2022, February 14 – 05:18 – Sydney Shatterdome, Sydney, Australia
Greyson was on her way to the Local Command Center with two mugs of coffee when her name was called. The person in question drove in a cart that was filled to the brim with countless bouquets of many different flowers.
She watched the cart crawl to a stop and greeted the driver. "Hey, Tony. Didn't know you had a green thumb," Greyson joked, taking a sip from one of the mugs. She nodded to the cart. "What's the occasion?"
Anthony made a face and raised a brow. "Don't tell me you've forgotten about Single's Awareness Day." Chuckling to himself, he parked the cart and grabbed a holoscreen. After scanning it for some time, the staffer scrounged in the back seats for what she assumed was her own flowers. "I see you've got a secret admirer," Anthony commented lightly, gingerly presenting Greyson with a bouquet of roses as red as her jeans.
Greyson, without a free hand, hugged the flowers in the crook of an elbow. "Wow, these are… wow" was all she was able to get out. There was a card attached to the bundle, but she was unable to read it.
After being given a lift to the LOCCENT by Anthony, Greyson entered the area and strode to the Chief Tech Officer's desk, handing him the coffee. She had started to consider him a friend throughout her time in the new 'Dome.
Upon taking a sip out of the mug, the man grimaced, sputtering. "I said 8-in-1 Frappuccino."
"You can tell the difference?" she inquired, lightly impressed but not truly in much wonder. She put down her mug.
He said matter-of-factly, "Anyone can tell the difference between a 3-in-1 and an 8-in-1, which you'd have been able to do if—"
"Yeah, okay, sorry," Greyson huffed, putting down her mug. Detaching the note from the roses, she opened the handwritten card. Her face immediately broke out in a stupid grin upon recognizing the writing: Roses are red; violets are blue. This may be cliché, but I'm thinking of you. – C.
Greyson's eyes nearly missed the post script which said: P.S. – You look good in red. Before the girl was able to question what exactly the line was meant, the doors to Mission Control opened to reveal Herc Hansen alongside Marshal Stacker Pentecost. She greeted them kindly.
When the two of them were well within earshot, Herc met Greyson's eye, waving the slightest bit. "The bloke's waiting for you outside," he joked.
Greyson chuckled and thanked the good man, leaving behind the rosy red bouquet. Upon stepping foot into the large corridor, a wide eyed ginger with even wider of a grin met her. In his hands was a large white sign, which were apparently multiple ones. They read as:
With any luck, by next year
I'll be going out with an amazing girl
But for now let me say,
Without hesitation or second thought,
Just because it's Valentine's Day—
(And at V-Day you fall in love)
To me, you are perfect
And my poor, young heart will love you
Until you look like Betty White
Happy Valentine's
Greyson stood smiling, and Chuck shown that absolutely stupid grin he knew she loved, and they just looked at each other until Greyson said to him, "Please tell me you didn't just go Love Actually on me."
"I'm shooting my shot, aye? Will you go out with me?" Chuck's eyes were hopeful, and he had gone through all the trouble to make her day.
"Okay, Chuck," she answered, using his proper name in what felt like the first time. "One date."
2022, July 25 – 16:09 – Sydney Shatterdome, Sydney, Australia
Father and son were heading back into the bowels of their respective 'Dome after exiting the DriveSuit Room. The fight with Taurax in the Philippines wore them out, and their girl needed a fix-her-up of her own.
It was during dinner that either of them actually spoke a direct word outside of their usual grunts and huffs. Herc and Chuck Hansen were sat opposite each other at the table, with Max beside the latter man. The father had spoken to his son, making sure his food was more than partially eaten before opening his mouth. "There was something off with you this last drop."
Chuck scoffed, pulling the same face he always did when it came to his father's little mind games. "Sure, old man, whatever you say."
"This is no game, boy," Herc chastised. His voice was not raised; though its firmness made Chuck aware he truly wasn't planning to beat around the bush. "You know how crucial focus is within the ConnPod. I need to—"
"—be able to rely on me to keep my eyes on the goal. I know, Dad, I know — you never shut up about it." Chuck dipped his head down, eyes half-lidded. "What's it to you? The drop was successful, and we even have another kill under the belt."
Herc frowned, and his eye brows knitted together in frustration at his only son. "You know as well as I do," he rigidly started, "that being a Ranger ain't always about how many KJs you've bagged. If this is about that girl, I—"
"What if she isn't just some girl, Dad? Because she isn't." Chuck snapped. He sat up. "Hey, I bet everything you're about to say is great stuff, and I'm sure it'll all pay off… someday." Chuck threw back the remainin g contents of his drink before grasping the lid of his cap and standing. "Don't waste your breath, old man. Nothing personal."
The son pulled the bull cap over his ginger hair and called for his dog to follow suit as he left the crowded mess hall.
2023, May 1 – 18:49 – The Ice Box, Anchorage, Alaska, United States
"What do you think they're talking about in there?" Chuck blew his bangs out of his eyes.
Greyson shrugged, smirking. "Saving people, hunting things." She giggled when Chuck complained about the reference.
The lieutenant was transferred back to the Ice Box at the beginning of April 2023. She definitely enjoyed the year and half at Sydney, but it was always good to be home.
"Heard from the old man that they were thinking of picking up an old Jaeger for some op." Chuck crossed his arms over his chest, mouth shifting to the side. His eyes flickered to the woman standing beside him. He leaned into her, shoving her shoulder with his. Their gaze met and both grinned.
She slipped her hand into his, interlocking their fingers together. Greyson said, "Give him some slack. Things haven't been hunky dory behind the scenes, you know." Her chin rested on his shoulder, and the lieutenant's eyes traced his profile. With her free hand, Greyson moved his hair out of his face again. She wondered if he knew that Herc and Stacker both intended to lead the op in the future. "Was there anything else you may have accidentally eavesdropped in, hmm?"
The corners of Chuck's turned down to hide his sheepish grin, and his blue eyes looked up to the ceiling holdings. A high-pitched hum resided in the back of his throat as he wracked his brain for a proper answer. "Nothing in particular," Chuck answered finally, angling his head to her once again. He looked at her like a man seeing the watching a beautiful sunset for the first time.
Chuck raised his right arm, the one holding Greyson's left hand, and kissed her knuckles. His eyes glued to the black ink that ran across the inside of her wrist; he turned his hand to see it better. "You never told me what the Roman numerals were for," he said, running his left thumb over it.
"It's Yancy's birthday. We were out in town shit-faced one weekend, and we got matching tats. He had mine on his wrist, too." Greyson then proceeded to grab her boyfriend's right arm, looking at the fresh ink on his forearm. It was lining of the Striker Eureka insignia. Teasingly, she asked, "When are you going to color this in? You scared?"
"No!" Chuck replied defensively. "Just never had the time."
Greyson chuckled, asking him, "Have you ever met one of the research squints? Geiszler?" Off of the shake of his head, she said, "Well, forget about sleeves. That guy's got some mega pain threshold; his entire upper body is done in full color."
The two of them stood in front of the Marshal's office for however long it was that time had passed, with her head rested on his shoulder and his arm around hers. Voices were very lightly heard through the door, but it was soon found what the lengthy meeting and conference was for.
There was to be a program created for the restoration of a Jaeger soon in light. Efforts would be set to retrieve it from Oblivion Bay. Some other things were said about operating and falling in pits or something of that nature, but neither of the two was able to catch much of that.
Within moments, Tendo Choi had come down the hall beside them, asking if they were called up with him. "Called up for what?" Greyson inquired, now more curious than ever. "Is it about the Breach op?"
Chuck pulled a face, confused and offended that he hadn't been in on some loop. "What the hell do you mean Breach op?"
The three of them heard footsteps echo down the hallway and immediately turned to see who was approaching. A young Japanese trainee, Mako Mori (known to history as Tokyo's Daughter), was briskly making her way towards them. Nearly everyone in the PPDC knew her name, and many were thrilled when Pentecost allowed her to attend the Jaeger Academy two years ago. Since then, she had made a name for herself in the J-Tech department.
Herc Hansen pulled open the door just as Mako came, and she and Tendo entered the Marshal's office. The veteran Ranger pointed to a surprised Greyson and wordlessly ushered her into the room. They all left Chuck alone in the hall.
"One or more of you may be wondering why you're here," Stacker Pentecost assumed, sizing up each of the three. "With the inevitable sunsetting of the Jaeger Program in the future, we have decided on a last-ditch effort to deal with the Breach once and for all."
Greyson raised her hand slightly, motioning to speak. "With permission to speak, sir, I'd heard we were going to be picking up a Jaeger from Oblivion Bay?"
The Marshal nodded, his eyes narrowing a smidge. "Choi, Darcy, you two are already aware of Operation Pitfall. Now, you three have truly proven yourself above the rest. I'd like you all to head the newest Jaeger Restoration Project."
Mako spoke up, "Marshal, which Jaeger are we resurrecting?"
2023, June 21 – 10:12 – The Ice Box, Anchorage, Alaska, United States
"Look at her."
"I see."
"No, I mean… Really look at her!"
"I do have eyes. Two of them."
"She's a classic, original beaut." There was an air of adoration in the woman's voice. Greyson Darcy turned to Tendo Choi, eyes wide and full of wonder and nearly childlike.
The chief tech officer laughed. "And she's going to be running support on an op."
With a roll of the eye, the lieutenant turned back to the glass overlook to the bay port, watching as the Super Sikorskys lowered the broken Mark 3 into Bay 6, directly from the rigging.
Greyson placed her palm against the cool glass, sighing contentedly. After some time, she said, "Where do you think he is?"
She didn't see him shrug his shoulders. "God knows," Tendo sighed. "Last I heard he was chasing shifts wherever he could. I miss that gassy, oversized jerk-face."
A dull ache in her chest appeared suddenly. She decided to change the subject abruptly, letting out, "Are you going to Academy day?" Greyson turned in time to see the questioning look that Tendo gave her.
He asked, "Why the hell would I go to recruitment to stare at some smelly brats?"
"Hey, we used to be those smelly brats." Greyson punched the tech chief officer's shoulder in jest. "Anyway, Mako told me that the Marshal allowed his son to enlist this year. I just figured it was a special occasion."
Tendo opened his mouth to speak before the overhead PA system turned on; he was being called back to the LOCCENT. "Duty calls, my dude. Let me know how Recruitment Day works out for ya."
2023, June 23 – 09:23 – Jaeger Academy, Kodiak Island, Alaska, United States
It had been so long since Greyson had been back to the Academy base. What was it, seven years? Eight? There was a certain buzz in the air that they never got in the Ice Box anymore, some sort of unbridled hope. From her perch at the very back of the auditorium, Greyson could tell that there were more people in attendance this year. The place was packed like her own recruitment day; it was understandable considering it was almost a decade into the Kaiju War, and the generation of kids that grew up in its wreckage wanted their chance to fight the monsters.
The Marshal was up on the podium again, almost staring down each person and delivering a practiced speech. Everyone was captivated by his words, the way he highlighted the greats of their time and the greats that are yet to be. Greyson never got tired of hearing Stacker Pentecost do his speeches; he had a way with words that lifted the spirits of anyone within earshot.
"…it has been nearly ten years since K-Day. People may ask why you want to join the ranks of dragon slayers. You are here because of your families, because of your courage, because of your rage. You are here because it's your turn to lead the charge."
One boy was stood behind the lieutenant, strong-jawed with proper posture. He looked at the Marshal with such fervor, pride. He roared alongside the other recruits, hands clapping like thunder. He had changed so much from the young boy Greyson would see during the celebration for fallen Rangers and many summers following.
Jacob Pentecost looked ready to prove his father wrong.
2024, March 22 – 11:23 – The Ice Box, Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Greyson stopped walking on the tarmac, planting her feet down. She closed her eyes, inhaling the crisp air that the day rolled in with. Adjusting the ear buds that she wore, she said, "God, it is so nice out today."
"You're outside? Ugh, Sonny, you are lucky." Mako sighed audibly on the other end of the call. "I am just waiting to graduate this class, and then finally get back to the restoration."
The lieutenant chuckled a bit, knowing exactly how Tokyo's Daughter was feeling. With three years of training from the Marshal himself under her belt, Mako was tasked with training this year's hopeful recruits.
The Marshal's son, Jake, and another boy named Nathan Lambert were under Mako's supervision. They showed great promise when they enlisted at the beginning of the recruitment and had proved themselves since. Greyson only ever hears praise coming from Mako whenever she would check in with her; Jake was at the top of his class and had a nice aptitude for the program.
It was nice to know that Jake and Mako were finally getting along. From what the lieutenant could gather over the years, things were rough in the family dynamic for a while. Greyson couldn't imagine what it was like for Jake to have a father he already wasn't close with replace him for someone else. She heard things sometimes, about how despite Jake being years younger than Mako, Pentecost made him help the girl to assimilate. Pentecost would always favor Mako, train her, care for her more than his own flesh and blood.
It was obvious after a while that Jake Pentecost grew to dislike his father. He was just another kid who grew up too fast, much like Chuck. On the rare times Greyson had seen Jake, she knew that he had the look in his eyes that wanted to prove to his father that he was just as good as his sister. That he was good enough to have the Pentecost name. That he would be willing to do anything reckless to prove it.
She hoped that Jake wouldn't make the same mistakes that many before him had.
Greyson watched cargo trucks drive by, listening to Mako talk on the other end of the line about the incoming cadets. It was moments later when an alarm started blaring, and Greyson's head whipped around to look at the Shatterdome. No lights. No one was running around. She pulled one ear bud off in search for the source of the sound before realizing it was coming from the line.
"What's that?" Greyson asked in haste, brows knitting together in worry.
Mako uttered a curse under breath and Greyson could hear her begin to run. People were yelling. The alarm kept blaring. "Someone get security!" Mako called out.
Greyson was already on her way back inside the Shatterdome, adrenaline coursing through her veins. The only thing on her mind was the need to get to the LOCCENT. Tendo would be there; he would already be patched in with the Academy. The staffers were probably staring at her in curiosity as she bolted across the 'dome, blissfully unaware that something was going down at the Jaeger Academy.
She wished her legs would move faster. "Mako, what the fuck is going on!" Greyson rushed through to the lift, smashing the up button repeatedly. Of all times the elevator was busy, it had to be when she needed it most. Of course.
"The Proving Grounds—they're saying someone activated a Mark 4—"
"Wait, what? How could—?" A large group of staffers stepped out of the lift once the doors opened. Greyson tried squeezing between them hurriedly. "Sorry—comin' through—emergency shit happening!"
By the time Greyson got to the local command center it was buzzing with techs. She found her way to Tendo, who was attempting to call the Marshal and see what the hell was going on at the other facility. Greyson heard Mako talking to someone else on the other line briefly.
"Ten, what the fuck is going on at the Academy?" She pulled a seat up beside him, sitting. "Mako's on the line—said a Jaeger was—"
"LAMBERT!"
Greyson winced when Mako shouted. Tendo opened his mouth to ask her what was wrong, but she held a hand up.
Mako's voice came in angry and scared. "Where did Jake go? Where is he?"
A faint voice that Greyson could only assume was Nathan Lambert's responded, "I-I think he's the one in the… the Jaeger."
Greyson's eyes widened, and a hand flew to cover her mouth. "Holy shit. Pentecost is trying to do a solo-run."
2024, March 24 – 14:16 – The Ice Box, Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Stacker Pentecost had never looked so… deadly. Greyson has seen the Marshal angry before; she has seen him furious. But all those times, she was never afraid of being in the same room as him.
Hesitantly, she approached his desk. She had Jake's dossier loaded onto her holoscreen, ready to transfer over to his. A red "DISMISSED" sanction was across the file. Greyson squared her shoulders, breathing in. "Marshal… is there anything else you would like me to do for you?"
Pentecost didn't look at her at first. His jaw was taut, teeth clenched together. When his eyes met hers, Greyson recognized the look of defeat and rage. She had only seen that look once before—years before when the United Nations had given the PPDC their final ultimatum. The Marshal exhaled, his shoulders sagging. "Work with Mori to find a new co-pilot for Cadet Lambert. He's come too far for this incident to derail his chance as a Ranger."
"Yes, sir. I'll let them know."
Greyson grasped the double meaning behind his words. He was obviously angry and disappointed in his son; the same son that thought it was a brilliant idea to hop into a Mark 4 on his own to prove something so childish. The Marshal didn't want his son's mistakes to hurt anyone else.
By some miracle, Jake hadn't seized up from the neural overload when he activated the command matrix. By some miracle, Jake hadn't died from impact when the Jaeger fell, unlike the original test pilots. Jake had made it one step before blacking out, but the damage was done the moment he had stepped into that mecha.
The prodigal son had barely regained consciousness when his father berated him for his shortcomings and risking the lives of people at the Academy. The Marshal had stripped Jake of his cadet status and dismissed him from the ranks before the kid could even walk on his own again. Greyson felt absolutely terrible for him, even though she knew that he needed to learn his lesson. Maybe it was because he reminded her of Raleigh so much.
Greyson was nearly out the door when she stopped. She turned to Pentecost again, letting the door close a little bit. He looked so haggard, so done with carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. "Marshal, I hope this isn't overstepping, but… after knowing each other for nearly a decade, I feel like I can be frank with you."
Pentecost's gaze was scrutinizing, but he made no move to dismiss her. His eyes narrowed minutely. "Come out with it, Darcy."
She said simply, "Don't let him go." Greyson maintained eye contact with the Marshal, and if she wasn't already set on telling him her thoughts, she probably would have shit herself. "Jake is your son, and he's obviously made huge mistakes, and he is going to make more."
Despite looking as if he was ready to interrupt the lieutenant—because she was barely 25 years old and what could she possibly know about parenting—he let her continue.
"Dismissing him from the program was probably the only good option you had after he brought down a Jaeger. But, sir, respectfully, don't dismiss him from your life. Don't let him do it either." Greyson's right hand balled into a fist, and she breathed in a shaky inhale as she thought of the rocky relationship she had with her own father.
"You want me to make nice with him, is that it?" Pentecost questioned almost cynically.
"You still have him and Mako, sir," she responded. Greyson's flickered down, a slight frown tugging at the corners of her lips. "I'm just saying, we never know how much time we have anymore—especially with each other. I don't want him to regret the relationship he left with you, like how I regret the relationship I had with my dad."