Step up to the plant
It was almost here the week she had been waiting for, one glorious week of training simulations against the best of the best from each division of the Human alliance and the Turian military. It's called The Proving, started 5 years ago what was first regarded as a feeble way to build bridges with the Turians, trying to forget the first contact war, and now looked on as the best way to show off your abilities.
Shepard wasn't going to complain she was out to make a name for herself, at the moment she was over shadowed by her mother Admiral Hannah Shepard. In the first contact war Commander Hannah Shepard and Captain Zachary Hackett held off hundreds of Turians giving time for the civilians to make it to the escape shuttles and get the fuck off Shanxi. They stayed holding off the Turians waiting for reinforcements, General Williams… as we all know the reinforcements never came, you can look it up on the net to see how that went.
After clever strategy and waiting for the right time they stealthily stole a Turian shuttle and made it off shanxi. Which made them instant hero's in everyone's eyes. Even Jane's teachers would ask to hear stories about her mum and dad and how they got out alive; this story now is like a well-rehearsed speech Jane didn't even have to think while reciting it. She never let it showed but every time someone mentioned how remarkable her parents were she felt their shadows looming over her, bigger than ever… impossible to measure up to.
As the best in her field Shepard knew she would be chosen. it wasn't arrogance it was just fact, although Jane exuded confidence she is actually extremely modest and feels uncomfortable with any form of compliments and normally just deflects it with humour or on to someone else. Even when she broke Alliance records for the furthest sniper rifle shot at 2.7 miles she hated the fact she had to go up and collect an award and give a small but faultless thank you speech.
She started to contemplate who else would accompany her to the Proving, six trainees would be picked one from each class Adept, Soldier, Engineer, Vanguard, Sentinel and infiltrator, and she filled that spot.
God she loved the feel of a sniper rifle in her hands, made her heart beat in her throat as adrenaline would flow over her body, better than any man had ever made her feel, she thought.
Jane's magnificent green eyes searched the room for something to take her racing mind off the upcoming events. She had gone over and over everything, she read every piece of information she could find on the Turians immaculately and this would give her an edge, she had to be prepared and she was, right?
The door whooshed open
"Fuck sake Red! Look at you! What are you worried about? Wish you'd stop bloody stressing. It's not like you're in the bottom like me. You've practically made yourself a hermit these past couple of months and you've got over your illness sicky bugthing. So get up, get your face on and join me for brekkie , come on… chop chop" Sarah finished rambling and put her hands in her pockets.
Jane watched for a moment as Sarah rocked back and forth on her feet a little sheepishly, maybe regretting the tone she had just taken.
Shepard jolted up with a playful grin. "I will, But you of all people should know, I never stress... much, been trying to be ready for every scenario and I am... I think." Giggling at herself as she got up, pulling her flamboyant long red hair into a tight pony tail,
"And Sarah" Jane added as she walked out the door " it wasn't a bug, It was something I ate" grinning at the personal joke to... well herself.
As they made their way to the canteen, It seems so quiet to the usual noise that echoed wordlessly, Jane couldn't help but be amused at all the emotions on everyones faces.
Some looked happy and excited knowing they or a friend were going, some disappointed like they already knew the outcome, a couple pointing at others maybe guessing who would be chosen.
Miranda Lawson is pointing right at Shepard.
Jane and Sarah got their dinner and moved to a far table not wanting any trouble, today of all days. but as they sat down the look on Sarah's face said it all, "Queen bee is making a bee line for us." Sarah whispered a hint of a smirk.
Jane slowly placed her hand on her drink, inhaled through her nose, then place her Shepard armour mask firmly on, she knew what she was about to hear, she had heard it many times before and knew she would hear it many times again.
Insecure jealousy is such an ugly trait. I guess she has to come over and give her two-penny's worth. Jane thought… I can never understand why she's even here. Genetically engineered to be perfect and on paper she is, brutal with a shotgun and savagely artistic with her biotics. She would make a fierce alliance Vanguard but she's never shown interest in actually following through. Almost makes me think she has an ulterior motive, she could also train anywhere with anyone considering her father is one of the richest people in the Milky Way, so why here? I respect her abilities but entirely disapprove of her lack of moral compass, funny so pretty on the outside, on the inside a steaming pile of fowl smelling sh….
"Why, if it isn't the great Shepard hiding in the corner, unnecessarily scared you won't get picked, I'm sure mummy and Uncle Steven have it sorted out for you." With a ghastly smile clearly placed on her perfectly pretty face.
"That is little to no importance, as everyone will see what WE are ALL made of, Lawson" quickly spitting her name out before it left a bad taste in her mouth.
"That they will, Shepard, you can't fake being good with so many people watching you, can you? No, no one to help you this time." she leaned over the table smouldering hatred into Shepards eyes.
"I don't need help I assure you, although I do pray." she stood up and crossed her arms sank into her hip. "That no one makes a fool out of themselves, especially in front of the Turians don't want them to think," Shepard leaned towards Lawson. "We are weak emotional girls now do we." raising her eyebrows and bearing her teeth sadistically.
Lawson took a step forward and closed the gap between them, Shepard could feel her erratic breath on her face, a bloodthirsty black-hearted glazed formed in Lawson's eyes, intent on pushing Shepard she raised her voice in a calm but dominant demeanour.
"Pray to your dead dad all you like Shepard, The only Shepard that will ever be on peoples lips is that whore you call a mom, tell me which Hackett lips was she on first? Your Uncles Admiral or your dead dads, her ex captain? Just follow her lead, sleep your way to the top. You'll make a name for yourself... although I don't think they give out medals for whoring yourself out. I take that back didn't your mum get one… and then some." She beamed in her brilliant bitchiness.
Shepard could feel the lump in her throat, and the burning of her ears the hot flush of anger pulsated over her body, but there was no way she was going to give Lawson what she wanted, she will get hers but not today.
"God! I really get under your skin don't I?" Jane mocked "Well as always Lawson it's been such a pleasure, but I don't have time to play today and I'm trying to part take in this great thing called breakfast. So as much as I'd love to do this whole back and forth thing that we've got going, of how many times we can say fuck you in different ways… I can't, but if you'd like to reschedule just call my mum or Uncle Steven because as you know... they sort out everything for me." Jane gave a cheeky wink while beaming the brightest smile anyone has ever seen as she took her seat, she looked at Sarah but before Sarah could convey her thought on what had occurred.
"All last year Alliance trainees to the main hall, all last year Alliance trainees to the main hall." The tannoy barked.
This is my first ever story, so I hope I'm doing ok so far, please leave a review.
Thank you xxxx