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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
- 23
- 24
- 25
Chapter 24 - Bonding Tour
Saturday 21st January 2017
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"I am so glad that I do not look like a cherry this morning." Kate voicing her thoughts as she looks in the mirror after a shower. "It was at least different and a little fun."
"Did I just hear someone admit something in there?" Fosanta shouting through from the bedroom. Kate sticks her head around the corner.
"What if I did?" Kate smiles and ducks behind the wall again. Appearing dressed a minute later through the door.
"I just did not expect you to enjoy it."
"I was too embarrassed and afraid at the time. Looking back though, I think it was the little help I needed. I feel we need to be leaving though or we will be late." Fosanta nods and the two walk out of the room and down the stairs.
"Morning you two. You both look slightly less bright this morning." Sam still having a bit of a laugh at them.
"I really would like to see you cherry red for hours Sam."
"Can we discuss this after we have had our tour?" Adastra's Omni-tool beeps. "A message, I wonder who."
Adastra,
I got an Armali Parts freighter from Thessia last night when I heard that you would be touring the facility today. I will be the one giving you a tour around along with Usarta. I have your prototype amp with me.
Seliha
"Oh guess who will be giving us the tour?" Adastra asks with a smile.
"Seliha." Sam getting it in one. "I wonder what we can do to make her happy this time." Sam adds getting a laugh from Adastra and a confused look from Fosanta and Kate.
"Yes, I recommend we take two shuttles." Fosanta nods in approval.
-------
It is not long before they walk out of the house and meet up with the commandos in the garden. After a short greeting they all board the two shuttles and depart for Armali's facility. It was not a long flight before they could see the round edged buildings appearing into view. There were four tall buildings in the complex looking nothing like the sprawling Thessian facility. One large footprint tower seemed to be more engineering work and one was obviously a shuttle park. The other two looked like small labs and offices from the outside but it was hard to tell.
"Fosanta this is Armali control, can you park on floor forty one. Usarta and Seliha will meet you there. Control out."
"Well that is nice they know who we are already."
"I think of that as a little creepy than nice." Kate not liking the big brother feel already.
Adastra had got the same message evidently as she was just ahead of Fosanta and was pulling up to get to forty one. It was a large parking area once they got there with quite a few spaces and Usarta and Seliha waiting by the lift. Everyone piled out of the shuttles and went over to meet the two waiting Asari.
"Welcome everyone to Armali Council's Illium facility. I hope you all had a good nights sleep." Everyone nods "Good follow me." With that everyone gets into the oversized lift and they start travelling down at a slow pace. "I am sure you have all met Seliha before if only briefly."
"I know that look Seliha." Adastra adding as she noticed the tired eyes.
"Yes but it is more the fact that freighter ships are not really designed for passenger comfort as I am quite used to wearing bioamps. At least I am here now though."
"I have a question already. Why are all the lifts all so slow?" Everyone excluding Kate looks puzzled, Kate nodding in agreement.
"You could make something faster?" Usarta seemingly wondering what was wrong with the current ones.
"Well on our home planet we had lifts that could travel two floors a second we are not even doing one every five." Sam did realise the floors were higher than a standard Earth floor to allow the shuttles easy entry but that was still slower.
"They are a bit annoying." Kate adding as the waiting continued.
"Well that is two items for my twenty percent free time now then." Sam added wondering how long it would be before a third appeared. Just before something else got on his nerves the door of the lift opened onto a long white corridor leading to a skybridge between two buildings.
"We will first take a tour of the biotics building, Fosanta this will be particularly relevant to yourself." Fosanta nods as the group proceed straight ahead to the biotics building.
"Who can I talk to about this communication issue that you are having with the pulsar amps Usarta."
"I can Fosanta. I did not know you were the person that the Armali Council were getting to fix the issue. I must apologise for not talking earlier." Sam looked out of the skybridge window feeling a touch of vertigo as he could see lots of skycars and shuttles passing underneath.
"That is ok Seliha, so what is the issue?" Fosanta not caring about the height at which they currently were. Kate was starting to become convinced that the bridge was moving slightly under her feet which was not inspiring confidence.
"Well the pulses from the amplifier mess entirely with the sensors in the systems and no amount of shielding helps. We were wondering if there is a smart way of recreating the data if we know the current state of the amplifier." The group pass through a reception area that is devoid of people, not surprising given it is a Saturday, and into yet another white corridor.
"It should be possible but will likely be difficult."
"I am glad to hear that it might be possible Fosanta as it is causing our testing teams such a headache. I am sure Adastra and Sam saw something like this room on Thessia but on a larger scale." Usarta opened a door and gestured the group inside. It was certainly much more compact and lacked much of the larger machinery.
"This room would have been useless for me."
"Indeed Adastra, your kind are not all that common for us. About four percent of individuals Armali see if I remember right." Seliha looks to Usarta who nods.
"I have a quick question. All the corridors are white around here, how do you know where you are?"
"While most floor layouts are the same and there are no real markings, the room numbers give it away. Rooms are numbered by floor and location so it is fairly easy to find them and to work out where you are. You can learn your way around yourself or have someone teach you if you are desperate. I learnt myself and I was fine after a couple of weeks." Sam nods to Seliha for that full answer.
"This building is where we develop our less standard products such as the pulsar amplifier that you currently have Adastra. We also make out less standard line of Omni-tools here too which Adastra and Sam will get. Kate I know you currently do not have one and so you will be provided with a high quality standard design from Thessia."
"So the more obscure ones are more for maintenance engineers then?" Sam trying to figure out what makes them different.
"Yes Sam. They are developed more for work than personal use but suffice adequately at the latter to make them standard for all engineers. Fosanta you may need one too if you find your current one lacking." Fosanta nods and so does Sam. "I think we should continue on. Follow me." Usarta leads the group further down the corridor and around a corner to a lift which they have to split into two groups to take. Once regrouped several floors up they go through a large door to their left into an extremely large room. Inside the room there is a large amount of bulky equipment and a generous space in the centre that Adastra remembered as like the area in the test room on Thessia.
"This is one of four testing rooms for new biotic systems designs. Fosanta, your private lab will be about the size of the room we saw downstairs but is one floor above us. We unfortunately do not have enough time to go there today. It does however contain all the equipment you will likely need and you can make requests for additional test machinery if you need something more specialised."
"That sounds reasonable to me." Fosanta seemingly happy with being given essentially whatever she needs.
"I am guessing this is where I will be coming for the testing that I am entered for?"
"Yes Adastra this is where we do most of our testing, some however is done in rooms like we saw downstairs."
"Next up is the facilities offices, if you would care to follow me." The group took a door at the far side of the room and turned left. A short distance down the corridor they turn left into a stairwell. They all moved one floor down and nearly opposite the stairwell exit was another skybridge to another building. "If you feel the skybridge is moving then you would be correct, in high winds it can make walking seem a little funny."
"That does not sound like fun." Kate did not particularly like how bad it was now let alone when it was particularly windy.
"You get used to it Kate." Seliha noting as they enter the building.
"This building we are entering now is where our finance, legal and personnel offices are located. It is also where we are intending to verify new clients for our propulsion products. We see all potential clients one at a time and there is usually a waiting list of a few months. This building has a private dock for clients to use." The group get in to two separate lifts and go up another five floors. They exit out onto yet another white corridor which has a couple of doors in its right hand side. Usarta opens one and gestures the group to enter. They enter into a large room with seating either side and a few plants in pots to break up the white walls.
"So this is where the clients get greeted?" Kate needing to work out where she will be working.
"Yes Kate and the two rooms either side are where you will meet the clients. When you are currently not in a meeting then your office will be further down the hallway."
"I think we should head to the Skylounge and take a break at this point." Usarta nods at Seliha to lead the way. They go back to the lifts and go upwards another three floors before taking a long corridor to the back of the building. "The Skylounge is located on the uppermost floor of the propulsion products building and because of the buildings footprint being so large it can easily accommodate three hundred people at a time for food and refreshments."
Kate did not particularly like this even higher skybridge as it was almost all glass excluding a person wide strip down the middle of the floor which she was making sure she stayed in the middle of. That did not evade Usarta's attention. "The strip is only opaque glass Kate so it is no safer than the rest of the floor. It was added in for people such as yourself to make them a little more comfortable." Usarta giving Kate a small smile which seemed to amuse Sam.
The group entered the Skylounge and there were possibly a hundred people currently sat at tables discussing various things, most of the room quietened down considerably as they noticed eight commandos and two previously unseen species walking towards an unoccupied area of seating towards the middle of the room. The group sit down and Usarta goes to get snacks and refreshments.
"I am sure you will be welcomed here once people have got to know who you are. It is not exactly usual for potential workers to be protected by commandos so I am assuming most of them are suspicious."
"I would be too. So why are you at the Illium facility for the next few months?"
"Well Fosanta, I was scheduled to be a part of the testing team for the next updates to our Nebula range of amplifiers. Some of the testing equipment at Thessia is being replaced currently because of its age so while they replace it most of the critical testing has been moved here."
"So the Nebula range is the more typical design then?"
"Yes Adastra, it has just become available in our standard 10mm amplifier range and we are currently testing designs which will be made available in about three years time."
"Seliha, mentioning that has just reminded me. I tried on Aumarva's old limiter the other evening and it caused my biotics to become unstable. I was curious as to why that might be?"
"That is interesting Lianta. The general rule is passive limiters work for normal constant power biotics, and I am guessing they did limit your potential, even if it was irregular." Lianta nods "The cause of this is the limiter is limiting the speed at which you can discharge the element zero nodes in your body. This can in people who have a biotic system that is dependant upon having fully discharged nodes, cause instability. I bet you also felt like you had a static charge on your body too."
"Yes it was a most unpleasant feeling. Thank you for the explanation." Seliha nods. The large windows on three sides gave a remarkably good view of the outskirts of the city to everyone as they had their refreshments.
------
"What is your assessment Iona?"
"Well I agree that your decision, while a little extreme, is warranted in this case. On the personal side she is remarkably defensive and I have not even seen a gesture of any kind from her, let alone any speech. It is very difficult therefore for me to grasp her intentions and to make a good assessment. While I would be hesitant to have her transferred to a more specialist facility, I would recommend keeping that option open."
"Do you have anything else?"
"She seemed almost pained while I was in the room, as if my presence hurt her in some way. I cannot see her as being dangerous to anyone but there is something she is not comfortable with."
"I hope that you do not mind me bringing someone else into this case."
"Of course not Saymera. I feel she needs the extra help."
"I have been told it will be early next week when they will arrive. If you can keep her comfortable and try to help until then, it would be appreciated."
"I will Saymera."
------
"I see everyone has finished so it would probably be best if we moved on." Usarta got a few nods others just getting up off their chairs as a sign they agree. The group walked to the one wall that did not have a glass window and there were several lift entrances. Taking two lifts they all travel down six floors into a large testing hall. On the floor were four large ion drives, one of them being prepared for testing in the middle of the room and the other three off to one side.
"This floor is for ion drive testing so I hope that it gives you some idea of how testing is done. Assembly uses a similar room layout below this floor." Usarta stated as they walked through the room staying inside the safe to walk in area markings on the floor. "Plasma propulsion uses a similar set-up for smaller products but larger thrusters are built inside the testing hall itself."
"Is that to reduce the movement needed Usarta?"
"Yes Adastra. While the lift we will take in a minute is large, it will not handle anything above a five metre diameter design." Adastra nods as everyone gets into said oversized lift at the back of the hall and Usarta pressed the button to travel down. "The floor we are going to now is our development section. Adastra and Sam, you will be based on this floor if you agree to work here." Everyone excluding Seliha exits the lift onto a wide corridor which had six sets of double doors, three on either side on it. Usarta walks to the first set of doors on the left and waves the group in.
"These are our work areas, which allow two people space to make build and test everything excluding thrust which must be done on the testing floor." Adastra looked at Sam who just had a smile on his face. The size of the room was as large as the test room Adastra had been in on Thessia. This room however had no manufacturing machinery in and had a large empty floor space between the equipment and consoles at the back of the room and the doors where they were currently. "It looks like you two are pleased by the amount of space offered. There should be ample space for any side projects you wish to undertake in your free time as well if you so wish." Adastra nods but Sam has a burning question or two.
"If this is where we do all our work where do we get things manufactured?"
"There is a second room like this at the end of this corridor; in between the two is a manufacturing room which is shared between the two rooms to make better use of the equipment. We require all parts to be checked by a second person before manufacture to help reduce waste. We will not ask any questions about what is made if you have a legitimate use for it. If you give us a heads up on a project you wish to start then that is also covered." Sam could only nod his approval with a smile on his face. Seliha walks into the room carrying four datapads which she hands to each person.
"These datapads have a copy of your contract on. Please read through them carefully and sign them at the bottom." Kate looked at the length of the contract first noting it didn't seem excessively long and none of the text seemed overly small or ambiguous. With that she felt comfortable to begin reading from the beginning. Sam noticed a glaring loophole in favour of Armali which he wished to clear up.
"Usarta, this contract is fine but there is something which means I am not signing. Are we free to make amendments?"
"You are Sam but I have to agree to the changes."
"I actually agree with Sam, that there is an item worrying me." Kate having just finished processing the chunk of data.
"Well edit it then Kate." Sam edits the document to remove the ability for Armali Council to change the contract details while the guaranteed five years of work are in effect. He also makes overtime pay double instead of fifty percent more. "Could you sign the pad at the bottom Usarta to agree to the changes I made?" Usarta looks carefully at the document trying to find the two subtle changes that Sam had made.
"You changed the amount you get paid for overtime?" Usarta evidently not catching the subtle change to their ability to change the contract terms. Sam nods. With that Usarta signs the pad and hands it back to Sam who signs the pad and hands it back to Usarta.
"I thank you for this opportunity. Also in case the rest of you have not spotted the loophole in the agreement they can change the contract terms whenever they wish." Sam looks at Usarta who looks at the contract again, he helps the other three edit out the same loophole.
"I am impressed by you spotting that Sam. I will sign the rest of your contracts without looking if they are the same as Sam's." Usarta takes the datapad of each person and signs each of them to verify the changes before she passes them back. All of the group sign their pads and hand them back. "Your contracts start on Monday as it is Saturday today. Seliha, you may leave after taking the datapads back as you look tired. If you would all like to follow me back to the lift to get to your shuttles."
"Sam and I will wait for you in the shuttle Seliha." Seliha nods as all of them get in to the lift. After what seemed like ages the lift stops.
"I will see you shortly." Adastra nods as the doors close.
"I thank you Sam for telling me about that clause." Fosanta evidently just processed the magnitude of the loophole as the lift continued.
"I also have to thank you as well." Adastra just finishing her sentence as the doors open and they all walk towards the skyway that is visible down at the end of the corridor in front of them.
"That is no problem Fosanta, same goes for you Adastra. I could see them abusing that ability after a month."
"I was thinking they might have waited a little longer than that." Kate talking as she was carefully walking along another skybridge to the docking building as if it was going to try and throw her off. Usarta seemed a little uncomfortable with this conversation but said nothing. After walking down a long corridor and turning left they were back to the lift where they had started their tour.
"I wish you all a good weekend and I will see you all on Monday." Everyone nods and Usarta then walks off leaving the group to get into the lift and go back to where the shuttles were parked.
"You know we must have wasted ten minutes in slow lifts just in this tour."
"Sam, I know you get annoyed by them but can you keep it to yourself." Kate evidently just needed a sit down and something to eat now; either that or she really dislikes the skybridges. After a few more minutes of thumb twiddling the lift stops and they all vacate the lift.
"We will see you back at the house." Fosanta obviously keen to get going. Adastra and Sam nod and Fosanta, Kate and their commandos all left to go back to the house as the rest of them wait for Seliha to appear.
"I hope you do know how to tell if the shower gel has been changed Adastra. They have the time now to swap it while we are not in the house." Sam clearly thinking in terms of payback.
"I can tell the difference with the purple stuff so I am glad I used that now."
"What are you two on about?"
"Hymara, we have a war of practical jokes going on in our house already. I fear that we could be looking at payback." She shakes her head. "I guess you are all professionals and never have fun?"
"You would think that but we do have a bit of fun at times Sam."
-----
"Kate do you think I should trust Adastra to use the rest of the stuff sensibly."
"Fosanta I think she will be more careful, although I do not quite know how Seliha will take it. It is a privilege for Adastra to offer to let us though." Kate trying to keep her voice down and be vague to keep the commandos from hearing anything.
"True. Before I go digging to find it I will ask Seliha myself if she said yes, Adastra might be lying." Kate nods.
-----
Seliha comes out of the lift with an autonomous fork lift following. "I thought it was easier than carrying everything in boxes." The group make their way to the shuttle with the machine following behind. Sam laughing at the use of a fork lift.
"So you put everything on a pallet to make it easier to lift?"
"No Sam, the freighter I took would only let goods travel if they were palletised." Adastra opens the door to the shuttle. Everyone gets in and then the fork lift carefully places the pallet in the centre of the shuttle before heading back to the lift. Imphaya closes the door and Adastra sets off back home.
"So that fork lift knows where it is going?" Sam curious as to how they work.
"Yes Sam. It is mostly used for us loading and unloading parts, or moving equipment but I decided I should borrow one. It will go back to where it should be now." Seliha clearly a bit confused as to why Sam seems so interested. Sam says nothing further until they get back to the house.
-----
Adastra, Sam and Seliha walk through the front door of the house each carrying something in their arms. "Seliha could do with some help if you two are just sitting there." Fosanta nods
"Sure Sam." Kate wondering when would be the best time to ask about tonight.
------
It is not too long before the five of them had unloaded the pallet and had taken to sitting on the seats in the seating area.
"This is a very nice house you have got."
"I am not sure that we own it Seliha, although I agree." Fosanta happy at its size and space.
"So what is happening this afternoon?" Seliha wondering how tired she is going to be.
"We have not really got any plans as we did not know how long the tour would last. At least there are no silly plans set for today."
"It was not silly Fosanta. It did make you two interact." Adastra seemingly a little defensive but having a smile on her face.
"Is this what started the war which I seem to have become a part of already?" Seliha looking towards Adastra who seems more amused by the prank than wanting to answer.
"Yes sorry about that Seliha."
"That is no problem Sam, I will shower with Adastra. Have you made up your mind as to whether you are going to join us?"
"You agreed to shower with Adastra?" Seliha nods but does not have a smile on her face to sell her serious story. "You do know of her reputation?"
"Yes I do Fosanta. I am assuming that because she offered then I would be fine." Adastra nods.
"Could we talk Fosanta?" She nods in agreement and the pair of them go upstairs.
"What is that about?" Seliha looks at Sam who shrugs; she then turns her gaze towards Kate. "I am guessing you are on Fosanta's side in this?" Kate nods. "Ok then, when do you want this to happen?" Sam was not expecting that and neither, seemingly, was Kate.
"Errm. Adastra did say your first night but that was meant to be tomorrow..."
"This evening it is, that means you have a couple of hours if that to decide Sam." Fosanta and Adastra appear from upstairs.
"Did I hear someone keen to get this done?" Adastra smiling as Fosanta sits back down next to Kate.
"Where did you go?"
"We were arranging where Kate and Fosanta should see us Seliha."
"Where would that be Adastra?"
"Your top floor room Kate, unless you have any objections. I do not wish to go downstairs as there are too many windows."
"You do not seem that bothered about this Seliha, even though you barely know Adastra?"
"Kate, I am sure someone has told you that Asari are fairly comfortable with themselves in the company of others." Kate nods remembering when Fosanta had said that in the showers on-board the Enlighten.
"I am ready for a shower now to be fair; do you want to wait Seliha?"
"No that sounds ok for me." Adastra and Seliha start walking out of the room, Adastra turns to look at Sam.
"Sam, are you going to join us?" Sam reluctantly gets up off the comfy chair and joins them to go upstairs.
"How about we get a drink and wait for them upstairs Kate?" Fosanta putting her arm around Kate
"That sounds like a good idea." Kate smiling before they head to the kitchen.
-----
Seliha, Adastra and Sam all go in to the spare room which they lock behind them. Adastra walks through the bathroom locking its outer door along with their bedroom before coming back with a bottle of shower gel.
"Seliha I need you to use this shower gel. I am telling you that it will make you purple for eight hours now as I feel bad about springing this on someone I do not know well."
"That is ok Adastra I like the purple one." Seliha goes a little purple at that admission. Adastra looks shocked and Sam just laughs.
"Why am I not surprised by that? So if I am joining you what colour am I getting or are we just going for purple and red."
"It would look horrible mixing more than one colour, sorry Sam. I do have green and blue we can try another day if you want."
"I will think about it after this shower Adastra. You do realise that it is going to be a tight fit to get three in the shower? It is not exactly the most spacious one I have ever seen." Sam thinking practically, Seliha walks to the bathroom door and looks at the size of the shower space.
"It will be fine I am sure Sam. Adastra are we removing holders and everything?"
"I need to swap the amp to give me two hours instead of twenty minutes. I will be back in a moment." Adastra leaves to go to her own bedroom to take the old amp out and put the new one in. While in the room she also removes her clothes putting them on the bed before going back. "I think the text colour is perfect this time." Adastra smiling as she turns around to show the other two.
"Yes I made it a little bluer after I had the opportunity of having a better look at your markings the other day."
"It looks good; it is going to be fun to get you out of that holder again though."
"I thought you were fairly used to helping me now Sam?"
"I do apologise Adastra. Seliha, I feel I must say that I am not the most confident of individuals at times so please do not take my nervousness personally."
"I am a little nervous being around you Sam so you can think of it as the same problem for us both." Sam nods as Adastra kneels down. Sam gets the hint and helps her get the holder off. "Can I ask why you kneel down Adastra as there are other ways?" Adastra stands and slides the bottom half of the holder down her legs.
"It is the way we found works best Seliha. I am wondering why I am waiting for you two now though." Adastra smiling as she makes the comment. Sam takes all of twenty seconds to pull everything off and dump it all in an unceremonious pile on the floor.
"Seliha I know I am a bit different but please do not make me feel that uncomfortable by staring at me." Sam trying not to be too embarrassed by the attention Seliha is giving him. She seemed much more surprised at what Sam looks like than she was when she first saw Adastra. "Seliha, you can look when we are in there but we are waiting for you." Seliha seemed to wake up with that.
"My apologies Sam. This must be what others feel like when they see us." Sam is a little curious as to why she makes no further comment but the awkwardness stops him asking. Seliha takes her clothes off and places them carefully on the bed to reveal a holder of the same design as Adastra's. Adastra laughed at the fact it was transparent as well.
"I see you liked Sam's idea of transparent so much you used it yourself."
"Yes. It was a good idea. I used to have a blue one with purple bands in roughly the right place and I was never quite happy with it." Seliha takes out her amp and puts it on the bed. Her bioamp is blue with purple markings where her actual markings are, text being in white.
"Do you need a hand getting it off?" Adastra seemed rather keen to get started.
"I would Adastra as I have never found a quick way for one person to get out of this design short of cutting it off." Adastra looks to Sam with a smile.
"I know sometimes I need a bit of a push but you have to be kidding."
"I was just wondering if you wished to help Seliha instead of me since you need the practice Sam. I will help if you do not want to."
"You have a point. Seliha I hope you are not offended if I accidently touch you anywhere you may not wish to be."
"I would be more honoured than offended Sam and I appreciate you offering to help. Would you like me to kneel down as Adastra did as although there are other ways it did seem quite efficient."
"If you do not mind Seliha." She gets down on her knees. "If you can look up after I get the two straps over you head they will not catch your folds."
"I will Sam." Sam carefully pulls the lower strap over Seliha's breasts before stretching the two of them together over her head. Seliha does as Sam asked and lifts her head up and the straps slide down her folds to her shoulders. Sam then pulls the straps that are around her arms down her arms as Seliha bends backwards to give Sam some slack. They quickly come off and Sam moves away to allow Seliha to stand and remove the lower half herself.
"I appreciate the help Sam."
"I think we should just get on with it as I hear Adastra already has the shower on." Seliha nods before she quickly slides the lower half of the holder off before following Sam into the bathroom to join Adastra.
"Is there anything you would be against Sam or are you ok with anything reasonable?" Adastra asking as Sam walks through the door.
"If you would both not excessively touch my penis I would greatly appreciate it, but other than that I am not all that bothered. I am more nervous about touching you two than I am of you touching me."
"Well I am happy with anything Sam. You can even use your fingers to play with me if you wish."
"I would just like this to stay to skin contact only Seliha as we barely know each other."
"I think Seliha was just trying to emphasize that you can touch what you are comfortable with as we will likely not mind at all." Sam nods.
"How about a simple rule. Each of us gets a small amount of shower gel to which we can only use one refill on ourselves; the rest has to be used on someone else."
"I think I may be able to manage that Seliha." Adastra nods in agreement so Seliha pulls out the shower gel and gives Sam and Adastra a dollop before putting the same in her hand. The three of them look at each other with the water flowing down in the middle before Adastra steps forward as the first candidate.
-----
"It is taking them a while. I wonder what they are doing." Fosanta trying to make a conversation to help alleviate the boredom which was starting to build.
"I do not want to know Fosanta... Now I have mental images I really did not want, thank you for that." Fosanta smiles.
"I can always remove them later if they are that bothersome."
"No, I think I can cope. Just try not to infer anything else please." Fosanta nods to Kate and goes back to daydreaming before realising that she can read the news on her Omni-tool.
-----
"I know that was not that easy for you Sam but you seemed fairly comfortable." Adastra just finishing drying herself as Seliha puts her towel on the towel rail where Sam's is already drying.
"I am not sure why you feel I need to be comfortable around others Adastra."
"If you went to a beach on Thessia you would probably have Asari wanting to talk and yet most will be wearing minimal amounts or nothing at all. Could you converse naturally with them in that situation?"
"Ok I see why now, thank you for the explanation Seliha." She nods with a smile. "Can I ask how we are going to cover ourselves to go upstairs?"
"We could just walk up but I get your point Sam." Adastra thinks for a few moments. "I have an idea. I am sure we can all fit under a double duvet." Sam and Seliha end up trailing behind Adastra as she goes into her room. By the time they get there she has already whipped it off the bed knocking her clothes onto the floor. They all get under and cover up before opening the door and heading up the stairs.
-----
"I am starting to think Adastra has had second thoughts."
"Actually I am too. I am going to give them another five minutes and then go for something to eat."
"No do not do that yet, it will be worth the wait," they hear from the stairs. It is a bit of a sight to see two purple Asari and a red human wrapped in a duvet as they walk through the door, so much so Fosanta and Kate start laughing.
"I would not laugh too much as you may make Adastra unhappy." Sam trying to quell the laughter as his face tries to go redder than it already is.
"You are so red Sam its ridiculous."
"Well at least it is impossible for anyone to see how embarrassed I am, which I must note is very. Are you two ready for a shock?"
"It really cannot be much more of a shock than what you all look like now so yes."
"Yes Sam." Sam looks at the two Asari either side giving them a nod. The duvet drops and the pair suddenly go quiet each of their faces going slightly paler.
"I would say that was a definite surprise." The three of them having massive grins on their faces as Kate and Fosanta look like someone had pressed the pause button.
"Oh wow." Kate just about managing to get her brain started again. "I did not expect that at all. That would explain why you were so friendly to each other." Adastra switches places with Sam and puts her arms around the pair of them.
"Goddess." Fosanta was still seemingly trying to make sense of everything. "This should not be happening."
"You can come closer if you want, just do not touch please." Seliha was fairly comfortable but she had barely spoken to Kate and Fosanta so it would be a little awkward. Adastra and Sam nodded to that as it was already fairly awkward. Kate helped Fosanta up and the pair got a bit closer.
"I hope that you do not mind Adastra but I like Seliha's markings more. However both of you still look beautiful and should be proud of your bodies. All the people who have given you negative comments previously are wrong about everything. If I had those markings I would take extra care over them, please do the same for yours as it would be a great shame for them to be tarnished." Adastra and Seliha nod to Kate their smiles diminished notably.
"This is really confusing to me as you are all so different to what I expected. I feel truly honoured to be able to see you all as you are all so unique in your own way. Sam the amount of hair you have on your legs is surprising to say the least, it could however be fairly normal for your species. I feel sorrow for you two that you have had to suffer ridicule and torment just because of your markings. You should never feel unhappy in your own body especially when they are as different as yours."
"I do not see a couple of Asari with watery eyes do I?" Adastra and Seliha shake their heads at Sam but a tear runs down Adastra's face giving it away and it was not too long before Seliha eventually gave in too. Sam gives each of them a hug after they have hugged each other.
"I have been so frightened about this all day, you really would not believe. I did not sleep at all last night after committing myself with that message. This means so much more to us than you can probably understand so I cannot thank you enough for your kind words."
"I do not think we could ever thank you enough, for trusting me, and giving us both positive words about something we have felt to be nothing but a curse all our lives. Please keep what you now know to yourselves otherwise we will have to do something about it." Kate and Fosanta nod.
"I think we could do with getting dressed and getting something to eat." Adastra and Seliha nod to that and the three of them leave, Sam with the duvet over his shoulder.
"I do not think I have ever been so surprised at anything in my whole life." Fosanta barely waiting a few moments after the three of them had left before speaking up.
"Which is saying something given your age. What are the chances of that occurring, about one in a billion?" Kate just wildly guessing at a silly large number.
"I would say it was unlikely there were more than twenty individuals alive with that condition in the galaxy as they are very rare individuals. So that was a tenth of the whole population of marked Asari, therefore I would assume your guestimate is probably a little on the low side." Kate nods not particularly caring her guess was low.
"I feel we should at least make them some food for when they get downstairs."
"I agree with that." Kate nods and the two of them go down to the kitchen to make something.
-----
Fosanta made a mental note to get some less basic food tomorrow as everyone sat down at the dining room table to eat. The five of them see Yasmari, Swathana, Selayla and Kalawa walk past the window.
"This is going to be awkward." Sam putting his head in his hand.
"I actually agree with you Sam. Are we just going to tell them everything excluding what happened after Adastra?"
"I do not see us having much of an option." Adastra getting her thoughts out just before the front door opened and the four of them walk in. Adastra, Seliha and Sam were obscured from view when you looked from the front door.
"I hope we are not interrupting anything we just came to see how Seliha was..." Selayla stopped short as she got to the doorway to the dining room and seeing the three dyed individuals.
"Settling in." Kalawa finished her sentence given Selayla was blocking the view the other three were confused at this sudden stop. "What is wrong Selayla?"
"I thought that this might happen between yourself and Sam sometime Adastra but Seliha as well? After only knowing her four days?"
"You four have to keep this quiet." The four of them nod. "I have the same condition as Adastra."
"You are joking."
"No Kalawa." Sam leaving the answer brief to show that he is serious.
"How would you know for definite Sam?" Swathana seemingly having a bit of an off moment.
"I am red and these two are purple and I did not have the shower gel so I think it is reasonable to assume that I am telling the truth." Swathana nods an acceptance of her mistake.
"I could do with going to bed early as I have not slept much in thirty odd hours."
"Could I have a chat before you go to bed Seliha?"
"Of course Sam, I am guessing you would like to come along too Adastra?" Adastra nods. "Goodnight everyone."
"Have a good sleep Seliha." Kate being the only one to say anything everyone else just nodding. The three of them head out of the door and up the stairs.
-----
They go into Sam and Adastra's room and each of them take a seat on the side of the bed.
"So what was it you wished to talk about Sam?"
"You are the only one of our group who does not currently understand Kate and my native language. It is quite handy that it does not exist in any translators and none of the commandos know it. If you would like to learn then I am more than happy to let you since you are going to be staying with us a while."
"I must warn you it is a strange language if you wish to learn." Adastra still finding the rules a bit too flexible for her liking.
"I would really appreciate that Sam." A smile on her face giving away her happiness at being treated as one of the group.
"Could I ask you not to go digging through anything you do not need?" Seliha looks a little confused.
"Seliha, humans cannot sense what we are looking through, unless we ask them deliberately. I was lucky I was cautious the first time."
"I understand now. I will ask if I am unsure of anything Sam." Sam nods and gets comfortable on the bed. "Sam, close your eyes and find that mental bridge between you and I. Build it stronger, make it more substantial. Embrace eternity."
-----
Sam from his desk sees Seliha appear through the door. "Hello Seliha."
"Hello Sam. I see you have got a basic grasp of melding." Seliha looks around at the warm library that is spread out in front of her. "It is a nice collection you seem to have, where would I find the language information." Sam gets up and walks towards the first isle and Seliha follows.
"This and the next two sets of shelves is everything you should need. If you need anything else then just ask." Seliha nods and gets down to taking the information as Sam walks back to his desk in front of the fire. It is only a couple of minutes before Seliha reappears.
"I found a couple of things that are not clear but I can ask you later about those." Sam tries to quickly think what is missing.
"Oh, you are missing human biology and culture. Third isle, forth set of shelves on the left, third row down." Seliha nods and sets off. Sam remembers she could use the jokes and puns information too so he does down the first isle to find the three books on that before making copies and returning to the desk with them. Sam barely sits down before Seliha emerges from the third isle.
"That makes more sense now, thank you Sam."
"That is no problem; these three books could also be helpful." Sam holds out three books for Seliha to take.
"I appreciate this gesture Sam. A quick question, would you mind if I slept with you and Adastra?"
"As long as you do not kick me out of the bed and do not let your hands wander then I am ok with that Seliha." She nods with a smile before walking out of the door.
-----
Sam went to hold his head. "Oh my brain feels like it is going bad."
"I am sorry about that Sam. You will find it becomes less of a strain the stronger the connection is between you and the person doing the melding."
"I think it gets better with general practice as well as it is no where near as bad as the last time I had a headache. I will be fine soon." Seliha nods.
"Adastra are you fine with me sleeping here with you and Sam?" Adastra looks at Sam.
"It is your decision as I have already given my opinion. If you want to know I can see no issue with it." Adastra smiles at that.
"I see no problem with that either Seliha. If you try and get to sleep in the middle we will try not to wake you later."
"Thank you." Adastra and Sam nod. Sam manages after getting up off the bed to stand and walk roughly straight towards the door with Adastra keeping a close eye on him from behind.
-----
The commandos sit down and have a bit of something to eat before continuing their chat.
"I think Seliha is lying as well, the chances of her having the same condition as Adastra has are astronomical." Selayla having a serious look on her face. Kate and Fosanta now knew exactly what Sam felt like when he was keeping information quiet.
"All three of them were coloured, also I think Sam has also seen her before today as well. I can think of no reason why they would lie."
"It would also explain how Adastra was fine having a shower with her. I mean how many people have had the privilege of being able to retain memories of her markings."
"Not many at all Fosanta." Adastra's voice appearing from the doorway. Sam just about managed to avoid running into the door frame after Adastra shouting made him break his concentration. He pulls out a chair and sits down facing Yasmari.
"That is better. I really do not like that side effect as it makes doing anything difficult."
"Should I ask Sam?"
"I gave some information to Seliha. That is all I wish to say for now Kate."
"I am going back to our house as I have no idea how Seliha can be such good friends so quickly."
"Kalawa, we have said why. Also she is sleeping in our bed tonight. If you can figure out how that would make sense without her having the same condition please tell me." Sam with a smile on his face as she walks out.
"That was a bit mean Sam."
"I am sorry Yasmari but anything I could use to prove what I am saying is true would get my mind melted. Actually..." Sam seems to have a light bulb moment. "I will see if I can give you all proof tomorrow, there are no guarantees though."
"We will be interested in that. Come and tell us to come round when you are ready." Sam nods and the three commandos leave the house.
"What are you thinking Sam?"
"I do not think Seliha would mind showing the commandos a tiny glimpse of one of her ankles. I will ask of course." Adastra nods in approval.
"I would be a bit sceptical at a small look especially with time to prepare but it is better than nothing."
"That is what I was thinking Fosanta. Does anyone know if there are any games around here?"
"As far as I know, no Sam." Sam looks disappointed at that response. The four of them discuss what to do tomorrow and come to the conclusion that there is only a bit of shopping that is a necessity. Adastra suggests a trip to Eternity could be an idea as well.
It is two hours after Seliha had gone to bed when everyone else decides to turn in for the night. Adastra and Sam had still not started fading as the pair of them went upstairs to bed.
-------
Notes.
A chapter of two halves, the first being the tour of Armali's Illium facility, the second Kate and Fosanta getting their unique opportunity. Also the odd paragraph is back after thirteen chapters, which gives us two names and an assumption this is to be revealed soon.
Thank you to everyone who has read up until this point and is hopefully enjoying the story. There is plenty more left since this version is still 11 chapters behind.
More chapters will be posted on Wednesday the 4th of July. I am hoping at least two and possibly five or more depending upon how quickly they get polished.
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Marked Effect (AFF Edition)