Neon Genesis Evangelion: Horizon of Eternity
by Bardic

AUTHOR's NOTE: I wrote this fic a few years ago(with Kurisuchan as my penname) and sadly never got to finish it. Who knows, I might finally get on with the story.

Disclaimer: Neon Genesis Evangelion belongs to Gainax and Hideaki Anno. This is simply a piece of fanfiction based on the series. There, I hope I made myself clear about that...

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Prologue: Whispers in the Dark

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The land was desolate; the remainder of what used to be a flowing grassland now mile upon mile of cracked, reddish brown earth baking in a desert-harsh sun. Hawks and other birds-of-prey wheeled under an almost ironic, beautiful and bright blue sky, filling the air with lonely hunting cries as they searched for food. Yet at several thousand feet above the ground the land was a picture of perfect serenity. The colored earth ran flat and unbroken except for the crescent hill formation in the area, as well as the man-made complex nestling within its shade.

A brittle stillness that was bound to be shattered.

Within the next few seconds a bright red point of light bloomed from the heart of the base, brilliant enough to be seen pulsing as far as where the camera was.A few moments later that point grew into a red dome that covered the entire structure. There was one more moment to see that fierce explosion before the reception broke into static noise.

"This was truly a terrible loss." The deep voice came from the darkness as soon as the footage was turned off.

"Indeed. Not only was Unit 04 the prototype for the further development of the mass production models; we also needed to see what the project's results were to decide if it was worth adding to the others." another voice drifted from the darkness.

Out of the dark five colored panels suddenly appeared as the men behind them began the discussion for this particular meeting.

"Not only that, but the total cost of creating the Second Branch in America combined withthe amount spent to create Unit 04 and the cost of the experiment is almost worth the recent extensive repairs on all three units that Gendou Ikari has."

Silence descended for a moment as the facts settled in. "Were there no other data or materials salvaged from the Second Branch?" another question came from a different man.

"The biggest loss was White Slave. All related materials and data regarding it and the project was lost, including any possible test data. All we have with us are the project's design plans and the theoretical results. Given these there is no possible way for us to replicate the project within our time constraints." answered one member.

"The findings of Unit 04's preliminary testing is the same as what we got for the others, and that was reportedly the only thing that they were able to do. The loss of personnel is hardly an issue. All the important people are either in NERV's main or with us."

"Not to mention that the data of the S2 engine replication system in Germany is already with us." another added."Our engineers are already into it, but what they say is that is still the best model they have seen so far, with the exception of the engine used by the angels."

"A scenario we truly did not anticipate." One of the men mused. "Will this affect the project's schedule?"

"Aside from the possible implemetation of Unit 04's experimental features, there is little by way of effect.White Slave was only the prototype after all; its purpose has already been served. As for the rest, we would have to wait and see."

Once again, silence descended as the members of SEELE pondered on the additional information given. Onename was suddenly growled by a member.

"Ikari."

"We have no proof as of yet. However, investigations are currently in progress. Besides this and Unit 01's acquisition of an angel's S2 engine, as well as the successful return of its pilot; those are the current hindrances he poses to us."

"As well as the acquisition of the remodelled Eva 03." added another member. "It left for Tokyo 03 just this morning from the Experimental Test Facility in America and is due sometime this afternoon, along with the newly selected Fourth Child."

As if on queue another screen opened within the dark confines of the meeting place, showing an Evangelion unit very similar to the previous Eva 03 as it was being readied for airborne transfer. "It is almost a surprise that the Americans had it ready merely three weeks after the orignal Eva 03 had been destroyed. Since then they set the former test pilot of the original Unit 03 as its official pilot and began extensive pilot training." the man with the thin voice said. The screen shifted from the Eva to a slim, blonde girl wearing a black plug suit. She was standing behind the railing of some building, apparently gazing at the far away horizon. Her name was flashed under the screen, including a short description.

"Faye Sarra Neumann." one of the members said, reading the girl's name aloud. "Selected by the Marduk Institution as the new Fourth Child shortly after the original was rendered useless. Besides, given everything it would have been almost impossible to convince the original Fourth Child to forgetall that happenedand pilot again, even if he could." The man paused for a moment before continuing. "Apparently, the First Branch in America refused to send her along with the original Eva 03 because they needed her to test the other Evangelion units America was currently developing." He barked a short laugh. "Now it's no wonder why the Americans were so vehement in blocking the movement for the production of Evangelion 06. They had Eva 03, Eva 04, and the Eva unit scrapped from the previous attempt to create Eva 04 as backup, which was now converted to that Unit."

The screen shifted again from the girl to the Eva.

"Nevertheless, the possession of this Unit won't be much of a problem for us. Unlike the completed Unit 4, this Evangelion was not installed with an S2 engine. Besides, from the data that our informants were able to gather, it seems that the pilot is still below that of those in Tokyo 03. Although she has spent a lot of time as a test pilot, her combat training was not extensive."

"Then she would be useful in helping delay the angels long enough for us to take a hand." the man with the deep voice said. "How long is our estimate for the project's completion?"

"Three hundred and sixty four days." answered the thin-voiced member. "Anything else would include unnecessary risk."

"Then it is up to this council to oversee the project to make sure it does succeed." the deep-voiced man concluded. "This meeting is at an end. Be assured that another meeting will be called if anything that needs our attention comes up."

With that the screen and the five colored panels winked out, leaving behind a darkness that was more ominous than before.

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Horizon of Eternity Prologue
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