Thanks to Knightphoenix2 for the idea.

Hong Kong,

2025 January

Naomi has been working for the PPDC for one month. She liked to live in the Shatterdome, until the day when an old acquaintance appeared from the past. Although she liked Raleigh Becket, his appearance tore painful wounds in her soul, because he reminded her of Yancy. But there was nothing to be done; she had to face Raleigh, because she owed him something.

After Raleigh' amazement they were talking like two old friends.

„So, how did you get in the Shatterdome, Naomi?"

„I wrote an article about the Jaeger Program last November. It spread all over the whole world and became a great success. After that Mr. Pentecost looked me up and offered a job. I couldn't say no. Since that time I've been working at the Public Relations Department as a journalist.

„Do you like it and the life in the Shatterdome?"

„Yes. I've been getting to know lots of new people and the work is interesting. But the truth is an old friend from the Icebox, who was a ranger formerly, helped me to find my place here," she smiled secretly.

„An old friend from the Icebox, who used to be a ranger…" Raleigh thought aloud. "Is he Zeke Amarok?"

„Exactly."

„Is Zeke here? I don't catch it. Pentecost said, I'm the only living pilot who is able to handle a mark 3 Jaeger," Raleigh raised his eyebrows in question.

„Oh, Rals. You pretend you didn't know the Marshal," Naomi laughed softly. „Pentecost just bluffed. He wants you and Zeke to be the pilots of Gipsy Danger. In spite of this, you're going to meet other co-pilot candidates during your trial.

„I understand. And how are things going with Zeke? What does he do nowadays?"

„Zeke is well and as far as I know, he's arranging things for your trial right now. Otherwise, he remained in the program after Chrome Brutus destroyed. He was a fightmaster at the Jaeger Academy. Furthermore, he was a strategic and tactics coordinator in some major military operation. I think Zeke is a versatile person."

„Are you together with Zeke?" Raleigh asked without reproach.

„Of course not! I like Zeke, he's a great guy. Sometimes we bump into each other, but we're just friends like in the Icebox years before," Naomi explained feverishly, as if she would have wanted to convince herself.

„Okay, I get it. Just your eyes gleamed and your voice changed, when you were talking about him. If there would be something between you two, that wouldn't be problem. Zeke is a good guy and Yancy for many years… But tell me, is Ilisapie here?" Rals tried to change the topic.

„No, she quit the PPDC. I just know what is written in the official report. Zeke also doesn't tell anything about her," Naomi didn't wait for his reaction, she started to talk about something else. „Raleigh, I would like to say something to you for years, but you disappeared after Yancy's tragedy and we couldn't meet until this day. Five years is a long time but talking about him isn't easy for me. Yancy still lives in my heart right now. I just would like to express my sincere condolences to you for the loss of your brother," Naomi voice faltered and her ice blue eyes filled with tears.

It was at this moment in their conversation when Naomi's fragile balance was thrown off again. After their meeting the woman "locked" herself in her office for two days. During this time she continued occupational therapy. She was always trying to heal her broken soul with work since Yancy died.

Although she didn't meet with Raleigh after their talk, she got information from Zeke. She knew that Mako Mori became Raleigh's drift partner, and Gipsy Danger's neutral test went wrong.

Naomi stretched a big behind her desk. She compiled her new article which waited for pass down. She was exhausted after the two days of hard work, but she was unable to rest. She was upset because Yancy was in her mind. Naomi felt, she needs more work to calm down.

She decided to visit Pentecost, maybe he can give her additional task. Her footsteps echoed on the corridors of the Shatterdome. She was almost at the Marshal's office, when she bumped into Zeke.

The man ran as lightning on the corridor.

„What's your hurry, ranger?" Naomi asked and stepped in front of him.

„I'm sorry Nao, but I must rush. I've to arrange an important thing. We speak later," Zeke answered quickly.

„Wait a minute. Accidentally, is this important thing has to do with you come from Pentecost's office?"

„Absolutely nothing."

„Great! Then I go with you."

„Forget it. It's too dangerous."

„Zeke, I've to know about all tiny, secret details that I'll able to inform the people authentically about the PPDC. That's why I go with you."

„I've to go to the Exclusion Zone, but this's an unofficial task. You can't tell or write about this. I cannot tell you more. It's for your own good, stay in the Shatterdome and forget our talk."

„But Zeke…"

„Naomi, this isn't a joke. Don't play with fire," the ranger was saying seriously, while his strong hands were resting on her fragile shoulders.

Five minutes later Naomi was outside of the Shatterdome. "I'm sorry Zeke but I'm a very curious person," she though in herself and she was on the ranger's track secretly.