DISCLAIMER:
Neon Genesis Evangelion copyright Gainax in Japan and ADVideo in America. This is just
for entertainment and no monetary purpose is achieved by this work. Characters used
without permission.
Although this is not my first fanfic, it is my first regarding Evangelion. Therefore,
gentle reader(s), treat it as a first-time fic, ok? Thanks for your comprehension,
and hope you like it!
Now, a little clarification here: As I mentioned above, this is not my first fic, but
I'm going to introduce a character of my own... no, don't go!! Sheesh... ok, now that
you're back, let's continue. Ahem Well, for this purpose, I'm going to use an
approach I used for a previous one I'm still writing. Instead of putting Shinji and
co. in strange situations, I'll... well, you'll see!
And now, without more delays... let the show begin!!!
WARNING!!!
SPOILERS AHEAD!! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!
THE NAME OF THE GAME
An NGE fic by
Commander Galos (gabinol@infosel.net.mx)
CHAPTER 4
Alyssa didn't know how long she remained watching the now empty street after EVA-01
had been retrieved. The only thing that was running through her mind over and over
was Shinji's screams when the Angel's particle beam hit the Evangelion. She was still
in a daze when Alexis talked again.
"Angel is deploying a crystal-like structure under it. Its function appears to be a
drilling device. Analyzing." Grateful for the intrusion on her battered mental
processes, Alyssa leaned back on her seat and waited for Alexis' analysis. She didn't
have to wait long. "Analysis terminated. Strange protrusion is a hollow drill, its tip
and spiral-like protrusions appear to be made of an energy-reinforced crystal of
unknown composition, although traces of diamond, quartz and beryllium have been
detected."
"Do... do you have any information regarding Shinji?" inquired Alyssa, worried for
her friend.
"According to transmissions, pilot Shinji Ikari has been retrieved and moved to
NERV's medical facilities. More information can't be gained at this point." Answered
Alexis.
"Let's go home, Alexis... I need to think." Said Alyssa, feeling tired all of a
sudden.
Half an hour later, Alyssa was back on her place, lying on her bed. She had curled in
a ball, trying to cope with the emotions that coursed through her mind. First and
foremost was Worry for Shinji. She could only imagine what the poor guy had been
through when that monster had hurt him. Second, was Fear... fear for her new friends'
security and lives. And last was Anger... anger against those strange beings that
kept hurting innocents. Why were those aliens doing that? What were they looking for?
She was starting to fall asleep when Alexis talked to her. "Pilot Alyssa... are you
all right?"
"No... but thanks for asking." Said Alyssa. "What do you want Alexis?"
"Since I lost the only probe we had available... I need your authorization for our
next step."
"What step? What are you talking about?" asked Alyssa, curious about what the AC was
planning now.
"Before you returned here, I left the Manta's sensors open. Apparently, there is some
sort of activity regarding the new Angel. I need your authorization to send the Manta,
piloted by the synthezoid, to gather more information."
Alyssa just sighed, deep in thought. After a couple of minutes she stood up and headed
to the second bedroom. Upon entry, she took a good look at the synthezoid. She
observed the strange being that originally was thought to just test the Manta and
return home... something that she had disrupted with her need to find a place where
she could think and re-order her life.
The synthezoid was a humanoid-looking being, about the same height of Alyssa. Dressed
in a one-piece silver flight suit, the unit's head was covered with a helmet that
covered its whole head, with an oval dark faceplate in front that covered the whole of
the 'face'. Completely androgynous, the synthezoid was an artificial humanoid, a
cyborg whose organic parts had been cultivated in a laboratory. Or perhaps it was more
accurate to say that it was a puppet, a marionette that danced to the tunes played by
its masters. Alyssa left those and other thoughts fade on the back of her mind for
the time being.
After taking a good look at the synthezoid, she finally talked. "All right Alexis...
send it. Gather all the information you can and... we'll talk about it later."
"Acknowledge." Immediately, the synthezoid walked out of the room and went out of the
apartment. Alyssa was about to comment about the synthezoid being seen like that when
she remembered that the city was still on alert, all the people still in the shelters.
It was highly improbable that somebody could notice it. Seeing that everything was in
Alexis' hands (so to speak), Alyssa returned to her room and tried to rest... and
plan what to do with what she would learn.
Two hours later, Alexis commented with Alyssa what she had learned. During the first
hour, the Manta's sensors had relayed what had happened. Apparently, NERV was testing
the Angel's defensive and offensive capabilities. First, by the use of a balloon in
the form and equal size of EVA-01 carried by a remote-controlled boat; which had been
blasted in a moment. Second, from a far-away placed railroad, a heavy mortar was fired
against the Angel. Again, it was destroyed after the shot made contact with its
AT-field.
But the biggest surprise came when the Manta followed Captain Katsuragi to one of the
military depots of the JSDF... followed by an EVA unit they hadn't seen before.
Painted in a yellow-orange color, it sported one eye and a glowing green dome on top
of the head. Even more surprising was that the pilot, according to the intercepted
transmissions, was none other than Rei Ayanami!
Alyssa was looking at the hologram projected from the gems of the bracer when she
noticed what was extracted from the depot, via lifting the roof. "What the heck is
that? It looks like some kind of rifle or something."
"According to sensor data," reported Alyssa, "the equipment appears to be a positron
rifle. However, recent projections of power generation of this city prove that the
actual energy reserves available are insufficient for an optimal usage of this weapon."
"Mmmm... I wonder what are they planning to do..." wondered Alyssa. After the briefing
was over, she headed towards the kitchen to drink some water. After rinsing the glass,
she addressed Alexis. "Keep the Manta on the air, checking everything. They wouldn't
mobilize all this equipment for nothing."
"Acknowledge."
Their answer came a couple of hours later. From a series of broadcasts going all over
the main island, Alexis deduced that...
"NERV is redirecting the power of all of Japan to this city. There is a 99.486%
probability that the energy will be used with the positron rifle the Manta detected
earlier."
"How can you be so sure?" inquired Alyssa, puzzled. She didn't expect that the
inhabitants could do something like that in such a short amount of time.
"Mobilization of heavy duty electric equipment has been detected, along with a lot of
personnel that has been transported to a place designation: Mount Futago." Answered
Alexis. "The total amount of power being redirected is 185+ million kilowatts,
sufficient for a good shot against the Angel. However, without actual structural data
of the positron rifle, I am incapable of calculating the probabilities of success for
this maneuver, codenamed: Operation Yashima."
"You've learned a lot in a short time Alexis. I'm impressed!" commented Alyssa.
"Thank you."
Alyssa raised an eyebrow upon hearing Alexis' acknowledgment; this was a first!
'Well, Alexis is learning more each passing day!' she thought for herself. 'I wonder
how she'll react once the integration is complete?' smiling to herself, she headed to
the entrance, grabbed her coat and went out.
"Where are we going?" asked Alexis, curious.
"To the school! While you were analyzing the data, Kensuke called. He, Touji and
others are gathering at the school's roof. Apparently, he learned from his father
that the Evangelions are going to get out around six o' clock, so we're going to get
a good look at them when they appear."
"Kensuke Aida is very resourceful." Commented Alexis. "Perhaps we should consider
enlisting his help to achieve our mission."
Alyssa didn't say a thing, but during the whole walk to the school building she
couldn't help but feel a chill running down her spine each time she considered
'working' side-to-side with Kensuke...
On her way to the school, she bought some snacks and sodas from vending machines still
working, same that she and the guys gathered at the roof were enjoying. The sun was
starting to set, and the people waiting for the Eva's appearance was starting to get
nervous.
"Where are they?" asked Touji, leaning against the railing.
"Don't worry, they'll get here, you'll see!" answered Kensuke, sighing. He had
answered the same question for the last five minutes. He was sure that his father was
right on his information, so he wasn't worried. However, having to repeat himself so
many times was starting to grate on his nerves.
"Come on, be patient Touji!" added Alyssa. "After all, moving those things must take
lots of time!"
Touji glared at her, and was about to retort when the birds from a nearby mountain
took flight. Everybody turned in that direction just in time to watch...
"Hey, the mountain is opening!" noticed one of the other boys.
Effectively, among the sound of warning sirens, one side of the mountain moved aside,
revealing an underground passage. As soon as the massive doors were completely open,
the forms of EVA-01 and EVA-00 emerged from the depths of NERV HQ. As soon as they
were clear, glowing as if surrounded by fire thanks to the setting sun, the people
gathered at the roof cheered them.
Using their mind link, Alyssa inquired. 'Alexis, is the Manta scanning them?'
'Systems up and running.' Answered the AC. 'The ship is already on stealth mode,
flying nearby.'
'Good! Could you tell me what is that thing one of the Evangelions is carrying? Looks
like a shield.'
'Collating sensor data... analysis complete. Apparently, that object is the bottom of
a space shuttle, wired to use an electromagnetic envelop to reinforce it. However,
comparison between structural integrity of shield and actual data from the Angel's
particle weapon indicate that the former is insufficient for prolonged protection
against the latter.'
Alyssa considered the new information for a few seconds before coming to decision.
After saying her farewells to the group, she headed to the sports field. 'Alexis,
call the Manta to pick us up. I want to see the Evangelions in action!'
'Pilot Alyssa, are you sure this is necessary?' Inquired Alexis, puzzled. 'I mean, I
do not see any need for us to be on-site.'
'I'll explain to you once the Manta is here, all right? Now, call it.'
'Complying.'
Unknown to them both, since Alexis was busy sending the recall signal to the Manta, a
couple of eyes were watching her.
"What is she doing in here?" whispered Touji to his companion.
"Beats me, but I bet it's nothing good!" responded Kensuke, prepping his camcorder.
This time, he had showed to Touji that the battery pack was fresh and the disk was in
working order. "I suspect that she's calling her mothership using a telepathic
communication thingie."
"You are nuts, you know?" commented Touji, sighing heavily. He still didn't know how
he let Kensuke convince him to watch Alyssa after she left the roof. He could be doing
something more constructive... like being in the same shelter as Hikari... just to
make sure she was fine, of course!
After a minute have passed with nothing happening, he was about to tell Kensuke that
he was going back home when he noticed that his friend's respiration had come out as
a strangled gasp. Promptly shifting his attention towards the field, he gasped as well
at what he saw.
Out of nowhere, a strange craft had appeared in front of the girl, who was boarding
it! The ship had a strange arrowhead-like design, a strange blue color that he
couldn't identify. But what was more surprising was that, when Alyssa was onboard,
the craft suddenly disappeared in thin air! And he hadn't heard a thing! He and
Kensuke remained silent and unmoving until it was dark. When he talked again, Touji's
voice was subdued.
"Kensuke?"
"Yeah?"
"Sorry."
"For what?"
"For not believing you."
"That's ok... I was... hoping to... be wrong, you know?"
"Yeah..."
Their conversation finished, the two of them headed back to the nearest shelter, deep
in thought. It wasn't until he was back in his room that Kensuke noticed that he had
forgotten to turn off his camcorder. Deciding to do it early in the morning, he went
to sleep.
"Pilot Alyssa? Wake up."
"Huh? Wha... what?" Alyssa opened her eyes, heavy with sleep. After the first hour
without anything happening, she had decided to take a nap. She still didn't
understand why some people back home wanted to become observers during their missions.
Surveillance work was so boring! While she slept, she left Alexis to handle the
monitoring of the events.
"Looks like Operation Yashima is about to start. Energy has been diverted from the
whole of Japan to this location a moment ago, and Pilots Ikari and Ayanami had
boarded their Evangelions and gotten in position." Reported Alexis.
"Good! Let's see how they're doing." Moving the Manta to a side of the whole
operation, Alyssa noticed that EVA-00 had positioned itself to the left and front of
the other Eva, while EVA-01 was on its belly, holding the positron rifle and aiming
it. Turning the ship a little, she noticed that Tokyo-3 was now completely
blacked-out, the exception being the area where the Angel hovered, a sort of bluish
light emanating from it.
"Query, Pilot Alyssa. While I understand the need of making a direct observation of
the proceedings of an operation of this scale, what I do not understand is why you
should be here."
"Because of what you said before, remember?" said Alyssa, shifting her attention back
to the Evangelions. "The shield that they are using is insufficient protection against
a direct blast. So, in case that thing fires in this direction, we'll help protecting
then using our own shields. That will give them a better chance of survival."
"I must object to this course of action." Retorted Alexis, her tone somewhat miffed.
"Although the Manta's shielding system is adequate for protection against such a
blast, there are two limiting factors. One, the general protection area is quite
small in relation to an Evangelion. And two, you will be taking a considerable risk,
a risk that is unacceptable."
"Maybe so..." said Alyssa, sighing deeply. "But I'll do it anyway."
"Why?"
"Why? Because... it's the right thing to do."
Alexis considered the answer for a couple of seconds before talking again. "I do not
understand."
"You will, don't worry." Alyssa was about to say something else when things began to
happen at a rapid pace.
Alexis began to give a rapid-paced report in that instant. "Alert! Sensors picking up
massive surge of energy emanating from the Angel. It is preparing to fire in this
direction. Power charge of positron rifle is complete, targeting protocols indicate
that shot is imminent."
No more time for words existed, since both EVA-01 and the Angel fired at the same
time. However, the moment the shots crossed paths over a nearby lake, the energy of
the shots began to interact between them, causing the shots to curl for an instant
before going astray. The Eva's shot hit on the city outskirts, while the Angel's shot
hit on the nearby hillside, sending a shockwave that buffeted the nearby ground
vehicles and the Manta in the air.
"What happened??" asked Alyssa after regaining control of the Manta.
"The magnetic casings of both particle and positron beams interacted between
themselves, altering their courses and sending then astray." Reported Alexis. "ALERT!
Angel is charging again, preparing for a second shot!"
"WHAT???" screeched Alyssa, looking in the direction of the Evangelions' position.
"Are they ready to shot again?"
Alexis immediately focused the ship's sensors in the direction of the Evas, getting a
reading. "Positron rifle is recharging, however, recharge rate is slower than the
Angel's. The latter will shot first."
"Standby to de-cloak, and charge shield!" ordered Alyssa.
In that instant, the Angel fired towards the Evas. Alyssa didn't have time to even
think what to do when the particle beam impacted the Evangelions' position, a shower
of energy spreading all over the place. The Manta's cockpit polarized itself
automatically to compensate the sudden brightness, revealing to a stunned Alyssa an
incredible sight.
EVA-00 was standing in front of the Angel's beam, using its shield to deflect the
attack. However, it was obvious that the shield wasn't going to last long, since it
was melting at an accelerated rate. It wouldn't be long before it finally gave way.
"MOVE!!!" screamed Alyssa at seeing it.
"Negative." Before Alyssa could ask, Alexis explained herself.
"The discharge of the particle beam and our shield will create a magnetic bubble of
sufficient strength to deviate the positron shot. Our intervention will doom them."
Alyssa still tried to direct the Manta in front of the enemy beam, however her
attempts were thwarted by Alexis' intervention, forcing her to watch in horrified
fascination how EVA-00 withstood the shot. It seemed to her like an eternity before
the positron rifle fired again, and even more before the yellow shot of the Angel
stopped.
"Positron beam hit the target." Reported Alexis, her voice sounding alleviated.
"Direct hit. The Angel has been totally disabled."
Alyssa didn't have time to comment to that, however, since in that instant EVA-01
moved towards the damaged Eva... and ripped off a section of armor, revealing the
entry plug. With infinite care, the purple Evangelion grabbed the plug and gently
lowered it to the ground. A moment later, EVA-01's own entry plug exited, allowing
Shinji to hurry towards Rei's plug.
Alyssa was shaken out of her stupor when the Manta began to land on a nearby clearing.
"Alexis, what are you doing??"
"Pilot Ayanami is in need of medical attention," responded the Artificial
Consciousness, "I am taking control of the synthezoid to aid in her rescue. Pilot
Alyssa must remain on the ship."
Alyssa was about to retort to Alexis' actions when she began to think again.
Rationalizing the situation, she realized that, having the chance to have thought it
first, she would have done the exact same thing.
Shinji was worried beyond belief for Rei. After the first shot missed the Angel, his
worse nightmare came to life when the Angel fired again before the rifle was charged.
He felt his heart and soul break when the shield that EVA-00 was using finally gave
up, leaving it defenseless to the onslaught. The pain he felt was still fresh in his
memory, and cringed at the thought of what a fragile girl like Rei had felt in those
short seconds.
Almost falling after leaving his entry plug, Shinji raced towards Rei's plug. Once in
there, he began to struggle with the emergency hatch lock. However, the metal was
incredibly hot, beginning to burn his hands through his plug suit's gloves. He didn't
mind it and continued to struggle, focusing all his attention on the task at hand.
So, it didn't come as a big surprise when he was shoved away by a strong hand. When
Shinji turned around, he was greeted with the sight of a silver-clad humanoid figure
standing next to the entry plug; without an apparent effort, the strange being placed
its hands on both sides of the emergency hatch... and ripped it off its hinges.
The onslaught of emotions he was feeling was enough for Shinji to make him react once
the entrance was clear. Before the strange figure could move in that direction,
Shinji was quickly at the entrance of the plug. The first thing he noticed was the
immobile figure of Rei, sprawled on her seat.
"REI!! Rei, answer me, are you all right??" Shinji felt that his soul returned to his
body when he heard the blue haired girl moan. "Rei!"
The first thing Rei noticed when she woke up was the pain that coursed all over her
body, especially on her chest. Knowing that this was an after-effect of the experience
due to the synchronization, she forced herself to open her eyes. Once her blurred
vision cleared enough, she saw Shinji looking at her, worry etched on his face. But
most noticeably...
"Shinji... why are you crying?" It was puzzling to her, especially since Shinji was
smiling at her at the same time.
Still sobbing a little, Shinji gave his answer. "Rei... never... NEVER... say goodbye
again before going to a mission. It's... it's sad. Never say that again in front of
me, please."
Rei almost frowned at the words, puzzled, when suddenly a memory came forth. It was
of Commander Ikari, right after he had rescued her from the entry plug after the
activation test incident. That memory made her gasp.
"Rei! Are you all right?" asked Shinji, suddenly worried at her reaction.
"I'm ashamed... I don't know how to react." Answered Rei, looking away from Shinji.
"Why don't you try to smile then?" was the answer. Rei pondered a moment the
request... finally, she did it.
Shinji's heart skipped a beat at the sight. Rei, normally, had a serene, gothic-like
beauty already. But a smiling Rei... she was simply gorgeous! He could gladly have
remained watching her smile for the rest of his life, but he was gently pushed aside
by a strong hand. When he turned around, he saw the strange being standing behind him,
its hand on his shoulder moving him to one side.
Rei's surprise was pretty big when she saw the new arrival. A silver-clad figure with
a faceplate that covered the entire front of its head was now standing at the
entrance. She watched as the stranger seemed to observe her intently for a moment
before picking her up and taking her out of the entry plug, and again, with great
care, it placed her gently on the ground in front of a shocked Shinji.
Rei watched intently at the strange being, a memory tickling on the back of her mind.
Something about it reminded her of something she had seen recently. Suddenly, she
knew. Looking intently at the faceplate, she said one word.
"Alexis?"
The figure barely nodded, but Rei caught the movement anyway. Turning in Shinji's
direction, the figure first pointed a finger at him, then signaled its own 'face'
around eye level, then pointed in Rei's direction Shinji caught the meaning of the
gesture.
"Yes. I'll look after her."
It was at that moment that the sound made by the rescue teams, lead by Misato, was
heard by the trio. Nodding in the direction of the Children, the synthezoid turned
around and headed in the direction of a nearby tree cluster.
Once the synthezoid was back onboard, the Manta cloaked again and headed in the
direction of the warehouse they were using. The travel was made in silence, both
Alyssa and Alexis keeping their thoughts for themselves. It was right when Alyssa was
leaving the cockpit once the ship was secured when Alexis made a comment.
"Pilot Alyssa?"
"Yes Alexis?"
"Remember when I questioned you about your motives of wanting to intervene in the
local affairs?"
"Yes Alexis, I remember. Why do you ask?"
Alexis hesitated for a couple of seconds before answering. "Because... I finally
understand what you meant with 'the right thing to do.' From now on, you have my full
cooperation."
"Thank you Alexis. I appreciate it." Alyssa smiled all the way back to her apartment,
and her smile remained on her face all night while she slept.
* * * *
Early the next morning, Gendo, Fuyutzuki and Ritsuko were together in the main office
to discuss the events of the last attack. At the moment, Dr. Akagi had finished
telling the amount of damage EVA-00 suffered when they finally reached what
interested the most to the Commander.
"So, according to pilot Ikari, the new... arrival... simply ripped the hatch off the
entry plug?" asked the sub-commander.
"That's right." Answered Dr. Akagi. "That, by itself, is an amazing feat. The entry
plug, as you already know, is designed to withstand anything short of an N2 mine blast
at point blank range; however, after looking at the hand-like prints on the metal, it
leads me to believe that the strength of that strange being is enough to resist any
attempt to capture it with conventional methods.
"And that's not all, "she continued, "if the description of its clothes given by both
pilots is accurate, that being seems to be wearing a suit made of the same material
the sphere we captured is made of. So, that implies that using firearms against it
will be futile."
"It can't be that strong, is it?" asked Fuyutzuki, frowning at the idea of such being
getting curious enough to enter NERV headquarters and not being able to stop it.
"Even if the material of that suit has just half the strength of that strange metal...
in short, the MAGI estimate that activating the self-destruct of Terminal Dogma would
be the only way to stop it, and even then... the success probability is calculated as
a 67.56443%." Finished Dr. Akagi.
Silence reigned in the office for a couple of minutes, after such the Commander
finally spoke. "It is obvious that a conventional approach won't accomplish anything.
However, it seems that this stranger is interested on the First Child. Keep her under
constant surveillance in case a new contact is established. You are all dismissed."
Once he was alone, Gendo began to think of how to get a grab on this... visitor. Yes,
Rei was the key to it, and he was ready to use the opportunity to its fullest. If he
could get a hold on the technology that being was so blatantly displaying, his trump
cards' deck would be more than enough to overpower SEELE with the greatest of ease.
Even more, perhaps he could find an alternate way to finally accomplish what he
wanted all these years. At that thought, one word escaped his lips.
"Yui..."
* * * *
The school day had gone pretty uneventful so far. The professor had been droning about
his experiences after Second Impact as always, allowing Alyssa to catch up on some
sleep. After all, everything that had happened during the Angel's attack had taken
its toll. What came as an unexpected bonus was that Alexis was taking notes for her!
Alyssa was glad that the AC was showing more interest in the mundane things of life,
freeing her to do other things. When the bell rang signaling the start of lunch, she
took her bento and headed to a nearby tree to enjoy it. She wished she could have
shared it with Rei of Shinji, but both had, apparently, been called by NERV to spend
some time in the hospital for a checkup.
She was halfway though her lunch when a couple of shadows blocked the sun from her.
Turning her head up, she saw Touji and Kensuke looking straight at her. What was
strange were their expressions: Touji looked... scared, while Kensuke looked smug.
Leaving her half-eaten lunch on the grass next to her, she addressed them, smiling
brightly. "Hi! What's up?"
When she talked, Touji almost jumped out of his tracksuit and ran for the hills,
screaming. He was tremendously nervous now that he knew that Kensuke had been right
all this time (who would have thought?). After returning home, he had been assaulted
by images coming from all those bad sci-fi anime that Kensuke had forced him to watch
in the past. Images of slime-oozing, tentacled horrors roaming around doing horrible
things to the helpless inhabitants of the Earth filled his mind. He was half-expecting
Alyssa to already know they had seen her board her spaceship and blast them with a
death-ray or something... or perhaps, as Kensuke had told Shinji one day, abduct
them, perform horrible things to their minds and turn them into her dutiful slaves.
Bullies? No problem, he could face them with a smile on his face. Angels? Big deal!
Leave them to Shinji and Rei and bam, angel fricassee! But how do you deal with
someone that has been fooling you so easily?
Kensuke, on the other hand, was ecstatic. Finally, vindication!! All the research,
all the preparation, all the watching of anime and bad sci-fi soap operas had finally
come to fruition for this very same moment! The moment when an emissary of mankind
(namely, himself) finally made contact with an intelligent being from outer space
(Angels were supposed to be aliens, but they seemingly wanted to blow mankind to
kingdom's come, so in his book, they didn't count). Dreams of barely-clad, nubile
girls fawning all over him filled his mind... among other things better left to the
imagination.
Clearing his throat, Kensuke decided to use the direct approach. "Don't play innocent
with us, Starr... we know!"
Alyssa blinked at the two boys, idly thinking that they were acting odder than usual.
Scratching the back of her neck, she asked. "Excuse me? Know what? What are you
talking about?"
"Perhaps this will refresh your memory...." Said Kensuke, handing her a photo he had
extracted from his camcorder's disk that morning. He had to admit it, it was a real
beauty! There she was, Alyssa entering the strange craft, which was floating in the
air without any means apparent. When Alyssa's eyes bulged when she saw the photo, he
knew he had her right where he wanted her. "So, care to explain it, or do you prefer
us to show it to NERV? I bet they will be interested in talking with you after seeing
it."
Touji felt a chill running down his spine when he heard Kensuke said that. 'What is
he doing??" he thought. 'Is he trying to kill us all??'
Alyssa, meanwhile, was staring at the photo in her hands. 'When did he took it?? And
why didn't you warn me about them being so close, eh Alexis?'
'I'm sorry.' Answered Alexis thought their mental link. 'My attention was focused on
the Manta in that moment. I did not do a sensor sweep to check the area.'
'What's done is done... very well, what did my dad tell me about situations like this?
Oh yes! Get a higher bidder position and bluff my way out of it!'
'Pilot Alyssa... I don't think that is appropriate for this situation...' said Alexis,
dubious of that course of action.
'Watch and learn!' finished Alyssa. Handing back the photo, she schooled her facial
expression to a serious mask. "All right... you got me. What is it do you want?"
Kensuke smiled brightly in triumph. Success!!! Unfortunately, he used one of the most
cliché lines in all history. "Take me to your leader!!"
Touji and Alyssa developed some very big sweat drops at that statement.
"I don't know..." muttered Alyssa. "You don't seem the kind of person we are looking
for. Not even you Touji... however, there is a couple of persons around here more
suitable. Perhaps I shall forward my schedule and talk with our class-rep, don't you
think?"
"You stay away from her!!!" growled Touji, his fear being replaced by a fierce need
to protect Hikari.
'Gotcha!' thought Alyssa in triumph. "All right, let's make a deal then, ok? You three
come to my place and we'll discuss this matter more deeply. And no Touji, Hikari MUST
come, since she's one of the people we intend to talk with anyway, so she needs to
come." She then stood up, taking her half-consumed bento with her. "Oh, and don't
think of talking about this meeting with anybody, you hear? The consequences would
be... unpleasant." She then turned around to head for class, leaving a stunned pair
of boys behind.
'Pilot Alyssa...' inquired Alexis once they were alone in the corridors. 'Why did you
include subject Hikari in this meeting? It is bad enough that those two caught us,
and you plan to add a third one? This is highly irregular, not to mention dangerous.'
'I have my reasons, Alexis.' Answered Alyssa. 'You see, we need a way to control
Touji, and seeing how big of a crush he has on our dear class-rep, she is the most
logical selection to do that, understand?'
'I understand that, and I applaud your insight. But what about subject Kensuke? How
are we going to control him?'
'You'll see... now, let's think of what to talk with them about, ok?' Alyssa had
reached the classroom when the bell rang, so she got ready to think deeply on what to
tell the others after class.
* * * *
It was a strange trio of youngsters the one that approached Alyssa's apartment.
Kensuke seemed somewhat... bouncy at being there. Touji, on the contrary, was looking
at all sides. Even more, he seemed to have developed a nervous twitch on his right
eye, not to mention the fact that he was walking rather closely to Hikari.
The last fact didn't go unnoticed by the class-rep. Granted, she somewhat enjoyed the
proximity of the taller boy, but still... she was starting to feel a little
overwhelmed. If she didn't know better, she would have thought that he was actually
afraid of being here.
Clearing her throat, she addressed the two boys accompanying her. "All right, now,
can you tell me what are we doing here? I have to go back home soon, you know?"
"That's a great idea class-rep!" blurted Touji, sounding a little hysterical. "I'll
walk you back home!"
"Will you calm down??" said an exasperated Kensuke. "Nothing's going to happen, you'll
see!"
"What are you talking about?" inquired Hikari, suddenly intrigued. "And why would
something might happen? We are here to help Alyssa with her homework... right?"
Touji was about to say something when, suddenly, the front door of the apartment
opened, and a female voice none of them recognized at first said: "ENTER."
Touji gulped loud enough to be heard by his two companions, but followed them
nevertheless. Once the trio left their shoes at the entrance and donned the house
slippers in there, they entered the living room. Kensuke fell a little disappointed
at seeing a normal looking place, half-expecting to see a fully operational alien
base in there.
Touji on his part, kept his nerves tense. No, he wasn't going to drop his guard for
one minute! After all, he felt the need to protect his friends from... whatever
diabolical things this stranger had planned for all of them!
Hikari, on her part, was looking around the place. It was clean, tastefully decorated
and had a warm atmosphere on it. She liked it at first sight. "Hi Alyssa! Where are
you?"
From one of the nearby rooms, Alyssa's voice was heard. "Right here! Please sit down;
I'll be with you in a moment! Make yourselves comfortable!"
The three arrivals kneeled around the living room table, Hikari pleasantly surprised
to see Touji taking a place real close to her. Kensuke, on the other hand, took a
place where he could see right in the direction of the room where Alyssa was... well,
doing whatever she was doing. When Alyssa finally emerged from the room, Kensuke
couldn't help but drool at the sight.
Alyssa was wearing a suit similar to the one of the synthezoid's. The silver suit
molded to her body like a plug suit, leaving almost nothing to the imagination! And
when she took her place with her friends, even Touji had to gulp at the sight.
Obviously, his reaction didn't go unnoticed to Hikari.
"Alyssa... what are you wearing?" asked the class-rep, frowning.
Alyssa sighed, taking those last seconds to reorder her ideas; it was not going to be
easy. "Hikari... guys, this isn't easy for me so please be patient." She then
addressed Hikari directly. "Hikari... I'm sorry, but I've been lying to you all."
"What do you mean? Lying about what?" asked the class-rep, puzzled.
"Hikari... please don't hate me for this lie but... you see... I'm not from here."
"I already knew that." Said Hikari, her voice softening at seeing Alyssa struggle to
find the right words. "You already told us that when you arrived at school."
"Well... yes and no...you see... that story was a cover-up. I come from a place that
is... farther away than just another continent." Seeing Hikari's blank stare, Alyssa
decided to finally drop her bomb. "Hikari... I... I'm not from this planet."
Alyssa, along with Alexis, had tried to come with a whole set of scenarios and
planned on that basis. However, Hikari's reaction was something they didn't think
about, much less expected.
At first, Hikari just stood there, a blank expression on her face. A few seconds
later, her body began to shake lightly, much to Touji's concern. It didn't last
long... since she suddenly burst in laughter, to the surprise of the presents.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!... I... I... Alyssa... you... you worried me
for a moment! This... this is... AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
While Hikari was having her laughing bout, Alyssa decided to address Kensuke. "You
brought your photo, right?" seeing Kensuke nod, she smiled and extended her hand.
Kensuke understood the meaning and handed her the photo, wondering what she wanted to
do with it. To him it didn't matter, since he had already made copies of it, along
with a security copy of the original disk.
Handing the photo to Touji, Alyssa added. "Show this to her." Grabbing the photo,
Touji placed one arm around Hikari's shoulders to help her get her balance. "Eh...
class-rep? You better look at this. She's not lying, you know?"
Hikari wiped the tears off her eyes with the back of one hand, and looked at the
proffered photograph. Slowly, her laughter began to subside, until it finally
stopped. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she addressed Touji. "Nice photo.
Kensuke doctored it, right?" seeing Touji's serious expression, all thoughts of this
situation being a joke began to fly out the nearest window. "This... is a joke, isn't
it?" seeing Touji shacking his head in the negative she looked at her two other
companions. "This... has to be a joke. It IS a joke, right?"
"This is no joke, Hikari. This is the absolute truth." Began Alyssa. "If these two..."
she then pointed towards Kensuke and Touji, "haven't caught me yesterday boarding my
ship, you wouldn't have known until my people made contact with you."
"Contacted... ME???" asked Hikari, shocked. She was barely aware of Touji's arm
around her shoulders, and was grateful of his support.
"Yes, you." Said Alyssa, smiling. "You see, you have all the qualities we like in all
of our associates: honor, empathy towards others, gentleness, grace, you value the
truth above everything else, you don't let circumstances get the best off you... not
to mention, that you have a strong guy along you that would protect you from whatever
harm might come your way." This last she said looking at Touji, winking, causing
Touji to blush.
"But... why? I'm not special..." muttered Hikari. This was becoming too much for her.
"That's what you think, but I differ." Said Alyssa. "It's because you are so honest
with both yourself and others that qualifies you as prime material for us. You see,
people like you are so rare. It would be a total shame to let someone like you slip
through our fingers without even talking!" Seeing that Hikari was starting to be
overwhelmed by the concept, she just added. "Just think of what I told you ok? You
don't have to give me an answer immediately, since this is just an informal meeting.
When my people give you the official offering... well, it's going to be entirely your
decision if to accept to join us or not. No pressure, no strings attached, just an
honest offer." She then turned to face Kensuke, knowing that the class-rep was in
good hands, judging by the way Touji had already grabbed one of Hikari's hands to
offer his support.
"So... while the two lovebirds think about this, I can guess that you want to start
the interrogation, eh?"
"You bet!" said Kensuke, happy that his turn had finally come. "There is so much I
want to ask you that... I don't know where to start!"
"Well, while you think about your first question, would you excuse me for a moment? I
have the refreshments ready in the kitchen. I'll go and get them!" said Alyssa,
standing up and heading to the kitchen.
Seeing Alyssa retreating, Touji addressed Hikari. "Are you okay?"
"I... I guess so." Said Hikari, sighing. "This is... incredible! My friend... an
alien? And she wants me to join them? But... why me? I don't understand... I'm no one
special..."
"NO!! No, that's not true!" said Touji, this time grabbing her hands in his and
looking at Hikari straight in her eyes. "She's right, you know? Everything she said
about you... it's the complete and absolute truth. But, she forgot to mention one
thing."
"What?"
"That you are also beautiful... both inside and out. And... that I... well..." at
this point, Touji blushed a bright red, suddenly insecure of how to put it.
Hikari couldn't say a thing, too many emotions running through her. This side of
Touji's, a side she had longed to see, mesmerized her. He looked so... vulnerable...
she felt the sudden urge to embrace him with all her strength and never let go, all
the while assuring him that everything will be ok, that she would be by his side...
always.
"Do you want me to leave you two alone?" said Kensuke, his face supported by one hand
and looking bored. "Or perhaps I should ask Alyssa to let you two use her room?"
His comment caused an immediate reaction. Both Touji and Hikari sat ramrod-straight,
looking down at their laps, both blushing furiously.
"Oh come on Kensuke! Don't you have one gram of romance on that lanky body of yours?"
said Alyssa, carrying a tray with a tea service and some soda cans, along with some
snacks. "But I agree with you in one thing." Placing the tray on the table, she
addressed the couple. "You two have to talk about your feelings. Who knows? You would
be pleasantly surprised by the results." That last comment caused the addressee to
blush even more.
Nobody said a word until the refreshments were served. Kensuke and Alyssa took soda,
while Hikari and Touji went for the tea (perhaps to calm their nerves.). Comfortable
once more, Alyssa addressed Kensuke. "Ok, so, what do you want to know?"
Kensuke thought for a few seconds, finally deciding on one generic question. "Ok,
first question: where is your world?"
"Mmmm... I guess I'll let my companion to answer that question." Said Alyssa. She
then raised her arm, allowing the others to see the bracer she was wearing. "Allow me
to present you. Guys, Alexis. Alexis, the guys!"
"Pleased to meet you. I hope we can work together in harmony and unity towards a
common goal." Said Alexis with a clear voice.
The three of them just blinked as a response. It was Hikari the one that spoke first.
"Alyssa... you aren't a ventriloquist, are you? I mean... that was your voice."
"Really? I never noticed..." commented Alyssa, frowning slightly. "And no, I'm not.
Well, how to explain it? Ok, first, Alexis is an Artificial Consciousness Program.
This bracer you see I'm wearing is in reality a very sophisticated computer that
allows me to interface with my ship."
"Artificial Consciousness?" asked Kensuke, intrigued. "Don't you mean Artificial
Intelligence?"
"Negative." Answered Alexis, taking the word. "An Artificial Intelligence is limited
by the power of the computer system that runs it. However, an Artificial Consciousness
is completely self-sufficient. My reactions to external stimuli are 100% similar to
the ones a living sentient would show. I am able to adapt and, if necessary, to alter
my environment to suit my needs."
"Cool!" said Kensuke, his eyes riveted to the bracer.
"Now, to answer you previous question," said Alexis. From the gems on the bracer, a
soft greenish light began to glow, "our home world is in another galaxy." The light
then coalesced into a 3D holographic image. "Some millennia ago, our race achieved
the technological advancements to create a suitable environment for what would later
become our way of life."
Touji, Kensuke and Hikari gasped at what they saw. The image depicted in great detail
the form of Reality Base 1 in all its glory. The external face of the ring world was
alive with a myriad of bright light specks coming and going; the internal face was
brightly illuminated by the sun the ring surrounded, showing a great deal of sights.
Recuperating from the initial surprise, Hikari made the next question. "Way of life?"
"To explore the universe." Said Alyssa. "To learn, to adapt, to help when we're
needed... and wanted."
"So, you're here to help us? Mankind, I mean?" asked Touji.
"Not precisely." Said Alexis, dispelling the hologram. "The normal policy is to not
intervene in a developing society. Said society has to learn by itself, without
unwanted stimuli."
"However," interrupted Alyssa, "your case is somewhat... special. You see, your world
was developing at a normal rate, even considering what you call Second Impact. But
some... unexpected visitors... changed all that."
"The Angels." Muttered Kensuke.
"Exactly." Said Alexis. "These beings, designated: Angels are a life form not
previously encountered. Obviously, that aroused our curiosity. However, a direct
contact with you (mankind, I mean) would cause more harm than good in regards of
offering assistance to stop these invaders."
"And why is that?" asked Touji. "I mean, I wouldn't mind an armada of spaceships
dealing with those creeps!"
"Perhaps you, but what about the rest of the world?" said Alyssa, sighing. "Consider
this: my people noticed the existence of the Angels after they first attacked this
city. If we sent a flotilla of warships to orbit your world, that would cause
worldwide panic. THAT by itself would be worse than an angel attacking one city.
We're talking here a repeat of the social environment that existed right after Second
Impact."
Nobody said a word after that statement, silently digesting that. After a couple of
minutes, Alyssa continued. "That is why we were sent. To learn what is truly going
on, and to see if our help is wanted or not. And that is where people like Hikari
enter."
"Say what?!?" inquired Hikari, surprised by the statement.
"That is right." Said Alexis. "People like you have the innate ability to probe the
feelings of his/her surrounding peers. Subconsciously, you evaluate and catalog the
reactions of people to different stimuli. That is something not even the most complex
computer program can quantify. Your opinion is extremely valuable."
"so... what do I have to do then?" asked Hikari, smiling at the praise.
Alyssa just shrugged. "Be yourself. Just continue your routine and let your heart
guide you. If your sincere, and let me emphasize that, your sincerest opinion is that
the majority of people would accept our help, then we will act. If you think that
just a minority will accept us, then we just keep watching from afar. Let me repeat
myself on that point: we don't impose ourselves on anybody. That... simply is not our
style."
"That's all fine and dandy." Said Kensuke, feeling somewhat out of the conversation.
"But what about Touji and myself? I mean, you told us that you weren't planning on
contacting us!"
"Yeah! Why are you telling us all this? Wouldn't it have been easier to... I don't
know, erase our memories or something like that?" asked Touji, feeling better
somewhat.
"Well... for starters. Yes, you're right. You weren't going to be contacted." Began
Alyssa. "However, to just erase your memories of my true self... that wouldn't have
been fair to Hikari, right?" seeing Touji nodding in agreement, she continued.
"Besides, you two proved us wrong. You found out about me by yourselves, not to
mention that you caught me flat-footed!" that comment elicited some good-hearted
laughs among the present.
This time, it was Alexis who took the word. "That is right. Now, we are going to need
your assistance for the rest of our investigation."
"Perfect! What do we have to do then?" inquired Kensuke, anxious to learn anything
from these two visitors.
Alyssa smiled at her friends, satisfied that things were going smoothly. "For
starters, you Touji. Just be there for Hikari. After all, as my people say, a happy
explorer is an efficient explorer!" she couldn't help but giggle seeing the couple
blush once more. "And you Kensuke... well, you are good at gathering information."
"Heh... I'm simply the best!" said Kensuke, smiling at Alyssa in what (he thought)
was a roguish manner.
"Good." Said Alexis. "Because we need your assistance in finding out whatever is
available regarding the combat units, designation: Evangelion. Based on previous
battles, initial estimates show that such units are fairly efficient in dealing with
beings designation: Angels. More detailed data is needed to formulate a solid report."
"Not to mention that we'll have to talk about the Evangelion Pilots." Interjected
Alyssa. "Don't you think is a bit strange for 14 year old kids to drive those things?
Why not use especially trained soldiers for that? That by itself simply doesn't add
up."
"And why not ask Shinji?" asked Hikari, curious. "After all, he IS an Eva pilot."
Alyssa sighed at the question, already expecting it. "I'm trying. But you have to
admit. Either he's too closed to talk about it freely, or he's ordered not to talk
about it. Or perhaps he simply doesn't know. I'm still not sure of what possibility
is the truth."
"Well, in that case, why not Ayanami? She's a pilot too." Said Kensuke.
"I already made contact with her." Said Alexis. "However, she is even more closed in
that respect than subject: Ikari. I suspect she has been ordered not to talk about
the Evangelions."
Everybody kept quiet after that, trying to find a new angle. The silence was
interrupted by Alexis. "A new reunion will be in order when you all learn more.
Nothing else will be gathered from this reunion. However, there is one more thing
each one of you can do right now."
"And what is it, Alexis?" inquired Alyssa, frowning.
"Since you all are reunited, you should better start making your homework." Said the
Artificial Consciousness. "After all, the teacher left lots of assignments today, and
it is only logical that you all work on finishing them at the same time. More time
and effort efficient that way."
Needless to say, the four teens face vaulted at the suggestion.
Two hours later, all their homework was finished. With the help and guidance of
Alexis, the assignments were done in record time... despite Kensuke's whining about
the AC not doing it for them. Alexis' answer to that?: "You are the ones that have to
learn. Besides, it is for your own good."
Kensuke, Touji and Hikari were already at the door and ready to go to their
respective homes when Hikari turned around and asked Alyssa. "There is one thing I
forgot to ask you before... would you mind if asked you now?"
"Of course not Hikari! What is it?"
"How do you call yourselves? I mean, your people?"
Smiling, Alyssa put her hand on Hikari's shoulder. "Humans, Hikari. We are called
humans, just like you."
* * * *
It was a pretty... educational experience for the two extra-dimensional travelers
after that first reunion. First of all, Kensuke and Touji were there every morning to
greet Shinji and escort him to school. For Alexis, it was just normal, not to mention
adequate since (in her opinion anyway), that allowed their associates to make a more
in-depth study of the designated subject.
Alyssa, on the other hand, wasn't fooled. When she confronted them, she wasn't truly
surprised upon learning that her dear neighbor, Captain Katsuragi, liked to open the
door dressed in some very... ahem skimpy attire. The next reunion the 'study group'
(scheduled once a week by general agreement) had led to a rather heated berating from
part of Hikari regarding Touji ogling other women. What was surprising was the
comment that Alexis made to calm the couple: "it doesn't matter really where he wets
his appetite... as long as he dines back home." When she explained her reasoning,
Alyssa wondered if Touji and Hikari would regain their normal skin color; it should
be uncomfortable to blush that much!
What latter had Kensuke and Alyssa fuming was learning, a week later, that an
emergency had erupted at Tokyo-2 during a test of a prototype robot called Jet Alone,
Shinji and Misato had saved the day by stopping the rogue robot and preventing a
nuclear meltdown of its on-board fusion reactor. What had them seething was learning
the story from Shinji two whole days after the incident! Kensuke was furious with
himself from having missed that juicy bit of information, and Alyssa because she
missed all the action!
It was three days later, during their next 'study session' that Kensuke mentioned his
news.
"Hey, guess what? I got word from a reliable source that NERV is going to receive a
new EVA!"
"Are you sure of the accuracy of your information?" inquired Alexis.
"Positive!" said Kensuke, managing to sound mildly offended at the idea of being
questioned on his favorite theme. "Word says that the German branch of NERV is
sending it via sea transport and should arrive soon! Man, what I wouldn't give to be
there!"
"That's great Kensuke!" said Alyssa, patting him on a shoulder. "Now I truly believe
that you are the best gathering information! This certainly makes up for that slip on
the Jet Alone test!"
"Don't remind me about that!" moaned Kensuke. "I still can't believe I missed that
one!"
"Oh, cheer up Kensuke!" said Touji, smiling at his friend. "One slight slip-up can
happen to anyone! Come on, up with those spirits!"
It was in that moment that someone knocked on the apartment's door. Leaving her
friends to talk, Alyssa went to open the door, and was pleasantly surprised at seeing
who was there. "Hey Shinji! What's up?"
Shinji looked a little out of it due to the enthusiastic greeting. However, he
composed himself quickly enough to remember what brought him there in the first
place. "Ahhh... hi Alyssa. Are Touji and Kensuke with you? When I called Kensuke's
home, his father told me that he and Touji were here studying..."
"Yeah, they're here. But please come in! Feel yourself at home!" said Alyssa,
stepping aside to let Shinji enter. Out the corner of her eye, she noticed that
Shinji slightly cringed when she said the world 'home'. Deciding to investigate that
in-depth later, she focused on being a good hostess. When they arrived to the living
room, she called the others. "Hey guys! Look who's here to pay a visit!"
"Well, if it isn't the hero in person!" said Touji, smiling at his friend. "Just
heard about your deeds with that giant robot problem. I feel so proud of you!"
"We all are Shinji." Added Hikari.
"That's right!" said Alyssa, smiling as well. "What you did was really brave! I would
have been terrified have I been in your place!"
"I... I was scared at that moment..." said Shinji, blushing at the unexpected praise.
"But I had to do it... I was ordered to act, so I just... did my job."
"Don't be so modest Shinji!" said Alyssa, patting him on the back. "You did great! Oh,
but what a terrible hostess I am! What can I offer you? And please, sit down! Make
yourself comfortable."
"No, that's ok. I just came to give a message to Touji and Kensuke." Said Shinji, a
ghost of a smile on his lips. He then addressed his friends. "Ummm... guys, Misato
told me that tomorrow, she and I are going to greet the pilot of the new EVA in the
sea, so... I was wondering... and she said it's ok... if you want to come with us..."
"ARE YOU SERIOUS!?!?" said Kensuke, jumping to his feet and standing in front of
Shinji, their noses almost touching. "Man, this is so cool!! But of course we're
going with you!"
"Aaaah, a sea cruise with Misato!" said Touji, drooling at the idea. "The salty
breeze playing with her hair, the water making her clothes to... OUCH!" he then had
to rub the ribs hit by Hikari's elbow, not to mention cringe at the murderous look
she was directing at him. "Aaaah... I mean... sure Shinji! We'll go with you, no
problem!"
"Looks like your wish has come true, Kensuke!" said Alyssa, smiling at their antics.
"Don't forget to take plenty of photos while in there!"
"Sure do!" said Kensuke, his glasses catching the light and giving him a somewhat
manic appearance. "Man, I have to go and buy more disks for my camera! And the extra
battery packs, I have to start charging them!!"
"That's all I came here to say, so... I'm leaving now. Thanks guys." Shinji then
turned around and began heading to the door when Alyssa stopped him.
"Hey Shinji, wait! I was meaning to ask you before, but it slipped my mind. Do you
want to join us?"
"Huh?"
"Yeah! I mean, join our little study group! Come on, it will be fun! Besides, the
more the merrier, right guys?"
A chorus of "yeah!" answered the question. Shinji became flustered at the offer, not
to mention the eagerness his friends showed to convince him. "I... I don't know. I'm
not sure..."
"Come on Shinji, join us!" said Touji. "As she said, it will be fun! We don't have to
study all the time, you know? Sometimes, we just talk, goof around, stuff like that!"
"Yes." Added Hikari. "Come on, why not? We can help each other with our studies. What
do you say?"
Alyssa decided to add her grain of salt to convince him, seeing Shinji about to
accept the idea. "Come on what do you say? It's not as if we're asking you to move to
another country! Join us? Please pretty please, with sugar on top?" To sweeten the
deal, she decided to direct his way The Look: Big, star-filled eyes, small smile,
hands in front of her chest, half-begging, half-praying... needless to say, Shinji
didn't stand a chance
"O... o... ok... I will..."
"Great!" said Alyssa, smiling brightly. "See you here next week then?"
"Su... sure. Now... I have to go, bye!" Shinji then rushed to the door, still shaken
by the force of Alyssa's kawaii look.
"Alyssa, shame on you! Why did you do it?" asked Hikari, shocked at her friend's
underhanded tactics.
"You almost gave the poor guy a heart attack!" added Touji, smirking. "Way to go!"
"Oh, come on guys! If I didn't do that, he would have never accepted! After all, it
wasn't as if I was going to drag him to my room and take advantage of him, right?"
Alyssa giggled at seeing the expression on Hikari's face.
"You wouldn't have done that... right?" asked Kensuke, is glasses fogged at the
prospect of being able to have a first line seat for such an event! "And... would you
have minded if I recorded it?"
"EWW!! That's gross, even for you Kensuke!" said Alyssa, frowning. "Besides, Shinji
would have had a heart attack if I did that!"
They continued discussing down that line of thought for some time, until it was time
for the other to go back home. Before going, Alexis asked Touji and Kensuke to keep
their eyes and ears open during their voyage and to keep all they could learn in mind
for the next time they meet. Saying their goodbyes, they all went home.
* * * *
The next day, after school was over, Alyssa headed back to her apartment in good
spirits. The night before, she commented with Alexis the desire to go and follow
their two friends to greet this mysterious new pilot, but the AC opposed the idea.
She stated that, since they had nothing more to use, she needed the systems on the
Manta to keep an eye on the transmissions and happenings all over Tokyo-3. "Besides,"
she added, "Kensuke and Touji are very observant. They will do a good job."
Nevertheless, she had a good day at school. During lunch, she and Hikari talked about
what happened the day before, Hikari sighing at Touji's reaction t the idea of going
with Misato. It took Alyssa and Alexis a little effort to calm their friend, but they
did it by the end of the lunch period.
Alyssa was approaching the building where she lived when she noticed that two trucks
were parked in front of the place. Noticing the letters 'DHL' stenciled on the sides
of the vehicles, she asked Alexis their meaning.
'DHL is the logo of a messenger company on this world. They are used to deliver all
kind of packages all around the planet, according to my information.'
'Mmmm... I wonder what are they doing here...? Oh well.' Alyssa then entered the
elevator, but upon arrival at her floor, the scene of four tired-looking men hauling
boxes to Misato's apartment greeted her. Curiosity getting the best of her, she
addressed the man nearest her.
"Excuse me, but what's all that?"
Sighing deeply, the man answered her question, his voice sounding tired. "A rush
delivery. I never imagined that someone could have so many boxes! I'm pooped!"
Curious, Alyssa took a peek at the invoice on one of the boxes, quickly finding the
name of the recipient of so man boxes.
'Asuka Langley Sohryu... exotic name.' She thought.
'It is logical to assume that these are the belongings of the new pilot.' Commented
Alexis using their mind link. 'Perhaps Captain Katsuragi is keeping them until the
new pilot gets installed on his new living quarters?'
'Perhaps... who knows? Well, we can ask the guys tomorrow.' Answered Alyssa. Thanking
the deliveryman for the information, she then entered her apartment and got ready to
start her homework.
It was until next day that she learned what had happened during that sea voyage.
Shinji, Kensuke and Touji were discussing the events of the previous day when Alyssa
entered the classroom. "Hey guys! What are you doing?"
"Just talking..." said a fuming Touji. "Man, I can't believe she was such a bitch!"
"No kidding!" agreed Kensuke. "At least we won't see her again."
"Yeah..." groused Touji. "I mean, she's pretty and all, but with an attitude like
that... I feel sorry for Shinji here. I mean, he's going to have to work with her!"
"What are you talking about?"
"They're talking about the pilot of Unit-02." Clarified Shinji, grateful for the
interruption. "She is a good pilot but... has a little attitude."
"A little??" exclaimed Touji, standing up. "Come on Shinji! What kind of fantasy
world you live in? She stepped on the cap I bought especially for that trip yesterday
without reason! She slapped us because the wind raised her skirt! She's
head-over-heels for a guy that could be her father! Not to mention that she spent the
whole trip putting you down just because you're the Third Child!!"
"That's not to mention that she forced you to wear one of her plug suits." Commented
Kensuke. "I have to say, red is not your color man."
"And why would she do that to poor Shinji?" Asked Alyssa, very curious about that
tidbit of gossip.
"An Angel attacked us." Clarified Kensuke. "It sunk one third of the fleet escorting
the new EVA before she and Shinji got rid of it."
"Hey, don't forget that it was Captain Katsuragi's plan the one that got rid of the
Angel!" said Touji.
"You'll have to tell me -everything- during lunch! This sounds like you had one big
adventure yesterday!" said Alyssa, smiling.
"Sure thing!" said Kensuke, fingering his camcorder.
In that moment, the bell rang, indicating the start of classes. They were about to
take their places when a voice that sent shivers down the spines of the Three Stooges
was clearly heard.
"Gutten Morgen!"
Very slowly, Touji and Kensuke turned in the direction of the blackboard. Upon seeing
who was there, their faces lost all color and went into shock. Even Shinji looked
surprised.
Frowning, Alyssa looked to the front. What she saw was a pretty redhead, more or less
their same age, with delicate face and bright blue eyes. Looking at the blackboard,
she read the name the new arrival had written, and gasped as well.
Turning around, a bright smile on her lips, the redhead addressed the students.
"Hello. My name is Asuka Langley Sohryu. Pleased to meet you!"
TO BE CONTINUED.
Author's Notes:
First of all, I want to apologize to all readers of my fic for the delay on getting
out this chapter. I have no excuse but the one that plagues all writers. Real Life
sticking its head in my business and killing my inspiration... sorry about that. Now,
I can't promise that the next chapter will come quicker, but I will try my best to
send it out ASAP.
Now, I imagine that most people out there want to know why I made Hikari and Touji
realize their mutual feelings for each other so early in the story. Well, why not?
After all, by now we all know that those two feel something one for the other, so why
delay the inevitable. Besides, that will also gives foot for some heated discussions
between Asuka and Hikari regarding "the Hentai that wants to take advantage of poor
innocent Hikari." (Geez, I wonder who would say that?)
And regarding why I didn't cover the Jet Alone and the 6th Angel episodes... well,
keep in mind that my objective here is to try to explain the events of NGE through
the eyes of a third person that isn't a new EVA pilot, but a simple observer.
Besides, I don't want to make my character an all-knowing, all-powerful being that
can solve the original cast's problems by a simple wave of her hand. That's not what
I want, not to mention that it would definitely kill the story the moment I do that!
Before closing, I want to thank all those who have written my way asking for this
chapter. Thanks to you all for your support! Now, another round of thanks go to the
guys that have reviewed my story on fanfiction.net. It's because of people like you
that writers like me keep struggling against terrible odds to keep writing our
stories. Keep 'em coming!!
Next on NoG:
Asuka vs. Alyssa!
A philosophical chat between Rei and Alexis! (Or as a friend of mine put: a chat
between a body with no soul and a soul with no body.)
The attack of the 7th Angel!
All that and more, so... BE THERE!
Neon Genesis Evangelion copyright Gainax in Japan and ADVideo in America. This is just
for entertainment and no monetary purpose is achieved by this work. Characters used
without permission.
Although this is not my first fanfic, it is my first regarding Evangelion. Therefore,
gentle reader(s), treat it as a first-time fic, ok? Thanks for your comprehension,
and hope you like it!
Now, a little clarification here: As I mentioned above, this is not my first fic, but
I'm going to introduce a character of my own... no, don't go!! Sheesh... ok, now that
you're back, let's continue. Ahem Well, for this purpose, I'm going to use an
approach I used for a previous one I'm still writing. Instead of putting Shinji and
co. in strange situations, I'll... well, you'll see!
And now, without more delays... let the show begin!!!
WARNING!!!
SPOILERS AHEAD!! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!
THE NAME OF THE GAME
An NGE fic by
Commander Galos (gabinol@infosel.net.mx)
CHAPTER 4
Alyssa didn't know how long she remained watching the now empty street after EVA-01
had been retrieved. The only thing that was running through her mind over and over
was Shinji's screams when the Angel's particle beam hit the Evangelion. She was still
in a daze when Alexis talked again.
"Angel is deploying a crystal-like structure under it. Its function appears to be a
drilling device. Analyzing." Grateful for the intrusion on her battered mental
processes, Alyssa leaned back on her seat and waited for Alexis' analysis. She didn't
have to wait long. "Analysis terminated. Strange protrusion is a hollow drill, its tip
and spiral-like protrusions appear to be made of an energy-reinforced crystal of
unknown composition, although traces of diamond, quartz and beryllium have been
detected."
"Do... do you have any information regarding Shinji?" inquired Alyssa, worried for
her friend.
"According to transmissions, pilot Shinji Ikari has been retrieved and moved to
NERV's medical facilities. More information can't be gained at this point." Answered
Alexis.
"Let's go home, Alexis... I need to think." Said Alyssa, feeling tired all of a
sudden.
Half an hour later, Alyssa was back on her place, lying on her bed. She had curled in
a ball, trying to cope with the emotions that coursed through her mind. First and
foremost was Worry for Shinji. She could only imagine what the poor guy had been
through when that monster had hurt him. Second, was Fear... fear for her new friends'
security and lives. And last was Anger... anger against those strange beings that
kept hurting innocents. Why were those aliens doing that? What were they looking for?
She was starting to fall asleep when Alexis talked to her. "Pilot Alyssa... are you
all right?"
"No... but thanks for asking." Said Alyssa. "What do you want Alexis?"
"Since I lost the only probe we had available... I need your authorization for our
next step."
"What step? What are you talking about?" asked Alyssa, curious about what the AC was
planning now.
"Before you returned here, I left the Manta's sensors open. Apparently, there is some
sort of activity regarding the new Angel. I need your authorization to send the Manta,
piloted by the synthezoid, to gather more information."
Alyssa just sighed, deep in thought. After a couple of minutes she stood up and headed
to the second bedroom. Upon entry, she took a good look at the synthezoid. She
observed the strange being that originally was thought to just test the Manta and
return home... something that she had disrupted with her need to find a place where
she could think and re-order her life.
The synthezoid was a humanoid-looking being, about the same height of Alyssa. Dressed
in a one-piece silver flight suit, the unit's head was covered with a helmet that
covered its whole head, with an oval dark faceplate in front that covered the whole of
the 'face'. Completely androgynous, the synthezoid was an artificial humanoid, a
cyborg whose organic parts had been cultivated in a laboratory. Or perhaps it was more
accurate to say that it was a puppet, a marionette that danced to the tunes played by
its masters. Alyssa left those and other thoughts fade on the back of her mind for
the time being.
After taking a good look at the synthezoid, she finally talked. "All right Alexis...
send it. Gather all the information you can and... we'll talk about it later."
"Acknowledge." Immediately, the synthezoid walked out of the room and went out of the
apartment. Alyssa was about to comment about the synthezoid being seen like that when
she remembered that the city was still on alert, all the people still in the shelters.
It was highly improbable that somebody could notice it. Seeing that everything was in
Alexis' hands (so to speak), Alyssa returned to her room and tried to rest... and
plan what to do with what she would learn.
Two hours later, Alexis commented with Alyssa what she had learned. During the first
hour, the Manta's sensors had relayed what had happened. Apparently, NERV was testing
the Angel's defensive and offensive capabilities. First, by the use of a balloon in
the form and equal size of EVA-01 carried by a remote-controlled boat; which had been
blasted in a moment. Second, from a far-away placed railroad, a heavy mortar was fired
against the Angel. Again, it was destroyed after the shot made contact with its
AT-field.
But the biggest surprise came when the Manta followed Captain Katsuragi to one of the
military depots of the JSDF... followed by an EVA unit they hadn't seen before.
Painted in a yellow-orange color, it sported one eye and a glowing green dome on top
of the head. Even more surprising was that the pilot, according to the intercepted
transmissions, was none other than Rei Ayanami!
Alyssa was looking at the hologram projected from the gems of the bracer when she
noticed what was extracted from the depot, via lifting the roof. "What the heck is
that? It looks like some kind of rifle or something."
"According to sensor data," reported Alyssa, "the equipment appears to be a positron
rifle. However, recent projections of power generation of this city prove that the
actual energy reserves available are insufficient for an optimal usage of this weapon."
"Mmmm... I wonder what are they planning to do..." wondered Alyssa. After the briefing
was over, she headed towards the kitchen to drink some water. After rinsing the glass,
she addressed Alexis. "Keep the Manta on the air, checking everything. They wouldn't
mobilize all this equipment for nothing."
"Acknowledge."
Their answer came a couple of hours later. From a series of broadcasts going all over
the main island, Alexis deduced that...
"NERV is redirecting the power of all of Japan to this city. There is a 99.486%
probability that the energy will be used with the positron rifle the Manta detected
earlier."
"How can you be so sure?" inquired Alyssa, puzzled. She didn't expect that the
inhabitants could do something like that in such a short amount of time.
"Mobilization of heavy duty electric equipment has been detected, along with a lot of
personnel that has been transported to a place designation: Mount Futago." Answered
Alexis. "The total amount of power being redirected is 185+ million kilowatts,
sufficient for a good shot against the Angel. However, without actual structural data
of the positron rifle, I am incapable of calculating the probabilities of success for
this maneuver, codenamed: Operation Yashima."
"You've learned a lot in a short time Alexis. I'm impressed!" commented Alyssa.
"Thank you."
Alyssa raised an eyebrow upon hearing Alexis' acknowledgment; this was a first!
'Well, Alexis is learning more each passing day!' she thought for herself. 'I wonder
how she'll react once the integration is complete?' smiling to herself, she headed to
the entrance, grabbed her coat and went out.
"Where are we going?" asked Alexis, curious.
"To the school! While you were analyzing the data, Kensuke called. He, Touji and
others are gathering at the school's roof. Apparently, he learned from his father
that the Evangelions are going to get out around six o' clock, so we're going to get
a good look at them when they appear."
"Kensuke Aida is very resourceful." Commented Alexis. "Perhaps we should consider
enlisting his help to achieve our mission."
Alyssa didn't say a thing, but during the whole walk to the school building she
couldn't help but feel a chill running down her spine each time she considered
'working' side-to-side with Kensuke...
On her way to the school, she bought some snacks and sodas from vending machines still
working, same that she and the guys gathered at the roof were enjoying. The sun was
starting to set, and the people waiting for the Eva's appearance was starting to get
nervous.
"Where are they?" asked Touji, leaning against the railing.
"Don't worry, they'll get here, you'll see!" answered Kensuke, sighing. He had
answered the same question for the last five minutes. He was sure that his father was
right on his information, so he wasn't worried. However, having to repeat himself so
many times was starting to grate on his nerves.
"Come on, be patient Touji!" added Alyssa. "After all, moving those things must take
lots of time!"
Touji glared at her, and was about to retort when the birds from a nearby mountain
took flight. Everybody turned in that direction just in time to watch...
"Hey, the mountain is opening!" noticed one of the other boys.
Effectively, among the sound of warning sirens, one side of the mountain moved aside,
revealing an underground passage. As soon as the massive doors were completely open,
the forms of EVA-01 and EVA-00 emerged from the depths of NERV HQ. As soon as they
were clear, glowing as if surrounded by fire thanks to the setting sun, the people
gathered at the roof cheered them.
Using their mind link, Alyssa inquired. 'Alexis, is the Manta scanning them?'
'Systems up and running.' Answered the AC. 'The ship is already on stealth mode,
flying nearby.'
'Good! Could you tell me what is that thing one of the Evangelions is carrying? Looks
like a shield.'
'Collating sensor data... analysis complete. Apparently, that object is the bottom of
a space shuttle, wired to use an electromagnetic envelop to reinforce it. However,
comparison between structural integrity of shield and actual data from the Angel's
particle weapon indicate that the former is insufficient for prolonged protection
against the latter.'
Alyssa considered the new information for a few seconds before coming to decision.
After saying her farewells to the group, she headed to the sports field. 'Alexis,
call the Manta to pick us up. I want to see the Evangelions in action!'
'Pilot Alyssa, are you sure this is necessary?' Inquired Alexis, puzzled. 'I mean, I
do not see any need for us to be on-site.'
'I'll explain to you once the Manta is here, all right? Now, call it.'
'Complying.'
Unknown to them both, since Alexis was busy sending the recall signal to the Manta, a
couple of eyes were watching her.
"What is she doing in here?" whispered Touji to his companion.
"Beats me, but I bet it's nothing good!" responded Kensuke, prepping his camcorder.
This time, he had showed to Touji that the battery pack was fresh and the disk was in
working order. "I suspect that she's calling her mothership using a telepathic
communication thingie."
"You are nuts, you know?" commented Touji, sighing heavily. He still didn't know how
he let Kensuke convince him to watch Alyssa after she left the roof. He could be doing
something more constructive... like being in the same shelter as Hikari... just to
make sure she was fine, of course!
After a minute have passed with nothing happening, he was about to tell Kensuke that
he was going back home when he noticed that his friend's respiration had come out as
a strangled gasp. Promptly shifting his attention towards the field, he gasped as well
at what he saw.
Out of nowhere, a strange craft had appeared in front of the girl, who was boarding
it! The ship had a strange arrowhead-like design, a strange blue color that he
couldn't identify. But what was more surprising was that, when Alyssa was onboard,
the craft suddenly disappeared in thin air! And he hadn't heard a thing! He and
Kensuke remained silent and unmoving until it was dark. When he talked again, Touji's
voice was subdued.
"Kensuke?"
"Yeah?"
"Sorry."
"For what?"
"For not believing you."
"That's ok... I was... hoping to... be wrong, you know?"
"Yeah..."
Their conversation finished, the two of them headed back to the nearest shelter, deep
in thought. It wasn't until he was back in his room that Kensuke noticed that he had
forgotten to turn off his camcorder. Deciding to do it early in the morning, he went
to sleep.
"Pilot Alyssa? Wake up."
"Huh? Wha... what?" Alyssa opened her eyes, heavy with sleep. After the first hour
without anything happening, she had decided to take a nap. She still didn't
understand why some people back home wanted to become observers during their missions.
Surveillance work was so boring! While she slept, she left Alexis to handle the
monitoring of the events.
"Looks like Operation Yashima is about to start. Energy has been diverted from the
whole of Japan to this location a moment ago, and Pilots Ikari and Ayanami had
boarded their Evangelions and gotten in position." Reported Alexis.
"Good! Let's see how they're doing." Moving the Manta to a side of the whole
operation, Alyssa noticed that EVA-00 had positioned itself to the left and front of
the other Eva, while EVA-01 was on its belly, holding the positron rifle and aiming
it. Turning the ship a little, she noticed that Tokyo-3 was now completely
blacked-out, the exception being the area where the Angel hovered, a sort of bluish
light emanating from it.
"Query, Pilot Alyssa. While I understand the need of making a direct observation of
the proceedings of an operation of this scale, what I do not understand is why you
should be here."
"Because of what you said before, remember?" said Alyssa, shifting her attention back
to the Evangelions. "The shield that they are using is insufficient protection against
a direct blast. So, in case that thing fires in this direction, we'll help protecting
then using our own shields. That will give them a better chance of survival."
"I must object to this course of action." Retorted Alexis, her tone somewhat miffed.
"Although the Manta's shielding system is adequate for protection against such a
blast, there are two limiting factors. One, the general protection area is quite
small in relation to an Evangelion. And two, you will be taking a considerable risk,
a risk that is unacceptable."
"Maybe so..." said Alyssa, sighing deeply. "But I'll do it anyway."
"Why?"
"Why? Because... it's the right thing to do."
Alexis considered the answer for a couple of seconds before talking again. "I do not
understand."
"You will, don't worry." Alyssa was about to say something else when things began to
happen at a rapid pace.
Alexis began to give a rapid-paced report in that instant. "Alert! Sensors picking up
massive surge of energy emanating from the Angel. It is preparing to fire in this
direction. Power charge of positron rifle is complete, targeting protocols indicate
that shot is imminent."
No more time for words existed, since both EVA-01 and the Angel fired at the same
time. However, the moment the shots crossed paths over a nearby lake, the energy of
the shots began to interact between them, causing the shots to curl for an instant
before going astray. The Eva's shot hit on the city outskirts, while the Angel's shot
hit on the nearby hillside, sending a shockwave that buffeted the nearby ground
vehicles and the Manta in the air.
"What happened??" asked Alyssa after regaining control of the Manta.
"The magnetic casings of both particle and positron beams interacted between
themselves, altering their courses and sending then astray." Reported Alexis. "ALERT!
Angel is charging again, preparing for a second shot!"
"WHAT???" screeched Alyssa, looking in the direction of the Evangelions' position.
"Are they ready to shot again?"
Alexis immediately focused the ship's sensors in the direction of the Evas, getting a
reading. "Positron rifle is recharging, however, recharge rate is slower than the
Angel's. The latter will shot first."
"Standby to de-cloak, and charge shield!" ordered Alyssa.
In that instant, the Angel fired towards the Evas. Alyssa didn't have time to even
think what to do when the particle beam impacted the Evangelions' position, a shower
of energy spreading all over the place. The Manta's cockpit polarized itself
automatically to compensate the sudden brightness, revealing to a stunned Alyssa an
incredible sight.
EVA-00 was standing in front of the Angel's beam, using its shield to deflect the
attack. However, it was obvious that the shield wasn't going to last long, since it
was melting at an accelerated rate. It wouldn't be long before it finally gave way.
"MOVE!!!" screamed Alyssa at seeing it.
"Negative." Before Alyssa could ask, Alexis explained herself.
"The discharge of the particle beam and our shield will create a magnetic bubble of
sufficient strength to deviate the positron shot. Our intervention will doom them."
Alyssa still tried to direct the Manta in front of the enemy beam, however her
attempts were thwarted by Alexis' intervention, forcing her to watch in horrified
fascination how EVA-00 withstood the shot. It seemed to her like an eternity before
the positron rifle fired again, and even more before the yellow shot of the Angel
stopped.
"Positron beam hit the target." Reported Alexis, her voice sounding alleviated.
"Direct hit. The Angel has been totally disabled."
Alyssa didn't have time to comment to that, however, since in that instant EVA-01
moved towards the damaged Eva... and ripped off a section of armor, revealing the
entry plug. With infinite care, the purple Evangelion grabbed the plug and gently
lowered it to the ground. A moment later, EVA-01's own entry plug exited, allowing
Shinji to hurry towards Rei's plug.
Alyssa was shaken out of her stupor when the Manta began to land on a nearby clearing.
"Alexis, what are you doing??"
"Pilot Ayanami is in need of medical attention," responded the Artificial
Consciousness, "I am taking control of the synthezoid to aid in her rescue. Pilot
Alyssa must remain on the ship."
Alyssa was about to retort to Alexis' actions when she began to think again.
Rationalizing the situation, she realized that, having the chance to have thought it
first, she would have done the exact same thing.
Shinji was worried beyond belief for Rei. After the first shot missed the Angel, his
worse nightmare came to life when the Angel fired again before the rifle was charged.
He felt his heart and soul break when the shield that EVA-00 was using finally gave
up, leaving it defenseless to the onslaught. The pain he felt was still fresh in his
memory, and cringed at the thought of what a fragile girl like Rei had felt in those
short seconds.
Almost falling after leaving his entry plug, Shinji raced towards Rei's plug. Once in
there, he began to struggle with the emergency hatch lock. However, the metal was
incredibly hot, beginning to burn his hands through his plug suit's gloves. He didn't
mind it and continued to struggle, focusing all his attention on the task at hand.
So, it didn't come as a big surprise when he was shoved away by a strong hand. When
Shinji turned around, he was greeted with the sight of a silver-clad humanoid figure
standing next to the entry plug; without an apparent effort, the strange being placed
its hands on both sides of the emergency hatch... and ripped it off its hinges.
The onslaught of emotions he was feeling was enough for Shinji to make him react once
the entrance was clear. Before the strange figure could move in that direction,
Shinji was quickly at the entrance of the plug. The first thing he noticed was the
immobile figure of Rei, sprawled on her seat.
"REI!! Rei, answer me, are you all right??" Shinji felt that his soul returned to his
body when he heard the blue haired girl moan. "Rei!"
The first thing Rei noticed when she woke up was the pain that coursed all over her
body, especially on her chest. Knowing that this was an after-effect of the experience
due to the synchronization, she forced herself to open her eyes. Once her blurred
vision cleared enough, she saw Shinji looking at her, worry etched on his face. But
most noticeably...
"Shinji... why are you crying?" It was puzzling to her, especially since Shinji was
smiling at her at the same time.
Still sobbing a little, Shinji gave his answer. "Rei... never... NEVER... say goodbye
again before going to a mission. It's... it's sad. Never say that again in front of
me, please."
Rei almost frowned at the words, puzzled, when suddenly a memory came forth. It was
of Commander Ikari, right after he had rescued her from the entry plug after the
activation test incident. That memory made her gasp.
"Rei! Are you all right?" asked Shinji, suddenly worried at her reaction.
"I'm ashamed... I don't know how to react." Answered Rei, looking away from Shinji.
"Why don't you try to smile then?" was the answer. Rei pondered a moment the
request... finally, she did it.
Shinji's heart skipped a beat at the sight. Rei, normally, had a serene, gothic-like
beauty already. But a smiling Rei... she was simply gorgeous! He could gladly have
remained watching her smile for the rest of his life, but he was gently pushed aside
by a strong hand. When he turned around, he saw the strange being standing behind him,
its hand on his shoulder moving him to one side.
Rei's surprise was pretty big when she saw the new arrival. A silver-clad figure with
a faceplate that covered the entire front of its head was now standing at the
entrance. She watched as the stranger seemed to observe her intently for a moment
before picking her up and taking her out of the entry plug, and again, with great
care, it placed her gently on the ground in front of a shocked Shinji.
Rei watched intently at the strange being, a memory tickling on the back of her mind.
Something about it reminded her of something she had seen recently. Suddenly, she
knew. Looking intently at the faceplate, she said one word.
"Alexis?"
The figure barely nodded, but Rei caught the movement anyway. Turning in Shinji's
direction, the figure first pointed a finger at him, then signaled its own 'face'
around eye level, then pointed in Rei's direction Shinji caught the meaning of the
gesture.
"Yes. I'll look after her."
It was at that moment that the sound made by the rescue teams, lead by Misato, was
heard by the trio. Nodding in the direction of the Children, the synthezoid turned
around and headed in the direction of a nearby tree cluster.
Once the synthezoid was back onboard, the Manta cloaked again and headed in the
direction of the warehouse they were using. The travel was made in silence, both
Alyssa and Alexis keeping their thoughts for themselves. It was right when Alyssa was
leaving the cockpit once the ship was secured when Alexis made a comment.
"Pilot Alyssa?"
"Yes Alexis?"
"Remember when I questioned you about your motives of wanting to intervene in the
local affairs?"
"Yes Alexis, I remember. Why do you ask?"
Alexis hesitated for a couple of seconds before answering. "Because... I finally
understand what you meant with 'the right thing to do.' From now on, you have my full
cooperation."
"Thank you Alexis. I appreciate it." Alyssa smiled all the way back to her apartment,
and her smile remained on her face all night while she slept.
* * * *
Early the next morning, Gendo, Fuyutzuki and Ritsuko were together in the main office
to discuss the events of the last attack. At the moment, Dr. Akagi had finished
telling the amount of damage EVA-00 suffered when they finally reached what
interested the most to the Commander.
"So, according to pilot Ikari, the new... arrival... simply ripped the hatch off the
entry plug?" asked the sub-commander.
"That's right." Answered Dr. Akagi. "That, by itself, is an amazing feat. The entry
plug, as you already know, is designed to withstand anything short of an N2 mine blast
at point blank range; however, after looking at the hand-like prints on the metal, it
leads me to believe that the strength of that strange being is enough to resist any
attempt to capture it with conventional methods.
"And that's not all, "she continued, "if the description of its clothes given by both
pilots is accurate, that being seems to be wearing a suit made of the same material
the sphere we captured is made of. So, that implies that using firearms against it
will be futile."
"It can't be that strong, is it?" asked Fuyutzuki, frowning at the idea of such being
getting curious enough to enter NERV headquarters and not being able to stop it.
"Even if the material of that suit has just half the strength of that strange metal...
in short, the MAGI estimate that activating the self-destruct of Terminal Dogma would
be the only way to stop it, and even then... the success probability is calculated as
a 67.56443%." Finished Dr. Akagi.
Silence reigned in the office for a couple of minutes, after such the Commander
finally spoke. "It is obvious that a conventional approach won't accomplish anything.
However, it seems that this stranger is interested on the First Child. Keep her under
constant surveillance in case a new contact is established. You are all dismissed."
Once he was alone, Gendo began to think of how to get a grab on this... visitor. Yes,
Rei was the key to it, and he was ready to use the opportunity to its fullest. If he
could get a hold on the technology that being was so blatantly displaying, his trump
cards' deck would be more than enough to overpower SEELE with the greatest of ease.
Even more, perhaps he could find an alternate way to finally accomplish what he
wanted all these years. At that thought, one word escaped his lips.
"Yui..."
* * * *
The school day had gone pretty uneventful so far. The professor had been droning about
his experiences after Second Impact as always, allowing Alyssa to catch up on some
sleep. After all, everything that had happened during the Angel's attack had taken
its toll. What came as an unexpected bonus was that Alexis was taking notes for her!
Alyssa was glad that the AC was showing more interest in the mundane things of life,
freeing her to do other things. When the bell rang signaling the start of lunch, she
took her bento and headed to a nearby tree to enjoy it. She wished she could have
shared it with Rei of Shinji, but both had, apparently, been called by NERV to spend
some time in the hospital for a checkup.
She was halfway though her lunch when a couple of shadows blocked the sun from her.
Turning her head up, she saw Touji and Kensuke looking straight at her. What was
strange were their expressions: Touji looked... scared, while Kensuke looked smug.
Leaving her half-eaten lunch on the grass next to her, she addressed them, smiling
brightly. "Hi! What's up?"
When she talked, Touji almost jumped out of his tracksuit and ran for the hills,
screaming. He was tremendously nervous now that he knew that Kensuke had been right
all this time (who would have thought?). After returning home, he had been assaulted
by images coming from all those bad sci-fi anime that Kensuke had forced him to watch
in the past. Images of slime-oozing, tentacled horrors roaming around doing horrible
things to the helpless inhabitants of the Earth filled his mind. He was half-expecting
Alyssa to already know they had seen her board her spaceship and blast them with a
death-ray or something... or perhaps, as Kensuke had told Shinji one day, abduct
them, perform horrible things to their minds and turn them into her dutiful slaves.
Bullies? No problem, he could face them with a smile on his face. Angels? Big deal!
Leave them to Shinji and Rei and bam, angel fricassee! But how do you deal with
someone that has been fooling you so easily?
Kensuke, on the other hand, was ecstatic. Finally, vindication!! All the research,
all the preparation, all the watching of anime and bad sci-fi soap operas had finally
come to fruition for this very same moment! The moment when an emissary of mankind
(namely, himself) finally made contact with an intelligent being from outer space
(Angels were supposed to be aliens, but they seemingly wanted to blow mankind to
kingdom's come, so in his book, they didn't count). Dreams of barely-clad, nubile
girls fawning all over him filled his mind... among other things better left to the
imagination.
Clearing his throat, Kensuke decided to use the direct approach. "Don't play innocent
with us, Starr... we know!"
Alyssa blinked at the two boys, idly thinking that they were acting odder than usual.
Scratching the back of her neck, she asked. "Excuse me? Know what? What are you
talking about?"
"Perhaps this will refresh your memory...." Said Kensuke, handing her a photo he had
extracted from his camcorder's disk that morning. He had to admit it, it was a real
beauty! There she was, Alyssa entering the strange craft, which was floating in the
air without any means apparent. When Alyssa's eyes bulged when she saw the photo, he
knew he had her right where he wanted her. "So, care to explain it, or do you prefer
us to show it to NERV? I bet they will be interested in talking with you after seeing
it."
Touji felt a chill running down his spine when he heard Kensuke said that. 'What is
he doing??" he thought. 'Is he trying to kill us all??'
Alyssa, meanwhile, was staring at the photo in her hands. 'When did he took it?? And
why didn't you warn me about them being so close, eh Alexis?'
'I'm sorry.' Answered Alexis thought their mental link. 'My attention was focused on
the Manta in that moment. I did not do a sensor sweep to check the area.'
'What's done is done... very well, what did my dad tell me about situations like this?
Oh yes! Get a higher bidder position and bluff my way out of it!'
'Pilot Alyssa... I don't think that is appropriate for this situation...' said Alexis,
dubious of that course of action.
'Watch and learn!' finished Alyssa. Handing back the photo, she schooled her facial
expression to a serious mask. "All right... you got me. What is it do you want?"
Kensuke smiled brightly in triumph. Success!!! Unfortunately, he used one of the most
cliché lines in all history. "Take me to your leader!!"
Touji and Alyssa developed some very big sweat drops at that statement.
"I don't know..." muttered Alyssa. "You don't seem the kind of person we are looking
for. Not even you Touji... however, there is a couple of persons around here more
suitable. Perhaps I shall forward my schedule and talk with our class-rep, don't you
think?"
"You stay away from her!!!" growled Touji, his fear being replaced by a fierce need
to protect Hikari.
'Gotcha!' thought Alyssa in triumph. "All right, let's make a deal then, ok? You three
come to my place and we'll discuss this matter more deeply. And no Touji, Hikari MUST
come, since she's one of the people we intend to talk with anyway, so she needs to
come." She then stood up, taking her half-consumed bento with her. "Oh, and don't
think of talking about this meeting with anybody, you hear? The consequences would
be... unpleasant." She then turned around to head for class, leaving a stunned pair
of boys behind.
'Pilot Alyssa...' inquired Alexis once they were alone in the corridors. 'Why did you
include subject Hikari in this meeting? It is bad enough that those two caught us,
and you plan to add a third one? This is highly irregular, not to mention dangerous.'
'I have my reasons, Alexis.' Answered Alyssa. 'You see, we need a way to control
Touji, and seeing how big of a crush he has on our dear class-rep, she is the most
logical selection to do that, understand?'
'I understand that, and I applaud your insight. But what about subject Kensuke? How
are we going to control him?'
'You'll see... now, let's think of what to talk with them about, ok?' Alyssa had
reached the classroom when the bell rang, so she got ready to think deeply on what to
tell the others after class.
* * * *
It was a strange trio of youngsters the one that approached Alyssa's apartment.
Kensuke seemed somewhat... bouncy at being there. Touji, on the contrary, was looking
at all sides. Even more, he seemed to have developed a nervous twitch on his right
eye, not to mention the fact that he was walking rather closely to Hikari.
The last fact didn't go unnoticed by the class-rep. Granted, she somewhat enjoyed the
proximity of the taller boy, but still... she was starting to feel a little
overwhelmed. If she didn't know better, she would have thought that he was actually
afraid of being here.
Clearing her throat, she addressed the two boys accompanying her. "All right, now,
can you tell me what are we doing here? I have to go back home soon, you know?"
"That's a great idea class-rep!" blurted Touji, sounding a little hysterical. "I'll
walk you back home!"
"Will you calm down??" said an exasperated Kensuke. "Nothing's going to happen, you'll
see!"
"What are you talking about?" inquired Hikari, suddenly intrigued. "And why would
something might happen? We are here to help Alyssa with her homework... right?"
Touji was about to say something when, suddenly, the front door of the apartment
opened, and a female voice none of them recognized at first said: "ENTER."
Touji gulped loud enough to be heard by his two companions, but followed them
nevertheless. Once the trio left their shoes at the entrance and donned the house
slippers in there, they entered the living room. Kensuke fell a little disappointed
at seeing a normal looking place, half-expecting to see a fully operational alien
base in there.
Touji on his part, kept his nerves tense. No, he wasn't going to drop his guard for
one minute! After all, he felt the need to protect his friends from... whatever
diabolical things this stranger had planned for all of them!
Hikari, on her part, was looking around the place. It was clean, tastefully decorated
and had a warm atmosphere on it. She liked it at first sight. "Hi Alyssa! Where are
you?"
From one of the nearby rooms, Alyssa's voice was heard. "Right here! Please sit down;
I'll be with you in a moment! Make yourselves comfortable!"
The three arrivals kneeled around the living room table, Hikari pleasantly surprised
to see Touji taking a place real close to her. Kensuke, on the other hand, took a
place where he could see right in the direction of the room where Alyssa was... well,
doing whatever she was doing. When Alyssa finally emerged from the room, Kensuke
couldn't help but drool at the sight.
Alyssa was wearing a suit similar to the one of the synthezoid's. The silver suit
molded to her body like a plug suit, leaving almost nothing to the imagination! And
when she took her place with her friends, even Touji had to gulp at the sight.
Obviously, his reaction didn't go unnoticed to Hikari.
"Alyssa... what are you wearing?" asked the class-rep, frowning.
Alyssa sighed, taking those last seconds to reorder her ideas; it was not going to be
easy. "Hikari... guys, this isn't easy for me so please be patient." She then
addressed Hikari directly. "Hikari... I'm sorry, but I've been lying to you all."
"What do you mean? Lying about what?" asked the class-rep, puzzled.
"Hikari... please don't hate me for this lie but... you see... I'm not from here."
"I already knew that." Said Hikari, her voice softening at seeing Alyssa struggle to
find the right words. "You already told us that when you arrived at school."
"Well... yes and no...you see... that story was a cover-up. I come from a place that
is... farther away than just another continent." Seeing Hikari's blank stare, Alyssa
decided to finally drop her bomb. "Hikari... I... I'm not from this planet."
Alyssa, along with Alexis, had tried to come with a whole set of scenarios and
planned on that basis. However, Hikari's reaction was something they didn't think
about, much less expected.
At first, Hikari just stood there, a blank expression on her face. A few seconds
later, her body began to shake lightly, much to Touji's concern. It didn't last
long... since she suddenly burst in laughter, to the surprise of the presents.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!... I... I... Alyssa... you... you worried me
for a moment! This... this is... AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
While Hikari was having her laughing bout, Alyssa decided to address Kensuke. "You
brought your photo, right?" seeing Kensuke nod, she smiled and extended her hand.
Kensuke understood the meaning and handed her the photo, wondering what she wanted to
do with it. To him it didn't matter, since he had already made copies of it, along
with a security copy of the original disk.
Handing the photo to Touji, Alyssa added. "Show this to her." Grabbing the photo,
Touji placed one arm around Hikari's shoulders to help her get her balance. "Eh...
class-rep? You better look at this. She's not lying, you know?"
Hikari wiped the tears off her eyes with the back of one hand, and looked at the
proffered photograph. Slowly, her laughter began to subside, until it finally
stopped. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she addressed Touji. "Nice photo.
Kensuke doctored it, right?" seeing Touji's serious expression, all thoughts of this
situation being a joke began to fly out the nearest window. "This... is a joke, isn't
it?" seeing Touji shacking his head in the negative she looked at her two other
companions. "This... has to be a joke. It IS a joke, right?"
"This is no joke, Hikari. This is the absolute truth." Began Alyssa. "If these two..."
she then pointed towards Kensuke and Touji, "haven't caught me yesterday boarding my
ship, you wouldn't have known until my people made contact with you."
"Contacted... ME???" asked Hikari, shocked. She was barely aware of Touji's arm
around her shoulders, and was grateful of his support.
"Yes, you." Said Alyssa, smiling. "You see, you have all the qualities we like in all
of our associates: honor, empathy towards others, gentleness, grace, you value the
truth above everything else, you don't let circumstances get the best off you... not
to mention, that you have a strong guy along you that would protect you from whatever
harm might come your way." This last she said looking at Touji, winking, causing
Touji to blush.
"But... why? I'm not special..." muttered Hikari. This was becoming too much for her.
"That's what you think, but I differ." Said Alyssa. "It's because you are so honest
with both yourself and others that qualifies you as prime material for us. You see,
people like you are so rare. It would be a total shame to let someone like you slip
through our fingers without even talking!" Seeing that Hikari was starting to be
overwhelmed by the concept, she just added. "Just think of what I told you ok? You
don't have to give me an answer immediately, since this is just an informal meeting.
When my people give you the official offering... well, it's going to be entirely your
decision if to accept to join us or not. No pressure, no strings attached, just an
honest offer." She then turned to face Kensuke, knowing that the class-rep was in
good hands, judging by the way Touji had already grabbed one of Hikari's hands to
offer his support.
"So... while the two lovebirds think about this, I can guess that you want to start
the interrogation, eh?"
"You bet!" said Kensuke, happy that his turn had finally come. "There is so much I
want to ask you that... I don't know where to start!"
"Well, while you think about your first question, would you excuse me for a moment? I
have the refreshments ready in the kitchen. I'll go and get them!" said Alyssa,
standing up and heading to the kitchen.
Seeing Alyssa retreating, Touji addressed Hikari. "Are you okay?"
"I... I guess so." Said Hikari, sighing. "This is... incredible! My friend... an
alien? And she wants me to join them? But... why me? I don't understand... I'm no one
special..."
"NO!! No, that's not true!" said Touji, this time grabbing her hands in his and
looking at Hikari straight in her eyes. "She's right, you know? Everything she said
about you... it's the complete and absolute truth. But, she forgot to mention one
thing."
"What?"
"That you are also beautiful... both inside and out. And... that I... well..." at
this point, Touji blushed a bright red, suddenly insecure of how to put it.
Hikari couldn't say a thing, too many emotions running through her. This side of
Touji's, a side she had longed to see, mesmerized her. He looked so... vulnerable...
she felt the sudden urge to embrace him with all her strength and never let go, all
the while assuring him that everything will be ok, that she would be by his side...
always.
"Do you want me to leave you two alone?" said Kensuke, his face supported by one hand
and looking bored. "Or perhaps I should ask Alyssa to let you two use her room?"
His comment caused an immediate reaction. Both Touji and Hikari sat ramrod-straight,
looking down at their laps, both blushing furiously.
"Oh come on Kensuke! Don't you have one gram of romance on that lanky body of yours?"
said Alyssa, carrying a tray with a tea service and some soda cans, along with some
snacks. "But I agree with you in one thing." Placing the tray on the table, she
addressed the couple. "You two have to talk about your feelings. Who knows? You would
be pleasantly surprised by the results." That last comment caused the addressee to
blush even more.
Nobody said a word until the refreshments were served. Kensuke and Alyssa took soda,
while Hikari and Touji went for the tea (perhaps to calm their nerves.). Comfortable
once more, Alyssa addressed Kensuke. "Ok, so, what do you want to know?"
Kensuke thought for a few seconds, finally deciding on one generic question. "Ok,
first question: where is your world?"
"Mmmm... I guess I'll let my companion to answer that question." Said Alyssa. She
then raised her arm, allowing the others to see the bracer she was wearing. "Allow me
to present you. Guys, Alexis. Alexis, the guys!"
"Pleased to meet you. I hope we can work together in harmony and unity towards a
common goal." Said Alexis with a clear voice.
The three of them just blinked as a response. It was Hikari the one that spoke first.
"Alyssa... you aren't a ventriloquist, are you? I mean... that was your voice."
"Really? I never noticed..." commented Alyssa, frowning slightly. "And no, I'm not.
Well, how to explain it? Ok, first, Alexis is an Artificial Consciousness Program.
This bracer you see I'm wearing is in reality a very sophisticated computer that
allows me to interface with my ship."
"Artificial Consciousness?" asked Kensuke, intrigued. "Don't you mean Artificial
Intelligence?"
"Negative." Answered Alexis, taking the word. "An Artificial Intelligence is limited
by the power of the computer system that runs it. However, an Artificial Consciousness
is completely self-sufficient. My reactions to external stimuli are 100% similar to
the ones a living sentient would show. I am able to adapt and, if necessary, to alter
my environment to suit my needs."
"Cool!" said Kensuke, his eyes riveted to the bracer.
"Now, to answer you previous question," said Alexis. From the gems on the bracer, a
soft greenish light began to glow, "our home world is in another galaxy." The light
then coalesced into a 3D holographic image. "Some millennia ago, our race achieved
the technological advancements to create a suitable environment for what would later
become our way of life."
Touji, Kensuke and Hikari gasped at what they saw. The image depicted in great detail
the form of Reality Base 1 in all its glory. The external face of the ring world was
alive with a myriad of bright light specks coming and going; the internal face was
brightly illuminated by the sun the ring surrounded, showing a great deal of sights.
Recuperating from the initial surprise, Hikari made the next question. "Way of life?"
"To explore the universe." Said Alyssa. "To learn, to adapt, to help when we're
needed... and wanted."
"So, you're here to help us? Mankind, I mean?" asked Touji.
"Not precisely." Said Alexis, dispelling the hologram. "The normal policy is to not
intervene in a developing society. Said society has to learn by itself, without
unwanted stimuli."
"However," interrupted Alyssa, "your case is somewhat... special. You see, your world
was developing at a normal rate, even considering what you call Second Impact. But
some... unexpected visitors... changed all that."
"The Angels." Muttered Kensuke.
"Exactly." Said Alexis. "These beings, designated: Angels are a life form not
previously encountered. Obviously, that aroused our curiosity. However, a direct
contact with you (mankind, I mean) would cause more harm than good in regards of
offering assistance to stop these invaders."
"And why is that?" asked Touji. "I mean, I wouldn't mind an armada of spaceships
dealing with those creeps!"
"Perhaps you, but what about the rest of the world?" said Alyssa, sighing. "Consider
this: my people noticed the existence of the Angels after they first attacked this
city. If we sent a flotilla of warships to orbit your world, that would cause
worldwide panic. THAT by itself would be worse than an angel attacking one city.
We're talking here a repeat of the social environment that existed right after Second
Impact."
Nobody said a word after that statement, silently digesting that. After a couple of
minutes, Alyssa continued. "That is why we were sent. To learn what is truly going
on, and to see if our help is wanted or not. And that is where people like Hikari
enter."
"Say what?!?" inquired Hikari, surprised by the statement.
"That is right." Said Alexis. "People like you have the innate ability to probe the
feelings of his/her surrounding peers. Subconsciously, you evaluate and catalog the
reactions of people to different stimuli. That is something not even the most complex
computer program can quantify. Your opinion is extremely valuable."
"so... what do I have to do then?" asked Hikari, smiling at the praise.
Alyssa just shrugged. "Be yourself. Just continue your routine and let your heart
guide you. If your sincere, and let me emphasize that, your sincerest opinion is that
the majority of people would accept our help, then we will act. If you think that
just a minority will accept us, then we just keep watching from afar. Let me repeat
myself on that point: we don't impose ourselves on anybody. That... simply is not our
style."
"That's all fine and dandy." Said Kensuke, feeling somewhat out of the conversation.
"But what about Touji and myself? I mean, you told us that you weren't planning on
contacting us!"
"Yeah! Why are you telling us all this? Wouldn't it have been easier to... I don't
know, erase our memories or something like that?" asked Touji, feeling better
somewhat.
"Well... for starters. Yes, you're right. You weren't going to be contacted." Began
Alyssa. "However, to just erase your memories of my true self... that wouldn't have
been fair to Hikari, right?" seeing Touji nodding in agreement, she continued.
"Besides, you two proved us wrong. You found out about me by yourselves, not to
mention that you caught me flat-footed!" that comment elicited some good-hearted
laughs among the present.
This time, it was Alexis who took the word. "That is right. Now, we are going to need
your assistance for the rest of our investigation."
"Perfect! What do we have to do then?" inquired Kensuke, anxious to learn anything
from these two visitors.
Alyssa smiled at her friends, satisfied that things were going smoothly. "For
starters, you Touji. Just be there for Hikari. After all, as my people say, a happy
explorer is an efficient explorer!" she couldn't help but giggle seeing the couple
blush once more. "And you Kensuke... well, you are good at gathering information."
"Heh... I'm simply the best!" said Kensuke, smiling at Alyssa in what (he thought)
was a roguish manner.
"Good." Said Alexis. "Because we need your assistance in finding out whatever is
available regarding the combat units, designation: Evangelion. Based on previous
battles, initial estimates show that such units are fairly efficient in dealing with
beings designation: Angels. More detailed data is needed to formulate a solid report."
"Not to mention that we'll have to talk about the Evangelion Pilots." Interjected
Alyssa. "Don't you think is a bit strange for 14 year old kids to drive those things?
Why not use especially trained soldiers for that? That by itself simply doesn't add
up."
"And why not ask Shinji?" asked Hikari, curious. "After all, he IS an Eva pilot."
Alyssa sighed at the question, already expecting it. "I'm trying. But you have to
admit. Either he's too closed to talk about it freely, or he's ordered not to talk
about it. Or perhaps he simply doesn't know. I'm still not sure of what possibility
is the truth."
"Well, in that case, why not Ayanami? She's a pilot too." Said Kensuke.
"I already made contact with her." Said Alexis. "However, she is even more closed in
that respect than subject: Ikari. I suspect she has been ordered not to talk about
the Evangelions."
Everybody kept quiet after that, trying to find a new angle. The silence was
interrupted by Alexis. "A new reunion will be in order when you all learn more.
Nothing else will be gathered from this reunion. However, there is one more thing
each one of you can do right now."
"And what is it, Alexis?" inquired Alyssa, frowning.
"Since you all are reunited, you should better start making your homework." Said the
Artificial Consciousness. "After all, the teacher left lots of assignments today, and
it is only logical that you all work on finishing them at the same time. More time
and effort efficient that way."
Needless to say, the four teens face vaulted at the suggestion.
Two hours later, all their homework was finished. With the help and guidance of
Alexis, the assignments were done in record time... despite Kensuke's whining about
the AC not doing it for them. Alexis' answer to that?: "You are the ones that have to
learn. Besides, it is for your own good."
Kensuke, Touji and Hikari were already at the door and ready to go to their
respective homes when Hikari turned around and asked Alyssa. "There is one thing I
forgot to ask you before... would you mind if asked you now?"
"Of course not Hikari! What is it?"
"How do you call yourselves? I mean, your people?"
Smiling, Alyssa put her hand on Hikari's shoulder. "Humans, Hikari. We are called
humans, just like you."
* * * *
It was a pretty... educational experience for the two extra-dimensional travelers
after that first reunion. First of all, Kensuke and Touji were there every morning to
greet Shinji and escort him to school. For Alexis, it was just normal, not to mention
adequate since (in her opinion anyway), that allowed their associates to make a more
in-depth study of the designated subject.
Alyssa, on the other hand, wasn't fooled. When she confronted them, she wasn't truly
surprised upon learning that her dear neighbor, Captain Katsuragi, liked to open the
door dressed in some very... ahem skimpy attire. The next reunion the 'study group'
(scheduled once a week by general agreement) had led to a rather heated berating from
part of Hikari regarding Touji ogling other women. What was surprising was the
comment that Alexis made to calm the couple: "it doesn't matter really where he wets
his appetite... as long as he dines back home." When she explained her reasoning,
Alyssa wondered if Touji and Hikari would regain their normal skin color; it should
be uncomfortable to blush that much!
What latter had Kensuke and Alyssa fuming was learning, a week later, that an
emergency had erupted at Tokyo-2 during a test of a prototype robot called Jet Alone,
Shinji and Misato had saved the day by stopping the rogue robot and preventing a
nuclear meltdown of its on-board fusion reactor. What had them seething was learning
the story from Shinji two whole days after the incident! Kensuke was furious with
himself from having missed that juicy bit of information, and Alyssa because she
missed all the action!
It was three days later, during their next 'study session' that Kensuke mentioned his
news.
"Hey, guess what? I got word from a reliable source that NERV is going to receive a
new EVA!"
"Are you sure of the accuracy of your information?" inquired Alexis.
"Positive!" said Kensuke, managing to sound mildly offended at the idea of being
questioned on his favorite theme. "Word says that the German branch of NERV is
sending it via sea transport and should arrive soon! Man, what I wouldn't give to be
there!"
"That's great Kensuke!" said Alyssa, patting him on a shoulder. "Now I truly believe
that you are the best gathering information! This certainly makes up for that slip on
the Jet Alone test!"
"Don't remind me about that!" moaned Kensuke. "I still can't believe I missed that
one!"
"Oh, cheer up Kensuke!" said Touji, smiling at his friend. "One slight slip-up can
happen to anyone! Come on, up with those spirits!"
It was in that moment that someone knocked on the apartment's door. Leaving her
friends to talk, Alyssa went to open the door, and was pleasantly surprised at seeing
who was there. "Hey Shinji! What's up?"
Shinji looked a little out of it due to the enthusiastic greeting. However, he
composed himself quickly enough to remember what brought him there in the first
place. "Ahhh... hi Alyssa. Are Touji and Kensuke with you? When I called Kensuke's
home, his father told me that he and Touji were here studying..."
"Yeah, they're here. But please come in! Feel yourself at home!" said Alyssa,
stepping aside to let Shinji enter. Out the corner of her eye, she noticed that
Shinji slightly cringed when she said the world 'home'. Deciding to investigate that
in-depth later, she focused on being a good hostess. When they arrived to the living
room, she called the others. "Hey guys! Look who's here to pay a visit!"
"Well, if it isn't the hero in person!" said Touji, smiling at his friend. "Just
heard about your deeds with that giant robot problem. I feel so proud of you!"
"We all are Shinji." Added Hikari.
"That's right!" said Alyssa, smiling as well. "What you did was really brave! I would
have been terrified have I been in your place!"
"I... I was scared at that moment..." said Shinji, blushing at the unexpected praise.
"But I had to do it... I was ordered to act, so I just... did my job."
"Don't be so modest Shinji!" said Alyssa, patting him on the back. "You did great! Oh,
but what a terrible hostess I am! What can I offer you? And please, sit down! Make
yourself comfortable."
"No, that's ok. I just came to give a message to Touji and Kensuke." Said Shinji, a
ghost of a smile on his lips. He then addressed his friends. "Ummm... guys, Misato
told me that tomorrow, she and I are going to greet the pilot of the new EVA in the
sea, so... I was wondering... and she said it's ok... if you want to come with us..."
"ARE YOU SERIOUS!?!?" said Kensuke, jumping to his feet and standing in front of
Shinji, their noses almost touching. "Man, this is so cool!! But of course we're
going with you!"
"Aaaah, a sea cruise with Misato!" said Touji, drooling at the idea. "The salty
breeze playing with her hair, the water making her clothes to... OUCH!" he then had
to rub the ribs hit by Hikari's elbow, not to mention cringe at the murderous look
she was directing at him. "Aaaah... I mean... sure Shinji! We'll go with you, no
problem!"
"Looks like your wish has come true, Kensuke!" said Alyssa, smiling at their antics.
"Don't forget to take plenty of photos while in there!"
"Sure do!" said Kensuke, his glasses catching the light and giving him a somewhat
manic appearance. "Man, I have to go and buy more disks for my camera! And the extra
battery packs, I have to start charging them!!"
"That's all I came here to say, so... I'm leaving now. Thanks guys." Shinji then
turned around and began heading to the door when Alyssa stopped him.
"Hey Shinji, wait! I was meaning to ask you before, but it slipped my mind. Do you
want to join us?"
"Huh?"
"Yeah! I mean, join our little study group! Come on, it will be fun! Besides, the
more the merrier, right guys?"
A chorus of "yeah!" answered the question. Shinji became flustered at the offer, not
to mention the eagerness his friends showed to convince him. "I... I don't know. I'm
not sure..."
"Come on Shinji, join us!" said Touji. "As she said, it will be fun! We don't have to
study all the time, you know? Sometimes, we just talk, goof around, stuff like that!"
"Yes." Added Hikari. "Come on, why not? We can help each other with our studies. What
do you say?"
Alyssa decided to add her grain of salt to convince him, seeing Shinji about to
accept the idea. "Come on what do you say? It's not as if we're asking you to move to
another country! Join us? Please pretty please, with sugar on top?" To sweeten the
deal, she decided to direct his way The Look: Big, star-filled eyes, small smile,
hands in front of her chest, half-begging, half-praying... needless to say, Shinji
didn't stand a chance
"O... o... ok... I will..."
"Great!" said Alyssa, smiling brightly. "See you here next week then?"
"Su... sure. Now... I have to go, bye!" Shinji then rushed to the door, still shaken
by the force of Alyssa's kawaii look.
"Alyssa, shame on you! Why did you do it?" asked Hikari, shocked at her friend's
underhanded tactics.
"You almost gave the poor guy a heart attack!" added Touji, smirking. "Way to go!"
"Oh, come on guys! If I didn't do that, he would have never accepted! After all, it
wasn't as if I was going to drag him to my room and take advantage of him, right?"
Alyssa giggled at seeing the expression on Hikari's face.
"You wouldn't have done that... right?" asked Kensuke, is glasses fogged at the
prospect of being able to have a first line seat for such an event! "And... would you
have minded if I recorded it?"
"EWW!! That's gross, even for you Kensuke!" said Alyssa, frowning. "Besides, Shinji
would have had a heart attack if I did that!"
They continued discussing down that line of thought for some time, until it was time
for the other to go back home. Before going, Alexis asked Touji and Kensuke to keep
their eyes and ears open during their voyage and to keep all they could learn in mind
for the next time they meet. Saying their goodbyes, they all went home.
* * * *
The next day, after school was over, Alyssa headed back to her apartment in good
spirits. The night before, she commented with Alexis the desire to go and follow
their two friends to greet this mysterious new pilot, but the AC opposed the idea.
She stated that, since they had nothing more to use, she needed the systems on the
Manta to keep an eye on the transmissions and happenings all over Tokyo-3. "Besides,"
she added, "Kensuke and Touji are very observant. They will do a good job."
Nevertheless, she had a good day at school. During lunch, she and Hikari talked about
what happened the day before, Hikari sighing at Touji's reaction t the idea of going
with Misato. It took Alyssa and Alexis a little effort to calm their friend, but they
did it by the end of the lunch period.
Alyssa was approaching the building where she lived when she noticed that two trucks
were parked in front of the place. Noticing the letters 'DHL' stenciled on the sides
of the vehicles, she asked Alexis their meaning.
'DHL is the logo of a messenger company on this world. They are used to deliver all
kind of packages all around the planet, according to my information.'
'Mmmm... I wonder what are they doing here...? Oh well.' Alyssa then entered the
elevator, but upon arrival at her floor, the scene of four tired-looking men hauling
boxes to Misato's apartment greeted her. Curiosity getting the best of her, she
addressed the man nearest her.
"Excuse me, but what's all that?"
Sighing deeply, the man answered her question, his voice sounding tired. "A rush
delivery. I never imagined that someone could have so many boxes! I'm pooped!"
Curious, Alyssa took a peek at the invoice on one of the boxes, quickly finding the
name of the recipient of so man boxes.
'Asuka Langley Sohryu... exotic name.' She thought.
'It is logical to assume that these are the belongings of the new pilot.' Commented
Alexis using their mind link. 'Perhaps Captain Katsuragi is keeping them until the
new pilot gets installed on his new living quarters?'
'Perhaps... who knows? Well, we can ask the guys tomorrow.' Answered Alyssa. Thanking
the deliveryman for the information, she then entered her apartment and got ready to
start her homework.
It was until next day that she learned what had happened during that sea voyage.
Shinji, Kensuke and Touji were discussing the events of the previous day when Alyssa
entered the classroom. "Hey guys! What are you doing?"
"Just talking..." said a fuming Touji. "Man, I can't believe she was such a bitch!"
"No kidding!" agreed Kensuke. "At least we won't see her again."
"Yeah..." groused Touji. "I mean, she's pretty and all, but with an attitude like
that... I feel sorry for Shinji here. I mean, he's going to have to work with her!"
"What are you talking about?"
"They're talking about the pilot of Unit-02." Clarified Shinji, grateful for the
interruption. "She is a good pilot but... has a little attitude."
"A little??" exclaimed Touji, standing up. "Come on Shinji! What kind of fantasy
world you live in? She stepped on the cap I bought especially for that trip yesterday
without reason! She slapped us because the wind raised her skirt! She's
head-over-heels for a guy that could be her father! Not to mention that she spent the
whole trip putting you down just because you're the Third Child!!"
"That's not to mention that she forced you to wear one of her plug suits." Commented
Kensuke. "I have to say, red is not your color man."
"And why would she do that to poor Shinji?" Asked Alyssa, very curious about that
tidbit of gossip.
"An Angel attacked us." Clarified Kensuke. "It sunk one third of the fleet escorting
the new EVA before she and Shinji got rid of it."
"Hey, don't forget that it was Captain Katsuragi's plan the one that got rid of the
Angel!" said Touji.
"You'll have to tell me -everything- during lunch! This sounds like you had one big
adventure yesterday!" said Alyssa, smiling.
"Sure thing!" said Kensuke, fingering his camcorder.
In that moment, the bell rang, indicating the start of classes. They were about to
take their places when a voice that sent shivers down the spines of the Three Stooges
was clearly heard.
"Gutten Morgen!"
Very slowly, Touji and Kensuke turned in the direction of the blackboard. Upon seeing
who was there, their faces lost all color and went into shock. Even Shinji looked
surprised.
Frowning, Alyssa looked to the front. What she saw was a pretty redhead, more or less
their same age, with delicate face and bright blue eyes. Looking at the blackboard,
she read the name the new arrival had written, and gasped as well.
Turning around, a bright smile on her lips, the redhead addressed the students.
"Hello. My name is Asuka Langley Sohryu. Pleased to meet you!"
TO BE CONTINUED.
Author's Notes:
First of all, I want to apologize to all readers of my fic for the delay on getting
out this chapter. I have no excuse but the one that plagues all writers. Real Life
sticking its head in my business and killing my inspiration... sorry about that. Now,
I can't promise that the next chapter will come quicker, but I will try my best to
send it out ASAP.
Now, I imagine that most people out there want to know why I made Hikari and Touji
realize their mutual feelings for each other so early in the story. Well, why not?
After all, by now we all know that those two feel something one for the other, so why
delay the inevitable. Besides, that will also gives foot for some heated discussions
between Asuka and Hikari regarding "the Hentai that wants to take advantage of poor
innocent Hikari." (Geez, I wonder who would say that?)
And regarding why I didn't cover the Jet Alone and the 6th Angel episodes... well,
keep in mind that my objective here is to try to explain the events of NGE through
the eyes of a third person that isn't a new EVA pilot, but a simple observer.
Besides, I don't want to make my character an all-knowing, all-powerful being that
can solve the original cast's problems by a simple wave of her hand. That's not what
I want, not to mention that it would definitely kill the story the moment I do that!
Before closing, I want to thank all those who have written my way asking for this
chapter. Thanks to you all for your support! Now, another round of thanks go to the
guys that have reviewed my story on fanfiction.net. It's because of people like you
that writers like me keep struggling against terrible odds to keep writing our
stories. Keep 'em coming!!
Next on NoG:
Asuka vs. Alyssa!
A philosophical chat between Rei and Alexis! (Or as a friend of mine put: a chat
between a body with no soul and a soul with no body.)
The attack of the 7th Angel!
All that and more, so... BE THERE!