Pacific Rim: Legacy

Chapter 7 - Analia

The rush of adrenaline filled Analia's veins as she settled into the Conn-Pod of Gypsy Avenger, the massive Jaeger towering over Sydney's skyline. Her hands gripped the controls, her mind syncing with Jake's through the drift as they prepared to drop into the city. Despite the banter in her ear from Raleigh, her focus was already on the mission ahead.

"Gypsy Avenger, this is Marshal Beckett," Raleigh's voice crackled through the comms. "All you have to do is stand there and look pretty. Shouldn't be too hard. Stay focused, try not to fall over."

Analia couldn't help but let out a nervous laugh, the familiar flirtation easing some of the tension that had been building in her shoulders. "Roger that, sir," she replied with a sly smile, shooting a quick glance at Jake beside her, who rolled his eyes playfully.

As the countdown began, Analia's grip tightened on the controls. This is it, she thought, trying to calm her racing mind. Stay sharp.

"Go for drop," Raleigh's voice cut through the air, his tone steady and commanding. "In three, two, one. Drop!"

The jolt of the drop was immediate, and Analia felt her heart leap into her throat as they hurtled towards the sprawling city below. The world outside the Conn-Pod spun wildly as they descended towards their target.

Her breath caught as the drift began to wobble, threatening to throw them off course. "Jake!" she barked urgently, her voice laced with fear.

The AI's monotone voice droned back at her, "Drift alignment unstable."

"Relax," Jake's voice was surprisingly calm despite the turbulence. "It's coming back to me."

Analia shot him a wary glance, feeling the unsteady pulse of their neural connection. "You sure?" She couldn't afford any mistakes in this crucial moment.

The AI chimed again, its metallic voice ringing through the cockpit. "Ion cells activated," it announced.

Analia felt a sense of relief flood through her as they regained control of their Jaeger, but the awkward drift that had occurred left her feeling uneasy. They were connected on a deeper level now, and there were memories she wished would stay buried.

"We're in each other's heads, remember?" she reminded Jake sharply. "So I'd appreciate if you could refrain from thinking about Jules."

Jake's smirk was barely contained as he shot her a sidelong glance. "How about you stop thinking about last night and focus on the mission? I might need to be brainwashed after this."

Analia's face flushed with heat, her stomach twisting at the thought of Jake seeing her memories of her and Raleigh entwined together from the previous night. She couldn't believe she had let herself be so vulnerable in front of him. Damn drift.

"Thank you, Ranger, for that unnecessary reminder," she snapped, trying to push away the distraction and focus on the task at hand.

"Incoming transport," the AI warned them.

"Gypsy to Command. Are you reading this?" Jake's voice came over the comm system, tinged with concern.

Analia waited anxiously for Raleigh's response. "Your estimated time of arrival is two minutes."

With a deep breath, Analia focused on the city below as their Jaeger readjusted itself according to their commands. But a nagging feeling in her gut told her something wasn't right. And then it happened—movement in the water caught her eye.

A massive form began to rise from the harbor, its sleek silhouette casting an ominous shadow. A rogue Jaeger was emerging, heading straight for Sydney Opera House and beyond that, the summit at headquarters.