So...I couldn't help myself. I kept trying to push away this concept I'd had for a few days now about doing a backstory of Fehl Prime, with of course, as Steve puts it, our illustrious Mr. Vega. But it kept nagging at me and nagging and nagging...well, you guys get the idea. Finally, I broke down and wrote this opening sequence.
I had a hard time determining if I wanted Shepherd to be male or female, so I just decided on male solely on the fact that I just wanted to get this done. But now I'm wondering what YOU guys would like to see: If you'd like Shepherd to be male or female.
This is a story set inside of another story. It's Vega's mind taking us back to Fehl; to experience his squadmates, who were also his close friends, and the hundreds of colonists, but also focuses on the present time and working through these memories that cause him to be so wreckless.
Sorry for the drabble :)
You can't fix your mistakes. Once people are dead, you can't make them undead.
"So tell me about Fehl Prime."
Why had he even opened his mouth?
Real fucking smooth asshole, he snapped at himself, while a low rumble, resonating like thunder, began to grow in his chest. He tried to ignore it as he swung his arms harder at the Commander, catching him by surprise as James followed it up quick with a hard left hook that took the Commander hard in the chin.
Shepherd staggered back for a brief second before he shook it off and came back in, fists raised, ready to deflect, block, give, and take whatever damage James was willing to give out.
He should've known better than to open his fucking mouth to the Commander; that he wouldn't just let it go.
Shepherd called him reckless; not caring about his own life, but that wasn't true. Or was it?
As James quickly sidestepped out of the way of Shepherd's oncoming fist he took the advantage to use Shepherd's momentum against him. Knocking down Shepherd's extended arm that had thrown the punch, he invaded the man's space, swiftly elbowing him in the chest, and following up with a hard left hook that almost sent the other man down to his knees.
For a millisecond all that rage that he felt, all that hatred he felt towards himself, and that helpless feeling that kept him up at night, briefly dissipated. He took a large step back while his muscles screamed with adrenaline for him to continue, to finish what he had started but none of this was Shepherd's fault.
James had a punching bag and Shepherd wasn't it.
He took another step, giving them a wide birth from one another, while he waited patiently for the other man to collect himself.
"Had enough yet, Loco?"
His words had come out a lot harsher than he'd meant but Shepherd didn't seem to care or notice. Once he was back on his feet he brought his hands back, guarding his face, as he moved back into the small arena the two men had made.
"Not even close, Vega. I was just getting warmed up."
And too prove his point Shepherd was on him fast, giving James barely enough time to react, as Shepherd threw a light jab off to the left distracting him from his right that coldcocked him hard. The room spun for a second as he shook his head, bringing his attention back to the man in front of him. The copper taste of blood filled his mouth a second after and he spit most of it out and onto the floor as the two began to cautiously circle each other once more.
"Not bad, Shepherd," he smirked.
"Now, again, tell me about Fehl Prime."
Any ounce of exhilaration he had felt at having a good fight vanished right as the words left his mouth. All that rage he had pushed down roared back to life in his chest and he lashed out clumsily, allowing Shepherd to strike him hard in his side.
"Why can't you just drop it already?" he snarled.
"It's not gonna happen Lieutenant."
Where the fuck was he even supposed to begin? How could he tell his Commanding Officer that every time he closed his eyes she overcame his vision; stirring a longing in him that he had tried to quiet and could never be sated. That any time he smelt engine oil or looked at Steve it was hard for him not to breakdown at the overwhelming feeling of agony that echoed through his bones, and threatened to tear him down. That no amount of booze and flimsy women could drive the last image of her eyes, filled with pride, love, and goodbye's, would erase it from his mind.
He couldn't save the colonists or her.
She was gone, forever, and there was nothing he could do about it.
Esteban and him had shared that secret pain of lose together, but Esteban had the common knowledge to never bring it up unless James asked him or needed to get something off of his chest.
And now, here was Shepherd, almost demanding that he tell him about something he himself couldn't even bring himself to talk about except to Esteban when the cerveza had long since taken over.
"You know, you remind me of my old CO," he said, easily baiting away one of Shepherd's punches, and throwing one of his own.
Off in the corner he could see Esteban, watching with interest, concern written around the hard lines of his eyes and his lips set in a hard frown.
"You need to talk to someone, James. Forgetting…forgetting and beating yourself up doesn't make it go away. She wouldn't want you doing this to yourself. Just like Robert didn't want me too."
"No offense Esteban, but you aren't really the most qualified person to tell me I need to move on with my life. Besides, I'm Fine."
"Yeah…sure you are Mr. Vega."
The impact of Shepherd's knuckles on his cheek brought him back to the present and silently giving a slight sense of justice for the pain he wanted to feel. James wanted desperately for his outsides to match his insides; but to go down like a badass in the process.
"You aren't getting tired on me are you, James?" Shepherd mocked.
Whipping the blood from his lips with the back of his fist, he smirked as he dodged another sharp fist.
"Nah, just getting warmed up," he shot back, tossing Shepherd's words back at him. "What do you want to know?"
I'm dying to know what you guys are thinking! Feedback is always appreciated!
The next chapter should be up shortly! Thanks so much for reading.
