Chapter 8: N8 – part 1

A few years later, Jane has adjusted to living on Shaanxi:2 full time. At the moment, she's in the queue at Gringotts waiting to get some money out.

"Jane! How are you today?"

Jane turns around to face the person talking to her, "I'm doing well Mrs Fizzlepup, how are you?"

Mrs Fizzlepup waves her hand, "Oh, you know, rushed off my feet with five kids."

Jane laughs, "You know as well as I do that you love it, otherwise you'd have your tenants look after their own children."

Mrs Fizzlepup shrugs, "What can I say, it pays the bills. Especially now we have those new omni-tools. Can you believe it took the Alliance so long to create ones that can be used here?"

Jane nods as she moves forward a spot, "I can, as mum got me into the testing group. Let me tell you, having your tool just give out and die because you walked past a cab, or someone cast a spell near you."

Mrs Fizzlepup laughs, "I can't imagine. But that's what I love about you, well that and the fact that I never have to worry about a suit failure. You really must come round for tea again some time."

Jane laughs, "I'd love to, but I'm not sure I could handle cleaning the crayon off my faceplate afterwards."

Mrs Fizzlepup shakes her head, "The kids have grown up some since then. How have your studies been going? Your exams should be soon."

Jane nods, "They finished last week, I'm just waiting for my results."

Mrs Fizzlepup shakes her head again, "You'd think they could give the results out on the day, what with all the technology available now."

"Unless you're taking your exams in a school, they have a range of dates you can take your exams in. The results don't come back until two days after the closing date. I've also done my Citadel exams too, so that's a second set I'm waiting for."

Mrs Fizzlepup puts her hand on Jane's arm, "Jane, you really should spend more time socialising with people your own age, rather than studying so much." Jane looks away, "Are they still causing you problems because you wear one of the Quarian suits?"

Jane shrugs, "It's nothing I can't handle."

"Deary, it's nothing you should need to handle. I know it's a poor consolation, but they will be the ones that look at you enviously in the future when you succeed where they're languishing. All because of your willingness to accommodate others needs."

Jane laughs, "It's not that. These suits are really comfortable, but you can't wear them for a week after you take them off. I don't like UTI's so much that I'm willing to take it off just to put it on again when I need to go shopping, or mum comes home early."

Mrs Fizzlepup hums, "Maybe I should think about investing in one then."

Jane shakes her head as she turns around to approach the counter, "Not if you want more children, as you'd need to take it off for that sort of sex. I'll see you around sometime."

Mrs Fizzlepup laughs, "Cheeky, I'll have you know I have enough of my own already."

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Jane struggles just after she's walked into the N-cadets hall. Surrounding her are the other cadets, with three of them holding her arms and chest from behind. In front of her McDavis sneers, "Hello suit rat. We thought you might be getting hot in your suit, so we put together something to cool you down."

Jane tries to call out to the instructors as McDavis hooks a finger under her neckband and pulls it out to make a gap. Then he pours a mixture of icecubes, crushed chili peppers, and some sort of ointment down the gap.

"At-ten-tion!"

At the shout from the instructor, Jane is quickly released as everyone rushes to fall in. As they do, Jane fishes her faceplate out of her pouch and puts it on as she takes her own position at the front of the formation while she struggles to not squirm. While she's waiting for permission to stand at ease, she uses her fingers and eyes to discreetly activate the self-cleaning function of the suit.

As the instructor walks back and forth through the rows calling out all of the uniform mistakes, she holds back a sigh of relief as the ice is absorbed by the suit.

Finally, the instructor reaches the front and looks her up and down, "Good effort, try not to get involved in horse play before inspection in future." Turning away from the troop, the instructor calls "At ease!"

Rather than the single step of a trained unit, the sound is more akin to the pattering of feet. Regardless, by the time the instructor has turned around, everyone is standing at ease. Though Jane is trying to fight off the feeling of the capsaicin and menthol that is starting to make itself known, even though the oils are already starting to be broken down by the suit.

The instructor smiles broadly, "For our new recruits, welcome to the troop. We'll go over the different manoeuvres over your time here. For our older recruits, I will remind you that Hazing is frowned upon when it impacts the health and wellbeing of your troop members. Each and every one of you has joined because you wish to join the N-series troops. Statistically, N-cadet members are more likely to have their applications accepted than non-members. The same is true of the S-cadets hoping to join the Navy as crewmen. Part of that is because you get tasters of what life is like as an enlisted. As our veteran members know, every year after exams we have a two standard week exercise where we work hand in hand with an existing unit."

The instructor pauses as there are a couple of muted cheers from older members behind Jane. "This year, we have a real treat for you. We are going to join the SAAS Lily on a tour of Alliance colonies, culminating in a visit to the academy on Earth." Jane can't help smiling at the sound of the groans from behind her, and her smile grows wider as the instructor looks at her as he continues, "To that end you have all been assigned an I4 suit for shipboard and groundside use, you will not be allowed out of quarantine without the suit sealed and locked, it will not be unlocked until you are back in quarantine. Of course, if you have your own I5 suit you don't need to worry about the I4. Everyone, fall out and get changed, you have 30 minutes before we leave."

As the other members of her troop head to the changing rooms to get into their assigned suits, Jane simply raises her arm and starts her suit diagnostics on her omni-tool.

As they're waiting for the others to return, the instructor walks forward and pulls a scroll out of his pouch, "Cadet Shepherd, let me be the first to congratulate you on being accepted to the officers track."

Jane's eyes widen in surprise as she reaches out for the scroll, "Thank you sir!"

The instructor shakes his head, "Don't thank me. Just do your best and become someone I'll be saluting one day."

While they're waiting, an officer in an I4 suit walks in, and looks Jane up and down approvingly, "Cadet Shepherd, I've heard good things about you. I'm Captain Kellow of the SAAS Lily, while we're shipboard you'll be taking on the role of Sargent for your troop."

Jane comes to attention and throws a crisp salute, "Yes Sir! Thank you Sir!"

The captain laughs, "Relax, you're not enlisted yet, but I understand you're on the officer track." When Jane nods the captain nods, "I'll inform Sub-Lt Hankerson that you are to be included in officer briefings then. She will be your troop's officer for the trip. We will be running readiness and emergency evacuation drills while we're in transit between planets, so you'll be expected to be ready at a moments notice." He looks her up and down, "Not that I think that will be a problem for you. You'll also be in charge of the troop's purse, they will each receive 1 galleon when they're allowed planet-side. It will be down to you to hand that out, and ensure that the younger troop members don't have it taken by the older members."

Jane swallows hard, "How am I supposed to ensure that Sir, as a few of the troop don't respect me."

The captain nods approvingly, "To start with, chaperone the younger troop members, and possibly give them their money separately. If you cannot prevent the theft without force of arms, record the event and submit it to Sub-Lt Hankerson. We will also ensure that you have a little extra money so that the children aren't left out."

As the first of the troop start to file out wearing their L4 suits, the captain switches over to more casual conversation. Such as why she's chosen the N-track.

Even so, she can't help smiling when McDavis grumbles, "Lucky bitch, why does she get away with not getting changed."

When the instructor shouts, "McDavis, is there something you'd like to share with the troop?"

McDavis shouts, "No Sir!"

"Faceplate on and 10 laps around the hall, then give me 20 for swearing in front of an officer. Go!"

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Another few years later, and newly commissioned 2nd Lt Jane Shepherd marches into the briefing room for her troop. The rigorous training that she's been put through has honed her physique into perfect shape.

At the doorway, Jane stops abruptly as her gaze casts over the room at the soldiers lounging around dressed in fatigues and t-shirt as they lounge on the seats. With a sense of dismay, her eyes pick out her sergeant's pips on the shoulder of a man jawing with one of the female soldiers.

Breathing in deeply, Jane pulls on her training and, using her parade ground voice, calls out, "Attention!"

Apart from one unfortunate soldier, who slipped off his chair, the rest of them smoothly stand out of their chairs, at attention. The Sergeant smartly walks over to stand beside the podium. "All member accounted for Sir! Ma'am!"

Jane nods, "At ease. Sergeant, why are my men dressed for shore-side duty?"

One of the troops at the back mutters, "'s not like we're ever going to get anything else."

Jane's head snaps over to the unfortunate private, "What was that Private?"

The soldier shakes his head, "Nothing Sir!"

Jane sighs and lifts up her omni-tool, and replays the last 20 seconds of conversation while she walks over to the podium, "It certainly doesn't sound like nothing." Turning to face the room, Jane places both hands on the podium and leans forward against it, "Understand this soldiers. We are members of the PS-N corps, not just the N corps. We do not get the luxury of magical support in our troop. Instead, we can be deployed anywhere at anytime. We may be required to assist in one of the other realms, do a patrol on a turian vessel, do a patrol on a relay equipped Alliance ship, or even do a tour on a dive ship. Until you leave this room, You, Do, Not, Know where you will be going. While I am your commanding officer, you will eat, sleep, shit, and play in your isolation suits. You will be ready to go on any mission at the drop of a hat. Do you understand me?!"

In front of her, the troop all shout back, "Sir! Yes Sir!"

Jane nods, "Go and get changed, meet back here in 30 minutes."

As her troop jogs out of the door, Jane muses that the private was indeed correct, if you look at the history of the PS-N troops. What he almost certainly doesn't know is that historically, PS-N troops score abysmally on response times, and they have far higher incidents of infection compared to the rest of the Navy.

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As Jane watches a timer on her omni-tool count down to zero, the last of her troop stumbles through the door with one arm trying to find the armhole in her suit. Ignoring the struggling private, Jane walks back to the podium, taking long enough for the final adjustments to be finished.

Once she reaches the podium she glances over at them with a practiced eye, "Good enough, at ease everyone. If you haven't already blood bound your suit, do so tonight and it will resize to fit you precisely. You shouldn't need to strip to do that, just take it down to your waist." Her gaze roams over the room, "I can see that many of you are squirming on your seats. If you have somehow managed to avoid wearing an I5 suit before, let me assure you that the discomfort will go away in a few days. Also, unless you like the feeling of burning water, remember that when you take your suit off, it takes one week to sterilise itself. While you are on the Alliances knut, I expect you to be living in your suites 24/7. Do you understand?" At the called 'yes sir' she continues, "Remember, these suits are designed to be lived in, not just put on when needed. That means they have lots of quality of life additions built in. Read the manual, I don't care if you each take a chapter and then share what you learn, just read the manual."

Once her troop has absorbed that, Jane nods, "You have permission to remove your face plates."

Jane ignores the sighs of relief from most of the troop, including her sergeant, as she pulls up the assignment on the overhead projector.

"Our first outing is a six month tour on the SAAS Agincourt. We will be staying in general population along with a troop from the N corps. That means you'll need to get used to wearing your face plates on ship. We will have a small cabinet assigned to us, but it will be inside a de-con room, so I expect you to try to keep usage to personal liaisons and when you're really craving textures. Our job will be to provide initial contact for non-alliance colonies that we visit, so hopefully we will have plenty of time groundside. Additionally, there will be a second PS-N troop, along with a second N troop that we won't be sharing quarters with." After a few seconds of silence she asks, "Any questions?"

One of the troops in the second row raises their hand, "How are we supposed to manage personal liaisons in the suits?"

Jane laughs good naturedly, "Typical meathead. I'm sure that you're all aware of the fact the suits have full tactile feedback. They also come with entertainment options installed. Including the ability to link two suits together. It's in the manual, so read and enjoy." Sure that she's just provided many of her soldiers ample incentive to read the manual, she again asks, "Any other questions?"

Another soldier raises their hand, a woman this time, "How do we deal with that..." she points at her crotch.

Jane nods, "I assume that you're not on an implant. Well, the good news is we don't. The suit does it all for us and ejects the waste when we use the toilet. One of many reasons why I've lived in my suite for so long." She looks over as another woman raises their hand, "Yes?"

"How long have you been wearing your suit?"

Jane lifts her omni-tool and activates an app, "Excluding mandated time out of my suit for maintenance and inspection, around three years non-stop. Mainly because it's an absolute pain not being able to shop in Shaanxi:3 and 4 as the markup on 2 is horrendous. On top of that, PS-N issue armour has been adapted to use I4 or I5 suits rather than a body sleeve. On top of that, I5 face plates all have impervious and unbreakable runes on them, so that they never impede your vision, and can't be broken by shrapnel. But that only works if you've blooded your suit. Yes?" Jane points at a soldier on the back row.

"How do you handle eating?"

Jane nods in remembrance of her early days, "Fries and carrot sticks are goddess sent, as they're all small enough to easily pass through the input port. For everything else, like fish and chicken fries, it takes practice. Either that, or I remind myself that 20th century astronauts had to eat all their food pureed, so I should count myself lucky that we can eat some stuff. Yes?"

"What can we expect on ship?"

Jane nods approvingly, "I requested bunks in general quarters deliberately. Statistics show that the primary reason why PS-N troops get relegated to chump duty is that we're not seen as a real part of the navy. I intend for us to show that this just isn't true. Expect to be called names and be jeered at by any other PS-N troops, but remember, we are the ones that are going to be part of ship life. Try to make friends, and don't start anything. But by the goddesses, make sure you're the one that ends it. Beyond that, it should be just like training, except in a suit." Jane lifts her moke-skin pouch from her hip, "If you can afford it, buy an expanded pouch like this, or a cheaper model, and keep your face plate in it any time you're not wearing it. If you can do that, you're action time will be very similar to the regular N corps. Finally, do not take your faceplate off shipside unless you are in our cabinet. Unlike I4 suits, yours are not locked in place. If you do, you will be brought up on charges of attempted murder of Alliance personnel. I do not want to see any of you in that position." In a gentler tone she continues, "If you're getting claustrophobic, let me know before you go and see a healer. They can help. Just don't go into the cabinet just to take your mask off, it might seem like it doesn't matter. But it will only make matters worse in the long term. Especially if we get an extended duty planetside without access to a cabinet. Anyone else?"

One of the men in the back row calls, "Are you free for dinner tonight?"

As the rest of the troop laugh, Jane responds, "Sorry, but not interested. Everyone, get your kit together, we're boarding in an hour."

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Over the next month, Jane signs her troop up for every single exercise available during transit from one planet to the next. From war games, with one troop being a boarding party while the others need to scramble to repel boarders, to time on the shipboard range using the faceplate HUD rather than the over eye reticule they trained with, to blindfolded tear down and rebuild of their weapons.

Initially, this attracts the attention of the standard N-series troops, and her own troop is jeered at, good naturedly, for having poor performances. However, over the month that changes from jeering to friendly rivalry as her own soldiers gain familiarity with the changes the suits bring.

At each planetary stop, each troop is allowed to run readiness drills with the drop ships. Something that Jane takes ruthless advantage of.

True to form, the other PS-N troop lives in the quarantine quarters, and gives Jane's troop a frosty welcome whenever they try to visit, suit rat being one of the tamer names they use. As a result, it doesn't take long for her own troop to find more commonality between themselves and the standard troops than they do with the PS-N troop.

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Six weeks after they departed Shaanxi, PS-N 2nd Lt Shepherd nervously waits beside PS-N Lt Calker, who is wearing an I4 suit, at dropship 2. At the other end of the corridor she can see the commanding officers of the N troops waiting nervously for the same reason. This is both a test of readiness and bragging rights in the officer's mess, as only two troops can go groundside at the same time for this mission.

As the pounding of feet echoes on the metal deck, Jane holds her breath, before letting it out when the troop turns away from her to the N-series commanding officers. Not a minute later, and she tenses once more as the pounding of feet comes closer once more. When she sees her troop turn towards her, she holds in her whoop of triumph.

As the last of her troop are filing into the dropship, the sound of jogging feet comes down the corridor once more. Quickly throwing the Lt a salute, she ducks down and hits the door close button before the troop comes into view.

After walking to the cockpit door, Jane grabs a handhold and activates her armour's magnetic boots as she faces her troop, "Well done everyone, you were only 60 seconds slower than Charlies Angels, and you beat out Franks Fists. Next time I want us to be within 10 seconds of the winner, unless it's us."

Jane waits a moment for the cheers to subside, "This is a routine hearts and minds mission on Intai'sei. As we have no reported issues on the ground, we're going to do a run around the settlements on Intai'sei:2 over the next week. Then our return journey will be through Intai'sei:3 for a four day trip back. Charlies Angels will be doing the same thing on Intai'sei:4, before covering the other half of Intai'sei:3.

"Despite this being a unified colony, we are going to be staying groundside overnight, along with our pilot, Lt Al-Wali, and his co-pilot Leading Hand Pernet. Let's make them welcome during downtime. Remember that we have no decon cabinet with us, so you're going to be in facemasks full time. The Captain will be checking our suit records when we return, so don't make me a liar when I said you could be trusted with this. Any questions?"

When nobody says anything, Jane nods, "Your omni-tools are above your heads. Fit them to your armour and join the local and troop tac-net."

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As their dropship touches down on Intai'sai:2, Jane walks out of the rear door to meet Cpt Charlie of Charlies Angels.

As she gets within conversation distance, Charlie nods at her. "Well, if it isn't the Shepherd. I see you've got your dogs well trained."

Jane raises a hand to her visor and groans, "How long have you been sitting on that one sir?"

Charlie laughs good naturedly, "I had it filed in the system as soon as you beat out Lt Frank's troop. Congratulations, your troop is now known by the callsign Shepherd's Dogs, headed by 2nd Lt Shepherd."

Jane sighs, "Dare I ask what our callsign would've been if we didn't beat them?"

"Shepherd's sheep."

Jane shakes her head with a groan. "I'll let the troop know. Are there any surprises to be aware of?"

Charlie shakes his head, "Nope, intel says that it's just a monthly visit, so they know we're looking out for them."

Just before she turns away, Jane asks, "Dare I ask how much we beat Lt Calker's troop by?"

Charlie laughs, "Frank said the Sloth's turned up 10 minutes after you left."

Jane's hand meets her visor again, "Don't they do the drills?"

Charlie shakes his head, "They do, but they have to go through de-con to get to their armour. Something I note the dogs have avoided. You're dismissed 2nd Lt."

Jane throws a salute and returns to the dropship. Returning to her position by the cabin door, Jane turns back to her troop. "Well done everyone, we've just been saddled with our callsign. You are now Shepherd's Dogs." Groans echo throughout the cabin as she continues regardless, "It could have been worse. The second choice was Shepherd's Sheep, which we'd have got if you were only a few seconds slower." The groans turn into choked laughter.

"Anyway, Captain Charlie said that the Sloths arrived 10 minutes after we left, so well done everyone. Lt Al-Wali, we are at your pleasure."

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Over the next 11 days the dropship takes off and lands at each of the planets various towns and villages.

At each one the troop piles out of the dropship to show the flag and help with anything that just requires more bodies rather than specific skills. In the evenings they either join the locals in the local drinking place, or they set up a campfire and trade stories with the pilots.

On the whole, it is a thoroughly boring patrol, just how the brass like it. It also sets the tone for the entire tour through Alliance space. As they reach the furthest point of the patrol the Agincourt begins the return journey through the Skyllian Verge, where the Citadel Council have granted the independent humans settlement rights.

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Jane walks off the dropship on Mindor and looks around the new spaceport with misty eyes and a stoic expression. As the Dogs are the first ones groundside she barks a command, "Sarge, take a squad to the control tower and see if there's anything they need help with. Toots, check our supplies, Rodrigues organise a perimeter."

As the second dropship is coming into land, Jane's omnitool pings as Sarge sends an up to date map of the planet, with all the current settlements on it.

As she's going over the information on the map, Cpt Charlie marches over in an I4 suit, "Sitrep Lt."

Jane snaps to attention and gives a salute, before raising her omni-tool and activating a hologram of the planet, "Yes sir! This planet has no life shield, so large bore shipboard aether weapons are contraindicated. The colony still hasn't fully recovered from the slave raid 8 years ago, though the town and surrounding villages and claims have bounced back. Environmentals show that all N & S-series personnel are required to wear at least an I3 suit, I4 or better if they are to be deployed for longer than a few hours. We have no amber or red reports on planet, so this is a hearts and minds mission."

Charlie nods from behind his faceplate, "Well done Lt, at ease."

Jane relaxes, "Permission to speak freely sir."

Charlie waves his hand, "Granted."

"What took you?"

Charlie plucks at his suit under the armour, "These damn suits, and then finding the armour to go with them. We're going to have to practice this more, as I don't want to be caught like this in an emergency."

Jane nods, "Do the I4's still use nappies?"

Charlie grimaces, "They do. Well, there's nothing for it. We'll head north and then circle west, you head south and circle east. After two days we'll switch with the Sloths and Fists to give them experience being groundside."

Jane nods, "Yes sir, I trust we have Mindor to patrol first."

Charlie claps her on the shoulder good naturedly, "First come first served. I'll take the Angels to our first stop."

As the captain's dropship takes off, Jane activates her troop comm, "Shepherd's Dogs, we are mask free. Rodrigues, Toots, McGill, Sarge, you're all squad leaders, take your pick and spread out. Hearts and Minds, people. Meet back here in three hours, Mark."

Jane wanders out into the town square and looks around at the rebuilt barracks and school, and the buildings that now stand where the bakery, general store, and other shops used to be.

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A couple of days later, once her troop are shipboard once more, Jane looks up as Cpt Charlie walks into the officers' mess in an I5 suit.

"Captain, this is a surprise."

Charlie shifts uncomfortably as he takes his seat, "Lt. How can you stand to wear theses damn suits all the time?"

Jane smiles through her faceplate, "The first thing to do is blood the suit so that it fits perfectly. Then put up with the discomfort for a few days while the tubes settle, and you won't even notice them anymore. What's made you try one?"

Charlie growls, "It was my 2ic's idea. Her nappy overflowed groundside as she doesn't have an implant. There was nothing we could do while we were there though. That and your dogs showed us up so badly the Captain of the Agincourt suggested our callsign should be changed. None of us were happy with any of the suggestions bandied around on the bridge, Charley's horses being the front runner."

Jane nods in understanding, "I get it sir, I really do. Just make sure to read the manual and practice your drills like we did. Oh, and don't take the suit off unless you have a week spare, or you like having a UTI. As that's how long it takes the suit to sterilise itself. The I4's are great for the occasional trip, and an overnight stay or two. But their maximum wearable time is seven days."

Charlie groans, "How the hell am I supposed to use the facilities in this thing anyway."

Jane chuckles softly, "The same way you normally would. Though I'd suggest sitting down, so that your waist management port can activate. That way you won't be caught with a full reservoir when you really need it."

Charlie puts his head in his hands in embarrassment, "My god, you're young enough to be my daughter, and I'm asking you for potty advice."

Jane puts the back of her hand on Charlie's hand, "Have Sgt Hawkings talk to Toots in my troop, as she suffers from heavy periods too."

Charlie stands up and walks to the door, "I'll pass on your advice Lt, but I'm going to leave before I find out more stuff I don't want to know."