Not much of an author's note this time. Though I do need advice… I'm having trouble naming Kaiju in this chapter and later in the story. Anyone have suggestions? Either names or the best way to chose them?
Anyway, thanks to everyone who has reviewed, favorite and followed!
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The Category two Kaiju let out a bellow as it clawed at the water around it. Green Beast waited a few hundred yards away in the shallows. The Jaeger and her pilots had failed to hold the Miracle Mile and were eight hundred yards away from land. Seoul and its civilian population lay beyond that.
The Jaeger had arrived just as the South Korean military forces were retreating from the coastline. The teams had done an impressive job of holding off the creature with antiquated heavy artillery. Raleigh had felt Mako's interest through their Drift connection on why that had worked better than the more modern weapons Taiwan had tried to use to stall the Kaiju a few days before.
Raleigh was brought back to the attack as the Kaiju roared again and leapt at them, long claws scrambling for purchase on the metal form. A brutal punch shook off the beast though it snapped its jaws at the last moment, taking wiring from the Jaeger's left side with a symphony of snapping cables. The Rangers were thrown back in their harnesses as they pulled the Jaeger away from the monster's teeth.
The thought of armor flickered into Raleigh's head and he agreed with his partner. Green Beast's plating was not heavy enough to deal with higher category Kaiju claws and teeth.
The Kaiju tumbled to a stop in the shallow water and seemed disoriented as it stumbled slightly before regaining its footing. The creature's tail whipped the air and water around it.
Mako quickly judged the distance between Jaeger and Kaiju before bringing up her arm and preparing Green Beast's plasma cannon. Raleigh shifted a foot back in sync with his co-pilot as they steadied the Jaeger on the uneven sea floor for the blast. It went off, rippling the air and catching the Kaiju in the side as it attempted to dive out of the way. Blue blood arched through the air to splash into the water, neon against the black depths.
The Kaiju dove at them, going under the recharging plasma cannon and striking at the reactor. Sparks flew as the claws sliced metal. Raleigh felt like this Kaiju was smarter than its predecessors if only barely. It didn't seem to go straight for any attack but considered options before continuing any assault. The Ranger shook his head slightly, refocusing when he realized he was over thinking the combat. It wasn't his job to analyze Kaiju tactics. That's what the experts were for. The only thing he needed to focus on a right now was how to stop the current attack not on what it could mean for the future.
Working in sync, Mako and Raleigh blocked the Kaiju's next strike and knocked the beast head over heels, pushing it back from the coastline and into deeper water. The ground shook beneath the massive pair.
Taking advantage of the progress away from land and civilians, Mako recharged the plasma cannon and a second blast caught it in the stomach before it could move. Raleigh could hear the joints of Green Beast whirr and creak as the Jaeger rushed the creature and pile drove it into the ocean floor. As the Kaiju struggled beneath them, a third blast of the cannon took off the creatures head, sending bits of Kaiju through the air and water.
Raleigh and Mako were both breathing heavily as they Jaeger took a step back and stilled. A mixture of fierce pride and intense happiness floated through their connection as they simply basked in the moment.
"We're fucking awesome." Raleigh found himself laughing, a delirious sound.
"Yes." Mako could barely catch her breath as a grin split her face beneath her helmet. "We are."
Both were exhausted but alive in a way they hadn't been in a long time. They had proven themselves to each other, to themselves, to the world, and to the Kaiju. A long fight lay before them but for the moment, they were successful.
"Rift closed, no further life signs, confirmed Kaiju kill." Tendo's proud voice echoed through the conn-pod as the pilots grinned at each other, adrenaline and pride coursing through their veins. The speakers around them seemed to vibrate from the cheers and applause miles away in mission control.
"Good job Rangers." Marshall Hansen's voice calmed the distant throng somewhat as he spoke. "Military forces are being deployed now to collect the Kaiju remains and PPDC helicopters are coming for you now. Report in once you return to the Shatterdome."
Fifteen minutes after the Kaiju was killed, Mako and Raleigh could hear the cables attaching to the exterior of Green Beast and the groan as they pulled taunt, the machines taking the weight of the Jaeger and raising it from the ocean.
It was several hours later before Green Beast was back in her bay and the pair were able to discharge the neural load and cut the Drift. Despite feeling a harsh drift hangover beginning Mako and Raleigh dutifully reported to the Marshall's office.
"Marshall." Mako tapped lightly on the door to Herc's office before the pair entered on Hansen's command. The Shatterdome was quiet, most crew and techs had finished their jobs before the Jaeger was back and were now sleeping in the early morning. The only movement was in the bays where Tendo and Nikki were overseeing the decontamination and repair of Green Beast, their jobs only beginning.
"Rangers." Herc nodded at the pair. "I'll keep it brief; we all need our rest. Good job tonight, we proved a point to the world and the Kaiju's masters. There hasn't been a single rift opened since the Kaiju was sent through and killed. Ten hours without one is the longest we've gone since the Breach was closed. You two are free for the next twenty four hours except in case of another attack. A meeting to review the assault and the Academy will be scheduled when you are both ready. Dismissed."
The two Jaeger pilots nodded, relieved at the simplicity of the meeting. They split as they reached their hall, needing time apart after such a long drift, and each collapsed in to their own beds.
….
Raleigh beat Mako by two hours. He was out for sixteen while she was out for eighteen. It was almost two quiet days after the alarm went off before the two were alert enough to meet with Hansen officially.
The meeting was just the two pilots, Hansen, Tendo, and Nikki. Keeping it small kept vital details from leaking out and considering how small the Jaeger Corps was at the moment, the five were the only thing resembling a chain of command.
"How is Green Beast looking?" The Marshall started the meeting off as soon as Tendo and Nikki hurried in the door.
"Good all things considered. We've already finished replacing the damaged systems and the plating will be done in a few hours." Nikki reported quickly, allowing Tendo to take over.
"We're updating the plasma generator for the left cannon, the readings taken during the fight showed it was performing below capacity but it's almost done. Green Beast was officially battle ready five hours after combat and will be pristine within another two. Not bad numbers considering the original condition of the Jaeger. We should need less recovery time in the future."
Herc nodded, pleased. "And factory production on the new ones? It's been several days since I've been given an update."
Tendo and Nikki glanced at each other before the LOCCENT officer explained. "There was a slight delay because of a looted supply shipment. It was going through the Panama Canal right after the Kaiju attack when rioting was at its worst in the country. Four other ships were attacked and looted indiscriminately."
"How far behind are we?" Mako asked evenly.
"The looting hit the supplies needed for 445 so it has been pushed back and 381 will be started next instead. Gipsy will start arriving in about a week. I thought it was best if she didn't come in a single shipment so we didn't lose everything if an attack targeted the carrier. We'll start assembling her in the bay across from Green Beast as soon as possible." Nikki informed the group.
"When will she be operational?" Raleigh didn't mind Green Beast but he needed his Jaeger back. They weren't just interchangeable.
Nikki shrugged. "We've never tried a production like this for a factory Jaeger. It should be quicker than Beast but no guarantees. It depends by how quickly her pieces come in."
"How is the Academy program looking? Any luck pairing?" Herc changed the direction of the conversation.
Raleigh nodded. He and Mako had spent a late breakfast poring over all the stats and opinions collected from the prospective group and thought they had two decent pairings. "We've got the twins and two other potential pairs." He said quickly before Mako took over.
"Office Choi and I have been working on simulator designed specifically to match pilots. We will start using it tomorrow and should have sufficient data to confirm or rearrange pairings within a few days."
Hansen nodded. "Run the twins through it first and compare their real results with projected results so we have an idea how successful the program is."
He seemed to hesitate before continuing with a grimace. "I have been working with PPDC officials to ensure we never have a shortage of pilots like this again and parts of their concerns revolve around the idea that pilots can only work with one other person. They want to look into multiple pairings and test pilots for Drift compatibility with multiple people." He trailed off as Raleigh and Tendo both protested immediately.
"You can't just switch pilots out like they're puzzle pieces!" Raleigh was furious at the idea. The partnership is what came first. "The more you Drift with someone, the better the pairing is! Trying to switch people out will destroy that connection!" Mako remained silent, letting her confrontational partner voice her opinion alongside his.
"That would seriously screw with the pilots. Everytime you drift you get the memories of others they have drifted with. We know from Mako and Raleigh that you can even end up with ghost drifting within the pair. Even test drifting to confirm a second partnership would be putting at least four sets of memories into each pilot! No one could handle that and stay stable in attacks!" Tendo added in his protests.
The Marshall held up a hand silencing the pair of men. "I am aware of all those points which is why I vetoed the idea as a standard procedure. Testing will only involve comparing sim date and not even partial Drifting. Any changed pairings will only occur under desperate situations." Herc fell silent and Raleigh knew what desperate situation the older pilot was thinking of. The kind where one pilot was unable to continue because of a broken arm but his co-pilot had a duty to carry out in order to save the world.
Herc glanced at the bulldog who was sleeping at his feet before continuing. "The plan is a long way off because it is impossible without a pool of trained and qualified pilots to pull the necessary data from. We currently only have six, four of which are in stable pairs."
Raleigh ran through the math in his head, only coming up with five; the twins, himself, Mako, and Herc. "Five." He corrected.
Herc Hansen shook his head. "Angel makes six."
Realization washed over Raleigh as he vaguely remembered someone telling him that Nikki was Drift capable but had left the Academy when she was more useful in the Bays than in a conn-pod.
"No." Nikki's objection cut through the room. Anger and something akin to betrayal were written across her face and directed at the Marshall. She opened her mouth to continue but was cut off.
"If you allow your name to be added to the pool, PPDC has agreed to allocate basic funding for 509 once the fleet is done." Herc's voice was cold as he didn't meet Nikki's gaze.
She froze at his words and seemed to struggle with her unspoken conflict before nodding curtly. "Fine."
Hansen turned his attention back to the current pilots. "Do you have anything to add regarding the battle and Green Beast's performance?"
"It needs heavier armor overall. The left leg system seems to have a slower reaction time to commands than the right and the hydraulics of the conn-pod may need to be checked. They seemed stiff when we took a blow to the main segment of Beast's body." Mako had her answer ready to go and Raleigh nodded in agreement.
The Marshall glanced at Tendo who nodded; I'll check both areas out with Nikki tonight. I've got to finish that training program if there is nothing further." Herc dismissed the tech with a nod.
Mako glanced at Raleigh who read her thoughts and nodded. The Rangers stood, "We should check in on the trainees. They've been without abuse for too long."
Herc nodded a second time, "They need it."
The pair of pilots left, leaving Nikki and Herc alone in the conference room.
…
Raleigh wandered the halls later that night, long after the dome had fallen quiet. Sleep was difficult. Mako's memories where at the forefront of his mind, fighting for dominance with his own. It wasn't difficult or painful, just very distracting. He had considered going to Mako's room for comfort but he would feel guilty tomorrow if he woke her now. He would always be there any time she needed him day or night and he knew she would do the same but he still fought the impulse unless he got desperate.
Walking past the gym, he noticed the motion sensor lights were on, signaling an occupant despite the late hour. His mind went first to Mako, wondering if she had struggling to sleep too. He was surprise to see Nikki pounding on a punching bag but reconsidered his reaction considering the meeting earlier in the day.
"Trouble sleeping?" She jerked at the sound of his voice, catching the bag with a hand just before it hit her.
"Something like that." Nikki muttered before turning back to the bag and continuing her assault. A sheen of sweat covered her body along with a tank top and shorts and the metal arm band. Her taped up hands covered some of her tattoo though half still showed. Raleigh wondered if her tattoo was a reminder like Mako's blue streaks.
Moving behind the bag, Raleigh steadied it as Nikki kept up the rhythm of punches, her dog tags tapping against her chest with every motion. She definitely had combat experience, something along the lines of kick boxing he would guess.
"This is slightly hypocritical, but there are better ways to handle stress than this." Raleigh told her with a crooked grin, trying to break the bleak look on her face after several minutes of quiet filled only by the sound of flesh hitting the bag.
Nikki sighed and caught the bag a second time. "Not really, its violence or alcohol for me and I can't drink under the constant threat." She told him before resuming the constant assault.
"Do you want to talk or should I just hold the bag and pretend not to exist?"
Nikki let soft laugh and her rhythm slowed. "It's nothing in particular, I just needed time away. The bays are always full with everything going on. The few hours I get off need to be somewhere else."
"Have you ever considered sleeping? I hear it's healthy."
"You're one to talk." Nikki emphasized her point with a harder punch, her rhythm picking back up. "The twins have taken over our room again and we've gone back to the vicious cycle of me worrying about them and them worrying about me."
"You don't need to worry so much. They're already great and they're only going to get better." Raleigh's comment was softer than he meant it to come out.
Nikki nodded. "I know. I've always known. It's the only reason I'm not fighting them anymore. I just always thought we would end the war one way or another before putting them in a Jaeger became so necessary." Her frustration showed her face and every tense muscle in her body.
"We…"Raleigh's comment was cut off as Nikki's next punch had enough force behind it that the bag pushed Raleigh back a half step. He heard something crunch as he stabilized.
"Fuck!" Nikki stepped away from the bag, shaking her hand. The Ranger could see blood seeming through the tape and gauze on her knuckles as she moved towards one of the cabinets on the other side of the gym.
"Let me look at it." Raleigh offered a hand as he followed.
"No." Nikki stopped him with her good hand before rummaging through the first aid kit. "I just need everything to stop for just a minute and I'll be fine. I just…" She broke off and tried to ripe a piece of medical tape off with her teeth.
"Jesus." Raleigh gave up trying to be polite and grabbed the tape from her before taking her hand. "Just stand still for a minute and let someone else help. It isn't going to kill you to take the assistance." At least one knuckle was broken so he quickly taped and splinted her last three fingers together. She would have to see one of the medical personnel tomorrow.
"If the person in charge of keeping my Jaeger in one piece is going to be abusing herself, I think I deserve an explanation."
Nikki sat on one of the benches with a huff, cradling her damaged hand. "Every time I adjust and get a hold of things, it gets worse. It's this never ending pile of shit to deal with. If I mess up, everything goes to hell but I can't stop because no one else can do it either!" The words came out in a single rush, having been pent up for too long.
Raleigh knew he could relate. "Desperate times, desperate measures."
Nikki nodded, her voice hollow. "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."
They sat in companionable silence for a while, both recognizing the similarities they had never thought they shared.
The calm was shattered by the Kaiju alarm as it shrieked through the Shatterdome.
"And so it begins again." Raleigh stood and began walking to the gym doors
Nikki fell into step beside him. "No rest for the weary."
"No rest for the wicked." Raleigh changed her words with a crooked grin but missed her response as a rushing tech called her name in the hall and they separated, one going to the drivesuit team and the other to the bays to help the crews wake Green Beast.
…..
Bolded text does its best Dalek impression in honor of the 12th doctor reveal: Review! REVIEW!
