Chapter 117: A Past Environment
After several minutes of driving through the night and following a couple of street signs, Misato found the police station. Turning into the parking lot, she saw the South Side of Neo-Tokyo Police Station sign. Getting into a parking space, she killed the car and got out. Walking to the front doors, she could see that the guest lobby area was still illuminated. Entering, the receptionist behind the counter heard the sliding doors opened and looked up. Seeing a lavender haired woman walk up, he paused what he was doing.
"Evening. Can I help you?"
"Yes. I'm Major Katsuragi from NERV," Misato said getting out her ID card and showing the officer. "I'm here to pick up my two Eva pilots. They should be twins. I have had partnered with Chief Yogosami before if that would help things."
"Okay," he said giving back the ID. "Let me go see if he is available."
"Sounds good," she said and watched the officer go away. Crossing her arms and waiting a little bit, the desk clerk came back.
"You are good to come in. The Chief's office is straight down this hallway then to your left."
"Thanks!" Misato said going through to the main space of the police station. As she walked through, she saw that a few officers were still in this late at night. Strangely though, all seemed to be a bit amped up. No one looked or acted tired. Reaching the end of the hallway, she turned left to see two offices. One was the Chief's office while the other was labeled the secretary's office. Going to the first one, she saw two familiar faces through the windows and knocked.
"Come in," Ryu said looking up then standing up seeing who opened the door.
"Hi there," Misato said entering and walking toward the counter. Nami put her stuff on the desk and stood up as well to turn to her.
"Welcome Major," the Chief said giving a handshake to her. "I believe you have briefly met my secretary during that Info-Gave operation."
"Briefly yes…Blaze was it?"
"Yes Major," the secretary said shaking her hand with a small smile.
"You are here to pick the Ikaris up?" Ryu asked gesturing to sit down in the chair near the desk.
"Yes," Misato said sitting down. The other two sat down at their seats.
"I heard what happened not too long ago. Are they okay?"
"Yes. Both of them are fine and not physically hurt."
"That is a relief. How bad of a shooting was it?"
"A few dead from gunshot wounds. There were several others that got shot. They are in either critical or non-critical conditions at this moment."
"How terrible. What about the shooter?"
"Already in one of our containment cells until the trial starts going."
"He confessed?"
"No," Nami said. "We interrogated him in which he revealed substantial information regarding his atrocity to the world. More than likely the suspect will use the insanity plea. We also believe that the suspect has connections with lawyers to help with his case."
"Bastard," Misato said seeing both of them nod their heads. "I also heard that both Shinji and Rana were witnesses of the shooting."
"That's correct. They provided vital testimony that will help put the murder behind bars for good. Or better yet, the death penalty if it goes that far."
"I'm glad they could provide you the evidence you needed," Misato said seeing both of them look at her with blank faces.
"Major…do you happen to know the history of Shinji…or for that matter, his twin sister…Rana I believe," Ryu asked with a serious face.
"Well…there is the claim and paper evidence that the Commander provided of Shinji's upbringing."
"Do you believe him?" Nami asked with a blank expression and blinked.
"…" Misato stated looking back and forth between the two. Something in her gut was telling her that whatever happened from this evening's event, something unearthed to make them look at her seriously.
"…I will be frank," she said in a low tone. "There were signs of Shinji being tortured in his past life given how he was when I first met him. However, he did not have any scars on him…no defects…no physical evidence of abuse as far as our examinations showed."
"Did he always hide them?" Nami asked leaning a little forward.
"That I do not know."
"What do you mean?"
"Well…the scars that he has now came after an Angel attack about two months ago."
"…!?" both Nami and Ryu said recoiling back a little. A look of bewilderment came across their faces.
"You mean…he got those scars after a battle?" the secretary asked in a low tone.
"Yes," Misato said with a firm nod and neutral expression.
"…Nami…I thought you overheard the kids talking about," Ryu started to ask when the blonde haired woman shook her head and adjusted her glasses.
"I must have heard him wrong when they were doing show and tell," Nami said with a relieved smile. "I must have jumped to a conclusion assuming he said something similar to the other kids."
"You sure?"
"Yeah…I was pretty shocked to see how scarred both his and the other kids' bodies were."
"…what…?" the Major said with widen eyes.
"Do you remember what I said in the Info-Gave project? That I believed Ikari was a part of a victim ring of kidnappings?"
"I vaguely remember, yes."
Both the secretary and Chief filled in the back story of who the suspect was, the case of 600 missing children, and who Rana's real identity was. Misato only sat and stared in trying to process the information they were giving her. As horrific and sickening the story was, it was conflicting to what she knew as true. Instead of countering them, she decided to keep her mouth shut.
"I know the story sounds grizzly and unreal, but it coincides with the small amount of evidence we have accumulated over the years. The interrogation also provided enough information to bridge gaps in important aspects of the whole decade long cold case," Ryu said with a small amount of accomplishment in his voice.
"It does…I'm still trying to swallow all of it," Misato said blinking. "So…Rana is really…Shinji…and is actually a boy?"
"Yeah…more of a transgender woman," Nami said adjusting her glasses. "But I have to say, she would fool anyone."
"I'm still surprise that there were twins," Ryu said with a small chuckle. "I'll admit though, I was totally convinced he was a twin sister."
"…and…Shinji is really named…Sid…right?"
"From what we heard, yes."
'This doesn't make sense!' Misato shouted in her head, struggling to nod her head. She put on a small fake smile as any more would look strained. A bewildered look remained on her face.
'Ritsuko examined her from inside and outside…Rana is 100% female! She doesn't have one!'
"Anyways, let's show you to the kids," Ryu said standing up.
"Oh, right," the Major said standing up followed by Nami.
"They are in my office," the secretary said leading the way with the others following.
Leaving the Chief's office and turning right, the next office door was in front of them. Opening the door and entering, the three could see six teenagers facing each other. All of them were sitting on the couch and guest chairs. Recognizing the twins, Misato saw four frail and thin looking teens that made her blink. Seeing them look at them, their eyes widen a little looking at her. All four leaned back away from them with alarmed and scared eyes.
'…' Misato thought cringing on the inside. 'These four seem to line up with the story they told me. Their behavior is like of an abused and frightened animal.'
'The one person I know who could clear the stories up,' she thought seeing the Third Child slowly stand up and turn to face her. 'Is Shinji…but.'
"…" Rana said not turning her head to look at the Major. The lavender haired woman saw a stoic expression on her face as the female twin looked at the floor.
'If I try to ask him with her around…it would only create more friction and distance,' Misato thought watching him give her a small bow. 'I'll have to wait for an opportunity to get him alone.'
"Greetings Miss Misato," the Third Child stated with a stoic expression.
"Hi…you two," she said quickly changing from saying his name. Keeping in mind that his name toward the victim children is different, she tried to act normal as possible.
"I am so relieved that you two are okay."
"…" Rana said turning her head a little to look at her out of the corner of her eyes. She stayed seated while continuing to give a blank expression at her. The other four teens were glancing between the female twin and the lavender haired woman slowly.
"I think a rough night is a bit of an understatement for what happened," Misato said a bit more cautious while giving a small smile.
"Indeed it was Miss Misato," the Third Child said with a blink.
'This feels…too off putting,' the Major thought feeling conflicted. As much as she wanted to give Shinji and Rana a hug, none of the adolescents present were giving her inviting vibes. It made her feel awkward especially from the apprehensive look the frail and thin teens had sitting on the couch. Hearing someone clearing their throat, it seemed to grab everyone's attention.
"Major Katsuragi is here to pick you two up," Ryu stated. "I have all the eye witness testimony I need so you twins are free to go."
"…!?" all the meek teens said and instantly rushed forward. Two boys and one girl went to where Rana was sitting. Taken by surprised, the three held onto her legs and arms with trepidation. The remaining female teen went behind the male pilot and grabbed the sides of his dress shirt. Even thought the female twin's expression changed, Shinji didn't alter his emotion. He just blinked slowly turned his head to look behind him.
"…?!" the adults said blinking in surprise and stared at what happened.
"N-No! D-Don't leave us!" one male stated in panic.
"I don't want to go back to the practice!"
"P-Please s-stay with us!"
"…" Rana said blinking and looked at the three that were holding onto to her. All of them looked scared all of the sudden. Looking back at the remaining teen, she could see that the female's legs were shaking. Given how many pulling folds she was making into his shirt, the grip seemed desperate. The secretary moved a little to be more eye level with the teen behind Shinji.
"It's okay," Nami said in a softer tone. "We will find you a place where people will take good care of you."
"N-N-NO! PLEASE!" the one behind the male pilot stated loudly. She buried her head in his bck and clung to him harder.
"N-NOT THAT!"
"Damn…they are more messed up than I originally thought," the Chief muttered in which both Nami and Misato heard. In the same reaction, the other three held onto the female twin desperately as they started to shake with one boy starting to hyperventilate.
"I-It's okay you guys," Rana stated holding onto the male teen's hand as he started to calm down his breathing a little. "They aren't the same as the ones at the practice. They won't hurt you."
"…is…is…is that true?" the one holding onto the male pilot asked. She felt him slowly turn around and instantly let go of him. Standing in front of her, she saw that his face was still stoic. His murky gaze made her tense up as he looked at her without seemingly moving or breathing. Slowly, only his eyes moved to where the other three were. They looked at him with their full attention while cowering a little from his gaze.
"…" he said looking slowly back to the female in front of him that was holding her hands in front of her chest. She looked frightened still from what the secretary stated. Watching him intensely with alarmed eyes, he gave a slow blink before nodding his head a little.
"Indeed. Mr. Yogosami and Miss Blaze are trustworthy people. Their intentions are to help you, not harm you," he said in his normal tone of voice.
"W-W-What about…her?" the other female teen asked pointing a nervous finger at Misato. The teens saw the adult woman give an alarmed reaction which seemed odd.
"Major Katsuragi has no intention of harming you."
"R-Really?"
"Yes sir."
"They…they won't…take us to another practice?"
"No Miss."
"W-What about the others at Dr. Conrad's practice?"
"…" Ryu said moving to be closer to the male pilot and leaned forward a bit. "My team and I will make sure they will be safe and sound when we save them. Do you happen to know how many kids are at the practice?"
"…" Rana said blinking from hearing one of them mutter a number quietly. "She said…about a 100."
"…god damn it…" the Chief said with a grimace on his face. Nami held a similar expression and swore under her breath.
'…oh my god…' Misato thought holding a hand to her mouth in shock. The aspect that only a hundred were left from the 600 was sickening.
"Do you four know where this practice is by chance?" Yogosami asked. The female teen that stood in front of the Third Child looked down and nodded her head. They saw the other three nod their heads too.
"Could you take me and my team there?"
"…only if…" one of the male teens said slowly standing up and turning to the officer. He pointed to both the twins.
"They come with us."
"…" Ryu and Nami blinked then turned to the Major.
"…?" Misato said seeing everyone looking at her. Putting her arms across her chest, she tried to think what would be the best course of action. Looking at the male pilot, he stoically stared back.
"What do you think…Ikari?" she said stopping herself from saying his first name again.
"…" he said as he felt a sharp needle inserting into the back of his brain. Multiple visions passed by that stung, burned, and gave muscle spasms to his mind. Struggling to bow internally, the dark clone sounded as if it was drooling ecstatically.
"I believe aiding them will add closure and give a new beginning for them," he said slowly blinking. He did not react to the multiple people that looked at him with surprise.
"That is, if you don't mind a midnight raid Miss Misato."
"…" she said with a small smirk. "No, I don't mind. It is already turning into an all-nighter anyway."
After assembling a small strike force team, the group got into one cargo van that was ready to go. Jack and Nami stated through the communication system that all was ready on their end. Exiting the police garage, the van drove out into the streets seeing the city of Neo-Tokyo slumber around at midnight. With one of the frail teens directing up front, they traveled to the north-eastern part of the city. While driving, Misato sat next to Shinji with Rana sitting on the other side. Still feeling unable to ask him for clarification without causing tension, she decided to keep quiet.
"T-that is the cover area," the male teen stated pointing to a structure.
"A parking garage?" the officer said driving. Glancing at the child standing behind him, he saw the teen nod.
"Jack?"
[I'm on it] the officer voiced as he worked on his computer systems. Going down a street toward the parking garage, the van stopped at the corner curb to remain out of direct sight. After several seconds, they heard the officer.
[Just an ordinary parking garage chief. It is privately owned by an organization. From the plans and what is live, there are cameras stationed on the outer perimeter and inside the garage.]
"Great," Ryu said with a frown. "That means someone is watching."
"Not…really," a female teen stated sitting next to Rana.
"Can you tell me more?"
"Well…there aren't security guards…all the controls and TVs are only located in Dr. Conrad's office."
"Is there a person that would use his office when he is out?" the Chief asked then saw all teens shake their head side to side.
"Dr. Conrad has members in the practice, but…he does not trust any of them with his belongings and research materials."
"So that means…his room is more than locked. Yes?" he asked and saw only two of them nodding their head while shaking a little.
"Okay. This is really good information to know. It will help us a lot with getting your friends out. How do we get in?"
[Chief…there is an underground structure underneath the ground level…it is a little deep…it appears to be…like a multi-story laboratory of some sorts] Jack stated.
"There is an elevator," the male standing between the driver and passenger seat stated. "It has a print scanner."
"Biometrics?" Misato added in seeing a couple of nods.
"So do we just walk right into it?" another striker asked and saw the teens nod slowly. "That seems fishy to me chief."
"As much as I want to believe you guys, that is way too risky for us."
"Shall I go Mr. Yogosami?" the Third Child asked quietly in which everyone turned to him. He stoically stared back without moving.
"Hmm…well…you would be the perfect spy to blend in given…how your body looks."
"Whoa whoa whoa," the Major said giving a time out sign. "What is the probability of casualty here?"
"Given what we know, what has been told now, and what my comms/tech officer is getting analysis of the place…probably high if we go in looking like this."
"…" she said then looked at the male pilot. "…I know you have done this before, but are you certain you'll be fine and come out alive?"
"It depends Miss Misato," he said turning toward her. "If the Chief wants the other doctors alive or dead, it will make the probability of casualty higher or lower respectively."
"If you are going Ikari, then I would like them alive if possible. If you can knocked them out that would be ideal. Kill only when out of options."
"Very well…Miss Misato?"
"…" she said sighing out loud. "Alright alright…just-"
"Will you accompany us?"
"…W-What!?" she and others stated with surprise. Despite the officers, Rana, and Misato stating an outcry in surprise, all the meek teens looked at him hope.
"You will be the client Miss Misato," Shinji said removing his tie and dress shirt.
"C-Client?"
"Y-YES!" the male teen stated from the front enthusiastically and came closer. "That would not cause any trouble at all!"
"That's true! You are definitely the client type Miss Misato!" a female teen said smiling a little.
"C-Client type!?" the Major said feeling a little creeped out. "W-Why do you say that?"
"T-There are a few female clients…that come in to the practice…all of them are high standing individuals of power," the other female teen stated looking at her with an anxious expression. "All…are pretty too."
"My apologies for making this awkward for you Miss Misato," the Third Child stated removing his belt and creating a loop. Placing it around his neck and pulling, he handed the end to her.
"To make this seem real, you must treat me and the others as your…toys."
"…?!" the Major said with a shocked expression and staring at him wild eye. "A-Are you crazy!? I can't do that to you or them!"
"It is merely an act to gain access inside Miss Misato."
"…" she said looking a little disturbed as she looked at the belt. Begrudgingly grabbing a hand on it, she watched the other teens move closer to where he was sitting. Seeing all of them stare at her with blank expressions, goosebumps flared all over her skin. Swallowing, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"O-Okay…I think I'm ready."
"…I really don't want to know what is down there," one of the officers muttered quietly for the Chief to hear.
"Major, take this switch. It will send a signal to Jack and he will inform us to go in. Press it when the coast is clear or you are in danger. Also, wear this ear piece. It will allow for us to communicate back and forth. Just tap the ear piece to talk, let go to listen. Same as operating a walkie-talkie."
"Thanks," Misato stated pocketing the switch in her jacket. Placing the ear piece on, it seemed to look concealed. Turning back to the five teens, four looked very nervous while the Third Child stared stoically back. Hearing someone else removing clothes, Rana stripped down a little to an undershirt and her skirt.
"I'm going too," she said tensely getting up and joining the others.
"…" everyone said seeing the teens crowd around each other with only the Third Child on a makeshift leash.
'…This makes me feeling like a pedophile…' the Major thought wanting to not do this anymore.
"C-Come on," she said and shooed at them. "The quicker we get this done, the better."
Exiting out of the back of the police cargo van, the group of teens made a line. Misato was told to enter the parking garage and they will follow. Looking behind her, Shinji stoically stared forward while the others looked downcast and holding onto one another's hands. Seeing something move slowly in her line of sight, she quickly turned her head around not wanting to see the male pilot's gaze.
'I hope to god no one sees me,' she thought with butterflies in her stomach as she looked down both ways of the street.
Crossing the road, the following party made it to the other side. Getting to the main car entrance of the parking garage, the drop bar gate was active but stated out of service. Going through the pedestrian side and bypassing the gate, the inside of the parking garage looked like any other one. There was a legend map that displayed three stories with an up ramp and down ramp in the middle of the structure. Looking at the far wall to her left, there appeared to be an elevator with an outside panel. Heading over there, Misato spotted two security cameras that showed that they were on. However, the cameras did not turn to watch them.
Standing in front of the panel, it didn't seem any different from any other one with a call button. One of the frail teens broke the human chain and went to the panel. Instead of pressing the button, the adolescent carefully depressed the outer ring of the button. In doing so, a small wall compartment opened up next to the call button. It had a small screen that was blank. Placing his hand on it, a scanning blue light emitted from the screen.
[Access granted] a small computer voice stated as the elevator doors opened up. All stepped inside with the frail teens standing together at one corner with Misato standing near the button panel. Without pressing any of them, the lift doors closed. Hearing Jack voice over the communication system, the lift started descending. The further it went, the lift became darker and darker with spot lights appearing every so often.
'Feels like a mine shaft,' the Major thought looking around a little.
"How far does it go down?" Misato whispered trying to get use to the weak illumination in the elevator cabin.
"It goes down a little bit," one of the female teens said quietly holding onto Rana's hand.
"…!?" Misato and Rana's ears perked up from hearing a muffled piercing scream.
"W-What was that?" the Major said standing closer to the Third Child and placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I believe that is a male child screaming Miss Misato," he said stoically seeing a black silhouette standing in the lift with them. It was in the adjacent corner of the elevator to the left of the button panel.
"W-What night is it?" one of the meek teens asked.
"Mr. Denark…is on duty," another said as she held onto the male pilot's shirt. "He…likes boys…and hates girls."
"…!?" Misato said having a disgusted look on her face. All the sudden, one of the male teen's started shaking.
"Hey…what's wrong?" one of the teens asked.
"It's…here."
"What?"
"The demon…I can feel it. It's watching us," the paranoid male teen said as all started looking around in the cabin.
However, Shinji did not look. Misato curled her lips inward and slowly looked at his face. His eyes were closed and remained calm. The light in the lift flickered a little bit before staying on. Rana couldn't see anything though could feel the dark clone was near. Looking at the Major, she had her eyes closed and was shaking. Her grip on the male pilot's shoulder was intense as if she saw something that frightened her. Before anyone could say anything else, the lift stopped and the doors opened up.
"…" Misato said peering her eyes open. In front of them was a hallway surrounded by concrete and bedrock. It felt cold as well as overhead lights illuminated the hallway.
"Shall we go forward Miss Misato?" the Third Child asked as his voice gave a small echo throughout the hallway.
"S-Sure. You stand next to me though," she said as the group walked forward.
"Very well."
[Major, can you hear me?]
"…Y-Yeah," she said as many sounds of shoes and heels clicked on the ground creating an echoing effect.
[How far down is it to where you are?]
"…maybe three or four stories down."
[Copy that]
Seeing a turn ahead, the lights in the hallway began to flicker. Shinji was the only one that kept looking forward while everyone else's eyes wandered. Seeing the male pilot ahead of them a little, all stopped seeing black-red eyes appear in the shadows up ahead.
'Shinji stop!' Misato shouted in her mind while pulling a little on the belt. Seeing him stop, the leash belt was at full length and had tightened around his neck. The group saw him slowly turning around. The teens took a small step back noticing that he wasn't swaying and his feet never left the group. Facing them, he looked at them with a blank expression. His dark magenta eyes pierced through the flickering lights as the black-red eyes faded away around the corner.
"Is something wrong ladies and gentlemen?" he said stoically while tilting his head a little to the right.
"The d-demon…it's…around the corner," the paranoid male teen stated pointing behind him with a trembling hand.
"…Miss Misato, may you let go so I may check?" the Third Child said blinking and moved his head back straight.
"…" she said curling her lips in and let go of her hold of the belt. Seeing him bow a little, he turned around and walked to the corner. After a minute passed of him standing there, he slowly turned back.
"My apologies sir…I only see shadows over here."
"How about you lead and we'll follow you," Misato asked quietly.
"…very well…" he said with a bow.
The group followed the male pilot at a arm's length distance. Going through the corner turn, nothing happened. The lights stopped flickering and stayed on. At the other end of the hallway were double French doors. There was no handle or lock on them. The male pilot reached it first and pushed a door open slightly. When the rest of the group came next to him, another distant scream was heard. Goosebumps littered Misato's body as she felt more than creeped out.
'!# $%# $aaaaahhhh# #$^ #hOwNoStAlGiC#$% #$' the dark clone stated in his mind. Blinking, Shinji's vision started to be tinted red.
"Miss Misato…please keep everyone in the hallway," the Third Child stated loosening the loop of the belt. Taking it off his neck and head, he started walking through the doors. Misato was about to grab him when she saw his cheeks have blood running down them. Recalling what that signified, she held her tongue.
"W-Wait," Rana whispered seeing him go through the doors.
There was no light that came through the open door; however, something sounded passed the door. All of them saw in the door opening something massive. It heavily dragged and slither from left to right while releasing a deeply demented and monstrous sigh. Standing stiff with fear, the group watched the door slowly close by itself. A lock mechanism sounded that boomed throughout the hallway. Not long after that, blood began pooling out from the bottom of the door.
"…the demon is in there…it got him…c-can we go to the elevator? I don't want to stay here anymore," the paranoid male teen stated starting to panic.
"…l-look…the blood…is forming letters."
"…I…s…E…e…Y…o…U…" a female teen said slowly and trembling a little. All the sudden the lights flickered a couple of times then went out.
"…!?" everyone said as they pressed their backs against one another hard. All on the walls and ceiling were black-red eyes and demented looking mouths that had fused to the wall. Feeling more than paranoid and scared, all heard a deep monstrous slow chuckle.
"ShHhHh-sHhHhhhh-sssssshhhhh" the group heard a chorus of distorted whispers to them all.