The Hong Kong Shatterdome's cafeteria was always bustling with activity. It wasn't surprising given that the base employed several hundred men and women, working night and day, repairing and outfitting the Jaeger's and the dome's systems.

However, one of the perks of being a Jaeger pilot meant you could always get a table. A fact which Chuck Hansen exploited to his advantage. With a slight hand movement, the technicians huddled, eating their food, shifted as far away as they could, allowing Chuck and his father to sit down.

"Thank you" Herc said politely, sending a nod towards the group. A nicety that his son unfortunately chose not to mimic. Herc sighed, Chuck was so much like Scott it was unnerving, both of them were cocky and arrogant and in desperate need of being taken down a peg. Granted, Chuck would never, ever betray the PPDC or Herc in the same way Scott had, but it was still a fact Herc could not simply ignore.

He girded himself, and prepared to finally put his son in his place, when much to Herc's relief, he saw Doctor Serizawa enter the large hall. With a quick call and a wave, Herc beckoned the good doctor over "Good to see you again doctor" Herc said, as he moved over enough to give Serizawa room to sit.

Serizawa nodded politely "Likewise Mr. Hansen" he said simply as he sat down.

"See here boy, Dr. Serizawa is the world's foremost expert on Kaiju" Herc told his extremely disinterested son.

"Thank you for the kind words, but I'm afraid that title probably suits Dr. Geiszler more than me these days"

Herc titled his head "Ah yes, that's right, I'd heard you been put in charge of researching Godzilla, which is something I've been meaning to ask you. What exactly can you tell us about him?"

At that, Chuck suddenly became a lot more interested in this line of questioning, but before he could speak, his father turned again, and beckoned for someone else to come over. "Come over here Becket, got a place for you, I think you'll like our topic" he said with a grin.

Raleigh Becket strode over, food tray in hand "What's up?" he asked, casually taking the place beside Serizawa.

"I don't think you two ever met, but the three of us were all part of the Manila operation" Herc explained, as Serizawa and Raleigh exchanged greetings.

"I'm sorry for your loss" Serizawa said sympathetically.

"Thanks" Raleigh replied somewhat nervously, he tried his best not to think too much on the incident with his brother four years ago.

"I was just asking the doc about our old friend" Herc explained, trying to change the subject to anything except family.

"I'm afraid there's not really much I can tell you" Serizawa half lied. He didn't want to tell them anything beyond the base facts. "I can tell you he's one hundred metres tall, and weighs approximately nine and a half thousand metric tons" the doctor explained "He feeds on radiation and converts it into a weapon that's being referred to by the PPDC as Atomic Breath and he's extremely aggressive, everything beyond that is entirely conjecture".

"So there's no ideas behind his origins?" Raleigh said, somewhat suspiciously.

"A few" Serizawa countered "But none with any substantial note" Even with the mountain of paperwork and documentation at the lab, Serizawa had been unable to convince Newt and Herman on his theory, so his hesitance to share wasn't unjustified.

"Who cares where it comes from?" Chuck suddenly spoke up, clearly bored of the conversation "That overgrown iguana's lucked out by fighting old model Jaegers and mediocre pilots, if it came up against me and the old man in the Striker, it wouldn't stand a chance."

Serizawa's eyes narrowed. There was no denying the power of the world's first and last MK-V Jaeger Striker Eureka, but the young Hansen's arrogance was infuriating.

Raleigh glared at Chuck, the crack about inferior pilots and Jaegers hit a sore spot. "You've never gone against Godzilla, have you?" he growled as Chuck shook his head, sending a glare towards the American "Well trust me when I tell you that it's better that way, far better pilots then you have gone against him and lost" Raleigh snapped.

Chuck shifted closer to Raleigh, practically shoving his father and Serizawa out of the way "A washed up failure like you doesn't have the right to talk to me like that" the Australian shot back with an almost feral rage.

The two hot headed young men were ready to rip into each other, when Herc intervened, pushing Chuck back "Enough!" he shouted "In case you two weren't aware, there's an army of monsters hell bent on killing us, we don't need to make their job any easier" the elder Hansen scolded.

Chuck and Raleigh continued to glare, clearly this little war of theirs wasn't over. Chuck stood up and began to storm away "Whatever, just don't slow me down Raleigh" he growled, putting emphasis on his name "If you screw up the mission, I'll feed you to Godzilla myself" and with that he left.

Herc sighed and looked down at his food, his appetite suddenly disappearing "I don't know what to do with that boy sometimes" he muttered mostly to himself.

"The mission he mentioned" Serizawa said, trying to change the topic "I assume that's the attack on the Breach the Marshall's been talking about?" he asked.

"Yeah" Herc finally said "Operation: Destroy All Monsters I think the techies are calling it" he chuckled sourly "They're gonna strap a thermonuclear device to Striker Eureka and have us drop it into the Breach to try and close it".

Serizawa thought for a minute, obviously the PPDC had tried directly hitting the Breach in the past, but their weapons had merely been blocked by some unseen force surrounding the portal, not even unmanned probes could get near it.

"If you'll excuse me, I've got to go and meet my new co-pilot" Raleigh said "You can come see Gipsy's test if you guys want, it's scheduled to begin in about an hour".

"Yeah sure, we'll be there, just let us old men finish our food" Herc said, giving Raleigh a cursory nod as the younger man left.

There was an awkward silence between Serizawa and Herc as they quietly ate their food. Herc shuffled in his seat as if he had something he wanted to say, but couldn't quite find the words.

"Godzilla's not from the Breach, is he?" he finally said, much to Serizawa's surprise.

Serizawa was silent as he thought about how he should respond to this sudden question, dare he risk telling this Jaeger pilot his theory?

"I've fought a lot of Kaiju, doctor, and I do mean a lot" Herc continued "But Godzilla is different. We only fought once but...I dunno"

There was silence again, but this time Serizawa broke it "They say warriors can understand one another through battling, far more then they can through words" he mused "But to answer your question Mr. Hansen, no I don't think Gojira came from the same world as the other Kaiju, I believe he was born here".

Serizawa took in breath, and slowly he began to explain his theory, his reasoning and all the evidence pointing towards his inevitable conclusion. Herc listened calmly, never once asked a question or interrupted Serizawa until he'd finished his tale.

Finally when it was concluded, Herc leaned back and sighed. "In a way, I'm relieved" he said "He's the toughest enemy I've ever gone against, and I'd hate to think there's an entire species of him on the other side of the Breach just waiting to come get us".

"I'm surprised you're so on board with this" Serizawa observed, to which Herc just laughed at.

"Maybe there's a part of me that wants it to be true, because it's proud that Earth has a protector like him on it's side" he said.

Serizawa's eyes widened "A protector?" he said confusedly.

"Well you said yourself, he's defending his territory, he's not killing the Kaiju to eat them, and he's certainly not attacking cities in his spare time. Maybe I'm just an old fool, but I'd like to think he's like us, willing to fight until the last breath to protect the planet"

Serizawa smiled "I'd like to think that too" he said somewhat happily.

"We can never tell this to Stacker though" Herc laughed "He'd never buy it".

"Oh yes, I'm well aware of the Marshall and his vendetta" Serizawa replied.

"I can't blame him though" Herc said solemnly "When I lost my family, I hated the Kaiju just as much as him, and I've had almost a decade to get my revenge, while he got sidelined and promoted pretty quickly".

There was another awkward silence between the two "Well, guess we'd better go and see how the kid's fairing" Herc said as he stood up, with Serizawa following suit. "It's kind of nostalgic" Herc pointed out as the pair of them began to walk to the command centre "All of us gathered together, preparing for a massive multi-Jaeger operation, let's hope history doesn't repeat itself too much".

Serizawa merely nodded in response as the two left the cafeteria, and trekked through the steel corridors.


Newt mumbled angrily to himself as he plugged the metre long cable into the socket. The irritated scientist shielded his eyes as sparks erupted from the connection, that was probably a good sign, or at least he hoped it was.

By rights Newt should have had an army of lackeys setting all this up, but alas his genius plan to initiate a drift with the salvaged remains of a Kaiju's brain had been shot down, not only by Marshall Pentecost, but Doctor Serizawa himself.

Instead of his actual research, with actual evidence and actual results, they'd instead decided to go along with Herman's stupid, theoretical numerical nonsense.

So here he was, determined to prove his own genius, and Herman's inferiority by going ahead with his plan. In the back of Newt's mind, there was a niggling doubt, a fear that Serizawa's warnings were true, and he was going to kill himself.

However, the prospect of driving everyone else mad with guilt if he died outweighed Newt's own sense of self-preservation, and thus he began to input the programs into the computer.

Newt adjusted the straps as he placed the transmitter over his scalp while the systems started to run. Newt was almost past the point of no return, when once more doubt crept its way into his mind.

His hand hovered over the keyboard, just above the switch to initiate the program. He wondered if this was really the right way to go about it, maybe he should try and convince everyone else once more?

But, the memory of the Marshall's rejection was still fresh in his mind as apprehension gave way to a steadfast determination.

And so, with one final gulp of air, Newt hit the switch.


"All systems are green" Tendo Choi said as he worked the computer before him.

Pentecost stared at the great steel form of Gipsy Danger through the viewscreens. The MK-III had been all but crippled five years ago in a fierce battle with the Kaiju known as Knifehead. A battle that had cost Yancy Becket his life, and sent Raleigh into a self imposed exile from the Jaeger program.

"Very good" Stacker said simply. Although he hid it well, this was an extremely nerve racking experience for the Marshall.

Mako Mori, his adopted daughter, turned personal assistant, had been given permission to become the new co-pilot for Gipsy Danger, a decision Stacker was still not sure about.

He still sometimes thought of her as the crying toddler cradling a red shoe through the devastated remains of Tokyo. Although it wasn't out of a paternal sense of protection that he'd tried to block Mako's development.

Mako had suffered a horribly traumatic experience thanks to the Category II Kaiju Onibaba killing all her friends and family, and robbing the young woman of her birthplace. Quite understandably this had left Mako feelings of intense anger and hatred towards the Kaiju, but so great were these feelings, Stacker worried they'd cloud her judgement and threaten the stability of the Drift.

"Engaging Neural Handshake" Tendo said calmly as Gipsy slowly came to life and began to move. As the titanic machine began to move it's arms experimentally, Serizawa and Herc entered the command centre.

"How're they doing?" Herc asked as he took up position beside Pentecost.

"Link's been established and it's going strong" Tendo said happily "Looks like the old girl's back" There was a shared moment of relief throughout the entire area, however that quickly vanished when Herman Gottlieb's frantic hobbling and yelling resounded throughout the room.

"Marshall!" he cried out desperately "Newton's...He's..." he tried to say between gasps for breath.


Serizawa and Pentecost burst into the laboratory at breakneck speed, Herman not too far behind, as the pair made their way to the shaking figure of Newt, who was propped up against some equipment. A trail of dried blood leaked out of the scientists nostril, as he looked up at the newcomers. His right eye red.

"My god" Serizawa said as he leaned down to get a closer look "You imbecile, you could have been killed" the doctor said as he tried to assess the scope of the damage. While he wasn't a medical doctor, Serizawa at least had a basic knowledge of first aid.

"I...I...I saw..." Newt stuttered, still shaking uncontrollably "The Kaiju...They're clones!" he finally managed to sputter out.

Pentecost eyes narrowed "What?" he said disbelievingly.

"Help me get him to the sick bay" Serizawa said, as he moved to pick up Newt, but Pentecost pushed him away.

"What else did you see Dr. Geizsler?" he said commandingly.

"Are you insane?!" Serizawa snapped "He's in no fit shape for an interrogation".

But Pentecost ignored him, and gently grabbed Newt's face, locking their eyes together "Tell me" he said simply.

"I didn't see much, just flashes and fragments" Newt admitted, finding his voice "But there were these masters, who were growing the Kaiju, breeding them, all for the purpose of invasion" the scientist said "They're colonists, they go from world to world, destroying the indigenous life and terraforming the planet to suit their needs".

Suddenly Newt looked up at the concerned Serizawa "You were right doc" he sobbed "You were right"

Serizawa leaned down, trying to get past Pentecost "It's all right Newton" he said "We'll get you to a doctor, and you'll be fine".

However Newt shook away from Serizawa's grasp "No! You were right about Godzilla!" he yelled frantically.

Pentecost's eyes went wide as he slowly turned towards Serizawa, while Newt continued to speak "These aliens...They tried to colonise Earth before, millions of years ago, but their forces were decimated by the wildlife." he said shaking "I saw memories of them fighting creatures that looked exactly like Godzilla...Your theory was right" he said once more.

Pentecost continued to stare at Serizawa, a quiet rage building up behind his brown eyes. But at the last minute, he turned back to Newt "Could you do it again?" he asked simply.

"Wh-What?" Newt said disbelievingly.

"Could you Drift with a Kaiju again? We need more information" Pentecost responded coldly.

"Well...I guess if I had a more intact brain I could...But we don't have one of those lying around..." Newt said, but slowly realisation dawned on him as Pentecost remained silent "...Do we?"

Serizawa looked on silently as Pentecost gave Newt directions to a black market dealer by the name of Hannibal Chau, stationed somewhere in Hong Kong.

Apparently, in order to procure funds for the Jaeger program, Pentecost had made a deal with the Kaiju organ trade, giving them exclusive rights to harvest the corpses.

Of course Serizawa was aware of the black market, and there'd long been rumours of the PPDC making deals, but to find out Stacker Pentecost himself had done it was a jarring experience.

Pentecost handed Newt a piece of paper and a UV torch, before sending the young scientist on his way, with Herman being ordered to return to the command centre. Finally leaving Pentecost and Serizawa alone in the lab.

"You could very well be killing him" Serizawa spat angrily "If you'd just give him time to get checked over"

"Time is a luxury we don't have" Pentecost snarled "In case you haven't noticed, we are on the verge of judgement day, and if Dr. Gottlieb's predictions are accurate, we will see a double event any day now".

"So the ends justify the means?" Serizawa shot back, his rage burning hot.

Pentecost was silent for a moment, until finally he spoke "What did Geizsler mean when he said your theory was correct?" he asked calmly.

Now it was Serizawa's turn for silence as he thought of the best way to answer that question. "Nothing important" he said defensively.

Pentecost glared as he loomed over the doctor "That monster has destroyed enough Jaeger's to bring the entire PPDC to it's knees, and you've been withholding information on it from me?" he growled.

Serizawa however was not intimidated, and did not back down "I was waiting for something more concrete before I presented anything to you" he snapped back "It's not as if knowing Gojira is a creature born of this planet will change your plans for him".

"You're right, nothing has changed." Pentecost shot back "I still plan to slaughter it, regardless of where it came from. My problem however is that, who knows what else you're withholding from me about it"

The tension was so thick you could cut it, as the two men glared hatefully into each others eyes.

Thankfully, before it could devolve any more, a technician burst into the room "Sirs!" he said desperately "There's been an incident with Gipsy Danger!"


Herc stood quietly in the corner of Stacker's office as he watched the Marshall tear into Mako and Raleigh.

"I warned you!" he growled "I told you time and time again, and now look what's happened"

Mako stood before the Marshall, tears of shame welling in her eyes, she was trying to find the right words to say, but Pentecost was not giving her an opening to talk.

As he continued to berate the pair for their almost lethal mistake, Herc finally stepped in "Ms. Mori, Mr. Becket, could you please step outside for a moment?" He asked pleasantly "I'd like to have a few words with the Marshall"

The two quite possibly former Jaeger pilots nodded solemnly and stepped outside and shut the door behind them.

"You're being too hard on them" Herc flat out told his old friend.

"I think considering the circumstances, I'm being rather lenient" Pentecost fired back, it was clear a great many things had happened today to anger the Marshall.

"Mistakes happen, I'm not saying they shouldn't be reprimanded, but as you keep saying, we're in desperate times Stacker, and we can't just throw away a potential asset because of a hiccup" Herc replied, almost immediately regretting his choice of words.

"A hiccup?!" Stacker said, almost not believing what he was hearing "They very well could have killed over a hundred people if Mr. Choi hadn't of shut them down, as far as I'm concerned those two are a liability we can't afford" he snarled.

"She's far tougher then you think she is" Herc struck back "I'm sure if we give her a second chance, now that she's experienced chasing the rabbit first hand, she'll be fine".

"I cannot put the fate of humanity in the hands of those two, if we had more time then maybe I'd be more inclined to listen to you, but according to Dr. Gottlieb a double event will happen at any time, if we're going to close the Breach, it has to be now!"

The two veterans were silent for a moment. Herc prepared to respond, but a loud bang from outside the room, followed by gratuitous swearing distracted both men.


Newt's breath hitched as he watched the bookcase fold into the wall. Secret doors were so cool! He really, really wanted to know how someone went about installing them. Was there some kind of special contractor you could call?

But his wonderment over the door soon enough gave way when he saw what was going on inside the hidden room. A gang of workers, dressed in sterile white gear, working on all the Kaiju parts you could ever want. The feeling that filled Newt reminded him of Christmas, if Christmas was also the same day as your birthday and your parents let you have double the presents.

With childlike glee, Newt ran around the room, looking over the various tables and the people working on them. He was clearly in the wrong profession. However, the sound of someone clearing their throat drew the scientists attention. Newt turned to see a tall man, in gold plated boots, and a bright red suit standing before him.

"I hear you're looking for Hannibal Chau" he said calmly, adjusting his sunglasses. The man just oozed cool, practically radiated it, like, the area around him was somehow made more awesome just by his presence alone.

"Yeah" Newt said dumbfounded "Are you...?"

"Like the name?" the man said with a smirk "I took it from my first favourite historical general, and my second favourite Chinese joint. So what can I do for you?" he asked.

Newt was silent as he gathered his thoughts, finally deciding to just tell him, what was the worst that could happen?


Tendo held the doughnut in his mouth as he carried two cups of coffee over to his work station. The incident earlier with Gipsy had shaken him somewhat, all he planned to do now was sit back, relax and settle in for the night shift.

That had been the plan, but as with many plans, it was quickly derailed as the various instruments came to life.

Placing his coffee down, Tendo sat back in his chair and began to type, trying to get more information on what was going on. To his horror, two very different readings flashed across the screen. Their worst fears had been realised, two Kaiju had exited the Breach and were making a beeline straight for Hong Kong.

Tendo swallowed hard as he activated the comms system for the Shatterdome and composed himself.

"Two Category IV Kaiju have left the Breach and are on their way" he said solemnly "It's a Double Event" he finished as he went about preparing the Jaeger's for launch.

He hoped to whatever deity was out there that it was only two Kaiju they had to worry about.