Back when I was in elementary school, I always dreamed of doing something I loved and made me happy. During high school, I had discovered my love of science; I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. However, plans were ruined once the Kaiju emerged. They were monsters with a desire to destroy. Things never really went back to normal after the first attack. Such is life. She throws unexpected curveballs at you.

Lately I've been finding myself trying to soak in my surroundings and distinguish whether or not it's fantasy or reality. After the first Kaiju attack, everything just flew by and I wasn't able to savor my days. I was forced to grow up, to rely on my primitive nature. I haven't lost my humanity; I just realized what it meant to survive. My thoughts were disrupted when I heard a knock on my door. One I knew all too well.

"The door's open Alex!" I sat up on my bed and saw my brother enter my room. He sat down next to me and ruffled my hair, to which I responded with a glare.

"Mez, the jaegers are looking kick-ass, I can't wait to go back on Aguila." I flinched involuntarily. It's been awhile since I allowed myself to go on a jaeger and hearing my brother's enthusiasm brought back a flood of memories.

"Hey…Sis, look at me." His voice was softer than usual. I looked up at him and did my best to avoid looking at a once severely wounded area.

"It's been four years now. You have to forgive yourself and move on. We're more than ready Meztli. Mom and Pops knew you were. It's time you start believing it." He got up and flicked my cheek lightly.

"Pentecost wants us in his office in fifteen." He gave me a smile and walked out my door.

I looked over at my wall and saw the last picture we took with our parents. We all had smiles on our faces. The photo radiated the happiness we felt that day. That was before their duty called them to serve and protect. They were the two Jaeger pilots that defeated the Kaiju that attacked Mexico. It was their motherland and their blood was shed on the land that they abandoned many years before. I was only twelve and my brother was seventeen. That day forever changed the course of our lives. I sighed.

"Cuidanos Mami y Papi."

The Shatterdome was not the loveliest of places, but it had become a home. Pentecost knew my parents long before and when my brother joined the PPDC in 2017 he allowed me to come along. Being around Jaegers was nothing new to me. In fact I picked up a few things and learned how to fix them as well. As I walked by the people I worked alongside with, I smiled at them and nodded my head in recognition of all the sacrifices they were making. We were working on borrowed time and every moment of bliss had to be savored. Once I got to Pentecost's office I knocked. Hearing his familiar voice, I walked inside. My brother was already there along with Mako.

"I'm certain you have heard the name Raleigh Becket." His name rang a bell in my head and I nodded.

"He's the one from Anchorage, correct?" I turned to look at my brother and then back at Pentecost.

"Yes. We have located him and plan on bringing him here. His expertise is much needed." He paused to look at all of us.

"With that being said, I expect Gipsy to continue being worked on. I also would like his room to be set up and such. Understood?" We all nodded are heads and he dismissed us. Before I could exit the room, he called me over to his desk once more.

"Yes, sir."

"Do you plan on getting in a Jaeger soon?" I looked down at the floor. Suddenly the tiles with visible shoe marks became more interesting.

"Sir. I know I was trained at a much younger age, but it was a mistake for me to go on Aguila when I was 17." I moved my gaze back up. A flash of empathy was visible on his face, but it quickly returned to his stern demeanor.

"It didn't stop you from continuing your training,"

"With your permission, I'd like to retreat." He sighed.

"Permission granted." I turned around and made my way to the door. Before I opened it I heard him once more.

"You're a born Ranger." I walked out of his office. I know I should be more grateful and appreciate the moments in which Pentecost shows his more fatherly side. I made my way back to my room. It becomes second nature to walk the same path so I didn't bother paying attention to my surroundings.

(Several days later)

I had been informed by Mako that Raleigh Becket was nearing the Shatterdome. She wanted me to accompany her. We were both in charge of the Mark III Restoration Project. From a young age we were exposed to the jaeger/Kaiju world and shared similar sufferings because of it. I braided my hair and walked out in my regular attire which consisted in my black combat boots, gray pants and a long sleeve black shirt. I grabbed my rain coat and umbrella. I met up with Mako and we headed outside. It felt refreshing to step out of the stuffed area and the rain made it even better. The nice breeze relaxed me. Mako was calm and composed as always. I saw Sikorsky land and we waited for them to come closer. Pentecost emerged alongside with a man with blond hair. I noticed he was taking in his surroundings.

"This is Mako Mori and Meztli Hidalgo, two of the brightest women I know. Both are in charge of the Mark III Restoration Project." I looked down embarrassed slightly by Pentecost's words. I looked up once again and saw Mako bowing slightly to Raleigh. I nodded my head. He looked slightly surprised but regained his composure. While we waited for the cargo elevator I decided to speak.

"Welcome to Hong Kong, Mr. Becket."

"Raleigh. Please." He smiled and I couldn't help but return it. Mako then whispered something to Pentecost in Japanese. To her surprise and mine as well, Raleigh understood what she had said.

"Chigau no? Yoi ka warui ka?*" I noticed he winked at her and had a small smirk on his face. Mako was embarrassed and instantly began apologizing.

"¿No me vallas a decir que entiendes Español también?"

"Un poco." It seemed like we had ourselves a talented man on the team.

"Nice." The elevator door opened and before I could get in, I heard shouts in the distance. Raleigh held the door and inside came Newt and Dr. Gottlieb.

"What do you have in there?" Newt turned to look at me and I knew he was excited.

"Kaiju organs!" Before he could continue on, Pentecost began the formal introductions. To be honest I truly found Newt and Dr. Gottlieb a comic relief. They often bickered like an old married couple, but they got serious research done. Raleigh and Newt were engaged in a conversation about the Kaiju sleeve Newt had.

"Well, my brother and I took it down in 2017… Cut its head off if I remember correctly." Newt went wide eyed. Raleigh turned to look at Mako and I. Almost as if to see a reaction. I just stared at Yamarashi on Newt's arm. Newt continued to ramble. He was fascinated with the Kaiju. To a certain degree I could understand his interest in them. No one could've ever imagined these creatures to walk the earth. To our relief, the elevator door finally opened and Pentecost escorted Raleigh out. Mako and I just followed along. We continued to walk down the hallway. I got lost in my own thoughts, but I heard Pentecost's final words.

"We are not an army anymore, Mr. Becket. We're the resistance." I felt a chill go down my spine. This was it. It began to sink in that this was fight or flight. Mako had left my side and went ahead to press the code to open the doors.

"Welcome to the Shatterdome."