After a few more months it was near time for the assessments of all eligible recruits, biotic or otherwise. If Shepard passed she would be a soldier in the Alliance, a marine.
The final trials for the Alliance recruits were held in the main training room. Shepard had passed the main trials for basic battle strategy and tactics, the written exam was short and though nervous she passed. All that remained was the last trial for the biotics that wished to join. Unlike anywhere else, biotics were highly valued in the Alliance.
During the months of training Shepard had barely improved her barriers; it was difficult training for her as it was something that was required to pass. All she needed was to successfully deflect incoming projectiles.
Toombs and Zena had also wished to join the Alliance and the three of them were teamed together along with four other non biotics. The other four biotics were on the other team; they were pitted against each other. Success was not really a variable in the assessment, it was how one dealt with a situation, and how one acted and reacted with their squad.
For some unknown reason Shepard was placed as squad leader for their team, their assigned task was to hack, decode and download information from the main platform in the centre of a maze-like structure constructed within the training room. The other team's job was basically to stop them or even capture them. Shepard was determined not to let that happen.
There was a sound like a gunshot and off they went. Shepard had learned that Toombs had a talent for barriers, Zena had a favouritism of Spatial Distortion techniques, ripping barriers and breaking down armour, another of her team, Jack, had tech specialties so she'd assigned him as the hacker. However the others were just soldiers. Three had assault rifles the other was better with a shotgun. Toombs, Zena and Shepard were only armed with heavy pistols and their biotics. There were no live rounds so it was all relatively safe, though biotics always posed a threat.
Shepard kept Jack at the centre of the team, even if the others were picked off; he needed to get to the platform. Shepard, Toombs and two soldiers were leading whereas Zena and the shotgun soldier were bringing up the rear. They had gotten halfway when they nearly walked right into an ambush.
Shepard pulled Toombs back as a signal to the others to stop but only those behind the first two got the idea. The first two soldiers were taken out within seconds; their kinetic barriers were dropped under heavy fire. Toombs raised a bubble shield around them, deflecting every other clip, saving the rest of them as they hid behind the walls. Shepard looked at Zena and nodded to the wall beside her, the opening in the centre where Toombs was backing up slowly barely resisting the bullets as they continued to punish his shield. "Zena move up, Toombs get behind me and drop the barrier".
He looked at her slightly confused, "do it". He nodded and did as she asked. Zena now sitting beside opposite them took a hesitant look round the corner. She quickly removed her face as a clip shot past it.
"There's a sniper on the second level to the left" she said gripping her gun tightly.
Toombs nudged Shepard. "There are two biotics with them. Sally and Darren" when they heard Zena curse they knew it was trouble. Like Toombs, Sally had a gift for barriers just as Darren had a gift for ripping shields and barriers to pieces. Shepard realised that they wouldn't be able to get past unless the biotics were dealt with but they couldn't lean out to fire unless they wanted to have their face redecorated with the clip of the sniper.
"Sniper first then I'll deal with the biotics." They looked at her and a small smirk got the better of Zena.
"They'll shit a brick when they see you".
Toombs nudged her again, "I'll go with you. You'll need a shield"
Zena snorted, "what about Darren? Your barrier won't last long enough for you two to get anywhere".
Shepard thought for a moment, they were boxed in. They needed a distraction; she looked up at the shotgun soldier and Jack, the surviving soldiers. "You two" she said "dart round that corner over there. If I remember correctly there is a ledge with a gap, you'll be able to have a clear line of sight of where they are from there. When Zena takes their barrier down, focus fire on the sniper." They nodded and Shepard gave their exit covering fire, distracting the enemy while they snuck off to follow her orders.
Shepard sat down again, waiting. She left a few minutes gap before having Toombs create a barrier for Zena while she ripped theirs down. She succeeded but was 'wounded' in the attempt. Not hesitating Shepard ran out to cover them before the biotics had a chance to recover. The sniper was down and Shepard used the time she had for an advantage, powering herself up she flew at the other team in a biotic charge, momentarily her shields were increased and when she got to the centre she force pushed Darren into the wall, 'killing' him and lifted Sally into the air leaving her an open target for her soldiers who 'finished her off'. The remaining two soldiers fled at top speed, doubling back to regroup with the others of their team.
Shepard turned to deal with her squad. Zena wasn't going anywhere; although she didn't count as 'dead' she was 'downed'. Though she cared for her team, the mission came first. "I'll leave Toulouse with you; the rest will come with me."
So the three of them continued forwards. Shepard was ashamed to have lost two of her team but the mission went on. Jack and Toombs moved by her side. They met another ambush but were ready this time. Toombs held up a shield and Shepard ploughed through them with her throw ability, slamming them into walls and doors, either 'killing' them or 'downing' them. If Shepard's body count was correct there was still one biotic left amongst at least ten or eleven other non biotics.
They had closed in on their objective and Toombs was doing well, force pushing his way through enemy fire ahead of Shepard; 'scouting' he called it.
Out of nowhere a butt of a rifle hit him across the head and took a well aimed shot at Jack, 'killing' him. She cursed as the enemy moved to take a shot at Toombs and darted between them. She raised her kinetic barrier. The shot was barely repelled but it had worked. She took her chance and biotically punched him into the wall. She took Toombs' hand and hauled him to his feet checking his head and was thankful it wasn't too bad. He'd have a headache at worst.
They'd lost their tech specialist, Toombs was second best but he was also a shield, Shepard would have to protect him as best as she could. They continued onwards, slowly but surely. Shepard couldn't afford to lose Toombs too. Toombs keept close to her this time. Finally they reached their goal; a terminal at the back of the main room. Shepard set Toombs to work and prepared for anything.
Shepard called on the communicator in her helmet to check on Zena and the other soldier, there was only static. She cursed silently, either they were being blocked off or they had been 'taken out'. They were on their own.
Shepard stood ready, prepared for an ambush. Ten enemies appeared from all different places, pressing her and Toombs into the back wall. It was crucial that the terminal be hacked, decoded and downloaded. She turned to Toombs who'd raised his pistol at their entrance. "Keep going", she muttered. He looked uncertainly at her, she made eye contact and he lowered his pistol and continued, head down blocking everything else out.
Shepard stepped forward so all guns were pointed at her as she moved. She smiled inwardly as they all pressed closer to her, now ignoring what her companion was doing. Toombs looked up through his mess of blonde hair, unsure of what she was waiting for.
"Now this I can do" she said quietly. She powered up her biotics within a second and as the soldiers decided she wasn't worth the risk they started to fire. Shepard slammed her fist into the floor sending a shockwave outwards, firing all enemies into the walls with immense force. She looked back at Toombs who nodded, he'd finished.
He was about to move around the desk to get to Shepard when a more careful enemy dropped down from an open grate above. Shepard held her pistol up but Toombs was being used as a shield. She recognised the last of the biotic opposition; Ray, not particularly powerful but worthy of note.
Shepard moved slowly to the left, circling the assassin. As they almost made a one eighty turn Shepard took her chance and shot the canister set into the wall behind them. Gas spilled then exploded. It was enough of a blast to give Toombs a chance to twist his attacker's arm so hard he let go.
Shepard took her chance to dual with him. Toombs was behind her, for lack of a better word, hiding. Ray recovered and threw the desk at Shepard who repelled it with Throw. He tried to hold her in stasis but she Reaved her way through it. She waited for him to attack again and this time he managed to hit her over the head with a piece of the broken desk behind her. She dropped to her hands and knees leaving Toombs open for attack, her shields had not restored yet.
She was in trouble.
He went to shoot Toombs when Shepard stood taking the clip in the gut but releasing a heavy biotic pulse propelling Ray into the wall. Shepard held her stomach and made Toombs run.
She followed him.
The rest of the test proved easy as they doubled back until they gained the advantage and successfully left the 'war zone'. They placed the 'data' on the examiners desk beside the computer screens from which they'd been watching their recruits' progress. The rest of the team had also passed but had been taken out unexpectedly to see how the remaining two could deal with the pressure. They would receive their results the following day.
As the two of them saluted and made their way back to the dorms, Shepard shuddered. "I think I screwed up" she said.
Toombs looked surprised. "I didn't see anything go wrong."
"My Nova," she snapped at him, now petrified that she'd ruined her chances. "I put you in danger by bringing my barriers down just to take out those guys." She still held her stomach; even with false ammo it would definitely leave a welt where it struck her. She smiled at him. "Never thought I'd take a bullet for you though". He laughed, "Smug bastard" she threw at him laughing as well.
He shook his head, getting back to the original subject, "Anyway, you did fine, best biotic blast I've seen in a long time."
She raised her eyebrows. "Oh? You've seen one better?"
He nudged her arm and did that strange little eyebrow wiggle that made her squirm. "You haven't seen me in bed Shepard."
"You ever going to make good on all this flirting?" she playfully slapped his ass when she was sure no one would see.
After a surprised yelp he laughed. "Maybe, your choice though". She pulled him to a stop in a busy corridor filled with other recruits. The majority of them were not biotic.
"Huh, that's a switch" she smiled teasingly. He looked confused. "Usually it takes only tits and two legs, since when have we women had a choice?" his eyes momentarily locked on another recruit's ass as she passed, oblivious of his mental undressing. Shepard slapped him round the head and he realised he'd been caught. "See?" she said.
"What? I can't admire beauty anymore?" he tried to sound innocent which made Shepard laugh. If it hadn't been for her friendship with Toombs she never would have opened up to anyone. As an unexpected result she had gained more control over herself. Her powers no longer controlled her as they once had. Even bouts of extreme emotion, though now rare in her, didn't cause an overload in her mental capacity to control herself.
Zena appeared moments later. "Hey, there you are" she panted. "Just wanted to know if you were coming to the biotic class ball tomorrow?"
"The what?" Shepard said, turning to face her.
Her hand motions got more frantic as they always did when she was overexcited. "Well ok it's not just for biotics but all the new recruits, eligible or otherwise. You coming?"
"You aren't serious I hope" she said raising an eyebrow.
"Aww come on Shepard, it'll be fun" Zena pleaded, tugging at her arm.
"Maybe for you, I thought we were joining the military not dance academy." Shepard retorted.
Zena started to get impatient. "Don't be so uptight, the Admirals of the second, fifth and third fleets put this together for everyone. Its annual or so I've been told. It's apparently a way for the new recruits to meet the current ones, so to speak and even meet those who want to join."
"Come on Shepard. It's just a bit of fun" Toombs added.
Shepard jabbed a finger at him. "Don't you start!"
"Please Shepard; I'll give you your birthday present early if you come...please." Zena continued to tug on her arm like a little girl.
"So we're bribing now are we?" Shepard crossed her arms, determined not to budge. She carried on walking. The two of them raced after her. "Look guys I'm not..."
When she turned around it was so sudden Toombs nearly crashed into her. The increased proximity was too sudden to be comfortable. "Fine I'll give you your present, it was meant to be for the ball anyway."
"What?"
Zena smiled naughtily. "Yeah, I'll leave it on your bed. Just think about it, please?" she then gave her one last smile before moving off to see her other friends. Zena had better social skills than Shepard and could often be found in company of several different groups. Toombs stood beside her in awkward silence.
"Well, I better go see what all the fuss is about".
"Zena...so help me I will biotically beat you to death with your own bedpost" Shepard muttered when she opened the box on her bed. Inside was a flowing dress made of silk, violet in colour; Zena always did have an obsession with Shepard's unusual eye colour. It was simple yet elegant but knowing Zena it must have cost a lot which is what annoyed Shepard the most. Not only that, there was a masquerade mask with it, a note was attached to it.
It read:
You'll need this, it's a masquerade theme and don't worry about dancing, not many of us know how to dance traditionally anyway, just come and have some fun.
Zena
The mask was in the shape of a songbird, it was patterned with black, indigo and white swirls on the feathers. It was only a half mask so would cover only the top half of her face. Shepard sighed, she'd have to tie her hair in a different fashion, maybe curl it or something. She was not going to have anyone know who she was. She'd try to keep a low profile; Shepard looked at the note and squirmed. At least she would try and enjoy herself.
The night came and Shepard was ready though she still felt uncomfortable. She'd never had reason to wear a dress before, or even pretty herself up for anyone. It was all unnatural to her. Then Zena appeared beside her bed to lead her away to the ball. "You look just as beautiful as I knew you would."
"You shouldn't have gone to all the trouble of the dress and mask, Zena" she said but Zena waved her concerns away and adjusted her own golden bird mask.
"I have yet another surprise for you, one you can't turn down". She felt her friend stiffen, whether with anger or fear, she couldn't tell. The ball was being held in the officers' lounge, which was huge. There were tables and chairs around the edges of the room, leaving the centre of the floor open.
They stopped by the large group of people gathering by the door to be let in. "Forgot to tell you, you need to be paired up to get in."
"Oh well...wait, shit, you thought of that too didn't you?" Zena grinned, her light blue eyes flashing with excitement. "God damn it!"
There came a nudge from behind her, "ladies don't cuss". Toombs was all suited in a new age tux; he gave them both an extravagant bow. His mask was a close approximation of a black panther.
Shepard managed to restrain the urge to hit him. "If you hadn't noticed, I'm not the epitome of lady-like grace."
"Doesn't hurt to pretend" he sniggered. Shepard sighed. At least she could spend the night with him as her partner. It would be reasonably enjoyable.
It was then that Zena waved someone else over. "Here's your partner now."
Shepard froze, staring at her. "Come again?" The young man walked over to them and gave a short but gentlemanly bow. "As I said before, no names. Just enjoy yourself."
"Why no names?" Shepard pulled her aside to whisper to her. She had definitely not told her anything about this.
She shushed Shepard. "Tradition...mystery adds...erm...lure or something like that. Now go on" she finished giving Shepard a short shove in the direction of her partner. He was dressed much the same way as Toombs but he was built differently. Definitely a soldier in the making, Toombs was a tiny bit skinny for a soldier but that would change after enough training no doubt.
Her partner had a wolf mask coloured bronze and black. As he took her hand in his she felt a little startled at the intimate touch. When she looked up at him, met him eye to eye she wasn't sure what to say. His eyes were bronze, and hid much of his expression that wasn't already covered by his mask. "Shall we?" he said, his voice a purr. Shepard hesitated before nodding and hooking her arm round his.
She tried to take in every aspect of him, every detail. His tightly curled black hair seemed to clash with her flowing red locks; then she wondered at herself.
Why should she care if it clashed?
They walked in silence, neither knowing what to say to the other. Shepard evaluated that he was around the same age as her, so she began light conversation to lift the awkward silence.
"Are you a recruit?" he looked at her, his expression unreadable.
"No not yet, I plan to enlist though" he said, his voice gentle. He looked uncomfortable in such a large crowd as they made their way through the door. Shepard relaxed a little. He was just as uncomfortable as she was, parties weren't her thing. It was then she wondered at his reason for coming. "What about you?" he said leading her subtly away from the increasing amount of people.
She shrugged, "around six months ago I enlisted. Just finished my entrance program"
His eyes lit up for a moment. "You're a biotic then?" she hesitated then nodded.
"How'd you know?"
A small smile crossed his lips. "Biotics need to learn a little more than normal soldiers and marines. I'm told its hard going but from what I've heard, no one's failed yet." They ended up sitting at a table in the corner of the room away from the growing noise at the entrance. Something must have shown on Shepard's face given what he asked next, "you don't seem to enjoy the large crowds, do you?"
Shepard gave an uncomfortable laugh, "not really" then she quickly looked at him. "It's nothing to do with you it's just I was kind of, bribed to be here. Parties aren't my thing". She looked over at him and saw him quickly wipe a look of mild interest from his expression. "I've noticed the same with you," she said wanting to keep conversation flowing as much as possible. The silence between them would be unbearable.
He shrugged, "my Dad thought it would be a good idea to mingle. But yeah" he said looking at her, pinning her with his gaze. "It's not my thing really." He gave her one last small smile then turned his attention to the couple approaching them, Toombs and Zena.
Yep, Shepard thought, definitely going to kill them. Both of them had obviously set this up.
The night was uneventful from then on, Shepard and her partner rarely spoke and when they did it wasn't in front of anyone. Zena wasn't happy about it but she didn't say anything. Shepard didn't get up and dance even though she was hard pressed to by Zena. "I can't" she'd said.
They'd left her alone after they'd felt her irritation growing to unwanted heights. At the end of the night her mysterious partner wished her good evening before turning and leaving. Toombs and Zena watched her closely, noting the interest and longing on her face. It was not what they suspected but it didn't matter, neither said anything.
When Shepard watched him walk away she suddenly felt very alone. Again she felt the longing to bond with someone, to have someone's arms to return to. She shook her head then, she was being pathetic. She didn't need anyone.
A few days later Shepard was walking down the corridor, Toombs caught up with her. "What am I going to do with you?" she said as he smiled naughtily at her. He'd been bugging her about letting loose for once ever since the ball. He pulled her into a short shoulder hug as they walked.
"You can start by coming to the Leaver's Trip; everyone's going to the Dark Star."
Shepard stared at him, her violet eyes burning into his brown ones. "The Citadel?" he nodded. "Wow, I've never been before."
"Neither have I, Shepard. It's an experience we can share". She leant her head on his shoulder. As long as he was there, she was sure she'd be alright. The idea of going to the Citadel was a lot more appealing than a ball anyway.
Their results came through and after the short ceremony all the new Privates were ready to leave for the Citadel. Though Shepard was more open and gradually making progress on a social level she was still unsure about such a loud place. With Toombs' help and encouragement she eventually agreed to go with the rest of them. Zena was going home to her family on one of the closer human colonies instead. She was lucky she had such a rich family.
It was on the shuttle to the Dark Star that Shepard finally realised she'd found someone to bond with again. Toombs was easy going by nature but when duty called he was a hardened soldier, relentless.
Shepard hesitated, the last to get out of the shuttle. She wore casual wear, soft dark jeans and a black low cut top. At least it was an improvement on her ball gown.
She rearranged her hair for the third time when Toombs took her hand and gave a short tug. She stumbled into his arms. "Loosen up a bit Shepard" his eyes shone, excited. "Relax and live a little" he steered her into the main room, then stopped and waited. Shepard was one of the best leaders when she wanted to be, but the noise and the bodies in the club made her feel so small and helpless.
Battlefield was one thing but this? She had no idea what to do, how to act. Most of the Privates had shot over to the bar, to dance or to drink. Asari were dancing and flaunting their bodies on the dance floor, not strippers just very sensual dancers. They had the effect of making one feel inadequate in comparison. Shepard hadn't noticed that Toombs was watching her until she turned and stared at him. "Come on Shepard, just one dance, just to get you going". At the offer she almost propelled herself away from him, but he was faster. He forcefully grabbed her round the waist and hoisted her up until she couldn't touch the floor.
Then he dumped her on the dance floor in the far corner of the bar and began to dance along with some other Privates as well as a couple of asari and a turian. Shepard stood still for a moment, unsure. The music seeped in through her skin and made her whole body begin to move in odd ways. Her biotics were held in check so she was pretty sure she was still in control but why was her body moving like this? With the look Toombs was giving her she was sure something was going wrong.
She flushed when he pulled her off the dance floor. "Not such a good idea then" he muttered under the pounding techno beat. This time he pushed her over to the bar where two recruits were already drunk and making out against the far wall. Toombs noticed Shepard relax slightly. "Drink is something I can do" she grinned and ordered the strongest they had. It was a little blurry how she had learned to drink so much. Either way she had no qualms about drinking anyone under the table.
Toombs ordered what she had and nearly had it explode out of his nose. Shepard laughed, at ease now. "I could out drink you until you drowned Toombs" she took another shot. Toombs was determined, though not stupid.
Around an hour later Shepard was still standing, and relatively sane though far more relaxed than before. Toombs was accusing the floor of not standing still and had crashed into a few people until Shepard steadied him. It was her turn to push him onto the dance floor. With the amount of alcohol in her system Shepard's restraint loosened and biotic fire crackled over her skin as she moved, her movements far more elegant than before though what she was doing could not be considered dancing.
The shuttle ride back was a blur as both Shepard and Toombs could only recall so much when they landed in the cargo bay of one of the larger frigates. The new Privates were sent to their quarters before they could make any more trouble. Most had gone without a fuss but a few still lingered in the hallways. Shepard led Toombs to her own quarters as the rest had been filled with the drunken Privates. She was grateful that the last room was empty.
As soon as the door closed behind them Toombs swung Shepard round and pressed his lips to hers. Under her tiredness and semi-drunk state Shepard still managed to keep control of her biotics even as all the emotion flowed from her into her kiss. She tasted his lips as she moved away. He grabbed her and lifted her up so she was clinging to him by the waist. He kissed her throat as he moved towards one of the beds.
Not ideal for their specific activity but who cared at this point?
The morning after, Toombs thought a krogan had stamped on his head. Shepard however looked like she'd been hit by a ship at FTL when she'd rolled off the bed out from the warmth of his arms. According to rumours floating around, just before it had been time to leave, Shepard had finished dancing and challenged anyone who would listen to a drinking match.
The amount she had downed would have floored a turian platoon. Most of her challengers had passed out before she'd hit her stride. It showed that morning though. Her hair looked as if she'd been manhandled and stuffed into a box. Though she didn't vomit any of her stomach contents she looked terrible for at least two days afterwards. Neither she nor Toombs spoke of the incident in the bedroom for fear that it could destroy their friendship. They loved each other but not like that.
Their career continued likewise; battling pirates, slavers and taking some R&R whenever they were on shore leave. Eventually after four years of hard work and excellent commanding skills on the field Shepard moved up the ranks and was eventually promoted to Staff Commander. A year later she would be widely known by that title but for a very different reason.