a/n: Ender Mahe: Thank you so much for your review. I promise some editing is on the way once my beta catches up. I have about four chapters edited and waiting for repost, just haven't gotten around to it. I also don't want to make you guys wait for my editor to catch up and edit current chapters. I also didn't realize that my page breaks weren't copying over. On my comp I have three stars between scene, I guess they aren't transferring over and I will fix this. Sorry for the confusion. I also apologize for the pacing and appreciate the input. It helps me become a better writer.

One another note for everyone, let me say that I have never been to boot camp. So everything is based off what I could find on the internet and you tube.

-brittsis

It was their third day and the instructors had them standing at attention outside. The sun was high, causing the temperatures to rise. Everyone was soaked with sweat and some swayed with borderline heat stroke. They each had a canteen of water at their hip and was instructed to make it last. Before each sip, they were to asked for permission but when their canteen was empty there was no more for the day. Raegan's was about half way empty as she used to water to silence her stomach.

"At ease recruits" There was sighs of relief as they were allowed to move. Rae wanted to cry with relief as her sore and tired muscles stretched out. Gonzales moved among the ranks as Holland and Pickard watched from a chair in the shade.

"These recruits look hot sir!" Gonzales called out, "Permission to cool them off?"

Holland smiled, "Permission granted Drill Instructor."

"Attention!" Gonzales yelled, snapping everyone back into attention. "Forward march! Left, left, left. I said left Dickens! Do you not know your left from your right!"

They marched through the complex, following the Gonzales's instructions. They ended up in a car wash when he called a halt march. They stood still as he placed quarters in the machine. "Recruits what is the marine hymn?"

"From the Halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli. We fight our country's battles, in the air, on land, and sea." They called out in unison, their recruiters having them memorize it.

"Louder!" Gonzales demanded as he turned the hose on them. The water felt great against their heated skin.

"First to fight for right and freedom, and to keep our honor clean. We are proud to claim the title, of Alliance Marine. Our flag's unfurled to every breeze, from dawn to setting sun. We have fought in every clime and place, where we could take a gun." They all were yelling at the top of their voices. The words echoed off the concrete and mocked them.

"Hands up, above your head. Higher Livingston!. March in place, I want your knees hitting your chest.! Give me the hymn proud!" They complied, knowing to do other wise would bring their instructors wrath.

They were soaked through. Wet clothes weighed them down but they were still expected to move quickly. They ran into the mess, gathered their food, and waiting for permission to begin. The drill instructors stood at the front of the mess at their table. They bowed their heads, whispering a prayer. Rae glanced around and found several other recruits doing the same. Rae had never been a religious person and had no reason to start now.

"Meal time is a time of peace," Holland called out. "You are allowed to talk amongst yourselves and relax. At ease, enjoy your food."

Chairs scraped against the floor as everyone sat down. Silence reigned the first couple of minutes as everyone shoveled food into their mouths. It had been three days since they last ate. Once the first hunger pangs were relieved, voiced began to pick up. Rae looked up and down the table and came to a startling conclusion. She had twice as much food as everyone else.

'It's because of your biotics.' Bodie spoke to her from across the table. He hovered over the other recruits and smiled at her. 'They're working you harder than you've even been worked. Don't want you to lose control and kill everyone around you.' He chuckled and Rae grunted, unable to talk to him.

The recruit across from her and under Bodie grinned at her. Whipping his hand on his napkin, the boy presented his hand. "The name's Charles Freeman."

Rae took his hand, "Raegan Shepard."

"So tell me Shepard, how'd you end up in the Marines."

"It's a long story," Rae took a sip of her juice and shrugged.

Charles's grin widened and he pushed his food around with his fork. "We've got a little bit. How about this? You tell me your story and I'll tell you mine."

Rae raised her brow as she contemplated the offer. Her eyes drifted up briefly to look for Bodie's opinion. 'Why not? Might as well make friends.'

Rae nodded, "Okay Freeman, you have a deal. But you first."

He chuckled, "Fair enough, Well I'm what you call a military brat. Grew up on ship after ship. Parents are part of the Alliance Navy."

"Then why'd you join the Marines?" Rae asked before taking a bite of her mixed veggies.

"Now now, I'm telling the story." He winked at her and settled back in his chair. "Now where was I? Oh that's right, parents are Navy. You see my old man would always tell me who he really wanted to be a Marine. Fighting from the trenches, part of the ground team. He would tell me these heroic tales that would seduce my child mind. As I got older he would get more and more explicit until he told me the real reason he wanted to be a Marine."

Charles leaned in close, "You see, Marines always get the best girls."

Rae snorted, "So you joined the Marines to pick up girls? How's that working out for you,"

He grinned wide, his teeth flashing. "Great, I'm talking to the hottest girl here."

Rae couldn't help but laugh at that. He was amusing, she could give him that. "I thank you for the compliment."

After dinner the instructors took them to their actual bunks. The large building was split into four rooms, one for each platoon and a common room. The bunks were simple, made with the same harsh wool blankets from when they first arrived. In front of each bunk sat two foot lockers where their last names and id numbers scrolled on the front. They were all given leave from the instructors to rest and recover, told that lights went out at nine.

Rae found her bunk and opened her locker to retrieve her toiletries and sleeping gear, a pair of boxers and clean undershirt. Her bunk mate stopped besides her and laughed, drawing Rae's attention to him. Charles stood over her, hand pointing from their lockers to the bunk bed.

"See," he started and winked at her. "We're fated to share a bed."

"In your dreams pal." Rae stood, towel over her shoulder and gear in her hands. She knocked his shoulder with hers as she passed by. She could hear his laughter all the way to the showers. Bodie was waiting for her in the stall, arms crossed.

'You sure you want to provoke that kid?' He asked, clearly not amused.

"Relaxed," She whispered as she turned the water on and stripped her wet clothes off. "It's just a little fun to relieve the stress. Besides, that would be fraternization." She moved into the shower and left the hot water wash over her tired body.

'I still don't like the idea of you flirting with him.' Bodie grumbled.

Rae peaked out through the curtain and smiled at him. "Are you jealous?"

'How can I be jealous?' He spat and turned from her. 'I'm dead remember.'