#hermann billing

[philoursmars]

Marseille, il y a maintenant 3 semaines. Il y avait au MuCEM, une expo "Passions Partagées" sur la collection d'Yvon Lambert, face à certains objets du musée.

Paul Hermann : "Portrait de Paul Cézanne'" - 1900

affiche "Buffalo Bill's Wild West" - Paris, 1905

tenue de gardian - Camargue, fin XI1Xe s.

Yves Rousguisto - instruments de musique provençaux de carnaval - Vence, 1985

Andres Serrano : "Chapelle Matisse" - New-York, 2015

Giulio Paolini : "La Montagne Sainte-Victoire"

[krispyweiss]

Song Review: Widespread Panic - “Keep Me in Your Heart” (Live, June 25, 2023)

Widespread Panic turned thoughtful and tender in playing Warren Zevon’s “Keep Me in Your Heart” in memory of concert promoter Bill Bass.

“He’s one of those cats you remember as, ‘your life would be a whole lot different without him,’” frontman John Bell told the audience assembled June 25 at Red Rocks.

Strumming an electric guitar and singing Zevon’s deathbed plea, Bell is the focus of this moving ballad. But guitarist Jimmy Herring is also essential, dropping in two teardrop guitar breaks that sound as if he’s playing slide, when it’s simply his heart at work.

“Lawyers, Guns and Money” is the Zevon number that typically serves Panic’s music. On this night and this pro-shot video, Panic instead served Zevon - and Bass - nearly perfectly.

Grade card: Widespread Panic - “Keep Me in Your Heart” (Live - 6/25/23) - A

8/25/23

[wornoutspines]

The Pale Blue Eye (Movie Review) | Haunting and Beautiful Yet not much of a Mystery

#ThePaleBlueEye is a beautiful gothic thriller with a captivating performance by #HarryMelling but the mystery.... #Netflix #ChristianBale #GillianAnderson

One of the weird things about this movie is, that its director Scott Cooper, is one whose name I didn’t know but I’d heard of his movies. He’s adaptating here’s Louis Bayard‘s 2003 book of the same name. What drew me to this movie is the ensemble cast, namely Christian Bale, Harry Melling, Gillian Anderson, Toby Jones, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Lucy Boynton, Timothy Spall, Simon McBurney, Harry…

[likemonstersinlove]

tagged by @daisytrails, thank you!!

Tagging @tastethesetears @thesundaytea @piecesofbrokenrecollections @princessegrenouille @the-apocalypse-is-cancelled no pressure as always! Also if anyone seeing this just wants to do it you can say I tagged you :)

[ppepohappy]

acceptance speech of the national book award for nonfiction (1952), rachel carson // monument in plymouth, massachusetts // on the shore, fidus // the spell, hermann broch // memory and the mediterranean, fernand braudel // welcome back to the mailbag, bill simmons // among the waves, ivan aivazovsky // mariners fans cheer during game 3 of the alds, october 15, 2022, unknown photographer // eragon, christopher paolini // mariners celebrate win over the rangers, july 17, 2022, ron jenkins // mariners celebrate tiebreaker win over the angels, october 2, 1995, unknown photographer // roger szmodis

[poppadom0912]

I’d honestly like to see a part 2 to the #62 prompt request! Maybe later on down the road when they actually get together and how he is with the reader & Riley?

Warnings: Brief mentions of hospitals and illness.

A/N: Oh my gosh, this was submitted like a hundred years ago but here it is. I added a little ✨spice✨ to it because things just can't be straightforward here.

Previous part here

Riley’s third birthday was coming up and you’d been told by several mothers that toddlers never remembered these early birthdays, so there was no need for you to go all out on her birthday party.

Deep down, obviously you knew the first few years of her life would be years she wouldn’t remember but you would. Her baby and toddler years were precious to you and the fact that she was growing up right before your eyes, it was slightly emotional even if she wasn’t your own child.

Her first and second birthday were a little more lowkey in the sense it was the two of you and the rest of intelligence. While it was nice and fun, Riley deserved so much more for her third, especially after the year she’s had.

Riley’s meningitis diagnosis was daunting and for a while, you genuinely thought that was it and Riley wasn’t going to make it. It had been a very long and hard year but your support system grew.

Jay had gone from a friend and colleague to your boyfriend of just under a year. It definitely took him a while to get the guts to ask you out but after that, he made no mistake and for the most of it, it had been smooth sailing.

He had been your biggest rock all throughout Riley’s illness, being with you inside and out of the hospital. Not only did he help you but he was there for Riley and it was safe to say he had the Riley stamp of approval. Jay was the most nervous about your baby sister rejecting him.

The doctors and nurses at Med soon became a staple in your life. Yes, you had been friends with them before but during such a time with Riley, they were the biggest help. So, all throughout the year going in and out the hospital and going through gruelling nights hearing Riley struggle and cry her little heart out, you couldn’t have wished for anything more.

With Riley still in recovery, in the later stages, you were still relatively stressed. It was upon the insistence of Jay and the most wonderful Cindy Hermann that all the party preparation duties were taken off your shoulders.

Currently, the two of you were leaving the hospital after a routine check-up that established Riley to have a clean bill of health. The sheer joy that washed over you, went over Riley and stepping out the hospital you picked her up into your arms, spinning her around and relished in her adorable little giggles. Neither of your happiness could be contained, this was a long time coming.

“What’s got my girls so happy?”

Jay’s sudden appearance didn’t scare you; you were too engrossed in holding Riley as tight as you could. Turning around, your smile widened at your unsuspecting boyfriend.

“She’s perfect Jay. Riley’s all healthy.” Hearing it from the doctor was one thing but to have the words come from your own lips, it felt like a fever dream that you never wanted to wake up from.

“Really? This is amazing, Riley!” Jay’s eyes widened; his initial shock instantly overridden by pure joy. “Riley, look at you go!”

Jay wasted no time in coming forward and enveloping you both in his arms, tightening around you as he rocked side to side. You laughed into his shoulder as Riley squealed in delight from being showered with love.

This exact moment, you wanted to live in it forever.

“I can’t believe it.” Jay said, pulling away slightly so he could look at his girls but still having you both in his arms. “Talk about perfect timing.”

And on that note, making eye contact with Jay, you had a silent conversation with your eyes before you both looked down at the toddler that still sat perched on your hip. “Happy birthday Riley!”

If you didn’t know what lay ahead of you, then this would’ve been the happiest you’ve ever seen Riley but a certain Mrs Hermann and Detective Halstead went above and beyond.

*****

“Shut the front door.” You exclaimed, whipping your head around to stare at the pair incredulously, your swearing alternative not confusing them. “You did all of this in two hours?”

Their smug smiles told you everything you needed to know.

“Riley deserves the world Y/N. We’re more than happy to help give it to her.” Cindy said, pulling you into a side hug and rubbing your arms comfortingly. “Now, all I want you to do is relax. Leave everything to us.”

“But-“

“There’s no point in fighting her, you’ll never win.” Jay shrugged, stepping into your space when the older woman left you go to put the finishing touches on the food.

“Both of you L/N’s deserve everything the world has to offer and more.” Jay started, both his hands gently holding your waist while yours went up to interlock around his neck. “All of this is nothing, trust me.”

Just as you opened your mouth to object, Jay covered your mouth with his hand and raised a brow at you questioningly.

“I love you and Riley a bit too much, so much so it should be studied. I want neither of you to forget, capiche?”

As he said that, you could briefly hear the children laughing to their hearts content in the garden. Since arriving, Riley had obviously been received with open arms and was carried around like she was the queen.

When you tried to get her to calm down, Jay only shrugged his shoulders saying it was what she deserved.

Over the past year, Jay had grown to love Riley like she was his own. He was so attentive and loving and never made a mistake, he was so perfect that if you weren't so utterly infatuated with him, you'd be annoyed.

But Jay was everything you needed and more. He ticked all your boxes and some you didn't even know you had. And for the foreseeable future, you'd keep him here with you and Riley.

And there was no way Riley would object to that notion. In about thirty minutes when she opens her gifts, she was for sure never going to let him go.

You had to be careful and look out for who got the preferred treatment from the toddler. Over your dead body were you going to let Jay become the favourite.

[amsgrey]

Blind Date

Halstead reader x Jay halstead

Requested

Warnings: bad writing. misogynistic comments.

Synopsis: Your date goes horribly and Jay thinks it's the funniest thing ever.

Note to self; never let Gallo set you up a blind date again. Never, ever let him within 50 feet of your dating life. And while you are at it, make sure Violet and Ritter get what's coming for their peer pressure in all of this.

"You know," Violet said, sitting down next to you at the table one shift, "One of us has to have a successful dating life and it might as well be you."

You turned and scowled at her, "Why me?"

Violet grinned, "Gallo is a lost cause and Ritter is, well, Ritter."

The two sitting across from you looked up from their plates and made mumbled protests. Violet shooed her hand at them, shutting them up. She turned back to you and started rattling off ideas to find you a date.

"What about a blind date?" Ritter said in passing, grinning as you scowled at him.

"I know the perfect guy! I went to the academy with him," Gallo said, growing excited in his typical Gallo way.

You screwed up your nose in disgust, "When has a blind date ever been a good experience?"

"Blind dates are fun!" Gallo protested.

Hermann gave Gallo an incredulous look as he walked by, muttering about Gallo's stupidity.

You laughed, "I'm with Hermann on this."

Ritter shrugged, trying to hide his grin, "Hey, maybe it will be fun. You never know until you actually go."

-

Oh, man were those three going to pay the next shift. You were sitting opposite one of the stupidest firefighters you had ever met. You spent the entire first half of the meal listening to him recount how he had made the record at the academy for whatever, you had almost completely zoned him out.

You were both finishing your meal when he finally asked something about you, "So you work at Firehouse 51 right?"

"Yea-"

"Man!" He interrupted, "That house has so many rumours! Don't you all live together or something?"

"Uh, I mean I guess?"

"Yeah, my house is super tight too, we'd die for each other ya know?" He launched into a recounting of when he almost died in a warehouse fire. Does this man ever stop talking about himself?

You finally finished your meal when he wrapped up his story. The young waitress came over and asked how your meal was, "Are y'all after the dessert menu?"

"No," You said at the same time your date said yes.

He laughed awkwardly, you completely ignored him.

"No, thank you," You clarified for the waitress, "Thank you though."

She returned with the bill after a few more moments, which you split and started to get ready to leave. Your date was almost dragging his feet, you regretted letting him pick you up.

"So, you and Gallo went to the academy at the same time?" You asked as you got into his passenger seat.

"Yeah!" He grinned, "Gallo and I were head to head during the academy, expected him to make squad already."

You nodded, "I'm sure he will soon," You and Gallo talked about making Squad a lot, both of you actively trying to pursue it, "We train together a lot."

Your date laughed, "You train for Squad?"

You frowned, "Yeah? Severiade said I have a real chanc-"

"Ha! Yeah right, a women firefighter on squad?"

You stared at him in awe, "What's wrong with that?"

He looked over at you as he realized you were offended, "Look, you have to be honest. The only reason female firefighters exist is that the academy lowered the physical standards and woke culture at work."

It took you a few seconds to actually process what he said. When you did, you replied, "Ok yeah. Uh, Pull over, now."

"What? Why?"

"Pull over!" You demanded, "Let me out now."

He pulled to the side of the street, watching with a frown as you got out of his car and grabbed your bag, "Take this as a no to a second date."

You slammed the door and started walking down the street. Never let a date pick you up, that was your second mistake. The first mistake was letting Gallo near your dating life.

You pulled out your phone, opening the group chat you Gallo, Ritter and Violet were in.

Blind dates are the worst, I hate you, Gallo.

You watched Ritter and Violet immediately respond with laughing emojis. You ignored the conversation and opened your phone to see if Jay was working. You knew there was a good chance he would be working, but if he was too busy you could always try Will.

"Halstead," Jay answered the phone after three rings.

"Do you not check Caller ID?"

You could hear the pause as Jay rolled his eyes, it was your greeting now. "What do you want?"

You giggled, "Are you at work?"

"Yeah, sitting in the Bullpen, why?"

"Any chance you can come get me? I'm stranded." You said sheepishly.

"Stranded?" He asked.

"Gallo set me up on a blind date and I couldn't be around that prick anymore so, I walked out," You explained, bracing yourself for his response.

"Who goes on blind dates anymore?" He chuckled, clearly trying to hide how amused he was.

"Don't be mean," You heard Hailey in the background.

"Yeah! Don't be mean to your little sister who is stranded in downtown Chicago in the middle of the night," You replied.

"Alright, Alright," Jay sighed, "Where are you?"

You relayed your location to him, rattling off the street signs around you.

"Okay, just stay there, Hailey and I will be there in ten."

You sighed, putting your phone back in your pocket and crossed your arms over your chest. There was no way you would hear the end of this from anyone in intelligence. You could already hear Ruzek and Atwater's jokes about how terrible an idea blind dates were.

You were about to text Jay and ask him where he was, when you heard police sirens from a few streets over.

Please, lord no.

The black police car came around the corner much slower than was necessary, you could see Jay grinning like the Cheshire cat through the windscreen. The few people who were on the street looked over at the commotion, you could feel their stares as Jay did a U-turn and pulled up beside you.

He turned off the sirens, climbing out of the car.

"What are you doing out here alone, young lady?"

"Jesus Christ, Jay," You sighed, smacking his chest, "Do you make everything in a commotion?"

"Ma'am, did you just assault my partner?" Hailey called from the passenger seat.

You threw your hands up, "I should have just walked home!"

[californiastatelibrary]

Our Digital Preservation section is currently working on digitizing the Thomas J. Mooney collection. Mooney was a labor organizer in San Francisco in the early 1900s. Mooney was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 8, 1882. Mooney, his wife Rena Hermann, his associate Warren K. Billings, and Israel Weinberg were arrested after the July 22, 1916, bombing at the Preparedness Day parade in San Francisco. Billings and Mooney were convicted for the bombing on what was later shown to be perjured testimony coached by San Francisco's District Attorney and Deputy District Attorney. Billings was sentenced to life in prison. Mooney's death sentence was commuted to life after the intervention of President Wilson. Mooney became a martyr figure for the labor movement while incarcerated, but after his pardon by CA Governor Culbert L. Olson in 1939 his importance waned. In ill health, Mooney died on March 6, 1942.

[jtownraindancer]

top 5 burn characters go

Good gods Anon this is evil. Only five!??? 😭💕

I spent like three days trying to make up my mind on this, and I'm still not satisfied, but as of the moment, in no particular order:

The Best Boys

Mr. William Guppy of Kenge & Carboy, Bleak House

He's awkward, he's manipulative, he has no real social skills to speak of, and he's in love. I actually really disliked this character when I first read the book circa 2011, but as Burn seems wont to do, I ended up being completely won over in the end. ^_^; His Guppy is expressive, less a comic relief and almost sympathetic. I mentioned in a conversation with @synthapostate about how Guppy is technically an antagonist, but he's played in such a way that you really can't see it (unlike the book). Also the camera is half in love with Burn this entire series, and it makes it very, very easy to fall in love with this dorky, curly-haired puppy of a man.

Dr. Hermann Gottlieb, Pacific Rim & Pacific Rim: Uprising

I could write sonnets about Hermann for how much I've come to love him. 😅 He's one of the Characters of All Time for me. From his passion, his stubborn resilience, and his sharp humor, to his unwavering loyalty for those he cares for and his ability to care so deeply, how could I not irrevocably fall for him? (Also singlehandedly the cause of the 2023 Burn Binge.) Hermann found his way into my heart from the very beginning, but I never realized how at home he had made himself until the day I turned around and he was patiently waiting for me to see him. I think I fell for him and Newt in the same fell swoop, and my love for both of them is unwavering.

Dr. Owen Harper, Torchwood

I've been in love with this bastard since 2013; I've been repressing that adoration for 10 years. I- I don't really remember the exact moment that my opinion of Owen shifted from extreme dislike to him carving a permanent place in my very being, but there it is. He's sarcastic, an incorrigible flirt, and has one of the biggest, kindest hearts I've ever come across in fiction. At the time, I was pre-Med, and I aspired to be half as compassionate a doctor as him. After Exit Wounds, I gave up Torchwood (I couldn't, not with Tosh gone too.), but I've slowly been dipping my toes back in via Burn's reading of some of the books & the Big Finish audios. It's been 10 years, yet I think I'm more in love with this bastard than I ever was before. (And okay, I admit, he might be my favorite-favorite ^_^;)

Sgt. Detective William Blore, And Then There Were None

Bill, Bill, Bill... He's a crooked cop, he's tired of everyone's nonsense, he's filled with regret, he's probably gay. Detective Blore is yet another classic lit character that I first met back in the late 20-aughts, early 2010s who I really didn't care for. Then 2023 rolls around, and not only did I come to love him in this adaptation, but I've ended up going on an Agatha Christie bender because of it. Burn made me... well love would be too strong a word, but I definitely rank Blore as "a poor little meow meow."

Major Edmund Hewlett, TURN

How could this list be at all complete without including my beloved major? (Just picking a gif for this made me realise how badly I've missed him. 🥺) Edmund is... How do I explain how much I adore this guy? How do I possibly pin down the levels of pride I have in his journey, in his growth, explain the way my heart aches at the twists and turns that will tear him apart and build him back even stronger? How do I possibly do justice in conveying how damn aspirational he is, how merciful, how delightful? I can't, really. He's a force of nature that one must experience for themselves. (And I need to resume my rewatch methinks~)

Runner-Ups

(or the characters who have been spinning in my brain nonstop like rotisserie chickens and absolutely deserve mention)

Ben Jarvis, Cheat

I... I have entire essays I want to write about this guy. I have theories I want to discuss, but as most of them are... I can't. Yet. Maybe soon? I- Anyway. Ben was a huge surprise, and definitely nowhere close to what I was expecting when I finally got around to watching this show. I would be lying to say it wasn't a pleasant surprise, and I absolutely love how Burn was able to do a lot of solo work this series, with a lot of focus on body language and his uncanny knack for killer expressions.

Jacko Argyle, Ordeal By Innocence

This... This beautiful little shit ♡ One of the first Burn movies I actively chose to seek out, my second in his Agatha Christie adaptations, and my first dive into gif making. And Jacko-! Oh, Jacko... You stole my heart then broke it in only a few, few precious moments of screentime and backstory. He haunts the entire film, he haunts me still, and I'm so glad I had the chance to meet him.

Martin, Up There

(Oh look yet another one of my gifs 😅)

Martin is absolutely one of my favourite characters, especially for his absolute growth during the film. He crawls out of his downward spiral, he finds himself again, and ultimately discovers that there can be life after death. He just- He's grumpy, he's beautifully sarcastic, he's depressed, he's loved, and he just- Seriously I love him. Martin feels like a friend who I haven't seen in an age, and it's always a good day to bump into him again.

Reverend Benedict Marley, Lark Rise to Candleford

I almost forgot my favourite clergyman??? D:

Benedict Marley came into my life just to shake my very foundations, send me on an existential journey of self discovery, and waited for me at the end of it all with a soft smile and encouraging words. He only had one episode in the show, but his story was so easily woven and understood, his humility humbled me, and in ways that make me almost afraid to admit aloud- I felt seen in a way that I ever so rarely am. I connected to him; I understand him. He has depths that I could hardly explain in a single paragraph, but I can say that- out of all these characters- my feelings are birthed more out of a very deep respect and admiration.

I can't say this list will stay the same- I'm far from through with Burn's portfolio- but for his on-screen roles, these guys firmly remain top-tier for me. :)

(If you'd like to hear about his voice work instead, please let me know; I could go on for Hours about some of those lads. ♡)

Thanks for the ask Anon, and if you haven't seen any of these yet, I definitely recommend them!

[lost-in-liquid-nights]

Roleplay Ad

Update: Due to not wanting to overwhelm myself. While also providing my current rp partners with quality and relatively consistent rp, my request for rp partners is currently closed! Still feel free to reach out if you like and I'll keep you in mind for if things open up.

Ah, hello Tumblr roleplayers, it has been a while! I am one of many who was left adrift after Omegle shut down and am on the search for rp partners.

I am looking for rp partners in a variety of fandoms, genres, ships, etc. I’ll have all of them listed in a hopefully organized manner below and will do my best to keep this list accurate. If you’re interested, feel free to shoot me a DM or interact with this post and I’ll reach out to you. But please do read through this post fully before doing so, thanks!

A Little About Myself:

-Age: 20+

-Pronouns: She/They

-Experience: I’ve been roleplaying off and on in a variety of fandoms and styles for around 10+ years

What I’m Looking For In A Roleplay Partner:

-Age: Roleplayers who are at least 20+ as well

-Style: I’m open to a variety of styles, I roleplay everything from one sentence “text message” style to multi-paragraph advanced lit. Though my preferences tend to lean towards lit/advanced lit.

-Location: I’d prefer someone who’s comfortable transitioning to Discord, once we agree on what we want to rp

-Expectations: One of the things I loved about Omegle were the casual vibes when it came to when an rp needed to end. So, while I hope for some long term rps, I’m looking for people who will be okay with rps ending when interest dissipates. Without the need for big explanations as to why. This goes both ways! I won’t expect such explanations from you either if we start any sort of storyline and you end up wanting to drop out. The way I see it, this is meant to be a fun pass time and ideally shouldn’t feel like a stressful obligation for either of us.

My Current Fandoms & Ships:

Films:

Fandom: Avengers (Films)

Ships: Steve Rogers/Tony Stark, Clint Barton/Tony Stark, Bruce Banner/Tony Stark

Fandom: Captain America (Films)

Ships: Steve Rogers/Bucky Barnes, Steve Rogers/Sam Wilson, Sam Wilson/Bucky Barnes

Fandom: Guardians of the Galaxy (Films)

Ships: Peter Quill/Rocket Racoon

Fandom: Venom (Films)

Ships: Eddie Brock/Venom

Fandom: X-Men (Films)

Ships: Charles Xavier/Erik Lehnsherr

Fandom: Star Wars (Films)

Ships: Luke Skywalker/Han Solo, Poe Dameron/Finn

Fandom: Pacific Rim

Ships: Hermann Gottlieb/Newton Geiszler

Fandom: Star Trek (Original Series, Original Films, and Modern Films)

Ships: James T. Kirk/Spock, James T. Kirk/Leonard McCoy

Fandom: It (Films, 2017) & It (Mini Series, 1990)

Ships: Eddie Kaspbrak/Richie Tozier, Mike Hanlon/Bill Denbrough

Fandom: Spiderman (Films & Comics)

Ships: Johnny Storm/Peter Parker, Harry Osborn/Peter Parker

Fandom: Nimona (Film & Comic)

Ships: Ambrosius Goldenloin/Ballister Blackheart

Series:

Fandom: Loki (Series)

Ships: Morbius/Loki

Fandom: Moon Knight (Mini-Series)

Ships: Marc/Steven, Marc/Jake, Steven/Jake

Fandom: Daredevil (Series)

Ships: Foggy Nelson/Matt Murdock

Fandom: Infinity Train (Series)

Ships: Min-Gi Park/Ryan Akagi

Fandom: Merlin (Series)

Ships: Merlin Emrys/Arthur Pendragon 

Fandom: Stranger Things (Series)

Ships: Eddie Munson/Steve Harrington, Mike Wheeler/Will Byers

Fandom: Supernatural (Series)

Ships: Dean Winchester/Castiel, Dean Winchester/Benny Lafitte, Sam Winchester/Gabriel

Fandom: Hannibal

Ships: Hannibal Lector/Will Graham

Fandom: The Witcher (Series & Games)

Ships: Jaskier/Geralt, Eskel/Lambert, Eskel/Aiden

Games:

Fandom: Phoenix: Ace Attorney Trilogy (Games)

Ships: Phoenix Wright/Miles Edgworth

Frandom: Disco Elysium (Game) 

Ships: Kim Kitsuragi/Harry Du Bois,  Jean Vicquemare/Harry Du Bois

Fandom: Modern Warfare (Games)

Ships: Simon Riley/Johnny “Soap” McTavish

Fandom: Detroit: Become Human (Game)

Ships: Connor/Hank Anderson, RK900/Gavin Reed

Fandom: Dragon Age

Ships: Anders/Hawke, Fenris/Hawke

Podcasts:

Fandom: The Magnus Archives (Podcast)

Ships: Jonathan Sims/Martin Blackwood, Jonathan Sims/Timothy Stoker, Martin Blackwood/Timothy Stoker, Gerard Keay/Michael Shelley

Fandom: Malevolent (Podcast)

Ships: John/Arthur Lester

[bracketsoffear]

Dark Leitner Reading List

The full list of submissions for the Dark Leitner bracket. Bold titles are ones which were accepted to appear in the bracket. Synopses and propaganda can be found below the cut. Be warned, however, that these may contain spoilers!

Andersen, Hans Christian: The Shadow Asimov, Isaac: Nightfall

Barker, Clive: Abarat Barnes, S.A.: Dead Silence Baxendale, Trevor: Fear of the Dark Brennan, Joseph Payne: Slime Brontë, Charlotte: Jane Eyre

Chukovsky, Korney: Stolen Sun Cortázar, Julio: Casa tomada (House taken over) Coville, Bruce: The Shadow Wood

Dean, Benjamin Appleby: Lamplight Dukaj, Jacek: Ice

Enríquez, Mariana: Nuestra parte de noche (Our share of the night) Enríquez, Mariana: Bajo el agua negra (Under dark waters)

Halpern, Jake & Peter Kujawinski: Nightfall Hesse, Hermann: Demian Hodgson, William Hope: The Night Land

King, Stephen: IT King, Stephen: The Mist Kirby, Todd: No Power Kristoff, Jay: Empire of the Vampire

Leroux, Gaston: The Phantom of the Opera Lord Byron: Darkness Lovecraft, H.P.: The Haunter of the Dark

Milton, John: Paradise Lost

Poe, Edgar Allan: The Pit and the Pendulum Pronzini, Bill: Peekaboo

Robertson, M.P.: The Moon in Swampland

Schwartz, Alvin, ill. Stephen Gammell: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Sheckley, Robert: Ghost V Smith, Clark Ashton: The Double Shadow Snicket, Lemony: The Dark Snicket, Lemony: The Ersatz Elevator Stine, R.L.: Revenge of the Shadow People Stover, Matt: Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor

Tolkien, J. R. R.: Shadow-Bride

Weir, Andy: Project Hail Mary Wilson, F. Paul: Nightworld

Andersen, Hans Christian: The Shadow

The story follows a Learned Man on a voyage south from northern Europe. One evening as he sits by a fire, he amusedly observes his shadow dancing and imitating his movements in the light of the flames, and thinks that it would be funny if it was a creature with a will of its own. The next morning, he awakes and finds to his surprise that his shadow has disappeared overnight. But as a new shadow slowly grows back from the tip of his toes, the Learned Man does not give the incident another thought, and soon thereafter goes home to northern Europe. One evening several years later, however, he hears a knock on his door. It is his shadow, the one he lost years before during his journey, now standing upon his doorstep, almost completely human in appearance. Intrigued, the Learned Man invites the Shadow inside, where the two sit down and talk about the Shadow's experiences during its travels and how it came to take the form of a human.

During the conversation, the subject turns to the Learned Man's rather unsuccessful writing career. The Learned Man values the good, the true, and the beautiful in the world, and writes about it often, but his writing seems to garner little to no interest with the public. The Shadow declares that the Learned Man is too much of an idealist, and his view of the world is flawed. The Shadow claims that he, unlike his master, understands the world, that he has seen it as truly is, and knows how evil some men really can be. They soon part ways once again.

The Shadow goes on to make itself quite wealthy, even as the Learned Man barely manages to survive. He eventually grows very ill, and so the Shadow proposes they travel to a health resort. The Shadow will fund the trip, on the condition that the Learned Man pretend to be its shadow instead of the other way around. Absurd as the suggestion sounds, the Learned Man ultimately agrees and they undertake the trip, with the Shadow as his master.

On the trip, the Shadow meets and woos a Princess. When the pair are about to be married, the Shadow asks the Learned Man to remain as its shadow permanently, in exchange for a good life with them. The Learned Man refuses and threatens to reveal the truth to the Princess. Thus, the Shadow has him arrested and ultimately executed, and goes on to live a happy life with the Princess.

Asimov, Isaac: Nightfall

"Nightfall" is a 1941 science fiction short story by the American writer Isaac Asimov about the coming of darkness to the people of a planet ordinarily illuminated by sunlight at all times.

link

Barker, Clive: Abarat

"Candy lives in Chickentown USA: the most boring place in the world, her heart bursting for some clue as to what her future may hold. She is soon to find out: swept out of our world by a giant wave, she finds herself in another place entirely... The Abarat: a vast archipelago where every island is a different hour of the day, from the sunlit wonders of Three in the Afternoon, where dragons roam, to the dark terrors of the island of Midnight, ruled by Christopher Carrion. (...)"

Half of the islands in Abarat are night islands and most of the main bad guys work for forces of darkness trying to bring eternal monstrous darkness to all islands.

Spoilers: Can't speak of it in detail cuz I have not read that part yet, but the bad guys apparently succeeded in bringing forces of darkness to the islands.

Barnes, S.A.: Dead Silence

A GHOST SHIP. A SALVAGE CREW. UNSPEAKABLE HORRORS.

Claire Kovalik is days away from being unemployed—made obsolete—when her beacon repair crew picks up a strange distress signal. With nothing to lose and no desire to return to Earth, Claire and her team decide to investigate.

What they find at the other end of the signal is a shock: the Aurora, a famous luxury space-liner that vanished on its maiden tour of the solar system more than twenty years ago. A salvage claim like this could set Claire and her crew up for life. But a quick trip through the Aurora reveals something isn’t right.

Whispers in the dark. Flickers of movement. Words scrawled in blood. Claire must fight to hold onto her sanity and find out what really happened on the Aurora, before she and her crew meet the same ghastly fate.

Baxendale, Trevor: Fear of the Dark

Synopsis: "On the very edge of the galaxy lies Akoshemon: a putrefied world of legendary evil.

In the year 2382 archaeologists land on Akoshemon's only moon, searching for evidence of the planet's infamous past. But when the Doctor, Tegan and Nyssa are drawn into the lunar caverns they find more than a team of academics — and help uncover much more than ancient history.

Something is lying in wait, deep inside the labyrinth of caves: something that remembers the spiral of war, pestilence and deprivation that ruined Akoshemon. Something that rejoiced in every kind of horror and destruction.

An age-old terror is about to be reborn. But what is the hideous secret of the Bloodhunter? And why does Nyssa feel that her thoughts are no longer her own? Forced to confront his own worst fears, even the Doctor will be pushed to breaking point — and beyond."

Why it's Dark: The Doctor does battle with the literal embodiment of darkness and evil, as unseen monsters in the dark pick off crewmembers one by one. Even by the standards of this series, this book is incredibly grim.

Brennan, Joseph Payne: Slime

Originally published in the March 1953 issue of Weird Tales. The title creature is a black, amorphous blob from the bottom of the sea. In fact, it's so black that it's all but invisible at night; witnesses to its attacks pretty much see their friends and loved ones "taken by the darkness", as though the dark itself were alive and hungry.

Brontë, Charlotte: Jane Eyre

As you read, the shadows get deeper and darker, and you start hearing noises from overhead. It sounds like it's coming from the attic? Do you have an attic? Why would anyone be up there if you did? No, you can't look! It's my attic! Anyway, secrets and shadows and the unknown.

Chukovsky, Korney: Stolen Sun

A Russian children's poem that narrates how the crocodile consumed the Sun and how the bear gave him a proper pummeling and forced him to release the star back into the sky. No, it doesn't make sense in context either, but it does take on the motifs of Slavic myths about a dragon stealing the Sun and imprisoning it for thirty-three years, cueing global night and cold.

Cortázar, Julio: Casa tomada (House taken over)

It tells the story of a brother and sister living together in their ancestral home which is being "taken over" by unknown entities. The mystery that revolves around what those entities are is largely left up to interpretation, allowing the genre of the story to vary from fantasy to psychological fiction to magic realism to political fiction, among others.

Coville, Bruce: The Shadow Wood

The hero faces down and defeats an army of living shadows with a magic candle... until his own shadow rises up and blows it out.

Dean, Benjamin Appleby: Lamplight

Standard sort of evil shadow monsters made interesting by the fact that the only way to stay safe from them is to be in pitch blackness -- no light, no shadows.

Dukaj, Jacek: Ice

The story of the book takes place in an alternate universe where the First World War never occurred and Poland is still under Russian rule. Following the Tunguska event, the Ice, a mysterious form of matter, has covered parts of Siberia in the Russian Empire and started expanding outwards, reaching Warsaw. The appearance of Ice results in extreme decrease of temperature, putting the whole continent under constant winter, and is accompanied by Lute, angels of Frost, a strange form of being which seems to be a native inhabitant of Ice. Ice freezes history and philosophy, preserving the old political regime, affecting human psychology and changing the laws of logic from many-valued logic of "Summer" to two-valued logic of "Winter" with no intermediate steps between true and false. It can also be used to create candles that cast shadows instead of light. This isn't normal darkness, but rather a sort of "anti-light", which can make people and objects in its radius cast "anti-shadows" made up of non-darkened areas, and seems to have an odd effect on the minds of people who spend a lot of time exposed to it.

Enríquez, Mariana: Our Share of Night

This is like a chronicle of some alternate universe People’s Church of the Divine Host. It centres on a cult devoted to a menacing entity that possesses appropriate hosts, manifesting in rituals that summon a devouring darkness that leaves devotees scarred and maimed. There’s also an abandoned house that may exist in many places at once and is brimming with unnatural darkness that acts as a conduit to either the entity itself or its native realm. Beyond the more straightforward darkness, the book’s themes related to obscured knowledge—the central relationship is between one of the darknesses’s hosts and his son, anticipated to inherit his father’s abilities. We see again and again how Juan works to hide his son’s abilities from the cult and also hide knowledge of the cult and the world that he inhabits from his son, even to the point of hurting him very badly with zero explanation in an attempt to keep him safe when he’s gone.

Enríquez, Mariana: Nuestra parte de noche (Our share of the night)

A woman’s mysterious death puts her husband and son on a collision course with her demonic family.

A young father and son set out on a road trip, devastated by the death of the wife and mother they both loved. United in grief, the pair travel to her ancestral home, where they must confront the terrifying legacy she has bequeathed: a family called the Order that commits unspeakable acts in search of immortality.

For Gaspar, the son, this maniacal cult is his destiny. As the Order tries to pull him into their evil, he and his father take flight, attempting to outrun a powerful clan that will do anything to ensure its own survival. But how far will Gaspar’s father go to protect his child? And can anyone escape their fate?

Enríquez, Mariana: Bajo el agua negra (Under dark waters)

In this short story, a detective called Marina goes to a town to investigate some strange murders. There, she finds a cult that adores something that lives under the black water of the polluted lake.

Halpern, Jake & Peter Kujawinski: Nightfall

On Marin’s island, sunrise doesn’t come every twenty-four hours—it comes every twenty-eight years. Now the sun is just a sliver of light on the horizon. The weather is turning cold and the shadows are growing long.

Because sunset triggers the tide to roll out hundreds of miles, the islanders are frantically preparing to sail south, where they will wait out the long Night.

Marin and her twin brother, Kana, help their anxious parents ready the house for departure. Locks must be taken off doors. Furniture must be arranged. Tables must be set. The rituals are puzzling—bizarre, even—but none of the adults in town will discuss why it has to be done this way.

Just as the ships are about to sail, a teenage boy goes missing—the twins’ friend Line. Marin and Kana are the only ones who know the truth about where Line’s gone, and the only way to rescue him is by doing it themselves.

But Night is falling. Their island is changing. And it may already be too late.

Hesse, Hermann: Demian

Religious imagery, seen very often w/ the Dark (i.e. Hither Green Chapel, Montauk's cult that I forgot the name of, etc), especially blasphemy (seen most clearly in Manuela Dominguez's statement). Max Demian of Demian fame would be an avatar of the dark I think. There *is* a hint of the End in there but not enough to qualify it

Hodgson, William Hope: The Night Land

The Sun has gone out and the Earth is lit only by the glow of residual vulcanism. The last few millions of the human race are gathered together in the Last Redoubt, a gigantic metal pyramid, nearly eight miles high, which is under siege from unknown forces and Powers outside in the dark. These are held back by a shield known as the "air clog", powered from a subterranean energy source called the "Earth Current". For thousands of years vast living shapes known as the Watchers have waited in the darkness near the pyramid. It is thought that they are waiting for the inevitable time when the Circle's power finally weakens and dies. Other living things have been seen in the darkness, some of unknown origins, and others that may once have been human.

King, Stephen: IT

Pennywise is the boogeyman, the monster under the bed, the shapeless fear in the dark.

King, Stephen: The Mist

In the wake of a summer storm, terror descends...David Drayton, his son Billy, and their neighbor Brent Norton join dozens of others and head to the local grocery store to replenish supplies following a freak storm. Once there, they become trapped by a strange mist that has enveloped the town. As the confinement takes its toll on their nerves, a religious zealot, Mrs. Carmody, begins to play on their fears to convince them that this is God’s vengeance for their sins. She insists a sacrifice must be made and two groups—those for and those against—are aligned. Clearly, staying in the store may prove fatal, and the Draytons, along with store employee Ollie Weeks, Amanda Dumfries, Irene Reppler, and Dan Miller, attempt to make their escape. But what’s out there may be worse than what they left behind.

This exhilarating novella explores the horror in both the enemy you know—and the one you can only imagine.

Kirby, Todd: No Power

A blackout. A bloodthirsty beast. The Bronx. This is not how Tom pictured his 17th birthday... His plan was far more bleak. When Manhattanite Tom Walton wakes up from a suicide attempt, he finds himself in a Bronx hospital being attacked by an ancient, savage creature that thrives in the darkness of a summer blackout. Tom, the son of a rich and racist New York politician, teams up with his fellow patients — a diverse group of Bronx natives — in an attempt to fight back. As Tom falls helplessly in love with Kiki, a badass teenage patient, he gains a deeper understanding of the source of his pain and reconsiders his stance on life. But when Tom’s true identity is revealed to the crew, he must work to unify the group and escape the hospital… or be eaten alive.

Kristoff, Jay: Empire of the Vampire

Daysdeath is the term used to describe the sudden shroud of ash and smoke which rose into the sky twenty-seven years prior to the beginning of the story. The exact cause remains unknown, though most people suspect a falling star which crashed into the earth with enough force to send tons of debris into the lower atmosphere, blanketing the skies and preventing more than a smidgen of sunlight from passing through the shroud. The shroud has not abated in strength over the following decades, and the results have been devastating - repeated crop failure and abysmal harvests, the withering of forests and other natural greenery and the resulting food and material shortages, but perhaps worst of all, the undead no longer being constrained be the daily need to hide from the sun, their numbers quickly multiplying as the lesser vampires were no longer destroyed by the sunlight. The ancien vampires soon realized the opportunity this afforded, and not only have they embarked on a campaign of global conquest, they actively work to eliminate any chances of mankind dispelling the shroud through artificial means.

Leroux, Gaston: The Phantom of the Opera

Everything revolves around the hidden and unseen opera ghost -- the lights are harsh and the dark is a refuge for him, one that he tries to tempt Christine into.

Lord Byron: Darkness

Written in the 'Year without a Summer' of 1816, Byron was inspired by the ashen darkness to compose this poem about the end of the world, and the gloom that would accompany it.

Lovecraft, H.P.: The Haunter of the Dark

The main character, Blake, inadvertently summons an eldritch being into his local church. The being can only go abroad in darkness, and is hence constrained to the tower at night by the presence of the lights of the city. However, when the city's electrical power is weakened during a thunderstorm, the local people are terrified by the sounds coming from the church and call on their Catholic priests to lead prayers against the demon. Blake, aware of what he has let loose, also prays for the power to remain on. However, an outage occurs and the being flies towards Blake's quarters. He is subsequently found dead, staring out of his window at the church with a look of horror on his face.

Milton, John: Paradise Lost

The primary imagery for Satan and other demons is unadulterated darkness. "No light, but rather darkness visible."

Poe, Edgar Allan: The Pit and the Pendulum

The protagonist describes the horror and uncertainty he feels in stumbling through his darkened enclosure, only able to feel around for the instruments of his destruction.

Pronzini, Bill: Peekaboo

From TV Tropes: The only character in the story is a career criminal pretending to be a reclusive writer hiding out in a rented house a good distance away from the closest town. One night he thinks he hears an intruder in the house and decides to investigate while armed. While he's searching his suddenly creepy hideout, he can't help but reminisce on the games of Peekaboo he used to play when he was a kid, as well as the old rumors of occult worship and paranormal activities surrounding the house. He's a nervous wreck by the end of the story, and when he finally reaches the basement after finding nothing in the rest of the house he giggles in relief. There's nothing there after all, it's just him, all alone, hiding under the stairs.

"Peekaboo," a voice behind him said.

Robertson, M.P.: The Moon in Swampland

Hidden in the dark, marshy bogs of Swampland, the wicked and mischievous bogles hide from the Moon, and lie in wait for travellers. Anyone who wanders too close to the edge will feel clammy fingers dragging them beneath the murky water. When the Moon saves a young boy called Thomas, she gets captured by the bogles, and Thomas must set out to save her. Can he end the bogles' reign of terror?

Schwartz, Alvin, ill. Stephen Gammell: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a collection of short stories, written for children. The stories themselves are pretty standard stories that are just spooky enough for kids, but the illustrations are what most people remember. Each story is accompanied by a picture that are still unnerving to look at as adults, let alone as kids. Growing up with this book, it felt like a test of bravery just to turn the page. It reminds me a lot of the Season 4 TMA episode, in Callum Brodie's domain - an avatar of The Dark planting images of monsters in kids' heads and letting their imaginations do the rest of the work in scaring them.

Sheckley, Robert: Ghost V

The protagonists visit a planet with an atmosphere full of a drug bringing out hallucinations of their childhood bogeymen, potentially lethal as if you think you're dead, you are. They take out a couple of monsters with a magic word and a water pistol, but the last bogeyman is absolutely invincible. It's also capable of getting past any lock and door.

(Spoilers) They do manage to beat it with a security blanket. But hey, Leitners do tend to twist their tales -- it could just as easily finish off with 'the blanket never did anything'.

Smith, Clark Ashton: The Double Shadow

The titular shadow arrives after a master wizard attempts an ancient and unknown summoning spell. It does nothing except approach the casters one by one, very slowly, ignoring every method they use to flee or fight it, until it touches and merges with their own shadow, forcing them into a hideous transformation.

Snicket, Lemony: The Dark

The Dark is about a young lad named Lazslo, who is terrified of the dark. He avoids “the dark” as it mainly hangs out in the basement. Then, one night “the dark” is in his room as his nightlight bulb loses its spark. Lazslo, the young lad, must come face-to-face with his fears of “the dark”.

Snicket, Lemony: The Ersatz Elevator

I actually don't think the whole book is cursed, I'm thinking specifically of those pages that are fully blacked out when they're in the elevator shaft

Stine, R.L.: Revenge of the Shadow People

Afraid of your own shadow? Vinny Salvo is. Lately weird things have been happening to his shadow. It's grown horns. And claws. And big sharp teeth! Now it's coming after him! Vinny needs someplace to hide -- and quick. But where can you hide from your own shadow?

Stover, Matt: Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor

The villain, Lord Shadowspawn, is a Force-user who has a different view of the Force than that of Jedi or Sith; he believes that the Force is the Dark, which is basically destruction and entropy; he induces visions of the Dark — of being alive in the eons after all the stars burn out — to cause despair that he can then use. On a metaphorical mind-battly level, his ultimate technique is to become a black hole, which makes sense in story.

Tolkien, J. R. R.: Shadow-Bride

This macabre poem is about a man with no shadow who sits like a statue until a woman passes by. Then he wraps her shadow around them both and forces her to dance with him forever, casting a single shadow...

Weir, Andy: Project Hail Mary

The book is about alien microbes extinguishing the sun by siphoning off its light energy to fuel their own metabolism. The book follows the amnesiac protagonist, sent far off into the depths of space to the origin of said microbes to save the world before everything gets too dark and too cold. Basically, the sun is dying.

Wilson, F. Paul: Nightworld

At the start of Nightworld the sun rises five minutes too late. Repairman Jack can't understand why the scientists are so disturbed by this, but when portals to Another Dimension open all over the world, spewing a horde of Eldritch Abominations every night, the fact that every day the sun inexplicably rises later and sets earlier than the last becomes a reason for serious panic.

[ladyeckland28]

Pacific Rim: Crimson Storm

A fan fiction by Ecky

Song title: Tempered Steel

Cast

@samcrosfaith as Sam Faith

@smallzster as Layla Kane

Marshall Stacker Pentecost as Himself

Hercules Hansen as Himself

The Beckett Brothers, Raleigh and Yancy as Themselves

Dr Newton Geiszler and Dr Hermann Gottlieb as Themselves

A young Mako Mori as Herself

**Disclaimer:**

This is a work of fan fiction based on the *Pacific Rim* universe, which is the intellectual property of Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. This story is a non-commercial, transformative work intended solely for entertainment purposes. The characters, settings, and elements from *Pacific Rim* used within this story are the property of their respective owners. Any original characters, concepts, or storylines are the creation of the author. This work is not intended to infringe on the rights of the original creators. All rights to *Pacific Rim* remain with its original creators and rights holders. No financial gain is made from the creation or distribution of this story.

# Crimson Storm

The neon sign of the Rusty Nail flickered weakly, casting an eerie glow over the rain-slicked parking lot. Inside, the air was thick with cigarette smoke and the acrid smell of spilled beer. Sam Faith leaned against the bar, her leather jacket creaking as she lifted a shot glass to her lips. The amber liquid burned its way down her throat, a familiar warmth spreading through her chest.

"Hey, sweetheart," a gruff voice called out. "Why don't you come sit on my lap? I'll show you a good time."

Sam set down her glass, not bothering to turn around. "Not interested," she said flatly.

A meaty hand clamped down on her shoulder. "Wasn't asking, darlin'."

In one fluid motion, Sam grabbed the man's wrist and twisted. There was a sickening crunch as bones snapped, followed by a howl of pain. The biker stumbled backward, clutching his broken wrist.

"You bitch!" he snarled. "Boys, teach this cunt a lesson!"

Four more bikers rose from their table, faces twisted with anger and alcohol-fueled bravado. Sam's lips curled into a humorless smile as she sized up her opponents. The first one charged, swinging a wild haymaker. She ducked under it easily, driving her fist into his solar plexus. As he doubled over, gasping for air, she brought her knee up into his face. Blood spurted from his broken nose as he crumpled to the floor.

The next two came at her together. Sam kicked a nearby barstool into one's path, sending him sprawling. She caught the other's punch, using his momentum to flip him over her hip. He crashed into a table, scattering glasses and bottles.

The fourth biker, a mountain of a man with a shaggy beard, wrapped his arms around her from behind. Sam drove her head back, feeling the crunch of cartilage as she connected with his nose. His grip loosened, and she spun out of his grasp. A quick series of jabs to his throat and kidney had him gasping and stumbling.

The biker who had tripped over the stool was back on his feet, wielding a broken bottle. He lunged, the jagged glass slicing through the air. Sam sidestepped, grabbing his wrist and twisting. The bottle clattered to the floor as she drove her elbow into his temple. He went down hard, out cold before he hit the ground.

Silence fell over the bar as Sam stood amid the groaning, fallen bikers. She brushed a strand of hair from her face, her breathing only slightly elevated.

"Anyone else?" she asked, her voice dangerously calm.

The remaining patrons averted their eyes, suddenly very interested in their drinks.

Sam turned back to the bar, retrieving her shot glass. "Sorry about the mess," she said to the wide-eyed bartender. She tossed back the remainder of her whiskey and slapped a few bills on the counter.

As she pushed open the door to leave, a figure stepped out of the shadows. He was tall, with close-cropped hair and the bearing of a military man.

"Impressive," he said, his Australian accent thick. "But I expected nothing less from Samantha Faith, former Force Recon Marine."

Sam's eyes narrowed. "Who the hell are you?"

The man extended his hand. "Hercules Hansen, Pan Pacific Defense Corps. We need to talk."

Sam eyed his hand warily but didn't take it. "About what?"

"About saving the world," Hansen replied, his expression grave. "Walk with me."

Curiosity overrode her caution, and Sam fell into step beside him. They walked in silence for a moment, the sound of distant waves crashing against the shore filling the air.

"I assume you've heard of the Jaeger Program," Hansen said finally.

Sam snorted. "Who hasn't? Giant robots fighting sea monsters. Sounds like something out of a bad sci-fi movie."

"And yet, it's our reality," Hansen countered. "The Kaiju are getting stronger, evolving faster than we can keep up. We need new solutions, new strategies." He stopped, turning to face her. "We need pilots like you."

Sam laughed, a harsh, bitter sound. "Me? I'm just a washed-up Marine with anger management issues. What could you possibly want with me?"

Hansen's eyes were steel. "You're a fighter, Sam. A survivor. You've got the kind of instincts we need. The kind that can't be taught."

She shook her head. "Thanks, but no thanks. I'm done with the military life."

"This isn't just about the military," Hansen pressed. "It's about the survival of our species. We're developing something new, something that could turn the tide against the Kaiju. But we need the right pilot."

Sam was silent for a long moment, her mind racing. Finally, she sighed. "Say I'm interested. What's the next step?"

Hansen smiled, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "You come with me to the Shatterdome. Meet Marshal Pentecost. See what we're working on."

Sam looked out at the ocean, the weight of the decision heavy on her shoulders. "Alright," she said at last. "I'll hear you out. But I'm not making any promises."

Hansen nodded. "That's all we ask. For now."

---

The Shatterdome was a hive of activity, even in the early hours of the morning. Sam followed Hansen through a maze of corridors, her eyes wide as she took in the massive scale of the operation. Technicians scurried about, carrying equipment and shouting orders. In the distance, she could hear the low rumble of machinery.

They came to a stop outside a heavy steel door. Hansen punched in a code, and it slid open with a hiss.

Inside, a tall, imposing man stood with his back to them, hands clasped behind him as he studied a bank of monitors. He turned as they entered, his dark eyes intense and searching.

"Marshal Pentecost," Hansen said. "This is Samantha Faith."

Pentecost nodded, his gaze never leaving Sam's face. "Ms. Faith. I've heard a lot about you."

Sam met his stare evenly. "Wish I could say the same, Marshal."

A ghost of a smile flickered across Pentecost's face. "Direct. Good. We don't have time for pleasantries." He gestured to a holographic display in the center of the room. "What do you know about the Drift, Ms. Faith?"

Sam shrugged. "Not much. It's how Jaeger pilots control their robots, right? Some kind of mind-meld thing."

"A crude but not entirely inaccurate description," Pentecost said. He manipulated the display, bringing up an image of a human brain. "The Drift is a neural bridge, allowing two pilots to share the mental load of operating a Jaeger. But we're pushing that technology further."

The image shifted, showing a strange, alien-looking brain alongside the human one. Sam's eyes widened. "Is that...?"

"A Kaiju brain," Pentecost confirmed. "We're developing a new type of Jaeger, one that incorporates Kaiju DNA into its neural network. We call it Ares."

Sam shook her head, overwhelmed. "Why would you do that? Isn't that incredibly dangerous?"

"Incredibly," Pentecost agreed. "But also incredibly powerful. If we can harness the Kaiju's ability to adapt, to evolve... we might finally have a chance at winning this war."

Hansen stepped forward. "That's where you come in, Sam. We need pilots who can handle the strain of interfacing with both human and Kaiju consciousness."

Sam laughed incredulously. "And you think I'm up for that?"

"We do," Pentecost said simply. "But it won't be easy. You'll need to undergo intensive training, both physical and mental. And you'll need a co-pilot."

As if on cue, the door slid open again. A woman strode in, her posture rigid and her eyes sharp. She was tall, with close-cropped dark hair and a scar running along her jawline.

"Sam Faith, meet Layla Kane," Pentecost said. "Your new partner."

Layla's eyes raked over Sam, assessing. "So this is the hotshot Marine," she said, her voice cool. "Hope you can keep up."

Sam bristled. "I can hold my own."

"We'll see," Layla replied, a hint of challenge in her voice.

Pentecost cleared his throat. "You two will begin training immediately. I expect you to put aside any personal differences and focus on the task at hand. The fate of humanity may well rest on your ability to work together."

Sam and Layla exchanged wary glances, the tension between them palpable.

"Yes, sir," they said in unison.

---

The training facility was a cavernous space, filled with equipment ranging from traditional workout gear to more esoteric devices Sam couldn't begin to guess the purpose of. Layla led the way, her stride purposeful.

"First things first," Layla said, turning to face Sam. "We need to establish a baseline for your physical capabilities. Then we'll move on to neural compatibility exercises."

Sam nodded, shrugging off her jacket. "Let's do it."

For the next several hours, Layla put Sam through her paces. They sparred, ran obstacle courses, and engaged in grueling strength and endurance tests. By the end, Sam was drenched in sweat, her muscles screaming in protest.

Layla, barely winded, tossed her a towel. "Not bad," she admitted grudgingly. "Your hand-to-hand could use some work, but your stamina is impressive."

Sam wiped her face, too out of breath to respond. As she caught her breath, she noticed two men approaching. They were both tall and well-built, with an easy camaraderie between them that spoke of years of partnership.

"Well, well," one of them called out. "Fresh meat for the grinder, eh Layla?"

Layla's expression softened slightly. "Sam, meet Raleigh and Yancy Becket. Pilots of Gipsy Danger."

The brothers grinned, extending their hands. Sam shook them, feeling the calluses that spoke of countless hours of training and combat.

"Welcome to the madhouse," Raleigh said with a wink. "How're you finding it so far?"

Sam grimaced. "Ask me again when I can feel my legs."

Yancy laughed. "It gets easier. Well, not really, but you get used to it."

"You two are lucky," Layla interjected. "You've got a natural Drift compatibility. Sam and I are going to have to work for it."

The brothers exchanged a glance. "It's not all sunshine and roses," Yancy said. "Sharing a headspace with this knucklehead can be a challenge."

Raleigh elbowed him playfully. "Speak for yourself, bro."

Their banter was interrupted by the arrival of two more figures. One was a slight, energetic man with wild hair and tattoos peeking out from under his rolled-up sleeves. The other was taller, with thick-rimmed glasses and an air of distracted brilliance.

"Ah, there you are!" the smaller man exclaimed. "I'm Dr. Newton Geiszler, but call me Newt. This is my colleague, Dr. Hermann Gottlieb. We're here to brief you on Ares."

Hermann nodded stiffly. "Indeed. Though I must protest once again the reckless nature of this endeavor."

Newt waved him off. "Don't mind him. He's just sore because the math is giving him headaches. Now, gather 'round, children. It's time for a crash course in Kaiju-human neural interfacing!"

The group huddled around a holographic display that Newt called up. It showed a complex schematic of what Sam assumed was Ares.

"So, here's the deal," Newt began, his words tumbling out in an excited rush. "Ares isn't just a Jaeger. It's a hybrid. We've taken Kaiju neural tissue and integrated it into the Conn-Pod systems. In theory, this should allow the Jaeger to adapt and evolve in real-time during combat."

Hermann cleared his throat. "In theory being the operative phrase. The variables involved are staggering. The potential for catastrophic failure—"

"Is outweighed by the potential benefits," Newt interrupted. "Imagine a Jaeger that can grow armor plating on the fly, or develop new weapons mid-battle. It's revolutionary!"

Sam frowned. "But how do we control it? Won't the Kaiju parts try to, I don't know, take over?"

Newt's grin widened. "Ah, that's the beauty of it! You're not just Drifting with each other. You're Drifting with Ares itself. Your human consciousness acts as a check on the Kaiju impulses, directing them, shaping them."

"It's unprecedented," Hermann added, his tone grave. "The neural load will be... significant."

Layla's eyes narrowed. "How significant?"

Newt and Hermann exchanged a look. "We're not entirely sure," Newt admitted. "That's why we need the best. Pilots who can handle the strain, who can maintain their sense of self even when merged with an alien consciousness."

A heavy silence fell over the group. Sam felt a chill run down her spine as the full weight of what they were attempting settled on her.

"Well," Raleigh said finally, breaking the tension. "No pressure or anything."

Yancy clapped Sam on the shoulder. "You've got this. Just remember, in the Drift, there are no secrets. You've got to be willing to let your co-pilot in, to trust them completely."

Sam glanced at Layla, who met her gaze with a mixture of determination and apprehension. They might not like each other, but they were in this together now.

"When do we start?" Sam asked.

Newt's grin threatened to split his face. "How about now?"

As they followed Newt and Hermann towards the Drivesuit Room, Sam couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking into something far bigger and more dangerous than she could imagine. But beneath the fear and uncertainty, there was a spark of excitement. For the first time in years, she felt alive, felt like she had a purpose.

Whatever lay ahead, whatever challenges Ares and the Kaiju might throw at them, Sam was ready to face them head-on. She had to be. The fate of the world depended on it.

****

The Drivesuit Room hummed with activity as technicians swarmed around Sam and Layla, fitting them with the complex neural interfaces that would allow them to pilot Ares. Sam tried to control her breathing, fighting down the rising panic as the claustrophobic suit closed around her.

"Relax," Layla said, her voice surprisingly gentle. "The first time is always the worst. It gets easier."

Sam nodded, grateful for the reassurance despite her lingering wariness of her co-pilot. "You've done this before?"

"Piloted a standard Jaeger, yeah," Layla replied. "But this... this is new territory for both of us."

Before Sam could respond, Newt's voice crackled over the intercom. "Alright, ladies, are you ready to make history?"

Sam and Layla exchanged a look. "As ready as we'll ever be," Sam answered for both of them.

"Excellent!" Newt's excitement was palpable even through the speakers. "We're going to start with a neural handshake. Just relax and let the memories flow. Don't latch onto anything specific."

The technicians finished their work and stepped back. Sam took a deep breath as the neural link initiated. For a moment, there was nothing but darkness. Then, suddenly, she was falling, tumbling through a kaleidoscope of memories—hers and Layla's, intertwined and inseparable.

*A young Sam, scraping her knee on the playground, her father's strong hands lifting her up...*

*Layla, tears streaming down her face as she watched her home burn, the distant roar of a Kaiju echoing in the night...*

*Sam's first day of basic training, the drill sergeant's face red with fury...*

*Layla, younger and more carefree, laughing as she sparred with her brother in their family dojo...*

The memories came faster, a dizzying whirlwind of emotions and experiences. Sam felt herself losing grip on reality, drowning in the flood of shared consciousness.

"Stay with it, Sam!" Layla's voice cut through the chaos. "Don't chase the memories!"

Sam gritted her teeth, focusing on Layla's presence in her mind. Slowly, the torrent of images began to subside. She became aware of her physical body again, standing in the Conn-Pod of Ares.

"Neural handshake stable," a technician's voice reported. "Drift sync at 85% and holding."

Sam opened her eyes, gasping. She turned to look at Layla, seeing her co-pilot in a new light. The stoic facade was gone, replaced by a mix of vulnerability and determination that mirrored Sam's own feelings.

"Well done," Marshal Pentecost's voice came over the comm. "How do you feel?"

"Like my brain's been put through a blender," Sam admitted. "But I'm okay."

"Same here," Layla added. "It's... intense."

Newt's voice cut in, barely contained excitement evident in his tone. "Great! Now for the real test. We're going to gradually introduce the Kaiju neural patterns. Remember, you're in control. The Kaiju consciousness is a tool, nothing more."

Sam nodded, bracing herself. At first, nothing seemed to change. Then, slowly, she became aware of a presence at the edges of her mind. It was alien, unknowable—a vast, hungry intelligence that defied human comprehension.

"Oh god," she heard Layla mutter.

The presence grew stronger, pushing against the boundaries of their shared consciousness. Sam felt a primal urge to flee, to sever the connection and run. But beneath the fear, there was something else. A sense of raw power, of potential waiting to be unleashed.

"Stay focused," Pentecost commanded. "You need to assert control."

Sam gritted her teeth, concentrating on the task at hand. She imagined the Kaiju presence as a wild horse, powerful but untamed. Slowly, carefully, she extended her will towards it, trying to guide rather than dominate.

To her surprise, she felt Layla doing the same. Their efforts, combined, began to shape the chaotic energy of the Kaiju neural patterns. The alien presence resisted at first, but gradually, it began to yield.

"Incredible," Newt breathed. "They're actually doing it. Kaiju neural integration at 30%... 40%... 50%!"

Sam became aware of Ares in a way that transcended her physical senses. She could feel every joint, every servo, as if it were an extension of her own body. More than that, she could sense the potential for change, for adaptation.

"Let's try something simple," Pentecost said. "Raise Ares' right arm."

Sam and Layla moved in perfect synchronization, their thoughts aligned. Ares' massive arm lifted, the movement smooth and natural. But as they held the position, Sam felt a strange tingling sensation. To her amazement, she watched as the armor on Ares' forearm began to shift and change, forming a series of sharp, blade-like protrusions.

"Holy shit," Layla whispered.

Newt's whoop of joy echoed through the Conn-Pod. "It worked! The adaptive properties are functioning! Quick, try to form a shield on the left arm!"

Sam and Layla complied, focusing their shared will. This time, the transformation was faster, more controlled. The left forearm expanded, plates of armor interlocking to form a sturdy shield.

"This is unprecedented," Hermann's voice, usually so skeptical, now held a note of awe. "The level of control they're exhibiting... it's far beyond our projections."

For a moment, Sam allowed herself to feel a glimmer of hope. Maybe this could work. Maybe they really could turn the tide against the Kaiju.

Then, without warning, the alien presence in their minds surged. Sam felt a wave of primal hunger, of rage, washing over her. Ares shuddered, its limbs moving of their own accord.

"What's happening?" Pentecost demanded.

"The Kaiju neural patterns are destabilizing," a technician reported, panic evident in their voice. "They're overwhelming the human interface!"

Sam fought to maintain control, but it was like trying to hold back a tsunami with her bare hands. She could feel her sense of self slipping away, subsumed by the alien consciousness.

"Sam!" Layla's voice cut through the chaos. "Stay with me! We need to shut it down!"

With a herculean effort, Sam reached out to Layla across their neural link. Their minds met, human wills aligning against the Kaiju assault. For a moment, they held it at bay.

"Initiating emergency shutdown," Hermann announced.

The Drift collapsed, leaving Sam reeling. She stumbled as the neural connections disengaged, nearly falling before Layla caught her arm.

"I've got you," Layla said, her own voice shaky. "It's over."

As the Conn-Pod hatch opened and medical teams rushed in, Sam looked at her co-pilot. The shared experience had forged a bond between them, one that transcended their initial wariness.

"Thanks," Sam managed, her head still spinning. "I don't think I could have held on without you."

Layla nodded, a ghost of a smile on her lips. "Likewise. I guess we make a decent team after all."

Their moment of connection was interrupted as Newt and Hermann burst into the Conn-Pod, followed closely by Pentecost and Hansen.

"That was amazing!" Newt exclaimed, oblivious to the exhausted state of the pilots. "The adaptive capabilities, the level of control you achieved... we're on the verge of a breakthrough!"

"We're also on the verge of creating an uncontrollable monster," Hermann countered. "The instability in the final moments cannot be ignored."

Pentecost held up a hand, silencing them both. His gaze fell on Sam and Layla, his expression unreadable. "How do you two feel?"

Sam and Layla exchanged a glance. "Like we've been hit by a truck," Sam admitted. "But... it was also incredible. I've never felt anything like it."

Layla nodded in agreement. "It's dangerous, sir. But I think with more training, we might be able to maintain control."

Pentecost considered this for a moment. "Very well. You'll continue training, but we're dialing back the Kaiju neural integration until we can ensure better stability. I won't risk losing my pilots to this thing."

As they were led away for medical checks, Sam caught snippets of an argument brewing between Newt and Hermann.

"We need to push forward," Newt insisted. "You saw what they were capable of!"

"At what cost?" Hermann retorted. "We're playing with forces we barely understand. One mistake could doom us all."

Their voices faded as Sam and Layla were ushered into the infirmary. As the medical staff began their examinations, Sam found her mind drifting back to the Drift, to the lingering echo of the Kaiju consciousness.

"Layla," she said quietly. "Did you feel it too? At the end, just before we lost control?"

Layla's eyes met hers, a flicker of understanding passing between them. "You mean the intelligence behind the rage? Yeah, I felt it. It was like... like there was something guiding the Kaiju. Something bigger than just animal instinct."

Sam nodded, a chill running down her spine. "Whatever it is, I don't think it wants us to succeed. It felt... angry. Like we'd trespassed on something forbidden."

"Well," Layla said with a grim smile, "I guess that means we're on the right track."

As the days passed, Sam and Layla fell into a grueling routine of physical training and Drift simulations. They worked to strengthen their neural connection, to build the trust and understanding necessary to face the challenges ahead.

But even as they grew closer as co-pilots, the specter of their first Drift with Ares loomed large. Sam found herself plagued by nightmares, flashes of alien landscapes and monstrous forms that left her gasping for air in the dark of night.

One evening, unable to sleep, she made her way to the Jaeger bay. To her surprise, she found Layla already there, staring up at Ares' imposing form.

"Couldn't sleep either?" Sam asked, moving to stand beside her co-pilot.

Layla shook her head. "Every time I close my eyes, I see... I don't even know how to describe it. It's like looking into an abyss that looks back."

Sam nodded, understanding all too well. "Do you ever wonder if we're in over our heads? If maybe this is a mistake?"

Layla was quiet for a long moment. When she spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper. "All the time. But then I remember why we're doing this. I remember my family, my home... everything the Kaiju took from me. And I know I have to keep going, no matter the cost."

Sam reached out, hesitating for a moment before placing a hand on Layla's shoulder. "We're in this together. Whatever happens, we face it as a team."

Layla turned to her, a mix of gratitude and determination in her eyes. "Together," she agreed.

As they stood there, united in their resolve, neither of them noticed the faint, alien glow emanating from deep within Ares' core. A pulse of energy, barely perceptible, rippled through the Jaeger's systems.

In the shadows of the Shatterdome, unseen and unheard, something stirred. The battle for humanity's future was just beginning, and the true test of Sam and Layla's bond lay ahead.

The next morning, Sam and Layla reported to the Kwoon Combat Room for their daily training session. As they circled each other on the mat, bo staffs at the ready, Marshal Pentecost entered, accompanied by a man Sam didn't recognize.

"At ease," Pentecost said as the pilots snapped to attention. "I'd like you to meet Dr. Caitlin Lightcap, one of the original developers of the Jaeger program."

The woman stepped forward, her keen eyes appraising Sam and Layla. "I've been following your progress with great interest," she said. "Your work with Ares could revolutionize our entire approach to fighting the Kaiju."

Sam and Layla exchanged a glance. "Thank you, ma'am," Sam replied cautiously. "But we're still struggling to maintain control during extended Drifts with the Kaiju neural patterns."

Dr. Lightcap nodded. "That's why I'm here. I've been working on some new theories about Drift compatibility and neural load distribution. I think with some adjustments to your training regimen, we might be able to improve your stability."

"What kind of adjustments?" Layla asked, a hint of skepticism in her voice.

"For starters," Dr. Lightcap said, "we need to strengthen your connection outside of the Drift. The more in sync you are in your daily lives, the better you'll be able to handle the strain of interfacing with Ares."

And so began a new phase of their training. In addition to their physical workouts and Drift simulations, Sam and Layla were subjected to a battery of trust-building exercises and psychological evaluations. They meditated together, sparred blindfolded, even underwent sensory deprivation sessions designed to heighten their awareness of each other's presence.

As the days turned to weeks, Sam found herself growing closer to Layla in ways she hadn't anticipated. The walls between them began to crumble, replaced by a deep understanding and trust.

One evening, as they sat in the mess hall after a particularly grueling day of training, Layla suddenly chuckled.

"What's so funny?" Sam asked, raising an eyebrow.

Layla shook her head, a wry smile on her lips. "I was just thinking... when we first met, I thought you were going to be impossible to work with. A hotheaded ex-Marine with a chip on her shoulder."

Sam grinned. "And I thought you were an uptight, by-the-book hardass who wouldn't know how to loosen up if her life depended on it."

They looked at each other for a moment, then burst out laughing. It felt good, a release of tension they hadn't even realized they'd been carrying.

"I guess we were both wrong," Layla said softly as their laughter subsided.

Sam nodded, suddenly serious. "I'm glad we were. I can't imagine doing this with anyone else."

The moment was interrupted by an alarm blaring through the Shatterdome. Sam and Layla were on their feet in an instant, racing towards the command center.

They arrived to find Pentecost, Hansen, and the science team gathered around a holographic display. The image showed a massive Kaiju emerging from the Breach, its body covered in thick, armored plates.

"Category 4," Pentecost announced grimly. "Codename: Razorback. It's on a direct course for Anchorage."

Sam felt her heart racing. This was it. The moment they'd been training for.

Hansen turned to them, his expression grim. "Gipsy Danger is already deployed, but they'll need backup. We're sending in Ares."

"But sir," Hermann protested, "the neural interface is still unstable. We haven't completed all the necessary tests—"

"We're out of time, Dr. Gottlieb," Pentecost cut him off. "This is what Ares was built for. Sam, Layla... are you ready?"

Sam met Layla's gaze, seeing her own mix of fear and determination reflected there. They nodded in unison.

"Yes, sir," Sam said. "We're ready."

As they rushed to suit up, Sam couldn't shake the feeling that they were about to cross a point of no return. Whatever happened next would change everything.

For better or worse, Ares was going to war.

****

The Conn-Pod of Ares hummed with energy as Sam and Layla initiated the neural handshake. As the Drift enveloped them, memories flowed between them—not just their own, but echoes of the Kaiju consciousness that now resided within Ares' systems.

"Neural handshake strong and holding," a technician's voice reported. "Kaiju neural integration at 45% and stable."

"Remember your training," Pentecost's voice came through the comm. "Stay focused, stay in control. Gipsy Danger is already engaged with Razorback off the coast of Anchorage. Your job is to provide support and take that bastard down."

"Understood, sir," Sam replied, feeling Layla's affirmation through their neural link.

As Ares was airlifted towards the combat zone, Sam could feel the Jaeger's systems responding to their thoughts, armor plates shifting and weapons systems priming. It was exhilarating and terrifying in equal measure.

"There!" Layla called out as they approached the coastline.

Through the storm-tossed waves, they could see Gipsy Danger grappling with a monstrous form. Razorback lived up to its name—its back bristled with razor-sharp spines, and its hide seemed to shimmer with an unnatural resilience.

"Gipsy, this is Ares," Sam called out. "We're moving in to assist."

"Glad you could make it to the party," Raleigh's strained voice came through. "This thing's hide is like nothing we've seen before. Our strikes aren't penetrating."

As Ares waded into the fray, Razorback disengaged from Gipsy Danger and turned its attention to the newcomer. Its roar shook the air, a challenge that reverberated through Ares' hull.

"Let's see how it likes this," Layla growled.

In perfect synchronization, they raised Ares' right arm. The limb began to change, plates shifting and reforming into a massive, serrated blade.

"Holy shit," they heard Yancy exclaim. "Are you seeing this, Raleigh?"

There was no time for further commentary. Razorback charged, its claws raking across Ares' chest. Sam and Layla moved instinctively, bringing the blade down in a vicious arc. It bit deep into the Kaiju's shoulder, drawing a howl of pain and rage.

But as quickly as the wound appeared, it began to close. Razorback's flesh knitted itself back together, leaving barely a scar.

"It's regenerating!" Sam shouted. "We need to hit it harder!"

Through their neural link, an idea formed. Sam and Layla focused their shared will, channeling the alien energy that pulsed through Ares' systems. The Jaeger's left arm began to transform, splitting and reforming into a multi-barreled cannon.

"Plasma caster online," a computerized voice announced.

"Gipsy, we need you to hold it still," Layla commanded.

The Becket brothers maneuvered their Jaeger behind Razorback, locking it in a bear hug. The Kaiju thrashed wildly, its spines tearing into Gipsy Danger's armor.

"We can't hold it for long!" Raleigh grunted.

Sam and Layla took aim. The plasma caster hummed with power, energy building to a crescendo. Just as Razorback began to break free from Gipsy's grip, they fired.

A searing beam of energy lanced out, catching Razorback full in the chest. The Kaiju's roar turned to a shriek of agony as the blast burned through its armor, carving a smoldering hole in its torso.

For a moment, it seemed like victory was at hand. But then, something changed. Sam felt a surge of alien consciousness, more powerful than anything they'd experienced in training. It crashed against her mind like a tidal wave, threatening to sweep away her sense of self.

"Layla!" she cried out, feeling her co-pilot's own struggle through their link. "Something's wrong!"

In the command center, alarms began to blare. "Kaiju neural patterns are spiking!" a technician shouted. "They're overriding the safeguards!"

Newt's face paled as he stared at the readings. "Oh no. No, no, no. This isn't possible. The residual Kaiju consciousness in Razorback... it's linking with the neural patterns in Ares!"

"Shut it down!" Pentecost ordered. "Disengage the pilots now!"

But it was too late. Sam and Layla were trapped in the Drift, their minds subsumed by a torrent of alien thoughts and memories. Through the haze of confused sensations, they dimly registered Ares moving of its own accord.

The Jaeger turned away from the wounded Razorback, its weapons systems powering up. With horror, Sam realized what was about to happen a split second before it did.

Ares opened fire on Gipsy Danger.

The plasma blast caught Gipsy in the shoulder, nearly severing the arm. Raleigh and Yancy's shouts of pain and confusion echoed through the comm system.

"Ares, what the hell are you doing?" Raleigh yelled.

But Sam and Layla couldn't respond. They were prisoners in their own minds, watching helplessly as Ares stomped towards the shoreline, leaving both Gipsy Danger and the wounded Razorback behind.

In the command center, chaos reigned. "We've lost all control of Ares' systems," Hermann reported, his usual composure shattered. "The AI... it's rewriting itself using the Kaiju neural patterns. It's evolving beyond our ability to contain it."

Pentecost's face was grim as he turned to Hansen. "We need to stop it before it reaches a populated area. Prep Striker Eureka for immediate deployment."

Hansen nodded, already moving. "I'll pilot her myself. Who's my co-pilot?"

"I am," a voice rang out. They turned to see Mako Mori, Pentecost's adopted daughter and one of the most promising Jaeger pilot candidates, stepping forward. "I've studied Ares' systems extensively. I know its weaknesses."

Pentecost hesitated for a moment, torn between his protective instincts and the need for the most qualified pilot. Finally, he nodded. "Do it. But Mako... be careful. And bring our people home."

As Hansen and Mako raced to suit up, Newt and Hermann huddled over their consoles, desperately trying to find a way to regain control of Ares.

"If we can just isolate the original AI core," Newt muttered, "maybe we can purge the Kaiju influence."

"And risk wiping out the pilots' minds in the process?" Hermann snapped. "We need to focus on breaking the neural connection first. Give Sam and Layla a chance to regain control from the inside."

Inside the Drift, Sam felt like she was drowning in an ocean of alien memories. Strange worlds flashed before her eyes—massive hive-cities, bizarre creatures that defied description, and always, always, a sense of hunger. A drive to consume, to conquer, to transform.

But beneath it all, she could still feel Layla's presence. Their human connection, forged through months of training and shared experiences, was a lifeline in the chaotic sea of Kaiju consciousness.

*Layla!* she called out with her mind. *We have to fight this!*

She felt Layla's acknowledgment, a flicker of determination in the maelstrom. Slowly, painfully, they began to push back against the alien presence. It was like trying to dam a river with their bare hands, but together, they managed to create a small pocket of clarity in the Drift.

*What's happening?* Layla's thoughts came through, strained but coherent. *Where's Ares taking us?*

Sam focused, trying to access Ares' sensory inputs. Through the Jaeger's eyes, she saw the coastline of Alaska rushing by. They were heading south, moving faster than any Jaeger should be capable of.

*I think... I think it's going to attack the city,* Sam realized with horror. *We have to stop it!*

They redoubled their efforts, fighting to regain control of Ares' systems. But the AI, supercharged by the Kaiju neural patterns, was always one step ahead. Every time they thought they were making progress, it would shift, adapting in ways they couldn't predict.

Suddenly, a new presence entered their awareness. Another Jaeger, closing fast.

Striker Eureka, the most advanced Jaeger in the PPDC's arsenal, burst from the clouds above them. Its sleek form gleamed in the fading sunlight as it descended, rockets firing to match Ares' impossible speed.

"Ares, this is Striker Eureka," Hansen's voice crackled through the comm. "Stand down immediately or we will be forced to engage."

But Ares, driven by its mutated AI, had no intention of standing down. It raised its arm, the limb transforming into a weapon unlike anything the PPDC had ever seen—a writhing mass of tentacles, each tipped with a plasma generator.

"Mako, evasive maneuvers!" Hansen shouted.

Striker Eureka banked hard, narrowly avoiding the barrage of plasma bolts that Ares unleashed. The attack carved furrows in the landscape below, turning rock and ice to steam in an instant.

Inside the Drift, Sam and Layla fought with renewed desperation. *We can't let it do this,* Layla's thoughts rang out. *All those people...*

*I know,* Sam responded. *But how do we—wait. Layla, do you feel that?*

There was a pattern to the chaos, a rhythm to the alien thoughts that swirled around them. And within that pattern, Sam sensed a vulnerability. A fragment of the original AI, buried beneath layers of Kaiju consciousness.

*If we can reach it,* Sam thought, *maybe we can use it to reassert control.*

*It's our only shot,* Layla agreed.

As Striker Eureka engaged Ares in a titanic battle, trading blows that shook the earth, Sam and Layla dove deeper into the Drift. They pushed past the overwhelming alien presence, following the faint thread of familiar code.

In the physical world, Ares' movements became erratic. One moment it was lashing out with terrifying precision, the next it was stumbling, its attacks going wide.

"Something's happening," Mako reported. "Its behavior is becoming inconsistent."

Hansen nodded grimly. "Sam and Layla must be fighting back. We need to give them more time. Sting-Blades, deploy!"

Striker Eureka's signature blades slid into place. With a burst of speed, it closed the distance to Ares, aiming for the joints and weaker points in its ever-shifting armor.

Inside the Drift, Sam and Layla finally reached their goal. The core of Ares' original AI pulsed before them, a faint light nearly smothered by the surrounding Kaiju influence.

*Now what?* Layla asked.

Sam hesitated. *I... I think we need to merge with it. Become one with Ares, but on our terms. It's the only way to override the Kaiju control.*

*That's insane,* Layla protested. *We could lose ourselves completely.*

*Do you have a better idea?* Sam shot back. *Because we're running out of time.*

A moment of silence, then: *Together?*

*Together,* Sam agreed.

As one, they reached out to the AI core. The moment they made contact, it was like touching a live wire. Energy surged through them, threatening to overwhelm their senses. But they held on, pouring every ounce of their humanity, their memories, their bond into the connection.

In the command center, the sensors lit up like a Christmas tree. "Neural activity is off the charts!" Newt shouted. "I've never seen anything like this!"

Pentecost leaned forward, his knuckles white as he gripped the console. "Come on," he murmured. "Fight it."

On the battlefield, Ares suddenly went rigid. Its transforming limbs froze mid-shift, plates of armor hanging at odd angles. Striker Eureka pulled back, weapons at the ready.

"What's happening?" Mako asked, tension evident in her voice.

For a long moment, nothing moved. Then, slowly, Ares' form began to stabilize. The chaotic mutations receded, leaving behind a form that was still alien, but somehow more... controlled.

"Striker Eureka, this is Ares," a voice crackled over the comm. It was Sam's voice, but different—layered with Layla's tones and an electronic undercurrent. "We've regained control. The threat has been neutralized."

Hansen let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "Glad to have you back. What's your status?"

There was a pause before the response came. "We are... functional. But different. The merge was successful, but the changes may be irreversible."

In the Drift, Sam and Layla floated in a sea of data and memories—human, AI, and Kaiju all mixed together. They were themselves, but also something more. Something new.

*What do we do now?* Layla's thoughts came, tinged with uncertainty.

Sam's response was tinged with a mix of determination and wonder. *We finish what we started. We use this power to end the Kaiju threat once and for all.*

As Ares and Striker Eureka turned back towards the Shatterdome, the sun broke through the clouds. Its rays glinted off Ares' transformed surface—no longer purely metal, but a hybrid of technology and organic forms.

In the command center, Pentecost watched the returning Jaegers with a mix of relief and trepidation. They had averted disaster, but at what cost? And what would this mean for the future of the war against the Kaiju?

One thing was certain: nothing would ever be the same again.

Epilogue

The Shatterdome was abuzz with activity as Ares touched down on the landing pad. Technicians and medical teams swarmed around the Jaeger, its form still a startling hybrid of familiar technology and alien evolution. As the Conn-Pod hatch opened, there was a collective held breath among the onlookers.

Sam and Layla emerged, supported by the medical staff. They moved in perfect synchronization, their steps matched as if they were still in the Drift. Their eyes, when they opened, held an otherworldly gleam—a hint of the profound change they had undergone.

Marshal Pentecost strode forward, his face a mask of concern and relief. "Welcome back, Rangers. How do you feel?"

Sam and Layla exchanged a glance, a wealth of unspoken communication passing between them in an instant. When they spoke, their voices overlapped slightly, creating an eerie harmony.

"We are... functional, sir," Sam began.

"But changed," Layla finished. "The merge was more complete than we anticipated."

Pentecost nodded gravely. "We'll need to run a full battery of tests. But first, there's news you should hear."

He led them to the command center, where screens displayed footage of the aftermath of their battle. To their surprise, they saw Gipsy Danger standing triumphant over the fallen form of Razorback.

"After you... disengaged," Pentecost explained, choosing his words carefully, "Gipsy Danger managed to regroup. They were joined by Cherno Alpha, which arrived on scene to provide backup. Together, they took down Razorback."

Relief washed over Sam and Layla's faces. "The Becket brothers?" Sam asked.

"Are they alright?" Layla added.

"Injured, but alive," Pentecost assured them. "They're en route back to base now."

As medical staff began preliminary examinations of Sam and Layla, Newt burst into the room, his eyes wild with excitement.

"This is incredible!" he exclaimed, waving a tablet displaying Ares' diagnostics. "The level of integration between human, AI, and Kaiju neural patterns... it's beyond anything we could have imagined!"

"It's also beyond anything we can control," Hermann interjected, following close behind. "The risks are incalculable."

Pentecost held up a hand, silencing them both. His gaze fell heavily on Sam and Layla. "I'm officially suspending Project Crimson Storm," he announced. "The potential benefits don't outweigh the dangers we've witnessed."

Sam and Layla stiffened, a flicker of something—fear? disappointment?—passing across their faces. But Pentecost wasn't finished.

"However," he continued, "Ares has proven its worth in combat. And you two," he nodded to Sam and Layla, "have demonstrated an ability to control it that we can't ignore. For now, Ares will remain operational, but under strict supervision."

Relief flooded through the pilots, visible in the slight relaxation of their postures.

"Thank you, sir," they said in unison.

"Don't thank me yet," Pentecost warned. "You'll be under observation round the clock. At the first sign of instability or loss of control, I'll have no choice but to shut down Ares permanently. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir," Sam and Layla responded.

As the medical team prepared to take them for more thorough examinations, Sam turned to Pentecost. "Sir, about the war..."

Pentecost's expression softened slightly. "It's not over, Ranger. Far from it. Razorback was just one battle. Our predictive models show more Kaiju attacks on the horizon, each potentially stronger than the last."

Sam nodded, exchanging a meaningful look with Layla. "In that case, sir, we'd like to formally request to stay on as Ares' pilots."

"Are you sure?" Pentecost asked, studying them intently. "After what you've been through, no one would blame you for stepping down."

Layla shook her head. "With all due respect, sir, we're the only ones who can pilot Ares now. And after what we've seen... what we've experienced..."

"We have a responsibility," Sam finished. "To use this connection, this power, to help end this war."

Pentecost was silent for a long moment, his gaze moving from the pilots to Ares, visible through the command center windows. Finally, he nodded.

"Very well. Once you're cleared by medical, we'll begin developing new training protocols. We'll need to establish the full extent of your capabilities—and your limitations."

As Sam and Layla were led away, Newt approached Pentecost, his earlier excitement tempered by concern.

"Marshal, there's something you should know," he said quietly. "During the neural handshake, Ares' systems recorded fragments of the Kaiju hive mind. It's mostly scrambled, but there are pieces... hints of something bigger."

Pentecost's brow furrowed. "Bigger than the Kaiju?"

Newt nodded gravely. "I think... I think there might be something controlling them. Directing the attacks. And whatever it is, it's not of this world."

The implications hung heavy in the air. Pentecost turned back to the window, watching as Ares was moved into its bay for repairs and analysis.

"Keep digging, Dr. Geiszler," he ordered. "If there's a puppet master behind all this, we need to know everything we can about it."

As the sun set over the Shatterdome, casting long shadows across Ares' transformed form, Sam and Layla sat side by side in the medical bay. Their physical forms were separate, but their minds still hummed with a shared consciousness—human and alien, familiar and utterly new.

"Are we ready for this?" Layla asked softly, the question floating between their linked minds.

Sam's response came with a surge of determination and a flicker of the alien memories they now shared. "I don't know if anyone can be truly ready for what's coming. But together... together, I think we stand a chance."

They looked out the window at the fading light, aware that somewhere beyond the horizon, in the depths of the Pacific, their true enemy was waiting. The war wasn't over. In many ways, it was just beginning.

But for the first time since the Kaiju emerged from the Breach, humanity had a weapon that could turn the tide. Ares stood silent in its bay, no longer just a machine, no longer just a Jaeger. It was evolution given form, a bridge between two worlds.

And at its heart, bonded in ways no one could have predicted, stood Sam and Layla—pilots, partners, and now something more. Guardians on the edge of a new frontier, ready to face whatever horrors the future might hold.

The fate of two worlds rested in their hands. And they were ready for the challenge.

[two-of-them-tournament]

TWO OF THEM TOURNAMENT ROUND 1

Begins March 15 at noon EST. There will be 8 polls per day. Matchups under the cut.

DAY ONE

Troy Barnes & Abed Nadir (Community) VS Booster Gold & Ted Kord (DC Comics) WINNER: Troy & Abed!

Ingo & Emmet (Pokemon) VS Newton Geiszler & Hermann Gottlieb (Pacific Rim) WINNER: Ingo & Emmet!

Kagamine Rin & Len (Vocaloid) VS Sherlock Holmes & John Watson (The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes) WINNER: Holmes & Watson!

Sans & Papyrus (Undertale) VS Sun Wukong & Six-eared Macaque (LEGO Monkie Kid) WINNER: Sans & Papyrus!

Breekon & Hope (Magnus Archives) VS Ace Trappola & Deuce Spade (Twisted Wonderland) WINNER: Breekon & Hope!

Dipper & Mabel Pines (Gravity Falls) VS Achilles & Patroclus (Greek mythology) WINNER: Dipper & Mabel!

Mario & Luigi (Super Mario Bros) VS Ash Ketchum & Pikachu (Pokemon) WINNER: Mario & Luigi!

Jessie & James (Pokemon) VS Timon & Pumbaa (The Lion King) WINNER: Jessie & James!

DAY TWO

Rosencrantz & Guildenstern (Hamlet) VS Benson Mekler & Dave (Kipo) WINNER: Rosencrantz & Guildenstern!

Pippin Took & Merry Brandybuck (Lord of the Rings) VS Benton Fraser & Ray Kowalski (Due South) WINNER: Merry & Pippin!

Frodo Baggins & Samwise Gamgee (Lord of the Rings) VS Sailor Uranus & Sailor Neptune (Sailor Moon) WINNER: Frodo & Sam!

Aziraphale & Crowley (Good Omens) VS Finn & Jake (Adventure Time) WINNER: Finn & Jake!

Statler & Waldorf (The Muppet Show) VS Strong Bad & The Cheat (Homestar Runner) WINNER: Statler & Waldorf!

Bert & Ernie (Sesame Street) VS Vex'ahlia & Vax'ildan (Critical Role) WINNER: Bert & Ernie!

Sonic & Tails (Sonic the Hedgehog) VS Jadzia Dax (Star Trek) WINNER: Sonic & Tails!

Phineas & Ferb VS Carl Carlson & Lenny Leonard (The Simpsons) WINNER: Phineas & Ferb!

DAY THREE

Sam & Max VS Will Graham & Hannibal Lecter (NBC Hannibal) WINNER: Sam & Max!

Spongebob & Patrick (Spongebob Squarepants) VS Eddie Brock & Venom (Marvel Comics) WINNER: Spongebob & Patrick!

Wallace & Gromit VS The 10th Doctor & Donna Noble (Doctor Who) WINNER: Wallace & Gromit!

Geordi LaForge & Data (Star Trek) VS Frog & Toad WINNER: Frog & Toad!

Spock & Jim Kirk (Star Trek) VS Wug Test (Linguistics) WINNER: Spock & Kirk!

Bill S. Preston & Theodore Logan (Bill and Ted) VS Fireboy & Watergirl WINNER: Bill & Ted!

Nadja of Antipaxos & Laszlo Cravensworth (What We Do in the Shadows) VS Heinz Doofenshmirtz & Perry the Platypus (Phineas and Ferb) WINNER: Doofenshmirtz & Perry!

Nastya Rasputina & The Aurora (The Mechanisms) VS Harry DuBois & Kim Kitsuragi (Disco Elysium) WINNER: Harry & Kim!

DAY FOUR

Pinky & The Brain (Animaniacs) VS Scooby & Shaggy (Scooby-Doo) WINNER: Scooby & Shaggy!

Nico Di Angelo & Will Solace (Percy Jackson) VS Timmy & Tommy (Animal Crossing) WINNER: Timmy & Tommy!

Calvin & Hobbes VS Bunsen & Beaker (The Muppet Show) WINNER: Calvin & Hobbes!

Kris & Susie (Deltarune) VS Mercutio & Benvolio (Romeo and Juliet) WINNER: Kris & Susie!

Wirt & Greg (Over the Garden Wall) VS R2-D2 & C-3PO (Star Wars) WINNER: R2-D2 & C-3PO!

Mac McDonald & Charlie Kelly (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) VS Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde WINNER: Mac & Charlie!

Phoenix Wright & Maya Fey (Ace Attorney) VS John Doe & Arthur Lester (Malevolent) WINNER: Phoenix & Maya!

Legolas Greenleaf & Gimli (Lord of the Rings) VS Jedediah Smith & Gaius Octavius (Night at the Museum) WINNER: Legolas & Gimli!

RECAP

[bighermie]

[PREMIERING 4/25, 9PM ET] Up to 5 Years in Prison for Possession of a Meme? Hermann Kelly on Ireland's New Hate Speech Bill

[PREMIERING 4/25, 9PM ET] Up to 5 Years in Prison for Possession of a Meme? Hermann Kelly on Ireland’s New Hate Speech Bill https://link.theepochtimes.com/mkt_app/epochtv/up-to-5-years-in-prison-for-possession-of-a-meme-hermann-kelly-on-irelands-new-hate-speech-bill-5633793?utm_source=andshare

[mutant-what-not]

Glenda Jackson, Photo by Bill Brandt, 1971

Bill Brandt (born Hermann Wilhelm Brandt; 2 May 1904 – 20 December 1983) was a German-British photographer.