-2015-
BANG!
Eyes jolt open only to be greeted by a familiar ceiling, if he could call it one.
Shinji Ikari had woken to the sound of gunfire in the wee hours of the morning. It was the third attack on his encampment in the past week. Cheap tactics and surprise attacks like there were something he'd had gotten accustomed to in his 2 months of posting at South Africa.
You see, Shinji Ikari wasn't your regular 16 year old. He was a hired mercenary. He had been forced to become one the very day that man left him for dead.
It took him only a few moments to grab a few magazines, his rifle and a knife and he dashed right out of his tent, located at the heart of the camp. He was greeted by a young man with blonde hair who was not much younger than Shinji himself.
"Code-001, they're getting desperate. To think they'd stoop to using refugee hostages as suicide bombers. We've lost 5 of our men just from the blast."
I'm not even surprised. He thought.
Shinji Ikari works for a Private Military Organization named SPEAR, which often offers contracts to governments in exchange for a percentage of their resources or wealth or even military assets, such as noteworthy recruits. Resources had become scarce and all the more important post Second Impact. The mission of his team here was to safely guard the shipment of survival amenities for rural villages from bandits who were notorious for ransacking the goods and them selling them off.
"They can fall as low as they wish to, Six. They're just thugs and judging from the frequency of the shots, they've got a lesser count of men than us. Besides, to attack at such an early hour was foolishness on their part. We've got Night Vision Gear. Have the alphas flank them from the rear. We should be done in 30 minutes at most. Leave a survivor or two and bring them over for interrogation."
Six (Code-006) gazed at Ikari dumbfounded, nodded briefly and moved on to have the foot soldiers take care of things. Shinji wiping off the sweat off his brow could only think how much he'd began to sound like him. He hated it. But there was no denying that he was his son, after all.
-Around an hour later-
"Sir, this is the only one who survived."
"He will do, return to your post."
Shinji got up from his chair, walked up to the survivor and stabbed him in the knee with his knife.
(IN AFRIKAANS)
"Afhangende van jou antwoord, sal ek jou dalk net laat lewe. Hoeveel van jou vriende is oor? Waar het julle almal die basis opgerig?"
("Depending on your answer, I might just let you live. How many of your friends are left? Where have you lot set up your base?)
"Jou oë sê vir my jy lieg, bokkie. Maak my net dood."
("Your eyes tell me you're lying, kid. Just kill me already.")
"Hoe skerpsinnig. Ja, ek sou jou in elk geval doodmaak. Niemand maak net VYF van my manne dood en dink hy kan daarmee wegkom nie."
("How perceptive. Yes, I was going to kill you anyway. No one kills FIVE of my men and thinks he can get away with it.")
Shinji pulled out the knife from the knee and jammed right under the former survivor's chin, ending him instantly.
"Hahaha! You're as grisly as ever, Code- 001."
A tall gaunt man, with jet black hair and a scar running across his face, donned in a dark green uniform with 4 stars on the shoulder, spoke as he walked into Shinji's tent.
"General Blake? What brings you here?"
"What do you expect, 001? A contract. Requesting YOUR services. Code-004 will be taking over the current mission."
"A matter that serious? Just who is the client?"
Shinji spoke, voice dripping with suspicion.
"NERV. About time you packed your bags and gave your dad a visit, Ikari."
A chill would've ran down Shinji's spine if it weren't for the mental training he'd received in the Program. He hadn't heard his real name used by someone in a very, very long time.
"I refuse. My last mission with NERV America was an absolute fiasco. They're just snowflakes who can't even understand rudimentary orders. Not to mention the higher ups and their ego."
"Oh please, you're not playing bodyguard this time, 001. You're going to be fighting angels. They've returned."
…..What?
"I actually had other plans for the Program's golden child, but this is a contract from Admin even I can't go against. You've got no choice kid. You leave for Tokyo-3 this afternoon."
"Understood, sir."
It's been 9 years since he last saw that bastard's face. For the first time in years…
The fearless, cold, Shinji's fists clenched, unclenched and clenched yet again.
-TOKYO-3, The Night Before-
Two men were in the room, overlooking the vast landscape of the GeoFront. One was seated at his desk, while the other stood near the window overlooking the scenery.
"You sure about calling the kid back?"
"Yes, Unit-01 will remain inutile unless and until he is the pilot. We cannot expect the First Child to engage subsequent battles, it will dampen our effectiveness and only delay our plan."
"You're aware of the path he has taken in life, right? He's no longer the same boy you abandoned a decade ago."
"I'm aware, it will make initiation simple. He'll follow orders well."
"I'm just afraid he'll go beyond your control. Well, that depends on which one of you two proves to be the bigger monster."
"…"
-PRESENT DAY-
Shinji was in his VTOL seat, overlooking the view of Tokyo-3 as he approached the drop-off point.
Wouldn't you look at that? Even America didn't look this grand. To think people live in such bliss ignorant to how the rest of the world suffers makes me sick. Shinji was expecting the worst. He knew he'd have to spend the near future in a city where people probably didn't even know what hunger felt like.
Upon landing, Shinji grabbed his belongings and stepped out of his VTOL. He pulled out a photo of the Captain who was supposed to be waiting for him here. But, what was awaiting him was nothing.
"Guess I won't be meeting her here. Might as well wait."
At that instant, it felt like if Shinji saw something in his peripheral vision, he turned to see an albino girl, with blue hair gazing at him from a distance. Though, as soon as he blinked his eyes, she was gone. The jet lag was probably getting to him.
What's with the silent streets? It's almost as if- DRRRRRRRRRRRRR
The ground reverberated with tremors, similar to those caused by explosions. Shinji, by instinct, pulled out the M1911 holstered in his jacket and got into stance, looking around for a potential cause.
What he saw shook him to the core.
Several armed VTOLs were firing missiles at the towering beast and they didn't even manage to scratch it. The beast, in retaliation wiped out half of the pursuing VTOLs in one precise swing.
That's….an Angel? How am I supposed to fight one of those things? Shinji could only watch this one sided slaughter with shock…a feeling he thought he'd had forgotten.
Amidst the chaos, a Renault Alpine A310 drifted to a halt right in front of him. The door swung open and he was greeted by none other than Captain Misato Katsuragi, the woman who was supposed to receive him at the drop-off point.
"Sorry! Been waiting long?"
She changed gears and sped the both of them away as fast as she could.
"My driving can be quite rough at times, just bear with it for a while!"
She said as she looked towards her side to see the boy's face. He was unfazed. Moreover, he was intently observing the JSDF's futile attempts at halting the Angel's advance. Even the Second Child would've had a reaction, just who is this kid? She thought.
What a waste of ammunition and resources, they should've backed off when they first noticed the uselessness of missiles. He thought.
Misato sighed and said, "Isn't it? They never learn."
It seems he might've thought out loud. But that was when he and the captain too, noticed the VTOLs draw back.
"No fucking way…."
"They wouldn't…"
"They're gonna use a N2 Mi-"
Misato was cut mid-sentence as Shinji grabbed her and ducked for cover in the car. Even though they had put a safe distance from the site, the shockwave was strong enough to turn the car over.
It was the last thing she remembered before blacking out.
THUMP
When she came to her senses she saw Shinji slam his back onto the car a few times and as soon as she was going to get up and offer to help, he had flipped the car back.
"….Wow. Thank you."
"It's nothing, Captain."
"Please, do call me Misato, Shinji-kun."
"Very well, Miss Misato."
She wasn't told much about his past and was advised by Fuyutsuki to not pry for anything, which only piqued her curiosity more. There were several things she wanted to know about such as how was he not even fazed a little by the ever escalating chain of events, or why he's got a gun strapped on to him, even though he's just sixteen or why his eyes seem so devoid of life.
She resolved she'd find the answers with time, as he'd be her new comrade in the battle against the angels.
What mattered now was getting to HQ.
"Say, Shinji, did your father issue you any IDs?"
Father….Hearing that word instantly made him scowl with hatred.
"I…see. Dealing with your dad isn't your strong suit, huh? Just like me~"
Shinji paid her no heed. He was lost in thought, something unlike his usual self. This was a dreaded reunion. One he didn't look forward to.
"Well, anyway, I'll just have Ritsuko pick the both of us up. We should probably have IDs ready for you soon."
-NERV HQ-
"We're short on manpower and time is running out. Where were you, Captain Katsuragi?"
A blonde woman demanded an answer from Misato while Shinji took in his surroundings. Judging by her apparel, she was probably a scientist.
"So, that's the Third Child?"
"Yep, he's the Third Child reported by the Marduk Institute."
The Marduk Institute. Apparently they're the ones who choose who fights those Angels and who doesn't. I was filled in on such details by General Blake on my transfer flight.
"I am Dr. Ritsuko Akagi, nice to meet you."
"Likewise, Miss. My name is Shinji Ikari."
"Uh, for such a cute young kid, he's so uptight." Misato remarked.
"It's about time we get to the hangar, Shinji-kun."
"Yes, Miss."
He quietly followed Misato and Ritsuko while closely taking in his surroundings, noting every entrance and exit in his sight.
-UNIT-01 HANGAR-
"You can't be serious… That's…a giant robot…"
Was all Code-001, Ikari Shinji, the only child who scored perfect scores in every aspect the Program at SPEAR trains their special forces with, could speak.
"What you are seeing is the Artificial Human Evangelion Unit-01. Built in absolute secrecy, it is humanity's final trump card against the Angels. You, Shinji, are its Pilot."
Blake…he knew of this, didn't he? Things began to click. Well atleast now he had a way to kill whatever that THING paraded around as an Angel was.
"So, this is what my old man was up to?"
"That would be correct."
A voice spoke in the intercoms. There was no mistaking it. That was the voice of Gendo Ikari. His father and the supreme commander of NERV.
"It's been a while, Father." In a polite tone, completely masking his bottled up hatred and anger for the man before him.
"Yes, it has." He said before adding,
"Launch the Eva."
"But Unit-00 is still grounded! Furthermore, Rei's in no condition to fight!" Misato protested.
"Unit-01's pilot just arrived, though." Ritsuko spoke
"You don't mean…"
"Shinji Ikari, you will pilot the Eva." Ritsuko insisted.
"It took Rei, 7 months to even synchronize with her Eva, he can't just deploy for combat! It's not possible!"
"Please, don't argue amongst yourselves." Shinji interceded.
"Father, is this why you got me here?"
"Yes. You're the only one who can do it."
"What if I said I don't want to?" Shinji spoke with a smirk subconsciously spreading on his face.
"You have to."
"Weren't you the one who said you didn't need me? Figure something out yourself, hah." Shinji scoffed.
"Very well. Bring Rei."
The girl on the stretcher looked awfully familiar. But this wasn't the time to worry about something like that. She was covered in bandages, her condition was miserable.
Wouldn't you look at this bastard? Who makes a frail doll like that pilot a death machine? Or is this his way of guilt tripping me? Though, I'd rather not have another child soldier die in front of me while I can clearly prevent it..
"Some Commander you are…"
Misato's eyes widened when she heard Shinji whisper to himself.
"Father, I was merely jesting to lighten the mood, I sincerely apologize. I will pilot Unit-01."
Gendo smirked.
You can resist me all you want, but you can't go against your own contract, Shinji.
"You are at NERV, you are expected to follow certain decorum. You will address me as Commander henceforth."
"Understood, Sir."
Shinji turned towards the purple behemoth. Life sure has its ways of surprising you even when you think there's nothing left to be stunned over.
Don't get the wrong idea, me, I couldn't care less about what happens to the girl, I've seen many my age and younger die, even had to pull the trigger on them several times. This is an important contract and I ought to fulfill it. Nothing more, nothing less.
Or so he told himself.
CHAPTER 1 – END
Some Facts-
Code-006's real name is unknown, so Shinji just calls him Six.
Shinji is multilingual.
SPEAR has a total of 50 special OPs recruits who were selected through the Program. Shinji is the best amongst them due to his perfectly balanced skill set.
Even though Shinji has extreme control over his emotion as a result of his training, he reverts to his old ways as soon as his dad's name is brought up.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Hey, it's me, Zane! I've finally decided to return to writing. I plan to make this one a decently sized story and finally branch out of one-shots.
To be honest, what inspired me to come up with this story was a Manhwa with the core idea of a teenage mercenary being reintroduced into society named Mercenary Enrollment. (It's a very good read, I highly recommend you check it out!)
I might have an erratic update pattern, so please do bear with me~
Zane out!
(PS, if you want you can add me on discord, RANSA#0090)