![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ajremixTitle: Morning Calm, Midnight Fall
Fandom: Pacific Rim (courier faction au)
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 2535
Characters: Sterling, Ryland, Dong Hoon
Summary: As a kid Sterling never imagined himself fighting in a giant robot, not even when he was older and his
little brother decided to become a Jaeger pilot. This is the story of how he came to die in one anyway.
"형!"
Sterling barely managed to put his cases down before he suddenly had an armful of his brother. "Holy hell, Riley!" He pushed Ryland back, gawking at him. "Are you taller than me? When did this happen?"
A cheeky shrug was his reply. "Not my fault you're short."
"I am not short- I'm average height."
"Depends on which definition of average you use."
He scowled, trying to pretend he wasn't grinning. "We haven't been together in almost a year and you start sassing me right off the bat. What did this program do to my sweet, obedient little brother?"
"I'm more worried about what this program did to your memory. Besides, how do you think you got this position?"
"Because I'm amazingly talented and brilliant."
"I happen to be lead pilot for this Jaeger, you know, and I requested you to be my Chief Technician."
"And do you really think they would've gone along with it if I weren't also amazingly talented and brilliant?"
"...okay, you got me there."
"Of course I did. Now, since you're here, you can be my pack mule." Sterling handed one of the big metal cases to Ryland, taking the second and rolling his luggage bag behind them. "What was that lead pilot business? I thought you were just co-pilots."
Ryland waved his free hand in a dithering motion. "It's one of the last things we were taught. You know, better to weed out all the egos by forcing them to see everyone as equals. But even with the neural bridge, it's still two different minds and not everyone's knee-jerk reactions will always be the same no matter how compatible you are. The lead pilot is the one whose instincts and decisions take precedence."
"And that's you, huh?"
"It's generally the one with the most experience or higher drift ratings. And since I've drifted with a couple different pilots as a back-up, my rating is pretty high."
"Hmm. Sounds like someone may be in need of an ego deflation."
"I dunno, I think your ego's at a pretty manageable size right now."
"There ya go, still sassing your 형 around." They grinned at each other, packing into a lift with others loaded up with cases. Everything around them was so new and clean it was almost surreal when compared with the Shatterdomes they'd been in. "So you finally got a ride, huh?"
"One all my own anyway," Ryland beamed.
"All yours and a co-pilot."
"I don't mind sharing so long as I'm one of the primary pilots."
Sterling eyed his little brother. "Are you sure they weeded out all the egos?"
"Being a back-up is nothing but a bunch of sitting around and waiting. All I got to do was train, they wouldn't even let me help out the engineers 'just in case'," and it really must've gotten to Ryland is he was breaking out the air quotes, "I got injured right when I was needed. I became a pilot because I wanted to be useful and help people, not sit on my ass all day."
"Will this be much different? As a pilot, you'll still be sitting around, trying not to injure yourself waiting for a kaiju attack. Even if one heads this way, we're smack dab between two 'domes. It'll probably be a good while until you actually get to suit up."
The doors opened and the occupants did a sort of Tetris Shuffle as people tried to get off with all their things and others tried to stay out of their way without getting off themselves. Ryland look straight into Sterling's eyes as a stack of comm supplies on a dollie was wheeled out between them. "We only have so much breathing room before the next potential attack to get this Jaeger in battle-ready condition. After that, I'd rather have to sit and wait my whole life than worry about not being ready for another attack."
Sterling sighed and shook his head not unkindly. "Forever a bleeding heart."
"At least I've got you to keep me focused."
"One of us is going to regret this in the future."
"No, we won't."
"I'm sure I could manage it if I tried."
The lift stopped again, more people getting off leaving just the brothers to ride up to the LOCCENT on their own. "You know anything about the Jaeger?" Sterling asked.
"I saw the design before they started construction. It's kind of a mix of Crimson Typhoon and Tacit Ronin- emphasis on speed and agility, good defensive capabilities. They're adding some stuff they had planned for the Mark Vs, so I guess we're kind of the 'practical application prototype'."
Sterling frowned. On one hand that meant they'd be maneuverable enough to dodge a hit, but durable enough to take it when it happened. On the other hand... "That doesn't leave you a lot of options for anything outside of close-range, does it?"
"There's a couple missile bays and an experimental plasma rifle, but kaiju aren't known for long-range attacks either."
Still didn't mean he was comfortable with the idea of his little brother in that situation. Before he could allude to it, Ryland gave Sterling a sidelong look, "So why exactly did they opt to build a completely new Jaeger instead of just transferring Nova Hyperion here?"
"Because Russian winters are long," Sterling announced in the most condescending and obnoxious drawl possible, "and very hard on machines. Hyperion has to stay as back up to ensure Russia will always have a fully functional Jaeger for defense."
"Very nice. Now what's the actual reason."
"North Korea doing some political posturing." At his brother's eyeroll Sterling just grinned wryly. "What a surprise, I know. It's mainly just to make themselves appear relevant while they refuse to support the PPDC, demanding that Hyperion has to stay in Vladivostok since that was what was agreed to during construction. Of course now South Korea has two Jaegers for the population to get behind so they didn't fight the decision too much. You're co-pilot, on the other hand, I haven't looked into."
"Still narrowing down options last I heard." Ryland shrugged, "Then again, last I heard the Korean government wanted to have final say since they're the ones spending the most on all this."
"You think it's possible you were picked because of our parents," it wasn't exactly a question.
"Maybe. But that doesn't mean I won't do my best anyway."
The lift slowed as it approached LOCCENT and Sterling didn't even need to say it, the words clear in that fond little smile that Ryland could see from the corner of his eye: he knew Ryland would never do anything less. LOCCENT was a low level of constant activity- people familiarizing themselves with their stations and the equipment, things being put into place, everyone introducing themselves to those they didn't know and talking to those they did. In the middle of it all were three men, one wearing a pilot's jumpsuit, another with the rank of Marshall pinned to his lapels and the last being Stacker Pentecost. The Raleigh brothers approached them with surprise.
"Marshall Greeves," Sterling said, speaking on his and Ryland's behalves. "Technician Sterling Raleigh and Ranger Ryland Raleigh reporting for duty." Greeves, a rough, stolid man that looked like he should've retired from active duty five years ago, nodded in acknowledgment but remained quiet, obviously deferring to Pentecost. Sterling addressed him, "Marshall Pentecost, we didn't expect you here."
"I'm in charge of the pilots and Jaegers," he said simply. "I always oversee the initial openings of the new 'domes. Or bases, as the case may be." The last was said with a slight curl in his lips. Pentecost obviously wasn't happy about the lack of PPDC backing which, judging from Greeves's own dark look, he was not alone. "The Marshall and I can do your formal processing later, you should meet your new partner," Pentecost waved a hand at the man in the jumpsuit. "Ranger Ji Dong Hoon, graduated from the Academy five months ago."
The brothers nodded with prompt, "Yessir"s and just as Pentecost moved toward the lift, he stopped and added, "Just so you know, your father did good work considering the limitations. Depending on how it works in practice, we may consider implementing them into existing 'domes. You'll need additional training in order to work the new systems, but I don't doubt your capabilities."
It was all they could do to keep from beaming with pride. "Yessir. Thank you, sir."
They turned to Dong Hoon, a stocky, round faced man with a mouth used to smiling and arms like a gorilla, and when Ryland held out his right hand, left supporting the arm- the Korean way -he grinned broadly. They bowed as they shook hands, Dong Hoon's voice as cheery as his smile, "안녕하세요 선배님. 처음 뵙겠습니다."
Just as brightly, Ryland said, "내. 처음 뵙겠습니다. 저는 래리배신이라고 합니다. 저를 라이리라고 불러 주세요."
"내 라이리선배님. 저는 지동훈이라고 합니다. 저는 1999년에 태어났어요."
Ryland froze. "99? 마자요?"
"네." When Ryland continued to stay frozen, Dong Hoon's brow furrowed. "괜찮아요 선배님?"
Even standing aside Sterling could see Ryland was reeling from the fact that he'd be taking point over a man almost three years his senior. "괜-괜찮아요." Sterling couldn't help it and just busted out laughing. "시끄러워 형!"
Sterling made his own introductions after his snickers petered out, partly to help ease Ryland's sudden self-consciousness by taking charge of the conversation. As the oldest and the technician in charge, perhaps in a way it was his duty to ensure the pilots got along well. Dong Hoon, as he told the brothers, was born in Busan with all his family still living in its outlying boroughs. Had Echo Saber not arrived, Wraith might have attacked them next. There was no way Dong Hoon could not try to do everything in his power to protect his country and his family after that.
"I spent 21 months in the ROK Marines," he said, eliciting impressed '우와!'s from the brothers. "I worked often with the American Army, so I picked up a lot of English." They figured it best to keep to English for the most part as it seemed rude to speak a language some of the crew didn't understand.
"It's very good," Ryland told him.
"Your speaking is also good. I didn't know you were out of country so long. The Marshall said your father worked here?"
"아빠 is one of the people in charge of the PPDC tracking system. Sonar, radar, lidar- any technology that might make keeping tabs on kaiju easier, he does his best to implement," Sterling explained.
"He used to work with the United States military," Ryland piped in. "The group he worked with then was actually among the first find the Breach and the first kaiju. When he started as a liaison to the PPDC, he brought a lot of that technology with him."
"He did all that? 우와," interest gleamed in Dong Hoon's dark eyes. "Is he still here? Do you know what he did for the base?"
They shrugged, "He hasn't told us. But he should be around."
"Let's walk around," Sterling suggested as he set his cases aside. "Maybe we'll find him while we get familiar with the place."
The base was far more compact than any of the Shatterdomes, possibly a third of the size if one was generous. Once they got out of the LOCCENT and into the lower decks it seemed like there were too many people to fit inside the base though that was probably due to most lugging crates and stacks of cases around. Many probably weren't even permanent personnel, just dropping off supplies or helping to install things. The three talked as they went about: the places they lived, their families, how their lives changed after the kaiju arrived. Ryland had always been an easy person to get along with, but Sterling was glad to find that Dong Hoon was just as polite and earnest and every now and then something almost like a child-like sense of humor poked through.
They were on the catwalk of what would eventually be the Jaeger's hangar- after having been forbidden to go on the hangar floor by some ragged looking engineers -and Ryland and Dong Hoon were arguing about how they should address each other.
"We can't both be 선배. You've piloted more so you're 선배."
"I have to call you something!" Ryland threw his hands out wide. "You're older than me, I can't just call you by your name!"
"You could call him 형," Sterling suggested from the front.
"I dunno. I've only ever called you 형. It seems kind of weird."
"What about 형님 then?" Dong Hoon suggested.
"I guess I could do that. But only if you call me 선배 and not 선배님."
"네 선배," Dong Hoon said with a deep bow and over-exaggerated supplication.
Ryland covered his face with his hands in a groan. "형님, please don't be so formal with me! We're supposed to be partners, it's weird!"
"I'm glad to see my boys are making friends!"
The Raleighs broke out into wide grins at the person coming at them from the opposite end of the catwalk. "아빠!" Their steps quickened to a half-jog, tossing their arms around Jackson in a tight hug. "It's been too long since we last saw you in person! We're really glad you're here!"
"You think I'd miss a chance to see my boys get to be big wigs in their own base? Not for the world!" He ruffled Ryland's hair, "Lookit you, getting to be a full-fledged pilot! And Sterling- heading up the entire operation!"
"I'm not heading up everything. I just look after the Jaeger and the pilots. Marshall Greeves is taking care of the rest."
"Marshall Greeves is also in charge of the Tokyo Shatterdome and will be spending most of his time there." Jackson gave his oldest a knowing look. "Meaning you'll probably be the one making the day-to-day decisions."
That made a line of something cold tense between Sterling's shoulders. "Thanks. I wasn't feeling nearly enough pressure before."
"Don't worry. The Marshalls will be here until they're sure the base is completely operation and they wouldn't have put you in this position if they didn't believe in you."
"And you?" Ryland asked. "How long will you be here?"
"Just for the week, I'm afraid. After I get people trained up on the system here, it's back to the Hong Kong races for me." He gave the two another squeeze before turning to Dong Hoon who kept himself quiet and away from the family reunion. "You're the other pilot, correct?" He held his hand out like Ryland had, bowing as he shook Dong Hoon's hand. "Please watch over my son."
"Yessir, of course." Dong Hoon's eyes flickered over to the brothers uncertainly.
Sterling laughed a little guiltily. "We forgot to mention our adoptive father is black, didn't we?"
---
"형!" - "Big brother!"
"안녕하세요 선배님. 처음 뵙겠습니다." - Hello, Senior (referred to someone with more experience/higher up in your field than you). It's nice to meet you (literally 'this is my first time meeting you').
"내. 처음 뵙겠습니다. 저는 래리배신이라고 합니다. 저를 라이리라고 불러 주세요." - "Yes. It's nice to meet you. My name is Raleigh Bae Shin (Ryland's Korean name). Please call me Riley."
"내 라이리선배님. 저는 지동훈이라고 합니다. 저는 1999년에 태어났어요.." - "Yes, Riley-senior. My name is Ji Dong Hoon. I was born in 1999." (in Korea it's common to share ages so you know how to address people/how they should address you)
"마자요?" - "Truly/Really?"
"네." - "Yes."
"괜찮아요 선배님?" - "Are you okay, Senior?"
"괜-괜찮아요." - "I-I'm alright."
"시끄러워 형!" - "Shut up, Brother!"
'우와!' - 'wow!'
아빠 - father
선배님/ 선배 - both mean 'senior' but the former is more formal/respectful
형님/ 형 - both mean 'older brother' but the former is more formal/respectful
---
Fandom: Pacific Rim (courier faction au)
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 2535
Characters: Sterling, Ryland, Dong Hoon
Summary: As a kid Sterling never imagined himself fighting in a giant robot, not even when he was older and his
little brother decided to become a Jaeger pilot. This is the story of how he came to die in one anyway.
"형!"
Sterling barely managed to put his cases down before he suddenly had an armful of his brother. "Holy hell, Riley!" He pushed Ryland back, gawking at him. "Are you taller than me? When did this happen?"
A cheeky shrug was his reply. "Not my fault you're short."
"I am not short- I'm average height."
"Depends on which definition of average you use."
He scowled, trying to pretend he wasn't grinning. "We haven't been together in almost a year and you start sassing me right off the bat. What did this program do to my sweet, obedient little brother?"
"I'm more worried about what this program did to your memory. Besides, how do you think you got this position?"
"Because I'm amazingly talented and brilliant."
"I happen to be lead pilot for this Jaeger, you know, and I requested you to be my Chief Technician."
"And do you really think they would've gone along with it if I weren't also amazingly talented and brilliant?"
"...okay, you got me there."
"Of course I did. Now, since you're here, you can be my pack mule." Sterling handed one of the big metal cases to Ryland, taking the second and rolling his luggage bag behind them. "What was that lead pilot business? I thought you were just co-pilots."
Ryland waved his free hand in a dithering motion. "It's one of the last things we were taught. You know, better to weed out all the egos by forcing them to see everyone as equals. But even with the neural bridge, it's still two different minds and not everyone's knee-jerk reactions will always be the same no matter how compatible you are. The lead pilot is the one whose instincts and decisions take precedence."
"And that's you, huh?"
"It's generally the one with the most experience or higher drift ratings. And since I've drifted with a couple different pilots as a back-up, my rating is pretty high."
"Hmm. Sounds like someone may be in need of an ego deflation."
"I dunno, I think your ego's at a pretty manageable size right now."
"There ya go, still sassing your 형 around." They grinned at each other, packing into a lift with others loaded up with cases. Everything around them was so new and clean it was almost surreal when compared with the Shatterdomes they'd been in. "So you finally got a ride, huh?"
"One all my own anyway," Ryland beamed.
"All yours and a co-pilot."
"I don't mind sharing so long as I'm one of the primary pilots."
Sterling eyed his little brother. "Are you sure they weeded out all the egos?"
"Being a back-up is nothing but a bunch of sitting around and waiting. All I got to do was train, they wouldn't even let me help out the engineers 'just in case'," and it really must've gotten to Ryland is he was breaking out the air quotes, "I got injured right when I was needed. I became a pilot because I wanted to be useful and help people, not sit on my ass all day."
"Will this be much different? As a pilot, you'll still be sitting around, trying not to injure yourself waiting for a kaiju attack. Even if one heads this way, we're smack dab between two 'domes. It'll probably be a good while until you actually get to suit up."
The doors opened and the occupants did a sort of Tetris Shuffle as people tried to get off with all their things and others tried to stay out of their way without getting off themselves. Ryland look straight into Sterling's eyes as a stack of comm supplies on a dollie was wheeled out between them. "We only have so much breathing room before the next potential attack to get this Jaeger in battle-ready condition. After that, I'd rather have to sit and wait my whole life than worry about not being ready for another attack."
Sterling sighed and shook his head not unkindly. "Forever a bleeding heart."
"At least I've got you to keep me focused."
"One of us is going to regret this in the future."
"No, we won't."
"I'm sure I could manage it if I tried."
The lift stopped again, more people getting off leaving just the brothers to ride up to the LOCCENT on their own. "You know anything about the Jaeger?" Sterling asked.
"I saw the design before they started construction. It's kind of a mix of Crimson Typhoon and Tacit Ronin- emphasis on speed and agility, good defensive capabilities. They're adding some stuff they had planned for the Mark Vs, so I guess we're kind of the 'practical application prototype'."
Sterling frowned. On one hand that meant they'd be maneuverable enough to dodge a hit, but durable enough to take it when it happened. On the other hand... "That doesn't leave you a lot of options for anything outside of close-range, does it?"
"There's a couple missile bays and an experimental plasma rifle, but kaiju aren't known for long-range attacks either."
Still didn't mean he was comfortable with the idea of his little brother in that situation. Before he could allude to it, Ryland gave Sterling a sidelong look, "So why exactly did they opt to build a completely new Jaeger instead of just transferring Nova Hyperion here?"
"Because Russian winters are long," Sterling announced in the most condescending and obnoxious drawl possible, "and very hard on machines. Hyperion has to stay as back up to ensure Russia will always have a fully functional Jaeger for defense."
"Very nice. Now what's the actual reason."
"North Korea doing some political posturing." At his brother's eyeroll Sterling just grinned wryly. "What a surprise, I know. It's mainly just to make themselves appear relevant while they refuse to support the PPDC, demanding that Hyperion has to stay in Vladivostok since that was what was agreed to during construction. Of course now South Korea has two Jaegers for the population to get behind so they didn't fight the decision too much. You're co-pilot, on the other hand, I haven't looked into."
"Still narrowing down options last I heard." Ryland shrugged, "Then again, last I heard the Korean government wanted to have final say since they're the ones spending the most on all this."
"You think it's possible you were picked because of our parents," it wasn't exactly a question.
"Maybe. But that doesn't mean I won't do my best anyway."
The lift slowed as it approached LOCCENT and Sterling didn't even need to say it, the words clear in that fond little smile that Ryland could see from the corner of his eye: he knew Ryland would never do anything less. LOCCENT was a low level of constant activity- people familiarizing themselves with their stations and the equipment, things being put into place, everyone introducing themselves to those they didn't know and talking to those they did. In the middle of it all were three men, one wearing a pilot's jumpsuit, another with the rank of Marshall pinned to his lapels and the last being Stacker Pentecost. The Raleigh brothers approached them with surprise.
"Marshall Greeves," Sterling said, speaking on his and Ryland's behalves. "Technician Sterling Raleigh and Ranger Ryland Raleigh reporting for duty." Greeves, a rough, stolid man that looked like he should've retired from active duty five years ago, nodded in acknowledgment but remained quiet, obviously deferring to Pentecost. Sterling addressed him, "Marshall Pentecost, we didn't expect you here."
"I'm in charge of the pilots and Jaegers," he said simply. "I always oversee the initial openings of the new 'domes. Or bases, as the case may be." The last was said with a slight curl in his lips. Pentecost obviously wasn't happy about the lack of PPDC backing which, judging from Greeves's own dark look, he was not alone. "The Marshall and I can do your formal processing later, you should meet your new partner," Pentecost waved a hand at the man in the jumpsuit. "Ranger Ji Dong Hoon, graduated from the Academy five months ago."
The brothers nodded with prompt, "Yessir"s and just as Pentecost moved toward the lift, he stopped and added, "Just so you know, your father did good work considering the limitations. Depending on how it works in practice, we may consider implementing them into existing 'domes. You'll need additional training in order to work the new systems, but I don't doubt your capabilities."
It was all they could do to keep from beaming with pride. "Yessir. Thank you, sir."
They turned to Dong Hoon, a stocky, round faced man with a mouth used to smiling and arms like a gorilla, and when Ryland held out his right hand, left supporting the arm- the Korean way -he grinned broadly. They bowed as they shook hands, Dong Hoon's voice as cheery as his smile, "안녕하세요 선배님. 처음 뵙겠습니다."
Just as brightly, Ryland said, "내. 처음 뵙겠습니다. 저는 래리배신이라고 합니다. 저를 라이리라고 불러 주세요."
"내 라이리선배님. 저는 지동훈이라고 합니다. 저는 1999년에 태어났어요."
Ryland froze. "99? 마자요?"
"네." When Ryland continued to stay frozen, Dong Hoon's brow furrowed. "괜찮아요 선배님?"
Even standing aside Sterling could see Ryland was reeling from the fact that he'd be taking point over a man almost three years his senior. "괜-괜찮아요." Sterling couldn't help it and just busted out laughing. "시끄러워 형!"
Sterling made his own introductions after his snickers petered out, partly to help ease Ryland's sudden self-consciousness by taking charge of the conversation. As the oldest and the technician in charge, perhaps in a way it was his duty to ensure the pilots got along well. Dong Hoon, as he told the brothers, was born in Busan with all his family still living in its outlying boroughs. Had Echo Saber not arrived, Wraith might have attacked them next. There was no way Dong Hoon could not try to do everything in his power to protect his country and his family after that.
"I spent 21 months in the ROK Marines," he said, eliciting impressed '우와!'s from the brothers. "I worked often with the American Army, so I picked up a lot of English." They figured it best to keep to English for the most part as it seemed rude to speak a language some of the crew didn't understand.
"It's very good," Ryland told him.
"Your speaking is also good. I didn't know you were out of country so long. The Marshall said your father worked here?"
"아빠 is one of the people in charge of the PPDC tracking system. Sonar, radar, lidar- any technology that might make keeping tabs on kaiju easier, he does his best to implement," Sterling explained.
"He used to work with the United States military," Ryland piped in. "The group he worked with then was actually among the first find the Breach and the first kaiju. When he started as a liaison to the PPDC, he brought a lot of that technology with him."
"He did all that? 우와," interest gleamed in Dong Hoon's dark eyes. "Is he still here? Do you know what he did for the base?"
They shrugged, "He hasn't told us. But he should be around."
"Let's walk around," Sterling suggested as he set his cases aside. "Maybe we'll find him while we get familiar with the place."
The base was far more compact than any of the Shatterdomes, possibly a third of the size if one was generous. Once they got out of the LOCCENT and into the lower decks it seemed like there were too many people to fit inside the base though that was probably due to most lugging crates and stacks of cases around. Many probably weren't even permanent personnel, just dropping off supplies or helping to install things. The three talked as they went about: the places they lived, their families, how their lives changed after the kaiju arrived. Ryland had always been an easy person to get along with, but Sterling was glad to find that Dong Hoon was just as polite and earnest and every now and then something almost like a child-like sense of humor poked through.
They were on the catwalk of what would eventually be the Jaeger's hangar- after having been forbidden to go on the hangar floor by some ragged looking engineers -and Ryland and Dong Hoon were arguing about how they should address each other.
"We can't both be 선배. You've piloted more so you're 선배."
"I have to call you something!" Ryland threw his hands out wide. "You're older than me, I can't just call you by your name!"
"You could call him 형," Sterling suggested from the front.
"I dunno. I've only ever called you 형. It seems kind of weird."
"What about 형님 then?" Dong Hoon suggested.
"I guess I could do that. But only if you call me 선배 and not 선배님."
"네 선배," Dong Hoon said with a deep bow and over-exaggerated supplication.
Ryland covered his face with his hands in a groan. "형님, please don't be so formal with me! We're supposed to be partners, it's weird!"
"I'm glad to see my boys are making friends!"
The Raleighs broke out into wide grins at the person coming at them from the opposite end of the catwalk. "아빠!" Their steps quickened to a half-jog, tossing their arms around Jackson in a tight hug. "It's been too long since we last saw you in person! We're really glad you're here!"
"You think I'd miss a chance to see my boys get to be big wigs in their own base? Not for the world!" He ruffled Ryland's hair, "Lookit you, getting to be a full-fledged pilot! And Sterling- heading up the entire operation!"
"I'm not heading up everything. I just look after the Jaeger and the pilots. Marshall Greeves is taking care of the rest."
"Marshall Greeves is also in charge of the Tokyo Shatterdome and will be spending most of his time there." Jackson gave his oldest a knowing look. "Meaning you'll probably be the one making the day-to-day decisions."
That made a line of something cold tense between Sterling's shoulders. "Thanks. I wasn't feeling nearly enough pressure before."
"Don't worry. The Marshalls will be here until they're sure the base is completely operation and they wouldn't have put you in this position if they didn't believe in you."
"And you?" Ryland asked. "How long will you be here?"
"Just for the week, I'm afraid. After I get people trained up on the system here, it's back to the Hong Kong races for me." He gave the two another squeeze before turning to Dong Hoon who kept himself quiet and away from the family reunion. "You're the other pilot, correct?" He held his hand out like Ryland had, bowing as he shook Dong Hoon's hand. "Please watch over my son."
"Yessir, of course." Dong Hoon's eyes flickered over to the brothers uncertainly.
Sterling laughed a little guiltily. "We forgot to mention our adoptive father is black, didn't we?"
---
"형!" - "Big brother!"
"안녕하세요 선배님. 처음 뵙겠습니다." - Hello, Senior (referred to someone with more experience/higher up in your field than you). It's nice to meet you (literally 'this is my first time meeting you').
"내. 처음 뵙겠습니다. 저는 래리배신이라고 합니다. 저를 라이리라고 불러 주세요." - "Yes. It's nice to meet you. My name is Raleigh Bae Shin (Ryland's Korean name). Please call me Riley."
"내 라이리선배님. 저는 지동훈이라고 합니다. 저는 1999년에 태어났어요.." - "Yes, Riley-senior. My name is Ji Dong Hoon. I was born in 1999." (in Korea it's common to share ages so you know how to address people/how they should address you)
"마자요?" - "Truly/Really?"
"네." - "Yes."
"괜찮아요 선배님?" - "Are you okay, Senior?"
"괜-괜찮아요." - "I-I'm alright."
"시끄러워 형!" - "Shut up, Brother!"
'우와!' - 'wow!'
아빠 - father
선배님/ 선배 - both mean 'senior' but the former is more formal/respectful
형님/ 형 - both mean 'older brother' but the former is more formal/respectful
---
