[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJvXDSbvseE[/youtube]

The Pacific Branch of the Committee for Extraterrestrial Threat Mitigation is located on Kiritimati Island, pronounced 'Christmas Island', part of the Republic of Kiribati, and former test-site for United States nuclear weapons.  It is a central location, close to where the Equator crosses the International Dateline, so CETM forces have even odds of reaching either Australia, the east coast of Asia, or the west coast of the Americas.

It is the third ever "Imminent Impact" alert that the Pacific Branch of CETM has had: the first had been during Incident 2, when EO2 was defeated by Walker Rex and CETM's naval fleet, Project Myrmidon; while the second had been during Incident 3, questionably referred to as the 'False Alarm".  There of course, had been no "Imminent Impact" alert for Incident 1, as it was the devastation wrought by EO1 that caused the creation of CETM in the first place.  In the Secretary's Office, a holographic projection of the Earth hovered over a table, showing a dotted red line indicating EO4's descent path and eventual impact site, somewhere between Kirimati island and Australia.

"Third in a row, what are the odds?" joked Dr. Raymond Park.

Dr. Helen McCulloch shot him a weary but cutting glare, but didn't respond, saying instead, "We'll send out Walker Rex and the Fleet, like we did with EO2."

Secretary Margaret Oleander remained silent while considering the options before replying, "Our...'advisor'...has warned us that this one will be stronger."

"Walker Rex can handle it," Dr. McCulloch reiterated, vouching for Project Colossus, "And if that's not enough, we still have the Frog."

"I'm well aware of that, but the question isn't simply how strong EO4 will be, but how strong the ones that come after will be.  Our 'advisor' has warned us that many more will come, each one stronger than the previous.  If your trust in Project Colossus is well-placed, then we have insurance, and should take this opportunity to test Project Titan," Oleander posited.

"I DON'T think that will be necessary, Secretary," Dr. McCulloch stood her ground.

"What is the status of Project Titan?" Oleander asked, ignoring Dr. McCulloch.

"Well, currently, only Nephilim is stable, but not only is she stable, she is in top condition and absolutely ready for a field test," Dr. Park said while grinning in a manner that was not at all malicious, though Dr. McCulloch felt a certain smugness coming from him.

"Only Nephilim?" Oleander asked, "Interesting, considering Nephilim was a...gift...from our 'advisor'.  Very well, these are my orders, 'Deploy Walker Rex and Frog...'" Dr. McCulloch glanced back at Dr. Park with victory in her eyes before Oleander continued, "'...as support.  Have them on standby while we field test Nephilim', understood?"

"Absolutely!" Dr. Park said, getting excited.

"...yes..." Dr. McCulloch agreed reluctantly.

"Very well, meeting dismissed," Oleander concluded.

The three exited the office to enter the Command Room.  "Ensign Ning, issue these deployment orders: Walker Rex and Frog are to standby and be ready to provide support if things go sour, Nephilim to engage EO4," Oleander commanded.

"I'll see you in the hangar!" Dr. Park said to Dr. McCulloch as he left the Command room to find a jeep to take him to the port hangar, where he would meet with Petty Officer, Third Class Natalie Ning, the Nephilim.

Oleander turned to Dr. McCulloch to provide some scant consolation, "At least it was Nephilim and not the other one."

McCulloch looked back and nodded weakly, before heading out to commandeer a jeep of her own, cursing under her breath that Dr. Park didn't just wait for her so they could go together.  At the hangar, she would check with the engineering crew and the pilots: Lieutenant Commander Richard Conwood and Ensign Griffon Green.