Disclaimer: I don't own anything (but wish I did) except original characters.

Thanks everyone for reading this, hope you're enjoying it. Updates may not be so frequent in the coming months as am starting my second year at Uni the week after next though I will continue writing this. Hope you all enjoy this next chapter.

sassygirl9811: Sorry, my bad :) Hope you're enjoying it

Enjoy!

Emily

"What do you mean? How can they shut this down?" I all but shouted at the commander. I couldn't believe the words that he had just spoken; they were shutting down the Jaeger programme in favour of the 'Wall of Life' that was supposed to protect us from the Kaiju. "So the Kaiju will keep coming but we will be safe behind our walls. Is that what they're saying? We need to be out there fighting not hiding in the hopes they'll leave us alone!" I could barely contain my anger, resolve crumbling with every word.

"Emily." I heard Herc's voice, a warning of such to keep my cool.

"I'm sorry, these are your orders, the Governments have come together and decided the Wall is the best option. After Gipsy fell we're losing the battle, more and more Jaegers are falling with every attack. It's just not viable any more. Believe me I don't like this any more than you do but these are our orders. We have until the end of this week then you can go home." He dismissed us after that, leaving us to stew in our resentment.

Home? Where was that? The Shatterdome was my home now; I had lost the last one when my parents died. Where would I go next?

"I don't believe it!" Chuck raged as soon as we were out the door.

"They're going to live to regret it, I'm sure of that, but there's nothing we can do about it. I've been to Alaska, to meet with Stacker Pentecost, he's trying to activate all he can in a last attempt but we have to accept this for now." The mention of Stacker's name made my heart skip a beat.

I had met him when I was living with my Uncle Mark, before I joined the Pan Pacific Defence corps; he was a kind man and I found myself feeling more comfortable with him than I ever did with my uncle. He had a daughter, adopted after her parents were killed in an attack. She was a few years younger than I was but I couldn't help but wonder what my life would have been life if someone like Stacker had taken me in instead. I found myself spending more and more time with Mako and Stacker than I did my own uncle, his time was much better spent on the potential Jaeger pilots than his own niece.

"Well I still think this is shit! Its mediocre pilots, can't trust them in a Jaeger, they're the ones who are losing to the bloody Kaiju." Chuck began to pace, his face contorted with anger and hatred.

"They're getting smart aren't they? They know our defences." James spoke up, earning a sad nod from Herc.

"Well I say we go out with a bang, give the next Kaiju something to think about if we see one before the end." I offered, a spark glittering in Chuck's eyes as he listened to my words. "We won't lose."

We got our final fight, a Category 4 with the name Shocker, the name certainly being earned buy its electric blue glow. It proved to be a tough son of a bitch, they definitely seemed prepared for a fight, but we got the better of it.

"Striker, it's coming your way." I shouted as I saw the beast heading for the Jaeger.

"We see it, we'll hold it in place, you get from behind." Herc's voice responded as we moved to take our place in the fight.

"You thinking 'The Samurai'?" I asked James as we reached the Kaiju.

"Do you even need to ask?" He gave me a mocking look, followed by the wicked grin only he could give.

"Fair enough." I responded as I activated our sword, sending strokes either side of the monster, the blue liquid filling as metal struck flesh. Striker continued to blast the creature with its mighty fists from the front.

"Stand back." Chuck shouted as I saw Striker's chest open to reveal the missile launcher. The blows ripped through its chest, tearing its flesh apart as the water turned a brighter shade of blue from the Kaiju.

"Nice one." I spoke as I saw the remains laid to waste.

"Just so you know we're covering your asses." Chuck replied and I couldn't contain my laughter.

The welcome back from the mission was greater than ever yet there was a certain apprehension filling the air. No one on the Shatterdome wanted the programme disbanded yet there was nothing they could do to stop it. The suits and ties had made their decision and all we could do was follow the orders.

Within the hour we were sent to our rooms to pack up. Peeling the photos off the wall I couldn't help but linger on one of my family; I was only six when it was taken, Christmas at my Nan's house. My mother and father were there, as was my Nan, the four of us together on the sofa, a family. It had taken my mother four attempts at setting the camera on automatic before she finally gave up and let my father try. That day was one of the happiest moments of my life.

My eyes were then drawn to the next photo, one much more recent. It was a picture of me and James stood in front of our newly assigned Jaeger; Midnight Tempest shone in the background, her sleek black paint almost glittering. I had been so excited the first time I saw her, I just had to get a photo for my collection.

The last one brought a smile to my face; it was a picture of Chuck and me after one of our joint battles, the smug smiles a product of victory. I felt privileged to see another side to Chuck, not the angry mask he always wore but the softer man behind it.

A knock at my door drew me from my thoughts. Placing the last photo in the box that held my stuff I opened the door, revealing Chuck behind it with a grin on his face.

"Hey." I greeted him with a return smile. "Come in."

"Hey. You all packed yet?" He leant against the wall as he watched me pack away the last few things.

"Nearly, just got to make sure I've got everything." I replied.

"Cool. Hey I was wondering, where are you going now we're leaving?" I hadn't really thought about that, I had never lived in Australia so I had nowhere to go or any idea.

"I guess a hotel or something for now, until I can figure it out." He shook his head at that.

"You're not staying in a hotel. I was actually wondering if you wanted to come live with us, with me." His smile grew wider as his eyes met mine. "What'd you say?"

"You should ask you dad first, he might not want…" I began.

"He already thinks it's a good idea. He actually suggested it." I couldn't resist the smile stretching across my face.

"Then yes." Before I could say another word, his lips came crashing down on mine as he held me close. We stood like that for a few moments before slowly parting.

"Glad you said that."

Chuck

Part of me was nervous when I asked her the question, fearing her answer slightly. I knew she would probably have nowhere to go after we left and I wanted it more than anything else. Glad to say, her answer made my day.

I saw a look of anticipation on my father's face as we walked to the hanger bay to put Emily's stuff on the transport. As I put her boxes in place I saw she strode off to talk to James of her plans, a squeal of excitement following.

"So I take it she said yes?" My father's voice came from behind me.

"Yeah she did." I replied, knowing I should probably thank him for the idea but the words just wouldn't come.

"Told you she would. Will be nice having her around." His hand rested on my shoulder for a moment. "She's a good woman."

"Do you think I don't know that?" I spat back at him, taking his words as an insult even though they probably weren't.

"I was just saying." His hands went up in defence as he left me alone. I knew I could be nicer to my dad it was just so hard after my mum died.

"So James, you going to Russia to meet your girlfriend?" I joked as I walked over to stand my Emily, my hand resting against her back for a second.

"I think I'm gonna stay around Australia for a bit but I am planning a trip. She wrote to tell me she'd be vising soon. The long distance thing is hard but she's worth it." A smile spread across his face.

"Somebody's in love." Emily teased, poking at his sides making kissing noises.

"Stop being so childish." He joked back, poking his tongue out in response.

"That's being childish." She got out between laughing at her co-pilot.

"I'll miss you Em. Keep in touch okay?" His face had a sad smile.

"I'll miss you too. Definitely, you too. You can't get rid of me that easily." She pulled him into a hug, sharing a goodbye.

"Take care of her Chuck, you got that?" He gave me a look, eyebrows raised.

"You can be sure of it. Good luck with whatever you do next." He extended his hand which I shook.

"Thanks, you too." He turned to Emily again. "He's alright, you didn't do bad for yourself."

"Take care of yourself James."

"You too."

I had to admit it was sad to part ways with the guy, he was easy to get on with; he knew pretty much everyone on the base. Stepping outside I turned back to look at the Shatterdome once more, the place that had been our home for the past five years. It was such a sight, nothing particularly standing out about it but it was full of memories. And home to Striker Eureka and Midnight Tempest.

That was it, we were out into the real world. The world behind the wall that was supposed to protect us from the Kaiju. We should be out there fighting, instead we have to hope for the best and live out our lives behind a wall. How could we just trust a wall to keep us safe? How are you supposed to live a life outside the Shatterdome when that's all you really know?