As a scientist with the Pan Pacific Defense Corp, it was Hermann Gottlieb's role to crunch the numbers and deal with complex mathematical formulae.

As Newton Gieszler's closest friend, Hermann had made sure that the burden of examining Newt in his mind-controlled state fell upon him. Qualifications be damned.

"You're not going to find anything, you know." Newton stated as a matter of fact, with a smug grin on his face. As Hermann scanned his brain with a medical scanner, in order to find signs of abnormalities that would explain his subservient state.

"What we have going on… it's special." Newt spoke with admiration about his enslavers. His connection with the Precursors, keeping him blissful in spite of being shackled in a dingy, isolated cell.

"There are signs of increased activity in your frontal lobe. No doubt as a result of this strange 'bond' you have with the Precursors. They've taken over your personality, behaviour. Even your judgement, poor enough as it was." Hermann informed Newt of the results of the data pad in his hand, thankful for something to break the one-sided conversation with.

"My judgement is fine, Hermann. I was making way for our new rulers. The number of habitable planets in the universe is so limited, why shouldn't they take over? We were destroying ours, anyway." Newt explained his warped reasoning with a smile, to Hermann's horror. How far he had fallen, Hermann thought.

From an admirer of Kaijus, to their servant. Willing to sacrifice the very world he lived in, to please them.

"As a resident of this planet, I very much object to that and so should you. If there's any part of you that still objects." Hermann retorted. Hoping his indignance would bring the true Newt back to the surface.

"There is. But it's so quiet, it's not even worth listening to." The deep, rumbling voice of a Precursor came out of Newt's mouth. Making Hermann jump backwards with fright, nearly dropping the data pad in the process.

Despite having been on the receiving end of Newt's changed personality. Enduring his brashness and his choking grip, none of it had prepared Hermann for hearing the unsettling, unearthly voice of the Precursor.

Taking a moment to compose himself. Hermann closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, regaining his courage.

"Newton is stronger than you think, and I will do whatever it takes to free him of this deplorable slavery!" Hermann vehemently cried out a vow to save his friend.

Saying nothing while he thought over Hermann's declaration, all the while keeping eye contact with the agitated scientist. Newt cocked his chin to the side with intrigue.

"I like it when you get worked up, Hermann. It's so riveting." Newt admitted. To Hermann's infuriation, making him hobble out of the cell with anger.

"Come visit me again, soon! It's so boring in this cell…" Newt called out to Hermann with a smile. His smile faltering once Hermann had left the cell, leaving him alone with his thoughts and the suffocating will of his oppressors.


I was disappointed with Pacific Rim: Uprising. There wasn't enough heart and there wasn't enough Newt (the best part of the movie.) So I wrote a post-credit scene I wish they had made, about his new condition.