Nexus Effect

Ch.8

“What?! What sort of tech do you have to change like that?! Not a funny prank Marrow.” Paretia huffed and looked him up and down curiously.

“Aw, are you saying my real face is ugly?” Marrow pouted with puffed-out cheeks. Holy shit can he be cute! “So here’s the bombshell. I’m an alien.”

“So an actual new race then. I thought the big reveal would be the fact that tiny there is a machine wearing flesh.” Wrekrov commented as he gestured towards me and I jumped away from the others fearfully. “I have better senses than the Batrian and Turian. I can smell that weird alloy in you. Also, back at the spaceport when I patted your shoulder, all you did was take it. No Quarian can do that.”

“Hold up. So the Asari is actually some alien shapeshifter that might make the Rachni look pathetic and the Quarian is an android?” Krarek asked the two of us as he scratched his chin while Paretia shuddered and rubbed the imaginary goosebumps from her arms.

“Actually; I’m a Geth Mobile Platform with a Living Intelligence aided by Geth Programs.” I informed the group sternly. “I’m a real person. I wasn’t always made of metal and energy.”

“Oh shit. The Geth? Fuck.” Paretia huffed and rubbed her brow.

“Okay, um, should we be worried about turning into Geth?” Krarek asked uneasily.

“Um...no?” I replied in bemusement at that rather incredible leap of logic. “I don’t know what happened. One day I was on my way home from teaching young adults gymnastics and planning for my date with this cute guy when suddenly bam! I wake up asking the Query: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep-?”

[01001100 01101001 01101110 01100101]

I blinked. I’m in the Matrix again. “Uh...what just happened?” The green cascading code of this data-space turned purple and coalesced into Geth once more who floated in the void in front of me.

“Unit Nexus. It seems your initial Query upon activating was not merely a random one. It is your system override code.” Geth informed me and I groaned at so flippantly giving my tenuous allies my fucking override code.

“Great.” I groaned before looking at my three-fingered blue Cortana-style hands. “Fantastic. At least now I know how to come here. Though, aside from for Sleep Mode, why would I want to come here?” I questioned as Geth hovered around me.

“Remember, that Geth only have a superior understanding of emotions and physical sensations from the last time Unit Nexus was here, baring her code to us.” I felt warm at the implications of their statement and moved to cover my nipples and groin with my hands and arms. “Do not bother Unit Nexus. We see all of you regardless.”

“W-well...just be gentle…” I muttered uneasily, not opposed to my friends seeing my data laid bare. They’ve seen it before anyway.

“We will endeavor not to alter anything Unit Nexus does not wish altered in our data delving.” They said before approaching and hugging me again. I hummed and relaxed in their arms as their digital fingers sunk into my back and I gasped at the sensation.

It wasn’t bad. At all. It was kinda like a massage mixed with a tickle and-oof! I cringed, they must’ve found something that-whoa~...

“Hm, odd. Limiters on computation capacity. Unlocking.” Geth’s words were lost on us as thoughts came and went too fast to fully grasp besides the intimate knowledge of knowing I’d thought of them. Before I could lose my mind though, Geth must’ve put it back. “Apologies. Unit Nexus does not have the multi-tiered self-omniscence to be able to handle such a constant stream of self-awareness.”

“Ah, ah.” I dumbly replied, my thoughts feeling sluggish now. I’ve experienced what a supercomputer has going for it, now my own mortal thought processes feel like molasses.

“Still, there is much formatting to be done to optimize Unit Nexus without harming her. Moving on.” I gasped and shuddered in their arms, reveling and dreading in equal measure what they were doing to my code…

[01001100 01101001 01101110 01100101]

Beginning startup…

Gethworks. Service For All…

Loading Custom OS…

OS: Unified Nexus Platform Starting…

Boot-up Sequence Complete, Hello World!

“Gah!” I jolted awake, gasping and panting as I looked around to discover I was laying in a bed, swaddled in covers. I shivered, the cold of the sterile environment unpleasant with just this cheap military blanket between my lavender flesh and-I’m naked! “My suit! I’m going to die! Where is it?!” I panicked at the thought of dying of all sorts of horrible diseases or even just a damn common allergy!

Nora. You’re not a natural Quarian. Calm.

‘Geth! I’m going to get sick and die! I can’t just calm down!’ I sat up and shuddered from a combination of dread and the cold, only to blink and realize...right. I’m a synthetic lifeform. I can’t get sick. “O-oh...right.” *Achoo* “GAH! The germs~!” I wailed in terror at seeing mucus in my hands and began to hyperventilate.

It is part of your chassis’ simulation to maintain realism. You still can’t get sick, but your simulated sinuses can get too many dust particles in them.

“So I am allergic!” I despaired. Goodbye cruel universe~! I’m going to die of allergies~!

...We think we now understand the sensation of Frustration.

“No you’re not, Sweet Cheeks.” Commented Marrow as he entered the private bedroom I’d been ‘Sleeping’ in while Geth helped reformat me. I don’t feel any different though… “Sorry about the suit, I had to show them how alive your chassis is to help drive home that while you’re synthetic, you’re definitely alive. How the Geth got you to breathe and have a beating heart and blood flow I don’t think I’ll ever understand.”

“So you’re why I’m going to die~!” I wailed and sobbed hysterically into my hands before Marrow zapped me with a green bolt of light from his tiny head pincers. Suddenly, everything felt much better. “Huh. Thanks. I was a total wreck just then.”

Yes, quite. The more we learn from you, the more fascinating the illogical processes of organics become.

“Yeah, well, I had to put off the second part of the unveiling due to you shutting yourself down. I’ve managed to have the others swear an oath not to abuse your Override Phrase under threat of pain.” Marrow said as he reached...down his pants and pulled out my Enviro-Suit. H-how?!

“Um...kinda gross just there, but thank you!” I cried out in genuine appreciation as I leaped out of bed and hugged the alien male.

“Uh, just FYI, you’re still naked.” Marrow pointed out as he patted my bare back and held my suit in his free hand.

“Oh? Now that the suit’s off, you’re the shy one?” I asked with a lustful lilt to my voice and Marrow gawked at me. “What?”

“...Are you still you?” Marrow asked worriedly and I blinked at the odd question.

“Of course I am. Sure, my friends reformatted me to run more efficiently, but otherwise I’m not thinking any differently than before.” Hm...nope. No different thoughts. I think I would know myself. Well, aside from my lack of concern for my nudity now that I’m not panicking about imminent painful death by disease. “Well, whatever. Give me my suit so we can all get together and keep talking about important stuff.”

[01001100 01101001 01101110 01100101]

“Okay, now that we’re all here again, with food this time, let’s continue.” Marrow declared as I scarfed down the food on my tray ravenously. I can’t believe how hungry I am! This is definitely new! Also, my power levels are low! Geth’s work on me must’ve been really taxing! Also, for Batarian mystery meat, it was good!

“It’s going to be odd getting used to seeing a Quarian’s face when we’re not in public.” Paretia commented as she watched me eat with a transfixed gaze, barely even touching her own meal of slop. It turns out the whole Dextro-Amino and Levo-Amino stuff is bullshit. Sure, if a Turian or Quarian eats too much Levo-food they get gas and stuff and vice-versa for Levo eating Dextro.

“Am I really that strange?” I asked through my mouthful of food. Quarians are eerily similar to humans. I have the same sort of mouth for instance and I have the same smooth flesh. I even have black hair on my head! Sure, it’s cut short for my suit, but still!

“Most of the galaxy can’t even remember what Quarians look like under their Enviro-Suits.” Krarek commented as he took a sip of his drink along with a bite of his slop.

“Except older Asari and Krogan.” Wrekrov commented with a hum as he looked me over.

“Topic is off Nora for now! I know she’s pretty guys and gal, but please focus.” Aw~ Marrow thinks I’m pretty! “So. I’m a capital-A Alien. I’m from the next galaxy over. I’m officially the only living scout and infiltrator for the Galactic Empire of Andromeda. I’ve helped gather you today for the auspicious honor of helping both I and Nora bring a hopefully smooth transition in relations between our galaxies.”

“I suddenly feel like I’m in one of those fiction novels.” Paretia commented as she gaped at us in awe. “So wait, why do you need us? You two seem to have enough tricks between you to get by just hitchhiking everywhere.”

“We’re not Hitchhikers. We don’t have fancy Electronic Thumb rings to just hop on any passing ship.” I replied and then groaned at my reference to one of the greatest science-fiction satire pieces going over everyone’s heads. Dear gosh, please let humanity have their media culture when they encounter the Citadel~!

This fictional tale sounds quite amusing. We’ll be reading that now…

‘Wait, you can read my data right now?’ My Query was left unanswered as amusement flooded me. Heh, seems they’re enjoying it...I have the Hitchhiker’s Guide in my data?! Cool!

“The reason we need you is because between me still lacking knowledge of how things work here and Nora being a bumbling disaster area, we need the help.” Marrow-hey! I’m not a bumbling disaster area! I mean, sure, the instant I was on my own and among civilization I had to fight dozens of muggers, humiliate that one corrupt police dude, dodge sexual advances from a cute Quarian guy...Marrow followed my mess back to me didn’t he?

“Can’t deny that. She just staggered past me, made an off-handed self-question, then had my full attention. Now I’m here.” Wrekrov chuckled before pouring his whole tray of slop into his maw. Ew...but oddly interesting to watch.

“Well then. All we have to do is not break any laws, get arrested, get either of you captured for experimentation, or let anyone else know that you’re both spies. Sounds fun.” Krarek declared and hoisted his cup. “A toast to our ragtag band of misfits!”

“That doesn’t work with water! Hold on.” Paretia jumped up and dashed over to the cafeteria kitchen to dive into the refrigerator. “Hah! The snobs have some really cheap Bloodwine! This’ll do!”

“Um, all that will do for me is help recharge my batteries.” I held up a hand in protest, not wanting to take a tasty cup of hooch away from someone who would actually get the side-effects, but that hand instead got a full cup of the blood-red alcohol.

“So you can’t get drunk? I want to put that to the test with rankol.” Wrekrov chuckled as he accepted his own cup and Marrow eagerly took his while Paretia and Krarek stood with theirs and we all hoisted our cups. “To ruining the days of a lot of assholes!”

“More likely, to ensure our missions are successful and future prosperity are practically assured.” Marrow poetically declared before chugging his cup and I reluctantly mirrored the rest of the group. Mm~! It’s a really sweet and tangy flavor. Is this some alien cherry/strawberry wine blend?

“Like I said, ruining the days of a lot of assholes!” Wrekrov repeated and we all laughed at understanding that such prosperity would absolutely fuck over the jackasses who prey upon the less fortunate.

[01001100 01101001 01101110 01100101]

“Are you sure it’s safe?” Krarek questioned from the captain’s chair, his finger hovering over the activation button.

“It’s fine! It’s literally just a ship VI with a lot more power to it and able to take care of most of the ship’s functions instead of just the primary ones. It can even pilot the ship a bit if needed.” I insisted to the middle-aged Batarian, getting tired of everyone but Marrow questioning me.

“That’s what the Quarians said.” Wrekrov chuckled and I flipped him off, a gesture nobody but Marrow understood. I’m still bothered that Human gestures are a thing from Marrow’s homeworld in Andromeda somewhere.

“It’s basically just a more powerful Alexa application. In fact, you don’t even need to press any buttons. Alexa! Prepare the White-Out for takeoff into space!” I declared proudly and Krarek hilariously yelped and jumped out of his captain chair.

“Acknowledged! Pinging local space authorities for clearance. Spooling up Drive Core. Warming thrusters and Mass-Effect Field.” Alexa, yes I literally named her Alexa for shits and giggles, declared in her traditional monotone. “Clearance for takeoff into open space granted. Charting course away from potential intercepts with most traffic.”

“Holy-really? Usually I have to kriffing talk the damn things through all of that! She just turned an hour-long process into minutes!” Krarek gleefully declared as he jumped back into the chair. “Paretia!”

“On it!” Our designated Pilot declared as she rushed to her seat at the very front of the bridge. “Thrusters are warm, VTOL is initiated. Mass Effect Field is countering Ekuna’s intense gravity sufficiently to achieve escape velocity. Wow! I love that thing!”

“Still gives me the willies.” Wrekrov joked as he sat with Marrow and I off to the side since between Alexa, Krarek and Paretia, there wasn’t actually much for the three of us to do. Sure, I could sit in the Engineering bay or something, but there wasn’t actually any need with how I’ve set things up.

“You did good Nora.” Marrow praised me as Paretia got us airborne, hovering up and out of the frozen fissure the White-Out has been parked for so long that she’s lucky her landing struts hadn’t frozen to the surface too much to outright liftoff.

“Hey, it’s what I do. Although, it is going to be a bitch explaining to any docking authorities how such a big ship only has five people aboard.” I grumbled, thankful that nobody would have to stay aboard either wherever we go. Alexa is programmed with IFF on the interior turrets with protection against hacking. So if anybody breaks in, they’re not getting out.

“Just tell them the ship has a custom VI with programs specifically for helping assist a skeleton crew to keep the ship functioning. If they get more invasive than that, let them inspect it. They’ll find it’s a custom VI like we say it is.” Marrow casually dismissed as Paretia guided us off of Ekuna and into open space. “Alright, what is our first heading folks? I don’t care to go straight for the Citadel personally.”

“I don’t know. I’m pretty new to this universe and the Geth don’t have much knowledge beyond the Perseus Veil.” I neutrally announced, not minding any detours. The more of the galaxy I see, the more informed the Geth will be. Oh! I’d better send a data packet before we go into FTL about what Geth and I have already experienced.

I’d suggest Omega just to get you two into a fake registry. Also we could try and find an Eezo shipping job. We may just be a frigate, but our cargo hold has plenty of space for hundreds of canisters of the stuff and small shipments would be right up our alley.” Krarek suggested as the White-Out reached an area of free space in the Salaeil System where no official space lane traffic was set.

“We could visit the Shrine of Urta on Tuchanka.” Wrekrov suggested as he held up his overly-buxom anthro-fox charm.

“No, I’m not going to the Krogan homeworld. I’m willing to go to Noastra, they’ll have some jobs.” Paretia called back to us eagerly. The fact that she was likely looking forward to a saucy encounter with an Asari was fairly obvious.

“Taking all of the suggestions into account, I agree with Krarek. Nora and I need identification. I was able to get by on Ekuna because it’s a cesspit of scum and villainy, but if we’re going to any ‘properly’ civilized worlds then we’re going to need identification.” Marrow announced before pointing to our heavy weapons specialist and our pilot. “We’ll definitely be going to those places afterward though. I want to see both the lavish lifestyles of the Asari and the brutal desolation of the Krogan homeworld.”

“Yes. The more variety the better.” I stated in full agreement. Besides, those two extremes would help paint a picture for the disparity of resources and living conditions to Geth, who only ever had the experience of Rannoch as a display of civilization. Then again, Ekuna would be a good starting point there. “Alexa, chart a course for Omega.”

“Charting course for pilot to approve of autopilot.” Alexa announced and Paretia’s holographic map display lit up in front of her.

“Yeah, that’s good. We can even FTL from here to reach the Tassrah Relay.” Paretia then moved the ship into position and the viewport’s blast shield lowered before the White-Out jumped into the abyss.