Shepard sucks hard on the high calorie energy pack's nozzle, desperate to get the liquid goodness inside her.

She'd been on the practice range earlier for far longer than the Alliance instructors' recommendations and is well and truly spent. But it was totally worth it. It was only the tiniest of singularities, but even seeing the smaller practice targets float briefly around the small dark hole in space was the most satisfying thing she'd ever seen. She'd created it. Verity is sure her dad would have been proud. She's not sure if it was audible to anyone else on the range, but she'd definitely made an involuntary little squeal when it happened.

Verity had the basic technique down now. It was only a matter of time and practice until she could sustain the singularity for longer and lift larger and more numerous objects. Or detonate it with a warp. But now she's getting ahead of herself.

She sits cross-legged on the floor of the dull grey corridor to the communal area, draining the last of the energy drink, watching the busy world pass by as she re-gains her strength. The sound of activity from the communal area down the way rings around the walls. The Alliance biotic training facility had been established only a few months earlier. She'd heard stories about the Jump Zero facility and was glad that she had avoided being sent there due to its closure. Jump Zero had sounded cold and unsupportive. It was only a couple of years ago that Verity had seen her parents killed.

She's nearly eighteen years old but Verity still needs encouragement and warmth after the events on Mindoir and it's not so bad here. She even likes the fatigues of the Alliance; they make her bum look good. The fact that they are blue is a bonus. Feeling replenished, Shepard rises, removes the dirt from her behind with a few swipes and makes her way towards her quarters with a bounce in her step.

A power nap should do, then she'd try to sneak some more time in on the range. The instructors had had words with her before about constantly draining herself, but she was making serious progress today and had to get back there. The corridors are busy with cadets making their way from this place to that for various reasons. Some are just hanging around socialising between training sessions. Verity hasn't really got to know anyone well yet but she was used to that. She still has trouble making new friends, but the biotic instructors are nice enough if she feels the need to chat. The combat and tactical instructors are still a little intimidating; they seem okay though.

Verity passes a group of newer cadets, all furiously chatting and laughing with the occasional exclamation of "No way!" or "That's awesome!" She only gets a few steps past the group of overexcited boys when one of the voices calls out.

"Wo! Blueberry?"

She stops in her tracks and freezes.

Verity recognises the voice but, surely not. Not here. Please, not him.

She slowly turns to look back at the group only to confirm her fears. Shit. It is him. And his stupid grinning face. Ethan Ramsay.

She was aware that he hadn't perished in the Mindoir attack, and he had been exposed to eezo in the same accident as her but why does he have to be here? Why today? Today is supposed to be a good day. Now he's ruining it. Verity walks back to the group.

"Long time eh, blueberry?"

"Ethan. Don't call me that."

"What? Oh, I don't mean anything by it. Come on. That was a long time ago."

His insincerity irks her. Asking why he's here would be too cordial, so she doesn't.

Ethan would be the first to befriend any new families arriving on Mindoir just so he could regale in the story of the little blue girl. It was Ethan who first called her 'alien lover' even before that incident and it was Ethan who led the packs of children in their cruel taunts and chants. Time had little to do with it.

"You still don't get it, do you Ramsay?"

"Don't be like that." He looks around his friends seeking encouragement and approval for his upcoming punchline. "Some of my best friends are asari!"

The group duly obliges with their inanities.

"Woo!"

"Damn straight!"

Verity knows he is just mocking her but can't help herself.

"You don't know any asari!"

"Woah there, blueberry! Don't have a fit! Can't you take a joke?"

All the incidents of Mindoir come rushing back to her like a hot flush.

"What did I just say? Don't. Call. Me. That. Name!"

She doesn't mean to scream the last word. It just happens. She can feel all the eyes in the corridor on her now.

"Ooooooh!" and "Uh-oh!" are among the sarcastic reactions of his new mob.

"Or what..?" The pause gestates as Ethan snickers towards his friends before looking her coldly in the eyes to birth it. "Blueberry."

Walking away would be the best course of action, but she can't leave it at that. One of her last thoughts before the attack on Mindoir was whether this kind of bullying would ever go away. She also remembers that had she been able to, she would have suspended the bullies in the air with a singularity. She might be able now though.

"Don't push me."

In response to the challenge, Ethan pushes Verity back with a hard shove. She stumbles and lands on her bottom with a jarring thud as the group whoops and laughs and high-fives.

"You were weird then, blueberry, and you're weird now!"

The humiliation is too much for Verity.

The girl jumps up with a feral look in her eyes and throws her arm out, forming a small dark sphere between the group. The looser parts of their clothing drift toward the singularity. But that's all.

"Oh no! My shoelaces! Whatever am I to do?" one boy scoffs. This incenses her further.

She throws her arm out once more, this time a warp attack. It's one of the first techniques learned by the cadets and Verity is good at warps. Perhaps a little too good.

An almighty deep bang echoes through the corridors when the warp detonates the singularity. In the briefest of moments the group of boys is scattered around the corridor, groaning and tending to their individual injuries. Despite the destruction, Shepard smiles wildly at the intensity and sound of the biotic explosion. Did she just do that? As a little girl, she used to play for hours as the adept asari. She'd done this a thousand times in her games and with her dad. But to see it for real, that she'd really done it, she has to be pleased with that.

"Cadet Shepard! Stand fast!" Captain Dumas strides down the corridor booming his orders, "Anyone with injuries, get to the infirmary! The rest of you. Disperse!"

Those not involved in the altercation had scattered before the Captain even issued the order. This was not the first time that Dumas had seen young cadets fighting, and no doubt, it would not be the last. The imposing man stands with a steady gait and his fists on his hips, scanning the area with a glare, overseeing his orders. None of the boys' injuries look life threatening, he knows they'll get over them. The Captain isn't there to train biotics or play nursemaid, that was the other instructors' job. He's there to take these young biotics and turn them into soldiers. Combat and tactical training. He'd come through the First Contact War a hero, and had 10 years of training experience behind him. Everyone knows he is not be trifled with.

"I think she broke my arm! You crazy bitch!"

"Ramsay! You want me to come over there and kiss it better?"

"Uuh, no sir!"

"Then get your ass to the infirmary! Do you find that funny, Shepard?"

Yes. Yes, she does.

"No sir!"

"Then wipe that smile off your face and follow me!"

"Yes sir!"

Verity has to double time her steps to keep up with the his powerful strides. He's a hard ass, but she likes the Captain.

The door swishes shut behind her as Dumas sits at his desk, a myriad of medals, trophies and memorabilia on the wall behind him. The insignia indicates to Verity that it's a chunk of Turian armour stuck on the centrepiece plaque.

Verity stands to attention looking at his name plate on the desk, wondering what the 'H' stands for in his name. 'Capt. H. Dumas' it reads. Henry? Harold? He doesn't look like a Harold.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Shepard?"

"Sorry, sir."

"You've been progressing well through the programme. Hell, girl, your marksmanship would put some of my old squad mates to shame! Knowledge of alien cultures: second to none. You have no idea how useful that can be in the field. Hacking and tech, way above average. I'd recommend comms and intel for you, but I know that would be a waste. Your scores on the tactical elements are the most impressive I've seen in years. And I hear that the biotic instructors have to almost drag you off the practice range to make you rest. And now this? Shit, what's going on? You know the rules: no biotics off the range. Why did you attack those boys?"

She can't tell him the truth. Verity knows if she tries to explain, she'll blub.

"I'm sorry, sir. It won't happen again, sir."

"Is that it? Is that all I get? Now look here, cadet, you have to take responsibility for your actions. Your military life will throw all manner of difficult decisions at you. You have to know when to fight and when to walk away. When to shoot and when to talk. You can't fight your way out every situation. You get me, cadet?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, I certainly hope so. I can already see that you have the potential to make one hell of a soldier, Shepard. I do not want you ending up back on Earth wasting your life when there's a whole universe out there to see. You could have a good career with the fleet if you keep up your good work. Is that something you want?"

"Yes, sir. And thank you, sir!"

"Good. Well, we'll have to see how those boys are before any action against you is decided but I reckon they'll be okay. Maybe a few days in the infirmary for a couple of them. I had wanted to put you forward for officer training once you complete the programme, so let's hope that this hasn't made that an impossibility."

Officer training? Wow. If nothing else, it's nice to know that someone has taken an interest in her progress. A feeling of guilt comes over her.

"Thank you, sir. I won't let you down again, sir."

"Hmmm. For now, you're confined to quarters, cadet. Dismissed, Shepard."

"Yes, sir! And thank you for your kind words, sir!"

His face changes to one she'd not seen before, a softer kinder face.

"Yea, well... Oh, and Verity?"

Verity? It was very rare for the combat instructors to ever use first names.

"Yes, sir?"

His voice lowers almost to a whisper, "Nice work, I think that boom damn well shook the whole facility."

Did she really just giggle?

"Sorry, sir."

He waves her away, "Get outa here."

"Yes, sir!"

Yes, Verity likes Captain Dumas.

It's not required of the cadets yet, but Shepard salutes the Captain before turning on the spot to leave the office.

She'd managed to keep to herself before. But now? Between Ethan's arrival and the rumours that would now be flying around the facility about the crazy girl, Verity couldn't be anonymous any more.

Doesn't the past ever just go away?