The Jeager Program
America was still recovering from Trespassers' assault four months after the memorial was dedicated, most of the cities have not been restored yet, and thousands of victims remain unaccounted for. During a tropical storm on February 5, 2014, a new Kaiju called Hundun made landfall in Taal, Batangas and crossed the lake. It crossed the bay and then made its way into Taguig City. By the time authorities discovered what was occurring, Hundun had already attacked.
Fortunately enough Hundun was killed with only one tactical nuke but its insides left the environment of the city to be contaminated. After this attack, the world decided to make an alarm system called the "Kaiju Emergency Alert System".
Then at June 1st four months after the second attack, a Kaiju code-named Kaiceph emerges from the breach and attacked Cabo San Lucas at Mexico. The military tried to lure the Kaiju away from the city to reduce the amount of casualties but failed as they were forced to attack the Kaiju with a nuclear strike which killed it but also destroyed half of the city. Its remains were removed from the city and were placed on a aircraft carrier.
Then the fourth attack happened at Sydney at Australia, when the Kaiju Scissure laid waste onto the city. It was eventually killed with two nuclear strikes with the city being damaged as well. Then the world got together at South Korea conference to try to figure out how to make a weapon to deal with the Kaiju. A man named Jasper Schoenfeld comes with the idea to make giant mechs callled jeagers to deal with the Kaiju. At first this was a ridiculous idea but this was more sufficient and less destructive than using nuclear weapons.
After that, the Jeager Program begins, along with a new organization founded by the United Nations called the Pan Pacific Defense Corps, or PPDC for short. The first jaeger developed by the Jeager Program was a prototype called Brawler Yukon, which had numerous issues at first. To operate the giant mech, a scientist named Caitlin Lightcap devised a system known as Pods or the Bridge. When a test pilot named Sergio D'onofrio attempted to pilot it, he began to have seizures. Caitlin solved this problem by drifting with Sergio to reduce weight, and they were the first two to make the first drift.
Karloff, a Kaiju, appeared after a few months and attacked Vancouver. Caitlin and Sergio flew Brawler Yukon into the city and annihilated the Kaiju, effectively turning the tide against the animals and giving humans a fighting chance. The PPDC then announced to the rest of the globe that they are seeking certified pilots for their upcoming fleet ofJeagers. Thousands of people had gathered in front of the training facility to greet them.
Alexander POV:
After hearing that the PPDC is looking for certified individuals to join its Jeager army to combat the Kaiju. When I think back on the event on the Golden Bridge, I remember the lives that were lost that day and hearing the sobs of mourning family members. This ignited a fire within me, and I felt compelled to train as a pilot so that I might prevent future tragedies like those in San Francisco.
The training site was in Alaska, but those interested in becoming pilots had to meet on a specific day to be transferred to the base by a military aircraft. After I arrived at the base, everyone had to wait in a long queue to have our identification checked so that our information could be connected to the network. After that, you were issued an identification card.
Now I was in a room full of people who were all here for the same reason: to end the Kaiju threat to humanity. That's what I believed at first, but the two blonde haired males next to me didn't seem to have the same mindset as the vast majority of us in the room, as I overheard their talk.
"Look at these people Yance. Some of these guys look more serious than us," the younger looking blonde said to what I assume to be his older brother who was called Yance.
"Most of them are a lot more serious than us. Hey, no pressure. We'll have a laugh, we'll get ditched in the first cut, and we'll go home," Yance responded to his brother.
I didn't agree with their attitude; I'm not sure how they could be so light-hearted in a serious situation like this, were some of us would risk our lives battling such monsters. Then, at the end of the hallway, a man appeared on stage and took his place behind a podium. As soon as he entered the room, everyone began to settle down.
"This Isn't summer camp. If it seems like we're trying to break you, it's because we are. The Kaiju won't hold back, so neither will we. We will grind you to dust, and only when we fail to do so will we find the stuff of legend- like the D'onofrios and the gage twins-and all those whose names will forever for having what it takes to be the knights of our time, standing watch at the edge of our world-ready for the dragons beyond," he announced towards everyone in the hall.
I'd be lying if I said I was the only one who got chills from his statement. His name was Stacker Pentecost, and following his speech, he informed everyone that he was the man in charge of the entire effort. He told us a little more about the program and his hopes for those who completed it successfully. After that, we were escorted to our dormitory and told to rest up for the grueling training ahead of us as monster slayers.
They tested our stamina and endurance throughout the first phase of our training, which included learning about the biology of the Kaiju as well as the drift, which is the fundamental reason that the pilots of Brawler Yukon are able to manage it. To summarize, the drift is a one-of-a-kind link between pilots that will work if you pair up with the appropriate person since you will share memories between the two of you. If you are not drift compatible, you will be compelled to leave the training program. Unfortunately, some of the volunteers had to depart due to this.
Some people, on the other hand, seem to breeze through the drift period. If two persons are in a relationship or are family members, for example. The Becket brothers, who were the two blonde guys I met at the hall on the first day, are fine examples of capable drifters, and Pentecost appears to be keeping tabs on them.
So, once we've finished our training and lessons, they'll set up one-on-one close combat contests for those who haven't been able to find partners against each other. This works like this: if you can go toe to toe with that individual, then say hello to your life partner. Since I've been on a fantastic winning streak thanks to wins via submission, I haven't been able to find my partner yet. I used to practice jiu jitsu for self-defense when I was younger.
During my time here, I was able to establish a few colleagues and learn about their experiences and reasons. Most of them agree with my reasons, but a few are here for money to support their families or vengeance. I pity those who have come on a furious crusade to atone for the deaths of their loved ones. Those who aren't here for either of those two reasons are there for the thrill of fighting monsters inside a massive robot. Which I can't say I blame.
I've been looking for a fight for a week and haven't found anyone that is willing to fight with me. Only a few people have been successful in locating theirs, and the opportunity for becoming a pilot is rapidly closing.
"Man, I think I'm going to have to pack my stuff and catch a trip back to Canada," I grumbled.
I heard shouting at the end of the corridor and saw a group of guys separating from what seems to be a kid from an older looking man. I raced over to help as well. As the boy continued pounding the victim in the face, a few individuals were shoved away. I moved behind him, slipped my arms under his, and dragged him off with all my might.
"Get off me motherfucker, hindi pa ako tapos basagin ang mukha niya!," the kid shouted in filipino or something.
"Hey buddy, if you keep doing that, you're going to get kicked out of the program, so why don't you get a handle of yourself before you make things worse for yourself?" I suggested, eventually getting him to stop fidgeting and pause for a second.
"Hmph, lumayo ka sa akin," he said as he shoved me off.
"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!" yelled one of the drill Sargeants as he stomped over to our direction. Everyone involved in the action, including myself, the Filipino kid, and, miraculously, the guy with the smashed up face, stood up straight.
One of the people responded, "SIR!, Cadet Padilla caused another scene and harmed another cadet, SIR!"
"Is that correct, Cadet Padilla?"
"YES, SIR!"
"If I find out you're trying to injure one of my men again, I'll make sure you're going with a few with a lot more lethal injury than his. You would have departed a long time ago if I were Marshal Pentecost, so count yourself fortunate to be on his good side due of your valuable combat prowess. Is it clear that this will be your final warning?"
"SIR YES SIR!"
"You two, hurry up and get him to the ER!" He gave orders to the two people standing next to me.
"Every single one of you! Return to your dormitories; training is over!, "He gave the command to everyone else.
"YES, SIR!" exclaimed everyone.
AT THE DORMITORY:
I asked a few guys bunked next to me, "Hey, do any of you guys know who that kid was over at the training hall?"
"His name is Alden Padilla, and from what I've heard, he was a survivor of the Manila Kaiju attack, and he's in the same boat as you, Alex. According to what I've heard, he's been on a great winning streak up to this point, but the trouble is that he leaves his opponents, or to put it another way, "victims," bloodied on the ground "one of the guys remarked.
"Damn, this kid is nuts," I answered, considering to myself that I should never annoy that little guy off. After that, I headed to my bed for the night.
THE NEXT DAY:
"This is the worst," I thought to myself as I returned to the training room and saw that angry Filipino kid from yesterday on the other side of the mat where I was standing.
"This one should've been obvious; of course, they'd match us up. Let's just hope they spare a room in Med-bay for me because I'm leaving here with a bruised eye and a busted nose " I said to myself.
Unknown POV:
"Are you sure this was the right move sir, I mean I know cadet King is outstanding, but I don't think he'll stand a chance against a monster of a brat," one of the drill Sergeants stated.
"I get that, Sergeant," I said, "but have you ever thought what happens when an unstoppable force collides with an unstoppable force?"
"Nothing, sir," he said, "there will be no good when that happens."
"Perhaps," I said as I continued to stare at my monitor via one of the security cameras that was showing me a live feed of what was going on in the training room. "We'll never know," I said as I continued to look at my monitor through one of the security cameras that was showing me a live feed of what was going on in the training room.
Third POV:
For the past two minutes, Alexander and Alden have only stared at each other. Alex attempted to converse in order to make a kind gesture, essentially telling Alden not to kick his ass too hard. Alden didn't appear to care as he stepped onto the mat, raised his hands, and took a boxing position.
Alex put his hands on his hips and let out a sigh as he went onto the mat and took a stance, hoping for the best.
Alex saw Alden's fist coming towards his face before he could even register what was going on, so he slipped past it and got behind him. He tried to grab Alden and throw him to the ground, but the opportunity was lost when Alden whirled around and landed a punch on Alex's nose.
Alex was knocked to the ground, disoriented but not out yet from the strike. Alden ran towards the fallen warrior, attempting to put an end to the duel as quickly as possible. He pressed his knee against Alex's chest to keep him from moving and resuming the attack on his face. Alex slipped through his punch and put Alden in an arm grip in a flash.
Everyone in the room came to a halt to watch these two go at it. Some people were putting wagers to see who would be the first to lose. Alden became enraged and managed to climb to his feet, lifting the heavier man off the ground and slamming him back down.
As he slowly rose up and glanced at Alden, who was a few feet away, clutching his left arm in agony, Alex felt as if all the oxygen in his lungs had fled his body. He took two steps back, still frightened of Alden's startling speed, just to make sure he could see his next strike coming. Alden took a few more breaths as he returned his gaze to Alex; he let go of his arm, giving it a quick shake before resuming his stance and charging towards Alex with greater intensity.
Alex was ready this time, as he slipped a couple punches and threw some of his own, which Alden deflected in time. They continued to trade punches, which enraged the audience and drew the attention of several of the Sergeants in the room, but it mostly impressed the mysterious person viewing it on their monitor
Alex snuck a punch into Alden's gut, which Alden felt as he curled up in pain. He took advantage of the opportunity to wrestle him to the ground and choke him. Alex was trying everything he could to force Alden to tap out on the ground, but he sensed the younger man was gaining strength. Despite feeling as if he was going to pass out, Alden managed to stand. He slammed Alex, who was on his back, to the ground again with all of his strength.
This took the wind out of Alex's lungs once more. Both combatants took a breather, and as Alden regained his breath, he crawled up to Alex, who was still gasping for air from the final slam. When he got near enough, he got down on his knees and delivered another punch to end the fight.
When Alex seized his fist and tried to go for another arm lock. When Alden noticed this, he grabbed one of Alex's forearms that was wrapped around his right arm. Both of them were struggling since Alden lacked the power for another slam and Alex was urgently clutching Alden's arm.
The crowd chanted for the brawl to continue, but it was interrupted when three people, who appeared to be instructors, intervened and separated Alex and Alder. Two of them were restraining Alden, while the other was assisting Alex and offering him a tissue for his bloodied nose, which he had received after Alden punched him. Then the door to the training hall opened, and everyone turned to see who it was.
One of the cadets yelled, "Officer on deck!" Everyone in the room straightened up. The mob that had gathered around the two fighters and three Sergeants began to make room for the important person.
"At ease," the anonymous man stated.
"Holy sh*t! They've messed up, man "remarked one of the cadets
When Alex and Alden recognized who they were gazing at, they shat their pants.
He said calmly yet authoritatively, "That was some match you two demonstrated."
"I'm delighted we got some decent fighters in our program; I can't wait to see you two battle those Kaiju," he remarked.
It was none other than Stacker Pentecost who spoke.