Thank You to everyone who has reviewed, followed, favorite, etc. I promise there will be action soon; there just needs to be a little more build up. I know the ending of this chapter is a little weak but I went through 4 drafts and none were perfect so….yeah. Regardless, please Review!
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"So have you heard what they plan to do until the factories are up and running again? Raleigh and Mako were seated in the mess hall. They had decided on grabbing an early breakfast before their meeting. The early hour allowed them a degree of privacy and a table of their own. The majority of the crews and technicians weren't on duty and the few who were working were currently on the outer deck, working on the decontamination and movement of the salvaged parts into the Jaeger bays.
Having cleaned his entire tray already, Raleigh contemplated the apple sitting on the corner or Mako's. His hand crept toward it, and when it wasn't swatted away by his partner, he snagged the apple and bit into it with a crunch. Mako watched him evenly for a moment then smiled as she answered his question. "It is logical. New intelligence and satellite readings were brought to my attention last night. A functioning Jaeger is crucial at the moment."
"New intel? What is it?" Raleigh immediately asked, wondering why he hadn't been told at the same time as Mako.
Almost as if she knew his train of thought, Mako continued. "Officer Choi required my assistance with its analysis last night and could not take it to any other officer at the time due to its sensitive nature. I believe we will be reviewing it immediately this morning."
Raleigh nodded, dropped the apple core on his tray, and began eyeing Mako's last piece of toast. "No." Mako firm voice stopped all further thoughts of food thievery.
A few minutes later, Mako stood and raised a single eyebrow at Raleigh. He stood and followed her with a grin, relying on her to pilot them through the labyrinth of hallways that lead back to the small conference room. Seeing the room for a second time, Raleigh realized the value of its position. It was small and easily overlooked but off a busy hall that lead to the vital areas of the shatterdome for easy access in case of an alarm.
Nikki looked up when the pair entered and Raleigh saw her eyes were blood shot. She was wearing a t-shirt identical to yesterday's except for the color. This one was blue rather than black. Her hair was pulled tightly back from her face but a few loose strands had escaped the pony tail, adding to her exhausted appearance. Two separate tablets and a sheaf of papers were scattered around her along with an apparently vital cup of coffee.
"Is it time already?" Nikki attempted to pull the scattered papers into order but Raleigh grabbed one before she managed to collect them. It was a hastily sketched but detailed design for circuitry for what appeared to be a Jaeger knee joint. He turned it. Or was it an elbow? The paper was snatched from Raleigh before he could decide.
"Your partner isn't very polite is he Mori?"
"One of his many flaws."
It took a moment for the women's conversation to register for Raleigh. He glared at each then slid into a chair next to Nikki.
Tendo and Herc Hansen entered the room together just as Mako took a seat. The pair split, Tendo to join Mako and Marshall Hansen to take the spot at the head of the table.
Hansen dove straight into discussion without any preamble. "To start things off, I want to state that everything discussed in this room does not leave it until construction begins on each Jaeger. It is vital we keep our plans isolated until they are underway. Specifically, Newton and Hermann are not to be told of any Jaeger details. It is possible they will be called upon to drift with a Kaiju brain segment again to search for information if their newest plans fail."
As the Marshall trailed off, Tendo placed his tablet in the center of the table and entered a command into the system. A moment later an air display of a world map floated in blue and green above the tabletop. Hansen continued: "For the past 24 hours, satellites have been registering energy signatures similar to that recorded during the early years when the rift first opened. They are short term. Each one visible for no longer than ten minutes but it is their locations that are the most troubling." As the former pilot spoke, red dots began to appear on the display. "There have been 9 total signatures but they have not been restricted to the Pan Pacific Region. Five were within the region while two registered in the Northern Atlantic, one just by the Falkland Islands, and one between Cape Hope and Antartica.
"No signs of physical rifts though?" Nikki asked quickly. Mako and Hansen shook their heads at the same time.
"This specific information is not to be passed on. High ranking officers are aware of the threat but anyone else is to be left believing that we are resurrecting the Jaeger Program as an overly cautious move and simply hypothetical defense." Marshall Hansen held the gaze of everyone in the room to reinforce this point until each nodded. "You four are to initiate the Jaeger designs. Officer Choi, Ranger Mori, and Ms. Reese have the knowledge of the former designs of past Jaeger generations and the operating systems. Rangers' Mori and Beckett you are also to use your knowledge of past interactions with the Kaiju and discern what weapons, styles, and structures are most necessary in the new generation. You will also be assisting me in choosing and training new pilots. I am aware that we are all beyond our comfort zones and entering operations we were never trained for. It is vital we succeed despite the obstacles." Marshall Hansen turned his attention to Tendo. "Do you have an update on the filler Jaeger?"
Tendo nodded and changed the screen projected above their heads. A mismatched and bulky Jaeger form appeared and rotated slowly. "We need at least two weeks for the Jaeger designated Green Beast…"
"Green Beast?" Mako interrupted, curiosity tingeing her words.
"Someone wouldn't let me name it Frankeinstein's Monster." Nikki spoke up, sounding almost petulant.
"Too long Angel." Marshall Hansen said without looking up from the jaeger blueprints.
Tendo cleared his throat and continued pointedly, bringing up statistics onto the screen as he spoke. "Speed and reaction time will be slower when compared to Gipsy Danger but armor will be thicker and its lower center of gravity will give you better stability in battle." He glanced at Nikki who nodded and continued where he left off. "The conn-pod will be built from basics and be designed after Gipsy's. We should have simulations finished in three days for you two to begin working with. The largest difference will be in the weapons. We don't have the time for plasma cannon or your chain blades. You'll be stuck with one of Crimson's spin claws and separate elbow blade on the new arm. We can't manage anything energy based under these time constraints. Praying for no attacks for a few months is our safest option unfortunately."
Herc Hansen nodded grimly, accepting their report. "The four of you need to begin blueprint planning this afternoon at the latest. Mori, Beckett, you'll be notified of the schedule for recruit scouting trips in the next few days. Nikki, we'll be meeting regarding the twins in two hours." With his commands given, Hansen left, leaving the new team in silence to discuss their plans.
Nikki stood a moment later. "Can we meet in a few hours? I need a shower and real cloths before I meet with Herc again."
Raleigh found himself nodding along with Tendo as Mako responded with "Yes. I would like time to absorb this information and begin considering design options." The Jaeger pilot found himself wondering at the conflicting images of Nikki Reese and Her Hansen. They seemed very familiar with each other, to the point of Hansen using a nickname, but as she left the room to prepare for the pair's meeting, Nikki seemed angry at him.
Tendo left a moment later leaving the partnered pilots alone. "Would you like to spar in a little while?" Mako's soft voice interrupted Raleigh's thoughts. He nodded. "Sure. I'll meet you in the sparring room. I'll probably weight lift until your done reviewing the intel." Mako smiled in agreement. " I will update you when we spar." The pair split as they left to the room, each going to their chosen tasks, leaving the small conference room empty once again.