The next morning, Analia found herself in the open hangar bay waiting for Jake and his new recruit to arrive. Raleigh had dipped out early that morning without waking her and for that she was grateful. They hadn't slept much that night. The babysitter showed up just as she was finishing getting ready and as she had left, she had placed a kiss on her daughters' forehead.
People were bustling about on the hangar deck, preparing all the equipment for the day. Valor Omega and its pilot were stretching their legs and every single person on deck skirted around her. Stories about her and Raleigh had earned them immense respect after the war. No one had dared go against them, but beyond that the way they were treated was so much different from before the war that she often had a hard time believing it. They had saved the world and with it came this celebrity status.
The same could be said for Jake Pentecost. After his father had died, he had only stayed in the academy for a few years before dropping out and off their radar. While her and Raleigh had accepted their fame, Jake had taken it as a constant reminder that his father was gone. In the time that he had been at the Academy under her wing though he had been a smart kid who excelled in the program, much like Ezra had in the last few years. She only hoped that being away from the Academy hadn't tainted his respect for her and her peers.
In the distance she caught sight of the plane bringing them in and she sighed.'Here we go',she thought to herself. She watched as the plane landed and they made their way out of the back. She slowly started making her way over to them, keeping an eye on the other planes that had the homemade jaeger. She had to admit that she was a little impressed that a 15-year-old had been able to build a jaeger on her own, though she suspected that she'd had some help along the line. She chuckled to herself when she saw the jaeger fall over onto its face.
The sound of Nate Lambert's voice carried through the air, clear and self-assured as he greeted the young Pentecost. Analia rolled her eyes at the familiar bravado. Nate's ego had only swelled since his graduation, something that hadn't gone unnoticed by anyone—least of all her. She couldn't help but be reminded of how the once promising young ranger had allowed fame to get the best of him.
Closing the distance between herself and the group, Analia caught the tail end of Jake's conversation with Nate. "How you doing, Nate?" Jake asked, his voice casual.
Nate, never missing an opportunity to correct, replied sharply, "It's Ranger Lambert." Analia didn't need to see Jake's face to know he was annoyed; it was written in the tension of his shoulders. She smirked to herself before stepping up beside him, giving him a quick wink in greeting.
Her attention shifted to the dirt-covered girl standing next to Jake. The young cadet looked like she could use a long shower, but there was no denying the fierce determination burning in her eyes. "And you must be Amara Namani," Analia said, giving the girl a once-over, sizing her up in a glance.
"Yes, ma'am. Ranger, ma'am," Amara responded quickly, the respect in her voice unmistakable. Analia couldn't help but laugh at the formality.
"You can just call me Ranger Beckett," she replied, watching as the realization of who she was dawned on the young cadet. Amara's eyes widened, and Analia smiled. "C'mon, let's get you kids squared away." She turned her attention back to Nate. "Oh, and that'll be all for you, Nate. Don't you and your co-pilot have a plane to catch?"
"Yes ma'am," Nate responded with a curt nod before walking away. She watched him go, thinking about how disappointed she was with his recent choice to leave for the private sector. It wasn't a decision she was happy with, but there was nothing she could do.
As she led Jake and Amara through the hangar, Analia heard the girl whisper to Jake, "Wait... did she just call you Pentecost? As in badass Stacker Pentecost? Pilot of Coyote Tango, hero of... basically the whole world?"
"It's just a name," Jake grumbled, his voice low as he followed her.
Analia chuckled to herself, overhearing the exchange. She didn't turn around, her voice carrying as she spoke, "SIM training starts at 0600. You're late, I don't want to see your face. You fall behind, you can wipe your tears as you walk out the door."
Amara didn't seem to be listening; her eyes were wide with awe, staring at the Jaegers around them. Analia couldn't help but smile at the girl's enthusiasm.
"That's Titan Redeemer," Amara breathed, her voice filled with wonder. "And Bracer Phoenix! She's a three-man rig! Saber Athena! I love Saber Athena! She's the fastest Jaeger in the fleet. Did you know that?"
Analia watched the young cadet rattle off Jaeger names, clearly excited to be among the machines. She let her ramble for a moment before cutting in, "Okay, so which one's yours?"
Amara blinked, coming back to reality. "As one of the original Gypsy Danger pilots, I get to pilot her new and improved sister Jaeger, Gypsy Avenger," Analia explained, watching as the information processed in the girl's mind.
"Wait?! Beckett?! You're Analia! That is so cool!" Amara gushed, her voice bubbling with excitement.
Analia couldn't help but laugh at the girl's enthusiasm. "Indeed I am," she replied before turning her attention toward one of the mechanics across the room. "Reyes! How are the repairs coming?"
The young Latina mechanic hurried over, snapping a quick salute before answering, "Good. I'll have her fully outfitted and ready to go in an hour."
"Good to hear. Keep up the good work," Analia said, offering a nod of approval. She started to walk away but deliberately slowed her pace, noticing the way Jake's eyes lingered on Reyes. Knowing his tendency to flirt, she figured she'd give him a moment—though not too long. They exchanged a few words as Analia kept walking with Amara.
"She's busy, Pentecost! Eyes front! Keep up!" Analia called without looking over her shoulder. Jake ran to catch up to them
As they neared the bunk rooms, Analia finally stopped and turned to face both Jake and Amara, her expression firm. "Alright, this is your stop. Get yourself settled in, then report to me promptly at 0600 for SIM training. No exceptions. I don't tolerate tardiness."
Amara grinned, not the least bit fazed by Analia's warning. "I'll be there, Ranger Beckett."
"God you're worse than last time I was here." Jake muttered under his breath and Analia gave him a stern look.
She pointed a finger at him, her tone serious. "And Pentecost... keep your charm in check. You're not a cadet anymore."
Jake, always one to play along, mock-saluted her, a mischievous smirk tugging at his lips. "Yes, ma'am."
Analia's lips twitched, and she allowed her hard expression to soften for just a moment, "This is all formalities,. We can be informal later kid." Jake nodded, a slight smile gracing his lips.
As the doors to the cadet quarters slid open, Analia strode inside, her boots clicking against the floor with sharp precision. The low hum of conversation died instantly, the room shifting into a tense silence. She felt the familiar snap of discipline ripple through the group of cadets like a wave—every one of them snapping to attention, boots together, backs straight.
"Ranger on deck!" came the call from one of the cadets, his voice firm and clear.
Analia let her gaze sweep over them, the weight of her presence unmistakable. She was used to the way the air seemed to thicken when she entered a room like this—how every movement, every glance, carried a certain gravity. Jake walked at her side, his hands shoved casually into his pockets, a stark contrast to her rigid stance. But she knew he could command a room just as easily when he wanted to.
"Cadets," she began, her voice steady and firm. "This is Amara Namani. She'll be joining you in SIM training bright and early tomorrow. She's one of you now. No special treatment. I expect her to pull her weight like the rest of you."
She felt Amara tense beside her. The girl was young—maybe too young for this kind of life—but there was a spark of something in her, something fierce that reminded Analia of herself at that age. The cadets stared at Amara, measuring her, some curious, some skeptical. It was the usual reaction to someone new.
"And this," she gestured to Jake, "is Ranger Pentecost. He'll be helping me instruct you now, since Rangers Burke and Lambert are no longer with us." Her voice didn't invite questions, and none were asked. The cadets exchanged brief, curious glances, but they knew better than to pry.
Analia turned her attention to Jake, raising an eyebrow. "Anything you'd like to add?"
Jake glanced over the room, his eyes sweeping over the rows of cadets, all of them looking to him with a mix of awe and expectation. She knew the feeling well—the pressure to live up to the name, to the legacy left behind by his father. But Jake wasn't one for speeches.
"No, ma'am," he said simply, his tone low, not offering more than necessary.
Analia couldn't help but smirk, unsurprised by his response. She turned toward one of the cadets standing at attention, her eyes locking onto him with a look of quiet pride. Ezra. Her son. He stood tall, his posture as straight and sharp as anyone else's, but there was something more in the way he carried himself—a confidence that made him stand out. She saw flashes of herself in him, but also of his father. It was a mix that filled her with equal parts pride and protectiveness.
"Beckett," she addressed him, using his last name for the sake of professionalism. "Get Namani squared away and prepped for training."
"Yes, ma'am!" Ezra replied crisply. There was no hesitation in his voice, no hint of the personal connection they shared. He stepped forward, gesturing for Amara to follow. His tone was professional, but Analia caught the subtle warmth in his eyes as he acknowledged the newcomer.
As Ezra guided Amara toward the bunks, Analia's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer than usual. It was a rare thing, seeing her son in action like this—seeing the man he was becoming, shaped by the same discipline and sense of duty that had defined her life. She was proud of him, but the weight of her role meant she couldn't let that pride show too often, not here.
Turning back to the rest of the cadets, Analia straightened, her eyes sweeping the room one last time. "As you were," she said, her voice firm but a touch softer now that her main points had been made.
The room eased back into motion, the cadets returning to their previous activities, though there was still a quiet hum of tension in the air. Analia gave Jake a brief nod before she turned and headed for the door, her boots once again echoing off the polished floors.
As the doors slid shut behind her, the hum of the base's systems returned, and Analia allowed herself a small exhale. She'd done her part for now, and tomorrow, the real work would begin. But as always, she trusted Ezra to handle himself, even if her instinct as a mother often wanted to linger just a bit longer.
Here's the continuation of the scene with Jake commenting on Ezra's growth and Analia inviting Jake for a drift compatibility test:
As the doors slid shut behind Analia, she made her way down the quiet corridor, her mind already shifting to the tasks ahead. The cadence of her footsteps echoed lightly, and she expected Jake to follow at his usual relaxed pace. Sure enough, within moments, he caught up, his hands still in his pockets, his usual air of nonchalance contrasting with the seriousness of the base around them.
"Ezra's grown up," Jake remarked, glancing over his shoulder as they left the cadet quarters behind. There was a note of surprise in his voice, though it was tinged with admiration. "Last time I saw him, he was... what? Knee-high and all attitude."
Analia allowed a small, rare smile to tug at the corner of her mouth. "That sounds about right," she replied, keeping her tone measured. She had spent years molding Ezra into the disciplined young man he was now, but Jake wasn't wrong—Ezra had always had that spark, even as a kid. "He's come a long way since then."
Jake nodded, a touch of nostalgia in his expression. "Yeah, well, he's definitely got your fire. Can't miss it. But he's smoother than you ever were."
Analia shot him a look, one eyebrow raised. "Smoother, huh? I'll take that as a compliment."
Jake grinned. "Oh, it is. Kid's got potential. He'll make a hell of a Ranger one day."
Analia's eyes softened just for a second. There was nothing like hearing it from someone who understood what it took to stand in those Jaeger boots—especially someone like Jake, who had spent his life shadowed by the legacy of his own father. But the moment passed quickly, and she nodded.
"He's getting there," she said, keeping her voice steady. "But he's not ready yet. There's still plenty he needs to learn."
Jake gave a knowing nod, his smile fading into something more serious. "Guess that's why we're here, huh?"
They continued down the hallway, the hum of the base a constant backdrop as Analia shifted gears. The thought had been running through her mind since the moment she knew Jake would be returning to help with instruction. There was something that needed to be tested—something she had to be sure of before moving forward.
She stopped at a junction and turned to face him, her expression hardening just slightly. "Speaking of that," she said, her tone all business now. "I need you to meet me in the SIM lab."
Jake tilted his head, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes. "What for?"
"Drift compatibility test," she said plainly, watching for his reaction. "You've been out of the Jaeger for a while. I need to see if you're still fit to sync."
Finally, Jake broke the silence, glancing at her sideways. "A drift test, huh? Who am I syncing with?"
Analia stopped walking, turning to face him directly, her gaze sharp and unwavering. She hesitated just for a beat before dropping the news on him, watching his reaction closely.
"Me," she said, her voice steady. "I'm going to be your new pilot."
Jake blinked, the weight of her words hitting him like a ton of bricks. He opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out at first, just a stunned breath. His brow furrowed in confusion, and he looked at her, waiting for some kind of clarification.
"You?" he repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Wait... you're serious?"
Analia crossed her arms over her chest, her expression resolute. "Dead serious."
Jake's eyes flickered with a mix of shock and confusion. He stood there, momentarily stunned. The idea of drifting with Analia—Ranger Beckett herself—was something he hadn't seen coming. She'd always had Raleigh at her side in Gypsy, the two of them like a legendary team, practically untouchable. And now...
"But what about Raleigh?" he asked, his voice low, still trying to wrap his head around it.
Analia sighed, the weight of her decision clear in her expression. "It's not like Raleigh's available all the time anymore. He has other commitments, and I can't always count on him to jump into Gypsy with me." Her tone softened slightly. "And with Nate and his co-pilot leaving, someone's got to step up. It's not just about instruction, Jake. I need someone I can trust in the drift."
Jake ran a hand through his hair, still processing the shift. "I... I just didn't think..." His voice trailed off, the enormity of what she was asking settling in.
Analia's gaze stayed fixed on him, unwavering. "You've got what it takes. You've always had what it takes. And you've got your father's legacy to live up to. I know you've got some issues with that, but this? This is your chance, Jake. Your chance to be more than just the son of Stacker Pentecost. You're a Ranger, and you've earned your place here."
Jake's mouth pressed into a thin line, his mind racing as he tried to reconcile the idea of drifting with Analia. He respected her, hell, everyone did. But the drift... that was something else. It wasn't just about fighting side by side—it was about total mental and emotional synchronization. And drifting with her, of all people? That was huge.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked, his tone a little more serious now.
Analia's expression softened slightly, though her determination remained clear. "I wouldn't be asking if I wasn't. You know what's at stake, Jake. We need to be ready for whatever's coming next, and I need someone who can handle the pressure. Raleigh isn't around, and we can't wait for perfect conditions. We've got to act now."
Jake exhaled, his shoulders relaxing a little as the reality sank in. He looked at her, a newfound respect settling in his eyes. "Alright," he said quietly. "I'll do it. But if we're doing this, I'm not half-assing it."
Analia gave a nod, her lips twitching into the faintest hint of a smile. "Good. Meet me in the SIM lab in twenty. We'll see if we can make this work."