a/n: I know that your powers of retention, Are as wet as a warthog's backside, But thick as you are, pay attention, My words are a matter of pride. -wink- By the way, I'm working on a treat for you guys. And sorry for the late chapter guys. Roommate and I was playing Mass Effect multiplayer.

-brittsis

"This program is to teach you all hand-to-hand. Every Marine is at least tan belt qualified but expected to further their training after boot." The instructor spoke to them as they sat cross legged in the room. He paced in the middle of the circle they formed, taking time to look at each of them. "You'll learn the basics of martial arts and be able to defend yourself. Hand-to-hand is more common than you think, especially on the battle field. You'll run out of clips or your gun will jam. Your only weapon will be your hands, your boot knife, and your brain."

He paused for a moment then untied the belt at his waist. His jacket opened to reveal a large scar that ran across his chest. "This is what happens when you don't use your brain." He turned so everyone could get a look. "I let panic and emotions control me and my guard dropped. A Turian attacked me with his claws and damn near killed me. I will live with this scar to remind me what a loosing your head causes."

He closed his top and retied the belt back across it. "Shepard"

"Sir yes sir!" Rae called out and jumped to her feet.

"At ease soldier. Your report says you had boxing training is that true?"

Rae nodded, "This recruit has won a few championships. Not to brag sir."

He chuckled and waved her over. Bouncing on his feet, he grinned at her. "Go ahead soldier. Attack me with your best combo."

Rae raised a brow but didn't question the order. She cracked her neck and put her hands up, just like coach had trained her. She feigned to the right, then swung with her left followed quickly with her right intending to catch him when he ducked the first punch. He didn't fall for the feign and twirled away from her punches, resulting in her hitting nothing but air. Rae gritted her teeth and took a step closer. Forgetting the feigns Rae stepped into a punch heading right for his unprotected head. The instructor moved at the last minute, grabbed her wrist, and used her momentum to lay her flat on the matt. Rae lost her breath and gasped to regain it. The other recruits chuckled as the instructor held out a hand.

"I used Shepard's strength against her. I will teach you how to defeat your enemy with little to no effort on your part. You will use your enemies' fire against them. But first you must find a calm in yourself." He looked Rae in the eye as he pulled her to his feet. "You must find peace within yourself or the fire will consume you."

"Your suit seals could be the difference between life and death. One tiny leak could mean and very painful death out in vacuum." Pickard and Gonzales moved through the room, helping the recruits dawn their hard suit. The suits weren't needed in the zero-g room but the instructors felt it best for the recruits to learn with them. "You double check your seals, then have your partner double check them. Never don a suit with out a partner to double check you."

Rae stretched inside her suit, getting use to the weight and restrictive movements. She too moved through the room, helping her squad mates when needed. She had woken up extra early so Pickard could teach her everything about the gear. It had been a lot to learn but Rae felt it was her duty. When everyone had been suited up, Rae snapped her helmet into place and turned her com on. "Squad attention!" She called over the mic and watched her squad snap into formation.

"The room is safe," Pickard called out. "So don't panic! There's a course inside and everyone is to run it. Your mag boots won't work as the structure isn't metal so don't depend on them. One slip could result in you barreling into nothingness. Remember control is your friend."

Pickard signaled to the control room and the large door opened up behind her. "Forward march!" Rae called out and everyone marched into the room. "Halt march!" The door closed behind them with a hiss and they were alone. The instructors didn't follow them in. This lesson was to be self taught.

Rae felt lighter as the gravity was turned off. She gave the course in front of her a critical look. "Squad at ease. I'll go first, learn from my mistakes."

"Sir yes sir!" The squad yelled out.

Grinning, Rae walked to the beginning of the course adjusting her strength as she went. It was a long process as her first couple steps sent her flying. She changed her gait and used the zero-g to her advantage, taking longer steps. Reaching the course, Rae slid to a stop and regained her balance.

'You're going to treat this like a game aren't you?' Bodie asked, examining the course in front of her. It was the same obstacle course the squad ran everyday. She just didn't have gravity to slow or weigh her down.

"Of course," Rae answered him after turning her microphone off.

'Try not to get hurt.' Bodie cautioned as she pushed off from the ground.

"Admiral on deck!" Gonzalez yelled and everyone snapped to attention.

"At ease soldier. Consider this an unofficial visit." Hackett waved them off and approached the glass looking over the zero-g room. The recruits were running the course. There was some difficulty but most rookie mistakes were not being made. There was a line of recruits on the far side that had already finished the course. "How many days have they been in the room?"

Holland stood besides the man, her hands behind her back. "One sir. This is their first day inside."

Hackett frowned, "When I was a recruit the instructors threw us in the room with no instruction and no hints."

"That's what we did with this squad sir."

"Then care to explain to me how they're making it through will relative ease?"

"Sir, it's Shepard. The recruit that you and the headmaster recommended. She ran the course three times before allowing her squad to try." Holland pointed out the window to where Rae stood on top the climbing wall, hand extended for a squad mate. "This is her sixth run and she's helping them make it across. She's a natural leader."

Hackett nodded, a smile on his lips. "A friend discovered her on Mindoir."

"The colony that was attacked?"

"Yes. She fought against the Batarians. Saved half the colony and broke the lines for our men." Hackett rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Teach her everything Holland. I've got this feeling she's going to need it."

"Sir yes sir."

It was qualification time. To advance to the next step, each recruit would need their zero-g certification and their tan belt. Without them the recruit would restart the entire program again and be allowed one last chance to pass. If they failed, they were dropped from the program all together and discharged from the Marines. There was always other branches of the military but they weren't the Marines. The idea was daunting and had kept Rae awake last night. She couldn't imagine herself doing anything else and if she failed….

"You nervous?" Charles asked from besides her, drawing Rae from her thoughts.

"Just a tad," Rae admitted. "Getting my certification was easy but this…" Rae waved toward the gym doors where one of the recruits was being tested. "I wish I could just strap on some gloves and beat the shit out of something."

Charles smiled at her and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Shepard you'll pass. You're the best recruit here and everyone knows it."

Rae shifted on her feet, itching to just run some energy off. "I don't know about that."

"I do." Charles replied and gave her shoulder a squeeze. "Just find your calm Shepard. Remember to breathe and go down swinging."

Rae chuckled and stepped away as the doors opened. Livingston walked out, a tan belt gripped in his hand and a grin on his face. He nodded at them before heading back to the barracks. "Wish me luck," Rae replied before slipping through the doors. The martial arts instructor stood inside, his eyes closed. Rae walked closer then stood at the edge of the circle, body straight in attention.

"Relax Shepard. I'm not military remember?" He opened his eyes and beckoned her closer. "To earn your belt you need to show me that you've mastered what I've taught you."

Rae nodded and stepped closer. She loosened her body and fought the urge to go into the boxing posture that had been drilled into her at a young age. "What does this recruit need to do?"

"Fight me." He grinned briefly before attacking. His left hand lashed out and Rae blocked it with her forearm. Her other hand formed a fist and went right to his gut. The instructor anticipated it stepped out of the way, causing her to stumble forward. His foot lashed out and caught her in the middle of the back. Rae gritted her teeth and rolled away, getting to her feet. He advanced again and she dodged his blow, retaliating with a punch to the face. He grabbed her wrist and used her momentum against her, dropping her to the matt.

"Have you learned nothing Shepard? This isn't a boxing match. Brute force means nothing here." He growled at her.

Rae growled back and jumped to her feet again. This time she advanced. He blocked her blow and she ducked his. She went for his chest and he jumped back, loosing his balance. Spotting her chance, she went in for the kill only to land face first on the mat, his knee in her back.

"You're still thinking like a boxer Shepard. Clear your head." He pushed off her and went to the edge, grabbing a bottle of water.

Rae stayed where she was and closed her eyes. She couldn't fail this. Her breathing slowed as she brought an image up. The sun was setting, throwing colors across the sky. All was quiet except for her breathing. Then a pressure squeezed her hand and lips caressed her cheek. 'You can do anything Rae.' His voice whispered into her ear and warmth filled her. She opened her eyes to find him watching, leaning against the wall and a smile ghosting over his lips. Rae got to her feet and turned back to the instructor. "I'm ready sir."

The man raised a brow but nodded. He put the water down and advanced without further notice. It was a dance, there is no other word for it. She ducked and dived away from every blow. The duo moved around the room, the motion never stopping. Then Rae spotted her opening. Grabbing his wrist she twisted and stepped around him. Her arm was locked around his neck, his arms locked behind his back, and she forced him to his knees.

"I give." He was just able to whisper and coughed when Rae release him. Smiling, he rose slowly to his feet. "That's more like it. I knew you had it in you."

He handed her a belt and raised his hand in salute. Rae snapped to attention and returned it. "Thank you sir."