Pacific Rim: The Official Movie Novelization by Alex Irvine

human neurons.
    After that, the only thing left to do was Drift.
    But first Newt thought he would grab a quick bite to eat. He knew this would be a huge strain on his mind, and he wasn’t dumb enough to ignore the effects of fatigue on the human body. At least not all the time.
    He went to the fridge and dug around in it until he had half a salami and cheese sandwich, some German potato salad, and a bag of baby carrots that belonged to Hermann.
    Newt sat down back by his cobbled-together Pons. He was proud of himself. Not too many people could have done what he’d just done.
    And once he finished breakfast, he was going to be the first human being in history to Drift with an alien brain.

PAN PACIFIC DEFENSE CORPS
J-TECH PROJECT UPDATE
    GIPSY DANGER UPGRADE PROGRESS
    JANUARY 2, 2025
    The project of restoring and upgrading Gipsy Danger is complete. An updated list of improvements follows.
UPGRADED REACTOR SHIELDING
Restored plasma reservoirs for both cannons
Overhauled initiation protocols for plasma cannons, reducing warmup delays by 15%
Integrated post-Mark III advances in Conn-Pod interface technology
Restored and updated hydraulics and neuromuscular assemblies, resulting in faster reaction times and increased endurance
Restored painted insignia
Chain Sword installed and fully integrated into neurocommand systems
Other minor improvements in aesthetics and functionality
Reactor fuel rods replenished and coolant circulation system rebuilt
New venting system installed for improved reactor efficiency and venting of waste heat
Escape mechanisms tested and components updated per most recent PPDC specifications
    Thorough vetting of upgrades demonstrates complete integration into existing circuitry undamaged during Gipsy Danger's last combat deployment. Tendo Choi has observed vetting and simulations, and is in agreement with this assessment.
    Screening of potential Drift partners for Raleigh Becket is complete. Five candidate finalists have been briefed and are prepared for physical trials in the Kwoon as soon as Becket is cleared to meet them.
PERSONAL ASIDE
    This candidate strenuously objects to being removed from the list of finalists.
    Submitted by Mako Mori on behalf of the Gipsy Danger Upgrade Team
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10
    RALEIGH HIT THE MESS HALL AT FIVE-THIRTY sharp, figuring on a quick bite that would leave him time to warm up before the trials. He wasn’t a big breakfast eater as a rule, but this morning he was starved. He was going to have to be careful not to stuff himself and then be groggy when it was time to fight.
    The mess hall was the product of the same mold as the mess halls in every other military and pseudo-military facility all over the world. Serving area along one wall with trash cans and a counter at the far end. Through an open window Raleigh could see the kitchen crew energetically washing dishes. The main floor area was taken up with long tables set parallel to each other.
    Even this early in the morning, most of the tables were occupied. Each Jaeger crew appeared to have a designated spot. The Wei triplets were accompanied by the syncopated thump of their ever-present basketball as they carried trays with one hand and dribbled between the three of them with the other. The Russians, a few tables over, had brought along their soundtrack. Ukrainian hard house rumbled and boomed from a portable speaker set in the middle of their table. Raleigh didn’t see Mako, and he hadn’t yet met any of Gipsy Danger’s crew, so he wasn’t sure where to sit.
    He’d just decided to find a spot at an empty table when he heard Herc call out to him.
    “Raleigh! Come with us. Plenty of food on our table.”
    Herc was coming from the serving area, and Raleigh fell into step with him. He couldn’t believe the bounty on Herc’s tray, it was a feast compared to what he’d been used to over the last five years of ration cards in Alaska.
    “Haven’t seen bread in ages,” he said, picking up a piece from Herc’s tray. It was