a/n: Blame Diablo III. That game is seriously addicting. Just a warning. Lots of time skips ahead for the next couple of chapters. I don't plan on writing every little moment just the important ones. Also on mature content. I know the story is currently rated T but if things get serious, not saying they will, would you prefer I stay T and use fade to black or switch to M? I don't want to lose my readers so, if things to happen either way, there will be warnings. Just wanted your opinion on what you guys wanted.
-brittsis
Even though they were Marines they still had a couple days left of boot. There was family day, the final inspection, and graduation. They were in the barracks now, working on putting ribbons and patches on their dress uniform. They had final inspection today as well as their graduation pictures. Rae lined her new rank patches on her sleeve before pressing the iron to it. The glue melted instantly, not taking long to adhere to the fabric. She removed the iron and passed it onto the next Marine before returning to her bunk. She still had to polish all the buttons, place her qualification bar, and her Marine insignia.
"Corporal Shepard, report to Senior Drill Instructor Holland's office!" The order came over the speaker system. Rae hung her jacket then hurried out. She knocked on the office door and awaited summons before entering. She stood at attention and saluted Holland.
"At ease soldier. Have a seat." The woman waved toward one of the chairs that sat across from her. Rae nodded and settled into the chair, keeping her back straight. Holland smiled then slid a blue velvet box across her desk. "This arrived for you today with a letter of explanation from Commander David Anderson."
Rae picked the box up and opened it to reveal her medal of valor.
"He explains that you earned that medal a couple years back for services for the Alliance." Holland sat forward, her elbows resting on her desk and fingers laced together. "This is a story I would like to hear."
"There's not much to tell sir." Rae spoke softly and closed the lid, placing the box on her lap.
"Entertain me anyways. Let's say curiosity killed the cat."
Rae smiled slightly then took a deep breath. "I'm sure my files tell you how I was born and raised on Mindoir. " Rae waited until Holland nodded before continuing. "Remember when the SSV Gravely crashed on the planet?"
Holland frowned, "That was about four years ago. You'd have been fourteen or fifteen then."
Rae nodded, "Fourteen sir. I was at the port when the Gravely landed. My brother was on board and I couldn't just stand around and wait. I ran into the burning mass of metal looking for him. I didn't find him in time, he died in engineering, a piece of metal through his chest. I did save several other soldiers, dragged them to safety on a loose piece of metal and wiring."
"That took a lot of courage."
"I was being foolish sir. I ran in without a plan. My ankle was broke, I was concussed and various other injuries. The price for my foolishness was my brother's life and my family's love." Rae stood from her chair and begun to pace. She felt like she was back at the academy being questioned by the shrink that was forced on her. "Is there anything else sir?"
"Yes," Holland opened a draw and took out a folder. Opening it, she pulled some papers out and read out loud. "Shepard, Raegan Cyrene age sixteen female. Civilian fought against Batarian invaders, rounding up civilians in town hall. Civilian then contacted Commander Anderson with distress call via extranet video call. Alliance mobilized with eta of seventy hours. Despite shoulder injury, Shepard infiltrated enemy base, commandeered explosives, and blew enemy bunker providing Alliance with needed distraction to break enemy lines." Holland looked up from the paper. "I'm sure I don't need the rest of the report. It notes here that you were also recommended for a second medal of valor but you refused."
"I couldn't accept for Mindoir, I fail so many. To many." Rae growled, her fists clenching and unclenching.
"Shepard, I also have here four letters of recommendation for Officer Candidacy. You only need one more to get it." Holland stood from her desk and circled around to stand in front of her. "I've read the reports and I've watched you here at boot. You're a natural leader Shepard. People mass behind you and look to you for guidance. But before I give you that final letter, why do you want to be a Marine?"
Rae stopped and looked at Holland, "My brother Special Engineer Brandon Shepard. I want the Shepard name to be a beacon, for people to hear it and know I'm fighting for their freedom. My brother wanted to help people, I want to save people. I know I can't save them all, my shrink covered that over and over. But I can and will save some of them. I will fight until I die a warriors death on the field defending humanities freedoms."
Holland smiled then, "You know what this means don't you?" She returned to her desk and added a new paper to the folder.
Rae shook her head, "No sir."
"This means another twenty-six weeks of training." Holland laughed at Rae's face suddenly turning sour. "Don't look to sad Shepard. After your leave you'll start your work on becoming and officer in the Alliance Marines. Dismissed Shepard."
They were all dressed in their service uniforms marching toward an airplane hanger. They could hear music as a band played cadence inside, entertaining the guests inside. Rae led the march, her voice yelling loud and clear. "My mama can't you see!" The squad behind her repeated the line.
"What this Corps has done for me!" She called again as they entered the hanger. The squad repeated, their voices echoing in the woods.
"Put me in a barber chair;" The cheering started from the stands.
"Snip snap and I had no hair. And if I die in a combat zone. Box me up and ship me home!" They were all in the hanger. They rehearsed this the day before, deciding to give the families a show. They continued with they drill, doing it without command.
"Put me in a set of dress blues, Comb my hair and shine my shoes! Pin my medals upon my chest! Tell my mama I did my best!" They all turned to the crowd, hands up in a salute.
"My mama don't you cry; Marine Corps motto is do or die." Their voiced echoed through the hanger as they went to parade rest. Rae marched to the front and did an about face to face the crowd. "Corporal Shepard presenting Marine Squad Alpha Six Eight One."
She turned back to her squad. "Platoons Sound off!"
Merchant, Washington, and Freeman all called their Platoons to attention.
"Platoons, by orders of Senior Instructor Holland you are dismissed for ten hours of rec time with your family. Report at eighteen hundred for dinner in the mess." She saluted them. "Marines dismiss."
"Sir yes sir!" They called out before breaking rank to find their families. Even the ones from Earth's darkest streets had "cousins" visiting them. Rae went to the entrance and watched the reunion with a sad smile on her face. She was happy for them but jealous at the same time.
'I've been here the entire time Rae.' Bodie spoke up besides her, watching the madness.
"I know," Rae spoke softly before turning to leave. "But it's not the same."
Rae had retired to the barracks common room. She knew the squad would show up there sooner or later to show their families, but she had the building to herself for now. She had found an old strategy game in the cupboard and was playing against the VI. She rubbed her hands together as she calculated the possible locations of her enemy's resources. She studied the board intently, emerald eyes darting from one side to the other as she searched for a weakness. "D-five." She spoke and listened to the sound effects only to receive a buzzer in denial. Cursing, Rae watched the VI hit her submarine for the second time. She was for sure the damn thing's patrol boat would've been lurking in that area. It was the only ship the VI had left and Rae couldn't find it.
"Shepard." Rae jumped up, went into attention, and was halfway to saluting before she realized it was Charles that called her name. She had assumed it was one of the DI's and weeks of drill had instituted a quick response.
He smiled at her and waved a grey haired woman closer. "Shepard I want you to meet my mother, Captain Carole Freeman. Mom, this is Corporal Raegan Shepard."
Rae went to salute her only to have the woman wave her off and offer a hand instead. "None of that child. Am I in uniform? No? Then I'm just Carole."
Rae smiled at her and shook her hand. "Then I insist you call me Rae."
"You're not how I imagined you. My boy usually goes for the ditsy ones." She chuckled while Charles sputtered.
Rae felt the blush coming and took a deep breath trying to keep it at bay. "Thank you… I think."
"Mother.." Charles growled under his breath only to have to woman cuff his ear.
"Don't you take that tone with me boy. I'm still your mother, Marine or no Marine." Carole turned back to Rae and offered her a smile. "So Rae why you cooped up in here? No family?"
Rae shook her head. "I lost them all in Mindoir."
"You're that Raegan Shepard! I heard what you did child and let me say what a true honor it is to meet you. You saved a lot of lives that day child, my husband's included. He was on the ground team when the bunker blew, giving his team a much needed break. Thank you so much." The woman rushed forward and hugged her, tears in her eyes.
Rae looked to Charles for help only to receive a puzzled look. He shook himself from his stupor and stepped forward to peel his mother off her. Carole wiped her cheeks and offered a small smile. "I'm so sorry. I just get so overwhelmed lately. I'm getting old."
"More experienced I would say," Rae straightened her uniform and smiled back, still a little overwhelmed. She'd been thanked before but never with so much emotion before.
Carole let out a short laugh. "Rae I insist you join my boy and me for family day."
"I wouldn't want…." Rae stopped at Carole's look, knowing there was no winning the argument. "Yes ma'am, just let me put this game away."
"I'm going to show mom the bunks and we'll grab you on the way back." Charles nodded at her, taking his mother's arm.
Rae turned back to her game. "B-ten." She was awarded with a chime and half of her opponent's boat. She grinned and packed the game away.
Ten glorious days of leisure lay ahead of her. Ten days have having no commitment and no promises. At least that had been the plan. Carole Freeman had insisted she stay with them in the family's vacation home in Florida. They had a small two bedroom on the coast in the southern part of the state. Charles had been sent to the den to sleep on the pull out while Rae had been given his room. She had protested but Carole was a hard woman to argue with. Rae now stood on the porch, watching the sun rise. Leaning against the railing she took a deep breath and considered going for a run.
"I tried telling myself that we could sleep in, but my body told me to get up before the DI's came in and started yelling." Charles laughed behind her when he emerged from the house.
Rae turned and smiled at him. "I was laying in bed for an hour telling myself the same thing when I finally came out."
He walked over besides her, leaning against the railing as well. "I'm sorry for my mother, she can be a very stubborn woman when she set her mind to something."
"It's okay Free… Charles." She turned back to the sunrise and sighed.
Charles grinned at her, teeth flashing and eyes sparkling in amusement. He moved closer, surrounding her body with his. Hands were locked on the railing as he looked into her eyes. "Now isn't this every Marine's fantasy. A beautiful woman all to himself. The beach a few feet away and she's wearing nothing but regulation t-shirt and boxers."
Rae chuckled and put her hand on his chest, pushing him back a step. "What you don't want your woman wearing a small black teddy with sex tussled hair?"
He shook his head and grabbed her hands, pulling them up to his lips. "Why would I? When I can have myself a woman that can throw me over her shoulders and carry me off to bed?" He chuckled softly as he brushed his lips against her knuckles. "I want you Raegan. I have since you sat across me at mess."
"Charles…" She warned him, ignoring the chill that ran down her spine at his words. Pulling from his grasp, she retreated to the other side of the porch. She hugged herself around the middle, trying to hold back the memories that hung on the fringes of her mind. "People that care for me get hurt remember?"
He walked over and hugged her from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder. "And I'm a Marine remember. I'm a hard son of a bitch to kill." He sighed as she stood rigid in his arms. "Look, we'll watch the sun rise, grab some breakfast, then head into town so you can get some clothes. Unless you want to wear your uniform or PT gear for your entire leave."
Rae shook he head and tried to relax. "Okay but you're cooking.