Fire and Ice
Far away from Tokyo-3, in a secret room, the members of a secret organization meet in a reunion. Their leader, Keel Lorenz, sits in the center of the conference room, which is composed by his desk and the massive; "sound only" black monoliths that represent the other members of SEELE's main council.
Keel: So, as the council has decided, we have refrained from attacking Ikari and his little organization.
SEELE 07: The council shouldn't have to discuss this matter any longer, Mister Lorenz
Keel: I'm aware of it. Yet I can't bring myself to support the council's decision. Ikari was devastated: Arael, the angel of the birds, the vision of God, incapacitated Pilot Sohryu from action. Armisael, the angel of the womb, managed to force Unit 00 to self-destruct, leaving NERV with only one Eva available. Finally, the 17th messenger, Tabris, managed to infiltrate NERV, and he evidently sent the Third Child to such a mental distress, that he wouldn't have been able to fight the mass produced Evas. Literally, everything was set for our victory, yet we chose to wait. The council voted on this matter, yet no explanations were given to why we chose to remain silent.
SEELE 03: Lorenz, you still think this council made a foolish decision?
Keel: I only look for the council's best interests,
SEELE 09: The council has already chose what it's best interests are.
Keel: The council may have… committed a mistake.
SEELE 01: Have you heard of the incident in London, Lorenz?
Keel: Of course I have
SEELE 05: Then you should be aware that the mass produced Eva's own clear failures. I mean, three defeated by one Eva? With no combat experience, may I add.
Keel: The incident can be explained, for the Evangelion Unit 06 was specially build to suit and synchronize with it's pilot, giving him a better start point. Also, the mass produced Evas were not fully armed for battle, and lacked several plates of armor.
SEELE 06: Yet three were defeated by pilot Kazegawa and Eva 06, with out really standing a chance. Evidently, the E-project people are progressing on their designs. Also, the Unit operated with the same lack of equipment than the Eva series.
Keel: This only proves further our mistake! We must attack Ikari now, for reports say that Unit Zero is being reconstructed from the few remains it left, the Third Child has already overcome his mental distress, and the pilot of Unit Two is also back into active service. Also, Unit 05 and 06 are already on their way to Japan and our spies confirm the presence of Doctor Lentai in the fleet delivering the Evas. To top that, they also confirm Dr. Lentai's intention to start her projects on the Evas under the command of Ikari, so chances are Ikari could be deploying from six to eight Evas by the end of the year.
SEELE 02: Thos has already been taken into consideration, and we concluded that the projects envisioned by Lentai and Ikari, the engine installation project and the reconstruction project, will only aid further our envisioned scenario.
Keel: How?
SEELE 10: The Evas available for our scenario are limited to only two: Unit 01, in control of Ikari, and Unit 04, which was lost along with the Second Branch. So, literally, installing S2 engines in the Evas will only give a bigger amount of options for our scenario, and the reconstruction of the lost ones will further increase our options.
Keel: So Ikari and Lentai are giving us more weapons to defeat them?
SEELE 08: It could be implied. And those, my dear Lorenz, would be the main reasons to delay our attack. You must also remember that our new Eva series is being built as we speak, so there's nothing that we haven't taken into account
Keel: I would like to apologize to the council for my… comments.
SEELE 06: There's no need to ask for forgiveness Lorenz, for you still play a part just as important as any of the other council members. Only refrain from doubting of the council in the near future.
Keel Yes.
Keel: (Thinking) undeniably this council is wiser and more informed than me, yet, in the end, when our scenario comes into realization, we will all be the same…
"Flight 067, arriving at gate 13"
Cremina and Dorian walked through the airport, clearly lost in the immenseness of the place. Once they finally found the way out of the airport, four black suited men were waiting for the men next to a car, with the NERV logo on it. They entered the car silently. Once the car neared the gigantic city of Tokyo-3, they easily noticed the condition of the city: many buildings were cut in half, some being repaired, others clearly beyond reparation. The city was still impressive anyway: it was the legendary stronghold of mankind. It had survived the attack of fifteen angels, a nuclear powered robot, and only God knows what else still waited to attack the city. If not, then why NERV had called Dorian to pilot Unit 06 on Japanese soil?
"But, what the hell do they want me to fight?" Dorian didn't realize he said that out loud.
Cremina: Probably one of those Angel things my mother showed us in the video, remember?
Dorian: Oh, yeah, those Angels… they were bloody weird anyway… But how do you know about them? I thought the video was only for pilot training.
In Dorian's mind, Cremina had nothing to do with the Eva's subject, or anything of that kind. The only reason for her to be here was her mother's job, but why did she know abut Dorian's mission? He had been ordered not to tell anyone, and he had remained quiet.
Cremina: Ummm, well… I stole it, from my mother's belongings. Yeah, I took it from her and watched it.
Dorian chose to accept the answer despite the tone of improvisation on Cremina's voice. As he kept his stare on the girl, many thoughts came to him, the first one being the day he had met the girl. She had been a rather… awkward friend at the beginning. That had happened 3 years ago…
Flashback
A younger Cremina was running towards the Eastern side of London, towards the specific NERV mailing office in London. Unknown to her, a young Dorian Kazegawa walked, book in hand, towards his house. It didn't took too long for the two unprepared kids to collide, Dorian dropping his book and Cremina tripping to the ground
Cremina: What... what happened?
Dorian: We crashed
Cremina: …
Dorian: …
Cremina: Well?
Dorian: What?
Cremina: Aren't you going to apologize?
Dorian: What? Why should I? To me it looks like it's both of us fault.
Cremina: Well to me it doesn't, to me it looks like if it's your fault for reading while walking
Dorian frowned, coming to realize that most of the fault (if not all) was his. But he chose to stand on his ground
Dorian: I'm not going to apologize
Cremina: Then you will have to do me a favor for such an offense
Dorian: A favor...
Cremina: Yep, you will have to escort to my destination, for being such a rude and egocentric person, and almost making me twist my ankle.
Dorian: And if I say no?
Cremina: I will get you to the police station. I can definitely make up some charges on your little name.
Dorian frowned again, realizing the situation he was in: This girl could definitely get some charges on his name, and if he tried to stop her, he would actually create those charges, and he was by no means a good liar. So he was only left with one choice.
Dorian: All right, I will… escort you to your destination
Cremina: Good thing you came into your senses.
They walked quickly towards the Post Office, while talking a little. The talking was mostly Dorian trying to understand where the hell this girl had come from.
Dorian: Why do you have to go to the Post Office so far away? Isn't there one nearby your house?
Cremina: I'm not sending a package, I'm receiving one. And I have go this far because it's a special package, the sort of thing you have to go receive by yourself
And so it started: Every once in a while she had to go receive a package, every time she went she found Dorian in the same corner, waiting for her, and everyday hey talked, slowly knowing each other. She had come to understand him: He was closed, a little cold maybe, but he owned a kind self inside, for he had no obligation to escort her anymore, yet he chose to do it. On Dorian's side, understanding the girl was probably the hardest thing he had ever done: she could be happy for a second, then angry, then sad, or even worst: when he was mad at her, she shamelessly flirted with him, or declared that they were a couple, forcing him to appease his anger and fake up.
End of Flashback
Slowly his thoughts came back to the here and now. Noticing the car had stopped in the middle of a tunnel. Suddenly, the ground moved into the deeps of the earth. Then he noticed the armor plating of the tunnel they were in: it was a sort of mechanical ladder, leading to somewhere…
Once the ladder stopped moving, the men escorted the children through the silent halls of NERV, till they arrived to a big, armored door. The men stepped aside, and the door slowly opened, revealing six figures sitting on a table, and one standing up behind another one.
As the door slides open, Gendo Ikari and his Sub Commander, Kouzo Fuyutski allow a smile to cross their faces, understanding that in front of them, lies the next step of their scenario. On the right side of two commanders, sits Major Katsuragi, and next to her, Doctor Ritsuko Akagi. Across the table, three children sit: one of them wearing a blank expression, the next one clearly impatient, and the last one looking nervous. Cremina smiles slowly as Dorian and her take a sit, understanding that their arrival was important enough to deserve a meeting.
Asuka: Finally, I thought they would never get here!
Misato: Asuka, that's no way to treat them when they arrive.
Gendo: Pilot Sohryu, it's not that they arrived late, we just got here early.
Dorian and Cremina slowly bowed their heads upon hearing the voice of Gendo Ikari, for they knew he was the Supreme Commander of NERV.
Gendo: No need to bow, for you're the guests in here. First of all, welcome to Japan, I hope you had no troubles on getting here. I also assume you have been informed of the arrangements made for you two to stay here in Tokyo-3.
Dorian & Cremina: Yes sir.
Gendo: Very well, then I guess time is now for introductions. Fuyutski and I have already met you, but as you can guess, there's a lot of other people your will have to work with
"It's too late to start introductions" Cremina's mind was definitely not going to remember anything from this meeting.
Ritsuko: Well, I guess I will start. I'm Doctor Ritsuko Akagi, head scientist of the Evangelion Project, and I also direct the technical aspects during operations. Finally, in the future I will work in another project with… your mother, Cremina.
Cremina: You don't sound too cheerful about it
Ritsuko: Well, ummm… if I want to, it's not, like, really important.
Cremina: (whispering) Yeah, right…
Misato: Well, I think that's it for Ritsuko. So... Misato Katsuragi, I work here as the main tactician, nut my title is "head of strategic situations". I also work as guardian of the Third and Second Child.
Misato pointed at the two kids across the table: the nervous one and the impatient one.
Misato: Speaking of which, it's too late to be introducing anymore, so I say we call it night and leave for our respective houses.
A general nod went through everyone's faces, and, as the adults started leaving the room, Asuka spoke.
Asuka: Hey, wait! Maybe you don't care, but I feel like introducing myself, so let's set things clear: I'm Asuka Langley Sohryu, I'm the best Eva pilot around here, so don't make things harder for me and we will be all right. Also, this idiot next to me is Shinji Ikari, he pilots too.
As Asuka finished, Rei, which was half way out of the room, spoke to the two British children.
Rei: I'm Rei Ayanami, First Child and pilot of Unit 00. I hope we can work together and cooperate.
Although Rei's hopes were clearly well intentioned, he monotone and emotionless voice took away any signs of good wishes. As she finished, Dorian stood up.
Dorian: I'm Dorian Kazegawa, Sixth Child and pilot of Unit 06. My friend here is Cremina Lentai, she has come to Japan because of her mother's job.
Cremina: I can introduce myself, thank you, SIX. Well, as he said, I'm Cremina Lentai and I came to Japan because of my mother's job on a NERV project, but that's not everything that I have to say for myself…
Shinji: like…?
Cremina: (Surprised) You spoke! I thought you were a mute or something like that. Well, about the other stuff, it's none of your business right now.
Shinji: Sorry…
Asuka: Grrr! Shinji, stop apologizing for once! Show some spine for a change, will ya!
Shinji: But… she seemed offended.
Asuka: So what?
Shinji: So I thought it would be better to apologize, all right!
Asuka: Who the hell do you think you're standing up to?
Shinji: You just told me to show some spine and to not take crap from people!
Asuka: That doesn't include me!
Cremina: Shut up, you two! You sound like if you were freaking married or something…
Shinji & Asuka: To him/her? NEVER!
Cremina: Yeah right.
Asuka: Who do you think you are? You just enter the place and in two minutes you are already playing the matchmaker!
Cremina: So what? You are going to tell me I didn't guess right? Please…
Asuka: Why the hell would I date this idiot?
Cremina: Well, you are the one dating him, so you tell me
Asuka: I'm NOT dating him!
Cremina: Yeah, of course. I mean, just by staring at you two I can tell that you…
The rest of the sentence never came, for a hand cupped her mouth, as the other hand grabbed the back of Cremina's sweater neck, and started pulling her out of the room. Dorian clearly tried to keep the girl away from Shinji and Asuka
Dorian: Please excuse my friend here, she tends to say everything she thinks without thinking of the consequences. Also, it's been a long trip for her…
Cremina: That's not true! I'm just saying things as they are, I mean, just look at them! They probably ban…
The rest was lost in the air, for she was to far away to be heard.
Asuka: Hmmmm, I think we are going to have some troubles with those two. One is freaking cold, like a common British stereotype. The other is… way too lively.
Shinji: Wouldn't it be better to just cooperate?
Asuka: What? And lower to their level? No way!
Shinji (thinking) At least, I tried.
As the two British children make their way through NERV hallways, looking for their way out, they suddenly enter a room with big windows on the right side, evidently made for overlooking the room contiguous to the room they were in now. Dorian slowly neared the windows and looked at the gigantic room in front of him: The containment cages. Across the room, in a silent sleep, lay three gigantic behemoths: One, blue colored, lacking of the armor plating or shoulder pads in the other two giants, is evidently still in construction. The next one, a purple and green giant, owns two eyes, a massive horn crowning its head, and a general appearance.
The last one, a red colored giant, owns four eyes and a prominent forehead and chin, evidently its construction is much more efficient, as its gigantic arsenal now lies exposed to the viewers.
Dorian: To think I will have to pilot Unit 06 along these things…
Cremina: Don't worry, you will do just fine
Dorian: Do you honestly think so?
Cremina: Yeah, I mean, you did good back in England, right? You destroyed those white Evas all on your own, so you should have no trouble doing the same here
Dorian: Yes… I think so
Cremina: Oh, come on! Give yourself some credit! Show some confidence for once! Plus, my mother is going to help you, so she will make sure you don't screw up.
Dorian: Yes, I think you are right.
Cremina: And also…
Cremina slowly neared Dorian, as she stared deeply into his eyes and stood on the tip of her shoes, rising herself to his eye level. Her face slowly neared his, closing her eyes.
Dorian: Cremina… What are you…?
Dorian instinctively closed his own eyes and felt the heath on his cheeks rise.
Cremina: You wish…
Cremina brought her right hand to Dorian's forehead, and literally slapped his face away from hers.
Dorian: Hey, why would you do that!
Cremina: Ha! You wish I would kiss you! No, what I was going to say was: You don't have to be nervous, if you fail, you can always try again, and they wouldn't give up on you that easily. Also, you got me on your side! You can't fail if I'm helping you.
Dorian: Don't you think you overvalue yourself a little?
Cremina: Oooooh, but I'm important to you, right?
Cremina hugged Dorian's arm, evidently trying to embarrass him. Apparently, she succeeded.
Dorian: Cremina…
Cremina: What? Don't you value our friendship?
Dorian: (Looking towards the next door) Oh, wait, somebody's calling me!
Cremina: Oh, don't you walk away from me, Dorian Kazegawa!
Dorian run to the next door in the hallway, running away from Cremina and her rage. Honestly he had just walked away to bother her, and he had clearly achieved his goal.