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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
- 20
- 21
- 22
Chapter 21 - Thessia
Wednesday 18th January 2017
-----
Fosanta made sure the ship docked neatly in to its allocated berth at the space port. It was just too late to go back to bed so a shower was next on her list. She had brought a towel with her as she left her room so she took that from the co-pilots chair and headed downstairs to the shower room.
"Fosanta, errm. Morning." Kate's face going a little red at having someone walk in and see her with not a stitch on.
"Morning. You do know that the only real difference is in skin colour under our clothes. You need not be embarrassed Kate."
"That is easy for you to say." Kate throws the towel she was trying to hide behind onto the bench opposite the showers, before quickly pulling the curtain closed. Fosanta just laughs to herself at her actions.
"I am curious as to why you seemed shocked Kate as surely this was going to happen one day. Just be thankful it was not one of the commandos." Kate paused just before turning the shower on.
"It would be as difficult for me even if it was Sam Fosanta. You do have a point in that I feel happier it is you since I have known you a little while now. It is still embarrassing though."
"Why are you up so early anyway Kate? Most people are still asleep." Fosanta walks to the shower next to Kate's.
"Everything that has happened over the last few days just keeps going around and around in my head. I just secretly hope that everything will get better as it is no better than on Earth at the moment."
"So you are a little homesick?"
"I guess I am... I am still struggling a little with how I am even here to be honest."
"It would be nearly impossible for any of us to understand quite how strange this all is for you Kate. If you can try to find some comfort in the fact that we will all help you if you need it then you should feel a little better."
"Possibly... I am wondering why you did not go back to bed after docking the ship as it is early?"
"I did not want to wake Shiala on the morning of her departure so I decided to shower and start the day."
"Did you two get on well?" Kate wondering now much her departure might affect her.
"I will miss her when she has left. She has been my room mate for the last fifty six months and was always someone who I could go to if I wished to talk. It would be wrong if I did not feel some loss when she leaves." Fosanta turns off her shower and walks to the bench to pick up her towel. Kate had finished but could see Fosanta through the small gap between the curtains.
"You can always talk to me if you need to." Fosanta looks to Kate's shower and smiles when she sees her face through the small gap quickly disappear.
"I appreciate that. Are you going to wait around in there all morning as I could just spend a long time drying myself?" Kate thought for a few moments before trying to push the embarrassment aside as she opens the curtain. Fosanta was just standing facing her drying the back of her head. Kate's face gained a cherry tint as she tried to weigh up whether to get on with it or go and hide in the shower. Fosanta walks over and picks up Kate's towel from the bench before holding it out for her. "You do not need to be shy."
"I think it must be all the blue as I have not usually felt this uncomfortable in these situations." Kate takes the towel from Fosanta before wrapping herself up. Fosanta smiles to herself as she takes a couple of paces back to where her clothes are and starts putting them on. "You seem to have no problem with this."
"Why should I? We are both the same excluding a few minor differences and I am five hundred and seventy seven years old so I have had plenty of experience of these situations. Asari tend to be fairly comfortable with their bodies as well so do not feel ashamed at showing others." Kate raised an eyebrow at finding out her age, she certainly didn't look it.
"I do not think I am quite that comfortable. I did however think you were more Shiala's age though, those extra nearly two hundred years do not show at all." A slight purple hue appears on Fosanta's face which seemed to make Kate a little more comfortable knowing she can be embarrassed.
"Thank you Kate. I guess I am just a bit slower growing up than normal. Most Asari my age already have century old daughters."
"Do you not want children?" Kate was a bit puzzled as to how she couldn't find a partner if she would have wanted kids.
"It is not that Kate. I have just never met the right person at a time when I could responsibly have children. That is the problem with regularly taking jobs on ships." Fosanta sighs. "Would you like me to make you some breakfast for when you are finally done?"
"I would appreciate that." Fosanta smiles at Kate and leaves her to dry herself in private.
-----
Sam gets awoken with Adastra shuffling across the bed. "Let me guess. You either cannot sleep or you want to give me the blue disease again."
"I actually slept reasonably well; I also did not know the blue disease could be cured."
"Thank you for giving me it then." Sam saying in a joking manner as Adastra gives him a hug, Sam at least sliding his arms around her back today. "Do you think you picked the right holder then?"
"Yes. I may have fun getting out of it though." Sam laughs.
"Well I am calling first on the shower before all the hot water goes so you have time." With that he jumps out of bed and leaves Adastra in the bed.
It is not too long before Sam walks out of the shower to see Adastra sat on the side of the bed. "You did not even try did you?"
"I honestly did Sam, I have a funny feeling it was designed to stay in place though. Just try to be confident and remember I do not mind." Sam nods before taking a breath to settle his mind on the job rather than the individual. "I guess you would like me knelt down again?"
"It would probably be best as I need the space to pull up." Adastra nods in agreement and does so. Sam carefully stretches the bottom strap over her beasts before pulling upwards. Adastra gets her head through quite quickly before pulling her arms out. She looks up at Sam with a look of confusion. "You look a little unhappy." Sam shakes his head before looking a little happier again.
"I apologise. I guess leaving earth and now sleeping with a previously unknown species is rather strange."
"If you feel that uncomfortable with me around I would happily go back to sleeping on my own Sam."
"It is ok Adastra, I will be fine given a bit of time."
"I am pleased to hear that. I think you may need another shower after I have had one though." Sam looking down at his clothes which had a fair few blue/grey skin flakes on. "Sorry for making you blue again." Adastra grinning whilst walking into the shower, Sam trying to dust himself off as she does so.
Sam had finished picking off the skin flakes he could see and had packed all the samples back in their box by the time Adastra appeared from the shower. The two of them leave the room for breakfast and walk down the corridor to find everyone already awake and everyone except Kate and Fosanta eating. "Are you two skipping breakfast this morning?"
"No Sam we ate over an hour ago."
"Adastra you will have a visitor in about an hour to take you to Armali Council's biotics facility." Adastra just nods to Kriana. She was still not best pleased with what happened last night but was not one for holding grudges too long. "I initially heard we may have had a visit from some of the evacuated crew members but that seems to no longer be happening." Adastra looks a little disappointed.
"It would have been nice to see some of them to be honest."
"I am sure that we can arrange something in the future Fosanta." Sam wondered to himself if last night had made Kriana try to be a little friendlier.
"That would be nice as I would like to meet Tahomi again sometime." Kriana nods.
-----
It was not too long after Sam and Adastra had finished breakfast before Kriana got a message on her Omni-tool. "It seems your visitor is early Adastra."
"Did she specify it was just me to go?" Adastra clearly wanting some support.
"I am not sure, I would ask before you leave." Adastra nods to Kriana before she, Sam and their security all get into the lift.
The Armali Council contact seemed a little shocked at Sam who had appeared out of the lift but remained professional. "Greetings Adastra. My name is Pheinova and I am head of biotics at Armali. I could not get security clearance for any of your crew members to join us today unfortunately."
Aumarva gave Adastra a bit of a nudge to keep her quiet. "Pheinova, I am Aumarva. It would be less of a security risk to let Sam join her. Also Sam is not strictly a crew member." Pheinova seemed a little wavering in her thought.
"It is good to meet you Pheinova, I am sure you know who I am." She nods. "I have accepted a job with Armali Council on Illium, when we eventually get settled there, so I would hate to be seen as disruptive. I would appreciate the opportunity to get an idea as to how everything works in the company." That seemed to sway Pheinova's mind.
"You can both come in that case. Follow me." They followed Pheinova to a small shuttle that was in the space port not far away and boarded. It didn't take long for Adastra, Sam and their security to arrive at a sprawling complex of buildings all with perfectly rounded edges. It was almost as if the Asari had never heard of a straight edged corner before. After walking through the main door, Pheinova walked to the reception desk to talk to the receptionist. After sorting a few things out she turned around to the group.
"Welcome to Armali Council's biotics facility here on Thessia. Unfortunately I can only let you take one security member in with you Adastra. Who would you like?"
"Aumarva if that is ok?" Pheinova nods at that.
"You, Sam and Aumarva please follow me. The rest of you, there are free drinks and seating around the corner." The four of them pass through the security door one at a time while everyone else makes their way to the seating area to wait patiently for their return. Pheinova begins to talk as they begin walking down a corridor. "Each of these rooms along this corridor are where we do bioamp design, testing and manufacture for individuals who cannot use our standard designs for whatever reason. They will at the end of this week be closed to allow for upgrades to be installed." Pheinova walks to a door and pulls it open and holds it gesturing to the three of them to walk in. The room was huge with automated machinery along two walls an open area in the middle and just as they enter several consoles on a desk. Sam noticed a small room in the right hand corner nearest to where they walked in. "Seliha will be your engineer for today. I hope to see you all shortly." With that Pheinova exits the room and Seliha walks over.
"It is a pleasure to meet you all." She looks at Adastra. "I should explain what will happen this morning. I will test your biotic strength and signature using a test device. Once that is complete we will see using the simulations what we can do for you. When you agree with what we can provide I will begin manufacture. The whole process should be completed in a couple of hours, unless it is a highly difficult or an atypical design." Adastra seemed appreciative of the explanation.
"So what do we do first?" Adastra waiting for the inevitable request.
"If you would kindly remove your clothing, I can put the test equipment on you and get started." Adastra and Aumarva sigh as Sam facepalms.
"It seems you forgot to read Adastra's notes." Seliha looked confused at Sam.
"I have markings on my body from a rare condition which I would like you not to see. On top of that my skin has recently been burnt."
"Oh, how badly burnt?" Seliha wondering if the equipment would give a good reading or not yet not bothering at all about the condition.
"It was only a surface burn but it is over most of my body"
"That is ok. I was afraid it had blistered as that would have given erroneous results. It would be better if someone could help you put on the equipment but it is possible to do it yourself."
"Sam can help me if that would be better." Sam laughs a little at the almost inevitability of having to interact with Adastra.
"Come with me." Seliha walked around to a table which had on something which looked like fabric mesh with a pair of large tubes running down the middle and a sensor at each crossover point in the mesh. There was a lack of wires though which Sam found interesting. "It is fairly obvious how to put it on. Just make sure that there is no slack anywhere and all the sensors should line up perfectly. I will warn you it is not particularly comfortable and I will make the tests as quick as possible. You may use the room in the corner to put it on."
After a few minutes Adastra was into the test device and back into her clothes. Sam did not have to do much other than hold things in place which he was a little happier about. Adastra exits the room first with Sam following. "I see what you mean about it not being too comfortable Seliha, those tube bits dig in to your back."
"Yes, again my apologies. If you could stand on the dot that is on the floor and face the right wall that would be great. Sam and Aumarva come with me." Adastra made her way to the dot as Aumarva and Sam looked over Seliha's shoulder at the console. "Adastra there is a dot on the wall, can you try and push it through to next door." Adastra did as she was asked with a large thud as the field hit the wall right on the dot. "Can you do the same again but do something with the field as it travels such as bending it." Adastra released a moderate push but then separated the field into four and made them spin around each other before hitting the dot. Seliha looked a little confused at the readings that the machine was giving her. "You said she had been burnt Sam. Are you sure there are no blisters?"
"Yes, why are you asking?"
"The system gives Adastra a fairly low natural potential and yet she managed a four way split."
"Well I did see her do an eight way split fairly easily yesterday." Aumarva added. Seliha got up out of her seat with a confused expression on her face and walked to Adastra.
"Do you mind if I feel to see if all the sensors are in the right place?" Adastra shakes her head and Seliha starts running her hands over Adastra's back. She closes her eyes as Seliha does her job. "They all seem to be in the right place. Can you show me any of your burns?" Adastra nods and rolls up her right sleeve to show only a small hint of purple and flaky skin. "That bit of dead skin would not affect the results."
"What is wrong Seliha?" Adastra getting worried its something bad.
"Your results predict your maximum potential to be about what you have just displayed. Biotic individuals rarely achieve their maximum potential and Aumarva said you did an eight way split yesterday." Adastra proudly nods with a smile. "I am sorry to say this Adastra but you are going to need to be naked for the next test. You will be covered inside that machine over there which has no cameras inside." Seliha pointing to a machine which looks like a large T shaped, metal, sewer pipe connector.
"Typical. Does this room have security cameras?"
"Yes but they are unable to see behind the machine where the door is for exactly your kind of reasons." Adastra seemed happy with that.
"Sam come over here." Sam walked around the desk of consoles to where Selina was explaining to Adastra how to use the door. "Can you tell me when Adastra is in the machine as I will be unable to see?" Sam nods as Seliha heads back to the console desk and Adastra heads to the machine. It wasn't long before Adastra had shed her clothes, the previous equipment and bit of skin and got into the machine. Sam jogs over to the console desk.
"Adastra it is me." Seliha talking to her using the intercom between her desk and the machine. "You should be able to see a red button near the door where you came in. If you wish to stop at any time press that button. If you wish to talk do so as it is the only way you can communicate with us."
"I understand," came back from the speakers.
"In front of you, you will see a tube. I would like you to create a push and send it down that tube."
"Done."
"Thank you. If you could give me a minute to process the information." Seliha turns off the intercom.
"That explains why the previous equipment failed to give a good reading. In typical biotics there is a gradual continuous build of the field strength. The way Adastra builds her fields is using multiple pulses. It does mean that she is unable to match the average biotic in raw field strength but the control over the field would likely be very precise. I do not see this too often, I think it is about five percent of people we get through the door. Around forty percent of the Asari populous are like Adastra but they rarely get amplifiers or limiters. This is because they usually fail field strength exams in biotics classes, and therefore never continue training their biotic ability."
"What does that mean?" Sam totally confused.
"I will have to do more testing but there is no way a passive limiter could work as she could just use more pulses to make up for the loss." Seliha turns the intercom back on. "I have some interesting results which require some more testing. Could you send five pushes down the tube varying the strength of each?" After five registered pulses Seliha changes a couple of settings. "Thank you. I know there is really no distance in which to do this but can you do the same again but try to bend each field in slightly different ways."
"Do you want the strength changing as well?"
"I would appreciate it if you could Adastra." After about a minute the system registered the fifth pulse. "Sam will come to get you out now. I appreciate you being co-operative." Sam jogs over.
"So what have they found out?" Adastra evidently bursting to know the results but looking a little drained from her effort.
"It would be best if Seliha explained properly but you use a different method of creating fields than what seems to be common in people who come here. Did you fail biotics class at school?" Adastra looked a little shocked at that question.
"I did but how do you know?"
"Seliha said most people who use your method of field creation fail field strength tests in biotics class." Adastra finished getting her clothes on and they both walk back to the console.
"That machine does not happen to read minds does it?" Adastra saying as she approached Seliha.
"No Adastra, only field strengths. Why do you ask?"
"I have not told anyone that I failed biotics class, so when Sam just asked I was a little shocked."
"It is very common for people with a biotic system such as your own to fail. Most people then give up training biotics thinking it is pointless. What your natural ability means for you though is the absolute best limiter we can make would be a one eighth active model. The requirements we got said no less than a tenth and passive. Could you all wait here for a couple of minutes?" Everyone nods as Seliha walks out of the door.
"It sounds like you are causing headaches for the people on the Citadel even when you are light years away." Sam making a joke as he was getting a little bored now. Adastra just smiled. "A lot of this equipment does not seem all that different to what we had. I guess it is just extremely precise."
"I did not have that long to do much research to be honest Sam so I cannot really comment." Sam nods and the three of them wait. Seliha comes back in through the door a couple of minutes later.
"I apologise for the wait but I needed to get advice on what to do. We will provide you with a one tenth passive limiter. It will make no difference to you at all once you have learnt your way around it, but it is what was specified. Aumarva I could update your one eighth limiter for a smaller model if you wish in the same run."
"How do you know I have a limiter?"
"Our database holds data on every biotic tested in any one of Thessia's testing facilities and what they were manufactured. Would you like me to make a smaller model for you?"
"I have grown used to this one over the years. Thank you for the offer though."
"That is fine. Adastra on your specification list it also specified an active amplifier to be integrated but gave no specifics on how it should be configured. Would you prefer an increase in field strength or control? Control also includes an active discharge system to allow you to use biotics more rapidly."
"Could you do a small increase in field strength and the rest of what you can do in to control?" Adastra seemingly getting in to the fact she is getting a free bioamp from one of the good bioamp manufacturers in the galaxy. Seliha nods and types some data into the console.
"The simulation suggests... Let me go and check something." with that she leaves again.
"I like the sound of a free bioamp Sam. These things custom made can cost a million credits to purchase." The grin on her face was almost at ridiculous proportions.
"I have no idea if that is a lot."
"You can get a small apartment for a couple of million or a new inter-planet shuttle for about three quarters of a million." Aumarva added just before Seliha walks back in and sits down at the console.
"I have been given permission to use our latest pulsar technology in your specification which means we can offer a twenty percent boost in performance and a tripling in control along with the one tenth limiter in 15mm tubes. We could offer 18mm but they are non-standard and tend to be hated by everyone for being too big and uncomfortable. You could have 12mm tubes and still get a ten percent field strength boost and just under a doubling in control if you wish."
"All of that in 15mm?" Aumarva sounding a little amazed. "My limiter is 15mm and has no amplifier. Actually could I ask how small a one eighth limiter would be?" Aumarva clearly impressed as to how far technology has progressed over the decades since she got her limiter.
"A one eighth limiter alone made on our standard process would be a 10mm design Aumarva. Are you rethinking your decision?"
"It would probably be a bit less restrictive and more discrete. If it would be no extra hassle to you Seliha then I would highly appreciate an upgrade."
"That is no problem Aumarva. What is your decision Adastra?"
"Aumarva, what is 15mm like to live with?"
"I have not found it too bad to live with once you are used to it. I have heard some people never getting used to them though."
"Adastra. We use 15mm for internal testing, of which I participate in, and as Aumarva says once you are used to them then they are fairly easy to live with."
"I will accept a 15mm design." With that Seliha presses a few buttons and some of the automated machinery bursts into life.
"You can if you are not getting on well with it bring it back to us after a month and we will replace it for an 12mm system." Adastra nods at Seliha. "Now that those are being produced we should move on to the holders. I believe you had four samples sent to you yesterday Adastra. Which sample did you prefer?"
"I preferred three. I do have a request though?"
"That is certainly not a commonly selected design, most people complain about it being too tight or too difficult to get on and off." Sam was tempted to say something but decides not to. "We can do quite a lot with that design though so what is your request?"
"Could you make it transparent?"
"That is an interesting request. We manufacture it normally in blue because it matches most people's skin colour. I have had requests to do teal and purple coloured ones but never have I had a request for transparent." She goes through the system looking to see if it is possible to produce a transparent variant. "To answer your question, yes we can do transparent. Transparent also includes anti-bacterial and anti-fungal additives to keep it transparent." Sam and Adastra both had a small smile on their faces at that news as Seliha presses a few more buttons. "Was the size that was on the packet the correct one Adastra?"
"Yes it was." Seliha starts a second machine with the holder design.
"Aumarva, In that room there will be a box labelled 10mm which has seven designs in it. Can you look in that box and find the one that you like." Aumarva goes to the room.
"Can I see the bits being made?" Sam curious as to how its manufactured and what the machinery is like.
"You can only see in to the rapid manufacturing machine which is making Adastra's holder. It is the middle one on the back wall." Sam walks over to the machine and peers in through the small window in the door of the unit. Sam was fascinated at the accuracy and speed of the machine, certainly more advanced than anything he had ever seen before.
"Why is there seven holders for 10mm and only four for 15mm?" Adastra a little curious as to if she is missing out on something.
"The 15mm designs such as the one you are getting need more support and bracing than 10mm ones. For single purpose standard systems, such as the one Aumarva will be getting, 10mm is now our standard size. Given this we provide more choice for that than any other size." Adastra nods as Aumarva reappears from the room in the corner. Sam sees Aumarva walking across to the consoles and so heads back over to join everyone else.
"I prefer sample six, Seliha." A small smile appears on Seliha's face as she types the request into the console.
"I could have guessed your preference given you are a commando but I like to provide options. Are your old measurements still correct?" Aumarva nods.
"Your new holder will be delivered with your new limiter. Both of your devices will be delivered to your ship by someone in about eight hours time. If you would like to follow me out." The four of them walk back to the security door and Seliha holds the door open as each of them say their thanks and goodbye. The three of them walk around the corner to the seating area in reception to see Imphaya, Hymara, Lianta and Pheinova sitting there.
"You four look so bored." Sam trying to wake them up with some light-hearted humour.
"You were longer than we expected in there?" Lianta was obviously expecting it to be a five minute thing.
"You would never guess it but I was a difficult case." Adastra adding with a smile.
"I will take you all back to your ship. How long did Seliha say it would be before it is manufactured?"
"She said about eight hours Pheinova." She seems a little surprised at that.
"I did not expect it to be quite that long. I may or may not be the one who delivers it in that case. Adastra, you will get your device as soon as it has been completed. Please follow me." The six of them follow Pheinova out and around to the shuttle dock. It is not long before they get back to the space port where Pheinova drops them off. A short walk gets then back to the Enlighten and something to eat.
------
"I was wondering where you had got to." Kate adding when the six of them walked out of the lift.
"Their fancy machine got confused at me being different, which was not my fault." Adastra getting a laugh out of most of the crew with that.
"I am also getting an upgrade to a newer model so that added a little to the time."
"There was me thinking you had seen someone else you wanted to have sex with Sam."
"That joke is starting to get old now Kate."
----------
"Emala and I must unfortunately leave you all now. It has been a long nearly five years with some interesting moments and some which were just frustrating. I have however appreciated having you all onboard."
"Even me?"
"While you have been the instigator of most of the frustration Adastra, yes it would not have been the same without you." Adastra gives the two of them a hug.
"I must also leave to go back to matriarch Benezia. I am disappointed to be leaving however I hope we can get to work together again at some time."
"You need to remember we do not live long Shiala if you wish to make that happen." Sam giving her a hug. "One of the first two individuals to ever see a human. That is certainly an impressive fact to tell any children to may have."
"It is Sam. You seem awfully quiet Kate."
"Sorry this has just reminded me of saying goodbye to my father. I do apologise Shiala." She gives Kate a hug. "I must also say goodbye to Emala and Kriana, it is a bit of a pity we could not get to know each other better."
"I spent more time with the data analysts than anyone else Kate. I suppose I create friends over work easier than being with people in a casual setting. I do apologise."
"It is ok Emala. We are all different and it is understandable in a mixed group to have a natural separation into groups." She nods.
"I will miss you Shiala. It is never easy letting go of an individual who has been so close for so long."
"I will try to keep in touch Fosanta but I have enjoyed my time here. I hope you remember the good times as well as I do."
"I will Shiala. Kriana and Emala, the group of two. I will miss you both keeping an eye on us all even if it did get a little much at times."
"As I have said I will try to arrange something soon for as many of us to meet up as possible. But we must however now leave. Shiala, would you like a lift?"
"I would greatly appreciate that Kriana. I wish you all luck for the future."
"You too Shiala." The same comment from all four of the staying crew.
"Try to stay out of trouble everyone." Kriana having a bit of a laugh at that comment as the three of them enter the lift.
"I doubt that will happen." Sam just about shouting before the lift doors close. "And then there were twelve."
"That is a little mean Sam." Fosanta taking the loss a little badly.
"I will miss them being around but we are still together. Kriana and Emala were not really in our group, however I will miss Shiala."
"I see Kate can see my point that we are still together. I know you were with them for nearly five years Fosanta so I can appreciate you having much stronger feelings about this split." She nods. "I would have liked Shiala to stay but she has other more important things to be doing which is fair enough."
"When does everyone think we should set off for Illium? I have had a bit of a long day."
"Tomorrow morning Adastra?" Fosanta also wanting some sleep before heading off to Illium. Adastra gets a message on her Omni-tool.
"It seems Pheinova is the one to make the delivery. I will be back shortly." Adastra moves to the lift and while waiting for it to arrive notes a lack of a commando following. "Aumarva, you have a package as well remember?" Aumarva gets up and joins Adastra to pick up their packages.
-----
"I am pleased to see you again to deliver the goods." Pheinova handed Adastra a box with the Armali council logo on it, then handed Aumarva hers. "I did not expect you to be getting an upgrade Aumarva."
"Seliha offered to give me an upgrade in the same run. This newer model is quite a bit smaller than the old one." Pheinova nods.
"I have a couple of things to tell you about before I leave. Both of them have been registered to yourselves, your old one Aumarva has been deregistered and you can remove it now if you wish. Once the new devices have been put on they will become active and you have about fifteen hours left in which to do that. Aumarva. You can, after moving to the new device, remove it five times a day rather than the previous four. The timings stay exactly the same as they are now. Adastra you can have up to twenty minutes in your breaks, unlike Aumarva's fifteen but you can only have four per day. Once it has been removed it must stay on for at least one hour before being taken off again."
"I think I get all that." Adastra feeling a little flooded with information.
"A couple more things for you Adastra. The power cell will need replacing once per month, which will be provided by us the day before it needs changing. The device is also waterproof but we would kindly ask you to remove it when taking a shower as the gel can sometime cause a few problems." Adastra nods.
"Is there a reason why Adastra gets five minutes more break time a day?"
"Adastra gets the extra five minutes for device maintenance, since it is an active device. She however has larger periods in between removals to compensate."
"I thank you Pheinova for the service." Adastra knowing what kind of deal she has just got.
"I also appreciate you going out of your way to help me when you did not need to." Aumarva pleased to get something a little less intrusive.
"I hope that you are both happy with the products. If you have any problems then get in touch. I hope we meet again at some time in the future." Aumarva and Adastra bow their heads and Pheinvoa reciprocates before leaving.
-----
The pair walk out of the lift holding the boxes out in front of them. They find a bit of empty space still near the group and sit down placing the boxes in front of them.
"Are either of you going to open the box or are you both going to stare at them." Sam knowing roughly what the contents will be, at least in Adastra's box.
"We have fifteen hours Sam."
"I do not need this any more." Aumarva pulls the old limiter out of its sleeve with a bit of amazement from some in the group. "If any of you want to find out what a passive limiter is like, you are free to try."
"That is quite a bit bigger than I expected." Yasmari sounding a little shocked as she picked up the black device from the floor and gave it a shake to watch it wobble. Kate and Sam got a smile from the comment and the reaction.
"I will open it but if the holder is not packaged and anyone laughs at it I will beat them to a pulp." Adastra makes sure everyone nods and everyone knows she is serious. With that she peals the tape off the box and opens the flaps to reveal two datapads lying on some foam like packing material. The first pad contained the manual and a copy of the invoice for the product, which she looks at first. "Goddess", Sam quickly turned as he had no idea where this was going, the grin on Adastra's face said it was good though. "That prototype technology really increased the price for whoever is paying."
"How much Adastra?" Imphaya knowing it is going to be a large amount as it is an Armali council product.
"Let me say they would not have much spare out of seven hundred thousand." All the Asari in the room seemed to be a little shocked at that amount.
"What did you get made for it to cost that much?" Adastra picks up the second datapad, on which one message is stored. She quickly opens and reads it.
Adastra,
After you left I spoke to our head designer, who came up with a new development to make the passive limiter and the Pulsar amplifier interact. This development should make the limiter do nothing at all which will make the product easier to get used to. I hope you like it.
Seliha
"That explains the cost, I was personally thinking around the half a million credit mark, but that was before I knew about the extra design work that has gone in to the design to get the amplifier and the limiter to work together."
"Wait, so you have a limiter and an amplifier in one unit?" Hymara wondering how that was even possible.
"Yes, under most circumstances I would be allowed a boost, any other time I would be limited." Adastra puts the datapads together next to the box and pulls out the top most packaging allowing Adastra to lift out the clear bag that the holder has been put in. It was folded flat so it was impossible to see how the design fits but the colour was obvious.
"Well it is certainly transparent." Adastra announces with Sam laughing to himself, confusing everyone else. "It was originally blue but it did not work with my skin so Sam thought if it was transparent it would not matter."
"Are you going to try it on?" Swathana clearly not thinking before speaking.
"I will be putting it on shortly; you will not be seeing it however." Adastra too happy to have much of a go at anyone. "Are you going to open your box Aumarva?"
"I may as well." With that she pulls out a small knife and opens the box, finding two datapads inside. The first containing the manual and a copy of the invoice, the second one a message, the same as Adastra's box had. Aumarva checked the message first.
Aumarva,
As you may or may not know from Adastra, I spoke to our head designer after you left this morning and she had a development design for a limiter which I applied to your design, as it was convenient to do so. I had 1mm to spare so I have added in a small passive discharge system to allow you to use your biotics more quickly. Since it is passive this system will only work for a couple of pulses before needing to drain, but you should find it useful. Use it wisely.
Seliha.
"Oh, that was a little unexpected." Aumarva takes the other datapad and looks at the invoice. "I think someone is going to feel as if they have been robbed today."
"Did you get an upgrade too?" Adastra seeing a slight smile on Aumarva's face.
"You could say that. It is costing whoever is paying just under eighty four thousand credits."
"For a passive device?" Imphaya a little surprised at that price for an essentially standard passive device.
"Yes, I have no idea what the specification is on the upgrade I got. Do you know what your upgrade gives you Adastra?"
"Unfortunately, no. I think I might go for a shower and get to bed so I can try it tomorrow morning. Sam, I will be needing your help again." A few eyebrows were raised at the last sentence.
"The design she chose for the holder is more a two person job to put on." Sam briefly explaining as Adastra piles everything back into the box, before picking it up and walking to Sam's room.
Aumarva takes her box into the shower to put her limiter on.
-----
"I do say I like the design and the transparency but why could it not have been easier to get on?" Sam asking after the holder was finally in place.
"I thought it was a better design than the rest. You also seem a little less anxious to help me as well." Adastra standing up.
"I know what to expect now Adastra so it is becoming easier for me." She smiles to Sam before walking over to the mirror to look at the holder.
"It is going to show the markings well. Do you think I should put the device on tonight or in the morning?"
"It is up to you if you can put it on in the morning." Adastra was torn and Sam wasn't exactly useful in helping her make a decision. She walks over to the box and pulls out the device to look at it and smiles.
"I think Seliha is an excellent designer, have you seen what the device looks like?" Sam shakes his head as he walks over. The device had a blue body with turquoise blue writing on it. The writing was the company logo and `Armali Council` written along the length of the left tube and `Advanced Pulsar Technology` written on the right.
"Now that is a nice touch given the holder is transparent. How did she get your marking colour so accurate?"
"I did show her my burns on my right forearm. Perhaps she saw one of the few markings there."
"I am actually interested now in how it looks when you have it on." Adastra makes sure it is oriented correctly and once happy she feeds it in to the holder, shivering slightly once the device is fully in and active.
"That felt a little weird. What do you think?"
"It matches your markings really well and looks rather good." Adastra moves to the mirror again to have a look.
"I could do with sending Seliha a message of gratitude. It is difficult to get someone who understands what having markings is like." Actually I think I will write one now.
"What does it feel like as it does not look too discrete?"
"Just a bit of pressure either side of my spine which is a little annoying. It feels as if something is on your back all the time and the body wants to get rid of it. I am sure I will get used to it eventually." Adastra sends her message of thanks and turns off the console. "I will have to see in the morning what it can do before we leave for Illium."
"Do you want to go to bed now so we can get an early start tomorrow?"
"That sounds like a good idea." Adastra wastes no time in getting into the bed. "You remember when I said that this holder does not restrict movement much?"
"Yes." Sam jumping in the other side waiting for the revelation.
"It is the device that limits not the holder. It is certainly not inflexible but it is noticeable."
"Will you sleep ok with it?"
"I will tell you in the morning but I need to get used to it." Sam nods and smiles at Adastra who smiles back and they both put their heads down.
-----
"That is much more comfortable than the old one." Aumarva announces after walking out of the shower room looking no different than as she went in.
"Why did you not get an upgrade sooner?" Lianta wondering how long it had been since she actually got the device at first.
"I have never been offered one earlier. I wish I had now. You can all play with that one to your hearts content while I go to get some rest." With that most of the room decide that is probably a good idea too and head to bed.
----------------
Notes.
A long chapter to get most of the Thessia stop out of the way in one go but there was no logical place to split this chapter. It is a pity to see the back of Kriana, Emala and Shiala but it was necessary as things need to move on.
A note about costs for various things. The costs in this story do not reflect what they were in the games. I spent many hours working out a balance between wages and item costs and feel this is about as good as I will get. I hope you think so too as you read through upcoming chapters.
I am hoping everyone who is a regular reader is still enjoying the story to fill your free time. If you are a new reader welcome to the end of chapter twenty one and I appreciate you spending the time to read through everything in one go.
At least one more chapter (but I hope five) should be uploaded here on Saturday the 30th of June, so do please check back then.
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Marked Effect (AFF Edition)