So I have been playing Mass effect 1 and 2 for the past few weeks and finally got an idea for a fanfic. First few chapters mearly about Shepard's befire joining Alliance and while trainning with the Alliance. This stuff is somewhat important. You ge to know a little about Shepards background better, this will shape her to what she will become. Yes this Shepards a she for now I'm leaving this as a love intrest with Garrus but that might change. I'll let you know. Review please.
Chapter 1
Knowing Me, Shepard
Years 6-18
A six year old blond girl with sapphire eyes held two tiny hands out in front of her in a gesture of begging. This young girls dress was torn in many places with stains of various colors where about as well. A pleading look and a saddened sound in her voice she said two words.
"Spare change?" As long as Ekaterina could remember she had lived out in the street, they were her home and her prison. People walked by, either not caring or being the first to acknowledge the problems on their planet. Once in a while a person would put a quarter in her small stretched out hands. Her small filthy hands clutched the miniscule amount of change she was able to gather that day, one dollar and twenty-five cents. She knew she couldn't get much with this but in time she would be able to buy her self a meal. The light of the day on earth was fading away and so did the hopes of a small meal for Ekaterina.
"There you are." Looking up she found her two best friends, Mike and Ashlee. Mike was the boy of the group, didn't seem to mind it either. His black hair fell in front of his green eyes. He hadn't lost his baby fat yet, even at seven years old. Ashlee on the other hand was as skinny as Ekaterina. Anshlee looked just like Mike, in fact if you looked at them quickly you thought they were twins. Truth be told they weren't but at times they acted as such to get more money. "We got four dollars today. How bout you?" Both said in unison, still in their twin mode.
"Dollar twenty-five. That leaves us with five twenty-five in todays earnings. Plus the stash we got at base." Ekaterina thought about it for a few moments. "That leaves us with eleven dollars and seventy-seven scents." She nodded.
"I don't know how you do that. You never went to school and you still know how to count like that." Mike stated with a pout. "You keep telling me its not that hard, but your a lier-pants." He crossed his harms in front of his chest in annoyance. "One day its going to get you in trouble." Mike didn't know how right he was about that statement until a few years later.
- Nine Years Later-
Ekaterina now at age fifteen leaped across a roof top to land on to another one. Its not like she had the choice. A bunch of thugs where now chasing after he because she manage to get into a high security building and steel some rather important things. OK...those thugs wheren't really thugs, just the local police. The high security building...the bank. The rather important things...cash and a watch that she managed to grab. But that wasn't the point. The point was, local police or not there was no way in hell that Ekaterina was going to jump to the next building.
"You are so dead you little runt." Never mind. With another sigh and a burst of adrenalin Ekaterina flung herself off the roof top she was occupying now and grabbed onto a ledge with long powerful fingers. Her arm muscles spassed as she pulled her self up with shear force.
"Girl. You sure know how to make this fun." Mike said and he helped her up off the ledge and onto the slated roof. The police still on the other roof not daring to attempt what she just did in fear of falling twenty sever stories. Mike threw his middle finger up at the cops. "Take that you sons of a bitch's." The police just stood there shaking there heads and catching there breaths. Mumbles off 'its no use' and 'how the hell did she do that?' was heard before the police departed.
"You draw to much attention to yourself, Shepard." Mike's partner stated. Ashlee had died a few days early, gun shot to the head by the police for trying to steel food from a local vender. Ekaterina was alone on the streets and had to come up with plans for one now. Mike though took pity on her and helped out when his partner wasn't being an ass.
"I know Thorn. But that was sure as hell fun. You should try it." Thorn just gave her a glare. Thorn was a typical bad boy in a gang. Not caring for anyone but himself. Though he did help the local poor kids out once in a while he still kept his face in a scowl and his attitude as sweet as ass.
"I rather not, Shepard. But you really have to teach me how to do that." He gesture towards the ledge. Ekaterina was known as Spider on the streets. But most called her Shepard, her last name. Many of the people on the street didn't have last names, even if they didn't most of them didn't remember. Ekaterina was not that case.
"All right. Private lesson, it will cost you say... ten bucks." He sighed but nodded anyway. Thorn tended to have money when ever he needed it. "Cool. When do you want to start?"
"You guys can start now. Im head down to boss and telling him you got the dough. Have fun." Mike waved as he headed out. "Try not to get my partner killed." with that said he dissapeard down a hatch the led inside the tall building.
"Well. Lets get down to the other building so we can just jump into this one." Shepard stood and brushed off her ass from having to sit on the filthy roof. Her black jeans had hols here and there but they still were usable. Even the white tee she had on was in rather good condition considering that Shepard still lived on the street. Her shoes were a worn out pair of Puma's that some one was going to throw out. The lesson was quick but Thorn still couldn't grasp the concept of pulling one's body up by their fingers. "Lets head in side and you can practice all you want tomorrow." It had gotten dark and rather chilly but the gang was all in a happy mood do to Shepard's fun in the local bank.
Everyone was either drinking or snorting something to celebrate and many thanks where said as Shepard made her way though the crowed of rowdy people. Her long blond hair swayed in the opposite rhythm of her curved hips and she shot past Mark, the guy like to touch her in rather appropriate places.
"Shepard." Thorn called out from behind her. She nodded in acknowledgment that she heard him. "I owe you money come and collect it." Long slender legs stopped in the direction they where going and started to fallow a bulkier set to another part of the building.
Thorn held up a wad of money, then threw it Shepard, not really aiming but still know she would catch it. Unraveled a five and three singles came into view. Shepard laughed causing Thorn to look up from his bear that he was trying to open.
"You scrounging me Thorn?" Shepard held up the five and three singles while cocking her head to the side with a sarcastic smile on her face. "Eight bucks buddy. I said ten. You owe me two." Thorn just sat there, he seemed to be thinking. Probably where he put those last two dollars. Then he just shrugged.
"Don't have those two bucks."
"Well pull some out of your ass." Not really caring at the moment that Shepard was talking to one of the higher ups in the gang. "That's two hundred pennies or eight quarters or twenty dimes or forty nickels or just two bucks. Take your pick." Thorn rolled his head back and leaned back on the couch. His black hair departing from his face showing his rather unusual amber eyes.
"Alright Shepard, I said I owe you and I do. Give me till tomorrow and give you your two dollars." Now that wasn't right. Every time Shepard said that she had to own interest even the next day.
"Give me two dollars and fifty scent tomorrow and we'll call it even." Thorn have her a look. "What? It's a late charge of fifty scents per day."
"You like to make everything difficult don't you Shepard?"
"Its more fun that way." She winked at Thorn and started to head out of his room when she felt his hand around her upper arm stopping her from getting further. "What is it Thorn?" Turning towards him Shepard found an unreadable expression on his face.
"I'm...not going to be able to give you that money tomorrow." He sighed. "Look Shepard, the thing is. I'm joining the military tomorrow and so yeah." At first Shepard thought it was one of those lame excuesess that Mike gave to her when he didn't have what he owned the worry lines on his face and the fact he was searching hers for her reaction told her otherwise.
"Oh..OH! I didn't know. Well... good luck in there. I heard its not like it is out here. More strict you know. Got to fallow rules there too. That one will be hard for you, I just know it." Shepard wasn't really sure what to say to that so she just babbled on about anything to do with the military that she heard about or was able to witness when they trained to close to the gang. "I guess you could use what I showed you today. Though I don't know where. Oh. you'll Learn how to handle a real pistol. Not like the on-" Shepards ranting was cut off with Thorns lips one hers. The kiss he gave her wasn't rushed or rough, it was...Thorn like. It was hard for Shepard to actually formulate a word for it, in fact she tended to over think things. Like right now.
"I..." Thorn started to say. Shepard, unknown to Thorn knew that Thorn had this thing for her. But he being Eighteen and she just being fifteen was one of those things Thorn knew shouldn't happen.
"I know already. Your just not very good at picking people to tell your secrets to Thorn. Especially not Mike. You know how he gets when I rase my fist at him." Both Shepard and Thorn laughed together. Mike was such a baby when in came to fighting.
Thorns lips once again descended on Shepards, his hands moved from her arm to her long blond hair. The kiss was slow and sensual, both parties dragging it out as long as they could hold their breaths. It was so wrong and so right in many levels. Departing from Shepard's lips Thorn kissed the side of her lips then made his way down the jaw to the neck. Shepard tilted her head back giving a slight moan as Thorn sucked on her pulse leaving a rather noticeable red welt. Thorns hands skimmed down the back of her neck past Shepards shoulders and arms to rest on her hips.
"Shepard...we shouldn't." Thorn stated against her neck.
"Since when has the law effect us?" Shepard was enjoying the attention she was receiving on her neck, to really care about some shit ass law. Not that she herself had followed any laws since she joined the gang at ten. Thorn hummed in agreement against Shepards pulse sending a shock wave of pleasure down her spine.
"If you two are doing what I think your doing...you might want to close the door." Mike said as he walked in chuckling on how fast his partner in crime and his bestfriend could separate. "I'll be out of your way in a sec, just want to get my pistol. Hate walking around without it." Mike departed giving Thorn and Shepard a wink.
"I could kill him." Was all Shepard could say before Thorn had his lips on hers again. Moving back words while kissing a really hot guy was rather hard for Shepard, but Thorn managed to lead her next to the door to close and lock it. Shepard's hands slid up the inside of Thorns tight black t-shirt feeling all the muscles tighten as she ran her fingers over them. Thorn lifted Shepard by her hips causing her to cross her ankles at his hips. A throaty moan came from both parties as both there sexes rubbed against one another. Shepard couldn't help but think just how hard Thorn had gotten just from a make out session. Suddenly the was banging on the door.
"Thorn I know your in there. Boss called a meeting, so get out dick out of who ever your fucking and get out here." It was Mark. He was the bosses right hand man, Thorn was sadly under him in statues but he sure could beet Mark up any day.
"Alright." Thorn answered a little out of breath. He then turned to Shepard and put his forehead on hers. "We'll continue this later... if we're lucky." He gave Shepard a chased kiss before opening his door and leaving. Thorn never came back. In fact he just disappear all together that night.
-Two Months Later-
A sixteen year old, hard eyed Shepard stood next to the boss of the Cross Fist Gang. She looked about as the lower members of the gang milled about. Mark, who happened to get the position of head after the former boss died in a gun out on the conner street, sighed and leaned towards her putting his hand Shepard's right ass cheek. Shepard being used to it by now sighed and rolled her eyes.
"Continue to do that and you'll have no balls." Mark chuckled, squeezed a little then let go.
"I'm only playing." He returned his hands back on to his lap. "Whats the current status of our little safe?"
"1.3 million dollars. Might I add that we do need to bail Mike and Spiky out today." Mark just nodded and waved over somebody.
"Nick. Be so kind and escort our money keeper to the jail house so we can bail our two boys out." Nick nodded and started to walk off to get his guns. "And Nick." Nick turned and looked up to Mark. "Don't screw up this time. Last chance." Mark made a gun with his hand and fake shot Nick in the head. Nick nodded while looking a bit paler. "Go one sweet heart. Have your fun." With that Shepard followed Nick off the platform and headed out.
"How do you do it?" Nick asked. "How do you stand that ass of a guy?"
"Who said I did. I'm just waiting till he croaks to take over."
"Better you than him. Everyone's saying that you know. I mean yeah he got us this powerful, but you have better ideas. It may take a while but it sure as hell would make life better for the gang."
"What you suggesting Nick. You never say anything unless you have a plan." Everyone knew how much Nick hated Mark. It was no big secret, heck even Mark knew Nick hated him. Nick had tried many times to over throw Mark, but many where to afraid to ever help. It was strange, no one was afraid of Mark really, it was Shepard that everyone was weary of. She had a quick mind. Could calculate faster than a calculator, which gave her advantage of finding the best way to kill someone with her pistol on and off the streets. She was a tough sixteen year old, seeing and causing enough deaths in the neighborhood would change anyone.
"Just kill him already. Everyone knows you can." Nick threw his hands up in exasperation. Shepard just shook her head.
"Do you realize that if I do that there is a chance of division in the gang. One for old ways and one for new leader. Look at the down side, no one's going to take a female leader seriously, even the other gangs would laugh." Nick sighed.
The jail house was a place any ganger on the street knew well, inside and out. Shepard never really being caught by the authorities never knew the inside except when she went to bail out her jailed buddies. She new the bail's bond person, Maria, very well she saw her about six or seven times a month.
"Afternoon Maria." Shepard raised her hand in greating.
"Ekaterina, how have you been? Hows the gang." Maria had no problems with the gangs, she was just there to collect money and could care less whether the gang was a blood thirsty or the just liked to pick flowers.
"I'm good, Mark made another attempt at me today. Gangs fine, just missing a few of our people."
"Mike's been good. Spiky is a timid one. New one?" Shepard nodded. Spiky joined about two weeks ago. His hair being all spiky got him the nickname, Shepard wasn't even sure what his real name was. "Oh! Thorns here too." Shepard looked up sharply.
"Thorn...as in the Thorn?" Maria nodded quite not sure how to handle Shepard's sudden anger.
"Taking him out too?"
"If I could talk to him before hand, maybe." Maria nodded and called over an officer to escort Shepard to a private room where she could talk to Torn. Passing through several metal detectors and a quick body frisk. Shepard was placed in room six. Class walls surrounded her, it was just so the police could see what was happening in side. A police officer stood at the opposite door to where Shepard was escorted through. His hands cross at his back, staring at Shepard with unease. Many of the police in the county jail knew exactly who she was and what gang she worked for. Not enough evidence was ever around to have her arrested for any crime that she could have committed out on the streets. Thorn suddenly was at the opposite door being let in, in an orange suite and his movements restrained by the ankle cuffs. He looked ragged, but ready to kill the officer man handling him. Thorn was placed in the chair and was cuffed to the table he sat at.
"Shepard...its been a while."
"Its been a year you ass." Thorn looked at the table in dismay. "What happened to the military?"
"You remeber when boss called a meeting that day. Well...I got chosen to do this high risks infiltration...as you can tell it didn't work out to well in my favor...got caught. Now that I think about it, I think it was a trap...or boss didn't want me to leave the gang for the military."
"Former boss is dead. Marks in charge and I'm his second in command. How big's your bail? If I can even get out that is." Thorn shook his head at the news of Mark being in charge.
"His bail is set at 15000 credits." The police officer by the door said.
"Credits... thats...alien money...what the hell man! He got dough but not that kind... what did you do?"
"I did nothing, as soon as I was inside the building I was arrested. They so knew I was coming!" Thorn stood up in his rage making the chair fall on its side behind him as he slammed his only avaliable fist on the metal table. The officer in the room drew his weapon, sure it was just a stun gun, but Thorn was attached to a metal table that Shepard was currently leaning on. "Sorry." He stated to the officer and picked up his chair and sat back down. "Surely you could work something out with Maria... Credits can be exchanged for US currency." Shepard sighed and leaned back in her chair. She ran her hands over her braided pony-tailed hair as she thought about what to do.
"Look, 15000 Credits is about... 750000 in dollars. The gangs only got 1.3 mill at the moment. I am bailling out Mike and Spiky which would leave the gang with 1.1 mill. Dumb shits got into a lot of trouble. I guess I could bail you out...but you'll own the gang 750 thousand. Are you even aware what Mark will make you do just to pay back?"
"I'm willing. I want to get out of this hell hole. The guys are no fun." He pointed to the cop who tensed slightly.
"Well officer, have him ready for bail out." With that Shepard left the room with one last look at Thorn. Maria was waiting patiently for Shepard to return. She had all three papers ready to be singed and a small box ready for the money to be deposited. "Sign the usual place?" Maria laughed at the comment. Shepard was used to doing this now, she and Maria joked about her constant visits and bail.
Shepard waited out side with Nick, who seemed ever more happier to have his friends back...well maybe because he was finally going to meet the infamous Thorn. Shepard sighed at his girl like giddiness but let him have his moment of happiness as awkward as it was for her to see one of her own operatives acting like that. As soon as Mike made it through the door he picked up Shepard and spun her around all the time yelling if free. Shepard not liking the idea started hitting Mike on the shoulders and demanding that he put his superior down. Spiky just thanked her with a small salute and Thorn just stared at her till she raised at eyebrow at him.
"Common guys, I want my bed. I am quite sick of having to share with some thugs who think there all that but aren't." Mike laughed at his own joke and stalked towards the base. The group made their way though street slowly, not really rushing to get back to daily life in a gang, they just wanted to enjoy each others company.
"You should have seen her Thorn! Shepard just ducked right behind a crate to take cover and when the firing from the other gang slowed she wiped out her gun on top of that fucking crate and pow, pow, pow." Nick made his hands into a fake gun and pretended to be Shepard firing down another gang. "It took all but two minutes for her to take down the dam gang! All she got was a pat on the back from Mark and a "Good Job." What an ass whole. She just took down our oldest rivals and gained about 20% more ground for the gang and all she god was a 'good job." Nick shook his head.
"It was 37.7% more ground Nick. Though my other reward was not as pleasant as the pat on the back and a "good job Shepard, thats why I love having you beside me." From Mark."
"Say what!" Nick said. "What other reward... I didn't hear anything about that!."
"Thats because the boss man's to embarrassed to tell others." Mike stated. That earned a 'please tell me' from Nick and a 'do elaborate' from Thorn and a shake of the head from spiky. "Not my place." He pointed to Shepard. All eyes on her know Shepard knew these idiots would find out soon, mights as well tell them strait from the source.
"You know how Mark had..has what ever...thing for me...well my 'reward' was more like him jumping on me. Really...of ass things he could do is think I would just lay there and let him have his way with me. Dam ass thought he was so tough too...Not so tough now with his left nut missing." Ok...that was just a quick rundown of it and not the full story but hay...it was hers to tell which ever way she wanted. Nick shook his head and you can just hear him say 'Thats why another reason just to have him dead.' Thorn on the other hand looked rather mad but laughed at the last part.
"Dam Shepard...wild as I remember you." Shepard just shrugged.
"Hey! You can't just say that to the second in command." Mike punched his former partner in crim in the shoulder like he used to.
"Speaking of which... What do you guys think of getting Mark of that high horse of his?" Shepard sighed. Everyone else just nodded in agreement that it was about time. "Lets put Shepard in charge. It be cool... to have the toughest, roughest, meanest lady in the gang as the leader. God! We'll be so powerful not even the police would want to mess with us!" Nick waved his hands about in excitement.
"The police are already weary of her." Mike said as he bumped Nick on the head. "She'll just be harder to reach then, for them... but dam... that would be so cool."
"SHEPARD!" Shepard looked up quickly to find Sen running towards her. Sen was the guy who worked under her. He looked looked like he was in a bar fight, blood was dripping from various laceration and black and blue marks where placed here and there. "Marks been killed." Shepard just stared. What was she going to do? Give him medical aid. She was two blocks away from head quarters. "You in there Shepard?" Sen waved his hand in front of her face. With out thinking Shepard punched Sen in the gut. Mike laughed at his misfortune.
"Dude, thats what you get for doing that... never get to close to Shepard." Sen just hissed in slight pain as he stood up and brushed himself off. Giving Mike a glare he looked at Shepard again.
"What the hell do you want me to do about it? Call an ambulance?" Sen just shrugged.
"Well... if you want. I could...but that would bring the police into this and we don't need them to find the HQ. So...?"
"Why are you even asking her this?" Spiky asked.
"Spiky... Spiky...Spiky. When a boss dies the second in charge steps up, the thirds in charge now becomes the second. Shepard's boss." Boss just echoed in Shepard's head. Shepard grinned, a grin of triumph and cunning vengeance.
-Year Later-
Shepard was enjoying the shut eye she was getting right now. It was quite...well all hospitals where quite, but it smelled way to clean for her licking. It had all gone to hell. The police found HQ for the Cross Fist Gang. The blew open the door and started firing. No taking prisoner...it was just shoot and aim to kill. Shepard was one of the lucky ones...well she being the boss, she had instant covering form everyone. It was gang rule, protect to boss at all cost. Boss gets out, gang can be rebuilt. Oh, she did make it out alright and then got shot in the head by a sniper. Medics showed up on the scene just as soon as she got sniped, they put a stop to the police brutality and shipped out any injured gang member. They did find her a block or two up the street when the sniper said he got someone. They were surprised to find her alive. Shepard had even managed to curse the sniper and police out before passing out.
"Good to see you awake. I'm surprised you servived that." The nurse was to happy for her taste.
"God dam it woman. Cut the cutesy act and shut up. I have a fucking headache and your not making easer on me to sleep." Shepard rested her head again on the pillow. She had lifted it yell at the nurses stupidity.
"As you can see sir, she's wide awake and ready to make nice." A police officer said by the door. Turning her head she found a man in a navy blue military uniform walking towards her. His funny military cap was off and tucked under his left arm pit. He stopped at the side of her bed. He seemed aware that she was a rather dangerous woman. "Don't get to close sir. She can cut you down or spew numbers at you so fast it would make your head spin." Oh so the officer was playing funny man.
"Shut up dick stick. No one cares." Shepard turned towards the military dude. "What you looking at old timer? Never seen a person survive a sniper shot the head?" The military man looked at the officer and then back at Shepard.
"You certainly are his child. Got her looks and his fowl mouth."
"I got no parents ass whole. Gangs my family so fuck off."
"Well yes, I know about the gang Miss. Shepard. You obviously don't know about your actual family." He paused waiting for more insults to come spiting out of Shepard but received none. "You mother was a captain in the Alliance Military. Captain Flowne, your mother had recently died while on service. I have the unfortunate opportunity to tell you that and the fact you father has died in a raid by a pirate ship."
"I could care less what happened to them...they weren't here so they can kiss my white gangster ass." Shepard never really talked like this, but the pain drugs they gave her made her tongue loose and her words vulgar. A sigh came from the officer, but he lifted his hand and put a piece of paper down on Shepard's lap.
"Your mother wanted us to give this letter to you if she had passed on. What you do with it is your business. Its the only copy we have so try not ruin it." With that he placed a metal on Shepard's knees, saluted and the left. Shepard looked at the note and the medal. The medal was defiantly a captains medal. It had that blue pinstripe triangle with the star, eight pointed, gold and silver and red coloring attached to the bottom. Shepard fingered the note, she wasn't sure she should read it in the first place. This was the woman who gave birth to her and all she left was her captain medal and some folded note.
Shepard took the note and flipped it open. She wanted to know what the woman had to say for herself for leaving her daughter on the streets while she zoomed across space for the Alliance Military.
Dear Ekaterina,
I know your angry. You probably thinking who does this woman think she is sending me a letter after leaving me here back on earth. Understand that I couldn't take you one a military ship and look after you like I wanted. I had left you with your father... but he obviously didn't do a good job. I had heard from intel that you were on the streets at four. Dam that man, I knew I should have left you with my mother, but then you wouldn't have ever seen your father in the first place... Not that you remember him at all. Your father and I, we were just a one night stand, but I am glad to have birthed you into this world. I have a feeling you could should I say would make the galaxy a better place. I wish was there to see you grow up, to be a shoulder to cry on or even someone to talk to.
Ekaterina know this, join the military. Do something other than the gang. Please. You can read my files then I guess. If you want to. Know this though. I love you very much and I had never wanted to leave you on earth. But I had to follow odders and couldn't bring you. One more thing... if you see your father give him a good smacking will you? He deserves it.
With lots of love and hope for the future, your mom,
Captain Isabella Flowne
P.S. Your friend from the gang, Thorn I believe is his name, he's undercover in your gang. Hope you don't get hurt and please forgive him. He's only doing what he things is right.
Shepard Shut the note angrily. Thorn, a traitor to her and their home. If thats what it meant to be in the military then she didn't want anything to do with it. But then again...it would be easer to find Thorn and beat him to an inch of his life for it. No, right now she was to angry to think strait. Shutting her eyes once more Shepard finally was able to sleep.
-Month Later-
Shepard stood online for a military sign up sheet. It was actually rather unnerving, out of the hundreds of people that showed up only ten of them were woman... including her. Mike, her best friend stood next to her. He had been gunned down, but only his right leg suffered any permanent damage. He limp a little but otherwise was fine. Sort of. Every time he would hear a gun shot he would look around, looking for cops and then something to defend himself with. He was a twitchy sort of fellow but what surprised Shepard was that he was able to use biotics. They had found out in the hospital after the raid, implanted him with an L3 right then and there. Though Mike was also here to sign up for the military he had to actually wait another line, line for biotic people. Though right now he was there in support of Shepard...kind of.
"I think you doing this for the wrong reason Kat. But hay its your life. Is thorn really that worth going after?" Had he really had to ask.
"Of corse. The time when I was leader, I realized how much our gang depeneded on one another. We were a family, strang one at that, but a family none the less. We took in the young ones, taught them how to fend for them selves out there. The older guys like us, we were the main power. Family's family Mike. You never turn your back on them... even when working for military. Thorn will pay."
"I still think your going at this the wrong way." There was silence between them again, for a short bit. "Is this about... you know?"
"About what?"
"Of you having...a relation ship with Thorn?" Shepard tensed at his statement. It was not easy for Shepard to speak about her relation with Thorn, how his touch would just want to make her jump him. But it was the hurt mostly. Of what he did that made Shepard close up when anyone mentioned him. "No, don't Shepard. Don't close up on me now." Mike recieved no answer from her. "Dam." Mike looked up to find the they were being called by one of the attendants at the desk. He slowly steered Shepard towards the window.
"Good afternoon sir, ma'am. Last then first name please." Mike knew the lady wouldn't get anything out of Shepard at the moment, especially when she was reliving moments in her life in the gang.
"Shepard, Ekaterina."
"Strange name for a man." the lady smilled at him.
"Not for me ma'am. I'm a biotic. I'm just here with her." Mike pointed towards Shepard. "Abit shy right now." The lady nodded.
"Age?"
"18."
"Any form of combat training prior to servace?"
"Gang?" Mike asked hesitantly, wasn't sure if that was even an aproprate answer."
"Ok then. Give me a second. Just going to look up any criminal record. Understand that your friend here can't make it into the military if she has a criminal recored more than five offences. that goes for you too."
"We're clean...well she is, I've go two on my rapsheet."
"That she is clean. Any family members in the military?" Shepard decided to snap out of her secluded daze and snwered the question.
"Isabella Flowne"
"Mother I presume?" She received a nod from Shepard. "Rank please, if any."
"Captain."
"I knew it." The lady seemed to do her own little version of a happy dance while sitting down. "You look just like her. I'm sorry for you loss. She was a great captain." Shepard just nodded. She really didn't know much about her mother, but she wasn't going to let this lady know that. "Welcome to the Alliance military. Oh! Before I forget. You do have two last names which would you rather have before the dash?"
"Flowne." The lady typed quickly and then nodded.
"All set. Again welcome to the Alliance Military. Your statues is soldier, though it does say you have a fast mind. Would you like to be trained in tech-equipment?" She received a shrug from both parties. "I'll put that down as an yes. You should just fly right through those classes. Oh. Since you are related to a captain would you like to also be taught in Captainship? Sorry, they make us ask all these yes or no questions before going on the finalization. We want to put you in the best group where your skills would be vastly used and improved." She received a yes from Mike to get Captain training, earning him a playful punch in the gut form Shepard. "Alright then. Few more questions and you'll be put into a ship for training elsewhere. OK next question. Oh... this one you have no choice but to take sorry. It's a discipline field drills. Gang background does that you know. Next. You are being asked if you would like to have the opportunity to train in the Advanced Soldier Training. AST as it's known program. Understand that if you say no, you will have no other chance to get into it unless you Drill Sargent or DS for short nominates you." A no one heard from Shepard.
"What! Come on. AST. It would be so cool." Mike had this dreamy look in his eye.
"You will be asked the same questions sir. You friend here does not wish to be put the the grueling AST program. People have known to snap in there and tend to kill them selves. I am supposed to worn you about that too." She received a firmer no from Shepard. "Alright then. I want to welcome you officially to the Alliance Military. This," The lady pulled out two uniforms. "This is your only pair of uniforms you'll receive though you training percoid with the Alliance. Any more uniforms would have to be bought with your own money. If you ever go up in rank you will receive a new uniform curtsy of the Alliance Military. Guns will be handed to you when you reach the training base you will be stationed. If you like, you can step to the door on your right and change into the uniform. Uniforms are to be worn all times unless instructed otherwise. But first, here is your ships dock number, it will leave in an four hours until then enjoy your free time. You are being trained off earth enjoy what ever moon or planet they put you on." Shepard took of the uniforms in the bag and went to change.
The uniform was not what Shepard was expecting. It defiantly was a space uniform, tight enough to show off her curves but loose enough to move around comfortably in combat. The sipper was located on the side of the uniform, long sleeves and pant legs would keep Shepard's small body warm. Mike cat called her as she came out. Making even more men look at her than necessary.
"Sign me up where ever she's going ma'am." Mike joked with the lady behind the counter. The lady giggled at the joke but otherwise made no comment.
"Your such a lech Mike. Remind me to get you laid before departing."
"Sadly he will have no time. Biotic training camp is leaving in ten minutes."
"I guess this is a good bye. Do mail me once in a while, if you have time... I know I will." Mike hugged her. "I'll tell you how the first day went with training and you do with me ok?" Shepard nodded. "No go off and have some fun before your ass kicking beings. And good luck with Thorn."
"You know Thorn as well? Shepard looked at the lady. The lady sighed dreamily. "I'll put that in your file as well. I'm sure your friend is going to want to see you sometime. Thorn I mean. Have a safe trip and thank you for joining the Alliance Military."
Shepard sighed and made her way to the docking bay her ship was supposed to be on. The ship was actually already there. The cargo hatch was open and she could see provisions being put in as well as several six wheeled cars. Having no clue as to why anyone would need a six wheeled car Shepard just shook her head. She held a duffle bag, military styled with the Alliance symbol, that had her former cloths, spare uniform, a military issued knife, mom's letter and her gold star in it.
"You there. Soldier!" Shepard looked up to find a man walking towards her. "You're supposed to be helping. The new recruits will be here in a few hours and your just standing there." The man was red in the face with anger and didn't seem to know that Shepard was just staring at him with even saluting him.
"Greg..." The red faced man, known as Greg, saluted to somebody on Shepard's right. "She's one of the new recruits." The man then looked at Shepard. "Quite sorry about him. Greg's just worried we wont have enough for you guys. I know the first few weeks you new guys will be eating like elephants. He gets over his head sometimes, but he means well. I'm the Captain Andrew, welcome aboard the Check. Don't ask, even I don't know why they named her that. You are?" Shepard was stunned to meet the captain of the ship she will be living on for a while.
"Ekaterina Flowne-Shepard, Sir." Shepard did her best at the salute towards the captain.
"Flowne... Captain Isabella Flowne's daughter right?" Shepard nodded. "Fine young captain. Shame she died. She talked a lot about you. She even showed me a picture of you when you were four. You've changed a lot. Sorry Isabella and I were good friends. Come find me when you want to talk Ekaterina." He nodded Shepard and then made his way up the ramp to the main part of the ship. "If you like, you can help. Just find Greg." Well it sure beet waiting for four hours might as well be useful. Greg wasn't to hard to find, all one had to do was follow the screaming and you found the red faced man again. Greg looked at her as she walked up to him.
"Sorry 'bout before. Get'n all stressed for noth'in." Shepard just shook her head.
"Its alright. Came to help actually."
"Good. Cause we could use a pair of younger hands. See those crates over there?" He pointed to the crates that said 'Glass, Handle with care, Do not Top off' in big red letters. "Those need to go to the labs up in third sector. I would have someone else do it but these older one's are more likely to role them into a wall. Had that happen once, lab got really upset. We had to wait a week after departure time to get new ones." With that he went to yelling about where everything went.
Shepard picked up on of the smaller crates. On the box it said 'Medical Equipment Keep Sterile.' Heading towards an elevator Shepard found the button labeled for each floor, no numbers were involved. Pressing the Medical Bay button the elevator closed its doors and headed up.
"If this is a medical emergency press medical bay button again." Shepard was surprised that the elevator was equipped with the 'this is a medical emergency, can this elevator move any faster?' option. The medical bay smelled just like the hospital, sterile. Everything was white as well, even the arm things that hung over the medical cots were white. Doctors were milling about putting equipment away in various draws that were actually labeled.
"Excuse me." Shepard said. Several doctors jumped and looked at her before going back to their tasks. "I have sterile equipment here, two more crates will be coming up as eventually." With that said she put the crate on the floor so it wouldn't contaminate the counter tops. Shepard made her way back down the elevator and gathered the last two boxes of medical supplies. As she walked up the ramp she felt one of those boxes start to shift to her left. "Shit." Came out of her mouth before the box started to topple over but was caught mid air by someone.
"You should know better than that Shepard." Right then and there stood Thorn, had it not been for the medical crate that Shepard was holding she would have punched him in the face. She stiffly made her way up the rest of the silver ramp before stepping into the elevator again. Thorn stood beside her, it was awkward. "Shepard...I... I'm sorry for what happened with the gang. Had I known that the police would react like that..." Shepard gave him a look. "Yes, I know you know. But thats not the point. Had I known what would happened I wouldn't have told the police but the military." By then the doors to the medical bay opened and boxes where deposited. Now in the elevator again Shepard made sure she got her point across.
"YOU." She screamed as the doors finally closed. "You sick son of a bitch. Do you have any idea on how you just betrade the gang, the FAMILY? Those police just didn't gun down us, the adults in the gang. They got all those little one's too. Is that what you call justice Thorn? Killing innocent children with no home or family? Was killing Spiky or Nick worth it? You know they bled to death, TO DEATH. Watching their comrades, family, die by bullets. They recovered 20 thousand bullets from HQ. Thats...about 40 bullets per person, per BODY Thorn. I was snipped down. Right through the head Thorn. In one side of the head out the other. Mike. Mike's so afraid of cops now that he can't walk down the same street as one. He can't stand the sound of guns you know. He still has nightmares. Ande me... I can't sleep. Haven't been able to. All I keep seeing is Rachel. You know that little girl that had taken a liking to you. Rachel, that one." Shepard saw Thorn nod. "I keep seeing her lifeless corps in my arms bullet holes and blood everywhere. I still can feel that dam sniper's bullet enter my head, can hear it rattling in me and then hearing it come out the other. I hope the justice was worth everything. You are now cast out of the Cross Fist Gang. You hear me cast out. You are an enemy and I will kill you for what you have done." Anger was truly in her voice but the last two marts were whispered.
"Shepard." Thorn began.
"That's Miss. Flowne-Shepard to you." She said as she walked out of the elevator to help with the rest of the boxes. Hour later Shepard found her self sitting on her bed in her bunger, which she shared with three other guys. By guys she really meant guys. You know the kind with the dicks. They guys left her alone. Either they didn't know how to handle her or they just didn't want to make the wrong impression on her. It was the first night she'll ever spend drifting in mid space on a Alliance Military training ship, one of many, she knew. They guys were settling for bed, when the last guy finally sat on his bed they began to talk.
"Ok guys. I figured we could get to know one another cause we'll be living together for a while so I thought it would be easer on us." There were no voiced complaints on that idea. "Ok. My names Ralph. My father serves the twenty-second fleet. My mothers a famous author. I had military training at military school. Your turn John." Ralph was definitely English. You can tell by the ascent and the fact he called the bathroom a water-closet about ten times in the last five minutes. He had sandy brown colored hair, green eyes and a pale complexation. He stood about six foot two.
"Ok, names John as you know. My fathers a police chief in the city we just left and my mothers in the force as well. Got training to be a cop, though I decided to go military." John was a typical American. Brown hair, brown eyes with a tanned features. John stood five nine."Mother's dead though do to a gang that the police force manage to bring down finally. Heard the Gang leaders alive still, slick son a bitch." Shepard couldn't wait to break the new to him.
"Names Nick. Uh...Don't really have parents in military, uncle served, live with him. My parents died on a crews ship a few years ago. Pirates." Nick was a bit jittery. He couldn't sit still for very long periods of time. He was Asain decent, but Shepard couldn't pinpoint where exactly. Nick was short, like most Asians, Five five. Shepard was surprised to be taller than a fellow soldier, but didn't comment on it to much, especially when your just two inches taller. The guys all looked at Shepard waiting for her introduction.
"Names Ekaterina, though I prefer being called Shepard. Its quicker, though a friend of mine calls me Kat. My mother's dead. Served the Alliance army as captain.' Nick interrupted and asked for the name. "Flowne. Anyway. Father got his ass kicked by some space pirates. Lived on the steets since I was four. Oh and John, I'm that sick son of a bitch your looking for." John's face grew white. He started stuttering something. "And before you go congratulating you parents justice dead. Your parents had opened fire on several young children that lived with the gang. We gave them homes you know, and protection form the streets. But your parents came in guns blazing killing everyone. We didn't even have time to protect our selves. I'm lucky to survive a snipers shot through my scull. So don't start talking about justice. Justice is shit and she could kiss my white gangster ass." With that said Shepard turned over and pretended to go to sleep, surprisingly Shepard managed to get some actual sleep until the nightmare come.
"Boss lady?" It was Rachel. She was standing there in her semi-white dress and staring up at Shepard. Shepard squatted so she can talk to Rachel eye to eye. "Thron's being a meany pants again."
"Is he now?" Shepard chuckled. "Do you want me to talk to him and scold him for being a meany pants?" Rachel nodded, her brown curly hair shaking with her head.
"Not right now though. Thorn said he had something to do out side and hell be back later." Shepard couldn't think of anything that Thorn would have to do out side the HQ. She guest Thorn just wanted some alone time. When everyone knew that he and Shepard were...in a relationship many people came to him asking Thorn to ask Shepard about getting things they wanted done, done. This left Thorn in the middle of almost everybody's life and he didn't like it one bit.
Suddenly the doors burst open. Dust filled the air as those double doors fell of their hinges and landed on several young kids. There was a shout of 'aim and fire' before a sloot of bullets where coming through those doors. Rachel sagged against Shepard's squatted lap and arms. Bullet hols every where while blood pored out from those very holes. Looking up Shepard found the police entering, firing at anything that moved, heck even the black cat that made it's home here was gunned down.
Shepard sat up quickly and put her hand on her fast beating heart. She took several calming deep breaths before she heard Johns breath.
"Nighmare?"
"Yeah, of when your parents decided it be cool to gun down a five year old." Shepard stood and walked into the bathroom. Shutting the door she realized just how small this was, espcialy for four people. As you walked in the sink was two fee from the door. The toilet itself was less that two inches away from the sink to the right and about a foot away from the toilet was a shower stall just big enough for Shepard to squeeze into.
Not caring for the size of the bathroom Shepard checked the time, it was four o'clock one our before she officially had to be up for break fast. Striping form her uniform Shepard turned on the water to the shower and waited for it to get semi-warm before steeping in. She washed her long blond hair. She needed to cut it shorter. In her years in the gang she never really bothered with cutting it. It reached just below her but right now. She hoped to cut it mid back or even shoulder length if she was daring. As Shepard washed her body she couldn't help but notest small scars that adorn her body, she had a feeling she was going to get more soon from training. Towel drying quickly and zipping up her uniform Shepard hoped to get her hair dry enough so it wouldn't be a bitch to get into a braided bun a little later. She found John and Nick talking when she finally made her way out of the bathroom. Nick jumped of his bunk and ran past her. Shepard raised an eyebrow at John. John just shrugged not sure what was up with Nick and his rush to the bathroom.
"Do you want help? With the hair I mean." What a strange request from a man. "I have six sisters, I kind of got used to doing hair for them. Sucks sometimes being the oldest." Shepard shrugged. If John wanted to help with her mass of hair he could be her guest. John popped down from his bunker. He was wearing nothing but blue boxer shorts, it wasn't really a problem for Shepard, she was used to seeing Thorn...She stopped her self. Shepard had promised herself that her only thoughts of Thorn would be of revenge and that she was going to get over him.
"I'm sorry about before. That incident happened rather recently and well you probably know, seeing Thorn, the guy who ratted us out. It opened wounds that hadn't really healed. I know it wasn't your fault, but when you are the leader in a gang. One doesn't worry about one's slef. The leader worries about the entire gang from the four year olds to the adults. We are one big family you know. Because we don't have our actual families we depend on one another for that support. We take traitors seriously, its like turning your back on the family. You never turn your back on the family." Shepard tried to explain her hostility towards the chiefs son." John just patted her shoulder.
"No harm no foul. I figured as much. And I'm sorry the police force reacted like that. They know better. I'm not justifying or saying what they did was right but they were rather fed up with you guys running around disturbing the peace in the city. Your hairs done." Shepard stole a glance in the mirror hanging on the bathroom door. The braided hair was put into a neat bun.
"Your on hair duty for the rest of time here John." John just laughed at the statement.
"Yes Ma'am."
"Aww, you two bonded." Ralph stated be fore he was knocked out of his bed Shepard pressing up on his mattress. Shepard's bunk was under Ralph's on the right side of the room while Nick slept under John on the left side of the room. Unknown to his roommates Ralph slept naked. So it was quite the shock when Ralph stood up not really caring for his nudeness or his fellow roommates either.
"God Ralph, not even I want to see that when I just wake up. Put some boxers on. Don't you have any decency in from of a lady?" Nick stated as he walked out of the bathroom towel drying his hair. He had the uniform partly on, the top half was bunched at his hips.
"Don't worry Nick its nothing I haven't seen before. Not impressed at all." Shepard laughed when Nick clicked his tongue in distaste at her statement. "Anyway. We have to get down to the mess hall if we want anything to eat at all. Especially if we have combat training afterword."
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