Slave to the Machine
By: Langerhast
Chapter Five
++++++
Asuka floated in a great void. She looked around her, but all was dark. She could sense no up and down. There was no direction, and nothing beneath her feet.
Where am I?
Asuka's thoughts echoed in this blackness. She had asked no one in particular, but strangely, she felt as if she expected an answer in this lonely place. The place seemed vaguely familiar, but she did not know why…
You are here.
She should have flinched when the calm message came to her. It did not come through her ears, but simply was there, reverberating inside of her.
Where is here?
Here is inside of you. This is your mind.
My… mind?
Yes.
Who are you? Why am I here?
You know the answers to those questions.
Who are you?
I am I.
Who are you?
I am whoever you wish me to be.
Suddenly, the voice took shape. Asuka looked on as light spread in front of her, and suddenly there was Shinji. His eyes looked deep into hers as he stood… even though there was no ground.
Baka? Why are you here?
I am here because you want me to be here.
No, I don't! I hate you!
I would not be here otherwise.
Idiot! I hate you! I don't want you to be here!
1 Asuka…
What? What do you want? Stupid baka!
Asuka… please wake up!
Asuka gasped as she realized that the Shinji n front of her was disappearing, but the voice was persistent. Except now, it came from outside…
Asuka, please! I need you to wake up!
Who is that? Is it…
Please, Asuka…
The voice was shaking, and ragged sobs rang throughout her mind.
Is that… Baka- Shinji?
Please… don't leave me alone…
Suddenly, the blackness began to dissipate, and light crept into the Asuka's vision. Before she regained feeling, one last thought crept through her.
I'm coming, baka.
++++++
Slowly, Asuka's eyes opened, adjusting to the bright light that engulfed her. The first thing she was aware of was something pressing down on top of her; but it wasn't hard… it was gentle.
Soon, the sounds of sobbing reached her ears, and she began to feel a cold wetness running down the back of her neck. Her vision suddenly came into focus, and she looked around. Slowly, she became aware of what was going on.
Shinji was slumped on top of her, his face buried in her shoulder. His tears were beginning to soak her pillow, as she found that she was lying in a hospital bed.
She felt the urge to reach up and slap him, because as his ragged sobs came, he shook like a leaf in a wind. She wanted to slap him and to curse him for doing this, but she couldn't. His sobbing clawed at her heart… she knew, finally, that he truly cared.
She tried to speak, but she found the words didn't come. She tried again, and this time a faint whisper came forth… "Baka."
Shinji's crying stopped, and he lifted himself from her. All else stood still, and not even the birds chirped outside. The boy straightened himself, and when he turned back to look at her, his deep blue eyes were filled with tears, and a broad smile crossed his face. "Asuka!" Her name was all that he needed to say.
Asuka didn't say anything else; she just stared back at him, and his heart leapt as she began to smile.
"NERV would have lost quite a pilot, eh?"
The voice caught Asuka by surprise, and her gaze shot to the Sixth Child, who she now noticed standing slumped against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest, grinning at her.
"Welcome back, Pilot Sohryu."
Shinji nearly collapsed again as he looked into her bright, ice blue eyes. Only a moment ago he had seen her still and helpless, on the verge of death. Or that is what he thought. He couldn't stand to see her helpless… as helpless as he was.
"Asuka…" he began, his voice shaking once more as he recalled. "We thought you were… we thought you were going to die."
If she had had the strength, Asuka would have jumped in shock at that moment. Instead, she chose to remain her old, confident self. "Me? The Great Asuka Langley Sohryu? Never."
Shinji began to frown slightly. "We didn't think you were hurt that badly, but your heart monitor…"
"You almost lost it," Colin finished, furrowing his brow.
Asuka looked away from them, sighing. Her blue eyes became downcast, and it seemed as though all of the fire went out of her in one swift moment.
"But you're still alive!" Shinji sobbed, smiling. "You came back. I was so afraid I would… lose you again. When you began to fade, it reminded me of that coma that…"
"Shut up, Baka- Shinji!" Shinji nearly jumped as Asuka's hard words struck him. It was not as if she had not been saying something like that to him for the past months, but he thought that he had just seen something new in her; something kind, and that suited her.
Asuka's voice immediately softened. "Don't talk about that. I don't want anyone to remember me like that."
"I- I'm sorry," Shinji stammered. "But I'm just happy that you came back," he repeated, smiling again. "For whatever reason you did."
++++++
"What is the condition of Rei?" Ritsuko asked the nurse, who was passing down the hallway.
The nurse turned to give her a strange look. "Pilot Ayanami was released yesterday. She seemed fine enough, after all that she went through."
As the nurse continues on her way, Ritsuko grumbled to herself. No one at NERV told her anything these days.
Suddenly she heard someone slump up against the wall beside her. "How are the pilots doing?" A man's voice asked casually. Ritsuko turned to him.
"Well, Rei's out of the hospital already, with a fast recovery, and Shinji and the new Sixth are fine, no major injuries. Asuka, on the other hand… was almost lost. Her injuries weren't so severe as to allow that to happen; it must have been something else."
The man smiled. "Ah, she'll be fine as long as Shinji's there. He seems to like that girl; he won't let anything happen to her. In fact, I passed by just a moment ago, and she was awake. Shinji and Colin were talking to her."
Ritsuko frowned. "Sometimes, Thames, I think you know even more than I do about these kids, and you've only been here a week…"
"And I still haven't gotten the chance to say anything to them yet, save Colin. Ah, well, there's always later. See you, Doctor."
As the man left down the hallway, in the opposite direction, Ritsuko was left with her own lonely thoughts. To much was going on that she had no notice of. What was happening to NERV?
++++++
Rei Ayanami lay once again in her bed in the lonely apartment, staring at the blank ceiling. The sounds of cranes and factories echoed outside as they seeped through her window, cold and hollow. This was the industrial district of Tokyo-3, and Rei despised it.
Her thoughts drifted on and on through her head, never once resting. In her mind's eye, she saw the crucifix, and the altar, and the glaring red eyes. She was haunted by these images, and she had no idea what they meant. Enigmatic Rei was truly confused.
"What do they mean?" She asked the ceiling quietly. "Why do these images plague me? Is it my purpose… to bear this pain and confusion? No." Her face became hard- set, determined. "My purpose is to keep them away from Ikari-kun."
"But, if we feel pain, and it comes from Eva, we dwell on it." Rei was nearly surprised at her revelation. "It seems that we are no more than slaves to the Machine."
++++++
Toji lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling. He had needed some time to think; all too much had happened lately. The memory of his first experience piloting an Eva was still fresh in his mind, and he still wondered if he would ever pilot again.
This new Child had arrived without warning. He seemed nice enough, to Toji, and he managed to put up with Asuka, almost like Shinji. Still, there was something strange about the Sixth, as if he knew something that no one else did… Toji shivered. That reminded him of Rei.
And Hikari… he had always thought about the girl. She was what he dreamed of, his secret passion; yet he never built up the courage to tell her so. But recently, she had begun to fill his thoughts and dreams completely. He almost couldn't think of anything else. He knew that the time must be getting close… he confess his true feelings for her, or he would go insane.
++++++
It was another sleepless night for Shinji Ikari. He had been troubled, even more so than usual, ever since he had arrived home from the hospital. He couldn't help wondering if Rei was doing all right… he had been worried when she wasn't in her hospital room earlier that day. He cared about Rei; she was like a sister to him, at times. And what increased his fears was that he hadn't heard from her in a while. He hadn't even seen her since the Eva battle.
But besides Rei… how could an Evangelion have attacked them? I made no sense. Misato herself had said that only NERV had that sort of technology. But maybe it was possible that… no. Shinji somehow didn't think that these attackers were related to NERV. But, if they weren't part of NERV, who were they?
++++++
Three figures sat at the wide table in the darkened conference room, far below the farthest reaches of the NERV complex.
"We have not heard word for some time," Mr. Andersen stated, grimacing.
"What could be keeping Thames? Hasn't he even met with Commander Ikari yet?" Major Holt was displeased as well, shaking her head back and forth over a cup of coffee.
"Yes, things do seem amiss. It is not like Thames to stay out of touch," Commander Walker stated, his face as hard and rock- like as ever. "But," he continued, "at least we have gotten word of a first attack on the NERV branch in Tokyo- 3."
"Yes!" Holt grunted, blushing. She had almost forgotten. "We have received word from the NERV officials at Tokyo- 3 that there was a confirmed attack by an Evangelion two days ago."
"So our fears were justified…" Andersen announced. "It seems that Bohrs is beginning to make a move."
A small grin began to crease Walker's face. "True, Bohrs is a prime issue… but our main concern is the Sixth. Do you have reports, Major?"
Holt already had the transferred documents in front of her and was examining them. "Yes. It seems that Colin has a confirmed sync ratio of about 50%, which is a great improvement, but we don't have word of any of his interactions with the other Children yet. That is what we are waiting for from Dr. Thames.
"And," she added, "I think that you will be pleased to know that the Wellington Crossbow has passed its combat test, and is fully functional. All in all, an impressive bit of work."
"That is good to hear. Now, then, are there any more pressing matters?" Walker looked back and forth at his two subordinates.
"Not until we receive word from Thames," Andersen stated plainly.
"Good, then. Now we must be off to other duties."
Within a few moments, the darkened underground chamber was completely empty of personnel. All had retreated back to the surface, left to their own secret agendas.
++++++
I have not received many reviews lately, so please review! You shall review!
By: Langerhast
Chapter Five
++++++
Asuka floated in a great void. She looked around her, but all was dark. She could sense no up and down. There was no direction, and nothing beneath her feet.
Where am I?
Asuka's thoughts echoed in this blackness. She had asked no one in particular, but strangely, she felt as if she expected an answer in this lonely place. The place seemed vaguely familiar, but she did not know why…
You are here.
She should have flinched when the calm message came to her. It did not come through her ears, but simply was there, reverberating inside of her.
Where is here?
Here is inside of you. This is your mind.
My… mind?
Yes.
Who are you? Why am I here?
You know the answers to those questions.
Who are you?
I am I.
Who are you?
I am whoever you wish me to be.
Suddenly, the voice took shape. Asuka looked on as light spread in front of her, and suddenly there was Shinji. His eyes looked deep into hers as he stood… even though there was no ground.
Baka? Why are you here?
I am here because you want me to be here.
No, I don't! I hate you!
I would not be here otherwise.
Idiot! I hate you! I don't want you to be here!
1 Asuka…
What? What do you want? Stupid baka!
Asuka… please wake up!
Asuka gasped as she realized that the Shinji n front of her was disappearing, but the voice was persistent. Except now, it came from outside…
Asuka, please! I need you to wake up!
Who is that? Is it…
Please, Asuka…
The voice was shaking, and ragged sobs rang throughout her mind.
Is that… Baka- Shinji?
Please… don't leave me alone…
Suddenly, the blackness began to dissipate, and light crept into the Asuka's vision. Before she regained feeling, one last thought crept through her.
I'm coming, baka.
++++++
Slowly, Asuka's eyes opened, adjusting to the bright light that engulfed her. The first thing she was aware of was something pressing down on top of her; but it wasn't hard… it was gentle.
Soon, the sounds of sobbing reached her ears, and she began to feel a cold wetness running down the back of her neck. Her vision suddenly came into focus, and she looked around. Slowly, she became aware of what was going on.
Shinji was slumped on top of her, his face buried in her shoulder. His tears were beginning to soak her pillow, as she found that she was lying in a hospital bed.
She felt the urge to reach up and slap him, because as his ragged sobs came, he shook like a leaf in a wind. She wanted to slap him and to curse him for doing this, but she couldn't. His sobbing clawed at her heart… she knew, finally, that he truly cared.
She tried to speak, but she found the words didn't come. She tried again, and this time a faint whisper came forth… "Baka."
Shinji's crying stopped, and he lifted himself from her. All else stood still, and not even the birds chirped outside. The boy straightened himself, and when he turned back to look at her, his deep blue eyes were filled with tears, and a broad smile crossed his face. "Asuka!" Her name was all that he needed to say.
Asuka didn't say anything else; she just stared back at him, and his heart leapt as she began to smile.
"NERV would have lost quite a pilot, eh?"
The voice caught Asuka by surprise, and her gaze shot to the Sixth Child, who she now noticed standing slumped against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest, grinning at her.
"Welcome back, Pilot Sohryu."
Shinji nearly collapsed again as he looked into her bright, ice blue eyes. Only a moment ago he had seen her still and helpless, on the verge of death. Or that is what he thought. He couldn't stand to see her helpless… as helpless as he was.
"Asuka…" he began, his voice shaking once more as he recalled. "We thought you were… we thought you were going to die."
If she had had the strength, Asuka would have jumped in shock at that moment. Instead, she chose to remain her old, confident self. "Me? The Great Asuka Langley Sohryu? Never."
Shinji began to frown slightly. "We didn't think you were hurt that badly, but your heart monitor…"
"You almost lost it," Colin finished, furrowing his brow.
Asuka looked away from them, sighing. Her blue eyes became downcast, and it seemed as though all of the fire went out of her in one swift moment.
"But you're still alive!" Shinji sobbed, smiling. "You came back. I was so afraid I would… lose you again. When you began to fade, it reminded me of that coma that…"
"Shut up, Baka- Shinji!" Shinji nearly jumped as Asuka's hard words struck him. It was not as if she had not been saying something like that to him for the past months, but he thought that he had just seen something new in her; something kind, and that suited her.
Asuka's voice immediately softened. "Don't talk about that. I don't want anyone to remember me like that."
"I- I'm sorry," Shinji stammered. "But I'm just happy that you came back," he repeated, smiling again. "For whatever reason you did."
++++++
"What is the condition of Rei?" Ritsuko asked the nurse, who was passing down the hallway.
The nurse turned to give her a strange look. "Pilot Ayanami was released yesterday. She seemed fine enough, after all that she went through."
As the nurse continues on her way, Ritsuko grumbled to herself. No one at NERV told her anything these days.
Suddenly she heard someone slump up against the wall beside her. "How are the pilots doing?" A man's voice asked casually. Ritsuko turned to him.
"Well, Rei's out of the hospital already, with a fast recovery, and Shinji and the new Sixth are fine, no major injuries. Asuka, on the other hand… was almost lost. Her injuries weren't so severe as to allow that to happen; it must have been something else."
The man smiled. "Ah, she'll be fine as long as Shinji's there. He seems to like that girl; he won't let anything happen to her. In fact, I passed by just a moment ago, and she was awake. Shinji and Colin were talking to her."
Ritsuko frowned. "Sometimes, Thames, I think you know even more than I do about these kids, and you've only been here a week…"
"And I still haven't gotten the chance to say anything to them yet, save Colin. Ah, well, there's always later. See you, Doctor."
As the man left down the hallway, in the opposite direction, Ritsuko was left with her own lonely thoughts. To much was going on that she had no notice of. What was happening to NERV?
++++++
Rei Ayanami lay once again in her bed in the lonely apartment, staring at the blank ceiling. The sounds of cranes and factories echoed outside as they seeped through her window, cold and hollow. This was the industrial district of Tokyo-3, and Rei despised it.
Her thoughts drifted on and on through her head, never once resting. In her mind's eye, she saw the crucifix, and the altar, and the glaring red eyes. She was haunted by these images, and she had no idea what they meant. Enigmatic Rei was truly confused.
"What do they mean?" She asked the ceiling quietly. "Why do these images plague me? Is it my purpose… to bear this pain and confusion? No." Her face became hard- set, determined. "My purpose is to keep them away from Ikari-kun."
"But, if we feel pain, and it comes from Eva, we dwell on it." Rei was nearly surprised at her revelation. "It seems that we are no more than slaves to the Machine."
++++++
Toji lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling. He had needed some time to think; all too much had happened lately. The memory of his first experience piloting an Eva was still fresh in his mind, and he still wondered if he would ever pilot again.
This new Child had arrived without warning. He seemed nice enough, to Toji, and he managed to put up with Asuka, almost like Shinji. Still, there was something strange about the Sixth, as if he knew something that no one else did… Toji shivered. That reminded him of Rei.
And Hikari… he had always thought about the girl. She was what he dreamed of, his secret passion; yet he never built up the courage to tell her so. But recently, she had begun to fill his thoughts and dreams completely. He almost couldn't think of anything else. He knew that the time must be getting close… he confess his true feelings for her, or he would go insane.
++++++
It was another sleepless night for Shinji Ikari. He had been troubled, even more so than usual, ever since he had arrived home from the hospital. He couldn't help wondering if Rei was doing all right… he had been worried when she wasn't in her hospital room earlier that day. He cared about Rei; she was like a sister to him, at times. And what increased his fears was that he hadn't heard from her in a while. He hadn't even seen her since the Eva battle.
But besides Rei… how could an Evangelion have attacked them? I made no sense. Misato herself had said that only NERV had that sort of technology. But maybe it was possible that… no. Shinji somehow didn't think that these attackers were related to NERV. But, if they weren't part of NERV, who were they?
++++++
Three figures sat at the wide table in the darkened conference room, far below the farthest reaches of the NERV complex.
"We have not heard word for some time," Mr. Andersen stated, grimacing.
"What could be keeping Thames? Hasn't he even met with Commander Ikari yet?" Major Holt was displeased as well, shaking her head back and forth over a cup of coffee.
"Yes, things do seem amiss. It is not like Thames to stay out of touch," Commander Walker stated, his face as hard and rock- like as ever. "But," he continued, "at least we have gotten word of a first attack on the NERV branch in Tokyo- 3."
"Yes!" Holt grunted, blushing. She had almost forgotten. "We have received word from the NERV officials at Tokyo- 3 that there was a confirmed attack by an Evangelion two days ago."
"So our fears were justified…" Andersen announced. "It seems that Bohrs is beginning to make a move."
A small grin began to crease Walker's face. "True, Bohrs is a prime issue… but our main concern is the Sixth. Do you have reports, Major?"
Holt already had the transferred documents in front of her and was examining them. "Yes. It seems that Colin has a confirmed sync ratio of about 50%, which is a great improvement, but we don't have word of any of his interactions with the other Children yet. That is what we are waiting for from Dr. Thames.
"And," she added, "I think that you will be pleased to know that the Wellington Crossbow has passed its combat test, and is fully functional. All in all, an impressive bit of work."
"That is good to hear. Now, then, are there any more pressing matters?" Walker looked back and forth at his two subordinates.
"Not until we receive word from Thames," Andersen stated plainly.
"Good, then. Now we must be off to other duties."
Within a few moments, the darkened underground chamber was completely empty of personnel. All had retreated back to the surface, left to their own secret agendas.
++++++
I have not received many reviews lately, so please review! You shall review!