//------------------------------// // ...And my tie is a noose // Story: Beyond This Galaxy Of Ours // by bronystrongwing //------------------------------// "If a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live." -Martin Luther King Jr. ------ As the group approached the site of impact, the three aliens all stopped in shock. "Oh, please don't tell me that's what I think it is." Max said, getting his pistol ready. "What? What is it?" Asked Strongwing, worried of what might frighten the trio of towering men, all armed and ready for anything. "Geth ship. They're the ones who attacked us and stranded us here. Probably sent after us to make sure they finish the job." Aldiv answers, shotgun aimed at the ship. "'Finish the job'? Does that mean what I think it means?" Flashpoint asks, sweat starting to bead on his forehead. "Wait, I'm confused. Who are they? What are 'Geth'?" Asks the husky. "They're a synthetic race, created by the Quarians two hundred years ago. By the way, we never caught your name." Says Samdon, training his assault rifle on the ship's hatch. "It's Sigmund, I'm just a digger. My brother Kam's a guard." Says Sigmund, adjusting his vest. "I'm sorry, but can we get started trying to get them out?" Before any of them could respond, the side of the ship opened up to reveal two Geth troops. Neither held a weapon, but the mercs didn't leave anything to risk and took aim. "I-I guess those are the Geth you spoke of." Said Sigmund, fear taking it's grip on his mind. The two synthetics began approaching the group at a slow pace. One appeared to be badly damaged, a large chunk missing from it's left arm. "THIS PLATFORM IS 7777. THE PLATFORM NEXT TO ME IS 3040. WE WERE ONLY ABLE TO SALVAGE ENOUGH OF THE COMMUNICATIONS TO CREATE A MEANS TO ALLOW ONE PLATFORM TO SPEAK WITH YOU. I VOLUNTEERED." Said the more badly damaged Geth. "Why do you want to speak with us? You tried to kill us just yesterday!" Shouted Samdon, aiming at it's vision apparatus. "WE INTENDED TO TEST OUR WEAPONS. WE DID NOT FORSEE THE RELAY REACTING AS IT DID. WE WERE SENT HERE TO EXAMINE THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE DONE TO YOUR SHIP. AN ERROR OCCURED IN THE CRASH. THIS PLATFORM AND 3040 WERE FORCED TO RESTART. ALL BUT ONE GETH INSTANCE WAS ERASED IN EACH OF US. WE DO NOT NEED TO FORM A CONCENSUS TO PERFORM. WE ARE NOW INDIVIDUALS. WE SAW WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU AS WRONG. WE WISH TO HELP. THE REST... DO NOT AGREE." Said 7777, now turning to face the ship. "THEY ARE CURRENTLY TRAPPED INSIDE. I DISMANTLED THE DOOR CONTROL. THEY WILL NOT BOTHER US FOR AN ESTIMATED TIME OF 70 MINUTES." "Well, looks like we're making new friends everyday." Said Max, putting his pistol away. "The names Max. That's Samdon, Aldiv, Strongwing, Flashpoint, and Sigmund. It seems you two are the newest members of this rescue party. You see, that ship of yours caused a series of underground catacombs to collapse, trapping his friends and family down there." He says, pointing to Sigmund, who in return gave a weak grin and wave. "Hold up, you can't really believe them, can you?" Asked Samdon, skepticism evident in his voice. "I mean, they shot at us! They were responsible for the massacre on Eden Prime! They helped Saren in the Reaper invasion! They still work with the Collectors, who, if I need to remind you, are the Reaper's slaves!" "Yeah, but one of them is also on Shephard's crew. The same Shephard who is trying to stop the Reapers. If that one can change, why can't they?" Aldiv asks. "If I may, we need to get down there fast. The stone is too thick for them to claw through and they need air just like us!" Said Sigmund, now walking towards the entrance of the tunnel system. "He's right." Said Flashpoint, trotting after the husky. "We'll finish this conversation later." Samdon said, following the group. Sigmund used his claws to try and dig away the weaker parts, Flashpoint tried to lift the heaviest rock he could handle. The two free Geth tried moving any debris they could carry, 7777 having problems with his damaged arm. "Alright you four, quit goofin' around and move outta the way. I got this, or, at least most of it." Said Max, purchasing himself a trio of confused looks from the Equestrian natives. "Just move." His body began emitting a dark blue energy as he focused on the rubble blocking the entrance. As he strained, the majority of the debris began to glow with the same aura. Soon, Max lifted his hand and the rocks followed suit. The trapped dogs inside all stared in amazement as what they assumed to be unicorn magic was revealed to be coming from a strange bipedal. After a long moment of silence, a single dog, a Labrador with brown fur, stepped forward. "About time you bozos got us outta there. Come on everybody, let's get some fresh air." He motions with one paw for the rest to follow. 3040 and 7777 Stepped towards the group, allowing a few elders to use them for balance. As the dogs filed out, Sigmund rushed forward and hugged the brown Labrador. "Kam! Are you okay?" He says, tears freely running from his blue eyes. "I'm alright, bro. Good work getting help. Not only did you get ponies, you got a few foreigners as well." He replies, hugging him back. "Hey, thanks for getting us outta there. Gotta say, though, I've never seen magic users lift something that heavy, mighty impressive." "That's because," Max says, "I didn't use magic. It's called Biotics, I'll explain later, catch your breath." "Huh, you learn somethin' new everyday." Said Kam, heading off to join the rest of the diamond dogs. "Thanks again." Said Sigmund. following his brother. "SHALL WE CONTINUE OUR CONVERSATION NOW?" Asked 7777 as he and 3040 returned, his head slightly tilted to the side. Max couldn't hold in a chuckle. "Of course. Hey Sammy, what do you think we should nickname them?" He says, a grin on his face. "I admit, I was a bit quick to judge, I'm sorry." Samdon says. "And I believe 7777 should just be called lucky. You know, like the old human belief that four sevens is luck." He said. "It's actually three sevens, but I catch your drift. Now, what about 3040?" Max says, looking at the mute synthetic. Before a decision could be made, a banging began emanating from the crashed Geth ship. "Crap, forgot about them. Hey Flash, you got a way to put a shield around that ship?" "Yeah, but I doubt I could lift it." He said, readying his spell. "Don't worry, you shield, I carry." Max says, picking up the ship with all his Biotic might. As lifted, the aura surrounding him became thicker. A whistle is heard from the group of rescued diamond dogs. It was Kam, watching in awe. "Man, that Biotics stuff is pretty cool. Gotta see if I could get me that." He says, a grin across his muzzle. "Unfortunately, you need to be born with it, and after that, you need surgery to have an implant put in your head that actually lets you use it. Even then, most can't lift anything over two hundred pounds. It's sort of like a muscle, the more you use it, the stronger it gets." Max says, walking next to Flashpoint towards the castle. "Nice meeting you, though." "Wait!" Shouts Sigmund, rushing after the group. "One of the elders wanted you to have this." He hands Aldiv a large brown pouch. "seriously, you guys are the greatest." He says before rushing back to the group. "What's in it?" Max asked. Aldiv opens it to reveal a large pile of brilliant blue gemstones. "Holy shit! Sapphires!" "Uh, what are sapphires?" Asked Samdon, taking hold of one of the stones. "A mineral. They used to be all over Earth, until we mined every single ounce. Man, these must be worth millions of creds each!" Max says, a large smile plastered on his face. "They're actually pretty common here. We mostly just use them for decoration. One pony even uses them and other gems in clothes. She's actually one of the ponies we rode with in the carriage yesterday." Says Strongwing. "Why was a fashion designer with us?" Asked Aldiv. "We'll explain later."