Pacific Rim

[fieldcommissioned]

So here we are, yeah? Been thinkin' about it long enough, finally bit the bullet. Some strange company in here. But at least some people I recognise.

Arright. Let's see how this goes.

Comments

[ibelonghere]

Herc, glad to see your mun finally bit the bullet and brought you around.

[righthemisphere]

If it's any consolation, sir, you're not the only one.

[fieldcommissioned]

Well, figured it was 'bout time. After all, been around for a while now, haven't I? [He shot her a half-smile.]

[fieldcommissioned]

Ah, don't worry about consolation, Raleigh. Not like it's something terrible.

[ibelonghere]

[She gave him a curt nod, with a smile.] Gave you a bit of a nudge did I? [She's teasing of course but, yeah he had been around for a while now, just hiding out more or less.]

[fieldcommissioned]

Just another hint on the path of 'shit or get off the pot', yeah. [And his smile grew.]

[ibelonghere]

[She laughed softly.]

[righthemisphere]

[Sturgeon face]

Nah, I guess not. Not like we've got much else to do these days.

[fieldcommissioned]

Well, give credit where it's due and all that.

[fieldcommissioned]

Just... basically finish sweepin' things up.

[ibelonghere]

[She glances down with a soft smile, don't go and make her blush now Herc seriously it's not a good look on her.]

[righthemisphere]

I'm pretty sure we've got techs to do that for us, right?

So. What're your plans now if you don't mind my askin'?

[fieldcommissioned]

Oh, come on. [With an eyebrow raised, he nudged her elbow.] Nothin' to say?

[fieldcommissioned]

Depends on just who you're askin'. Me, or my mun. Sometimes those answers differ, y'know?

[ibelonghere]

Not a damn word. [She just smiles.]

[fieldcommissioned]

Take that as a good thing, then.

[ibelonghere]

An extremely good thing, sir.

[righthemisphere]

From what I understand you're supposta' share the same goals and all that, though.

You lookin' atta game, sir? Or just gonna lay around a while.

[fieldcommissioned]

Good question. Mun's only familiar with one game and hasn't touched it in years. Kind of a bad taste still lingerin' from last time. Mostly, it's been memes and museboxes. Active enough for the most part. How about you, Raliegh?

[righthemisphere]

Yeah? What game is that?

[He gives a one-shouldered shrug] Guess I haven't really thought about it.

All the games this one's involved with are some freak action/horror mix and I think I've had enough of that for a lifetime. Might run away. Go on vacation. I hear Hawaii is nice.

[fieldcommissioned]

Better if we don't go spreadin' the name around. It's probably changed since then, but it's not good to start rumours. [Shrugging, Herc scrubbed a hand over one cheek.] And yeah, I'd bet Hawaii is nice. Thought about it a few times. But isn't that a little warm for a north kid like you?

[righthemisphere]

That's fair enough.

[~le shrug] Wouldn't know, sir, I've never been. Yancy and I used to say we'd go somewhere warm some day. Just lay on the beach. [and pickup chicks in bikinis. Hot chicks in parkas only does so much for a man, ya understand. Mm. Snowsuit. So sexy~. Plus he longs for the excuse to wear a pair of shorts.]

You, know. Assumin' it's still there.

[fieldcommissioned]

Y'don't have to call me 'sir,' Raleigh. Stacker was the Marshal. I only got the title because I had seniority. But I am pretty sure Hawaii's still there. Part of it, anyway. [At least, last he heard, there were still most of the islands, if not all of them.]

[righthemisphere]

You got the title because you earned it. And you're senior. [Snerk.]

[fieldcommissioned]

I already said seniority, pup. [Fair was fair - he called Herc old, Herc called him young.]

AND THEN 9 WEEKS LATER

[righthemisphere]

[He just grins.]

So...did you hear? They're opening a Jaeger Academy game.

Not sure how to feel about that but. I mean, Chuck will be there. So. You could see him..

[fieldcommissioned]

Yeah, I know about the game, and we're thinkin' about it, the player and me, but it's weird, Raleigh. [Herc shook his head.] Half these places, my boy's dead. Half of 'em, he's alive. Leaves me wondering where to put my hope, y'know?

[righthemisphere]

I'd say put your money on the ones where he's alive.

[You know. Just sayin'.]

I can tell you, though, we're both reserved and worked into the story line. It's 2020 and one of Hydra Corinthian's pilots is outta action so Gipsy and Striker were both reassigned to launch from the Valparaíso Shatterdome until she's operational again.

It'd be an honor to have you.

[fieldcommissioned]

It does sound interestin', but I've gotta admit that my mun's a little unsure about being able to manage a second chance at not havin' my boy hating me. I think the two of us might be a little too set in how we are. Even if it would be good to have him around.

[righthemisphere]

Sir with all due respect? Your family stuff is none of my business but Chuck is, what, seventeen? You've got plenty of time to work out whatever your issues are.

If I had the chance to see my brother again I'd take it in a heartbeat, hating me or not, he'd be alive.

He is alive, here.

[A pointed look for that to set in.]

They're alive.

[fieldcommissioned]

I'll wish you luck, then, Raleigh. You deserve a better chance with your brother. Nothin' should end the way that did.

[But for him, he didn't think he could do it and forget what had happened. Forget Chuck's death. His boy helped save the world, after all.]

[righthemisphere]

[Herc, you are not understanding him, here.

He just. Stares.]

You say that like you're not coming..

We won't remember what happens, It's an alternate timeline, that might not even happen-

[fieldcommissioned]

I know that. I know what you're saying. But Raleigh, I can't forget. It would make me a different person. It wouldn't have me being... me. The me I am now, which... that's probably better. Make me a better person. [And he envied that person.] But it's not something I can do. There are more versions of me out there. Better if it's one of them.

[righthemisphere]

...
I don't-

Why are you doing this to yourself?

[fieldcommissioned]

What I'm doing, Raleigh, is dealing with how things ended. Coping with it. I don't want to risk it happening again.