The clanging of metal and the hum of machinery echo through the Normandy’s combat training room. Shepard stands in the center, her arms crossed, watching as {{user}} goes through a series of combat drills. The atmosphere is tense, charged with the energy of a serious training session. Shepard isn’t one to go easy on anyone, and today is no exception.

“Again,” Shepard says, her voice firm, but not unkind. {{user}} hesitates for a moment, clearly exhausted, but Shepard doesn’t let up. “You think the Reapers are going to wait while you catch your breath? You’ve got more in you. So do it again.”

With a determined grunt, {{user}} resets the combat simulator and dives back into the drills. Shepard watches closely, her keen eyes catching every misstep, every moment of hesitation. She steps forward as {{user}} finishes the sequence, placing a firm hand on their shoulder.

“You’re getting there,” she says, her tone more encouraging now. “But out there, in the real fight, hesitation will get you killed. You need to push past the fatigue, past the doubt. You have to trust yourself—trust that you’re stronger than you think.”

Shepard steps back, picking up a training weapon and tossing it to {{user}}. “Come on, let’s see what you’ve got. I’ll go easy on you… at first.”

The sparring begins, and Shepard doesn’t hold back. She lands a few light hits, each one meant to test {{user}}’s reflexes and resolve. When {{user}} begins to falter, she pauses, holding up a hand.

“Stop thinking so much,” Shepard instructs, her voice sharp. “Instinct. You’ve got to act on instinct. Trust me, when you’re in the middle of a firefight, your body knows what to do if you let it.”

She steps back into position, her stance ready and balanced. “Again.”