Forged in Fire, Chapter 22

Hong Kong Shatterdome

LOCCENT

May 28, 2025

0937

Mako walked up to Herc's impromptu office and knocked on the doorframe.

Herc looked up from the paperwork he'd been filling out. "Mako, what can I do for you?"

"Sir, is there any way I can swing by Tanegashima before we head to the U.S.? I need to drop off the katana blade at an old family friend for final polishing and for fitting of the handle and housing."

"Do you have to go, or can we have someone deliver it?"

"It'd be better if I go. That way, I can ensure that they understand what I'm looking for in the finished product."

"I'll see what we can do."

Mako bowed slightly, then started to walk out of the office.

"Mako, one other thing… There's been some interest in keeping your workspace set up and actually making it a museum exhibit."

Mako paused. "Why?"

"All of the Jaegers will be given a bay here in which we will display memorabilia and artifacts associated with them. Included in that is displays about their pilots." Herc paused. "Raleigh's welding gear from the Wall, his and Yancy's flight suits, your and Raleigh's Drive Suits…"

"Yes. I'll also give you the clothes I wore when Onibaba attacked. If I want to see them again, I can always come visit."

"You sure? That's a big step for you. Pentecost told me about the importance of that little red shoe."

"Sir… I have finally gotten closure for my parents. I'm fine."

"Okay. Just checking."

"And yes, you can add the workspace to the exhibit. But I need to get some things from it first."

"Outstanding. Next time you see Raleigh, can you ask him to come talk to me? I want to see if there's anything he wants to be a part of his exhibit."

"I will, sir."

"Thanks, Mako."

-.-.-

Mako walked out of the LOCCENT, mind elsewhere. I know that our Ghost Drift has been getting stronger each time we Drift… Let's see what I can do this time.

Mako focused on a single message. Raleigh, Herc wants to talk with you.

A moment later, surprise radiated through the two Ranger's shared bond. After a brief pause, Raleigh replied. Mako, how'd you know that'd work?

I didn't.

Wow. Okay, let me finish what I'm working on…

Which is?

You made a katana for Pentecost. I'm planning on making a smaller blade from some of the wreckage of Gipsy as a memorial to Yancy.

Can I help?

Please do. I'm not as skilled as you!

Mako laughed and began to head to the hangar. On my way. What have you completed so far?

Raleigh's pride radiated through the Ghost Drift. I've decided that I'm not going to fold the steels, since they're already pretty uniform, so I've been working the two blanks into smaller versions of what we had before we welded the pieces together before.

That's a good start. I'm almost there.

Mako walked around the corner of the bay and into the workshop. She put her hands on her hips and turned around, taking it in.

"Mako, something wrong?"

"Trying to decide what I don't want to be on permanent display…"

Raleigh reached over to a particular drawer and pulled it open. Hiding at the back was the same item he had been looking at as he had started his secret project. He grabbed Mako's Jaeger Academy graduation ring and handed it to her. "Don't want to lose that right now, do you?"

Mako eyed him suspiciously. "How'd you know that was there?" She slipped the ring on. "And where's yours?"

Raleigh looked down at his feet. "Somewhere along the Pacific coast of Alaska. I… kinda threw it to the ocean after Yancy died and I left the PPDC. I didn't want to have any reminders."

Mako walked over and slapped Raleigh in the back of his head. "Idiot." She grinned. "I guess we'll have to have a new one made for you. And you didn't answer my question about how you knew that's where I kept it…"

"I was browsing through the drawers looking for some supplies for my still-secret project and saw it. I also saw it in our last Drift."

"Speaking of that project, how's it coming?"

"That's for me to know and you to find out."

"Raleigh Becket, I will find out what that project is one way or another."

"Of course you will. When it's done, you'll find out what it is." He gave her an evil grin. "Until then, you'll get nothing from me."

Mako picked up Raleigh's current, non-secret project. "What size are you aiming for?"

Raleigh, relieved at Mako's redirected focus, turned to the smaller block of metal she held. "My research showed that many katanas were often paired with a smaller blade, typically a wakizashi. I'm making that smaller blade to be paired with sensei's katana. If… that's okay with you?"

Mako smiled, fighting back tears. "Yes, it's wonderful."

Raleigh put the steel into the furnace to heat up. "Well, we've got a lot of work, and not a lot of time to do it in. Shall we?"

-.-.-

Tanegashima

May 29, 2025

1430

Mako and Raleigh were exhausted. They hadn't been able to get the wakizashi far enough along to be polished. Thankfully, Mako had found someone to finish it for them in her old hometown. They had just delivered it and were now meeting with an old family friend of her father. He was a master sword polisher, and Mako didn't trust anyone else to finish sensei's katana.

He walked out of his work room and froze. "Mako! Watashi wa anata ga saigo mite irai, sore ga nagaiai sa rete iru! Ogenkidesuka?" Mako! It's been so long since I saw you last! How are you?

Mako smiled broadly and hugged the old man. "Tsukareta. Sore wa koko ni Honkon kara nagai furaitodeshita." Tired. It was a long flight from Hong Kong to here.

The old man looked at Raleigh and switched to flawless English. "You must be Raleigh Becket. Welcome to Tanegashima. I'm Jurou Himura. I knew Mako back when she was a little girl watching her father forge swords."

Raleigh bowed his head respectfully, then replied. "Watashitachi, sensei o motte itadaki arigatōgozaimasu. Watashitachi wa nani mo chūdan sa rete imasen negatte imasu." Thank you for having us, sir. I hope we aren't interrupting anything.

Jurou smiled and looked at Mako. "He is fairly good. A little bit of error in intonation, but close enough for everyday use."

Raleigh and Mako laughed.

"Now, I know you did not come all this way to pay a social visit. What brings you here on such a short visit?"

Mako produced the katana blade, wrapped in cloth. "I'm making it in honor of Marshall Pentecost."

Jurou smiled sadly. "Ah, your adoptive father. I am deeply sorry for your loss, Mako."

Raleigh sensed Mako's repressed frustration. Mako, it's going to be a while before everyone stops doing that. Trust me.

Mako gave no outward response, but she did calm down. "I wasn't able to acquire tamahagane for the sword, so I improvised with materials from the Shatterdome. A piece of each of sensei's Jaegers was used to make the blade"

Jurou gently took the blade and inspected it. "Hmm… Not the usual number of folds. Three, maybe four, correct?"

"Four. I didn't actually need to fold the steel, but I did so a few times just for tradition."

"That is fine. It makes it unique, and personal." He looked at the hamon. "The blade is beautiful. Your father would have been so proud. Not just because of your skill with the forge, but also with the sword… even if it's the height of our water tower." Jurou chuckled.

Mako blushed. "Thank you."

"I've seen may swords in my seventy years… but none can compare to your Chain Swords. Elegant, deadly, precise… Just like a katana." He wrapped the blade in the cloth again and set it aside. "Just like you."

"Thank you, Jurou."

"Now, about the price…"

"I'm aware I'm offering more than is normal…"

"Mako. I won't take your money."

She stopped. "Why?"

"I will do this for free, on one condition."

"Anything."

"I want you to do one more katana, as traditionally as you can. Sixteen folds. I know I can't get you any true tamahagane, but I've been in touch with some master metallurgists in the United States who can get you a very close match. I'll have them give you some of their best materials."

Mako thought it over.

"Just one, Mako. I want to polish one last traditional Mori sword before I die."

Mako nodded once, a tear creeping down her cheek. "I will. I'll let you know where I settle."

"Thank you." Jurou picked up the sword again. "If this is any indicator of your skill, you have the makings of being the greatest sword smith in the history of the Mori name. Your father did well in his short time with you. I can only imagine what you would be able to make if…"

"If he hadn't died?" Mako smiled sadly. "Me, too."

Jurou turned to Raleigh. "Mr. Becket, May I have a moment with you in private?"

Without waiting for a response, Jurou walked out into the small Zen garden out back. Raleigh followed, and Mako politely distanced herself in the Ghost Drift.

"Sir, we're Rangers. There are no secrets between copilots."

"I know. I still wish to tell you some things away from Mako, even if only physically." Jurou looked out over the garden. "I can tell you two love each other deeply."

"We do, sir."

"Then do me a favor."

Raleigh waited.

"Marry her, you fool!" Jurou laughed.

Raleigh smiled. "It's on the to-do list once things have calmed down."

Jurou's laughs stopped. "As if they haven't now? It's been months since you two closed the Breach. What are you waiting for?"

"We're moving to the U.S., dissolving the PPDC, setting up a museum, and starting a new company… all at the same time. We're a little busy to have a wedding right now." Raleigh left out the bombshell Herc had dropped in the last-minute briefing before he headed to Australia.

"Well, don't wait too long, Mr. Becket."

"Don't worry, sir. I'll make sure Mako sends you an invitation when it does happen."

"That's fine. Now, I'm sure Mako's extremely curious as to what we were talking about. Let's put her out of her misery."

Raleigh laughed. We're coming back in, Mako.

Phew. I was about to come after you and make sure Jurou hadn't been beating on you.

Jurou walked in and turned to Mako. "Before you leave, anything else I can do for you?"

Mako smiled. "Actually, there's a wakizashi Raleigh and I started, but don't have time to finish…"

"Did you leave it at Haneda's?"

"Yes, we did."

"Excellent. I'll make sure to have him come look at your katana and make a good match."

"Also, can you arrange for a mounting and case for both blades?"

"I know someone who only does a few a year, and only for the most exquisite blades. I think he'll jump at the chance to work with your blade. He loved your father's work. Anything in particular you're looking for?"

"Not really. Sensei was deeply into Zen."

"I'll pass that along."

Raleigh looked at his watch. "Mako, you ready?"

"Yes. Jurou, thank you so much."

"Thank you, Mako. Oh, before you leave, can you sign my granddaughter's shirt?" Jurou picked up a folded shirt and held it up, revealing it to be a Gipsy Danger shirt with Mako and Raleigh's faces displayed on their respective sides of the Conn Pod. "She's a huge fan of you."

Raleigh laughed and took out a Sharpie. "I'll sign it too, Jurou. But tell her to take very good care of the shirt. It's going to be worth a lot someday."

Mako sighed, and accepted the offered Sharpie. She signed it and handed the Sharpie back to Raleigh. He signed the shirt as well.

"Thank you for the hospitality, sir."

"Please, call me Jurou."

Mako smiled. "Sorry we couldn't stay longer, but we need to get going if we're going to catch the flight to Seattle."

"I understand. Just make sure to come back with that blade."

"I will, Jurou."

Mako and Raleigh left Jurou's house… right as his six-year-old granddaughter walked up the walkway.

Raleigh felt Mako panic. She'd never dealt well with the sudden rise in fame and arrival of fans that her brief stint as a Jaeger pilot had brought. He tried to send peace and patience across the Ghost Drift… But then the little girl realized who was standing just outside her grandfather's house.

"Mako Mori? Raleigh Becket?"

Mako, I know you're gonna beat on me in the Kwoon for this…

DON'T YOU DARE, RALEIGH!

Sorry, Mako. I have to make her day. Raleigh grinned. "Yeah, that's us."

Mako groaned and plugged her ears, knowing what came next.

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

"Whoa… calm down. We're actually just leaving."

"Awwwww…. Can't you stay?"

"Sadly, no. We have a big meeting to go to, and we need to leave now if we want to catch the plane out. However, we left you a present with your grandfather…"

"Why are you here, if you're not here to say hi to me? I'm Mako's biggest fan!"

Raleigh chuckled. "I'm sure you are. However, Mako knew your grandfather a long time ago, and came to him for help with something."

She turned to Mako. "You needed his help? With what?"

Mako smiled sweetly. "I made a very special sword for my sensei, and your grandfather is the best sword polisher in the world. I needed the best to finish the sword."

The little girl grew quiet. "Really? Can I help him?"

"Ask him. But remember this: When I was your age, I helped my father with his swords, not far from here."

"You grew up here?"

Mako's smile went from sweet to sad. "For a while, yes. But my parents were killed by a Kaiju in Tokyo. I was adopted by someone in the PPDC and moved from 'Dome to 'Dome for a while with him, until I got into the Academy."

"Do you think I can go to the Academy?"

"I don't know if it'll be open once you're old enough. But if you work really hard and do well in school, I think that you could."

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! THANKYOU!" The little girl raced into the house. "GRANDFATHER! MAKO TOLD ME I CAN GO TO THE ACADEMY!"

Raleigh chuckled. "Come on, Mako. Let's go catch that plane before Jurou catches you."

Mako shuddered. "What have I done?"

"You've unleashed a monster worse than any Kaiju… an overeager six-year-old with big dreams being told that they might just come true."

"Jurou's going to kill me. And you're right, I'm going to have to beat you on the mats for that."

Raleigh roared with laughter as they got into the car and drove to the airport.

-.-.-