"An easy mission they said...heh, these Italians aren't playing around anymore" coughing up blood Kensuke looked through the eyes of his Evangelion as the blood red spear was pointed at his face.

"Sorry Tohji...Shinji...and-" blood flew out of the head as the Evangelion was slain. Looking at the sky the four wings fluttered and his mouth opened up letting out a distorted roar.

VVVvvvVVV

12 hours later

"We got trouble unit 5 was disabled around 0800 hours, between Nienburg and Minden. A unit has been sent to retrieve the pilot" reported a soldier to Makoto whose face became very pale.

"Damnit don't give me that crap, who did this? Was it an angel or an Evangelion?" Demanded Colonel Blanch as she grabbed the soldier by his collar. "I want you to go out there and find me the one responsible for this pronto!"

"Y-yes sir" running out of the command room the soldier was sweating bullets.

Once they were alone Makoto leaning against his wooden desk. Thoughts rushed to his head and guilt was building up. He thought it was a good idea to see the unit back for some upgrades. He could handle with only three units right? But now he regreted his decision.

"Damnit...all because of my stupidity...that boy only...he only..." His voice was caught in his throat sobbing Makoto was devastated. Concerned Blanch didn't hesitate to wrap him in her arms. They had only met recently but already she felt she needed to keep him close. He was her light in this dark twisted world.

"Makoto..."

VVVvvvVVV

"Tohji?" Called out Hikari as she followed her boyfriend towards the Evangelion hangar. He remained quiet outside he even appeared calm. Inside he was a roaring inferno with no way of being put out.

"Tohji please stop and think about this. Kensuke might be alive we should wait and-" grabbing her hand Tohji kissed Hikari on the lips. This wasn't like those kisses they had before no. This one held sentiment it was much more longing than the others.

Pulling away he looked into her eyes, and said. "I will go out there, and I will kick some ass. But I will return and when I do..." Kissing her again but much more softly he smiled.

"I want to take you on a date"

"Tohji..."

No words were said a he ran to his Eva. Shaking her head Hikari headed for her own unit. "I won't let you fight alone. If I can't stop you, then I'll join you"

Only after the two units were gone did Julia arrive. Wearing her Kimono she had a sense of foreboding inside her chest. Even if she wished to join she couldn't. Her unit had been sent to Italy as a peace offering.

"Steel my heart in the toughest winds and I shall prevail" looking off into the distance she could only wait and hope for the best.

VVVvvvVVV

"Incoming fire!" screamed Rei as Shinji could see the angel firing another hot beam. "Rgh...I won't let you!" Firing his own shot Shinji managed to force both shots out of collision.

"We need a better plan, Misato can't we get a second or two to breathe?" Asked Shinji wiping sweat from his brow.

*"sorry Shinji you'll have to hold on and continue fighting"*

Sighing the boy was feeling tired. Three shots had been fired and all had failed. Rei could only hold the second shot it was by sheer luck that he stopped the third one of else they would be dead.

The angel for the time being ignored them and continued burying into terminal dogma. "Shinji, how long until the next shot is ready?" Asked Rei.

"Two seconds"

Lifting the space craft armor over head Rei had a plan. Although drastic she needed to do this. "When I say go you will fire"

*"Rei that thing will melt you open like a can of gummy bears"* warned Fuyutsuki.

"It doesn't matter, now GO!" Throwing the shuttle armor the angel opened fire sending it higher towards the sky. Forgetting about the flash of light was it's biggest mistake as the rifle shot pierced through it's AT field and obliterated the monster.

"Finally" looking back Rei gave her brother a thumbs up which Shinji returned gladly.

*"good job now get back here on the double"*

VVVvvvVVV

3 days later

Sitting on a Palma chair Julia watched as Tohji mourned for his friend. She offers no comfort since she had a suspicion that Hikari needed to do this.

Looking around the longue the girl was nowhere to be found. With a sigh she got up and decided to look for her. The entire base was feeling the effects of losing the Evangelion. Morale had dropped and it wasn't certain if everyone would make it out of this alive.

The elevator opened and Hikari gasped in surprise. Her eyes were red and puffy. Julia stepped inside and embraced her. She didn't say anything and allowed the pilot to cry.

'We can't fight like this, whoever killed Kensuke will pay. But today we must mend our wounds' holding the girl tightly Julia closed her eyes.

VVVvvvVVV

Sitting on a round table Makoto faced the men before him. Men who were already in their sixties and seventies. They needed to work with him wether they liked it or not.

"Have the new units finished their drill training?" He asked all of the men.

"At the moment they still require another month" offered the head of the armored division. Starring him dead in the eye Makoto could tell none of the old men were going to help him.

He was Alone, but he wasn't going to bend to anyone's whims. "Gentlemen, it was a pleasure knowing you" the door opened and three men walked in. They wore the standard white uniform but carried in their arms stacks of paper.

Placing them on the table Makoto took one of these papers and grinned. "June 4th 2014" everyone on the table had their eyes wide they all knew what transpired on that day.

"1.9 billion dollars were spent between the collected divisions of the military" sweat poured down the old men's faces. Each one glanced at the other hoping for a way to play it safe.

"Party, food, drinks, mansions, boats, cars, helicopters, planes, trains...none of these were utilized to improve our military powers" placing the paper on the table Makoto's eyes were hidden behind the white glow of his glasses.

"As the general in command of this operation I hereby remove all the acting leaders and execute military laws 30, 66, 71 and 00"

Pulling out their guns the three soldiers pointed at the old men.

"Gott kann dich segnen"

Blood filled the office as Makoto removed his glasses. Eyes were hardened and his heart was made up. 'In order to save the world, I must root out corruption with my own two hands' he thought as he left the room with his guards.

Germany was undergoing new changes.

VVVvvvVVV

Surrounding the grave Shinji had no tears. His father was being buried. Next to him Ritsuko and Rei were putting on a straight face. As the coffin was lowered Shinji closed his eyes.

Deep down, at the very bottom of his heart he wished to understand his father. Now he felt empty and lonely.

"I have an announcement go make" said Maya gathering everyone's attention. "I was nominated as the next leader of Nerv I expect all of you to follow my command like you did with the late commander"

Clenching her fists Ritsuko walked up to her and slapped her in the face. "Can you please have some respect for the dead?"

Holding her cheek Maya looked at her late teacher. Her face had a look of anger and jealousy however she managed to keep her feelings in check. "We have no time to waste mourning I expect you in top shape by tomorrow morning, that is all"

Walking away she smiled. Everything was within her grasp she could now take over the world.

"You are far too naive little girl"

Every hair on her body stood on end as she saw Fuyutsuki stepping out of a tree. "H-how-"

"You believe you have won? You are dead wrong. I do not take lightly to betrayal, and I will make you regret crossing the line" his old eyes were serious this wasn't a joke.

"S-so what? You can't touch me now old coot!" Argued the girl trying to defend herself assuring that she was in control.

A grin formed on the old man's face as he put on a fedora. "We shall see about that. Commander Maya"

Her body trembled no matter how much she thought about it he sounded so sure and honest. She was afraid.