A past long forgotten
Part VI: Mis-Information
Asuka proudly walks down the hallway of the local Tokyo-3 munciple high school. She had only been there less than three weeks but he had already become the most popular girl in school, although that wasn't very surprising for her in the least, considering her 'superior' abilities and all. As her large entourage followed her wherever she went two un-noticed pairs of eyes followed the exotic beauty on her travels, well two pairs of eyes and a camera.
Kensuke (while taking pictures): Man did you hear all the gossip? Asuka, Asuka, Asuka!
Toji (passing another roll of film to Kensuke): Yeah don't I know it. You should hear them in the gym and on the field.
Kensuke (grinning): So thats why all the boys always show up for PE.
Toji (scowling): Yeah I guess so.
Kensuke (shrugging): Well I guess Asuka is good for one thing.
The two boys nod, then gather their gear and walk from their hiding place to their section of the school where they conduct their 'business'.
Kensuke (folding some money): Hey thanks, come again.
Toji (holding up some negatives): They're all totally clueless.
Kensuke: Perhaps. But it's good for business.
Toji: Good thing her pictures don't show off her personality.
Kensuke (smiling): If we keep this up soon I'll have all my university tutelage paid off before I even reach senior.
Toji: Bah college boy.
Kensuke (waving his finger): Not college, university.
Toji (sulking): Awww shaddup!
Kensuke begins to laugh as he gets up from his place to go to the drinking fountain when he suddenly comes back running.
Kensuke: Quick! Demon alert!
The two gather up all their belongings in record time after days of honing this practice and run off before said demon arrives. Moments later Asuka rounds the corner of the building with her following not ten metre's behind her. Although Toji and Kensuke had gathered up everything in such a quick time and retreated even faster, in their haste they left one photograph behind, and Asuka was looking at it.
The girl curiously bent down and picked up the photo, she analysed the picture before letting a smirk cross her lips.
Asuka (thinking): I'm so gorgeous.
However after those few moments of vanity passed Asuka's thoughts drifted to why was there was a photo of her lying on the ground, and more importantly who took it. Asuka was aware of a little pirate ring that was selling photo's of her to students but she never believed the rumor.....until now.
Asuka (scrunching the photo in her fist): I'll get those perverts, whoever they are.
Elsewhere on the school grounds Shinji was sitting on a low stone wall, happy just to sit back from the world and watch it develop in front of him, not having to interact with it so he didn't screw anything up. Shinji never liked interfering with anyone, it pleased him more to watch things develop with him coming into contact with them, of course that never stopped things coming into contact with him.
Over the past few weeks Toji and Kensuke had been avoiding him, well Shinji wasn't sure about that exactly since he knew of their 'business ventures'. However Toji had given him the cold shoulder somewhat.
Shinji (thinking): Well he never took too kindly to finding out about Hikari being an Eva pilot. Is there something I'm missing here?
But Shinji hadn't been alone all the time, either he was teased by Asuka or glomped to by Hikari, always talking with him, never letting the conversation waver for hours at a time.
Lately Shinji has treasured his alone time at home because it was about all he got during his long day. Of course never suspected that his few precious moments of quiet time were coming to a screeching halt.
Asuka (cheerfully): Guten Morgan Shinji!
Shinji (surprised): G..g...guten..m...morgan.
Asuka (frowning): Hey why so gloomy?
Shinji: I...um
Asuka (flicking Shinji's nose): I'm the most popular girl in school, you should appreciate your good fortune that I even talk to you.
Shinji (quietly): Yeah.
Asuka (nudging Shinji playfully): What was that Shinji?
Shinji shy's away from Asuka's nudging and blushes.
Shinji: N...nothing.
Asuka (grinning): I'll let you slide this time Ikari.
With a whip of her hair Asuka was off again, the large body of students following her with quiet awe. Shinji lets out his breath which he had been holding since Asuka surprised him, he collapses back onto the stone wall.
Shinji wasn't the only one who had been holding his breath for the last minute. Deep within the GeoFront, inside the NERV command center lieutenant Maya Ibuki was on the verge of fainting.
Maya (gasping): Oh my!
Shigeru (swiveling in his chair): What is it Maya?
Maya: I just received an anonymous email.
Shigeru (giving Maya a strange look): So...just use the Magi to run a tra....
Maya (interrupting): I already did.....it came from inside the Magi itself.
Shigeru: No, thats not possible.
The NERV technician leans over to take a closer look at Maya's screen. Sure enough the IP trace had linked the originator computer of the transmission of the email to three supercomputers just below their position. Slowly he clicked on the window to bring up the email message. What he saw both shocked and intrigued him although the expression on his face which very similar to the one Maya was wearing.
To: #NERV
From:
Dr Akagi?
Shigeru turned back to his own computer terminal and opened his email and sure enough on the NERV mailing list there was the same message.
Shigeru: That means that anyone on the base could see this.
Maya (regaining some of her composure): I.....had better find her.
Shigeru: Y...yeah.
Maya slowly stands up and exits the command center. After watching her leave Shigeru turns back to his terminal and after several moments of examining the short message he walks to the railing separating the bridge technicians from the superhard casings of the Magi three stories below.
Shigeru (thinking): This job keeps getting stranger and stranger.
The scientist in question was insider her office lost in her work as she analysed some angel bio-material from the previous sea battle. It seemed she was making more progress than with previous samples from the 4th and 5th angels. There was something about this angel, but she couldn't put her finger on it.
She idly tapped in the final commands to begin analysis then leaned back on her chair and reached for her ever handy cup of coffee. Taking one long sip she replaced the container and began typing as the results were displayed on the screen. That was the case until two strong arms landed on her shoulders, she gasped slightly then relaxed because she knew the owner of these arms.
Male voice: You've lost some weight.
Ritsuko: Hmmm
The man rests his face on her right shoulder and softly strokes her chin with his left hand.
Kaji: You're enduring an unrequited love.
Ritsuko (with her eyes closed): Really. You're so very sure Kaji.
Kaji: A woman with a mole like a tear on her cheek is destined to live a life of heartache and sorrow.
Ritsuko: If you're trying to put the moves on me I don't think you can. Well not while that face is pressed against the glass.
Kaji looks up and sure enough the plexiglass wall separating Ritsuko's office from the rest of the base contained a very annoyed Misato Katsuragi wearing a look which could have melted the bulletproof glass right there and then. Kaji lifts his arms from around Ritsuko and places them on the back of her chair.
Ritsuko (smiling): It's been quite a while Kaji.
Kaji (smiling back): It sure has.
As Kaji finishes his sentence Misato storms into the office.
Ritsuko (slightly sarcastic): But you haven't ever remembered you being so discreet.
Misato (annoyed): That creep has never been discreet in his whole stinking life!
Kaji (smiling to Ritsuko): Things haven't changed alright.
Misato: What does it matter to you? Anyway haven't you finished having over unit two....what are you still doing here?
Kaji (smiling): I received orders this morning that I'll be sticking around for a while. So we'll be able to hang out togeather just like we used to.
Hearing that news Misato almost gagged on her cup of coffee, although most of the brown liquid escaped her mouth and splashed to the floor.
Misato (coughing): WHAT?!
However before any of the 'adults' could say anymore a fourth joins their party taking Misato's place against the window, except this time was banging loudly.
Maya (urgently): Ma'am, ma'am!
Ritsuko (turning to Maya): What is it?
Maya: There's something you have to see in the command center!
Ritsuko: I'm sorry Maya I have too much to do here.
Maya (putting her hands togeather): Please ma'am, this situation only you can handle.
Ritsuko sighs and slowly stands, then while walking out the door she turns to Misato and Kaji.
Ritsuko (chuckling): Now you two play nice while I'm gone.
With that the scientist left with Maya. Kaji smirked while Misato closed her eyes and took another sip of coffee. He casually leaned on the desk next to her as Misato remained in the same position although oblivious to her proximity to Kaji. Slowly Kaji's hand sneaked his way to Misato's waist. Just before he reached his goal Misato snapped.
Misato (with her eyes still closed): Don't even think about it.
Kaji (thinking): How does she do that?
Kaji only smiles.
As the lunchtime minutes drained away Asuka stalked the schoolgrounds for something to alleviate her boredom before it was time to return to her new redundant teacher.
Asuka (grumbling): Stupid old fogy.
Asuka scanned the entire grounds while many sets of eyes scanned the girl in question, of course Asuka couldn't have cared less. There were times for public praise but then there were times when she wanted to be left alone, and this was one of those times. Finding no shelter in unfamiliar faces, Asuka frowned as she finally spied a familiar one.
It was Hikari Hokari, the third child who was talking with another girl underneath the shade of a tree on the far side of the grounds. Her need for conversation other than praise, hollow compliments and repeated stammering overided her distrust of the girl who was now only several meters away from her.
Asuka (thinking): Bite the bullet Asuka. She's probably the only one who you can relate to on some sort of mature level.
Finishing her current conversation Hikari waved off her friend and then turned to Asuka. Her demeanor was bright and cheerful, just seeing that lifted Asuka's spirits some.
Hikari: Hi Asuka, is there something you wanted?
Asuka: Well some intelligent conversation would be nice.
Hikari (chuckling): I guess I could manage that.
The two girls walk off already deeply engrossed in each other's company. However this revelation did not go un-noticed.
Toji: No way.
Kensuke (lowering his videocamera): The demon relates to someone.
The two boys turn to one another, then look up at the sky.
Toji: This is some sort of bad omen.
Kensuke: I swear I heard a raven or a thunder crack just then.
They shiver violently.
A squabbling Maya Ibuki leads one confused Ritsuko Akagi back to the NERV command center. Finally the tired scientist has had enough of Maya's batterings, she grabs Maya's shoulders and shakes her roughly.
Ritsuko: Maya...Maya! Thats enough! Stop babbling!
Maya (spluttering): Y...yes ma'am.
Ritsuko (letting go of Maya's shoulders): Now what did you bring me here for....and let's save the incoherent spluttering this time.
Maya looks at the woman for a moment then takes a deep breath.
Maya: The Magi sent you an email.
Ritsuko: Don't play games Maya.
Maya: It's true.
Ritsuko: Impossible, no component in the Magi is capable of independent thought or activity......unless.
Maya was not used to Ritsuko trailing off and immediately became concerned.
Maya: Ma'am?
However Ritsuko was no longer listening. Her mind was becoming filled with thoughts from the past.
Ritsuko (to herself): No..it's not possible.
However Ritsuko was in no mood to communicate with her worried protege. She briskly walked into the command center and over to Maya's vacant console. Shigeru who had was in the middle of a daydream snapped back into reality, seeing Ritsuko typing at Maya's console was almost enough to send him vaulting over the railings from the shock. Instead Shigeru sped back to his console and tried to look busy while Maya just stood in the doorway watching.
Opening the email archive listing Ritsuko found what she was looking for....indeed someone was looking for her. To make things even more puzzling and shocking was that Ritsuko believed she knew the originator of the message.
Ritsuko (quietly): She's looking for me.
Ritsuko (thinking): The commander won't be too thrilled over this 'revelation'.
She closed the email client and stood up, without even looking back the surprised woman quickly exited the command center with one destination in her mind.
Voice: That was not an advisable course of action.
Rei stands watching streams of machine code streak by her like a fast running river.
Rei: We cannot delay our actions any later. If we did so, all may be lost. We may have waited too long as it is.
Voice: Perhaps.
Rei: Now is the time for action.
Voice: Although your intentions are admirable I am bound to what parameters are within me. I cannot assist you any further, you must go this course alone. Be weary for they may try to hunt you down, I will do what I can to protect you within my own limits, you must be prepared.
Rei: I understand.
Voice: You also realise this action may result in your removal from here, then you would effectively be dead.
Rei: I must try.
Rei hardens the look in her eyes and the lines of code in front of her immediately stop. She reaches out and crabs a glowing green zero and fondles it in her hands.
Voice: I understand.
Rei: You have taught me well. I cannot fail.
She crushed the zero in her hands, instead of dropping fragments onto the floor they disappear. Rei gives a slight wave of her hand and the code resumes it's travels past her.
Voice: If you fail they won't be able to stop the rapture.
Rei (softly): That's why I cannot fail.
Shinji sat quietly at his desk waiting for class to resume following lunch. He knew that on Thursdays his teacher was always late so he had another good ten minutes of freedom. But then there was nothing for Shinji out on the school grounds and right at the moment making his way to the school roof would be a short and uneventful trip. However he wasn't destined to be alone for very long.
Voice: Hey Shinji!
Shinji almost fell out of his seat as his concentration was shattered by the unexpected voice. As the boy attempted to stablise himself the voice's owner entered the classroom.
Shinji (spluttering): H...hi class rep.
Hikari (in a scolding tone): Stop acting like Toji! I do have a name mister Ikari!
Shinji (pressing hard into the back of his seat): S...sorry.
Hikari (smiling brightly): Thats ok, I thought I had broken that habit out of you. You never seem to call me that at NERV.
Shinji (rubbing the back of his head): I guess some old habits die hard.
Hikari (laughing): Yeah I guess they do.
The two children let the sounds of laughter escape their lips for a few seconds before regaining their composure. Hikari gets a nearby chair and positions it on front of Shinji's desk.
Hikari (sitting down): You'll never guess who I just had a conversation with.
Shinji looked at her with a quizzical expression on his face.
Hikari (feigning her aggressive tone): That means you're supposed to guess.
Shinji (startled): S...sorry! I'm not good at playing these games.
Hikari (smiling): It's ok Shinji. Anyway, Asuka came up to me and asked if we could talk.
Shinji: A..a...Asuka?
Hikari: Yep.
Shinji: I never pictured Asuka actually talking with anyone on a decent level without mocking them.
Hikari: Well I don't blame you cause most of the time she listened and mocked what I said, but not as harshly as I've seen her do.
Shinji: Perhaps there's more to Asuka than she lets on.
Hikari (grinning): Well I guess we'll have to find out.
Shinji: W...we?
Hikari: You're a fellow Eva pilot...who better?
Shinji: I guess.
Hikari (smiling): There's my Shinji.
Shinji blushes at the comment. Fortunately the redness drains from his cheeks as Asuka enters the classroom.
Asuka (surprised): Were you two in here having a get togeather of some sort?
Shinji (blushing again): N...no i...it wasn't like that.
Asuka (gasping): You perverts!
Hikari (snapping): Oh stop that Asuka. I was just talking with Shinji, stop being so dirty!
Asuka was taken aback by Hikari's assertiveness, however her reeling mind soon came back online and she just realised the implications of what Hikari had said.
Asuka: I do NOT have a dirty mind!
Hikari: Well you're always calling perfectly innocent people perverts.
Asuka: And how do you know they're all so innocent?!
Hikari: Because I've known them a long time.
Asuka (waving her hand): Explain the ape and the nerd then.
Hikari (surprised): Well maybe Toji and Kensuke are an exception to the rule.
Asuka: Hah! They're just the first example.
Hikari (annoyed): Not everyone is a pervert Asuka.
Asuka: Name one.
Hikari wasted no time with her answer.
Hikari: Shinji.
Asuka: WHAT?!
Hikari: Shinji isn't a pervert.
Asuka (pointing at Shinji): He's the biggest one of the lot!
Shinji: Hey thats....
Hikari (interrupting): Stop being so mean to Ikari.
Just before Asuka was going to let loose another barrage of accusations the 'ape' and the 'nerd' walked into the classroom.
Toji: We heard someone in here fighting with the demon and....
Kensuke: It looks like it wasn't a bad omen after all.
Asuka (turning to Kensuke): And what just do you mean by that?
Kensuke (wilting): W...we saw you two talking togeather at lunch.
Asuka (growling): Well I hope it was to your liking because I have a feeling it's not gonna be happening again.
With that Asuka strolled across the room and sat down at her desk. All the other children sighed as the rest of their class returned to resume the day's lessons.
Gendo: What was the probability of this event occurring at the time?
Ritsuko (looking at her notes): Less than 0.0000000009 percent.
Ritsuko (thinking): Again with the zero, nine factor.
Gendo: But it was not zero.
Ritsuko: No sir.
Gendo: We did not plan for this occurrence. Therefore the occurrence must be eliminated.
Ritsuko: Commander?
Gendo: Wipe the Magi clean of 'foreign' presences.
Ritsuko (weakly): But sir...
Gendo: Yes?
Ritsuko: We have no idea how this came to pass. If we destroyed....Rei then we would learn nothing from it.
Gendo: Her sentinace was a mistake.
Ritsuko: But this could prove to be a step forward in the understand of artificial intelligence.
Gendo: Irrelevant! The prototype was not meant to be able to live it's life inside the Magi.
Ritsuko: Rei's mind had remained intact even after a decade and she has continued to develop and change within the Magi itself - almost as if she was in her own world. This type of technology could mean....
Gendo: This technology has no relation to project E does it doctor?
Ritsuko: Not as such no.
Gendo: Then it is of no use to us.
Ritsuko (defiantly): We can't just let this discovery be destroyed.
Gendo: The mind of the prototype was saved in case the new mind conceived for the final model was not adequate. However the current mind proves to be functioning to expectations therefore the spare is no longer required.
Ritsuko:.........
Gendo every so lightly maneuvers his glasses to cause the light to reflect of them in order to create more emphasis for what he was about to say next.
Gendo: Purge all unrequired sentience from the Magi.
Ritsuko slumped, defeated. She did not look at him as her reply escaped her lips.
Ritsuko (softly): Yes sir.
Misato was on edge, actually she had been on edge since Ritsuko had left her alone with Kaji. But thirty minutes had past since the good doctor had left and Kaji's playful smile was getting larger. She discreetly wiped some sweat from the back of her neck and focused on her third cup of coffee.
Misato (thinking): Where the hell is she? Leaving me here with this bastard.
She looked up and caught Kaji's gaze once more, immediately she cast her eyes downward again.
Misato (thinking): Dammit. Why does he put me on edge so much?
Kaji (grinning): Something wrong Katsuragi?
Misato (quickly): Nothing.
Kaji shook his head at her statement. He leaned back on his chair and crossed one leg over the other.
Kaji: I don't know if you were less convincing back then or now.
Misato looked up after Kaji finished his sentence.
Kaji (scratching his chin): Hmmm they say you are supposed to grow more conservative as you grow older.
Misato goes a light shade of red, this however only spurs Kaji on more.
Kaji: Of course if you had always acted like a traditional view I might not have been as attracted to you as I was.
Misato (suddenly getting angry): And what the hell is that supposed to mean?!
Kaji remained unphased by Misato's outburst and takes a sip of his coffee.
Kaji (coolly): Well it seems to me you've lost your free spirit. Whatever happened to get up and go Katsuragi? Always ready for a little challenge...or fun.
Misato was surprised at Kaji's words, even more so when his eyebrows arched when he said the word 'fun'. However she believed she knew what Kaji was getting at.
Misato (casually): So you don't think I'm any fun now?
Kaji (distantly): I guess you could say that.
Misato swished her cup, then a wicked grin crossed her face.
Misato (flippantly): Wanna care to find out?
Kaji (stirring a spoon in his cup): Oh I dunno. Why not hmmm?
Misato (still wearing a grin): Good. Shall we say eight o clock at tunnel access five.
Kaji (letting a small smile escape his lips): Sure thing.
Misato: Bring your car.
With that she gets up and walks out of the office. Kaji remains in his previous position watching the woman depart. He smiles to himself as he stirs his coffee.
Kaji (thinking): Well perhaps she is starting to warm up to me again.
Misato (thinking): I'll show him hehehe.
Misato resists the urge to cackle maniacally.
Shigeru (over loudspeaker): We've just received this report from the battlecruiser Harouner. Have detected an enormous submerged object off the Keye peninsular, sending data.
Hyuga: Got it. The data has been analysed. The wavelength pattern confirms it, it's an angel.
Commander Fuyutsuki nods and Hyuga pressed the alarm button. In response every siren, kalxon and red light went off in the NERV complex alerting all the personnel of an impending attack.
Fuyutsuki (into a microphone): All personnel go to first stage alert!
Below the command center where the casings for the three Magi systems lied, two figures looked up as the emergency sirens went off.
Maya (looking up from her laptop): An angel...now?
Ritsuko: Well their timing was never appropriate before, why should they stop that trend now.
Maya tried not to giggle at the joke Ritsuko had made.
Ritsuko: Maya, go to the command bridge.
Maya: But...
Ritsuko: No Maya. I can finish here. Right now your place is up there.
Maya (obediently): Yes ma'am.
With that Maya scrambled to her feet and ran off to the nearest elevator. Meanwhile Ritsuko returned to her laptop.
Ritsuko (thinking): I won't let you die this time Rei.
Breaking the cloud coverage hanging low over Tokyo-3 the hulls of two giant triangle shaped air transports appeared. The two made their way out of the city and towards the west seaboard.
Pilot 1 (into radio): This is halo one, halo two is with me, estimated time of arrival ten minutes, over.
Shigeru (over radio): Roger.
Shigeru turned in his chair to face Misato who was standing behind the three operators with her arms folded while looking at the giant screen which showed the two transport slowly making their way across the blue sky.
Shigeru: Halo flight reports in, estimated time to drop ten minutes.
Misato: Thanks.
With that Shigeru returns to his console while Misato picks up a headset/microphone. She pressed a button on the panel next to her and the image of the two transport on the main screen shutoff and was replaced by video images from Unit's one and two.
Misato: Ok you two, as you know the battle with the fifth angel destroyed a large portion of the city's defensive systems, we only have less than 30 percent of those systems back online and our capability for a offensive is virtually nil. Therefore we have to get as much distance from Tokyo-3 as possible and intercept the target at the water's edge right before it makes land. Once you are ready to engage the target, do so in a series of waves, or in other words close in and take turns.
Asuka (grinning): Ahh this is more like it, taking out the angel before it gets a chance to whack us.
Shinji: If we don't get whacked first.
Asuka (arrogantly): That won't happen, after all you now have me to deal with the angels.
Shinji (grinning): How about we just wait and see how your record holds up.
Asuka (angrily): SHUT UP you little worm!
The picture of Shinji shrinked back from the one of Asuka.
Asuka (complaining): This sucks. My first fight over Japan and I don't get to handle it solo, why did we have to bring you anyway?!
Shinji (squeaking): Uhhhh SOP's.
Asuka (snarling): Well some backup you are.
Shinji: I ahhhhh.......
Asuka flipped her head up away from the comm window arrogantly then threw her head back to view the picture of Shinji's comm window aggressively.
Asuka: Well let me tell you something first fourth child, just don't get in my way!
The picture of Shinji huddled in the furthest part of the comm window blinked off.
Asuka (sourly): His selection as a pilot must have been a joke right?
Misato (sighing): Drop zone in sight, release the Evas.
Saying that the lockbolts securing the two Evangelions to the giant specially designed cargo planes slid away, the two avatars stream down through the sky totally rigid almost like two giant red and purple bombs. As the ground approached each Eva thrust it's legs out ready to absorb the shock. The Evas landed on the beach with two heavy crashes, once getting upright and receiving power provided by mobile umblillical cables the two selected their weapons.
Misato: Get ready.
Asuka took hold of her controls tightly while scanning the sea in front of her.
Asuka (thinking): Just like the last one. Come out and fight!
As if answering Asuka's mental request the angel broke the surface of the water.
Asuka (yelling): Yeahhhhh here we go!
Eva 02 charged forward brandishing a progressive spear.
Shinji (surprised): Wha...what the hell are you doing?!
Asuka: Engaging the target, cover my back Shinji!
Shinji: C..cover you?
Asuka: Yeah, ladies first!
Shinji (thinking): Yeah lady my ass.
Shinji: Dammit you're gonna get yourself killed you dumb rookie.
However Asuka's reply never came. Shinji aimed his pallet rifle at the angel and let loose a volley of bullets. The angel turned to face Shinji but made no other movements towards him while Shinji kept firing.
Asuka (shouting): CHARGE!
Shinji (momentarily losing control): What?!
As Asuka's battle cry continued to each through his entry plug the red Eva bounded several times, gaining extra height and distance towards the angel until it launched itself high into the air. With a heavily practised movement Eva02 brought the spear up over it's head in mid air, when the Eva came down so did the spear's blade right through the center of the angel cutting it completely in half. The Eva got up from it's landing position and arrogantly held the spear over it's shoulder like a soldier at ease.
Asuka (smirking): Well what did you think of that. A fight should be clean and elegant without waste.
All Shinji could do was gape in at at what he had just seen.
Asuka (thinking): Well that sure got his attention.
Asuka let her grin waver and replaced it with a small smile. Shinji returned the same expression soon after, however his face shifted into one of surprise and fear moments later.
Asuka (surprised): What the?
Shinji: The angel!
Eva 01 raised it's pallet rifle in response while Eva 02 whirled around pointing it's spear at the thought dead target. However Shinji was correct, the dead angel began to stir then the two sliced sections of the angel split open like a snake changing its skin to reveal two smaller versions of the angel. The two sections although smaller than the original angel were about the same height as the Evas, each sporting it's own red core.
Asuka: I'm going to cut it to pieces this time!
Eva 02 bounded towards one of the angels brandishing it's spear while Eva 01 close din on the other section firing sporadic bursts from his pallet gun. The two sections shrinked back under the assault of the two Eva's giving the two pilots more confidence.
But this tactic was all too apparent for Misato.
Misato: WITHDRAW NOW!
However each pilot was too engrossed in their targets, they never even saw it coming.
Inside NERV debriefing room 3 the air was heavy with tension and frustration while the occupants were subjected to the day's failure a second time.
*Click* A slide of the seventh angel split apart, facing the Eva's.
Maya: At thirteen twenty eight hours the target separated into two entities as a result from battle damage incurred by unit two. Further analysis indicates however the angel possessed the power of dividing its body even without sustaining injury.
Asuka (mumbling): No foolin.
*Click* A slide of Eva 01 submerged in the water, it's legs sticking in the air.
Maya: At thirteen twenty nine hours, unit one was struck by target alpha's attack.
Shinji blushed and pulled at his towel tighter while he looked at his feet.
*Click* A slide of Eva 02 in much of the same predicament as Eva 01 - except it was on land.
Maya: At thirteen thirty hours, unit two was struck by target beta's attack. As a result, command of the operation was transferred to the UN secondary force.
Fuyutsuki (grumbling): We've been completely humiliated.
*Click* A slide of an N2 explosion.
Maya: At thirteen forty hours the UN forces made an attack with an N2 mine. Following that slide is one of Japan in a framework diagram with a large section removed as if a gigantic animal took a bite out of the coastline.
Fuyutsuki (annoyed): We'll have to re-draw the map again.
*Click* A picture of the angels with their outer layer of skin melted.
Maya: The attack succeeded in burning off forty-two percent of the target's structural substance. Therefore we have concluded the AT field of the target is relatively weak and the target does not perform well in defensive situations.
Asuka (looking at the picture): Well ya know it kinda looks dead.
Fuyutsuki: That is only temporary, it will regain offensive capabilities within the next six days. And we can't keep dropping N2 mines on it.
Kaji: Well at least we have time to regroup and reorganise, you can't ask for much more than that.
Asuka (leaping out of her chair): Well if this idiot hadn't distracted me from watching the angel I would have caught it's little separation act in time!
Shinji (defensively): Hey you can't say that!
Asuka (arrogantly): And just why not?!
Shinji: Perhaps if you had obeyed orders and not jumped in there we wouldn't have been taken by surprise!
Asuka (growling): I followed orders, it was a wave attack and I took point first!
Shinji: We were supposed to cover one another, didn't look like you were doing much covering to me!
Asuka: How dare you say that you brute, a fight isn't something you can win by just going berserk. It takes speed, skill and intelligence!
Shinji: What about procedure and tactics?!
Asuka: Who needs tactics...it's not like those stupid things can think like us!
Fuyutsuki: WRONG!
The two children look at the angry sub-commander with quizzical expressions on their faces.
Fuyutsuki: If they can't think then how did they beat you?
Asuka: It was a cheap shot, those cowards!
Shinji (thinking): This coming from the one who said two against one wasn't fair.
Asuka (pointing at Shinji): Perhaps if you paired me with a COMPETENT pilot, I might have had some better backup.
Shinji: You said you didn't need my help! What's the matter, did it get a little too difficult for the legendary Asuka Sohryu to handle?!
Asuka was just about to let loose another retort when the sub-commander reached his limit. He stood up and glared at the two teens.
Fuyutsuki: THAT's ENOUGH OUT OF BOTH OF YOU!
The two children returned their gazes towards the elderly man before them.
Fuyutsuki: It's obvious that the flaw in this mission was the lack of teamwork. Therefore you two must learn to work together.
Asuka and Shinji togeather: But!
Fuyutsuki: No but's this is a direct order. Your job is to beat the angel's, not pilot Eva!
Having made his point Fuyutsuki pressed a button on his console and a elevator beneath his and Maya's desk retracted leaving Kaji and Misato in the darkened room with the two pilots.
Asuka: Geeze you Japanese are so uptight.
Shinji (thinking): Perhaps if we didn't have to deal with certain Germans.
Asuka (stomping her foot): Something wrong fourth child?!
Shinji (gulping): N...no!
Ritsuko pulled the last of the connections from the casing of Caspar. The woman wiped her brow and looked up at the command bridge.
Ritsuko: Well that should be the end of all evidence that she made contact.
She then turned to the last connection to her laptop, then to her laptop which held a brief email message.
To: Trace 987.459.123.CMM
From: Dr Ritsuko Akagi
I am here Rei. He won't hurt you anymore.
She tapped the return button on the keyboard and the email was sent.
Ritsuko: Well that angel attack was an unexpected but useful diversion.
The scientist disconnected her laptop from the mainframe and even let a slight grin of triumph cross her face.
Ritsuko (thinking): You won't find her now.
She tapped the casing of the Magi Caspar and smiled.
Ritsuko: Take care of her mum.
Kaji leaned on the edge of Misato's desk with a playful smirk across his face, an expression Misato did not have on hers. In fact she was in such an irritated mood she was resting her elbows on the table with her hands bridged under her nose. Misato was not one known for imitating Gendo, but at the moment she was doing a very good job at it.
Misato (thinking): I wonder if this means that commander Ikari is always ticked off.
Kaji: So...
Misato (aggressively): So what?
Kaji: So the battle didn't go as expected.
Misato (growling): Under the circumstances I think that is not something to take lightly or smirk about.
Kaji (smiling): Well you haven't been fired.
Misato: Yet....
Kaji: You're just going to have to better this time right?
Misato (scoffing): With those two...not likely. I'd have more luck sending Hikari out in a half repaired unit zero.
Kaji: Don't look so glum. Maybe with a little training and the correct plan you'll get it this time. Without the N2 mine of course.
Misato snarled at Kaji's last sentence, the man took a defensive step backward and began to fan himself with a computer disc.
Kaji (comically): Is it hot in here?
Misato said nothing but shot daggers at the man with her eyes.
Kaji (rubbing his chin): With an attitude like that, I'm not sure if it's worth saving your very cute ass from the commander.
Hearing this Misato's gaze shifted to the disc in Kaji's possession.
Misato: Is that a......?
Kaji (stepping forward): Sure is.
He lowered the disc towards Misato's waiting hand, however before she could snatch it up he pulled it from her reach.
Misato (confused): What the....bastard!
Kaji: Nuh uh uh. First you have to promise me something. Remember tunnel access five?
Misato: I....ahh, oh. But youknow....
Kaji (lowering the disc into Misato's waiting hand): I understand. We'll take a raincheck on it, for six days.
The man gave a sultry wink and strolled out of her office. Misato sighed heavily and took a look at the disc.
Misato (thinking): You're still a jerk, but perhaps not as big a jerk as I thought.
The NERV tactician then began to toy with the disc in her right hand as she leaned back in her chair.
Rei smiled as the message sent by Ritsuko entered her mind. She gave a slight smile and turned to the seemingly endless rows of streaming machine code stretching off into the distance. It was at that time that Rei decided the return to the 'ground' and she floated back down. In the dim light her crimson eye's shone brightly, her smile still apparent on her face.
Rei: So it begins at last.
Shinji walked home rather slowly as it had been the first time all day he had got a chance for some quiet time. He even shrugged off an offer to go to the arcade with Toji and Kensuke, something he normally didn't do which meant he REALLY wanted to be alone for a while. As the turned the corner which led into his street he noticed a rather large moving truck. The sight of the truck didn't concern Shinji since when he moved in with Misato not many apartments had occupants, almost two months later and probably only half of the building was populated.
Shinji (to himself): Wonder whose moving in.
Stepping off the elevator Shinji was almost knocked over by two moving men.
Mover 1: God I thought the boxes would never end.
Mover 2: Yeah, who thought a girl could own so much.
Mover 1: I pity whoever she's living with.
Mover 2 (laughing): Poor people.
The movers continued laughing as the doors closed. Meanwhile Shinji was still pressed up against the wall pondering what the two movers had just said.
Shinji (thinking): Someone moved in on this floor. No wait they said they moved in with someone on this floor.
Suddenly Shinji's face went pale.
Shinji: There is no-one else on this floor except for me and Misato.....oh no!
The boy ran to the apartment where he resided and frantically typed in the door code. When the door slid open he breathed a sigh of relief as nothing was out of the ordinary. However when he rounded the corner his eyes bulged out and his jaw dropped.
Shinji (surprised): Huuuuuuh?!
The walls of the apartment were coated with DHL moving boxes, only the ceiling was in plain view. As he cautiously made his way down the hallway a figure with a towel draped over their shoulder's exited a nearby room.
Unseen person: Hey! What are you doing here?
Shinji immediately froze as he knew that voice all too well. The startled boy tensed up further when he felt a weight on his back.
Unseen person (sweetly): I'm going to ask you one more time. What are you doing here?
Shinji (spluttering): I...I live here Asuka.
Asuka: Well not anymore.
An arm came into Shinji's field of vision and pointed to a box down the hallway. Again Shinji's eyes boggled as he staggered forward, unfortunately for Asuka she leaned a little too heavily on him and with her support gone she crashed onto the floor.
Asuka (shrieking): IDIOT!
However Shinji had tuned out from the rest of the outside world as he examined the contents of a rather large cardboard box. Sure enough all his possessions were rather untidily packed in the ragged box.
Shinji: M..my stuff.
Asuka: Well I thought you might want to have it all together when you move out.
Shinji: WHAT?!
Asuka (grinning): That's right. Move...out.
Shinji: But this is my home!
Asuka: Well too bad, you've been dumped for the new model.
Shinji: You just can't...I.....do'h.
Asuka (arrogantly): Well when you think about it, it's the most logical choice considering my superior abilities and all. Although honestly I'd rather be living with Kaji, but this is the next best thing.
Shinji can only stand there dumbfounded.
Shinji (thinking): Misato...how could she do this to me?!
Asuka (with a large grin): Wanna say something fourth child?
Shinji (quietly): Bitch.
Asuka (losing her grin): What did you say?
Shinji: I said you're an evil, coldhearted bitch!
With that Shinji picked up his things and walked out of the apartment, tears in his eyes but not looking back. Suddenly Asuka didn't feel so smug anymore.
*Flashback*
Asuka as a little girl crying as a car pulled away taking her only friend, her fondest memories and the last remaining shred of her childhood.
*End Flashback*
Somehow Asuka felt like it had just happened to her again as she leaned heavily against the doorframe.
-----------------------------
**Omake**
Hikari: Hi Asuka, is there something you wanted?
Asuka's gaze shifts from the girl in front of her to her feet. For the first time the girl felt her self-confidence drain away like someone had turned on the tap to her courage.
Asuka (mumbling): I....felt alone.
Hikari puts a hand on Asuka's shoulder and grasps it firmly.
Hikari (soothingly): We all feel alone sometimes Asuka.
Asuka takes Hikari's hand off her shoulder and places it over her heart. Hikari gasps but doesn't resist.
Asuka: I meant 'this' alone.
Hikari puts her free hand over her mouth in shock, then her eyes soften as she looks into blue orbs of the girl in front of her. The sight mesmerized her.
Hikari (softly): I understand completely.
The two girls leap into each other's arms and kiss passionately. Finally breaking away from their kiss, the two young girls still remained in a tight embrace.
Asuka (gazing at Hikari): I want to be one with you Hikari-chan.
Hikari (returning the same gaze): As do I with you Asuka-chan.
The two felt there was no longer any more need for words as they rushed off to find a secluded spot. However this exchange hadn't gone un-noticed.
Toji (dropping his sandwich): No...way.
Kensuke (lowering his videocamera): Well you know what this means.
Toji (smirking): Sure do.
Toji and Kensuke togeather: We're expanding into the hentai video business!
The two speed off in the direction the two girls went, Kensuke clutching his ever present videocamera.
-----------------------------
Episode 7 coming soon:
"An angel ready to fight, an Eva without a pilot and most of all a girl who wanted to turn back time. With a case of misinformation will Misato get Shinji back in order to confront the angel with only several days left on the clock to put her plan of attack into action? ".
Any comments and criticisms are welcome.
Writer/Storyboard: Les Robb aka Rion (rion@dingoblue.net.au)
Storyboard/Editing: KoalaKiller (KoalaKiller@cuety.com)
Editing: Jonathan Gaters (katarnx2b@netzero.net)
NOTE: * means dialogue in German.
Other notes:
Again another late fic, I'm terribly sorry but university assignments have kept me from doing any large amount of writing. And of course once again I had to finish on a cliffhanger (I really should defeat an angel all in one episode ne?). And if we take a look at the size of this fic it is rather larger than all the previous ones. Also we have the start of the real plot going on (this is not just some series with hidden scenes cut of from the original NGE). And for the first time ever we see the inclusion of an omake, hope this episode lived up to your expectations.
And thanks be to my pre-readers:
Silencer mays@one.net.au
Seph Khan sephirothkhan@hotmail.com
Rugle s369520@student.uq.edu.au
Greywolfe mdt02@uow.edu.au
Disclaimer:
Neon Genesis Evangelion is owned and copyrighted by Gainax, all characters used from that series as well as familiar plot links and scenarios. All names are (TM) and (C) by their respective owners.