AUTHOR'S NOTE: Fair warning to any and all: Donatello has been my favorite since I first laid eyes on the 1987 TV series and my love for that little purple-wearing turtle has grown steadily on through the movies and was rekindled recently when a friend re-introduced me to them. What can I say; I go for the strong silent type. D

Also, bear with me as I get this story set up and rolling. It may start out slow, but I'll try to keep things as entertaining as I can. I think you'll all like reading about Andy as much as I've enjoyed writing the character. It's one I've been working on for quite some time now.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own, doesn't mean I can't play. However, the character of Lieutenant Colonel Andree "Andy" McCallister I do own as well as any characters related to her, so no touchy touchy.

Mars – 2386

Andree lifted her head slightly; sweat dripping from her forehead, her breathing hard. The man that stood before her wiped his brow and grinned. He gave her a questioning look and the woman just nodded, setting herself into a ready stance. The man did the same, but quickly broke position and attacked.

Having had anticipated him making the first move, Andree was ready for the onslaught of punches and kicks that came flying at her. She managed to easily block and evade the first series. A smile spread across her face as they faced each other, the fighting paused.

"You know something, McCallister. I hate you sometimes, you wanna know why?" he asked through gasps.

"Please, Sanders, tell me. I'm dying to know." She stood up straight, placing her hands on the small of her back and stretching.

"You're so damned good at everything. Fighting for one," Sanders started, motioning to what they were doing, "Two, this little command of yours. Not what you do, oh no, but how you got it." He chuckled and shook a finger at her. "And, let's not forget the piece de resistance…"

"Oh, no now this is just brown nosing…" Andree folded her arms across her body, waiting to hear what her right-hand man had to say.

"You're a damned good pilot." The Marine Captain let out with an exasperated breath.

"You're just sucking up now, Sanders."

"I do what I can." He shrugged his shoulders, proud of himself. Andree merely shook her head. When she decided that he had stopped paying attention, Andree crouched down, turning and sweeping her leg behind her in a graceful circle. Sanders let out a surprised yell as his legs flew out from beneath him.

The man lay on the flat of his back staring up at Andree as she glanced down giving him a look as if to say "better luck next time." There was no time for further sparring as a disembodied voice broke through the air.

"Lieutenant Colonel McCallister and Captain Sanders, please report to the Command Center." Just as quickly the voice ceased and all was quiet again. Andree sighed. Holding out her hand, she helped Sanders to his feet, patting his back as he stood.

"Good work out today. Same time tomorrow?" she asked.

"Yeah, and this time I won't go so easy on you." Sanders declared. Andree just laughed as she turned and walked out of the room. He just shook his head and went to clean up.

Command Center

Showered and wearing a clean uniform, Andree McCallister strolled into the Command Center. Captain Michael Sanders was already there, looking over the shoulder of a young Lieutenant as they reviewed the map of a nearby outpost.

"What've we got?" she asked, stepping up to the two men.

"Weapons fire was detected about half an hour ago. At least we think its weapons fire. The signature is strange and erratic, like nothing we have on file." The Captain reported.

McCallister nodded, looking at the map. The Marines shared the planet with various other bases of operation, including an outpost that belonged to an allied race of aliens. Though the relations between the two peoples were peaceful, the aliens preferred to keep mostly to themselves, and Andree didn't mind that one bit. She found them to be quite strange at times.

"It looks like we're going to have to pay our neighbors a visit." Andree wrinkled her nose at the prospect of having to see their allies, but diplomacy and protocol insisted on it.

"I'll put together a team. We'll transport over right away." Sanders turned to leave but McCallister placed a hand on his shoulder stopping him.

"No, you stay here. I'll lead the team." She saw the look he gave her, "Hey, I'm in charge. Besides, I've been cooped up in this hell hole with you for two long," she chided giving him a playful nudge. He just scoffed.

"You're the boss."

"You better believe it." Andree grinned. Enlisting the help of three others, she began making her way out of the room.

"Don't blow up anything of importance while I'm away. The paperwork's a beast." She called over her shoulder.

"Tha-," he let out a huff of air, irritated, "That was only one time!" the Captain yelled after his superior. It was all in vain as the Lieutenant Colonel had already left.

Transport Site

"Ready to go when you are, ma'am." The transport operator informed Andree as the team arrived.

"Good. Set coordinates and lets go." She jumped on the transport pad, followed by the others. The operator nodded and went to work. A few moments later he stated that the controls were set and then told to begin.

The whir of the machine filled the room, but the noise was uncharacteristically loud. After a few minutes of trying to engage the transport, the operator stopped.

"There's something wrong, I can't begin the sequence." He stared at the readouts on the screen, trying to find the problem. McCallister stepped down and walked over to the station.

"What is it?" she inquired.

"There appears to be interference coming from the other end. Some sort of magnetic imbalance," he stopped, reading further. Adjusting a few things, the operator finally nodded.

"I think I can bypass it, but you'll only be able to transport over one at a time." He looked to her for approval. McCallister nodded and turned to her team.

"I'll go first. As soon as we're all assembled, we'll find out exactly what it is that's got our friends over yonder all in a huff." Andree received acknowledgement from the others and stepped once more onto the transport pad. Signaling she was ready to the operator, Andree waited.

As the beam engulfed her, something felt strange. Not quite right. On top of the usual tingling sensation, there was a slight pull. It was as if someone or something was yanking her backward. The feeling of falling quickly overtook her, and McCallister started to become disoriented. Things were becoming blurry as she soon passed out…