This chapter was rewritten to fix a plot error and some spelling mistakes.
Both Shinji and Asuka stood solemnly in the briefing room, silently accepting their defeat as the previous battle showed on the viewscreen. Lieutenant Ibuki began the debrief. "Today at 10:58.15 A.M," she started, "Units One and Two engaged the target at Surugawan Bay. The target separated into two enemies, codenamed Alpha and Beta, which were then attacked by the Evangelions. Though both EVAs fought brilliantly, neither were able to dispatch the targets."
Shinji and Asuka both sighed, then shot daggers at each other with their eyes, as if they blamed each other for the loss.
Maya continued. "At 11:10 A.M. Nerv abandoned the operation and transferred command to the UN Secondary force."
Lt. Commander Fuyutsuki spoke up. "We've been completely humiliated."
"At 11:12 A.M., UN forces made an attack with an N2 mine. The attack managed to burn off 28% of the target's structural substance."
Fuyutsuki spoke again. "We'll have to redraw the maps again. What a disaster!" He turned on the two pilots and asked them a question. "You two! Just what do you think your job is?"
Asuka was the first to speak. "Piloting EVA, duh!"
Shinji turned his head on Asuka and glared at her. "WRONG! It's to defeat the Angels!"
Fuyutsuki responded furiously. "Precisely, Shinji, which is why you will never allow NERV to make grotesque public spectacles like this! The two of you will learn to work together! That is an order!"
Shinji and Asuka glared at each other, then turned away, each crossing their arms over their chests. In unison, they complained, "Why should we?"
A new voice spoke up, revealing its owner from the dark. "Because regardless of your skill alone, if you can't work together, you may as well be bait."
"Kaji!" exclaimed Asuka. Shinji rolled his eyes.
Fuyutuski spoke up. "That's enough. It's only a matter of time before the Angel resumes its attack, and as pathetic as this battle ended up being, it's a minor blessing that we have the time to recoup. We'll check our resources and get to work on a gameplan. In the meantime… Shinji, Asuka, you will spend 100% of your waking moments together, until you learn to work as a team; that's an order."
As the Lieutenant Commander stormed out of the briefing room, Kaji and Maya followed. The pilots were too busy glaring at each other to pay much attention to their surroundings. The two were interrupted by another new voice, decidedly male, and recognized by Shinji. "I might have an idea that may help the two of you," it said.
Shinji's head whipped around violently, and his suspicions were confirmed. "Trunks?!"
The purple-haired man smiled at the mention of his name. "Good to see you too, Shinji. It's been, what, four years?"
"What are you doing here?!" Shinji could hardly contain his excitement.
"Four years ago, Capsule Corp was bought out by, and became a subsidiary of, NERV. I was assigned here in Research and Development. That new Gyroplug of yours? I helped to design that." He chuckled a bit to himself and continued. "I must say, it was an idea the rest of us hadn't even thought of, and I am happy to have had a hand in the design."
Asuka, who had until this point stayed silent, asked out of the blue, "So, you've designed something that will help us in the next battle?"
Trunks turned to the red-haired pilot. "Actually, what I'm speaking of has been around for centuries, and it's purely luck that it managed to survive Second Impact."
Shinji squinted. "... what survived?"
Trunks smiled. "I can't tell you. I'll have to show you."
-X-
Kinks appear in plans throughout life, and this was no exception. Asuka and Shinji, upon arriving at their home, found Misato before them with an order from Commander Ikari that neither of them liked. They would eat, sleep, do chores, do training together, until the two were completely in sync. Due to the explosive personalities of the two pilots, this was proving to be a problem. Each was blaming the other for little mistakes in routine training, and straight out of the gate, it started getting physical. Asuka slapped Shinji several times, and Shinji shoved Asuka around a bit in response.
There was plenty of taunting between the two of them, and during a heated argument on the morning of day two, a knock on the door was heard. Upon opening the door, who should appear but Trunks!
"Wow, never expected you two to be shackin' up together, too!" Trunks winked heartily and made a sarcastic show of surprise.
Shinji crossed his arms while Asuka huffed, and both in sync replied, "Oh, shut up."
Trunks chuckled, then asked, "Is Lieutenant Katsuragi home?"
Shinji nodded. "She's asleep. Long night at work."
Trunks thought for a moment. "I do need to discuss something with her. Mind if I wait around for her to wake up?"
"I am awake," came a reply from behind the two pilots. Misato stumbled into view, half dressed and moaning like a zombie. "You're the representative from Capsule Corp, are you not?"
"Yes, ma'am," came Trunks' reply. He wasn't intimidated by the woman before him, though he still showed her a great deal of respect. "Trunks Briefs, at your service."
Asuka burst out laughing at the full name, and Shinji shot her a glare that silenced her on the spot. Misato welcomed the scientist into her home, and the group sat around the table in the living room to discuss whatever Trunks had come up with.
"I have been granted a one-day pass to take Asuka and Shinji to a training ground where they can hone their skills."
Misato blinked at him. "What good is one day? Take two."
Trunks shook his head. "You only need one day."
Misato shrugged her shoulders. "You want them now?"
Trunks shook his head. "Tomorrow. 0500 hours. They'll be well trained by the time they return."
