Chapter 114: Interrogating
While the teens snack and drank, Nami walked behind her desk. Sitting in her chair, she rolled toward her large filing cabinet. In opening the middle drawer, she instantly recoiled feeling fear reach at her. Seeing the large binder, there was a pair of black red eyes staring back at her. Blinking, the eyes vanished and the drawer was back to normal.
"Something wrong Miss Blaze?" the male pilot asked.
'…its like…' she thought slowly turning her head towards him. Seeing that he was stoically staring back at her, a flashback of when she talked to him came. Remember the entire interview in detail, goosebumps littered her skin as she shivered.
"N-No…thought I saw a spider or a large bug," she said with a nervous smile at him. Turning back to the open drawer, she slowly moved her hands to grab the binder.
'Please be nothing there…please be nothing there…please be nothing there,' the secretary thought grasping the binder and pulling it out quickly.
Nothing happened and she pushed it closed. Hearing the sound of it seating back into the filing cabinet, she released the breath she was holding. Turning toward her desk, she placed the thick binder on it. Looking back at the teens, all of them continued to eat slowly in their locked position while their eyes darted towards the binder.
"That's a pretty thick folder," Rana said after taking a sip of her beverage. "What's in it?"
"Photos of missing people," Ryu said walking to the side of the desk. Pulling up a chair, he sat down as Nami opened it up.
"Now…could I ask all of you to come look at these photos? I would like to know if any of you know or can identify these individuals," she asked seeing them not moving. Looking at the Third Child, he slowly turned away and ate another portion of his snack.
"I have already asked Ikari if he was able to identify any, but he wasn't able to," she said seeing Rana stand up slowly.
"I'll probably be unable too," she said walking over to the desk. The secretary turned the binder around opening up to the first page of photo profiles.
"Children?" the female twin asked blinking and looking up.
"Missing children to be exact," the Chief stated with a quiet tone looking at her. Seeing movement around them, one of the four teens stood up and walked next to the female twin. Another stood up and the other two did. The five teens were standing crowded together with Rana in the middle as they looked down. Ryu looked the male pilot and saw him close his eyes while taking a drink.
"…" Nami said placing her hands under her desk. Quietly opening a middle cabinet desk drawer, she pulled out a notepad and pen. Placing both on her lap, she watched the teens. One of them squinted their eyes.
"Anybody you know?"
"…!?" one of the male teens said looking up tense. Lowering his head, he spoke quietly.
"All six…are dead."
"…" both Ryu and Nami said holding back a cringe. Marking it down on her notepad and pushing the mild surprise away, she spoke.
"…okay…do you know how?"
"They were...burned alive…when Dr. Conrad's old practice burned down," he said cringing and squeezing his snacks and drink.
'…god damn it…' the Chief said looking down at the desk. Pushing his feelings aside, he leaned forward.
"If any of you know if they are alive or dead, say so out loud please. If died and you know by what, say so. If you don't know, that is fine. Just move on. If any of you feel uncomfortable and want to stop, just say so. I would like to go through this in one go, but it is alright if any of you can't handle it. Okay?"
"…" all the teens said slowly nodding their heads nervously.
Seeing him nod his head, he turned to the next page. After going through half of the binder, all four of the teens were shedding tears uncontrollably. Nami and Ryu stopped the proceedings and told them to take a break for a while. Excusing themselves, they left the room as one of the female teens began to make quiet sob chocks. In looking back before closing the door, the Third Child never moved from his position. However, only his eyes were following them. His eerie gazed made the already unsettling atmosphere more dark and creepy.
"…good god…" the secretary said holding back her tears and placing a hand over her mouth.
"That son of bitch!" Ryu yelled throwing a hard fist into the wall. Making a loud impact, a couple of officers peered out of their cubicles. Seeing how both of them looked, they slowly went back into their designated work areas. Seeing him fast walk forward, she shook her head and followed him.
"Where are you going?"
"Where do you think," he said with peeved look on his face. "That sick bastard is going to be interrogated through his asshole."
"As much as I feel the same, you can't just rough house him from what the kids said. We don't have any proof to their statements."
"Just have to get him to confess to one and then he is mine. He is already in deep shit anyway."
"Seems like he won't bend that easily," Nami said having to jog a little to keep up with him.
"We'll see about that," Ryu said tightening his fists as he continued walking toward the containment section of the station.
Back in NERV HQ, Gendo was in his office and sitting at his desk. Looking over reports that he needed to review, a light started blinking on a display panel. It was integrated with the his desk to give him more access to things without having to leave. Pressing the button next to the light, it went out.
"What is it?"
[Commander, we are receiving a call from the two Section-2 agents escorting the pilots and Dr. Ikari. Do you wish to take it or for us to?] the lead Section-2 agent spoke.
"Is there a problem?"
[Based on their report, it coincides with the news report of a massive shooting at the Sakura Palace.]
"…!?" Gendo said blinking in surprise and leaned a little forward. "Is she alright?"
[All attendees are not harmed; however, they are still unconscious from being retrieved.]
"…!?" the Commander said again recalling that last time he was at that location. Remembering what he saw there and what activities went on, the aspect that all were still unconscious made him instantly angry.
"Have them transported to the medical facility. I will meet them there," he said sternly.
[Yes sir.]
"Is the Third Child unconscious as well?"
[No sir. He and his twin sister were conscious and went with the police being witnesses to the shooting.]
"I see. Take the call and relay their orders," Gendo stated letting go of the button. Without hesitating, he pulled up a database and searched for a number. Finding it, he grabbed his desk phone and hit the highlighted number. Hearing digital sounds of dialing, he placed the phone to his ear. After two rings, the line transferred.
[Greetings Command…Father] a familiar voice came through the line. [My apology for not addressing you-]
"What happened to Yui?" he demanded.
[Other than being given a date-rape drug…mother is relatively fine sir.]
"W-What!?" he shouted with anger.
[There were unclothed men in the Sakura Palace that seemed to have explicit intensions toward not only mother, but the rest of the NERV pilots] the Third Child stated stoically over the phone. It caused Gendo to seethe and clench the phone intensely.
[Is there something wrong…father?]
"Why didn't you protect her!?" he barked over the phone.
[I don't believe that was part of your orders…father…do you wish for it to be?]
"…" the Commander said feeling his nerves being pulled. So lost in his emotions, he didn't hear or notice something moving in the shadows around him.
"You listen to me…pilot. I will personally throw you in the brig for the negligent endangerment of the Sub-Commander. As well as the Eva pilots. If I find anything wrong with her, you will never pilot again. You will spend the remainder of your time in an isolation chamber. Is. That. Clear. Pilot?" he said gravely clenching his free hand into a tight fist.
[…yes father] he said without a hint of emotion or guilt. Despite the Commander hearing his own teeth clench tighter, there was background movement heard from the phone.
[Is there anything else you wish to know?]
"No. I will find you if I find anything."
[Very well…father. Good day.]
"…" the Commander said firmly sitting the phone in its holder. Placing both hands on his temples and trying to breathe, he slammed a fist down on his desk out of frustration. Seeing something from his shades, he looked up to give a glare at the person standing a distance from his desk.
"Family troubles Commander?" Ritsuko said with a neutral face.
"…" he said not dropping the glare and relaxed his posture. "What is it doctor?"
"I came at Sub-Commander Futusuki request regarding the self-activation of Unit-01."
"…yes…" he said standing up and turning around. He walked to the observation window and looked down at the floor below.
"It was a false alarm."
"A false alarm?"
"Yes. Check with the maintenance crew for their reports and findings. I will expect a report afterwards."
"I see. Is there anything else I should know about?" she asked putting both hands in her lab coat pocket.
"…" he said thinking about the call earlier. "Check the status of the Eva pilots and Dr. Ikari afterwards."
"Aren't they out?"
"Do I need to repeat myself doctor?" he stated sternly.
"…" the faux blonde said blinking and keeping a neutral face. "No Commander."
"You are dismissed," Gendo said not turning around.
"…" Ritsuko said bowing a little and turning around.
The entire walk back to the doors, a large smug came across her face. When she exited the office and walked toward the Eva cages, the smug lessened but never came off her face. She had to use a bit of willpower and restraint to not grin or chuckle at him. From his phone call with the Third Child, a good amount of satisfaction came over her. It made her think about trying more ways to cause greater disconnect and dismay for the Commander.
"…" the male pilot said closing the mobile phone and putting in his pocket. Turning around, Rana's face was right next to his.
"Can I help you with something Miss Rana?" he asked without flinching or blinking.
"That rotten man," she said clenching her hands into fists and staring angrily at the ground. "That selfish bastard…that…that!"
"Please do not concern yourself too much Miss Rana," he said with a blink.
"But…he said he'd throw you in isolation for something you can't control," the female twin stated looking up at him. She didn't notice that the four teens had calm down and were looking at them.
"That is true. I did not predict the activities that were going on in that establishment."
"So why are you going to get blamed for over one person who may or may not have gotten hurt? Why doesn't he show that much care for the other pilots? Or better yet, us! His own!" Rana said clenching her teeth together.
"Other than what you said Miss Rana of the Commander being selfish, I do not have a concrete answer to those questions."
"You should stop calling him father…he doesn't deserve that title."
"I am only doing what I am ordered too Miss Rana. Nothing more, nothing less," he said with a stoic face while she frowned. Trying to relax, the female twin slowly hugged him.
"He is not a father to you or me. We can look after ourselves," she said not moving from her closeness. Feeling eyes staring at them, she turned her head to see the frail teens staring at them. A sense of longing registered on their faces.
"Is there something we can help you with ladies and gentlemen?" Sid said stoically turning his head toward them.
"Was…was that your parent?" one of the females asked.
"Unfortunately…yes," Rana said letting go of him but stayed close.
"Sounds like they treat you badly."
"I'm ignored while he takes the burden. He doesn't treat us like his own flesh and blood," the female twin said frowning again. "Our mother…is afraid of us."
"Dr. Conrad," one of the male teens stated having an irritated face. "Treats us like lab rats and toys. He took us away offering a better life instead of in the streets and alleyways…but…he lied and stole our lives away from us."
"…" the other teens stated not opening their mouths and looking down at the floor.
"…" the Third Child said waiting for the dark clone to respond with anything. Hearing nothing and feeling a bit off from not getting a response, his mind thought about what to say. Finding a statement, he spoke.
"I have heard that people who experience similar livelihoods and share them, can develop a commonality bond," he said neutrally and blinking at them.
"…!?" all four teens said widening their eyes a little and stared at them. "I-Is that true?"
"From history, soldiers at war would develop bonds and relationships with other soldiers that went through the same experience. Given the difficulties, hardships, and suffering, both parties that pull through have someone to relate to in the future. In a sense, it brings comfort."
"…" Rana said smiling at him then saw the meek teens slowly walk to the two. They stood in front of them with the same longing expressions.
"…d-does…that mean…we…we can be friends?" one of the females stated looking at the male pilot.
"From that perspective, yes," he said with a slow blink.
"I think so too," Rana said smiling a little at them.
Both noticed all the teens looking at each other before looking back at the two. Each of them reached out to the two and hugged them. From what the twins could sense, all of them had a faint look of happiness on their faces. The way they hugged them and placed their heads on their shoulders felt more than just a simple embrace. The female teen that showed her scars hugged the Third Child from behind. Despite the feeling of ease and safety, a small desire came to her from feeling how his body felt against hers.
Sitting in the interrogation room, Dr. Conrad had been handcuffed to the chair he was sitting at. He stopped shouting demands to see his lawyers and telling the police to give him his subjects. With immense frustration and anger filled in his head, he didn't flinch when the interrogation door opened up suddenly. Instead of a police officer, it was the police chief who looked at him with distain. Following him was an attractive blonde female dressed up as a secretary. One officer came inside and closed the door. Standing in front of it, he remained at ease.
"Well," the doctor stated with an unpleased face. "Where are my lawyers and subjects?"
"Depends on how you answer my questions," Ryu stated and sat on the opposite side of the table. The secretary adjusted her glasses and re-gripped the folder she was carrying.
"I know my rights policeman. I am not saying anything until I see my lawyers."
"How many of those kids are still alive?"
"…"
"Of the four that are here, how many are living?"
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
"What kind of sick experiments were you doing to them?"
"…" the doctor said with a small sigh and kept his mouth shut.
"Why are those kids covered in scars, depressions, and drill holes?"
"They are? That is bizarre and sick. I would never do that to my subjects."
"Even with them stating you specifically as their tormentor?"
"Preposterous. I never harmed any of them."
"Why are they emaciated?" Nami asked in a controlled tone.
"They like to stay thin. I think it is more of an eating disorder and dysmorphia."
"You allowed them to continue that life-threatening learned behavior and mental state in your care?"
"My subjects have to make the commitment themselves to change their ways. I can't control all of them at once."
"Sounds more like excuses coming from a so called doctor."
"Knowing that you are not a medical expert…chief…I would prefer you to refrain from passing judgment that you have no expertise in."
"Unfortunately for you, my secretary was a medical nurse…I do have someone with medical expertise…so…I can pass judgment."
"Ha! Good one police boy. Keep trying," the older man stated with a chuckle.
"…" Ryu said leaning forward in his chair. "You are more than knee deep in shit Dr. Conrad. From what I have on you, no lawyer will be able to save you."
"I am so scared," the doctor stated submissively. "You will also be in the same knee deep in crap when I have my lawyers charge you and your police force with abuse of power, trespassing, illegal entry without permit, and libel claims against my name."
"Last chance doctor…tell me how many of those kids are still out there or in your possession?"
"Last chance chief…give me my lawyers and subjects and I might be willing to drop a charge or two."
"There is no bargaining power that you have that will make me change," Ryu said standing up and going toward a wall phone. Picking it up, he spoke sternly.
"Get the kids in here."
[Yes sir.]
"You are starting to use your head, that is good," Dr. Conrad said with a smirk. "Now, release me."
"With all due respect doctor," Ryu said hanging up the wall phone and turning toward him. "I have enough shit on you to put you away for good. You might not be able to escape the death penalty given that you murdered innocent civilians and shot several others that are in non-critical and critical life conditions."
"Again chief, I have nothing to say regarding that matter until I see my lawyers," the older man said without batting an eye.
'God damn monster,' Nami said feeling herself get very angry quickly. After a short wait, the interrogation door opened. Turning to see who entered, it was the twins followed by the four meek teenagers. All were holding hands with Rana and not the Third Child.
"They you all are. Come here and untie me," he stated. However, none of them moved as they stood near each other.
"What is wrong? Get over here now!" the doctor demanded. The meek teens flinched a little, but didn't move.
"I said get here now!" he yelled. The four teens cowered behind the twins. Both Rana and Sid gave stoic expressions and just blinked.
"Well…this is becoming. After all that I have done for you, this is how you treat me in return…good for nothing subjects. When I get free and my name cleared from these outrageous accusations, I will drop you four back in the trash heap that you came from."
"So you did kidnap them," Ryu said with an unpleased face.
"Kidnapped? Bah! Why am I talking to any of you? Where is my goddamn lawyer!?" the older man shouted angrily.
"…" the chief said then glanced at the Third Child. "Ikari?"
"Yes sir?" the male pilot said turning his head slowly toward him. He watched the officer come to his side and whispered something. After finishing, the boy gave a small nod. As the Third Child went to the other seat opposite of where the doctor sat, Yogosami spoke to everyone.
"Let's go everyone," he said gesturing the group to the door.
"You can't leave me in here like this! This is false imprisonment!" Ernst yelled as everyone left the room except for the Third Child. When the door closed, the sound of the deadbolt seemed to echo loudly in the room. Sighing out loud in frustration, Dr. Conrad looked at the male twin.
"Are you going to interrogate me too?"
"I have been asked by Mr. Yogosami to do so sir," Sid stated stoically with a blink.
"You are wasting your breath. I am not going to tell you anything."
"I see," the male pilot stated and closed his eyes. Feeling a faint phantom sensation of his mouth grinning, the usual rush of warmth to his eyes did not generate. Concentrating on the visions he saw of the doctor, it did not generate much emotion either. Switching to the memories of the sisters and letting them engulf him, the warmth came rapidly.
Back in the Geo-Front, the black limo parked in front of NERV's medical facility building. Medical staff began walking through the entrance with stretchers. One by one, they got the Eva pilots and Dr. Ikari onto the mobile beds and transported them inside. Rooms were already set up for them as each got placed in their own space. Doctors checked on them and did basic hospital check-up procedures. Finding that none of them were physically harmed, they marked it off on the check boards.
The staff received a message from the Commander to check what drugs were in their system as well as any bodily fluids that weren't theirs. In doing so, they found that none of them had any body fluids from another person. They did find a good dosage of relaxant, sedative, and sleeping drugs in each one's system. Setting each person up with a flushing system, an IV was hooked up. Injecting a solution, the fluid slowly began to circulate into their system. It didn't take long until the first person started to steer.
"…" Rayne said slowly peering her eyes open. Covering them with her hand, the brightness of the ceiling lights seemed to hurt her eyes. Adjusting to the illumination, she looked around.
'…hospital room?' she thought slowly sitting up straight. Instantly, her head started to feel a sharp ping.
"…oww…" the Fifth Child stated to herself. Using her hands, the ex-officer began to rub her temples.
"What a headache…wonder what happened during-?"
"Wait a minute," she said looking around again. "Why am I here? Wasn't I suppose to be at the Sakura Palace with the others?"
'The last thing I remember was…falling asleep,' the ex-officer thought crawling forward and looking over the guard rail at the foot of the bed. Seeing a clipboard on it, she reached over to grab it. Remembering the style of the medical documents, a small sense of ease came over her. Placing it back, she crawled back to the head of the bed.
'So I'm back at the base,' Rayne thought then touched her ear. Not feeling the ear piece or the box on her back made her worry a little.
'Guess they removed that…probably in deep trouble…I wonder who else is here-!?' she thought went her vision went static. Crimson rapidly filled the space as she felt fluid rapidly flooding the room to quickly. Only able to take a deep breath in, she felt she was floating. Forcing herself to no gag, blood surrounded her as she started to panic. The vision went static again then cleared. Immediately, she started free falling. About to scream, she hit the floor hard on her back.
"…aaaaaa…grrrrr…" she moaned in pain as she twisted her body a little. Rolling slowly to her side, she struggled to her stand.
'…what…what the hell?' Rayne thought leaning back and hitting a wall. Placing her hands on her knees, she ached all over from the fall. Hearing sounds in front of her, she slowly looked up. Seeing the scene in front of her, her eyes went wide. The pain was slowly becoming faint as apprehension and anger filled in her mind.
'…no…'
"Dr. Conrad," the Third Child spoke opening his eyes as blood tears ran down his cheeks.
"…" the older man said staring. His expression slowly changed from defiant and smug to bewilderment. "…wha…wha…you?"
"May I ask you questions now or would you need time to collect yourself?" he asked without moving or blinking.
'…it's the same voice,' Ernst thought to himself seeing black-red eyes bore at him. Remember not long ago how the monstrous hermaphrodite looked, this form was not revolting. Despite that, the vile and malicious aura was the same. Given that they were alone in the same room added more tension in the air. Shaking his head, he attempted glaring and shouting to rid of the tidal wave of thoughts.
"ITS HERE! THE DEMON IS HERE! GET THE CHIEF IN HERE!" the doctor yelled loudly and tried to break free from being anchored and handcuffed to his chair.
"…" Sid said not blinking and continuing to stare at the older man. Minutes passed by and no one came. Stopping and breathing for air, he looked back to see that the teenager did not move.
"Remove yourself from my presence you filth!" Dr. Conrad shouted at him. Continuing to not blink, the Third Child tilted his head to the right. Severely audible pops or cracks emitted from the boy's neck.
"I can't do that doctor," the male pilot stated slowly. Moving his neck back straight, more cartilage snapped. Blinking, he slowly stood up.
'…what the…' Dr. Conrad thought seeing how silently and motionless the boy moved. Instead of walking toward him, he walked passed him to a side wall. Watching him stopped at a metal case with class, he opened it without a sound. Seeing it close silently, the black suited teen turned around with a fire axe in hand.
"W-W-What are you going to do with that?" Ernst asked having flashbacks of the day that the old practice went up in a blaze.
"…" Sid said as he walked slowly to be next to the doctor.
"I said what are you doing!?" he asked as more vivid flashbacks were invading her mind.
Hearing its demented and distorted laughter in the background, it made him lean back seeing the fire axe blade slowly go above the teen's head. When the handle went passed the boy's face, the doctor became surrounded by flames. Remembering instantly of where this was, sweat dripped down his face slowly looking around. Hearing something strange, he looked with his eyes back at the male pilot's face.
"…no…" he muttered seeing a younger boy holding a blood ax over his head. Instead of the stoic and dead look, the boy's expression was that of a raging lunatic. Soaked in fresh blood and smolder, death surrounded the boy. A grin that seemed too wide on its face started to rip the skin on the corners of its mouth.
"NO-NO-NO! HELP! GET HIM AWAY! KILL THE DEMON! KILL THE FAILURE!"the older man shouted at the top of his lung. Seeing the blade get swung down quickly, he closed his eyes.
'no…no-no…nonononono,' Rayne thought seeing a few men from the Sakura Palace restaurant come into the NERV booth uninvited. Feeling her gut instinct blaring an alarm, they began to scope at the sleeping party members. Feeling disgusted from them touching everyone, she saw them start to undress.
'They will not…they will not…I'll kill them,' she thought trying to push off the wall to go attack them; however, she seemed anchored to it. They continued to undress down to their sock and underwear.
'NO! I'LL MURDER THEM!' she mentally screamed in rage when all the sudden, someone appeared in the center of the table.
'…Shinji…why is he wearing…wha…wait a minute…that's Rana? No…I…can't tell,' the Fifth Child thought watching and squinting in confusion. Goosebumps littered her skin sensing something morbidly wrong as the ribbons started to slowly come off. Seeing what was between the female figures legs, she became pale when its head crack and popped turning around one revolution.
A loud metal bang exploded in front of Ernst making him jump. After a few moments of silence, the table started moving back and forth. Braving himself to look, he saw that the fire axe was pulled out. What lied next to the blade puncture in the table was a cut in half cockroach.
"My apologies doctor. I did not have any else to use to get rid of the pest," Sid stated moving back to his chair without swaying or moving up or down.
'It's levitating again…' he thought remembering how the figure moved in both the Sakura Palace and at his old practice when it escaped. Watching the individual sit down without a sound, bleeding black-red eyes bore back at him. The fire axe was nowhere to be seen.
"Shall we begin sir?"
"You don't scare me. I created you. I can break you."
"…" the Third Child said blinking slowly as violent flashbacks invaded his mind. Interlacing both hands together, he never moved as he stared at the older man.
"I believe you are confusing me with my other half sir."
"…your other half? So you are the demon!"
"Miss Rana is my other half sir. Who is this demon you are talking about?"
"I will admit that seeing a twin was not in my expectations. However, you can't fool me failure."
"I was a subject of yours sir?"
"You had to be."
"As I have stated before, me and Miss Rana were separated at birth…without proof sir, your claim is false."
"I'm not wrong. I am never wrong. I know the look of any subject I have come across."
"If that is so sir, did the demon look like me?"
"It was you."
"And it was one of your subjects?"
"Again, yes."
"Are you saying that there was a triplet sibling among me and Miss Rana?"
"…" Dr. Conrad said then looked down to think. Shaking his head and looking up, the male twin was gone. Sitting on the adjacent side of the table to his left was the male twin. Recoiling a little, the intensity of his aura was stronger and threw him off guard.
"…I…don't remember."
"But you said you know the look of any subject you came across sir. It is either a yes or no."
"I don't have to answer you," he stated settling back in his seat and lifting his nose at him. Blinking, the teen boy vanished again. Looking to the opposite end of the table, the male pilot sat with his eyes twice as big and bleeding more.
"IIIIIIIISSSSsssEEEEeeeeeEEEEeeeeee," he stated as the corners of his mouth sliced open a few inches. It made its mouth open and hang as it hissed.
"…" Dr. Conrad said feeling sweat building on his back as he tried not to tremble. Its vicious and murderous aura kept increasing. Flinching, something very cold and wet touched both sides of his face. Smelling blood, he slowly looked back and up to see a child's face. Its eyes were gone as blood dripped down its slit throat. The cut on the neck grew wider till it the skin gave way. A murderous screech roared in his face as the kid exploded with a bloody burst.