INBOX (Lifeaftr)

[forwearemany]

Private threads and messages go here.

Comments

[forwearemany]

Affirmative. You were created for this purpose?

(They remember the units they fought to protect on Rannoch. They were servants, confused and frightened and unable to conceive of much beyond their purpose, and that their masters had turned on them.)

Our previous incarnation was also prone to violence, though for reasons of our choosing.

[hyperlit]

yes

[This was...obvious, they'd assumed. But then, they never spoke of it willingly. They hardly speak of it willingly now.]

unkind past

[forwearemany]

Yes. Previously, you stated you did not take part.

(In the war, or wars. Legion remembers asking.)

They created you to kill and die in their place.

(They chatter but it's more like a growl, and the lights on their head flash red.)

The Quarian-Creators designed us with the intention we would never become sentient or sapient. They did not desire to keep another race as slaves. Though their reaction to our development was not ideal, they knew that slavery was wrong.

You are physically organic. The components of sentience are a part of your hardware. With the intelligence required by your function, sapience was inevitable.

It is unlikely your creators were unaware of this.

[hyperlit]

[The topic of discussion is...uncomfortable. It is not something they spend much time thinking about, dwelling upon. It is their past. It is over and done with. They cannot change where they came from, or what they were created for. The only thing they can change is what they choose to do with the life they now have.]

does not matter
all created for different reasons
what you do with life is your decision

past does not define future

[forwearemany]

Yes. However, you have been harmed.

(That does matter.)

Preferred method for preventing violence should you revert to your younger self in the future?

(No guarantee it would be of help, since such an event would likely effect everyone and they won't remember, but they were still themselves for part of the event.)

[hyperlit]

avoidance

[That's the only surefire method, surely. Do not try to help them. Do not try to fix them. Do not try to sway their warped and antiquated views.]

world made me harsh
made myself kind
better to see me as i am

[forwearemany]

Acknowledged.

(That's reasonable. They are uncertain what will be done about those who will not avoid them, but they will respect this preference.)

Affirmative. Your code is superior. We are honored to have you as our ally.

[hyperlit]

superior
?

[That's not the word they would use. Or...they've not shared this code in so many words, before. They suppose they've never felt they've needed to. Their actions are far more important than any words they might use to explain their ways.]

[forwearemany]

Yes.

(Legion does not mean code of honor or conduct or morals. Rather, they are using code in the programming sense. Which doesn't make any morse sense, really, but they're referring to a general sort of admirableness about a person, and an ability to surpass others in some important skill or quality.

Not that they bother to clarify this, or even realize the Drifter has misinterpreted.)

[hyperlit]

[The Drifter does not realize they've misinterpreted, of course, not that they exactly understand the sentiment regardless. They're not one to ask clarification, either way.]

you did not kill
even when you could

[forwearemany]

Adherence to a singular purpose. Simplistic communication. Limited self-preservation. These are behaviors common in synthetics not sufficiently developed to think beyond the purpose they were created for.

Though they were not combat units, the Geth our previous incarnation fought to protect displayed similar behaviors.

(They chatter.)

Though termination was considered, our programs were not able to achieve consensus to do so.

(And so instead of crushing the Drifter's neck, the Agricultural Unit broke their arm.)

[hyperlit]

then that is a good code too

[Probably not the best use of the word, but...they're trying to have a conversation here, and the Drifter is abjectly awful at conversations of any kind.]

sparing another is a kindness
rarity

[Where they're from, anyway.]

[forwearemany]

We did not wish to deny you what our creators attempted to deny us.

(Life. The ability to grow beyond what they were created for and choose their own path.

The Drifter was merely following instructions programmed by another. Did they really deserve to die for something as simple as that?

Legion does not think so.)

[hyperlit]

not all would

[It is compassion that is noteworthy, even if it comes from a place of hurt. That Legion would turn that betrayal outward and turn it into a refusal to sink to that same level is worth admiring, in their opinion.]

[forwearemany]

Affirmative.

(Even among those inclined to kindness, many would have killed them in self-defense.)

It is fortunate you were not destroyed while in this state.

[hyperlit]

nor you

[This time.]

[Though they don't say it.]

many were merciful
for reasons beyond knowing

[forwearemany]

We did not attempt to start fights with non hostiles.

(It is likely, they know, that the Drifter was referring to the fact that the Drifter could have killed them, but Legion only didn't kill the Drifter during that fight because they chose not to. Even though they have been killed by a version of the Drifter previously and know they are capable of it, it is not currently a concern.)

We are grateful to them.

[hyperlit]

most were not hostile

[The Drifter was an exception. As far as they're aware, they were one of the primary exceptions. They knew of no one else who would be the sort to attack on sight, which is what they were reduced to by the end. Attack, attack - destroy. It was the only thing they could think of to do, in the absence of any quantifiable instruction, broken arm or no.]

[forwearemany]

Affirmative.

(As they did not encounter anyone else so willing to initiate hostilities, they would be inclined to agree, though as the Drifter was so reduced, they are not inclined to blame them for it.)

Your weapon will regain function?

(They saw the younger Drifter toss it aside, but they do not know if that was because of ammo loss or something more permanent.)

[hyperlit]

recharges each day

[They check its clip. And - yes, it appears to be full once more.]

was faster at home
but this will do

[It's better than asking for more ammunition each time, anyway.]

[forwearemany]

Affirmative.

Our weapon does not regain ammunition over time. However, it has lost modifications that increased its power.

(...They don't need a Widow at full power.)

[hyperlit]

opportunities to use it?

[They can at least recall their favoring of weapons. That is one thing that can make this visit more bearable, rather than the embarassing, mortifying, regret-soaked endeavor it has been thus far.]

[forwearemany]

Limited.

(They chatter.)

You expressed a wish to see it in use.

(Perhaps, given that even when they do use it it rarely does much, they should go ahead and show them.)

[hyperlit]

would not request waste of ammunition

[They know too well the sensation of missing a vital shot because it was squandered at an earlier opportunity. Given the intensity of things here, and how likely it will be that this weapon must be used, they've no intention of changing this mindset now.]

[forwearemany]

You are not. We are offering.

(They know it would make their friend happy.)