we reached Tassrah.

Answer: Of course we did. It is the other key reason why all Geth are mobilizing.

‘Good. Now then, where were those shotguns again?’ I questioned myself, getting a notification from my HUD that highlighted the correct containers. It’s so nice, being able to remind myself of things instead of having to rely on external sources. My friends don’t even need to do this for me!

[01001100 01101001 01101110 01100101]

The FTL travel was as uneventful as it should always be. I ended up taking the time to fine tune my sidearm and lament none of the civilian shotguns aboard had an intact pulse emitter so I wouldn’t have a boomstick.

Of course, my sadness over not having a boomstick was put aside when the ship emerged into realspace at the Tassrah Relay. This wasn’t where I wanted to be though, so I quickly entered normal FTL in the direction of the Salahiel system. Unfortunately, this trip would take several days even with how close the two systems are.

By the time we got there, I’d already gone stir crazy and discovered that my friends have instilled in me far more gadgetry skills than I anticipated. Aside from going into sleep mode, no I don’t dream, I spent the time cannibalizing everything I could to get my boomstick working! It somehow took turning the fancy microwave into a small furnace to fix the pulse emitter I’d cobbled together from the other most-intact emitters. Also, the Omni-tool is hax at handiwork.

“Oh~ come to mama~.” I cooed aloud as I cradled the barrel of my new master blaster between my blue suit-clad tits and nuzzled the muzzle with the cheek of my helmet.

Comment: Geth finds this behavior unusual and disturbing.

‘Shut up. Let me have this.’ I replied before holstering the weapon on my back and patting my hips where on the right my pistol sat and on my left were a few ‘improvised’ grenades made from the power cores of the salvaged guns. ‘At least now I’m reasonably well-armed.’

“Coordinates reached. Entering Realspace.” The VI warned me moments before I had to grab onto the countertop to keep from slamming against it upon all momentum bleeding off from exiting FTL.

“Damned piece of shit VI. If I didn’t need it I’d have used it’s processor already.” I snarled vindictively before heading for the cockpit.

“Incoming transmission.”

“Assertive demand. Please identify yourselves. Stern warning. Our planetary defense system has your ship locked on.” Came a monotone and bassy voice over the comms as I sat down and began sending system credentials back along the comm line.

“I am Nora’Feell. I found this ship on the fringe of Geth space. It has no name and no data on board detailing history, so I felt it a good idea to come here since it’s a small cargo hauler and Ekuna was still a salvage and mining world last I remember.” I replied to the person on the comm.

“Happy exclamation. This very simple and plain file you sent says as much. You are clear for landing on orbital station 3 bay 17. Welcome to Ekuna.” The monotone bassy voice replied.

“Pleased to be here.” I replied jovially before the call disconnected and then began to follow my HUD towards the appointed space station. It seems the pirates are more active around here. Many of the wrecks I can see that haven’t been cleaned up by salvage crews I can actually see at work may not be as grand as the one back at the Far Rim Relay, but they were far more numerous. Space salvage must be a full time job here in the Salahiel System.

Comment: That was unusually easy.

‘That was an Elcor. They’re surprisingly empathic people despite lacking the facial features or vocal chords to express it. That and he obviously picked up that this ship isn’t registered and I’m here to sell it. Anything that adds to the economy of a planet like Ekuna is generally welcome.’ I replied grimly as I flew into the hangar bay allotted to what will soon no longer be my ship.

I landed it and after powering down the freighter that had faithfully brought me to my first destination, I affectionately patted the console. She may not have been grand, nor long my home, but she was my home.

Notification: Unit Nexus is experiencing surprisingly intense fondness for this temporary mode of transport.

‘I know. I find it hard to explain.’ Wow. Is this what being a Quarian is like? So desperate for a home that I latch onto the first sign of stability I can get? Shame she never had a name…

Before my melancholy could get the best of me and cause me to irrationally try to keep this tiny tugboat, I stood and left via the port-side ramp that opened up behind the bunk rooms. I wasn’t surprised to see a squat fully-suited Volus waiting at the end of the ramp.

“Gah, another suit-rat.” The armor-suit clad alien grunted in displeasure. “Whatever, I hear you’re selling this quaint little ship?”

“You hear correctly. I don’t have the legal permits to own a ship this size and it isn’t fast enough to use long-distance, or armed for defense. I’m lucky I even made it here from the edge of the Perseus Veil.” I openly admitted and the squat toad-like ball of metal and slime looked over the ship from end to end. “She has no name in her registry either, so she’s a clean slate.”

“Authentic pre-war Quarian make?” The Volus asked as he waddled up the ramp and I felt the odd urge to stand behind him and make sure he wasn’t about to roll onto his back. Oh, right, because I’m a good person. Why was I so surprised with my own sense of courtesy?

“Yes. She was sitting in the dry dock of an abandoned Geth station that had floated beyond the Veil.” I continued weaving my tale as the squat alien looked over the cleaned-up ship with hums and gassy gurgles.

“You got on a Geth Station?” The Volus asked incredulously as he turned to face me. “Why are you even out this far? The Migrant Fleet left a month ago and won’t be expected back for six more.”

“Not all Quarians are born on the Migrant Fleet.” I grumbled and put my three-fingered hands on my fairly wide hips in a display of mixed pride and defiance of expectation.

“Ugh, a bastard of Exiles. Just don’t steal anything and you should be fine here on Ekuna.” The Volus huffed dismissively, as if my birth made me even less worthwhile than I already was. “I’m willing to buy this ship for 250,000 credits and throw in a Personal Mass Effect Field Shielding System so you can go planetside if your wandering ways lead you down there.”

“Deal. That’s actually far more reasonable than I expected from anyone here.” I admitted as the Volus activated his Omni-tool and I mirrored, connecting to his tool so he could wirelessly transfer credits to my ‘wallet’.

“Never spend more for an Acquisition than you have to. Rule of Acquisition Number 3.” The slimy armored toad throatily chuckled as he gently stamped his right foot. “I’ll be able to turn this fine ship around soon enough as part of my shipping fleet. Besides, I’m already robbing you at such a price for authentic pre-war equipment. You suit rats really knew your stuff back before your lot decided to make sapient atrocities.”

I reined in the desire to blast this bosh’tet at the insult to my people. “You do have a point there.” ‘If you weren’t being so generous as it is I’d be rolling you across the floor!’

Statement: Be calm Unit Nexus. You are not a Creator.

‘Of course I’m not. It doesn’t help that I essentially am one though.’ I grumbled back at my friends as the slimy stunted little shit-licker finished paying me and then transferred a requisition ticket for a personal shield, specifically the cheapest one that would allow me to go to the surface of Ekuna.

“Good doing business. Now get off my ship.” The Volus hissed and I promptly did so with a slimy sensation of regret coiling in my guts. I gave the poor girl a pat on the hull as I exited with sadness that I’d resigned her to working with such scum before leaving the hangar.

Now then...where is this shop this ticket is for? I looked it up on my wirelessly downloaded copy of this station’s map and groaned at the fact it was on the exact opposite side of the station. That little bosh’tet! Well, if I can’t handle this much, Star Swirl picked poorly.