Chapter Text
Raleigh Becket looked out at the newest batch of initiates with no small amount of trepidation. None of these kids were over 15 years of age, and some of them barely reached 14! Just as they thought humanity was safe, there was a small spike of activity within the Breach and the PPDC was sent into a frenzy, immediately reopening the Academy and pouring money into the Jaegars and development of new Jaegars. With Herc the Marshall (even though Pentacost had survived, he was too "unwell" to lead), himself being deemed unfit to pilot due to brain damage, and most of the other pilots being too injured, they had to rely on a completely new group of cadets and it was up to him and the former pilots to nurture them into capable rangers.
Raleigh was brought out of his review by a nudge in his side and a loud, "Oi!", that was heard over the excited chattering of the cadets, most of them gazing in awe at the ginger known as Chuck Hansen. He shot a quick grin at Raleigh, his familiar dimples making an appearance turning back to his audience.
"I'm sure I don't have to ask you why you lot are here, yeah?" It wasn't really a question and Chuck wasn't really expecting a reply, but you can't always get what you want.
"I'm here for those famous Hansen dimples!" Yelled an enthusiastic voice from the back of the room. Chucks eyebrow quirked and he quickly found a dark skinned girl with a pleasant smile on her face staring defiantly back at him. A slight, fair haired boy beside her shook his head slowly. Shrugging it off, Chuck continued.
"... Yeah, and I'm sure I don't have to explain to you all who I am." Once again, the girl spoke up.
"Show us your prosthetic Hansen!" The boy beside her had put his head on his hands, as if in shame. Chuck, however, smirked and raised his left arm, delightfully displaying the middle finger on his robotic hand.
"Its pretty, innit?" He said admiringly as the room exploded into surprised giggles at the redheads latest stunt.
"I think that will be enough, Mr. Hansen." Said a new voice, and Chuck slid aside to reveal the Vice Marshall herself, Mako Mori. As she took Chuck's space in front of the initiates, a slow whistle was heard from the girl who had provided the previous distractions, followed by a hissed "Oh my God, Adelie." And a muffled sound that sounded suspiciously like a slap. Mako only slightly inclined her head, and then spoke softly. Every word was heard though, she had this ability to command a rooms attention with a single word. She was much like her father in this regard.
"As most of you probably know, the Breach shows signs of being reopened soon and we must. Be. Ready." She paused here and seemed to make eye contact with the newcomers, including the disruptor who she was interested to know had leaned forward with a determined gleam in her eyes.
"Not all of you will become Pilots, some will join the ranks of the Jaegar technicians, others will hold a position in the Kaiju science labs, and still others will become LOCCENT officers. It matter not where you go, it matters if each and every one of you will help bring about an end to the monsters that threaten our way of life, that aim to bring destruction to the human race. As a wise man once said, we will cancel the apocalypse!" The room burst into furious applause, many of the intitiates cheering loudly. Mako let this go on for a short while, a private smile on her lips, before raising her voice slightly.
"Thank you ladies and gentlemen, and all those that fit into a separate mold. If you would please direct your attention to the doors in the left and right, based on the numbers you were given as you come in, go to that door and meet with your ranger. They will show you to your quarters. I wish you all the best of luck." Mako concluded before bustling off with her ever present tablet. The cadets surged to the doors and Raleigh could just make out a familiar voice, almost being swallowed up by the notice of the crowd.
"Miss Mori has a nice ass."
"Shut the hell up!"
And with that, Raleigh Becket new it would be a long four years, and that he should probably start yoga classes. He heard it was supposed to be calming.