Stories Within Another World

Pacific Rim 2 - Aftermath

The floor was littered with them. Layered over the metallic tiles, and beneath the dim white lights, were sheets of yellowed paper mixed in with newer ones, fresh off the printing press. There was a light breeze coming from a vent hanging in over them, but they were prevented from flying around the room by recorders, thin, silver sticks that fit snugly in the palm of his hand. There were several buttons on the top of each one, and a mic and speaker at the bottom of it.

He bent down slowly, painfully, his bad back restricting his movements. Eventually, his callused fingers curled around one of the recorders, and he straightened back up, as much as he could. His hands trembled a little, as he pressed it against his cheek, feeling the cold metal suck the warmth from him. Then he pressed one of the buttons at the top.

*Beep*

"This is Dr.Gottlieb. I am very, very busy at the moment, hence why you're listening to me right now. Leave a message after the beep, and if I somehow have a moment to spare, I'll get right back to you." His tone was bored, and very much annoyed that he'd needed to take precious time out of his day just to record a stupid voice message to tell them to leave another, surprise surprise, voice message.

*Beep*

A deep, mocking voice answered the phone.

"Hello, Dr.Gottlieb, this is Dr.Geiszler."

There was a long pause. Then it reverted back into something more familiar and excited.

"Hahaha, just kidding! Sorry, sorry, I know you don't sound like that. How you been, He-man! It's Newt, your best friend! Just calling in to let you know, I got the job at Shao Corporation! Yeah it's a little rough around the edges, the boss really works me to the bone and I have to learn Chinese, but for my first foray into the private sector, it's not all that bad! I miss ya buddy, kinda sad that you chose to stay on with the military, could really use you here with me man, its cutting edge stuff we're working with here. I can't tell you about it over the phone of course, and we're working on a proposal for funding that rolls out next week, you'll see it then!"

At this point the message, Newt paused. Hermann could hear him suck in a breath through his teeth, as he hesitated on the next sentence.

"Or... I don't know man, you could come down for dinner with me, maybe stay a couple of days? I met this new gal at work recently, she's pretty cool, pretty cool... But I might need some help with her, y'know? For... for... A wingman! Yeah, to help set me up! Let me know when you can make it, and I'll tell you about what we're working on over dinner! Hope to hear from ya, buddy."

*Beep*

Hermann took a shaky breath, steadying himself as the recorder finished delivering its contents. A small tear rolled down his cheek. This was the first time. This was the first time it Newt had asked for it. It was also the first time he'd mentioned the 'woman'. That thing, they'd found in his apartment during the investigation afterward.

He felt the recorder slip from his hand, and he watched numbly as it crashed into the floor, smashing into several chunks of varying sizes. It didn't matter, he had copies of that saved.

The next thing he picked up, however, was a little less replaceable. It was a yellowed letter, dated a couple of years after the voice message he'd just played. It was crinkled and the ink was faded, and Hermann strained to read it in the dimly lit room.

Dear Hermann,

I got really bored of leaving you voice messages, so I figured maybe I'd change things up, write you a letter instead. Once again, it's me, your buddy, Newt! How are ya? I saw it on the news, the unveiling of Saber Athena? Man that was cool! That whole bit where it combined both sabers into a one giant long sword? So awesomeee!!! I tried to petition on swords to my boss for our prototype Jaeger, but she shut me down so fast I couldn't tell her that there'd be two swords instead of one and that they'd both be on fire. It's such a cool idea man, maybe it's a good thing she didn't want it, I'll keep it for myself.