The year after the breach between the human world and those of the Kaiju were destroyed, enlistments were made to recruit new pilots for the Jaeger. Recruitment was stringent. Only the best of the best were enlisted for training. Some dropped out; not being able to handle the training. Others didn't make the final cut.

At the end of each recruitment drive, only the best 5 teams of pilots were selected and given their very own Jaeger.

"Ready for the last one, little sis?"
"You bet."

Together, the siblings brought down their right hand in a swiping motion and gave the target board a final blow. The collision of their Jaeger's right fist impacted the target board so hard that it crumpled and fell off.

"Good job, Caffreys." The intercom said, "You will now be disconnected."

The older sibling reached forward and pressed the intercom button.

"Roger that." He said

His finger lifted off the button and both of them resumed the original spot they were in before they started combat. As soon as they saw the disengaged signal, they were released from their spots.

The siblings both took off their helmet and smiled at each other.

"Feeling okay, Mal?"

She looked at her brother and nodded, "Yeah. I'm feeling good."

"We beat the other team's score." He said

She laughed, "Don't get cocky, Matt."

"We're Malerie and Matt Caffrey." He said, "The only sibling pair with the strongest bond."

He grinned, "I can be cocky if I want to."

Malerie and Matt both made their way out of their Jaeger just as a petite Japanese girl came up to them. They instantly knew who she is since she was considered a legend to all rookies.

"Hi." She said

"Mako Mori." Malerie said, "It's an honour to meet you."

She laughed, "You're too kind. I should say that it is my honour to meet the both of you."

"Matt Caffrey."

Mako looked at Matt and shook his hand, "I know who you two are."

"You do?" Malerie said
"Yes. Malerie and Matt. The Caffrey siblings. The only pair with the strongest bond." Mako said

"You're too kind, Miss Mori." Malerie said, "You and Raleigh Becket are actually the ones with the strongest bond."

"Call me Mako." She said, "And, Raleigh and I may have a strong bond but it isn't as strong as what you two have. No one has been able to break the target board like you two have."

"What can we say?" Matt said, "We are the Caffrey siblings!"

Malerie looked at her brother before she nudged him in the side.

"Sorry about my brother." Malerie said

"It's okay." Mako said, "You should be proud. Your parents were a legend and the two of you are on your way to becoming like them."

Malerie managed a small smile, "Thank you."

Mako smiled, "Well, I shall let you two go and rest… It was very nice talking to you."

"Same here." Matt said
"I'll see you two later at dinner." Mako said

Malerie and Matt both smiled at Mako as she left via the other exit. The siblings carried on towards their room where they took a shower before taking a little nap.

Dinner time came and Malerie had overslept by a few minutes. Her brother left her a note on by her bed that told her he'll be waiting for her at the cafeteria. She made her way over to the cafeteria and spotted her brother, who was waving from a table not too far off. He had apparently gotten a table with Mako.

Malerie smiled to herself and was about to make her way over when someone blocked her path.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't miss top scorer, Malerie Caffrey."

She looked at the brunette in front of her and grit her teeth, "Mia Swanson. What can I do for you?"

Mia smiled, "Oh, nothing… Just wanted to congratulate you on your top score today. Hitting the target board so hard that it fell off? Even I wouldn't be able to do that!"

"Oh! Wait. Silly me. I meant that even Blaine and I wouldn't be able to do that." She added

Malerie curled her hand into a fist, "Get straight to the point, Swanson."

"Straightforward. I like that." Mia said

She looked at Malerie, "So, here's the deal. Now that Blaine and I are also a part of this elite team of pilots, I hope you won't be upset. I know how hard it is to lose someone you love so much since your parents died while on a mission."

Malerie glared at Mia, "Don't. Ever. Use my parents as a comparison."

Mia stepped back a little in shock and cleared her throat, "Fine. But I just hope that you won't continue giving Blaine a hard time. It's not his fault that he fell in love with me. His co-pilot."

Malerie held in her anger by tightening her fist. Mia smirked, getting the reaction she wanted from her.

"Are you done?" Malerie said
"Not quite." Mia said

"Well, I think you are."

Mia and Malerie both looked to see the one and only Raleigh Becket, standing behind Malerie. The two girls were momentarily stunned seeing him for the first time in the flesh.

"I think you are quite done here." Raleigh said, "We are Jaeger pilots. We are not kids in high school. If you wish to continue being a kid, you shouldn't be here. Got it?"

"Yes." Mia said

Raleigh turned to Malerie, "Are you okay?"

Malerie didn't look at him but merely mumbled a 'yes' before taking off as she left the cafeteria. Feeling that she was definitely not okay, Raleigh gave chase.

Malerie ran as fast as she could away from the cafeteria. She didn't know where she wanted to go but only that she wanted to be as far away from that place. She eventually ran out of the doors and found herself standing in full view of the siblings' Jaeger, Dixie Damage.

She sat down with her legs dangling as she looked at Dixie Damage. It was the name of their parents' Jaeger and the mechanics team were kind enough to modify the original Dixie Damage from the blueprints to give the siblings something to remember their parents by.

Malerie felt a tear slide down her cheek and she rushed to brush it away as she took a deep breath.

"Hey… Are you okay?"

She turned to look up and saw Raleigh standing next to her.

Malerie took in a breath, "Yup. I'm good."

"Mind if I sit here?" Raleigh asked
"Nope. Have a seat." Malerie replied

Raleigh looked at Dixie Damage, "She's a beauty, huh?"

"She always was and still is." Malerie said
"You're Malerie Caffrey." Raleigh said, with realisation.
"Yup. Not what you had in mind, huh?" Malerie said

Raleigh looked at her, "That's not what I meant."

She looked at him, "I know. But, it's what you're thinking."

Malerie looked nothing like her brother. In fact, she was placed on the steps of the Caffreys when she was just a day old. Since then, they raised her up like she was their own, even though it was clear that Malerie was of Asian origin, unlike them.

"Well, thanks for accompanying me but you should get back to dinner." Malerie said
"It's okay. I'll just get the kitchen to make me something later." Raleigh said
"Because you're Raleigh Becket. The pilot who sorta sacrificed himself to close the breach." Malerie said

Raleigh laughed a little, "If you put it that way… I'd have to finish the job next time."

"No!" Malerie said, "I-I just meant it as a joke. I'm sorry if it came out like a sarcastic comment."

Raleigh laughed, "I'm just messing with you. I know what you meant."

Malerie smiled a little and Raleigh couldn't help but smile as well.

"There's that smile I heard you were pretty famous for." Raleigh said
"I'm famous for my smile?" Malerie said
"Yeah… Your father always talked about how pretty his daughter's smile is." Raleigh said
"You knew my father?" Malerie asked

Raleigh nodded, "Back then. My brother and I used to get tips from him."

Upon hearing the word 'brother', Malerie remembered the horrific incident that happened to Raleigh a couple of years ago.

"I'm sorry about your brother…" Malerie said

"It's alright.." Raleigh said, "He may not be here physically but he'll always be in my memories."

Malerie nodded, "Yeah."

She looked at Raleigh, "Hey… Thanks for talking to me.."

He smiled, "It's my pleasure. We pilots got to stick together, right?"

Malerie smiled, "Yeah."

He put out his hand, "Shall we go back in for what's left of dinner?"

Malerie chuckled before putting her hand in Raleigh's as they both stood up from where they were seated. She looked at Dixie Damage one more time before turning around and walking back to the cafeteria with Raleigh.