Disclaimer: see part 1
Chain of Command
Part 14
Relinquish
By Random1377
"It's just sitting there? It's not moving? Well, shoot that fucker down!"
"It's out of range of our weapons," David replied reluctantly (no one liked to upset the Major… especially not between the fifteenth and the twentieth), "we've just been waiting for it to come closer."
Misato growled as she finally reached the command deck, hanging up her cell phone and barking, "Transfer Klashnikov's feed to the main screen."
As the Russian's face appeared, the purple-haired woman regarded him with a small frown.
"I'm, uhh… hello Major," he stammered, unable to meet her gaze.
"I'm taking command of this operation," Misato snapped, "where are Asuka and Shinji?"
"They are preparing for launch," Rei's calm voice replied.
"And they're not too happy that the angel only gave them two days off," Mira chimed in, not bothering to hide her amusement, "Probably interrupted their mid-afternoon quickie."
"Stow it, LeBeau!" Misato said angrily, "This isn't the time or the place… in fact," she added, "it's never the time or place for that shit with me – that's my boy! GOT IT!??"
"You're going to rupture something Major, calm down…" Mira replied, but her voice was low and uncertain… and a touch scared – in spite of the fact that she was in a fifty-stories tall bio-mechanical combat Unit.
"Angel is maintaining geo-sync orbit over Headquarters," Makoto announced, trying not to grin as the French girl muttered something about the over-sensitivity of a certain pilot's mother, "no change."
"Unit 02 online," Asuka's voice filled the command room.
As Shinji also reported in, Hyouga thought idly that they did sound as if they were upset. –Maybe they were in the middle of something…- the tech thought, smiling faintly.
"Put a sniper on deck with the type 20 Positron Rifle," Misato said, "Shoot as soon as it comes in range. Asuka… you're up."
"I'll take it," Angelica's voice replied, sounding quieter than usual, "my marksman scores are higher…"
"Whatever," Misato growled, grinding her teeth, "but someone do it so I can go home!" Ideally, she would have had Shinji do it, as he had the highest sync ratio of any of the pilots… but Unit 01 was still damaged, and she didn't want to pull it out unless everyone else had failed.
"That won't be necessary," Asuka's voice answered, sounding like the winter Japan never saw, "my marks are just fine, thank you."
"I'm sure my scores are twice what yours are, Asuka," the Ninth said quietly, "and precision is important when-"
"Look," Asuka cut her off heatedly, "what are you trying to prove, anyway? That you're better? Is that it? Because if you thi-"
"Ahhh!!" Misato screamed, clapping her hands to the sides of her head, "Both of you shut up!!!" All eyes focused on her as she took a deep breath, "Angelica, launch. Asuka, don't say another word about it or I'll take Shinji, lock him up at my house, and torture him until he decides that marrying Mira would be a better idea!"
"Unit 09 launching," Angelica replied calmly.
Asuka said nothing.
**
"Positron Rifle loaded," Hyouga's voice announced, filling Angelica's entry plug, "on its way up. Good hunting."
As the huge weapon reached the surface, the Ninth Child sighed. "It's not that I think I'm better…" she said quietly, making sure her Units wings were secured, "but if I can stop this angel… for you… maybe I can look at myself in the mirror."
Unit 09 reached out and grasped the rifle, mounting it to its shoulder and shuddering slightly as the locking bolts secured it.
-And if I lose…- Angelica thought, leaning back to allow the targeting scope to slide over her eyes, -I won't have a fiancée mourning me…- her hands trembled on the control yokes, -I won't have anyone mourning me…-
"I believe that we should take a 'break' for a while…"
"But… but why??"
"What is between us has only been physical, Angelica. I have decided I would like to pursue an emotional relationship. And you seem unsure of your desires."
"I… don't know, Kaworu…I-"
"When you have decided what you want… I will be waiting. Goodbye…"
"Unit 09 standing by," she said quietly, "awaiting further instructions."
"It's still out of range," Misato said, sounding more frustrated than ever, "just wait until you get a clear shot."
"Understood…"
-I can't really blame him,- Angelica thought, watching the targeting crosshairs dance around her field of vision as the computer tried to lock onto the target, -he kept asking if I was sure I didn't want more… and I kept saying I didn't. God, I'm so stupid! Why didn't I just- "Huh?"
A brilliant white light filled the entry plug, and in her mind a chorus of voices sang glorious hymns… as she felt something tentatively sliding into her consciousness.
"The angel has a particle weapon??" Misato's voice reached her.
"Negative!" Hyouga's replied, "We've got no energy readings detected!"
"Abnormal psychograph readings!" Maya announced, "Mental contamination imminent."
Angelica screamed as the tentative probing became a forceful shoving.
"NO!!!" she cried, struggling to verbalize what was happening to her, "Don't… don't come into me!!!"
"ANGIE!!!"
"NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!" Angelica screamed, willing Unit 09 to raise its weapon and fire.
"No good," Hyouga's voice reached her, "shots went wide… no contact."
The Ninth Child screamed again, pulling the triggers on the control yokes over and over again, swinging the huge rifle around desperately, trying to find the enemy that was burrowing into her thoughts.
"Damn!" Shigeru called, "Hits to the fifth, ninth, fourteenth, and twenty-sixth blocks… and her rifle's dry…"
The sound of discharging positrons was replaced by the repeated click of an empty weapon.
"Get out of my mind!" Angelica sobbed, "Oh God, it's raping my mind!!!"
**
In Unit 00, Rei closed her eyes. "Backup rifle preparing to fire," she said as calmly as she could, "calculations for earth's rotation and gravity at eighty-five percent and climbing…"
In Unit 02, Asuka was shaking. "Someone help her!" she cried, "Oh God, please! Don't let this happen to her!!"
In Unit 01, Shinji could only stare, his eyes fixed on the viewscreen as Unit 09 dropped its rifle and clutched its head. "Lord…" he whispered, "Lord have mercy…"
In Unit 03, Touji was sick… violently.
All the other Units pilot's had similar reactions as they witnessed one of their own being mercilessly hammered by the angel's mental attack.
And in the command room, Misato's stomach was full of ice. "Rei…" she breathed, "fire… for God's sake, fire now…"
Unit 00 braced itself more firmly against the building it was leaning against, cradling the Long-range Type-II Positron rifle (a veritable antique, compared to the other) against its shoulder.
"Release final safety lock," Rei said quietly, opening her eyes, "prepare for weapons discharge in five… four… three…"
The First Child's lips parted in an unconscious snarl as her countdown reached zero and she pulled the triggers on the massive weapon, grunting slightly as the kickback rattled her in the entry plug.
**
Angelica slumped forward in her seat, barely hearing the announcement that the shot that would save her… hadn't been able to penetrate the angel's AT field.
"It's defiling my mind…" she whispered, shuddering as the angel slithered its way farther into her memories.
Flash
Four years prior… she can see herself, kissing Robert Davies. "Come on, Bobby…" she hears herself say, "let's get in the back…"
"But I didn't want to…" she whispers to herself, "I was so scared he would break up with me… and I promised I would never lose again…"
Flash
Fourteen years back… she can see her mother, lying in a room that smells of Pine-sol and slow, rotting death. "I'll be good, Mommy," she sees herself sobbing at the bedside, "I won't hit Johnny anymore… don't go, Mommy… don't go!"
"Don't make me remember," she moans, "I don't want to see her like that… I don't…"
Flash
Slightly over one month ago… her apartment… "Shh," she cuts off the brown-haired boy, kissing him again to stifle his protests, "don't say anything… just go with it, baby…"
She sobs, knowing she can never atone for this sin.
But it doesn't stop
Flash
One terrible, horrifying memory…
Flash
After another…
Flash
After another… until all the fears and traumas of the woman known as the Ninth Child have been laid bare before her eyes.
Until abruptly, it ends.
"Angelica, can you hear me?" Misato's voice reached her, "Are you ok? Angelica?"
"Sorry," the brunette managed, "so sorry…"
When the retrieval crew pulled her out of the plug… it's all she would say.
**
"Whose idea was it?" Shinji asked softly, "I never even heard the order."
"It was David's," Wu Lin answered, staring at the floor as he pealed off his plugsuit, "but there was no order… he just did it."
Shinji stole a glance at the Eleventh Child, looking away as he found the man still staring straight ahead, his fingers running idly over his A-10 connectors.
"They said," Wu Lin swallowed and lowered his voice, "they said she's gone, man… she's there, but not there… know what I mean?"
Shinji nodded as Touji and Kaworu, the last two to leave the battlefield, entered the room. "She'll pull through," he said quietly, standing to leave, "she's strong…"
"Pilot Klashnikov," Kaworu walked directly up to the Eleventh Child and stood waiting for him to look up.
"What is it," David whispered dully, "I'm kinda not in the mood to talk right now, Nagisa…"
The remaining pilots watched in shock as the red-eyed boy slowly knelt in front of the Russian and embraced him. "Thank you," Kaworu said simply.
For a long moment, David said nothing… he merely stared in dazed silence at the side of the other man's head as if trying to decide if he should punch him or hug him back.
Shinji looked away as the Eleventh Child finally decided on a reaction, collapsing against the gray-haired boy and sobbing openly, cursing himself for not thinking faster… for hesitating… for allowing Angelica to be harmed further than she would have otherwise been.
"You could not have known," Kaworu said soothingly, "and had it not been for you, she may have died."
Shinji knew of Kaworu's kindness – he had been saved by it himself.
"There is no need for you to cry, Shinji… though we have only known each other three months, I feel as if I have known you forever. I love you Shinji…"
"Commander on deck!" Touji called, standing at attention.
"Thank you," Rei said quietly, walking into the room without so much as a second glance at the naked Sixth and Seventh.
Kaworu released David and stood by his side, smiling at the First as she came to a halt in front of the man.
"Pilot Klashnikov," she began formally, "your action in throwing your weapon at the angel was both bold and courageous… you have saved the life of the Ninth Child and destroyed an enemy that may have chosen another target at any moment."
She drew herself up to her full height and saluted him. "You have done well, pilot… there will be an awards ceremony tomorrow."
David slowly stood, wiping his eyes quickly on his sleeve, and returned the salute. "Thank you, Commander…" he said, his voice soft, "but I don't think I need an award… I should have thought faster and-"
"What I do not understand," Rei said, cutting him off quietly, "is why my orders are constantly questioned."
David blinked, then nodded. "I apologize, Commander… it won't happen again."
"Four o'clock," Rei said, turning to leave, "I look forward to presenting it to you."
As David sat back down, Rei paused, her hand on the door. "On a personal note," she said quietly, not looking around, "I would like to thank you for saving Pilot Bennett's life. Though she is not close to me, she is close to those I call my friends… and it would have been very hard to lose her – admittedly for everyone, but for them especially. Thank you."
As she left, the other pilots fell into a thoughtful silence.
Finally, Shinji shook himself and waved to the others. "I've gotta go see how Asuka's doing," he said quietly, "I'll see you all later."
Walking out, he sighed. –God have mercy on my soul,- he thought sadly, -for being thankful that it was her and not Asuka…-
**
"Is it getting easier?" Rei's advisor asked, slipping out of the secret panel behind the Commander's chair, "Saying thank you, I mean."
"Yes and no," the blue-haired girl said quietly, turning to face the man, "yes because I am forced to say it more frequently now, and the repetition is easing the difficulty…"
As she trailed off, he prompted her gently, "And no because…?"
She smiled faintly. "Because I am forced to say it more frequently," she said softly.
He laughed, "Why, Commander… is that a joke?"
Rei sighed, her smiled fading. "No," she said quietly, "it is a conundrum. I am forced to thank my people for performing increasingly more difficult tasks… and I am able to offer them nothing in return besides my words and cheap awards."
"You do what you can," he replied soothingly, "at least you try to recognize them when they excel."
She rubbed the bridge of her nose tiredly.
"What about the lance that was lost?" he asked after a moment of quiet.
"It is not important," the blue-haired girl replied, "only the true lance is important to the scenario."
There was a brief pause before her advisor said quietly, "It concerns me that you say 'scenario' in that tone of voice. You are still taking the lives of the pilots into account, right?"
Rei said nothing.
"I see…" the man said softly.
"Do not get me wrong," the blue-haired girl said, leaning back in her chair, "I would like to protect as many lives as possible…"
"But if a few fall by the wayside…" her advisor let the thought trail off.
Rei met his eyes steadily. "What is more important?" she asked softly.
He looked away. "Fine," he said, just as softly, "I see your point…"
"I am glad we understand each other," she said, relaxing slightly.
She had been concerned that he would not approve of her point of view – after all, he had restarted the project after the death of Commander Ikari on the stipulation that the Children be protected at all costs.
"I was not aware that you were so cold," he said quietly, once again meeting her eyes, "I think I might have underestimated you."
"I do what I must," she answered levelly, "it is for the greater good."
"Another man used those same words, Rei," her advisor replied, "I would strongly advise reconsidering the 'ends justifies the means' thought process… I would hate to see you end up like him…"
"That sounds… threatening…" the blue-haired girl mused.
He paused for a moment, then answered soothingly. "It's my job to advise you… I don't want to see you hurt."
She considered this, trying to decide if she should take it at face value.
Her advisor sighed, heading for the secret exit. "You've been Commander too long, Rei," he said quietly, "jumping at shadows isn't like you. When I recommended that you be placed in this position, I was sure that out of everyone at NERV, you would be able to handle the pressure."
"Forgive me," she whispered, rising to her feet and bowing, "I meant no disrespect. And you are correct… I have felt more pressure lately than before. Please accept my apology."
Unseen, the man smiled faintly. "There's no need to apologize, Rei," he said soothingly, "just trust me – you know I would never betray you."
"Of course," she replied, "you are the one who helped me attain my position, and keep it through all the various attacks… political and personal. You have my thanks."
"Get some sleep, Rei…" her advisor said, opening the door, "you look tired…"
As the door slid closed, Rei sighed and sat back down.
-Jumping at shadows…- she mused, closing her eyes, -yes, he is right. Of all the people I know, he is the least likely to betray me, for he has the most to lose…-
Shaking her head, she turned her attention to the last of the paperwork she had to complete before going home, smiling as her thoughts turned to Kensuke, and the date he had promised her.
And never noticing as the door slid back open, revealing a pair of watchful eyes… eyes that considered her for a full five minutes before the door slid slowly, silently closed…
Continued…
Author's notes: why have the fifteenth angel pop up as the thirteenth, you ask? Well, I'll try and explain in the next few chapters. Hopefully, it'll make sense to other people and not just to the voices in my head :P
Ryoma once again pre-read this chapter… so he gets thanks… again. Special thanks to Ryan T. Nelson for catching a mistake in the angel battle sequence. Thanks! ^_^
Feedback is always welcome at random1377@yahoo.com