Chapter 6
Nowhere To Stand Nowhere To Hide
"No!" Asuka screamed watching the impact of the Lance send shock waves through the entire square causing the ground to collapse into itself.
"Dear God" Arai whispered watching the events transpire.
Asuka was on her knees dazedly watching unable to process what just happened. She didn't know how long she had been like this but was brought out of her daze by someone jerking her arm.
Rei
"We need to move!" Rei said looking little panicked than Asuka had ever seen her.
Nodding Asuka pushed back the despair and tears threatening to spill from her. She needed to take charge.
"Arai how are we on communication?" Asuka asked getting to her feet.
"My Comm is back online"
"Request reinforcements and medical personal" Asuka said pulling out her phone to dial Alex "Rei call in to Nerv, we need to know what we're dealing with and what the hell is going on"
Rei nodded but didn't make to call.
"We need to get down there" Rei said
Mirroring Rei's thoughts Asuka was already walking down the path towards the shrine exit.
"Halt" Aria said as both girls walked past him.
"Just stand there and observe. If there's anything-" Asuka was saying to Arai but stopped when she turned to find him pointing his rifle at them.
"Sorry Mam but my orders are to detain you until you can be cleared" Arai said looking genuinely sorry but tightening his grip on the rifle to let them know he wouldn't hesitate to act if he saw need to.
"On whose orders and cleared of what exactly" Asuka asked incredulously
Arai hesitated before speaking "General Aizawa's orders and to the answer of your second question, I was not told"
Asuka was about to retort when the sound of a heavy vehicle sounded and soon stopped followed by the sound of numerous boots stomping on the ground. JSSDF soldiers come into view from down the path leading to the shrine. A dozen JSSDF soldiers soon stood in a semicircle surrounding Rei and Asuka. The middle of the soldiers parted and a man came to stand in front of them, exuding the confidence of a team leader.
"I am Captain Hokagima, and I have been given orders to escort you down to HQ" the man said
"We don't have the time for this we need to get down there" Rei said to Asuka ignoring Hokagima and his men.
"I'm afraid not mam my instructions were to bring you back to the base, with force if necessary" Hokagima said lips thinning at the last part
Rei turned from Asuka to Hokagima with a sneer and eyes that showed barely suppressed rage "As if you could stop me"
Asuka was momentarily taken aback by Rei's rage but blinked back the shock when the atmosphere became tense. Rei took a step towards Hokagima. The latter backed away feeling unreasonable fears build within him.
"Rei enough" Asuka said clamping a steady hand on Rei's shoulder halting her progress towards Hokagima and his men. "We can't afford anymore complications in this situation. The sooner we deal with this the sooner we can find out what happened"
Rei looked back at Asuka and hesitated but let her shoulders slump in surrender. Shinji is down there. Those four words were on Rei's tongue but even though she knew those words would prompt Asuka to change her mind she couldn't bring herself to say them.
Asuka and Rei were quiet as they were led down the path to the waiting vehicle but both girls were engrossed in thoughts. Asuka worried about Alex and also about Rei telling Hokagima and a dozen guards they couldn't stop her. Rei was running through scenarios in her head where Shiro would be in danger or killed from the incident, all she needed was one possibility of him dying and she would throw caution into the wind to get to him. But all her scenarios found him safe from the brotherhood and the A.T Field wielder. Both in their thoughts neither would remember much of the trip at all.
Undisclosed Location
Feeling a slight sense of calm Misato felt herself naturally drifting off to sleep, a feat made ever so glorious by the fact that this was the first time she did not have to resort to medication to put herself to sleep. Incoherent images were starting to form in her brain trying to take her from reality, but were immediately ripped away by the blaring of her Nerv phone which only Ritsuko had the power to switch on when she had clearly switched it off. Shaking off her grogginess Misato lazily felt the sides of the bedside table for the device, but unable to find it through random hand patterns she forced herself to sit up and grab the mobile.
"Ritsu this better be good" Misato groaned into the mobile
"We have a situation you need to return to Nerv A.S.A.P" Ritsuko said calmly but hurriedly
Swinging her feet from her bed to the floor Misato tried to come fully awake through the cold floor chilling her feet.
"What's happened?" She asked sleep still clouding her tone
"I've sent a link and report to your pad, to explain the situation. Call me back when you're up to speed, I need to deal with the idiots at Tokyo-2"
Misato picked up her pad, clicked on the link which brought up a news feed from Tokyo-2.
"Christ" Misato breathed but held back her questions. "I'll work on leaving within the hour. How are Rei and Asuka doing?"
"That's what I'm trying to deal with, they've been detained and Alex is MIA, he was at the impact zone"
Misato held her tongue knowing anymore discussion while she was not up to speed would only hinder Ritsuko present task.
"Handle it, I'll call once I've gone through everything" Misato said before ending the call.
"So much for a night of blissful sleep" Misato sighed as she watched the news feed while bringing up the report
-News Feed-
This is Sandra Yamamoto reporting just outside Tokyo-2's Shinjuku Park where as of yet an unclear disaster has taken place. From eye witness reports people are saying they witnessed a bright light appear from the sky and plummet into the park square where a Festival gathering was in progress. Though not confirmed there were many injured and even more dead from the impact of whatever struck down into the park. The magnitude of area affected by the disaster is also unclear due to military containment which is set 5 kilometers from the park itself. Police and Army personal have surrounded the park and are helping medical personal vacate the park impact area. Speculations have surfaced that the brotherhood may be somehow behind the-.
-Window closed-
Misato turned her full attention to the report skimming through all the unnecessary information but focusing on information highlighted by Ritsuko as must read.
-MAGI Report-
14:35pm
Unknown unconfirmed A.T field detection
-A.T field pattern unrecognized
-Detection disregarded as error
16:40pm
-3 A.T fields detected / 1 A.T field unrecognized
- A.T field Source location: Tokyo-2
Unable to triangulate accurate A.T field source locations
-Unit 1 movement detected
-Lance of Longinus revert to original state
16:41pm
-Unit1 movement detected
-Lance descends to Unit1's waiting hands
Unit1 launches Lance towards earth
-Unit1 cease movement
16:02pm
-Unit 1 orbital shift
-Lance enters earth's orbit
-1 source A.T field located: Shinjuku Park, Tokyo-2
16:03pm
-Lance/A.T field impact
-A.T field neutralized
-Lance impacts Shinjuku Park square.
-End Report
Misato sighed tossing the pad on her bed. She brought out her mobile and paged Kensuke before heading to her locker and bringing out her clothes. She was fully dressed in her uniform a few minutes later. Picking up her pad and pocketing her mobile she headed out of her sleeping quarters, Kensuke was walking out of an elevator down the hall when she stepped into the illuminated corridor. She walked past the two Section-2 agents at her door and in the opposite direction from Ken not waiting for him to catch up. The agents followed her at a close distance but backed off slightly when Kensuke was at her side. Up ahead two more agents waited for them.
"Where are we going" Kensuke asked
"Pay White a visit before we leave for Japan"
Speaking into his Comm Ken ordered the agents up front to take up the route to the ship holding cells.
"What's the situation" Ken asked
Misato didn't answer but gave him her pad.
Skimming through it Kensuke choked on his own spit.
"No rest for the wicked" he said closing the report and pad before handing it to the agents behind them.
"Or the people trying to stop them" Misato said a small smile playing her lips
Shinjuku Crisis center: Temporary medical Station
The sound of the ocean receded and the blurry sky with a hint of red turned to darkness. Muffled voices spoke around him but for the life of him Shiro couldn't make out a word of what they said. He tried to break the darkness around him but there was no change and the voices grew distant. With the growing distance of the voices around him, the darkness that shrouded him seemed to deepen.
Blink
Blink
The darkness was torn away from him and brilliant light cast down on his eyes. He was so stunned by the sudden light that he didn't shut his eyes once more until tears were rolling down the side of his head. He closed his eyes and kept them shut letting the warm darkness of his eye lids soothe them. After a few minutes he cautiously brought his eyes open in a squint.
For a moment he was stuck in wonderment as to where he was but a slow blink brought him back to the reality of an unfamiliar ceiling. Cautiously Shiro brought himself up to a seated position. Looking around him he felt great unease come over him. The room was full of cots with unconscious people of ranging age atop of them. The voices were gone and Shiro could see no one moving.
The unease gave way to panic as the cobwebs in his mind cleared. He didn't know where he was or how he got here. Shiro closed his eyes trying to recall the last thing he remembered without the unsettling burden of his surroundings. The last thing he remembered was...They were at the park-.
"Oh someone's awake, good" a woman in medical garb said looking at Shiro.
"Looks like a cot just opened in holding 5" she continued but now speaking into a walkie talkie.
"Where am I" Shiro asked the woman who looked to be in her 20's.
She didn't answer right away but navigated through the mass of bodies on cots to get to him.
"What's the last thing you remember" she asked sitting down beside him ignoring his question.
Shiro was quiet a moment trying to remember but the last thing he remembered was entering the park square with his friends. After that his memory drew a blank.
"Last thing I remember was entering the park square with my friends..." Shiro told her but felt a panic build within him once more. He scanned the room of bodies but none were his friends.
"Are you ok" The nurse asked pulling a small flash light from her pocket.
"My friends" was all Shiro said
The nurse nodded but said nothing scooting closer to him.
"There was an incident late this afternoon and you were caught in it" she said holding his head level with hers as she examined his eyes with the small flash light.
"Incident?" Shiro asked
She ignored him once more "You were one of the lucky ones, only a minor concussion from what I can see. Your memory will probably clear up with some rest" she finished clicking off her lighter.
"Lucky ones" Shiro repeated
"Listen…uhm"
"Shiro"
"Right, Shiro there are a lot of injured people and I don't have the time to explain it to you just yet"
She didn't say it unkindly and Shiro didn't want to be holding up a nurse when she could be helping others
"Alright, so what happens for now?"
"Well I'll escort you to a waiting area where they will register you and then your guardian can be notified to come pick you up but if that is not an option the officers will find a plan for you"
Shiro nodded and unsteadily got to his feet where the nurse held him steady for a minute waiting for him to find his center. Once he was steady she nodded to him to follow before they started navigating the temporary cots towards the exit. Before they reached the exit of the tent there was a small groan followed by a yelp. They turned to see a blond man who was clearly not of Japanese descent trying to get his bearings. He sported a bandage on the side of his face running from his hair line to his chin. It was dotted with crimson on multiple places but nothing troubling. The man groaned again his arm in a sling and casted as he cradled it in his other arm.
The nurse looked surprised a moment before bringing out her walkie talkie once more
"Another occupant just woke up in holding five, request escort for stable individual" She said before pocketing it once more and turning to Shiro.
"Alright I need you to wait outside the tent Shiro and someone will attend to shortly" She said before returning inside the tent.
Shiro did as she had requested though at the moment everything felt surreal to him. He didn't have to wait long before two more medical personnel arrived with a policeman in tow. The two medical people went inside the tent, where Shiro could hear more groans from other people waking up.
"You're the one that needs an escort" The police officer asked coming to stand next to Shiro though looking through the tent flap.
"Yes sir" Shiro said a little more meekly than he would have liked
"I guess when one of you wakes up you all decide to wake up" The cop said with dark amusement
Shiro didn't say anything and the officer didn't look to be in the mood for conversation as he led Shiro past other similar tents but they looking and sounding more like the ominous incident the nurse was on about. From what Shiro could glean they were still inside the Park but a ways outside the square. The officer led him to what used to be the park entrance but now looked to be a check point of sorts. Shiro was made to wait outside as the officer went into a tent aside the check point. The officer was inside a few seconds before walking out but told Shiro go in. Outside the tent were two soldiers armed with rifles but they didn't even spare him a glance as he walked in. Shiro expected the officer to follow but he didn't. Inside a man sat typing into a computer console.
"You've been cleared to leave so I need to register you before you're sent out to wait for your guardian" The man behind the console said not looking to Shiro.
Shiro didn't know if he was supposed to reply to this so he kept his mouth shut. The man gestured with a backward wave for Shiro to walk forward to a black object, which as he got closer he saw to be scanner.
"Going to have to scan you're prints to get you're information" the man explained
Shiro did as he was directed and pressed his hand on the cool glass. He removed his hands when the man was satisfied but there seemed to be a problem judging from the groan the man was making
"Where are you from kid" The man asked turning to face him for the first time since his entrance.
Shiro felt slight nervousness but answered
"Here, I mean Tokyo-2 Sir"
The man paused a while before asking for some I.D to which Shiro gave him his school I.D which was the only identification he brought with him. The man held it up to a light but seemed unsure what he was doing but after a moment he sighed.
"I'll be right back, I just need to check the protocol on this kind of situation" He said before walking out the tent with Shiro's I.D
The man was gone a few seconds when Shiro noticed he hadn't bothered to log off the console he was working on. If any of his friends had left the area he knew they would be registered on the list the man was attempting to enter him into. Before he was even aware of his actions Shiro slid into the seat the man had vacated and began his search for his friends names. Looking for individual names would take too long, so with skill he shouldn't have he brought up the list categories. There were only three available to this console 'Cleared' and 'Deceased' and 'Critically Injured'. Shiro didn't bet an eye as he entered his friends names in the cleared list. The search took a few seconds before bringing up only Megumi's name, Shiro felt like the air had been taken out of his lungs. He should feel slightly relieved at Megumi's safety he told himself but it did him no good. When he looked into the Megumi on the screen and checked her details he found she was more than twice his friend's senior, so it wasn't even her.
Shiro felt his heart sink further at that. None of his friends had been cleared at all. He knew he didn't have time to be afraid of the truth so he typed into critically injured. The search brought up nothing. He was sweating and shaking as he typed into the Deceased category. He waited a second, his face inches from the screen before it brought up the results. The list brought up another Megumi and two Aita's. The Megumi wasn't his Megumi but he immediately recognized his Aita when he viewed both of the Aita's pictures. Grief and relief didn't make for a good combination as Shiro doubled over feeling bile rise from his stomach. He gagged a bit but nothing came up. There were footsteps approaching, so Shiro did his best to pull himself together. He punched in a few keys and the screen was as it was when he started out. He tried to stand but found he didn't have the strength, so he crawled over to where he stood before and sat hunched and cross-legged.
"Alright kid" The man said coming into the tent but paused when he saw Shiro now on the floor
"Right it's been a long day so I get it, just let me take in your school information and contact information then you can go" The man said stepping around Shiro.
Shiro didn't respond to the man's words but worked on getting to his feet before saying anything.
"Do you know what time it is" Shiro asked finally getting to his feet.
"It will be Midnight in a few minutes" The man said now back on the console
Shiro couldn't find it in him to be surprised. He couldn't remember what had happened, and just found his friend had died. All he wanted right now was to go home.
"Right then, now look to your left"
Shiro looked only to be met with a flash.
"Now your contact info and your guardians contact info"
Shiro supplied the information.
"Ok now take this" the man said giving Shiro a card " go through the check point and they will direct you to the waiting area, where your Guardian will find you if not already present"
Shiro was in a daze as he walked out of the park and into another world of bustle filled with military vehicles and more tented areas. He walked into the designated waiting area which was a commandeered parking lot. He wasn't there a few moments before he heard his name from the one person he needed most right now and a few seconds later her arms enveloped him.
JSSDF Holding
Day after impact
Click clack the sounds went coming closer to their holding rooms. Neither of the girls made notice of this having expected them much sooner than they came now. Rei briefly closed her eyes as she heard the clicking of the lock her door, the door swung open and behind her eyelids she was bathed in ethereal light. She slowly let her eyes adjust before fully opening them to find a lab coat less Ritsuko and Asuka standing at her door, the latter looking very impatient.
"Take your time why don't you" Asuka said though seeming more bored than actually implying her sarcasm.
Rei didn't feel very energetic herself but rather tired when she thought of everything that was yet to come. Her first priority would have to be making sure Shinji was safe and deciding if it was still the best idea to have Misato and Asuka in the dark about him. She doubted they would forgive her for keeping him hidden from them no matter what excuse she gave them, so until it was imperative to his safety he would remain hidden.
Rei didn't respond to Asuka but followed as they walked out of view.
"Any word on Alex" Asuka asked, her concern leaking out in her words
"He's fine but has minor injuries from the impact"
Asuka stopped a moment and let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding before resuming her walk alongside Ritsuko with Rei trailing them silently.
"Where is he?"
"He's back at your Hotel recuperating. He refused to stay in a hospital"
Asuka let out a laugh but clearly not of humor but more of actually believing Alex was safe back at the hotel.
Forgetting their incarceration a moment Asuka asked the question that was burning behind her concern for Alex
"So are going to explain how that thing just fell out of the sky"
Ritsuko stopped and turned to them "Actually I was hoping you could shed some light on that"
"Us?" Asuka said her voice skeptical but fearing to remember the pain in her eye.
Ritsuko shifted focus from Asuka to Rei who was still behind them "Rei?"
"I think its best we discuss at a secure location" Rei said stalling for time
Ritsuko nodded slowly a small smile on her lips as if she had already gotten the answer she was looking for. They continued their walk in silence from that point.
…
…
Back in the Hotel Asuka took the lead and was first into the suite, by the time Rei and Ritsuko made it into the suite Asuka was hugging a wincing Alex. He sported a clean bandage on the side of his face running from his hairline to his chin and a casted arm in a sling. He greeted Rei and Ritsuko with a groan as they took seats around the rest of the lounge area. There was a large flat screen directly ahead of Alex and Asuka whom sat in the main couch. It was running a news channel which was focused on the event at the park.
"I don't suppose I could hear the real story on what happened out there" Alex asked
"First I need to hear your reports on what happened while you were out there" Ritsuko said
"We had an officer with us when we were monitoring the situation, so anything that transpired he would have put in his own report, which you will have read before getting us out of their holding" Rei said speaking for the first time since ceasing the conversation at the JSSDF.
"I read his report, yes but I was hoping to get the events your perspectives"
"Did anything in his report explain why we were, arrested" Asuka asked
Ritsuko let out a sigh giving up on getting their reports before she explained a situation not yet clear to even her.
"Hold on" she said digging around her hand bag before bringing out a small silver box.
"What's that" Asuka asked watching the doctor bring out a syringe and a vial of transparent liquid.
Ritsuko only smiled but didn't answer as she filled the syringe with the appropriate amount. She then got up and moved towards Alex and Asuka, coming to stop in front of Alex. She gestured for his arm.
"What is that" he asked with slurred consciousness.
"How many pain killers have you taken" Ritsuko asked
He shrugged
"Well this should bring you out of them. I need to have your full attentions when I tell you what we know so you can enter your own perspectives in case we missed anything" Ritsuko said before taking an offered arm. Alex watched the liquid vanish into him, waited and looked at Ritsuko a moment before mumbling 'Bitch'. His eyes then rolled away from the land of the conscious.
Asuka looked aghast at Ritsuko "What did you do?" she demanded checking Alex for a pulse.
"It's only a bit of anesthesia don't worry about it" Ritsuko said returning to her seat
"Why?" Asuka asked calmed a bit by the reassuring pulse
"Well unlike you two" she gestured between Asuka and Rei "I don't go around talking about A.T fields in the company of men we are not sure we can trust"
The two other women were quiet knowing their mistake of speaking without being wary of their surroundings when Rei said she sensed an A.T field.
"Why were we detained" Rei asked ignoring the fact that said JSSDF officer may be dead and feeling no need to find out
"In the official report they say it was to keep you safe until the area could be cleared of angel activity"
"So there was an angel" Asuka said as though her suspicions had been confirmed
Ritsuko seemed to ponder on that a moment before saying anything
"Well we're not sure yet, since three A.T Fields were detected but only two were confirmed as angel A.T Fields"
"What do you mean only two were identified, what about the third" Asuka asked while taking a side glance at Rei.
Ritsuko shrugged "I can't tell you much about that until were back in Tokyo-3 and I have analyzed it better. I had to come here immediately to keep the scene from contamination, and Maya should be holding the fort until Misato returns"
"Are we the Authority on the scene?" Rei asked
"Not necessarily, with the amount of people injured and dead at the scene we have to let Tokyo-2 take care of that before we can examine the site and lance. Information release is being monitored though, so there will be no talk of angels."
"So we don't pull rank yet?" Asuka questioned
"The Lance is in the middle of a park, of course we pull rank but we can't do anything until the survivors are clear, then we can conduct Nerv business"
"Could you please tell us more about the detections and how the lance was shifted from orbit?" Rei asked
"Like I said I can't tell you much about that there's still much data to be analyzed"
"Tell us what you couldn't while Alex was conscious then" Rei said
"Before I do, I need to clarify if any of the detected A.T fields was yours" Ritsuko said watching Rei
Rei looked thoughtful a moment before answering "Yes my A.T field may have become active"
"Has it been so long that you can't be sure?" Ritsuko asked noting her hesitation and implying that she might have thought to lie to them.
"No, the sensation was…different" Rei answered in deep thought trying to recall the sensation.
This perked Ritsuko's curiosity "How was it different"
"It felt as though I wasn't in control of myself, as though something was calling it out, bringing it out of me" Rei said
Ritsuko seemed calm but some of the color had drained from her face.
"Right" she said shaking off her funk and turning to Asuka "And what about you Asuka…any strange occurrences"
Asuka hesitated but relented "The pain in my eye… it came back. You might need to give me some of those pills you gave me back during the first years"
Ritsuko blinked and paused before saying "We'll run some tests when we get back to the Geo-front"
"How did they know to respond to the Angel activity so quickly" Asuka asked changing the subject
"An Alarm went out about A.T field detection hours before the confirmed A.T field detections but there was an error and it was reported as such. Just to be safe they were on standby."
"Now I need you two to write up reports about whatever happened before you're holding, Commanders orders" Ritsuko said
They Nodded
"Did they get them" Asuka asked Ritsuko, who stood about to leave.
"Get who?"
"The Shady mother F'ers in religious garb we were monitoring before the shit hit the fan"
"There was no mention of suspicious characters in the soldiers report" Ritsuko said with a frown
"You realize what this might mean" Rei asked both of them but they didn't answer and neither did they have to.
"We can't jump to conclusions right now, what we need to do right now is find the sources of the A.T fields" Ritsuko said to them after a quiet moment.
"I think we can account for one" Asuka said giving Rei a look
"Yes when I fired my rifle at one of the figures taking the lead, the bullet was deflected with an A.T field" Rei recited
Ritsuko was annoyed "And you tell me this now?"
"It makes no difference, you know now" Asuka said "When we were watching the group in obvious religious garb, the leader seemed to be keen on something. Rei fired at one of them and we saw an A.T field moments later. We can't be sure it came from him but the action started after the shot"
"I see so now we have two A.T fields accounted for but what of the third" Ritsuko said but seemed it was directed at herself as she tried to run through possible explanations
"There's something we're missing" Asuka said just as Ritsuko reached the same conclusion
On the News there was a play by play of what they were calling the Thirds death due to the fact that most of the third child look alikes had died during the impact. Most of the rescuers were having psychological issues at having to lift bodies that looked the same off the scene.
"There were some kids" Alex said groggily surprising them
"You lied to me about taking any pain killers" Ritsuko said looking slightly irked.
"As you did to me" He returned
"So what kids are you talking about" She asked ignoring the deception going around
"I decided to monitor the brotherhood suspects from a far because I feared it could be trap of sorts with how obvious they were at making their presence be known to us. Anyway when they started to move away from the center gathering I thought they had found me somehow since it seemed as though the guy who broke away was looking right at me but now I think differently."
"Why?"
"There was a group of kids about to enter the square but they stopped, I wasn't really paying them much attention at the time so I can't be sure why they stopped. Anyway when the gun shot went off and the flash of light came, there was this screaming." Alex paused as though he could still hear it in his being.
He blinked out of a daze and continued "It felt like it was in my head but looking back I think it came from one of the kids." Alex paused again took a breath before continuing "It could be nothing but it also could be something.
"We saw the kids too but it's a stretch" Asuka said skeptically
"Asuka is right. We can't be chasing after hunches. We should be looking into the brotherhood suspects, and find out whether they are dead or somehow smuggled out by a mole in the JSSDF" Rei said diverting away from Shiro and his friends.
"We'll look into all the information we have and decide which takes priority" Ritsuko said bringing out a tablet Pc and taping some commands.
"Right now though Misato just landed in Tokyo-3, write up reports and send them to her for review" Ritsuko said standing to leave
"And where are you off" Alex asked as she was walking towards the front door.
"I need to make sure the scene isn't compromised outside of the removal of the bodies" She said and left without another word
They watched her leave with mild suspicion that she wasn't telling them all that she knew, but right now neither of them wanted to open that untrusting bag of bones. The room was quiet after Ritsuko's departure with Alex's groans now and then as he tried to get comfortable on his couch. Asuka watched Rei who looked blankly at the news as though not feeling her stare. Asuka sighed putting off a confrontation with Rei for the moment, right now she needed to find out how much Alex had heard about their talk.
"Did Ritsuko's shot make you lose consciousness" Asuka asked Alex.
"Felt like I dosed off for a moment" He said grinning at her.
"Yes very clever off you and all that, so how much of the talk did you hear" Asuka asked
"Around the time you told Akagi about one of the garbed men producing an A.T field, which I thought was only possible with angels but I think I have a clear picture of things now" Alex said watching Rei.
Asuka met Rei's eyes and knew that they had to tell him, but that wasn't the part she worried about. She was more worried about the door that could have gotten Alex clear of this entire situation having just closed and he too much a fool wouldn't hear it close with his insistent need to know. Curiosity makes for a poor life expectancy.
Saitou Residence
Shiro let his flutter open as sunlight streamed through a gap between his curtains. For a moment he was free of any worry or grief that had plagued him to sleep last night. But that didn't last long as the memories of his waking in a sea of unconscious bodies to meeting his mother's arms in the commandeered parking lot came back to him. She had comforted him and soothed him for his lack of memory at what happened to him and his friends during the blast but it still gnawed at him. Getting off his bed he went to the window and swept away the curtains to find the usual crowd daring him to chase them off the sill. He sighed and walked away from them to find a shirt.
It took a few minutes before he was homely presentable to head down stairs. He found his mother sitting on the kitchen counter staring down a cup of coffee. Her brows were furrowed in deep thought. She didn't hear him come in and was startled from her reverie when got himself a cup of coffee.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" She asked
"A little less traumatized" He tried to put in as a joke but it seemed to fall flat.
"Funny" She said with a sad smile
"Any word" He asked referring to his friends.
"Not yet and the government hasn't released the patient list of those taken to hospital for serious injury"
"Why are they doing that" Shiro asked feeling frustrated
"The news say there's a conspiracy to keep what really happened at the park a secret from the public" She said with a deeper frown than intended.
Shiro noticed "And you believe them?"
"I don't know, but what I saw last night looked very similar to the scenes that became part of everyday life in Tokyo-3, back when the angels were attacking" She said looking disturbed
"Do you think it's happening again?" He asked watching her.
She couldn't look at him as she said "Remember anything yet?"
It was his turn to avert his eyes "No"
"They're probably fine, you came out mostly fine and if they were near you then it likely they're the same"
Shiro nodded but couldn't bring himself to believe that since he knew one of his friends was dead, a fact he couldn't bring himself to tell her lest it become too real.
"Why don't you go soak up in a bath and I'll have breakfast ready by the time you get back"
Shiro gave a nod and retreated up the stairs wondering if he even wanted to remember the event that might reveal the death of his other friends. He was in auto pilot as he let the bath run and stripped off his clothes before easing himself into the bath. The bath did him good for as soon as he immersed in the water he felt himself relax and his consciousness take a dip. He didn't know how long he was in the water when it happened but as he blinked himself back awake he remembered.
He saw the events and his perception of said events play out in his mind's eye but he could not yet understand what happened. A flash of red eyes flashed in his mind sending him recoiling from the bath as though he could physically run from the thought. He splashed his way out of the bath and made his way to the sink where he bent over it in front of a steamed over mirror. He was panting and trying to calm himself but he couldn't bring himself out of the edge that was now set within him. He brushed away the foggy mirror to meet his own eyes watching him.
'Shinji'
The name was spoken by a mass of mashed faces he could not know or place, and they hit him so hard he staggered away from the mirror. He could have pretended before with the dreams because that's all they were, dreams. But not anymore. Not with the familiarity he felt for the name thousands prayed to as their savior.
'Shinji'
The name came once more. He looked back to the mirror to find a mass of mashed faces trying to find shape but coming out grotesque and horrifying. He watched with a growing shift from sanity as they all called to him in pleading, chastising, annoyed, and love filled tones.
"No!" Shiro screamed and before he knew his actions his fists were rapidly connecting with the mirror
He didn't stop when his own blood started to paint the porcelain surface of the bathroom, nor did he pay mind to the horrified voice of his mother coming outside the bathroom door. He was dimly aware of the door sliding away and his mother's hands as they pulled him away from shards of broken glass that littered the sink and floor. He stopped fighting her at some point but he wasn't aware of himself or her, the only thing he knew was the name.
'Shinji'
The name he didn't want to know but against his will found he knew as himself. His mother set him down atop a closed toilet seat before taking his damaged hands at the wrist and examining the damage. She tried to get his attention but all he could do was mumble the name. A smack across the cheek was the first sensation he noted with clarity, and as he saw his mother winding back her right hand for a follow up slap he blinked and winced away from her left hand which held his face. She stopped her reeling for another smack at his but spoke slowly to make sure he understood her.
"I'm going to get the first aid kit from my room. I'm going to be a few seconds don't move understand me?" She said and waited for him to nod dumbly at her before slowly backing away from him as though he would fall to pieces as soon as she left. As soon as she was at the door she turned her back to him and fled down the small hall to her room. She was on her knees within minutes of walking into her room digging around under her bed while cursing herself for being impractical about where she had left the kit.
She fumbled around for a moment but finally her fingers found the corners of the small box. She grasped it and pulled it out from under the bed before standing and rushing back to the bathroom. She felt her heart beat even harder in her chest as she entered the bathroom to find the toilet seat now vacant. For a moment she just stood in there in the middle of all the blood and glass before seeing a trail of blood leading out of the bathroom. She was slow to follow it but soon her steps found rhythm and before she knew it she found him inside his room. Shiro stood in his room facing his closet mirror. The first thing she noticed was the pair of scissors in his hand but she then noticed the gathered hair at his feet. He turned to face her tears running down his face.
"What is this" He asked her scissors still in hand.
Mariko couldn't bring herself to answer him, seeing him in the midst of some sort of breakdown.
"It's going to be okay honey" She said finding words to try calming him "Everything's fine just let me clean up your hands and then we can talk"
"I know things I shouldn't know" He said seeming to speak to himself other than her "I see things in my dreams. Things that shouldn't be possible but I see them"
Mariko knew she had to do something before he's breakdown escalated.
"I see them all, they call to-" Shiro was saying but was cut off as two arms encircled his neck.
He was slow to realize it but his mother's hug was growing tighter forcing him to acknowledge the love pouring out of her, forcing him to be okay. In a few moments he stopped mumbling unintelligible things and a few more minutes had him trying to catching his breath. He tried to hug her back in his calmed state but winced when he moved his hands. This brought his mother's attention back to his injuries.
"Sit" Mariko said gesturing to the bed and Shiro obeyed
They didn't talk as she pried shards of glass from his knuckles. She tried her best to clean out the wounds with the moist towels in the kit but she knew she would need to let the hand hold steady over running water before disinfecting them and putting on full bandages. She didn't want for them to move just yet, wanting Shiro to calm some more but she knew the wounds needed to be cleaned.
"Come on" She said pulling him to his feet as she stood as well. He followed her without a word.
Mariko led him down the hallway but avoided going into the bathroom once more, so instead led him down the stairs and into the kitchen. She put his hands under the sink tap and swabbed gently over the cut to dislodge any caked blood. Shiro still said nothing as she disinfected, and bandaged his hands. By the time she was done his hands looked like boxer hands wrapped in prefight bandages.
When all was done they both sat on opposite side of the kitchen table sipping calming tea. For the first time since the whole incident started Mariko finally looked at Shiro, who now had short unruly cut hair. Even through all that the look was spot on. His features were those of a face painted on a thousand commercials since third impact. She watched as Shiro slowly brought his cup to his lips for another sip of his beverage, as he did this she remembered all the times he had done great things like fix the bread mixer when he was only nine years old and all the times she had bluntly lied to herself that he was just gifted and that there was nothing really strange about him. All she had wanted was a simple life after the disasters of the angel battles but if she wanted to stay by Shiro's side she knew that couldn't be possible.
"How are you feeling" She asked Shiro as she dried her eyes
He didn't look up at her at first but slowly raised his head to meet her eyes. He hesitated not knowing how to answer her question but in the end settled for a sigh and a shrug.
She nodded in understanding before saying "Shiro…I know things are-" she stopped when Shiro shook his head.
"What is it?" She asked
Shiro hesitated but shook his head again and ruffled his hair.
"I don't know" he said finally
"Tell me what's happening to you"
"I can't" He said not willing to say the words making rounds in his head
"Try" she said gently
"I'm not him" He said with a pause "I can't be"
"Who" She asked but she already knew the answer.
"Him" Shiro said pointing to his reflection, reflected on the oven door.
They were both quiet a while wondering where they would go from here.
"That's enough of that" She said slowly watching him.
Shiro didn't reply watching his bandages reveal small pin pricks of crimson.
She sighed before continuing "Your tired and worried about your friends, you need to rest and clear your head"
Shiro still didn't speak
"We'll let things calm down and if you still feel…" she trailed off looking for the right words "Not yourself, then we'll see where we go from there"
Shiro nodded seeing her reasoning; all this could be stress from the incident, but looking down to see himself reflected in the tea he knew he was only procrastinating. The memory of the last time he was with his friends played out in his mind in a flash and he knew there could be no more lying to himself anymore. But what he could do was procrastinate doing anything about it. For now he would focus on other things like his friends.
Empire
Rei stood by the pool area watching the sky, which was pervaded by dark stormy clouds that hadn't yet to give rain nor thunder, and that just seemed to make them all the more ominous. She checked her wrist watch to find it would be Five PM in a few minutes. Alex and Asuka had retired to their bedroom two minutes ago and she was timing to the five minute mark, which was when she thought they would have figured a way to make love even with Alex's injuries. She waited and looked to the city around her, wondering if it wouldn't be easier to just take Shiro and flee to a third world country. Such thoughts were stupid of course but they always popped up now and then daring her to get desperate enough. They had told Alex of Rei's origins without much of the gory details of her multiple deaths or relation to Shinji's DNA. Rei didn't know how she felt about him knowing but it didn't matter much if Asuka trusted him. Asuka on the other hand seemed to have a wavering trust in Rei for firing her rifle without an order to do so. But she was putting off that confrontation, which Rei couldn't help but be grateful for at the moment.
A glance at the wristwatch once more and she retreated back into the suite. She was light in her footsteps as she made her way to their door and listened. A shuffle of clothing material was all she needed to hear before she started to retreat towards the suite door. Rei was almost to the door when it opened of its own accord. She was momentarily stunned but was quick to school her features to greet whoever was entering.
"Oh" Maya said slightly stunned by Rei's immediate appearance "hello Rei"
Rei found herself gritting her teeth in frustration at being kept once more but she didn't let it show on her features as she smiled at Maya and gave the woman a nod. Maya looked disgruntled and tired as she walked deeper into the suite a bag over her shoulder and a suitcase in her other hand. They made their way into the spacious living room and Maya laid down her load.
"Dr. Akagi didn't tell us you would be joining us" Rei said finding a seat
"The commander sent me to assist Dr. Akagi as soon as she returned" Maya said
Rei paused from saying anything else as a man brought in two large military cases and dropped them where Maya directed before leaving the room.
"What are those" Rei enquired at the military cases.
"Temporary terminals that connect to the MAGI" Maya said having a seat looking put out.
"You look tired" Rei said with a kind smile
"I haven't been to sleep since I woke up yesterday. With the recent activity with unit 1, the lance, and the A.T fields it was impossible to rest when we had to look into so much information" Maya said her eyes drifting half closed as she relaxed into the couch.
Rei was curious to hear about Unit 1 but she could do without the information for now.
"You should rest" Rei said watching Maya give a halfhearted nod before dosing off.
She should tell Asuka about their visitor but right now she needed to reassure herself that all was still well with Shinji.
She kept her walk casual knowing she was being watched but picking out a route to lose her tails. She wore black jeans with a white long sleeved blouse, with the sleeves rolled to her elbows. She walked down the street away from the hotel, while she prepared for a sprint she would have to pull off once she got around the corner. Her tails would be cautious coming around the corner after her so she would take her chance then. She just hoped none of her tails were in front of her, anticipating her move. Rei walked calmly and turned the corner to a nameless street before bolting down the street. She kept her facial features calm so not to alarm people she ran around from being too startled. She turned to another street when she came upon another interval and she saw what she needed to make her escape permanent. There was a taxi dropping of a woman along the street and Rei sprinted into it seconds after the previous occupant got off. She hurriedly flashed some notes at the driver and he took of down the street.
"Where to" He asked catching her eyes in the rearview mirror
"Just keep driving hard and fast and you'll be well compensated" Rei said looking back to see if they were being followed.
The cab driver looked skeptical a moment before flooring it and driving around aimlessly.
R. Rokubungi
Rei had walked twice around the block before coming to her pseudo apartment. She was startled reaching her door to find a bloody smear running along its silver frame. She cautiously stepped away from the door and retreated to the previous apartment where she opened the small mailbox compartment protruding just to the right of the door on the wall. She pulled out a HK Mark 23 and held it lightly in her right hand as she turned to back to her apartment. She hated the weight in her hand but couldn't help liking the power it gave her. She had to smile at the power reference, knowing she was capable of a many great terrible things even without mortal weapons.
She was silent as she opened her door which she rightly assumed was no longer locked. She crept slowly into the dark hallway checking the rooms she passed before moving to enter the living area. She paused to listen before looking into the room. It was dark but she made out the body propped up against the foot of her couch pretty easily.
"Relax its just me" A voice growled from the body
Rei tensed but lowered the firearm and stood from her crouch. She flicked the light switch to reveal a bloody James Horaki waiting to meet her eyes. James Horaki was the former director of section-2 and the man that took her virginity. Even in the present situation Rei couldn't help her eyes briefly finding the floor as a pang of shame caught her. She didn't let him see her shame for she immediately ran to him, coming to her knees in front of him playing the part of the distraught lover. Her hands shook with indecision and her eyes looked frantic as they roamed his broken body. He smiled at her concern and felt tears sting his eyes at how much he loved her. He had a broken nose, a swollen cheek and was bleeding from a wound he covered with his left hand.
"It's okay pet" He said laying a calming arm on her thigh.
"What's happened to you" her voice thick with emotion.
"Hayate Suzahara and his family are dead" He said in a resigned tone
Rei was so startled her she paused from her act before shaking off her bewilderment to focus back on the man in front of her.
"You've been shot, you need to go to the hospital" Rei said eyeing the blood soaked spot which the hand on her knee once rested on.
"It went through and didn't hit anything major I think. I'll be fine, just need to get patched up" He said groaning as he removed his black blazer, with it he wore a white shirt and black slacks.
Rei helped him remove the jacket while she thought of the fastest way to question him on what happened and whether she or Shinji were compromised. Rei got up and left to return with a first aid kit. She laid it down next to him, picking up the Mark 23 and laying it on the couch above James. They were quiet as they worked together to remove his shirt before Rei got to fixing him up.
"Still remember what to do?" He asked warmly watching her unpack the kit.
She smiled at him and said "Just like you thought me"
"Good girl" He said leaning back with a sigh as she gave him a shot of morphine
(.. ^_^ ..)
Rei cleaned Horaki's gut and exit wound, stitched and bandaged him before moving to clean his face and fixing his broken nose. Horaki was lolling in and out of consciousness while she did all this but came awake when she broke his nose back into place. She helped him up and walked him to her bedroom where she let him collapse on her bed shirtless.
"We can talk later, rest now" Rei said turning away from him her mind still on making sure Shiro was fine.
He watched her as she unbuttoned her shirt -which was now spotted with bits of blood here and there- before pulling it off. She took off her shirt to reveal her smooth braless upper body. Rei gave him a smile as he watched her hungrily, his eyes giving pause over her small breasts. There was nothing sexy about Rei he noted. What attracted you to her was her manner, which could draw you into a wanting beyond lust for a woman's assets. For her you wanted to be her salvation, you needed to be someone to her, and you wanted to be the one to lay on top of her feeling yourself inside her while she stared up at you with love. So pale and seemingly innocent she was forbidden fruit that one couldn't help but indulge in. She turned away from him and pulled out another blouse, this one a lighter shade of blue. She was about to pull it on when Horaki spoke.
"Come here" He said watching her
Rei kept the shirt in her hand but came to sit at his side, watching him with amused playful eyes. She continued to watch his face as his hand came up to caress her breast, making her shiver.
"I've been imagining what this would feel like for ages" He said letting his hand drop from her breast but drift to her unoccupied hand
Rei let him lift her hand to his rough chapped lips "You've thought off me?"
He smiled at her insinuation that she had ever left his mind, she is so innocent he thought. Innocent and his alone to have. He brought his arm around her waist wanting to pull her to him but her weight didn't shift towards him, she remained where she was and pulling away from him.
"If the Suzahara's are dead, I need to make sure Shiro is alright" Rei said trying to remove his hand from her waist but it was set and unmoving.
"They were watching the Suzahara's when I went to check up on them" He said with a sigh letting his head relax into the pillow.
"Is that why you were injured?" She asked letting his arm stay at her waist.
He nodded "I went into the apartment after watching it a couple of hours and saw no movement. They were tied to kitchen chairs and executed"
After a pause he continued "By the looks of things they were questioned before being killed. I was quick to get out of there but as soon as I left the complex I was followed. They cornered me when they noticed I was trying to lose them and well here I am and deceased are they"
Rei smiled a small smile "Very poetic but I still need to go"
James sat up with a grunt to bring both arms around Rei. Before she could protest his muscles flexed and held steady as he brought her to him in a straddling position. He brought his face close to hers.
"Do you think I wouldn't have made sure he was perfectly fine before coming to see you" He whispered to her.
Rei was quiet but grateful for the reassurance.
"I pushed past the pain to buy a loaf of bread, and he looked fine as he sold me the bread. Even gave me smile" He said with a chuckle at the last but.
"I need to see him" Rei said but smiled at the last part as well.
"Later, I have waited too long. Your brother is safe" He said hungrily pulling her to a kiss.
Rei returned the kiss and prepared to let him have her, for she still needed him. The shirt she had brought out lay forgotten as she let him run kisses down her neck before suckling on her breasts. Rei gave the appropriate responses with his every touch, a shudder here and a little moan there and he would be satisfied to know he had pleasured her as well. She had him lie back not wanting to strain the stiches any more than they already had been, before she removed his pants and under wear. She then stripped out of her own jeans and panties.
He watched all this done in a nonchalant grace only Rei could muster as she turned to him and returned on top of him pinning his aching member between their crotches. She was quiet watching him a moment feeling every pulse he gave before standing her knees slightly from their straddle position. His member sprang away from its forced position to stand in wait. The last vision James saw before bliss forced his eyes shut was Rei lowering herself on to him and him into her.
Rei sat up from her sleeping position next to James who had succumbed to slumber as soon as he reached his release. She swung her legs off the bed before standing and leaving the room. She let the door close silently as she made her way to the bathroom. Her face was blank as she entered to catch herself in the mirror. She looked away immediately and swung the cabinet open to avoid looking at herself again. She walked to the shower and let out a controlled stream of hot water as she stepped under the shower head. She didn't wash herself feeling content to let the hot liquid flow over her.
Her hands clenched to fists with the knowing that she wouldn't be able to bring herself anywhere near Shiro for a couple of days. She stroked her hair trying not to think of him in connection with what she'd done but it was a losing battle. For the first time in a long time she wondered if Shinji would understand when they could finally be together. She ignored the tears she knew to be coming from her eyes and began to wash up.
T.B.C
Next chapter is almost done but I won't have it out until I'm done with its successor.
