Marvel: Starting from Constructor Luke

"General, I believe you've already noticed," said a middle-aged congressman with a serious expression on the virtual screen. "The Category 4 Kaiju has broken through our defenses, and the Jaeger Program has not been performing well in recent years. Especially in the last year, you and your Jaegers have faced increased losses in battles against the Kaiju, with the damage from the Kaijus escalating. This strategic plan is no longer effective."

"With the increasing number of attacks and the rising strength of the Kaiju, there's no doubt that the Jaeger Program, which once effectively curbed the worsening situation, can no longer keep up with the times. It is no longer the reliable steel defense that it once was," another figure on the screen chimed in.

"I know completely. Every Jaeger pilot that falls means more soldiers and civilians must be sacrificed, but..." Stacker Pentecost spoke seriously, but before he could finish, the nine congressmen on the virtual screen interrupted him. Even though he ignored the interruption and tried to continue his statement, the people on the screen clearly had no intention of letting him finish.

"Allow me to interrupt again, Marshal! Whether you admit it or not, the Jaeger Program is effectively dead. We've already given you at least two years of breathing room! Facing an increasingly dire situation, we must seek other, better ways to respond. The Jaeger Program is obsolete." the British congressman, an elderly man with graying hair, said expressionlessly.

"Then what is a better response?" Stacker questioned.

"I believe the Anti-Kaiju Wall is a very viable plan. It seems to have the highest success rate and the best defensive capabilities," he answered.

"You would rather believe in an untested wall, than trust the Jaeger Program, which has protected the world for ten years? That doesn't seem wise." Stacker's gaze remained calm. "Besides, the Kaiju known as Hou Da has wings. If one day, a flying Kaiju emerges, can this wall, which costs enormous sums to build, truly guarantee the safety of the people?"

"Absurd!" a U.S. congressman, a sharp-eyed middle-aged man, spoke up. "A monster of that enormous size and weight, even with wings, can't fly under the gravity of this planet. That's common knowledge!"

"We are not abandoning the Jaeger Program immediately; you still have time to make arrangements. This world is like that—always adapting to changes in the times and needs. The entire world will remember your contributions to global security, Marshal. You and your team will receive the honors you deserve. The coastal Anti-Kaiju Wall will be fully completed in eight months. During these eight months, we will continue to fulfill our responsibilities, and continue to fund and support you. But during this time, other Jaeger bases will gradually shut down, and you can retreat with the remaining Jaeger pilots to the PPDC headquarters."

"So, after eight months, you're giving up on the PPDC?" Stacker asked.

"We are not giving up on the PPDC; we just will no longer provide funding for the Jaeger Program," the only female congresswoman slyly replied.

"This is the final decision we've made. This meeting is merely to inform you."

One by one, the figures on the screen disappeared. Stacker Pentecost felt a wave of helplessness, but soon pushed that feeling aside, forcing himself to focus.

"I didn't expect them to be this foolish," said Tendo Choi, who had watched everything unfold, alongside Stacker's close friend, General Hansen.

"It's fine, we still have at least eight months," Stacker Pentecost replied calmly. It wasn't time for despair yet. He had endured worse situations before, and he had survived them all.

"Dr. Luke Field from Shao Industries has sent an appointment request. He wants to visit the PPDC headquarters tomorrow to discuss some collaboration," Tendo Choi suddenly said.

"The creator of the Sixth-Generation Jaeger?" Stacker was slightly surprised.

"Yes, he said he could offer us some necessary help," Tendo Choi read from Shao Industries' official communication.

"Agree to it. I'd like to meet him as well," Stacker Pentecost responded. His knowledge of Shao Industries was limited to two points: they had the technology and the money. These were exactly what the PPDC needed right now. Of course, he couldn't rule out the possibility that Shao Industries was trying to cozy up to the PPDC, especially since the Anti-Kaiju Wall faction was rising and the PPDC might be left as a pawn. As the largest leader of the global Jaeger industry, Shao Industries likely wouldn't fare well either. Perhaps they had already heard something from the grapevine. After all, once the major countries began pulling out funding and the Jaeger Program was abandoned, if Shao Industries wanted to continue the Jaeger program, they would only have one remaining client: the PPDC. From that perspective, it made sense for both parties' decision-makers to meet.

...

At the PPDC headquarters.

The Shatterdome.

A tall Jaeger, without the heavy-lift transport helicopter, descended rapidly with fire blasting from its feet in a breathtaking fashion. The reinforced helipad at the Shattered Dome trembled slightly. Following that, the skull-headed Jaeger extended its left hand, and a silver-white cylindrical metal object, about a meter in radius, popped out of its palm. The object slid a short distance before coming to a stop in front of Stacker and the others.

In the next moment, the cylindrical metal object opened, and a young figure walked out, removing his silver-white helmet.

"Cool, I like this entrance!" said the slightly eccentric Hermann Gottlieb, clearly fond of the unusual entrance. He lowered his voice and spoke to his colleague and friend, Newton Geiszler. However, Newton Geiszler paid no attention, instead staring in awe at the silver-white mechanical figure following the young man. Trespasser! It was the original Kaiju!

"Impressive," Stacker Pentecost remarked, looking at the newcomer before tossing a comment to his friend, General Hansen, and stepping forward to greet the individual.

"I think it's more of a demonstration of strength," Tendo Choi, unusually coming out to greet them, added, scanning the area before heading towards Newton and the others.

"Welcome, Dr. Luke Field! I thought you'd come by helicopter," Stacker Pentecost greeted.

"Ms. Shao took the helicopter, but she's tied up and can't come until afternoon. I was too eager, so I brought Kurtulo here first," Luke Field shook Stacker's hand and then let go. The crowd around them parted as the two walked towards the base.

Inside the elevator, Newton Geiszler, staring at the mechanical Trespasser following them into the elevator, and couldn't help but ask, "Is that the first Kaiju Axehead?"

"Obviously," Luke Field nodded.

"Is it controlled by someone?"

"I programmed it with an intelligent system, so it can move on its own."

"That's so cool! I love it. I mean, can I touch it? It won't trigger any safety protocols, right?"

"Feel free, its programming is solid and stable, with no issues in its logic."

"Awesome! It's so beautiful. I never imagined that combining a Kaiju with technology could look this good! Do you like Kaiju too? I've always wanted to study a living specimen, but unfortunately, all I've been able to study are dead ones."

"Alright, Newton, let me talk with Dr. Luke first. You'll have plenty of time to chat with him during lunch. If today's conversation goes well, Dr. Luke will likely visit the Shatterdome frequently in the future." Stacker interrupted Newton's incessant questions as the elevator stopped.

Luke followed Stacker to the main control room of the Shatterdome, which was also Stacker's office. After sitting down with Luke in the small office, Stacker looked at him and said, "Now can we talk about Shao Industries, or your real intentions? Or do we wait for Ms. Shao?"

"The PPDC is in a tough spot, isn't it?" Luke Field said. "Although Shao Industries can't directly help the PPDC with its situation, we're willing to offer support."

"Funding?" Stacker's eyes lit up. Although he knew Shao Industries had money, they couldn't really support the PPDC long-term, but if Shao Industries were willing to provide some funds, it could at least improve the PPDC's situation—if only for a little while.

"Not just that," Luke Field pulled out his phone and tapped the screen. He placed it on the table and connected it to the office's virtual projection system. "We're also offering the full set of technical support from Shao Industries!"

"And what do you, or should I say Shao Industries, want in return?" Stacker asked, his gaze calm. He knew that such an offer couldn't come without strings attached.

"The full set of Jaeger technology controlled by the PPDC," Luke Field stated.

"That's impossible!" Stacker's face darkened, and he immediately rejected the idea. The PPDC had dealt with people secretly trying to sell Jaeger designs and technology before, and those individuals were now behind bars.

"Why don't you take a look at what I can offer first?" Luke Field calmly began to work on the virtual projection.

"Each Jaeger's production technology is a secret! And the full set of Jaeger technology is the collective wisdom of the world over the past ten years! While Shao Industries has powerful technology, it can't compare to what we've developed with multiple nations..." Stacker was about to continue rejecting, but the moment he saw the technical data Luke projected, his mind went blank!