A/n: I'm not sure how many chapters Genesis is going to be. I write until I'm satisfied with a chapter and start the next. I intend to finish Genesis at Raegan's appointment as xo on the Normandy. I then intend to do all three games and maybe an after story. There's ideas going through my head that I'm keeping locked away so it doesn't cause another writer's block.

-brittsis

"Only ten more miles children!" Gonzales yelled at them as they reached the mile marker. They woke at the crack of dawn and dressed in all of their gear. Their packs were filled with all the basic essentials and strapped to their backs. Each carried a rifle, filled with cement to keep the gun from being fired. They went through drill, just as they had every morning for the last week. The only difference was the long never ending run. It started at the training ground then wound through the base. They had just turned around and headed for home. The day was just beginning but everyone of them was exhausted.

Rae slowed to an easy gate and placed her rifle on the back of her neck. She squinted her eyes against the rising sun and reminded herself to breath. Charles fell in besides her, his breathing heavy. "I… I don't know… if I… can… make… it!"

"Chin up recruit," She grinned at him. "Just think of the eggs waiting for these recruits."

He glared at her briefly. "This recruit can't think of food right now."

"Shepard, Freeman, Livingston keep up!" Pickard yelled from the front of the group.

Rae turned around to find Livingston bent over wheezing. She ran back to him and took her pack off. Opening his, she put as much of his stuff into hers that would fit and grabbed his rifle as well. The guy thanked her and readjusted his lighter pack. Charles appeared beside them and took Livingston's rifle from Rae. "These recruits better catch up." He nodded to them both.

The three caught up with the group, happy to avoid further notice. A cadence broke out and they joined in with the chanting as the church bells rang out the hour.

"Shepard, Freeman. Senior Drill Instructor's office now!" Pickard called when they got into line for breakfast.

"Sir yes sir!" They both called out before running from the room. They reached Holland's office waited to be invited in before entering. They both stood saluted their commanding officer and stood at attention.

"At ease recruits," Holland commanded, taking a sip of her orange juice. She looked up at the both of them and stood from behind her desk. "You might not have known but I have eyes and ears all over this base. Even when I'm not watching, I know what your are doing." She spoke calmly and placed her hands behind her back. "So tell me recruits. Why did you lighten Livingston's load this morning? Each Marine needs to carry their own weight and yet you helped him."

Rae swallowed, "This recruit felt that that recruit needed assistance sir."

"This recruit felt the same Sir." Charles spoke up beside her.

"Then why didn't you alert you instructor?" Holland asked calmly.

"This recruit felt that the situation was under control Sir," Charles spoke up first. "These recruits were able to render aid."

Holland nodded though still not satisfied. "But why did you help him? Why not simply leave him behind? He was weaker, slowing your platoon down."

"No Marine left behind." They both answered her at the same time. Rae lowered her gaze and looked the other woman in the eyes. "Marines protect the weak sir. If these recruits didn't stop to help Recruit Livingston then these recruit don't deserve the title of Marine."

"This recruit agrees with Recruit Shepard Sir." Freeman replied.

Holland regarded them silently then smiled slowly. "Just what I wanted to hear." She leaned across her desk and pressed a button on the phone. "Bella, bring me two trays from the mess. Make sure one's double rations." Holland waved at them, "Sit down recruits. You've earned the break. Your meal will arrive shortly."

"Congratulations recruits," Holland called from her platform. "You've all made it through the hardest weeks of boot. Today we make a few promotions and announce your platoon leaders. These men and women have been everything that means to be Marine. You are to listen to your platoon leaders as if they were your mother and father as they are your superiors. Platoon one, Recruit Merchant step forward. You are now Lance Corporal Gerald Merchant."

They saluted each other and Pickard pinned a rank rope around the guys arm.

"Platoon two, Recruit Washington step forward. You are now Lance Corporal Lance Washington." The process was repeated again. "And Platoon three, Recruit Freeman step forward. You are now Lance Corporal Charles Freeman." And the process was repeated one last time.

Formalities were taken care of and the new platoon leaders took their position in the ranks. Bodie growled beside her. 'He took your job Rae. I knew I didn't like him.'

Rae didn't answer him, not because she couldn't but because she recognized that part of her felt the same way. It was shameful to feel jealous of Charles for receiving the promotion that she had secretly coveted. It had been part of her plan. Platoon leader during boot, lieutenant in two years, and so on.

"We have one more appointment to be made." Holland's voice caused Rae's throat to tighten. She tried to swallow as her skin crawled in anticipation. "Recruit Raegan Shepard step forward."

Rae marched to the front of the group and saluted her. Holland returned the salute before continuing. "The Alliance is offering you the position of squad leader with the rank of Corporal. It comes with high responsibility. Where the squad triumphs you triumph. Where the squad fails you fail. It is your responsibility to aid the instructors in melding your squad mates into Marines. Do you accept?"

Rae swallowed again, words caught in her throat. She never expected to reach the rank so quickly. She nodded and cleared her throat. "This recruit excepts the rank of Corporal and the position of squad leader."

"Then take command of your troops Shepard." Pickard put two gold ropes on her uniform and placed a whistle around her neck.

Rae saluted Holland one last time before doing an about face. "Platoon leaders sound off!"

"Platoon one attention!"

"Platoon two attention!"

"Platoon three attention!" Charles gave her a small smile before snapping to attention.

"Platoons present arms!" The three leaders called off at once and everyone raised their hands. Rae returned the salute, unable to keep the grin from her face.

The instructors had given them an extra two hours of rec time that Saturday as a reward for making it this far. They started martial arts and zero-g survival next week, but for now their time was their own. Most of the squad had choose to spend the time playing cards or sleeping. Rae had chosen to spend her time in the gym with an old friend. Boxing gloves were tapped to her hands as she pounded punch after punch into the bag. She hadn't touched a bad in years, avoiding the reminder of loved ones and home.

"So this is where the new squad leader spends her free time." Rae dropped her hands and turned around to fine Charles leaning against the door, arms crossed over his chest. His uniform top was unbuttoned and hung loose on his frame. A pair of dog tags jingled on his chest as he came closer. "Tell me Shepard, do you ever just relax?"

"I am relaxing." Rae put her hands back up and went back to beating the punching bag. She grunted with each punch and watched him as she circled around her. "What do you want Freeman?"

"Hmm… a beer, a cigar, and a fine woman all over me." He answered with a shrug. "That's just the beginning of my demands. You?"

Rae rolled her eyes at his reply but didn't stop punching. "Galaxy peace maybe?"

"Not bad Shepard, but that would leave both of us without a job."

"You've got a job." Charles grabbed the bag and pulled it away from her, grinning. "Hey, I was using that Freeman. Give it back. "

"Make me." He challenged and shoved the back on the track to the other side of the room. He ducked her first couple punches, laughing. "You need to work harder than that. I'm four time reigning champion on the SSV London."

"Is that so?" Rae asked and feigned to the left before hitting his right shoulder. "I'd say you were fighting limp wrist sissy with that guard."

Rae took a step forward and went for two quick jabs to his chest. Charles blocked them both and twisted on his feet so that he floated our of her reach and behind her. Rae spun around and blocked the blow that was coming to her head. "Why won't you stay and fight Freeman? You chicken?"

"Me? Never." He laughed and ducked another punch. He dropped down and wrapped his arms around her waist. Lift her into the year and laughed as she punched his back, demanding to be released. "Such a filthy mouth Shepard."

"Put me down this instant Freeman!" Rae hit him with her knee and was rewarded with a grunt. He put her down and she backed him against the wall. She swung madly, causing him to back up quickly. His knees hit a chair and he fell back. His hands grabbed her, failing to hold himself up. He fell with Rae on his chest, chuckling. "You're completely hopeless."

"I wouldn't say so. I got one of my wishes." Charles whispered as their breaths mingled and noses touched. They stayed like that, eyes searching each other for answers. He lifted his head and Rae froze.

Rae growled at herself and jumped up, rushing from the room. She cursed herself softly as she went back to the bunk room for a shower, a cold one. She should never have let things progress to quickly. She'd have to talk with Charles and lay some ground rules, make him understand. Her training would come first.