[IC] The Jaeger Program (Always Open)

[PhoenixEye9]

He removed his stuff, remembering exactly where he put his beanie. "Words can't tell the reasons a heart forms. The heart will form a decision off of emotions give you a new drive, your mind will think it logically. My heart put it in when we were surprised while I was visiting my family in Scotland, it was a quick massacre and even after that I went back to Britain hoping it to be better, my flat and everything I owned decimated so my drive is from vengeance. My mind thought it over on the way, it's bout high time I get my sorry a** in motion and keep as many people as I can from that same fate," Milo's words were no longer that of a lackadaisical teen just stepping towards real adulthood, but into the words of a man whose ready to die at any moment.

"And on the basis of what I eat, I eat whatever I find, I eat a lot I just have a really high metabolism."

[Shadowcatcher]

Iris listened to his words thoughtfully. A sorry would not be appropriate so instead she sighed. "There are alot of people in your same position. The difference is that you have chosen to do something about it. My only suggestion to you is to make sure your mind is under your control. When your out in battle, you want to reign in the bad memories and grab power from them, like you said, it is your drive." She looked to her mentor, knowing his story had likely hit home for her, but her face had shown nothing. "Remember this..." she said looking back at him. "The reason you want to fight needs not to be because you want revenge. It needs to be because you want others to never feel that pain. Use that as your drive. As a Ranger, you are no longer fighting for just yourself."

With that said, Iris retrieved two katana and gave him one. "Show me how strong your drive is." she said stepping away and preparing herself. She spun around and placed her wepon in her left hand, bringing it across her chest like she usually did, keeping her feet apart. This was the same one she always did. You could tell alot about a person by their stance, she would be looking for something specific in his.

[PhoenixEye9]

Milo knew the wooden katana just like the real one was meant to be held two handed and with the curve out wards, but he went with style before proper fighting holding it one handed with his other hand ready to act. All traces of his lackadaisical attitude were gone all now to focus on fighting.
"Well, I guess now comes the test," with those words music even though it wasn't playing his ear played in Milo's head. "3...2...1... Let the games begin!" He shouted coming in looking reckless with a one handed slice coming towards Iris's right side, but he was ready for her to block as he prepared to strike with his left hand.

[Shadowcatcher]

Iris was impressed he aimed for her weaker side, but was slightly amused he thought her right arm was not strong enough to cover that side. She moved right as he approahed her. Her right hand shot out and grasped the katana with a sharp clapping sound. She felt he was not going to let go of it so she pulled her arm close to her side, bringing him with. As she did, her left arm raised up and blocked whatever he was planning with his left hand. She brought her forearm up under his chin and waited fir him to relax.

"Well executed move, though think it fully through next time. An opponent as agile as you will likely have your same weakness. Think. Defend. Strike." she stepped away, releasing her hold on his wepon. "Watch how i move. Again." she took a step back. she stepped forward with her left foot, turning slightly, lowering her wepon ready to attack.

[Shadowcatcher]

Iris was impressed he aimed for her weaker side, but was slightly amused he thought ner right arm was not strong enough to cover that side. She moved right as ne approahed her. Her right hand shot out and grasped the katana with a sharp clapping sound. She felt he was not going to let go of it so she pulled her arm close to her side, bringing him with. As she did, her left arm raised up and blocked whatever he was planning with his left hand. She brought her forearm up under his chin and waited fir him to relax.

"Well executed move, though think it fully through next time. An opponent as agile as you will likely have your same weakness. Think. Defend. Strike." she stepped away, releasing her hold on his wepon. "Watch how i move. Again." she took a step back. she stepped forward with her left foot, turning slightly, lowering her wepon ready to attack.

[PhoenixEye9]

"You clearly weren't going to make a first move and it's not something I personally prefer doing. Counters are always a better tactic when your oppenent is bigger. What I will say, if this was a real blade, you kind of wouldn't have a hand." His inner smartass coming out as he smiled to her. "Even more so you can't say watch your technique if someone has your style they can watch and learn out of a technique but everyone must form their own in the end, nothing is exactly the same."

With those final words he swapped techniques to the way a katana is meant to be held, he thought through the situation watching her. "Defensive clearly, highly proud of it, agile, can easily keep herself covered even in a decoy situation." At that moment a new idea came into his mind, "Round 2- hells ride," he said softly before coming in with the appearance of another slice, but swiftly dropping to a slide to knock her balance. Risky leaving himself with a large opening if he messed up, but if the gamble could pay out, tides are turned.

[Shadowcatcher]

She had raised her brow when he came at her the same way, she was surprised when he dipped down and aim for her legs, she felt a bit of pain, then in an instant she did a back flip and put more distance between them. Landing in a crouch she smiled. "Very good. Knowing my weakness are my leb is a step in the right direction. Take out my base of support and you leave me vulnerable. But how are you going to get me there without leaving yourself wide open?"

Without waiting for him to respond she took leaping strides toward Milo. She wanted him to aim higher. Right above the knees was the proper place to aim for. It was attainable via standing and a single blow would be all it took.

She aimed her katana down towards his midsection, using enough force that would leave him winded if he chose not to move.

[PhoenixEye9]

He saw her strides, graceful and swift, with a chop going towards his midsection now, he rolled over springing up attempting to do a superman punch but instead with his blade as he faded back, knowing it would more than likely not even come close to a hit on her even if she didn't move, he prepared to land in a defensive pose,

[Shadowcatcher]

As she was bringing down her hands, Milo moved in a way that when he next attacked, their katana's collided with enough force to send Iris falling rather haphazardly onto her side. She moved fast, knowing she had only a moment, and rolled onto her back and held her wepon across his chest. For some reason she noticed her breathing was faster and tried to get it back under control. Looking at him she said "Ive never met anyone who fights like you...what the hell was that just now?" She removed her katana from his chest and stood up.

Another recruit in the same day had knocked her off both feet. This one went by even faster and Iris smiled to herself.

"I've seen what i need to see. We can stop here or continue. Which do you choose?"

[PhoenixEye9]

"Well we still got him in the corner, is he waiting for something? If he is I think we should take care of him before anything else." Milo spoke breathing heavily, still shocked by what happened, a gambled shot that wasn't meant for much actually worked. "Is there anything after this part?"

[Shadowcatcher]

Iris stood straight, easily masking her fatigue. She went to the three other men who stood next to Jack and looked them over. She pointed to the first one. "You, lose that gut and 20 pounds then come back." she looked the next one. "You go get your grandson, tell him go recruit. You'll likely have a heart attack while we're sparring." the third guy look normal and she just waved her hand. "Out of my sight, all of you."

Mako frowned and crossed out three names on her list. "What is your decision on Milo Cash?" she asked her.

Iris went to help Milo to his feet then she looked at nim seriously. "Your unpredictable. Strong enough, fast...you have this thing about you. When you attack its almost an all-or-nothing gamble. It does not have to be like that. Focus on the big picture, not just attacking." she gave a relaxed smile then and continued. "Becoming a Ranger is a deat wish already. When your out there in that Jaeger you ferl invincible, but know that you are not. If you put your life on the line and lose it, what was the point? Understand?"

She didnt want to lecture him. He had done well, as did Jack. "I accept Milo's candidacy and if he passes the simulation test, i believe i already know what Jaeger would be best for him."

Marshall Beckett clapped his hands. "Well done the both of you. Its been a solid year since Iris has deemed anyone worthy, so this is worth celebrating. First she'll show you to your rooms while you both rest we'll get the simulator up and running." With that he tapped Mako's shoulder and they both left.

Iris took out her ponytail and shook her hair out with her hands. Slipping into her boots, she went to retrieve their folders, looking to see what rooms they were in. Walking over to Leo, she kicked his leg gently. "I'll meet you in the Sim Room." walking out without waiting for Jack or Milo she called "C'mon boy's, time's a-wastin." she said, her voice much cheery now that she was relaxed and technically not working.

[Avanhelsing]

Jack had stayed quiet while he was watching.Milo was way to crazy for his tastes. Knowing his luck he would be paired with the guy. Unless they chose to single the two of them. Not a terrible idea in all honesty. He followed after Iris not really talking to Milo. He was not in the mood to chat.

[PhoenixEye9]

Milo walked over and grabbed his stuff, before quietly walking behind the others. He was still in shock at what happened

[Shadowcatcher]

Iris looked at the folders of the guys again before she spoke, "So Jack your in room 223 and Milo your right across in 233." she paused and turned around, walking backwards and looking at their faces. They both had a mixture of shocked, nervous, and excited expressions on their faces.

"Let me get this straight. When im in buisness mode you both wanna chat it up. Now that im all chill you dont want to talk? I see how it is." she made a gesture to look like she was crying and turned around. It was a moment later that they got to the section of the shatterdome that held many of the rooms for everyone. Iris scanned the doors and stopped at 233. "Milo this is all you." turning her head she pointed at the opposite door. "That one's for you Jack." she placed her hands on her hips and tapped her foot.

"Half an hour, meet me right back here and we'll start simulation. ..... If im not here, likely ill be asleep so in which case find room 114 and bang loudly on the door." with that she walked down the hall to her room.

[Avanhelsing]

Jack had no idea what to do right now. So he decided to walk around the Shatterdome a bit. To try and get his bearings. He should let Iris sleep after the two fights she had just been through. it seemed like the right thing to do right now. He figured just walking would clear his mind for the next part too. Simulation. The real deal. He had no idea if he was ready.

[PhoenixEye9]

"Sweet," Milo said as he got to room 233 entering he quickly laid out what he little he had left. He took in the room, small TV, a bed, dresser, bathroom, that's about it really. "Good bare easy to make my own later."
He started thinking on what would come next a real simulation, make or break live or die, he's just gotta satisfy what everyone wants, before he can satisfy what he felt he needed to do.

[Shadowcatcher]

Mako Mori touched her earpiece and listened to the message she was recieving. Another man came in saying he was a recruit. When she asked for a descrpition, she went over some folders and pulled the name Emmett Hauser. "I will get Iris and tnen come to greet him." she said in Japanese like the message was relayed to her. With a nudge to Marshall Beckett, she told him there was another recruit that arrived.

"Dont worry about it. Let Iris take care of him. I'll help the other two with the simulation." he said to her. With a nod she left and went to find Iris. She knew her apprentice well, likely she would be trying to sleep but there was no time for it. Mako had alot to teach the girl and as a result, neither if them have had a proper nights sleep in a while. But, Mako didnt choose her for nothing. She picked someone who worked harder and complained less than even her. It was tough, but so was being a Ranger.

She reached room 114 and banged on the door.

---

Iris had just laid down on her bed and relaxed her tense body when she heard a banging sound. She at first thought it was her heartbeat but realized it was too loud an irregular to be. She rubbed her eyes and stood from her bed and opened the door. Glancing at her clock she noticed only six minutes had past since she entered her room. Assuming it was Jack or Milo, she sounded annoyed when shw went to open it.

"What part about half an hour dont you get stupid- Miss Mori!" she was shocked to see it was her mentor. Iris blushed a bit embarrassed and bowed. "Sorry...um. What is it?"

Mako didn't look really upset as she handed Iris the folder of Emmett Hauser. "There is another. I am going to get him. Get ready." she said simply before rushing off.

Iris sighed as her teacher rounded the corner. Lucky she didnt completely undress. Not bothering to grab her boots, she closed her door and jogged her way back to the training room.

When she got there, she sat in the middle of the floor and closed her eyes. Recently, meditation was her go-to energy booster when she was tierd. She focused on her breathing and waited for Mako to come back with her candidate.

[Avanhelsing]

Jack wandered back to his room after a few mintues of looking at the Jaegers. He loved looking at the amazing creations. He figured he would be put in one of the American ones since he was an American. It was tradition to put a pilot in the Jaeger of his nationality. Good luck maybe. he walked back to his room and sat down on the bed. He was in an odd mood right now. He was wqaiting for the next test.

[Shadowcatcher]

Raleigh Beckett looked up from his papers when Tendo Choi, the Jaeger drift technitian, came up to him. "Alright man, we got the simulator up and running. We're ready for the candidates."

"Thank you. I'll go get them." he started walking away when he touched his earpiece. "Mako, what rooms are the two recruits in?" he asked, waiting. He made his way to the living quarters and a few moments later he heard Mako's voice in his ear.

"I believe it is rooms 223 and 233." she said. "Are you about to start the simulation?"

"Yes." he said. "Where are you? We need either you or Iris to be there as well." he approached 223 and banged on it, then crossed the hall and did the same.

"I will be there shortly." he heard her say. He didnt answer her, just stood there waiting. "Lets go boys. We dont have all day." he said, his voice loud enough for them to hear.

[Avanhelsing]

Jack looked at the door as he heard the knocking. It was time for the simulation. He got himself ready mentally for the test. It would be difficult and he was ready. Part of him wondered if he would have to be paired with Milo. It did not matter. he opened his door and went outside into the ahllway. "Ready for anything sir." He said standing at ready. It was how he dealt with things.