Long time no see
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything.
Misato and Shinji reached the elevator that took them to Geofront.
While the elevator was descending and the underground cavern came into view, Shinji gasped.
"A real Geofront! And that pyramid is the NERV HQ."
Misato answered. "Yes that's right. The HQ where we operate. If your father wants you to work here with us, I will be clad, since I like you already."
Shinji turned to face her and said with a smile: "Well thank you Misato. It's always nice to hear a beautiful woman saying that."
Misato blushed and looked forward.
'Dang. I haven't blushed this much in a day since forever. How does he do that? Maybe he has some kind of aura that makes me blush. That must be it.'
She mentally debated.
The elevator stopped.
Misato parked her car to the nearest spot and started walking towards their destination.
20 minutes later.
"We have been here already. You have no idea where we are going, do you Misato?"
Shinji asked, getting impatient.
"Nonsense. We are heading to the right direction. I think." She said, not telling him that she had no idea where to go.
When they decided to use the elevator, it opened, revealing a blond woman.
"Captain Katsuragi, why are you wasting my time?" She asked.
"Don't worry Rits. We were just coming to the command center." Misato tried to defend herself to no avail.
"I'll let this one slide. But next time, you will be..." She paused and looked at the handsome young man next to Misato.
"Is this Shinji Ikari?" The doctor asked.
"Yes. According to Marduk Institute, he is the Third Child." The captain answered.
"Good. We are short on manpower and pilots, so we really could use his help. Let's go." Ritsuko urged.
The trio stepped inside the elevator the blond pressed the button.
"Shinji Ikari." Shinji looked at Ritsuko. "I am dr. Ritsuko Akagi, the head of the Project E. Nice to meet you." She said, offering her hand.
Shinji shook her hand and said: "Nice to meet you too Ritsuko –san. It's not everyday when you meet a beautiful scientist lady. It will be a pleasure to be working with you."
Ritsuko blushed. Misato giggled.
'He is such a charmer and handsome too. And he looks pretty smart. I wonder if...'
Her thought were interrupted by a sudden stop of the elevator.
They stepped in to the darkness and walked a few steps and stopped.
The lights came on in a blink of an eye.
When Shinji saw a face, he didn't even flinch. He had an emotionless mask on.
"Shinji, this is the mans ultimate fighting machine, Evangelion." Ritsuko announced.
"So, this is my fathers work?" He asked.
"Correct." Was heard from above.
Shinji looked up to see a familiar figure.
"Long time no see." Gendo said.
"Indeed. So let me guess. You called me, so I could pilot this thing, because the Second Child isn't here and the First Child is injured. And now I have to do it, because no one else can. And if I don't pilot, then you will order the injured First Child to pilot and die. Correct me if I'm wrong." Shinji said with face betraying no emotions.
Gendo was astounded. But he his it very well. He could have never imagined his son to guess his plan so quickly. But that didn't matter. What mattered, was to get him to pilot that oversized toy.
He tried to speak, but was interrupted.
"And I guess that other pilot is behind that door over there, just in case I say no. But I will pilot this thing, if you pay me good enough. But we will talk about my paycheck after that Angel is killed. Just order the other pilot back to the infirmary or hospital section and let's get this over with." Shinji continued his speech.
Gendo was furious. But nobody could tell that. He hated it when somebody had leverage on him and they knew it. He would have to pay him in order to keep him piloting.
"Ritsuko, tell me how this thing operates and I will kill that false Angel."
Shinji said to the blond.
Ritsuko recovered from her shock and escorted him to the entry plug.
Misato was already all ready at the command center.
When everyone was in their position and Shinji was in the entry plug. Ritsuko announced: "Fill the plug."
LCL started to flood the plug and Shinji remained calm. He figured that whatever that stuff is, it's breathable. They wouldn't drown their only pilot, he thought.
"Begin the synchronization." Ritsuko ordered.
"A-10 neural connection online." "Harmonic connection activating." "Pilot's vital signs and EVA's condition's on monitors."
The so called 'bridge bunnies' announced the status report.
"Synchronization complete. Pilot's synch ratio holding steadily at 79." Maya said.
"Incredible. I thought that it would be 33 at the highest. But 79? Dang." Ritsuko said.
"He is gifted. We are lucky to have him here." Misato said.
"Begin the attack." Gendo ordered coldly.
"EVA 01. Launch!" Misato shouted.
EVA shot up from the launch catapult to the surface.
When it reached the surface, Shinji noticed that the catapult had revealed behind the Angel and it didn't see him. He had the element of surprise now.
"Shinji, EVA operates with the power of thought. You just have to think everything you want to do with your EVA and it will do it." Ritsuko declared for him.
"Thanks. Do I have any weapons in this walking behemoth?" He retorted.
"You have a progressive knife in the left shoulder sheet. Press the red button on the left to get it out." She instructed.
Shinji did so and grabbed the knife in his right hand and mentally said: 'Perfect.'
Shinji then decided to act.
He sensed with EVA's sensors that the Angel had brought it's force field down and it was a perfect moment to attack. Shinji threw the knife towards the Angel and whistled in the speaker.
"Whihuu!"
The Angel heard that and turned. But before it could raise it's AT field, the knife struck it in the core. The Angel remained in position and the knife had destroyed it's core and it would self-destruct soon.
Shinji guessed this and ran towards the Angel and when he did, he grabbed it by the legs and spun it around a couple of times and threw it far away to the ocean.
Soon, the enemy exploded and some water flew far up and came down, making good waves for surfing.
Everyone in the command center were awe struck. Shinji had just defeated an Angel without training, without any experience with EVA and he did it all like it was a routine thing to do.
Gendo smirked under his clasped hands and thought. 'It seems like you are worthy of getting a good paycheck my son.'
Misato was shocked. My god! He really is gifted and we got him here just in time to kill the things I hate the most. I really want him to come living with me now.'
Ritsuko was awed. 'First time in the EVA and he did all that like he had done this for years. He will not need much training.'
"Well that wasn't so hard. Now get the elevator up here so I can bring this baby back." Shinji said over the comm.-link.
Makoto unlocked the elevator doors and Shinji stepped in. Then he said to comm.-link: "Now then commander. About my paycheck..." he didn't get to finish his sentence when Gendo said: "You will get a paycheck of 10 000 yen. Is that enough?"
Shinji was stunned. It was easier to get his dad to pay him then he thought. He usually didn't give anything without a tough fight.
'Maybe he is pleased him with my performance and skill. Nah. It can't be.'
"Yes sir. It will suffice." He answered and then remained quiet.
The elevator brought the EVA back to it's cage and the entry plug was ejected.
Authors note: I managed to write this chapter much faster then I thought. But did you like it or dislike it? Story will continue when I get the next chapter done. So, have patience my fellow readers and authors.
