Weeks passed, and the Wrights settled into the base's routines. They were still the odd bunch and Nathanial had to deal with the scientists almost daily. Sebastian or mother made sure one of them was always present during each and every exam. The investigation into the CBR Corporation had stalled, but the activities at the Bakersfield facility couldn't be ignored. Several of the scientists from the lab were arrested and charged with various inhumane practice violations. So with no little relief, Nathanial watched as the CBR scientists were marched out of the Juneau base in handcuffs and another group took their place. The new head of the CBR scientists was one Nathanial hadn't seen in Bakersfield. Dr. Waters was short but solidly built. He took no nonsense from anyone. He didn't seem to care for the Bakersfield scientists or Nathanial, but he was professional and the Wrights managed in the Jaeger with him. Of course, when Hanley rode along things were quite different. She acted like the big drop was more of a thrill ride.
The doctors' weekly reports from both companies were sent as requested to the Marshals who made sure Nathanial got a copy. Perhaps, they knew what Nathanial was doing with them.
The twins waited for the connection to clear as they had a free moment that evening. "You think he'll be there."
"Should, he knows what day it is," Nathanial replied from the bottom bunk. Their quarters were not that big, and Sebastian stood in front of the screen.
A confirmation box came up and he answered. The screen opened a box and the twins said, "Thomas, how you been?"
"Fine, fine. Heard you brats had a teleconference with dozens of schools across the nation."
"It wasn't as bad as we feared it could be," Sebastian said.
"Speak for yourself," Nathanial sighed.
"What happened?"
"Oh, Nate got a couple marriage proposals from various kids on behalf of their mothers."
"So did you."
Sebastian indicated it had only been one silently.
Thomas laughed, "Oh good lord. Any other news?"
Nathanial handed Sebastian the flash drive with CBR's most recent reports and said, "Mom's mom. Hanley has just about forgiven you for dumping her here, and this company in Miami is coming up to the base to modify the lap pools to natural salt water."
Thomas nodded, "That will be good for you circulation and the gills. I have been getting concerned."
As he started the upload, Sebastian asked, "Why, was something wrong?"
"Currently, no. Potentially, the changes made to Nathanial's body in the short term will cope with fresh water only, they are actually built for salt water."
"Nice to know."
Thomas looked at them, "The CBR doctors should have told you. They had to have known."
"What else is new?" they replied.
"Well, Hanley had just sent us her findings, but she wasn't about to suggest you jump in the ocean. Definitely not with all the fishing boats up there. With any luck, we'll have family reunion soon."
"Seriously, Thomas that's great news," Sebastian said. "We need mom to have another target." Thomas rolled his eyes knowing what his brother meant.
Nathanial sighed, "Yeah, more tests. Love that."
Thomas chuckled, "Actually, less than you think. These reports you have been sending me gives us all the initial information we need to move in hopefully a more effective direction. And combined with Hanley's work we've got a really solid foundation. Oh, Nathanial, I know this is not gonna make you happy, but you need to put fish back in your diet." Nathanial made a face. "I didn't say raw fish, ah, bake is better than fried, but shell fish would work too. And not every day. Just like once or twice a week would be enough."
Nathanial suddenly felt a stabbing pain in his skull and rubbed the heel of his hand into his forehead, hissing.
"Nate?" Thomas asked.
Nathanial opened his eyes a tiny bit, "The lights. This sucks, I already put in a full day." He fell back on the bed.
Sebastian hit the lights. "The warning migraine?" Nathanial nodded. "I need to call…"
"Can you leave this up? I haven't seen this."
"Tommy…" Nathanial whined, knowing full well his brother hated that nickname. Even though he couldn't see, Thomas glared. Sebastian contacted the control room and the warning went out. Nathanial began to feel that itch to be active. "What's the rotation?"
"We're primary," Sebastian said from the other side of the room near the door. He trusted his brother wouldn't hurt him during these episodes but he wasn't going to make it any harder on Nathanial if he could. "Sorry."
Nathanial got off the bunk and walked around the tiny room. Sebastian tossed him a pair of weights to work with until their mother arrived with the terrible tea.
"So, this happens each time?" Thomas asked. Nathanial growled. "I will take that as a yes." Their brother watched him closely. "That lap pool won't come soon enough. I'd recommend swimming, but I know that's not possible. Have you tried a cold, and I mean cold, shower?" Nathanial shook his head. "Give it a shot. You might be dehydrated."
"Whatever," Nathanial muttered, dropped the weights, and walked into the bathroom.
"Sebastian, can you get me the name of that company? The one that's doing the lap pool."
"Sure thing. Anything to help him get through these things."
At bay 05, Hanley was just about ready when the Wrights arrived. "So, did CBR perform a CAT scan during this migraine-like reaction?"
"Yes," Nathanial growled. Sebastian put a finger to his lips and glared at her.
"Must be one of the things CBR 'lost'," Hanley shrugged and walked into Dancer's cockpit.
When the migraine ended, everything was ready to initiate the neural handshake. "The Kaiju is a category two, codenamed: Nightfang. Ready boys?" Tendo asked.
Nathanial hit the intercom and said, "Yes, we're ready."
"You sound so thrilled," Hanley said.
Tendo announced, "Neural handshake in 15 seconds." He started counting down.
Sebastian leaned around Nathanial and said, "He feels much better after the drift has stabilized."
"Interesting," she said.
The twins rolled their eyes and then shut them as the handshake began. Everything went according to procedure. "Deadly Dancer's ready for a partner," Sebastian said.
Marshal Becket shook his head and replied, "Dancer, your orders are to stay in the miracle mile and guard the coast line. The Kaiju is heading northward. Hold your position."
"North?" Nathanial repeated. "That is our area."
"So, maybe we'll get some action," Sebastian said. "Another notch on the belt."
"Only if it heads northeast not northwest," Hanley reminded them. Her harness was much better than ones provided to the CBR doctors and she stretched it to its limit toward Nathanial. "Hey, look at me."
"What? Why?" he asked, "Careful, that's a long drop."
"Don't remind me. I think your eyes are brighter."
"Could be the helmet," Sebastian suggested.
Nathanial shrugged and turned back to Dancer's instruments. He hit the intercom and asked, "Sir, am I reading this right? The Kaiju is heading for the Bering Strait?"
"Yes ranger, that's right," Becket said.
"That's the middle ground between bases," Sebastian said.
"And potentially gives the Kaiju access to the Atlantic. There's no Jaegers stationed there, and at its current speed," Tendo said.
"We would never be able to get a Jaeger across the either continent before the damage is substantial," Becket said.
"Sir, permission to contact the Siberian base, for a joint assault," Nathanial requested.
"Get Jackknife online and contact the Siberian base," Becket ordered. The twins glanced at each other knowing the Deerherds were going to 'love' that.
Seconds later, Tendo announced, "Siberian base Jaeger: Winter Tiger awaiting orders."
"All right, Dancer, Tiger, your new orders are to head to the Strait and intercept the Kaiju. Whichever finds the Kaiju first is to engage as primary, the second is to support the primary."
"Acknowledged," answered a female with a thick Russia accent.
"Sir, should we wait for primary transport?" Hanley asked.
"Negative Dancer, you're already deployed. Winter Tiger will be transported. Jackknife will be prepped for transport in case the Kaiju changes directions."
"Dancer's on the move," Sebastian said. "Let's go, bro. Get the lead out." Dancer slowly picked up speed as they began the long march.
"Let's move to the coast out of the water," Nathanial said. "Wait a minute." He hit the intercom. "Sir, permission to cross country and cut the Kaiju off."
"Let us check," Becket replied.
"Give me a minute." Tendo hands flew double-checking the terrain. "I got it. Dancer, you can shave over 600 miles by following this route and it takes you between the mountains. It will be around a 1,000 miles though."
"All right, time for a jog." Dancer turned to cross the Gulf of Alaska to make landfall just north of Kodiak Island.
"Tiger is in the air and heading for St. Matthew Island. That should be the intercept point."
"Then why are we heading for St. Lawrence Island," Hanley asked.
"In case, the Kaiju puts on more speed than it is," Nathanial explained. "So, hold on. This will be bumpy."
Around 650 miles later, Dancer was about to head into the terrain between the mountains when Raleigh came over the intercom, "Dancer, the Kaiju Nightfang has changed direction. Follow the new route."
"Bloody freaking hell," Sebastian snapped.
"Sebastian," they heard their mother snap.
"Sorry, mom. I'll pay the jar when I get back."
"Where's it heading now?" Nathanial asked. To those in the cockpit, he asked, "Why do they have mom in the control room?"
Sebastian gave him a look that came with information through the drift. It was Hanley who voiced it, "For you. In case of Kaiju mind-control."
Nathanial hung his head a moment and thought, 'It just sucks to be me.'
Sebastian chuckled and what came through the drift was nothing but support.
"Nightfang is heading for the stretch of islands off Alaska's coast called the Aleutians East. There's only a couple villages on those islands and we're contacting the locals to take cover."
"All right," Nathanial said. "We're heading toward Bristol Bay. What's Tiger's status?"
"They have to turn around. You're going to beat them there," Tendo said. "Stay focused."
As the Jaeger jogged to Bristol Bay, they attracted a lot of attention. Civilians along the route took pictures and cheered the Jaeger on. The closer they got to Bristol Bay the rougher the skies looked. "Hey, we got some rough weather ahead. It shouldn't delay us much."
"Understood," Tendo said, "Maintain your course and you should intercept the Kaiju in about 20."
"Roger that."
A short time later, through the rainfall they saw the Kaiju on the edge of an island that wasn't much bigger than it. "What's it doing?" Hanley asked. The Kaiju was hunched over and in a few more strides, they were able to see it was digging.
Sebastian hit the intercom, "Marshal, we have the Kaiju in sight. It's digging into the island."
"Digging?"
"Yes, sir. Just inland of the shore."
Nathanial added, "Sir, the island is uninhabited. Confirm orders to engage."
The Kaiju pulled what looked like a large boulder out of the ground. It set the rock on the shore and continued to dig. It hadn't seen Dancer yet and the Wrights continued to close the gap.
Over the intercom, they heard the female pilot of Tiger say, "We are 30 kilometers away from target. Will provide support on arrival."
"Sir, we are three kilometers from target. Awaiting orders?"
"Dancer, you are cleared to engage," Becket said.
The Kaiju pulled out a second boulder. "All right, Hanley hold tight," Sebastian ordered. Dancer picked up speed and the twins focused on Kaiju. The Kaiju looked their direction and made a surprised barking sound. It gathered up the two boulders and snatched a third from the hole.
"What are boulders for?"
"Hopefully, not weapons!" Nathanial said with one kilometer to the Kaiju left. The Kaiju hissed at Dancer. Then the Kaiju did something they didn't expect. It turned away from them and dove into the water. By the time Dancer reached the shore, the Kaiju had reached deep enough water to fully submerge. "Ah, control. We lost visual on the Kaiju." Dancer turned so that the island guarded her back. "Our instruments aren't picking it up."
Tendo answered sounding surprised or annoyed, "That's because it's swimming away."
"What? Say again," Sebastian asked.
"It's heading back to the breach," Tendo said. "It's swimming at twice the speed." He muttered, "That's the third one this year."
The twins looked at each other. "We can't chase it down at that speed," Sebastian said.
"Not after that cross country track we just finished."
"Dancer," Becket said.
Nathanial hit the intercom, "Yes, sir."
"Do not follow. Maintain your position and guard that island. Tiger, thank you for your quick response, you relieved to return to base. We will have a team of scientists join Dancer shortly."
"Sir?"
"That Kaiju was after something specific. We need to know what. The council is calling for me. Marshal Miro will be taking over shortly."
"Understood, sir. Dancer standing guard," Nathanial said and released the intercom. "That was anti-climactic."
"Boys," Hanley asked. "Would you mind turning around and having a look in the hole? … If it's not too much trouble."
"Hanley, don't push it," Sebastian said as they turned Dancer around.
"Ah," she answered sweetly. "Are you still sore from the recent tests?"
The twins looked at each other and shared a quick grin. They bent forward and the cockpit lurched over.
Hanley shouted and groped for her safety lines. "Oh, that was so mature, you two." She steady herself and looked into the small crater. "Now, hold still." It wasn't much, just a hole in the ground with impressions where the boulders used to be. Hanley studied it closely and said, "Hey, if you stand up again, can your Jaeger safely put me on the ground?"
"Hang on," Sebastian said before Dancer stood up. "There is an escape hatch up top, so you would be able to get out of the Jaeger but…" They looked at the Jaeger's hands. "You sure you want to attempt a ride on those hands?"
"What will you hold onto? They're slick with the rain too."
Hanley pulled on her lines asking, "Now, what are these for again?"
Nathanial hit the intercom, "Tendo?"
"Yes?"
"Just to cover our asses…"
"Nathanial," mom snapped.
"Dollar. Dr. Hanley wishes to examine the hole and has asked to use the escape hatch and ride Dancer's hand to the ground. This is her idea and we do not wish to be held responsible if she gets hurt."
"How very noble of you," Hanley commented drily.
"Thomas may be the smart one," Sebastian said, "but mom didn't raise fools."
"If she understands and accepts the risks. I mean it's raining there, that metal's going to be slippery."
"Yea, we mentioned that."
"Will you just get ready?" Hanley order about to unhook herself.
"Hold it. Let's get the hand up there first," Nathanial said.
The cockpit rocked a little as they brought the left hand to the side of the helmet. "OK, if you sure, now's the time." Hanley unhooked her lines and carried them to the ladder. Soon she was up and out. "Shut the hatch! It's pouring!"
"She nuts."
"As long as mom doesn't think she's perfect for either of us."
Over the intercom they heard Hanley, "All right, I think I'm secure."
"All right, going down. Nice and slow." They tried to move slowly but in something the size of a Jaeger the smallest movements were multiplied greatly. They were almost to the ground when Hanley lost her footing and shouted.
Naturally, the Marshal arrived and was about say something. Instead, she asked, "What happened?"
"She slipped. Let's get her all the way to the ground."
"What are you talking about, the ground?"
The twins glanced at each other, realizing Marshal Miro didn't know what Hanley was up to. Tendo explained, "Dr. Michum insisted that she be allowed to exit the cockpit and examine the hole the Kaiju dug."
"And they let her?"
Nathanial released the intercom, "We are in so much f'ing trouble."
"Thanks to her."
By then Dancer's hand touched the ground and they watched Hanley quickly unhook herself and slide to the ground. She sat there holding her foot. "I think just sprained my ankle."
"Marshal, Dr. Michum is safely on the ground but says she may have sprained her ankle."
"Why did you allow her to leave the cockpit?" Miro demanded.
The twins winced and then nearly played rock paper scissors. But realized the drift made that impossible. "You tell her," Nathanial pleaded.
"Why me?"
"Rangers?" she asked.
"Because this," he said pointing to his face. "Gets me blamed for a lot of things. Including the last set of crap."
"All right," Sebastian snapped and hit the intercom. "Ma'am, Dr. Michum sort of bullied us and though we tried to explain it was dangerous, she wouldn't leave us alone till we agreed to help her."
They heard laughter and the Tiger pilot said, "These must be the rangers who are so cowed by their mother who lives on base with them."
"Ah yes, and one twin was transformed into hybrid and bullied into dog-like obedience," said another woman with the same accent.
Nathanial hit the intercom, "Hey, we can hear you."
The women laughed again. "Come to our base. We will fatten you up and make a proper man out of you."
Nathanial released the intercom, "You know, we're going to lose this argument, but if we don't argue…"
"We're going to look even worst. Or…" Sebastian grinned and hit the intercom. "So, what will you ladies be making us?" He nodded when there was no response. "What, I heard something in your offer about free food?"
Nathanial joined in, "As long as it's not fish, I am happy to try something new." They heard muttering in Russian which neither knew.
After a few moments, Miro spoke up, "We will discuss any visiting after we discuss you two breaking procedure with your cockpit scientist."