Chapter 19

Try as we might, the Angel's A-T field is too strong. Even all three of our Evas focusing on a single spot barely degrades the A-T field enough for us to scratch the surface, and our Progressive Knives can't pierce the outer shell, in fact, the extreme heat causes the blades to dull and melt.

Shinji: "What the hell can we do about this?"

Rei: "Indeed, we don't have any N2 mines available to us..."

Asuka: "The only thing I can think of is that the Angel is going to have to drop its A-T field to attack, and that will be our only opening."

Shinji: "But even then..."

Rei: "Someone will have to take the attack head-on, while the rest of us try to find a way to breach its armor... which our weapons can't do..."

Shinji: "I have the answer..."

Shinji and Asuka: "Thermal Expansion!"

Asuka: "What do you think is going to happen when something that's super-heated, like our Angel 'friend' here, experiences sudden, rapid cooling?"

Rei: "Then I'll take the heat..."

Asuka: "Sorry, Rei-chan, but it won't be you." (Rei blinks in surprise) "I'm the only one properly equipped to take a lava bath. I'll be counting on the two of you to hose it down."

Rei: "Asuka-chan..."

Asuka: "Oh, don't worry, you both are going to owe me for this. I'm not sure how you're going to pay me back.."

Shinji and Rei: "We look forward to it!"

Asuka: "Hahaha! Oh you sweet, sentimental fools. This is why I love ya! HERE IT COMES!"

Sure enough, the Angel finishes pressuring itself and launches a stream of lava in our direction. Asuka takes the heat while the two of us grapple the Angel and hose it down with what remains of our coolant pipes... but it's still not enough! After the Angel fishes bathing Asuka with a high-pressure lava stream, it knocks us aside as easily as you or I would shove aside a mosquito and raises its A-T field again. True the outer skin is cracked, blistering, and peeling, but this isn't enough to compromise its structural integrity. Asuka's diving suit is shot, and Eva-02 is unable to move. No way it can take another hit!

Asuka: "Guess we gave it our best, huh?"

Shinji: "Don't be too sure about that!"

Rei and Asuka: "Eh?!"

Shinji: "Look in it's 'mouth' where the lava came from."

Coolant pipe #3 is shoved into the "mouth" of the Angel and trapped there, apparently caught on something.

Shinji: "Misato-san, please direct all coolant pressure to pipe number 3!"

Misato: "You heard him, DO IT!"

Makoto: "Yes, Ma'am!"

Asuka: "BAKA! What good is that going to do?!"

Rei: "I see... Not bad, Shinji-kun."

Asuka: "What are you talking about, Wondergirl?"

Shinji: "Now, Asuka-san, have you never heard about Shield Volcanoes?"

Asuka: "Oh.. He, He, Hehehe, Bwahahahaha! That's brilliant, Shinji-kun!"

Misato: "What are you pilots talking about?"

Asuka: "You'll see. I recommend taking cover, Major. The Angel's going to BLOW!"

Shield volcanoes are a type of volcano that erupts at regular intervals, when the pressure of the lava underneath reaches a certain point. Unfortunately, the lava's chemistry sometimes changes, causing it to get sticky. When that happens, the vent(s) for the lava become blocked, causing the pressure to continuously build, until the entire volcano can no longer take the strain, and the whole thing explodes, violently. The Angel is not aware of this, and builds up its pressure for another attack... while its "mouth" is now completely blocked by rock and volcanic ash.

Angel: "Cough, Hack, HISS!"

Steam and trickles of lava begin forming on the Angel's skin which Shinji and Rei proceed to hose down. The Angel can't vent, and can't stop the pressure from building.

Angel: "BWAAARRRGGHHH! HEEEEEEEIIIIIIYYYAAAAAAAA!"

(FWEEEENNNN!)

Shinji: "HERE IT COMES! Rei! Help me cover Asuka!"

Eva-01 and Eva-00 dive atop Eva-02 just before the Angel explodes, sending up lava-bombs, rock, and volcanic ash, along with pieces of itself at incredible speeds. Naturally, the core does not survive intact, and breaks into several pieces.

After digging our way out of an air pocket formed by our Eva A-T fields shielding us from a pyroclastic flow, and having our entry plugs eject us, Asuka, firmly tired of being denied grabs me and plants a big, wet one.

Asuka: "That was brilliant, Shinji-kun. Guess I can't call you 'Baka' any more!"

Shinji: "Thank you..."

Asuka: "I've decided! The answer is 'yes!'"

Shinji: "Eh?!"

Rei: "Asuka-chan? Does that mean...?"

Asuka: "Hell yeah, Rei-chan! If we find a Shinto priest who'll do it, I'm going to marry the both of you, and I'm not going to take 'no' for an answer!"

Rei: "Asuka...chan... THANK YOU!"

Shinji: "We're honored. If you're willing to have us, we won't turn you down!"

Shinji's journal tears here... There are no other entries...

A spotlight shines on Misato from above as she's brought before SEELE to explain what would later be called "The Hokkaido Incident."

Kihl: "Major, in your own words, tell us what happened at Hokkaido that allowed the enemy to take the three Children in your care so easily."

Misato: "Yes, sir. After the battle with the Angel designated 'Sandalphon,' by my own prerogative, I had the three Children partake of the local hot-springs, that they just recently struggled very, very hard to protect, as we were awaiting our departure queue, upon which we were expected to depart the following morning."

SEELE France : "Interesting, and I trust you joined them?"

Misato: "No, Sir. They were segregated into one onsen and I was on the other side of a wall from them in an onsen of my own, by myself, save for my pet warm-water penguin, Pen^2."

Kihl: "As the adult and ranking officer, why were you not supervising them more closely?"

SEELE Germany : "In your culture, Chairman, it may be normal for children to bathe with their parents and legal guardians into their mid or late teens, but the Second is clearly not from your culture, she is a 'westerner' and I presume would be greatly uncomfortable at the suggestion."

Misato: "Thank you, Sir. Yes, indeed that was my line of thinking as well. Asuka-san only agreed to bathe with the others because she must be within a meter or two at all times, without special assistance, which needed recharging at that moment. It would have been to much for her … sensibilities if I were to insist on joining them."

Kihl: "I see, so you did the next best thing by being right 'next door,' as it were. Please continue."

Misato: "Yes, sir. Well, while I was relaxing in the onsen, I could hear them just on the other side of the wall, chatting, flirting, and generally enjoying themselves, until a loud crash and a scream got my attention. Thinking the pilots were in trouble, I raced to the dressing room, where I had my side-arm, to find a group of large, heavily armed men waiting. While I ducked back into the onsen to take cover against their weapons' fire, Pen^2 wasn't so lucky. He didn't even have enough time for a startled 'WARK' before being reduced to a fine mist, and the … enemy yelled 'Congratulations!' afterwards."

SEELE Germany: "So you basically surrendered without a fight?"

Misato: "No, Sir. Unarmed, and naked as the day I was born, I put up whatever a fight I could. In fact, when one of the armed men strolled into the onsen looking for me, I kicked him in the groin, seized one of his eight-gauge shot-guns, of which he had one in each hand, and blew his mask off, along with the entire head underneath. Then, using his corpse as a shield, made my way through the dressing-room, killing the entire lot. I barely made it to the hallway before taking the rifle butt of an enemy AR-15 to the face and losing consciousness."

SEELE England: "Impressive, sort of like that Yank movie hero, 'Rambo' is it?"

SEELE US : "Correct. So what happened next, Major?"

Misato: "Sir. I awoke aboard some kind of transport helicopter. At the time, I did not know where I was or what was going on. On each side of me was a guy built like a brick wall, and across from me were the Children, covered in bruises, cuts, and other injuries. The Third Child was the most victimized. All four of us were hand-cuffed to our 'seats' for lack of a better term, wearing the barest minimum to protect our modesty."

Kihl: "Interesting, do go on."

Misato: "Yes, sir. As soon as the enemy 'soldiers' realized I was conscious, I was presented with a recording."

Kihl: "Do you have the recording with you?"

Misato: "Negative. I do not have the original as it is undergoing careful audio analysis, but I do have a copy that was made for me to bring here."

Kihl: "Play it, Major. That's an order."

Misato: "Yes, Sir."

(Recording in a clearly female voice) : "Ah. Major. So good to have you among the land of the living. Now before you get angry and start shouting all sorts of names, remember two points. One, I could go to great lengths in describing what 'honorable' things your people did to mine the last time we had a spat. Two, if you insist on being uncivil and uncooperative... well, neither you nor your precious pilots are wearing clothing, your modesty only being protected by a towel, and the men you see here have quite a bit of resentment pent up regarding the rather impressive resistance they faced from 'a bunch of brats and an arm-chair officer with a pretty face.' I shouldn't have to spell out how easy it is to open a zipper, should I?"

Everyone present gets the meaning of the threat, loud and clear.

(Recording) : "I trust I now have your attention. We are the path of Xian, and as to what we want, a woman in your company, Miss Laura Croft, has taken something precious of ours, and killed quite a few of us in the process. We want it back. The fate of these Children rests entirely on their cooperation, and yours. When we are ready for the trade, we will get in touch with you. Fair warning, we may not want to kill the 'saviors of humanity', but that doesn't guarantee that they'll be thrilled with their 'accommodations.' Anger us and they will suffer for it. For example, we could rent them out to some people with rather... how shall we say, 'unusual' tastes to compensate us for our time and aggravation. Ah, seems like you've arrived at your destination, Major... (Click)"

Misato: "At that point, I was picked up like a sandbag and literally thrown out of the helicopter, onto the helipad for Lara Croft's mansion, and the helicopter's wash tore the towel right off, blowing it into the streets below."

Kihl: "And I trust you notified NERV immediately?"

Misasto: "Yes, sir. At that point, The Commander ordered us to launch a media blitz seeking aid from the JSSDF, the Japanese population, or anyone that might have information concerning this group of terrorists or the Pilots' whereabouts. Even offering a reward for the Children's safe return. And a warning to the perpetrators..."

Kihl: "Which Commander Ikari delivered personally."

Misato: "Yes, sir."

Kihl: "Major, do you have any idea how the terrorists' timing was so good?"

Misato: "That is still under investigation, Sir."

Kihl: "Did you receive word about what this Cult of Xian wants from the Children's tutor, Miss Laura Croft? Need I remind you that lying here will jeopardize the investigation, and the chances of recovering the Children safely?"

Misato: "I am aware, Sir, and no they have yet to send word on what they want from us, or Laura Croft."

SEELE IN UNISON: "Thank you, Major, dismissed!"

After Major Misato Katsuragi has left the room...

Kihl: "Seems the Major doesn't know or suspect anything."

SEELE China: "Yes. The Major can be sometimes scarily too competent at her job...In any case, everything is going as planned. Our hands are clean, NERV is chasing its own tail, the dangerous pilots are out of the way..."

Kihl: "And Commander Ikari has to do things our way. He can no longer afford to sideline the pilots we sent him!"

Everyone: "FOR INSTRUMENTALITY!"

Back at the Lara Croft mansion...

Lara Croft, Misato, and Ritsuko are in Lara's office, sitting around a table trying to compare notes. An unexpected presence is also in the room, a Mana Kirishima.

Misato: "Before we start, Lara, care to fill us in on why this young girl is here? Granted she gets along with Shinji and friends, but..."

Ritsuko: "What we're going to discuss could well get her killed."

Lara: "Oh, that? Well, her life is in jeopardy anyway if she doesn't keep the JSSDF happy, right, Miss Mole?"

Misato and Ritsuko: "WHAT?!"

Lara: "I saw through her almost instantly. Not her fault, really. I just happen to be a bit more... paranoid... than the typical eccentric multi-billionaire, who has a history of seeing through spies and agencies far, far less obvious than her and the JSSDF goose-steppers that sent her. Now I trust the meeting with the Instrumentality committee went well?"

Misato: "Hardly! It seems like they wanted to know what I knew more than wanting any leads that could help..."

Ritsuko: "Heck, they asked me to turn up completely naked!"

Everyone: "WHAT?!"

Ritsuko: "I mean... I can get wanting to be sure I was 'clean', but..."

Lara Croft: "Right, let's not go there. I suspect your instincts about their motives are correct, Major, and as for you, Doctor, I'm sure they just wanted to humiliate you so you don't 'forget your place' especially considering the little bombshell you got from your patient."

Misato: "Rits..."

Ritsuko: "Remember how you asked if I wanted to talk, but I replied that I didn't think I could?"

Misato: "Oh."

Ritsuko: "That's why. SEELE did things to Kowaru, and 'cancer' is not his problem."

Misato: "Oh... OH! Those... BASTARDS! I bet the Angel attack that messed up Asuka, Shinji, and Rei was their doing too!"

Lara Croft: "So they go by the name SEELE, do they?"

Mana: "Erm, what are we talking about?"

Lara Croft: "Eyes and ears open, mouth shut, Lass. It will serve you better if you only speak when spoken to or asked a question, okay?"

Mana: "Yes, Ma'am."

(Lara pats her on the head.) "Good girl."

Lara stabs a dagger into the table. "THIS is what those Xian cultists are looking for. I waited until after your meeting to tell you because, frankly, I don't trust anybody with authority in this place, present company excluded, far as I could throw them. Heck, I don't even trust them that far, and your impressions of today's meeting have proven me right."

Misato: "Then why are you telling us now?"

Lara: "Because I've had several run-ins with those yobs, and I'll tell you this, they are willing and eager to kill as many people as they can to get what they want. Heck, first time I met them, they blew up a section of the Great Wall of China just to try and get me out of the way. As I'm sure you now fully understand, they're also the reason I keep a shotgun in my bedroom and bath, as they stormed my London Home, in force, in the middle of the night, while I was bathing. Fortunately, I had the home field advantage, literally, and I already had the place set up for urban combat training."

Everyone: "Geesh!"

Lara: "Now tell me, how well did my students do before they got themselves captured?"

Ritsuko: "I've reviewed the surveillance footage, since I'm THE technical expert down in NERV, and even bare handed, they did not sell themselves cheaply."

Lara: "Of course. Could you give me more details?"

Ritsuko: "Gladly. In a running battle, Asuka used a martial art that specializes in high-kicks, Tae-Kwon-Do, or something similar to disable or kill her enemies, Rei made full leverage of her insane levels of strength, Krav-Maga, I think, maybe Maui-Thai? Shinji... He's the scariest. He didn't really have a 'style' per se, but he was still brutal, efficient, and brutally efficient. When Rei and Asuka got K'O'd, he went into a primal stance and improvised like a pro! He even managed to stab one of the assailants to death with the assailant's own rib!"

Lara: "...BLOODY HELL!"

Ritsuko: "That's not all. The boy simply refused to go down. The 'yobs' as you call them had to pile on 10 to 1, and pummel him senseless to get him to stop, sort of... like he was Eva-01 berserking!"

To be continued...