test drive meme

[supportadmin]

Test Drive Meme The Pan Pacific Defense Corps was usually offered any of a variety of local buildings to set up their testing centers. For reasons of access and availability, most testing clinics were set up in central areas for any given community. Those of the PPDC staff on hand vary in their personal intensity. Some of the men and women wearing Strike Group insignia seemed overly serious, to the point of frowning with intensity at some of the youngest checking in for this testing round. Those from the K-Science division are tight with nervous energy as they direct prospective cadets through various activities. Everything was meant to measure potential, looking for that spark that meant they had somebody who was Drift Compatible. The majority of people were turned away after the first series of seemingly random tests, officials looking in eyes, placing odd looking contraptions over heads, asking for people to play a series of short games, one even in a virtual reality set-up.
	( SCENARIO ONE ) If you are still here now, you've made it past the first cut. You'll be sat down in a room with the rest who have made it this far, then systematically led into smaller interview rooms as pairs. If you came with a partner, they're your first interview candidate. If you came on your own, all your interviews are random assignment. All who have been asked to stay are required to sit through and conduct a series of short peer to peer interviews. The questions are straightforward. What is your least favorite color? Which tool in a standard toolbox is most useful to you? What time of day do you accomplish the most? Do you have children? What do you believe the Drift is like? Peer to peer interviews last for half an hour to an hour, and each person is asked to participate in at least three peer-to-peer interviews. There is no punishment for going off script. There is a one-way mirror looking into each interview area, and one door leading into the room with a small panel of glass located on the door. There is a clock on the wall in each room. The time they report is odd, when examined. These are not digital clocks, but timers, counting up time since the last Kaiju attack.
	( SCENARIO TWO ) Congratulations! You have been judged Drift Compatible, and sent home to pack after giving a definite yes to the Pan Pacific Defense Corps. The next thing you face down is the flight into Santiago, Chile, and the subsequent drive in to Valparaíso's Shatterdome. You and the rest of the crowd of soon to be PPDC Ranger Cadets have been gathered together to wait for the old bus scheduled to take you to the Shatterdome. While waiting in the open air, those from any Northern Hemisphere countries may find the summer weather strange. Today's high is going to be in the upper 80's, and there's not a cloud to be seen that's not clinging to the distant mountains. Welcome to Chile. When the bus arrives, it's another hour ride out toward the coastline to get to the Shatterdome. Even better? The bus Air Conditioner is broken. Safe travels, Cadets!
Please set up your own scenarios as you like. The above two scenarios are suggestions. Anything goes!

→ Directory ←

Comments

Raleigh Becket | Pacific Rim

[righthemisphere]

Raleigh Becket wasn't there to be a Cadet. He'd already put in his time, done the hard work, and you know what? It'd paid off. The opening of a second Academy was a great idea. The program was expanding and they needed to broaden their efforts as much as possible to gather the best recruits. And while it was great, the last thing Raleigh ever expected was to be reassigned to the Valparaíso Shatterdome.

But he and Yancy weren't the only ones. Having worked well together before, both Gipsy Danger and Striker Eureka were reunited to work in tandem and protect the new recruits when the complex opened. And, strategically, it wasn't a bad position to be in. Sure, Raleigh missed home and was pretty sure the heat and humidity might kill him most days, but it was something he could adapt to. And he had always been good at that.

And besides, he liked being right in the thick of the action. Having been through it all before, he was interested in seeing what came out of the new Academy, play with the new tech, maybe even hold a few open sparring sessions. He knows that part of being a Ranger is PR. He knows he stands for something, for a lot of things, actually, and while he's done more ridiculous photo shoots and magazine interviews and chat show appearances than he can count, he absolutely loves his job. Because he gets to wake up every day knowing he's doing something with his life. He's saving the world and he and his brother are doing it in a 260 foot Jaeger.

And they're damn good at it.

And being that guy in front of new hopefuls is inspiring. Being the beacon, the thing to work towards, it's pressure, sure, but he doesn't mind. What could be more pressure than a one on one fist fight with a giant alien monster?

So when the new Cadets arrived, he and his brother were there to receive them with a handshake and an effortless smile. They don't have to introduce themselves, there's not a person alive who doesn't know the pilots of Gipsy Danger. They're household names. And while they might be incredibly famous, they don't bite. Go ahead and say hello.

I; You've just arrived and have been herded into the reception hall. The Beckets are there greeting and shaking hands, chatting, even signing autographs and taking selfies with people. Go ahead and introduce yourself. You're going to be sharing space for a while.

II; Missed them at reception? That's fine. Raleigh is out and about by himself most evenings getting his bearings of the complex. It's just as new for him as it is for you.

III; Bet you want to see a Jaeger up close and personal. Sorry, you're probably not allowed in the hanger, but if you ask nicely he might show you a window he's found where you can get a glimpse of Gipsy and Striker.

IV; Got some questions about what it's like to be a Ranger? To Drift? He's your man. Raleigh will talk about his love for the job until he's blue in the face and keep going even then.

V; Wildcard. Turn a tight corner and run into him head first? kick a rock and he walked in the way at the absolute worst possible moment? A member of the Raleigh Becket Fan Club~? Come at me, bros.

[oversight]

[Calling Blake a "late arrival" would be generous, at best. While he'd managed to show before the reception, a series of very unfortunate events has led him to missing the organized event almost completely.

When he shows at the reception hall, most everyone's moved on. A few stragglers mingle, but for the most part, it seems that the finger food's been picked over, the chairs and tables have been set askew, and there aren't exactly ushers left hanging around to help one very lost hopeful.

Figures.

Blake's just about to walk out — to ask around and maybe find someone with brass to clear things up — when he sees someone that he recognizes from more than a few forum posts and fan sites, recruitment sessions and advertising. Perhaps the most polished "brass" (in a less-strict sense of the word), if we're being honest, because the Beckets are exactly the kind of people the PPDC like having as front men.

So, when he gets a moment, sees an opening, he slides in and cuts off Raleigh's exit.]

Hey, um. You got a second? Kinda missed the— Well, kinda missed the whole thing, if we're bein' honest. A run-down'd be great.

[He even offers his hand in greeting, even if he doesn't give a name.]

[righthemisphere]

[Raleigh had just been about to make his exit when Blake trots up and both Beckets turn. He hears him out and immediately moves to shake the guy's hand, nodding for Yancy to go ahead and go on without him.]

Sure, but I thought everyone came on a bus, together.

[Because, you know, the first meeting is kind important and all. If only just to make you feel like you're part of the group. And the look on his face says as much but he's not mad. He'd hardly even been listening when it was him in the seat, he'd been too excited to pay attention.

In any case he nods for the guy to follow him and Raleigh makes for a table up towards the top of the room with some assorted papers which he pulls together and sticks in a folder before handing over.]

Have you checked in yet?

[oversight]

Uhhh... [Blake is distracted by a passing figure and takes a second to reset his attention span, blinking at Becket. He takes the folder and crosses is arms cross over his chest, folder and all, as he feels about three inches tall compared to this larger-than-life figure.]

Y-yeah, checked in, but then this guy was— [A pause.] Know what? Never mind, doesn't matter. Here now, checked in, came with the rest but wasn't able to make this shindig.

You know, just— just need a little direction. Haven't even gotten a room assignment yet. Said there was some kinda mix-up, but didn't exactly say what to do 'bout it. So, uh— [Yeeeeeeah.]

[righthemisphere]

[He listens, standing still and quiet but everything about him reads easy. He's on the clock, sure, but screaming the guy down into the ground isn't going to help anything. That's not his job and besides, it's not his style.

But they know he's here. That's a good sign. Sounds like he's only missed the first orientation. Alright. He can work with this.]

Yeah that happens sometimes. Brand new Shatterdome, you know. Takes a while to get all the grit out of the system.

I can't tell you for sure but I think the office is this way. [He nods and starts off in the direction his brother had gone, walking slow enough to be side by side with their newest cadet. He walks with an unmistakable saunter and from the way his body moves in it, it's completely natural. He probably couldn't stop it if he tried. Not that he notices he does it.]

You got a name?

[oversight]

[Are you kidding with that question, Raleigh? John raises an eyebrow and suppresses a laugh. He probably shouldn't consider taking any liberties — not when there's so much on the line — but this guy seems all right so far. At least he hasn't started demanding attention and snapping out orders.]

Haven't issued that yet, either.

[But he descends into a light chuckle, turning to walk backward as he offers Becket his hand in greeting.] It's Blake.

[righthemisphere]

[He gives a light laugh in reply and takes the hand with a friendly but firm grip. Can you believe he's had to take classes on how to shake hands? It's nuts.]

Pleasure to meet you.

Worst case scenario, I know there's a cardboard box around here somewhere you can lay claim to.

[And as for orders and attention, well, he's always found that the attention find him and he's not really been in a position to bark orders. This is all pretty new for him to be honest. It'll take some getting used to.]

So where're you from, Blake?

Re: Raleigh Becket | Pacific Rim

[heliokleptic]

In most situations like this, there is some excuse. Luke was in a huge hurry, about to miss a bus or needed to catch up to a friend, took a corner too fast and just ran flat into the unsuspecting pedestrian coming the other way. But this is Luke we are talking about, so no reasonable excuse is needed. He just wasn't minding his god damned business, either deep in thought or deeply thoughtless, and his natural carefreeness let him run smack into an oncoming ranger.

He could have kicked himself. Would, later. For now he bounces off the larger man's chest, backpedaling several feet, mildly disoriented, but instantly apologizing before he even recognizes who he's run into. "Sorry! Shit, um... I wasn't watching..."

[righthemisphere]

Raleigh flails and ties to side step but only gets about half out of the way when they collide. He immediately steps back, hands raising up in a light defensive gesture.

He looks down and sees it's a cadet and relaxes, lowering his hands back down.

"It's fine. No harm done." He hadn't really been paying attention, either.

[heliokleptic]

A part of Luke is always a little surprised when an encounter with a stranger doesn't result in at least a little insult, a curl of disgust in their voice. He's pleased enough that he's been lucky this time that he smiles easily, ready to wave and go on his way, escape any opportunity to be recognized, and he's halfway through doing that when his eyes actually meet up with those of the person he bumped into and stops cold.

"No way... Raleigh?"

Luke didn't exactly consider himself even a particular fan of Gipsy Danger; everything that reminded him of the attack on Telluride, even jaegers that weren't even present, had left something of a bitter taste in his mouth over the last few years. But he'd have had to be blind and without cable to not be able to recognize a pilot on sight.

And part of the constant familiarity is why it takes him a second to realize what he'd said, coloring faintly with embarrassment. "I mean, Mister... Becket...?" He trails off, not certain if that is any better.

[righthemisphere]

No, no snarl or venom, here. Just a light laugh and an easy smile.

He's learned through countless encounters and interviews, PR sessions and tv appearances that when it comes to interacting with other people? Just play it cool. Keep your wits about you, don't lose your authority, don't be an idiot, but there's nothing wrong with being nice. There's nothing wrong with being enthusiastic. And where someone in a worse place might have barked at Luke to get the fuck out of the way and watch where they're going, Raleigh only takes another half step to the side and smiles.

"Raleigh is fine." He says, extending his right hand to shake.

This is part of his job. Interacting with the cadets, giving them something to look forward to, a role model. He's earned his titles and respect but Mr. Becket was his father. Raleigh suits him just fine.

"Are you alright?" He raises an eyebrow.

[heliokleptic]

Almost dazed, Luke reaches out and shakes the hand. A few days ago he might have shrunk away at that, but... this place had already been having an impact on him. Andrea Martin hadn't shown him any hatred, he'd sort of repaired the relationship between himself and his best friend, and someone who had every right to hate him had said somethings that left Luke feeling like... maybe he had some direction. Maybe he could make friends.

Not that he was expecting to with Raleigh Becket of all people. He already felt bad just holding him up. But at least he doesn't embarrass himself further by shrinking up and scampering off before he can do something to offend one of the most famous heroes on the planet. He even smiles. It's even genuine.

"Yeah, fine. I just... looking around?" If he comes off sounding uncertain it's because he is. "Uh... obviously not doing a great job of that, though."

[righthemisphere]

Raleigh takes his hand back and sticks them in the pockets of his flight jacket.

"Yeah, me too. Still trying to figure it all out, myself. We haven't been here very long, either."

A pause.

"How are you liking it? Excited?"

[suicidemission]

[ Chuck’s seventeen and he’s piloting the fastest Jaeger in the world, Striker Eureka, with his old man, Herc Hansen. Striker’s a Mark V with gorgeous, sleek lines – fastest (and most expensive) Jaeger to date.

Striker’s kind of the love of Chuck’s life.

He’s the youngest to ever enter the Academy, youngest to ever set foot in a Jaeger. He’s creating records only to shatter them himself, and really? Chuck’s on top of the fucking world.

He’s a hotshot young man, a damn good Ranger and part of the problem? He knows it. He knows how good he is, knows that he’s been training for this half his life, knows that this is what he was meant for, what he was made for. Chuck’s been working towards this goal since Sydney, since Herc pulled him outta that school and Chuck watched the city burn, his mother with it.

He arrives in Valparaíso with his dad and they part ways, because – well, lets be honest, here. Outside the Drift, their relationship is nonexistent and Chuck doesn’t really have anything to say to his father in regards to anything other than their job.

Chuck’s kind of excited though – yeah, he’s annoyed to be leaving Sydney but there’s a brand new fucking Shatterdome to play at and he’s stationed with Gipsy Danger and the Becket brothers, the Marshal’s star team that had everyone and their mother drooling over Jaegers and their pilots.

Chuck had posters of Gipsy in his room, collected magazine spreads and articles about the brothers. They’re an inspiration to him, and now?

He finally gets to meet them himself because there they are, smiling and shaking hands.

Chuck’s still in his drivesuit when he approaches, cheeks still flushed from the Drift and from adrenaline. ]

So you’re the famous Raleigh Becket. [ His voice is a drawl, and he keeps his giddy, childish admiration out of his voice and instead puts a still gloved hand out. ]

Chuck Hansen, Striker Eurka.

[righthemisphere]

[Raleigh hear the reaction to Chuck approaching before he sees him. Students stop and gasp as he passes. A real Ranger in a real drivesuit. His identification is impossible to miss, he's one of the newest and most successful Rangers to ever leave the academy. And he's still just a kid. Younger than Raleigh when he'd entered the program by an entire year.

Raleigh looks up and can't help but smiling. He's never met the pilot coming towards him but he sure knows who he is. Chuck offers his hand and he takes it immediately and with a smile.]

Guilty as charged. A pleasure to meet you, Chuck, we've heard great things.

[A firm handshake and he breaks for Yancy to do the same who smiles and nods echoing his brother with a pleased to meet you.

It'd be a flat out lie to say they weren't excited about being stationed with Striker. They have an incredible admiration for Herc after their ride in Manila and although it's a shame his co pilot didn't work out it seems to be for the best now. Chuck is proving himself left, right, and center. And if The Beckets are his inspiration, Herc is definitely one of theirs. Raleigh's in any case. So being reassigned together is basically perfect.]

How was the ride in? [Because he would ask if Chuck is just suited up for fun but he knows the look in the kid's eye. He's just come out of the Drift.]

[suicidemission]

[ Chuck won't even pretend that he doesn't enjoy it, because he does. He relishes in the attention he gets because he knows it's deserved, knows that it's something he fucking worked for and earned and he keeps his chin up, jutting into the air as he shakes their hands, other arm curled protectively around his helmet.

(It's not really a shame, Ray, Scott was a douchecanoe and Chuck's a far better choice.) ]

Course ya have, mate. [ His voice is thick with that Australian drawl, filled to the brim with cocky assuredness. ]

Was fine, yeah? Easy goin', no problems.

[righthemisphere]

[(That's probably true but Striker Eureka's change of pilot is personal and comes from a rift between brothers and that's always sad. A shame when things go south, but if Raleigh were in Chuck's shoes? He'd have forced his dad to let him in the moment he was strong enough to operate the motion controls - decent existing drift partner or not.

But it's none of his business and so he's not going to ask. Even if he and Yancy had spent a fair amount of time gossiping about it when the switch was announced.)]

Good, good. Did you come straight in from Sydney?

[He was kinda of expecting them last night if not earlier. He and Yancy had been in for a week or so. Had a chance to examine the facility a little, escape into the outside world and explore the closest town.]

[suicidemission]

[ What, being sixteen and being the youngest to step in a conn-pod ain't good enough for you, Becket? Fuck you. ]

Yeah, y'know -- had some last minute shit we had to tie together, make sure that the place is still protected while we're gone. Can't leave a hole, 'n all that.

[righthemisphere]

[Uuuh no? It's actually pretty cool if you ask him. Got him beat by two years. You gonna go around stealing all his thunder, Hansen?]

Right, yeah of course. We have the same thing on our end.

[He pauses and smiles, like he's been trying really hard to be cool about this but he's just too excited. Raleigh lightly crosses his arms over his chest.]

I'm so glad we were stationed together. I've been dyin' to meet you and workin' with your dad was such an honor.

I and V

[spareheir]

Everyone getting off the bus smells like sweat and diesel and that weird aroma of stale corn chips that seems to permeate the seats, but there's a big reception hall for registration and...oh, wow. Water. Kou drops his bag indifferently and heads for the water dispenser, chugging down a few paper cones full in a row. It's he sweetest, most refreshing thing he's ever tasted. It helps quell some of the nausea from that intense bus ride.

He decides to get out of the way so others can have some too, but only after filling his cup one last time to take along. He's so focused on the water that he steps to the side and his usual grace nearly fails him. He pulls up just short of running smack into a very tall, good looking man. He stops so suddenly a bit of water splashes out of the cup and onto the floor between them. Damn. Is that Raleigh Becket? No way. They hadn't been told they'd have the opportunity to spill things on celebrities today.

"Sumimase-ah, sorry! You won't believe me if I say I didn't see you, right?"

[righthemisphere]

It's probably Raleigh's fault. He knew this was going to be an intense day but he didn't really realize what that meant. Busloads of new hopefuls vying for his attention, hundreds of pictures taken, hands shaken, the same ten questions over and over and over. A mob of admirers following him around literally everywhere.

So it's no surprise he's a little overwhelmed.

And it's any wonder he jumps back just in time.

"Ah-" He recovers. It's only water. "Hey, no harm done." Answered with an easy smile. "It's pretty busy in here."

haha my icons are goofy sorry

[spareheir]

"We just arrived." The young man replies, smiling back when he sees that he hasn't inadvertently just caused a scene. He stifles a yawn and shrugs. "It feels like I've been awake for days."

Nah you're good, mine are too. Can't be helped they've for goofy faces.

[righthemisphere]

Also a feeling he knows well.

"Yeah, the journey is a killer. But you're here now, so welcome to the the Valparaíso Shatterdome and Jaeger Academy." He holds out his hand for an official handshake.

"What's your name?"

He probably won't remember the first few times but it's polite to ask. He meets an unbelievable amount of people all the time. Small talk has become second nature.

could be worse than goofy right?

[spareheir]

Kou hadn't planned to offer his name, since he'd been assuming that Mr. Becket was just around for the day and wouldn't be interested in knowing it. But when he's asked, it's only polite to respond.

"Kou Ichijo," he says, taking Raleigh's hand with only a hint of hesitation and giving him a good shake, paired with a slight incline that's something like an impulse to bow being stopped in its tracks. "And I already know yours. When I passed the first test I bought my sister a set of pilot dolls to help explain."

[secondtry]

Mike was not the kind of guy to get starstruck. It just didn't happen. But during the reception, he did look at the pilot with a touch of interest and a little more envy. If he'd not taken those years off after the academy, there was a chance he could've been a pilot already, but no, he'd wandered off instead.

Not his brightest decision.

So he hadn't been among the crowd to get autographs or pictures. He didn't even have anything to take pictures with. There might've been a pen somewhere in his pockets, but damn if he knew where.

Better to find something to drink and give the pilot a respectful nod on the way. It was a hot day and the chance to get a cold drink as the reception ended? Worth it. He'd made small talk but right now, he just needed to settle in.

Weird, then, that when he looked around as people filtered into the building proper, trying to get his bearings in the hallways, he found the younger Becket not that far away. "...Okay," he said, "are you better at finding your way around in here than I am?"