Symphony No. 7 in G Minor Op. 9

"Chaotique Praesentia"

(A Neon Genesis Evangelion FanFiction by CyberForte)

Disclaimer

Neon Genesis Evangelion and all associated characters, concepts, situations, et cetera are copyright to Gainax. This is strictly a work of FanFiction and is not intended to violate the aforementioned copyrights, nor to earn any capital for the author. All original characters, concepts, situations, text, and portrayals are copyright to myself (CyberForte), but they may be used by any other wishing to do so as long as credit is given to myself (CyberForte).

Prelude

"Patriotism"

"You cannot qualify war in harsher terms than I will. War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it; and those who brought war into our country deserve all the curses and maledictions a people can pour out."

-William Tecumseh Sherman

If one were of the poetic sort and given to metaphorical excess, one might say that the skies of Tokyo-3 rained forth the unshed tears of its people. As it was, however, it was just raining. Not an unusual condition for a city of a nation who's only seasonal experience had been summer for fifteen years. And, under this dreary drizzle, a handful of those who lived within the city had gathered--mostly those who worked for the NERV Organization, although several members of an eighth-grade class from a city high school had turned out as well.

Among those present, two distinctive groups had appeared; those who were dressed in civilian clothing and those who wore the black dress-uniform bearing the fig leaf and "God's in His heaven, All's right with the world." As might be expected, the former were more spread out, forming a loose semi-circle around the uniformed portion. The latter was comprised, for the most part, of seven individuals of note and several not. Among those worthy of said note were Doctor Ritsuko Akagi, Chairperson of Project E, Technical Division I, Operations Director Misato Katsuragi, Sub-Commander Kozo Fuyutsuki, Ryoji Kaji, Pilot Shinji Ikari, Pilot Rei Ayanami, and Supreme Commander Gendo Ikari.

Arrayed in a somewhat U-shaped formation, these individuals surrounded a wooden box slightly larger than a person, and their expressions ranged from unreadable to abject horror to seeming disinterest. Regardless, all stood at attention, with Gendo at the forefront, Fuyutsuki, Akagi, and Kaji to his right and Misato, Shinji, and Rei to his left. Behind this configuration, perhaps ten feet back, four nondescript JSSDF soldiers, or possibly agents (one couldn't tell with the uniforms U.N. that they wore) surrounded a freshly dug hole, the shovels presumably used to excavate it not far away.

Although morbid, one might say that it was good that the NERV Uniforms were black; they matched the similarly colored attire of those in the semicircle, which one might note had enough black umbrellas to be seen from several thousand feet above. After all, what other color uniforms would look right at a funeral as much as a dress parade? Not that NERV had many of either, it should be said; this was a special case. And a strange one, considering that only two present had personally known the deceased.

Regardless, the staff of NERV had gathered to show its respect to their fallen compatriot. It seemed only fitting that she at least be given this final miniscule measure of appreciation; although it was not rare for people to perish in war per se, it seemed prudent to show that they cared about this particular case. If they didn't, the cynical natures of the higher powers had realized, the others might not quite be so willing to risk a similar fate, knowing that they might not even be remembered...

Contrary to what one might have surmised by this point, this ceremony was held not at the cemetery where the marker to Yui Ikari stood watch o'ver a similarly vacant box. Rather, its existence had begun within the structure of NERV HQ and proceeded with a solemn dignity to a small park that was not far off--also within the structure known as the GeoFront. It was here that they now stood, as those looking on awaited to see what the Supreme Commander would say--many were surprised that he had attended.

And, in truth, despite his unreadable outward appearance, he himself was rather wishing that he had not. Gendo Ikari was not a man given to public speaking, to phrase it mildly. He had only come because Fuyutsuki and Ritsuko had coerced him into it, in a way. They had explained that it was necessary to put a human face on NERV, and that if he did not, Shinji, if not Rei, might become yet more troublesome about doing his job, and right now, that would completely destroy the scenario. As such, here he was, preparing to give a speech. Or so everyone thought...

After one glance about, which was unseen by the world due to his glasses, the bearded man then...stepped aside, indicating Katsuragi, "Major Misato Katsuragi." It was the perfect fusion of introduction, quiet command, and disinterest. And, of course, the purple-haired woman had little choice but to do as he said, considering that her job was probably at stake, and moreover, that she was a lot more qualified than he was to speak. Though she really would have appreciated some warning; she had no idea what to say. Still, orders were orders...

Nodding slightly, her face still retaining a somewhat anguished expression, she stepped forward and into the void that Gendo had left at the forefront of the formation. Taking a deep breath, she did her best to compose herself, then spoke, "I know that most of you here never knew Asuka... That privilege was taken away from you, and that of meeting you from her, by this horrible war that we're engaged in. But even so, the war has not ended here; the Angels won't relent until they have succeeded in destroying humanity or we have destroyed them! But even so, we cannot forget the sacrifices made along the way. You may not have known Asuka... but she died for you! She died for all of us; fighting for humanity's future. we can't let ourselves get so caught up in the big picture that we ignore the small things. And so... thank you all for being here today."

And so, by the time she retreated from the epicenter of attention with more than a few tears streaming down her face to mix with the incessant drizzle and her voice having evolved an anguished tone, the only notable figures in attendance who seemed unmoved were Gendo and Ayanami. And no one expected them to be, or to show it if they were, so that was acceptable. For an impromptu speech, it had turned out most excellently.

In any case, once the respectful silence had passed, one of the four U.N, soldiers raised a silver plated trumpet in preparation for the customary rendition of Taps, which would be echoed by a second hidden trumpeter. Both preformed flawlessly, as expected; it had been rumored that they'd been brought in from the still prestigious United States Marine Core Band, an institution that had seemingly outlived its host military by quite a bit. In any case, once the mournful notes had ceased, the trumpet was stowed and the remaining three UN Soldiers in view took up rifles.

At this, the still tearful (but thankfully lucid) Misato again stepped out of formation, hardening her voice as much as she was able in order to shout the commands to present arms, then to aim (into the sky) and fire. This was repeated seven times; a twenty-one gun salute, it seemed. Once this was done, the entire formation of NERV personal split apart somewhat. It seemed they were vacating enough space for the UN Soldiers to move around the casket, one to each corner handle. These were taken up, and they moved forward with a clipped but fittingly largo step until the empty box had been placed directly over the hole that was to be its final destination.

It might be noted at this juncture that almost no thought had been given to inviting a priest of any sort to preside; not only was religion primarily dead at this point (except the zealots who went on about God's judgment and other such rubbish), but it seemed highly irreverent to invoke anything holy (especially Christian, which would have been the assumed faith of a German girl) at the funeral of one killed fighting "Angels." As such, the respect given was entirely secular, and no one took it into their heads to object, or at least not aloud. Gendo Ikari's reactions to such foolery was the stuff of local legend, it might be said, the reason being that no one guilty of it had been seen alive and willing to talk again, making it dreadfully hard to clear up the reality of the matter.

Now, without a word, Katsuragi, Kaji, Ayanami, and the younger Ikari each moved forward, taking hold of ropes which had been lain into the hole, the former duo taking the ends of one and the latter the ends of the other. The males were to the left, the females to the right, if one were to watch from the semicircle. Then, slowly, the U.N. Soldiers lowered the pinewood rectangle onto the ropes, and with tedious slowness, the ropes were let go in equal increments. And, miraculously, despite a near-slip from the still shocked Third Child, the process went off without any major blunders.

Finally, the NERV personnel formed back into a U-shape, although this time without as much space in the center, and began a slow procession back into NERV HQ as the semicircle disbanded. In the background, the soldiers had taken up their shovels once more. Asuka Langley Sohryu had been laid to rest, in spirit, if not in form. The dead of the war had been given their respect; now it was time for the living to return to the grim task ensuring that they remained as such...

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Several hours later, once all affairs concerning the funeral had been dealt with, the Supreme Commander and Sub-Commander of NERV met in the former's office, their grim mood being born of reasons very different from those of most others in the facility. Still, they seemed to not neglect the traditional chess game which generally accompanied discussions. Fuyutsuki spoke first, as was customary, "It looks as if the damage to Unit-02 isn't as bad as we feared. It's mostly superficial; the pilot drowned or suffocated after losing power in the Angel's mouth, not as a direct result of combat."

Ikari moved a piece, then nodded, "Excellent. What is the projected timeframe for the repairs?" As ever, his words were few in number, and the question sliced straight to the matter's core; if he didn't address Sohryu's death, it was because they could do nothing to change it, and as such, his attention was much better spent on things that could be effected. Like the fact that they only had one functional Eva at present...

"A few days. It could be ready faster if we had a pilot other than Rei, but since we must use her, some refitting is necessary." He then moved a piece in turn; balancing chess and conversation was an art perfected by both of the men present. In many ways, it was their only pleasure or entertainment.

Another nod from the bearded man whose eyes were unreadable on account of reddish sunglasses, "Very well. The old men will not like this at all; it goes against their scenario. They rely too much on the scrolls. In any case, it is imperative that Unit-02 is restored before the next Angel arrives." A move again, followed by, fittingly, an afterthought, "And make certain that the coloration is properly converted."

Sighing internally, Fuyutsuki nodded. It didn't make much sense to him, but when it came to Rei, the older man always had trouble reading what passed for his friend. One minute, he would throw caution into the wind and rush off to save her at his own peril, then the next he would put her in a high-danger situation. Why should the fact that he was acquiescing to her tastes now seem strange? And the colored armor was on hand anyway, he supposed, having been prepared for the refitting of Unit-00... Ah, that reminded him, "What should be done about the refitting of Unit-00?"

With the equivalent of a shrug (to those who knew him), the Supreme Commander replied, "Postpone it until the repairs on Unit-02 are completed. We cannot risk attempting them simultaneously; it would risk being caught with a single Eva on call." In the space of this exchange, two moves passed almost unnoticed.

"Very well." A pause now; quite pronounced. Neither spoke as Fuyutsuki contemplated his next move and Gendo scanned through the endless paperwork that tended to pour in. Contrary to popular belief, his spare time wasn't spent with whips, chains, needles, and Rei, nor did it include pornographic collections of NERV employees; it, to be blunt, didn't exist. The only reason that his desk was not entirely swamped in paper was the prompt and ceaseless nature with which it was dealt with by the Supreme Commander.

Finally, the aging man moved a piece, and then took a metaphorical deep breath, "Do you think that the other Children will be affected significantly by this occurrence? The Third seemed quite...distraught." Well, there went the plunge; of all the subjects on the meeting's agenda, he had hesitated to include that one. Risking Gendo Ikari's ridicule was not wise, or again, so the legends said.

Thankfully, this seemed to be a valid question to his superior, and the bearded man gave it and his next mood equal thought. After a few moments of this, he both replied and made his move, "Do not be concerned. Little could worsen the Third's mental state, and Rei's loyalty is not in doubt. She will act as a moderating influence."

Fuyutsuki had doubts of this, but the fact that the man didn't seem to care combined with his ambiguous response equated, in some deeper level of the Sub-Commander's mind, to Gendo having a plan in motion as it was. And frankly, Fuyutsuki decided, he'd really rather not know, since it would probably be yet another violation of his long-suffering morals. Saving humanity could be said to be an extremely sinful and hellish business...

In any case, he'd best go and carry out his former student's will. If he dallied much longer, he could be responsible for Unit-02 not being prepared in the case of an Angel incursion, and it didn't take legends or rumors to know that such a thing would inevitably result in extreme unpleasantness. As such, he moved another piece, then rose, "Very well, Ikari. I'll report anything else of note that arises. In the meantime, I shall see to it that the repairs on Unit-02 are carried out in accordance to your orders."

Once Gendo gave him a nod of dismissal, the graying former professor rose and made an unceremonious exit that entailed all of walking out the office door. Behind him, his superior was already engaged in fighting back the tide of paperwork that came with running NERV once more.

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Author's Notes

[Author's Notes removed because the author is really tired of people responding to them instead of the story. The author further believes that his opinions of Asuka are irrelevant to the story's content and as such requests that no further reviews attacking his previously stated opinions of her relative importance be submitted.