A/N: And another episode :)

HOMEWORK

by CreatorZorah

"Assuming direct control," the voice of puppeteer boomed in the mind of the Collector.

Cyanea wondered why the being had to think so loudly. She kept the connection to the cyborg's mind in order to communicate if the being, whatever it was, would be willing to. The lesser beings were clearly unaware of the change and she wondered what the puppeteer would do. They weren't people she would want to protect, besides her priority was the being who was controlling the Collectors.

"This exchange is over," the Collector said.

"What do you mean it is over?" a batarian asked angrily. "You better..."

The next moment the group of Collectors pointed their weapons of the lesser beings and fired. Cyanea cringed at the needless violence but didn't do anything to protect them. The services they were offering were just as disgusting as the Collectors' request. However, she couldn't judge the puppeteer yet. She didn't have enough information.

When the lesser beings were dead, she stood up and headed over to the Collectors. They weren't firing at her, just waiting. Cyanea decided that it was a good sign. She stopped five metres away from them.

"In the name of the Elders, I greet the one who controls this shell," she said telepathically to the puppeteer.

"You're an anomaly," replied the puppeteer.

"Thanks, you aren't exactly normal either," she replied. "What are you?"

"I'm beyond your comprehension, being of blood and flesh."

Cyanea rolled her eyes. "This body is a mere shell for my immortal spirit and mind. You are no superior of mine."

"Your religious beliefs that provide you with false hope are irrelevant. We are the Harbinger of your ascension."

That was an interesting piece of information. "I believe we both misunderstood each other. It's not a religion, it's a scientific fact. I'm able to ascend and continue my life as a being of pure energy, like the Elders. However, you aren't an ascended being, you are an AI, aren't you?"

"Prove."

The only Elder who could materialize himself was Aten, the only human that had reached M20. He wasn't very reliable though. The Elders were sometimes difficult to understand, but Aten was known to act immaturely, despite being the most intelligent human in the universe. Cyanea hoped that she wouldn't act like him once ascended.

"Oh, I hear a cute girl thinking about me!"

Cyanea sighed and turned her head to the right where a ghostly form of Aten materialized out of thin air. He had ascended when he had been fifty, but he chose a younger form to appear before her and the puppeteer. Cyanea couldn't be sure if he was here to help or just because she had been thinking about him.

"Aten, I'm in the middle of negotiations," she told him.

"Why so cold, Cyanea?" Aten complained and looked at the Collector. "Well, you have the evidence. I would stay, but... it's too boring here. Call me when you're naked, Cyanea."

With that he disappeared leaving mortified Cyanea alone with the Collectors. Bloody pervert! If he hadn't ascended, she would kick his arse.

"I apologize for his behaviour," Cyanea said. "Aten is eccentric."

"I accept the evidence. You provided new insights into the problematic."

"It's your turn to answer my questions. You aren't a being of blood and flesh. Neither are you an ascended being. Therefore you're an AI. However, an AI wouldn't need bearers of rare genetic traits unless there is a logic behind it. I assume it has something to do with the ascension you claim to be a Harbinger of. Am I correct?"

"We harvest advanced organic and synthetic species to preserve organic life in the universe."

Cyanea's eyes widened slightly. "Then you're the one behind the Cycle. We discovered ancient ruins of multiple species that were destroyed by an unknown force. I understand now. You harvest them and preserve them in form of an AI. However, I fail to see the reason. Are you speaking on behalf of all the civilizations you've harvested?"

"Yes, I do. We bring order to chaos. The created will always rebel against their creators. It's inevitable and so we protect the organic life from complete annihilation by the synthetics. Your species are the first who achieved the ability to ascend without our help."

"Because you don't give them time to evolve," Cyanea said with a frown. "We were born in chaos. It gave us the ability to ascend. Order means stagnation. However, I admit, we lack the knowledge about synthetics, because we only know the Geth, who are not a danger to organics. Still your solution is imperfect."

"We're aware of that. Are you willing to cooperate in order to find a better solution?"

Cyanea wanted to cooperate. Humanity lacked information about AI and couldn't predict their development. However it wasn't something she could decide on her own. She shared the revelations and requested an answer for the question.

"I'll share our decision soon," she said and for the next ten minutes stood, telepathically participating in the discussion about the AI's proposition. Finally the decision was made. "We have reached a consensus. We will cooperate if you agree to our condition."

"Name the condition."

"You will stop the Cycle and won't continue the harvest unless we agree that it's the best possible solution."

"The Cycle became obsolete when you provided an evidence of your ability to ascend. We agree."