A/N: Well, here it is everyone, Chapter 1 of FTWL. Like I said some months ago, I would come back to it, and I am proud of it. I do hope this is as good and engaging as the original. Please review and let me know what you think; I appreciate feedback on my work—also, thanks to BlandestNightmare for beta reading. Without further ado, let's get right into it.
Chapter 1: The Arrival
Kaji stood outside some apartment complex, leaning on his car. He watched the building cautiously, as well as his surroundings. White mist exited from his mouth. He was wearing a jacket, beanie, and gloves, trying to protect himself from the endless winter of Germany. He took a drag from his cigarette as he checked his watch. It read 5:45 a.m.
He had now grown tired of standing outside and opened his car door, making himself comfortable inside while he waited for her. He turned on the radio, hoping to entertain himself with some music. After some thumping, his attention was redirected to his window. A girl was outside, wearing a red jacket and giving him a furious look.
The man unlocked the door, and all hell broke loose.
"What were you waiting for? That I freeze to death?" She said as she took off her jacket, revealing an orange blouse top with black buttons.
Kaji gave her an unsurprised look. "Morning to you too." He looked at her as he turned the ignition; she wasn't happy with the comment. "Come on, cheer up. Can't have you like that, especially on a day like this."
The girl's mood changed as she remembered what today was.
As they drove towards the airport, she couldn't ignore the miles of concrete that separated East from West. "I hate coming back here." She stated as she kept looking at the wall.
Kaji remained silent at Asuka's comment. She looked at him, curious as to why there was no response. "Why are you quiet? Something happened?"
"No, just not in a talkative mood right now, especially being in this place. You never know where the Stasi could be."
"Fair." She kept looking at the wall. The Berlin Wall surrounded the entirety of West Berlin. It was almost impossible to escape into the West, it was a deathwish. As they left the city, and entered the grassy fields close to the airport, the wall was now fences with barbed wire, and guard towers.
They arrived at Berlin Schönefeld Airport. Kaji parked the car, taking the luggage out as Asuka stretched her limbs.
"A little help?" Kaji said as he struggled with the luggage. The girl smiled at him and walked away, leaving the agent dumbstruck.
Both checked in their luggage and took their tickets. Kaji had gone about checking some stuff related to the mission and making some calls. Asuka had gone to the gates and stumbled upon a bar.
She sat down on the barstool. "Give me some Gold brand Whisky," Asuka asked in German. Her attention grew on the TV, "Can you turn up the volume?"
In other news, the French state has completely collapsed, with the militia forces and NATO troops withdrawing from French territory. The victory of the French Socialist Republic was achieved even with the loss of Brigadier General Winthrop four months ago, who was found dead in his apartment. The cause of death is still unknown. We will keep the German public updated on the defeat of the West…
Asuka's hand began to shake as she held her whisky. Her eyes remained glued to the TV, even after the news had passed, showing now some propaganda. She rose from the stool, left her drink, and went outside.
She barged out the door and began to look in her purse. "Come on, where is it?" She moved her hand, desperately looking for her cigarettes. She put one in her mouth upon finding them, also picking up her lighter.
She clicked and clicked, but nothing came. Her desperation was getting ahold of her. "Come on, come on, dammit!" she threw the lighter against the wall. She leaned against the railing, overlooking the runway.
"Sorry."
The girl turned around, looking at Kaji with a lighter in hand. She closed the distance, and he lit her ciggie, taking a drag before exhaling. "I know I should have told you."
"You knew? Why didn't you tell me? I am a twenty-one-year-old woman. I am not a teenager. They can trust me, so why don't they? Why withhold information about my actions during that time?" Asuka asked Kaji.
Kaji lit his own and placed it in his mouth. "I didn't want you to outburst once again. I think this is a good time to practice our thing, don't you think?"
Asuka gave in and nodded. "So, the boss just gives me extra work, and he then fires me after everything I did?" The words they used were crafted scenarios, made to deter any suspicion.
"Sometimes, our actions won't be enough. They might already be ready to make that choice," Kaji said as he released the smoke from his mouth. "I wanted to tell you, but the higher-ups told me not due to your little aggravation with your coworker."
"That bastard had it coming. He insulted my country and my job. I know what I do, and I'm damn sure not going to let a lowlife tell me shit like that."
"What you did won't go unnoticed. Move on from it and focus on the future."
Kaji placed a hand on her shoulders, comforting her.
FLIGHT 02 TO MOSCOW IS NOW BOARDING
"That's us. Let's go, kid."
Kaji departed, leaving Asuka alone. She took a drag from her ciggie and then dropped it on the ground and left.
Once they boarded the plane, she fell asleep, her mind racing with the past.
It was dark, and it was pouring rain. The man had a stern look on his face. I looked at my hands, trying to find something entertaining. We had been driving for miles. All I could only see were trees illuminated by the headlights. Before I knew it, the car had stopped.
"We are here." The man said into his earpiece. He got out of the car and opened my door. In front of me was a door leading underground.
As I walked down, I noticed various other people, some wearing military uniforms, others having casual and formal clothing, but one thing they all had were earpieces. As I turned a corner, I saw him and ran towards him, quickly embracing him.
"Hey there, kid," Kaji said as he hugged me. "Ready for the meeting."
I nodded.
"Great, remember it's only formal questioning; tell them what you know. It will all be fine. I am right behind you."
He opened the door, and we walked in. It was a dimly lighted room. In front of us, there was a table with five people: three men and two females. I sat down in front of them, waiting patiently for the questions.
"Welcome, Ms. Soryu. I think you already know why you are here. Before we begin with the questions, I want you to take a swear."
A man approached with a Bible, and I placed my hand on it and raised the other one. "Do you, Asuka Langley Soryu, solemnly swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that you will take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter?"
"I do, so help me God."
"Very well, then let's begin."
I sat back down.
"Alright, you are Asuka Langley Soryu. Is that correct?"
I nodded.
"You were born on December 4th, 1961, in East Berlin. Is that correct?"
I nodded once again.
"Is your mother's name Kyoko Zeppelin Soryu?"
I nodded.
"Is your father's name Harold Langley Moore?"
I froze as I heard the name. I didn't know such a thing. Mother did not speak too much about him, the only thing I knew was that he was half American and half Japanese.
"Ms. Soryu, is your father's name Harold Langley Moore?"
"I do not know. I never met him or even heard his name; my mother never spoke of it."
They all looked at each other. I wondered what they could be talking about. Sweat began to drip, and my hand was shaking. I tried to control it, but my leg started jumping up and down.
"Ms. Soryu, you do not know the whereabouts of your father, correct?"
Whereabouts? Was he alive? Does that mean he didn't abandon mom? I began to fade away, closing my eyes as I thought about what this could mean. All I could hear was my name.
Asuka…
Asuka…
Asuka…
Asuka wake up.
Asuka awoke from her slumber and began to take in the world around her. Kaji bumped her one last time. "Hey kid, we just landed."
She rubbed her eyes and looked outside, seeing a white wonderland. She knew they wouldn't remain in Moscow for too long.
Before she knew it, she was on her next flight. She couldn't sleep very well, not after her dream. The memories of her past kept resurging, knowing that her life was on this mission. Her purpose, other than piloting, was this.
Kaji looked at her sternly. He was worried about her. Ever since taking her in, he felt she had abandoned what life she had in exchange for a commitment to serve the CIA. He hoped that she would be able to find something else this time.
As the plane landed, both retrieved their luggage and exited the airport. They were met with an almost futuristic-looking city, tall buildings all around them. Outside the airport, there was a patrol of JIA soldiers. They had weapons that looked different from those of Russia and America. Alongside them was a vehicle that belonged to America, a Patton. They also had some loudspeakers and were blaring propaganda.
THE WEST IS OUT FOR YOU. NATO WILL EXECUTE YOU ON THE SPOT. THE AMERICANS AND BRITISH EXPLOITED JAPAN FOR OUR RESOURCES AND LEFT US WITH NONE. WE LIBERATED OURSELVES FROM THE CAPITALIST MENACE, AND OUR ALLIES IN THE EAST WILL LEND US A HAND TO KEEP THEM IN PLACE. THIS IS THANKS TO OUR GENERAL SECRETARY, GENDO IKARI. HE HAS GIVEN YOU FREEDOM AND STABILITY SO THAT YOU WILL GIVE YOUR LIFE FOR HIM AND YOUR COUNTRY. LONG LIVE JAPAN AND LONG LIVE GENDO IKARI.
"Did you hear that?" Asuka said, in German, with a shocked look.
"Welcome to Japan," Kaji said mockingly, while extending his arms. He began to look around before spotting their vehicle. It was a black limo. Outside was a man with a suit and black glasses. Asuka and Kaji entered the backseats. In front of them was a man with a white-collar button shirt. He had a red tie and wore black pants and some black shoes. He had also had grey hair and looked somewhat elderly.
"Greetings, Mr. Ryoji and Ms. Soryu. Welcome to Japan." The man said as he signaled through the glass barrier separating the back from the front. "I am Kozo Fuyutsuki, Sub-commander of NERV and Minister of Foreign Relations."
Asuka looked outside her window as Kaji spoke to the man, who suddenly turned his attention to Asuka. "So, Ms. Soryu, how was your time in NERV Vorkuta?"
"Cold, miserable, and overall boring; not that it stopped me from killing the angels," Asuka said with determination. The Angels, the messengers of God which began to appear after the Second Impact. Asuka looked outside and saw that it was very sunny, even in October. The effects of the Second Impact had devastated Earth, plunging countries into eternal seasons with no hope of change. Japan was the unluckiest, remaining in perpetual summer.
"That's good to know," Fuyutsuki said, smiling at her, "because tomorrow you will meet the General Secretary and begin your duties after the march."
Asuka quickly glanced at Kozo. "March?"
"The General Secretary scheduled a march to show off military strength and to parade both Evangelion units for the first time. This will be broadcast internationally too, so our enemies will see the power of our nation. It's quite simple."
"Then I shall take it with great endeavor."
Asuka kept looking outside her window as she gazed at the grand buildings of Tokyo 3, which covered up the occasional ghettos in the distance.
"Here we are." The Deputy Commander said as he got out of the car, alongside Kaji and Asuka. It was the largest building in Tokyo 3. They passed through the lobby and into the elevator. In a matter of minutes, they reached the 303rd floor. He gave both a key and hoped into an elevator. "Major General Katsuragi will come tomorrow to pick you up." As the doors were closing, he placed his hand between them. "Ah, one last thing, his son lives on the 275th floor, just so you are informed, Ms. Soryu, though he has his transportation. You will meet him at the march." The doors closed, and the man disappeared.
His words shocked Asuka. He is here? I should be worried, but this is better. The closer he is, the better chance I have of making sure he remains safe. Her mission had been to protect the boy, for he had the potential to help during Operation Downfall.
As Asuka entered her room, she saw the scale of it. It resembled a penthouse, and she quickly jumped into her bed, laughing. That was the first time she had laughed in years. Kaji smiled as he looked at her. "Well, someone is having fun."
"You bet your ass I am. I can't believe we are finally doing this; it's been a tiring day. So…" she pushed Kaji out of her room.
"Wait, wait, before I go, I want you to have this." He opened her hand and placed something inside. "It's better to have protection than to have none at all."
She smiled. "Thanks, Kaji, for everything. I'll see you tomorrow."
He waved goodbye as she closed the door. She began to slide down the door, her happiness fading away as she opened her hand, revealing she had been given cyanide pills.
She hid them in a safe compartment, and she went out onto her balcony. She saw the city, big and loud. The lights that went on for miles reminded her of Berlin. She began to light a cigarette, and after taking a drag, she took out a picture of her next objective. The photo was that of a boy with brown hair and blue eyes. He looked fifteen years old in the picture, probably older by now. As she exhaled the smoke, she centered her attention on his eyes. I hope you are ready, Shinji Ikari; I am about to make your life a living hell.