Grimoire: Ghost Fragment - The Last Word 3
Jaren, and the others, only a handful, but still our best hunters, our hardest hearts, had left Palamon three suns prior. Tracking the Fallen, after one of the glowing beasts had killed my father.
The stranger - the other - arrived in solitude, the day after.
He rarely spoke. Took a room. Took our hospitality.
I was intrigued by him, as I was Jaren when he'd first arrived.
But the stranger was cold. Distant. Damaged, I thought.
But I wasn't afraid. Not yet.
Only a young man, still just a child, I knew the monsters of our world didn't walk like men, save for the deadliest.
The stranger was polite, but solemn.
I took him for a sad, broken man, and he was. Though, at the time, I didn't understand how that could make one dangerous.
It wouldn't matter.
He took a seat near the front of the town, and just waited. Patiently, and quietly. Lightly cradling his gun, a sharp and wicked thing.
For two suns and two moons, he sat there. I watched from afar, wondering what he was waiting for.
Finally, six suns after Jaren had left, he returned with his hunting party. The stranger looked up, directly at Jaren.
I thought a fight was about to break out, right then and there. Jaren had gone still, in the way he always did before reaching for the Last Word. Instead, he growled, "What have you done?"
"Nothing," answered the stranger, rising to his feet. "That boy is special." Somehow, I knew he was talking about me.
"You will not touch him."
"Haven't done the sort. He's not ripe yet."
"Why are you here?"
"Observing. Thinking about where to go from here, and what awaits me on the other side. Guess I just wanted to make one more memory."
"...you haven't been seen in years, since your fall from the Crucible. Why emerge now?"
The stranger shrugged, and Jaren watched in tense silence. Finally, he spoke again. "Sometimes, hope makes for the greatest sacrifice. They enjoy the taste of it."
"...leave this place."
"Will you make me?"
"Not without other people dying. You know that. And you won't go that far. Quite the limit on yourself, don't you think?"
"In your eyes, maybe."
"...this won't be the last time we meet. I'll be looking forward to it." Then, with three audible cracks, the other hunters beside Jaren collapsed, writhing in the grip of a poisonous miasma. By then, Jaren had already fired five times; his bullets, so sure and steady, were swallowed by shadow.
The stranger glanced back at me, and he then vanished in a cloud of green fire.
Somehow, I knew I would never see that man again...because next time, there would be nothing human left of that sad, solemn stranger.
xxxx
/Oceanus Procellarum, the Moon/
Armored feet tread across the lunar soil, their owner staring quietly at the distant Earth. These steps were not those of a Hunter - which one would expect, given the natural satellite's current isolation relative to the City - but that of a Titan, walking quietly in solitude.
'You know Princess, I know you occasionally like to visit, but maybe it would have been a good idea to come along with backup for once?'
Nah.
'Stubborn, foolhardy girl. No wonder we get along so well!'
You and have VERY different perceptions on 'getting along'. The female Exo quietly glanced at the floating wreckage of old space stations; behind one of the old solar panels, her jumpship was snugly hovering, well within communications range. I just...wanted to see her. It's been a while.
'...last time we came, you had to fight off a bunch of Hive before you could reactivate the facility's defensive protocols. Who's to say they haven't failed again?'
Then I'll just fight them off again.
'With all of the increased activity? Honey, I know you're good, but I'm not ready to become suicidal just yet.'
"Heaven forbid," murmured Asuka-2, gazing at the pockmarked slopes up ahead; streaming over them were Fallen patrols, comprised of multiple arachnids the size of dogs, covered in bony plating and tiny laser cannons. "...hmm, took five minutes less than normal for the patrols to find us."
'Given the Hive activity buzzing from the Moon, can you blame them?'
"Guess not. They'll die all the same." Reaching for her hand cannon, Asuka-2 took off running, firing at the many-legged soldiers of the Fallen House of Matarael.
xxxx
/Vanguard Headquarters, the Tower/
Cayde-6 blinked dumbly at Jaren Ward. Looking briefly at Shin Malphur, the Exo asked, "...seriously?"
Jaren sighed, readjusting the brim of his brown cowboy hat. "Yes, Cayde; seriously."
"...huh. That's...well, I'd say impossible, but I'm looking at living proof as to the contrary. Apparently." The Hunter Vanguard sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "...you positive?"
"...yes. Yes I am. I was there."
"...huh. I think I need a seat." He glanced around the long table; Osiris was currently speaking with the Consensus, and Saint-14 was meeting with representatives of the Sunbreaker, Stoneborn, and First Pillar Titan Orders; however, most importantly...there were no chairs. "...I need to remember to get a chair. And I mean a good one."
Shin stared quizzically at Cayde. "...you know Jaren, your tales about the Vanguard didn't mention someone this...eccentric?"
"You're one to talk about 'eccentric', Mr. 'I got a Ghost and became a Guardian without dying the first time'," snarked the Exo. "Besides...it's not like I chose this."
Shin blinked. "Then why-?"
"Vanguard Dare?" interrupted Jaren Ward.
"Vanguard Dare," answered Cayde-6.
"...my sincerest condolences," muttered Jaren. "I remember Andal. He was a good man."
"And just as stir-crazy as I am." Cayde looked knowingly at Shin. "Word from the wise, kiddo; never take the Vanguard Dare."
"...why?"
"Because you might win."
Shin stared. And then he glanced at his erstwhile spiritual father. "...is this another odd 'Guardian' thing that I'll come to know about?"
Jaren shrugged. After a few more seconds, he quietly asked, "Do you know who killed him?"
Cayde nodded stiffly. "Some Fallen mercenary called Taniks. Did you know that the Queen of the Reef actually put a bounty on him?"
"Seriously?"
"Apparently, he broke into the Prison of Elders, got an Archon Priest. With all the stuff involving the reclamation of SIVA and the Ironlands, it took a while before some Guardians started looking at it seriously...but, to my knowledge, there's been no progress. A pity, really; I'd be really tempted to tag along. You know, just because. No lingering desire to enact vengeance, or anything like that, no sir!" The Exo's expression was completely and absolutely sincere, with no exaggeration at all. Seriously. "After all, I'm supposed to be a role model for all the upstanding Guardians out there."
"I'm sure you are, Cayde," droned Jaren. "Which brings me to why we're here. Listen...I'm grateful for how quickly you've been able to find housing for the people of Palamon, and I'm happy for the support that Nerv has been providing. And I'm not opposed to going out on missions again...but from what I've been hearing...are you absolutely sure that Dredgen Yor is behind this?"
"...at the very least, he's become an ally of the Hive," admitted the Hunter Vanguard.
"...I see." Jaren Ward sighed. "...very well. Count me in."
xxxx
/Oceanus Procellarum, the Moon/
Asuka-2 sighed as she lightly kicked the side of the broken Skiff, its green hull bearing Arc-induced scorch marks and a massive hole in its side. "Well, that should buy us a little time." She glanced over her shoulder at the line of crushed and broken Mataraelim, stretching for several hundred yards behind her. So, four patrol groups destroyed...what direction is the line of bodies pointing toward?
'Towards Kepler.'
Perfekt, thought the Exo. An old spaceport, based in the Kepler crater to the northwest, had long ago been claimed by the House of Matarael; when more patrols inevitably came this way to investigate the commotion, the Fallen would logically conclude that something wicked was coming their way. They would recall a number of their forces in the Ocean of Storms to defend it...which would make her trek less of a hassle. Is the signal still strong enough for a Sparrow?
'Yes.' Ever since SIVA had been reclaimed, one of its first applications had been to bolster the transmat relays centered in the City and its surrounding territory; this enabled quicker and easier Guardian mobility over a much wider range. Nothing to the point of transmatting equipment all the way from Earth to the Moon as of yet (at least, not without more transmat zones and patrol beacons)...but more than enough for her to transmat her Sparrow from her jumpship, hidden in a shallow crevice several kilometers to the south.
With a wordless nod, Asuka-2 held her hand out, above which Mari materialized. With a few streaks of blue light, the Ghost manifested her red-and-blue S-30C Phoenix. Hopping on, the Titan took off in a streak of red, moving at high speed to the northeast...namely, to Mare Cognitum.
Or, to be more specific, a very old facility, long devoid of human activity.
'...these unauthorized expeditions won't last forever, you know.'
I know. But I'll hold onto it for as long as I can.
'Once the Vanguard realizes this place still exists, it won't take the Commander long to connect the dots as to what our trips here have involved. He'll be asking why you kept this place hidden.'
We'll burn that bridge when we get to it.
'...stubborn little girl.'
Asuka-2's eyes narrowed behind her helmet. You're one to talk.
'Just calling it like I see it, little miss prissy.'
...
'Oh, the silent treatment? How original.'
'...Asuka. You don't have to keep everything to yourself, you know. Ever thought that the City might be able to help?'
...I don't trust her with them. If it was just people like Cayde or Saint-14...maybe.
'But not Osiris?'
And especially not the Speaker.
'...you know, we've got to get you over these conspiracies you have regarding the Speaker.'
The Exo snorted. Good luck with that one.
At last, after over an hour of travel across the Moon's pale surface, she angled her Sparrow over the rim surrounding Mare Cognitum, delving downward into the massive basin. Aiming towards a relatively unimpressive spot, with absolutely nothing of interest-
'We've passed the ontological filter.'
...got it. Thanks.
Asuka-2 wiggled her head, as if to shake off a bunch of cobwebs. Travelling through that field - invisible to the senses as it was - always seemed to give her a headache. Fortunately, it was always alleviated by the sight of what lay at the center of the field: a cluster of squat, prefabricated domes, delving underground. Embroidered over the largest dome was a single red leaf. Hmm...doesn't look like anything's changed since the last time we came here.
'I'm not detecting any life signs...nor any sign of the Hive.'
Good. And so Asuka-2 and Mari ventured closer to the complex that had once served as NERV's Lunar Branch.
xxxx
/Vanguard Headquarters, the Tower/
"So what about you, kid?" asked Cayde-6, looking directly at Shin Malphur. "You up for this little expedition to the realm of scum and arcane villainy called Old Japan?"
"...I am." Shin quietly lifted the hood from over his head, and slowly removed his racer's helmet; the face beneath was that of a young man, who had never made it past his 20s judging by physicality. His dark skin was clean-shaven, save for the black mustache and goatee bordering his mouth; he lightly scratched the thin layer of curly black hair atop his crown, as though deciding what to say. "...Jaren's done more for me than I could ever repay him for. If this is how I can begin giving back what I owe...then I'm up for it."
Jaren shook his head. "Nothing you gotta repay, but whatever floats your boat."
"Solid emotional resolution there, those are always important," said Cayde-6. "Also," he added, pointing at Shin's dark brown irises, "good job on the intense stare. Not always a necessity, but a great feature if you can pull it off."
"...thanks, I think?"
And that's when Eris Morn came stomping in. Figuratively speaking. "The suggestion to bring Shinji Ikari as our sixth member didn't fly. And after that display, I would be hesitant to bring him along anyway."
"...did you scare the kid off?" scolded Cayde-6.
Eris's lip curled with distaste.
"...I'll take that as a yes."
"The boy went invisible and ran away," said Eris, her face clouded over with displeasure and frustration. "I have no time to indulge in someone with such a weak will; that sort of cowardice will only get himself and my teammates killed."
"...just out of curiosity, when you approached him, did you say anything about how the Hive have taken root in various Japanese facilities that once belonged to NERV, or about how they have possession of an Evangelion, or about the very real possibility they may find a way to turn it against the City? Did you open with that, or did you go straight for Unit-01?"
Eris Morn's silence was telling.
Cayde-6 audibly facepalmed. "Ugh...I'm not exactly a Pre-Collapse scholar, but even I know enough about the kid's exploits to know that was a dumb move." After a few seconds, the Exo relented, "granted, I only read up on him after Osiris made me, but my point still stands!"
"...um, question." Eris and Cayde-6 turned towards Shin, whose hand was raised. "...who exactly are we talking about?"
xxxx
/The Barrier, the City/
"...so, feel any better now?"
Shinji Ikari's fingers clenched more tightly around the railing; he stared silently at the moonlit shadows beyond the Barrier, and the distant mountains standing stark against the night sky. The peaceful imagery was a soothing balm...but only just. "...no."
''...how about now?"
"No."
Yui floated quietly in front of him, eye winking with apparent gloom. "...I have to say, I didn't expect such a reaction from you."
"...if I never have anything to do with Eva again..."
(Yet another day of simulations. Another day of testing. The monotony was broken up by school...and, on frequent occasion, a draconic abomination. The mind-numbing dread had become a constant companion.)
Shinji scowled. "...it'll be too soon."
"...wanna talk about it?"
"...maybe later." Or maybe never.
"...okay." The Ghost slowly hovered, staring at the western sky. "...why do you think she was asking about Unit-01? She said something about it being in a prison...what do you think that means?"
"I don't know. And I don't care." The petulance was rising.
"...do you think Unit-01 might be in the hands of something nefarious?" Yui suddenly gasped. "What if it gets used against the City?!"
"I said I don't care!" The petulance was at maximum. It was forcefully pushed back down when Shinji saw the startled expression on his Ghost. "I'm...I'm sorry! I just..." The frustration slowly bled away, leaving only a vague sense of weariness. "...I just...Unit-01...or just Eva in general...it became nothing but a source of pain for me..."
"...but wasn't it necessary?"
"Against the Ahamkara...it was. And I understand why...but it doesn't make what I feel any less real." The anguish, the frustration...all thoughts involving Evangelion came with a sense of loss. "I hate it."
"...I see." Yui suddenly blinked. "Hold on...incoming transmission, one-way. For...you?"
Shinji blinked. With a thought, his helmet transmatted over his head, and he triggered the communications link. "Um...hello?"
"...Ikari-kun."
Shinji froze. That soft, whispery voice; that strange, hollow cadence...but...but it was impossible! She had died! "...Ayanami...?"
(The bluenette with red eyes stared quietly at him, utterly uncaring of her physical injuries; without saying a word, she looked back outside, even as their teacher continued speaking.)
"...help me." The link suddenly cut off.
"Ayanami?! AYANAMI!" Shinji whirled towards Yui, his helmet fading away in a flash of light. "Can you track the signal? Do you know where it came from?!"
"Scanning...it's faint, but I have a source. It came from Old Japan...centered somewhere in Kanagawa, I believe."
Shinji paled. Kanagawa Prefecture: the site of Hakone...the site of NERV Headquarters...the site of so many battles. "...oh..."
Yui looked meaningfully at him. "What's the likelihood that Eris Morn's mission involves going to Old Japan?"
Knowing his luck...it was a hundred percent. And therein lied his dilemma. Shinji scowled, his eyes narrowing out of selfish irritation and impulsive anger. Even now...even centuries later...I can't escape...
xxxx
/NERV-Luna, Mare Cognitum, the Moon/
Asuka-2 quietly walked through the halogen-lit halls of NERV's Lunar Branch, ignoring ancient battle scars and faded scorch marks: signs of a desperate holding action, followed up by staggered defensive measures. Fortunately, the halls were quiet; every so often, the corridors were ruptured by rock, a result of the Moon's fragmentation centuries ago. The occasional pile of bony dust was ignored; so long as it wasn't moving, she didn't care.
'This place always gives me the heebie-jeebies.'
Well, people did die here, you know.
'Well, duh! It's not just that! It's...it feels like it should be MORE dead.'
...sure. Whatever. Fat chance of that; say what you will about NERV, but they had engineered their stuff to last. Hidden by the ontological filter (for the most part), powered by the distant light of the Sun, and with its internals sealed against the elements...it wasn't a stretch to say that the automated systems would keep this complex running for centuries further. I will catalog that as yet another instance of you being a weirdo.
'You are not one to talk about weirdness.'
Finally, the Exo made it to a large, circular anechoic chamber, easily over two hundred meters wide. Its walls were lined with radiation absorbent material, fashioned as rows of gray spikes; swiveling around the center of the room were various scanners, bathing a massive object in teal light. The object in question was a dodecahedron, over forty meters in diameter, its dark pentagonal faces lined with prominent ridges. Strolling quietly onto a suspended walkway, the Titan stared impassively at the immense polygon, suspended in air by several hydraulic grips. "...status, Mari?"
Her pink Ghost manifested, floating over to the nearest computer terminal. After a few seconds of scanning, she chirped, "Still in stasis. The Eva's showing no response to any stimuli."
"...verdammt." Asuka-2 resisted the urge to touch the large dodecahedron, knowing it wouldn't make a bit of difference. She had already tried, long ago. "Mama..." She briefly cursed her memory; one of the few gaps she had was of the transition from Asuka-1 to Asuka-2. Coincidentally, the gap began in the middle of Unit-02's historic battle against Crota, the infamous Clash of Giants...and ended with her on Earth, awakening in the middle of Old Russia, surrounded by lunar rubble. "...I don't know why you won't wake up...but I'm still here. Even if nothing else from before the Collapse is left for you...I'm still here..."
"...an unusual existence, isn't it?"
Asuka-2 stilled, eyes narrowing at the sound of the face. With a frightened squeak, Mari vanished back into her body; slowly, the Exo turned, facing the interloper. "...you've gotten bigger, Azzir."
The being once known as Rezyl Azzir stood at the entrance into the chamber, dark armor bearing more jagged edges than before; as one of humanity's champions, he had been a giant of man. Now, he was taller than the average Hive Knight, a humanoid beast of black metal and angry green lines. Tellingly, from beneath the Corinthian-style helm, glowing eyes of green could be seen. "The name of an old fool, who dreamed too deeply for the Light to reach him."
Asuka-2 snorted. "Beats calling you 'Dredgen Yor', or whatever stupid nickname you've come up with. Trying to sound cool, or something?"
Dredgen Yor casually shrugged. "It's a name that I took. Yet it also took me. There was no choice but to embrace it...because it was sensible. Logical. True. Do you understand?"
"What I understand is that you're a damn coward who took the easy way out when the going got tough."
"Believe whatever you want to believe...I think you would have found their words quite enlightening. If you're smart enough, they remain whispers, and never have to become screams."
"...how did you find this place?"
"Three little women told me; I had to see for myself." He gazed at the large anomaly, humming to himself. "...it's heavy. Brimming with purpose. But quiet...too quiet."
Asuka-2's hackles would have raised, if she still had them. "Don't you dare get any ideas, you arschloch!"
"It's not my place to have ideas anymore. That's what none of you seem to get," said Yor, shaking his head with remorse. "There's only one True Idea, the Final Shape...and everything exists only for the fulfillment of that reality. Anything that gets in the way of that must be cut down. So you will either help form it...or not at all. But I know what your answer will be. So..." He raised his right hand. "...the scythe shall reap." He snapped his fingers; one second later, a distant explosion sounded from deeper in the facility.
'...Asuka. The ontological filter's down. This place is in the open.'
Asuka-2's eyes widened. "What...what did you do?!"
"This place has been still for too long. Stable, unmoving...defiant in the face of a moving universe. I'm simply...giving it a little push." With heavy steps, Dredgen Yor turned away, towards a black portal ringed with green fire. "To a better world...old friend." And then he was gone.
Asuka-2 scowled. "Mari. Status!"
'I'm detecting a number of Hive Tomb Ships appearing on our perimeter. And I don't know if you've noticed, but Unit-02's stasis tank gives off a LOT of electromagnetic fluctuations. The House of Matarael is already sending some Skiffs our way.'
"Well, that's just my luck, isn't it?!" snarled Asuka-2. "Get this place's defensive systems online!"
Mari manifested, floating back over to the terminal. "On it...but they were barely enough last time. And we've lost the filter that was this place's primary line of defense...I don't think the drones will be enough."
"I know, damn it, I know!" Great. Just great. She was already dreading the questions that would inevitably be asked...because there were honestly some she wouldn't have the ability to answer. Damn NERV for being so damn paranoid with so many damn secrets! This sucks! "...send a distress call to the Vanguard."
"Already on it, Princess."
xxxx
Deeper within NERV-Luna, in a heavily-sealed cluster of rooms, the signal was sent. It was accompanied by the deep voice of someone or something from elsewhere, slipping through dimensions.
A SUBTLE ASSETS IMPERATIVE HAS BEEN LOGGED. SECURITY STATE IS ATLAS. EVENT RANK IS AQUINAS: COLLABORATIVE CONTEXT. RESOLUTION: ACTIVATING BARIS PROTECTIVE.
Amidst the rows of humanoid drones, crafted from aged metal the color of burnished steel, pipes began to connect to these empty shells. A white slurry was pumped through, and the drones were no longer empty.
SLAP RIFLE CONNECTIONS: ACTIVE. AXIS MIND CONNECTION: ESTABLISHED. COMMUNICATION HAS BEEN ACCEPTED.
As one, dozens of drones turned on, their cycloptic eyes glowing blue.
DEPLOYING BARIS PROTECTIVE.
xxxx
/Vanguard Headquarters, the Tower/
The holographic projector in the center of the long table suddenly flared, flashing red. Cayde-6's eyes narrowed. "A distress call?" With a swiping gesture, the projector displayed in full, revealing the source. "Mare Cognitum...the Moon? Who's the dumbass that broke quarantine before the Commander gave the go-ahead?" More details scrolled across in front of the image of the Moon. "...ah, it's Asuka-2. Well, at least it's a dumbass who can fight." He paused. "But if she's asking for backup..." The Hunter Vanguard leaned forward, analyzing the message more keenly. "Impending assault by Hive and Fallen, House of Matarael...subject is a lunar base for NERV, from before the Collapse...?" The Exo's eyes widened. "Imminent loss of asset, Eva-class?!"
That was enough for Eris Morn to pause. "Another one...so soon...?"
Cayde-6 whirled towards the three Hunters in the room. "Change of plans, Guardians. Unit-01 will have to wait; we can't let this place fall into enemy hands, and I'll be damned if I see another old-timer die on my watch."
Jaren Ward grimly nodded. "We'll get there. Has my old ship been refurbished?"
"Knowing Amanda, she got it done first thing after you got back."
"...I don't exactly have a ship," muttered Shin Malphur.
"Don't worry, kid! You can be one of the lucky ones to test-fly the SIVA-enhanced replicas that just started rolling out of the foundries. Not enough for true interstellar travel, but it should be enough to get you to the Moon without exploding."
"...that doesn't comfort me."
The Exo shrugged. "Eh, if you blow up, at least you'll have a good bar story."
"Then let us be off at once," said Eris, turning on her heels and taking long strides towards the entryway.
At that moment, Sai Mota and Omar Agah were entering. The former began talking. "Okay, now I know we're incredibly late, cause someone else got credit for the bounty we were assigned, so we mutually decided-"
"More like decided by dictatorial fiat," muttered Omar.
Sai ignored his quip. "Mutually decided to try and grab as much spinmetal as we could, and hey Eris, how's it been-?" Her impromptu greeting was promptly ignored as the pale Hunter grabbed her and Omar by the back of their cloaks and began dragging them along. "Hey hey HEY! Easy there, what's the deal?!"
"We have a distress call from the Moon. We will be answering it."
"...I guess we're doing this now," said Omar, relenting to Eris's decision even while Sai continued her ineffectual complaints.
Shin watched Eris drag the two newcomers away before turning towards Jaren. "...y'all are crazy, you know that, right?"
"Eh, you'll get there," answered the man in black before moving forward. With a put-upon sigh, the gunslinger followed.
Cayde-6 watched the five Hunters leave with an inquisitive look. "...you know, they need a stabilizing influence on that team...hmm, now there's an idea..." If you didn't succeed at first, as the saying went...try, try again.
xxxx
/The Barrier, the City/
"You don't understand, I have to find her!"
"And I agree. But right now, with no backup, into Old Japan? Don't you remember Lady Katsuragi's story of how she died the first time? There might be legions of Hive still there!"
Shinji Ikari scowled. "I know...but...no matter what happened, Ayanami was always there to back me up! And when she died...!"
Yui sighed, her metallic petals evoking a sense of . "Shinji..."
"If she's a Guardian now, like me... The young man's jaw clenched, his entire body shaking from pent-up tension and frustration. "If it hadn't have been for Asuka, I wouldn't have made it...and that was just in the Cosmodrome. If Ayanami's all alone in Japan, with no one? I...I won't let her die a second time. Not if I can help it."
"...you can't control anyone's life other than your own, Shinji...hmm?" His Ghost suddenly blinked. "Incoming transmission from the Vanguard." With a burst of static, Cayde-6's voice burst through Yui's speakers. "Hey kid, how's it going?"
"...it could be better," he said honestly.
"Perfect answer, because it's always true. Listen, you remember your old pal Asuka-2, right?"
"...yes?" He didn't know if he could call her an 'old pal', but she was a significant acquaintance, to say the least.
"So as it turns out, she's currently sending a distress call from the Moon. On the verge of being overrun by Fallen and Hive. You in for a rescue op?"
Shinji stared quietly at his Ghost, a solemn expression coating his face.
'Shinji?'
"...do you have the location?" asked Shinji.
"Wouldn't be calling if I didn't. Uploading it to your Ghost now."
"...I'm on my way." He sighed, looking despondently at the western sky. Yui...can you transmat me back to the Tower Hangar from here?
'Yes. But...what about Ayanami?'
...right now...I wouldn't know where to start. And oh, did that hurt to say. But I know where Asuka is. And I owe her my life.
'Understood.'
But after we save Asuka...we're heading for Old Japan. For Ayanami.
'Roger that!' The Ghost silently merged with her Guardian, who promptly disappeared in a flash of light moments later.
xxxx
/Vanguard Headquarters, the Tower/
Cayde-6 smiled to himself as the console detected Shinji Ikari's signal now transmitting from the Tower. "Heh. Knew it." When the chips were down, when it counted the most...the kid would answer the call. Chalk another one up for me, fearless Vanguard of the Hunters...
Silence.
...I want to go out there so badly...
The silence was broken by an exasperated groan.
xxxx
Grimoire: Baris Protective
From the Records of NERV-Luna
[REDACTED]: Lieutenant Ibuki, status update.
Ibuki: Er...well, it's definitely not something that we made, and by we I mean [REDACTED]-
[REDACTED]: I'm well aware. Why was Subject Alpha found within the perimeter of the Lunar Branch? You know how strict security is with the ongoing campaign against the Ahamkara.
Ibuki: Yes sir.
[REDACTED]: Your findings?
Ibuki: Well, the robotic shell contains incredibly impressive processing capabilities, and its innards are circulating with a milky fluid rife with microscopic organisms.
[REDACTED]: Of what variety?
Ibuki: Protozoa. Radiozoa, to be precise...and they're emitting an odd energy field that the MAGI are still analyzing.
[REDACTED]: Anything else?
Ibuki: Well, if you'll give me just a second...okay, APOLLO just finished deciphering Subject Alpha's communications protocol! Let's see...
(eight seconds of silence ensue)
[REDACTED]: Lieutenant?
Ibuki: Sir, I think you need to get up here.
[REDACTED]: I'm currently preoccupied with affairs on Earth-
Ibuki: No sir, it's something you need to see in person. It's...I can't tell you what it contains.
[REDACTED]: ...I see. And I suppose if I ordered you to provide a hint?
Ibuki: ...it's directed for your eyes only, sir. Somehow, I'm physically unable to read the rest of the message...
[REDACTED]: A metaphysical filter? Impressive.
Ibuki: ...but the introduction says that something called the Baris Protective is a 'gift'.
[REDACTED]: Does it say from who?
Ibuki: Someone named-
(The remainder of this transcript has been redacted by the order of Commander Osiris. Further access requires approval from both the Vanguard Commander and the Speaker.)