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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
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Chapter 2 - Collection
11th March 2012
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"Good morning, my name is Omepha and welcome to Sentix Spaceworks. Are you part of the Enlighten crew?"
"It is good to meet you Omepha. My name is Fosanta and I am indeed part of the Enlighten crew." Omepha nodded in greeting before looking towards her console. Fosanta looked around at the large open and airy reception area noting that it looked fairly impressive, especially so for an industrial company.
"The Enlighten is in hanger two Fosanta. According to my list there is only one individual left to arrive before you depart. You may take one of the personal transport vehicles from the corridor to get you there as it is quite a walk."
"I appreciate the help Omepha. Which way do I need to go?"
"My apologies. Take the door to the left of the desk and in front of you should be a number of vehicles for you to choose from. Follow the orange stripe on the walls to get you there."
"Thank you." Omepha nods to Fosanta before getting back to work. Fosanta walked through the doorway to enter a wide, seemingly never ending corridor. As Omepha had stated there was a room immediately in front of her with a number of different personal forms of transport. Fosanta picked one which carried up to two people and began to drive down the corridor following the orange stripe.
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"Good morning, my name is Omepha. Welcome to Sentix Spaceworks Adastra." Adastra smiled at her knowing who she was.
"It is good to meet you Omepha. How do I get to the Enlighten?"
"Go through the door on your left, take a personal transport vehicle and follow the orange stripe on the wall. That should take you to hanger two where everyone should be waiting for you."
"Thank you for the help."
"No problem." Omepha went back to answering messages as Adastra walked through the same door Fosanta had walked through only minutes earlier. Adastra chose a four person transport and set off as if she was half an hour late. It only took six minutes to travel down the corridor before she pulled in to the park for the vehicles at hanger two to find another Asari just getting off.
"It is always the most fun when you are late. My name is Adastra." Fosanta seemed a little shocked but decided to put that to one side for the moment.
"Hello Adastra, my name is Fosanta. Is it yourself or Tahomi who is the main pilot?" Adastra smiled to Fosanta as the two of them walked to the door opposite to enter the hanger.
"I am the main pilot as Tahomi is only qualified to fly up to class seven ships. I technically am qualified to fly class nine which includes the destiny ascension, although I have never had the opportunity to do so."
"Really?" Fosanta sounded a little surprised at having a dreadnought pilot on a class five, more frigate class ship. "What is the reasoning behind having such a qualified pilot?"
"I assume It is because we will be days from help and if something goes wrong we need the skills to manage it. That and I do not have anything else to fly at the moment." Fosanta nodded as the pair of them walked through the door of the hanger to see the blue painted hull of the Enlighten. The two of them got smiles on their faces as they admired the paint, the gently curving shape towards the wings and the bright yellow name on the side of the hull. "If this flies as well as it looks it is going to be brilliant. We are however going to be visible from the next galaxy with that colour."
"I am feeling much happier it looks like a brand new design as most of the older vessels are not nice to be on. I do agree with the colour being a bit much, although since we are inside it is not like we will see it every day." Adastra nodded with a little laugh as the pair of them walked up the stairs and along the gantry towards the airlock.
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Kriana had received a message from Omepha that Fosanta and Adastra would be arriving shortly. She along with her daughter Emala and Shiala waited at the airlock. The airlock door opened and two Asari walk in. "You two must be Fosanta and Adastra. My name is Kriana and I will be the captain of the ship. This is my daughter Emala who has just finished some basic exploration studies." Kriana put her arm around her daughter as she talked which Fosanta thought was a nice touch.
"My name is Shiala and I will be providing basic security on-board."
"It is good to meet you all; I am Fosanta in case you were wondering who was who." The three who were already on-board nod in greeting.
"It is good to meet you three. I hope you do not mind if we get moving as I was a bit late, my apologies."
"No problem, you can sort your rooms out later. All your belongings that you sent here a couple of days ago should be in the cargo hold and your rooms are labelled on the deck below."
"Thank you Kriana." Adastra instantly made a bee line for the cockpit with Fosanta nodding to Kriana and before she followed Adastra at a slightly less enthusiastic pace. Adastra plonked herself down on the pilots chair noting its comfort before she looked to the co-pilots chair on her left. There she saw an old Asari friend which made her face brighten up appreciably. "It is good to see you again Tahomi. It must be what, a hundred and fifty years since we last met?"
"More than that Adastra. I am at least glad I am not under some miserable pilot." The two of them laughed which made Fosanta curious.
"You two know each other?"
"Tahomi that is Fosanta" Adastra pointed out Fosanta to Tahomi. "I believe she is to be our communication specialist."
"It is good to meet you Fosanta. I am a little surprised we have a communications specialist in the cockpit as the new technology makes that easy. I suppose they are covering every eventuality with the crew selection."
"It certainly sounds like it Tahomi as most ships do not need co-pilots these days either." The three of them shared a laugh at that comment.
"Good point. Yes I know Adastra from when we did advanced flight control at the University of Serrice. She stayed on for an extra few years to do the dreadnought class which I thought was pointless given there are so few ships of that size."
"Oh it was a pointless waste Tahomi; it was a good course though." Tahomi nodded as Kriana approached the cockpit. She stood in the doorway between the cockpit and the deck as that was where there was the most amount of space.
"I hope we are ready to leave as we need to be at Nos Astra space port in twenty minutes."
"Does anyone know if this ship has ceramic tube thrusters?" Kriana looked pleased she had spent the morning reading the datasheets on the ship.
"The specifications said density controlled tungsten Adastra. Why do you ask?" Adastra began to work on the console letting Tahomi answer.
"Kriana. If they were ceramic tubes we would break them doing what we are about to do." Adastra carefully manoeuvred the ship out of the hanger as she warmed the thrusters.
"Fosanta can you contact Illium control now so we can get clearance." Adastra found the mass effect core controls on the ship a little strange. "Kriana does this ship use two mass effect cores as it seems too well balanced for one."
"It uses three Adastra, one either side of the hull at the back and the one at the nose is larger than normal." Adastra seemed a little confused but happy with the response. Most ships especially of this size used a single core as large as possible.
"ASL-Enlighten to Illium control surface. Requesting an approach flight path and a dock at Nos Astra space port."
"ASL-Enlighten, you have been reserved dock one. Please note that your flight path includes a holding point. Please remain at this point and keep communications open until you are cleared to approach." Fosanta looks to Adastra who nods.
"Understood Illium control, Enlighten out."
-----
Nos Astra was abuzz with activity, much more than usual. Word had spread that the Council would be visiting and that a new ship was to be officially named and then depart on its maiden voyage into the unknown at one this afternoon. A local company had set up three lecterns on a small stage with several seats on, outside the berth closest to the main trade floor on Nos Astra. A small crowd had started to gather by noon, which was when representatives from the Armali Council and the University of Serrice arrived in a small shuttle at the third dock. Dock two was of course for the council who turned up at twenty to one to a now large crowd of a few thousand people.
At one pm on the dot the councillors took to the lecterns and the crowd, which was now so large the trade floor had to be temporarily closed, fell silent.
The Asari councillor started, "We are gathered here today to mark a new step towards understanding the galaxy in which we all live. This may not seem as important as a new councillor or the announcement of a peace deal in a war, but it will affect decisions that will be made for generations to come."
"We may not think much about the future. Without sufficient knowledge, we cannot always, make well formed decisions. Ones that affect, many, many people." the Salarian Councillor added.
"It is decisions where advancing and keeping safe all species that will be positively impacted by today's events and the subsequent mission." The Turian Councillor added sounding a little unconvinced but running with it.
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Adastra was still not convinced with the odd mass effect core layout but the ship had more than ample thrust for such a small vessel. The priority however was not putting a dint in the hull before it had taken its maiden voyage, especially in front of the councillors and sponsors.
"ASL-Enlighten this is Illium control surface. You are now clear to proceed from your holding point to dock."
"Could I talk Fosanta." Fosanta gave a nod as Adastra opened the channel back to Illium control. "Understood Illium control. We would like to request an exclusion from the space port speed limit upon disembarking."
"What are you planning Adastra?" Kriana sensed that the request was going against the norm. Adastra just ignored her.
"ASL-Enlighten, your request is outside normal procedures. Could we ask the reason for you wanting to exceed space port limits?" Adastra's smile grew a little larger.
"I would like to see what this ship is capable of before we go into the unknown. What better time than on the maiden voyage."
"We will get back to you on that Enlighten, Control out." Adastra receives the approach path from Tahomi and begins the approach into the dock.
"What are you thinking Adastra? We will have the councillors and sponsor representatives on-board on departure." Kriana stated flatly as Adastra's smile turned into a grin.
"I would just like to show to the people that made this possible what it is capable of." Adastra turned to look at Kriana with a child like amusement on her face. Kriana just put her head into her hand and sighed thinking to herself that it must be that she's still young.
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"Today we mark the announcement of the most advanced exploration vessel in galactic space with its ambitious goal of mapping a large part of the unknown galaxy." the Asari councillor felt a sense of pride as the crowd erupted with cheer. "The ASL-Enlighten." she turned around and held her hand out towards the approaching ship as the crowd got a renewed voice.
The ASL-Enlighten approached its birth with speed, grace, and precision. As the crowd got their first look at the smooth over engineered hull murmurings began to spread. The paint scheme for the ASL-Enlighten had been chosen by the sponsors and the crew from thousands of entries entered by school children from various planets. It was certainly not the most traditional design, nor the most complicated, but the one that evoked the strongest reaction, which was picked as the winner. The whole ship was painted an electric blue with the ships name written in yellow text and the logos and names of the two public sponsors were written in white towards the rear of the hull.
"Today the Enlighten will depart with a crew of twenty nine on a five year mission to expand our knowledge and horizons. To map and discover new worlds and possibly even new life." The Asari councillor paused whilst waiting for the crowd to calm down. "This project could not have been undertaken without the support and equipment supplied by the Armali Council and the University of Serrice, and for their help we thank them." The representatives stood and took a bow, gaining an appreciative applause before sitting back down.
"Thank you again everyone for this public show of support." The Salarian councillor finished the official proceedings and the three of them along with the representatives from the sponsors walked off the stage towards the side of the ship where the twenty nine crew members were waiting. They grouped together under the large lettering of the Enlighten for photos to be taken before all of them boarded the ship.
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"ASL-Enlighten you are clear to depart, also your request was granted." Adastra had a beaming grin on her face as she turned to Kriana who could only sigh before turning to go and find the nearest seat on the upper deck.
"You may as well answer Adastra as it was your request." Fosanta already felt a little under loved and she had only been on-board three hours.
"ASL-Enlighten to Illium Control. Thank you for accepting the request. Enlighten out." Adastra opened up the intercom to the ship. "Adastra to everyone on-board the Enlighten. Please find a comfy seat as we have received clearance to break the space port speed limit."
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The crowd had dispersed slightly as the ship started to undock but suddenly started paying attention again after the ship had barely finished turning before pencil like jets of white light appeared from the thrusters as the ship began to extremely quickly gain speed. It was no more than thirty seconds before the ASL-Enlighten had disappeared from view. Whispers started to spread amongst the crowd as it was obvious the ship had exceeded the speed limit.
"Adastra, we have a FTL message incoming." Fosanta read the message to herself before vocalising it to Adastra and Tahomi. "ASL-Enlighten. You have broken the record for the fastest civilian ship from disembark to FTL from Nos Astra space port. Congratulations on the record and from all of us at Illium control let the goddess smile upon you, for the mission ahead. Illium control."
"Whoooo". Adastra was overly animated in her seat as a grin settled upon the three Asari in the cockpit. Once Adastra had lost her over-abundance of energy she reached over for the intercom. "I am pleased to inform you all we have just broken the record for the fastest undock to FTL time in a civilian vessel from Nos Astra."
Kriana was sitting with the three councillors and Dr. Rheova from the University of Serrice wondering what the hell they would say about this stunt. "Very impressive for a non-military vessel." The Turian Councillor stated, he was obviously a little peeved that an Asari ship had taken the record, most probably from a Turian ship.
"Indeed. How many of these advanced thrusters does this ship have?" Dr. Rheova added unable to hold back her curiosity any longer.
"The ship has five plasma thrusters one of which is a modified version of your super-light cruiser class thruster doctor." Kriana stated the facts as if she had been on this ship for five years already. She had started to think memorising the technical specifications this morning was an inspired idea.
"How was my thruster modified?"
"Armali Council's research and development team came up with it when they came in under budget on the weight. Applying an afterburner to the plasma stream boosted the thrust by fifteen percent with only a small increase in weight."
"That is interesting. I am sure I mentioned to the design team that two standard plasma thrusters would be perfectly sufficient for a ship this size. How do you plan on storing enough fuel to justify a class six thruster on a ship this small?" The doctor obviously wondered if this had been done for the publicity stunt that was just pulled or if it was a well thought out plan.
"I am not exactly the best person to ask. Adastra or Tahomi would be better placed to answer that type of question. You can find then in the cockpit." Kriana pointed out. "However the Enlighten splits water using electrolysis, the power coming from an oversized fusion core. The fact that your plasma engine design uses hydrogen means the left over oxygen that is not used on the afterburner can be used to maintain the atmosphere in the hull. The only fuels we therefore need regularly are helium-3 which will be delivered by a refuelling freighter once every six months, nitrogen which is usually easily obtainable, and ice or water from various sources."
"That actually sounds like a well thought out plan." The doctor noted.
"Well thought out indeed. I would not have thought of that myself. It seems like having academic sponsor's pays off for missions such as these. Congratulations on the record captain." The Salarian councillor clearly appreciated the intellectual effort that was put in.
"Captain, congratulations. I hope this record is a sign of things to come." The Asari councillor expressed a reserved tone in her voice as if she did not exactly approve of the stunt.
"Thank you all for making this happen. I really need to prepare before we get to the citadel. Please make yourselves at home." Kriana added before she made her way towards the lift.
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Fosanta was having a look around the ship since it would be another hour before she was needed to help with the jump to the citadel. The top deck at the front was the cockpit, airlock and lift to the lower decks. Behind that both walls had desks with consoles on. The rear half of the deck in the middle was filled with various equipment. The front an open space to which people could pull their chairs into to make a discussion space. She approached the lift after having a look around and pressed the button. "I thought it would be a great time to unpack." Adastra's voice appeared from behind Fosanta as she waited for the lift to arrive.
"I was just having a look around for now Adastra. Do you know what room you are in yet?" The two of them entered the lift to go down a deck.
"I am guessing it will be a single room. I cannot complain really. Do you know who you will be with?"
"I honestly have no idea. There is only one way to find out." The two of them walked out of the lift and into a large seating area which had a kitchen behind.
"Well at least I know where the toilets are now." Adastra stood looking immediately to her right. "I therefore guess the showers will be at the other side." Fosanta walked over to look before turning to walk back. She nodded with a smile.
"How do you know the layout?"
"It is quite logical really as most of the decks tend to be fairly symmetrical these days." Fosanta nodded to Adastra and the two of them began to walk down the central corridor on deck two, past door after door with two names on. "Why do I get the feeling we will be right at the end."
"You are not afraid of walking are you?"
"Not at all Fosanta. I am just a bit nervous I suppose, given we are going to be stuck together for five years."
"I understand. Oh, your room Adastra." Fosanta gestured towards to a door to her right, one which had a white label on, Adastra's name written in black. Adastra smiled to Fosanta before walking in to be greeted with a large single room. A desk with a console on was immediately in front of her as she walked in. The bed was across the right hand wall. A wardrobe sat at the bottom of the bed and a chest of draws opposite the wardrobe.
"Now this is a nice amount of space for a single room."
"I am actually slightly envious Adastra." Adastra could only smile as she checked the bed to find it was just the way she liked it, slightly on the firmer side.
"We should find your room then Fosanta." Adastra got up off her allocated bed and joined Fosanta in continuing the search for her room further down the corridor. It was hardly difficult to find, the opposite side of the corridor and one door further down from Adastra's room.
"Oh, I am with Shiala. I do not think I have slept with a commando before." Fosanta tried to remember back through the centuries whether she had or not but could not say for definite one way or the other.
"I am not really in a position to make a joke here so I will not." The two of them entered the room to find it was empty. The room had two chests of draws along the wall immediately in front of the door with a set of shelves in the corner. Along the back wall there were two desks each of which had a window. Along the right hand wall were two wardrobes. In the middle along the door wall was a double bed. "There is a surprising amount of floor space between the bed and everything else. I do not think you have got a bad deal."
"This room is approaching double the size of my last I had on a ship. I am highly impressed at the amount of space there is on this ship for everything."
"I am going to get my stuff from the cargo hold and bring it up before we dock at the citadel."
"I will too." The two of them left the room to get their stuff from the cargo hold.
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Notes.
A bit of an odd place to leave it I know however I did not want to elongate the setup of this story in to double digit chapters.
A couple of points I need to clarify. ASL stands for Asari Scientific Liner which is the assumed class given the AML Demieter is assumed to be an Asari Merchant liner. The second is I assume in this chapter that ships have a trade-off between the mass effect core reducing the ships mass and the amount of power available to the propulsion systems. It would therefore be logical that varying ships would have a varying thrust to mass ratio and therefore differing times to get to light speed.
Quite why AFF.net's spell check does not allow the use of English English is a little annoying but everything should be correctly spelt.
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Marked Effect (AFF Edition)