Run and hide, or heckle with glee, for once more I have taken fingers to keys, and attempted to write tangible ideas into somethign resembling a story. I know it's been some time since I updated, and I hope (again) to improve, and add more to my fics in regualar intervals. Hopefully I haven't lost anyone yet with my rantings. As per the norm, comments welcome, flames laughed at and discarded.
WARNING!!! This story contain a breif spot of violence, themes of premeditated sensuality, and a bit innuendo
The characters used in this fic are owned byt thier respective owners. All characters and events of Neon Genesis Evangelion are owned by Gainax and not me. My characters are mine.
This is a work of Fanfiction, and should be treated as such.
Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Proto Child Chronicles
Chapter 3: Looks can hurt, but touching can hurt more
by Izcer4 (Izcer4@rocketmail.com)
"Now then gentlemen. Since we are all here now, let us begin. Burmese, your report please."
"Yes sir."
Burmese brought out a small holo projector and turned it on, as a rotating image of Natima glowed eerily in the council chamber.
"The subjects name is Imanaya Natima. A most interesting subject, obviously much was put into her development."
A collective groups of gasps paused around the room as the men looked as the hologram before them.
"I see, a rather well built young lady." Number one said.
"Yes. It appears she was made, and accelerated to physical age or 14, except for a few areas, which received special augmentation and modifications."
"Such as?"
"Her bust line is larger than it should be, along with tighter back muscles, and she is completely sterile, among others."
"Odd."
"No. I surmise Gendo made her primarily as a possible pilot officially, but as a sideline, intended her to be his personal plaything."
"Hmm, not a bad form to have for that."
"Continue Burmese" Number one said, shooting a glare at the idiot making comments.
"Yes. Her external form is for all intents perfect. No abnormalities of any kind exist. Only her eyes do not fit a normal pattern, as they are blood red. I believe this, and her somewhat odd, but not inexplicable hair color, are the direct physical manifestations of the Angel section of her makeup. Analysis shows she is roughly half angel, and half human derived, with the majority of the human side coming from Ikari's dead wife. The most significant other part of the human side appears to be from Bengal's daughter."
"You let him have his daughter's disk!"
"Quiet. Let Burmese continue."
"No, this is an outrage. That disk was our only means of controlling him. You surrendered the only thing keeping him in line with our goals."
"BE SILENT OR BE KILLED" Number one said sternly. "I am aware of what I did, and it was my choice. Now let the doctor continue."
"All effects of Bengal have been forwarded to the council. It appears he knew exactly what was intended, and even could sense his own impending doom. The disk was vaporized, and as of yet, Ikari has no idea of the alterations made. It should be noted, though, the subject is by no means your average girl."
"How so?"
"She possesses a startling intellect. In the five days she has existed, she has read no less than three complete encyclopedias, and this is in addition to teaching herself to read, and covering the basics of human anatomy, and subjects dealing with her gender and proper care and manners for it, as well as basic home skills. She appears to have near perfect memory recall, and a learning curve akin to a cliff. She has a will to succeed, and a desire to be self sufficient."
"Aspects of Bengal's daughter. What about control, where does it lie?"
"That is the truly amazing part. She is more or less bipolar in that regard."
"Explain."
"While we and everyone sees one side of her, a rather strong willed independent young woman, there exists within her mind a separate entity. An inner self as it were, and by it's own admission, exists to protect the outer self we see from all harm and things it deems harmful to it's continued existence and emotional and mental well being."
"And this inner person, how do you get at it?"
"LCL emersion. Currently it is set for direct contact. I brought it out myself to ascertain this aspect of her. While in LCL, the outer self has no control, and no recollections at all of anything which has occurred for the duration. The inner self, which appears free from the contamination of emotions, as it put it, controls all aspects of the body and it's actions while in this state. The inner self knows it is a genetic construct, a hybrid, a half angel, and is aware of the existence of the 2 units under construction and the presence of Lilith in the Geofront."
"But where is control?"
"The inner self is dedicated to protecting the outer self, and understands SEELE as the final authority in the project. Currently, it sees me as it's overseer, but I may alter that, and will at the soonest possibility to allow for council control and privileges."
"Your recommendations?"
"We wait and see. See what Gendo will do when he finds out, and see what happens. This presents a unique opportunity to basically have in inside person for the council, while the person has no idea they are such, thus we may be able to get a pure unbiased look at what is going on."
"Very well. This meeting is done. Burmese, please remain."
The points of light all winked out, save number one and Burmese.
"Burmese, did you hold anything back?"
"Only a few things sir. Gendo made her to be his toy. I don't know how she will react since her body is setup to be extremely responsive to certain stimulation, and a good portion of her psyche may be influenced by the volume of submissiveness he tried to instill in her. It may be a mental tug of war for her, but one she may not be able to avoid. Also, I am unhappy to report to you sir, that my own feelings may begin to impede on this. She is a very special individual, despite all she is inside and out. I am trying to remain objective, but it's just something that feels like it's nagging at my mind, to try and aide Bengal's wishes for her."
"And you thoughts on Bengal's actions?"
"I can understand why he did it, although I cannot agree with it. He believed he was giving his daughter a second chance, and he also knew there was SEELE code on the disc, but didn't care. He did truly follow the council's dictate at all times. He sent a holo unit to you, and I believe it is locked to your ID. He was a smart person, and even knew I was watching him, a condition I shall attempt to remedy in the future."
"I see. Thank you, you are dismissed. Please look after our newest charge here, things may drastically change for her shortly. I will see this holo when it arrives, and make further decisions based on it. I appreciate your frankness, it is a quality you and Bengal shared, and is why I can trust you so."
"By your leave sir." And Burmese winked out.
The next morning, Natima woke early, as was her normal, and went though what was becoming her normal morning ritual. After a little bit of exercise, a nice warm breakfast, and a shower, she got ready to face her day. Not that much comprised her days. Usually walking around the base, or seeing the Doctor. She did however get a request to meet the Commander this morning. She didn't know anything about him, other than his title. From what she could gather, he was the top of the line when it came to decisions, so she made an effort to try and look her best. Instead of a tee shirt and jeans, which she found most comfortable, she instead opted for a simple blouse and slacks, similar to what she had seen other women wear around the base in her travels. One last check on her map for where she was headed, and ID in hand, headed off for her appointment with the Commander.
Making her way down the long empty hallway, she paused at the door. This Commander sure seemed odd, at the end of an empty hallway, set apart from what seemed all the other offices. She took a deep breath, and hit the announce on the panel. She said her name and her business, and the door slid open. She slowly walked in, and the door shut behind her. She looked across the office. Very dark, and blank looking. A single desk adorned the floor, and the rest was bare. A long series of windows sat opposite the door, which if she had looked back, was now locked. A man sat at the desk, his hands folded in front of his face, a pair of glasses reflecting back what little light was in the room, hiding his evil smirk behind his gloved hands.
"Commander...sir. I received a summons to your office this morning." Natima said nervously.
"Yes you did. Sit down." The Commander said, making a small curt notion to a lone chair across the desk from him.
Natima made her way and tentatively sat down, feeling a chill from the chair itself, and she felt like this man was leering at her. An uncomfortable yet at the same time calming sensation.
"What can I do for you Commander?" She asked politely.
"I am Commander Ikari, supreme Commander of NERV and this facility."
"Hai."
"Do you know why you are here?"
"Here as in this place, or here as in the metaphysical sense sir?"
"Both."
"The Doctor tells me I was brought here after an accident, as for the other, I'm really not sure."
Gendo got up and began to walk around the desk
"You are partially correct. After your incident, we brought you here to see if you would compatible for our needs. And to this end we believe you are."
Natima watched as he walked around her, explaining more about NERV, the base, and it's goals. The words didn't sit well with her, nor did the casual brushes this man made against her, part of her reeling at the bluntness, the other a bit more undefined in it's reaction.
"You seem uncomfortable young lady."
"I am not sir." Natima responded.
Gendo held his hand out, and purposely brushed it across her breast. Natima shot up like a bullet, covering her chest rapidly, looking flustered and confused as Gendo calmly sat on his desk and looked at her.
"Commander, that was inappropriate." She said, noting to herself her chest began to feel warm.
"I don't think so. In fact, please remove your clothes."
"WHAT?!?!" Natima scoffed, taken back by the bluntness of this man, yet something nagging at her.
"I told you to take your clothes off."
"I will do no such thing. This is harassment."
"This is an order from your keeper."
"I am not some kind of animal."
Gendo was perplexed, she should have obeyed. He stood.
"I gave you an order to remove your clothes, now be a good doll and do it." He said, roughly grabbing her arm.
"Hey, that hurts, let go of me." Natima began to argue and fight back.
"Then follow orders, and remove your clothes."
"No. I am my own person."
"You are a doll, and nothing more." Gendo barked, and slapped her hard across the face, sending her to the floor.
"I..am...not...a...doll.." Natima said, slowly getting back up, anger building in her eyes.
"You are" Gendo slapped her again on the other cheek.
Natima was slower to get up this time. But she did get up, and Gendo grabbed her, and began to rip her shirt off. She screamed, and got slapped again for it. She took it, and tried to knee Gendo in the groin. He grunted, and gripped, beginning to shake her violently. She began to scream in hysterics. Gendo just kept on shaking and ordering her, she was his doll, his property, and she would understand. He never saw it coming. Something, she didn't know what, came from deep inside her, and as she screamed in defiance once more, a flash, and Gendo was plastered in a heap against the floor. Natima looked for a moment, and ran. She never looked back as the sirens began to wail.
Natima bolted out the door, running through the halls crying, holding her arms over her ripped shirt. She just ran and ran, just following something inside her. She didn't know what happened, or why, or for that matter why the Commander told her to do those things. She finally wound up in front of her quarters, and burst in, right past the Doctor who was waiting for her there, into her bedroom, and dived onto the bed, crying a small lake into her pillow. She was, was well beside herself, she had such a rush of feelings, she didn't know where to begin. She was frightened, petrified, mortified, and confused. He had no right doing that, asking her to do that, expecting those things of her, yet, as much as she cried and protested, a small part of her wanted to listen. She just cried and cried, failing to notice as the Doctor came in, and looked her over, shaking his head as he pulled out a spare blanket, and covered her up, resting on the bed, gently running his fingers through her hair. Ignoring the repeated pages for his presence from the overhead.
Some time later she gradually stopped crying, as her mind began to take stock of where she was. She knew she was in a bed, most likely hers, a quick glance down confirmed that. Her shirt was still torn, but someone had placed a blanket over her. She slowly turned over, and sat up, sniffling a bit. She had made it back to her room, and to her own bed. She pulled her knees up to her chest, resting her head on them as she sighed, looking to one side she saw the Doctor, sitting in a chair, reading a book. He looked up and smiled.
"Hello Natima. You've had a busy morning. Would you care to talk about it?"
Natima just shook her head.
"Well from the state you came in here in, I'de venture a guess the Commander made a pass at you, one you didn't ask for. And given the chaos the base is in, you let him know it was unwelcome."
Natima nodded a bit.
He set the book down and sat on the bed, looking at her simply.
"I think you made the right choice, for what my opinion is worth."
Natima sniffled again, a very weak smile tugging at her lips as two security men barged into the room.
"Doctor stand aside please."
"What is the meaning of this?"
"The Commander has ordered this person to be placed under arrest." The guard said, pulling his cuffs.
"On what grounds?"
"Assault."
"Well forget, you are not going anywhere with my patient."
"The Commander has given us simple orders Doctor." The guard said, although it was well known the Commander made passes at the women. Sometimes this job sucked.
"And I am giving you simpler ones. This young woman was assaulted physically, and I am not turning her over to you so you can do the same."
"The Commander.."
"Isn't here. This woman, and the Commander are under my care. And if she kneed him in the groin for making a pass at him, I'm sure the rest of the women on base would agree with her actions. If you must place her under arrest, confine her to these quarters. However, if you think you are walking out of here with her, expect to be in my office for fitness evaluations and medical study duty."
"And the Commander?"
"You let me deal with him. As for now, I have an appointment with the young lady, so unless you are registered nurses, I suggest you leave."
"We will have to report you to the Commander."
"Fine you do that."
As the Doctor stood there the two men gauged their actions, and withdrew, making sure to take the ID off the table, and audibly locking the door as they left. When they had left, he turned to Natima.
"Well, I guess for now you'll be ok. However, the Commander is not going to be happy."
"He...he..." Natima said, shaking some.
"Don't worry" The doctor sat down, wrapping the blanket around her. "I'll help as much as I can."
Natima nodded.
The Doctor laid her back down, and stayed till she went to sleep, before checking her over once, and setting up some devices of his own in the room. He then left and returned to the infirmary, where a very upset Gendo was sitting on a couch, reading a file. He looked very upset, and ready to chew someone out.
"You countermanded my direct order Doctor, you were out of line."
"And you made a pass at another woman."
"Immaterial"
"Very material. A quick survey of 12 women I passed on my way back here supports the actions taken. You made a pass, and for once, got smacked back for it."
"I was tossed against the wall like a rag doll."
"Interesting."
"Why did you countermand my order?"
"You want to arrest her fine, keep her locked in her room. That's arrest enough. Besides, knowing what you probably had in mind, and that she's a minor, and technically still not fully medically cleared...."
"Very well. But she will be punished for her actions."
"That isn't my place to say."
"Oh but it will be. As senior ranking medical here, you will ready the table, and will supervise it's operation." Gendo said with a gleam.
"The table? Jumping right to the worst. I don't agree."
"You don't have to. She will conform, or be destroyed."
"So since you can't pull her strings like you want, you're going to try and make new ones you can have."
"My discretion."
"Yes, it is. It will take me a day or so to get the proper materials and anesthetics together."
"No anesthetic."
"Your joking."
"No, I will pay her back for the pain she gave me."
"The pain you will be giving her is unparalleled"
"You assume she will remember any of it."
"Be careful playing God Commander," The Doctor said, heading to leave, "The real one may not like what you do."
"I am the only one that matters. Do not forget that doctor." Gendo said, laying back down as the Doctor left.
In the SEELE chamber.
"What do you mean, he's using the table?"
"Just that. Burmese reports Gendo has determined his doll isn't as she should be, and wants to use the table to adjust this oversight."
"Will it work that way?"
"On a normal person, yes. On her, who knows."
"And what does Burmese suspect?"
"He states he can make no guarantee, but states he would not be surprised if she not only lives, but comes out hating Ikari even more."
"Assuming she still has a mind when done."
"Assuming this yes."
"How do we proceed?"
"We will wait and see the outcome of the procedure. The exact DNA sequence used in her creation has already been corrupted and black listed in the terminal system, so an exact copy is impossible. After the procedure, we shall make our judgment. Tell Burmese he may proceed."
The lights all blinked out, leaving number one alone. He sighed deeply, and pulled his visor off, revealing his own set of battered and grizzled eyes. He pulls a small object from his lap, and punches in a code, a small hologram of a dear parted friend pops up, and plays through a long message. When it finishes, the image dies, and a puff of smoke comes from the thing, now dead, it's message lost. He looks up and whispers to the ceiling, and replaces his visor, and fades out of sight himself.
'In the quest for redemption, we have killed our own souls. The Lord knows this, still watching even us, as we turn our own kind towards a path of salvation through drastic means. Do these means justify our actions. Are we so eager to finally pass on we condemn those we say we are trying to save. I do not know if I will be saved, or spend eternity in hell, but this much I am sure of. I leave this plane a gift, a life. An innocent who is more than normal, and may be the salvation our tortured souls have been looking for. If we cannot save ourselves, why bother to try and save the race. God's in his heaven, All's well with the World.'
Gendo was still livid. Not only had his doll been corrupted somehow, but the DNA sequence was no longer usable, or even readable. Whatever he had done, he could not duplicate it now. If he did have to kill her, he couldn't make another look like her. On top of that was the report that he had been tossed across his office by an AT field, something that was a bit hard to swallow. He was drawing up the formal orders for whichever action he had to undertake, either declaring her a NERV piece of property, or ordering her death. All would be decided in a few days. That and having to deal with Akagi. She had seen finally a picture of his doll, and he had a splitting headache from dealing with her and her tirade about it. Honestly, you would think she thought he should be hers and hers alone or something. Never mind her body wasn't up to par as far as he was concerned. He dropped the file folders and turned to look out his windows, waiting for the festivities to begin.
Natima slowly woke up, and found herself someplace she thought she shouldn't be. She tried to sit up, but found her arms, and subsequently her legs, restrained down quite tight to a hard table. A bright light above her removed any ability to see around her, as she became aware of a gag in her mouth. As she started to panic, testing her bonds, trying to see, several faces covered in doctors shrouds came into view. One she saw was the Doctor, who's face was solemn, and not happy. The others held a look of just doing their job. Two faces held pleasure on them, one was the jerk Commander, and the other reminded her of some woman she heard of named Akagi. She looked down, and saw an IV in each arm, and a very thin sheet covering her body. Her eyes were wide in fear.
"Now I will pay you back for what you did to me." The Commander said, as he and the other faces all left.
The Doctors face came into view, his eyes trying to apologize for this, something was going to happen, and Natima didn't like the concept.
"Begin Doctor." Came the order.
The Doctor nodded, and leaned down to Natima's face, brushing the hair out of her face, and whispering to her.
"I'm sorry, I truly and deeply am. Please protect her." He whispered, going to the head of the table, and typing on a terminal.
Natima heard a soft hum, and a soft blue glow emanated from a frame of some sort past her feet. The device began to slowly move upwards, as Natima could almost feel the Doctor move away as the light went off above her as the field began to pass over her body. She had never felt such pain. Every muscle in her body tried to pull away from it, as she tried to scream loudly, the gag preventing it. Her eyes were wide as it felt like every cell in her foot was being frozen, burned, twisted and crushed with the extreme tools of the trade. The pain just never stopped, her body refused to black out. She couldn't even adjust and grow used to it, for it slowly, ever so slowly moved up her body. If she could see though the haze of pain, she would see Gendo and the Akagi woman smiling as they watched this perverse display of entertainment, as the Doctor sadly watched the progress on his terminal, unable to give her pain medicine.
For hours on end the process continued. Gendo had retired to his office, checking in every so often. The sheet burning away under the field as it passed up and down her body. Some 70 hours later the field finally shut off, and her body, worn, and very tired, finally slipped into unconsciousness from the ordeal, as she was carried roughly to the infirmary. The Doctor returned, and ripped his gear off, immediately moving the limp young lady to a more comfortable bed, and setting a blanket atop her. He pulled a chair up, and began to read, passing time till he could safely examine her for the possible damage done to her. When the needed time had passed, he set the book down, pulling out his notebook. He slowly began to repeat the physical he gave her a few days earlier, noting her body seemed to have suffered no permanent damage from the ordeal. He looked at her. Such a gamble, such a huge gamble. He hoped It was worth it. But then again, he, and others, had nothing left to lose, even if it wasn't worth it. He finished the exam in short order, and went back to his office to rest on the couch, since it should be several more hours before she regained consciousness.
The Doctor began to stir some time later, and slowly rose from the couch. To his surprise, he got up much faster than he was anticipating. Although this was largely due to the almost naked Natima staggering across the room, anger beyond all reason in her eyes as every motion she took was obviously very painful. The Doctor picked her up, and carried her back in, despite hissing and growling from her.
"Now stay put young lady, you are in no condition to be moving, not that I know how you are."
"Like I should tell you. You said you would protect me. Fat good that did."
"And just where do you think you were going?"
"I'm going to kill him. I'm going to wrap my hands around his throat, and put him though three days of unheard of pain." Natima clenched her hands, despite the pain.
"Well then at least part of you is still with us, that's a relief."
"Part? PART!? What in Hell's name does that mean. DO you have any idea what YOU just finished putting me through?" Natima was already sitting up, ignoring the pain, which of course the Doctor was noticing.
"Yes, I do. I know it's not pleasant, and it was only because I was ordered to that I did it, and it was by order no anesthetic was given."
"I don't give a rat's backside about orders. I'm going up there, and I'm going to put his parts into a new order...a non living one!"
"Dressed in a blanket? Besides, do you have any idea what was supposed to happen to you?"
"I don't care right now. He's a dead man...."
"Well, as much as I want to let you, I can't. You are not leaving this Infirmary till I say you are ready, and ready will be pain free. So lay back down, before I have to restrain you."
"Like I should trust anything you say."
"Believe what you will, but in here, I am lord and master."
Natima grumbled, and tried to leave four more times, finally laying back down when a set of restraints were brought out. She repeatedly refused the offers of pain medicine, not that the doctor could blame her. She probably hated all adults, all men by this point, but at least she seemed to be herself. It would have almost been worth it to let her go, to see if she would kill Gendo. If it was an AT field that tossed him across the room, then in her current condition and state of anger, it would take an army to slow her down. Natima just tossed and turned on the cot, the pain subsiding very slowly, only to be replaced with very sore muscles, and a headache bigger than the geofront. The doctor had gone and transmitted his report on her results to the council, and the results of her physical to Gendo, with explicit instructions not to come down, that she would be sent to him when she was recovered physically.
Later that evening, the doctor returned to his patient, to find her half asleep, tossing her head in what was most likely a terrible nightmare. He couldn't be more right. Visions of pain and suffering wracked the girls mind, feelings of helplessness and despair. Total lack of control, yet at the same time, something else. Something, not quite herself, but not alien, something buffering her from the full pain, yet unable to just let her pass out. This, and another presence, a soft echo, almost completely drowned out by the intense spears of pain, a soft echo asking her, begging her to find, to find something, to do something, but she couldn't make it out. Images of the Doctor, with his sad expression, nurses and other women looking at her with contempt for how she looked, and Gendo, leering at her and laughing. Her mind snapped awake, as she sat up quickly, grabbing herself, and breaking out in a cold sweat, almost screaming. A hand touched her shoulder and she lashed out without thinking, a loud crash coming as the hand released her, being flung a few feet into a cart.
"Well, I guess your self defense reflexes have recovered, ouch." Said a very surprised, and now bruised Doctor as he got up off the floor.
Natima just looked over, slowly trying to calm down, falling back against the bed, swallowing hard, trying to get a grip and a handle on her emotions. She had done it again without thinking, she had felt afraid, scared, threatened, and something, something came to her aid. She was so confused, so worried, she just turned her head and began to cry, falling back asleep. When she came too, she looked around. She was no longer in the infirmary, she was back in her room, covered by sheets and blankets, much more comfortable than the infirmary beds. She sat up, still sore and achy all over. She pulled the blankets back, to find an oversized tee shirt and shorts on her, better than nothing as she staggered to the bathroom, and then out to the kitchen and main room. She glanced out, and saw the Doctor on the couch, head down, asleep, an open book on his chest. She staggered into the kitchen, and pulled out some things to make some food. She was blocking out the pain and discomfort and hunger, and completely missed as a nurse entered her quarters and stood in the doorway to the kitchen.
"I see the Doctor was right about you."
"Ahh" Natima almost fell over, and looked over with a slight scowl "What are you talking about?"
"That you refuse to just let your body get better."
"My prerogative"
"True, but your about to fall down, have a seat, I'll help."
"As if I would trust you. I've seen you, you and the other women giving me evil stares, and you're an adult. Adults aren't real high on my list right now."
"Well sit or I'll make you sit, and either way I'll explain."
Natima was about to retort, when her legs felt weak, and she grabbed the counter, looking at the woman who only smirked. She grumbled, but sat down and let the woman help her out.
"Well I can't help your view of adults, but I can try and apologize for the evil looks."
"Words aren't worth much."
"Well around here, there are other things to consider."
"Such as?"
"Well, as you found out, the Commander is to say the least a lecherous jerk."
"A dead jerk if he ever gets inside my reach again."
"Well, the evil looks were from false first impressions. You see, around here, there has been times when new girls come through, and they mainly are here because the Commander is chasing skirts."
"I thought he was married."
"He was, and even when was, and after she died, he still chased anything with a skirt."
"So why the evil looks?"
"We thought you were the latest bimbo to walk in."
"Gee, thanks I think." Natima said rolling her eyes.
"Well if we still thought that, I wouldn't be here. You did something we all wanted to do, but couldn't"
"And what was that."
"Rebuff the Commander in a direct physical way."
"He tried to rip my clothes off."
"And for that, you let him have it. He deserved it, but the rest of us have families or bills to consider."
"So?"
"Ahh to be young again. Basically everyone here has secrets. Things we have to cope with ourselves, or things that were getting very hard to manage in our previous lines of work. In a way, it's how the Commander ensures compliance, since anyone who talks back gets fired, or worse."
"And I'm different how?"
"Well you apparently don't have a string he can pull, or didn't know. Either way, you stood your ground, and that will get you respect. At least from us it will. Then, you survived the table. Although the Commander doesn't know it yet, and I can imagine he'll be quite cross."
"The table?"
"The table." Came the voice of the Doctor.
"Morning Doctor. Watching over your charge again?"
"Yes, I felt her quarters would be more comfortable that the infirmary."
Natima mumbled under her breath.
"And please thank Betty for seeing to changing Natima's attire." He said, and looked at Natima "I don't take advantage of women, a nurse is the one who dressed you and moved you here."
"Whatever." Natima said.
"The table is what we call the equipment and procedure Gendo ordered you put through. Basically a very advanced gene therapy system. In basic terms, it tries to adjust a subjects genetic makeup. It was developed for systemic cancers and the like."
"So basically try and alter a person's DNA?"
"Basically. It was never intended for what he had in mind, nor was it ever designed to be done to the entire body, let alone one without pain killers."
"So what was he trying to do to me then?"
"I don't know. He entered the sequences, I just watched the terminal and your vitals. But whatever it was, I don't think it worked."
"I know it didn't work Doctor." The nurse said, putting out three plates of food for everyone, and sitting down.
"Well I guess we'll never know." Natima said with a loathing in her voice.
"I do agree with the Nurse. I don't think it worked."
"Well all I know is I have never felt so sore in my entire life."
"Not to mention you should have been out for about two more days, not to mention need a week to recover once you woke up." The nurse said, taking a bite of her food.
Natima just shrugged.
"Well Natima, I will warn you. The Commander will be ordering you to his office again. I'm not saying you have to play along, or agree with what he says, but be careful."
"Why? The only way he is going to touch me is when my fingers clench around his cowardly throat."
"The Commander is definitely in for a surprise."
Breakfast passed without much other than a few words, the Doctor leaving to do some paperwork, the Nurse staying, and helping Natima clean up, and get back to bed, telling her to rest up, since the Commander wasn't going anywhere. She also dropped off a few cards of apology from the other ladies from around the base. It was hard for Natima to stay angry, the fa‡ade gradually falling, as she laid down in her bed, and gave into the soreness and fatigue in her body, and fell back asleep.
"Well Burmese, what is your report?" One requested.
"Sir, I am relieved to report my analysis was correct. It appears the test subject has not suffered any alterations to her structure."
"So, the table failed?"
"More likely due to her specific nature than the procedure."
"What is her current condition?"
"She is recovering. Very sore, physically weak, but exceeding expectations. And she is livid with Ikari."
"Explain."
"Projections were she should have stayed unconscious for a minimum of two days, with an additional seven after that to recover to a point of function. She awoke after barely 12 hours, and is even now walking. She is hiding the fatigue and pain, it is evident in her motion, but she refuses to give into it. Additionally, she holds Ikari accountable, and I believe were she given the chance right now, would take his life."
"As stubborn and driven as the people who made her up."
"Indeed. I surmise her dual nature made it impossible to alter her structure, the one fulfilling it's promise to protect the other."
"Indeed. And what is Ikari's stand?"
"As yet, he does not know she is unchanged. I suspect he will summon her when she is cleared, and try again, with a degree of hesitancy."
"And his likely course of action?"
"My personal guess is either another round on the table, or simply kill her and try again with Central Dogma."
"Your opinion and recommendation?"
"Personal, or professional?"
"Both."
"As they are mixed, they are the same. To allow her to perish would mean we lose a valuable resource. One that knows who is truly in command, and can provide insight and aide into furthering the agendas of the council. Also, she is a person, even if a half angel. She has the right to live something of a life, not a short few weeks and then discarded like a broken doll."
"Burmese, it seems there is quite a bit of personal attachment in this issue." Came a random comment.
"I stated before that this situation was blurring that line."
"Could it be possible you are being swayed by certain urges?"
A shot rang out in the SEELE chamber.
"Not withstanding the new vacancy, can you address that issue Burmese?"
"While I admit my personal feelings are crossing over in this incident, it is not caused by the baser needs of flesh."
"Then what is it?"
"A number of things. A passage from Bengal which hits perhaps a bit too close to my own self. A life that exists, and is free, when it was designed to be caged. To see this experiment continue. To see if she truly can figure out life."
"Thank you Burmese. That will be all."
"By your leave sir." Burmese said, and vanished from the chamber.
"Well, what shall we do?" Came a nervous voice.
"Other than find a new member." Said another.
"I believe we shall see what Ikari does. I understand US-2 will be needing a test pilot for the prototyping tests they are to perform."
"That is correct. The available field is rather slim, doubly so given the experimental nature of the facility."
"Then if Ikari tries to take her life, we can order him to send her there. She should allow for easier tests, as well as isolating her from him."
"Will that not push our position. Ikari would be more likely to object, and cut her off."
"Burmese can obtain the records Ikari is holding as collateral, and Bengal does have a rather large estate value we must disperse."
"One, I wonder if your feelings are not clouded on this."
"Gentlemen, it is not your place to question me. What I choose to do is my choice. If you must have a reason, call it an experiment in humanity."
"We have already seen those."
All the points of light save One and another blinked out.
"Lorentz, if you are doing this out of respect for Bengal, or fulfilling a last request of his, that is all you must say. We may be playing God, but we are all still human enough to remember what life could have been." And the light blinked out,
"If I knew the answer myself, I would tell you all. This goes beyond promises, or debts. Into a realm I haven't visited in many many years. Hopefully this time I can come back a better being for the effort."
One sighed as he finished talking to the walls, pulling up a screen, and beginning type out an order, and set things in motion to try and protect something he was beginning to agree needed some protection.
To be continued.......
There is Chapter 3, and hopefully chapter 4 will be doen soon. Look also for my other fics, Power of Pain, and the Protectorate. I hope people enjoy reading my somewhat quirky takes on Anime series.
Izcer4
Izcer4@rocketmail.com
WARNING!!! This story contain a breif spot of violence, themes of premeditated sensuality, and a bit innuendo
The characters used in this fic are owned byt thier respective owners. All characters and events of Neon Genesis Evangelion are owned by Gainax and not me. My characters are mine.
This is a work of Fanfiction, and should be treated as such.
Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Proto Child Chronicles
Chapter 3: Looks can hurt, but touching can hurt more
by Izcer4 (Izcer4@rocketmail.com)
"Now then gentlemen. Since we are all here now, let us begin. Burmese, your report please."
"Yes sir."
Burmese brought out a small holo projector and turned it on, as a rotating image of Natima glowed eerily in the council chamber.
"The subjects name is Imanaya Natima. A most interesting subject, obviously much was put into her development."
A collective groups of gasps paused around the room as the men looked as the hologram before them.
"I see, a rather well built young lady." Number one said.
"Yes. It appears she was made, and accelerated to physical age or 14, except for a few areas, which received special augmentation and modifications."
"Such as?"
"Her bust line is larger than it should be, along with tighter back muscles, and she is completely sterile, among others."
"Odd."
"No. I surmise Gendo made her primarily as a possible pilot officially, but as a sideline, intended her to be his personal plaything."
"Hmm, not a bad form to have for that."
"Continue Burmese" Number one said, shooting a glare at the idiot making comments.
"Yes. Her external form is for all intents perfect. No abnormalities of any kind exist. Only her eyes do not fit a normal pattern, as they are blood red. I believe this, and her somewhat odd, but not inexplicable hair color, are the direct physical manifestations of the Angel section of her makeup. Analysis shows she is roughly half angel, and half human derived, with the majority of the human side coming from Ikari's dead wife. The most significant other part of the human side appears to be from Bengal's daughter."
"You let him have his daughter's disk!"
"Quiet. Let Burmese continue."
"No, this is an outrage. That disk was our only means of controlling him. You surrendered the only thing keeping him in line with our goals."
"BE SILENT OR BE KILLED" Number one said sternly. "I am aware of what I did, and it was my choice. Now let the doctor continue."
"All effects of Bengal have been forwarded to the council. It appears he knew exactly what was intended, and even could sense his own impending doom. The disk was vaporized, and as of yet, Ikari has no idea of the alterations made. It should be noted, though, the subject is by no means your average girl."
"How so?"
"She possesses a startling intellect. In the five days she has existed, she has read no less than three complete encyclopedias, and this is in addition to teaching herself to read, and covering the basics of human anatomy, and subjects dealing with her gender and proper care and manners for it, as well as basic home skills. She appears to have near perfect memory recall, and a learning curve akin to a cliff. She has a will to succeed, and a desire to be self sufficient."
"Aspects of Bengal's daughter. What about control, where does it lie?"
"That is the truly amazing part. She is more or less bipolar in that regard."
"Explain."
"While we and everyone sees one side of her, a rather strong willed independent young woman, there exists within her mind a separate entity. An inner self as it were, and by it's own admission, exists to protect the outer self we see from all harm and things it deems harmful to it's continued existence and emotional and mental well being."
"And this inner person, how do you get at it?"
"LCL emersion. Currently it is set for direct contact. I brought it out myself to ascertain this aspect of her. While in LCL, the outer self has no control, and no recollections at all of anything which has occurred for the duration. The inner self, which appears free from the contamination of emotions, as it put it, controls all aspects of the body and it's actions while in this state. The inner self knows it is a genetic construct, a hybrid, a half angel, and is aware of the existence of the 2 units under construction and the presence of Lilith in the Geofront."
"But where is control?"
"The inner self is dedicated to protecting the outer self, and understands SEELE as the final authority in the project. Currently, it sees me as it's overseer, but I may alter that, and will at the soonest possibility to allow for council control and privileges."
"Your recommendations?"
"We wait and see. See what Gendo will do when he finds out, and see what happens. This presents a unique opportunity to basically have in inside person for the council, while the person has no idea they are such, thus we may be able to get a pure unbiased look at what is going on."
"Very well. This meeting is done. Burmese, please remain."
The points of light all winked out, save number one and Burmese.
"Burmese, did you hold anything back?"
"Only a few things sir. Gendo made her to be his toy. I don't know how she will react since her body is setup to be extremely responsive to certain stimulation, and a good portion of her psyche may be influenced by the volume of submissiveness he tried to instill in her. It may be a mental tug of war for her, but one she may not be able to avoid. Also, I am unhappy to report to you sir, that my own feelings may begin to impede on this. She is a very special individual, despite all she is inside and out. I am trying to remain objective, but it's just something that feels like it's nagging at my mind, to try and aide Bengal's wishes for her."
"And you thoughts on Bengal's actions?"
"I can understand why he did it, although I cannot agree with it. He believed he was giving his daughter a second chance, and he also knew there was SEELE code on the disc, but didn't care. He did truly follow the council's dictate at all times. He sent a holo unit to you, and I believe it is locked to your ID. He was a smart person, and even knew I was watching him, a condition I shall attempt to remedy in the future."
"I see. Thank you, you are dismissed. Please look after our newest charge here, things may drastically change for her shortly. I will see this holo when it arrives, and make further decisions based on it. I appreciate your frankness, it is a quality you and Bengal shared, and is why I can trust you so."
"By your leave sir." And Burmese winked out.
The next morning, Natima woke early, as was her normal, and went though what was becoming her normal morning ritual. After a little bit of exercise, a nice warm breakfast, and a shower, she got ready to face her day. Not that much comprised her days. Usually walking around the base, or seeing the Doctor. She did however get a request to meet the Commander this morning. She didn't know anything about him, other than his title. From what she could gather, he was the top of the line when it came to decisions, so she made an effort to try and look her best. Instead of a tee shirt and jeans, which she found most comfortable, she instead opted for a simple blouse and slacks, similar to what she had seen other women wear around the base in her travels. One last check on her map for where she was headed, and ID in hand, headed off for her appointment with the Commander.
Making her way down the long empty hallway, she paused at the door. This Commander sure seemed odd, at the end of an empty hallway, set apart from what seemed all the other offices. She took a deep breath, and hit the announce on the panel. She said her name and her business, and the door slid open. She slowly walked in, and the door shut behind her. She looked across the office. Very dark, and blank looking. A single desk adorned the floor, and the rest was bare. A long series of windows sat opposite the door, which if she had looked back, was now locked. A man sat at the desk, his hands folded in front of his face, a pair of glasses reflecting back what little light was in the room, hiding his evil smirk behind his gloved hands.
"Commander...sir. I received a summons to your office this morning." Natima said nervously.
"Yes you did. Sit down." The Commander said, making a small curt notion to a lone chair across the desk from him.
Natima made her way and tentatively sat down, feeling a chill from the chair itself, and she felt like this man was leering at her. An uncomfortable yet at the same time calming sensation.
"What can I do for you Commander?" She asked politely.
"I am Commander Ikari, supreme Commander of NERV and this facility."
"Hai."
"Do you know why you are here?"
"Here as in this place, or here as in the metaphysical sense sir?"
"Both."
"The Doctor tells me I was brought here after an accident, as for the other, I'm really not sure."
Gendo got up and began to walk around the desk
"You are partially correct. After your incident, we brought you here to see if you would compatible for our needs. And to this end we believe you are."
Natima watched as he walked around her, explaining more about NERV, the base, and it's goals. The words didn't sit well with her, nor did the casual brushes this man made against her, part of her reeling at the bluntness, the other a bit more undefined in it's reaction.
"You seem uncomfortable young lady."
"I am not sir." Natima responded.
Gendo held his hand out, and purposely brushed it across her breast. Natima shot up like a bullet, covering her chest rapidly, looking flustered and confused as Gendo calmly sat on his desk and looked at her.
"Commander, that was inappropriate." She said, noting to herself her chest began to feel warm.
"I don't think so. In fact, please remove your clothes."
"WHAT?!?!" Natima scoffed, taken back by the bluntness of this man, yet something nagging at her.
"I told you to take your clothes off."
"I will do no such thing. This is harassment."
"This is an order from your keeper."
"I am not some kind of animal."
Gendo was perplexed, she should have obeyed. He stood.
"I gave you an order to remove your clothes, now be a good doll and do it." He said, roughly grabbing her arm.
"Hey, that hurts, let go of me." Natima began to argue and fight back.
"Then follow orders, and remove your clothes."
"No. I am my own person."
"You are a doll, and nothing more." Gendo barked, and slapped her hard across the face, sending her to the floor.
"I..am...not...a...doll.." Natima said, slowly getting back up, anger building in her eyes.
"You are" Gendo slapped her again on the other cheek.
Natima was slower to get up this time. But she did get up, and Gendo grabbed her, and began to rip her shirt off. She screamed, and got slapped again for it. She took it, and tried to knee Gendo in the groin. He grunted, and gripped, beginning to shake her violently. She began to scream in hysterics. Gendo just kept on shaking and ordering her, she was his doll, his property, and she would understand. He never saw it coming. Something, she didn't know what, came from deep inside her, and as she screamed in defiance once more, a flash, and Gendo was plastered in a heap against the floor. Natima looked for a moment, and ran. She never looked back as the sirens began to wail.
Natima bolted out the door, running through the halls crying, holding her arms over her ripped shirt. She just ran and ran, just following something inside her. She didn't know what happened, or why, or for that matter why the Commander told her to do those things. She finally wound up in front of her quarters, and burst in, right past the Doctor who was waiting for her there, into her bedroom, and dived onto the bed, crying a small lake into her pillow. She was, was well beside herself, she had such a rush of feelings, she didn't know where to begin. She was frightened, petrified, mortified, and confused. He had no right doing that, asking her to do that, expecting those things of her, yet, as much as she cried and protested, a small part of her wanted to listen. She just cried and cried, failing to notice as the Doctor came in, and looked her over, shaking his head as he pulled out a spare blanket, and covered her up, resting on the bed, gently running his fingers through her hair. Ignoring the repeated pages for his presence from the overhead.
Some time later she gradually stopped crying, as her mind began to take stock of where she was. She knew she was in a bed, most likely hers, a quick glance down confirmed that. Her shirt was still torn, but someone had placed a blanket over her. She slowly turned over, and sat up, sniffling a bit. She had made it back to her room, and to her own bed. She pulled her knees up to her chest, resting her head on them as she sighed, looking to one side she saw the Doctor, sitting in a chair, reading a book. He looked up and smiled.
"Hello Natima. You've had a busy morning. Would you care to talk about it?"
Natima just shook her head.
"Well from the state you came in here in, I'de venture a guess the Commander made a pass at you, one you didn't ask for. And given the chaos the base is in, you let him know it was unwelcome."
Natima nodded a bit.
He set the book down and sat on the bed, looking at her simply.
"I think you made the right choice, for what my opinion is worth."
Natima sniffled again, a very weak smile tugging at her lips as two security men barged into the room.
"Doctor stand aside please."
"What is the meaning of this?"
"The Commander has ordered this person to be placed under arrest." The guard said, pulling his cuffs.
"On what grounds?"
"Assault."
"Well forget, you are not going anywhere with my patient."
"The Commander has given us simple orders Doctor." The guard said, although it was well known the Commander made passes at the women. Sometimes this job sucked.
"And I am giving you simpler ones. This young woman was assaulted physically, and I am not turning her over to you so you can do the same."
"The Commander.."
"Isn't here. This woman, and the Commander are under my care. And if she kneed him in the groin for making a pass at him, I'm sure the rest of the women on base would agree with her actions. If you must place her under arrest, confine her to these quarters. However, if you think you are walking out of here with her, expect to be in my office for fitness evaluations and medical study duty."
"And the Commander?"
"You let me deal with him. As for now, I have an appointment with the young lady, so unless you are registered nurses, I suggest you leave."
"We will have to report you to the Commander."
"Fine you do that."
As the Doctor stood there the two men gauged their actions, and withdrew, making sure to take the ID off the table, and audibly locking the door as they left. When they had left, he turned to Natima.
"Well, I guess for now you'll be ok. However, the Commander is not going to be happy."
"He...he..." Natima said, shaking some.
"Don't worry" The doctor sat down, wrapping the blanket around her. "I'll help as much as I can."
Natima nodded.
The Doctor laid her back down, and stayed till she went to sleep, before checking her over once, and setting up some devices of his own in the room. He then left and returned to the infirmary, where a very upset Gendo was sitting on a couch, reading a file. He looked very upset, and ready to chew someone out.
"You countermanded my direct order Doctor, you were out of line."
"And you made a pass at another woman."
"Immaterial"
"Very material. A quick survey of 12 women I passed on my way back here supports the actions taken. You made a pass, and for once, got smacked back for it."
"I was tossed against the wall like a rag doll."
"Interesting."
"Why did you countermand my order?"
"You want to arrest her fine, keep her locked in her room. That's arrest enough. Besides, knowing what you probably had in mind, and that she's a minor, and technically still not fully medically cleared...."
"Very well. But she will be punished for her actions."
"That isn't my place to say."
"Oh but it will be. As senior ranking medical here, you will ready the table, and will supervise it's operation." Gendo said with a gleam.
"The table? Jumping right to the worst. I don't agree."
"You don't have to. She will conform, or be destroyed."
"So since you can't pull her strings like you want, you're going to try and make new ones you can have."
"My discretion."
"Yes, it is. It will take me a day or so to get the proper materials and anesthetics together."
"No anesthetic."
"Your joking."
"No, I will pay her back for the pain she gave me."
"The pain you will be giving her is unparalleled"
"You assume she will remember any of it."
"Be careful playing God Commander," The Doctor said, heading to leave, "The real one may not like what you do."
"I am the only one that matters. Do not forget that doctor." Gendo said, laying back down as the Doctor left.
In the SEELE chamber.
"What do you mean, he's using the table?"
"Just that. Burmese reports Gendo has determined his doll isn't as she should be, and wants to use the table to adjust this oversight."
"Will it work that way?"
"On a normal person, yes. On her, who knows."
"And what does Burmese suspect?"
"He states he can make no guarantee, but states he would not be surprised if she not only lives, but comes out hating Ikari even more."
"Assuming she still has a mind when done."
"Assuming this yes."
"How do we proceed?"
"We will wait and see the outcome of the procedure. The exact DNA sequence used in her creation has already been corrupted and black listed in the terminal system, so an exact copy is impossible. After the procedure, we shall make our judgment. Tell Burmese he may proceed."
The lights all blinked out, leaving number one alone. He sighed deeply, and pulled his visor off, revealing his own set of battered and grizzled eyes. He pulls a small object from his lap, and punches in a code, a small hologram of a dear parted friend pops up, and plays through a long message. When it finishes, the image dies, and a puff of smoke comes from the thing, now dead, it's message lost. He looks up and whispers to the ceiling, and replaces his visor, and fades out of sight himself.
'In the quest for redemption, we have killed our own souls. The Lord knows this, still watching even us, as we turn our own kind towards a path of salvation through drastic means. Do these means justify our actions. Are we so eager to finally pass on we condemn those we say we are trying to save. I do not know if I will be saved, or spend eternity in hell, but this much I am sure of. I leave this plane a gift, a life. An innocent who is more than normal, and may be the salvation our tortured souls have been looking for. If we cannot save ourselves, why bother to try and save the race. God's in his heaven, All's well with the World.'
Gendo was still livid. Not only had his doll been corrupted somehow, but the DNA sequence was no longer usable, or even readable. Whatever he had done, he could not duplicate it now. If he did have to kill her, he couldn't make another look like her. On top of that was the report that he had been tossed across his office by an AT field, something that was a bit hard to swallow. He was drawing up the formal orders for whichever action he had to undertake, either declaring her a NERV piece of property, or ordering her death. All would be decided in a few days. That and having to deal with Akagi. She had seen finally a picture of his doll, and he had a splitting headache from dealing with her and her tirade about it. Honestly, you would think she thought he should be hers and hers alone or something. Never mind her body wasn't up to par as far as he was concerned. He dropped the file folders and turned to look out his windows, waiting for the festivities to begin.
Natima slowly woke up, and found herself someplace she thought she shouldn't be. She tried to sit up, but found her arms, and subsequently her legs, restrained down quite tight to a hard table. A bright light above her removed any ability to see around her, as she became aware of a gag in her mouth. As she started to panic, testing her bonds, trying to see, several faces covered in doctors shrouds came into view. One she saw was the Doctor, who's face was solemn, and not happy. The others held a look of just doing their job. Two faces held pleasure on them, one was the jerk Commander, and the other reminded her of some woman she heard of named Akagi. She looked down, and saw an IV in each arm, and a very thin sheet covering her body. Her eyes were wide in fear.
"Now I will pay you back for what you did to me." The Commander said, as he and the other faces all left.
The Doctors face came into view, his eyes trying to apologize for this, something was going to happen, and Natima didn't like the concept.
"Begin Doctor." Came the order.
The Doctor nodded, and leaned down to Natima's face, brushing the hair out of her face, and whispering to her.
"I'm sorry, I truly and deeply am. Please protect her." He whispered, going to the head of the table, and typing on a terminal.
Natima heard a soft hum, and a soft blue glow emanated from a frame of some sort past her feet. The device began to slowly move upwards, as Natima could almost feel the Doctor move away as the light went off above her as the field began to pass over her body. She had never felt such pain. Every muscle in her body tried to pull away from it, as she tried to scream loudly, the gag preventing it. Her eyes were wide as it felt like every cell in her foot was being frozen, burned, twisted and crushed with the extreme tools of the trade. The pain just never stopped, her body refused to black out. She couldn't even adjust and grow used to it, for it slowly, ever so slowly moved up her body. If she could see though the haze of pain, she would see Gendo and the Akagi woman smiling as they watched this perverse display of entertainment, as the Doctor sadly watched the progress on his terminal, unable to give her pain medicine.
For hours on end the process continued. Gendo had retired to his office, checking in every so often. The sheet burning away under the field as it passed up and down her body. Some 70 hours later the field finally shut off, and her body, worn, and very tired, finally slipped into unconsciousness from the ordeal, as she was carried roughly to the infirmary. The Doctor returned, and ripped his gear off, immediately moving the limp young lady to a more comfortable bed, and setting a blanket atop her. He pulled a chair up, and began to read, passing time till he could safely examine her for the possible damage done to her. When the needed time had passed, he set the book down, pulling out his notebook. He slowly began to repeat the physical he gave her a few days earlier, noting her body seemed to have suffered no permanent damage from the ordeal. He looked at her. Such a gamble, such a huge gamble. He hoped It was worth it. But then again, he, and others, had nothing left to lose, even if it wasn't worth it. He finished the exam in short order, and went back to his office to rest on the couch, since it should be several more hours before she regained consciousness.
The Doctor began to stir some time later, and slowly rose from the couch. To his surprise, he got up much faster than he was anticipating. Although this was largely due to the almost naked Natima staggering across the room, anger beyond all reason in her eyes as every motion she took was obviously very painful. The Doctor picked her up, and carried her back in, despite hissing and growling from her.
"Now stay put young lady, you are in no condition to be moving, not that I know how you are."
"Like I should tell you. You said you would protect me. Fat good that did."
"And just where do you think you were going?"
"I'm going to kill him. I'm going to wrap my hands around his throat, and put him though three days of unheard of pain." Natima clenched her hands, despite the pain.
"Well then at least part of you is still with us, that's a relief."
"Part? PART!? What in Hell's name does that mean. DO you have any idea what YOU just finished putting me through?" Natima was already sitting up, ignoring the pain, which of course the Doctor was noticing.
"Yes, I do. I know it's not pleasant, and it was only because I was ordered to that I did it, and it was by order no anesthetic was given."
"I don't give a rat's backside about orders. I'm going up there, and I'm going to put his parts into a new order...a non living one!"
"Dressed in a blanket? Besides, do you have any idea what was supposed to happen to you?"
"I don't care right now. He's a dead man...."
"Well, as much as I want to let you, I can't. You are not leaving this Infirmary till I say you are ready, and ready will be pain free. So lay back down, before I have to restrain you."
"Like I should trust anything you say."
"Believe what you will, but in here, I am lord and master."
Natima grumbled, and tried to leave four more times, finally laying back down when a set of restraints were brought out. She repeatedly refused the offers of pain medicine, not that the doctor could blame her. She probably hated all adults, all men by this point, but at least she seemed to be herself. It would have almost been worth it to let her go, to see if she would kill Gendo. If it was an AT field that tossed him across the room, then in her current condition and state of anger, it would take an army to slow her down. Natima just tossed and turned on the cot, the pain subsiding very slowly, only to be replaced with very sore muscles, and a headache bigger than the geofront. The doctor had gone and transmitted his report on her results to the council, and the results of her physical to Gendo, with explicit instructions not to come down, that she would be sent to him when she was recovered physically.
Later that evening, the doctor returned to his patient, to find her half asleep, tossing her head in what was most likely a terrible nightmare. He couldn't be more right. Visions of pain and suffering wracked the girls mind, feelings of helplessness and despair. Total lack of control, yet at the same time, something else. Something, not quite herself, but not alien, something buffering her from the full pain, yet unable to just let her pass out. This, and another presence, a soft echo, almost completely drowned out by the intense spears of pain, a soft echo asking her, begging her to find, to find something, to do something, but she couldn't make it out. Images of the Doctor, with his sad expression, nurses and other women looking at her with contempt for how she looked, and Gendo, leering at her and laughing. Her mind snapped awake, as she sat up quickly, grabbing herself, and breaking out in a cold sweat, almost screaming. A hand touched her shoulder and she lashed out without thinking, a loud crash coming as the hand released her, being flung a few feet into a cart.
"Well, I guess your self defense reflexes have recovered, ouch." Said a very surprised, and now bruised Doctor as he got up off the floor.
Natima just looked over, slowly trying to calm down, falling back against the bed, swallowing hard, trying to get a grip and a handle on her emotions. She had done it again without thinking, she had felt afraid, scared, threatened, and something, something came to her aid. She was so confused, so worried, she just turned her head and began to cry, falling back asleep. When she came too, she looked around. She was no longer in the infirmary, she was back in her room, covered by sheets and blankets, much more comfortable than the infirmary beds. She sat up, still sore and achy all over. She pulled the blankets back, to find an oversized tee shirt and shorts on her, better than nothing as she staggered to the bathroom, and then out to the kitchen and main room. She glanced out, and saw the Doctor on the couch, head down, asleep, an open book on his chest. She staggered into the kitchen, and pulled out some things to make some food. She was blocking out the pain and discomfort and hunger, and completely missed as a nurse entered her quarters and stood in the doorway to the kitchen.
"I see the Doctor was right about you."
"Ahh" Natima almost fell over, and looked over with a slight scowl "What are you talking about?"
"That you refuse to just let your body get better."
"My prerogative"
"True, but your about to fall down, have a seat, I'll help."
"As if I would trust you. I've seen you, you and the other women giving me evil stares, and you're an adult. Adults aren't real high on my list right now."
"Well sit or I'll make you sit, and either way I'll explain."
Natima was about to retort, when her legs felt weak, and she grabbed the counter, looking at the woman who only smirked. She grumbled, but sat down and let the woman help her out.
"Well I can't help your view of adults, but I can try and apologize for the evil looks."
"Words aren't worth much."
"Well around here, there are other things to consider."
"Such as?"
"Well, as you found out, the Commander is to say the least a lecherous jerk."
"A dead jerk if he ever gets inside my reach again."
"Well, the evil looks were from false first impressions. You see, around here, there has been times when new girls come through, and they mainly are here because the Commander is chasing skirts."
"I thought he was married."
"He was, and even when was, and after she died, he still chased anything with a skirt."
"So why the evil looks?"
"We thought you were the latest bimbo to walk in."
"Gee, thanks I think." Natima said rolling her eyes.
"Well if we still thought that, I wouldn't be here. You did something we all wanted to do, but couldn't"
"And what was that."
"Rebuff the Commander in a direct physical way."
"He tried to rip my clothes off."
"And for that, you let him have it. He deserved it, but the rest of us have families or bills to consider."
"So?"
"Ahh to be young again. Basically everyone here has secrets. Things we have to cope with ourselves, or things that were getting very hard to manage in our previous lines of work. In a way, it's how the Commander ensures compliance, since anyone who talks back gets fired, or worse."
"And I'm different how?"
"Well you apparently don't have a string he can pull, or didn't know. Either way, you stood your ground, and that will get you respect. At least from us it will. Then, you survived the table. Although the Commander doesn't know it yet, and I can imagine he'll be quite cross."
"The table?"
"The table." Came the voice of the Doctor.
"Morning Doctor. Watching over your charge again?"
"Yes, I felt her quarters would be more comfortable that the infirmary."
Natima mumbled under her breath.
"And please thank Betty for seeing to changing Natima's attire." He said, and looked at Natima "I don't take advantage of women, a nurse is the one who dressed you and moved you here."
"Whatever." Natima said.
"The table is what we call the equipment and procedure Gendo ordered you put through. Basically a very advanced gene therapy system. In basic terms, it tries to adjust a subjects genetic makeup. It was developed for systemic cancers and the like."
"So basically try and alter a person's DNA?"
"Basically. It was never intended for what he had in mind, nor was it ever designed to be done to the entire body, let alone one without pain killers."
"So what was he trying to do to me then?"
"I don't know. He entered the sequences, I just watched the terminal and your vitals. But whatever it was, I don't think it worked."
"I know it didn't work Doctor." The nurse said, putting out three plates of food for everyone, and sitting down.
"Well I guess we'll never know." Natima said with a loathing in her voice.
"I do agree with the Nurse. I don't think it worked."
"Well all I know is I have never felt so sore in my entire life."
"Not to mention you should have been out for about two more days, not to mention need a week to recover once you woke up." The nurse said, taking a bite of her food.
Natima just shrugged.
"Well Natima, I will warn you. The Commander will be ordering you to his office again. I'm not saying you have to play along, or agree with what he says, but be careful."
"Why? The only way he is going to touch me is when my fingers clench around his cowardly throat."
"The Commander is definitely in for a surprise."
Breakfast passed without much other than a few words, the Doctor leaving to do some paperwork, the Nurse staying, and helping Natima clean up, and get back to bed, telling her to rest up, since the Commander wasn't going anywhere. She also dropped off a few cards of apology from the other ladies from around the base. It was hard for Natima to stay angry, the fa‡ade gradually falling, as she laid down in her bed, and gave into the soreness and fatigue in her body, and fell back asleep.
"Well Burmese, what is your report?" One requested.
"Sir, I am relieved to report my analysis was correct. It appears the test subject has not suffered any alterations to her structure."
"So, the table failed?"
"More likely due to her specific nature than the procedure."
"What is her current condition?"
"She is recovering. Very sore, physically weak, but exceeding expectations. And she is livid with Ikari."
"Explain."
"Projections were she should have stayed unconscious for a minimum of two days, with an additional seven after that to recover to a point of function. She awoke after barely 12 hours, and is even now walking. She is hiding the fatigue and pain, it is evident in her motion, but she refuses to give into it. Additionally, she holds Ikari accountable, and I believe were she given the chance right now, would take his life."
"As stubborn and driven as the people who made her up."
"Indeed. I surmise her dual nature made it impossible to alter her structure, the one fulfilling it's promise to protect the other."
"Indeed. And what is Ikari's stand?"
"As yet, he does not know she is unchanged. I suspect he will summon her when she is cleared, and try again, with a degree of hesitancy."
"And his likely course of action?"
"My personal guess is either another round on the table, or simply kill her and try again with Central Dogma."
"Your opinion and recommendation?"
"Personal, or professional?"
"Both."
"As they are mixed, they are the same. To allow her to perish would mean we lose a valuable resource. One that knows who is truly in command, and can provide insight and aide into furthering the agendas of the council. Also, she is a person, even if a half angel. She has the right to live something of a life, not a short few weeks and then discarded like a broken doll."
"Burmese, it seems there is quite a bit of personal attachment in this issue." Came a random comment.
"I stated before that this situation was blurring that line."
"Could it be possible you are being swayed by certain urges?"
A shot rang out in the SEELE chamber.
"Not withstanding the new vacancy, can you address that issue Burmese?"
"While I admit my personal feelings are crossing over in this incident, it is not caused by the baser needs of flesh."
"Then what is it?"
"A number of things. A passage from Bengal which hits perhaps a bit too close to my own self. A life that exists, and is free, when it was designed to be caged. To see this experiment continue. To see if she truly can figure out life."
"Thank you Burmese. That will be all."
"By your leave sir." Burmese said, and vanished from the chamber.
"Well, what shall we do?" Came a nervous voice.
"Other than find a new member." Said another.
"I believe we shall see what Ikari does. I understand US-2 will be needing a test pilot for the prototyping tests they are to perform."
"That is correct. The available field is rather slim, doubly so given the experimental nature of the facility."
"Then if Ikari tries to take her life, we can order him to send her there. She should allow for easier tests, as well as isolating her from him."
"Will that not push our position. Ikari would be more likely to object, and cut her off."
"Burmese can obtain the records Ikari is holding as collateral, and Bengal does have a rather large estate value we must disperse."
"One, I wonder if your feelings are not clouded on this."
"Gentlemen, it is not your place to question me. What I choose to do is my choice. If you must have a reason, call it an experiment in humanity."
"We have already seen those."
All the points of light save One and another blinked out.
"Lorentz, if you are doing this out of respect for Bengal, or fulfilling a last request of his, that is all you must say. We may be playing God, but we are all still human enough to remember what life could have been." And the light blinked out,
"If I knew the answer myself, I would tell you all. This goes beyond promises, or debts. Into a realm I haven't visited in many many years. Hopefully this time I can come back a better being for the effort."
One sighed as he finished talking to the walls, pulling up a screen, and beginning type out an order, and set things in motion to try and protect something he was beginning to agree needed some protection.
To be continued.......
There is Chapter 3, and hopefully chapter 4 will be doen soon. Look also for my other fics, Power of Pain, and the Protectorate. I hope people enjoy reading my somewhat quirky takes on Anime series.
Izcer4
Izcer4@rocketmail.com
