Chapter 3: Perhaps There is Hope
The phone rang in the Katsuragi residence. Shinji rowed over and nearly fell off the couch but caught the edge and managed to stay on. Misato got out of her room and picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Major Katsuragi, the Second Child is awake."
"Oh! I'll be done as soon as possible."
There was a click. Misato put down the phone.
"Shinji, Asuka's awake," she said, "I'm going down to NERV. You and Rei stay here and no funny business!"
She delivered the last remark with a smile. Shinji smiled back and nodded. He set out to start making breakfast. Rei didn't eat meat, so he made some vegetable sandwiches and some soup for her.
Asuka was sitting up on the bed when Misato came in.
"Asuka, how are you?"
Asuka was silent. Not good, Misato thought. Maybe the news would cheer her up.
"Asuka, I need you to pilot Unit 02."
Asuka's head snapped up and looked at Misato.
"What?"
"I need you to pilot Unit 02," she repeated.
"I can't," said Asuka, "I can't sync with it."
"Yes you can. You can't give up on me like this Asuka."
"Why not! Shinji's the only important one around here!"
Misato had it. She slapped Asuka hard across the face.
"Asuka! Get this through! Shinji is not the only important one here! What if he has a higher sync rate! He is who he is, and you are who you are! You don't have to compare yourself to others!"
For Asuka's part, she was just stunned that Misato had slapped her. Her face turned to face Misato. There was a very surprised look on her face. Suddenly she leapt at Misato, screaming in rage.
"I hate you! I hate all of you!"
She tried to hit Misato, but the major was able to block them with little effort.
"Damn it Asuka, I don't have time for this! We need you to pilot Unit 02! Do it or we have to go with Rei!"
That stopped her.
"Wondergirl's been using my unit? I hate her!"
"Asuka, let it go already. Either you agree to pilot or we'll have to go with Rei."
Asuka's head dropped. She seemed to be fighting.
"Fine. As long as Wondergirl doesn't touch my unit again."
"I suggest you get used to Rei," said Misato, "Shinji invited her to stay with us."
"What! Why would that idiot want her when he has m-" She stopped herself before she let anymore out.
"What was that?" Misato had caught it as well.
"Nothing," Asuka mumbled.
Misato decided not to push it. This wasn't the time.
"Let's go."
"To where?" snarled Asuka.
"Where else? Home."
"With Wondergirl?"
"Asuka, you may not like Rei, you can't do anything about it. Now, let's go."
"Humph. I hope Wondergirl's had fun sleeping on the couch."
"She's using Shinji's room. He' sleeping on the couch."
"What! Why should Shinji be nice to her!"
"She saved his life when she self-destructed Unit 00. Shinji remembers that, and he is going to do what he can to repay that debt."
Misato got up and started leaving. When Asuka didn't move, Misato didn't bother to stop and turn around. That prompted Asuka to get up and follow. They got in Misato's car and drove back to the apartment. The drive back was silent. Asuka didn't say anything, and Misato didn't have anything else to say to Asuka. Hopefully Shinji could save Asuka from herself.
The members of the Japanese government were in a very important meeting. They would have to decide whether to help NERV and accept control over it, or if the rumors were true.
"Why would NERV want to initiate the Third Impact?" said one minister.
"The Human Instrumentality Project," said another, "It was in Agent Ryoji's report. Unfortunately, he is dead."
"According to our only remaining source, NERV did not terminate him," this was the Intelligence minister, "We believe there is another force behind all of this. Perhaps it is they who want to seize control of NERV."
"But what are we to do? We cannot allow the Third Impact to occur."
"No indeed," said the Intelligence minister, "Our agent is working to figure out how they intend to initiate the Third Impact. However, he is having little success. The files are too heavily classified."
"Is there anyone else we can approach?" asked the Defense minister.
The Intelligence minister thought for a few seconds. Then nodded.
"The lover of the late Kaji Ryoji. Major Misato Katsuragi."
"Katsuragi? The daughter of the leader of the Katsuragi Expedition?"
"Yes," said the Intelligence minister, "We may be able to approach her. We must keep the Third Impact from occurring."
The agent couldn't believe his eyes. The orders were ridiculous. Or were they? The Intelligence minister was not a fool, and perhaps there was something in all this madness. Well, he'd have to work on this. He finished the other paperwork and went to his car. He would soon be at the Katsuragi residence.
The doorbell rang at the apartment.
"I'll get it!" said Misato. That was hardly necessary. After a very loud argument with Shinji, Asuka had gone to her room and had stayed there. Rei was reading in the living room and Shinji was napping on the couch, though why he did was a mystery to her. It wasn't like he needed that much sleep.
She opened the door and found Ryan Evans, the head of Section 2 standing outside.
"Yes?"
"Major Katsuragi, I have reason to believe there is a leak in NERV. I need to speak with you regarding this."
Misato was now wishing she had her gun. "Just give me a second."
"Now Major."
Misato stopped for a few seconds, then nodded. The two went down to the parking lot.
"I know who the leak is, but it isn't you," he said, "In fact, I'm supposed to make you into one."
Misato gave him a look.
"The Japanese government placed several agents into NERV. There were a total of five. Four of them are dead."
"And you're the last one?" she said. Not a question.
"Yes. However, understand this. NERV did not kill Kaji. I would have known if they did."
"Now why should I believe you?"
"I'm trying to prevent the attack on NERV that will come," said Evans, "You may not understand my motives, but I am trying to prevent the Third Impact. In order to do so, I need to know what must be destroyed to do that. I don't have enough sources in NERV to find out. You, however, do. Or you might."
"You think Kaji left behind his information to me."
"Yes," said Evans, "If we knew what to destroy, NERV would not be able to initiate the Third Impact. That is the only way."
Misato looked at him for a few quiet seconds. Perhaps she had another ally in NERV.
"I can't promise anything."
"I know, I might be just bait to lure you out so that Section 2 can take care of you. However, don't forget that I am Section 2. Call me at this number."
He gave her a slip of paper and got into his car and drove off. Misato looked after the car as disappeared from view. This agent of the Japanese government had been careful. He had managed to survive this long and still also become the head of Section 2. Now, he was working to prevent the Third Impact from within and need her help. What was she to do? Well, maybe she should help him. She went back upstairs and peeked into the apartment.
"Rei, tell Shinji and Asuka if they ask that I've gone back to NERV."
"Yes ma'am."
She went down to her car and drove to NERV. She found Makoto at his terminal.
"Makoto, I need some help," she said quietly.
"What is it."
"I need you to hack some files for me," she said.
"Just tell me which ones and I'll see what I can do."
"Don't put yourself at any risk," said Misato.
"Yes ma'am."
Misato then walked around NERV. She had seen Adam down in Dogma. Was Adam the key? Perhaps. Where was Ritsuko? She knew more than she ever told her. That was a fact. Perhaps she knew something more. Most likely she did.
At the moment, Ritsuko was deep underground working on the second dummy plug system. She really didn't have any choice in the matter. However, this time, the dummy plugs weren't going to be Rei. They would be someone else. She smiled slightly at the irony. NERV's greatest enemy would now be one of its greatest assets.
End of Chapter 3
Maybe get another chapter up before no longer have access to computer. Maybe.
The phone rang in the Katsuragi residence. Shinji rowed over and nearly fell off the couch but caught the edge and managed to stay on. Misato got out of her room and picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Major Katsuragi, the Second Child is awake."
"Oh! I'll be done as soon as possible."
There was a click. Misato put down the phone.
"Shinji, Asuka's awake," she said, "I'm going down to NERV. You and Rei stay here and no funny business!"
She delivered the last remark with a smile. Shinji smiled back and nodded. He set out to start making breakfast. Rei didn't eat meat, so he made some vegetable sandwiches and some soup for her.
Asuka was sitting up on the bed when Misato came in.
"Asuka, how are you?"
Asuka was silent. Not good, Misato thought. Maybe the news would cheer her up.
"Asuka, I need you to pilot Unit 02."
Asuka's head snapped up and looked at Misato.
"What?"
"I need you to pilot Unit 02," she repeated.
"I can't," said Asuka, "I can't sync with it."
"Yes you can. You can't give up on me like this Asuka."
"Why not! Shinji's the only important one around here!"
Misato had it. She slapped Asuka hard across the face.
"Asuka! Get this through! Shinji is not the only important one here! What if he has a higher sync rate! He is who he is, and you are who you are! You don't have to compare yourself to others!"
For Asuka's part, she was just stunned that Misato had slapped her. Her face turned to face Misato. There was a very surprised look on her face. Suddenly she leapt at Misato, screaming in rage.
"I hate you! I hate all of you!"
She tried to hit Misato, but the major was able to block them with little effort.
"Damn it Asuka, I don't have time for this! We need you to pilot Unit 02! Do it or we have to go with Rei!"
That stopped her.
"Wondergirl's been using my unit? I hate her!"
"Asuka, let it go already. Either you agree to pilot or we'll have to go with Rei."
Asuka's head dropped. She seemed to be fighting.
"Fine. As long as Wondergirl doesn't touch my unit again."
"I suggest you get used to Rei," said Misato, "Shinji invited her to stay with us."
"What! Why would that idiot want her when he has m-" She stopped herself before she let anymore out.
"What was that?" Misato had caught it as well.
"Nothing," Asuka mumbled.
Misato decided not to push it. This wasn't the time.
"Let's go."
"To where?" snarled Asuka.
"Where else? Home."
"With Wondergirl?"
"Asuka, you may not like Rei, you can't do anything about it. Now, let's go."
"Humph. I hope Wondergirl's had fun sleeping on the couch."
"She's using Shinji's room. He' sleeping on the couch."
"What! Why should Shinji be nice to her!"
"She saved his life when she self-destructed Unit 00. Shinji remembers that, and he is going to do what he can to repay that debt."
Misato got up and started leaving. When Asuka didn't move, Misato didn't bother to stop and turn around. That prompted Asuka to get up and follow. They got in Misato's car and drove back to the apartment. The drive back was silent. Asuka didn't say anything, and Misato didn't have anything else to say to Asuka. Hopefully Shinji could save Asuka from herself.
The members of the Japanese government were in a very important meeting. They would have to decide whether to help NERV and accept control over it, or if the rumors were true.
"Why would NERV want to initiate the Third Impact?" said one minister.
"The Human Instrumentality Project," said another, "It was in Agent Ryoji's report. Unfortunately, he is dead."
"According to our only remaining source, NERV did not terminate him," this was the Intelligence minister, "We believe there is another force behind all of this. Perhaps it is they who want to seize control of NERV."
"But what are we to do? We cannot allow the Third Impact to occur."
"No indeed," said the Intelligence minister, "Our agent is working to figure out how they intend to initiate the Third Impact. However, he is having little success. The files are too heavily classified."
"Is there anyone else we can approach?" asked the Defense minister.
The Intelligence minister thought for a few seconds. Then nodded.
"The lover of the late Kaji Ryoji. Major Misato Katsuragi."
"Katsuragi? The daughter of the leader of the Katsuragi Expedition?"
"Yes," said the Intelligence minister, "We may be able to approach her. We must keep the Third Impact from occurring."
The agent couldn't believe his eyes. The orders were ridiculous. Or were they? The Intelligence minister was not a fool, and perhaps there was something in all this madness. Well, he'd have to work on this. He finished the other paperwork and went to his car. He would soon be at the Katsuragi residence.
The doorbell rang at the apartment.
"I'll get it!" said Misato. That was hardly necessary. After a very loud argument with Shinji, Asuka had gone to her room and had stayed there. Rei was reading in the living room and Shinji was napping on the couch, though why he did was a mystery to her. It wasn't like he needed that much sleep.
She opened the door and found Ryan Evans, the head of Section 2 standing outside.
"Yes?"
"Major Katsuragi, I have reason to believe there is a leak in NERV. I need to speak with you regarding this."
Misato was now wishing she had her gun. "Just give me a second."
"Now Major."
Misato stopped for a few seconds, then nodded. The two went down to the parking lot.
"I know who the leak is, but it isn't you," he said, "In fact, I'm supposed to make you into one."
Misato gave him a look.
"The Japanese government placed several agents into NERV. There were a total of five. Four of them are dead."
"And you're the last one?" she said. Not a question.
"Yes. However, understand this. NERV did not kill Kaji. I would have known if they did."
"Now why should I believe you?"
"I'm trying to prevent the attack on NERV that will come," said Evans, "You may not understand my motives, but I am trying to prevent the Third Impact. In order to do so, I need to know what must be destroyed to do that. I don't have enough sources in NERV to find out. You, however, do. Or you might."
"You think Kaji left behind his information to me."
"Yes," said Evans, "If we knew what to destroy, NERV would not be able to initiate the Third Impact. That is the only way."
Misato looked at him for a few quiet seconds. Perhaps she had another ally in NERV.
"I can't promise anything."
"I know, I might be just bait to lure you out so that Section 2 can take care of you. However, don't forget that I am Section 2. Call me at this number."
He gave her a slip of paper and got into his car and drove off. Misato looked after the car as disappeared from view. This agent of the Japanese government had been careful. He had managed to survive this long and still also become the head of Section 2. Now, he was working to prevent the Third Impact from within and need her help. What was she to do? Well, maybe she should help him. She went back upstairs and peeked into the apartment.
"Rei, tell Shinji and Asuka if they ask that I've gone back to NERV."
"Yes ma'am."
She went down to her car and drove to NERV. She found Makoto at his terminal.
"Makoto, I need some help," she said quietly.
"What is it."
"I need you to hack some files for me," she said.
"Just tell me which ones and I'll see what I can do."
"Don't put yourself at any risk," said Misato.
"Yes ma'am."
Misato then walked around NERV. She had seen Adam down in Dogma. Was Adam the key? Perhaps. Where was Ritsuko? She knew more than she ever told her. That was a fact. Perhaps she knew something more. Most likely she did.
At the moment, Ritsuko was deep underground working on the second dummy plug system. She really didn't have any choice in the matter. However, this time, the dummy plugs weren't going to be Rei. They would be someone else. She smiled slightly at the irony. NERV's greatest enemy would now be one of its greatest assets.
End of Chapter 3
Maybe get another chapter up before no longer have access to computer. Maybe.