Thread: this isn't g o d z i l l a. [ banks x sync. ]

This was promising to be a big day for all of them. Today was the day that they started trials, Cassandra Dylan knew. Shed arrived the day before, one of the handful of Australians whod made the cut. She knew what she was in for she knew what the score was. They all did. The half-dozen Australians four males, two females had arrived at the compound mid-afternoon the day before the trials started they werent the first to arrive, the Americans had that covered on the fact that it was their country but the Australians werent the last, either. More were coming, mainly from Europe, theyd been told. Lots would be arriving not many would succeed. Ten years ago, when the first kaiju came, Cass had been living in Sydney with her family. The kaiju attacked Sydney, and Cass was one of the millions that had run for safety while the Striker Eureka landed and fought the kaiju off. For many, that day was the beginning of the end for others, life went on, if somewhat more cautiously for Cass, it was a turning point. Like so many others, she knew what the Jaegers were huge mechanical robots, operated by a pair of pilots who worked in unison to drive the machines. Cass wanted to be one of those pilots. She dreamed of being up there, piloting a Jaeger, defending her homebut she was too young to even join the army. At fifteen, they wouldnt have her that didnt stop her from working hard, both physically and mentally, to make sure shed be accepted. She was tough, rough, hard-nosed she fought hard to earn every promotion shed received. She joined the Australian Army as soon as she could after her eighteenth birthday, did her basic training, took her deployments. She took her specialisations, took up with the SAS when she turned twenty-two, did a couple of tours in regional hot spots, earned a few citations and commendations, did her officer studies and exams. Combat areas made promotions go faster, and Cass had just received the rank of Captain when news camethat the kaiju were back. The call for Jaeger pilots was coming out, broadcast to all nations, and Cass answered that call. She was given leave to attend Jaeger pilot trials. That was a week ago, when shed answered that call. After permits and visas were signed, transfers were arranged, transport organised, Cass found herself on a flight to the USA. Five other Australians joined her Vicki Taylor, the black-haired martial artist three other soldiers named Adam Miles, Jack Marshall and Ian Blake, and some tech genius named Sebastian Drane. Cass really hoped Sebastian would end up in the support teams it would be an insult if the nerd proved capable of piloting a Jaeger. Still, the nerd was there, so he must have had something that made him worthy of including. Cass had largely kept to herself during the flight, although she had periodically engaged in lively chatter with her compatriots she outranked them, but this was not a strictly-military operation. When they finally landed, they were told they had twenty-four hours to stow their gear and settle before their trials began. That was yesterday. After a very solid sleep, Cass was up and ready for trials. Shed dressed for the action or combat it was non-contact combat, but still to be hard-fought, and injuries would likely occur and shed worn a sports-bra and firm tank-top on her torso, and loose shorts. It revealed the toned, near-muscular physique of the young woman, the slender figure, the pale and un-marked skin. Battle staves, little more than an updated version of the time-old quarterstaff, were given out, and Cass took hers with a small grin. Trials were started, even though a few stragglers were still to arrive Cass found herself on the mat, facing a muscular American, when the last of the candidates turned up. He was cocky, over-confident, and Cass had made short work of him, putting him down quickly to a flawless victory. Cassandra Dylan, 5 Ty Marks, 0. Cass grinned and took her place, as one of the newcomers was called to face another American, this one femaleand the girl also won. Then a girl called Fleur was called to take on a German named FranzCass was idly intrigued by the amount of tattoos the girl had. At least the bravado and confidence was present. Theyd be fighting most of the day, Cass knew. Combat with a kaiju could take hours, so stamina was vital. The Jaegers were being rolled out the trials wouldnt stop until all Jaegers were crewed. It was going to be a long day.