Chapter 34: Info-Gave
After the operation, the retrieval of Eva-00 and Eva-02 were completed. Misato heard from Kozo that the Commander would be returning tomorrow and would give her report to him that day. Saluting, she went looking for the pilots at the locker rooms. About to head toward the elevator, she noticed the Third Child down a hallway. He was already dressed in his normal attire and was slowly walking toward the cafeteria. Getting out her phone and texting both female pilots to meet her in the cafeteria, she followed him. He got in line and had a tray and plate.
"Morning Shinji!" Misato said standing next to him.
"…" Shinji said slowly turning his head and slowly blinking at her. "Morning Miss Misato. How are you?"
"That is some dark circles around your eyes," she said surprised seeing how tired his face looked.
"I see," he said turning back to the cafeteria line of food.
"How was your meeting with your old friend?"
"It went," he said seeing sporadic images of last night occupy his vision. They went away after blinking. "…well."
"That's nice. What did you two talk about?" she asked grabbing a pastry. He grabbed two different pastries but set them aside on napkins.
"…" Shinji said grabbing some eggs. When he put them on his plate, they changed into chunk of gray matter. Narrowing his eyes, he continued forward a little. "Stuff."
"Aw come on. You can give a little more than that," Misato asked then saw his eyes rapidly looking around for a second or two before calming down. Keeping up with him, it was different to see him look so tired and out of it. He scooped some rice onto his plate.
"We talked about a couple of activities that was done in the past regarding contract work," Shinji said guiding his tray to the condiment and beverage station. "Would you like coffee Miss Misato?"
"Sounds interesting…oh, yes please."
"Cream and sugar?"
"Just a shot of each."
Making two cups of the same type and grabbing silverware, both headed towards an empty table. Sitting down, both started to eat. Glancing at him, she noticed that his eyes looked very dull.
"I'm guessing you didn't get enough sleep?"
"That's correct," he said eating without closing his eyes. He was eating the eggs; however, they kept altering back and form between the yellow color food and gray matter. Putting some ketchup on them did alter the taste a little. Misato heard his stomach growl a bit loudly.
"…when was the last time you ate?" she asked with a deadpan face.
"Last evening," he said take a drink of his coffee. He heard her sigh.
"By the way…since the operation is done, does that mean you won't be coming over everyday?"
"Correct."
"You'll still be coming over like you did before, right?"
"Yes," he said hearing her sigh in relief. He glanced at her and blinked. Turning back to his plate, the rice appeared as individual insects. Feeling his eyes close for a second, he opened them and drizzled ketchup on them.
"…" he said eating the rice that didn't taste like the grain. Each chew had crunches and pops in his mouth.
"I got to tell you. Your idea of training those girls together sounded good in the beginning," she stated seeing him finishing the rice. She couldn't tell, but he looked a bit miserable.
"Would you care for a refill Miss Misato?" he asked slowly turning his eyes to her.
"Nah, I'm okay," she said watching him slowly close his eyes to blink.
Nodding his head, he picked up the two pastries and his mug. Watching him, he went to the beverage station. Placing both pastries in the microwave, he set the timer. Refilling his coffee, he returned to the microwaves. He grabbed two small take along warming bags and placed each pastry in one. Returning to the table, he placed the two bags at two empty chairs then sat down.
"Has something happened to them?" he asked turning to her. She gave a nervous smile then scooted closer to him. Up close, he looked more tired.
"Well…kind of…alright, but don't tell anyone," she said then told him what she saw this morning. Asuka and Rei came into the cafeteria and saw Shinji and Misato sitting at a table. Seeing her whispering to him, he didn't express anything. Slowly, his eyes turn toward them. The red-head immediately frowned and headed over to them.
"There you are!" Asuka stated getting closer as Misato broke away and had a nervous smile. She saw the male pilot stand up slowly.
"Morning Miss Soryu. How are-" he began when she stopped in front of him and gripped his collar. She got in his face.
"Can it! I have questions and you have answers," Asuka said quietly in a threatening way.
'Oh man…here we go,' Misato thought seeing the First Child walked towards their table with a stoic expression. Almost everyone near them had stopped talking and was watching them.
"…" he said with a slow blink.
"What did Misato say to you?"
"Where you and Miss Ayanami were sleeping this morning when she woke you two up."
"What else?"
"That was it."
"I don't believe you. Knowing Misato, there was some other information she confide in you."
"Other than that it must have felt awkward to sleep separately when both you and Miss Ayanami had to do so for days straight, she didn't give any other information."
"…" Asuka said not loosening her grip. "What did you tell her?"
"Regarding what?"
"Don't play dumb!"
"Regarding what Miss Soryu?" he asked blinking impassively at her.
"About last night."
"I told Miss Misato about my meeting with my acquaintance."
"Oohh, was that all?"
"Yes."
"…" Asuka said still frowning and turning toward the Captain. She had her arms across her chest and seemed a little uncomfortable. Blinking and looking around, everyone in the cafeteria was looking at them. Rei, though still stoic, had shifted her stance feeling uncomfortable from how many people were staring. Feeling embarrassed, she let go of him and sat down followed by Ayanami.
"I have gotten pastries for you if you are hungry madams."
"What kind?" Rei asked calmly seeing the small bag in front of her.
"Both are croissants with sweet cream filling," he said. Without hesitation, the First Child slowly opened the front bag opening. Pulling the pastry out, she blinked and paused a little before taking a small bite. It reminded her of the dream she had.
"Thank you Ikari," Rei said quietly in which he nodded.
"…?" Misato said watching the First Child eat. Asuka slowly opened the bag and started eating the pastry. She didn't say anything at first. She quietly muttered thanks in which he nodded.
'Still acts like a butler even when in sleep-deprived mode,' Misato thought watching him lethargically open and close his eyes.
The next day, Misato was standing in Commander Ikari's office. Always feeling nervous in front of him, his office décor didn't help either. The dark lighting, cold temperature, and his cold gaze all spoke to impose. However since meeting his son, his cold gaze and dark interior design wasn't as bad as she remembered it.
"I have read your report. Tell me in your words Captain of the progress that was made between the First and Second Child," Gendo stated in his most used hand position while sitting.
"Despite the nature differences between both pilots, both were able to achieve the operation goal before the day of the operation," Misato stated back.
"Were there problems?"
"There were, but those were expected."
"Meaning?"
"Uh…I guess girl problems…sir," she stated in which he didn't press it further.
"Why did you decide to use the First Child instead of the Third Child?"
"I thought this would have been a good exercise and development for the First Child as a pilot as well as learning to work with other pilots."
"I see," he said not moving. "What made you decide to transfer the residence of the First Child to your household?"
'…He didn't even know her living conditions?…no…he would know…,' Misato thought to herself biting her tongue. 'Damn bastard.'
"Upon visiting the First Child's residence, the condition of her dwelling was unsanitary. She showed signs of not being able to take care of herself. The First Child did rebuke, but changed her mind when she couldn't prove that she was able to maintain a sanitary and stable home environment."
"I see," he said not sure if this would help or hinder his scenario. "What has been the First Child's behavior since being at your household?"
"She still acts the same in regards to attitude, mannerisms, and thought process," Misato said finding his form of concern of Ayanami to be weird.
"…" Gendo said putting his hands on the table. "Very well. I will allow the First Child to stay at your residence; however, I will transfer her if I deem it necessary. Is that clear Captain?"
"Yes sir."
"Good work. You are dismissed," the Commander stated seeing her salute. Misato turned around and walked out. Once out of the office and the doors closed, the two older men in the office didn't hear a loud sigh of relief. Once she was gone, Kozo stepped out from the shadows.
"What is your plan of action Ikari? This will no doubt cause commotion from SEELE," Fuyutsuki stated which the man in red-glasses nodded.
"Assemble all personnel as well as the law officers required for the "Info-gave" operation in a couple of days," he said listening to his voice echo in his cold office.
"Is it wise to go against the Third Child? Do remember what he did to the traitor inside NERV during Jet Alone?" the older asked. Gendo remembered seeing the video feed of the brown haired boy's action disturbed him a little. At the same time, to have a tool that causes fear in his enemies was appealing.
"It doesn't matter. Once this operation is complete, things will be put back to the correct course of the scenario," he stated looking in his dark lit room. The Sub-commander nodded. Both heard someone clapping slowly and loudly in the room.
"Goooooddd," the humored voice cooed but the face never showed. The clapping faded to nothing. Gendo stood up suddenly.
"Where are you going Ikari?" Fuyutsuki asked trying to keep his voice calm.
"I'm going to see the doctor for a mental scan," the Commander said walking toward the two swing doors. When the doors closed, Kozo felt an eerie presence next to him. He turned finding the silver eye Third Child clone spinning around in the Commander's dark leather chair.
"Who are you?" he asked it believing his mind was slipping.
"Oh come now Professor Fuyutsuki, don't be paranoid. In reality, I'm not here or there…more like in the middle of someone's mind," he said stopping the spinning and looked dizzy.
"You mean the Commander?" the older man asked striking a chuckle from the young adult.
"Ah that paradise would be lovely, but I only wonder in his product of human reproduction," the older clone said turning to him making the older man feel a chill down his spine.
"You mean the Third Child?" he asked striking a nod from the look alike.
"Wouldn't he, having the mental disorder, be the only one that sees you?"
"That is for you to find out," the boy spun in the chair once giggling. When the chair turned around completely, the clone was gone. Blinking in surprise, he followed Gendo's idea to make sure that the Shinji clone wasn't joking about only being in the Third Child's head.
A couple of days went by in which the clean up from the Angel attack was completed. Rei and Asuka had a day off in which Misato took them shopping. Though the First Child stated that she had a sufficient amount of clothing, the Captain pressured her to pick a couple of outfits. Asuka asked if the Third Child was not going to be visiting the apartment anymore. The Captain stated that he'll visit once or twice a week to do the same butler duties. At the end of the day, they got a call from NERV about attending a conference with the Commander in a couple of days. After the day off, the two pilots went back to school in which they had a week's worth of make up to do.
On the day of the meeting, all the attendants made their way to NERV HQ. Escorts were given to the three police personnel as they reached the checkpoint. In a dark conference room, all were present: Commander Ikari, Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki, Pilot Soryu, Pilot Ayanami, Captain Katsuragi, Dr. Akagi, Special Investigator Kaji, Lieutenants Ibuki, Aoba, and Hyuga, Police Chief Yogosami, Officer Hymity, and Secretary Blaze. All sat around a long oval table with Gendo sitting at the end nearest to the door. Ryu sat at the other end with Nami to his right and Rayne to his left.
"I've gathered you all here in regards of the Third Child," Gendo said coldly to everyone and glanced at the professor who started walking to everyone handing them folders.
"Fuyutsuki."
"As you may well know, the Third Child has been a great asset as a pilot despite his mental instability," he started to say as he finished giving out single folders to everyone. Each of the folders had a classified seal that stated orders not to open until officially ordered to. This of course drew everyone's attention.
"When the seals are broken on these folders, the operation will begin. That being said, is there anyone who would not like to participate?" he asked to the people around the table.
'Operation…what did Shinji do?' Misato and Nami wondered as both stared at the Sub-Commander.
Most of the people around the table were curious at various degrees. Makoto, Shigeru, and Maya weren't entirely sure why they were called but didn't move. Rei stayed though was trying to figure out what did the Commander want from the Third Child. Asuka was getting a little anxious because this was something against the male pilot. While she saw him as a rival, she didn't want to get on his bad side.
Ryu kept a straight face looking at Gendo. He held a small grudge against him dealing with an "accident" years and years ago. Rayne kept her sights on the folder as two things were puzzling her. The blue haired teen with crimson eyes made her wonder if she was related to Shinji due to slight similarities. Her other thought was about the building she was in. The name NERV sounded so familiar yet she couldn't identify where or why.
"If any of you object, leave at once," Gendo spoke with authority which froze everyone's thoughts. No one moved and just stared at the Commander.
"Alright, Operation 'Info-Gave' begins. Please open the folder in front of you and please read only the first page," the Sub-Commander stated. People ripped open the seal to reveal a couple of documents and some photographs of the pilot's house.
"Dr. Akagi, explain the first page," Gendo said not looking at the documents just staring forward with his hands in front of his face.
"The first document is a medical record that NERV has conducted on the Third Child since being at NERV. It also contains the MAGI's predictions as well as findings that I and some medical staff have found about the pilot," the faux blonde doctor said. As people read, the only thing that was expressed by mostly everyone was shock.
"WHAT!? The MAGI said that about him!?" Misato said out loud from shock.
"35% possibility?" Maya looked at the manuscript surprised. Everyone except Rei, Ritsuko, and the two Commanders showed any emotion. A hand rose.
"Yes Chief Yogosami?" Ritsuko asked.
"Sorry for us not being up to speed with the terminology. Could you explain what the probability of being an Angel means? And also what this MAGI is?" he asked with a calm face.
"That information is classified" Gendo answered looking at him with his eyes.
"I see," he said continuing to read the medical chart. Some of the NERV personnel looked back and forth between the two.
"Dr. Akagi," Kaji asked looking at the blond doctor. "What is the unknown 10% in the Third Child's blood?"
"Good question," she stated getting out a small remote device. Clicking the button, a large screen on the opposite wall of Gendo turned on. Three screens showed a microscopic view of blood cells, chemical compounds, and a small canister that held a blood sample.
"As you can see, this is the Third Child's blood. To the naked eye, it looks like normal blood. But, on a microscopic level," she said hitting another button which magnified the screen to show blood cells next to each other.
"If you can see, there are tiny black holes in each blood cell. Though we haven't identified what this "black spots" are, they seem to be separate from the blood cells when the MAGI analyzed it."
Everyone stared at the screen seeing black holes on the cells. They didn't look like cancer cells more like someone just dabbed paint spots on them. The eerie part was all the blood cells had the same black hole in the same location.
"Has there been any growth in these black spots?" Misato asked.
"From the time I first analyzed it till now, I haven't seen any."
"In summary Doctor," Gendo broke the conversation.
"In summary, the Third Child has 90% human blood while 10% of his blood is of unknown substance," blond scientist stated sitting back down.
"Continue reading," the Commander stated.
They began to read more on the medical information till it came to his mental state. That's when more emotions took place. Misato expressed nothing but was trying her best not to frown. The bridge monitors had some degree of pity. Kaji seemed confused by the report. From his interactions with the boy, he seemed to talk and act fine though stoic. Rei sat their emotionless and clenched her hands on her school skirt. Asuka just shot an eyebrow and looked at the doctor.
'He's gone into the third stage? What a load of bull. He was fine at school yesterday,' she thought narrowing her eyes at the report.
To most of the NERV personnel, they didn't see a reaction come from the three police personnel. The secretary looked calm turning another medical page. The other young female officer was tapping a finger on the folder while looking through the manuscript. The police chief looked mildly interested.
"Now move to the next item please," Fuyutsuki asked them all.
Everyone picked up the next item which was a blue print of the Third Child's home. To what they saw, there was about a mile radius around the boy's house till city buildings were near. There were also pictures of the boy's home. Only Misato and the police personnel shivered from the memory of when they first visited that home.
'He lives that far away,' the Special Investigator and bridge monitors thought the same thing. A few moments passed.
'Why does he live that far away? Is it because of his mental disorder?' Rei thought.
'A place all the way out there…well, he is a weirdo,' Asuka thought.
"Now that you are familiar with the technical specs the last document contains the information about the operation," the Sub-commander stated.
Everyone turned to the last piece of paper that had a title named "Info-gave". All read the content and recoiled a little. Everyone stared at the Commander who coldly stared back.
"How many of you have seen the Third Child with an alteration in his appearance?" he said. Everyone looked at each other then each raised their hands except two of the three law officers. Ryu and Nami looked at Rayne with a raised eyebrow, but nothing register on her face.
"For those who have, how many alterations have you seen excluding his current appearance?" he asked again.
Everyone looked at each other thinking the Commander was crazy but complied. Rayne was only going to raise one finger, but thought about the time in the pawn shop. Since all those color orbs were hovering around him, then they must have been his voices. Gendo was expecting his crew to only raise one finger and looked at each.
Gendo: 1
Fuyutsuki: 1
Ritsuko: 2
Makoto: 1
Maya: 1
Shigeru: 1
Misato: 2
Kaji: 1
Asuka: 1
Rei: 5
Rayne: 6
Everyone thought that everyone seeing another Shinji was surprising. People blinked in surprise seeing that both Rei and Rayne saw many alterations.
"There's six of him!?" Misato and Ritsuko chimed at the same time.
"From what I remember seeing, yes," the female officer said.
"You have seen five, Pilot Ayanami?" Gendo asked feeling a headache brewing.
"Yes Commander."
"Could you describe them?"
"Yes," Rei said and described the ones she has seen. For each one she described, certain NERV personnel would nod their head.
"Is it me or is this group kooky to you guys," Ryu muttered watching their actions. He heard two whispers agreeing with him. His smirk was hidden in the dark shadows that littered the room.
"Officer Hymity," Gendo said addressing the young officer. "You said you saw six. Are the one's Pilot Ayanami stated the same?"
"Yes sir."
"What is the sixth one?"
"His irises were a darker red than Pilot Ayanami's, pupils were smaller, and the sclera was blackened," she said watching the other peoples' reaction.
"Do you have proof?" Gendo coldly asked. The Chief reached in his inner coat pocket and retrieved a plain looking disc inside a CD case.
"What is it?" the Commander asked still in his favorite pose. Everyone saw the Chief twirl it in his hands and nonchalantly placed on the table making a dull slap.
"Security footage of Officer Hymity's description of the kid," he said frowning a little at the Commander. "But there is a tiny catch before we share it with you."
"What is your claim?"
"Do you have proof that these alterations exist?"
Everyone seemed to open their mouths then closed them instantly. Proving something that was only imaginary was folly. Gendo instructed Dr. Akagi to use the photo and searched in her clipboard. She found it and passed the picture around the table. Everyone seemed to recoil a little seeing a bit of evidence that there was another Shinji around. When it reached Nami's hands, she stared at the picture awhile.
'So this is an alteration?' she thought then turned the photo around. A date was labeled on the back. Her neutral expression didn't change; however, her pen was getting bent to almost breaking.
When Ryu got the photo, he stared at the small familiar boy sadly. When he saw the time the picture was taken, he could only glare back at the man on the other end. Rayne took a look at the photo seeing an ocean-blue eye toddler smiling which made her smile a little. The corners of her mouth turned upside down seeing the back. She passed it to the Second Child.
'So this is a different Third…' she thought staring at the photo. Then turned it around and saw the time stamp.
'What the hell?!' Asuka thought about to open her mouth when the Commander was staring at her. Frowning at him, she passed the picture to the First Child and looked at something else.
'This seems like the one in the dream,' Rei contemplated. Wondering how a photo was taken, she looked at the date on the back. People saw the female pilot's eyes widen in surprise. New questions flooded her head in which one came out.
"Dr. Akagi?" she asked quietly that seemed to catch everyone's attention.
"Yes Pilot Ayanami?"
"Pilot Ikari doesn't wear contacts, yes?"
"He does not."
"…I see." Rei said still looking at the date with a surprised face.
"Is something wrong Pilot Ayanami?" Gendo asked a little intrigued why the female pilot looked surprised.
"No Commander," she said and passed the photo to the next person before returning back to the doctor.
"You have your evidence. We shall see yours now," Gendo stated. Controlling the urge to punch the man, he looked back at the disc.
"Fine, I'm satisfied. If you are going to show it now, I would like to be excluded from the room," he said with his jaw muscles tightening. He remembered when his surveillance team found the video and show it to him. Needless to say, he and a few others became disturbed. Nami fainted when the slaying commenced.
"I would like to be excluded as well," Nami asked shivering a little from the memory.
"All three of you will have to stay," Gendo replied coldly.
"You don't trust us, do you Commander?" Ryu asked narrowing his eyes.
"Evidence could be contaminated," he stated.
"Ohhh?" Ryu said crossing his arms. "If that is the case, then could you tell us three why use a dated photo as your evidence? Ours happens to be a few days old."
"It shows proof that there is an alteration."
"Was Pilot Ikari abandoned?"
"Does it matter now if he was or not?" the Commander stated and saw the Chief glare at him.
"…ten years ago, there was a large series of kidnapping by unknown individuals or organization. Most of the targets were children around the Neo-Tokyo area. The police were never able to find a trail of where the children were taken; however, the kidnappings stopped four years ago. None of the 600 children that were kidnapped were found," Ryu stated calmly not dropping his glare. Everyone looked at the Chief with surprise and shock.
"Was your son kidnapped…or did you even know what happened to him?"
"I left him with his uncle in the neighboring mountain side," Gendo said looking coldly at the older officer.
"Is that so?" Yogosami said and turned to the secretary. "Miss Blaze, could you give a detailed history report of Pilot Ikari?"
"That is classified information," Gendo spoke coldly watching as the blonde women open her folder pulling out a couple of papers.
"What is made to the public is not considered classified Commander," Nami stated unfazed and continued. "Despite there being a small amount about his whereabouts in recent years, there is no information in his youth."
Everyone involved were looking back and forth between the Commander and the Chief. Their growing hostility kept the rest of them quiet. Also, the information that the police personnel were stating started to make them wonder.
"Are you finished?" Gendo stated still calm and cold.
"Unless you can give me doubt that he wasn't a kidnapped victim, I will stop. If he is, then this will change. In the interest to all the families affected and neighboring police stations, he will be needed to help find where the kidnappers are as well as the children."
"I see," the Commander stated and pulled out a large envelope that was from his pile of papers. It was passed along the members of the table till it came to the hands of Ryu.
"Inside are the reports of the Third Child's activities and movements being with his uncle during the missing time periods you have stated," Gendo said moving back to his hand pose.
'He kept that tight lip of Shinji's whereabouts?' Misato thought feeling a sense of relief about the male pilot. All the NERV personnel saw the three police personnel reading the reports with scrutiny. No one saw the smirk that Gendo was hiding behind his hands.
"…" Ryu said asking for the papers that both Nami and Rayne were scanning. He placed them back in the envelope. The officer never dropped his glare.
"Does that answer your question?" the Commander asked.
"It does," he said passing the envelope back.
"Now Chief, your evidence," Gendo commanded and saw the male officer picked up the disc case and slide it on the table. It went down the middle and stopped in front of him.
"Go ahead. By all means," Ryu stated sitting back in his seat and just stared at him still looking unpleasant. Both Nami and Rayne looked uncomfortable. It made everyone feel curious and apprehensive.
Gendo passed it to Fuyutsuki which he turned around. The large screen turned on behind the officers. He inserted the CD in the video recorder. All turned their attention to the screen. Rayne's head became downcast as she clenched her hands into fists under the conference table. Nami closed her eyes and put her fingers in her ears. Ryu did not turn around and was staring down the Commander. Their actions made the apprehensive feeling grow.
"Proceed Fuyutsuki," Gendo ordered in which the Kozo pressed the play button.