a/n: Gah I started this thing countless times and it's still a piece of crap. Please excuse the jumpiness of this chapter. It was events I couldn't leave out but weren't large enough to make a full chapter. Genesis is almost over. But don't worry, the next chapter in Raegan's saga will begin shortly after. Trying to think of a title.

-brittsis

'Leave it alone or it'll scar.' Bodie cautioned.

Rae growled at her specter and scratched at the wound on her face despite his warning. She had spread medigel on it to quicken the healing and it now itched like crazy. She was in an extremely foul mood and was going to itch her itchy face. The civilians and wounded had been evacuated, leaving her with a small team of five soldiers. Rae closed her visor and lifted her shotgun up. She split their group into two teams and sent the other team to the east side of the colony. Her team went west and killed any Batarians they encountered. They smoked out several hold outs and slowly cut a chink in the Batarian line. Twice now they met up with the Alliance group, was updated on the status, and continued on their way. The Alliance was slowly winning, very slowly.

'You need to slow down.' Bodie cautioned as she pushed past her limits and threw another warp. Rae ignored him and pumped shot gun shells into the enemy. She jumped over their cover and landed right in the middle on the enemy's trench. There was a call of confusion as her boot kicked a head back, snapping the neck. Spinning on her feet, she slammed the butt of her gun into another head and fire it toward a third. On and on it went until the trench was filled with blood and dead bodies.

Rae climbed out and sat on the ground, emptying her canteen. Her squad mates looked at her in awe, both of their mouth a gap.

"Where did you learn that?" One asked and Rae only smirked.

"You don't learn it, you either have the courage to do it or you don't." Rae answered him and pulled an energy bar from her pocket, devouring it in three bites. Pushing off the ground, she ignored the exhaustion that pulled at her. She had to find him, even if it killed her.

'I won't do him any good if you die.' Bodie growled, trying to get her attention. She continued to ignore him though.

"Where to next ma'am?"

"We keep pushing into enemy camp." She lifted her gun and pushed on.

Elysium had been saved, the enemy pushed from it's soil. The Batarians fled one week after they landed, taking only a few hostages as their prize. Rae had pushed herself past her limits, killing everything that crossed her sights, but it hadn't been enough. Charles had been taken without any hint on where they were taking them. To make matters worse the Alliance was rewarding her, again. The Star of Terra, one of the highest rewards a soldier could be rewarded. She accepted the medal without a word though, remembering her Coach's words. Sometimes people just had to celebrate your accomplishments.

Rae adjusted her dress blues collar, wishing to be anywhere but the party. High ranking officials mingled around her, all wanting a word with the hero.

'You look fine, stop fusing.' Bodie waved at her uniform with a smile. 'You should be proud Rae. You saved a lot of people.'

"I saved everyone but the one that mattered." Rae whispered into her glass before taking a large gulp of whiskey.

'It wasn't your responsibility to watch his back. He was a Marine, just like you.'

Rae frowned, "He was a Marine that I loved."

"Funny how you don't realize what you have until its gone." Rae spun and ground Carole Freeman standing behind her. The woman was dressed in her dress uniform was well but Rae could see the grief that hung on the older woman.

Rae nodded, swallowing the lump that formed in her throat. "I'm sorry for your loss Captain Freeman. The Chief was a great soldier and he will be missed."

"Raegan Shepard, I thought we were past formalities." Carole took a step forward and wrapped the girl in her arms, hugging her tight. "You're like a daughter to me child and I always thought you and Charles…" She choked a sob at his name. "Don't leave me too. Do you hear me?"

Rae stood stiffly in the other woman's arms at first but softened. Her arms wrapped around Carole and returned the hug. "Do you remember the cadence we sang at graduation?"

Carole nodded and took a step back, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Marine corps motto is do or die." She spoke softly.

Rae nodded and attempted a smile that turned into more of a grimace. "As soon as medical releases me I'm going after them. I will get Charles back and those bastards will pay for attacking humanity."

Rae pounded her frustrations into the punching back. The Alliance hadn't given her a new posting yet, instead keeping her on earth for various publicity. She'd been invited to talk shows, brought before defense committees, and even spoke to elementary students during a rally. She was tired of the cameras and reporters tracking her down, asking question after question. Everyone wanted a piece of the War Hero. She couldn't even walk around base without someone drooling over her.

"Lieutenant Shepard?" Rae growled and turned, ready to take out her irritation.

"What do you want?" She pulled the tape off her hands and stuffed it in her gym bag.

The soldier handed a data pad over. "For your work on Elysium you've been selected for Interplanetary Combative Training."

"What?" Rae frowned, taking the data pad and scrolling through it.

The soldier sighed, "N-School Ma'am."

That caught Rae's attention. Only the best was selected for the training and only the best of the best graduated. With an N7 designation she could ask for any position in the Marines and be given it. She could finally track down the pirates and get the vengeance she craved.

"Do you accept?"

Rae looked up and grinned, her eyes flashing. "Yes, when do I start?"

N-school had reminded Rae of boot. It was challenging and instructional. Her instructors weren't nearly as friendly though. Everything was a test. Everything. One of the candidates had been dropped because he was too deep a sleeper. The instructors had snuck into their barracks and attempted to assassinate them. Rae had snapped awake when her "attacker" had stepped on the wrong floor board. She had launched from her bed, disabled the man, and slammed him against the wall, her own knife against his neck. The candidate that had been dropped hadn't reacted until the instructor had the knife pressed firmly against his neck.

Soon after that, they had a parachute shoved into their hands and were pushed from a shuttle. Rae had to quickly dawn her pack, while free falling, and deploy it before she died a horrible death. Three had been dropped that day, only alive because biotics had caught them before they hit the ground. Each day brought a new horror, a new test, and each day Rae pushed her limits and passed them. She rose though the ranks, graduating each course. It took her over two years but she finally gained the N6 and Lieutenant Commander rank. She was assigned a new squad and ship.

"Decontamination complete. Lieutenant Commander Shepard now boarding SSV Einstein under Captain Carole Freeman." The VI announced as the inner doors opened. Rae froze for a split second, having not known that Carole was in command on her new posting.

She pushed her uncertainty to back of her mind and stepped into CIC. The Captain was waiting for her, standing at ease with the other offices. Rae dropped her sea bag and snapped into attention, her hand going up in salute. "Lieutenant Commander Shepard reporting for duty."

Carole saluted her back before smiling. Holding out her hand, she took Rae's in a firm hand shake. "Welcome aboard Shepard."

Carole turned slightly and waved a man over. "Shepard, this is Major Kyle. He's the commanding officer of your unit. He'll show you to your quarters and introduce you to your squad."

"Thank you Captain. Major." Rae picked her bag up and followed the man through the many decks of the Carrier. The man hadn't said a word, so Rae decided not to break the silence. They finally stopped and the man waved at a door.

"You'll bunk here. Restrooms are two portholes that way and the mess is two decks up. If you have any problems getting around, just ask the VI."

Rae nodded, "Yes sir."

"You're a legend in some circles Shepard." The Major spoke slowly as he glared at her. "But I don't let gossip and heresy precede a person. Prove your worth on the field LC and you'll earn my respect. Understood?"

"Yes sir." Rae frowned but didn't argue with the man. "Am I dismissed sir?"

The Major nodded, "Debriefing is at thirteen hundred hours. The room is directly behind CIC. Don't be late."

Rae watched the man leave before entering the bunk room. There was eleven other bunks in the room, some of which were occupied by sleeping soldiers. She quietly went to the only turned down bunk and laid the mattress flat before unpacking. There was little to no space between the bunks but Rae was grateful for an actual mattress.

"Everyone I want you to meet squad five's new officer Lieutenant Commander Shepard." Carole spoke from the front of the room and motioned Rae to stand. Once she had done so Carole smiled, "Before the rumors start, yes she's a war hero. No, she's not in it for the fame. And lastly, she doesn't eat Batarian hearts for breakfast. Unless you picked up the habit in the last two years Shepard."

Rae grinned and shrugged her shoulders. "I heard it's an excellent source of iron. Besides, it's probably better than ship food."

That got everyone to chuckle and Rae sat down. Carole waited for everyone to calm down before continuing. "I bet you are all wondering where and what we'll be doing. Well ladies and gents we've been picked to lead a mission against the pirates that have plagued humanity."

Rae's heart clinched as the screen came alive behind Carole. A moon came into view then the satellite zoomed in to show movement on its surface. Figures moved about, carrying crates in and out of a cave.

"This is Torfan. Intel tells us that it's a pirate base. We'll be arriving in twenty-four hours and shutting them down." Carole grinned. "I think it's about time we gave the bastards a taste of their own medicine."

Plans of attack were made, roles were assigned, and fail safes were put in place. Rae was in charge of a squad of ten whose job was push through enemy lines and enter the cave. She was to search for any humans and rescue them to minimize casualties. Major Kyle was taking command of the other squads and attacking the base in a full frontal attack. He was to distract the enemy so that Rae and her squad could sneak inside. Once the civilians were safe, Rae was to turn around and attack the pirates from the rear. The debriefing ended with words of encouragement and everyone rose to leave.

"Shepard, just a moment please." Carole called out and Rae sat back down. When everyone left, Carole circled around her podium and sat besides her. "Raegan, it's been too long."

Rae offered her a small smile. "Sorry Carole but I wasn't given much chance to write in ICT."

Carole nodded in understanding and patted her shoulder. "I'm proud of you child and I'm sure Charles would be to. N6 is no easy feat."

"I want N7 Carole. Then I can use all of my power to find him. Who can deny me then? The War Hero of Elysium and the best damn Marine they have."

"It's been two years Raegan. He's probably.."

Rae stood from her chair and growled. "Then where's his body Carole? No, Batarians like to keep us alive. Make us their bitches."

"Is that any better than dead?" Carole sighed and rubbed her eyes. "He's my son Raegan, I've accepted long ago that I may never see him again. Why can't you?"

Rae turned back to her, "Because I'm the reason he's out there. I told him from the beginning that the people I care for get's hurt. He didn't believe me and because of that…" Rae shook her head, "No Carole. I have to find him. Whether it's his body or him is for the fates to decide."