Hey Everyone! Sorry for taking SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO long to reply with this chapter. I really don't have an excuse other than real life caught up to me and I was really out of creativity or time for anything really.
I sincerely hope that this chapter makes up for all the wait. Hopefully chapters will come quicker from now on!
Thank you so much for all of your wonderful reviews and support.
PLEASE REVIEW REVIEW AND REVIEW AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK SO FAR!
3 all of you guys!
With a groan Scott rolled over in his bed in an effort to avoid the blinding Sydney sunlight.
Man his head hurt. The warm sheets closed in tighter like a suffocating noose as he tossed and turned.
Gosh he should not have drunk so much last night. With a groan he pushed himself off the bed, stumbling through the bed sheets to rip the blinds closed. He leaned over against his knees in an effort to relieve the pounding in his head.
Coffee.
That's what he needed.
After a tall glass of water with a dose of aspirin.
Dragging his feet through the kitchen he noticed how much his room was in a disarray since discarding his clothes after getting back from the bar last night.
Man, he needed to clean up.
Even though Scott technically was not an enlisted soldier with the PPDC, old habits die hard and he still found himself filling in with the routine of keeping his small apartment spotless, even without officer inspection.
Fumbling around the kitchen, with nothing but a small side lamp to shine the way, he found a glass, the bottle of aspirins and felt his way to the skink. With a sigh of relief he sank down into his single kitchen chair, his head thrown back, as he waited for the chemical effects to kick in.
How quiet it is. Finally. Scott thought. Now that the Kaiju are gone. Now that the world is saved.
Now that Herc was a Marshall just as they had both dreamed of.
Now that Chuck was dead.
Scott rubbed his eyes in an attempt to stop the tears and relieve the pain in his head which suddenly became even worse, not better. Gosh how soon does aspirin take to start having an effect? Leaning forward Scott placed his elbows on the table as images of Chuck and Herc flashed across his head.
Go away. Go away
"Please." He whispered, "Go away. Not now… Please just not today." He begged to his memories.
With a cry of pain and anger Scott slashed away the glass of water from the table wincing as it fell to the ground with a resounding crash.
So much for silence.
As if the universe was determined to agree with him, his cell phone suddenly rang with a loud shriek. He let it ring for about 10 seconds as he tried to compose himself and cautiously picked it up. However before he could answer it he got a glimpse of the number.
Oh hell no.
This was the weekend. Despite the fact that he was still in their service there was no way he was doing any work or running any errands today, certainly not in the state he was in. Right now they were the last people he wanted to be in contact with. Hanging up, he shoved his chair back as he stormed for his room.
A shower that's he needed. A warm shower to clear his head and calm his body.
And maybe…, just maybe, suppress the memories.
Ripping the shower curtain aside, Scott was pissed. There should be a law against calling people whilst in the process of going about one's personal hygiene. Within his 20 minute shower his phone had rung no less than 10 times. At this point Scott was so angry he did not care how urgent it was.
The Kaiju were gone.
The world was saved.
There was nothing that could possibly be so pressing that they were that desperate to reach him, right now.
"Shuuuuut uuuup!" Scott yelled at his phone, for the thousandth time, his Australian accent drawling. Just to be sure he checked it and sure enough all the calls had been from the same place. God this was ridiculous. He needed to get out of here…just for a little while. Crossing the room with thundering, angry strides, Scott opened his tiny closet and grabbed the first pieces of clothing he could see. As it turned out he naturally latched onto his favorite jogging shirt and pants.
Perfect. Problem solved.
Technically if he was not home he had an excuse not to answer his phone right?
Making up his mind instantly, he donned his running clothes, grabbed a water bottle and Ipod and sped for the door.
Running was just what he needed. Something to get his blood flowing and get his mind awake to take away the pain of both the headache and the memories.
Most of all he could escape from the blasted PPDC.
I was only looking for a shortcut home
But it's complicated
So complicated
Somewhere in this city is a road I know
Where we could make it
But maybe there's no making it now
Boom
Boom
Boom
The pounding of his heart in his chest and his feet on the pavement radiated through his body and mind as the music of one of Lifehouse's old tracks played in the background. Scott had been running for 3 hours straight and his muscles were burning. Everything was being pushed to the absolute limit. His body felt like it was about to collapse but his mind refused to stop.
He needed this; to feel the strain, the pain, the intensity of being on fire up to the very end of his abilities.
The feeling of fighting in a jaeger.
The feeling that for one moment you are infinite and unstoppable. For when he stopped running he knew that he would no longer burn. So as much as it was painful, and how much he felt like he would die, Scott could not give up.
He refused to. He needed to feel it for just a little longer….just a little longer…little longer…just a little…
Finally in protest, despite his best efforts his knees gave out from under him and he collapsed onto the park sidewalk, gasping and wheezing.
Rolling onto his back Scott's eyes fluttered against the sunlight as he stared into the endless sky.
Crickey how he missed being closer to it… 300ft closer.
With a sight Scott closed his eyes as he stretched out his limbs and tried to block out the rest of the bustling, thriving world. This morning's run had not come even close to giving him the adrenaline rush he was looking for. Maybe it was the drinking last night. He knew he should not have gone to that bar last night… or the one the night before. God going back to work on Monday was going to be tough if he did not sober up soon….and avoid the drinking scene tonight.
With a deep breath Scott sat up and inspected his surroundings. Where was he now?... Ahhh now he knew which park he was at.
Man he had run far…further than he had expected. Maybe he HAD been running in a Jaeger after all he chuckled.
Scott glanced at his watch. Yap 3 hours and 26 mins. They should have definitely given up by now. No way they would be trying to contact him after all this time. For christ's sake it was SUNDAY!
Slowly Scott pulled himself up from the ground, his bones protesting.
Time to eat some food, and get dressed. Time to drag himself back home.
Just as he did after every failure.
Shit…
Shit…
Shit. Shit. Shit
As if the shiny government plated BMWs outside were not already an indication of how much trouble he was in, there were two big guys in a suits with dark sunglasses standing in his living room and the Prime Minister of Australia sitting at his table.
And he was smiling.
"Ahhhhh Mr. Hansen, so good to see you again!"
Scott scowled. No it was not good to see the Prime Minister again. Last time they had been face to face he was being kicked off the Jaeger program.
Last time no one had been smiling.
"Good to see you too Sir (lie!) …and its just Scott."
"Of course, of course," the Prime Minister replied softly.
Scott looked away as an awkward silence filled his apartment. He could feel the stares of the guards behind him boring into his back.
" Sir, I assume there is a reason for your visit." Scott said cocking an eyebrow.
The Prime Minister chuckled, "you were not answering your phone."
"And that warrants an invasion into my home by my country's leader?"
"Yes…when it concerns national security."
Scott was taken aback. What WAS going on? The war was ended. The battle won.
They had no need for him. No one did.
"I'm afraid I don't quite understand Sir."
The Prime Minister sighed, "As you know many of us members of the PPDC are putting forth a Jaeger Academy to train our best and brightest youth in the many militaries academies across the world…."
"Yes, yes for the reconstruction, rebirth and union of the world blah blah blah. I've heard it all Sir so if that's what you came to tell me, don't worry I've already got the memo and I will be on board for anything you need etc etc etc."
"Good! So you accept your teacher and Jaeger instructor position."
"Wait excuse me! No one said anything about that!" Scott exclaimed in shock. He stalked towards the Prime Minister in anger before the guards stepped in front of him in defense.
"Really Scott, why else do you think I am here. It truly would be easier to just call or send a notice."
"Which was what I believe you WERE trying to do earlier."
"Yes, and to which you did not answer."
Scott was fuming. He knew it was bad. He knew he should not have come back home so early.
He should have just kept running.
"Of course to really teach the new recruits they will need the instruction of seasoned Jaeger pilots," the Prime Minister continued, "and being that there are so few of you left alive we will be recruiting all those that we can."
"What about your new found heros, the magnificent Raleigh Becket and the protégé Mako Mori?" Scott said barely containing his distain.
"Oh you can be sure we are attempting to recruit them as well. However due to their formal retirement from the PPDC that may prove difficult….You on the other hand never actually left."
Scott ground his teeth. He knew when he was being backed into a corner. He had been there before.
A long uncomfortable paused stretched between them.
"I take it if I return..my bro…..Herc will also be there."
"Of course, he is a Marshall now. In fact he will be head of the entire program."
Scott chuckled darkly, "My my my, how high he has risen above us all."
The Prime Minister did not miss the contempt in his voice and narrowed his eyes at Scott.
"It is no less than he deserves. He has EARNED it. HE was the one that helped save the world."
Scott gulped as he heard to warning in his leader's voice. There was no need to revisit those series of events and memories. Or really the lack of him in them.
"Why now? Why do you need me anyways?" He finally asked, "Yes you need trainers for your new rangers but why so sudden huh? The Kaiju are gone, why are you all so earnest with this? Why do I have to come back?"
"Because I say so!" Yelled the Prime Minister exasperated, "And you WILL do as you are ordered RANGER!"
Scott took a step back, realizing he was in a losing battle, as the urge to run steadily built up. Only this time he was not sure he completely wanted too. Anyway, from the way things were laid out it did not seem like he had a choice.
With an exaggerated sigh the Prime Minister stood up. Straightening his suit he held out his hand as one of the bodyguards handed him a folder which he promptly shoved into Scott's direction.
"Here are all you documents and briefings you will need to get you updated. You will also find your renewed passport, PPDC ID, flight tickets and a generous salary outline."
"Well at least they were being generous whilst being forceful," Scott thought.
"We are giving you 3 weeks to prepare and settle everything you need to here in Australia after which you WILL report to Sydney airport for your flight and deployment to Los Angeles," he continued and with a glare warned, "Don't you dare be late."
Scott merely nodded as he watched the entourage leave from his small apartment, only letting go of the breath he had been holding when the door finally slammed shut.
Scott collapsed on his small couch.
Something was not right. Things were not adding up. No matter how good he had been in his heyday, he had been shunned and disgraced until now and their desperation to have him back on the program was downright unsettling. Besides Scott was always good at telling lies.
And knowing when people were telling them back to him.
They were hiding something.
With shaky hands Scott tore open the large envelope and watched as papers, files and documents spilled onto his lap.
Slowly he picked up his new PPDC ID reading those precious words and titles he had longed for and feared for so long.
Something was not right and if he was not careful he was going to get burnt. Again. Especially once Herc came into play. A family reunion was not really high on his list of priorities.
But then looking back is this not what he had desired all along?
To burn once more from 300ft of machine and steel.
"Attack! Lunge!"
"Ahhhhhh!"
The training building rang with the shout of fighting instructors and cries of military students as they each took turns on the martial arts mats of the Kwoon Combat room.
All around Jazmine were students from various military schools across the world training, and showing off, their various talents in the hopes of building up their potential to be chosen to continue with Drift training.
When Jazmine had first arrived she had been shocked by the sheer scale of it all. There were well over 200 hundred candidates from all countries all over the world from Chile to Malaysia to Ghana. All the best and the brightest of their respective fields.
All hoping to find their match and become Jaeger pilot legends in their own right, before the art itself was lost to history.
Of course the most prominent and probable pupils were the siblings and cousin pairs but most were like Jazmine, unmatched but with outstanding simulator scores that made them stand out in their respective academies.
Despite the fact that this was supposed to be an opportunity for the world's countries and peoples to unite, in the last few weeks since her arrival lines had already been drawn. The Mandarin and Cantonese speaking students immediately joined forces, whilst the Eastern Europeans formed their own clique, under the head of the intimidating Ukrainian Balenko sisters. The Africans had all banded together in a show of continental friendship and the Latins had immediately hit it off with each other, exclaiming loudly every time they interacted, leaving the Americans and Canadians to form their own niche of comradeship.
Due to the fact that she had spent part of her early childhood across Europe and being fluent in French, German and Hungarian Jazmine found upon her arrival that she was able to fit in both with the North America gangs and the Western Europe groups. However at the same time she was still trying to find her place amongst them as each found her foreign and at times unwelcome.
"Brandon! Your up next."
Jazmine was jarred from out of her daydream and the Sergeant called on her to step up to the mat to face her opponent, one of the South African candidates.
"Stances!"
Slowing bending her knees in defense Jazmine closed her eyes.
"Concentrate," he said, his smirk clearly heard in his voice.
Jazmine eyes snapped open as Raleigh teasingly tapped his Bō staff on her hip and she prepared to lunge at him. Behind him Yancy chuckled.
"Concentrate," Raleigh said again his smile even wider as he stepped back to his own starting defense position.
"Attack!"
Jazmine barely had time to recover from the shock of the memory before her opponent was right before her. With a quick jump she lunged at him shouts and clash of wood filling the air. He was strong, the South African and much bigger than her, but she had the technique on her side.
After all she had been trained by the best.
Five minutes in he tried to get the best of her by attempting to slide his Bō staff under her knees and trip her.
"Fine if that's how you want to play," Jazmine thought and before he could even realize what happened Jazmine dived and rolled to catch her opponent off guard and pin him to the ground.
The sergeant and her fellow students were impressed to say the least.
"Brandon! Where is Brandon!"
Jazmine was so into the fight she didn't even notice he name being called.
"Brandon! There you are! You are to report to Marshall Hansen's office immediately."
Everyone's eyebrows shot up, including Jazmine's. Why on earth would Marshall Hansen, the world hero, leader and president of the International Jaeger Academy want to talk to her?
Unless…..?
Suddenly Jazmine's heart began to race.
They had told her that it would not be a problem. They had given her full clearance! And now she was done. Everything was going to come out and be revealed. Her dreams were over before they could even manifest and all because of blood and a name.
Reluctantly she got up, re-laced he boots, buttoned her jacket and followed the Marshall's secretary without a further word.
The silence through the halls was defining and the pounding of hers and the secretary's military boots only scared her even more
"Sir, may I ask the reason…"
"I am pretty sure you are aware of the reason for this meeting Ms. Brandon."
Jazmine hung her head. The implications in his voice were clear.
Finally they arrived at the Marshall's office area and after walking through several doors and hallways the secretary finally ushered Jazmine in and with a slam, closed the door.
Summing up her courage Jazmine finally turned to face the Marshall.
He was different from the last time she saw him, briefly when Raleigh and Yancy had showed her around the Manila Shatterdome and introduced her to the international Jaeger pilots.
He was older, more worn out and scruffier.
Most of all Jazmine noticed his eyes and the profound sadness and lost they expressed.
It was almost like looking into her own relection.
"So Miss Brandon, or should I say Miss Becket…please take a seat," The Marshall said as indicated to the chair in front of his desk.
Jazmine lowered herself warily into the chair.
"Now Miss. Becket…"
"Sir I deserve to be here!" The Marshall paused in surprise, his eyebrows shooting up, as Jazmine reeled from the shock that she had unconsciously spoken out of term with the head of her military academy.
"Please Sir," Jazmine continued more quietly but still just as firmly, "Don't make me leave. I deserve to be here."
There was silence as Jazmine waited for her sentence… before slowly and steadly… the sound of a soft chuckle filled up the room.
Startled Jazmine looked up as Marshall Hansen started to roar with laughter. Jazmine didn't know whether to be scared or relieved.
"You really are your brothers' sister Miss Becket," Herc said as Jazmine's jaw clenched.
"You have no fear…even in the greatest adversary."
"But that is not all I am Sir, I am more than just my brothers' sister, I am more than just a Becket," Jazmine spat out.
Herc was undeterred.
"Indeed you are. I can see that clearly now." Herc replied looking over Jazmine.
Yes, she definitely was going to be a unique pilot.
If she made it through this…to the end.
"Let me reassure you Miss Becket I have no intention and expelling you from the Academy. In fact you are by far one of our most promising candidates."
Pausing in her argument, Jazmine replied softly, "thank you Sir." Now she was really lost as to why she was here.
"So, then Sir, why have you asked to see me?"
"To ensure that I will have no problems."
"Excuse me?"
Herc paused as he looked down onto his papers. She truly was as confusing as her brother.
"In other words, I wish simply to know why, Miss Becket."
Jazmine was taken aback.
"Why Sir?"
Herc smiled softly.
"Why go through all this…all this trouble. Why not tell us upfront who you were? You would be been just as welcome if not more for your name."
Jazmine clenched her jaw in anger.
"For the very reason you say Sir. I believe I am worth much more than the name of a man who gave up being my brother years ago. I can make my own future, on MY own terms and I do not need anyone to pathe the way for me!" She lashed out.
Herc was taken aback. He had not seen such…such fire and venom in a person…not since Chuck died.
It was very clear there were some deep, hurtful, unresolved sibling issues between her and Raleigh.
This could be a problem, Herc thought, if this should continue it could blow up in all our faces later on. Piloting Jaegers are no easy emotional task. Should I really allow this? But then it is unlikely he will even come here and she is the very best candidate we have…by far.
For a long time Herc merely stared at Jazmine, debating over and over in his head whether this was the right course of action. Should he end it now or let it continue?
But then who was he to deny her her choice. He had already made all those mistakes with Chuck and he could not bare to see the same pain in another's eyes.
With a heavy sigh and much uncertainty Herc finally made his decision.
"Very well…Miss Brandon. I will let you continue in the academy. I expect great things from you so don't go slacking now."
The relief and joy on Jazmine's face was instantaneous. She straightened her back and raised her head high.
"Thank you Marshall. I promise you I will not disappoint you or any of my superiors."
Herc nodded and flicked his hand.
"You are dismissed Miss Brandon and I expect that this conversation stay only between us. All of your teachers and instructors will not be made aware of your…relations."
Jazmine sighed in relief and swiftly saluted the Marshall.
"Dismissed." Herc replied.
For several minutes after her departure Herc turned the current events over and over in his head. Gosh this was becoming a right mess. And a good bit of it was of his making.
Outside the skies suddenly unleashed torrents of rain over the Los Angles landscape almost a reflection of his mood and thoughts.
Well, Herc lamented, there is nothing I can do now.
It is what it is.
This chapter was much longer than my previous ones but hopefully this so hopefully that makes up for the long wait. If all goes well the next chapter should introduce Newt, Hermann and... Vanessa Gottlieb!
So please please please read and review and let me know what you think will or want to happen next! :)