Shinji Steel 25
Disclaimer; I do not own Neon Genesis Evangelion or Max Steel. Wish I did, though.
(Tokyo-2; 'Jet Alone' briefing/demonstration)
"Thank you, everybody! And welcome to our company's unveiling of the replacement for the Evangelion series!" Misato can't help but roll her eyes at the man's words before muttering under her breath. All while he's still talking.
"Cocky little schmuck of a yakker, isn't he?"
"Now, now, Misato. Be nice." In the background, the man's voice is wrapping up.
"I will now take questions from the people in the audience."
"I will if he will." Ritsu can only smile fondly at her old friend before rising.
"If I may, I have some questions for you."
"Oh, the famous Doctor Ritsuko Akagi of NERV! I can't even begin to describe what a pleasure it is to have you with us today!"
"From my understanding, 'Jet Alone' is powered by an on-board nuclear reactor. Is that correct?"
"Indeed it is. One hundred and fifty guaranteed days of operation. Far better than those batteries you have for your Evangelions which last only for five minutes."
"Perhaps so, but isn't it risky to put a land-based nuclear reactor into a combat machine? If an Angel gets in a lucky strike, it could irradiate the operation area. Killing perhaps thousands of people."
"Oh don't be ridiculous! The reactor for 'Jet Alone' is protected by fortified armor plating."
"So you say. From your comments about the pilot chamber, you mean to say the whole machine is computerized?"
"That's right. 'Jet Alone' has no need for a human pilot. With our Master Control Panel, we can control every single move 'Jet Alone' makes. Far better than an unpredictable human pilot, who, by the way, is but a mere child."
"Unpredictability is an asset in battle. Not a hindrance. Much like combat is unpredictable itself. What about the Angels' AT Fields? 'Jet Alone' doesn't have the ability to generate, let alone counter, an AT-Field. The Evangelions, however, do. I've looked over the data and I can't help but conclude that 'Jet Alone' is good for only one thing."
"That being, Doctor Akagi?"
"Target practice for the Angels." At her words, the room erupts into an out-roar during which the man tries to restore order. Once he's done so, he issues a rebuke to Ritsu.
"That may be in your opinion, Doctor Akagi, but didn't your Evangelion take the Third Angel down without utilizing its AT-Field as well?"
"That is correct, but only because the Pilot assigned to it took the Third Angel completely by surprise. Can 'Jet Alone' do that?"
"I view 'Jet Alone' has no need to take any of the remaining Angels by surprise. It is superior in every way to the soon-to-be replaced Evangelions. NERV's day in the sun is over."
Five minutes later, a furious Misato's kicking a locker, yelling.
"HOW DARE HE TALK ABOUT SHINJI LIKE THAT? I WANT TO KICK HIS ASS! KICK HIS ASS! KICK HIS ASS!"
Meanwhile, a calm Ritsu burns the packet about 'Jet Alone' in the waste-basket. Getting up and stretching, Ritsu looks over at Misato before smiling.
"I'm going to go get some coffee, Misato. Want any?"
"Sure. Thanks." Ritsu gives Misato a nod before leaving. Only to not get the coffee.
'Insult NERV, Shinji and the Evangelions, will you? I don't think so, you little prick. Shinji may be a child, but he's not a mere child. He's special. Not to be underestimated at all.' Smirking outwardly, she mutters, "This… is going to be fun."
(Old Osaka; Computer show)
As Berto shows his computer, Kat can't help but sigh as all the other tech-heads shudder in orgasm. Josh hears her sigh and turns her way.
"You okay, Kat?"
"Yeah. It's just that I can't help but think Berto's the only normal tech-head here. I mean, didn't you…"
"Yeah. I saw 'em. Quite frankly, you're right. Berto's the only normal tech-head here."
"Now to show you all how well it does quadratic equations while playing jazz!"
"Well, semi-normal, anyway." Kat can't help but giggle at Josh's words while the computer does Berto's bidding.
(Streets of Tokyo-3)
As Shinji wheels his skateboard along Tokyo-3's streets, he comes across Touji walking with a small girl. Curious, he wheels to beside Touji. Startling the tall boy to no end.
"Hey, Shinji." Looking at his skateboard, he adds, "I never knew you boarded."
"You never asked." The small girl lets out a giggle of amusement while Touji chuckles at the shot.
"Yeah, you got a point there. In any case, this is my little sister, Yachiru. Yachiru, this is Shinji Ikari."
"Hi, Shinji!"
"Hello, Yachiru." As the little girl smiles happily at Shinji, he looks toward Touji and asks, "What're you up to today?"
"Oh, not much. By the way, good job in dealing with that idiot prick Kotuna yesterday."
"How'd you know about that?"
"Kensuke caught you on camera giving that idiot what for."
"Ah."
"I saw some boxing and karate in there, but I wasn't sure about some of the other fighting arts. What all do you completely know?"
"Not a lot, truth be told. Kat taught me some of her moves."
"Ah." Smiling broadly at Shinji, Touji shrugs, saying, "Well, like I said, good job on Kotuna yesterday. It's about time someone other than me brought him down."
"He went after you too?" At his grin and nod, Shinji asks, "Why would he be so deranged as to attack a guy bigger than he is?" To that, Touji can only shrug.
"Who knows with that doofus? Heck. I don't think even Kami knows what that twerp was thinking."
"I'd ask, but I don't think I wanna know."
"Yeah. You don't." Chuckling, Touji then looks and frowns upon not seeing Ritsuko. "Where's your other half at?"
"Rits said she had plans for this weekend she couldn't get out of. But we're going to have a picnic after school on Monday to make up for lost time."
"Sounds nice." Checking his watch, Touji then grimaces and says, "Gotta go, Shin-man. Ready to go, Yachiru?"
"Yep! Bye, Shinji!"
"Bye, Yachiru!" As the two walk away from him, Shinji notices his position and smiles at how close he is to the Takamiya home.
"Maybe a quick pop-by won't hurt." Kicking his skateboard along, he soon reaches the house and notices the curtains are closed.
"Huh. That's odd." Stopping his skateboard, he kicks it up into his hand and carries it to the front door. When he gets there, he knocks on it.
(Inside Takamiya home)
Rits is sweating heavily. For Dragonelle and Psycho are hard taskmasters. Dragonelle giving Rits a run for her money is one thing. Psycho, on the other hand, takes extreme training to whole new level. So when the front door's knocked on, she feels relief.
'A break! Just what I could use about now, too!' Upon seeing Dragonelle head for the door, Rits calls out, "I've got it, Mom." Dragonelle blinks bewilderedly until she feels her forehead.
"Shit!" Herding Psycho out of sight into the kitchen, Dragonelle removes her headpiece and covers her outfit with her sweat-suit. Becoming Deidre once again. "Okay, Ritsy." Rits smiles at her Mom before opening the door to a crack and her smile goes wider.
"Hi, Shinji!"
Deidre can't help but feel irritated slightly before waving it off. Much as she doesn't like interruptions, she does have a soft spot for Shinji after all. Plus, with her daughter seeing the reason for going through the training to begin with…
"Hi, Rits. Just thought I'd pop by since I was 'boarding nearby." Rits can't help but sigh at her beau's sweetness.
"Oh, you sweetheart." Opening the door fully, she asks, "Why don't you come in for some juice? You're bound to be thirsty from all that 'boarding."
"Ah. Thanks. I am feeling a mite bit thirsty." Upon seeing Deidre, Shinji nods and smiles, saying, "Hi, Deidre. Nice day today."
"It is, Shinji. A very nice day to be out and about." Giving him a concerned frown, she adds, "I got called by the school yesterday about what'd happened to that Kotuna boy. He didn't hurt you too badly, did he?"
"He didn't even get the chance, Deidre. I mean, sure he tried to hurt me, but he didn't exactly expect me to fight back. Did he, Rits?"
"Nope." Curling her arm into Shinji's, she murmurs, "You should've seen him, Mom. He was fighting like in the first 'Batman' movie." Shinji can only blush and rub the back of his head while chuckling sheepishly. "Well you were, Shinji."
Deidre can't help but smile in amusement at the sight. Somehow, she can tell that even while concealed, neither can Psycho. She then sees Shinji looking around the living room and grinning wryly.
"Doing a little redecorating, are we?" Deidre, not quite getting his meaning, looks around before catching on. A slightly amused smile on her face.
"Oh, no. No. I just thought I'd free up the space for a makeshift dojo, is all." Going into the kitchen, she calls out, "Any particular kind of juice you like, Shinji?"
"Orange, if you got it, please."
"Orange we've got."
As she pours the juice, Deidre can't help but be thankful for the slight distraction. She was feeling a little thirsty as well. So, she pours two more glasses of juice before looking at Psycho. Asking with her eyes if he'd like a glass as well. Getting a nod back, she smiles softly as she pours him one too. When she's done, he slowly drinks it down. As he drinks, she takes the three into her arms, pressing them into her abdomen. Hoping none of them fall, break and spill. As she exits the kitchen, she moves slowly. Only to hear Shinji speaking.
"Need a hand, Deidre?"
"Thanks, Shinji." Smiling thankfully at him, Deidre retains one glass while Shinji gently picks up the other two from her arms and hands one to Rits. "Oh, it'll be so nice for Ritsy to have a man in the house when she marries you, Shinji." Shinji lightly twitches before looking at Rits.
"You told her?" Rits can't help but blush rosily. Garnering Deidre's interest.
"Told me what, Shinji?"
The teens can only chuckle nervously, making Deidre nervous herself. Psycho, in his position in the kitchen, on the other hand, is struggling to keep his laughter in check. For he's finding Shinji's visit to be most entertaining even though he wasn't quite expected that day. Back in the living room, an anxious Deidre feels her right eye twitching.
"Told me what, Shinji?" The teens look to each other before sighing. With Shinji giving the reply.
"That I'd proposed to Rits during our picnic yesterday, Ms Takamiya."
"You proposed?" At his nod, Deidre can make out barely stifled snickers coming from the kitchen before smiling. "How'd you answer, Ritsy?"
"Yes. But only when we turn twenty so we can get started on making our family during the honeymoon." Shrugging, she adds, "I guess you might say we're in the pre-planning stage, Mom."
"Well, then, I believe a toast is in order then." Raising her glass, Deidre adds, "May you reach twenty in good health, may you marry well and may you have many beautiful children together. Shinji, Ritsuko, cheers." With that, she tilts her glass bottoms up. For once wishing it was a fine wine in celebration.
"Cheers." Shinji and Rits do theirs differently. They loop their arms, glasses in hand, into each other before drinking together.
In the kitchen, a still-hidden, clearly touched and deeply amused Psycho lifts his glass and mouths, 'Cheers to you both, Shinji and Ritsuko.' Downing the rest of the glass, he softly exhales. 'Now that hit the spot!'
Back in the living room, after Shinji and Rits drained their glasses, Deidre gingerly takes the glasses from their hands. Kinking her head to the left, she then hopes she asks the question on her mind the right way without making it sound negative.
"Would you like to stay for lunch or do you have more things to do today, Shinji?"
"Actually, I've got plans today, Deidre. After I finish 'boarding, I'm gonna do some rollerblading. And after that, practice with my cello to a cassette recording." At that, three sets of eyebrows shoot up. One of them in the kitchen. With Deidre asking the question on their minds.
"What kind, Shinji?"
"Cello and saxophone." Deidre can't help but feel the corners of her mouth twitching upwards while Rits clamps her hands over her mouth to keep from laughing out loud. Psycho, however…
'Oh man! If he doesn't leave soon, we're all blown and boned!' His body twitching in agony from holding back his laughter, he mentally adds, 'Must… resist… urge… to… laugh… loudly!'
Shinji sees the faces of his girlfriend and her Mother start losing the struggle to not laugh before scratching his head and shrugging.
"That's what I thought too when Hoshi suggested we jam to my cello and his saxophone. But when we tried it, well, it actually sounded good." Rits is the first to break.
"Oh… Shinji!" With that, she bursts into laughter, tears of mirth rolling down her cheeks. Deidre falling to the floor in giggles. "I… gotta… hear… that!" Deidre nods in agreement from her position on the floor while giggling.
"I'll bring it for our picnic on Monday, then." Giving a laughing Rits a tender kiss, he grins and says, "I hope your laughter's contagious 'cause I could use a good laugh as well." Rits can't help but kiss him back while laughing still before moving with him to the door. Giving her one more kiss, he murmurs, "See you later, honey." Rits calms her mirth down enough to reply to him levelly.
"You too, sweetie. Have a good day."
"I will if you will." Rits gives him a sultry smirk before replying.
"You better believe it, buster." Opening the door for him, she gives him one more kiss for the road and murmurs, "Be safe out there, Shinji. There are some crazy people out there."
"Ain't it the truth." Sneaking in a five second Frencher, he bolts away, yelling out, "Love ya, honey!"
"Love you too, sweetie!" Giggling merrily as her beloved rolls away on his skateboard, she closes the door and, with a giggle still, says, "Okay, Psycho. He's gone now."
"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AH-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
(Tokyo-2; 'Jet Alone' demonstration)
"And now, ladies and gentlemen, the future of anti-Angel warfare. Behold 'Jet Alone'!" As the fanfare blares, the building splits to reveal a massive mechanoid that causes Misato to roll her eyes.
'Looks like a giant metal turkey.' As it powers up, Misato looks over toward Ritsu and sees her watching intently. "So, Ritsu, how do you think this is gonna turn out?"
"If 'Jet Alone' doesn't go haywire, we could at least get a supplement when it comes to fighting. Without the ability to generate an AT-Field, however, it's practically a gift-wrapped sitting duck."
"So the engineers that dreamed up this metal turkey are absolute corn flakes." Ritsu can't help it. Misato's summation of the engineers and 'Jet Alone' is just too uncanny to not laugh at.
"That has to be the most accurate description of them yet, Misato." With that, as they watch 'Jet Alone' move, Ritsu can't help but close her eyes in prayer. 'Kami, please, let no one die this day!' At that moment, all Hell breaks loose.
"Malfunction in the cooling system! It's overheating!"
"Activate the backups!"
"Already tried! They're not working!"
"Shut it down! Shut it down now!"
"It's refusing the shut-down codes!" A second later, the voice screams out, "It's coming this way!"
From there, the building is severely damaged when 'Jet Alone' walks through it. Injuring or wounding a number of people ranging from minor to serious. Misato growls angrily before turning to the man that had ridiculed NERV and Shinji.
"How do we stop it?"
"The remote system's failed. The only way possible is to put someone into it to shut it down. But that person would have to be insane to go in there to begin with."
"Then it's a good thing I'm fucking nuts! What's the code?"
"I can't just give you that! Protocol dictates…"
"Fine then! Follow your precious 'protocol' while I do some ground work and make some arrangements! As of now, NERV's in control here! I expect access to the information when everything's set! Is that understood?" The look in Misato's eyes tells the man that cooperation is best.
"Yes, ma'am!"
With that, Misato strides away and he starts following the protocol. As Misato stalks toward NERV's assigned quarters, Ritsu struggles to keep pace. Trying to dissuade her dearest friend from her intended course of action.
"Misato, there's no way your plan will work!" When Misato goes into the room and starts stripping down, Ritsu asks, "Didn't you hear me? Misato!"
"Easy Ritsu, I heard you." Putting her clothes aside and reaching into her bag, she pulls out a radiation suit. Her eyebrows going up in consternation, she says, "Ritsu, my purse."
"What about it, Misato?" Smiling wryly, she asks, "Are you thinking of going for a spin on 'Jet Alone' with your purse?"
"Nope. There's something inside I may need." Wordlessly, Ritsu hands the purse to Misato and watches as Misato opens it and smiles widely. "Just in case." That said, she reaches in and brings out an item unfamiliar to Ritsu. Putting it down, she then brings out her cell phone and calls in.
"NERV, Lt Hyuga speaking."
"Hyuga, Katsuragi here. Listen closely as I only have time to say this once. Get Unit-01 ready for transport to Tokyo-2. Have someone find Shinji and tell him he's needed to bring down an out of control giant metal turkey. By now, he's bound to be out rollerblading. This is an Urgent Star Priority. You get me?"
"Yes, Captain. I get you. I'll get Maya to track down Shinji and Aoba will fly the transport plane."
"Good, but make it fast, Hyuga. The clock is ticking."
"Roger!" With that, the call ends and Misato suits up. Ritsu, however, is eying the unusual device Misato had in her purse. Misato catching it.
"What's on your mind, Ritsu?"
"What's that thing you brought out of your purse, Misato?"
"It's a prototype Mr Martinez whipped up. And it's about to get its baptism 'under fire'. Sort of."
"What kind of prototype, Misato?"
"Nutshell version is a diagnostic relay unit for computers. Just in case the password fails or something more is wrong with it." In her mind, Ritsu can only think of one thing and one thing alone.
'There's more to Mr Martinez than meets the eye, it seems.'
(Tokyo-3)
As Shinji rollerblades along Tokyo-3's streets, he soon hears the beeping of a car horn behind him. Turning around, he sees a beat up Toyota Corolla and leans down. Only to be surprised to see Maya's face.
"Lt Ibuki?"
"Get in, Shinji! Quick!" Nodding, Shinji does so and Maya floors it. Heading them toward NERV. "An emergency's come up!"
"An Angel?"
"Nope! A giant metal turkey that's out of control in Tokyo-2!" At her words, Shinji ponders it as he says it.
"Tokyo-2? That's where Misato's gone." His eyes suddenly shoot open as he asks, "You mean 'Jet Alone' has gone bonkers?"
"That's the nutshell version of it, Shinji." Within two minutes, Maya's Corolla reaches the entrance for NERV's air field and is waved right through the gate.
"How long ago?"
"Not sure. You'll probably find out when you get to Captain Katsuragi, though."
"Right." Curious, he then asks, "Any idea as to what caused it to go bonkers?"
"Unknown at this time. Captain Katsuragi needs you and Unit-01 to help in neutralizing it. That's all I know, Shinji."
"Okay. Thanks, Lt Ibuki."
"No, Shinji. Thank you for being easy to find. Captain Katsuragi figured you'd be out rollerblading right about now."
Shinji can't help but feel there's something he's not being told. Along with figuring with Maya being mostly in the dark, he might as well ask Misato when he sees her. When the Corolla parks beside the EVA transport plane, he opens the door and gives Maya a nod.
"See you later, Lt Ibuki." Rollerblades on his feet still, Shinji wheels himself up into the plane. Only to be grabbed forcibly by Shigeru and pulled along to where his plug suit's waiting for him. "How long a flight time do we have, Lt Aoba?"
"About twenty minutes, Pilot Ikari. Change and strap in tight in five cause the ramjets on this bird are wild!"
For some reason, the glee in Aoba's voice worries Shinji to no end. Yet he doesn't say a thing. He only shrugs and changes. Strapping in just in time for the ramjets to fire up and hurtle the plane into the air.
'He wasn't kidding about the ramjets being wild. Hmm, I wonder if Unit-01 can sky-ski behind the transport? Certainly be quite a sight to see.'
(Old Osaka)
"Everyone! There's an emergency in Tokyo-2! We are to make ready for a triage facility for the wounded!" At the yell, pandemonium ensues. Perplexing Josh, Berto and Kat to no end. Kat turns toward Berto, a question in her eyes.
"I've no idea what's going on myself, Kat. Let me see if I can get hold of Shinji or Misato."
"Okay. While you're doing that, I'm going to help with the triage. Josh?"
"I'm gonna stick with Berto. Just in case."
"Right." Giving them a nod, Kat rushes over to where the volunteers are making space for the patients. "Need a hand?"
"Yeah. The more the merrier!" No more is said as Kat lends her muscle to the effort. One thought in her mind.
'Shinji, if you're responding, you can do it!'
(Tokyo-2; 'Jet Alone' disaster site)
"Okay. I'm ready and the transport's en route. What's the pass-code?"
"I'm kissing my pension 'good-bye' by telling you, but if it saves lives, then it's worth it. 'HOPE' is the pass-code."
"Thank you." With that, Misato exits the devastated building to await her pickup. As she waits, she hears Berto's voice.
"Misato, can you hear me?"
"Berto? Yeah I hear you! What's new?"
"I'm hoping you can tell me."
"Well, here's the situation in a nutshell. A gigantic metal turkey's on the rampage and heading for Atsugi City. Even more, its reactor's heading toward meltdown."
"Meltdown? As in a nuclear meltdown?"
"That's right. I called for Shinji and EVA-01 to help in stopping 'Jet Alone' by slowing it down at least."
"I see. If you need additional support, you got it. Kat's helping with the triage. How bad is it?"
"Pretty bad. Luckily, as of now, no fatalities. But some of them are hurt pretty badly."
"Right." Josh's voice brings a smile to Misato's face as he adds, "I'll tell her subtly."
"Thanks. Wish me luck, guys."
"Luck? Why? It's not like you're going in there."
"Funny you should happen to put it that way, Berto."
"Misato, please don't tell me you're going into that turkey."
"I could, but it'd be a lie, Berto."
"Oh damn. Okay, okay. I'll get you some computer support once you're in. Do you have the relay with you?"
"Yeah. I almost didn't take it."
"Shinji?"
"Shinji."
"Yeah, that's Shinji for you. Never knows what'll come in handy, which is why he prefers to be extensively ready as opposed to unready."
"I'm beginning to realize that now."
(Tokyo-3; Takamiya home)
Twenty minutes after Rits' initial training ends, she is sitting quietly while Dragonelle and Psycho tell her what she did both right and wrong. Much to her surprise, she did better than expected. Far better.
"That said, Ritsy, you're off to a good start." Checking the clock on the wall, Dragonelle murmurs, "Let's see what the news has to say today, shall we?" With that, she turns on the television in time for a breaking report.
"Chaos in Tokyo-2! 'Jet Alone', a combat machine made by a private company intended to replace the Evangelions, has malfunctioned. Its destination has been identified as Atsugi City. As of now, NERV is working to resolve the situation." The reporter on the screen, a slightly unkempt man, turns to behind him before back to the camera.
"Behind me, you can clearly see an EVA transport plane in the distance approaching the scene of the initial chaos. On the ground, a woman that has yet to be identified in a white and red radiation suit."
On the screen, the white and red clad form lifts its right arm up and crooks it. Resulting in a harness falling from the transport. When the harness makes contact with the form, the form's pulled up into the air just as the shadow passes overhead of the reporter.
"Yoshi, pan to the plane! I want you to get what happens no matter what!"
"You got it, Aktonasu!" As the cameraman pans toward the EVA plane, Rits sees the underside and gasps.
"SHINJI!"
"Ritsy?"
"That's his EVA under there, Mom!" Her eyes wide, her eyes start tearing up. 'Shinji, please, my darling, stay safe.'
The sight of the purple Evangelion within the transport plane's recess also causes a burst of pride in her heart for her boyfriend. Unaware that Dragonelle and Psycho both are quietly rooting for Shinji as well.
'Go, Shinji, go!'
(EVA Transport plane; Approaching Atsugi City)
"Are you nuts, Misato?"
"Probably, Shinji." Next thing Misato knows, Shinji grins wryly.
"I knew there was something about you I liked, but just couldn't put my finger on it."
"Yeah, well, what can I say, Shinji? I'm just likable." Giving him a concerned grimace, she then asks, "How're your energy levels?" Shinji makes a quick check before lifting his eyebrows. "Why do I have a bad feeling about what you did with your eyebrows?"
"I'm in the mid-to-low yellow. After this is done, I gotta go to Old Osaka and get a T-juice charge. Provided, of course, I don't have to 'go turbo' long during this one."
"And if you do?"
"It'll be a miracle I can hold steady."
"I'll work as fast as I can, then. Berto, you get that?"
"Loud and clear, Misato. I'll make the arrangements at the 'N-Tek' lab in Old Osaka. For Shinji and you both if need be. Shinji, you still have the Sparrow keyed to yourself still?"
"I do, Berto."
"Okay. Once it's over, you get in and it'll take you to the lab's emergency entrance chute."
"Berto, how many people can the Sparrow carry?"
"Two."
"I'm going with Shinji to help him if he needs it."
"Good to know, Misato. Shinji, I'm tracking 'Jet Alone' and your transport. You're coming up on it fast and hot." At the same time, Aoba's voice comes up.
"Captain Katsuragi, we're coming up on 'Jet Alone' now."
"Got it, Aoba." Sharing a quick grin with Shinji, Misato adds, "Let's do this, Shinji."
"Yeah." His eyes looking around the interior of the transport plane, Shinji then spots a long steel tether and smirks. "Misato, what's the weight of the EVA? Along with the weight rating of that tether?" Misato looks at it and shrugs.
"About thirty tons for the EVA. Twenty five for the tether. Why?" Misato soon wishes she hadn't asked that. For she's in Unit-01's right hand and the end of the tether's in the left hand. "Have you ever even done this before, Shinji?" His voice in her helmet is tinny, yet warm, as he gives his reply.
"Sky-skiing? Yeah."
"Ah. That explains it. How do you want to do this?" As Shinji tells her, she can't help but smile widely. "I don't know if being around me's a good influence on you after all." Next thing she knows, Berto's voice chimes in.
"It's not you, Misato. Shinji's picked up a few ideas from Josh when it came to Josh being Max Steel Sr. on missions in the past. At times, he even used the same ideas to great effect. So, if anything, Josh's influence brought out Shinji's wild side."
"I'll keep that in mind. Aoba."
"Yes, Captain?"
"Here's what I want you to do." As she tells Aoba, she can imagine his eyebrows arching incredulously and finishes with, "Got it?"
"Yeah, I got it. Though, for the record, it's a crazy idea. It's not your usual thought patterns, that's for sure."
"Of course not. It's Shinji's and his Dad's idea."
"Okay. Dropping and turning, now!" With that, EVA-01 drops and the transport plane starts turning.