6:00 PM
On a Friday
Philadelphia, PA
"Our top story: The second in a series of post-war conferences was held earlier today in New York, this time focusing on the science behind the Rift's closure. Leading the discussion was Dr. Newton Geiszler, the foremost expert in kaiju biology and one half of the Hong Kong research team. Along with his partner, Dr. Hermann Gotlieb, Geiszler was able to find the final bit of information used in closing the Rift for good. Dr. Gotlieb could not be in attendance today, as he had to be with his wife during the birth of their first child."
A picture of the two together flashed on the screen. Dennis scoffed. "There's no way a man like that should land a woman of that caliber."
The reporter droned on, "Despite the setbacks, Dr. Geiszler's animated demeanor and candid answers were more than enough to keep the event going."
"Holy shit dude. That's Charlie."
The rest of the bar (Dee, Frank, and a handful of possibly homeless regulars) turned to the TV as Mac turned up the volume. The man on the screen looked different, clean shaven and covered in tattoos with large glasses. But with the sound up, it was impossible not to recognize the scratchy, squeaky voice rambling about kaiju and hive minds as one Charlie Kelly: previously missing person.
Charlie had volunteered for a government sponsored study combating illiteracy about year or so before the start of the war. He was let go in less than a week, but whatever they did worked. Really well. The downside was that, as his intelligence grew, so did his paranoia and agitation. Less than a month later, Charlie took off. The police didn't help; they all but dropped the case once they realized who they were dealing with. The gang tried to look for him themselves, but with the start of the war, free time grew scarce. Eventually, they had to carry on and live their lives. It's what Charlie would have wanted (or so Dennis told them as he took Charlie's video camera).
"I'm sorry to cut you off Dr. Geiszler, but we're running out of time. Do you have any closing remarks?"
Geiszler stopped mid-sentence, arms flopping down to his sides. "Yeah. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something. Fortune favors the brave dudes."
Mac shook his head. "This can't be happening. Charlie, Charlie saved the world? Without us? And with that nerd?"
Dee shook her head in agreement, "Total nerd."
"I didn't want to speak ill of the dead, but I can't believe he left us for that."
"Frank, this report is live. Charlie's still alive."
A flurry of activity brought their attention back to the TV. The reporter on the screen looked shocked and the camera quickly turned to focus on the commotion down the hall. "It appears Dr. Geiszler has collapsed. It looks like he's bleeding from the nose and ears. There's blood, there's blood everywhere. Paramedics on hand are tending to the situation." The camera panned to a small team of medics armed with a stretcher and a first aid kit rushing onto the scene. "We're now being informed that the situation is under control and that Dr. Geiszler's injuries are not life-threatening, and merely the effects of multiple unsupervised drifts."
Dee snorted into her beer. "See, that, that I'm not surprised about. Even when he does something cool, he still finds a way to screw it up. What a boner."
The gang shook their heads in unison and muttered "Goddamn it Charlie"