The Warlord stepped onto the lift platform, Grant noting it was barely wide enough to fit the titan's wide shoulders.
"Aquilis Redemptor to NERV, message."
"This is NERV HQ, go ahead."
"Confirming the tolerances on shaft three are wide enough to clear the carapace weapons."
"The Magi system says it's good, it'll cancel if there's any risk of damage."
"Thanks for the confirmation, Aquilis Redemptor out."
The platform began to lower, carrying the titan down into the Geofront. Grant marveled at the distance he was traveling, just how big was this Geofront? Apparently big enough to support more than four Warlord grade god machines and all the necessary support personnel.
The lift traveled for another few minutes before halting in a huge open space with a crew gantry resting on the far end. The gantry swung down and locked next to the Warlord's main crew hatch, and the Princeps powered the titan down.
Grant recited the litanies of disconnection, gripping the Mind Impulse Unit plug at the base of his skull with a gloved hand. When he felt the Warlord's spirit lull into slumber he twisted the socket and removed the cable, wincing at the sudden feeling of an entire phantom body. The feeling faded and he stood from his command throne, stepping towards the crew hatch.
He grabbed his helmet and stowed it in a small locker, checking that his hellpistol and power sword were still at his side. Then he opened the hatch and peered outside. He was in a cavernous chamber lined with concrete and metal, catwalks spanning the gap and bridging the hatch to the rest of the structure. He stepped outside onto the gantry and began to walk towards the armored door leading out into the rest of the structure.
The walls lacked the decoration Grant was used to, bare rockcrete and sterile white paint covered with the occasional stenciled hazard sign or informative symbol. It was utilitarian even by Mechanicus standards, save for an insignia bearing the name NERV. He reached the door and waited while it slid open, noting the individuals in the hallway before him. Two people, each unarmed, wearing what looked like hazard suits.
The male on the right spoke uneasily, "Before we allow you into the rest of the Geofront, we are going to need to run a few tests. There have been concerns raised over biological threats due to... well, all Dr. Akagi told us was that you might present a risk. I'm sure you understand."
"Of course," said Grant, "I suppose with my rather unique situation it would be better to err on the side of caution."
So the Director had informed at least one person of his nature, but not these likely rank-and-file personnel. Grant thought to himself. Things were probably a lot neater that way.
The two hazard suited individuals turned and led the Princeps through the doorway and a series of hallways, their path marked with a red line on the floor. A doorway opened into what looked like a stripped-down medicae ward, a seat placed against one wall with a small desk beside it. On the desk was some sort of autochiurgeon device, wires, and mechanisms hidden under plain whitewashed metal.
"Please place your arm in the MDD, this won't take too long." spoke one of the hazard suited individuals, their tone one of a cautious request.
Grant sat in the chair, adjusting his sidearms so they wouldn't inconvenience him. He pulled off his armored glove and rolled up his uniform's sleeve, placing his bare forearm in the device. He felt several pinpricks and the hum in his teeth he always got when a high strength auspex was being run nearby. It whirred for a few more seconds before falling silent, Grant taking that as his cue to remove his arm. He replaced his glove and pulled it back down onto his forearm before standing from his seat.
"The Magi system thinks you're good to go" asked one of the technicians, "No contamination of any sort, not even the usually harmless kind... and you're producing antibodies it can't recognize."
"If I'm cleared, I'd like to see someone who can speak for your organization," said Grant, making sure he had the words right now.
"Ah, yes. I think Major Katsuragi and the pilots will want to speak with you."
"Good," said Grant, "I have a feeling there's going to be a lot of explaining to do."
They walked out of the medicae area, heading deeper into Geofront. Grant reckoned they were hundreds of meters down by now, this facility a seemingly endless series of tunnels and chambers. They passed several other doors before reaching a large room with a dozen or so seats arranged around a long rectangular table. A chart table projector or some other lithic device hung from the ceiling, it was currently inactive. The chairs were all unoccupied save for three, who stood when the Princeps entered the room.
The first was a woman in the red jacket, the same he'd seen when intercepting the earlier vox transmissions. The other two were a young man in a tan military uniform and a blonde woman in a white coat of some sort. Grant stopped short of a seat on his end of the room, making the sign of the Aquila across his chest.
"Greetings," said Grant, bowing his head slightly, "I am Princeps Grant Schulter of Legio Tempestus."
The woman in the red jacket spoke first, "I'm Major Katsuragi, tactical commander here at NERV. Please, have a seat."
Before Grant could sit, another set of doors on the side of the room burst open.
"Where's the prick who just stole my kill?!" shouted a voice, and a figure stormed through with red-blonde hair flying around their head. The figure paused momentarily on seeing Grant, their blue eyes widening. "You!"
"And you are?" said Grant, stunned by her lack of decorum. Though, her appearance was equally as disarming. She was wearing a white and blue civilian outfit, and her hair was tied back with a pair of odd-looking polymer devices. He recognized her as a pilot of one of the war machines he had seen earlier.
"Asuka," said the Major, "calm down a bit and sit down."
Another youth walked through the doors, a young male Grant had seen via the audiovisual vox signal. Behind him was a girl with hair blue to the roots and a totally blank expression on her face.
"Hello?" he asked, walking uncertainly to a seat at the table.
"You're the other pilots?" asked Grant.
"Y-yes. I'm Shinji, Unit One's pilot." answered the male.
"I am Rei Ayanami," stated the blue-haired girl, her eyes an unnerving shade of red. Grant had seen quite a few different colors in the hives of Orestes, but none had pure crimson irises. It probably wouldn't be the strangest thing he'd see here, but he could barely suppress a shudder as her gaze burrowed into him.
Shinji took the seat next to Asuka, and Rei sat further down.
The Major cleared her throat, "Well, I can't say we're off to a great start. Director Ikari has said Princeps Schutler will be assisting us from now on, though what that means wasn't exactly clear."
Grant nodded. He didn't want to be too constrained in his actions, he'd made the deal with the Director because he thought he had little chance of survival should he be ganged up on in close range against three enemy titans of equivalent mass. He needed resupply for both himself and his engine, but he also didn't want to be constrained in his actions by an organization he knew next to nothing about.
At least he didn't have to fall to mercenary work as some kind of oversized freeblade.
"For the time being I will fight alongside your war machines, I've seen the xenos breed you call Angels first hand and I understand they are a threat." he paused, shuffling through words in his head, "I'm not entirely sure how things work in this here yet, but if you'll allow me to join you in your operations I'll lend my firepower."
He glanced at the Major.
She nodded. "That sounds good, but you're going to need accommodations."
The woman in the white coat spoke up, "It would probably be best if you attended normal school with the other pilots, and were quartered in the city. I doubt you'd want to be stuck here in the Geofront for too long."
"That would be preferable, so long as I have ready access to my titan."
"I think we can have that done."
There was a pause, there was still a question to be asked.
The Major spoke up, "Is there anything else you can tell us about your situation?"
Grant took a moment before speaking, "I think it would be wise if I spoke with Director Ikari before I give any more details on that topic."
The woman in the red jacket gave him a look of concern, "You appeared out of nowhere and engaged an Angel with weapons we barely have the theoretical math behind, I guess you can bargain a bit."
"I think we've come to terms. When the time comes, I'll be sure to uphold my end of the deal."
"Likewise, we'll get what you need by tomorrow."
The red-blonde girl, Asuka seemed to be her name, stood from her seat.
"You can't make this stuck-up cavalier our new roommate," she growled at the Major, "the idiot is already a pain in the ass."
The Major grinned a little at Asuka's expression, "Ok, sure. He'll be given an apartment somewhere else in the city."
Asuka turned her angry face towards Grant again, "Just make sure you're good for it when the time comes."
"Has that ever been in doubt?" answered Grant, rising to the slight, "I haven't seen you do much more than pout your way through a meeting and insult social equals."
Asuka's mouth curled into a smirk, her eyes narrowing slightly. Grant was acutely aware that the red-eyed girl was observing their argument with a peculiar shred of amusement from her corner of the table.
Shinji cleared his throat loudly, "So, uh, does that mean we can go now? We've got some stuff to do."
The Major seemed to take this as an opportunity to defuse the situation, "Yeah, I think we can call this meeting concluded. Grant, you can stay here in the Geofront until we get your permanent accommodations sorted out."
Asuka stood, turned, and stalked out of the room. Shinji, Rei, and the NERV officer followed, leaving Grant alone with the Major and the blonde woman.
"Well, that wasn't great as far as first impressions go," said the Major.
"Asuka is Asuka," muttered the blonde woman, before making eye contact with Grant, "Sorry for not introducing myself earlier, I am Doctor Akagi. I'm the head scientist here at NERV and I'll be in charge of your war machine."
She pulled out a notepad, reading through whatever was scrawled on it, "I'm going to request access to your war machine for study, it's been approved by Director Ikari."
"I'll allow it, just be respectful." responded Grant, trying to settle his humors after his earlier dispute, "I doubt anyone here knows the proper rites and litanies for proper maintenance so please refrain from touching anything important until I get a chance to brief your repair crews."
The doctor's eyebrows raised at the words 'rites and litanies' but she nodded, "Good, thank you Princeps."
With that, the three stood and headed to the door.