Well this might be my next update for a few weeks. My new class is going to keep me busy I think but I will try and keep updated on this. I do apologize to anyone who's desperately waited for the next chapter. And as always Bioware owns the sandbox they let me play in.


Gavin never worked as hard in his life as he did the final 6 weeks of basic. Between weapons qualification and helping bring the other platoon up in condition, he had little him for himself so he was surprised when Visitor's day came upon them all. Like they had figured, he came out as top recruit by graduation. Black had put in recommendations for him to be ranked higher than an E-4, citing his willingness and results for taking over the PT of Teeks' platoon and his own scores.

He was surprised to be summoned to Black's office that day, not quite sure what to expect but what he got was Alex and Kraz there to greet him. The krogan lightly head-butted him and he grinned before turning to his mother and picking her up with a hug.

Alex laughed at Gavin and hugged him back after he put her down. "What is this I hear about you damn near doing the duty of the DI's here?"

Gavin blushed a bit. "Nothing like that mom. I was ordered to help get a platoon in shape. I just followed Kraz's rules. Nothing else."

Alex snorted softly. "Your grandfather is extremely proud of you and your uncle would have been here if his ship hadn't been sent out in to the Attican. Father will be here tomorrow for your graduation but I came here to ask your CO if we could drag you off base to dinner at least."

Black smirked at Stefanos. They had spoken for a few hours before he summoned Gavin to the office. Both had discussed their families and the issues that came up at length. Alex didn't hold him accountable for his father's actions and he was very relieved and told her so. She just shrugged and stated if someone hadn't trusted her she wouldn't be where she was today.

"I won't prevent you from doing so, Commander," he said. "Besides, your father is a mean bastard I'd rather have on my side and not against," he teased her and she laughed. "And, my dad deserved everything he got. Thank god mom raised me and not him."

Alex nodded and sat down in her chair. Gavin settled down behind her in another chair and glanced around. He wasn't sure why else he was here. Alex could feel he was starting to get restless and spoke.

"Hmm, I'd invite you and your wife to dinner too."

Mark pondered a moment then glanced at Jamie who nodded. "Sure."

"My treat," Alex added. "I heard the Castle was a great place."

He nodded. "What time?"

Alex considered that a moment. "Say… around six pm?"

He glanced at the time. That gave him a little over two hours. "Sounds good. At this point in time I will officially allow Recruit Stefanos off base. He will have to be back by nine."

Alex nodded. "Can do, Commander." Then she smiled. "I will see you both in a few hours." She rose up and Gavin got to his feet too, giving a salute to Black before following his mother out of the office.

Two hours later the four turned into five as the elder Stefanos made an appearance. He had a package in his arms that he set against the table to lean after sitting down. They all greeted him and Gavin grinned at his grandfather.

"Ah I am glad not to miss this young one. And I have a gift for you," Akakios said and handed over the crafted wooden box to Gavin.

He nodded to Mark and to Tanner. Gavin was never so surprised as to see his own DI was married to the Training Commander. They had gotten far enough to order drinks and were still perusing the menu for something they cared to eat. Gavin took a sip of his soda and then furrowed his brows. He wanted a stake he figured and now just had to choose.

When Gramps handed him the package he set it down on the table and carefully opened it to see a rather large knife there. Blinking he glanced up at Akakios then back down and pivoted the lid all the way so everyone else could see the knife and its sheath.

"Ah dad you didn't have to," Alex said with a laugh.

The two Black's gave them curious looks before Akakios started to explain. "In ancient history there has never been a more famous Greek than Alexander the Great. Yes, I did name my youngest after him. She's proven me to be correct time and time again," he teased Alex. "Anyways, Alexander carried a Makhaira sword shaped like that. I had a sword smith make one a bit smaller for Gavin to use as a knife. It's more updated to modern times mind you. So watch out for the edge, I can and will split most of the modern armors worn today."

Gavin nodded slowly and closed the case, giving his grandfather a grateful look. "Thank you," he said softly and set the case off to the side.

Mark chuckled as Jamie elbowed him lightly. He turned to Gavin. "Son, I hope to see you go far in the Alliance. I know you will do me and Jamie proud in the future. God knows, you wouldn't do less for your mother or grandfather."

The waiter came and took their orders then left them. Another waiter came up and refreshed their drinks. They spoke of things not having to do with training and relaxed. For Gavin it was odd to talk to his Instructor and his commander like he would talk to Kraz or Alex. It left an impression on the young man that he wouldn't ever be able to get fully past, knowing they all expected so much of him.


Sitting there in the front row reserved for Alliance, Alex and Akakios proudly watched as Gavin marched at the head of his platoon's formation, leading them with the saber pressed to his shoulder. It was traditional and all officers were supplied one out of basic. He looked smart in the dark navy uniform of the Alliance, his cover set just at the correct angle.

After Tanner pinned the Alliance Marine's logo on his collar, she and everyone else stood up as Black recited each and every accomplishment that Gavin made during his time in basic. He then announced that Gavin was being promoted to Sergeant out of basic and Tanner moved back over to pin the pips on his collar then offer him the stripes that went along with it. Alex couldn't have been any prouder.

Gavin was assigned to the same unit that Janet Moller was assigned too. Alex kept up with some of the trainees that had impressed her. And once he had CIT, a year later, out of the way he was shipped out to the One hundred and fifty-first's base and they were part of the fifth fleet. As a newly promoted Staff Sergeant, he was read in on the group and started to get a feel for them by taking small groups out.


Alex returned to Rio with determination on her mind. Her training group had been taken over by a finally recovered April Ryan while she was away. And April ran them ragged the entire time because of Union, Turner and Van Neuse. Those three had proved to be less than fit and Alex got the impression that for Van Neuse that it was more psychological than physical. With Union and Turner, it was pure laziness on their parts.

Both Yard and Belechek knew something was odd with Van Neuse and they tended to keep close to her, nipping at the wall she had raised up. It was when Belechek finally broke through that wall that they all understood what was holding Jessica back. And that took a rather heated kiss one night away from everyone's sight.

Alex happened upon them though because she was silent, neither caught her. She froze as she heard the murmuring, the anger and fear. She narrowed her eyes and leaned against the wall next to the open door to listen, intending on interrupting what might be a bad thing.

"Jessica, you just can't push everyone away," Katrina said, her hands waving to her sides.

Jessica set her jaw in a stubborn line and looked away from Katrina. She refused to answer the woman because it would reveal things that she was ashamed of. Katrina stared at her a moment then reached out and forced her to look at her. Then she did the one thing she'd wanted to do for a long time, planting her lips on the obstinate woman's and kissing her.

To say that didn't startle Jessica would be like saying that the ocean wasn't wet and salty. And that gave Kat the opening she wanted to deepen the kiss. Jessica leaned heavily against Kat after that, clinging to the other woman like she was a life jacket. When Kat pulled away Jessica had her eyes closed, trembling and tears starting to well up.

It was then that Alex quietly walked in, knowing that whatever had prevented Van Neuse from going further had just been shattered. She eyed them with her arms crossed over her chest. "I assume that your family is very old and religious, Van Neuse?"

That made both the women jump, Kat looking guilty and Jessica wanting to fade away into the wall. "Commander!" Kat wanted to defend herself and Jessica but Alex waved her to silence, still looking at Jessica.

Jessica lowered her head with a slight nod, her shoulders slumping. And Alex's expression softened a bit. "Do you really think it matters to those people you are around now? Those that depend on you to watch their backs and make sure they don't get a surprised bullet to their heads?"

Jessica's head jerked up and she gave a confused look to Alex. "I don't know," she finally said, her voice a whisper.

Alex snorted in amusement. "Let me tell you something Van Neuse, that attitude your family has, it ain't worth shit to the Alliance nor to the galactic community as a whole. Old school is the nicest thing I will say about it. It's wretched, horrible and racist in a way. You enlisted to get away from them right? Because you knew that you didn't care to follow their ideals?"

Jessica nodded, looking at her hands as she fiddled with them instead of looking at either Alex or Kat. Kat reached out and curled her fingers around Jessica's to get her to stop.

"It is not a very Christian view actually. And it goes back to an age where we were had less of a population. It's backdated and no longer needed. As many colonies as we have, we have so much of a population that we no longer have to depend on the traditional. As dangerous as the galaxy is, I am a single mother and adopted a young boy. He just graduated from bootcamp. He might not be my blood but he is my son and I wouldn't look at it any other way. There are too many children out there that have no family." She sighed and leaned against the doorway.

"My father accepts Gavin as his grandson fully. If your family can't accept it, then find another willing to not judge you." She stared at the two of them and smirked. "And Belechek, you better make sure no one else catches you two besides me… regs and all."

Katrina grinned at Alex before giving a salute. Jessica blinked at Alex, not expecting what she heard. "I…," she sighed softly and rested her head against Kat's shoulder, shuddering mostly in relief. Then she lifted it back up. "My dad was not a nice man and I had to get away from him."

Alex nodded, reading between the lines and also having read the reports about the young woman. A broken family, abused by her father and desperate enough to enlist and run before he could drag her back. Alex knew that Jessica was better off learning to defend herself from someone like that. Someone that actually was linked to the black ops section that had gone rogue.

"Now I am going to be back here in a hour, I better not find you two still here," she warned and smirked as she walked out. As she did, she heard a soft laugh and then a giggle. It didn't matter to her at all.

Van Neuse changed after that. She put more of herself into the training. And she was on par with Menendez for sniping. It was a beautiful thing to see the woman line up her targets and hit them one after another, judging the recharge time perfectly on the Mantis. So Alex requested a more powerful sniping rifle to test Van Neuse with. What finally was given over to Alex's keeping was a sniper rifle patterned after her own which surprised her. As powerful as the Mantis was, this new one had the armor penetration that blew away anything but the cannon on a Mako.

Alex spent time with Jessica on that, getting her up to speed on the weapon. Soon enough Van Neuse could target hidden enemies through armored walls. And the woman loved the newer version sniper rifle enough that she practically floated on air when it was decided this would be the newest arsenal of the Alliance elite snipers.


"Now for all you wishful thinkers… this is my baby," Alex said as she held her heavily modified sniper rifle against her hip with it aimed up to the air. "You will never see this nor will you ever get a chance to use it but with the new one they've come out with, you'll have a chance to test out my baby's little brother." She set her rifle down and had the newer one sitting on a cloth.

"Learn it. Take it apart and put it back together. This is your first time, you get some lead way. After that, if you don't meet the time I want, you will not get to use it till you get that fast." She then took the new sniper rifle apart to show them how then reassembled it.

The group watched eagerly as she showed them how each pin was removed and then how the parts were placed out on the cloth in an order only she knew at that point. "Keep in mind you want to remember the order it goes in so you better make that attempt in some fashion or form."

For the next half hour she watched them take apart the rifles then try and reassemble them. Some of them forgot parts and she smirked. Van Neuse on the other hand proved to be the only one to put it back together properly. Then again, she also had previous experience with it. Giving a mental shake of her head after the half hour, she called for them to halt and come to attention, walking slowly down the line. Frowning she turned back and motioned to Van Neuse. The younger woman made her way over to Alex.

"Ma'am?" She came to ridged attention.

"Pfc Van Neuse, can you tell me what Corporal Union has done wrong?" She gave a sharp motion to the half assembled rifle.

Jessica turned her attention to the weapon a moment. "Ma'am, he has forgotten the order of assembly."

Alex nodded and glanced up and down the line. "She's right. The Corporal has forgotten how to put it back together properly and that could cause problems like miss firing and or non-working weapons. Pfc, show him what to do."

She took a step as Van Neuse nodded and stepped forwards. She disassembled what Union had done so far and then placed everything in order before starting. She assembled the trigger first and then set that in the stock, then she slid the barrel into position. She put the ammo block in its spot then made sure the charger was in place and reattached the wires that went from the trigger to updated firing pin. Finally she placed the other half of the stock on and screwed the two halves together. When that was done she took a step back and waited.

"Corporal Union, did you watch Van Neuse and what she did?" Alex stared down at the young man who blanched a little and nodded.

"Ma'am, yes ma'am!" He said firmly, praying that he could repeat what Jessica did.

"Take it apart and try again Union." She turned away and motioned to Jessica to follow her.

Alex when with Jessica up and down the line, noting how every time Jessica knew at a glance just what was wrong. She had to come down hard on Yard though. He forgot the wire assembly. That could have made the weapon misfire and explode on him. After a few hours she was satisfied they understood how to take it apart and put it back together so she had them form up and head to mess since it was dinner time.

The next month had them testing and working with the new sniper rifle. Hanity actually turned out to be the best of them at infiltrating and for all his background, Alex had a hard time not liking the young man with a weakness for stealing. Then came the tests and scoring. It was a close race between Van Neuse, Belechek and Yard for top honors of her squad.

Turner and Union both washed out. Union because of his inability to keep up with the rest and for Turner it was because of sneaking off base and getting so drunk the MPs had to be called on him. Later on Alex learned Turner was court marshaled and jailed. Union went back to his old squad and nothing much was heard after that.

They all sat around the table with folders before them. General Frederick looked each of the Commanders over, paying no special attention to anyone in particular. He was an older man going bald but with a mustache so bushy it reminded Alex of an old picture of a president from long ago named Theodore Roosevelt.

"So," he began. "Who passes and who goes?"

Each of the Commanders gave their recommendations and reasons. Frederick nodded and gave careful thought to everything said. He asked some pointed questions to understand what each of them thought, aware of the fact that out of all the Commanders, once again Stefanos had recommended her entire group. But he was in agreement with her.

Out of all the training groups, she always had the strongest, most trained officers and potential officers. The woman knew how to lead by example and get the best out of who was tossed her way. Hanity had been one of those tosses and he was rather pleased with the results, taking a criminal who had done very little except what he had to do and changing him. He was still the same young man but now, now there was a fire there that hadn't been there before.

Later on he pondered over the group that Stefanos and Ryan had lead. Sitting there in his office he went over every speck of paper on the trainees that they had taught. He could find no reason at all to go against her suggestions and finally put them all in the outgoing tray. They were going to have a lot of well taught sneaky types around in the future which pleased him.

He then leaned back and stared at the window, watching the late troops make their hurried ways across the grounds. She was well connected yet didn't use those connections. And when she did, well… it resulted in his current position. He knew her background because he had been read in when he was assigned to Rio. Some of the higher ups disliked her because of her background.

There was something sinister about her previous position before the Alliance had assigned her. Then there was the fact that on her own she had created a group of varied individuals from difference races and backgrounds and they worked together seamlessly. He was of the mind that whatever happened before had changed her and for the better. He was quite glad to have her on their side in case something happened.

Then he was brought back to reality when his com buzzed. "Yes?"

"General, sir. You have a com call from a Major Cassan," the voice of his orderly spoke.

"Put him through," he said and waited.

"General Frederick ?" The voice held a hint of Middle Eastern accent.

"This is he. What can I do for you Major?" He was curious now.

"Ah, good. I have a few questions for you sir. It is about a Commander Stefanos." The man showed very little emotion over the vid call and that put him on alert.

He nodded thoughtfully. "Sure. I can't promise to be able to answer everything but I will try."

Cassan gave a brief smile. "If you are unsure of clearance, mine is the same as yours sir. But that isn't actually why I called. There has been some clear interest in her methods and the Legion that she formed. What do you think of that?"

He gave some thought to that and then turned his attention to the Major. "Major Cassan, if we had a dozen more like her we would have won the FCW on the strength of leadership and skill."

The Major nodded and focused on something a moment. "Well that didn't entirely answer my question but it did in a sense. None the less… do you think if she were given a command that she could replicate this success?"

Frederick barked a laugh. "Lad she does that with every group assigned here at Rio. The best trained snipers and infiltrators come from her group. Very few wash out and the remaining graduate to the next level. You tell me if she can replicate that?" He quirked a brow at the Major.

"I see," he said with a nod and pondered something else. "You see, there are some in the brass that want to see her promoted and given command."

The general nodded and held up a hand. "I can tell you that she will not accept that and frankly I would be quite upset to lose one of the best training officers I have here. The rest, they do what is needed. She goes above and beyond. Honestly most of the recruits that go to her could bypass a few levels after she's done with them."

The Major frowned slightly. "That is the impression I get too, General."

"Major, why all the concern about Commander Stefanos?" Now he was questioning why this interview was happening.

Major Cassan glanced to the side a moment then back up. "After the debacle that was Anderson's attempt the brass wants someone out there that is more favorable. Give the Council a good reason."

Frederick snorted. "Son, she would be perfect for that but I doubt she would agree. The fact is she has a fall back of the Legion tells me none of us has any hold on her. She's also only temp who under our rules only has to do two years on two years off with the Alliance. She would simply resign if we forced her to do anything and then let me point out one final thing. Her father."

The Major's face fell and he sighed. "Well that definitely brings everything in to prospective. She's about the only one we consider material enough to put forwards."

He chuckled at the Major. "Son, be patient. Look at the troops. Keep an eye out for our next hero. It might take a few years but there will be someone out there eventually that will not only have the respect of the brass but also the entirety of Earth."

Cassan gave a soft smile. "I hope so sir. Thank you for your time. Have a good evening."

General Frederick nodded. "The same to you, Major." Then the com shut down and he stood up.

For a bit he paced back and forth over the office's floors as he considered what he had just learned. No matter what went on, he decided that Alex Stefanos was in a new world and everything she did would be watched closely. He walked out of his office much to the surprise of his Aide who jolted to his feet and saluted.

Frederick waved the Aide to sit. "Could you do me a favor Gail?"

"Sir?" The lieutenant said, confused.

"Can you get Commander Stefanos to hit the Officer's club in say an hour? Don't tell her it's from me. I need to do this under the covers, if you get my meaning."

The lieutenant nodded. "Can do sir."

The general was rather pleased that his Aide didn't question him at all. "I will leave you to that then. Once you get that done, you can head home Lieutenant Gail. Have a good evening."