Departure

Everyone at the base learned about the accident.

They all shared the same thought: those two were not suited to piloting a Jaeger.

Although Raleigh had done everything he could to explain that it was his fault, the fact remained that Mako Mori had become lost in her memories and caused Gipsy Danger to go out of control.

There could be absolutely no mistakes in the operation ahead, or everything they had worked for would come to nothing.

Inside Marshal Stacker's office.

"There's no need for any more explanations."

"I was the one who allowed you two to take the test," Marshal Stacker said gravely, looking at Raleigh and Mako Mori before him.

A lingering heaviness creased his brow.

"That's not the point," Raleigh explained. "This was Mako's first Drift. She just needs time. She'll definitely have it under control next time."

Unlike him, she had no wealth of experience to draw on. Raleigh knew what it felt like to Drift with another person for the first time. An ordinary person could not possibly adjust that quickly, and mishaps were normal.

"Next time?" Marshal Stacker's expression grew even more serious. "How many more chances do you think we have?"

"The frequency of kaiju attacks has changed. If we don't hurry, the next one we face could be a Category Five... a Category Six... or something even higher."

"You two nearly destroyed this base."

"Everyone saw the results of the test, and the pilots of the other Jaegers have already made their positions clear to me. They refuse to go on a mission with you."

Young Hansen's reaction to the test results had been especially fierce. He had openly declared his complete opposition to Gipsy Danger taking part in the operation. The pilots of the other two Jaegers had expressed the same view. They did not want an accident happening during the mission either.

Sometimes, a teammate who lost control was more frightening than an enemy.

They were trying to save the world. There was no room for any mistakes, especially one this serious.

At those words, Raleigh pressed his lips together helplessly, clenching his fists with nowhere to direct them.

Beside him, Mako Mori kept her head lowered. She was too ashamed to face her father.

"Then... why did you bring me here?" Raleigh asked after taking a few breaths, confusion showing on his face. "You said you needed me here, so I came."

"And now you're not going to let me take part in the operation?"

I arrived at the base yesterday, took the test today, and now that it's over, you're saying you don't need me?

Is this some kind of joke?

"No." Marshal Stacker shook his head slightly.

"I'm not saying we don't need you. What I mean is..." His gaze shifted to Mako Mori.

At that moment, he had to be a marshal before he could be a father.

Raleigh had managed to recover in time when problems arose during the Drift, but Mako Mori had become trapped in memories of the past and nearly caused a catastrophe.

He could not let Mako Mori enter a Jaeger again.

"I understand," Mako Mori said, lowering her head with a tremble, her eyes red.

Then she made her decision.

With difficulty, she raised her head, looked at Marshal Stacker, and slowly said, "Mako Mori... requests permission to withdraw from the program."

Piloting a Jaeger had been her dream for years. She wanted to kill kaiju with her own hands in a Jaeger and avenge her dead family.

Now.

She chose to give it all up.

"...Granted." Marshal Stacker looked at her. Though it pained him, he still said the word.

Despite having expected that answer, Mako Mori trembled again when she heard it.

At that moment, she had lost the right to pilot a Jaeger.

She bowed slightly to her father, her tears falling to the floor with the movement, along with her hopes.

Then she turned and left the office.

"How could you...?" Watching her retreating back, Raleigh wanted to stop her, but in the end, he lowered the hand he had already raised. He turned to Marshal Stacker, his voice accusing.

"I know she's your daughter. I saw it in her memories." Raleigh had seen what happened all those years ago in Mako Mori's memories. He knew she was the marshal's adopted daughter.

"You used to be an instructor at the Jaeger Academy. You know this is something every pilot has to go through. Why won't you try trusting her again?"

"You're not protecting her. You're hurting her."

After sharing the Drift with her, he now understood exactly how Mako Mori felt, and he knew about her dream of avenging her family.

"I told you, we don't have time," Marshal Stacker replied.

"Time?"

"Are we really so short on time that we can't spare even one day?" Raleigh pressed.

This time, Marshal Stacker did not answer.

He simply looked at him, his gaze grave.

"Do not mistake my composure for a lack of temper, Mr. Beckett," he said coldly.

At that moment, facing Marshal Stacker like this, Raleigh felt as though he were back in his academy days, being reprimanded.

He suddenly found himself unable to speak.

"You are not to act without my orders."

"Now, get out."

Marshal Stacker delivered his final ultimatum.

Raleigh opened his mouth, wanting to say more, but ultimately gave up. He turned helplessly and left the office.

After the two of them left.

Marshal Stacker sighed.

He addressed the last person in the room. "My apologies, Mr. Natsuki. I'm sorry you had to witness that."

"And thank you for stepping in at the critical moment."

Wearing a green floral shirt, Natsuki stood at one side of the office with his arms folded. He had listened to the entire conversation.

Shaolin Rogue's test had already been completed while Gipsy Danger was being sent for routine maintenance. With Psychokinesis and a little knowledge of piloting, Natsuki had easily managed to pilot the Jaeger alone.

The other Jaeger pilots unanimously agreed to let Shaolin Rogue take Gipsy Danger's original place. After all, what had just happened was plain for everyone to see.

"You're welcome."

"I did promise you I wouldn't let any accidents happen," Natsuki said.

"But are you really sure you want to keep them on standby?"

He could tell that Raleigh wanted to fight, and right now, Mako Mori was the only partner best suited to him.

Making Mako Mori withdraw was no different from giving up on Gipsy Danger altogether.

"I have no other choice," Marshal Stacker said. "I believe Mako can get used to piloting in a short time, but... people's trust is much harder to restore that quickly."

The real issue was not whether Mako Mori could get used to piloting a Jaeger, but whether the other Jaeger pilots could accept them after such a major mistake.

"So, for the upcoming operation, we'll need you to pilot Shaolin Rogue in Gipsy Danger's place, Mr. Natsuki."

Although Gipsy Danger could not take part in the operation, fortunately, he had already arranged to work with Natsuki.

"Tonight, we'll finalize everyone's assignments."

"Then we'll carry out the operation tomorrow morning."

Marshal Stacker wanted to put an end to this disaster as soon as possible.

"All right." Natsuki nodded.