Chapter 44: Leaking Fear

The next day came with much activity going on. On a train to the center of the city, four members of NERV were inside a car. Kozo was looking through a local newspaper to see what was going on in the city and world.

"Fancy seeing you here Sub-Commander," Ritsuko stated. She stood and held onto one of the hand rails that stretched overhead from one end of the car to the other end.

"Indeed. When I am not aiding the Commander, I am sent to city council meetings to explain what impact our company has to the citizens of Neo-Tokyo and other country leaders," Fuyutsuki said. Turning a page of the local paper, he had an unenthused voice.

"How did the Commander get out of this one?"

"I was nearby," the older man said frowning a little.

Though these official gatherings were suppose to be with Gendo, he didn't mind going too much. It got him out of the base for a breather. To Kozo's left, he saw two of the three bridge monitors in civilian clothes. Though his day off was not for a while, he did like seeing NERV employees outside of HQ. It reminded him that they were indeed human beings under the uniform despite the large amount of operations the organization did.

[Arrival time to destination in 15 minutes] the electronic announcement came. Maya and Shigeru were watching the view outside as buildings of various sizes and shapes went by. Much of the city's signs, communication, and video were done with the latest computer network structure, framework, and supercomputers.

"Looks like the local police are doing well with law and order," the Sub-Commander stated. Scanning through the paper, he continued reading a couple of headlines.

"Guess that means the city government is doing well also."

"You mean the three MAGI supercomputers?" Ritsuko stated with a smirk.

"..." Kozo said with a smirk.

"The local governments are governed by our supercomputers?" Maya asked surprised.

"Yes. They have been making decisions based on their readouts of situations and scenarios for a while."

"Is that wise to let a computer make decisions instead of a person?" Shigeru asked.

"Well, it has been a good form of government so far with little complaints from the locals…not that they know about it," Fuyutsuki stated. Reading a snip-it about their rival organization, they were attempting another go at their nuclear powered robot. The difference this time was the public voiced against it.

"I think it is amazing that technology has come this far and how we rely on it," Maya said looking back at the viewing window. The train continued towards their destination as the city life continued on normally. When the train slowed down to a stop, the occupants inside got out. The bridge monitors went toward their planned event of the day while Kozo went to the city council. Ritsuko had a break period in which she went to pick up supplies before heading back to NERV HQ.

Out on the streets, Rayne was patrolling around the streets in a police car with another officer. Both were parked near one of the many train stations that were in Neo-Tokyo. Looking out of the passenger window, she was viewing the travelers coming off the train with little interest. Most of them were just regular citizens till four familiar faces came out. Each of them split in different directions.

'Hey…they were at the "Info Gave" meeting…that is the head scientist and he is 2nd in command…the other two were monitor technicians if I remember correctly,' Rayne thought watching them all go separate ways. Seeing them, it made her wonder if this was NERV's part in the recon operation. Contemplating if that was their purpose, it didn't seem so.

'Probably more of a day off,' she thought leaning her head back in the chair.

"You ready?" the other police officer asked. He was looking through the computer that was mounted on the central dashboard. Nodding, her partner started the car and both headed to the next sector to patrol.

Makoto, also on his day off, was doing an errand that was not his own. It was for the lavender haired Captain after she did a little sweet talking to him. He sighed out loud from the memory of succumbing to the woman to go retrieve her laundry.

"Wish Misato would pick up her own laundry. I got some pretty embarrassing stares," he said to himself with the laundry in a large paper bag. Reaching an intersection, there was a lot of heavy traffic going across the street. While waiting for the light to change to use the crosswalk, his mind drifted toward other thoughts and things.

At school, it had been a couple of days since the students came back from going to Okinawa. Hikari gave Asuka a souvenir and gave details of the activities of the trip. Though the redhead was still a little peeved about not going, she accepted the present from the Class Rep. Toji and Kensuke went to Shinji who greeted them and asked how their trip was. Both explained in details of the highlights of Okinawa. The male pilot nodded and welcomed them back.

After the hot springs stay, Asuka's attitude toward Shinji did not change. She was still wary of him and would rarely go talk to him unless it was necessary or told to do so. On the other hand, Rei did change. It was as if the events after the "Info-Gave" meeting and the week without seeing the male pilot did not bother her. When Asuka entered the classroom the day after the hot springs, she found the First Child and the Third Child engaging in small talk and sitting next to each other. Observing them after, it was as if Ayanami went back to her old routine with the male pilot. Ignoring them, she would let the blue hair pilot get all the tidbits from the insane male pilot.

"Stand up. Bow. Dismissed," Hikari stated at the end of the last period. All the students complied as the teacher gathered his things and left the classroom. A majority of the students left the classroom afterwards while a couple remained behind. Asuka immediately went to the Class Rep and started talking about heading somewhere to hang out.

"…" Rei said gathering her things and placing them in her bag. Closing it, she looked at Shinji as he made his last notes then closed his laptop. Standing up, she headed over to him. What he said during the comm-link conversation before the Angel battle was on her mind. He picked his bag up and started putting things away.

"Ikari," Ayanami said standing near his desk. Zipping up his backpack, he stood up and turned to her. Both were looking at each other in their usual stoic expressions.

"What can I do for you Miss Ayanami?"

"I enquire your contact information," she said with a blink.

"…!" both Hikari and Asuka said. Both were in ear shot and immediately stopped talking. Looking over at them, neither of their expressions changed.

"Were you unable to retrieve it from Miss Misato?" he asked.

"I haven't been able to. The Captain hasn't been coming home at a time that I remain awake."

"I see…very well," Shinji said. Getting out his flip phone, Rei already had her flip phone in her hand.

"I thought you three being Eva pilots and all, you'd have each other's phone number already," Hikari whispered to Asuka.

"What?! No way. He's just my rival, not my friend," the Second Child whispered sternly back. The Class Rep blinked in surprise.

"…oh…" Hikari said not understanding her friend's reason. Turning to the other two Eva pilots, the male pilot showed the First Child his phone screen in which she began to type into her phone.

"If not…then what Ayanami is doing is-!" the freckled student whispered. Before she could finish, the redhead grabbed her wrist and lead her out of the classroom. She didn't see the frown look on her friend's face as they went down the steps to the school ground level.

"I have them," Rei said. Looking at the mobile number and the landline number, she saved them in her contacts.

"Do you wish to test the mobile number?" he asked in which she nodded. Pressing the dial tone, his flip phone ringed. Both put their phones to their right ear.

"Do you hear me Ikari?" she asked into the cell.

[Back to the last name again…(sigh) what did I do this time?] Shonj said on the line.

"…?!" the female pilot said. Startled, she noticed that the Third Child never moved his lips. He was standing still and staring at her.

"Something wrong Miss Ayanami?" he asked speaking into his phone. She heard his voice doubling from hearing it twice.

'That sounded…like the copy in my dream,' she thought blinking.

[Copy!? I'm the real deal! Not that guy!] the voice stated a bit agitated on her line. Again, Shinji's lips did not move. Thinking about it, their voices didn't sound the same. Remembering that he asked her a question, she brought her phone down.

"No…it sounds different hearing the voice through the phone and at hearing range."

"Indeed," the male pilot stated. Bringing his phone down, he hit the end call button. As he updated the mobile number under the First Child's name, she put her phone in her bag.

"Is there anything else Miss Ayanami?"

"No Ikari."

"Very well. Shall we leave?" he said gesturing to the exit doors.

"Yes."

After grabbing his backpack and putting it on, both left the classroom. Walking down the steps to the school ground, both walked side by side. Reaching the school gate, both would depart in different directions.

"Until we meet again, good day Miss Ayanami," Shinji said with a bow.

"Good…" Rei began to say. About to say the second part of the word, she stopped. Remembering how he said it after being discharged, she switched it to his phrase.

"…day Ikari."

She watched him turn around and began walking away. Thinking about how the past couple of days went by, she felt better that things were back as they were before. Obtaining his phone numbers eased her mind about not being in contact with him. It also gave her opportunity when a curiosity came to mind or attempting to gather information. Looking at his back this time around, it didn't feel cold and distant.

"..." she said. Turning toward the direction of Misato's apartment and walking forward, the corners of her mouth turned up a little. Further up ahead, both Asuka and Hikari were seen walking together.

"It really is annoying to go through these courses again," the Second Child said with a sigh.

"Having gone to college, it must be a breeze now," the Class Rep said.

"If reading kanji wasn't so difficult, then yeah. But what are we suppose to take from them anyway? It isn't like I am going to be using history much in whatever profession I go to."

"What profession were you thinking about Asuka?"

"Knowing my status and fame as an Eva pilot, I bet I'll be in the modeling or acting career afterwards."

"Really?" Hikari stated. She was amazed at how high her friend's goals were.

"Yeah! When all these Angel battles are over with, I'll be the most sought after person in the industry!" the red head said with a smug on her face.

"I think that will probably happen to," the Class Rep stated with a small smile.

"What about you Hikari? What are your dreams?"

"Mine?" the freckled student stated then looked at the ground. She thought about her future from time to time, but wasn't really sure what she wanted to strive for.

"I'm not sure. I haven't thought hard about it."

"I bet you could be in the modeling industry," Asuka stated and looked at her. "You'd have to change your image and Class Rep mentality."

"I don't know."

"How about now? Is there something that you want to achieve?" Asuka asked with her hands behind her head.

"…" Hikari said thinking about it.

Other than finishing high school, there was one person that she wanted to get closer to. However, he was a rather difficult person to approach. About to open her mouth to state it, the Class Rep immediately closed it. Based on the interactions Asuka had with him, she knew what her friend thinks of him. Shaking her head mentally, she looked up and smiled at the redhead.

"Right now, just finishing high school."

"Huh? That's pretty basic. Don't you have anything else?" Asuka stated looking at her.

"Nah. Just that at the moment," she said looking forward and kept a small smile.

After Shinji had walked passed a couple of street blocks, he felt a hand tap his shoulder. Glancing behind, it was Shinzin. Looking back forward, he continued walking.

'Greetings sir. What can I help you with?' he thought with a blink. Feeling the voice's face near his, it started whispering him a phone number. Repeating it again, Shinzin asked if he can recite it. The male pilot was able to recite it without missing a digit.

'Good. Make sure to do your social studies assignment. That number is a direct line to...you know who,' the voice said. Hand taping his shoulder again, he faded away chuckling.

"Yes sir," Shinji said to himself.

Stopping at a payphone, he turned towards it and took out a card from his wallet. Entering a phone card into the machine, he picked up the phone. Not knowing what schedule the Commander was on, calling him to verify if he had time to talk would be sufficient enough for the assignment. Hearing the dial tone, it started changing. It was cutting in and out as if someone was pressing the hook mechanism.

"…" the Third Child said looking at it.

The lever was not being pressed at all as the dial tone started pitch shifting. It started getting lower and lower as its high tone became a barely audible bass sound. Blinking, something started entering his ear. Pulling the phone away a little, his ear seemed attached to it. He stopped pulling and just waited. The object made soft sloshing noises as millions of pointy legs were crawling deeper and deeper into his ear.

"…" Shinji said keeping a stoic face; however, his right eye was twitching more than usual and his breathing became irregular. The unknown object or creature continued going deeper. The more it went, his vision started to go static with either gray or red colors. Blood was felt pouring out of his ear as he didn't pull the phone away.

'…DiAL…My…SeEd…' the dark voice whispered between innocent giggles and death screams.

"…" the male pilot said.

Nodding slowly, he heard it start saying digits between cut outs of white noise and rapid whispering. Lifting up his hand, he commenced pressing a long series of numbers along with star and pound signs. Each digit input made his vision go red before clearing up quickly. It was as if his eyes bled each time he pressed a button. When the voice didn't say anything after the last button pushed, it was a 40 digit number.

"..." the Third Child said breathing deeply. An intense migraine was pulsating all over his head as the thing in his ear and head squirmed. It made both his eyes twitch separately as a mild grimace came to his face. The line went dead for a second before it started dialing.

Ritsuko had made her way back to the NERV building and headed toward a lab. Once there, she entered an observation room. On the other side of the viewing glass, Unit-00 was placed inside the behemoth size room. It was hooked up to a large machine contraption. The doctor told the many technicians and scientists about commencing with the tests of the dummy plug system.

After a couple of trials, there wasn't a complete run. The system seemed to fail prior to the borderline neural connection. Troubleshooting and brain storming with a couple of the scientists in the room, they debated on how to solve the issue and what adjustments to make.

Going to go meet up with Ritsuko, Misato got into an elevator and pressed the level she wanted to go.

"Wait! Hold the elevator," a man shouted down the hallway.

'Ugh…no,' she thought. Moving her hand, she firmly pressed the button to close the elevator doors. The sliding doors almost closed when the man's foot went between them.

'Damn,' the Captain thought as the doors opened up. Kaji walked into the elevator with a smile.

"What are you here for?" Misato asked pressing the level button again.

"I work here if that is what you are asking," he said as the elevator doors started closing again.

"Well well, look at you. Must have friends in high places," she said curling one corner of her mouth down.

"Friends and acquaintances, kind of like us," he said seeing her frown at him. Both listened to the level clicks as the elevator went down.

In a main line electrical room of Neo-Tokyo, two unknown and masked individuals were setting up an electronic device to the city's main transformers. The equipment would connect to the entire electrical grid and generate an EMP strong enough to blackout the entire city. Just about to turn on the device, one of the individual's cell phone rang. The only person that had their number was their superior. If he was calling them, it must mean an emergency or change of plans.

"Agent Folan speaking," one of the masked men said bring the mobile phone to his ear.

[…] the line was dead silent. Waiting for a bit, still nothing sounded.

"Colonel?"

[…] the line then sounded as if someone picked up. Someone breathed in softly.

"Coronel, what is it?" the Agent asked firmly. He suddenly felt a soft ping in his head then multiple screaming and sounds of people dying.

[IIIIIIIIII%$^#$SSSSEEEEEEEEEEE#$^!#$YYYYYYOOOOOUUUUUUU!] a blood lurching scream came. The feeling of something stabbing into the Agent's ear came at the same time.

"Gah!" Folan said. Pulling the cell phone from his ear, he hit the end button.

"Hey…what's wrong? What did the colonel want?" the other agent asked. His partner was breathing heavily while looking at his phone.

"Hell if I know. Just turn on the device and let's get out of here," he said putting his phone away.

As he did that, he heard the device being turned on. A small hum from the machine indicated activation. A few seconds after, the sound of the transformers running went silent. The electrical room then went dark. A couple of seconds passed until red lighting came on for the emergency battery back-up.

In the NERV lab, all the lights went off then the backups dimmed on. Everyone was staring at Ritsuko as she felt awkward at all of their stares. Ordering the group to follow emergency procedures, the lab occupants started moving around. She began trying to get some power up and running for a computer. The elevator that both Misato and Kaji were on suddenly stopped and the lights went out. Emergency lights dimmed on casting everything inside in red.

"H-Hey, what is going on?" Misato stated.

"Looks like the power went out" Kaji stated looking up a little.

"This isn't your idea, is it?" she asked feeling a little apprehensive.

"Hey! What kind of man do you take me for?" he stated as both tried to figure out a way to get out.

"Huh?" Makoto said noticing the power went out.

Blinking, he looked around to see that the city went silent. After looking around for a minute, an automobile was slowing going through the streets announcing that a blackout happened and all communications were down. Realizing what that signified and the usual outcome of something of this scale, he believed there would be an Angel attack soon. He made his way to the vehicle to get a ride to base. On a different street, a police patrol car stopped.

"Looks like the power went out," the male cop said getting out of the vehicle and looking around.

"Seems that way," Rayne said doing the same thing. Anything that would be showing a display or message via electricity was down. Even the public phones were out as well.

"It is strange though. I didn't see a notice for a planned blackout in the middle of the day. Do you think something is wrong with one of the plants?"

"Possibly," she said. A thought occurred about if the entire grid got knocked out.

"Do you know where the main transformers would be?"

"Just a minute," he said going back into the car. Bringing up a map on the computer, he was able to locate the general building area of the city's main power. Rayne got into the car as he pointed it out.

"It's one of the mains with a central crossover unit. It is about ten minutes away."

"Let's head there. I'll inform any nearby units to pass the message about heading toward main power stations to check for any damages," Rayne said. Picking up the car walkie, she changed the setting to a broadcast to all available police cars. Her partner started the car and sped off to the nearest main city power station.

With their job done, they were about to get out of there when the other agent's cell phone rang. For some strange reason, Agent Folan felt something was lurking around them. Getting out his pistol, he turned around and scanned around seeing only red and shadows. He also noticed that it was deathly quiet and still which made him uneasy. The other agent answered the call and brought his mobile phone to his ear.

"Agent Talon speaking."

[…tElL…mE…dO…YoU…kNoW…wHeRe…CaSsIe…Is?] an corrupted sounding voice breathed on the other line.

"…!?" he said freezing in place.

[…daddy?] a voice came over the line. It sounded like a familiar small girl.

"WHO IS THIS!?" he suddenly shouted.

[…no…stay away…daddy…daddy!?] the little girl said frightened. The other person on the line made sounds of chomping its teeth together rapidly.

"YOU DO ANYTHING TO MY DA-!" the agent said in raged. He was cut off when he was suddenly slugged in the face. Falling to the ground, he looked up. His partner immediately grabbing him and stood him up.

"What the hell are you doing!?" Agent Folan whispered sternly with a gun in hand. "Are you trying to announce our presence!? Let's get out of here first!"

"Some psycho has my daughter. I need to…"

"No. We complete this mission first on getting out of here. Then, we-"

"No. Let go of me," Agent Talon stated. Breaking the other's grip, he stepped back. Getting out his handgun, he pointed it at his partner. The other agent backed off.

"Knock it off man. We need to get out of here now!"

"…" the other agent said.

Watching his partner, he slowly went back to his cell phone that fell to the ground. Agent Folan heard something shuffling around where his partner was. His eyes widen to see a shadow silhouette converging closer and closer to the other man's back. It grew in size until he couldn't see his partner. Not even shouting to warn him, he started shooting it. A couple shots hit the dark silhouette and it fell to the ground. Oddly, the agent didn't see his partner.

"…why…why did he shoot me in the back?" Agent Talon whispered painfully. He felt that the bullets fired hit vital areas. Looking up at the phone nearby, he reached for it with his pistol. The closer it got, he could hear the sinister person talking again.

[…k…I…l…L…h…I…m…D…a…U…g…H…t…E…r…L…i…V…e…S…y…E…s…?] it stated in distortion with white noise in the background.

"…" Agent Talon said.

Breathing harshly, he slowly rolled over onto his back. His partner was walking closer and closer while pointing his gun at him. Gritting his teeth and lifting up his pistol, he slowly aimed at his partner's head. Just as Agent Folan got closer, he blinked. The dark silhouette was replaced with his partner down on the ground bleeding.

"Wha—" That was all he got out before a bullet shot him in the head. Falling backwards, he hit the floor dead. Dropping his hand to the ground and breathing haggardly, he grimaced painfully rolling over to be near his phone.

[Daddy!] his daughter stated excitedly.

[Daddy…Daddy…Daddy…Daddy…Daddy…] she rooted for him making him smile.

He felt everything around him start to get cold and dark. His hearing started fading as his daughter's voice started getting quieter and quieter. Closing his eyes, everything became black. About to let out a shallow breath, something deathly cold and full of malice reached into his mind. It showed him something so morbid his eyes shot open with terror.

[DADDY! DAAAADDDDDDYYYY! DA#$%# DDY! D...A...D...D...Y! DA #$DD #$ YYYY!] the evil voice screamed louder and louder till it made the audio glitch and bleep as the agent died.

"…" Shinji said hearing the short death gasp on the other end.

He heard the evil voice giggle in distortion and static white noise in the background. Blinking and thinking that the call was completed, he tried removing his cell phone. He was able to though something felt off. Looking with his eyes, he slowly brought the mobile phone in front of him. Attached to the receiving end was a long flesh attachment.

It was black and littered with short sharp legs that wiggled with blood all over them. As he continued, part of an ear canal, esophagus, a tongue, teeth, gums, and other parts of the oral areas were attached to the black flesh. Red iron liquid was dripping profusely from the entire attachment as well from his ear. The rate of flow was a bit alarming as it made his pulse beat a little faster. Thinking quickly, he reversed himself putting the phone slowly back to his ear.

Goosebumps littered his body feeling all the internally parts squeeze through his ear. Once feeling the receiving end of the flip phone on his ear, a wet suction pop was heard. The black flesh slowly retracted out of his head and ear. Feeling his eyes not twitching, he removed the phone again. The attachment was gone yet a pool of blood was on the floor. His clothes were still freshly stained and smelled of iron from his ear down to his shoes on one side.

"…" Shinji said blinking and putting the phone back in his pocket.

A wet slosh was heard when the cell went down. Putting his hand into his pocket a little and pulling it in front of him, his fingers were stained with crimson. Looking back at the pay phone, it was off-line with no power. Turning around, he looked around to see that something seemed amiss. Looking down the street to his right then left, he spotted something relatively close by and started jogging to it.

"Hey," Asuka said putting her hands down at her side. "The power is out."

"Yeah, it does look like it. I didn't hear of a scheduled blackout on the news," Hikari stated looking around.

'Everything is out,' the Second Child stated. Looking down the street and further, nothing had power. Something about it seemed fishy as the Angel alarm wouldn't be able to sound if the entire grind was out. Both of them heard someone running to them. Turning around, it was Rei.

"Pilot Souryu, it is probably advised we head to NERV in case of an Angel attack," she stated with a stoic face.

"Huh, I was just thinking the same thing."

"Should we meet up with Ikari and head to NERV together?"

"That will take too much time. He is probably already heading there anyway. Hikari, you go find shelter just in case there is an Angel attack. Do you know the nearest one around here?" Asuka asked.

"I think I do. It should be somewhat close by."

"Good. Let's go Wondergirl," Asuka said turning toward the First Child.

"…" Rei said narrowing her eyes at the Second Child.

Before any of the females moved, the sound of a car speeding up was heard. Turning toward it, a large matte black sedan was getting closer to where they were. It was a Lincoln LS with missing hub caps. Despite the rough look, the vehicle didn't look beat up or sound broken. The windows were tinted a little which obscured the driver though they could tell it was a male. The car slowed to a stop next to them. The driver door opened and the Third Child stepped out. Taking his sunglasses off, he bowed.

"…?!" Asuka said in surprise.

"Ikari?" Rei said blinking in surprise.

'This feels like last time...,' Hikari thought feeling herself getting a small rush.

"Greetings madams. Would you all care for a lift?" Shinji said impassively hand gesturing to the large sedan.