Chapter Three

The next day came by. Nurse Powell gave Lily a fresh set of clothes from her quarters. Once Lily had changed and Nurse Powell gave her one final check over, Lily left the infirmary with a report of being physically sound. However, the grief in Lily's heart was still holding strong. It took every ounce of willpower just to lift her legs, and her gaze almost never left the ground.

"Hey Lily, wait up!" said a voice from behind Lily, their voice echoing throughout the hall.

Lily turned around to see Raleigh running toward her with Mako close behind him.

"It's good to see you on your feet," said Mako.

"Thank you," replied Lily quietly.

"Mako and I are going to the mess hall for lunch," said Raleigh. "Care to join us? I don't think they've been feeding you good quality food at the infirmary."

Lily was just about to turn down the offer when her stomach growled at her.

"I suppose a bit to eat won't hurt me," said Lily.

"Good," responded Raleigh.

Lily followed behind Mako and Raleigh to the crowded mess hall. Loud chatter reverberated off the concrete walls. After being in the quiet infirmary for a couple days, the drastic volume change was a bit of a shock to Lily.

The trio went to the lunch line. Lily did not get much. She just got a helping of salad with ranch dressing and water. When they sat down at an open table, Raleigh inspected Lily's tray.

"That's not a whole lot," said Raleigh.

"I'm not in the mood for anything heavy," Lily said.

"Lily, you're a jaeger pilot," said Mako.

"Was a jaeger pilot," corrected Lily. "My co-pilot is dead, remember?"

"I remember. I just assumed you were planning on staying."

"I don't know yet. Jack's death is still too raw for me to successfully pilot a jaeger, especially a Mark-6 jaeger."

"I understand."

"Just don't let your grief consume you," said Raleigh. "It isn't healthy. Trust me, I know from experience."

Lily just nodded and started on her salad. Most of the lunch was in silence. Lily chewed her salad thoughtfully. The grief's hold on heart was still holding strong. The loneliness that held tight, however, had weakened ever so slightly. Knowing that she was not the only one that felt the loss of a brother, especially when connected to him, was a relief.

"So Mako," said Lily, tired of the silence that had fallen between the trio. "Are you going to be in charge of the candidates that will be co-piloting with me?"

"Actually Raleigh is," replied Mako. "I'm already trying to find matchups for several students at the Hong Kong jaeger academy. I'm leaving tomorrow so I can view their fighting styles."

"That's cool."

"We should probably wait awhile though," said Raleigh. "Like you said, the emotions are still raw and it isn't good to carry that much raw emotion into the drift."

Lily nodded her understanding and finished her salad.

"Well, I'm done," said Lily. "Colonel James wanted me to talk to her after I left the infirmary, so I'm out."

"Okay," replied Raleigh. "Catch you later kid."

"Bye," was all that Mako said.

Lily left the noisy mess hall behind her and made her way to Jane's quarters, which also served as her office. When she reached Jane's quarters, she noticed Marshal Hensen standing in front of her quarters. His back was currently to her so he did not notice her presence. Lily walked hesitantly toward the marshal and noticed he was talking to someone.

"I really think I should tell her," said a disembodied voice from the other side of the marshal. It sounded a lot like Jane's voice.

"Of course colonel," said Marshal Hensen. "Just send her to me when you're done with her. I need a few words with your lieutenant. I'll be in Shadow Samurai's hangar."

"Yes sir."

Marshal Hensen turned around and noticed Lily standing there. Lily saw a glimmer of shock before it disappeared behind his mask.

"Lieutenant Kingston, I did not hear you come," Hensen said.

"Sorry sir, I came to talk to Colonel James," responded Lily.

"It is alright lieutenant. Well, when you're done, will you come and see me in your jaeger's hangar?"

"Of course Marshal Hensen."

"Good, well I will see you later."

Lily nodded as Marshal Hensen walked by her.

"What did you want to see me about colonel?" asked Lily.

"This a conversation best in private," said Jane. "Will you step into my office please?"

Lily followed Jane into her quarters, closing the door behind her. Jane sat down in the big leather chair that stood behind the oak desk.

"Sit down," said Jane, which sounded a bit like an ordered, so Lily sat down on the grey chair across the colonel.

"It's good to see you on your feet lieutenant. How are you feeling?"

"Still bit of a minor headache," answered Lily.

"Of course. I mean how you are emotionally. Losing a family member is bad enough. Losing a family member while you are linked with them can't be much better."

"I think it will be awhile before I'm ready to pilot a jaeger ma'am."

"So you're planning on staying then?"

"For the foreseeable future, yes I am."

"Good but I'm assuming your grief is still raw so I'll give you a four week leave before we start testing you with other candidates."

"Thank you colonel."

"Don't mention it. Now there's something else I want to talk to you about before I send you to Marshal Hensen."

"What is it ma'am?"

"You have been made aware of the death of your cousin Lieutenant Aleksis and his wife Lieutenant Sasha, correct?"

"Yes I have."

"Well, about a few months after that letter was sent, the Kaidnoveskys were found on the shore of China, not too far from the Hong Kong Shore."

"WHAT?" exclaimed Lily, standing up suddenly, sending her chair back.

"They were barely alive when they were found," continued Jane, ignoring Lily's outburst. "They both were on critical watch for about month before they were released."

"The battle in Hong-Kong was a year ago. Why wait until now to tell me?"

"It was your cousin's idea actually. He knew you and Jack was still in school so he didn't want to distract you with the news of his situation."

"Jack and I were in grieving for months. How would the news of Aleksis's status distract us?"

"He thought you two would just drop everything and catch the next flight to Hong-Kong to see him. We were going to tell you yesterday after your patrol shift, but, as you know, we got side-tracked."

Rage ran through Lily's veins.

"Permission to be dismissed colonel?" asked Lily, her voice shaking with anger.

"Permission granted lieutenant," replied Colonel James coolly.

Lily stormed out of the office and walked straight to her quarters. She slammed her bedroom door behind her and slumped down on her bed, face buried in the pillow. Lily screamed at the top of her lungs, the pillow muffling the sound. Her blue pillow soaked up Lily's angry tears. After a half hour of wallowing in her self-pity, Lily felt a little tired. The comfort of her bed only extenuated her tiredness more.

Just as Lily was about to fall asleep, she remember she had meet with Marshal Hensen in Shadow Samurai's hangar. Lily sighed as she got up. As Lily got up and walked by the bathroom mirror, she noticed her black hair was a complete mess and her hazel eyes were puffy and red. Lily walked into the bathroom and straightened herself up. She combed out the knots in her hair and splashed her pale face a couple times with cold water. Once she dried off her face, Lily headed to Shadow Samurai's hangar. Lily saw Marshal Hensen standing by her jaeger's head, leaning on the railing and looking down on the hustle and bustle below. Again, his back was to her so he did not see her approach. Lily walked up to the railing and stood next to him.

"You wanted to see me sir?" asked Lily.

"Yes I did," replied Hansen, turning his gaze toward her. Hercules shifted his weight so he was facing her but he still hand right arm rested on the railing. "I was wondering what your future plans were now that your brother is no longer with us?"

"I don't really know sir. My co-pilot is dead and I just found out my cousin and his wife has been alive the whole time. It is a lot to take in. Colonel James has given me a four-week leave. I'm planning on going to Hong Kong to visit my cousin."

"That's good. Four weeks should be enough to at least give you some time to be with family."

"Anything else you wanted to talk about?"

"Well, I would say that I'm sorry for your loss, but I know from experience that is never going to be enough, no matter how many times you hear it or who from. Just try to take it slow lieutenant."

"Yes sir."

Hercules stood up and walked away, disappearing into the crowd. Lily patted her jaeger's conn-pod a couple times before making her way back to her quarters.

A few days passed by since Lily got the news that Aleksis and Sasha were still alive. Yesterday, Marshal Hansen dropped by her quarters after lunch to tell her that she will be leaving today for the Hong-Kong. Lily just finished packing her small bag when she heard a knock on the door.

"Come in!" called Lily.

The door opened and revealed Mako walking in.

"I heard you were going to Hong-Kong as well," said Mako.

"Yes I am," replied Lily. "Are we going together?"

"I believe so."

Lily smiled, relieved that she would not be leaving alone.

"So when are we going?" asked Lily.

"As soon as you're ready," replied Mako.

"I just finished packing, so I guess we can leave now if that is alright."

"Of course it is."

Lily picked up her bag and followed Mako out the door. She gave the room one last look-over before closing the door behind her. Mako led Lily to the helicopter pad on the roof of the shatterdome. Lily looked around, half expecting to see her jaeger standing over them, carried by several helicopters. When Lily set her eyes on the helicopter on the pad, she saw Raleigh waiting for them.

"You coming with us?" asked Lily once they approached the helicopter.

"Yes I am," Raleigh answered. "Mako thought it would be a good idea to bring her co-pilot so she can demonstrate how experienced co-pilots do combat with each other."

"Is Shadow Samurai staying here?" asked Lily

"Of course it is," said Mako like it was obvious.

Lily looked over to the giant metal doors that lead to her jaeger's hangar. Lily felt like she was leaving a bit of herself behind.

I will be back my friend thought Lily.

"Any time you're ready Lily," said Mako, bring Lily back out of her head.

Mako and Raleigh were waiting for Lily in the helicopter that sat on the pad. Lily ran to the helicopter and jumped in, ready to leave for Hong-Kong. She closed the door behind her and sat across from Mako and her co-pilot.