Chapter 3

Chapter 3

After Shane successfully completed his test and was officially recognized as a Jaeger pilot, the news spread rapidly among the ranks. His ability to handle Rajah alone had been nothing short of extraordinary, and while many still had doubts about the viability of a single-pilot Jaeger, Shane's performance had silenced many skeptics. The Philippine Jaeger division now had a new asset—a pilot capable of defending against the Kaiju threat.

That evening, Shane's father, Alexander Buron, invited him and his two siblings, Adrian and Celeste, to dinner at the Buron estate. The Buron family's influence extended far beyond technology and warfare; they were a pillar of their country's economy, and their presence in political and humanitarian circles was undeniable. Their mansion, located in the heart of Manila, was a symbol of their power and resilience against the Kaiju attacks that had plagued humanity.

The dining hall was grand, adorned with intricate chandeliers and a long mahogany table. A variety of delicacies filled the air with an inviting aroma as the family gathered.

"Congratulations, Shane!" Adrian said, raising his glass. "You actually pulled it off. I have to admit, I had my doubts when you first insisted on piloting Rajah alone."

Celeste nodded in agreement. "We all did. But seeing you succeed was… well, it was incredible."

Alexander, their father, watched Shane closely. "Yes, I am proud of you, son," he said, his deep voice filled with an air of authority. "You've proven yourself. But tell me, how are you feeling?"

Shane paused for a moment, his gaze shifting slightly. He had expected this question. He knew that his family would notice something different about him. The original Shane had been brash, arrogant, yet undeniably charismatic. He had commanded attention wherever he went, not just because of his skills, but because of his sheer presence.

But now, that fire had dimmed slightly. Shane had changed. He was still confident, but his arrogance had settled into something calmer, more composed. The Shane that sat before them was a man who had died once before—a man who understood the fragility of life and the weight of his second chance.

"I feel… good," Shane replied. "Better, actually. I know I used to be reckless, but I've realized that piloting Rajah is more than just a personal goal. It's about protecting people, making sure that what happened to us—what happened to Mother—never happens again."

A silence fell over the table at the mention of their late mother. Her death during the first Kaiju attack had shaped the entire family's drive to fight against the monsters. Even with all their wealth and power, they had been helpless against the destruction Kaiju had brought.

"You've really changed," Adrian noted, her expression thoughtful. "Before, you always talked about piloting a Jaeger as if it was a game, something you had to win just to prove a point. But now… you seem different."

Shane gave her a small smile. "Maybe dying does that to a person," he thought to himself, but he simply said, "Maybe I just grew up."

The dinner continued, filled with more conversations about the test, upcoming developments in the Jaeger program, and the current Kaiju threat levels. Shane listened intently, absorbing every detail. With his newfound knowledge, he knew that the war against the Kaiju wasn't just about brute strength—it was about strategy, about understanding the enemy and predicting their moves.

As they enjoyed their meal, the peaceful atmosphere was shattered by the sudden blaring of alarms.

BZZZZZZT BZZZZZZT EMERGENCY ALERT: KAIJU DETECTED. CATEGORY THREE KAIJU INBOUND. IMPACT IN 30 MINUTES.

The room fell silent. The Buron siblings exchanged glances before looking at their father. The elder Buron set his glass down, his face impassive.

Shane pushed his chair back and stood up. "I'll be going, Father."

Alexander merely nodded, his trust in his son evident. "Go. Protect our people."

Celeste and Adrian both looked at him with concern, but they said nothing. They knew better than to question him now. This was his role, his duty. Without another word, Shane turned and left, heading toward the hangar where Rajah awaited.

The battle was about to begin.

Chapter End.