Rebirth The Mass Effect is old. part 28

Nihlus carried me into the cabin and sat me down on the bed, and he squatted down, staring intently at my face. Just a moment later, the usual jammer appeared on the bedside shelf.

"Will it always be like this?"

A clawed hand gently slid across his cheek.

"No, of course not." I smiled and rubbed my cheek against his palm. "Only until the final unfolding of the aura and initiation. She's coming soon, just a couple of hours left. The body cannot cope with the production and processing of the required amount of energy, the power and energy structure is weak and cannot pump such volumes. So I don't look my best. But such loads are useful: they accelerate the restructuring and bring initiation closer."

"Tonight, then?"

"Right. At the same time, I will find out what will take root in this reality and will be available for use. Right now, I can't even use mentalism with all my might. It's just that the body can't stand it."

Nihlus nodded slowly.

"I've been meaning to ask for a long time. Why did my biotics activate? I don't have an implant."

"This is the result of constantly staying within the boundaries of my personal space. Your nervous and energy systems are developing rapidly now, just like Garrus'. This effect will disappear after initiation: I will curtail my aura and stop influencing others. If I don't want to."

Nihlus nodded slowly.

"But it's for the two of you... not particularly relevant."

"Why?"

"Because of... the specifics of our relationship. I purred."

The doors swung open, allowing Garrus to enter my cabin with a tray filled with food containers, and immediately closed, the indicator changed color to red.

"Why so much?" I still haven't been able to eat. Garrus said nonchalantly, placing the tray on the bed. "Nihlus, as far as I know, you didn't make it either?"

"No, thank you."

Garrus nodded, handing me a bulky container on a small tray.

"Eat up."

I took the tray from his hands, sat up, and kissed Garrus, who was purring contentedly, on the neck. I know he likes it.

"I think Garrus will be interested in listening too." Nihlus said reasonably, removing the lid.

"About?"

"My biotics and changes in the body." Nihlus retold what he had said earlier to his kinsman in a few words, and Garrus only nodded slowly at this.

"So why don't we get involved in your initiation?"

"Yes, everything is very simple. During... in proximity, the energy of the partners merges, increases abruptly and divides in proportion to the capacity of the reserve. Yes, everything is very simple. During... in proximity, the energy of the partners merges, increases abruptly and divides in proportion to the capacity of the reserve. My energy volume exceeds yours. Repeatedly. It's not for nothing that sex is always and in almost all worlds considered the easiest and most natural way to solve the problems of exhaustion in any more or less energetically developed race. Only sacrifice is more effective. Quickly, efficiently, with minimal losses in the background. And the consent of the second participant is absolutely not required.

"And in our world too?"

"In any case. The ritual takes place within the boundaries of the aura of the sacrificer, and the presence or absence of external energy will not affect the result in any way. However, there are such rituals... They are not very pleasant, and they are used only as a last resort by normal reasonable people. It's too bloody, cruel, and unsightly."

"Do you know such rituals?"

"I know." I shrugged my shoulders. "But I prefer not to use it. They leave imprints on the aura that don't go away for a very long time."

"The consequences?"

"Unpleasant ones. Tell... Not now, okay?"

They did not insist. Nihlus decided to get off the unpleasant topic and asked:

"What should we do during your initiation?"

"Nothing. Just stay close and don't be surprised by anything." I picked up something that looked like a mushroom and popped it into my mouth. "There is a high probability that I will dump excess energy on you, if there are any. In an amicable way, it would be better to hold such meetings... things are not on a spaceship, but on a planet. Less chance of ruining something."

"Is the splash big?"

"Like when. It's impossible to predict. There are too many variables."

"What's the threat?"

"Energy gluttony. Maybe regeneration will accelerate a bit until the excess vital energy dissipates."

Garrus frowned at the nearly full container in my hands.

"Eat up."

I didn't argue and started eating. Sebastian cooks just great, even though I don't understand how he can make a delicious dish that is inedible to him. But somehow he did it! Lately, I've generally switched mainly to dextro products, since the XO saved on regular ones, and the normal meat and vegetables were only right-acidic.

Garrus removed the empty containers and put them on the table, and then they undressed me and put me to bed. You're going to sleep now. — Nihlus lay down next to me, moved a little, giving me the opportunity to comfortably settle on his shoulder.

"And you?"

"And we'll find something to do." Garrus answered me, settling down on the other side and wrapping his arms around my waist. "Sleep."

And I really fell asleep quickly, warmed up between two men. Garrus gently and carefully stroked my head, which only accelerated the process.

The initiation took place at night, and I didn't even wake up. There was no release: the excess energy was distributed among the sleeping Turians and was used by their bodies to treat old injuries and minor sores, and the remnants were absorbed by Normandy, forming their own vital aura. So I was totally worried for nothing.

I was the first to wake up, and for a while I could watch Nihlus sleeping. Garrus sniffed at the top of my head, snorting softly when my hair got into my nose. The analysis of the body's condition showed pretty good results: the body and energy structure have completely returned to the standard I am used to, and NOW I can call myself a true metamorph. I've got everything I can use in this reality... and it's a pity that almost all magical gifts are unavailable. The energy saturation of this reality is too low, and it will not change until the universe begins to develop independently and receives nourishment from the Primordial Foundation. It's a pity, of course, but not critical. I am glad that the spatial pocket feels normal, and you can already use it. At the same time, it's worth considering what you should take with you... in the next life...

My small movements woke up the light-sleeping Turians. Garrus was the first to wake up, and just a few moments later, Nihlus. And the first question:

"How was the initiation?"

"Fine."

The green eyes carefully examined my face, noting the changed appearance.

"I see the dream has done you good."

"Undoubtedly."

Garrus propped himself up on one elbow and easily rolled me onto my back.

"I think it's time to get up and please Karin with your healthy appearance." A clawed finger slid across his cheek.

"Turn off the jammer."

Nihlus sat up and turned off the device.

"Joker, can you hear me?"

"Should I?" the pilot asked cautiously, responding almost instantly.

"Need." I smiled.

"Then I hear it."

Garrus let out a muffled laugh, which could not escape the attentive and bored Jeff.

"Vakarian. I heard everything!"

"Also tell me that you see everything." Garrus said sarcastically.

"If I say that, Irene will kill me." Joker complained to the Turian. "Of course, I can see everything! When Krayk is not jamming the equipment in the cabin."

"That's why I'm silencing you, because you can see everything." Nihlus grinned, getting off the bed easily.

The Joker muttered something displeased, and we laughed. Still, getting mad at an overly curious pilot just didn't work out. I clearly knew that everything he saw would go no further than him, and nothing more... He won't say too much.

"How long is it before exiting the stage?" I asked.

"Thirty-five hours. And four more superlight flights to Vermaer under its own power."

"Thank you." a short pause. "And the Joker... You'd better not peek right now."

"I understood." the pilot said complaisantly and switched off.

Karin didn't appreciate my appearance in the infirmary. Silently, without talking or warning, a tranquilizer dart flew at me. I did not demonstrate my insensitivity to the drug and smoothly slid into the arms of Nihlus, who was taken aback by such a greeting.

"Did I warn you not to let her out of the cabin for twenty-four hours?" Karin asked dryly, tossing another dart in her palm.

"I warned you." Nihlus agreed, intercepting my conditionally insensitive carcass and lifting it in his arms.

"Why did you let her go out?"

"Is it possible to keep it?" Garrus asked skeptically, looking with interest at my completely awake face, fortunately, Nihlus held me so that Karin could not see my face.

"It is possible if you try and find the right ways of influencing. Now bring her back."

Three crew members undergoing a standard medical checkup and Liara, sitting next to her sleeping mother, watched the whole circus with deep dumbfoundness.

"Isn't it too radical?" Garrus asked cautiously, squinting at my twitching face.

"Radically — if you lie down next to him." Karin said dryly, showing off darts with tranquilizers for dextro organisms. "And sleep in the infirmary until the relay exits the destination system. Don't force me to take extreme measures against you, and get rid of your full-contact sparring."

Garrus raised his hands in a human gesture of reconciliation.

"What can I do to earn your favor, Doctor?"

"Irene will wake up in four hours. Make sure she eats properly, not the way she does it."

"Will do."

"Free to go!"

Nihlus silently turned around and left the infirmary, carrying me in his arms. I decided not to provoke Karin and continued to lie limp. Krayk, the bastard, carried me across the entire command deck in front of the entire crew! Pressley, of course, couldn't help but notice us.

"Spectrum Krayk... what happened?" The genuine surprise in the XO's voice warmed my soul. "Charles Pressley, you know, it's absolutely impossible to argue with Dr. Chakwas."

Nihlus reported in a penetrating voice.

"At the slightest disobedience, she turns to heavy and... convincing arguments." With that, Garrus handed the tranquilizer dart to the startled XO. So that everyone can see and identify him.

"She's a very dangerous woman..." Garrus added.

Leaving the XO with a dart in his hand to digest the original behavior of the usually so polite Karin, I was taken to the cabin, and there we were finally able to have a good time under the quiet giggles of the Joker watching the whole performance. We weren't going to test the doctor's patience, so Garrus went to the galley, and Nihlus and I got to work. There is still time before Vermaer, and you can prepare in the cabin. An hour later, Joker called Tali to my cabin for a briefing.

The Normandy entered Vermaer's orbit. By this time, the landing group was ready: me, Nihlus, Garrus were standing at the ramp, in armor and with weapons, Tali in his usual spacesuit. We will land ten kilometers from the base on the ocean coast. Without the Mako. We'll walk to the base, avoiding any contact with the Geth. After our landing, the Normandy will leave the system and will not return here under any circumstances, but will wait at the agreed location for twenty days. We will get off the planet on a small spaceship, which we noticed at the spaceport four kilometers from the base.

"Rin, we're over the drop point."

The Joker's voice distracted me from my thoughts.

"Height?"

"About ten meters. I can't go any lower."

Drop us over the water.

"Understood."

The ramp slowly descended.

"Let's go!"

As I was already jumping off the ramp after Garrus, I heard the Joker's soft whisper:

"Good luck..."

"Thanks, Joker... We'll need it..." With that thought in mind, I flew into the warm ocean, and the Normandy smoothly went up and disappeared into the sky.