Apocalypse cancelled

[srwu_npc3]

"We are in your debt. No, the whole of humanity is in Unity Group's debt."

Marshall Pentacost looks beaten up, and his nose is bleeding - not due to injury, it is something far worse and more incurable than that. But all things considered he looks really happy. Happy that Mako is alive, and that Operation Pitfall was a success.

"Turn off the Clock! The clock that diligently measured time between Kaiju attacks, now it's unneeded - forever!"

"But so is the Pan Pacific Defense Corps."

"The Corps had its funding cut already. The whole project was going to be mothballed in several months at most, anyway. And now that the Kaiju invasion is no more, we no longer have a purpose. My men and women will disperse, each to their own devices. I recommended them to become part of Unity Group, and Commander-in-chief Antov agreed. I hope many take me up on this offer."

"It was an honor to stand by your side."

Comments

[genericprotagonist]

Marshall. It was an honor sir.

[Who else would be among the first in line to speak to Pentecost than Raleigh, even after nearly dying from lack of air and almost getting caught in a nuclear explosion. Still, like the Marshall he was pretty happy with the whole situation too.]

Was wondering how long before this day would hit. Didn't think we'd see it in our lifetime.

[srwu_npc3]

"Many didn't get to see it in theirs, mr Beckett. But today's not the time to grieve. It is a joyous occassion - today, we celebrate!"

[deathflag_survivor]

[Have salutes from what's left of Team Jelba.]

An honor to stand by yours, Marshall.

I hope your remaining days're quiet ones. You've long since earned it.

[srwu_npc3]

"Unlikely, mr Bailarin. Even with the kaiju threat gone, the fight for Earth is far from over. I am still needed, if not in the PPDC, then elsewhere."

"But I appreciate the thought."

[reactorhead_russians]

Battered, bruised, and yet somehow relaxed, Alexis and Sasha nod to Pentecost.

"Likewise." Alexis says softly.

Sasha fishes through her jacket pocket and pulls out a hip flask.

"Want some?" She says, offering it. "It may be a national stereotype, but..." She nods at the clock.

[srwu_npc3]

"It is against ordinary military regulations to drink on duty. I am sure I don't have to remind you, mrs Kaidanovsky."

The Marshall shrugs and smiles.

"But this is no ordinary day, and I could really use a drink right now."

[reactorhead_russians]

And so they trade the flask between each other a few times.

"And now we're out of a job." Sasha muses. "Shit. What'll we do"

Alexis shrugs. "We'll find a place in the UG...but what'll you do, Marshall–Stacker, I mean?"

[srwu_npc3]

"Ah..." Pentacost wipes his mouth discretely. He really needed that.

"I will return where I came from - before the Pan Pacific Defense Corps was a thing. There are still fights that need to be fought. My battles are far from over."

[keep_your_dignity]

[Kagura does not like to come out in her current state. Much less after the other day's trouble. But what Marshall Pentecost and his men did was a bloody miracle, and that deserves recognition for a job well done.

So the littlle fairy is there, performing a book-worthy sharp salute of respect that probably nobody else in Unity group would receive from her.]

[srwu_npc3]

"Even now, there are rumors floating about Graveyard's underhanded methods. Some very believable rumors, even."

"But only a fool would believe all of its members are responsible. Especially after what I have been through, I know it more than ever. It has been an honor, Major."

Pentacost returns the salute, no less serious even though it's aimed at a Mistletoe.

[keep_your_dignity]

[After a moment of fluster at the compliment that is quickly caught, Kagura nods, holding the Marshall's gaze. Even after all this time, that stare of hers is sort of disconcertingly piercing coming from something that looks like a doll.

But they both know that they both have had to take some deals that they're not proud of, and that the other knows. That's what being in command means, isn't it. It means you do whatever it takes to make things work... even if sometimes it takes some little wrongs to make a big right.

Breaking the salute, Kagura nods her head slightly towards Pentacost's bleeding, interrogatively. Yeah, she knows how that goes, it seems to say (which, looking at her tic-tac-toe board of a body is pretty believable). What does the Marshall plan to do now, though?]

[srwu_npc3]

"I do not have long to live, it's true. Radiation sickness... first Jaegers were not even shielded, we needed them built too quickly to bother with details like that."

"Getting into Striker Eureka didn't do me any favors, either. But I don't regret it. Given a chance, I'd do it again."

[keep_your_dignity]

[Kagura nods, with... wait, what the hell, that WAS a smile on her face. Is that the first time someone has seen Kagura smile in years?

But then, if someone in this base understands... it's probably this little half-dead fairy, barely the size of Stacker's hand. It's about duty, yes - but it's also about never going gently into the night. Because fuck the night. And fuck the end of the world while you're at it.

The fairy extends an arm in a gesture between wishing the Marshall good luck and challenging him. The Jaeger program may be over, but it'd disappoint Kagura mightily if he just kicked back and waited to die, and they both know that that's not going to happen.]

[abugslife]

What about you yourself, Marshall?

[srwu_npc3]

"I still have my own battles to fight, general. This is not the end, just a new beginning."

[abugslife]

I wish you success in all of them. Especially the most important one.

[srwu_npc3]

"Same to you."

Pentacost salutes.

"Whenever there's trouble, we'll meet again."