Hard Contact

By Fenrir the Fire Wolf

"Think you can do it, Demo?"

"Yeah."

"So, what's the plan?"

"The purple-haired chick comes to meet him at the platform. I, and Patron, will shadow them into their HQ. Patron will fade out, and I'll move to the cages. Then I move along, while Patron neutralizes the Commander. After that, you move in the in the Mobile Suits, while Patron and I improvise, right?"

"From her UN Psyche Evaluation, the buxom purple-haired beauty'll be hard to control. Not that I'm suggesting it, mind you."

"I read her file. Lone survivor of the team at the origin of Second Impact. That's rough."

"Don't use that to manipulate her, Demo. We need her on our side after the shit hits the fan."

"First Child, Second Child, and Third Child. I see a pattern, you?"

"Can the sarcasm, Demo."

"You got it, Cypher."

"Jar-Head, Arson, Rookie, and I will follow in by land. Flyboy will be dropped by a Globe Trotter. Sea Dog will swim in. We'll arrive in the city perimeter as soon as you exit the tram."

"Ranger Ace back up to snuff?"

"Yeah. Grim will be running sniper support in Reaper."

"Aw man! Does that S.O.B. have to?!"

"Yes."

"Geez, sorry."

"Let's just get this done."

TIME LAPSE- 5 DAYS

"Misato..."

Said woman kept walking, "What is it?"

Shinji Ikari sighed, "We've been walking for quite a while now...Haven't we reached my father's office yet?"

Misato Katsuragi flinched, "Wha-!?" She turned her head and gave the kid a dirty look, "Sh-shut up!" She looked at her map again, "Just shut up and follow me, OK?!"

'She's lost...' Shinji thought.

An elevator dinged and opened behind them to reveal a blond woman of considerable beauty in a white lab coat.

"You two!" She called, "Where are you going?"

Misato twitched at the voice and turned.

"You're late, Captain Katsuragi."

Misato flinched further at her tone, "Oh...Ritsuko..."

"So late, in fact, that I was sent to find you. We have neither the personnel nor the time for such nonsense!"

The purple haired woman rubbed the back of her head, "S-sorry! I got lost-Still don't have the layout of this place down yet."

Dr. Ritsuko Akagi sighed. How one woman could cause so much trouble was beyond her...

She then noticed the boy behind the captain and smiled, "So this is him? The Third Child?"

"I'm Shinji Ikari. Nice to meet you." She almost flinched at his subdued tone.

"I'm Ritsuko Akagi from the First Engineering Division-The supervisor of of Project E. Pleased to meet you."

Misato looked at the boy. She pitied him. With a personality like his, he must not have had a lot of friends...

"UN's throwing all they can at that thing."

"Their 'ultimate weapon' isn't up yet. They're stalling for time."

"And wasting lives in the process."

"We need to jump in there!"

"Cool your jets, Rookie. We have our time to shine."

"Patron and Demo need to move quicker. We can't take that thing without that monstrosity."

"Better the Devil you know, right?"

"Sometimes, I wonder about that..."

"Uh-oh...Uh, guys? I think it spotted you-GET DOWN!"

"The Angel just fired North-East!"

"At what?"

"Unknown. Checking security feeds."

"Negative, all cameras down in that sector."

"Ignore it. For now. We'll deal with it after we kill the Angel."

"Sir! Transmission detected!"

"Run it through the speakers."

"Jar-Head! Status!"

"I'm good. Arson?"

"Fine. Rookie?"

"I'll live. Hopefully. Cypher?"

"If I'm talking, that typically means I'm fine, Rookie."

"Where the fuck are Flyboy and Sea Dog?!"

"I didn't now you cared, Jar-Head. I linked up with Sea Dog and we're on our way to your position, Cypher."

"Good. Patron and Demo should be-"

"What's wrong?"

"Someone's hacked our channel. Encryption unit must be down."

"Grim here. Permission to take potshots at that thing?"

"UN isn't moving anymore. NERV knows we're here. Might as well. Knock him on his ass."

"Firing."

"Massive energy spike detected! South-East!"

"It's hit the Angel!"

"Damn! Minimal damage! Second shot!"

"Energy pattern identified! Pattern Black!"

"It matches up with an N-2 Mine!"

"What the Hell is it?!"

"It's dark, so watch your step." The Doctor said as the trio entered the dark room.

"Watch your eyes, Shinji." Misato warned as Ritsuko flipped a switch.

Dozens of fluorescent lights buzzed to life, causing Shinji to shield his eyes. When he opened them, he was greeted by a very large, and very purple, face.

"WHOA!" He took an involuntary step back on sheer instinct, "What is that thing!?"

"Artificial Human Evangelion. The last chance Humanity has. This is the first unit." Ritsuko explained.

Shinji took a moment to study the Evangelion, "So...this is part of my father's work?"

"That's correct."

Shinji's head snapped to the origin of the voice. There stood his father, domineering and arrogant.

"It's been a while." Commander Gendo Ikari said.

"Shinji, are you ready?" Misato asked.

"Y-yeah," He said as he moved into the Entry-Plug.

Cypher hated this. He felt weak. Even in the massive Mobile Suit, model RGM-79SC, all he could do was annoy the damn thing. He flexed his fingers, a habit he had picked up, and did when he got nervous. The MA7A Assault Rifle in his hands was his most useful asset. The rifle, which was vaguely reminiscent of the G36, was the standard Assault Rifle for the RGM-79-GM series. He steeled himself and rounded the building, sighting in on the creature. He released a barrage of depleted uranium tipped ammunition at it, only to see it all bounce off that damn force field. He mentally snarled and charged the Angel.

"CYPHER! Have you lost you Goddamn mind?!" Arson roared after him.

He dropped his rifle and retrieved a long tube from a charging socket on his jump-pack. He ignited the green beam-saber and moved his shield to cover his body.

"I'm sick of this thing," He growled, "It dies now."

"Ah, dammit! Covering fire," Sea Dog punctuated his words with blasts from his Assault Rifle.

"Rookie, Arson, move up and support Cypher," Jar-Head called as he too opened fire.

Cypher's beam-saber crashed against the force field, causing the Angel to falter. He jumped back and slammed his shield against the Angle, stunning it before Arson and Rookie slashed it with their own sabers.

"Using team structure tactics to distract the Angel while the others move in and attack as well. They thought about this." Ritsuko muttered.

"Probably planned to use it on the EVA's if push came to shove. With tactics like that, and the gear they're using, they could overwhelm an EVA in minutes." Misato said.

"Unit-01 ready for launch!"

Misato sighed, "Back to work..."

"Shinji, remember the rundown of EVA's systems I gave you?" Ritsuko asked.

"Yeah," he replied.

"Just focus on walking when you get up there. Unknown Contacts seem to be friendly, but keep your eyes open."

"Arson! We need to kill this thing," Cypher said over the com. channel.

"I know! Jesus! I can't break this damn field!"

Cypher rammed his shield into the Angel's bone-mask-like face, cracking it. He followed up with a quick slash. The Angle retaliated by attempting to spear him. Cypher moved his shield in the way of the the energy pike, causing it to slam into him, pushing him back.

"Little help here?" He asked through the simulated strain.

"Hold on, Cypher!" Rookie said. Seconds later, he slammed his own shield into the spear, pinning it with his shield and saber.

Arson charged the Angel. It noticed him and raised its free arm to meet him. The spear soared out and Arson just batted it aside with his shield, jabbing at the Angel.

"Unit-01 just arrived!" Grim reported.

Cypher said some choice words and hopped back, "Arson, link up with him and give him my rifle, then drag him over here."

"Roger." Arson broke off and sprinted for Unit-01.

Shinji looked around and saw a gunmetal-grey robot with a shield on its left arm run up to him.

The mech scooped up a large rifle and shoved it into Unit-01's hands.

"Take this, keep your head down, and follow me!" The pilot of said mech ordered over the comm.

"Do as he says Shinji. It's your best bet for survival." Misato ordered.

"A-alright." Shinji stuttered as he took the rifle.

"I'm switching your comm. to be on the same frequency. Just talk and they'll hear you," Ritsuko said.

"Right." Shinji looked at the rifle that had been given to him. It was long, green, had a sixty-round magazine, and looked like an old German Assault Rifle he had seen once.

The mech lightly slapped the EVA upside the head, "Are you listening?! C'mon!"

The Grey Mech moved to a building and leaned against it, "Stay behind me and don't get hit."

"Right!" Shinji said.

"Covering fire!" Grey Mech called out.

"Roger, covering fire!" A voice called back over the comm. as a large and burly-looking olive-drab and white mech broke cover and fired an LMG version of the rifle Shinji was using.

"Grim here; Target lined up. Firing." No sooner had he heard the words, then Grey Mech had launched itself at Shinji, knocking him to the ground as a blue-green stream of light streaked over them and collided with a red streak.

"GRIM! WAY TOO FUCKING CLOSE!" Grey Mech roared.

"Shinji! Are you alright?!" Misato cried.

"He's fine. The Angel fired at us, but it missed," Grey Mech responded for him. It yanked Unit-01 to its feet, "On you feet, soldier! We're gonna kill that thing!"

"Shinji," Ritsuko said, "When you get close enough, use EVA's A.T. field to neutralize the Angel's. When that's done, let the other mechs know and help you finish it off. Understand?"

"H-how do I do that?"

"Concentrate. It's an act of will. Just force the A.T. field out of EVA and against the Angel's A.T. field."

"Arson! MOVE!" A panicked voice called over the comm.

"Wha-OH SHIT!" Grey Mech was swept aside like a ragdoll as the Angel charged for Shinji.

"Shinji! Remember what I said!" Ritsuko yelled.

The Third Angel grabbed Unit-01's arm, made it drop the rifle, and snapped it.

Shinji screamed.

Ritsuko cursed, "Begin shutdown sequence! Disconnect all nerve connectors!"

"I'm trying!"

"Angel is attempting to crack armor-plating on cranial section!"

A dreadful realization struck Misato, "It's going for Shinji!"

Shinji was in monumental amounts of pain, screaming the whole time.

Point of View Shift: First Person: Cypher.

I ran right at the Angel, shoulder checking it with my shield. It slammed into a building and slumped down, in a daze.

I immediately turned my attention to the downed cyborg, "No, no, no, no! C'mon, kid, be alright, please be alright!" A cable protruded from the back of my left hand and I attached it to the EVA's cranium. Upon doing so, I was instantly assaulted by the resident soul, or souls, I noticed. It was twofold; One was a kind hearted being that wished me no harm, while the other was a rage filled, bloodthirsty, monster that wanted to kill all the Angels.

Particularly this one.

I thought quickly as I was pulled into the mind scape, "Whoa! Hold up! I am not the enemy! I'm here to help you, dammit! If this is what I think it is, you can tell, right?"

The mindscape quickly dissolved into a recognizable scenery; A cliff overlooking the sea.

"Your mind, at the moment, processes at the same speed as ours. Now speak; Why are you here?" Said a woman of mid-height, soft features, short purple hair with green highlights, neon-green eyes, and, surprisingly, she was naked.

"Now, now, Eva. No need to frighten the poor boy." Another woman, identical to the first, save for auburn hair and green eyes and what looked like civie clothes and a lab coat.

I crossed my arms, noticing that I looked like Ranger Ace, "Drop the high-and-mighty act. It's friggin' annoying."

The human soul's eyes sparkled with a sudden amusement, while the Resident Soul's eye's flared with anger.

"Mortal," She hissed, "I am more powerful than you could ever possibly comprehend. You will show respect."

I snorted, "Only when I get a little my self. You aren't the only forty-meter-tall being on the block anymore. In fact, I'd wager that I'm a good ten meters taller."

She went red-faced, "Insolent child! If not for the fact we are allies, I would rend you asunder!"

I waved a hand, "Nevermind! Look, the issue at hand is this; The boy just wants to help. Make contact with him. Explain what Ikari Sr. is planning. Get him to stop it."

The scientist's eyes widened, "You know?"

I gave her a level look, "Kaji ain't an agent for nothing. Plus, everyone has a price: his was helping Misato Katsuragi. Whatever that means."

"Your voice seems...familiar. Do I know you?" The scientist asked.

I shrugged, "You have a name? If I knew it, I'd be able to tell you if you do."

"Yui Ikari." She said.

"Oh, well, you worked with my mother on making the power units for the EVAs and RGM-79-GMs."

She raised a brow, "You're little Zachery Carmine? Myka Carmine's boy? My, you grew large."

I rolled a shoulder, "I'm six-foot-three in reality."

Ms. Ikari rolled her eyes, "Americans. They always grow you so big."

If I could've grinned, I would've, "Hey, I resemble that remark."

A thought struck me, "Do you...wanna talk to him? Shinji, I mean."

She shook her head, "Later. For now, Eva will take control...but...tell him I love him?"

I nodded, "Least I can do."

She smiled, "Thank you."

And the mindscape faded away, returning me to the real world.

I swayed a bit as the connections were made again and retracted the cable back to my hand. I was about to pull the Eva back to her feet when she reactivated and shoved me out of the way. I slammed into a building and heard her roar. The sound that followed was horrible.

Eva began punching the Angel repeatedly, A.T. fields long forgotten.

My comm. buzzed as I received a transmission from NERV Command, "If any of you mechs can hear me, get away from EVA! She's gone berserk!"

"You think?!" I yelled back sarcastically.

"Left arm is completely healed!"

"JUST GET AWAY!" The woman screamed.

"Angel is down! Zero response-Wait! Blue Pattern detected within Unit-01!"

"WHAT?!"

Eva let out a triumphant roar and promptly began devouring the fallen Angel, no pun intended.

"Gah! That's nasty! Does it normally do this?!" Rookie asked.

As Eva raised her arm, I noticed my KA-BAR Vibroknife in her left hand. My hand shot towards the sheath on my left arm. Nadda.

I hate it when women steal from me...

I sprinted to Eva and put her in a headlock, "Hey! I know you hate these things, but this is overkill!"

"Cypher, Patron here. I'm in position with Demo. Permission to strike?" Patron whispered over the comm.

"Granted! Kill him!" I barked.

"Quietly..." Demo whispered.

"Hey! Bastard!"

Point of View Shift: Third Person: Undefined.

"Hey! Bastard!" A voice called from behind the commander. He turned his head to see someone pointing a gun at him.

"The UN sends its regards!" The man said as he pulled the trigger.

Gendo Ikari fell to the ground with a bullet hole in his forehead.

POV Shift: First Person: Cypher.

I felt Eva slump as the last of the red core disappeared down her throat. I sighed and hefted her up.

"Where's the closest lift?" I asked.

No response.

"HEY!" I yelled.

"...To your left, forty meters."

I dragged her over to the lift and propped her up.

"Unit-01 set for retrieval." I said.

The lift slowly descended and I moved to the others.

"NERV Japan is now officially ours."

Muted responses followed, "Find a place to set down for the night. I'll see you all back on the Big E."

"Roger." Was the simultaneous reply.

I hate my job.

A/N: Chapter 1 of Neon Genesis Evangelion: Interference, up and running!

Reviews are always appreciated.