Chapter 127: Frustration…Again
The rest of the school day proceeded as normal. When the last class ended, students started to pack their things. A couple of students went to the new transfer student asking if he had any questions regarding anything. Politely stating that if he had further questions he would ask them, the students nodded and walked away. Kaworu watched as the Class Rep went toward the few students at the front of the classroom. Seeing even the Fourth Child and his friend join them, he tuned in to listen to them. Gathering the small amount of materials he required throughout the day gave the appearance that he was organizing.
"Greetings Ms. Horaki…gentlemen," Shinji said turning his head to them. Rana and Ayanami were standing near him as the other three joined them.
"Hi…Asuka did not come to school today," Hikari asked looking at all of them. "Is she okay?"
"Pilot Souryu is recuperating from the last Angel battle," Rei stated neutrally. The Class Rep's expression started to become worried.
"S-She's doing fine. Nothing to worry about," Toji said putting his hands up and waving them a little at her.
"…" the Class Rep said looking still tense and worried.
"Asuka is in good hands," Rana added in with a small smile. "NERV will get her to 110%."
"I know that given how Ikari has recovered in their care," she said turning toward him. Seeing him stare at her with a stoic expression did not give her any comfort.
"Right?"
"…" he answered giving a blink before answering. "Yes Miss Hokari. Miss Souryu will recover in due time. Also given her temperament, she will not want to be in bed all day."
"…yeah…" she agreed with a smile. "Knowing her, she'll be back on her feet…could…could I visit her if she is there for more than a couple of days?"
"…" everyone said then looked at one another. Only Shinji did not look back at everyone and gave a small nod.
"We will ask our superiors for a special visitation; however, NERV will not readily honor a visit for a friend," the Third Child said then blinked. "As a Class Representative giving out missed school work...chances are better Miss Hokari."
"…" she said smiling at him then looking at all of them. "Okay! Thank you!"
'Strange,' Kaworu thought raking the booklets and loose papers a couple of times before grabbing them.
'Reports stated that he is generally apathetic and does not offer anyone extra information…there were also reports that he has a phobia of being touched or people within his personal space…and yet…he is not doing what is reported,' he pondered watching them stand relatively close to each other.
The aspect that information was out dated or in error was mildly irritating. Seeing the Class Rep and the bespectacled student walk away from them, the group started heading toward the front door of the classroom. Standing up with his items in hand, Kaworu headed in the same direction the group was going. Even though there was still a distance between them, the gray-haired teen was still listening in on them.
"Man…why do we have to do another synch test?" Toji asked with a frown as the group headed toward the school gate. "Didn't we do one a couple of days ago?"
"…" Shinji said blinking then nodded his head.
"Don't you guys think the new kid is acting a little weird?" he whispered to them.
"In what way Pilot Suzuhara?" Ayanami asked not turning toward him. She knew that the replacement pilot was following them from behind.
"If we are all going to the same place, he should just come join us right?"
"Maybe he is just a shy type?" Rana added. Glancing back, she blinked a couple of times then seemed to look around.
"Something the matter Miss Rana?" the Third Child asked stopping and turning toward the female twin.
"…" she replied continuing to search and finding nothing behind them or following them.
'I could have sworn he was following us some distance away…where did he vanish to?'
"…hey…where…" the Fourth Child said turning fully back seeing him not there. Blinking in surprise, he scratched his head.
"…" Rei commemted keeping her stoic face knowing where he was.
"…" Shinji mentioned not hearing or feeling anything from the dark clone.
Not too bothered by the silence, it did make him focus again on reacting to his own thoughts and answers faster. Given that was part of what the corrupted voice told him to do, he complied regardless of his own outlook of what it stated. Blinking from feeling a hand grab and hold his, he turned to the First Child.
"Yes Miss Ayanami?"
"He will meet us there," she said turning to him.
"I see…then we should continue then," he stated with a small nod.
"Yes," she agreed feeling a little better from holding his hand. Sensing the other two turning back toward them, she let go of his hand. As the four continued toward their way to NERV, someone watched them from a rooftop of a building nearby.
'…before that…I will observe from above to see what humans have to offer,' Kaworu pondered. Looking around and going in one direction, he began exploring the city. Knowing where the First Child would be, he monitored her location. The closer she got to the NERV surface entrance, he would change course. He wanted to be the first one there before the other pilots got there.
At NERV HQ, there was a definite change since Unit-01 was placed in Terminal Dogma. The maintenance group and technical staff reported less paranoia events. Their morale increased as well which had increased productivity and duration of technicians working on the Evas. The medical facility psychiatrists and other medical personnel had less visits from staff on the operations side. With the lower number of employees entering, they found themselves going back to menial tasks. The ones that were part of the Second Child's recovery team got to skip out on those menial tasks.
Going down a hallway, both Misato and Ritsuko were heading towards the cafeteria. Taking a break from the amount of paperwork they were dealing with, both looked a little tired. Turning the corner, a couple of people were walking in the opposite direction.
"Afternoon," a couple of maintenance techs stated passing by both of them.
"Afternoon," the Major replied with Dr. Akagi giving a small nod. Walking away from them, the lavender haired woman looked at her friend.
"Amazing to believe that just from moving Unit-01, everyone's troubles and complaints went down sharply."
"It would if the root factor is removed from the environment," the faux blonde stated glancing back at the lavender haired woman before looking back at her clipboard.
"How much analysis were you able to do of that Eva before it got sent to Terminal Dogma?"
"Not much from its physical body or mental scanning. I was only able to analyze the recordings that were done during the Angel battle."
"Recordings?"
"Yes. Recordings of brain-wave frequencies. At the time, there were distinct differences between the Unit, the pilot, and the Angel. There were a couple of points were all three were in synch with each other."
"Any of it point to the Unit being possessed by a monster, a demon, or another Angel?"
"In technicality, all the Units would be considered monsters based on how they were constructed. Depending on who you talk to, one could argue that the Evas are either Angels or demons."
"Yeah?" Misato asked as they went down another hallway seeing the mess hall at the other end. "I have a couple of questions...why did, whatever is in Unit-01, take the form of Shinji? Also, how was it possible that being in the Eva? Why did Shinji tell you about understanding the Dummy Plug System?"
"..." Ritsuko answered thinking about the first two questions. Only blinking and processing the third question as something that she was curious about, she decided to answer vaguely.
"His statement about the Dummy Plug System is improbable."
"Okay…Why is that?"
"If you are granted the security clearance for that information, I would gladly tell you."
"…" Misato said frowning a little. "Keeping secrets till then end huh?"
"…" Ritsuko replied stopping and turning toward the Major with a frown of her own. "With all due respect Major, I wouldn't accuse someone of keeping secrets when you have your own secrets."
"Oh really?" she asked. Stopping and turning toward her, she crossed her arms over her chest. "What secrets would those be?"
"Why did you not inform the staff about the Sixth Child being chosen and approved, by you, in less than 24 hours of notification?" Dr. Akagi stated with an even tone and expression.
"That is a load of bull and you know it. I don't have that authority to approve pilots without higher signatures of Command. One being you Rits."
"…" Ritsuko said staring at her. Going to her clipboard, she pulled out a few papers that were stapled together. Handing them to the Major, Misato only looked at them keeping her arms still crossed.
"What's this?"
"Papers laced with poison," the faux blonde stated blinking. "Documents of the selectee for the Sixth Child…with those higher signatures of Command…including mine, Misato."
"…?" the Major said taking hold of the documents and looking at the profile. Blinking at the photo, the teen boy reminded her of someone.
"Someone related to Rei?" Misato asked looking back at the scientist. Pausing a little, the faux blonde was still staring at her with the same expression. From the years knowing each other, she knew when her friend was irritated. Deciding to ignore all the details and scan through the documents, she saw something that made her do a double-take.
'Wait a minute,' she thought looking closer at the signatures. '…I already…signed this? When!?'
"Found something peculiar Misato?"
"Well…it looks to be my signature when I know for damn sure I did not sign this," she said looking up. Her friend's expression was still the same as she leaned forward to her.
"Why not look at the other signatures."
"…?" Misato replied looking back down. When it came to the Commander's signature, it was there with his stamp of approval on it. Going to where Ritsuko needed to put her signature, it was there to. However, something about it was familiar. Realizing what it was, there were only a small number people close to both that could recognize the difference.
"…!?" she said looking back up to see Ritsuko continue to have the same face while staring at her.
"Oh?…Found something?"
"I…I did not do this. I swear I didn't!" Misato stated seriously without a hint of guilt.
"Really? Who else makes that kind of signature?"
"…I…know…but it wasn't me! I swear to god it wasn't me."
"…" Ritsuko reacted narrowing her eyes at her for a couple of seconds before turning down the hallway. Sighing out loudly, she started walking away in which Misato matched her speed and walked beside her.
"Whatever. It doesn't matter now since it has already been approved. The Sixth Child will be here with the other pilots for their synch test and training programs."
"…" the Major commented still trying to understand how something of a pilot selection went through the approvals so quickly and got all the signatures needed without being alerted. Shaking her head, she pushed the pondering on that aside for now.
"Seems too much of a coincidence that as soon as Asuka is placed in medical hold, a replacement shows up."
"Someone else is pulling strings to get things moving quickly," Ritsuko thought continuing down the hallway.
"I bet this pilot is a plant from SEELE."
"Oh? Like how the ex-officer was?"
"Unlike Rayne who I think was forced to, this new kid looks like a version of Rei. Probably SEELE's Eva pilot selectee for a long time."
"Hmm…makes you wonder what is going on behind the scenes."
"Are you saying that for real or just your usual lead in but not saying anything tone?"
"Maybe," Ritsuko answered hearing her friend groan in irritation. Both entered the cafeteria and grabbed a beverage and snack. Sitting down at a table, Misato looked around while the scientist kept thinking about their last statements just now.
Despite getting a smirk from recalling Misato's groaning, the aspect of the Sixth Child did make her suspicious. A hypothesis formed in her mind of what the new pilot was and from where did he come from. Based on the history given about the Sixth Child, it was similar to Ayanami's including the non-existent birthday, origin of birth, place of birth, and any information regarding growing up. All of it reeked of something foreboding to happen. Guessing what the new pilot was, she kept the thought to herself taking a sip of her beverage.
After a period of time, Misato was notified that the new pilot had arrived on base. By the time she got to the ground level main lobby area, Kaworu was standing nearby a security staffer who was escorting him. Taking over, Misato gave him a tour of the base.
"If you have any questions, feel free to ask me or any of the other staffers in your time here with us," she said as both headed toward an elevator.
"I do have one question that I am curious about," Kaworu stated with a friendly smile.
"Shoot," the Major said as both stepped into an elevator.
"Can you tell me about the other pilots?"
"…" Misato replied as the elevators closed and the lift started to descend. "As in?"
"Just general aspects."
"You mean just an opinion of each?"
"That would work too."
"…" she mentioned feeling suspicious of him already. Stopping herself from reacting, she stepped backwards to a sidewall and leaned back on it.
"Alright…let's see. First Child Rei Ayanami…is a bit of a loner, methodical, logic based individual that has been mostly sheltered. Second Child Asuka Langely Souryu would be Ayanami's counterpart in terms of personality and mannerisms. Fourth Child Toji Suzuhara is a male in his adolescence though cares for his family. Fifth Child Rayne Hymity is an ex-police officer and is resourceful," Misato said. The lift had stopped and the doors opened. Walking out, the remaining person followed.
"What about the remaining pilots?" he asked. He didn't notice her face tensing or that her mind was working harder. Glancing at her, her face looked in deep thought before responding.
"Back up pilot…Rana Ikari is similar to the Second Child but a couple of degrees lower in intensity. The Third Child…Shinji Ikari…well…other than is peculiar mannerisms and behavior as a butler…he is an oddball."
"That's rather short descriptions of everyone," Kaworu stated neither pleased nor irritated from the descriptions.
"You should be able to form your own opinions and relationships with the other pilots over time," Misato stated as both headed toward the locker room area. Seeing someone in the distance, Dr. Akagi was spotted seemingly waiting outside of the male locker room. In her hands was her usual clipboard and a dark colored plug suit. As the two approached her, she turned toward them with a neutral expression on her face.
"This is the Sixth Child?" Ritsuko asked seeing Misato nod.
"Kaworu Nagisa. Nice to meet you Dr. Akagi," the grey haired male teen stated with a friendly smile.
"How do you do. Until the other pilots arrived, let us go over a briefing of what will be done during this synch test and the operation of your plug suit," the faux blonde stated.
After another period of time passed, the remaining pilots entered the NERV base. Instructed to head for the locker rooms, all complied and reached there within a few minutes. Changing into their plug suits, they headed toward the synch test chamber room. Upon reaching it and entering the lab, Misato and Ritsuko were seen showing the new pilot a couple of things in the observation room. Hearing the door closed, the three saw that the rest of the pilots were here.
"All the children are here, good," Ritsuko said watching the teens come towards them. Stopping in front of them, she made a hand gesture to the new pilot.
"Other than for you Pilot Hymity, this is the Sixth Child, Kaworu Nagisa. He will be replacing the Second Child for the time being until she recovers and clears from medical."
"Hello," Rayne greeted with a head nod.
"Hello," Kaworu repeated with a small smile.
'So that is the prototype the old men keep talking about,' he thought seeing the unnatural eye color of hers. It reminded him of the dreams of being surrounded by a murky orange sea. Though it never bothered him, it had a distinct smell that only happened when humans bled.
'And I am her successor…however based on SEELE's file on her…she is a failed experiment and deemed not a threat. One of the committee members stated that her construction was slighty different than my own. However, she is similar to Ayanami and me than that of a human,' he pondered in his mind seeing her only blink at him with a neutral facial expression.
"All right, let's have three go first followed by the next three," Ritsuko stated and motioned toward the metal door that would take the pilots to the synch test entry plugs.
In the first round, Ayanami, Kaworu, and Toji went first. The synch ratio for both Ayanami and Toji had improved a little over the last test they did. However, the new pilot outshined all of them for having a very high synch ratio. In comparison to Asuka's prior to the last Angel battle, Kaworu was at or above the Second Child's. Despite how impressive it looked to some of the techs and staff, Misato was not.
'Definitely not normal,' she thought crossing her arms over her chest. Her suspicion only became bolder of the new pilot. Looking over at Ritsuko, her facial expression was the same neutral expression. Glancing over at the other pilots, Rana looked impressed. Both Shinji and Rayne did not express anything as the continued to watch in silence.
"All right. That is good. 1st group come out and swap with 2nd group," Dr. Akagi ordered.
In the second round, Rana, Shinji, and Rayne went next. Overall, all three pilots increased their ratio percentage. However in compassion to where the Third Child use to be at, there was still a big gap. Nevertheless, the improvement was documented. Kaworu noticed that the staff was a little on edge though did not know or see why they would be. Hearing the Major and scientist mutter to each other, he focused his hearing more on them.
"I'm still anticipating his double to start talking or altering things," Misato whispered with a shiver.
"It shouldn't be able to interfere give its location. The amount of interference between down there to up here and at the surface, would disable any possibilities," Ritsuko stated quietly.
"That's reassuring. Did it ever come during the last synch test?"
"…" Dr. Akagi replied and gave her a deadpan look.
"A simple yes would work too you know."
"...yes..." Ritsuko answered. She then spoke out loud for readouts from the staff.
'His double?' Kaworu pondered looking at the twins. 'His twin sister would be the logical aspect of being his double…however…they mentioned that the double was somewhere far below…that would indicate a third identical Third Child.'
'Why are there so many gaps in the information the old men have provided?' he thought feeling his face become a little tense.
Hearing the head scientist speak again, he shook his head internally. Dr. Akagi stated for the second group to come back to the control room. From there, she mentioned about a couple of tests that she wanted to conduct. After an hour or so, both groups completed the tasks that were given to them. Being dismissed, the pilots headed back to the locker rooms to change. The boys and girls split into their designated sides.
Toji and Shinji changed in the same locker aisle. Both used lockers on opposite sides to not look at each other while changing. Seeing this and curious at their behavior, Kaworu opened up the locker he used and took out his items. Instead of changing at where he was, he decided to move toward them. Heading toward where the Third Child was, he saw him retrieve his things out of the locker. The Fourth Child did the same. Setting their clothes on the bench, they began to depressurize their plug suits.
"May I change here?" Kaworu asked seeing that the Third Child grabbed the collar portion of his suit.
"…" Toji said pausing himself from pulling down on his suit. His ear picked up and kept a slight glance at them. Something in his mind was shooting off red flags.
"If you wish to," Shinji commented pulling his suit collar out wide enough. Getting the arm and leg segments out, the one-piece dropped to the floor.
"…" Kaworu said looking him up and down while depressurizing his suit and getting out of it.
'Oi-oi!' the Fourth Child thought feeling uncomfortable based on the actions that the new pilot just did. Turning his head back his own locker, he gritted his teeth and started getting out of his plug suit.
'The scars are not life threatening…his skin tone is pale, but darker than mine…has a rather rough look to the overall body…what is so special about this human that makes the old men see him as dangerous…I don't understand.'
"Is there something I can do for Mr. Kaworu?" the Third Child asked bending down to put on his boxers.
"…" he reacted feeling caught staring and smiled. He started putting his clothes on but kept looking over.
"Sorry. It is just you have a lot of scars on your body."
'…damn it…' Toji thought cringing while he put on his clothes. 'That's a red flag man.'
"That I do."
"The ones on your inner thighs look painful."
'Definite red flag! Shin-man, you better set him straight!' the jock thought not moving from where he was and getting angry.
"…" Shinji mentioned turning his eyes to look at Kaworu who was smiling at him. Blinking, he went back to putting on his shirt.
"If I recall, they were unpleasant."
"Would you mind if I touched the one on your neck?"
"I would sir. Please don't," he replied calmly and started putting on his pants. The Fourth Child took deep breathes and tried to uncoil his hands that were in fists.
"Would you tell me about it?" Kaworu asked still curious and intrigued by his behavior.
"I rather not."
"..." the Sixth Child said moving his head side to side a little. "Sorry, I am a bit nosy."
"I see," Shinji stated putting on his belt. "Is there anything else sir?"
"You don't mind me asking questions do you?"
"If it is to help you with something Mr. Kaworu, I do not mind."
"That's nice of you," Kaworu memtioned closing his locker.
'That only invites him to pester you more,' the jock thought finishing with getting his clothes on.
He felt a bit comfortable knowing that he was covered and not having someone prey their eyes on him. Getting out his backpack, he set it on the bench. Turning around and sitting down, he started to put on his shoes. It also gave him a view of the two to see when he needed to intervene.
Seeing Shinji close his locker and put his backpack on the bench near him, the Sixth Child was still curious. Closing his locker and putting on his shoes, he walked closer. Getting to be less than an arm's length away, the Third Child slowly got up from putting on and tying his shoes. He slowly turned to the grey haired boy with a stoic expression and blinked. Toji stood up as well and made it obvious that he was watching them.
'…?' Kaworu thought sensing hostility from the Fourth Child, but did not know why. Seeing the Fourth Child cross his arms over his chest, a small frown appeared on his face looking at him. Not expecting that type of reaction, he turned back to the Third Child.
"Yes Mr. Kaworu?"
"I want to ask questions regarding about yourself."
"For what purpose sir?"
"I want to know you better. You're interesting," he said with a friendly smile.
'Shit man! I knew it! This new guy smelled homo when I first saw him,' Toji thought out loud and cringing a little. Instead of reacting by pushing the new pilot away and giving a piece of his mind, he stopped. Knowing that Shinji could take care of himself, he was curious what route he would take.
"…" the Third Child commented and didn't change his expression. He only blinked and stared back.
"I see."
"Do you like me?"
"I neither like nor dislike you sir."
"Oh? Why do you say that?"
"I don't have an opinion of you yet."
"Why not ask me questions so you can get to know me better?"
"I do not have a desire to sir."
"…?" Kaworu reacted a little surprised and blinking. "Aren't you a little curious?"
"No," the Third Child said with a stoic tone and didn't blink.
'Yeah that's right! You tell'em!' Toji thought with a small smirk on his face.
"…" Kaworu said a little perplexed at how odd his behavior was. Compared to the notes that SEELE stated how the Third Child should being acting, it was too different, unpredictable, and unapproachable. Feeling tension inside of him, the Sixth Child did not show it or expressed it.
"Is there anything else Mr. Kaworu?" Shinji asked with a blink.
"Are you going to keep saying that until I stop asking you questions?"
"If you have no questions, then I will depart and bid you a good day."
"What if I keep asking you questions regardless if you answer them or not?" he asked with a friendly smile.
"I will keep answering them to the best of my abilities until you are finished asking them."
"Don't you think that would problematic if I kept asking you questions for minutes on end? Maybe a half an hour? Maybe an hour or more?"
"…" the Third Child replied then tilted his head to the right. A loud grotesque snap and pop came from his neck that echoed loudly in the locker room. Toji flinched and looked at the Third Child with startled eyes. Kaworu blinked with raised eyebrows from not knowing that behavior and thought the male pilot snapped his own neck.
"I do not see it as problematic sir," the dark magenta eye pilot stated without blinking at the Sixth Child.
"You…don't?" Kaworu stated surprised and feeling an odd sense of tension again. "Why do you say that?"
"Miss Ayanami has done so before," he stated moving his head back straight. Another loud audible bursting crack emitted from his neck.
"That ain't normal Shin-man," the Fourth Child stated feeling goosebumps on his arms. Instead of turning toward him, only Shinji's eyes slowly moved toward him and stared.
"My apologies Mr. Suzuhara…shall I not do that in front of your presence?"
"Do you have to do that?"
"Given how my body is sir, yes. It relieves tension," he said blinking slowly.
"You said Ayanami has done so before?" Kaworu continued ignoring the tangent that occurred. Watching his eyes slowly move to look back at him, the tension inside of him was still present. No matter how many times he pushed it aside, it continued to comeback.
"Yes Mr. Kaworu. If I recall correctly, Miss Ayanami did a four hour Q discussion with me while I escorted her home one evening," the Third Child answered with a blink.
'Four hours!?' both Toji and Kaworu thought in surprise at the same time.
"Is there anything else sir?"
"…" the new pilot said staring at him with another surprised look on his face. Blinking, he shook his head side to side slightly.
"Very well," Shinji said with a bow. "Good day."
The Third Child put on his backpack and walked out of the locker room. Toji grabbed his bag and caught up with the male pilot and left the locker room as well. Blinking, Kaworu stared at the floor lost in the thought.
'He changed her…or she changed herself through him,' he thought walking out of the locker room. 'I still can't determine which.'
Opening the door, he saw that the other pilots were outside in a circle talking with one another. All of them seemed to have a factor in connecting themselves toward the Third Child. It perplexed him still in how could he affect their lives based on the soulless feeling he got from him. Looking at the female twin, he still felt she was the one that was real and alive.
However, the twin was not male but a female. The personality it exhibited seemed closer to what the Third Child's behavior was suppose to be. Despite that, both of them together showed opposite aspects between them. Then there was the aspect of a third identical sibling that was somewhere below the base. The more he thought about and stared at them, the more his mind started to hurt from getting unanswered questions.
'…I don't understand…' he said feeling frustrated and clenching his hands into fists.