𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐬𝐚𝐦 | 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐑𝐢𝐦/𝐈𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐏

𝐨𝐧𝐞

❝𝐘𝐎𝐔'𝐑𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐄 this portal will work?" Hermann Gottlieb struggles to keep up with Jake Pentecost's brisk walking. With every slam of his cane, Pentecost is two steps ahead, and he doesn't seem to be letting up.

"I'm almost positive. I'm not so sure on the effectiveness of this mission, however."

Hermann has a plan. A genius plan that had taken (in addition to pretty much every year since the first Kaiju attack) two years until now to fully work out;

If he reverse-engineered the physics of the Breach, maybe he would be able to dimension hop.

Of course, it's easier said than done. Such a feat of science had required a tremendous amount of work, and in the early days, he hadn't had much time to experiment with something as impossible as interdimentional travel.

These past few years, however, have been a great excuse, and a great proof that impossible things can happen.

"Effectiveness?" Pentecost stops in his tracks, and Hermann is thankful he's finally able to catch up. His hip has been aching for a few long moments.

"Yes. I'm certain my calculations and testing will ensure the portal to work, but-" Hermann pauses, looking for the right words, "I don't know if Newton will be safe. I have no way to track where he would be, and no way of checking if the experiment even works."

Ah, the Newt of it all. An interdimentional portal opens worlds of possibility, literally. If the Kaiju inevitably take over, the population would have somewhere to escape to, somewhere safe.

The only problem is, it needs to be tested. And who better than the person who needs to get as far away from the Kaiju as possible? If it works, Newt has the possibility of ridding himself of the Precursors. If it works.

In short; Newton Geizsler is going to be Hermann's guinea pig.

"You're just hoping for the best?"

"Precisely," he taps his fingers against the wooden handle of his cane, running over the possibilities.

Best case scenario, Newt will get though the portal, then hopefully be cured and able to return home safely. That is- if there is anything of home left.

Worst case, Newt is ripped to shreds as soon as he steps through. Hermann hopes to God that isn't the case. He's tested with lab rats, of course, but never a mass as large as a human.

But maybe this is the only way to help Newt; getting him as far away from the Breach on this Earth as possible, hopefully weakening ties to the Precursors -or breaking them all together. They have to at least try.

It's a flip of a coin, as far as Hermann is concerned. And he can only hope it isn't heads that will be tumbling to the ground as he sends Newton through.

---

"What?" He's managed to front Newton long enough to explain the plan, to walk him through the steps and the possibilities and the dangers.

"It's in your best interest, Newton."

"What if I die? What if I get stranded, or- or it just doesn't work? What if they just can't leave, Hermann?"

"Newt, I will do everything in my power to make sure you are ok again. Yes, there's a risk, but think of the reward. Even if it doesn't work, you'll still be the Rockstar you're so hoping to become," he sees a flicker of a hopeful smile on the man's lips, and Hermann reaches over to cup his cheek, even if he isn't supposed to.

"How sure are you that this won't tear me into pieces?" He lifts an arm as far as it can reach, with the uncomfortable restraints, and taps the side of Hermann's leg.

"Oh, not at all," Hermann grins, "But if rats can get through, surely you have a chance," he earns a soft chuckle, and it means the world to Hermann.

"When are we doing it?"

"Whenever you're ready."

"Then let's get this over with, yeah?"