Predestine 2 - Interruption

Title: Predestine - Chapter 2: Interruption
Author: xRebel666x
Game: Mass Effect
Characters/Pairing: Commander Maree Shepard (femShep) and (TBA later)

Chapter 2 – Interruption

  "You have got to be kidding me, Jenkins," Shepard easily dodged his punch, "I taught you better than this."

  "I know, I know!"

  "Give me some sort of a fight!"

  "I don't think I have it in me today," he pleaded, trying to retreat.

  "Oh no you don't," she threw her arm around him and placed him into a neck lock, "You cannot give up so easily. There is no place for deserters on the battlefield. You always have to give everything you've got… even when you have nothing left."

  The Corporal tried to wiggle his way out of her grip but to no avail. He proceeded to pull her arm away from his neck and only was able to when she loosened her tension, giving him an opening. Using every bit of energy left, he pulled forward and flipped the Commander onto the boxing arena floor.

  "Now that's more like it!" she gleamed as she lied on her back.

  "You were just thrown onto the ground…"

  "Only because I allowed you to."

  "…and you're smiling?"

  "Heck yeah!"

  "I don't understand why you enjoy fighting so much," Richard reached down and took Shepard's hand into his, pulling her back up onto her feet.

  "It's not the fighting I enjoy… it's the adrenaline it gives me. I strive for it!"

  He shook his head, "It must run in your family. I remember my granddad talking about your grandfather… saying how he was always at the front of the lines."

  "Sounds right," she smiled as she began unlatching her gloves, "Five minute break?"

  "I thought you would never ask!" Richard cried out.

  Maree threw her gloves into the duffel bag waiting in corner of the ring. She pulled off her protective headgear and freed her mane from the hair tie, shaking her long locks to flow without any restriction. Grabbing the water bottle propped against the bag, she took a good swig to keep her body hydrated.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a soldier coming up to the arena. The young officer looked like he was barely out of boot camp, even retained the clean shaven hair cut. He anxiously rubbed his hands together and couldn't bring his eyes to meet the Commander's.

  "Is there something I can help you with?" Maree asked with the rim of the water bottle barely touching her lips.

  "Um… are you Commander Shepard?" his voice crackled from the tension.

  "Yes. What's your name, soldier?"

  "Private Lance Yungston."

  "Well, Private, what can I do for you?"

  "I was just watching you brawling with the Corporal and was wondering if you could…" his tone got quieter and quieter.

  "You have to speak up, Private. Don't be afraid to assert yourself," she commanded, standing tall.

  "I'm sorry, ma'am. I was wondering if you two could show me and possibly some of my friends over some of your moves."

  She glanced over at Jenkins, "Are you down for some more rough and tumble?"

  "I think I might have another round in me," he grimaced.

  "That's the spirit!" her eyes glowed in delight, "Get your comrades, hell, grab a few others who are just standing around and I'll show you all a thing or two. I am always willing to help my fellow brothers and sisters in arms become better fighters… anything to give us the advantage in the battles to come. But give me a few minutes to rest up first."

  "Yes, ma'am!" he saluted, running off to gather as many as possible to learn from the master.

  A group of soldiers became huddling around the boxing ring, many of them eager to see the War Hero of the Blitz in action. Judging by some of the looks she was receiving, there were a few who were begging for their own chance to test their skills against her. As she began strapping her hands back up, she couldn't help but be pleased with the outcome. She was finally going to be able to help the other soldiers strive towards greatness.

  "Are we ready to start this?" she asked the crowd and they cheered.

  Shepard reached down into the duffel bag and grabbed her gloves when Cathleen Dominique burst through the doors. She ran up to the closest soldier and told them something that had them immediately directing their gaze towards the Commander. She proceeded to the next one and appeared to have shared the same information, again having the same effect. Whatever she was spreading around must have been intriguing…

  "Corporal Dominique, front and center," Shepard commanded the frantic officer, "What is so important that it has you running around the gymnasium hysterically and consequently caused me to briefly delay our training session?"

  "Well, it's just that the Spectre has been seen walking this way," the raven-haired woman stuttered, causing the marines around the arena to begin whispering amongst themselves.

  Maree rolled her eyes, "Damn it! I'm already sick of hearing about this Spectre."

  "But everyone wants to know. It's the big topic on the station right now," she attempted to justify her actions.

  "What is it with everyone and talking about this damn Spectre?"

  "Well," Jenkins was hesitant to proceed, "we all know they're here for you."

  Shepard shook her head in disgust, trying to ignore the eyes of her peers, "I want nothing to do with them."

  "That may be the case but… it doesn't stop us from believing in you. We all would love to see one of us being the first human Spectre and you're the best we have to offer."

  "I would rather fight this Spectre than join them," she sighed, making the mistake of saying it out loud.

  Immediately the crowd went into an uproar. They wanted to see the spectacle of a Spectre going up against one of the Alliance's finest. The gathering around the boxing arena quickly increased as more and more began insisted on Shepard's idea. She attempted to discourage them but they already had their hearts set.

  "They don't stand a chance against you, Shepard!" one marine pitched in.

  Another voiced his confidence in the War Hero of the Blitz by inciting, "Come on, Shepard! Confront this Spectre! Put them to the test!"

  "Don't tease me! I would love to put my skills up to the test against these so-called elite agents. Nothing is more satisfying than the adrenaline pumping through your veins when you are placed against a worthy opponent," her skin tingled at the mere thought of experiencing her favorite sensation.

  Richard gave his input, "You know it would be a good fight. A lot better than going up against someone like me…"

  "You're right, Corporal. Now I hope this Spectre shows up. Although… I doubt it would be much of a fight. They probably got all soft from the freedoms the Council bestows them," she scoffed, "Someone with that much freedom is nothing more than trouble."

  "Do it! Do it! Do it!" the soldiers began chanting, Jenkins and Dominique immediately pitched in their votes by joining in.

  "You know what, I will! Yeah! I'm making it known!" Shepard called out to the crowd, "I challenge this Spectre to a match! A testament to show which of us is better."

  The riled up audience around the boxing ring cheered, applauding the Commander's verbal agreement to test her strength against the Council's elite forces. Typically Maree steered clear of any sort of boasting but she couldn't resist basking in their cheering. She really knew how to motivate her fellow soldiers, be it on the battlefield or within the confines of the training barracks. Their eyes glowed as they she welcomed their praise by motioning for their continued recognition.

  "Challenge accepted," a voice bellowed loudly over the livid grouping.

  Suddenly everyone fell silent and directed their attention towards the mysterious contender. The only opposition came from a turian leaning confidently against the doorframe of the gymnasium. He was wearing casual black attire with red trimming and had an odd symbol on the sleeves, one that Shepard had never seen before. She immediately came to the conclusion that this had to be the Spectre everyone was talking about. There would be no other reason for him to challenge one of the Alliance's best hand-to-hand combatants.

  Without requiring an invitation, the Spectre proceeded towards the boxing ring to meet his competitor. There was a strut in his stride as if he predetermined the outcome of the match, he eyes already gloating in victory. The crowd parted ways to allow him passage to the arena. The turian stuck out like a sore thumb against the Alliance soldiers… he must have been the only alien on this human vessel.

  He cocked his head to the side and smugly grinned at the woman standing in the arena, "I hope you're ready for this."

  "I'm always ready," she moved aside for him to enter.

  "Hopefully you won't mind doing this with your bare hands. There aren't exactly any gloves for my type around here," he raised his hands to reveal their physical differences.

  "Doesn't bother me," she agreed and unwrapped her straps, "I prefer it this way."

  "What a coincidence, I do as well," he stood eagerly waiting her first move, his mandibles fluttering in excitement, "It's not too late to take back what you said."

  Maree laughed, "I never retract any of my statements."

  "Suit yourself. I'll show you how 'soft' I am."