Chapter 24: New Breath, New Heartbeat
There is much to be said about the dangerous gift that Interfacing, as it has been explained to us, is. Far more than guns or weapons of any kind, even nuclear weaponry, there is untold potential in what Interfacing can do to destroy us. It is the Pandora's Box of our time, and Daniel Theisman and NERV have cracked it open. If we cannot seal it shut again, and I fear that we cannot, we must ensure that our planet is kept safe from the depredations of those capable of, almost literally single-handedly, destroying it and that any who use this near-magical power is kept in the attention of those able to deal with them quickly and effectively.
- 'To Stand Apart', Post 5
Infinity Box, Mid-September 2016
The next few days passed mostly without issue, a blessed rarity in this day and age. The Evas and Titans sat silently at Matsushiro, a now far more comforting shield against whatever else SEELE might have. But they did not operate under any great auspices anymore. The bunkers of Matsushiro were now far more empty than even the quietest times under NERV. After all, NERV was gone. But the meeting that was happening right now would make sure that it would not be for nothing.
Daniel and Eleanor waited patiently in a now-empty Infinity Box, Dhamadren having finished his business and disappeared back into Mentality, the room a comfortable and familiar meeting space. It was a quiet place for the moment, the couple sitting next to each other as they read, quietly holding each other's hands.
"Enjoyable read?"
They looked up to see Misato and Ritsuko as they walked in, casual clothes a far more common replacement for their formerly usual uniforms.
As Ritsuko took a seat, Misato walked over towards Daniel, and the two ginger beers by his side. "Oh, good, you saved one for me." she said with a wry grin as she took the one closest to her.
As Misato walked back to her seat and popped the lid open, Ritsuko regarded her with an arched eyebrow. "Just a ginger beer? I would have expected something a little stronger."
Misato chuckled as she took a sip. "Yeah, usually. But I've actually been trying to cut down on the actual beers. Something Daniel said to me a while ago kind of clicked now that we have this whole Interfacing thing."
Ritsuko blinked. "And… you didn't tell me?" she asked, somewhat taken aback.
"Well, I wanted it to be a surprise for a little while." Misato admitted with a chuckle. "After all, you're likely going to put me on a diet now that you know."
Ritsuko chuckled. "Well, besides the beer, Shinji has you doing a lot better than you were. I wouldn't change much, now at least. Just make sure you actually keep up with it."
Misato nodded thoughtfully, then a playful grin spread across her face. "And what about your little vices? I haven't seen you smoking all that much recently. We aren't even really near any supercomputers now."
"Well, we will be at some point." Ritsuko retorted, then paused for a moment. "That, and with the end of the world no longer hanging over our heads, I'd like to age gracefully, without the possibility of any lung cancer mucking things up, Interfacing or no."
Misato arched an eyebrow as Ritsuko paused for a moment. "And?" she asked, a bemused tone to her voice.
It was another moment before Ritsuko blushed slightly. "Well, since Maya and I moved in together, she's been more vocal about not liking the smell of cigarettes." she admitted.
As Misato nodded and chuckled softly, Ritsuko looked over at Daniel and Eleanor. "And how are you adjusting to a life without NERV, Eleanor?" she asked politely.
"As well as one can, I guess." Eleanor replied with a shake of her head. "Just because NERV's gone doesn't mean I'm not busy. After all, I've been looking after the Numberless kids after I finished removing their Flux Caps, and I got to see the Horaki's and the Suzuhara's get reunited, too."
Ritsuko nodded as her gaze turned to Daniel. "And how were those? Were you there for them?"
Daniel let a moment of silence pass as he pondered the two moments.
The Suzuhara's were an… interesting family, to say the least. Toji had brought his father, Naoto, and Sakura into the Infinity Box. He'd been somewhat concerned that Dhamadren's appearance might frighten the young girl, but the 10-year-old was more amazed by Dhamadren's 'rainbow lines' than anything else. Naoto Suzuhara was another matter entirely.
But even his fright soon turned to wonder as Hayase Suzuhara sat up and opened nearly golden eyes. She had examined herself, looking down at her arms before her lips tilted into what could have almost been considered a pout. "Aw, man. My tan's gone." she muttered.
"Mom?" Toji had said, which seemed to snap the woman out of her reverie, as her eyes grew wide.
"Toji? Sakura?" she whispered as she got off the table and walked towards them, stopping only inches away for a moment before fiercely hugging them both. "Oh, I've missed you both. So, so much. I'm sorry I couldn't have been there for you."
"It was an accident, mom." Toji whispered. "Not much we could do about that." Unfortunately, Daniel had his doubts as to whether Hayase's death was truly an 'accident'.
After a long while, Hayase stood and regarded Naoto. "So, dear." she said quietly, a smile on her face as tears streamed down her eyes. "Have your manga been selling well?"
Naoto nodded silently. "Hayase…"
Hayase chuckled as she walked over and embraced Naoto. "Oh, my nerdy little Senpai…" she chuckled, then she kissed him deeply.
Daniel was amused by Eleanor's astonished connection of the dots. After all, fictional bleed was hardly a one-source stream.
The Horaki's were an altogether more serious reunion. With all the expected tears and whispered words and embraces, but quiet. After a deep kiss, Bunzaemon had turned from Fujiko Horaki and looked at his middle daughter with tears in his eyes. "A promise is a promise, Hikari." he'd said quietly. "I never would have guessed it was possible, but... You can move in with young Mr. Suzuhara now if you so wish."
Fujiko joined her husband's side. "As long as you make sure and visit, okay?" she said softly. "I want to get to know the courageous young woman that's right in front of me better. I want to know all of my daughters better."
Hikari, misty-eyed as she embraced her mother, nodded. "Of, course, mother. I promise."
Daniel shook his head as he returned his focus to the present. "They were as eventful as bringing back two mothers could be." he replied. "Has your own mother considered a new body?"
Ritsuko nodded. "She's preparing for a procedure on the Sonne in the next couple of days. After all, it's not like we really have a Magi anymore for her to spend time in."
Daniel nodded as another voice coughed politely, drawing all eyes to Kozo Fuyutsuki, who stood at the entrance. "Am I late?" he asked softly.
Daniel shook his head. "No, actually. We're just waiting for Ryoji, Makoto and the Children. Take a seat and join the conversation."
Fuyutsuki took the proffered seat, and the quiet conversation continued, Daniel noting as an aside that he and Eleanor would be taking Kodama Horaki on a tour of the Val in the next few days, until Makoto arrived, then Ryoji appeared with the Children in tow, dressed surprisingly neatly compared to his usually purposefully sloppy fare. As they took their places, the meeting began in earnest.
"Alright." Daniel said, an aura of seriousness descending on him. "We're here to figure out what, exactly, Misato gets to tell the United Nations and the rest of the world. Ritsuko, are the files for the Frame Titans and the SLCL ready to upload?"
"At the press of a button." Ritsuko replied.
Daniel nodded. "And your meeting is confirmed, right?" he asked Misato.
"1330 hours today." Misato confirmed with a nod.
"Excellent." Daniel said with a smile. "We know what we're doing, and what we hope to be, but what, exactly, do we call the successor of NERV?"
He let the question stew in silence for a moment, then Kaworu spoke up. "It seems we require something that gets to the heart of what we wish to do. Something bold and succinct as NERV's name was." he said quietly.
"Heart…" Misato said quietly, drawing all eyes to her. After a moment to ponder, she looked up at Asuka. "What's the word for heart in German?" she asked.
"Herz." Asuka replied, nodding slowly as she realized what Misato was getting at.
It was another moment of silence. "Well, I guess that tracks." Toji said with a shrug. "German four-letter word that talks about a body part. Why not?" he paused for a moment before looking over at Asuka. "That is four letters, right?"
Asuka nodded slowly. "Yes, Toji. Herz is only four characters." she said with an overt tone of sage patience.
A quiet chuckle rose from a few as Toji bobbed his head side to side.
"Alright, then." Daniel interjected. "If that's settled, then let's move on. About what the organization will look like, then a possible return to the Geofront..."
. . .
Misato's Current Residence, 1328 Hours
Misato was dressed professionally (at least from the waist up), Penpen was back in her room, and Kaji was on the couch quietly reading a magazine. The bulky monitor and computer setup currently clogging up her kitchen table was online, and the video call software had started without any hitches so far. Misato took another deep breath to soothe her nerves, regardless. She could do this. She could do this.
She felt a connection to her soul and appreciated the warmth and support that Ryoji offered her. It was with that support that a panel of familiar faces began to appear on the screen in quick succession.
The first to show was the head of the UN Security Council, Secretary Priscille Beaulieu. She was a sharp-faced Parisian, with short cut black hair and piercing blue eyes that regarded her coolly from above a slight scar across her cheek that had come from a bullet graze during the chaos of the Impact Wars.
Then the representatives of the now independent nations made their appearance. Tama Kauri, the wide Maori U.S. representative, then Jupp Glöckner of Germany, a stern and middle-aged man, Xiulan Lo of China, young and sharp for a woman of her age, and Izolda Ignatov of Russia, an almost legendary woman veteran of the Russo-Afghan conflict within the Impact Wars.
Finally, the home front arrived, as Prime Minister Hoshiko Iwata and Defense Minister Yoshiro Hirano completed the tribunal that she had faced only a few days prior.
"Ms. Katsuragi," Secretary Beaulieu began in slightly accented English, "if you are here to try and state your case again for NERV, then you are far too late. Your leaders should have begun shutting down what few operations you still have left in the country of Japan, now that you have completed your last mission."
She glanced somewhere else on the screen. "And I can assume that such is proceeding, Prime Minister Iwata?"
"Yes, Ms. Beaulieu." Iwata replied. "Though you and the others know I and my defense minister's concerns as it pertains to SEELE and the shutting down of what seems to be the only defense capable of standing against it."
"Which is what I hope to speak on today, ladies and gentlemen." Misato interjected. "Prime Minister Iwata is correct. SEELE is still a threat, and until we can ensure that whatever they do, large or small, can be contained and their members detained for good, there still needs to be an organization at least somewhat like NERV. One that is dedicated to protecting the world, but by protecting the people, not simply advancing a world-altering agenda."
"And you would claim to be part of that solution?" Representative Kauri said as he arched a thick eyebrow. "It's nothing short of a miracle that you and your compatriots have gotten off without even a jail sentence between you."
"Well, representative, respectfully, who else has the experience that we do when it comes to massive-scale threats?" Misato replied.
The call was silent for a moment. As they pondered Misato's reply, Representative Ignatov spoke up. "So what, you desire to continue on in your monopoly of the Evangelion and its successor platform, as you have before? No nation would accept that as more than a threat that you can take whatever other power you want. I do not figure you for someone as foolish as you are brazen, Katsuragi."
"You figure correctly, Ms. Representative." Misato replied as she keyed up the data uplink that Ritsuko had prepared and began to send it. "As such, I propose a trade."
The others on the end of the screen arched their eyebrows. "And what, exactly, does this trade entail?" Representative Glöckner asked somewhat incredulously.
Misato smiled slightly as the data uplink finished. "If you'll all look in your inboxes?" she asked, and she felt Ryoji's bemusement at her carefully contained excitement as the panel all silently checked their emails.
The silence stretched on, then one by one, the members of the panel's eyes grew wide.
"Ms. Katsuragi…" Defense Minister Hirano said with no small amount of awe. "You would offer up the schematics for the… Frame Titan, and the materials needed to create it, to us?"
"Not just to you." Misato replied with an undeniable air of satisfaction. "To all the world. And with the merchants from the Worldsea that are knocking at the door, soo to speak, you should be more than able to acquire the tools needed to create them."
Representative Lo shook her head slowly. "Do you understand the Pandora's Box that you've just opened, Katsuragi?" she said with an edge of warning.
"If I didn't, I wouldn't have opened it in the first place." Misato replied seriously. "And I was there when Pandora's Box opened 16 years ago. Trust me, this is, frankly, peanuts next to Second Impact."
It was silent again, the tension in the air palatable. "Very well, then…" Ms. Beaulieu said slowly. "What are the terms of this trade?"
"Simple." Misato replied. "Now that the world has the Frame Titan, everything about it, from its proliferation and use, to rogue units, is going to need oversight. Oversight by people that know what it's like to deal with threats of that scale. That's where HERZ comes in."
"HERZ?" Representative Glöckner asked incredulously.
"Yes. That organization I was talking about. Under my command, operating worldwide to stop any threats of massive-scale, whether it's SEELE, a rogue Titan, another wave of Angels, or whatever else happens to tumble out of space into our laps." Misato replied.
"And where, exactly, would it be located?" Defense Minister Hirano asked.
"It would be headquartered here in Japan. Likely in Matsushiro, now that Tokyo-3 is gone." Misato replied. "We hope to have branches all over the world, as NERV once did, to allow us to respond quickly to any given situation."
"And, I must ask, who watches the watchers, so to speak?" Representative Ignatov asked.
"The UN will have a liaison here in HQ, for one." Misato said levelly. "And we'll need other liaisons, ones from every continent we operate in, if not every country." Misato said frankly. "It's a lot to ask, but it's needed if we want to keep the world safe."
It was silent again for long, almost worrying moments. Misato appreciated the calm confidence that Ryoji broadcasted to her again as she waited somewhat anxiously for their response.
"So," Ms. Beaulieu said with a slight air of resignation, "how long will it take for those merchants that you mentioned to arrive?"
Misato smiled slightly. "With my connections, they could be here as soon as tomorrow."
Beaulieu nodded. "There's a lot to figure out, especially about these Frame Titans and how the nations will use them. We'll need an agreement. A treaty between the nations, for a weapon that surpasses even nuclear arms in its destructive potential."
She paused for a moment, and Misato found herself leaning forward slightly. "I must say," Beaulieu continued with a slight chuckle, "you drive a hard bargain… Commander Katsuragi of HERZ."
"I'll leave you to confer with your country's ministers." Beaulieu said. "After all, you have stated your desire to be based out of Japan."
"And Commander." Beaulieu said quietly, cutting through Misato's celebratory attitude. "Whatever comes next… you'd better be certain you're ready."
With that, Secretary Beaulieu and the representatives disappeared, leaving her alone with the two Ministers of Japan.
"I have to ask, Misato," Defense Minister Hirano asked, "how do you keep getting away with it?"
"A woman's intuition, Yoshi." Misato replied with a smile to one of her old war buddies. "You should already know that."
"Now, to the business of how HERZ will be organized…"
. . .
Theisman Residence, 2 Hours Later
Daniel, Eleanor, Ritsuko and Maya, and the Children waited eagerly for Misato and Ryoji to walk in, talking to each other about meaningless nothings as the excitement, and the tension, steadily built to almost a fever pitch.
Finally, it all came to a head as they heard the door open, and all eyes turned to see Misato walk in with a carefully neutral expression, Ryoji following behind her. Those that tried to use the Sight to suss out the answer before she gave it found that Daniel and Eleanor's training on hiding the Frames of their souls had been put to good use.
"Alright, Misato," Asuka finally said after a moment's almost unbearable silence, "spill it. Should we be cheering or groaning?"
It was silent again for a moment before a small smile appeared on her face. "I don't know, possible First Lieutenant Soryu-Langley of HERZ, why don't you tell me?"
A cheer went up, and more than a few people began to clap before realizing that, yes, they were still in an apartment with other residents, the cheer turning into a polite golf clap.
"Congratulations, Commander." Ritsuko said with a slight grin. "I hope that you actually want this position this time. Or were you thinking of putting someone else in charge?"
Misato shook her head as the Children got up to offer their own congratulations. "Nope. After all, I know, and they know, that I actually care for these little rascals that are going to be piloting, after all."
Shinji's eyes went wide. "We're going to be piloting again?" he asked quietly.
With those words, a hush fell over the room, as the Children regarded her with far more caution now.
Misato sighed quietly after a moment. "I can understand your apprehension. You don't want to be thrown into something you don't want to do, no matter how good at it you might be. That's why I didn't promise you guys as pilots. You could train the next generation if you want to. Or you could still pilot, which, I'll admit, will take a little doing to convince the UN and the rest of the world. Or you can simply just walk away from this life, try and live as normalish a life as you can with everything that's happening now."
She paused for a moment. "You have options. A fair few of them. I don't want to force any of you into anything. I'll work with what I can get." she smirked slightly. "After all, it's what I'm good at, isn't it?"
It was quiet in the room as the Children considered things for a long moment.
Shinji finally looked back at Misato, and she could see the gratitude in his expression. "Thank you, Misato. Could we get a little time to think about it?"
Misato nodded, a small smile on her face. "Of course, Shinji. We don't have anything to do with a Frame Titan or an Eva coming up until our return to the Geofront in a week. Give it some time, and then talk to me. I'll make it work."
A murmur of thanks went up around the room, and soon, they settled into a brief conversation, those meaningless nothings returning for a little while.
Then the group began to go its separate ways, leaving only Daniel, Eleanor, Rei, Misato, Ritsuko, and Maya.
Ritsuko looked over at Rei. "Thank you for staying." she said quietly. "What I'm about to ask does concern you, but we'll get to that in a moment."
Rei nodded slightly. "Of course, Doctor."
Ritsuko then looked to Eleanor. "What I want to ask concerns the Numberless Children and their recovery." she said. Then she paused for a moment as she glanced over at Daniel. "After the battle with Armisael, you… used your own Frame to ensure that Rei didn't die, at the cost of your own life."
As Daniel nodded silently, Ritsuko continued. "My question is… is there a way to do that safely, without getting anyone killed?"
It was silent as Eleanor considered the question. "Well, there is a way." she finally said. "The thing is, it's hardly ethical, doing that to another human being. Especially when it comes to grafting the sort of Frames that Mariah, Mana, and Mayumi need. We can't deprive someone of those sorts of things unless they're terminally ill or otherwise close to death anyway. Anything else goes against the Mender code of ethics."
"As I'd hoped it would." Ritsuko replied. "But, I might have another possible solution."
Ritsuko looked over at Rei. "And it involves the clones of Rei in the Geofront."
Rei and Eleanor's eyes widened in understanding as Daniel and Misato arched an eyebrow. "I see." Rei said quietly. "But… did they survive Near Third Impact? It was… quite destructive, after all."
Ritsuko nodded. "The room is, even for its proximity to Terminal Dogma, a ways away from it. Seeing as Lilith drilled up through the ceiling, the battle would have left the room nearly untouched."
"And with the LCL being a P2 compound," Maya interjected, "the Frames should still be intact and protected against degradation."
"Not for much longer, then." Eleanor warned. "A P2 substance can only go so far when preserving instead of growing. If we want to use the Rei clones as donors, we'll have to go ahead of the expedition by a few days."
Ritsuko nodded. "Very well. I'll have to get started on those protective Inscriptions for those of us without Pneumaically protective armor. At least a few. How many people should we take?"
"Only as many as you can make Inscriptions for those who need it." Misato said. "If you're planning on taking the people in this room, you shouldn't need more than just for you and Maya."
Ritsuko nodded. "I'll settle for that. We don't need many people to retrieve the clone bodies we need." she paused for a moment, then looked over at Rei. "Speaking of clone bodies… what do you want done with the rest of them afterward? We don't plan on having you or Ichigo die anytime soon."
It was quiet as Rei considered the question. "I think... they should be laid to rest." she said quietly. "They are, after all, soulless bodies, with no use in any Scenario. Perhaps they can be turned to LCL, used to do good through one of the Frame Titans."
Ritsuko nodded slightly. "Very well. I'll see to it."
"Thank you, Doctor." Rei replied.
After a moment's silence, Ritsuko and Maya stood. "Alright." Ritsuko said quietly. "I'll go ahead and get started on those Inscriptions. When will we be going?"
"Call it 2 days from now." Misato said. That should give the rest of us time to get ready. Can you be ready then?"
Ritsuko and Maya nodded. "Working together, we can be." Maya replied.
"Good." Misato said as she stood. "I'll see you all then."
. . .
Within the Geofront
The strange girl within the seemingly vast tank of orange liquid she could breathe in that filled her lungs with the smell of drying blood floated in a fetal position, trying to shut out the view of the terrifying world around her.
Everything was utter madness. She had wondered how she'd understood the concept of insanity in the first place, right after she'd wondered how long she'd actually been awake. Time had no meaning here, huddled with the others.
Sometimes, when the others didn't crowd as much, she got a view of a dark room, the outlines of bulky machines in the shadows the only indications of where she might be. Where was she? How had she gotten here? Who was in charge, and when were they going to be back and notice someone was very, very much alive in here?
'Who am I? And why are there so many of me?'