Interlude - The hour of the wolf
EVA-testing center, the next day
"So, why do we need the angel?" Akagi asked.
Larsen explained his plan.
"That´s madness... Even if we could trust Tabris it won´t work!"
"Doctor, define EVA."
Ritsuko blinked.
"EVA: genetically engineered after the image of the angel Adam, a giant humaniod with
cybernetic implants."
Larsen had removed his jackett while she had talked and raised his artificial arm to the
level of her eyes.
"Now, define me..."
***
a landing field out of Tokio-3, three days later
"Tabris still hasn´t made any trouble, you seem to have been right, Commander."
"Luckyly, Lieutenant Ibuki... The Commander hasn´t said a word to me since this incident."
He looked over at Gendo Ikari who stood at the field´s edge and ignored them.
Larsen and Maya were sitting on folding chair on a nearby meadow, the scientist had her
laptop on her knees.
The surrounding was filled with men in black. Between some trees EVA-04 stood.
"Are you sure, that this is the right place? And day?"
"Yes, the message was clear."
"I have the flight controls and radar on the screen, there´s nothing approaching."
Larsen smiled.
"Just wait. When ODIN starts a top secret operation it is done using all available
ressources."
He wore a dark uniform without insignias.
Ikari came to them, gave the cyborg a dark glare.
"Where is your announced help?"
Larsen seemed to listen to an invisible voice.
Then he pointed at the sky.
"There."
A low thunder filled the air.
From the west a fast growing blurry shadow approached.
"Transport plane?"
"Yes, Commander."
"Stealth?"
"Yes, the new chameleon-covering."
"Good... invisible for common and military radar, I guess."
"Yes."
"Hm, VTOL?"
"Yes."
The plane descended on the field, the chameleon-field was deactivated. Within the holding
clasps was a green EVA unit with the number four.
Larsen activated his headset.
"Hikari, your turn."
"Yes, I am coming..."
The black EVANGELION started moving shakingly.
"Very good, don´t rush it."
"It it you, Mister Larsen?"
She sounded nervously.
"Yes."
"Asuka told me about you."
"Really?"
"Yes, she called you..."
"She called me the old man, didn´t she?"
Unit four nearly stumbled and fell down.
"Yes..."
Larsen laughted.
"She can do this, since I like her. And she saved my life once. But you call me either
Lieutenant Larsen and just Wolf, yes? The last is the one I´d like better."
"Yes, understood."
"Not that nervous, Hikari, have the controlling computer do the most work, okay?"
"Yes, how are the others doing that?"
"Years of training."
"Is it correct that you are a former PALADIN-pilot?"
"I can´t deny that."
"May I tell you a secret? But don´t tell it further, not even Touji."
"Of course."
"Giant mechas did fascinate me when I was... younger."
"Yes?"
"Please, don´t laugh."
"I am not laughing."
"Thank you. I always liked the PALADINs, I think I have a tape of the mission at egypt,
at the dam, somewhere."
"That was my first mission as commander of the squad."
Meanwhile the plane had landed.
"Really? You were there? That was more than seven years ago!"
"Yes, hey, maybe you do understood now the reason for Asuka calling me the old man."
She laughed. The same time unit four´s walk got more secure. Hikari made it standing with
the back to the green EVA in the clasps.
"Clasps are opening. Are you ready?"
"Yes..."
"Don´t be that unsecure! You do a great work!"
The green EVA slumped down, was caught by unit four and carried on the back.
"Good! Bring it to the truck."
"It´s Touji´s, isn´t it?"
"Exactly. A nice gift of friendship, isn´t it?"
He grinned broadly.
"You are laughing!"
Hikari giggled.
"I hand you over to the truck crew now."
"Yes, thanks."
Larsen turned off his radio.
"Was that necessary?"
"Yes, Commander. The girl was very insecure. A few honestly and friendly words can do a
wonder at the right time."
"If you think so... I leave this job to you."
"Commander, I think we have problem."
"What kind of problem, Ibuki?"
"We now have two units with the number four, Sir, that might cause confusion."
"Ah..." Gendo watched the black hybrid placing the green EVA on the heavy transport car.
"The hybrid has earned its number, the other unit will be registered as unit three. I
will order the paintjob myself after our return to headquarters."
Larsen looked at him, but said nothing.
At the same time the plane´s hatch opened and three persons left. One was a dark blonde
european male wearing a dark uniform with the insignias of a captain, the second was
a black haired asian female and the last one was a bluehaired girl of about seven years.
The cyborg smiled when the child saw him and ran towards him.
"Papa!"
Larsen spread his arms and lifted up the girl.
"Rei!"
Gendo swallowed.
Maya swallowed.
They looked at each other, then at Larsen and the girl.
"How..."
Wolf set the little Rei down and took her by the hand.
"Commander, that´s my daughter..."
Ikari looked into the girl´s red eyes, Rei Larsen was a younger version of Rei Ayanami.
"How can this be..."
The little Rei returned the gaze, smiled.
"I know you..."
Gendo was unable not to return the smile.
The two other persons came to them, the captain saluted..
"Commander Larsen, Captain Walker at present as ordered."
"Frank, not so stiff. We know each other long enough now."
Larsen´s attention was with his daughter.
"Thanks, Sir."
"Commander Ikari, these are Captain Frank Walker and Doctor Miyuki Takanawa, two of ODIN´s
best scientists."
"Sir."
Walker saluted again.
The woman ignored the military protocol by just nodding.
"Lieutenant-Commander Larsen, I hope you had good reasons to call me here, since I had
to interrupt some important work."
"I think so, Doc. You will have to do some workings at my head."
"Did the implants suffer damages?"
"Papa!" the little Rei shouted terrified.
"Don´t worry, darling."
Larsen caressed her hair to calm her down.
"No, Doctor, you just have to do some modification."
"Which kind?"
"Compatibility with the MAGI."
Takanawa looked at him with eyes wide open.
"You are crazy..."
***
Misato´s apartment, evening
"Shinji, where´d go after the tests?" Asuka asked when her roommate finally returned home.
"I visited Kaworu."
"Ah, Kaworu! Every day you are visiting Kaworu!"
"He´s not allowed to leave his room."
"Well, that´s his punishment for taking a tour with my EVA-02!"
A lie again... Asuka doesn´t know that Kaworu´s an angel... How shall I make this...?
"He´s my friend - why does this interest you?"
"Because... because... Ah! You are spending more time with him than training! Who knows
when the next angel comes! We have to be prepared!"
She does have another reason... but what kind of reason? And why are we still training to
pilot the EVAs? Is it because of what Kaji and Wolf told me, because of SEELE?
"Asuka, if I am needed I´ll be there."
"What are the two of doing all the time?" Her eyes widened. "You don´t have sex, do you?"
Shinji´s eyes widened, too.
"No... no..." he stammered. "We only talk."
"Talk?"
"Yes, well, mostly it´s me who does the talking while Kaworu listens. But I think, he
understands me, or at least, he tries to."
"So you´re are whining into his ears... Hm, armer Kerl..."
(trans: "hm, the poor boy...")
Then she remembered that the ´tour´ had caused spinal damage at EVA-02 that still wasn´t
completly regenerated. "Ah, let him suffer!"
"He´s not suffering, he likes to listen."
"And that´s the reason he´s your friend?"
"No... he´s quite okay..."
"Hm."
Asuka sat down at the table, crossed the arms and tried hard to make an interested face.
"Okay, I am listening to you."
"Eh... what?"
"I said, that I´d listen to you now, too. I´m tired of sitting here alone all afternoon,
I can´t even go to Hikari´s place since her and Touji´s training is scheduled in turns with
our´s. It´s sooo boring! So I can as good listen to you."
"Why? You were never interested before."
"Before I hadn´t the impression of you shunning me."
She leaned forward. Her low cut T-shirt gave quite in impressing view.
"Shinji, I need you."
"Uhm... You... need me?"
"Yes, I can´t be alone anymore... whatever I try, I can´t seal my heart anymore."
Like Rei...
His heart missed a beat, when he thought about the other girl that was still hiding within
Terminal Dogma.
***
EVA-testing center
"Miyuki Takanawa."
"Ritsuko Akagi."
"Naoko Akagi´s daughter?"
"Yes, Doktor Takanawa, did you know my mother?"
"I´ve worked at the first generation of the biocomputer, I left the team just before the
first test run of the MAGI."
"... before her death..."
"Yes... It was quite a loss for science."
"And now you are working for ODIN."
"Exactly. Commander Larsen called me to modify his implants."
"We are awaiting an attack..."
"I´ve been informed about the situation."
"Good. The MAGI have calculated that... Commander Larsen and... the Fifth Child should be
able to remotely control all five EVA and our defensive measures if they both synch with
the super-computers."
"Something like this has never been tried before... The MAGI are controlling the whole city,
the human mind would simply be overtaxed."
"That´s the reason for the synchronisation. Larsen and Nagisa will be the necessary spark
of life to start the EVAs."
"They will replace the pilots."
"Yes. Commander Ikari doesn´t want to endanger the children anymore."
"Why? They´ve done a great work defending against the angels."
"He said he had to keep a promise..."
"Hm... it should be possible to do the modifications... I will need two, three days... then
some test runs..."
"We should start working, I am already writing a program for the MAGI."
***
Ikari´s bureau, at the same time
"How is the girl?" Gendo asked.
"She was quite tired after the flight, she´s sleeping now."
"Hm... She´s a clone of Rei, isn´t she?"
Larsen nodded.
"I´m taking care of her for more than three years now."
"How is this possible? All Reis share one soul, Rei within the Terminal Dogma carries the
soul... all other clones dissolve after leaving the vat."
"She carries my soul."
"Your... soul...?"
"Don´t ask for the How and Why, I couldn´t give you a sufficient answer."
"Why did you have her come here? It´s dangerous here."
"Ikari, are you truely caring?"
"Yes... for weeks now... I am caring for Shinji... for Rei... for Langley... the people
under my command... the people of Tokio-3... Since I recogniced that my scenario´d be a
failture I can´t keep my heart sealed."
"It´s easy to seal one´s heart... if one´s believe to be able to create a better work by
his actions... I have Rei come here to see her just once again. If we fail it´ll be the
same if she´s at Hamburg-2 or here. So I have a reason to keep on fighting to my last
breath..."
***
Hours went by, became days.
For those being part of the part each hour was pain and relief at the same time. Relief
since they had won another hour, pain because of not knowing what SEELE was doing.
Ikari had the people of Tokio-3 train evacuating to optimate the amount of time needed to
move everyone to the shelters. At the same time the personal of NERV was ready around the
clock, officially preparing for another angelattack.
Shinji spend his time training, visiting Rei or Kaworu and staying at the apartment.
The first test runs of the synchronisation of angel, cyborg and super-computers were
satisfactory.
They were waiting, waiting for SEELE to take the initiative.
It was a time between hope and fear, the hour before dawn, the time just before the battle,
the hour of the wolf...
next: EoE
*sorry of the delay, I had other things to attend to the last days.*
*no, Wolf Larsen will not become das-multi-EVA-piloting-über-munchkin*
EVA-testing center, the next day
"So, why do we need the angel?" Akagi asked.
Larsen explained his plan.
"That´s madness... Even if we could trust Tabris it won´t work!"
"Doctor, define EVA."
Ritsuko blinked.
"EVA: genetically engineered after the image of the angel Adam, a giant humaniod with
cybernetic implants."
Larsen had removed his jackett while she had talked and raised his artificial arm to the
level of her eyes.
"Now, define me..."
***
a landing field out of Tokio-3, three days later
"Tabris still hasn´t made any trouble, you seem to have been right, Commander."
"Luckyly, Lieutenant Ibuki... The Commander hasn´t said a word to me since this incident."
He looked over at Gendo Ikari who stood at the field´s edge and ignored them.
Larsen and Maya were sitting on folding chair on a nearby meadow, the scientist had her
laptop on her knees.
The surrounding was filled with men in black. Between some trees EVA-04 stood.
"Are you sure, that this is the right place? And day?"
"Yes, the message was clear."
"I have the flight controls and radar on the screen, there´s nothing approaching."
Larsen smiled.
"Just wait. When ODIN starts a top secret operation it is done using all available
ressources."
He wore a dark uniform without insignias.
Ikari came to them, gave the cyborg a dark glare.
"Where is your announced help?"
Larsen seemed to listen to an invisible voice.
Then he pointed at the sky.
"There."
A low thunder filled the air.
From the west a fast growing blurry shadow approached.
"Transport plane?"
"Yes, Commander."
"Stealth?"
"Yes, the new chameleon-covering."
"Good... invisible for common and military radar, I guess."
"Yes."
"Hm, VTOL?"
"Yes."
The plane descended on the field, the chameleon-field was deactivated. Within the holding
clasps was a green EVA unit with the number four.
Larsen activated his headset.
"Hikari, your turn."
"Yes, I am coming..."
The black EVANGELION started moving shakingly.
"Very good, don´t rush it."
"It it you, Mister Larsen?"
She sounded nervously.
"Yes."
"Asuka told me about you."
"Really?"
"Yes, she called you..."
"She called me the old man, didn´t she?"
Unit four nearly stumbled and fell down.
"Yes..."
Larsen laughted.
"She can do this, since I like her. And she saved my life once. But you call me either
Lieutenant Larsen and just Wolf, yes? The last is the one I´d like better."
"Yes, understood."
"Not that nervous, Hikari, have the controlling computer do the most work, okay?"
"Yes, how are the others doing that?"
"Years of training."
"Is it correct that you are a former PALADIN-pilot?"
"I can´t deny that."
"May I tell you a secret? But don´t tell it further, not even Touji."
"Of course."
"Giant mechas did fascinate me when I was... younger."
"Yes?"
"Please, don´t laugh."
"I am not laughing."
"Thank you. I always liked the PALADINs, I think I have a tape of the mission at egypt,
at the dam, somewhere."
"That was my first mission as commander of the squad."
Meanwhile the plane had landed.
"Really? You were there? That was more than seven years ago!"
"Yes, hey, maybe you do understood now the reason for Asuka calling me the old man."
She laughed. The same time unit four´s walk got more secure. Hikari made it standing with
the back to the green EVA in the clasps.
"Clasps are opening. Are you ready?"
"Yes..."
"Don´t be that unsecure! You do a great work!"
The green EVA slumped down, was caught by unit four and carried on the back.
"Good! Bring it to the truck."
"It´s Touji´s, isn´t it?"
"Exactly. A nice gift of friendship, isn´t it?"
He grinned broadly.
"You are laughing!"
Hikari giggled.
"I hand you over to the truck crew now."
"Yes, thanks."
Larsen turned off his radio.
"Was that necessary?"
"Yes, Commander. The girl was very insecure. A few honestly and friendly words can do a
wonder at the right time."
"If you think so... I leave this job to you."
"Commander, I think we have problem."
"What kind of problem, Ibuki?"
"We now have two units with the number four, Sir, that might cause confusion."
"Ah..." Gendo watched the black hybrid placing the green EVA on the heavy transport car.
"The hybrid has earned its number, the other unit will be registered as unit three. I
will order the paintjob myself after our return to headquarters."
Larsen looked at him, but said nothing.
At the same time the plane´s hatch opened and three persons left. One was a dark blonde
european male wearing a dark uniform with the insignias of a captain, the second was
a black haired asian female and the last one was a bluehaired girl of about seven years.
The cyborg smiled when the child saw him and ran towards him.
"Papa!"
Larsen spread his arms and lifted up the girl.
"Rei!"
Gendo swallowed.
Maya swallowed.
They looked at each other, then at Larsen and the girl.
"How..."
Wolf set the little Rei down and took her by the hand.
"Commander, that´s my daughter..."
Ikari looked into the girl´s red eyes, Rei Larsen was a younger version of Rei Ayanami.
"How can this be..."
The little Rei returned the gaze, smiled.
"I know you..."
Gendo was unable not to return the smile.
The two other persons came to them, the captain saluted..
"Commander Larsen, Captain Walker at present as ordered."
"Frank, not so stiff. We know each other long enough now."
Larsen´s attention was with his daughter.
"Thanks, Sir."
"Commander Ikari, these are Captain Frank Walker and Doctor Miyuki Takanawa, two of ODIN´s
best scientists."
"Sir."
Walker saluted again.
The woman ignored the military protocol by just nodding.
"Lieutenant-Commander Larsen, I hope you had good reasons to call me here, since I had
to interrupt some important work."
"I think so, Doc. You will have to do some workings at my head."
"Did the implants suffer damages?"
"Papa!" the little Rei shouted terrified.
"Don´t worry, darling."
Larsen caressed her hair to calm her down.
"No, Doctor, you just have to do some modification."
"Which kind?"
"Compatibility with the MAGI."
Takanawa looked at him with eyes wide open.
"You are crazy..."
***
Misato´s apartment, evening
"Shinji, where´d go after the tests?" Asuka asked when her roommate finally returned home.
"I visited Kaworu."
"Ah, Kaworu! Every day you are visiting Kaworu!"
"He´s not allowed to leave his room."
"Well, that´s his punishment for taking a tour with my EVA-02!"
A lie again... Asuka doesn´t know that Kaworu´s an angel... How shall I make this...?
"He´s my friend - why does this interest you?"
"Because... because... Ah! You are spending more time with him than training! Who knows
when the next angel comes! We have to be prepared!"
She does have another reason... but what kind of reason? And why are we still training to
pilot the EVAs? Is it because of what Kaji and Wolf told me, because of SEELE?
"Asuka, if I am needed I´ll be there."
"What are the two of doing all the time?" Her eyes widened. "You don´t have sex, do you?"
Shinji´s eyes widened, too.
"No... no..." he stammered. "We only talk."
"Talk?"
"Yes, well, mostly it´s me who does the talking while Kaworu listens. But I think, he
understands me, or at least, he tries to."
"So you´re are whining into his ears... Hm, armer Kerl..."
(trans: "hm, the poor boy...")
Then she remembered that the ´tour´ had caused spinal damage at EVA-02 that still wasn´t
completly regenerated. "Ah, let him suffer!"
"He´s not suffering, he likes to listen."
"And that´s the reason he´s your friend?"
"No... he´s quite okay..."
"Hm."
Asuka sat down at the table, crossed the arms and tried hard to make an interested face.
"Okay, I am listening to you."
"Eh... what?"
"I said, that I´d listen to you now, too. I´m tired of sitting here alone all afternoon,
I can´t even go to Hikari´s place since her and Touji´s training is scheduled in turns with
our´s. It´s sooo boring! So I can as good listen to you."
"Why? You were never interested before."
"Before I hadn´t the impression of you shunning me."
She leaned forward. Her low cut T-shirt gave quite in impressing view.
"Shinji, I need you."
"Uhm... You... need me?"
"Yes, I can´t be alone anymore... whatever I try, I can´t seal my heart anymore."
Like Rei...
His heart missed a beat, when he thought about the other girl that was still hiding within
Terminal Dogma.
***
EVA-testing center
"Miyuki Takanawa."
"Ritsuko Akagi."
"Naoko Akagi´s daughter?"
"Yes, Doktor Takanawa, did you know my mother?"
"I´ve worked at the first generation of the biocomputer, I left the team just before the
first test run of the MAGI."
"... before her death..."
"Yes... It was quite a loss for science."
"And now you are working for ODIN."
"Exactly. Commander Larsen called me to modify his implants."
"We are awaiting an attack..."
"I´ve been informed about the situation."
"Good. The MAGI have calculated that... Commander Larsen and... the Fifth Child should be
able to remotely control all five EVA and our defensive measures if they both synch with
the super-computers."
"Something like this has never been tried before... The MAGI are controlling the whole city,
the human mind would simply be overtaxed."
"That´s the reason for the synchronisation. Larsen and Nagisa will be the necessary spark
of life to start the EVAs."
"They will replace the pilots."
"Yes. Commander Ikari doesn´t want to endanger the children anymore."
"Why? They´ve done a great work defending against the angels."
"He said he had to keep a promise..."
"Hm... it should be possible to do the modifications... I will need two, three days... then
some test runs..."
"We should start working, I am already writing a program for the MAGI."
***
Ikari´s bureau, at the same time
"How is the girl?" Gendo asked.
"She was quite tired after the flight, she´s sleeping now."
"Hm... She´s a clone of Rei, isn´t she?"
Larsen nodded.
"I´m taking care of her for more than three years now."
"How is this possible? All Reis share one soul, Rei within the Terminal Dogma carries the
soul... all other clones dissolve after leaving the vat."
"She carries my soul."
"Your... soul...?"
"Don´t ask for the How and Why, I couldn´t give you a sufficient answer."
"Why did you have her come here? It´s dangerous here."
"Ikari, are you truely caring?"
"Yes... for weeks now... I am caring for Shinji... for Rei... for Langley... the people
under my command... the people of Tokio-3... Since I recogniced that my scenario´d be a
failture I can´t keep my heart sealed."
"It´s easy to seal one´s heart... if one´s believe to be able to create a better work by
his actions... I have Rei come here to see her just once again. If we fail it´ll be the
same if she´s at Hamburg-2 or here. So I have a reason to keep on fighting to my last
breath..."
***
Hours went by, became days.
For those being part of the part each hour was pain and relief at the same time. Relief
since they had won another hour, pain because of not knowing what SEELE was doing.
Ikari had the people of Tokio-3 train evacuating to optimate the amount of time needed to
move everyone to the shelters. At the same time the personal of NERV was ready around the
clock, officially preparing for another angelattack.
Shinji spend his time training, visiting Rei or Kaworu and staying at the apartment.
The first test runs of the synchronisation of angel, cyborg and super-computers were
satisfactory.
They were waiting, waiting for SEELE to take the initiative.
It was a time between hope and fear, the hour before dawn, the time just before the battle,
the hour of the wolf...
next: EoE
*sorry of the delay, I had other things to attend to the last days.*
*no, Wolf Larsen will not become das-multi-EVA-piloting-über-munchkin*