Chapter Three: Pride, with something to prove - Viktoriya Malinkova
April 8th, 2032
Vladivostok, Russian Federation
Cold fingers wrapped around the chainlink fence that surronded the Vladivostok Shatterdome. The temprature was warmer as Spring approached, yet Viktoriya Malinkova still wore a jacket. It was tattered from years of wear and tear, having been her grandfathers and her fathers before the War.
When the Kaiju attacked, her father had been out on a fishing boat, one of the few ships still brave enough to try and feed the city in the midst of the carnage.
He had left the jacket on the back of the chair at a small dining room table.
He was killed by a Category III, just a few hours before Cherno Alpha intercepted and killed the beast.
Vik had worn the jacket ever since. It had been much to large for her at first. Now it was simply a little baggy.
Today was her birthday. At 23 years old, she decided finally enlist.
She was joining the PPDC. She wanted to pilot a Jaeger, and be ready to avenge her father.
With an air of confidence and head held high, Vik turned around and walked to the nearby recruiting post.
For you, Papa.
XXXXXXXX
April 18th, 2032
Hong Kong Shatterdome, Hong Kong
Vik stood in line on the tarmac of the Shatterdome, in line with six others in civilian dress.
They had been lined up by a PPDC Sergeant named Cruz, whom one recruit appeared comfortable with.
But that was not all.
An African man in a drivesuit approached them. The suit was blue, and the man had a fading moustache and a high and tight haircut. He approached with a purpose not unfamiliar to Vik.
He stopped in front of them, looking up and down the line. He paced back and forth, as if gauging the recruits based off appearence.
He came to a sudden stop, lined up precisely with the centermost recruit, a young Hindi boy who couldn't have been older than 17.
Taking one last look at the line of recruits, he began;
"I am Sergeant-Ranger Pentecost. I am the seniormost Ranger at this facility, and I am your instructor. My job, My mission, is to turn each and everyone of you, into combat ready pilots. I will succeed. Because where some may see a line of wanna-be pilots, I see potential."
Pentecost stopped, eyeing each recruit. Vik could see something in his eyes, like a small fire, tamed, and focused. Taking a breath, Pentecost continued;
"Over the next year and a half, I will oversee you as you progress through academic, mental, and physical training that will prepare you for your final test, the Blitz."
Pentecost locked eyes with the recruit on the end.
"My job is to test you. If you try to test me, you will fail."
Pentecost turned to Cruz.
"Sergeant, care to show them to their quarters?"
Cruz snapped to attention. "Yes sir!"
Returning his gaze to the recruits, Pentecost delivered his first order.
"Follow Sergeant Cruz to your quarters. You will have 15 minutes upon arrival to get settled. We begin afterward. Dismissed!"
The Senior Ranger turned and marched off.
Cruz stepped forward.
"You heard him. Follow me. Stay tight, and do not wander off."
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Vik found their new accomadations... interesting.
Co-ed bunks, showers, toilets. Co-ed everything.
The American smiled.
The Hindi blushed.
Vik and the others quietly picked their bunks.
As they mulled about, The American spoke up;
"Maybe we should trade names? Build a little something so we aren't so damn awkward."
The Hindi boy turned and looked around. He nodded, as if to himself, before speaking.
"My name is Suresh."
The American looked to him.
"Hi Suresh. I'm Nate."
He looked around. "Anyone else?"
A tall man towards the back stood up.
"Jinhei."
A woman responded. "Ilya."
"Sonny." Echoed from the back, across from Jinhei.
Nate directed his gaze to the woman next to Vik. A sun kissed brunette.
She sighed. "Reyes."
Nate redirected his eyes down, briefly admiring Reyes, before looking at Vik.
After a brief moment, Vik humored him.
"Vik." She said, before turning her eyes to the floor.
Nate went to speak, but was cut off by the arrival of Ranger Pentecost, who marched into the room like a fire was under his ass.
"Cadets, inside of your racks are lockers. Within them are two sets of standard physical exercise gear. Put a set on and line up in the passage way in 5 minutes."
"Yes Sir!" The cadets chorused.
As Vik lifted up her mattress, a compartment was revealed, containing her gear.
Here we go.
XXXXXXXX
The cadets had found themselves on the tarmac, being led on a series of 12 laps by Ranger Pentecost.
As she ran, Vik turned her head and saw an awe inspiring sight.
Exiting the main hangar, was a Jaeger. Her mind scrambled to remember this ones name, before settling on Titan Redeemer, the newest Mark VI off the line. Valor Omega, Guardian Bravo, and Saber Athena were set to launch before years end, as the last of the Mark VI flight.
Redeemer lumbered forward, Morningstar glinting in the sunlight. The pilots were running the Jaeger through it's paces, as most new Jaegers normally do.
She returned her gaze to her unit. Jinhei was running point, alongside Pentecost. Suresh was lined up with Vik herself in the second row. She did not know what the lineup was behind her, but Reyes, Sonny, Ilya, and Nate were back there. Vik could probably guess that Nate and Reyes were lined up. That meant that Sonny and Ilya were lined up. In what order, remained unclear.
"UNIT!" Pentecost shouted.
"HALT!"
The Unit came to a stop, somewhat clumsly, and Suresh bumped into Jinhei, who dutifully ignored it.
Pentecost turned to address the cadets.
"The exhaustion you are feeling, right now, is nothing compared to the exhaustion that WILL take hold in combat. Stamina is a key asset in the fight aganist the Kaiju, or a Rogue Jaeger."
"We've got another 2 hours of exercise. So buck up! Get into a Push Up position."
Vik and the cadets did as told, ambiently slowly.
Vik barely held back the thought.
This is going to be interesting.
