Gundam-Evangelion Crossover

by Keiichi Morisato

The Gundam in the title of this fic DOES NOT and WILL NOT pertain to Wing. I just don't see how and why Wing and Eva would be connected. Anyway, UC is much better than AC. Go figure.

5. Shuttle Launch Try, Try Again

Shinji's two friends were just too shocked to know the "truth" about the spirited redheaded girl that the two had met for the first time; the truth that she was also an Evangelion pilot, just like him and the all-too reserved Rei Ayanami. Toji just chuckled as patted Shinji's back, commenting that "at least he and Kensuke won't ever see her again", since Asuka Langley-Sohryu was his colleague at work anyway. Kensuke then wonders "if only weirdoes get chosen to be Eva pilots".

And just as Toji was feeling reassured of the fact that "he will never see that bitch Asuka again", then comes along the bitch in question and greets them a pleasant "Guten Morgen" as she walked through the entrance of their classroom's door, much to Toji's and Shinji's shock. She then later stuck out a tongue at them and branded the trio "a bunch of losers" as their class was about to start in six to seven minutes.

Of course, there was the traditional self-introduction ceremony that every new student must go through. As the pretty young redheaded German-Japanese 14-year-old girl walked through the classroom's aisle, there could be heard from among Shinji's male classmates some silent "ooh's" and "aah's" and other expressions of astonishment for the new student. Asuka was just too much of a pretty sight for the boys and that earned her the instant title of the "class sweetheart" as she wrote her name in English and in perfect cursive writing and said, facing the students with a cheerful face...

Asuka: My name's Asuka Langley-Sohryu. It's very nice to meet all of you! I hope we can all be good friends! (giggles)

Shinji, however, knew from the start that this pretty face before him and his classmates wasn't all that was cut out to be. He thought as he cringed, this was going to be one of the worst parts of his so-called life...


********************
A Mobile Suit Gundam / Neon Genesis Evangelion crossoverwritten by Lloyd Barrieses (kachiko00@yahoo.com)
Mobile Suit Gundam (c)1978 Yoshiyuki Tomino/Bandai/Sunrise.
Neon Genesis Evangelion (c)1996 Gainax/Project Eva./TV Tokyo/NAS.
All rights reserved.

This fanfiction owned and authored by Lloyd Barrieses. Any attempt to
steal this fic (i.e. putting your name in the credits) shall be met with
appropriate punishments. I'm serious, folks.
********************

[Act 5]

Episode 9, "Shuttle Launch"
-------------------

As the Agama and the Radish, two of the AEUG's few but strong battlecruisers acting as guards for the packed-with-civilians Kalaba transport cruiser, the Audomura, floated high above the skies of the fabled Bermuda Triangle off the coast of once-Communist nation Cuba and headed for the AEUG's itinerary which was the Kennedy Space Port in Florida, the Agama's default captain, which some who had come to admire his work in the One Year War would call him the "eternal" captain of the Pegasus White Base, Bright Noah, peered inquistively at his superior officer as the revered captain's thoughts came to formulate in the form of speech.

Bright: But aren't you worried about any of those Federation missile defense parameters scattered throughout Florida, Colonel?

Brex: That...might be a problem, Captain. What do you think that we should let out an escort squad before we even get ashore?

Bright: (rubs his chin) Hmm, that would be risky, but I think it should do well against a possible missile defense barrage that we might encounter. Lieutenant Quattro, you and the others might just shoot them up before we do, and besides, the idea of a forward patrol might even also do well against an ambush using mobile suits, anyway.

Brex: By the way...Lieutenant Quattro, have you heard the news on TV lately?

Quattro: The Titans have apparently put the blame on us with what happened at Jabrow, sir, through this immediate worldwide press statement some hours after we left. Heh, it's to be expected of them, since let's say we're basically the "bad guys" in this whole crazy mess.

Bright: (sighs) News travels faster than you'd think, doesn't it? Pity it's the wrong kind of news that we're hearing...

Brex: Indeed. I wouldn't be surprised if we'll soon be branded as terrorists. (shrugs)

Quattro: (snickers) Right.

Brex: Have I told anyone about my plans on going back to space on a certain "undercover" Federation luxury carrier?

Bright: (gulps) Uhh...that wouldn't happen to be the Temptation again, wouldn't it?

Brex: (looks sourly at Bright) Of *course* not, Captain.

Quattro: I don't think you've told anyone yet, sir. What about it?

Brex: Hm. Well, it just so coincidentally happens that the carrier is also in Florida, where we're going. It might even be the space shuttle that the civilians we have in the Audomura are going to ride in. But in any case, since these civilians are headed for Side 6, the same thing might also be my ride to Side 6 as well.

Bright: I understand, sir. Lieutenant Quattro and the others will be standing by as escort first and foremost for the Audomura, then the Agama and the Radish as we all do well know that we can hold our own if ever an ambush greets us on the way there. The conditions will be considered as having declared Alert Level 1.

Quattro: Yes. I will be informing Camille and the others who will be available upon sight of Florida's shore and upon our destination, the space center. One question, though, Commander. Who will be in command while you will be away on Side 6?

Brex: You will, of course, sir. But Captain Bright Noah will be in charge of sorties against any enemy threat that may arise, as I do trust him on this line of work.

Bright: Thank you, Commander.

Quattro: I uinderstand, Commander. May you have a safe journey to Side 6; I bid you in advance, sir.

Brex: Right. (stands up from his seat) As of this moment, you two are dismissed. Just be prepared for combat at any time, all right?

The fairly stout AEUG supreme commander returned Quattro's and Bright's respective hand salutes as they, almost in unison, stood up in attention and left Brex Forra's office. Up until this day, he thought as the two men left the room, he just could not believe that of all people, Bright Noah, Amuro Ray, and Char Aznable--or as he would like to be called for the time being, the alias "Quattro Bajina"--would be working together for one purpose. He had second thoughts, though, on Amuro's and Quattro's respective willingness to be co-team players as he *had* known from some sources that these two had a terrible rivalry going on between them, seven years ago...

Brex Forra had no full knowledge of the current situation involving this newfangled "Axis Zeon faction" except that he had known that these Zeons were, indeed, taking up arms once again for a reason he wished he had known. He was worried at the thought of these Zeons based on the old asteroid military base Axis being a potential enemy as they already have their hands full on making anti-Titans sorties and partly giving their support as to battling Nerv's "Angel" problem. But then if Axis would be their ally...he wasn't quite sure what effect that would have on what little good reputation that the AEUG has.

---

Camille made some little double-checking and upgrading as to the status of "his" mobile suit, the once-black-now-white Gundam Mark-II which was formerly named merely "Unit-03" in Titan/Federation lingo. He just didn't know it yet (but he might have, since he *was* a Newtype) but the Agama's captain in khaki watched him from afar as Bright walked away from Quattro, who was heading towards the blue-haired lad from Side 7. Bright had thought within himself, this boy really does remind me of Amuro in the old days, seven years ago. Anyway, the former White Base captain thought, just don't let him get smart with me or he'll definitely be sorry he even joined the AEUG, or the army for that matter...

The blonde man clad in mostly red and black and sunglasses walked up to the white Gundam Mk-II and called out for his young blue-haired protege to "come down for a moment". Camille leaned out of the Gundam's cockpit entrance and replied to him in a not-so-pleased tone.

Camille: I'm kinda busy here, Quattro. What do you want?

Quattro: (blinks) That will be *Lieutenant Commander* Quattro to you, Camille. Anyway, be prepared for launch any time soon as we will; be acting as cover for the Audomura and the Agama once we land on Florida. Commander Brex asked me to tell you these orders A.S.A.P.

Camille: (shrugs) Okay, okay, fine than. I hear you, *Lieutenant Commander* Quattro. Now could you please leave me for a while? I'm busy upgrading this baby here...

Quattro: (pauses and rubs his chin) You sure do have a serious attitude problem, Camille. Watch your mouth or you'll get what's coming to you.

Camille: Whatever. Geez... (returns to his work)

Quattro: (thinks) Stubborn little brat...

The man once known, and is still known by few who know him very well, as the "Red Comet" Char Aznable turned back to head for the Agama's bridge. On the way there, he had met three familiar women that were definitely with the Agama's crew as of present times; the fifteen-year-old one had semi-long black hair, the twenty-four-year-old one had fairly short brown hair, and the last one had short red hair and was presumed to be at least the same age as Amuro.

Fa: ...really? Wow, that is so COOL! Oh, thank you, miss Emma! (shakes Emma's hands in glee and giggles)

Emma: Oh, but I wasn't the one responsible for your acceptance as to your new occupation in teh Agama as one of the bridge operators. It was also partly because you're quite qualified to be one of our bridge staff, right, Officer Reccoa?

Reccoa: Oh, yes. And you also have your little sweetie Camille to thank for, too, since he's the one who talked to the Commander about it...oh look, there's Lieutenant Commander Quattro. (waves at him and smiles, blushing lightly) Good afternoon, Lieutenant!

Quattro: Good afternoon, ladies. You three seem to be having quite a lively conversation, am I right?

Reccoa: Ummm...it seems that we have, sir!

Fa: (shakes his hand) Yeah, we were just talking about my formal approval of my job here in the Agama as one of your bridge operators *and* one of your reserve pilots as well, and I'm so happy about it!

Quattro: That's very good, Fa. (nods) Have you three been informed of a possible defense operation protecting first and foremost the Audomura and then the Agama and the Radish?

Emma: Uhh, yes sir, I believe Commander Brex himself had already told us of thos operation earlier when we met him just upstairs, down the hallway.

Quattro: Ahh, so maybe I should be on my way, than. If you will excuse me, ladies... (starts to leave)

Reccoa: (catching up behind him) Ummm...wait up, I'll be coming with you, sir! I'll see you girls later, okay?

Fa and Emma watched on and exchanged curious looks as their fellow AEUG comrades walked away to wherever they might be going; in this case, they both guessed it might be towards where the Hyakushiki was being stored. The MSN-100 Type 100, or better known as the "Hyakushiki" among AEUG members (and to a very few of the Titans) was the first of its kind in the history of mobile suit models, even though some would point out that its overall performance was no different than that of an uber-modified Zaku-II custom.

Fa: I'm just really curious, miss Emma...why did Lieutenant Quattro have the Hyakushiki painted *gold* anyway? Don't you think that's a bit weird or something...?

Emma: I'm wondering about that myself on why he'd done that, Fa. All I know is that I remember that he told me once that the Hyakushiki was painted gold so as to send a message to the Titans that "the AEUG could build mobile suits right from under their noses", to quote him. Kind of a weird reason if you ask me, but then that's Lieutenant Quattro Bajina for you... (shrugs)

Fa: Hmm...do you think miss Reccoa likes Lieutenant Quattro? I mean, look at her. Did you just see how her eyes just sort of "lightened up" at the sight of him...?

Emma: Hmm. Come to think of it, you might be right...after all, the Lieutenant Commander *is* one cute guy if I've ever seen one. You know, he's just got that dark, brooding air around him...well, I think you'd know because I've noticed that in you as well whenever Camille's around. (giggles and nudges Fa's arm lightly) Am I right?

Fa: (blushes) Umm...well...uhh...tee-hee, y-yeah...

---

Back in Japan, Nerv HQ...

Professor Ritsuko Akagi might just have been having a bad morning, but there was just the strangest thing that had happened. It wasn't a very common thing for her, but she'd just been stricken with an oddball idea that might just work. After washing her face and brushing her teeth, she put aside the trash on her desk and started going to work, first studying the overall structure of the AEUG support cruiser Mont Blanc and making a few adjustments on her copies of the ship's blueprints. Ritsuko silently sipped on her coffee as the morning went on quietly outside Nerv HQ.

---

Back in the Mont Blanc, Amuro Ray rubbed his chin and looked at the bleach-haired Nerv Engineering Department Head at the visual comm link with just a bit of skepticism.

Amuro: (blinks) /A "beam ram"?/

Ritsuko: /Yes, you've heard it right. We could make some enough adjustments on the Mont Blanc's main beam cannons, particularly on their respective placements on the ship, so that we could generate enough energy for this beam ram which will be, in layman's terms, sort of a makeshift "mega beam saber" that's supposed to be rammed against an opponent. Of course, it would also require that this amount of energy would also be enough to penetrate through an A.T. field and--/

Amuro: /--but don't you think it would also require a total redesign of the whole ship itself? I mean, that would take a lot of time and money to do such a task, and what's more, it's quite risky making a whole ship into one large battering ram...but then, I definitely think it's a great idea, Professor. The idea of equipping a beam ram on a battlecruiser is way ahead of its time, though; I must commend you on that, Professor Akagi./

To Amuro's surprise, Misato pushed Ritsuko aside from his limited line of vision in the comm link and almost made a fool of herself, giggling as soon as she saw Amuro's face on the screen looking almost too excited to see Amuro again.

Misato: /So it's okay if we'll go on with the project, Captain? Tee-hee.../

Amuro: /Uh...yeah...I-I guess so, if Captain Bright or Commander Brex gave me authority to approve of such projects involving the AEUG ships, why not.../ (thinks) What the...?

The curly redheaded Gundam pilot could almost hear Ritsuko tell Misato, "Would you mind your manners, Captain Katsuragi?!" and saw Misato look towards her, clearly seeing the pout on Misato's face and giving the way for Ritsuko to talk to Amuro once again. Grinning slightly, Amuro shook his head and wiped some of the sweat off his brow.

Ritsuko: /Umm, so...here's the deal. We couldn't really guarantee that this whole idea would be safe enough to be used on specific missions, but I'm sure we could figure something out so as to keep everyone on the Mont Blanc as safe as they could be while making this project a success.../

Amuro: (sighs) /I'll see what I can do. Just give me the blueprints and I can work on it the whole day provided that there would be no troubles for today, whether it be the Titans or any of those Angels again./

Ritsuko: /Thank you, Captain--hey what the--!/

Misato: (pushes Ritsuko aside once again) /Thanks Captain! Eh heh heh heh heh!/

The comm link screen went black all of a sudden with a tiny "blip!" Ritsuko stared at Misato for a moment and shook her head muttering, "Tsk tsk..."

Ritsuko: What the heck is wrong with you, Captain Katsuragi?

Misato: (stares back at her, giggling) Tee-hee...oh, nothing that you could possibly know, Miss Ice Queen.

Ritsuko: And what the heck is *that* supposed to mean? Jesus, woman, you already got Kaji! (snickers and shakes her head) You naughty, naughty girl, you.

Misato: Kaji?! Ughh...never again will I involve myself with that big idiot, Ryouji Kaji! Don't ever, EVER mention that jerk's name to me again, all right Ritsuko? (rubs her head as if in pain)

Ritsuko: Mmmmhmmmm.... (raises an eyebrow and grins)

---

At the same time, back in the Agama which was now somewhere in the middle of the fabled Bermuda Triangle and was currently on its way to Florida, Camille had the little adorable basketball-sized light-green ball-like part-laptop computer part child's toy "Haro" on his lap, looking at his old and new email messages through its mini-monitor. His mouth let up a little smirk as he read through his latest email entry which apparently came from Anaheim Electronics, commending him on a job well done as to the blueprints of his new mobile suit design, the "Zeta" Gundam. Camille then suddenly wondered why Captain Amuro Ray would leave such an ingenious invention of his doing all alone...oh well, Camille thought, "finders keepers, I guess..."

Camille: "...we might be able to make such an exceptional mobile suit very, very soon and have it sent to the AEUG with utmost secrecy from both the Federation and the Titans so as not to fall into their hands, so to speak. We will look forward to having more meaningful transactions with you, Mr. Camille Vidan, along with your colleagues and comrades in the AEUG. Chief Engineer for Mobile Suit Designs, Anaheim Electronics Incorporated, Miss Nina Purpleton-Uraki." Wow, this is just so cool! Man, wait till I tell Fa and the others about this...

Haro: /That's good, Camille! That's good, Camille!/

Camille: Yeah, I hear you, Haro. (stretches out and yawns) Man, I haven't had any rest since we've gotten to Jabrow a night or two ago...I ought to take a break one of these days, don't you think so?

Haro: .....

The little green globe of artificial intelligence and silicon chips' "eyes" started to blink and "faced" towards Camille's line of sight. A single sweatdrop formed on the blue-haired boy's brow, and seconds later he raised quite an inquisitive eyebrow.

Camille: Well, what the hell are you looking at me like *that* for, Haro?

Haro: /The captain's calling you, Camille./

Just then, Haro opened its big "mouth" and a little screen inside it blinked the words, "Bright captain - calling". One would have to wonder whether Amuro Ray's old invention was also either a cellular phone or an instant electronic messenger.

Camille: (blinks and pushes some of Haro's buttons) Well, why didn't you say so, then? Hello, Captain? What do you want?

Bright: /Camille, haven't you been hearing the Alert Level 1 announcement earlier on the public address system? Well, that doesn't matter now, get your ass on the Mk-II right now and prepare for launch. We're assuming the waters around these parts are already shallow so I'm ordering a forward squadron of whatever GM-II's we have left, with you, Quattro, Emma, and Roberto acting as backup for our three ships. Do you understand, Camille?/

Camille: Uhh...yeah, I understand... (thinks) Geez, he sounds dead serious this time...

Bright: /Good. Get to it a.s.a.p./

Haro's comm link to the Agama's bridge was then cut off as Camille sighed, went down, and rushed towards the locker room to change into his pilot's flight suit. Harro tagged along the 15-year-old spacenoid bouncing like a cute, live, little basketball and repeatedly called out in a typical robotic voice, "Wait up, Camille!"

---

Key West's coastline was botched by numerous well-placed Magella tanks, ten Marasai's, and five Gaplants in their mobile suit modes. Apparently, the Titan base somewhere in Mississippi had been informed that the AEUG was headed for Florida but they didn't know what the AEUG wants to do there. True to whatever reputation they might have, the unnamed commanding officer in the Mississippi Titan base took whatever available and ready supervising officer was around and take out the AEUG in one sweep--in this case, the commanding officer took a certain Federal Forces Lieutenant Colonel, mobile suit ace Braun Blutarch, to head this anti-AEUG operation.

Braun wasn't the handsomest male officer in the service: true, he was a tall and gruff old fellow, but he pretty much looked stupid to anyone who doesn't know him personally. It was not so, however, what with his achievements as a Federal Forces officer, who had gained much credit due to his contribution in the One-Year War in 0079 and the battle against the ill-fated Zeon regiment in 0083, the infamous Delaz Fleet. It was just so ironic that his name didn't rank much in popularity and significance as the likes of those rumored traitors Amuro Ray and Hayato Kobayashi.

A few months ago, before the whole situation with the AEUG in Gryps, Braun Blutarch had volunteered to be the test pilot for a certain prototype variable mobile suit, the yellow NRX-044 Asshimar, and since then, the Asshimar had "become" Braun's personal preference over a "simple" Gundam Mk-II since its form as a flying saucer-like mobile armor was quite agile while not being actually weak in its defenses.

It was uncertain if the Asshimar will ever get mass-produced like the Marasai or the Gaplant did. Not that Braun cared anyway. He only cared about doing his duty as a Federation officer bent on quelling anti-Federation movements, whether it be the Zeon or the AEUG.

True to its form, Braun's Asshimar, in its flying saucer-like mobile armor mode, hovered atop his underlings and made last-minute checkups on his few but hopefully strong troops.

Braun: /Well, that's the drill, people. Snipe at 'em if you can an' try not to get hit, all right?/

Titans officer A: that's easy for you to say, sir...we've only Magella tanks to fire at the AEUG while they've got--/

Braun: /Well, we've just got to make do with what's been assigned to us, right soldier? By the way...Rosamia, are you sure you're up to fighting against the AEUG in your condition? I don't care what your officers tell me, I'm just worried about.../

The purple-haired young woman relaxed her senses for a moment then calmly replied to her new superior officer. She had no other thing in her mind but to destroy the AEUG as she was "programmed"--brainwashed--to do, as an "artificial" Newtype.

Rosamia: /I am very confident I can make it this time, sir./

Braun: /You had better be. All of you, listen to me: I know all of you're thinking that you shouldn't have to take orders from me, a "mere" Federal Forces guy and not one of you Titans kiddies here. May I remind you that Federal Forces officers have authority above the Titans in any situation especially this one that we have involving the AEUG. Looks like you boys have to brush up on our military rules and regulations, eh?/

Though Braun couldn't hear it, he could tell that his Titan subordinates could be murmuring some sarcastic comments like "Yeah, right...", "Whatever...", and the like. Well, that's just fine, he thought, if these people are going to act like little children, he will deal with them as such.

Braun: /Just remember that while the AEUG may or may not be as feisty as the Zeons, we have to defeat them by any means necessary. Do you read me, *ladies*?/

There was a crisp "Sir, yes sir!" on Braun's communications link to his subordinates, the sound of a very determined Titan regiment intent on toppling the AEUG once and for all, upon hearing the Federal Forces officer's last rallying statement.

The day was already slowly falling into night as Braun received word from certain scouts across Key West that two battlecruisers: one, an Irish class, and another one that looked like a variation of the old White Base, and both were escorting a Garuda-class transport ship. Braun immediately thought it was the Radish and the Agama respectively. The scout had also reported that the Agama and the Radish were slowly passing over the waters just off Key West's coastline and were headed towards his troops' direction. Braun Blutarch let a little smirk form on his lips and rallied his men off to battle. Braun called for Rosamia and four other Gaplant-ridden soldiers to "personally greet" the AEUG on their arrival to Florida. Launching off to the horizon, the Asshimar and the five Gaplants flew forward, deeming themselves an impromptu "welcoming party" for the AEUG.

---

Fa: (gasps) Captain Bright, we have a high concentration fo Minovsky particles just about two kilometers from our current position!

The captain of English origin didn't look too surprised as Fa looked down from her seat somewhere in the Agama's bridge. From the distance between him and Camille's girlfriend, he could see around six blinking figures in the Minovsky particle radar. Bright Noah stood up, ready to give his long-awaited orders for counterattack.

Bright: Yes, and I can see we've got around five or six bogeys ready to take us down. All right--you, tell our pilots to launch immediately. I'm pretty sure our mobile suits can still fight well in these depths of water, otherwise, tell our troops to take strategic positions riding on the Agama.

Bridge operator A: Sir, yes sir! /All available mobile s--/

Bright: Fa, relay the same to the Radish, right now!

Fa: Yes sir! /This is the Agama. I repeat, this is--/

Bright: Torres, keep the Agama's pace constant. I'll be betting this is just icing on the cake; I just couldn't believe the Titans would send such a small fleet of what I assume to be either flying MS'es or flying MA's. In any case, we'll be taking them down.

Torres: Aye, sir. (turns the navigating wheel a wee bit)

Brex: (sighs and relaxes on his chair) Captain, you seem to have your own kind of...expertise when it comes to these kinds of battle sorties...ah well, I shouldn't really be surprised anyway, sir.

Bright: (sits down and sighs) It comes from experience, Commander. And it comes from the realization that we're waging quite a different war right now than what we've experienced before, seven years ago.

Brex: (nods) Indeed.

---

It was just around ten minutes ago that the bell signaling the dismissal of classes for the day had rang. Shinji, Toji, and Kensuke walked out of the classroom, babbling about random stuff that most male high school students their age would babble about. Just as Shinji was going to open his mouth to say something about what Toji had told him and Kensuke just now, he felt a sharp, sudden pain on his buttocks. He realized his butt had just been kicked by his old friend Asuka from that all-too-familiar phrase that would only come from none other than the redheaded newbie herself...

Asuka: An'ta baka?!

Toji: (shakes his head) Tsk tsk...geez, newbie...ya dint havta hit 'im *dat* hard...

Asuka: (leers at Toji) What do *you* care, monkey-boy? (takes Shinji away by his ear) Come with me, peon. Escort me back to my quarters, NOW!

Shinji: Owowowowowow, take it easy, freak!

Kensuke: Ooooooh, lovers' quarrel! Hey Toji, whyn't we leave these two lovebirds alone and go on home, right? (grins) Heh heh heh heh...

Toji: (grins back) Yeaaaahhhh...that'd be a good idea! Yo Shinji, you both ummm..."take it easy" on da *foreplay*, all right? Heh heh heh heh...

Just as Toji and Kensuke were about to wave goodbye to the couple, Asuka and Shinji stomped on the two boys' heads, did a hundred-hit combination on them, and punted them full-force into low-earth orbit.

Shinji and Asuka: WE'RE NOT LOVERS!!

It took a few seconds for them to realize that the whole school was looking at them with...quite *inquisitive* gazes. This was definitely NOT good for them, so Asuka took it upon herself to drag Shinji out of the school by his collar, both of them blushing beet-red.

Seeing that they were totally out of sight of any recognizable person from Shinji's and Asuka's high school, Asuka stopped running to catch her breath. Shinji struggled to stand up, brushing off each and every patch of dirt on his shirt and pants and shaking his head like a little puppy dog would, much to Asuka's very faint giggling.

Shinji: What's with dragging me off like that anyway? That really hurt, you know!

Asuka: Shut up! Well, we just have to talk about something first before we go home, ne?

Shinji: (sounding bored) Okay, okay. What is it you want us to talk about?

The half-German, half-Japanese redhead paused for a while and briskly paced down the street as she started to share a piece of her mind to her old friend.

Asuka: (turns around slightly) Did you ever notice how our teacher back there ranted on and on about the Second Impact that happened around seven years ago, how this...abandoned colony originally targeted at Jabrow was just dropped off and "fortunately" redirected into Antarctica by Federation battlecruisers and yadda yadda?

Shinji: Yeah, 'teach kinda does that almost everyday, of course it's our History subject, what do you expect anyway? That information's all over our textbooks anyway. I thought you knew that already, Asuka.

Asuka: (leers at him slightly) Well, there's just *something* quite wrong with our teacher's story *and* what they say in the textbooks. (turns around and points her index finger at Shinji and grins) I just know something everyone doesn't, Shinji. Want me to tell it to you?

Shinji: Heh, I'd love to tell you to "spare me the arrogance", Asuka, but...yeah, spill it. (raises an eyebrow) What *do* you know that everyone else doesn't?

Asuka: (sighs) Man, I just couldn't believe some people would buy all that misinformation from the Federation...and *you* of all people believed it too! And you call yourself the Third Child?

Shinji: ...okay. SPARE ME THE ARROGANCE, Asuka. Tell me what you know, already!

Asuka: Well, anyway...it wasn't just the colony that the Zeons have dropped on Earth that caused the Second Impact. Seven years ago in Antarctica, coinciding with the infamous colony drop, there was found a thirty minutes ago a humanoid object, termed the "first Angel". There was soon an explosion that ensued. It was unknown what was its origin, but THAT, Shinji, was the *real* Second Impact. The colony drop just aggravated the damages it caused and the latter incident was just used by some shady people in the Federation to cover up some...top secret information that even *I* don't know about.

Shinji: ...what are you trying to tell me, Asuka?

Asuka: Our duty as pilots, Shinji, is to prevent a Third Impact from ever happening. (smirks and chuckles) Heh, well of course, it's OBVIOUS now that even your Daddy kept you ignorant of the most important facts! Unbelievable, Shinji! Just UNBELIEVABLE! Wahahahahahaha!

Shinji: ...I hate it when you're asserting your "I'm-better-than-everyone" attitude, Asuka. Ughhh...I should have never gone with you...

Asuka: (starts to pummel Shinji) What did you say--

There was a sudden chill in the air as someone *very* familiar to the two Children walked by them and completely ignored their childish antics. Shinji could almost immediately recognize that short ice-blue hair and those ruby-red eyes.

Shinji: ...Ayanami?

Rei: If you will excuse me...please don't block the sidewalk so I may pass by.

Shinji: Uh...sure...you going home now, Ayanami?

Rei: ..... (totally ignores them)

Asuka: Hey, wait a minute, First! (runs after Rei)

Rei: (turns around slightly) ...now what?

Asuka: Heh...you know...Rei Ayanami's your name, am I right? Well, First, I'd just like to tell you that I've been hearing some quite...*interesting* rumors about you and Shinji's dad--I mean, Commander Ikari. (raises an eyebrow) I hear you're...*involved* with him, though from what I also hear, you've shown no one else any hint of emotion. What do you have to say about that, First?

Rei: (turns around and walks away) ...what do *you* care?

A few seconds after Rei starts to walk away, Asuka seethed and chased after her, grabbing her arm and looking at Rei with an angry expression. Shinji immediately knew this was because his redheaded friend's pride was hurt, and he also knew he had to do something.

Asuka: Look at me when I'm talking to you, Miss-Favorite-Girl-of-the-Commander! How dare you make a fool of *me*! I'll teach you to mess with--

Shinji: (grabs Asuka's hand) Stop it, Asuka.

There was silence for yet another few seconds as Asuka looked back at Shinji's piercing gaze and felt the tightness of Shinji's grip on her forearm. The Third Child's message was clear; but the Second Child just didn't want to let her injured pride go unavenged just like that. Asuka forcibly moved her hand to be released from Shinji's hold.

Asuka: Ahh...*now* I see what's going on here. Well, ex-CUUUSE me, but I just can't stand what you and the First *and* Misato are doing to me! (runs away) Idiots! Losers! I'll see you all in hell!

Rei: .....

Shinji: Ayanami...I...I hope you understand, she's just...she's just like that sometimes, you know? (sighs) I just hope you'll get along with her like I did for the past fourteen years of our lives...

Rei: You don't have to apologize, Ikari-kun. But if I'm ordered to get along with her, then I will.

---

There was much hustling and bustling in Nerv HQ's makeshift hangar for the AEUG support ship, the Mont Blanc. And there was also much of Nerv's and the AEUG's engineering workforce and expertise was needed to work on the proposed project that Professor Ritsuko Akagi had formulated in just one sitting. Misato just couldn't believe her old college friend sometimes; in a way, Ritsuko would surprise her just by doing something out of the ordinary once in a blue moon, so to speak. This particular project, Misato thought, was quite an ingenious one, if not entirely dangerous.

Misato: ...besides, this would also mean sacrificing a ship just to ram an enemy ship or anything like that, am I correct?

Ritsuko: (shakes her head) One wouldn't really use the beam ram as a standard weapon, Captain Katsuragi. There would always still be your all-too-standard battlecruiser weapons: the main beam particle cannons and the vulcan gun turrets and some other accessories I couldn't remember, but the thing is, we might use the Mont Blanc's beam ram if we're "pushed into a corner".

Amuro: (nods) She's right. Well, Professor Akagi, this sure is quite an...unusual gesture for Nerv to take such liberties as to upgrade a mere supply ship into a formidable weapon...but anyway I won't pry into anything because simply, that's not my job. (sighs) This sure is a busy place sometimes, isn't it?

Misato: Right...one question, though, Professor Akagi. Could the beam ram possibly penetrate any kind of barrier, like for example, an Angel's A.T. field or any kind of beam barrier like an I-field?

Ritsuko: (taps her pen on her chin) Hmm, that's a good question. If I can remember what Captain Amuro Ray here and I have discussed earlier, the energy required for the beam barrier to be activated would be enormous, although not totally using up all of the Mont Blanc's fuel, so I'm assuming if the beam barrier were finally converted into a "beam ram" of some sort, it would penetrate an A.T. field nonetheless.

Amuro: Yes, but we'd still risk the ship itself being destroyed because from what I've observed, these Angels would be quite volatile when they're pushed into a corner or something like that. But not to worry, I'm sure the Mont Blanc's armor layers would be upgraded one way or another, hopefully, so it can withstand the impact of hitting any opponent when the need for using the beam ram would arise...right, Captain Katsuragi?

Misato: (blinks and shakes her head slightly) Hmmm? Oh, yeah! Heh heh, that's right, Captain! Eh heh heh heh heh... (scratches her head)

Ritsuko: Hmmmm... (grins and looks at her watch) Well, it looks like I have something to do at my office a little bit. Captain Katsuragi, why don't you be a *good girl* and *keep company* with Captain Amuro Ray here, hmm?

Misato: (gulps and blushes) Uh...b-but--

Ritsuko: Ah, I must be late for my appointment now! Have to go, kiddies!

Misato almost felt like she could just *melt* at the snap of a finger; she'd just been given the opportunity to be with none other than Amuro Ray himself *and* it might be a whole day that she'd get to spend the day with him, too! Well, not that she'd care about what that damn fool Kaji would say anyway; for her, she and Kaji were history...and not that she had this strange crush on the younger officer anyway...well, maybe just a little, but...

Amuro: (wipes off the sweat from his brow and grins) Umm...could we get something to eat, Captain? I uhh... (rubs his tummy) I haven't really eaten anything since last night and well...

Misato: (snaps out of her reverie) Ah? Oh! Umm...y-yeah, I guess so...my treat? Eh heh heh heh...

Amuro: Umm...sure! Eh heh heh heh heh...

Of course, Amuro Ray wasn't having the most comfortable feeling either. From a distance, the pair could never see how much Ritsuko was snickering her arse off as they walked off into the nearest canteen in Nerv HQ.

-----

Braun: (thinks) Hmmm...looks like this is going to take longer than I expected...these AEUG creeps are good, I might say...

For as brief moment, he had remembered those orders given to him by the commanding officer at Mississippi Base, that he should just be letting the AEUG pass by while "scaring" them out of US shores. Looks like a little "scaring" isn't going to amount to anything at this situation, Braun thought as he fired three shots at the Agama, two of them narrowly missing the AEUG flagship.

The Federal Forces Lieutenant shook his head as his Asshimar narrowly dodged one GM-II's beam gun attack and fired at it, destroying yet another one of the AEUG's few but strong support mobile suits. Considering the beam rifle shot that hit the Agama's rear end from the still-unfamiliar yellow MA, Bright didn't seem to mind at all, or at least looked like it, as he and his few troops held off these few flying MA's. Bright commanded the persons in charge of the Agama's main beam particle cannons and turret machineguns to fire at will even though for the most part their shots were missing their targets.

Camille, Quattro, Emma, and Roberto weren't having an easy time either as they had chosen to "ride" on the Agama just like the GM-II's "riding" on the Radish while they fired at the Asshimar and the five Gaplants--make that four, as Camille had just shot down one--just flying around the Agama and the Radish like vultures circling over some dying animal.

Camille: /Damn it, we're close to the shore and *still* they got more in store for us!/

Quattro: /It looks like they only have so much to give us, huh? Is this all they can dish out?/

Camille: /Easy for *you* to say! This has got to be the most humiliating position I've been in since I've first joined you guys.../

Quattro: /Well, you may be right, but at least the Titans still aren't firing at the Audomura like we expected them to--/

Roberto: /Lieutenant Commander, I think one of them's going after the Audomura! I'm going after it!/ (his Rick Dias leaps off of the Agama using it as a "springboard" and lunges at the stray Gaplant)

Quattro: /Looks like they're not observing battle etiquette, eh?/ (aims at the stray Gaplant and fires) /Hmmm, I was right when I first felt something about *that* mobile armor...the pilot just seems to be quite...like one of us now, eh Camille? Hey, wait, Camille! Where do you think you're--/

Camille: /I'm coming with Roberto! I have a nasty feling about that MA's pilot as well! Seeya, Lieutenant Quattro!/ (starts to follow after Emma)

Emma: /No, Camille!/ (stops the Gundam Mk-II) /*I'll* go with Roberto, you stay *right here* and protect the Agama! That's an *order*!/

Emma's voice in the comm link was firm and authoritative: something Camille had never seen in Emma before who was usually a bit like his own mother, when she wasn't so involved in her work as a Titans engineer...when she was still alive. This time, Emma sounded all too much like nothing more than Camille's commanding officer. Camille just bit his lower lip as he saw Quattro's old red Rick Dias launch off to assist their comrade Roberto.

Quattro: /She's right, Camille. Just *stay* right here and assist me in protecting the Agama. I'm sure Lieutenant Emma will be all right picking off that MA from attacking the Audomura./

Camille: /Tch...all right, then! But...Lieutenant Commander, don't you think this would be the right time to get off of the Agama and wipe out all those jerks off-shore? I'd think the water's pretty much shallow where we are right now.../

Quattro: (sighs) /All right, Camille. But I'd still think we'll have a hard time moving as these "shallow" waters you've been telling me would still go up to our mobile suits' "knees". The Hyakushiki and the Gundam Mk-II just aren't made for water combat, didn't you remember that?/

Camille: (makes his Gundam jump off the Agama) /I know that! Well, I also know you're a good shot from anywhere anyway, as I trust myself to be a good shot as well, since I do know we're Newtyp--/

Quattro: (follows after Camille) /Don't let your hopes up, Camille. These MA's look like they're way too fast for us to fire at. I only have eight more beam rifle charges, Camille. We have to conserve these for anything else these idiots might throw at us!/

Camille: (shoots down one Gaplant as he comes down into the water) Yeah, yeah, whatever!

Emma could just imagine the panic ensuing inside the Audomura right now as she tried desperately to hit the Gaplant with the remainder of her own beam gun and beam rifle charges. She told herself, my God, this one's *fast*! Well of course, she countered, it's a flying MA she's dealing with, and what's more, she's fighting within the limits of Earth's gravity.

Roberto: /Having a hard time, Lieutenant?/

Emma: /Isn't it obvious? Well, I haven't had much training on fighting on Earth's surface anyway, so you should expect me to have a hard time doing this!/

Roberto: /I see. I won't blame you, though...oops, it looks like the Audomura's retaliating as well!/

Emma: /I didn't know Garuda-class ships had beam particle cannons.../

Roberto: /Neither did I!/

Emma: /We should still try to defend the Audomura from that MA! I have an idea, stand still for a very slight moment while I try to jump over your Rick Dias' shoulders and try to shoot at this bastard at point blank range, got it?/

Roberto never said a word as he stopped moving his Rick Dias for a short moment, anticipating the other Rick Dias' weight over his own, using him as an ersatz springboard to shoot at the Gaplant. The next thing he knew, Emma was already in the air, taking her aim at the Gaplant and firing at it with much precision and blind luck on the part of the female AEUG pilot.

Rosamia almost shrieked as she gasped in surprise when the enemy mobile suit's beam gun attack connected almost too close to her cockpit. The purple-haired Titan seethed and started to retaliate, flipping some switches and levers and finally transforming her Gaplant into its mobile suit mode. She and the red mobile suit almost synchronically drew their beam sabers and clashed. The other mobile suits didn't seem to want to interrupt in their fight, though, and was busy fending off any other Gaplants that would come in the red AEUG transport ship's way.

Braun wasn't having the time of his life either, but he'd prefer to let his Asshimar stay in its flying mobile armor mode than risk his hide being whipped by these AEUG bastards. But then, he thought after looking at his remaining beam rifle charges, it wouldn't be such a bad idea after all as he had noticed he was missing that stupid-looking yellow mobile suit and the white Gundam Mk-II.

Quattro: /Hmm...looks like he'd love to take us head-on, eh Camille?/

Camille: /This bastard's *mine*, Quattro!/

Quattro: /Hold on there, boy. I still think we should take this one out together: he's got some nasty backup at shore and they don't look like they're ready to run away from us./

Camille: /Well, whatever! Let's go!/

Feeling a bit concerned for his young protégé's welfare, Quattro followed after Camille's Gundam. He carefully judged the distance between them and the Marasai's scattered across the shore just a short while away from him and Camille and shot--and hit quite perfectly--at two or three of them as soon as he got within range. Camille, however, had already drawn out his beam saber and started slashing away at the unknown yellow MA that had just transformed into its mobile suit mode.

Braun was almost surprised as the white Gundam Mk-II drew its beam saber out of its place and instinctively drew his Asshimar's own beam saber and narrowly blocked the Gundam's attack. He stared at the Gundam Mk-II's empty "eyes" as they glowed and kicked it off his Asshimar's presence, knocking Camille back into the water just so easily. Sensing that the golden mobile suit was going for the rest of his regiment which was already firing at it and the white Gundam Mk-II, Braun charged at the Hyakushiki toting its beam rifle and took aim at it while it was moving. To his surprise, though, the Gundam grabbed the Asshimar and sent him reeling back into the waters.

Camille: /Where do you think you're going?!/

Braun: /A boy?! Damn it, you creeps get younger and younger everyday! Don't you have anything better to worry about like zits and girlfriends and school, boy? You aren't gonna get the best of me, that's for sure!/

Camille: /Don't be so sure of yourself, old man!/

The pilot of the white Gundam thought about it as he fought on with the weird-looking yellow Titan mobile suit. Why was he pitted in this yet another new war between spacenoids and earthnoids? To "teach the earthnoids not to mess with us spacenoids", that would be the most likely reason. The Earth Federation isn't really giving away freedom on a silver platter, now that he thought of it. Camille wondered, when will all this fighting stop?

Quattro: /The fighting will never stop, Camille...until everyone on Earth and the Federation recognizes that we spacenoids couldn't put up with the systems they're imposing upon us. That's why we fight, Camille. That's why I fight.../

Camille: /Lieutenant Commander.../ (thinks) Heh...he read my thoughts? Well, I shouldn't be so surprised, Quattro *is* a Newtype, after all...like I am...

Camille almost never saw his enemy's beam saber coming down on one of his Gundam's legs and used it to kick Braun's Asshimar on its "face". The impact sent the Asshimar reeling once again and, struggling to stand up, found what little of his patience and strength was left and charged at Camille while ordering his troops to fire at the golden mobile suit, the white Gundam Mk-II, and the two AEUG warships that were now nearing the shore.

Braun: /I don't care anymore if you guys hit me, just get the job done RIGHT NOW!/

And so, continuing to fire at their AEUG opponents, the small Titan regiment decides to charge at them one by one. Quite an unwise decision, Quattro told himself, as he charged back at them and single-handedly wiped out the whole regiment of Magella tanks, Marasai's, and a few Gaplants that have come back to shore in just a matter of a few minutes with some few well-placed beam rifle and bazooka shots. It just hadn't been one of his mannerisms that he should announce himself as the Red Comet himself, but to those who have died by his hand this day, they must have thought so anyway.

Braun was shocked to see his troops decimated by a single AEUG mobile suit. This guy's a monster! Braun thought silently as he struggled against Camille Vidan with the last of his ability. His last fault, however, was letting himself open as Camille slashed away at his Asshimar's arm, and all too quickly, Camille stabbed at the Asshimar's cockpit with his beam saber. It wasn't long until Camille instinctively covered his face with his hands as to cover himself from the impact of Braun's heavily armored mobile suit exploding.

Quattro: /Well, this was quite easy, wasn't it, Camille?/

Camille: (panting) /Yeah...do you think there's more of them?/

Quattro: /Excluding the last one over there.../ (points towards Rosamia's direction) /I don't think there'd be any more reinforcements from here./

Camille: /Good. I'm pretty tired for today anyway...you think we should go get her?/

Quattro: /"Her"? You mean the pilot's a woman, Camille?/

Camille: /I...guess so...her thoughts, I couldn't really sense them, they're...a bit too cluttered for her own good, I think. It's almost like she's...not herself, you know?/

Rosamia, however, just couldn't say anything as she saw the last of her fellow Titans fall at the hands of just a few AEUG mobile suits. She thought it good for herself to retreat and risk being humiliated once again by her superiors on a job not quite well done. She wondered if there would be more..."lab tests" on her tonight, as she had for the past couple of...

Camille: /...I almost pity her, Quattro./

Quattro: /...I see. In any case, we should dock back into the Agama immediately. I think the Commander and Captain Bright have something to say to us and I sense it might be very important./

The Gaplant, leaving Emma and Roberto behind, transformed into its flying mobile armor mode and sped off to safety as Rosamia started to fill her head with thoughts again. One would say that this behavior was typical of "artificial" Newtypes, that they, in layman's terms, would be branded as "psychotic" as a result of these..."tests" done to them in a certain Titan/Federation research facility in Augusta, Georgia.

-----

Night was soon falling and a thin cloud of dew covered the Kennedy Space Center. This didn't really prove of any threat to the AEUG at the moment, however, as they bade farewell to the displaced people that were once inhabitants and workers for the former Federation base at Jabrow.

And so Kai Shiden, the Puerto Rican international press reporter who was once the pilot of the Pegasus White Base's Guncannon in the One-Year War, had a little conversation with his old friend and colleague in the White Base, Kalaba high officer Hayato Kobayashi, who was himself once the pilot of the Guntank in their days with the Federal Forces' 13th Autonomous Corps. Hayato frowned and squinted at Kai's revelation of who Lieutenant Commander Quattro Bajina of the AEUG *really* was and decided to talk to the man in sunshades himself.

Kai: Wait a minute there, my stout old friend. You think confronting the guy is going to change anything? It won't, he's still Char Aznable whatever way you look at it.

Hayato: ...but...

Kai: (pats his back) Just look at it this way, Hayato. At least now you guys on the same side, right? Come on, Char's...Quattro's not really that bad anyway...at least when he's not being the Red Comet and he's being Quattro Bajina. When he does plan on taking his original role as Char Aznable anyway, well...honestly, I don't know what will happen.

Hayato: Yeah, right. But still, I don't really like the idea of working with Char Aznable, of all people...rrrrghh, it just makes me so... (punches the wall beside him)

Kai: Hey, easy there! That wall's got nothing to do with your anger! Anyway, I'll be going back to space with these people in the shuttle. Looks like our good Lieutenant Commander Quattro Bajina's going along with them, after all. The space shuttle just seems so vulnerable to the Titans right now and the last thing Brex Forra wants right now is--

Hayato: --treachery in the line of battle. That's the worst kind of tactics the Titans could ever make up...but you never know what to expect of them these days, no?

Kai: Yeah. (nods) Well, I guess I better "board my plane to outer space" right now, Hayato. It was good seeing you again after so long and yet you're still a fat guy all of these years...by the way, how's Frau and the others? Have you seen Sayla lately, for that matter?

Hayato: Well...Amuro's in Japan right now with the rest of the Kalaba forces available in the area taking refuge in Nerv HQ. Last I heard, they were going to work on something I don't really know what, something like sharing of technology or something like that.

Kai: (grins slightly) Hmmm...Nerv, eh? These Nerv dudes in Japan have...something interesting going on inside their organization. Heh, I've never even bothered to know what that something was, looks like I'll have to do some more research in the following days, eh?

Hayato: Right. About Frau...well, haven't you heard we've gotten married a short while ago? Guess you've been too busy with...your line of work lately, Kai.

Kai: (gags) You and Frau?! No kiddin'!

Hayato: Yeah, I'm not kidding with you, Kai. As for Sayla...I haven't heard of her since she told me she was going to go to a university in France and hope to finish her nursing school there...

Kai: I see...well, like I said, it's been great meeting you again, Hayato. I'll keep in touch if you will, man.

Hayato: Same here, man. Oh, and wait--!

Kai: What?

Hayato: There's...someone here I'd like you people to take care of. I'm sure you know him already...hey Katsu, come here, son...

A few meters away while he was talking to Camille and the rest of his companions in the Agama, fourteen-year-old Katsu Kobayashi immediately recognized his adopted father's call and ran towards him. Kai had nothing but a surprised face upon seeing the once-little Katsu grow up to be a young man.

Katsu: Yes, dad? Oh, hi Mr. Shiden!

Kai: Is that you, Katsu? (pats his back) Hey, it's been seven years, young man, how's it going? Where's Kikka and Retsu? And..."dad"? Hey, something's going on that even I don't know about, eh? Heh heh heh, care to tell?

Hayato: They're back in Japan now, Kai, along with his mother Frau. He's also seen Amuro quite a few weeks back in Cheyenne...oh, and did I tell you we've adopted him along with Retsu and Kikka?

Kai: No, I don't believe you did...

Katsu: Hey dad, can I go along with uncle Kai here to space?

Hayato: What for?

Katsu: Umm...well, I'd really want to see our old place in Side 7 again...

Hayato: But Katsu, Commander Brex Forra's going to Side 6...and Side 7's a *long* way from there, if I remember correctly...hmm, you're not making excuses again, are you?

Katsu: Umm...no, dad! Well...I'd want to talk to Commander Brex and Lieutenant Quattro about something...

Hayato: Hmm, I don't know...

Kai: Oh, come on, man. Give the kid a chance! Besides, I'd bet it's a long time since he'd been to outer space again, so maybe this is the right time for him to do so, right? (grins at Katsu)

Katsu: Umm...well...yeah, I guess so...

Hayato: Hmm. So you're going to space without your brother and sister. Well, I won't tell them and your mother about this trip you'll be having to outer space...I'd bet your mother would be very worried for you, son...oh well, but I know you're a tough guy. Just take care of yourself, all right?

Katsu: Cool! Thanks, dad!

Kai: Heh. Well, I guess I'll see you in a while, eh, old friend?

Hayato: Guess so. Later, man. And take care of yourself, son...

Katsu: Yeah, I will, dad...

Kai: Heh. Later...

After a warm handshake, the two friends wave at each other as Kai walked off with an arm over Katsu's shoulder into the space shuttle carrying the Jabrow citizens into their new home colony in the neutral Side 6. Like what Kai had told Hayato, Brex really was taking Quattro and Roberto along with him into Side 6, but this was just in case they would need some escorts if ever the need arises.

With Fa resting her head on his arm while clinging to it, Camille sighed as he saw the space shuttle go off into space. There were a few goodbyes that have been said; Camille just knew they would meet once again. He just hoped that the good commander Brex Forra would come back in one piece along with Quattro.

Fa: So where are we headed this time?

Camille: We go back to Japan, I think...

Fa: Is that right...you know, I wonder when will all this fighting end...

Remembering the words that Quattro had imparted to him earlier, Camille once again sighed and told Fa what Quattro had told him. Fa just nodded as she gazed up the sky and looked at the star-lit sky, the space shuttle slowly fading away into the darkness of night.

---

Yet two more days of boredom pass, at least in Asuka's case, as she sat down to lunch with her new friend who seemed to be the class president or class representative or whatever they called it in Japan, a nice-looking freckled Japanese girl with hair tied into two ponytails at the back of her head and about the same age as she was, Hikari Horaki.

Hikari: Umm...so, you've known Ikari ever since you were children?

Asuka: Yeah, something like that. But don't go thinking we're like boyfriend and girlfriend or anything, it's just that I pity the poor guy sometimes when he gets his butt kicked, so I kinda save him when he's in trouble, you know.

Hikari: But...but that's the same isn't it?

Asuka: (blushes lightly) No, that's *definitely* not the same, Hikari-chan! I mean, I've already got someone in my sights... (giggles)

Hikari: Oooh! Is he cute? (giggles)

All of Asuka's and Hikari's other girl friends join in on the conversation, much to Asuka's surprise, but then she chuckled as the giggles died down and looked around to see if there's anyone else listening on them. Since nobody else in the school canteen cared on whatever these girls would talk about, Asuka continued on her tale of the man whom she was so deeply attracted to known as Ryouji Kaji.

Asuka: (grins) Hmmm...well...let's say he *is* kind of mature for me, but then age doesn't really matter in situations like these, ne? Eh heh heh heh heh...

Hikari: But I thought you and Ikari were--

Asuka: Oh, Shinji? Tch, he don't even have the balls to put up with *me*! Besides, why'd I fall for someone like Shinji Ikari? It's just *too* unthinkable, hello?

As if by cue, the boy in question was passing by with his two friends and the trio looked like they could use some nutrition in a hurry, if one would call the canteen food in their school "nutrition". Shinji didn't seem to notice Asuka was inside the canteen, though.

Female classmate A: Oh...speaking of the devil...here he comes right now, Asuka...

Asuka: (pouts and crosses her arms) Hmph! So what! Well, at least he's got Wonder Girl to keep him company...

Shinji: (overhears their conversation as he, Toji, and Kensuke were passing them by) And what in the heck is *that* supposed to mean?

Female classmate B: Who's "Wonder Girl"?

Female classmate C: I think she's talking about Ayanami...

Hikari: (sighs) Girl, I think you're just jealous of Ayanami...I mean, look at Ikari here... (eyes Shinji carefully and "hmmm"'s) He sure looks like the type to go for the sullen ones...oops! Err...wrong choice of words...

Asuka: (looks bored) Naah, you're right. Well, I've got *so* much better things to do than worry about... (leers at Shinji) ...idiots like this guy here! Rrrrgh, get away from my sight, wimp! You're spoiling our lunch here! And Hikari-chan...I am NOT jealous of that...that...

Shinji: Hah, as if *you're* not already spoiling *my* appetite, redheaded freak! Let's go, guys... (walks away with Toji and Kensuke)

Toji: (whispers to Kensuke) Gee, I dint know Shinji could talk tough like dat...

Kensuke: (whispers back) Yeah...well, you do know how these spacenoids can get...hey, but Shinji you didn't have to be so rude!

Asuka: (sighs and slumps on the table) Why does this always happen to me?!

Hikari: Oh well...men are like that sometimes, they can be real gentlemen or real jerks. You just have to be good in looking between the lines sometimes...

Asuka: Yeah...I guess so...

Intent on making Asuka a little less too depressed about things, Hikari changed the subject of discussion to what they're supposed to do with any surprise quiz that one of their teachers might have in store for them today. Which didn't really make Asuka's mood any better because if it's one thing in the world she dislikes, it's tests and quizzes. Well, not that it's a big deal to Asuka anyway, she *did* finish university already at her age and all...

Shinji, however, had a lot of other things on his mind than to mess around with Asuka. Well, at least, like what Misato had told him this morning, he didn't have to fight any Angels for today. Yeah, right, he thought, and I'd have to deal with school instead...geez, what a week I'm having...

Kensuke: Mumbling again, Shinji? (sits beside him)

Shinji: Eh...huh? Oh, was I mumbling back there?

Toji: Yeah, an' you said somethin' 'bout not havin' a good week and all, is it about that redheaded newbie again? She really getting int' yer nerves or anythin'?

Shinji: (sighs) Sorry, guys, it's not about Asuka...well...maybe it's just that I'm getting into another one of those "pits of depression" that you guys have been telling me that I've been getting into for the past couple of weeks already. I dunno, maybe it's that, maybe not.

Kensuke: (shifts his eyeglasses and sips at his milk carton) I see...well we were just concerned for you, that's all. (sighs) Man, I wonder when the AEUG will ever come back here in Japan...

Shinji: Wait a minute, why are *you* so concerned about the AEUG's return here? It's not like you'll be directly involved with the war that's going on or anything...

Toji: Ikari, ya fail to comprehend da current situation here. Ah did tell ya once I was worried if dis war dat's been goin' on would ever spill out to our daily lives I mean, what wid dose "Angels" comin' here too an' all...

Kensuke: Yeah, I'm worried about that too...but *my* concern, Mr. Toji Suzuhara, would be that...that...

Shinji: Oh, boy. Here we go again...

Kensuke: (gets all beady-eyed) ...that I'd get to see if there are any new mobile suits that the AEUG has! Oooohhhh...you know guys, I just happened to stumble upon some interesting information between the AEUG and Anaheim...

Toji: Yeah, yeah, we git da picture--

Kensuke: Would you just listen to me for once?!

Shinji: (sighs) All right, Mr. I'm-the-greatest-hacker-in-the-world, what..."interesting information" do you have for us this time?

Kensuke: (pouts) Hmph! Well, I don't blame you two if you aren't Believers but all right, I'll spill it anyway. Well, as you probably know by now, Anaheim Electronics Inc. is sort of the default manufacturer and engineer for almost all of the Federation's--and unfortunately, the Titans'--mobile suits, yes?

Toji: Well, I din't know dat cuz I'm no compyutah hackah like you, git it?

Shinji: Shh! Go on, Kensuke...

Kensuke: Well, around a night or two ago I've been doing some little surfing and leeching on the Internet while I was hacking into Anaheim's database---or was it the other way around? Never mind--and I happened to get into their email *accidentally*. Let me emphasize the word "accidentally" here, folks.

Shinji and Toji: (exchange strange looks then squint at Kensuke) Mmmmhmmm....

Kensuke: Now what the heck are you guys looking at me like that for? Oh, all right...there was this one Camille Vidan whom I believe you've already met, Ikari, and whom I believe is making blueprints for quite an interesting mobile suit. You guys wouldn't really understand anyway because... (smirks and shakes one finger at them) ...you're both just not too tech-savvy like I am. Heh heh heh heh...sorry, guys.

Shinji: Grr.

Toji: (raises an eyebrow) So we're *dumb* now, eh Kensuke?

Kensuke: Did I say you were dumb, Toji? Would you just let me finish, all right? Well, now...I'd like to ask you guys something. Isn't it quite weird as to why Anaheim would just have the audacity to help the AEUG while they're also providing mobile suits for the Federation?

Shinji and Toji looked at Kensuke for one silent moment as they thought about why indeed would Anaheim Electronics whom almost everyone knew was a primary supplier of mobile suits to the Federation.

Shinji: Maybe they just have to do "business as usual"? I mean, a business *has* to make money in any legal way possible these days, even if it means serving both the AEUG and the Titans...

Kensuke: That's one of the definite reasons for it, Ikari. Of course, whoever's the highest bidder, even Anaheim itself couldn't probably resist, right?

Toji: So...what's yer point in all dis?

Kensuke: All I'm saying is that...well, umm...

Shinji and Toji: Well?

Kensuke: Err...actually, I don't know! Eh heh heh heh heh heh! (grins and scratches his head) Well so anyway, have you guys ever studied for our surprise quiz on our next class?

Toji: (looks a bit pissed off) Ya mean dere's anotha' one o' dose quizzes again? Ahh, don' even bother...haven't been studyin' lately anyway, so--

Shinji: Aww, man...not another quiz! We just had one last meeting! Damn, I have to study...

Kensuke: (looks at Shinji weirdly) But I thought Eva pilots need not study anymore because they're exempted from quizzes and exams anyway...

Shinji: (leers at Kensuke) Kensuke, I may not know *all* the rules and regulations concerning any of the Children's being students, but I know for a fact that I *have* to study somewhat, even if I'm exempted or not!

Toji: Gee...dat doesn't sound like you, Ikari...you sure ya feelin' fine t'day? (checks Shinji's temperature)

Shinji: ...don't ever touch me again, Toji. Grr.

-----

And so a few days pass after the supreme leader of the AEUG flies off into space once again, with his trusted right-hand man and Lieutenant Commander. So far, the Agama and the Radish have luckily managed to avoid any confrontation with the Titans, so that's fine enough for Camille and the rest of the crew...at least that's what Camille and the rest of the crew thinks. Bright Noah sighed as he looked at the pile of paperwork before him and sat down at Brex's office chair inside the Agama. While he might have agreed to a 50/50 deal as to doing the Commander's paperwork while he was away, deep within the pommy captain's heart he had admitted he hated paperwork, even in the old days.

Bright: (sighs and thinks) Well, I just have to do everything here that's set before me from now on. Pity everyone else's busy doing maintenance...heh, not that anyone can do any of this paperwork anyway...

A few seconds later, there was a knock on the door. Bright immediately knew it was Fa from her squeaky little voice calling out his rank and name, so he let her in. The automatic door slides open and there was Fa, but she had Camille with her--rather behind her, looking rather unusually sullen.

Bright: Oh...I didn't know you had Camille with you, Fa. Come on in here, Camille, and sit down.

Fa: (sits down on a seat in front of Bright's table) Good morning, Captain!

Bright: Err...good morning, Fa...you're looking lively as usual, I guess...

Fa: Thank you, Captain! Camille, Would you come in here already?

Camille: (enters Brex's office and sits down on another chair in front of the table) Okay... (stands in attention before Bright and hand-salutes him)

Bright: (salutes back) At ease, Camille. Sit down. Anything I can help you two with? Uhh... (looks at his papers) Oh, don't mind these, I'll get them done in a while anyway.

Fa: Umm...I'd just like to know where we're headed next, sir. And why is the Audomura still following us?

Bright: Hmm, well, as you probably know by now, we'll be heading back to Japan to retrieve the rest of our people there, but for the moment, if I remember what Commander Brex, Lieutenant Quattro, and I talked about, we'll be heading for Hong Kong first to get some supplies and other things we'd use. I believe we'll be meeting with this one Luo Wu-ming there, someone whom the Commander told me was a representative of another AEUG-supportive firm.

Fa: (nods) Oh, I see...well, I have to admit, we *do* have quite some supporters in the weirdest of places, don't we?

Bright: Yes. And as for the Audomura...well, Lieutenant Hayato Kobayashi decided it best to go along with us until to the point that the Audomura must make its way towards Japan and into the Kalaba's secret installation in Kyoto or some other place in Japan...

Camille: Aren't there any places where we could get any supplies from near here? I believe by now, we're over Hawaii and we'll be nearing Asia a few hours from now...

Bright: That's the problem, Camille. Apparently there aren't any AEUG or Kalaba-supportive bases near where we are, and for all I know, we're kind of...passing over dangerous territory once again. Last I heard, the Federation put up a Titan base somewhere on New Guinea and well, we're not entirely safe in our condition. But then, that was seven years ago, so things might be a little different from what I or any of us expect.

Fa: A Titan base in New Guinea? But that's...

Bright: Yeah, but I hear it's still being put up so we shouldn't expect much from them...but as always, we should be ready.

Fa: Hmmm...in that case, that shouldn't be a problem...well, I guess I better be going back to the bridge, Captain. (stands up and salutes Bright, who salutes back at her) I'll see you, Camille! (grins and kisses Camille on his cheek)

Camille: (kisses back) Yeah...I guess so... (bites on his thumb as he sees Fa leave Brex's office)

Fa: (turns around) And would you stop that thumb-sucking habit of yours?! It's annoying, you know! (walks away)

Bright: Hmm. (shakes his head) You really ought to stop sucking at your thumb, Camille. It's not fitting for such people like you who work for the AEUG as a fighter now.

Camille: (blushes lightly) Umm...sorry...

Bright: Heh. Well, aren't you going to go after her?

Camille: Umm...no...actually...

Bright: Hmm? What is it?

Camille: Well, I've always wanted to ask you how it was working with Captain Amuro Ray...I mean, seven years ago when he was just still...

Bright: Oh, that! Hmm, well...working with Amuro's not such a big deal when he's not going into his temper tantrums seven years ago. He was quite the genius like you are right now, quite a prodigy too. He'd be stubborn at times but he was a good fighter then. I just don't know why he'd stayed out of the service after that last battle with the Red Comet, but oh well, I guess war does that to people sometimes. You get too tired of fighting, next thing people know, you're back. (shrugs and starts working on his papers)

Camille: Ahh... (pauses for a while) Well...umm...why do you think he came back?

Bright: I thought you knew the answer to that already, Camille. Well, I'll tell you anyway. In the short time I've known him, I've always perceived Amuro as a sort of a believer of equality and peace for spacenoids and for earthnoids, but he'd never joined the Zeons seven years ago. I guess it came from the fact that the Zeons *did* attack that Side 7 colony I was assigned to, which was also coincidentally a colony housing a Federation research facility for the RX-78-2 Gundam headed by Amuro's dad, Tim Ray. I've...heard of weird stories from among my ranks that Lieutenant Tim Ray may have been involved with some group named "Seele", but then I'd never bothered to know what that group stood for. Anyway, Camille...I think you really ought to go now, I have a lot of work to do here. I'm sorry for my manners, but well... (shrugs) There's just a lot of work to be done here, you know?

Camille: Thanks for your time anyway, Captain. (stands up and salutes at Bright)

Bright: (salutes back) Dismissed, private. Now, keep those good manners of yours and you might actually go somewhere, all right?

Camille: Yes, sir...

The 15-year-old Newtype could almost swear he heard Bright spout some curses at the big pile of paperwork that the captain was "doomed" to work out. He even thought he heard him mention something about getting a new DVD player for himself, but he didn't seem to mind about that anyway.

Camille walked down the halls somewhere in the Agama. Somehow, he had the strangest feeling--it wasn't quite a Newtype premonition, but then--that his life would never be the same once they land in Hong Kong City.

Reccoa: Hmm, okay. I'll see you later, I guess. Bye! (presses the "end call" button on her cellphone) Hey Camille, wait up! (follows after him) Where ya going?

---

One who would be too observant over the events of the past seven years would have thought the old asteroid base Axis had something weird going on inside it, if not thinking it was abandoned for some compelling reason. Axis definitely had something going on inside it--the makings of a renewed campaign of the last remaining Zeon forces headed by a new leader.

This leader of the said renegade Zeon forces in the old asteroid military base Axis was quite a fine-looking young lady, sporting her dark pink hair parted in the middle and going down to her shoulders, and looked like she was probably in her late twenties. Few have known her to show the same beauty inside of her to match her outside appearance; her heart and mind were those of one who had the skill and determination of a Zeon military leader intent on bringing back the lost glory that was once the Duchy of Zeon's. This time, however, it would be these "Neo Zeon" forces that would be coming into play, so to speak, in this new war between the mysterious (at least to some) Zeon-like group known as the AEUG and this upstart "elite" Federation-sponsored military organization aptly named the "Titans".

She rose up from her bed in her private quarters and soon enough went to change from her skimpy, almost see-through black nightdress into her trademark tight-fitting black one-piece formal dress, not forgetting to check her alarm clock to see if it really was already 8:00 in the morning. Not that time mattered anyway in space, in her opinion.

A few of her troops doing maintenance jobs on their mobile suits salute her on her way to that place somewhere inside Axis where all of the Zeons usually ate. She went into the almost-empty canteen (had it not been for their resident cooks there), and served herself the usual breakfast she takes every morning; butlers were quite a luxury at this time and age, more so for people who once lived in Side 3, so she thought it necessary to "do everything herself".

This leader of the said renegade Zeon forces in the old asteroid military base Axis, henceforth to be called the "Axis Zeons" or the "Neo Zeon forces", sat down and ate her simple breakfast of chocolate-flavored pancakes and bacon and mused on some things going through her mind for a couple of days already. She usually ate alone for the reason that she had specifically told her underlings to wait until 9:00 AM for her to finish, and only then can they partake of their few blessings she had to feed them. Besides, she'd much rather eat alone...

Except maybe for one person she'd be glad to eat with, out of her respect and honor for the person: a young girl, presumably around eight or ten years old, arrayed in some elegant military garb with the old crest of the Duchy of Zeon sewn across the chest, came into the canteen with two armed Zeon bodyguards and sat down with the Axis Zeon leader, bringing a tray of her own breakfast.

girl: Good morning, Haman. Fine day, isn't it?

Haman: And an excellent morning to you too, Lady Minerva. Care to join me in my breakfast?

Minerva: Why, yes, of course. (turns to her two bodyguards) You two may leave now. (the guards leave the room, then Minerva turns towards Haman and sighs) You know, I don't know why you'd even bother letting those two idiots back there accompany me...besides, *you're* my personal bodyguard anyway.

Haman: (nods) Hmm...well, I guess it's because I can't be with you all the time, my Lady.

Minerva: Hmm. Well, anyway, this has been a really... (stretches out) Mmmm! Fun weekend for me...

Haman: (smirks *very* slightly) Oh? Hmm, well, tell me about it...

Minerva: Well, for starters, I think I may have gotten the hang of my math lessons from last week. (sighs) Oh boy...these algebra equations can be so taxing, but really, they just bore the heck out of me. Eh heh.

Haman: Is that so, my Lady? Well... (strokes Minerva's hair) I would just wish you good luck on your studies, Lady Minerva Lao Zabi.

Minerva: (grins) Heh heh, thank you! Oh, but you didn't have to call me by my full name all the time, you know! (giggles) or else I'll have to call you "Regent Haman Khan" everyday, you know! Tee-hee...

Haman just chuckled as they went on with their breakfast and chatted along like they usually did each morning, since the time that Minerva's late father, the infamous brute and one of the high officials of the Duchy of Zeon, Dozul Zabi, entrusted her father and herself for his daughter Minerva's care.

"Zabi." A name both feared and loved among the citizens of Side 3, where the Duchy of Zeon once existed, and the now-crumbling supposedly Federation-subsidized Republic of Zeon now resides. None in the Earth Federation, and probably not a lot of Zeons and residents of Side 3 itself, thought that there was a last remaining member of the Zabi family still existing, and this was the bright young girl we now know as Minerva Lao Zabi. Minerva, however, didn't really want to live under the shadows of her deceased uncles and aunt Giren, Garma, and Kishiria, respectively, and not even her father, Dozul. At such a young age, she wanted to make a name for herself as the figurehead and soon to be leader of the Neo Zeon and hope to make her place in the known world.

But little did Minerva know, in the disadvantage of her young age, is that Haman Khan, daughter of a once-prominent deceased military adviser to the late Duke Degin Sodo Zabi, Maharajah Khan, and regent to Minerva, was just using the girl as sort of a puppet to carry out her rather malicious intentions on "assuming complete leadership", as if it were not already hers, of the Neo Zeon army in the guise of "regaining and upholding the Duchy's lost glory".

Minerva: ...hmm, but still...I wonder what happened to Uncle Char. You know, the Red Comet?

Haman: No one knows for sure, my Lady, but I think...I feel...he's watching over us, and that he's pretty close by...

It was almost as if Haman knew what she was talking about as her thoughts wandered off to muse over a certain rebel group other than their own...it was none other than the AEUG itself.

---

Brex: What do you think you'll be doing about this umm..."Neo Zeon" issue that's been going around our spy network for quite a few days now, Lieutenant Quattro?

Quattro Bajina thought carefully about that. So there's this rumor going around about another Zeon uprising in Axis, he thought...somehow, Char--no, Quattro--wasn't really too surprised about this turn of events. It was almost as if he knew this was bound to happen, at least anyway after he left Axis almost a year ago...

Quattro: Honestly, sir...I don't really know. Like what you or I might have said a few days ago, we'll just have to wait and see what happens next. As far as this war's going, the Titans are a big enough threat to us already, even though we have one of their own Gundams to use against them.

Brex: You're right on that, Lieutenant. The Titans might be a small group like ours but they have the Federation watching their backs...that's not to say that's the whole Federation backing them up, though. There are still a few of my colleagues who would like to...support us in any way they can for the reason that they would want a change in our system. Pity that they wouldn't want to get directly involved in our affairs, though.

Quattro: I see...

The old AEUG commander leaned back on his chair, sighing, and took out a single cigarette from his coat pocket. With one eyebrow raised, Quattro looked at his commanding officer interestingly and leaned back on his chair himself as well.

Brex: Do you smoke, Lieutenant? (lights his cigarette)

Quattro: No, sir...I don't smoke nor drink liquor, sir.

Brex: Heh, and I didn't even asked you if you drank wine, man. Well, I expected that answer from you, sir. (puffs his cigarette) I haven't smoked for years now even before I met my deceased wife a very long time ago when I was still just a chief petty officer in the Federal Forces, and since then, I haven't even thought of smoking at times like these...but then... (shakes his head) I just feel so *tense* right now, Lieutenant Commander Quattro...or should I call you "Char" now, sir?

Quattro: I know how you feel, Commander. (sighs) I feel quite tense as of the moment as I don't really know where this war's going right now, what with the emergence of this...new Zeon issue we have going on. Well, I suppose it's all right if you call me by my old name, Commander.

Brex: Hmm...that so?

Soon enough, there was a minute of ominous silence as Brex slowly puffed away at his cigarette, looking out the window to the outer darkness of space illuminated by various specks of starlight and mused about a lot of things on his mind.

Brex: You know, sir...I just don't know why I even let you be my subordinate anymore. After all, someone with the likes of the Red Comet should be leading the AEUG, and not an old man like me...

Quattro: But...from what I remember, I believe that, more or less, we share the same exasperation against the Titans, and more so, the Federation and their abuse of their authority against my fellow spacenoids, even though you're an earthnoid yourself...

Brex: Yes, you're right on that again, Lieutenant. I've seen my share of the ugliness that's been happening inside the Federation, since for one or two times in my life I've been involved in the Federation's political matters...but that's a bit far from the point, Char. I'm an old man now: I don't really know how long I'll live anymore through these "endless" wars that we've been waging. Hell, I'd reckon some damn fool out there might even try and assassinate me before I die of this sickness plaguing me...

Quattro: Commander...please don't say things like that...

Brex: Do not pretend to be worried for me, Char. (leers at him) While it's true that I, along with the rest of us in the AEUG, didn't like it when the Titans went and killed a lot of innocent people in 30 Bunch...well, 30 Bunch *was* still in Side 3, where you came from, right?

Quattro: What are you getting at, sir?

Brex: My whole point in this is that *you* might have to take the responsibility of taking over for me as rightful leader of the AEUG someday. Please don't run away from your responsibility, Red Comet. I just know *you* can do it better than I'm doing right now.

Quattro: .....

The blonde man took off his sunglasses and thought about his commander's last statement as Brex quietly left the room after putting out his cigarette and leaving it on an ashtray. "His" responsibility, Brex had said. And he, the Red Comet, being told he was running away from that responsibility. Those words have moved Quattro--no, Char--so much that he started to think about not only his responsibility to the AEUG, but also about other obligations that have been nearly buried in the past along with the Zabi's...mainly, not only as rightful leader of the AEUG, but also the rightful heir to that which was once the Duchy of Zeon, his father's handiwork of only God knows it has taken. This had prompted him once again to think about his only remaining relative, about how she's been doing for the past seven years now...

Quattro: Artesia...when can I see you again, my sister?

-----

It was a fine day in Paris. Everyone was quite busy in his or her own activities: going here and there just being...well, busy. Sayla Mass, a nice-looking blonde girl, probably in her twenties, once a pilot of the RX-78-2 Gundam and once a crew member of the infamous Pegasus White Base in the One-Year War, stopped to look around her surroundings and sat down on a bench somewhere in the park where once could have a very nice view of the Eiffel Tower.

Sayla didn't really like to dwell on failures and successes past in her life, but for a moment, she remembered her old friends and colleagues in the White Base. There was the ill-fated Federal Forces trainee Ryu Jose, who died a little too early for his own good. There was of course everybody's captain Bright Noah; that "coward" Kai Shiden; Hayato Kobayashi; Mirai Yashima, whom she had heard actually married Bright. There were also those three orphaned children, Retsu, Kikka, and Katsu; and Frau Bow, whom she had also heard rumors of her getting married to Hayato and adopting the three children...and of course, there was the revered "hero of the One-Year War" himself, Amuro Ray. How could she forget Amuro, whom she had a short-lived affair with?

Yes, there was Amuro...and then there was his rival, her very own elder brother, Casval...or as he'd like to call himself at the time, "the Red Comet, Char Aznable", ace pilot of the vast army her father once held and lost thanks to those wretched Zabi's, the Duchy of Zeon. She could even clearly remember that moment that she and her brother had met each other again after a long period of time; she could even remember him calling her by her *true* name, "Artesia". A name she'd rather keep buried along with her late father Zeon Zum Daikun as she had chosen to live a new life outside the responsibility of being Zeon royalty...and outside of fighting in wars for good.

She could even clearly remember those words as to why Casval really was wearing that odd-looking, wretched mask, "I am not your older brother Casval whom you once knew." And he was right, he wasn't. He had been so obsessed with eliminating the earthnoids...the "Oldtypes" that she had argued with Casval that was the "soil from which Newtypes and all spacenoids come from in the first place." She wasn't very happy with what her brother had become.

Sayla was happy with her life as a college student in France pursuing her dream of being a doctor someday; somehow, all the fighting that has been going on in the world had taught her not to be involved anymore, as she was tired of it all. She didn't even care about the fact that she was a Newtype like Amuro or her own elder brother...but still, she'd be thinking of Casval...or Char...and how he was doing for these past seven years...

Sayla: Casval...I just hope you're doing fine, brother. I just hope you and Amuro wouldn't fight anymore...

-----

Episode 10, "Try, Try Again"
-------------------

It has already been a few days after that incident in Florida. Admiral Jamitov Heimann, supreme leader of the Titans, had been less than pleased with what's been happening for the past few days...or weeks...or whatever...what with their "little" situation with the AEUG. Old man Jamitov looked like he was not going to have a very good life ahead of him; he nearly crushed the glass goblet of wine he was holding in his anger if it were not for his frailty.

Jamitov looked around him; there were just a few men in the boardroom, men of which he had entrusted that there should be no more of these anti-Federation movements anymore. Men like Colonel Bosque Ohm and his subordinate Sergeant Jamaican Danningan, captain of the Alexandria. Men like Major Paptimus Scirocco, the very same person with shoulder-length purple hair, who had just came back to Earth after a Federation-sponsored science exploration project in Jupiter. Men like Lieutenant Franklin Vidan, Camille's estranged father.

Jamitov: What do you people have to say for yourselves this time?

Bosque: Admiral...I would think that the AEUG's been driven to a corner what with these reports that have been coming in concerning--

Jamitov: I do *not* want any more of the same excuses, Colonel. I want results, and I want them now! (slams his hand on the table) Damn it, men...the AEUG couldn't really be that hard to crush!

Vidan: Well, sir...umm...I'd just like to point out that the AEUG's been losing mobile suits faster than we are, sir. They've been running out of supplies as we speak and for all we know they might already be taking some desperate measures as to their own survival, sir.

Jamitov: All right, let's say there's that issue already. But who are we to say the final word on the AEUG's condition? For all we know, there might be actually some more supporters of the AEUG than what we've previously known! I say we make an appeal to the Federation Congress in Dakar, request a new Federal Forces draft into our own, and--

Scirocco: (raises his hand) --if I may interrupt for a moment, sir. You *are* right on one thing, there *are* more of the AEUG's supporters out there than we could have possibly thought of at first, and we'd have a really hard time cracking them down because their spy network's more complicated than I had expected. I have...even heard that they've gotten the partial support of this super-secret Federation-subsidized organization named "Nerv" and that other AEUG "sister company", a small armed group named the "Kalaba", and they're not really forces to be reckoned with. Do you want to know why?

Jamitov: Why indeed, Major Scirocco?

Scirocco: Simple. They've employed the services of these..."heroes" of the One-Year War, namely former Captain Amuro Ray and former Colonel Bright Noah of the Federal Forces. I even...hear that the AEUG even has the Red Comet on their side. In any case, if they do have the Red Comet *and* Amuro Ray with them, we're in for a long hard fight, Admiral.

Jamitov: I...see. Would you want to have any...suggestions as to counter this?

Scirocco: The least we can do is expect our base in New Guinea to successfully exterminate them. If I remember correctly, a short distance away from Hong Kong City, we have some sort of another Newtype Research Institute just like what we have in Augusta, Georgia...and just like what the Zeons have, what with their Flanagan Agency.

Jamitov: We shouldn't be so confident about our troops in New Guinea exterminating the AEUG because it's still being built up along with our new Newtype Research Labs there. What's more, I hear rumors that there are also hidden enemy bases in Taiwan, the Ryukyu Islands, and of course, Tokyo itself. Not to mention Manila as well...I guess I'll go ask my secretary to remind me next time to scour those places of any AEUG supporters...

Bosque: He's right, Major. If worse comes to worse, I fear that these cities might even--

Scirocco: They wouldn't *dare* use nuclear weapons, Colonel. I assure you. Haven't you learned that in your Geopolitics class, Colonel? (smirks) Besides, the Federal Forces will be all over their sorry asses once they do...

Bosque: ..... (thinks) Scirocco...this chap's definitely a Newtype...I'd think he'd just practically read my mind just now...

Jamitov: In any case, I just hope there are some ground and air troops as well as anti-MS units assigned in our New Guinea base...by the way, Major...how do you know the Agama is going to land in Hong Kong in the first place anyway?

Scirocco: (smirks and strokes his own hair) I have my sources, Admiral.

-----

And so, it was yet another same old boring middle-of-the-day, like it usually is for Shinji, Asuka, and their other classmates. One wouldn't know if boredom affects Rei at all, but still, almost everyone in Shinji's and Asuka's class was yawning when they finally got out of class.

There had been no surprise Angel attacks for the past few days, and that meant less work for Shinji, Asuka, and Rei, except maybe for the occasional Eva synchronization tests that they usually took after a school day every two days. That rift between Shinji and Asuka had narrowed a little when Shinji volunteered to treat Asuka earlier to lunch when he heard she forgot her wallet back at her hotel, much to the pair's embarrassment as almost everyone who saw them asked if they were lying when they said they weren't an item.

It was more so boring at Nerv HQ itself as the three head control room operators did their maintenance jobs at the moment. Second Lieutenants Maya Ibuki, Shigeru Aoba, and Makoto Hyuga were all having a light lunch inside the control room, careful that their drinks won't spill off into their computers.

Maya: You know what, guys...I think it's strange that there aren't any Angel attacks for the past couple of days or so...I mean, they're way behind schedule according to the data given to me by Commander Ikari...

Shigeru: You mean there are actually some definite times and dates that the Angels will come here to Tokyo? How...interesting...

Maya: Well, they're not actually accurate and precise, to be exact. I've checked the actual times and dates that the past Angels have arrived here in Tokyo so far...well, it's either they're two days late or one week too early, I'd say.

Makoto: Do you think the Commander's just giving you the wrong data on purpose and that he has a more accurate...list of the "schedules of arrival" of the Angels?

Maya: It's not far from the truth, Hyuga...but then who are we to question the Commander himself? I mean, we're just here to report data that's been going on in the battlefield and help in the Children's synchro tests with their Eva's and...

Shigeru: I'm wondering about that too, Maya.

Makoto: Anyway, I guess we shouldn't really be surprised if the next Angel's estimated time of arrival would be far from that of the real thing itself, right?

Maya: (pouts and munches away) I guess so...hey Aoba, would you give me some of that ketchup? This burger's a little bland...

Shigeru: Huh? Oh, sure... (gives her a ketchup sachet) Geez Louise, I'm *never* going to get used to Western food...personally I'd like some home-cooked bentou right now...

Makoto: (snickers) Want me to make you one? Heh heh...

Shigeru: ..... (leers at Makoto) Hyuga...make one for *yourself* you perverted kook. Oh, which reminds me...hey, you haven't even thought of giving my Ranma 1/2 manga back to me, haven't you? What, you're planning on keeping it?

Makoto: Uhh...hey! It's not like I'm finished with it yet! And what about my *antique* Mazinger Z and Getta Robo tapes? Don't you know they cost a *fortune* nowadays? What, you've already sold them or something?

Shigeru: (stands up) Hey, now I'm not saying anything, all right? Give me back my manga and I'll give you back your tapes, let's say...Monday, all right?

Makoto: Yeah, sure...

Maya: (sighs and thinks) Gee whiz...*men* nowadays! If it's not manga, it's crummy old super robot anime tapes...oh well. At least they're not making moves on *me*, that's for sure...

Makoto: Hey Ibuki, do you still have that receipt from the Laundromat? I have to get my stuff back 'cuz I have to change into my other uniform... (smells himself) This one *stinks*, man...

Maya: Huh?! Oh my Lord, so that explains that odd smell from yesterday when you were assisting me with the Children's synchro test! Here... (takes the receipt from her uniform chest pocket) You get it yourself! And don't forget to go get my stuff and Aoba's stuff as well, okay? Geez...

Shigeru: Ho-ho. Looks like we got a new name to call "Mako-chan" here...heh heh heh heh...

Makoto: Hey man, don't start, okay?! I've just had enough of--what the...? Hey, guys, look at this!

Makoto pointed to something on Maya's "radar" screen moving slowly towards Tokyo. The radar didn't indicate any signs of Minovsky radiation emissions, and from the wavelength pattern detected on the moving object, it had a "blue" pattern--yet another Angel has arrived.

Shigeru: Well, well...looks like this isn't going to be a boring day after all...in any case, we should inform Captain Katsuragi immediately and--

Just then, off came Misato in her full, almost-skimpy, red uniform from the elevator behind them wiping the sweat off from her brow and walked briskly towards them as if she was still in a hurry from where she came from. The three Nerv control room operators dismissed the thought that she was in the middle of a date with either her old boyfriend Kaji or her "new boyfriend" Captain Amuro Ray since the Angel's arrival was of top priority as of the moment.

Misato: (panting) You were saying, Lieutenant Aoba?

Shigeru: Umm...right...

Misato: Right. Call up any available Children on their cellphones and advise them to come to Headquarters immediately for battle. Maya, advise the docking stations to prepare Units-00 to 02 for launch.

Maya: Yes, ma'am! /All docking stations, please--/

Makoto: I'm just curious, Captain...how'd you know there was another Angel on its way here?

Misato: Well, Lieutenant Hyuga, I was driving and on my way to HQ anyway earlier when I saw it just off the coast walking at quite a slow rate, but I already knew it was headed here. It's another one of those big, ugly humanoid ones...almost looks like the third Angel, even. Anyway, Hyuga, inform Amu--I mean, Captain Amuro Ray in the Mont Blanc that I'm reque--*giving* special orders to fend off the Angel as much as the Kalaba--err, the AEUG can.

Makoto: Yes, ma'am... /Mont Blanc, do you read me? This is Nerv HQ--/

Makoto, Maya, and Shigeru: (thinks) "Amuro"? My God, she really *is* dating him! I didn't know she had this knack for younger guys...Captain Amuro Ray's around 22 or 23 years old only, while Captain Katsuragi's 29...oh dear...

Misato: (thinks) Whew! Almost blew my cover...

-----

The Angel really did barely look like the third one, although this time it looked like that hunchback in the old French tale. It even had this weird "yin-yang" symbol on its chest and definitely looked like it was headed towards the point within Tokyo directly above Nerv Headquarters as if it knew. And just from behind the mountains, the Mont Blanc emerged and headed towards it with moderate speed.

A few seconds later, two Rick Diases, green and blue, launched from the Mont Blanc's makeshift mobile suit launch pad and took their respective positions along with their five GM-II companions and three aerial support craft. They, along with Chris, waited for Amuro's order to fire at will towards the Angel's direction at least until the Eva's come out.

Amuro: /This guy sure looks like a slow one, Christina. Why don't we go on over to the beach and fire at it directly? The Mont Blanc should be able to help as well as we've had its armor and weaponry reinforced anyway./

Chris: /Roger, sempai! All troops, assemble at the beach immediately and take your positions there. You will not be advised to fire at will when you do get there, just go ahead and do it as hard as you can. Get to it, NOW!/

As soon as Chris and Amuro heard the obligatory "Ma'am, yes ma'am!" on their audio communications link with their companions, the two Kalaba...or as one would like to point out with their current position, *AEUG* officers soon followed their underlings and took up sniping positions from the beach. The Mont Blanc also recognized this and followed soon after, taking its position hovering over somewhere near the beach and fired its new main mega beam particle cannons at the Angel.

All had hoped to break its A.T. field at least until the Evangelions arrived, yet again to no avail, except maybe for some instances that Amuro's and Chris' beam gun and bazooka attacks would penetrate the A.T. field. Chris was almost too pissed off as the Angel just regenerated whenever she would strike a hit at the Angel.

Chris: (angrily) /This guy's *tough*, sempai.../

Amuro: /Well, what do you expect? It's some kind of alien life form or whatever.../

Chris: /Yeah, but I never expected it to be like this! Damn it, if this keeps up I'm gonna lose ammo fast! Where are those kids in the Evangelions anyway?/

Amuro: /I'm sure they'll be here any time now, Christina, just be patient, all right? Patience never really was a virtue with you, eh Christina?/

Chris: /Aww, sempai! Save the insults for later, we've got work to do here!/

Amuro almost chuckled as he continued to fire at the Angel along with Chris and the rest of his available troops lent to him by his AEUG superior officer, with Amuro and Chris eventually getting through the Angel's A.T. field thanks to Nerv's help in upgrading their weaponry and Chris' impatience. Amuro wondered why Chris was so...cranky today; last she'd seen her this morning, she was spouting curses on her cellular phone. He was also wondering who was the unlucky person whom she got really pissed off at. He refused to think it was Chris' former Zeon fiancé Bernie because from what he'd seen of the lucky couple, they were so sweet and happy together...just like himself and Misa--no. Misato's already have that "ex-boyfriend" of hers hanging around her trying to win her back anyway. Sayla? He would not even want to go down that road again. Lalah? No, not even Lalah...she was Char's...Char's...what was Char to Lalah anyway? He would never know.

Amuro's Newtype premonition failed him this time as he never expected Chris to charge at the Angel and shoot at it at point blank range or fight with it in a melee sort of way--that didn't really look good for Chris, Amuro thought, as he remembered the last time he'd fought one of these "Angels" with a beam saber...

...and it happened to Chris as well as he saw her blue Rick Dias' head "planted" to the beach water like it was a rice stem in a paddy. And just then, as if by cue, two familiar Evangelions, red and violet, advance to where he and the rest of his troops were.

Amuro: /Heh...Shinji, isn't this becoming quite the trend? What kept you kids again?/

Shinji: (a little sheepishly) /Well...umm...you see.../

Asuka: /Amuro-san, if it weren't for this slowpoke here slacking around like he had all the time in the world, we would have been here earlier! Rrrrghh, why do you *always* do this to me, Shinji?!/

Shinji: /Aww, shut *up*, Asuka! Who was it who had to go to the ladies room first, huh? Well, I had to let you do it because it's something I'd want you to let me do if *I* had to go to the little guy's room, duh!/

Amuro: /All right, knock it off, you two! Shinji, Asuka, you see that thing over there? That ugly thing you guys at Nerv call an "Angel"? Yeah, I believe that's the thing your commanding officer wanted you two to squash because from what I've heard, your Eva's are the only ones that can neutralize these Angels' "A.T. fields" or whatever barrier this thing might have, right?/

Asuka: /Umm, I think you've got it right on the dot, sir!/

Amuro: /Well now, go get them!/

---

Misato rubbed her chin and squinted. Usually when she does this, she'd just noticed something fishy when one, two, or all of the three Children were fighting an Angel on its way to Nerv HQ. She pointed her pen towards the Angel's image in the large monitor inside the Nerv control room and gathered all of the right words to say.

Misato: Is it just me, Lieutenant Hyuga...or does that Angel have two cores...?

Makoto: Two cores, ma'am? Let me get a visual on that one... (magnifies the image on his own monitor) I'm not quite sure, but it seems that it does, Captain. What could it mean?

The 29-year old captain paused and observed the Angel very, VERY carefully. Indeed, what *could* it mean if this particular Angel had two cores? She had wished her commander would give so much as a simple explanation about this, but knowing Supreme Commander Gendo Ikari, he'd only keep silent and give her that connotative stare that "all information will be given on a need-to-know basis". She was thinking it strange, however, that Commander Ikari wasn't on his usual seat way behind her on an elevated platform, but instead Subcommander Fuyutsuki was there, standing, and watched as all of the following events were about to unfold.

---

Asuka eyed the Angel carefully and smirked. She had just thought this one would be such a pushover that she wouldn't even need Shinji's help on this one, so she thought of what Misato meant when she said "she and Shinji will take turns in attacking the target".

Misato: /I know you two can do it this time, Asuka. Just do the best you can. That mobile suit platoon will back you up just in case you'll both need help, all right?/

Asuka: (grins at Misato's image on the intercom) Okay, sure thing, Misato!

Shinji: (whispers to himself) Oh, great...personality #2!

Asuka: /I *heard* that./ (stares at Shinji on the visual link)

Shinji: (gulps) Uh...

The pilot of Evangelion Unit-02 thought it best if she'd charged at the Angel with a large glaive-like weapon as she would normally do, with Shinji acting as backup, sniping at the Angel from the beach with a "pallet rifle". The rest of his Kalaba/AEUG companions were already shooting at it with the best and last they've got--beam rifles, beam guns, bazookas, it didn't matter. But then, all they can do is watch their efforts go to waste as the Angel's A.T. field, its natural defense or barrier of some sort, proved more than effective in defending itself without a fight. Amuro, however had already given orders to any available unit to retrieve Chris' fallen Rick Dias, whose pilot, he had already known to have been feeling humiliated by this "Angel".

True to its cold, emotionless, but not totally lifeless nature, the Angel kept its pace towards its itinerary: the point in Tokyo directly above Nerv Headquarters, and it kept its pace as if it knew where it was headed even without anything that would pass for its "eyes".

Asuka didn't care about all of that, though, and went on her way to defeat the Angel "all by herself", living up to her reputation as the "greatest Evangelion pilot ever born".

Shinji: /Here it comes!/

Asuka: /Heh, *I'll* go first! Better back me up, idiot!/

But before the crimson Evangelion Unit-02 even made the first step to leap through the air to slash down through the Angel's defenses with its glaive, her jaw just dropped as she heard Amuro's sudden order to ram the Mont Blanc into the Angel as a last resort.

Amuro: /We just might make the beam ram work against this Angel, Captain Amada. Let the energy flow intended for the main and sub-beam particle cannons get into the I-field generator and press all of the necessary buttons and pull the necessary levers I've told you about when we've had a briefing last time. The Mont Blanc's I-field barrier should form some sort of a beam saber-like "stake" soon enough. The beam ram's energy input should be enough to penetrate through the A.T. field and totally exterminate the Angel, is that understood, Captain?/

Shiro Amada, the Mont Blanc's 31 year-old captain from the Kalaba/AEUG and one of the former mobile suit ace pilots from the Federation's "eighth" ground combat mobile suit team in the One-Year War, grinned as he recognized his superior officer's voice on the comm link. It really was a long time since he'd engaged in battles he'd gladly fight in, but he'd never guessed this one, reminiscent of the late Garma Zabi's kamikaze attack, ramming his Gau flagship into the Pegasus White Base (alternatively called the Trojan Horse), would make him a bit nervous. This *was* the first time he'd ever been a captain of any support battlecruiser *and* the first time he'd ever been under none other than Amuro Ray's command, who was in fact younger than Shiro himself.

Shiro: (gulps) /Roger, Captain!/ Redirect energy flow from the--

Asuka: /W...what?! With all due respect, Amuro-san...but...but are you *nuts*?! You'll be killing your own men in that ship!/

Shinji: /Amuro-san, are you sure you want to do this? I mean, you're not exactly wanting to use that Angel as some kind of a guinea pig to test this...this "beam ram" thing you've made, are you?/

Amuro: /Shinji, Asuka, this whole thing *will* work, I'm sure of it. We've reinforced the Mont Blanc's armor to the point that it will withstand the impact caused by the ship's collision with its target. Trust me and your superiors at Nerv, children./

Asuka: /Amuro-san, this is no time to be your old "Newtype genius" self again! Aaargh, I'm going after the Angel myself! Watch me, Shinji! Here I GOOOOOOO!!!!/ (charges toward the Angel with her glaive held up high)

Shinji: /Asuka, wait for me!/ (deploys his Eva-01's progressive knife and charges at the Angel, following Asuka's lead)

And just as the Third and Second Children were about to go berserk on the Angel, the Mont Blanc had already accelerated towards it at full speed, on its bowsprit some kind of a stunted, glowing, pinkish beam saber-like structure shaped like a wooden stake. Their still-unharnessed and unknown Newtype senses kicking in at unison, the pilots of Eva Unit-01 and 02 mentally ordered their Evangelions to narrowly dodge the hastily descending AEUG support ship and just watch at the events that will happen soon after.

The crew of the Mont Blanc were on the edge of their seats in anticipation and fear that the Mont Blanc should explode after this attack, but were soon feeling relieved as they had found out they were back in the air after confirmation reports from the bridge that everything was fine.

Bridge operator A: Sir, it seems that only the lower sections in the bow side and starboard were damaged, but they didn't seem to have been inflicted even the slightest amount of recognizable damage, sir!

Shiro: Thank goodness! Have maintenance check to see if there are any injured people within those sections, A.S.A.P., and bring them to the ship's clinic if there are any.

Shinji and Asuka couldn't believe what they've seen; the Mont Blanc actually pierced through the Angel's A.T. field and burnt a hole through the Angel so big that it wasn't even a hole anymore after the Mont Blanc had gotten back to the air. The Angel looked more like it was split in half; a feat Asuka had done had it not been for Amuro-san's interference. But Asuka had to admit, it *was* quite a good job.

Misato and the three control room operators silently watched in awe as these events had unfolded: they've just defeated the Angel *without* using the Eva's, and what's more surprising, it was one of her ideas, too! Well, almost. Misato looked back at Subcommander Fuyutsuki, but wondered why his facial expression still looked the same in all of this...it was as if he knew something she didn't.

Misato: Uhh...A...Th, that's...THAT'S AMAZING! Subcommander, did you see that?! The Mont Blanc just went through the Angel JUST LIKE THAT!

Fuyutsuki: Of course I saw *that*, Captain Katsuragi. Quite a remarkable feat for the Kalaba...although I wouldn't really bet on the Angel being totally defeated yet. I've noticed something quite strange with this particular Angel we have here...

Misato: You've noticed it too, sir?

Fuyutsuki: I couldn't really lay my finger into it, but--

Maya: Captain Katsuragi, we're detecting *two* high-energy readings from the Angel's remains! It...*they* seem to be regenerating themselves!

Misato: "They"?! What do you mean...?!

And Misato saw it all on the monitor: the Angel was indeed regenerating itself, but not quite the way she had expected. Instead, just like and earthworm, the Angel slowly replicated its two halves and finally took its--their--true form.

---

Misato: /Shinji, Asuka, the Angel's still moving!/

Shinji and Asuka: /Huh?/

Amuro: /Heads up, you two! They're right behind you!!/

This time, however, the two Children almost failed to sense the impending danger that's about to befall the both of them. As soon as the Angel had replicated itself into two separate beings, it--they--walked towards the two Eva's. Ready as they were, Shinji and Asuka took on defensive stances as the two halves of the Angel advanced toward them.

Asuka made an upward slash with her glaive across one half of the Angel's "chest" to which the Angel reacted by just simply regenerating itself. Shinji, armed with only a progressive knife, was having the same problem with the other half as well as it kept regenerating what it had lost.

Asuka: /What the hell is this thing? NO FAIR!/

Shinji: /ARGH, they just keep regenerating their limbs like it was NOTHING! What's WITH these guys?!/

Misato: /Asuka, aim for the core, quick! You too, Shinji!/

Asuka and Shinji: /We know--!!/

And just as they had done so, the cores of the two halves of the Angel just simply healed themselves like it was nothing to them. Soon enough, the halves took their two Evangelion opponents by their feet, spun them around like a cowboy's rope in a rodeo show, and hurled them towards each other...all in perfect synchronization with each other. And as if it weren't enough, the Angel (or Angels, whatever was befitting of the situation) picked the purple and the red Evangelions and hurled them towards Amuro and his troops.

Amuro: /Oh, SHIT! All GM-II's get out of shore, quick!/ These things have tempers, too?! God DAMN it!

Meanwhile, back in Nerv Headquarters, Misato felt like she was going to have a real big headache coming on and rubbed her temples while chanting, "Keep your cool, Misato, keep your cool..."

Fuyutsuki just shook his head. This was going to be quite a long day ahead of them.

-----

Voice-over: /At 4:03 PM, Nerv gave up the right of command which was transferred to the remaining JSSDF mobile suit troops not supervised by Captain Amuro Ray of the Kalaba./

There was some sort of an air of chagrin etched on the faces of the two Children and their commanding officer involved with the situation with the Angel--or its halves thereof--as their supervising officers watched this little slideshow inside the movie hall somewhere inside Nerv HQ. Misato was particularly worried as to what fate will befall her as to the failure of this mission...well, at least it wasn't a total failure anyway. Shinji and Asuka, however, couldn't really say anything about it.

Voice-over: /At 4:05, the target is attacked with a new N2 bomb.../

The silver screen showed a picture of some aerial units (they were uncertain if these were Federation, Kalaba, or AEUG units) bombing the Angel, and the massive explosion that resulted. This slideshow was getting to be very annoying, at least in the Subcommander's case.

Fuyutsuki: (sighs and shakes his head) This is no good, Captain Katsuragi. Looks like we're back to square one on this kind of situation...

Voice-over: /...resulting in a 20% incineration of the target./

Misato: I know, sir, and I'm sorry...

Asuka: (turns around to face Fuyutsuki) So umm...they're dead, sir?

Fuyutsuki: No, it only immobilized them. Their healing systems are no doubt at work...well, what do you two children have to say for yourselves now? All this bickering and fighting...I've heard it all on the intercom and the reports that pass through my hands before I give them to Commander Ikari. Do you two kids know what your jobs are?

Shinji: Umm...

Asuka: Er...t-to pilot Eva...?

Fuyutsuki: Wrong answer. You two, and the First, are here to defeat the Angels. You two sure are lucky the Commander isn't here, or else he would have done something worse than I'm doing right now. In any case, Nerv doesn't need this sort of negative attention, do you understand, Children? Captain Katsuragi...

Misato: Y-Yes sir?

Fuyutsuki: I expect you to make sorties within the next amount of time before the Angel's two halves fully regenerate. And see to it that the Second and Third Children are taught a lesson in TEAM ETHICS, is that understood?

Misato: Y...yes sir!

Misato couldn't say anything more as he saw her superior officer leave the room with quite an unpleasant mood in all of this. She just sighed as she slumped back to her chair and once again rubbed her temples.

Kaji: Boy...you sure got a lot of *work* ahead of you, I'd bet...

Ritsuko: (snickers) Ohhhh yeah, she does...

Misato: Would you two just please shut up? I'm trying to think here... (turns towards Asuka and Shinji) As for you two...I'll see you in my office later, okay? Just please get out of this movie hall for now...I think I may have another one of those headaches coming...

Shinji: (whispers) You sure she doesn't have another one of those hangovers?

Asuka: (whispers) Naaah! She looked pretty sober this morning...

Misato: I heard that, you two.

Shinji and Asuka: (gulps) Umm...yes ma'am, we'll be going out now, ma'am! Eh heh heh heh heh heh...

-----

Shinji: OWWWW!! Damn it, Asuka! Alone for two seconds and you ambush me!

The Third Child just had his foot stepped upon by a *very* P.O.'ed redheaded 14 year-old German-Japanese chick. Hard.

Asuka: SHUT UP! Why did *I* have to get yelled at by the Subcommander?! I was real lucky it wasn't the Commander himself yelling at me, but still...RRRRRGGGGHHH!!! My first battle in Japan was ruined because of *you*!

Shinji: Why is it *my* fault now?!

Asuka: It's obvious. *You* got caught by the Angel because *you* were a slowpoke. (pokes Shinji's shoulder repeatedly)

Shinji: And you weren't?! Geez-Louise, here we go again...

Asuka: NO. *I* couldn't concentrate because *you* got caught...and not only does the Subcommander yell at *me*, but first looks at me with such contempt! (stomps her foot repeatedly and forcibly on the floor) Argh! Damn it, Shinji!

Shinji: (raises and eyebrow and shrugs) Oh, *please*! Don't tell me *I'm* to be blamed here *again*, Asuka! As much as I'd hate to admit it, but it was Amuro-san's hair-brained idea of ramming the Mont Blanc into the Angel in the first place that got you--

Amuro: (walks up from behind Shinji and put his hands on the boy's shoulders) Well so *sorry* if my ideas are hair-brained to you now, Shinji. All I did was help you guys because you two were arguing all the time...

Shinji (gasps) A--Amuro-san! Good Lord, I didn't notice you were there! W-w-w-uhh...I'm sorry if I called your ideas like that...

Asuka: Hmph! In any case, *I* would have defeated the Angel if it hadn't been for *your* stupidity, Shinji! (pouts and clings to Amuro's arm) Amuro-san, he's always picking on me, make him stop!

Shinji: *My* stupidity?! Heh, even if Amuro-san wouldn't have been around, your sorry ass would still have been kicked because, reading your actions for today, *you* were getting too hasty about defeating those two halves. Geez...

Asuka: WHAT DID YOU SAY?! (starts stomping towards Shinji)

Amuro: (separates them) Don't you two ever stop bickering like schoolgirls?! Knock it off, you two, or else I'll--

Shinji: Ooh, I'm scared, Asuka. Whatcha gonna do to me now, huh?

Asuka: I am going to KILL you, Shinji Ikari! Amuro-san, let me at him...!

While Amuro could barely keep the two Children away from making complete idiots of themselves, the hands of someone very familiar to Asuka would soon calm her down. Those gentle, big hands of whose owner she'd "loved" for a very long time.

Kaji: Hey! Squabbling at a time like this?

Asuka: (turns around and lightens up) Kaji-san! Tee-hee... (clings to his arm) We weren't squabbling. Shinji was just picking on me, see? Nyaaah! (sticks out her tongue at Shinji)

Shinji: (thinks and sighs) Oh, great. Once again, her amazing quick-change...

Kaji: Oh, and you're with Captain Amuro Ray too! How convenient...Amuro-kun, they seem to be very lively kids, aren't they?

Amuro: Uh...heh heh, they sure are! Oh, I don't believe we've met... (offers a handshake) I believe you're Ryouji Kaji, one of the representatives for AEUG's financiers?

Kaji: (shakes Amuro's hand) Ah ha ha ha ha ha, yes, yes, that's me. And from the looks of it I don't think you need an introduction, heh heh. Hmm, Amuro Ray of the Pegasus White Base, how great it is for someone of your caliber to assist Nerv in its campaign against the Angels!

Amuro: Umm, actually we haven't been doing well lately...eh heh heh heh heh...what with our weaponry actually proving ineffective against an Angel's A.T. field, you know?

Kaji: Oh, no, no! You're doing quite well, sir! Well, unlike other Earthnoids I do believe in Newtypes and what they could do...in the military view of things of course. Heh heh. But then psychic communication among Newtypes in far distances is quite the concept, huh?

Amuro: Yeah...it *is* quite the concept... (thinks) Lalah...

Kaji: (looks at Amuro slightly) Mmmhmm! Well, so much for that, why don't I treat you all to dinner? Oh, Captain, you don't have to pay, it's on the house! Heh heh heh heh!

Amuro: Oh! Umm...thanks, I guess...but you didn't have to...

Asuka: Yay! Really! I'd *love* to go out with you!

Shinji: Say, Kaji-san...what about Misato? Isn't she going out with us or something?

Amuro: Yes...what about Captain Katsuragi?

Kaji: (blinks at Amuro) Naah, I'd doubt she'd get any supper for tonight. Being in-charge sometimes means taking the heat, if you know what I mean.

---

And so Misato had a hard time picking her jaw from off the floor as she viewed the ton of paperwork she had to do. She was quite silent for a moment until Ritsuko gave her a small envelope to top everything off.

Ritsuko: Hmm, well, that's it! Damage reports and protests from each pertaining ministry. *And* here's the bill from the Feddies. (giggles)

Misato: (looks at Ritsuko sourly and throws the envelope to her desk) How's the Eva repair going?

Ritsuko: Five days in the shop, tops.

Misato: (leans back on her chair) And the Angels?

Ritsuko: Regenerating. MAGI predicts a new attack five days from now.

Misato: So both sides are out of action for that time...

Ritsuko: (drinks her coffee) Commander Ikari wasn't happy when he heard and seen it all on the slideshow. You'll probably get fired the next time you fail.

Misato: Hey! Don't talk like that!

Ritsuko: Well... (takes out a diskette from her lab coat pocket) A *really* bright idea might help keep your job...say, this one?

Misato: Ooh! (swipes the diskette away from Ritsuko looking really joyous) An idea?! For me! Oh, Dr. Ritsuko Akagi, you're amazing!

Ritsuko: Oh...au contraire, mademoiselle...it wasn't *my* idea. (snickers)

Misato: (blinks) Huh? Then whose was it?

Ritsuko: Kaji.

And so once again, Misato had a hard time picking her jaw from off the floor as she had heard that the perpetrator of the said "brilliant" idea was none other than that...that...that idiot even put a "to my honey" label on the diskette! The nerve of that jerk, Misato thought.

Misato: I don't want it. (shoves the diskette away)

Ritsuko: Oh, so you'd rather get fired? (giggles)

---

Asuka: You understand, don't you, Kaji-san, Amuro-san...that *that* truly didn't represent my *real* abilities? (sips at her soda) Of course, I don't know about Shinji here...

Shinji: (plays at his spaghetti with a fork) Yeah, yeah. I have NO talent.

Amuro: Oh, come on, you two. Don't give up so easily--it's like you're saying you're giving up on a handful of GM's while you've got...what, let's say a whole army of Gelgoogs?

Asuka: (pouts) Aww...but Gelgoogs are *way* outdated already, Amuro-san...this is 0087, for crying out loud!

Kaji: Asuka, Shinji...Gelgoogs and GM's aren't his point here...what he's trying to tell you is that you shouldn't give up so easily over such meager obstacles, I know you two are better than that!

Amuro: Yeah. Well, you two have to try harder next time, all right? (pats Shinji's back) This, I know, for one thing...spacenoids are made of sterner stuff than that, am I right?

Shinji: I...guess so...

Asuka: Aww, but with the Eva's broken, who knows when we'll *get* a next time?

As if by cue, just then Misato's familiar voice over the PA system echoed across the canteen and the rest of Nerv Headquarters.

Misato: /Would the pilots for Eva Unit-01 and 02 please report to the second conference room at once. Repeat, would the pilots for Eva-01 and 02--/

Kaji: See? You're wanted already. Good luck you two!

Asuka: Hmm...sounds like Misato needs us now, eh Shinji? Let's go--oh, and this time don't *you* screw up, all right?! (drags Shinji by the ear)

Shinji: Oww, damn it! Let go of my ear! Why don't *you* ease up on the screw-ups for a change, eh Asuka? It's always me, me, ME! WHY ME?!?

Kaji almost chuckled as he saw what he sees as a "cute couple" walk away from him and the revered "hero of the One-Year War". He stirred at his soda and ate the last of his pie as Amuro finished his own meal.

Amuro: Do you think they'd make it good? I'd think so...sensed it from the very first time I saw them, they're Newtypes as well... (sighs) Love between Newtypes is quite a very beautiful thing...

Kaji: Probably like soulmates, huh? Maybe...have you ever been in love with a Newtype like you before?

Amuro: Yeah...quite a tragic ending, I might say...

Kaji: *Ahem*...hmm...well if that's the case then I won't ask about it, eh Captain? Last thing I'd want to hear from you is a sad ending from a past lovelife...well, then. Hmm...who's that lovely redhead who's with you a lot lately these days?

Amuro: Oh...you mean Chief Petty Officer Chris MacKenzie?

Kaji: (blinks) "Chris"? Isn't that a guy's name? Oh no, wait...I get it. I'd bet her name's Christina or Christine or something...

Amuro: Yeah, it's Christina. Well if you're thinking she's my girlfriend, well, I'll tell you now that she's not. Why, you're interested in her, Kaji-kun?

Kaji: Uhhh...heh heh heh heh. Well, we're men, aren't we? Of course you'd know how a guy goes like when he sees a really cute girl...

Chris: Well so sorry to tell you, Mister, but this cute girl's got a fiancé now. Eh heh heh heh. (grins and sits beside Amuro) Hey, Amuro-sempai.

Amuro: Hey, Chris. See? Hey, is your head all right? It's practically wrapped up in bandages, you know...

Chris: Umm, it's fine, I guess...that monster sure did a good number on me, huh?

Kaji: Hmmm...well, I guess that's good too. (offers a handshake to Chris) And how do you do, my lady? By the way, my name's Ryouji Kaji and I'm with Nerv, though I also represent a lot of business firms and supporters for the AEUG and the Kalaba. And who's the lucky chap who's to be your husband, hmm?

Chris: (shakes Kaji's hand) I'm quite fine, thanks! (rubs her head) Well, except for this bump on my head, that is. Tee-hee, well, don't be surprised, but my fiancé happens to be a former Zeon mobile suit pilot named Bernard Wiseman, and he's in Dublin right now. I call him Bernie for short. (giggles) You know, he's the most sweetest guy I've ever met...

Kaji: Ireland? And the lucky guy used to be one of those Zeeks--I mean, Zeon too, huh? Heh heh, I'm sure he is...I can see you blushing at the mention of his name. Well, all I can say is good luck on your wedding, Officer Chris Mackenzie. Well...how about you, Amuro? Do you have any lovelife stories you can share us? (thinks) Hmm...now this way I can see if what I've been hearing about you and Misato is true...

Amuro: (gulps) Umm...

Chris: Hey, haven't you been hanging around that nice-looking girl with the red jacket who works for Nerv too? (nudges Amuro) Hey sempai, I didn't know you had good taste for girls, huh? And I've always thought that bitch from Cheyenne...her name was "Beltochika Irma", wasn't it? Well I thought that bitch was always on your mind...

Amuro: (chuckles and wipes off his sweat) Chris, is it okay if you call Beltochika a bitch? Besides, she might hear you...

Chris: (pouts) Well she sure *is* one hell of a bitch! I mean, she even yelled at me when we were retrieving you from Cheyenne and all...she's very unlike that nice Japanese Nerv girl in the red jacket and beret, don't you agree? Man, talk about POSSESSIVE! Mr. Kaji, did you know one time--

Kaji: (rubs his chin and looks weirdly at Amuro) Uh-huh...

Amuro: (puts a hand on Chris' mouth) Uhhh...I think she's just concerned, that's all...after all you shouldn't be calling her a bitch because she *is* one of the AEUG's representatives to the Kalaba...

Chris: (takes off Amuro's hand) Oh yeah, and that's not all...there's also this nice-looking Chinese girl whom I believe was a mechanic and one of Anaheim Electronics' top engineers...her name was umm...Chien Agi, right sempai? Hey what are you doing--

Amuro: Umm... (takes Chris' arm and grins at Kaji) Would you excuse us for a while, Kaji-san?

Kaji: (nods and grins stupidly) Ummm...sure, sure! Take all the time you need...

Ryouji Kaji could barely hear Amuro's and Chris' whispers of argument from the other side of the room and thought about what his "newfound friends" dealt about with their daily lives. He never guessed that people who used to be from the Federal Forces could be so...wacky, to say the least. Much more with Amuro Ray, of all people! He thought, is *this* really the guy who's been seeing his ex, Misato? He just couldn't believe it and just laughed as he drank the last of his soda from a plastic cup.

---

At the very same time when Chris arrived at the two men's table, Shinji and Asuka were, as usual, arguing and bickering about something once again, as they headed for Misato's office. More like *discussing*--for now, at least.

Shinji: But the Eva's are still inoperable! What could they want us to do this time?

Asuka: Hmph. It doesn't really matter, anyway...but how could you be so inconsiderate, Shinji Ikari-kun?

Shinji: (blinks) "Inconsiderate?" What do you mean?

Asuka: (turns back at Shinji and flails) Kaji-san asked *me* out to dinner, but I couldn't be alone with him! Why did *you* have to tag along?! Argh!

Shinji: Huh?! B--but...

And just then as they were yet again starting to argue while walking down that hall to meet up with Misato, the Nerv commanding officer in question greeted the two Children as they rounded the corner almost as if Misato had "popped up out of nowhere", figuratively speaking.

Misato: Hmm, just the people I was looking for. Shinji, Asuka...this way please.

Shinji: (starts walking along with Asuka and Misato) Where are we going, Misato-san?

Misato: We are going to prepare for our next operation, Shinji. Just follow me, okay? (tries not to snicker)

Shinji and Asuka: Our next operation?

Misato: Our computer simulations have revealed that the *halves* of the seventh Angel are operating in perfect tandem. This means, even if they're divided, it acts with *one* mind. So, the only way to defeat the seventh Angel is to attack both sides AT ONCE. It will take *perfect* timing from *both* Eva's. We will need complete harmony between the two of you...or the mission's a failure.

It was around ten minutes that Misato had taken the two Children around Nerv HQ. At long last, they finally come to their destination, in front of a room unfamiliar to both Shinji and Asuka. Misato pressed some buttons to open the sliding door to the room and showed them inside.

Misato: Well, here we are. Come on in.

Asuka: Wh...what is this?

Shinji: This looks like a regular twin-bed room...pretty cozy, I might add...

Asuka: Yeah...even has its own stereo, DVD player...and big-screen TV too...oh, look, there's the fridge...

Misato: (smiles) Mmmhmm! Welcome to your new quarters! You'll be living here for the next five days.

Silence.

Then...

Shinji and Asuka: *WHAAAAAAAAAAT?!!*

Misato: We don't have much time... (grins at them) ...and I *won't* take no for an answer. Tee-hee. (snickers uncontrollably)

Asuka: Y-Y-Y-Y-You've got to be kidding! Live together for five days?! We're of the opposite sex!

Shinji: Misato-san, what are you thinking?!

Misato: (stops snickering and looks at them innocently, grinning) What are you so upset about? This is an operational necessity! You two must be in perfect harmony! Training all day together isn't enough, we need to synchronize your biological rhythms as well. So...you're going to sleep together, get up together, eat together, and train together--that's all. What's the big deal? I mean, you two *are* childhood friends, I'd think you two should be *excited* of the idea instead of being so negative about it...

Asuka: Well...yeah, we do know each other ever since we were kids...b...but... (points at Shinji) W-What if this...this...what if Shinji gets *horny* and attacks me in the middle of the night?!

Shinji: ...!!

Misato: Oh...*that's* okay! Heh heh... (pats Asuka's shoulders and grins) He wouldn't have the *guts*.

Asuka: ..... (looks sourly at Shinji)

Shinji: (cringes and thinks) And if I did...she'd KILL me!

Misato: Oh well! I'm sure you have everything here that you'll need, but if there's something I missed, call me over the intercom. Wake-up call is at 6:30 AM. G'night, kiddies!

The two Children could have sworn Misato left their room with a skip and a giggle. But then, they couldn't have sworn anything like *this* should happen to them...well, at least in Asuka's case.

Asuka: Oh no....reality has become a nightmare! Beating the Angel *can't* be worth it...AAAARRRGGHHH! (throws herself on her bed and slams her hand on it repeatedly) If only I could be cooped up with Kaji-san...but *Shinji*?!

Shinji: Umm...say...can I use the shower first? I...think I may have the need to cool off for a sec...

Asuka: (rises up and rushes to the bathroom) *NO*. Haven't you heard of chivalry?! *Ladies* first! *I* go before you, IDIOT! Hmph! (turns around and gives him a cold stare) One thing, Shinji...*no* peeking like you did seven years ago, GOT THAT?!

Shinji: ...I know. (whispers) It's hardly worth risking my life.

Asuka: HEY! What was THAT supposed to mean?!

Shinji: Just take a shower already, okay?! (thinks) S...Super-hearing!

Asuka: HMPH! (slams the bathroom door shut)

Shinji: (sighs and lies down on his bed) I see *many* problems ahead...oh well. Man...I'd *never* thought I'd have to do something like this at Nerv! But...I guess it's better that this is with *Sohryu*. If this was with *Ayanami*... (sighs) That would be really awkward. Ayanami would probably be fine with it, but...I'd be desperately trying to strike up a conversation...

A few minutes later, Shinji hears the bathroom door open from behind him, and of course, he'd expect Asuka to come out. But there was just *something* wrong with her voice tonight...it was almost as if it was...

Asuka: (seductively) Oh, Shinji...sorry to keep you waiting! I'm all freshened up! (giggles and winks at him)

And there she was: Shinji's uber-pretty redhead childhood friend, wearing nothing but that towel wrapped around her and walking as slowly and as temptingly towards him as she can. She'd even added that customary sway of the hips to make Shinji's face look more embarrassingly red than it already is. But still...she *was* quite a thing of beauty...for a 14-year-old.

Shinji: (blushes) Oh, SHIT! Why the hell aren't you dressed?! And after you told me not to peek and all?!

Asuka: (giggles) What do you think of my body, hmmm? (pouts) Hmph. It hurts my pride that you're *so* uninterested, Shinji. Hmmm... (crawls towards him) You know...my breasts have come in nicely. How about it? Wanna see the real thing?

Shinji: S-S-S-S-Stop it! Don't take it off!

But the Second Child *did* take it all off, with much of Asuka's trademark wily finesse even. And as Shinji was about to turn away from his impromptu viewing of Asuka's female anatomy...to his surprise, the Second Child was to be seen wearing a sleeveless, strapless shirt (that, in fact, still showed some of her cleavage) and *really* short shorts. Once again, Shinji was frozen stiff.

Asuka: (snickers, giggles, then cackles uncontrollably, slamming her hands on the floor) WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Look at your face, stupid! You're blushing right up to your *ears*!

Shinji: .....

Asuka: WAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! I...I CAN'T BREATHE! You look awful, Shinji! Man, if I'd have to put you into a circus freak show, you'd have a lot of patrons right then and there! HAHAHAHAHA...

Shinji: (sits up on his bed and crosses his arms) Let me tell you *one* thing, Asuka...it would be *just* like Misato-san to be watching us with surveillance cameras. Didn't you ever think that first before you went and did that dirty prank of yours?

Asuka: (stops laughing) WHAT?! (starts frantically looking around the room) No way, where?! Where's the camera?!

---

Misato had quite a hard day that she didn't notice she was already sound asleep without even turning off the surveillance camera linked to Shinji's and Asuka's room.

---

It was already 5:00 in the morning that the Agama and the Radish had arrived in Hong Kong City, a former British colony in southern China that had gained its independence and was therefore "given back" to Chinese responsibility after a hundred years' rule back in the "old days". Bright decided it best that the two AEUG flagships should dock somewhere safe where Federation eyes couldn't see it; in this case, a big hollow cave just outside the city was the best place to hide for the moment.

Standing as a proxy for her father Luo Wu-ming who was somewhere in Side 1 at the time, Stephanie Luo rendezvoused with Captain Bright Noah and Lieutenants Emma Sheen and Reccoa Londo to discuss about Luo Industry's negotiations with the AEUG and whatnot. Fa was left inside the Agama's bridge to do maintenance, gather damage reports from the last battle with the Titans, and check-ups on the said battlecruiser and the Radish as well with some help from Astonage and Henken. Camille, on the other hand, having done maintenance on the Gundam Mk-II on the night before, thought it best that he should be going out to check out some electronics shops around Hong Kong and have some free time for himself.

Little did the AEUG know that there were already forward troops that the newly-established Titan base in New Guinea had assigned just outside Hong Kong; all of them inside one green Garuda-class air fortress named the "Sudry". They had landed outside of Hong Kong the day before the AEUG did and were on some sort of "stakeout". Here is what happened the night before the Agama and the Radish were in Hong Kong City:

The captain of the Garuda-class air fortress Sudry, Lieutenant Commander Ben Wooder, had just received news of Braun Blutarch's death in the hands of the AEUG. He just smirked as he put the report inside his desk drawer and turned towards his subordinate, Chief Petty Officer Namica Cornell, a female Titan officer who was also the head of one of two Titan/Federation Newtype Research Institutes, the one in New Guinea called the Murasame Newtype Research Institute.

Wooder: Blutarch was always one clumsy fool. Heh, I'd never be surprised if he'd died like that. But still...the killing has to stop one of these days. Anyway, what's our..."star pupil's" status, Professor Cornell?

Namica: She's doing quite well, Lieutenant Commander. She still has no memory of her past life, though...as with all artificial Newtypes that the Federation has worked on in the past since 0083. She's the fourth one, I might add. Should I bring her in, sir?

Wooder: Yes, please.

Namica: Come on in, Four.

A fairly attractive young woman with teal-colored short hair and purple lipstick and wearing a loose purplish shirt over her sleeveless black tank top and tight black pants, probably in her early twenties, entered the Sudry's main briefing room. If there was any expression on her face, one would have probably seen her as coldly unemotional...much like Rei Ayanami to one who might know Rei in the first place.

Wooder: (looks inside a file folder) Hmm..."Four Murasame", is it? That's quite a peculiar name for quite a nice-looking girl, Professor Cornell. Looks like you're going to work for me from now on...Four Murasame.

Four: (stares coldly at Wooder) ...I don't take orders from anyone.

Namica: Hmmm...looks like she's still needing some improvement on her attitude problem, Lieutenant Commander. Would it be best if I'd run some more tests on her before we attack the AEUG?

Wooder: It's good enough, Professor. Let Four do whatever she likes. In the meantime, why don't your men do some maintenance on her big "toy" outside, hmm?

Namica: It's already done, sir. Judging from the time its maintenance will take, the Psyco Gundam should be ready for battle in ten hours, sir.

And indeed, in a hangar just nearby the Sudry, some Titan engineers and techies were doing some inspections and technical and mechanical maintenance--more like a major overhaul--of what looked like an immensely *monstrous* ebony Gundam-type variable mobile suit of adamantine armor and unknown capabilities. One would have to wonder what kind of people *were* in the Federation and the Titans to make such a grotesque weapon of warfare.

Wooder: (looks out his window and smirks) Quite a fitting weapon for such a cold-hearted individual like Four here, am I right Professor Cornell?

Namica: (looks out the window) Indeed.

Four: .....


To be continued
---

Hi again. I know it's been a long time since I've updated, but you couldn't really blame me for I had a lot of things to be busy with lately (primarily college), more so because I'll be graduating from my Diplomacy major in Foreign Service in March. So you can expect slow updates from this chapter onwards. I'm very sorry, but that's life. You just get to be *too* busy sometimes with things around you, you know? I'm sure you, the reader, know that annoying feeling.

I've also been busy with some other stuff in my life...but I'd rather keep it to myself rather than babble and rant all about it here. God knows if you'd also want to pry in on my private life. Leave me alone, please. But please don't leave my fanfic unread, though. You, reader, are just one of my sources of inspiration as with a lot of other things, the greatest of them all being my girlfriend in Adelaide. I'll always love you, sweetie. :)

Anyway, I'll still be writing though I'll be busy with school for the next few months. Please be patient as Act 6 is going to be out soon. Again, C&C's are welcome, NO FLAMES PLEASE. Until then, "Believe in the sign of ZETA...beyond the hard times from now."