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“The Kaiju are learning our defenses. They’re adapting. Evolving. And we’re losing Jaegers faster than we can build them.
Lima. Seattle. Vladivostok. Category 3 Kaijus are coming through the Breach on the regular. I think even you can see, Marshals, that this is no longer a sound strategy.”
Vincent sighs and resists the urge to grind his teeth. Councilor Duretti was supposed to be the Jaeger Program’s voice when it came to dealing with the PPDC Board, but with the position of Secretary General up for election, he has passed over his duty to the program for currying favor in the vote.
“I am aware. Those are my Rangers that die every time a Jaeger falls. Which is why I am asking you for one last chance- “
“Excuse me, Marshal,” the Representative from the UK tries to interrupt. Vincent ignores him.
“-one final assault with everything we have got.”
“The Jaeger Program is dead, Marshal,” the Representative from Australia contests. “On the other hand, the Coastal Wall program is a promising option.”
Behind him, Vincent hears Camila scoff. He sends up a quick prayer of thanks that she isn’t within range of the cameras or microphones. Suzanne remains expressionless as she faces the PPDC Council at his shoulder.
Councilor Duretti steps in.
“The world appreciates all you and your men have done, but the time of using Jaegers to fight the Kaiju is over. We will authorize you to take all the remaining Jaegers to the last Shatterdome, Hong Kong. We’re prepared to fun you for the next eight months while the Coastal Wall is completed. After that, the program will be shut down, permanently.”
“You have your answer, Marshal. Meeting adjourned.”
The screens go black as the representatives sign off.
“So that’s it?” Camila asks, almost disbelievingly. “It’s over? We’re supposed to trust concrete to keep out monsters that tore through cities like they were made of sand?”
“Suits and ties. Flashy smiles,” Vincent replies. “They are politicians. That is all they are.”
“We don’t need them,” Superion said, speaking for the first time since the meeting had started.
“Eight months. Yasmine’s data says we only need six.”
“There are only three active Jaegers left,” Camila protests. “All the others have been decommissioned and dismantled, their pilots retired.”
She doesn’t say destroyed and dead.
“Four,” Superion counters. “Dr. Salvius is almost done with the work-up for the Mark V. Even without PPDC funding, we should be able to complete it within the time frame.”
“She will need pilots,” Vincent replies. “We were lucky to be able to convince Rangers Angelli and Walker to return and pilot Primo Interceptor.”
“I already have a Ranger in mind for the job. She will just need a copilot.”
Vincent raises a brow in consideration. “You think you can convince her to return? Her decision to leave the program behind seemed quite final to me. Not to mention, you will have to find someone to drift with her.”
“She’s the only Ranger left with experience piloting a Jaeger with a Halo core,” Superion replies. “We can’t afford not having her.”
“You will also have to find her. No one has seen her in almost four years.”
“I have my sources.”
“We also have the problem of calibrating the new core into the Mark V. Doctor Salvius has been having issues with the integration and none of the J-Tech’s we have left are experienced with working with the Halo,” Camila interjects.
Vincent smiles. “And I have someone in mind for that.”
Suzanne scoffs.
“Her departure from the program was far more explosive than Lilith’s.”
“And her return is no less necessary,” Vincent counters. “Mary will return, and so will Lilith. I will call on anyone else we can find. We will need everyone we can get.”
“Camila, go through the academy cadets to find candidates to copilot,” Suzanne suggests. “Many of the final class were unpaired, but received enough training that the Drift will neutralize any deficiencies.”
“I’ll pull up the list and get started.”
The younger woman darted out of the room, intent on getting on her tasks. Vincent sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, finally letting his frustration with their situation show.
“We knew the Councilor and the Board would not support the plan.”
“That doesn’t make it any less frustrating that they chose their personal ambitions over the mandate of their office.”
“They are politicians, what did you expect?”
Vincent sighs. “Maybe one day, a truly benevolent leader will rise and lead mankind.”
“Until then, we will hold the line,” she humors him. “Now, we have work to do. Six months to save the world.”
“Start the countdown.”