Chapter one: The Trump Card
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
"This isn't good Ikari. The committee has the upper hand. "
"Indeed."
"They can change the script at will. That's bad news for us."
"We need a trump card, something outside of their control. Have we found any more pilots?"
"At least two dozen level four candidates, but they all come from SEELE controlled areas. Except one."
"Continue."
"He has already been acquired by the branch in London, as you know, the base commander there is distrustful of the committee. He has assured me that SEELE have no influence inside his facility."
"It is a small research centre, it is beneath their notice."
"True. That is why he was able to secure a fourth level candidate without incident."
"Very well, name this candidate the Fourth child and have him brought here."
"Will the committee object?"
"I'll handle the committee."
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Control panels in the depths of the facility were often left alone until a critical fault brought the attention of the science staff then that of the maintenance crew, this forgotten steams were widely accepted as temperamental at best, this one managed to emit a few sparks and a shrill beeping before falling dark.
I cursed under my breath and patted across my tool harness and removed a flat bladed screwdriver, the maintenance tunnels that crisscrossed the base were barely large enough for me and made movement difficult, and so I wondered how the rest of the crew managed to traverse the cramped passages.
I was 14 years of age and only an apprentice tech, but I already knew how fix most minor problems and with the help of a full tech, A.K.A an "Orange Shirt", I could handle a few major malfunctions as well.
The radio in my headset crackled into life as I removed the faulty panel and flicked on the torch it contained to allow me to see the colour coded mess behind. I flicked it back off and relied on touch and memory as the batteries in the headsets would drain quickly with both radio and light enabled.
"Hey, Tanus. Can you hear me?" the voice of Sergeant Kelly cut through the static, my guardian and mentor in this dark, repetitive job.
"Yes Sergeant," I replied, my fingers probing the wires and circuit boards, the heavy insulated gloves I wore not hindering me in the slightest "it seems that the main data relay at junction E 26 has been fried, I'll splice a few wires together but we really need to replace it with a brand new one from stores."
"Good job lad, that'll make Dr Gent happy. He'll finally be able to run that test he's been droning on about for the past week."
"Anything for a quiet life, right Sergeant?" I replied, giving the offending object a gentle tug and feeling it come free instantly. I relit the torch to give it a quick once over. It was defiantly useless now.
"Hah! You know me too well lad, but that's not why I contacted you. It's the boss, he wants you in his office ASAP."
"Oh boy, did he say why?" I asked, tucking the relay into a pocket and twisting together the sparking wire ends with my other hand.
"No lad, but you'd better get going. The Iron Maiden is on the prowl."
"Roger," I sighed, replacing the panel and nodding to myself as it flicked back into life, "I'll meet you at junction F 23."
A few minutes later I emerged into the lights of F floor, the overweight chief of maintenance hauled me to my feet before my eyes had chance to adjust to the change. I felt his huge hands brush the worst of the muck from my coveralls.
"You're a good worker Tanus." Kelly said, roughly adjusting my cap and jerking my headpiece from its place, " I know I wouldn't be able to fit in there and with everyone else busy with the tests…"
"You needed someone small and gullible to craw through miles of cramped passageways to locate one burnt-out relay." I finished for him and handed over the small square of plastic.
"You're just so trusting Lad, and that's the truth." Said the Sergeant grinning like a predatory pumpkin. "I hardly have to do anything these days."
"Well, you still owe me one." I replied wiping the dirt from my face and returning the smile. "I'll go see what the major wants, it's probably just his office door sticking again."
"Aye. And I'd better get that relay replaced before the good doctor has a fit." Said Kelly as I walked towards the lift at the end of the corridor. "Once you're done with the Major, come back here. I have a easy job for you."
I gave him a mocking salute as the doors slid shut and the lift moved upwards.
For a few minutes I ascended, the lift humming softly, and I wondered what the Major really wanted to see me about; anyone of the maintenance team could fix his door. As the lowest ranking member, I was often given the most boring assignments, but it was unusual for him to pull me off an important job to do so. Normally I would find the request on the maintenance division's notice board, back in the crew room.
Could it be a disciplinary action? I wracked my brain trying to think of an offense I had committed that would warrant the Major's attention, staff matters were usual handled by the head of that department, Sergeant Kelly in my case, Doctor Gent for the science team, and Staff Sergeant Reynolds for the security. Major Stonewall handled the command and administration staff.
The lift came to a halt and a card reader, a cordless phone and a small display emerged from its niche the wall and informed me that LEVEL 4 Clearance was required to access the command level.
I lifted the phone and punched in a number everyone on base memorised, if only so they could run when they saw it on their pager, my clearance was only level 1 I needed someone to unlock it for me, and a feeling of dread washed over me as I entered the last digit. It was answered instantly.
"Captain Jones," said the female voice impatiently, "Who is this?"
"Ma'am, its Apprentice Technician Tanus Harrab, The Major wanted to speak with me." I replied nervously, the Major's assistant struck fear in everyone.
There was a pause while she checked with her CO then she came back on the line, it lasted several seconds longer than was comfortable, "Very well, I'll activate the lift." Then hung up.
I sighed and returned the phone to its cradle as the lift stared moving again.
Captain Lucy Jones' uncompromising approach to procedures, random inspections of all departments and an unfriendly demeanour had earned her the nickname "Iron Maiden". Major Stonewall used her as a threat for teams that failed to meet deadlines.
The lift doors opened with a hiss and I stepped out cautiously, suddenly aware of my dirty uniform, and how it would stand out here where spotless beige uniforms where the norm. I tried to approach the double doors at the other end of the hall with out being spotted by any of the command staff wandering about.
"Stop right there!" a voice rang out, echoing through the corridor, I nearly swallowed my tongue as Captain Jones appeared from the room I had just passed; her unnatural stealth was another reason the base staff feared her. I quickly came to attention and saluted.
She was an intimidating figure, unlike Sergeant Kelly in his permanently filthy overalls, her beige uniform was immaculate, her brown hair cut to regulation length, and the red beret of NERV placed perfectly on top of it. It clashed nicely with the oil-stained and badly creased orange coveralls and felt cap of my own uniform.
"Ma'am. Apprentice Technician Tanus Harrab reporting to Major Stonewall as ordered." I said, proud of my steady tone.
She walked in front of me and returned the salute, staring at me for a few seconds before speaking, "At ease Technician Harrab, I know why you are here and I also know that you where doing vital maintenance when you were summoned," she glanced at the oil stains disapprovingly before continuing, "Therefore I shall overlook the state of your uniform. This time."
"Thank you ma'am,"
"Dismissed, Technician."
"Yes ma'am, thank you."
I saluted and marched down the antechamber and knocked on the oak doors, the Iron Maiden disappeared, probably to ambush another unsuspecting tech.
"Enter."
I pushed the door open; noting distantly that it opened flawlessly and stepped inside.
The base commanders office was smaller than most visitors expect, enough room for his desk, a small sofa by one wall beneath framed photographs of his pervious postings, a cluttered bookcase by the other and a small rectangle of open space before the desk designed for a group of people to stand comfortably.
Major Stonewall was sat behind the desk speaking into a red cordless phone. That meant it was either a government official or someone further up NERV's ladder, the encryption on that one line was impressive, even in a facility that was geared towards secrecy.
I marched up to the desk and saluted. Major Stonewall glanced up briefly then motioned towards the sofa, concentrating on the speaker while tapping his fingers on the metal surface of his desk. I sat on the soft cushions gratefully, waiting for him to finish.
Like Captain Jones, his uniform was spotless and well kept, however his jacket was a deep red; the mark of a high-ranking officer given special duties, and the badge on his collar had two horizontal lines instead of the Captain's one. His beret was perched on top of his terminal, the golden triangle gleaming under the lights.
"I understand sir," he was saying, "I'll see to it personally. Yes, she arrived this morning. I assure you it will be no problem. She has already checked our database for all relevant records and I have made arrangements for the transfer. Good day Commander."
He replaced the phone into a panel in his desk which then slid closed. For a second he stared the patch on his desk, his lips moving silently before her remembered with a start that I was in the room
"One of the hazards of base command." he said, grinning at me, "Occasionally the people at the top like to know what we're spending their money on."
"So does that mean no pinball machine for our Crew room?" I asked, matching the Majors grin.
"Unfortunately the UN has denied us that vital piece of hardware." he said, standing up, " I suppose you want to know why I pulled you off a job and cruelly exposed you to the Iron Maiden?"
I nodded, "There's a relay in junction E 26 that has been giving the research team some hassle-"
Stonewall raised a hand to silence me, "that will not be your problem any longer," he said, rummaging through the files on his desk and passing one to me, "you've been transferred, to Tokyo 3."
"Tokyo 3?" I said as I took the file, the fact that it had my photo pinned to the front told me it was my personal records, the figure in his parade uniform looked nothing like I did now, for one thing he was only eleven, "That's NERV Central, why do they need me?"
"That's been classified at a higher level than my own. I don't know." The major said with a sigh, pressing the intercom button on his desk, "Captain, is our guest with you?"
"Yes sir. She just arrived from the Archive room."
"Please send her in."
The doors opened and a blonde haired woman in a white lab coat entered, walking like she owned not only the room, but the entire facility, she was carrying a sheaf of files like the one in my hand, I quickly got to my feet.
"This is Dr Ritsuko Akagi, head of NERV's Technical Division," said Stonewall, saluting her. I mimicked him. "She will explain the details to you."
Ritsuko returned our salutes with a slight bow, "Is this the boy?" she asked, despite the Japanese name she spoke without a trace of accent. As she spoke her eyes dancing over my face, she didn't linger, but I was left with the impression she already knew everything about me.
"Yes ma'am." Replied Stonewall.
"Pleased to meet you." She said to me, a slight smile of amusement crossed her face.
"Likewise, Doctor." I replied.
"Major, you may leave us."
"Yes ma'am. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask either myself or Captain Jones" he saluted again and left, giving me a reassuring smile on his way out.
I felt my unease rise, this woman must have been far superior than the major to have him banished from his own office.
When we were alone Ritsuko sat on the edge of the desk and produced a pen from a pocket. The change in her was immediate. Now she was all professionalism
"Just a few basic questions," She said, " First, what is your full name?"
"Tanus Martin Harrab. Ma'am" I replied,
Ritsuko made a note on one of the papers, "What is your date of birth?"
" 9/11/2000."
"Good. How long have you been employed by NERV?"
"Since I was eleven. Ma'am. I'm learning to be a member of the Maintenance division."
This was transcribed to the papers before she returned them to her folder.
"Good. That matches." I blinked but she didn't bother to explain further, "I think we can dispense with the formalities now." She riffled through her stack of files, "What have you heard about the attack on Tokyo 3?"
I shrugged, "mostly rumours, that the city was invaded by some kind of giant, and that a robot got forty three percent of a ratio or something. The news channels are all still arguing with each other about it."
Ritsuko chuckled to herself, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.
"That's the power of rumours. They can be closer to the truth then we may wish."
She stood up, walked to the door and pressed the lock button, I heard the security bars slide into place.
"What I am about to tell you is classified top secret." She whispered, so softly I almost missed it, "This must not be repeated outside this room. "
"Err. Ok." A high-ranking official telling classified information to an apprentice tech, while banishing the base CO? That felt wrong to me.
She strode back to the desk and removed a file from her stack, this one was much studier than my personal data, and even had a coded lock. Ritsuko punched in a sequence of numbers as she spoke.
"There was an attack by a giant on Tokyo 3, we call them the "Angels", conventional weapons and even N2 weapons had no effect, but we managed to defeat it using this."
She held up a metal skinned file. It was filled with technical specifications, most were blacked out, but what grabbed my attention were the pictures pinned at the top.
They showed me a purple giant, its eyes seemed to sear straight through mine. If the scale was correct it was at least thirty floors high.
"This is mankind's last defence against the Angels." Ritsuko was saying, I couldn't tear my eyes away from those green orbs, "the synthetic life form known as "Evangelion".
She closed the file; my mind was swimming with questions, so I grasped the first one that drifted close.
"Why are you telling me this?"
Ritsuko removed yet another file from the pile as she answered.
"When you first joined NERV, you were given a full physical and mental examination, correct?"
"Yes."
"Well, the Evangelions need fourteen year old children to pilot them, specifically they need to have certain brainwave patterns. Yours fell within those guidelines."
This only brought more questions to the surface.
"So you want me, a fourteen year old apprentice technician, to pilot that purple giant?"
"No," we gave me the new file, "We want you to pilot this one."
The file was similar to the first in that most details were blacked out. These pictures showed another machine, its armor was dark green one this time. Where the other had blared teeth, like a beast of myth, this one had armour plating. Only its eyes where visible, glowing a pale blue though a visor-like slit. It was also 30 floors high but seemed bulkier around the chest and body, as if the armor was thicker in certain points. I felt like I had seen it or something like it before.
"The choice to pilot is yours, of course," Ritsuko told me. "But we know that the Angel was not the last, and we need as many combat ready Evangelions or "Evas" as possible. At the moment we only have Unit One, the first one I showed you. If you accept, humanity's strength is doubled."
I collapsed back amongst the files that littered the sofa as I tried to understand the situation.
"You need me to pilot a giant robot and defend humanity from huge invading creatures against whom even our most powerful weapons have no effect upon?"
"Evangelions are capable of destroying the Angels, we proved that in the last battle."
"But I'm just a tech! I don't know anything about combat!"
"Neither did Unit one's pilot, but we can train both of you so that piloting an Eva is second nature."
I considered my options. I could refuse and go back to my life crawling through small tunnels. Or I could accept and actually make a difference.
Something stirred in the back of my mind, a subtle suggestion that this would be the right thing to do.
"Okay. Count me in."
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv