Chapter 06: Spies and angels


ASGARD, headquarters of ODIN, western branch of the United Nation´s secret service.

The bureau was still new and unfamiliar. The walls were wood panelled, between file cabinets
several pictures of former ODIN-directors and high-ranging operatives hung, in a corner a
large vase stood, holding the staffs of several western nation flags.
The room was dominated by a large table, behind the table was a comfortable armchair, in front
of it two others, two chair were in another corner.
The table was clean and tidy, there were only two objects on the plate, one was a frame picture
showing a smiling man with black hair, a darkblond woman and a redhaired girl
with serious looking blue eyes. The other object was golden metalbar, into which letters were
engraved:
Commander Wolf Larsen, Special Operations Director.

Sunlight fell through a large window, at the window stood a man, the same man that was shown
on the picture. He looked out of the window at the meadow below.
Children were playing on the meadow, children of ODIN-operatives. Nothing came through the
closed windows. He reached for the lever, opened the left window. His hand was made of black
metal, as were most parts of his body since the Impact. He was a cyborg...

Laughing came into the room, he couldn´t help but smile, stepped away from the window,
returned to his desk and sat down.

It was two o´clock in the afternoon.

A knock at the door.

"Come in."

An older man in a grey suit entered the room, he had thin hair, his skin was of a light
yellow colour, a penetrant smell of nicotin surrounded him.
"I just wanted to come and see if you have already become familiar with the new bureau."

"Well, I do my best, Commander."
Larsen got up and shook his visitor´s hand.

"Ah, that´s not necassary anymore, I´ve left the agency."

"I am sitting in your chair - and I know who managed this."

"Nonsense. And, how were the first days?"

"Full of hectic. My wife feels worse and I am full of concern for Asuka."

"Hm..."

Larsen pushed a button under the plate.
"We can talk, there are no bugs within the area of the whisperfield."

"Good, did you already have a look at the documents?"

"Of course, I send Agent Kaji to investigate on this matter."

"Good choice. He´s quite competent, if a bit reckless."

"Alas it is quite difficult to believe that an organsation called SEELE wants to destroy
the world to raise their leaders to godhod."

"That´s the reason I gave you the material - you have doubts."

"Alone the fact that director Kiehl should be part of this conspiricy..."

"If my sources are right he is even their leader, SEELE-01."

"This doesn´t make it any easier... An international conspiricy of national and religious
leaders... the director of the UN-secret service..."

"And what if it is true? If they are truely planning to unite the souls of all humans?"

"Yes... And would this be so wrong... I don´t know, I´ve asked myself this question already."

"And that´s reason you were my choice, I can only repeat myself. And I have to tell you
that I am sorry."

"Why?"

The other one ignited a cigar.
"That I leave you alone with this. I wouldn´t have the stomach to decide about the fate
of humanity."


***


Tokio-03

Angel-Alarm...

They had give the angel the codename Israfel, it came out of the ocean.

Because of unit zero still damaged Rei stayed at the headquarters, while EVA-01 and -02
marched into battle. She leaned against the wall next to one of the doors of the command
center, watching the action on the large screen.

Further above, behind his desk, Gendo Ikari sat, looking over his folded hands, sub-
commander Kozo Fuyutsuki in his back, his face emotionsless.

Rei revered the Commander, she knew that he was reason for her very existence. But during
the last weeks doubts had grown inside of her. Why didn´t older Ikari care for his son?
Why had Shinji had to grow up without a father? Why had the Commander told her that Shinji
had run away when in reality it had been Gendo who had his son left behind? Slowly
she recognized that she also was only a tool for the Commander, like everyone else, like
Shinji was. And she knew that she would protect Shinji as far as it was within her power...

EVA-02 marched into the water, lance in hand.

Israfel met the EVANGELION.

Asuka attacked, hittig the angel hart, cutting it in two.

Bridgecrewman Shigeru Aoba raised a fist.
"Yes!"

But there was no explosion.

Rei´s eyes got bigger. She started to move, wanted to shout toward Misato to warn the
pilots, but it was already to late. The angel became two beings, each half attacking
one of the EVANGELIONs, taking the pilots completly by surprise.

Shinji was able to defend himself for a while, but when he was also attacked by the second
half of Israfel after EVA-02 had been beaten he also succombed.
NERV gave up on the sole right for tactical interventions against angels, the UN used
a N2-mine to paralyse Israfel. The MAGI calculated that it would take the angel five days
to regenerate, the usage of further N2-mine would have destroyed the complete country.
Five days were left to work out a tactic, and five days the repairs on the two EVAs would
take.

Finally Ryoji Kaji who had come to Japan with Asuka helped Misato to find a solution,
Asuka and Shinji were told to train for a synchronattack, using the rhythm of music to
coordinate their movements against the angel´s halves.
Both pilots were to stay inside headquarters, living together in the same room.

During this time Rei was mostly alone at Misato´s apartment, she was silent, doing the
chores Shinji normally did. On the other hand she found herself more than once in front
of the door to his room, hand on the doorknob, asking herself what he might be doing at
this moment.
She read her books or laid on her bed staring at the ceiling when she not at school or
busy with training.

Three days went by.

The forth day Rei was asked by Misato to come with her, something Rei had waited for all
the time. The whole day she watched Shinji and Asuka train, more than once she nearly
let her mask of calm fall and was tempted to attack the redhaired girl when Asuka called
Shinji names and made him alone responsible for each and every mistake. When she left
she looked over her shoulder, seeing the look on Shinji´s face begging for help. She
gave him an encouraging smile.

This evening Misato was home the first time since the beginning of the operation.

"Misato..."

"Yes, Rei?" she asked surprised.

"The Second Children treats Shinji badly."

"Hm, yes."

"Why am I not training with him?"

"You know the reason, unit zero is still damaged."

"Yes. I could pilot unit two."

"Asuka wouldn´t like this. She insists on being the only one piloting EVA-02."

"I don´t care." she said with dark determination.

Misato looked at her.
"You like Shinji, don´t you?"

"Yes... Soryu mustn´t treat him badly."

"Well, that´s what I think, too... Lets see tomorrow again how they are doing. Rei, could
you work together with Shinji?"

"Yes."

"Good, so we still have a joker. And in two days it will be decided, either the world ends
or Shinji is free again and we will have him back."

"Yes. He won´t fail."

"You place great trust in him. And Asuka?"

"She makes me... angry..."

"Hm, I see... I have already recognized that she is behaving quite different when she
feels not monitored by grown-ups. I don´t like this thing, too, but she is our best
pilot. Rei... Shinji already lifes here with me for quite some time and I see as him as
the little brother I never had... Maybe he even sees in me some kind of older sister,
an older, sloven, druken sister..."
Misato grinned.

Rei´s corners of her mouth twitched.

"Hey, you can do this, too."

"I..."

"Come on, just a little bit..."

Rei touched her face with her fingertips.
"Is this a... grin?"

"Yes. Did you already... smile?"

"Yes..."

"What makes you smile?"

"Shinji..."

"Sounds like you would like him a lot." She gave Rei a wink. "Did you already kiss?"

Rei turned red, very red.
"No."

"I think, he likes you, too."

"If Soryu treats him furtherly badly..."

"You won´t do anything, undestood?"

"Yes, Captain."


***


"Shinji, what might he be doing now? Soryu and he share a room. Soryu... red... I don´t
like the colour red... Blood is red... I don´t like blood... Soryu makes me angry...
Anger is unproductive... she treats Shinji badly... I want to protect him, but I am not
allowed...


***


The next day´s synchron-training wasn´t quite synchron. In the middle Asuka stopped and
looked at Rei angryly.
"What is she doing here? That makes me nervous!"

Shinji opened the mouth but Misato was faster by sending Rei into the field. The boy was
irritated, why was he to dance with Rei know after training with Asuka?! But then a feint
smile crept over his face as Rei took position next to him and Misato started the music
again.
He moved with the rhythm as good as he could.

Rei mirrored each and every of his moves, it was perfect...

Misato and Kaji were amazed.
"If EVA-00 wouldn´t still be in repair..."

Asuka was angry, very angry.
"Then let her take EVA-02!"
With these words she stormed out of the room.

Rei wanted to say something, but Kaji sent Shinji after Asuka to bring her back.


***


"Why... why does he have to train with her? I am ready to fight by his side, I know I can
do it, I´ve proved that I am better. Asuka... she makes me angry... more than angry...
she´s got Shinji... What feeling is this? Jealousy?"Eifersucht?"


***


With the day came also the moment of truth. The two EVAs had been made ready with time
running out when the angel started to move again. Asuka and Shinji managed to destroy
Israfel.


***


After a week of absence Shinji had gone to school again, several tests would be held the
next week and he had no idea about the topics as had Touji and Kensuke. Only Rei had some
kind of overview. It was Touji who proposed to go to the Katsuragi residence for working
on a plan to prepare for the tests. When Shinji told him that he only wanted to see
Misato, Touji carefully looked around for Hikari before nodding enthusiastically.

Rei didn´t comment on the subject, she had Shinji back and she was willing to show this
to the world by hooking under on the way from school, silencing the whistling Kensuke
with the raising of a brow.

When the small group arrived at the apartment they found it full for boxes and suitcases.
And in the middle Asuka stood and grinned.

"What are you doing here?" Shinji stammered.

"Oh, I am living here now, Misato asked me so nice. You can move your stuff into the
broom closet."
She pointed at the sole box with his things within.

"What?"

"Well, I am moving into your room."

"Ah..."
Shinji´s jaw fell down.

Rei wanted step at his side and tell him that he could slep in her room when Misato came
into the room.

"Ah, you are already back."

"Misato-san!" Touji and Kensuke shouted at the same time full of enthusiasm.

"Oh, hello! - Shinji, Rei, Asuka has asked me to move in with us, I thought Shinji could
take the smaller of the two rooms while Rei and Asuka move into the larger one."

"What, I shall share a room with... Wondergirl?"

"Another arrangement is not possible. - Shinji and Rei can´t sleep in the same room."

Rei had an answer ready but felt Shinji stiffen, about to follow an impuls...

"Hrmpf." Asuka was faster than them

Kensuke pointed at Misato´s uniform jacket
"Misato-san, you have been promoted!"

"Hm, how do you see this?" Touji asked.

"Look, she has an additional stripe on her jackett! Misato-san has been promoted from
Captain to Major!"

Misato turned red.
"Yes, for the success with the last angel."

"Ui, great! Congratulations!" Kensuke shouted.

"Thanks."

"That must be celebrated!" He looked at Touji.

"Yes, party!"


***


A little bit later, after moving the furniture around together they were sitting around
the dinertable, Shinji sat between Asuka and Rei, next to Rei on the other side sat Touji,
on the other side of the table Misato and PenPen sat while Kensuke was running
around the table. On the table stood a heating plate with small piece of meat and fish.
Shinji had cooked some rice for Rei.
Even later Hikari came, invited by Asuka who had become friends with her during the last
weeks; the last one to come was Kaji, much to the enthusiasm of Asuka.

Somewhen after the fifth beer - or maybe the fifteenth - Misato decided to allow the teenager
a beer each.
"Ah, come on Rei, that´sh an order! And shou, too, Shinshi."

While Rei did es ordered Shinji hesitate.
"I don´t like this stuff, Misato."

"Eh, jusht a bit."

So he pretended to take a sip and then placed the can next to Touji.

Rei licked her lips. And that was the beginning of a whole bunch of problems...

Somewhen later Hikari said goodbye, not having drunken anything. Touji and Kensuke were
laying on the floor, while Asuka had a glassy look in her eyes. Rei was leaning against
Shinji and giggled while leering at the still halffilled can before Asuka.

Kaji got up and groaned.
"Bedtime for pilots."

"Ah, come on, Kashi, sche day ish shtill shoung" Misato mumbled drunkenly.

"And you need some fresh air."
He dragged Asuka on her feet.
"Go to bed, young miss!"

"With you?"

"Go!"

"Okay..."
She slinked away.

"Shinji?"

"Yes, Kaji-san?"

"What is with Rei?"

"I don´t know."
Shinji thought Rei´s behavior to be weird.
"Rei?"

"Hm?"
*giggle*
"Give me a beer..."

"Oh dear..."

"Completly filled up" Kaji mumbled. "What kind of stuff did Katsuragi buy?"

"The usual."

"Hm, right. - Rei?"

"Yes, Kaji-san? Do I get a new beer?"

"No. You will go to bed." She didn´t move, so he used the magical word: "That´s an order."

"Yes, Major. A pity. Beer tasted good..."
She walked into the same direction Asuka had already vanished into.

"I will take care for Katsuragi", Kaji explained. "Okay?"

Shinji nodded while placing blankets over his friends and putting a pillow under Touji´s
head.


***


Rei laid on her bed, still giggling. She wore now the blue nightgown she had brought the
day Misato went shopping with her.
Oh, and she was still giggling, just in case you haven´t noticed.

Asuka´s bed stood in the opposing corner of the room, she laid diagonnally within, a
leg dangled over the edge. Asuka was snoring.

Rei stopped giggling and looked at Asuka, started suddenly again to gigggle, getting up.

On the smallbed-side table next to Asuka´s bed was Asuka´s opened make-up box.

Rei had a terrible plan...
After completing her plan she left the room and moved very fast across the corridor into
Shinji´s room.


***


Shinji was laying on his bed, face to the wall, blanket drawn nearly over the ears, trying
to form a barriere between himself and the rest of the world.

The door was opened.

He was silent, hoping that whoever it was would leave if believing that he was already
sleeping.

The door was closed again. Something feel down on the floor, something light.

Shinji stiffed when his blanket was grabbed an somebody climed to him under the sheets,
the warm naked body of a definitive femele person. Suddenly he was completly awaken.
The next moment the other person started nibbling at his earlobe.

He opened the eyes, turned his hand.
"Rei!"

"Hm."
She purred softly, still pressing her body against his. He felt some reaction within his
shorts. Her eyes were closed when she snuggled up to him, put the head on his chest and
fell asleep.

"Ah..."
He swallowed, pulled then the blanked up to her shoulders and embraced her carefully.
He could feel her heartbeat, calm and steady, in rhythm with his own.
And somewhen he also fell asleep...