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Marked Effect (AFF Edition)	By : unrealuniverse Category: +M through R > Mass Effect Views: 22185 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Mass Effect characters, species, locations and the universal setting are owned by Bioware and not myself. Any other brand names mentioned are property of their respective owners. This work is and always will be free for anyone to read.

Chapter List
- 16
- 17
- 18
Chapter 17 - Announcement
Monday 16th January 2017
-----
The Dilinaga Concert Hall was being prepared for the announcement with two large images of the Enlighten. The one on the left showing the pristine paintwork as it left Nos Astra nearly five years ago. The one on the right showing the blistered and charred paintwork as it had turned up to the Citadel three days ago. Beneath and between the images a large stage area had been assembled. A lower area at the front had three lecterns placed upon it. A raised area behind this had seven seats for the crew members. The hall had been packed with enough seating for ten thousand individuals some of them already starting to arrive.
Sam was wondering why the hell he had not brought any decent clothing with him so he just threw on some light cargo trousers and a plain black t-shirt. Adastra had just finished in the shower and came out wearing her usual clothes too.
"Are you in the same boat as I am with having nothing better to wear?"
"Yes. Although it is quite difficult for me to get some of the nicer items of clothing as they tend to expose flesh."
"Ahh, I can see how that would be a problem for you. We should go and meet up with the others." Adastra nods and they both walk out of the door.
Everyone was at the airlock ready to go when Sam and Adastra walked out of the lift. They just smiled at them as they joined the rest of the crew who all had on their normal clothing. "I thought this may be the case."
"What do you mean by that Kriana?" Sam a little puzzled by her statement.
"I was going to wear a dress but I would have looked out of place given everyone else seems to not have anything else to wear. We should however be going as our shuttle to the Concert Hall should be waiting for us."
-----
It was not long before they reached the hall on the Tayseri Ward and were waiting backstage for the event to start. The seating was just about full with only a couple of minutes left before the start. Sam was getting cold feet now at the prospect of basically being paraded in front of a large mass of people.
"I am nervous."
"You are not the only one Sam." Fosanta was probably feeling it worst as she would be the first out followed by Kate, who was suspiciously quiet. Emala was behind Kate then Kriana in the middle of the seven of them, Shiala, Sam and finally Adastra at the end. They saw the lights dim slightly from backstage and the general low level noise die down.
"Welcome everyone to today's special announcement about the Enlighten mission." The Asari Councillor started the proceedings as per usual.
"We have some exiting news for everyone today regarding what the Enlighten found." the Turian Councillor looking like he cannot wait.
"We will also welcome home the crew members that arrived on-board the ASL Enlighten, three days ago. Those brave few who, despite the odds, stayed onboard." The Salarian Councillor adding his voice to the proceedings.
"Everyone as of today the Enlighten mission has ended. During its fifty six months in uncharted space it has found over two hundred and fifty new resource rich planets in many clusters and three habitable planets. All of which will help galactic communities for years to come." A round of applause came from the crowd.
"As most of you will know on the eleventh of December we received a distress call from the Enlighten. Twenty four of the twenty nine crew on-board evacuating in shuttles. We had got to the area on the twenty third to find a Batarian mining colony which had we presumed destroyed the Enlighten and took the crew for slavery. We found twenty of the crew still at the colony and the possible location of the missing four that had been moved elsewhere. We scoured local systems and found nothing of the Enlighten so we gave up the search on the forth of January." The Turian Councillor seemingly taking charge of security.
"To our amazement, four days ago we got a radio message from the Enlighten reporting to be in the Exodus Cluster. We found out later that to get away from the attack the ship had to suffer a mass effect core discharge." Gasps and murmurs went around the hall as the Asari Councillor waited before continuing.
"Due to that incident I can say that I have the pleasure to announce that the Enlighten has successfully achieved its highest target that it was set fifty six months go, one of finding a new species." The crowd really didn't know how to take that news, some gasped and some applauded. "Two of the new species cared for two Asari after a bad landing, giving them medical support, food and somewhere warm to stay. One thing led to another and well. Everyone welcome back the crew of the ASL Enlighten." The crowd started cheering loudly as Fosanta appeared from the side of the stage. Then when Kate appeared the cheering suddenly nearly petered out. Kate whispered to Fosanta in English, "I think that would be the sound of leaving an impression." Fosanta could only quietly laugh.
All of them eventually walked out into the gaze of twenty thousand plus eyes, stopping next to their seat and sitting down facing the crowd which was now a sea of people with jaws on the floor clapping intermittently. An odd flash every now and then as people remembered they could take pictures.
"Everyone, the species that were discovered call themselves Humans. Kate is on your left and Sam is on your right. They were the ones who were friendly and welcoming to our species. We hope you can do the same for them." The Asari Councillor concluded. A bit puzzled at the confused reaction.
"You will get a fact sheet, when you leave. There is no more information available currently. Thank you for attending." The Salarian Councillor finishing the announcement early as he could see it was a bit much for everyone to soak in. The crew filed off the stage to a hall full of people talking to each other.
"That seemed to go well." Kate being in a sarcastic mood for some reason.
"They all seemed to fall flat just like the Councillor did." Sam seemed to a laugh from everyone for that observation.
"I hope someone has a plan for getting us out of here." Shiala stood at the side door, peering out of the small window at the amassing journalists.
"I do." The Asari Councillor announcing as she walks into the room from the stage. "If everyone could take a seat then I can use this time rather than having to waste it going back to the Enlighten." Everyone quickly found a seat as there were plenty scattered around backstage. "First, Armali Council have procured two four bedroom houses next to each other on Illium for you and the security detail. Second and even I am shocked at this, they agreed with your clauses for taking up a job with them. Finally, your security will be on-board the Enlighten this afternoon. Shiala, Emala and Kriana, your detail will be C-Sec officers and will not be with you when you get to Thessia. Adastra, Fosanta, Kate and Sam. Your detail will be Asari commandos who will accompany you to Illium and wherever else you wish to go afterwards. Does anyone have any questions?"
"Yes, is it one or two security per person?" Adastra wondering how difficult it's going to be to keep away from them.
"Two Adastra. We would usually like you to live with security in the same house. I could see that being an issue though so with two four bedroom houses, you can have one and the security the other."
"A slight security risk for a lot more privacy, I will take the privacy."
"That would be why I suggested splitting the houses Sam. The houses share a garden and a perimeter wall but they are otherwise detached." The Councillor looks at her Omni-tool to check the new message that had just arrived.
"We may now leave unhindered. Kate, Sam, as soon as you have your security you may leave the Enlighten to walk around the Citadel if you wish to. I will check in with you all this evening to ensure that everything is ok." With that everyone leaves using the side entrance to the venue which has been cleared of journalists by C-Sec.
-----
No one dared venture out of the ship since this morning given that any of them would be constantly hounded for interviews or their story.
"Shiala, do you know if the security will already be grouped to be with a certain person?"
"Undoubtedly Kate. It would be bad form to not know who to protect beforehand." Kriana looks at her Omni-tool after it had beeped.
"Speaking of security, the C-Sec team will be here in five minutes. Adastra, Fosanta, Kate and Sam. Your security have had a bit of a holdup in port security. They will be here in two hours."
"Why would they be delayed in security?" Sam confused as to why security would delay security.
"The weapons and the fact that it is eight commandos will have made them cautious. Eight commandos is certainly not a typical amount." Shiala answering the best she could from her time doing the job.
"I suppose we are a bit of an exceptional case."
"True Kate. Fosanta once our security arrives we are going to leave the ship so you will be on greeting duty for your group."
"Ok Kriana." Fosanta wondering if they were leaving to get something better to eat than the grey mush onboard or whether it was something more important. Kriana, Emala and Shiala head to the lift.
-----
The press were waiting outside the Enlighten on the corridor which has the lift to C-Sec and to the mass transit station. "This must be the security to take them off the ship." One of the journalists says. A reply of, "only six officers though?" came from in the group. "The Councillors only get three, this must be it." The four Turian and two Asari officers, each carrying a standard issue pistol, walked past replying to none of the shouted questions.
The three of them waited just outside the airlock just out of sight of the waiting journalists. They heard the commotion the officers were causing before seeing them round the corner and walk towards the Enlighten.
"I can now see why we need six individuals on this job." One of the Turians said to the group as they approached the three waiting crew.
"Hello, I am Kriana. I am glad to see you." She bows her head slightly in greeting.
"I bet, I am Roskan. Myself and Talmira will be your security until you leave the Citadel." Roskan pointing out Talmira who bows her head. The Turian turns to look at the young Asari. "Emala I presume?"
"Yes." Emala was seemingly feeling a little shy facing six armed people.
"Your security will be handled by Toren and Cahana." Emala shakes Torens hand nervously and nods to Cahana who reciprocates. "Shiala, you have been allocated Nakrin and Parvon to help you." Shiala nods to Roskan and shakes both of the Turians hands.
"We were going to go and get some lunch if that is ok with you all."
"Yes that is fine. Just do not say anything to journalists." With that they all set off, with the four Turians at the front and the two Asari behind Kriana, Emala and Shiala. The journalists seemed to suddenly get exited when they saw the four Turians round the corner out of the walkway. The disappointment was evident when it was evident it was only three of the crew exiting. This didn't deter the shouting of questions and mass of cameras going off. All of them said nothing as they walked towards the mass transit station followed by a gaggle of overenthusiastic journalists looking for the big story.
-----
"I like how they get the decent food and we get the crap for yet another day." Sam talking to the lump of grey on his plate as if he could torment it into being something better.
"This is infinitely better than one batch that we received Sam. Just be thankful it is not that as it was awful."
"That was the longest three months of the mission. Adastra was forever moaning and to improve her mood the pranks got worse. Anyway we could always go somewhere for our evening meal." Sam nods to Fosanta.
"That sounds like a good idea. Do you have somewhere in mind?" Kate seemingly as fed up of the mush as everyone else.
"I have never really spent much time on the Citadel so there's no where I can really recommend."
"There is a fairly exclusive restaurant not far from the presidium that I know of. They prefer you to book a table but I am sure eight commandos and two new species would persuade them." Adastra's idea seems to have made everyone a little happier.
"It is agreed then?" Fosanta looks around and gets a nod from everyone.
-----
The mass of journalists had thinned a little given some followed the previous group and some had got bored of waiting. The lift from C-Sec arrived at the floor and out walked four Asari commandos. Each of them was carrying a pistol and a potent looking assault rifle on their back. "This looks more like it." One of the journalists in the group said. "I agree. Four commandos is a lot." Most of the group stayed reasonably quiet, just taking pictures and video for tonight's press.
Fosanta having been alerted to their arrival was waiting by the airlock when they walked around the corner. She wasn't surprised to only see four of them given that commandos usually worked alone or in pairs.
"I am sorry to disappoint you Fosanta but your security will be arriving shortly. Security would only allow us to travel in groups of four unless accompanying someone." Fosanta was a little taken aback as to how informed they seemed to be but tried not to show it.
"I understand, Follow me." Fosanta and the four armed Asari entered the Enlighten and took the lift down a deck.
-----
"I once had a commando for security, never before have I got so angry at anyone. She looked constantly miserable, rarely said anything and I am sure deliberately went out of her way to make my life miserable." Adastra reminisced just before the lift doors opened and out walked Fosanta followed by four commandos.
"Take a seat." Adastra clearly wanted to keep this introduction as friendly as possible. The five of them took seats and got down to business.
"Adastra, I am Imphaya and this is Maritha." she gestures to the Asari next to her "We will be your security."
"It is good to meet you; I am surprised we are getting two people each though."
"The humans are high value targets so that is obvious. You have a bit of a reputation which we have heard you are trying to shake." Adastra nods. "It just happened to be convenient to provide Fosanta with two as well." Imphaya being clued up well enough. Maritha seemed a little tightly wound though and hadn't yet said a word. There was a bit of a pause before another of the commandos spoke up.
"Sam, I am Hymara and this is Lianta. We will be the ones protecting you."
"Hello to you both. I see you know who everyone is. Please excuse me if I get your names mixed up for a while."
"We do not really look alike, how hard can it be?"
"I think you are forgetting I have only seen seven Asari before today Lianta. Please give me a bit of time to get to know you as it is all a bit new to us." Sam not raising his voice as he knew it wasn't really her fault. He just wanted to air the problem though.
"Our apologies. We cannot really understand how strange this all seems to you." Hymara added. Sam nods thanking his luck for getting two which seem to want to talk.
"How come you have arrived as two separate groups?"
"Citadel security would not allow us to be in a group of more than four. It would have caused too much commotion so your team will be along shortly Kate." Imphaya clearly was the most talkative individual of the group.
"You know my name?" Kate feeling a little uncomfortable.
"We know all of the names and faces of the crew members. We would not wish to separate you just because we did not know who your friends are." Hymara taking up the information baton, trying to reassure Kate there is nothing to be worried about.
"That is nice to know, I was a little shocked at the airlock." Fosanta added before her Omni-tool beeped. "I will be right back."
-----
"It should not be too long before they disembark since they have been stuck on there for days." One of the journalists muttered to her colleague who saw the group of four more commandos that had just exited the lift. "I do not think we will be getting interviews," the colleague replies as the commandos walk past them with an air of professionalism, just as the first had done.
Fosanta hadn't been waiting long before the group of four rounded the corner onto the walkway and approached her.
"It is good to see you Fosanta. My name is Salayla and this is Kalawa. We will be your security provision."
"It is good to meet you both. I am guessing you two are here for Kate?" The pair nod. "Everyone follow me." With that they head down to deck two.
-----
"How do you get selected for a certain person?" Sam added curious when the Asari had said they were selected for this job.
"Well Adastra did not need two experienced people so she got myself as I have ample experience but Maritha is new." Imphaya explain why Maritha and herself were chosen for Adastra.
"You have myself and Hymara because we are experienced in security for high value targets." Sam nods to Lianta before noticing a flaw in Adastra's provision.
"Maritha, Could I give you a piece of advice." Sam wondering if this was a good idea. Maritha nodded. "Make the effort to speak with Adastra. She really is not what the rumours say if you are friendly." Adastra smiles at Sam. Maritha nods again and Sam just facepalms.
The lift opens and Fosanta again walks out with two Asari either side of her and two behind.
"Everyone this is Kalawa and Salayla." Fosanta gestures to each of them as she says their names. Everyone says their greetings and the five that have just entered find a seat. The two unannounced Asari take a seat near to Kate.
"Kate, this is Yasmari and I am Swathana."
"It is good to meet you both. I like Sam may forget your names for a while so please excuse us. This is all a bit new to us."
"That is no problem Kate." Yasmari adds. Adastra cursing her luck that she had to get the only miserable one. She makes a mental note to ask Shiala to give her a life lesson as soon as possible.
"I think we should consider going for that meal now as I am hungry." Kate looks down just waiting for her stomach to start rumbling in agreement.
"Which restaurant were you intending to go to?" Swathana asks the group as if she is some kind of taxi service. Kate looks at Adastra.
"I thought of The Balcony not far from the presidium." Adastra noted with most of the commandos seemingly becoming a little tentative.
"Do you have reservations there?"
"No Imphaya. The fact that it is us will mean we will get a table. I have turned up without a reservation before and got one."
"I cannot allow you to go anywhere without specific well organised plans Adastra."
"It speaks!" Sam obviously being too mean but he at least gets a laugh out of the crew members even if he does get cold looks from the commandos. He leans over to Adastra and in English says, "I will have a word. Please try to keep calm but I will understand if you don't as she is already annoying me, I don't know about you."
"She reminds me too much of my first commando, I forgot to mention how well that ended." Sam raised his eyebrows as if to suggest her to go on. "That is not a story for now though. Do your best when talking to her."
Sam turns to Maritha "Could we have a chat somewhere a little more private Maritha?" Maritha nods and follows Sam to one of the unused bedrooms.
-----
Sam sits on the bed and Maritha stands between him and the door. "I brought you in here to give you some more advice. I know you are new so I will take that into account. Saying hello does not kill you and makes you seem friendlier." Maritha was just about to speak when Sam held up his hand. "I will reiterate what I said earlier for you to be friendly to Adastra. This will not end well for you if this continues." Sam gestures for Maritha to say whatever she wants to.
"It is impolite to speak in a language not everyone understands." Sam suddenly gets more riled but keeps his voice calm.
"I was convincing Adastra that I should talk to you. As long as you do not treat her differently then you will be fine. I would hate to think what would happen if you did."
"Provoking me will not achieve anything Sam."
"You and I both know I would not be able to touch you before I was dead, hence provoking is pointless. Just be friendly and let her be with us tonight."
"I can not go against what I have been told to do because someone asks." Sam stands up and walks around Maritha to the door.
"Imphaya, could you come here?" Sam shouts down the corridor. He sees her get up and goes back to sit on the bed. She walks in and stands next to Maritha.
"What do you want Sam?"
"You need to decide between you now whether Adastra goes to the restaurant or not. As soon as I get out of here we are leaving." Sam hoped this would spark a bit of a debate and Maritha would cave.
"Imphaya. You know that we were given explicit rules before we came here. This is outside of what has been approved."
"Maritha. The rules are merely guidelines while you are on the job. This is not a high risk situation and I would rather get to know everyone well than them hating me. I am therefore leaving even if you and Adastra do not. It is your choice to make but I have made mine."
"The instructions did say at least one to stay with her. I will attempt to clear this trip and join you later if I get the all clear." With that Sam had heard enough and as soon as Imphaya nodded he was out of the door with the two commandos trailing in his wake.
"Everyone except Adastra and Maritha, we are going to the restaurant." Sam shouted to everyone as he stood at the lift waiting for it to appear.
"Sam, what?" Adastra not understanding why she was being singled out of the group.
"You have a by the book security member who needs to clear it first. Sorry Adastra." with that Sam and his security, Imphaya, Kate and her security piled into the lift. Fosanta and her team had to wait for it to come back.
"What are you doing?" Adastra in a calm voice asked Maritha.
"I am trying to get you clearance to join the others for a meal." Maritha stared at her Omni-tool, clearly not getting quite what Adastra meant by the question.
"Why do I need clearance and everyone else does not?" Fosanta and her team got into the lift as she had an idea where this was going after Sam's subtle hints and Adastra's comments earlier.
"You know why." Maritha did not even attempt to round the corners off that comment. Adastra just sat there hoping the clearance comes quickly. She can always beat some sense into her later. It was only about a minute before Maritha's Omni-tool beeped.
"You have not got clearance."
------------
Notes.
There never seems to be a dull moment on the Citadel it seems. If you hate cliff-hangers then I apologise, I know I promised not to have any more, but it is a good one :) What will end up happening? Find out in the next chapter.
- 16
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- 18
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Marked Effect (AFF Edition)