yeojin, i'm in a training room if you need me. pls remember we have drills tomorrow
-hs
Work Text:
Iceberg Hopper's Last Minute Save
Last night at 3:00, Iceberg Hopper, piloted by Im Yeojin and Jo Haseul, subdued the latest Kaiju in a series that has officials urging inhabitants of coastal cities to move inland. This Kaiju, not yet named by PPDC K-Science’s Hong Kong division, is one of the largest Kaiju to attempt to come ashore in Hong Kong.
The Jaeger and Kaiju traded blows for almost two hours, with the Jaeger clearly on the losing side as the Kaiju pushed it back towards the shore, waves from their battle hammering against the floodwalls. At an hour and a half into the attack, officials called for an emergency evacuation of civilians, including nonessential K-Science and J-Tech workers.
The Executive of Security has regularly come under criticism for what some would call her hasty evacuations, sometimes causing tens of millions in lost productivity. Others argue that the costs would be much higher if a Kaiju made it ashore in an inhabited city. This has been seen in cities like Tokyo, where the president himself called for an emergency evacuation when the Kaiju hit the Miracle Mile.
Nevertheless, Hong Kong’s Miracle Mile remains unbroken, and the shore cannons unfired. Just as the Kaiju seemed to be rallying for the second wave of attacks, Iceberg Hopper broke from its regular moveset with a shocking low sweep, widely considered an incredibly risky move for any Jaeger, whose height is considered its greatest asset. This goes double for Iceberg Hopper, whose unique jumping legs are its signature. But this unexpected move successfully disrupted the Kaiju’s rally and turned the tide of the battle to clearly in Iceberg Hopper’s favor, and within the next thirty minutes, the Jaeger was being transported back to the Shatterdome, where PPDC held a quick press debrief, the summary of which…
| Pan Pacific Defense Corps | XX/XX/XXXX | |
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MEMORANDUM FOR Pan Pacific Defence Corps Strike Team, Staff, and Trainees SUBJECT: Psychiatric Support for Strike Team; Mental Health Initiatives and Misc.
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[Name Redacted] |
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[Trainee Handbook: New Curriculum Goals]
Enclosed is the updated PPDC Ranger Training Curriculum, revised in accordance with new governmental regulations and ongoing field research from active Rangers, K-Science, and J-Tech.
The new revised PPDC Ranger Training Curriculum was designed with the following objectives in mind:
Health, Strength, and Connection. Health, strength, and connection are essential if the individual is to withstand the intense burden of piloting a Jaeger. The Pan Pacific Defense Corps relies on the hard work of healthy, strong, and reliable Rangers. As such, this curriculum was designed from the ground up to develop the next generation of Jaeger pilots.
One of the foundational principles any successful Ranger needs to have is Morale. Morale is a powerful tool to combat the fatigue and anxieties that come with any high-intensity job, and this one is no different. Through this training, individuals will learn techniques to calm the mind and control the direction of their thoughts, and to cultivate a mental state of confidence, courage, and zeal. In peace, this mentality functions to set an example for what strength in adversity, as we face now, looks like; and in conflict, this mentality allows them the courage to make measured decisions and communicate clearly in the field.
Initiative and Adaptability are the next foundational principles. In the field, Rangers are required to think quickly and in tandem. Kaijus are unpredictable, and countering this requires quick reflexes and decisive actions. Therefore, the development of initiative and adaptability is an important factor in training.
Teamwork is the final principle, and perhaps the most central tenet to successfully graduating from the Jaeger Academy. Through the course of the individual’s training, instructors will be monitoring cadets and matching them in experimental pairings with the goal of creating formidable pilot teams. For this reason, it is key that a trainee is open to working with a wide range of their peers.
| Pan Pacific Defense Corps | XX/XX/XXXX | |
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MEMORANDUM FOR Pan Pacific Defence Corps Strike Team, J-Tech, K-Science, and Jaeger Trainees SUBJECT: Proper Attire
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[Name Redacted] |
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[Trainee handbook: Drift Partners]
Activation and Organization. When a new Jaeger is to be activated, the PPDC designates the Jaeger pilot team and the effective date and Shatterdome for activation. Plans are then initiated for the conduct of training of the pair. A drift-preparation training program must be prepared and implemented upon arrival to the Shatterdome and the Rangers must participate in routine training and evaluation. If at any time and for any reason, the evaluation determines that the pair are no longer fit to pilot a Jaeger together, procedures will be enacted to reassign one or both pilots. However, if that team is the only pilot team active in that geographic area, a plan will be put in place to keep the pair functional until an interim team can be put in place.
At the Jaeger Academy, individuals and units are trained to be proficient in several forms of martial arts, and the training program cycles trainees between parings to ensure the development of the cadet’s capability to pilot a mech with speed and care with a variety of partners before the final assignments are made.
Pre-Activation Compatibility Testing. Training is conducted during the early period of assignments to correct deficiencies noted during the latter phases of the training stage, to maintain the physical conditioning of the Rangers, and to perfect Jaeger operating techniques so far as training time permits. At this time, the Rangers are provided information about the area and Shatterdome to which they are assigned.
| Pan Pacific Defense Corps | XX/XX/XXXX | |
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PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE TO Ranger Assessment Committee SUBJECT: Recommendation for Kim Jiwoo's Promotion to Ranger To Whom It May Concern: Throughout her training, Kim Jiwoo has shown remarkable drive and determination, even when facing down against much larger opponents. As you may have seen from her medical files, Kim Jiwoo is among the smaller cadets in this year's batch, but I am confident that this fact will not sway you negatively, as the Iceberg Hopper team has shown indredible skill and capability in the field. Further, I would argue that it is hers and prospective partner Kim Jungeun’s stature that gives them the edge in fights against much bigger adversaries. As we are all aware, Kaiju events are happening in quicker succession than ever, and the Kaiju themselves are growing bigger and more aggressive. It would be most prudent to select a team that is not only well suited to and familiar with one another, as Kim Jiwoo and Kim Jungeun are, but a team with the experience and courage to face down the much larger Kaiju of recent. This all being said, Kim Jiwoo's combat skills are nothing to balk at. I will spare you the details, as you have already read her ranks from her time at the academy. I am more than confident she has the skill and agility to pilot, especially alongside Kim Jungeun, who she has traded spots with in rank regularly. |
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[Name Redacted] |
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jungeun, i'm not naming the jaeger anything with twilight. everyone's gonna think it's silly. if you're insisting on naming it, make it cool :P
-jiwoo
Experiences from Official Assembly Regarding the Last Battle
Jo Haseul and Im Yeojin, the pilots of Iceberg Hopper, a sister duo hailing from South Korea, sit dignified on stage as the Director of Shatterdome 1 (Hong Kong) introduces them. This must be old hat for them by now. After all, this isn’t the first time Iceberg Hopper has beaten down a Kaiju miles from shore, and it’s not the first time that the feat has been spectacular enough to garner them a medal. One medal to share among the two of them. Maybe for other siblings this would be the cause of fights, but for the pair, who stand and cross the stage in near-perfect unison, it’s never seemed to be a problem.
In the audience, the Executive of Security watches. It was her mandated evacuation under 24 hours earlier that drew the criticism of citizens and other politicians who did not want their day interrupted when they were sure that Iceberg Hopper would save the day. And it did.
One wonders how the cadets staring up at these two feel about all of this too. The Rangers’ eyes strayed to them multiple times during the introductory speeches. It must be so strange to see your past self in the audience. How must it feel to know that the world relies on these two young Rangers, and how strange is it that the next ones are here in attendance, as unaware of their own destiny as the rest of the world.
Jo Haseul is a woman of few words as she greets the audience, accepts the award, and takes her seat, her sister moving in perfect sync…
| Pan Pacific Defense Corps | XX/XX/XXXX | |
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MEMORANDUM FOR Pan Pacific Defence Corps Jaeger Pilots, Staff, and Trainees SUBJECT: Uniforms
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[Name Redacted] |
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Profile on the Im/Jo Sisters, Iceberg Hopper's Team
The Im/Jo Sister team is striking in their PPDC uniforms, neatly ironed for the press conference I first see them at. They’re solemn and professional and move in almost eerie unison. Yeojin breaks her solemn professionalism for a moment to wave to a trainee in the audience before the commanding general of the Hong Kong Shatterdome adjusts the microphone and begins the press conference.
This conference isn’t why I’m here, however.
It’s who Im Yeojin and Jo Haseul are outside of the press conferences and official bios that you can find on the PPDC site that I’m interested in. And the answer? Well, they’re sisters, they’re women in their early 20s, and they’re...normal, in spite of the fact that they’re this city’s penultimate protection from an alarmingly existential threat.
As they sit in front of me in sweatpants and t-shirts, only twenty minutes after the press conference has wrapped, I’m reminded of two college kids. Yeojin prods Haseul’s side to get her to move over, and Haseul sticks her tongue out and refuses until Yeojin sticks a pinky into Haseul’s ear. I laugh, and the two startle. They’d forgotten I was there.
Haseul apologizes. “Sometimes, we’re really in a world of our own. It’s a side effect of drifting together for so long.” She goes on to talk a little more about drifting when I ask. “It’s a little like...you know those counterweight activities from gym class where you and your partner grasp hands and do squats at the same time, holding each other up? It’s like that. Half of it is remembering to stay connected, and the other half is just listening to your partner.”
Sounds tiring, I say, and both of them nod.
“Sometimes, we can’t stand each other,” Yeojin adds. “in a normal sibling way, but a little worse because we’re always a little bit in each other’s heads, you know? You spend so much time linked, and it’s a little too close. You can’t really spend that much time with anyone before needing a break.”
I ask them how they manage that, and they both talk about hobbies.
Haseul mentions her love of singing. “I asked for a karaoke machine for the rec room, and they got a really fancy booth installed. It’s connected to the internet, so it’s got all the new songs. I could spend hours in there. Karaoke’s great because you can really empty your head. The only thing that exists is the backing track and the words on the screen. Super fun!”
Yeojin talks about crafts. “I’m really into bracelet-making right now.” She gestures at the two on her wrist, classic Kandi-style bracelets. Then she offers me one. “No, really, I have so many, and I think I’ve given at least one to everyone in the Shatterdome.” and how can I refuse? “Bracelet-making is really peaceful. It’s mindless but in a meditative way. And it really lets me use a more creative part of my brain, you know?”
Speaking of creativity, I ask them about the name Iceberg Hopper…
yeojin please get the drivesuit back to me at some point!! here if you need me!
-yerim
[Trainee handbook: Chasing the Rabbit]
This training is designed to provide individuals a firm basis in understanding Drifting on a theoretical level. This is vital in preparing the individual to begin practical tests.
Random Access Brain Impulse Triggers (or R.A.B.I.T.) occur when one of the pilots latches onto a memory. Focusing on a single memory, especially one with great emotional significance, is discouraged while piloting a Jaeger as this can destabilize the individual. This in turn can translate into potential unsafe behavior from the Jaeger, depending on what hemisphere the Ranger is connected to.
If an individual’s partner is non-responsive from R.A.B.I.T, their first instinct might be to try to pull them out using the Drift, however, they can become trapped in the memory too. R.A.B.I.T is very commonly observed in both pilots at once, regardless of who the memory belongs to. This puts the Jaeger out of commission for the duration fo the memory and in the field, this puts it in real danger from the Kaiju.
Instead, individuals are encouraged to observe thoughts and let them pass by to maintain sufficient cognitive distance.
If an individual’s partner is out fo commission due to R.A.B.I.T, that individual must be capable of piloting the Jaeger independently in order to disengage, and no further due to the intense neural load. The training in the next sections of this handbook will further explain and prepare cadets for this task and responsibility…
guys please, please find somewhere else to have your little trysts oh my god i’m begging you my workbench is a place for science! And not that kind!
-soul