Everyone at the base knew about the accident.
They shared a collective belief: these two pilots were unfit to operate a Jaeger.
Despite Raleigh's insistence that the fault was his, the fact remained that Mako had lost herself in memory, causing Gipsy Danger to lose control.
The upcoming operation could not tolerate any mistakes. Everything they had worked for hinged on flawless execution.
Inside Marshal Pentecost's office, the air was thick with tension.
"There is no need for further explanation."
Marshal Pentecost looked at Raleigh and Mako, his voice heavy. "I am the one who authorized your test."
His expression was grim, etched with strain.
"That's not the point," Raleigh countered. "This was Mako's first Drift. She just needs time to adjust. Next time, she will be ready."
Unlike himself, Raleigh knew the shock of a first Drift. It was normal for a novice to struggle; accidents were to be expected.
"Next time?" The Marshal's face hardened. "Do you think we have time for a next time?"
"The frequency of Kaiju attacks has changed. If we don't move now, we could be facing Category Five... Category Six... or worse."
"You two nearly destroyed this base."
"Everyone witnessed the results. The other Jaeger pilots have made their position clear: they cannot accept going into battle with you."
Chuck Hansen had been particularly aggressive in his opposition, flatly rejecting Gipsy Danger's participation. The pilots of the other two Jaegers shared the sentiment. They could not risk an unstable teammate during the mission.
An out-of-control ally was often more dangerous than the enemy. They were trying to save the world, and there was no room for error, especially one this severe.
Raleigh pressed his lips together, clenching his fists in frustration.
Beside him, Mako kept her head bowed, unable to meet her father's eyes.
"So... why did you call me here?" Raleigh asked after a few deep breaths, confusion mixing with his anger. "You said you needed me. I came."
"And the result is you won't let me participate in the mission?"
He had arrived yesterday, tested today, and now he was being dismissed? It felt like a cruel joke.
"No," the Marshal said, shaking his head slightly.
"I don't mean we don't need you. I mean..." He shifted his gaze to Mako.
In this moment, he had to be the Marshal, not the father. Raleigh had managed to recover when the Drift went wrong, but Mako had been completely trapped in her past, nearly causing a disaster.
He could not allow Mako back into the cockpit.
"I understand," Mako whispered, her eyes red and trembling.
She made her decision. With immense difficulty, she looked up at Marshal Pentecost. "Mako Mori... requests to leave the program."
Piloting a Jaeger had been her lifelong dream, her only path to avenge her lost family.
Now, she was giving it up.
"...Granted." The Marshal spoke the word, his voice heavy with pain, but firm.
Mako's body trembled again at the expected confirmation. She had lost the right to pilot a Jaeger.
She bowed deeply to her father. Tears fell to the floor with the movement, marking the end of her dream.
She turned and left the office.
"How could you...?" Raleigh watched her go, lifting his hand as if to stop her, but ultimately letting it fall. He turned back to the Marshal, his voice filled with accusation.
"I know she's your daughter. I saw it in her memories," Raleigh said, having witnessed the truth of Mako's adoption during the Drift.
"You were an instructor at the Jaeger Academy. You know this is a hurdle every pilot faces. Why won't you trust her again?"
"You aren't protecting her—you're destroying her."
Having shared her mind, he understood Mako's pain and her desperate need for vengeance.
"I told you. We don't have time," the Marshal repeated.
"Time?" Raleigh pressed. "Are we really short one single day?"
This time, Marshal Pentecost did not answer. He simply looked at Raleigh, his gaze intense.
"Do not mistake my composure for a lack of temper, Mr. Becket," he said coldly.
Faced with this stern Marshal, Raleigh felt a flash of his Academy days, being disciplined.
He fell silent.
"No unauthorized action until I give the order."
"Now, get out."
The Marshal delivered his ultimatum.
Raleigh opened his mouth, ready to argue, but gave up. He turned away, frustration etched on his face, and left the office.
After they were gone, Marshal Pentecost sighed.
He spoke to the last person in the room. "My apologies, Mr. Natsuki. You had to witness that."
"Also, thank you for intervening at the critical moment."
Natsuki, wearing a green floral shirt, stood with his arms crossed at the side of the office. He had heard the entire conversation.
The test for Shaolin Rogue had been completed while Gipsy Danger was undergoing maintenance. Natsuki's telekinesis combined with minimal piloting knowledge allowed him to easily solo-pilot the machine.
Regarding Shaolin Rogue replacing Gipsy Danger in the line-up, the other pilots had unanimously agreed. The evidence of Gipsy Danger's instability was too fresh.
"Don't mention it," Natsuki said.
"I promised you I wouldn't let accidents happen."
"But are you truly set on keeping them on standby?"
He knew Raleigh wanted to fight, and Mako was clearly the most compatible partner for him. Forcing Mako out was effectively sidelining Gipsy Danger entirely.
"It is unavoidable," the Marshal admitted. "I believe Mako could adapt quickly, but trust is not something that can be restored quickly."
The issue wasn't Mako's ability to pilot; it was whether the other pilots could accept her after such a catastrophic failure.
"Therefore, the upcoming operation requires you to pilot Shaolin Rogue, taking Gipsy Danger's original position."
Though Gipsy Danger was out, the Marshal was relieved he had secured Natsuki's cooperation.
"Tonight, we will finalize all mission assignments."
"The plan will be executed tomorrow morning."
Marshal Pentecost was desperate to end the Kaiju threat.
"Understood," Natsuki nodded.
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