14
Apocalyptic Vengeance
"I know so many zealots, men and women who choose a side, an ideology by which to interpret the world. But to get up every single day and do the hard work of deciding what to believe, what's right today, when to stand up or stand down…that's courage."
/
The computer screen relayed information almost faster than its user could follow, almost. Rei sat immersed in the information being gathered by agent Mojtabai, banking records and finance deals, every possible link however tenuous. They had started with Whistler cruise lines, accessing the companies bank records and tracing back from there. "Oh hello." Aram declared, and Rei watched as fresh data presented itself. Rei cocked her head to one side puzzled, "they irradiated the bills?" Aram sat stroking his chin clearly trying to put this new piece of the puzzle in place, "these bills, have they all passed through the committees accounts?" Reddington enquired, the criminal was observing the pair as they worked on following the money trail. Rei began tapping on her keyboard, sending a data analysis request to the MAJI. While she waited for a response she checked her second computer screen, a security camera down by the gymnasium pool. As she had hoped to see Shinji was in the water, swimming back and forth between Asuka and Misato. They needed to buy the boy as much time as possible, and so they needed to try and track Grey. "Germany." Aram declared, and Rei looked up, sure enough her main screen displayed the answer as well.
"All the irradiated bills originated from Germany." Rei mused aloud, something didn't add up here at all. It was Aram who voiced her confusion, "why would he irradiate his own bills?" Reddington let out a bark of laughter. "So he can track the committee's money, he's planning to steal the whole lot." Rei frowned, stealing the first lot of money had merely been the beginning. Grey planned to take every last euro dollar from SEELE, it would leave the organisation destitute and utterly powerless. "In doing so, he has unintentionally given us his probable location." Rei declared, and both Reddington and Mojtabai nodded in agreement. "Oh wait, this is interesting." Aram suddenly spoke, and Rei furrowed her brow as the data once again streamed to her own screen. "The committee enacted an emergency protocol, they relocated something called MPE." Rei nodded, already she had figured out the codeword. "Mass production Evangelions." Aram glanced up surprised at her quick work, "well they've moved them, all nine to an undisclosed location." Reddington shrugged, "I don't see how that affects us?" Rei pondered why SEELE had enacted such a protocol, then realised the most likely reason. "They may be afraid of losing control of them, things may be worse for them than we first thought."
It seemed almost unthinkable, everything Rei had learned regarding SEELE had come from the commander. SEELE was all powerful and all reaching, yet they seemed to be caught completely flat footed. On a whim she forwarded the information directly to the commander, it would be up to him what to do with this new information. While there was an argument that a fallen SEELE could only be a good thing, there was that old phrase Rei had heard, better the devil you know. Grey had made only one potential mistake so far, in irradiating the bills he had left a trail to follow. Germany, possibly even Berlin itself and that confirmed one theory, Grey was within SEELE itself. Rei shifted her gaze to the second monitor again, Shinji was sat on the edge of the pool kicking his feet. From here it was easy to imagine how tiring that motion must be, yet the boy kept at it regardless. It took her a moment to realise Reddington was observing the same scene, "Grey has tried to keep him down, tried to snuff out all resistance." "Yet there he is, still striving and struggling to get better." Rei nodded, she found herself feeling a peculiar sense of pride. "Ikari has come far since I first met him." Then she turned to fix the man with her gaze. "bring him back alive, anything else would be… disagreeable." Reddington nodded slowly before replying. "Most disagreeable."
/
Mason Coleman strode down the halls of the underground storage facility, he entered the primary hanger bay and stepped out onto the walkway. At forty-six years old he thought he had seen it all, serving in the military and living through second impact. He had a mild case of beer belly, his blonde hair thinning out on top due to the stress of life, well that and his divorce had been very costly. Maria had gotten it into her head that he was having an affair, he snorted, as if he even had time for such things. No amount of discourse and persuasion could reason with the woman, she didn't even give a damn about how it would affect their children. His eyes narrowed, he had a sneaking suspicion that if anyone had been having an affair, it had been Maria. The divorce had gotten messy in the end, and Mason had even lost custody of his kids. A smirk flickered across his lips, his oldest son had seen right through to the heart of the matter. The fourteen-year-old would make Maria's life a living hell, he expected to hear from his estranged wife before much longer. He was halfway along the walkway now, either side of him the mass production Evangelion's stood tall and menacing. Even inactive they were deeply unsettling, their peculiar shaped heads and their red clown like lips.
Mason couldn't stand the damn things, but it was his job to safeguard the units until they were called into action. 'Heaven help the poor fools those things are set loose on' He mused, with their S2 Organs they had unlimited energy with which to work. Mason just hoped the boffins had worked out all the kinks, the last thing he needed was one of these things going berserk down here. Three months ago the call had come through, the committee had enacted emergency protocols. The base staff had been mobilised and they had taken custody of the MPE's, something was going on and they were all being kept in the dark. His facility was one of many that had been built, designed as emergency storage for Evangelion's. That they were here meant something had or was going wrong, SEELE was under threat and that meant Mason's pay check was as well. The storage facility had been built in the wilds of Alaska as far from any population as possible, then there was the emergency destruct system which would incinerate the entire facility. A safeguard Mason hoped he would never see used, the base was lined with ten N2 bombs, and the activation sequence was a relatively short one. If it ever proved necessary to activate it, well let's just say the base personnel wouldn't get very far at all.
This had required them all to fill in forms, indicating that they understood the risks involved, a no harm no foul clause for the committee. He paused before unit five folding his hands behind his back, this one had been recovered from Bethany base. The mad fools there had managed to lose sight of their duty, that and a pilot had died on their watch. Unit five had been dispatched to France, there it had taken months to get the thing back up to specification. There was nothing worse then people going off script, nothing worse then someone being disloyal. One of the janitors walked passed him, the electronic whine of his cleaner a counter point to the facilities own rumbling hum. A facility he was proud to be running, even if it was in the rear end of nowhere. His facility and his people, and so far, they were all performing exactly as their training dictated. Finishing up his inspection Mason returned to the main control centre, Moira was sat at her usual station tapping listlessly on her keyboard. He liked the woman, Moira was a no-nonsense Scottish woman, younger than Mason and very sarcastic. She had come up from the university, handpicked by SEELE.
Several of the facilities men had been put in their places when approaching Moira, she made it clear she would decide when she would date. "Better off on the shelf, then in the wrong cupboard." She had said to him more than once, and who was he to disagree with that statement? "All's quiet on the western front then?" She enquired, he watched as she flicked her braided dark hair over her shoulder. Mason nodded slowly, "the children are all behaving themselves." He replied, his seat allowed him to overlook the control centre and was mercifully comfortable. Around him the technicians worked away, all of them here to monitor and maintain the Eva's. "Wonder when they'll be deployed, wouldn't mind seeing the back of them ugly buggers." Mason snorted in amusement, Moira was certainly not afraid to speak her mind. "wouldn't we all?" He returned. "Damn things give me the creeps." He nodded slowly, it was entirely possible that had been done deliberately, yet somehow, he suspected that the angels did not get spooked. This introduced a far more worrying possibility, that they had been built to hunt other Evangelion units. After everything he had heard regarding the kidnapping incident, and that was very little mind you, Mason felt that the Ikari kid would not deserve to have that to deal with.
As it happened, someone apparently agreed with Mason's sentiments, for no sooner had the thought left his mind an alarm began to blare. "What the hell is that? Do we have incoming?" He demanded as Moira clearly startled darted back to her station, and when he saw her face go pale, he knew it had to be bad. "Mason, the destruct system has triggered." He was on his feet alarm and adrenaline hitting him in equal measure. He opened his console and began tapping furiously at keys, in the event of an accidental trigger there were fail safes. To quote the English comedy however, the computer said no and refused his command overrides. Around him people were now panicking, the poor fools believing they could perhaps escape, all except himself and Moira. Mason left his station and nearing hers placed his hands on her shoulders, his last conscious thought as the base went up in a violent detonation, was of his children. The blast blew the roof clean off the underground base, the earth heaving upwards then sinking back down. The Mass production Evangelions, without their AT fields to protect them didn't stand a chance. Units five through thirteen were incinerated utterly, billions worth of Eva annihilated in a single stroke.
/
Alarms blared throughout Nerv central headquarters, personnel scrambled to their posts uncertain as to what was going on. Gendo moved through the chaos like a ghost, mere moments ago he had been in conference with SEELE. The feed had abruptly cut off and the alarm has started, by the time he reached command Ritsuko was already there. His gaze sought and found Rei, the girl was sitting next to agent Mojtabai her fingers dancing manically across her keyboard. Aram was busy as well, "come on buddy, you want to dance let's dance!" Gendo only had to look at the main screen to discover what was going on, someone was attempting to hack the bases self-destruct mechanism. Ritsuko had descended into the main cluster of the MAGI, tapping in directly while Rei and Mojtabai kept the would-be hacker at bay. Moments later they were joined by Ibuki, "we have confirmation of multiple explosions, one in America another in Alaska." Gendo felt his brow furrow, could it be that Grey was throwing the ultimate temper tantrum? "Tell me you can hold it?" He heard Fuyutsuki speak from behind him, "Oh they're not getting past the A team here!" Aram snapped out, the man's brow was drenched in sweat. "Agreed." Was all Rei offered.
"England just lost their primary base, Belgium now… my god." Lives were being snuffed out across the globe, somehow Gendo doubted that those would be the final tallies. His conversation with the committee had been cut off, and he sensed that he would never hear from Lorenz again. Grey was making a deliberate play for power, he glanced down as Katsuragi finally arrived. The woman had not even had time to change out of her swim suit, jacket hanging off her shoulders. Their gazes met, and he made a choice, "secure the third child, make preparations to get him out of the city now." Katsuragi paused for mere seconds before turning and moving, Gendo sought and located Reddington. The man seemed somewhat bemused by everything that was going on, "Reddington I suggest you and your team evacuate in case we…" The alarm shut off, Gendo waited, watching as the main screen returned to normal. Reddington strode toward Mojtabai and Rei, and the young man turned in his seat grinning triumphantly. Ritsuko emerged looking as angry as he could recall seeing her as she growled, "I initiated a self defence program, right now all Grey and his friends are getting are cat videos." Gendo let out a breath he hadn't realised he was holding, "will it hold?"
She nodded, "for now but it won't stop them trying again." Gendo felt anger flood his system as he rose to his feet. What he would need to do next was risky, would put the entire human race under threat yet he had no choice. "Hard disconnect the self-destruct from the magi, rig up an internal system only we can access." Ritsuko nodded and gestured to Ibuki, the younger woman was on her feet instantly and the pair moved. Reddington stood staring at the screen as casualty reports began coming in from across the globe, it was a near total loss. All this because a murderous little psychopath had thrown a fit, Gendo wanted badly to lash out. His normally legendary self-control was at its limit, everyone in central control had fallen deadly silent. "That may have been our fault." Gendo turned in surprise at Rei's tone, she was sitting in her seat shaking. "The attack occurred after we narrowed down Grey's possible location." Aram spoke his voice barely above a whisper, realisation had fallen upon the man but Reddington stepped in. "Unlikely, I think this was his back up plan." Rei looked up at the criminal blinking, "agreed, though I believe he has also eliminated the committee for good measure." Gendo intoned.
Shinji, this whole thing all boiled down to a desperate need to kill Shinji. Grey was desperate to eliminate the boy yet Gendo couldn't fathom why, what had the boy done to earn such contemptable hatred? Nothing, Shinji had done nothing that would warrant such psychotic fixation. Yet Grey had rapidly escalated his efforts, murdering countless Nerv personnel across the globe now. "Effective immediately Mister Robert Grey is a wanted fugitive, I'll contact NATO and the various governing bodies." It had been one thing when Grey had screwed around with Reddington, now Grey had crossed a line from which he could never return. Gendo rose to his feet, and his gaze was met by Reddington the man's lips were tight and angry. "walk with me." Gendo said before descending, Reddington met him off the small elevator. "I'm throwing all available resources at the third child, whatever it takes kill Grey." Reddington nodded, "have your people use the armoury, take whatever you need. I'll have Ritsuko put something together for pilot Ikari." Reddington looked at him side long, "such as?" Gendo grunted, "we have access to exoskeletal tech, but at the time, it was considered more financially sound to rehabilitate." Reddington's lips quirked, "and what will you be doing in the meantime?" Gendo paused his stride and turned to regard the man before him, "Getting you a pardon."
/
Shinji was a mess; the boy was shaking, tears streaking down his face at the news that had reached them. Misato had gone to get changed having received word from command, that left Asuka to observe a mental breakdown. He was wrapped up in a large towel, and Asuka so badly wanted to get away from here. Mostly so she could find her own private place to have a mental breakdown of her own, Grey had gone from psychotic to Hitler at the press of a button. She knew that the idiot was blaming himself, was dragging his soul across proverbial hot coals and it hurt to see this. It also angered her, angered her because she knew how strong he could be. Asuka wanted to help but was struggling to think how, she watched as he wiped his eyes and lay staring blankly at the wall of his room. 'Oh no you don't, think Asuka think!' What could she do to snap him out of this, slap him? Well that might make her feel better, but it wouldn't do anything for him in this case. Asuka's eyes narrowed, an idea presented itself and she walked to the door and after giving Baz a look, closed it. Turning she could feel her heart hammering in her chest, yet she pressed on hauling him upright. She slid one hand behind his head, and as he looked up blinking she captured his lips. Shinji's eyes widened in surprise, the kiss acting like a bucket of cold water dropped on his head.
Asuka contemplated stopping at that point, but she found herself caught in the heat of the moment. Her tongue swept across his lips and he parted, Asuka was in complete control and he had surrendered to her completely, this was power, and it was addictive. His own tongue joined the battle timidly at first and Asuka couldn't supress a shiver of pleasure, this was way better than hitting him. Finally almost reluctantly she broke the kiss, Shinji's eyes were hooded a stunned expression on his face. Asuka turned getting herself back under control, that had escalated far above what she had intended. "You done feeling sorry for yourself then?" She demanded, she turned and had to fight to keep from smiling. Shinji's eyes were bright and alert as he slowly nodded, "you didn't kill those people, this is just one more reason to put a damn bullet in Grey's head!" Shinji's tongue flickered across his lips, and Asuka found herself watching the motion intently. 'Oh when the hell did this happen?' She mentally moaned half despairing, 'Oh that? Happened quite a while ago glad you finally noticed.' came her snarky inner response. Asuka slowly sat down on the bed next to him, "Your gonna go out and find Grey, drag his ass back here so I can pull his arms off, then beat him to death with them."
The door opened and Reddington stepped inside, the mans gaze sweeping both teens. Asuka felt her cheeks flush as he gave her a knowing look, "there's been a change of plans, we leave first thing tomorrow morning." Asuka felt her heart sink, she hadn't completed her end of the bargain. Yet, as if sensing her thoughts Reddington turned and spoke to her, "your still under contract miss Soryu, our agreement still stands. Pack your things." Asuka almost leapt off the bed, Shinji turned to look at her as she reached the door his mouth working like a fish. Then he turned to glower at Reddington, "you didn't tell me about this." Reddington folded his hands in front of himself, "you said to do what it took, this was what it took. Her unnegotiable price was to accompany us." Asuka met the boys gaze and waited, wondering if he would throw a strop. Instead his tongue flicked across his lips again, "fine, but if you get killed I'm telling Misato." Asuka grinned, spinning she exited the room and made a beeline to her on base apartment. She would have to pack light; her sizable wardrobe would not be going with her. She passed Misato in the hallway now fully dressed, and she briefly considered being honest with her about leaving. Then thought better of it, Misato would never allow it.
She froze as she reached the door to her apartment, Makinami was leaning on the wall next to the door. The girl's lips were curled up in amusement, "so you off as well I take it?" Asuka scowled, her good mood threatening to be ruined. "What does it matter to you?" The girl blew out a breath, "You told me to watch over your team, even then I think you knew." Asuka paused, then sighing shook her head. "Maybe, there was this air about the place." The other girl nodded, "I'll help you pack, time being of the essence and all that." Asuka paused considering the offer then nodded. "No riffling through my underwear." Makinami let out a bark of laughter, "don't think your stuff would fit me princess." Asuka worked as quickly as she could, a small part of her suspecting Reddington might yet try to leave her behind. Makinami proved to be good at selecting clothing, making sure she packed at least one set of winter clothing. "Never know where you'll end up." The busty girl pointed out, Asuka simply nodded securing two cases in the end. "Whatever you do, don't let him out of your sight." She looked up, Makinami had her hands on her hip's expression serious. Did she mean Shinji, or did she mean Reddington, Mari chose not to clarify her statement.
AN: Part of this chapter was sitting written for months but at the time I couldn't think of where to use it, then we got to this chapter where Grey makes a big mistake. Time permitting I should be able to get my chapters out faster as fifteen is well underway. In terms of the kiss scene, it was in part inspired by Misato's kiss in the final Eva movie, her desperate attempt to motivate Shinji.