Secretary reacts quickly, activating tech powers to try and to slow down the charging tripod - first a bolt of force to knock it away, then a blast of cold to hamper its servomotors.
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Secretary's reboot looks strange to Brutvus, who only manages to catch the last bit of it - Secretary's joints lock as his motive systems shut down, ensuring no damage to his frame. His sensor briefly goes dark then relights as his detection suite resets, his frame spasms almost undetectably as a diagnostic is run, then Secretary continues outwardly functioning as before. It makes a quick sweep of the room, noticing Awyr and Dredd still unconscious while Brutvus is on his feet. Secretary walks over to Awyr's body, spending its cycles on the way over by partitioning and encrypting the Geth shards it seems to have picked up.
Arriving at Awyr, Secretary focuses on her neck and chest to ensure her heart is beating and she is still breathing. Confirming she is only unconscious, Secretary performs the same check on Dredd. Satisfied that they are still alive, he rotates and gives the remains of the 'heart' another visual scan. "Baso-Captain, Taranau-Commander and Urdnot Dredd are unconscious. The detonation may have scrambled their biotic implants, with potential for brain damage. Your profile indicates experience in field treatment. I suggest you examine them more thoroughly." Secretary vocalizes almost immediately after approaching the bodies.
"Well, seeing as Batarian ships don't normally have Giant Mechanical Hearts I think we can safely assume that it doesn't belong here." Secretary lowers its weapon and tilts its head, looking at Awyr. Its expression panels ripple to indicate slight confusion, but no trace of anger or disappointment. "Taranau-Commander, that fact is not in question. We are under the impression that this mission is an attempt to understand the reasons why the Old Machines have taken an existing ship and modified it. We believe that understanding the scope and methods of said modifications will provide valuable insight. Is there additional information that would require this viewpoint to be updated?"
Secretary reaches a rapid consensus and holds his fire, weapon still pointed at the 'heart'. "Taranau-Commander, this device may be integral to analysis of the Old Machine takeover of this ship. It seems to serve as both a power source and information hub. There is no telling what effects its destruction will have."
Secretary spends a few milliseconds to give the 'heart' a cursory optical scan to make sure that blasting it is the correct choice.
Secretary continues his barrage, firing dozens of rounds into the cannibals in the doorway.
Secretary activates advanced targeting systems as the cannibals begin to close. Rapidly ejecting its mostly-spent thermal clip, Secretary drops in a new one and unleashes a deadly spray of energy into the doorway.
Secretary's Geth shields deflect the enemy rounds without serious strain. Swivelling, Secretary sprays another torrent of energy through the doorway. His shots walk across two groups of husks, ending up by the right side of the door.
Secretary leans out, spraying energy rounds at the cannibals. Its gunfire bathes the front group, with the extra bolts scattering around the pair behind his first targets.
"Taranau-Commander, should you need objects moved in the future, we are equipped with high-power servomotors. They should be adequate for moving large pieces of rubble with significantly less noise," Secretary pitches in helpfully. Taking point once again, Secretary heads through the gap.
Geth Communication:
Already fight heretic forces. Destroy frames. Destroy Geth. Geth were already heretic before upload. ... Taranau-Spectre raises new point: Reaper artifacts may affect runtime processes. Poisoned processes may infect whole. Secretary's head bobs, expression plates opening slightly.
Geth Communication:
Accepted. ... Subject eliminated by order of Taranau-Spectre. Will attempt to capture next instance of creature. Secretary performs a scan of the Keeper with his omni-tool, checking for anything unusual. "Taranau-Commander, Liberation forces report contact with one of these hybrid creatures. It indeed does possess biotic abilities. We would like to capture these creatures if possible. Should we encounter another, we would appreciate a goal of incapacitation, so we may pass judgement on the heretics inside."
Secretary steps into the room and stops, scanning the suspended monster. Judging it to be no threat, Secretary steps over to the computer and accesses the logs. "There is no threat here, Taranau-Commander." Borrowing what processing the nearby geth can spare, Secretary quickly deciphers the script, analyzes the data, and reaches consensus. Broadcasting information to other geth, in the case that these creatures have already been weaponized, Secretary turns back to the door and vocalizes again, the elapsed time so short it seems to be a continuation of the previous sentence.
"A specimen seems to be alive, but barely so. We suggest obtaining the sample for study, to better understand the mechanics involved."
"As ordered, Taranau-Commander." Secretary ejects its weapon's thermal clip and loads a new one, then stands at the door for a moment. Secretary then accesses the door, scanning the room once the door opens.
Secretary activates a tech module and vanishes from sight. Reappearing next to one of the husks, it strikes with an omni-blade from behind.
Tech Modules: Defense Matrix [armor]: ACTIVE
Secretary shifts fire to the husks surrounding Dredd. He swings his gun around in one smooth motion, ceasing fire while the gun is pointed at Dredd only to resume on the other side.
"As commanded." Secretary focuses on the other cannibal, activating a tech module to ignite it before following up with a hail of rifle rounds.
Tech Modules: Defense Matrix [armor]: ACTIVE
"Taranau-Commander, we recommend you allow us to take point. Our sensors may detect enemies before your own eyes, particularly due to the low lighting." If Taranau agrees, Secretary boosts his shields and proceeds to the front of the group, leading the way to the objective.
Tech Modules: Defense Matrix [armor]: ACTIVE
Secretary's expression plates ripple. "Out of many organic behaviours, this is one of the most baffling to us. Why not say 'We organics do not get along', instead of a patently false and opposite answer that means the same thing? Sarcasm seems deeply rooted in most cultures, yet its existence is completely irrational."
As Brutvus leaves, Secretary turns its head to face Dredd. Its expression plates fold to mimic a furrowed brow. "Urdnot Dredd, can you explain the purpose of sarcasm? We are capable of detecting when an organic life-form uses it, via tone of voice and obviously false statements, but do not understand the reasoning behind it. Why say a statement that means exactly the opposite of the words spoken?"
"Establishing good working relationships is important when dealing with organic life. We merely wish to facilitate this process, for the benefit of the mission."
'Thanks for the clarity, you're the first Geth I've met that I haven't destroyed. I hope you don't hold that against me.' He suddenly straightens, standing as tall as his four-legged frame will allow. His eye suddenly flickers from red to match the color of Secretary's glowing eye. 'If I had hands, I'd shake yours. You have my respect, Secretary.' "The heretics made their choices. The geth do not begrudge anyone for taking action against them, nor against us while we were under the control of the Old Machines. We only wish such conflict was avoided entirely." Secretary adopts a similar stance, standing ram-rod straight in salute. "We look forward to working with you, Baso-Captain."
"We are Geth," Secretary gently corrects. "'Robot' is a simplification, akin to referring to an Elcor as 'quadruped', or 'organic'. Should you prefer naming this frame, 'Secretary' would be suitable." Secretary gives a small bow. "We thank you, Baso-Captain, for considering us 'people'. Not all are as open-minded as yourself, willing to admit our sentience."
"This frame has been prepared with advanced technological devices. Also, we are skilled at accessing computer systems. Finally, this frame features high-powered servomotors designed to aid in melee combat." The geth platform tilts its head. "What are your skills, Urdnot Dredd?"
Secretary shakes its head. "There is nothing we wish to know that can be answered. Only investigating the Batarian craft will yield the information we require."
"Our role is similar to yours, Urdnot Dredd. We are here with our allies to defeat the Old Machines. This frame is prepared primarily for combat." "In addition, we collect data on the galaxy outside the Perseus Veil, to gain a greater understanding of organic life. There are many things that we do not comprehend, and it is our sincere wish to learn."-------------------------------------------------------------------------- "As a Spectre, I frequently have to make reports to my superiors. However, my job is frequently too busy to write proper reports. As a Geth, you have no need to sleep, and can write reports much quicker than I can. You are a gift from the Goddess!" Secretary's expression panels ripple, indicating slight confusion. "We were not aware of divine influence in our assignment of this frame to you. Would not the assignment of Geth to any squad result in the same outcome? Is it not merely an outcome of Geth assistance?"
"That's a wonderful name. Do you have run times with such experience?" "Indeed. While the term is not a perfect translation, it is the purpose of this platform," Secretary replies with a nod. It then tilts its head to one side, its expression panels reminiscent of a furrowed brow. "It is certainly a serviceable name, but what exactly makes it 'wonderful'?"
"We do not sleep, Urdnot Dredd. Nor are we comprised of components capable of oxidation." The geth moves away from its docking station, and indicates that Dredd may sit on the bed, if he wishes. "How may I be of service?"
"Taranau-Commander." The geth platform nods in return.
As its role was known to involve interaction with biological species, the Geth platform has been equipped with flaps and panels to emulate facial expression, similar to those of the platform known as Legion. It is these that it raises, similar to how other species raise eyebrows. "This is strange behaviour from the Old Machines. We are intrigued by the ship's existence. Our questions are ones that cannot be answered by you, only by examining the vessel."
The silver Geth strides silently, sharing data with the Prime. "We have been selected and optimized for this mission. We are prepared and capable for long-range autonomous operation, suitable for the tasks required," it vocalizes for the benefit of the others. |