Silver electric currents spread rapidly through the seawater, much faster than they would on land due to water's conductivity. The electric waves quickly extended outward. Any fish caught within the proximity of the waves instantly convulsed and then fell still, lifeless. The electric pulses spread over tens of kilometres before finally dissipating.
Electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) typically target electrical circuits, causing them to malfunction without harming living organisms. However, due to the immense strength of this particular EMP and its underwater deployment, it also inflicted fatal damage on nearby marine life, killing some fish within a few meters of the explosion.
While the EMP waves significantly disrupted the surrounding marine ecosystem, the primary target was the human Jaegers.
...
As previously mentioned, the primary objective of the Kaiju sent by extraterrestrial beings was not just environmental destruction but also to test human responses. Once humans developed Jaegers to combat the Kaiju, the aliens adapted by identifying and exploiting the weaknesses of these Jaegers, particularly their vulnerability to EMPs.
When the aliens detected multiple Jaegers near the breach, they immediately accelerated their plans, dispatching their pre-prepared Kaiju. After sending five high-level Kaiju, they found that the breach couldn't sustain further high-level transmissions, so they sent a Category II Kaiju with an embedded EMP bomb to ensure their success without collapsing the breach.
The EMP bomb was designed to activate when the Kaiju sustained severe injuries, causing the explosion to affect both the Kaiju and any nearby enemies. The aliens didn't mind sacrificing a Category II Kaiju for such a strategic advantage.
...
When the EMP detonated, the closest Jaeger, Gipsy Danger, took the brunt of it. However, its older, less sophisticated systems made it resilient to the EMP effects. Only minor internal circuits were damaged, allowing it to remain operational.
The other three Jaegers were less fortunate. The EMP waves fried sensitive circuits, causing sparks to fly inside the Jaegers as their control systems shut down. Alarms blared, and the Jaegers shook uncontrollably, paralysed by the disruption.
Despite prior modifications to protect against EMPs, the advanced digital systems of the newer Jaegers couldn't fully withstand the powerful pulse. The older, more analogue Gipsy Danger fared better, highlighting a seemingly plot-armoured resilience.
...
The pilots of the affected Jaegers were momentarily panicked but quickly regained their composure, attempting to stabilise their machines. However, their efforts were futile—the Jaegers remained immobilised.
The Eureka Striker, piloted by a father-son duo, was particularly unfortunate. Mid-dodge during a Kaiju attack, the EMP struck, freezing the Jaeger with one leg raised and its balance compromised. The Jaeger toppled over, crashing into the seabed and stirring up clouds of silt.
Although the fall caused minimal damage due to the soft seabed and water resistance, the pilots inside were unharmed but faced imminent danger.
...
Despite the lack of immediate physical damage, the immobilised Jaegers were in a dire situation. The three remaining Kaiju circled them, eyeing the inert machines with curiosity. Their massive forms swam around the Jaegers, their lantern-like eyes glaring menacingly at the unresponsive giants.
Growing impatient or sensing weakness, the Kaiju stopped circling. They turned and faced the Jaegers, baring their fangs and lunging forward to attack in unison.
"Damn it! Move, damn it!" shouted one of the pilots, frantically trying to revive their Jaeger. Despite their best efforts, the machines remained unresponsive, leaving the pilots helpless as the Kaiju closed in for the kill.