Author Note: I kinda butchered some of the early timeline but I had to make some of the stuff work for the fic. Please forgive me.
Disclaimer: I do not own Evangelion or anything related to it. I only write stuff.
NERV Priority Transmission Log 0925629H-98
Encryption Code: X-Ray
Public Key: Cole/execBeta/
From: Dr. Ritsuko Akagi M.D., Ph.D., Head of the NERV Tokyo-3 Science Department, NERV Japan
To: Commander Gendo Ikari, Commander-in-Chief of NERV, aboard the NERV Shuttle Endeavor exiting NERV Luna Base
Subject: Unit-01 Activation Test Results and Analysis
Classification: Restricted (Eyes Only)
/start transmission/
Commander,
As per your orders, the Science Division and I have started looking into the data relating to the Third Child and the recent Unit-01 Activation Test. The results are as follows (although I do advise further synch tests to gauge the pilot's innate ability to synch with the EVA):
Initial Synch Ratio: Bordering between an initial 40~43% at first synch.
The Initial Synch Ratio was surprising given that the subject has not even reached puberty. Further tests including exclusion of the plugsuit is recommended. Pushing the borderline up should work since the mental contamination during initial synch was an inconsequential value.
Conclusion: The Third Child is to be submitted to further testing.
Psych Evaluation: Subject was denied a psych evaluation as per the NERV Commander's orders.
I do hope you know what you're doing to the subject.
Conclusion: No available data.
Physical Evaluation: Subject has been cleared with a clean bill of health.
Despite being healthy enough, I have already advised the facility trainers to begin the Third Child for intense combat training; this is to ensure a bleed-effect1 into EVA piloting.
Conclusion: Subject unfit for active duty; direct intervention necessary.
The other data gathered is attached to the message. I hope to again study the Third Child in a month's time; this time on-site if possible.
Attachment: Encryption /E
/end transmission/
Press ENTER to open linked attachments.
06-06-2009
"Good evening Third Child. It seems you are taking the augmentations rather well."
The young boy, no more than 8 years old, could not answer back. For presently, he was strapped down on a gurney with a gag over his mouth. A series of tubes ran down along his arms. The tubes were connected to a machine that was pumping a series of chemicals into his bloodstream. The strain of the operation was evident by the mask of pain that adorned his face.
"I heard it was your birthday today, Third Child. As per orders, your gift from the commander is an augmented eye."
The man's feral grin only served to drive the boy into hysteria as a robotic surgical arm descended from the upper levels of the operation room. The arm extended; flexing its joints as it moved with surgical precision. A needle as large as a finger was attached to appendage by a short, stocky medical assistant. Before he could protest, the boy's head was abruptly snapped back down as a pair of hands secured his forehead and jaw to the gurney using straps. He was facing towards the ceiling as two thin hooks were used to keep his left eye open. The pain of the piercing was nothing compared to the horror that followed. The now needle-equipped arm was summarily positioned above the center of his eye. Before it could descend, he tried to wiggle his head left and right but to no avail. The straps were too tight. He tried moving the eye about but the advanced paralytic agent rendered him unable to move consciously. Soon the agent was in full effect. Locomotion was denied to him but the pain still remained. The Professor had always told him that pain was meant to be felt to measure a man's worth. Right now, he imagined he was worth millions. The needle descended and began to bore into the eye. The boy could only shout in his mind as waves of pain began racking his frame and his body took the punishment lying down as if the pain were non-existent. Before he passed out, he heard the Professor mutter.
"Happy Birthday, Shinji."
08-16-2009
"Alright Third Child, today we are activating EVA Unit-01. It is a Test-Type model; regardless the Commander has deemed it fit to see the procedures first hand. Do you have any questions?"
The boy merely shrugged and began donning his neural interface plugsuit. The A-10 clips, while not yet perfected, were also put on. The plugsuit was an unremarkable gray; testament to NERV Luna Base's military background. A pair of handlers flanked him as he was escorted to the entry plug loading bay. A pair of blast doors hissed open and he was greeted by the sight of a hundred technicians floating about. Unit-01's entry plug was situated in the middle of all the chaos. Casually pushing off the ground, the Third Child propelled himself to the open hatch. A solitary technician was waiting to seal him in. With a slight nod to the waiting tech, the Third Child slipped inside the entry plug and began situating himself on the familiar seat. The hatch was closed and sealed as a speaker icon flashed to life in the main screen; the words 'audio only' were plastered in bright orange text. Gripping the entry plug control yokes, the Third Child waited as the system technicians began counting down the final stages of preparation.
"Stage Three cooling process complete! Beginning power siphon of EVA Unit-01."
"Terminal signal plug ejecting!"
"Ejection confirmed. Unit-01 entry plug inserting in 3, 2, 1. Insertion complete."
"Releasing spinal cord transmission system and establishing connection to the plug."
"Connection established! Mental contamination within acceptable parameters."
"Begin flooding the plug with LCL."
A series of hatches opened from within the entry plug. The orange LCL fluid began streaming in. The Third Child closed his eyes and breathed in deeply once the LCL passed head level.
"Entry plug flooded. LCL level stable. Pilot bio-signs are normal and holding."
"Establishing neural handshake. Pilot, commence synch."
A sudden wave of nausea assaulted him. However, the brief discomfort soon passed and he could feel himself floating; as if becoming one with the EVA.
"Initial synch ratio at 40% and holding. No sign of mental contamination."
"Copy that bridge crew. Secondary umbilical detaching."
"Primary umbilical is supplying steady power."
"Command, we have activation!"
Before he knew it, a series of cheers rang out from the Luna Base tech crews. He sighed in relief as he basked in the warmth offered by the EVA. It felt nice inside the behemoth. He couldn't place it but it felt as if he were protected within its embrace. Shaking off his wayward thoughts, he immediately clicked the communications transmission button for the bridge.
"Professor, what is my next objective?"
"Third Child, you are to hold or surpass the 40% synch ration for now. Congratulations, you are fit to be a pilot."
The boy broke into a grin. It would seem that he was good at something.
01-11-2010
Shinji stood at ease. Being the Third Child meant a certain amount of decorum was demanded of him. As such, the boy stood stock still as he was lectured by the Professor regarding the day's training run.
"Third Child, today we test your ability to react to unknowns in a combat situation." A screen flashed to life behind the professor that showed the overlook of Aitken basin, the largest visible crater on the moon. "In the middle of the basin is an abandoned NERV landing craft. Your mission is to neutralize the craft."
Shinji didn't need to ask what was in store for him. He knew that the whole setup was trouble. Fixing his gaze forward he nodded once.
"You will be deployed in Unit-01 at the southwestern edge of the basin. You will be given 5 minutes of power to cover the distance and neutralize the craft. Any questions?"
Shinji merely shook his head once and was then summarily dismissed. He clutched his A-10 clips in one hand, and a folded up plugsuit in the other. Marching along, he arrived at the changing rooms to ready himself for the combat exercise. Donning his clips and suit, the Third Child took steady breathes before making his way to the entry plug chamber. The wail of warning sirens signaled his imminent deployment onto the moon's surface. Clambering aboard the plug, he seated himself and began the preliminary system checks drilled into him since the activation test. A communications window winked to life and he was greeted by the face of the Professor.
"Third Child, all systems are nominal. Ready yourself for the LCL flooding."
Without warning, the hatches opened and the plug was flooded. The orange fluid smelled like blood but he was not one to complain. In fact, the scent was comforting – in a way. Breathing in deeply, he began counting down the seconds till they began the neural handshake. The wave of nausea was the indication, followed by the warmth of the EVA powering up. He breathed and the EVA breathed with him. It felt amazing to be able to control the huge construct.
"Unit-01 is ready for launch deck crew. Relocate EVA to launch bay 09-A. Designation Aitken Gate."
"Copy that bridge. Unit-01 in transit."
Shinji felt the rumble of the EVA cage as the tracks rotated to send him to the launch bay. Closing his eyes, he established the neural link to Unit-01. Upon opening his eyes, he was greeted with a view of the launch corridor. Keying in the communications to the bridge, he began his launch procedure.
"Ikari, Shinji on Unit-01. Neural handshake accepted. Synch is green. Ready for ascent."
"Copy that Third Child. Brace yourself."
That was the only warning he got before he was launched up at frightening speeds. He briefly entertained the idea of breaking the restraints and doing a somersault when he exited the Aitken Gate. With a slight grin, he banished the thoughts in favor of focusing on the mission. Readjusting his grip on the control yokes, the Third Child braced himself as the g-forces threatened to knock him out. Concentrating and doing the appropriate blood regulation exercises taught to pilots, he was able to stay conscious for most of the trip.
After what seemed like an eternity, a series of blast doors greeted him signaling his arrival at Aitken basin's gate. The twin titanium grade doors ground open and the EVA cage slammed to a halt on the surface. Regaining his senses, he listened as the technicians began the final release of Unit-01.
"Decoupling external locks. Primary umbilical cable is detaching. Pilot, you have exactly 5 minutes and 45 seconds of power left. God speed."
Not wasting any more time. Shinji brought the EVA into a run as soon as the cage locks released him. Usually, he would scope out the battlefield first for potential threats before proceeding. This time, however, he was not afforded that luxury. 5 minutes meant that he would have to think on his feet; exactly what the exercise demanded of him. Ahead of him the basin stretched out. Nearing the basin's lip, he brought up the EVA's structural integrity report. It looked like Unit-01 had undergone a complete refit after the last exercise. Smiling at the memory, Shinji began calculating his jump trajectory. Gravity still played a factor given the sheer mass of his EVA. Bracing himself for the drop, Shinji leapt. The EVA formed an arc, landing 500 meters from the lip. The basin was 2500 kilometers across. Science told him it was impossible to cover that distance in 5 minutes. The EVA, however, egged him on. The Professor had stated that the NERV craft was at the center. Common sense told him it was impossible for the craft to be dead center due to the fact that he could never reach it in time. Smiling, he began using his external relays to scan for anything resembling a pre-impact Gehirn craft. Gehirn in the old days would have used one of the shuttles to get preliminary data on the moon. It meant that the NERV shuttle was in fact one of the Gehirn landers. 3 pings came back positive and he triangulated each position of the pings by piggybacking on the signals of the satellites orbiting Earth. What surprised him, however, was the threat alert he received when he tried to proceed further into the crater. Glancing at his energy clock, he saw that he only had 4:52:21 left. Double timing his pace, he faced the direction where the threat detection system identified a potential threat. At first there was nothing in front of him, then suddenly the basin floor began shaking and a rock face to his front began sliding open. Before he could assess the situation, a trio of missiles streaked out and headed for his EVA. Thinking on his feet, he had the EVA roll to the side so the missiles could streak past him. Bringing up the weapon systems, he realized he only had the standard issue Progressive Knife equipped. Cursing his forgetfulness, he decided that he needed to close the distance in the event that his enemy had even more ranged weaponry. Inching forward at a jog he came face to face with an almost humanoid robot as big as his EVA. Bringing up his HUD threat indicator, the Friend-or-Foe system brought up the robot's identification. It was classed as the Jet Alone Mk.1. No further information was given. Glancing at the Jet Alone Mk.1, one would not take it for a weapon of mass destruction. Its next actions stated otherwise.
The Mk.1 faced his EVA and began a power-up cycle. A whine could have been heard had they not been in zero gee. The only indication was the slight shaking of the frame as the machine began advancing towards him at a frightening pace. His system diagnostics began going haywire as a spike in the Geiger counter showed. It looked like the Mk.1 was about to detonate its nuclear core. Shinji knew that he didn't have time to escape the blast radius. Discarding the prog-knife, the EVA began extending its arms forward, palms out. Back in Luna Base, technicians were getting somewhat unbelievable readings on the pilot's bio-monitors.
"Sir, pilot heart rate has sped up. Synch ratio increasing from 60% and climbing steadily!"
"EVA is generating an A.T. Field sir!"
"Pilot synch ratio at 89% percent and holding. Mk.1 is set to detonate sir!"
Worried glances were exchanged as the Professor, head of Luna Base, contemplated whether the Mk.1 needed to be detonated. It was supposed to be a threat that the pilot had to accept. The exercise was supposed to teach the Third Child that not all situations were always going to end in their favor; it was a lesson meant to teach how it felt like to lose a battle. The A.T. Field generation threw a wrench in their plans. The Third Child was still not supposed to be able to do that. It would seem that they needed to closely monitor the EVA training sessions he had from now on. Sighing, the Professor keyed in the detonation code.
"Sir! Mk.1 is live! Detonation in t-minus 8 seconds."
Up above, Shinji braced himself as one of the world's deadliest weapons predating the N2 mine readied to detonate a mere 2 kilometers from his position. Pouring all his concentration into keeping the A.T. Field up, Shinji watched as the Mk.1 went up in a mushroom cloud of devastation. The shockwave reached him before he was engulfed in fire. As quickly as the flames appeared they were gone. Extinguished by the lack of air. By some miracle, his A.T. Field held. He had been thrown back a few kilometers by the shockwave but the damage to the EVA was negligible. Laughing, he began pinging for the Gehirn craft. Before he could proceed further the Professor's face cam winked to life on his HUD.
"Good work pilot. Today's training exercise has been postponed. Power down and await retrieval."
Puzzled, Shinji could only comply and wait for extraction. He wondered what he did wrong.
10-12-2013
At 12 years of age, Shinji Ikari was easily the best EVA pilot NERV had to offer. Only the Commander, the head of the Science Department, and the NERV Luna Base knew of his existence. It was all about to change soon. Gendo knew that the 3rd Angel was due to appear at any given time. It was then that he would play his card and reveal the existence of the Third Child. SEELE, of course, knew of his existence. However, they did not know where he was situated. Most speculated that he was housed in NERV Tokyo-3. Gendo merely let them assume. They would know soon enough. Glancing at the two-way mirror, the Commander watched as Dr. Akagi continued to evaluate the Third Child's psyche. He himself knew of his son's problems, however it would not do for the scenario to be jeopardized by a misplaced sense of compassion from him. Yui knew what the EVA project entailed and she sacrificed herself for its advancement. Shinji was merely a means to an end. He would be with Yui and Shinji would only be a stepping stone. After all, what was a son without the mother? Can he really be considered his if the person that birthed him was no longer alive? Shinji, to him, was a minor inconvenience. Instrumentality would be his so mold, let the world burn for all he cared. Reorganizing his stoic mask, he returned his gaze to the room and found that Shinji was finally done with the psyche evaluation and the Doctor had excused herself from the room to join him. The hissing of the door opening was the only indication that Dr. Akagi had moved to join him in observation.
"He seems to be well adjusted for someone that underwent the augmentation procedures I've read about."
"He is a post-impact Child. He must be resilient to weather the coming storm."
With that, Gendo Ikari strode out of the room, the doctor in tow. It looked like NERV was finally ready.
Early 2015, A few hours before the appearance of the 3rd Angel
"All hands to stations. Prep EVA Unit-01 for atmospheric re-entry."
Klaxons blared to warn off all personnel not equipped with zero gee suits in the Luna Base hangar. People in bright orange space suits flitted about in preparation for the departure of the Third Child. Shinji could only watch as his entry plug was readied to be inserted into Unit-01. The entry plug was placed inside a tube that fed into the room where he was to enter. While amusing that they only tried this procedure now, Shinji knew that the real problem lay in his re-entry vessel. Taking a glance at the situation, he could see that technicians were still inspecting the structural integrity of the landing craft. He was told yesterday that they were still unsure as to whether the craft would hold during atmospheric re-entry. Sighing to himself, he began preparing instead of worrying about a scenario where he gets fried during re-entry. Much to his chagrin, he noticed that his plugsuit had been refitted as a thermal suit along with a neural helmet. The technicians, with the input of Dr. Akagi, had stated that the LCL could come to a boil given that the EVA could be thrown free of the re-entry shuttle. As such, he needed to be tempered for the heat if his EVA were to free fall from the atmosphere. Donning that rather bulky suit and tucking his helmet under one arm, Shinji exited the locker rooms and was greeted by the Professor.
"Third Child, walk with me."
Gesturing with his hand to follow, the Professor began walking along the view deck of Hangar 08; the hangar that housed EVA Unit-01. Quickly catching up and matching the Professor's step, Shinji walked beside the man who taught him everything he knew.
"Third Child, I know that the first few years of training have been rough for you. Rest assured, the augmentations made to your body will not fail you in your time of need."
Shinji knew when a person was uncomfortable discussing something. He knew that the Professor was skirting from the actual conversation he wanted with Shinji.
"Professor, I know everything by heart. Do you doubt my capabilities?"
"Your father would. I however, am not him, despite being related by blood. You may call me Uncle from now on Shinji. I know it is what Yui would have wanted."
His uncle did not turn around when the Section 2 agent announced that the entry plug had been prepped and they were all waiting on him. Shinji could not understand where the sentimentality was coming from. In all his years under the Professor's tutelage, he was never addressed as anything but the Third Child; a means to an end. Why now of all times to show a hint of compassion? Deciding that the answer was not worth the trouble, he bade his uncle farewell and departed with the Section Two agent. The last glimpse Shinji had of his uncle was with his back to him. Staring blankly at the locked Unit-01.
The elevator dinged and Shinji was swept into Hangar 08. The Section Two agent was walking beside him and he was instructed to follow the technician leading them. They arrived at a circular room with artificial gravity. The entry plug was situated in the center of the room inside a tube that shot directly into the terminal plug of the EVA.
"Good morning pilot. I trust that you have been briefed on the procedure?"
"Yes sir. The Professor had me run preliminary simulations prior to the drop date."
"Good, good. If you don't mind, please enter the entry plug so that we may begin."
Donning his neural helmet, he climbed aboard the plug and sealed himself in. The magnetic locks clicked and he was shrouded in darkness. After a few moments, a faint beep was heard and the entry plug powered up. Lights began flickering on and his HUD sprang to life.
"Entry plug receiving preliminary power. Pilot suit powered up. Drop commence."
The entry plug sprang into motion as it was shot down the tube connecting to the EVA's terminal plug. Shinji's stomach lurched as gravity set in. After a few moments, the entry plug ground to a halt and the familiar 'audio only' text flickered to life on his HUD.
"Structural integrity of entry vessel at 100%. EVA is set to synch with pilot."
"Copy that deck crew. Flooding entry plug with LCL."
"Entry plug flooded. Commence neural handshake."
"Handshake accepted. Mental contamination within acceptable levels."
"Pilot, walk the EVA into the re-entry vessel cage."
"Copy that tower. EVA in motion."
Shinji focused on walking and the EVA walked with him. He strode forward and proceeded to step into the EVA cage within the pod like craft. Powering down the system, he waited for the locking mechanisms to secure him to his ride.
"Primary and secondary locks holding. External power source and umbilical cable set. EVA functioning at 80% capacity. Power usage optimal for 5 hours of continuous use as long as the umbilical is attached."
"Copy that tower. Bridge crew sealing re-entry vessel."
A thunderous clap was heard as the 5-meter thick, titanium blast doors sealed his EVA inside the pod. He breathed in and out as the video feed showed him nothing but darkness.
"Third Child, switch to external cameras to monitor your descent vector. Switch to auto pilot when you enter the Earth's atmosphere."
"Copy that tower, will do."
"Shinji, NERV Tokyo-3 relayed a message. It seems like the blue pattern of an Angel was detected already a few kilometers off the shore of Tokyo-3. You may be deployed into a raging battle so be careful out there."
Wincing at the show of concern, Shinji decided that proceeding as normal would be his best option.
"Copy that Professor. Third Child, out."
With a look of slight disappointment, the Professor killed his video feed. His voice, however, could still be heard in the Luna Base announcement system.
"Attention all personnel. Silence on the comms. Countdown till EVA drop is 10 minutes. I repeat, countdown till EVA drop is 10 minutes. Prepare the pod for re-entry. All non-essential personnel please clear the bridge. Control tower, you have operation control."
"This is tower to Unit-01. You are clear for launch in t-minus 10 minutes."
A huge countdown timer appeared on his HUD. The number ticked down from 09:54:12 while he ran a secondary system diagnostic. The base bridge was unusually quiet for an operation this big. He hoped that he didn't blow his opportunity to prove his worth.
"Tower to Unit-01. You are clear for launch in t-minus 10 seconds. 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Launch!"
Shinji braced himself as the twin engines sprung to life and blasted the hangar launch pad. Slowly the craft ascended while blast doors opened in rapid succession during his ascent. A few seconds later and he was rocketing away from Luna Base; a trail of exhaust the only indication he ever left.
"Re-entry vessel is away. Good luck Third Child."
"Copy that tower. Third Child out."