Disclaimer: see part 1
Chain of Command
Part 16
Revamp
By Random1377
"We were able to reattach Unit 12's wing… fortunately, it was a clean cut…"
Rei nodded absently, looking up at the white mecha in question. "Then it is at one-hundred percent?" she asked softly.
"No… not quite," Maya admitted, "but it will be in about a week. For now, it's confined to the ground." She sighed, "We still haven't quite worked out the regeneration ability on these units. I think the SEELE scientists were close… but they blew their own facility up when the UN troops stormed it…"
"However," Wu Lin added, oddly unnerved by being so close to the Commander outside of the EVAs, "we've had a breakthrough in the 'Chameleon' enhancement… we anticipate no more than two and a half weeks until it can be on all Units."
"Outstanding," the blue-haired girl said approvingly, "if you were to consolidate your efforts to one Unit, what is the soonest it could be ready?"
Maya shrugged. "Four days, if we focus."
"Then focus," Rei said quietly, "I would like it installed on Unit 02 to begin with, as Pilot Souryu has the most combat experience besides Shinji."
"Yes, Commander," Maya said, nodding thoughtfully, "I'd like to see how she uses it…"
"Unit 03 should be next," the blue-haired girl said, stepping away from the railing of the EVA cage, "then Unit 00… then the mass-production Units in sequential order."
"Ummm… ma'am?" Wu Lin said quietly.
"Yes, Pilot Shi?" Rei asked, turning to face him.
"Why Unit 03 before your Unit?" he asked, unable to contain his curiosity, "And for that matter, why 02? You have as much experience as Asuka… don't you?"
Maya shook her head. "I'm sorry, Commander," she said quietly, "sometimes Wu Lin forgets himself."
Rei said nothing for a moment, studying the boy's face. "No," she said finally, "I will answer him…"
Wu Lin swallowed as the Commander stepped closer to him, dropping her voice to a soft whisper. "Unit 00 does not enjoy being a test subject. It would be… upset if it had to go first."
The Chinese boy blinked in confusion. "I… don't understand. It's just a machine, like all the other Units… right?"
Rei smiled enigmatically. "Curiosity is an admirable trait, Pilot Shi…" she said softly, stepping back away from him, "but there are some questions you do not want the answers to."
Wu Lin swallowed, then nodded.
"Unit 02 first," the Commander said to Maya, "remember the S^2 installations."
Maya assured the blue-haired woman that she would not forget.
"What happened with the S^2s?" Wu Lin inquired, flushing as the older tech turned to him with a look of combined amusement and disbelief on her face.
"You never learn…" Maya sighed, shaking her head, "but this isn't classified, so." She folded her arms, leaning back against the railing. "When Unit 04 disappeared, along with NERV Second Branch in the U.S., stricter security, testing, and failsafe procedures were put in place."
She scratched the back of her neck, looking slightly rueful. "We decided to install the first of the new S^2s on Unit 00. The Commander was in the plug when the activation test was begun…"
"What happened?" Wu Lin prodded as the woman fell silent.
"It went berserk," Maya said with a shrug, still picturing that day, "it was the first time it had happened since the cross-sync test for the dummy plug system, and when it was all over… the S^2 engine was in place, the wall of the testing cage was caved halfway in, and the Commander was being recovered from her ejected entry plug and rushed to the doctor."
"Why did it stop?" the Chinese boy asked, "If it was berserk, and had an S^2 engine… why didn't it destroy the whole base? And if it's that unstable, why does it have one at all?"
Maya considered this for a moment. "I honestly don't know why it stopped," she said finally, "but Unit 01 and 02 were standing by, so it wouldn't have gotten far – hell, Asuka was already drawing her progressive knife when it shut down… and I think she was looking forward to destroying it." She sighed, "As to why it has one, well… the Commander said that all Units needed to have one – except Unit 01, of course – and that she would stay in the plug when it was activated to 'Try and keep her calm', as she put it."
"So she knew something would happen…" Wu Lin said thoughtfully, "didn't she?"
"Maybe," the brown-haired woman said, "but she never talks about it – and don't ask her…"
The young man grinned, blushing slightly. "Yes, Sempai…"
Maya laughed, "Come on…" she said, turning away from him, "we've got work to do."
Wu Lin paused, making sure to look around for the woman's husband, then allowed himself to take an appreciative look at her retreating rear.
"Coming…" he sighed, wondering if he shouldn't have stayed just a pilot.
Even piloting a fifty-stories tall bio-mecha wasn't this frustrating…
**
-It doesn't end… does it?- Misato thought, looking up into the sky at the odd form hanging motionless in the blue void. "At least this one's in range," she grumbled, still feeling the aftereffects of her monthly cycle… and the reduction in her alcohol intake.
"Shinji was right," she muttered, thinking of their conversation of the afternoon of the last attack, "quitting sucks…"
She smiled slightly as she thought of that little talk.
"Don't tell Asuka, ok?"
"That you're quitting? Why? Won't she want to know that?"
"Yeah… but I want to tell her myself – after I'm dry. I haven't had anything for over a week, Misato… it's hard just keeping it together. If she knew… she'd want to help – and God help me, I love her… but I think I'd kill her…"
"He's probably right, too…" the purple-haired woman mused, "but I'll bet she knows already… she's not stupid."
She pushed the thoughts of everyday life out of her mind as she reached the entrance to NERV… there would be time to think about it later.
Now it was time to work.
**
"Target lock," Melissa said quietly, "should I fire, Commander?"
Rei considered the stationary angel for a moment. "Not yet," she replied, her tone thoughtful, "its AT field seems strong… I do not want to fire before we can gather more information…"
"It's not going to just sit there forever, Ayanami," Shinji pointed out, "I think Mira was right… we should hit this thing hard before it hits us."
"Thank you for your input," the blue-haired girl replied, sounding faintly amused. She sighed. –They are right… why am I hesitating?-
"I've got movement," Wu Lin said suddenly, "looks like it's tired of waiting for us…"
Indeed, the strange, egg-shaped angel had begun to move… its surface rippling and flowing like a pond after a small stone had been cast into it.
"Fire now," Rei said suddenly. –This is wrong… I waited too long…-
The positron rifle attached to Unit 12's shoulder uttered its low, whining song of power, particles colliding and releasing energy deep inside the accelerator in the main body of the weapon, until abruptly a beam of brilliant green energy shot out.
Melissa's aim was true, and the beam hit the angel dead center… or it would have, if the angel's AT field had not repelled it.
"No good," the Twelfth Child said, her Unit shaking its head as it mirrored her movements, "too strong…"
"What the hell…?" Mira's voice sounded confused… and slightly disgusted.
And indeed, she had good reason.
In the air, the angel's blue-tinged white flesh was twisting and reshaping… until finally, a new form was attained, crashing to the ground as if spent from the energy exerted.
"No…" Shinji whispered, "it can't be…"
The huge creature slowly raised its head.
"That's… how is that possible?" Asuka asked, dumbfounded.
Standing before them was the unmistakable shape of the third angel.
"Destroy it," Rei said flatly, "this may not be its only form."
Before any of the EVAs could respond, the angel's eyes flashed… and Unit 13 was knocked from the sky.
"Mira!" Shinji cried, watching the white mecha spiral to the ground.
"Life signs are good," Maya's voice announced, "she's unconscious, though…"
"I got her," Touji said, moving Unit 03 towards the downed EVA at a quick run, "you guys kill that thing!"
"Moving in," David said suddenly, diving Unit 11 towards the angel.
Faster than any of the pilots could track, the angel shifted again, becoming a long, serpentine bar of white and shooting away before the descending EVA could hit it.
"Damnit!"
"Units 02, 06 and 07," Rei said, following the angel's flight path with narrowed eyes, "attempt to flank the angel…"
The three EVAs fanned out, making a rough triangle around the creature as it touched down.
"Changing again," Alejandro said warily.
"What the hell is that?" Asuka asked as the angel rose once more, "Looks like a cow."
Indeed, the angel did bear a passing resemblance to a member of the bovine family, though mostly in the facial area, where its empty black eyes and gaping mouth gave it an impression of slack-jawed idiocy. Its legs were short and stubby, and in place of arms, it had two short, drape-like appendages.
It made Rei's blood run cold just looking at it.
"Careful…" she said quietly, "I do not like the way this looks…"
"What a stunning observation, Wondergirl," Asuka said dryly, "and here I thought you liked all the angels for their sparkling personalities and engaging dinner conversation."
Rei blinked. –Why must she choose the most inopportune times for levity?- she thought. To Asuka, she replied, "Perhaps the next angel will want to date Shinji…"
"Oh, ha ha…" the redhead replied.
"Can this wait?" Misato cut in, "in case you hadn't noticed, there is an angel right there…"
"What's it doing?" David asked curiously, "Look at its arms…"
The angel's long arms had begun swaying slightly, and the creature was turning its head slowly, as if assessing the EVAs surrounding it.
"Pilot Aims," Rei called, "fire a second volley."
"Roger."
The huge weapon discharged once more, again reflecting off the angel's AT field. As the glow from the energy beam faded, the angel's left arm shot out.
"Watch out!"
Melissa barely had time to react, throwing Unit 12 to the side as the arm whipped towards her, slicing the positron rifle neatly in half.
"Mel," Alejandro said, his voice concerned, "you ok?"
"Yeah," the Twelfth Child replied, "but that was too close…"
"Fall back," Rei ordered, "Unit 12's wing is not yet functional… you will be in the way if you remain here."
The white mecha began to move. "You could find a better way to say it…" Melissa muttered as she retreated, "or maybe you could just say, 'Hey, you're useless… get out of here.'"
"The Commander doesn't have time to consider your feelings, Aims," Misato's voice came back, making the girl jump slightly, "she's too busy fighting angels and making sure you don't get killed."
"Sorry…" the Twelfth Child whispered, blushing deeply.
"The angel's moving again," Shinji said, his voice tense, "what should we do, Rei?"
The blue-haired girl considered this as the angel began moving towards Tokyo-3, floating a few feet off the ground. All of the EVAs were out of its range (she hoped) and were slowly pacing the large creature.
"Shinji, David," Wu Lin said suddenly, "if you guys attack from the side, and I go straight in… there's no way it could get us all with those arms, right?"
"It could get two of us," David pointed out… but his tone was thoughtful.
"I'm for it," Shinji said, "but you guys should come in from the sides… your EVAs can dodge better, since mine can't fly."
"Good point," Wu Lin conceded, "Commander? Major Kaji? Is this ok?"
"Sounds like a plan to me," Misato said after Rei had given her approval, "better than what I had in mind."
"What did you have in mind?" David asked curiously.
"Ever watch American football?" the purple-haired woman said with a grin, "I think they call it a sack."
"And they kept you as Operations Director…" Asuka said, shaking her head, "sad…"
"Let's do it," David said, willing his Unit to heft its lance.
The three EVAs made their move, approaching the angel quickly.
"Watch out!" Wu Lin cried as they neared the creature, "Its eyes!"
Shinji understood immediately, throwing Unit 01 to the ground as a beam of energy shot out of the angel, lancing through the space he had just vacated.
"Shinji!" Wu Lin saw the angel's left arm tense, and acted immediately.
It all happened so fast… Misato would later have to watch the recording of the fight to get all of the events straight.
Unit 12 dropped out of the sky, slicing the angel's left arm in half as it shot towards the prone Unit 01. Unit 11 moved in, bringing its lance to bear as the angel's other arm was brought into play… striking with lightning speed and cutting into the center of Unit 12.
"Wu Lin?" Shinji asked, his voice sounding too loud in the sudden silence.
He brought Unit 01 to its feet, looking at the unmoving angel – which was pinned to the ground by Unit 11's lance.
"Wu Lin?" he called again, "You ok?"
The white mecha remained silent, slumped forward slightly.
The angel's arm was still lodged in its chest, a slow stream of crimson running down its length.
"Pilot…" Maya's voice sounded dazed, "pilot life signs…"
Shinji let out a deep breath, his body going limp in the pilot's seat as the brown-haired tech reported his friend's status.
Nothing more was said… nothing more needed to be…
**
"Maya?" Shigeru came into the EVA cages and looked around, "Are you in here, honey?"
"Here…" came a soft reply from somewhere in the darkened room.
Shigeru squinted, looking in the direction of the sound until he picked out a white lab coat, barely visible in the almost pitch-black space.
"What are you doing?" he asked, walking over to where his wife was sitting against one of the terminals, her knees resting up against her chest.
"Nothing…" she answered softly, "just… sitting here…"
He dropped into a crouch in front of her, considering the top of her downcast head for a moment before asking softly, "Wu Lin… huh?"
She sniffed, nodding but saying nothing.
"Come on, honey…" he said gently, putting a hand on her shoulder, "they did all they could…"
"I know," she said, sighing as she slowly stood, "I just… he was so young, honey… they're all so young…"
"Yeah," Shigeru admitted, "but they're also the only ones that can do this… and he saved all of us."
"I was working with him less than two hours ago," Maya said, her voice on the verge of breaking, "I patted his shoulder when he left. And now, he's gone… just like that… gone…"
"Shhh…" the long-haired tech whispered, "he was a good guy… he did what he had to do, honey…"
"He had a crush on me," she said miserably.
"You knew about that?" Shigeru asked, slightly surprised.
"Of course," Maya replied, wiping her eyes and smiling, "how could anyone miss it? The way he looked at me… the way he blushed when he talked to me… the way…" her smile faltered and collapsed, "Oh God… why?"
Shigeru pulled her into his arms as she burst into tears, stroking the back of her neck and whispering that everything would be alright.
Finally, her tears subsided. "Honey?" she whispered, "When are you off?"
"Ummm… I'm off now, actually," he said softly, hearing the need in her voice, "want to get out of here… go home for a while?"
She looked up at him slowly. "Yes…" she said quietly, "I have some work to do, but it can wait. Right now, I want you to hold me… and lie to me…"
"Lie to you?" he asked, a touch confused.
"Yes," she said, wiping her eyes, "I want you to hold me… and tell me that this is all a bad dream… that no one's dead… and that I never have to see one of those awful monsters again… ok?"
"I can do that," he said soothingly, "and there's only two angels left, baby, then I won't need to lie about-"
"I meant the EVAs…" she cut him off, looking up at the inert forms all around, "every time I see one… I'll remember how much he loved working on them…" she shook her head firmly, "I never want to see them again…"
"Let's go," he said quietly, "I'll drive… you rest, ok?"
As they made their way from the cages, Maya took a look back over her shoulder… and for the briefest moment, she thought she saw him, standing at one of the terminals and waving her over, shouting excitedly about some new quirk he had uncovered in the system.
Shigeru never questioned why she broke into fresh tears… he simply led her to the car, drove her home, and held her close… lying to her the way only someone who truly loves another person can…
Continued…
Author's notes: well, only two more angels to go, then the whiz-bang conclusion (at least, I hope it's whiz-bang… or at least whirl-pop ^_^). I had a really hard time with the last scene… I'm too much of a softy, I guess… -_- Oh, why didn't the angel blow up? Come on! The fourth angel didn't explode! Cut me some slack here! ^_^
Once again, Ryoma pre-read. Why? Because I own his soul!!! Wahhhahahahaha!!! Actually no… just cuz he's a nice guy ^_~ thanks man.
Special thanks to Soulrefrain for confirming one of my own misgivings about this chapter and inspiring immediate change. See? Reviewing does help. ^_^
Feedback is always welcome at random1377@yahoo.com