Sadly, Striker's inaction would prove costly. We would later find out, Stacker Pentecost was responsible for the order that had it straddling the coastline. Supposedly he wanted the Australian Jaeger to stay out of harm's way for a yet undisclosed mission. We would also learn that both Hansens were furious about the decision but had to comply for as long as they did. We can only speculate on what would have happened if Striker had engaged the two Kaijus with Crimson Typhoon and Cherno Alpha. Maybe all 3 Jaegers would be around right now. Maybe we wouldn't have suffered as much loss as we did that night, but like the popular saying goes, 'can't cry over spilled milk.'
I will not pile more criticism on Stacker, the man's shoulders have been carrying so much weight for so long, and surely this would be another heap atop it. The man is undoubtedly one of the sharpest minds working at the PPCD and if anyone should be given the benefit of the doubt, it most certainly is him. I for one believed he never went into that unfortunate night thinking of sacrificing some of his best fighters. I remember quite clearly how passionate he was when he told us to bet all we have on him and his rangers. He must feel like their lives are in his hands, and to lose them the way we did, would have been very tough for him to swallow. The Kaijus have proven to be a very determined enemy, with more skills and ability than we had accounted for. They were also much smarter at battle tactics than given credit for. The stronger beast took on the brunt of our attacks whilst the stealthy one, waited below the waves before making a timely move. The one narrative that has constantly been told for years now, is that these creatures are beasts of rage. Unthinking monsters with only one intention and that is to wipe out mankind. By the end of the night we would learn two things, they clearly knew how to strategize and they had more tricks up their sleeves than they had originally let on.
One of such tactics was played out in the bay before our very eyes. Leatherback kept using its massive pincer like fists to pummel Cherno, whilst Otachi furiously ripped apart the machine's exterior, eventually tearing away one of Cherno's arms. It felt like Deja vu all over again. I was present when Gipsy Danger lost its arm, in similar fashion…in just as nasty weather. It would seem the same unfortunate ending would befall the Russian Jaeger.
Just as we thought it was over for Cherno, Striker zoomed past us, almost knocking our chopper into the sea by the gale of wind that followed its wake. The Hansens had ignored Stacker's orders to come to the aid of their ally. Otachi, seeing the other Jaeger approach, moved to intercept it, preventing Striker from getting through.
Those were some of the most traumatic moments I have ever witnessed in battle. Watching our strike force get decimated so quickly, only to believe there was still a chance to pull it off but in the end, coming to the sad realization that their efforts would not be enough.
Cherno Alpha had suffered too much damage to be able to deter Leatherback. The alien which had kept mostly out of sight used all of its strength to rip apart Cherno, drag it under water and I can only assume kill off the rangers beneath the surface. There was a spectacular boom that sent the waves roaring into the sky. A luminescent glow lit up the spot where Cherno and Leatherback had both descended into the water.
Striker had been too late.