We followed from a distance, making sure not to stray too close to the heavy lifters.
The weather as if knowing what's at stake is doing its best to give us a befitting send off or maybe it is working to our advantage. However you view it, it's raining saber tooth cats and prehistoric wolves out there. Visibility was a pain but I did my best to take as many pictures as I could. I had no idea how far we could go, but I'd be damned if I didn't come away from this with some quality shots.
I let my mind wander for a few, what if the Jaegers weren't successful? What would the headlines be like tomorrow? Would there be mass hysteria in the streets or would we as a race accept our fate. I know we wouldn't go down without a fight, to willingly lay down our lives like sheep was out of the question. Even if the fight was futile, I for one would do anything to protect and prolong my family's lives. I thought about my little angel, thought about how young she was. She had so much time ahead of her, it would be unfair and so sad if she never got to enjoy all life had to offer. I thought about her very first date, me intimidating the poor guy, victimizing all her guy friends and giving them hell if they tried any hanky-panky with my baby. I saw her graduate from law school, top of her class, making her parents damn proud. I imagined walking her down the aisle, handing her off to her hubby. I saw my grandkids sprinting around the yard, me with a shock of grey hair, smiling at my treasures, thrilled that I became a grandfather. I saw my future kids popping open their presents at Christmas with their grandmother, my wife. The image felt so good, that I unknowingly smiled. Just as I was basking in the warmth of the moment, I was interrupted by the pilot.
"We gotta turn around…"
I snapped out of my brief dream and noticed the massive carriers were lowering the Jaegers into the coastal waters. Apparently this was close to where the breach was. I zoomed in on the machines and took as many pictures as I could.
I have taken my final shots. All four rangers and their Jaegers have been accounted for. If all goes as plans, mankind lives to see another day and much more. If not, I will spend our last moments with my loved ones. Looking back at how far we have come, and why it had to end this way.
I was privy to take pictures of the rangers before they stepped into their machines. Though when you think about it, if the world really ends in a few, will this matter? It should. My goodness it should! We as a race should know these brave men and women that laid their lives on the line for us. I am not just talking about the rangers; I am talking about every single man and woman in that Hong Kong PPCD shatter dome, who worked tirelessly to give us this final attack on the Kaiju. How fitting that mankind gets this one chance to get it all right. I pray if there's a God listening that he's on our side. I pray he watches over those men and woman in the machines tonight. I pray he gives us the win we so desperately need.
The Camera is off now. Visibility is really poor and we can go no further. I watch the silhouettes of the Jaegers walk through the sea, moving farther and farther away. Sinking below to continue their foray into the depths, submerging to engage the Kaijus in one last dance. My trepidation has been replaced by awe. Admiration for Stacker Pentecost and the rest of his crew who have taken it upon themselves to save us. Tonight and many more nights to come depending on how this goes, their stories will be told over and over again. Urban legends, etched into the memories of generations to come.
"Let's head home", I said to the pilot. It was time to be with my loved ones. Our lives were on the line.