I know many of you are questioning the need for this stance with the US
being so powerful, but it was necessary at the beginning to get the story
started. Here's where the fun starts. And as to the other countries not
sending military escorts, the main reason was I don't know much about
France's Special Forces and China doesn't have a fancy name for them or
anything. And yes, I'm ignorant of politics. I'm one of those people that
see most politicians as people just trying to maneuver for power and such.
I don't believe all of them are, but many. Also, the Russians not having
guards on the freighter transporting Unit 14 was because NERV didn't want
them on.
Flight
Chapter 6: Surprise, Surprise
"General! Get out of there!"
Shinji had just enough time to see the massive creature when it raised its arm and opened fire. He shielded his head with his arms and a blue explosion erupted when the positron beam struck. The entire inspection team disappeared.
============================================================================
The soldiers in the main office all noticed the commotion at the MAGIs.
"Take Commander Katsuragi into custody!" Mark screamed.
The troops all approached Misato but the NERV guards moved to block them.
"I wouldn't suggest that," said Misato, "Adam is very capable of initiating another disaster that is the magnitude of the Second Impact. How many people will live after that? Not many, if there are survivors at all. Are you willing to risk that?"
The UN soldiers looked at each other nervously.
"Move out," Mark finally ordered, "This isn't over, Commander Katsuragi. You've killed Americans, and that will not be forgotten."
The escorts pulled out and the Rangers that had originally been stationed in NERV retreated as well. The last one that left the main office stared at the command staff and looked as if he would actually open fire, but he left as well. Misato let out a sigh of relief. It was short-lived as Asuka turned around and punched her right in the jaw. Misato lost her balance and fell to the ground. The NERV soldiers immediately seized Asuka and held her. Toji already had his pistol out but hadn't raised it yet. It was pretty obvious who he would point it at.
"So commander," said Toji, "You're willing to kill Shinji to achieve your ends."
"No one is irreplaceable," said Misato.
"Hmm. Well, I guess the only question right now is whether I kill you or not."
"You wouldn't dare. Killing me will force Adam to initiate another Second Impact."
Toji stopped raising his gun and finally put it away after staring at Misato for a very long time. During that time no one dared say a word.
"There is actually another question," said Kensuke, "Who has changed more, Shinji or you?"
"That is a matter of perspective," said Misato, "Guards, return Dr. Soryu to the brig. Maybe this time she'll actually learn some respect."
The guards dragged Asuka away, who was still staring defiantly at Misato. Misato didn't seem fazed at all and turned her attention to the rest of the staff.
"I'll expect all of you to fall in line now," she said, "Shinji is dead, and that's that. The dummy plug program has been completed, as has construction of Adam. It is time we moved onto the final stage."
"But we're not ready," said Hikari, "and Asuka is the only one that can initiate the procedure!"
Toji didn't like the sound of this. Apparently they'd hidden something else from him. He looked over at Kensuke but found his friend unwilling to look him in the eye. There were too many secrets today. Then Misato looked over at Rei and for some reason Toji felt his blood go cold.
"Asuka is not the only one that can initiate the communications procedure, isn't that right, Lilith?"
Toji felt disbelief wash into him. He had read the briefing of all of the Angels, and knew that Lilith was the second Angel and the mother of humanity. If what Misato was saying was correct, Rei was the mother of humanity. But that was impossible.
"You promised," Rei muttered.
"You will initiate the procedure," said Misato, "We will begin in two hours."
Toji saw tears run down Rei's face. So it was true. Misato was hurting anyone she needed to in order to succeed. Toji had to find a way to stop it, but he needed to make sure Adam didn't destroy the whole world after he had shot Misato.
============================================================================
"So NERV has Adam," the president said.
"Yes sir," Colonel Walters replied, "They've killed General Richards and the rest of the inspections. Unfortunately, we can't move against them without having to deal with Adam or facing another Second Impact."
The president sighed. "This will not go unopposed. They've killed Americans and we will do everything in our power to disable NERV. What are our options?"
"We must disable Adam," said Walters, "Unfortunately, none of our agents in NERV have the ability to do so."
"What about the Japanese?"
"You'll have to ask officially," said Walters, "I don't have that authority, and General Richards is dead."
"Of course. Was a body recovered?"
"No. They were completely vaporized."
"NERV will pay," said the president.
============================================================================
The United Nations meeting was even more confusing than the last. Finally Karina got the crowd settled down.
"Ladies and gentlemen," said Larson, "I regret to inform the council the death of Major General Sam Richards, of the United States of America. He and the other UN inspectors were killed by NERV, who now we have learned has possession of Adam, the first Angel."
"This cannot be allowed," said Hikowa, "NERV must surrender Adam immediately."
"NERV will do no such thing," said the ambassador, "Adam is our only asset, and we will not give it up willingly. Unless you want to risk the massacre of the rest of the world, I suggest you not attempt to take it."
"Is that a threat?" Blair asked.
"Indeed it is," the NERV ambassador replied, "Let me make myself clear. NERV will not allow outsiders to disrupt our operations. NERV is an independent organization."
"And where exactly will you get your funding?" Jacques asked.
"This is the message from Commander Katsuragi. Every month, NERV is to receive ten million dollars or else a major city will be destroyed. The first target would be Neo-New York. We also require the return of the personnel that the United States took when they attacked the freighter."
"That's a declaration of war!" Larson exclaimed.
"So it is," said the ambassador, "However, who will win that war? NERV will, and either you pay or be responsible for the death of millions."
This shut up the rest of the council. This was something none of them had expected and certainly put a twist to everything.
============================================================================
"Are we ready?" Misato asked.
"Yes," Makoto replied reluctantly, "Commander, are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Just do what you're ordered to," Misato replied.
The two techs typed in their commands and waited for Rei to finish it. Both looked as her as she carefully considered the odd symbols on it. Rei finally chose two dozen symbols and entered them. Adam was outside standing in one of the city parks. Suddenly a massive white beam of light shot out from it. It became a large cross. After about twenty seconds, it finally dissipated. Misato looked over at Rei.
"It's done," she said, "It's on their way."
Misato nodded and then smiled.
"After this long, we will gain access to the tool that the Angels used to create humanity."
Rei looked like she wanted to die. She quickly ran out of the main office, crying.
"What is coming?" Hikari asked.
"Noah's Ark."
============================================================================
Sarah. Sarah. Misato. William. Bart. Zach. Were they dead? Yes. They were. Sarah. Jessica. Where was Jessica? It had to end. It had to end. Jessica. I'm sorry.
============================================================================
"Suzuhara, can you come and look at this?"
Toji walked over and looked over Maya's shoulder.
"What am I looking at?" he asked.
"This was when Adam opened fire on Ikari."
"I really don't need to see this," said Toji.
"Wait," Maya urged him, "Look closer. See that light blue spot?"
"Yeah. Isn't it just the positron beam?"
"No," said Maya, "There's more. The sensors in Central Dogma detected a blue energy pattern."
"What?"
"It sensed another AT-Field, aside from Adam's."
"Could it have been Shinji's?"
"I don't know," said Maya, "I had always thought only Angels could make an AT-Field manifest physically, and that humans needed an EVA to do so."
"But what else can it be? And I'm not sure it did any good. Shinji still died."
"I know," said Maya, "but something happened and I don't know what it was. But I get the feeling that it was important."
"Let's hope so," said Toji, "but right now we do have to kind of worry about this Noah's Ark."
"Of course."
Toji stood up straight again and walked over to Hikari. He put a hand on her shoulder and she looked up and smiled at him. These were bad times, and all of them needed some glimpse of hope in order to carry on.
Suddenly alarms activated throughout the complex.
"What's going on?" Misato demanded.
"Unit 01 is breaking loose," Maya reported, "It's broken off all of the restraints and is wrecking the storage bay. It just broke down the wall!"
"That wall was eight feet of titanium alloy," said Misato, "How did it break through so easily?"
"Sensors detect high concentrations of energy," said Maya, "I don't know how this is possible, but Unit 01 is focusing energy into a powerful beam. The energy is as strong as Zeruel's."
"But that shouldn't be possible," said Misato, "Unit 01 was never equipped with that kind of weapon."
"I'm not detecting any kind of mechanical add-on that would allow Unit 01 to do this," said Makoto, "I think it's because of the S2 engine. Somehow the S2 has caused the growth of this weapon."
"Activate Adam," said Misato, "Order it to destroy Unit 01."
"Commander?"
"You heard me correctly lieutenant. Now do it."
"Yes ma'am."
============================================================================
Adam had settled down after firing on Shinji and the others. Now its eyes opened and the massive creature got off its platform and walked into the massive lake of LCL. It was walking through the blood of its daughter, Lilith. Deep down, Adam was quite aware of what the humans had done to it. It was not angry with the Lillium, just annoyed. To think that they could control the power that had created them was laughable. Adam bid its time. It was ultimately patient and would strike when it was ready. Also, it was not alone in its fight.
The beast approached Heaven's Gate and halted. The two massive doors opened and allowed the creature to walk out. It used one of the massive conduits and floated up using its AT-Field. The space was too constricting for its wings. It landed in one of the storage areas and walked towards Unit 01. The EVA had thoroughly wrecked a large part of NERV. Adam held the Lance and prepared to engage the EVA.
Unit 01 seemed to notice Adam and turned to face it. The two massive beasts stared at each other for a few seconds before both deactivated.
============================================================================
"What happened!" Misato screamed, "Why did Adam deactivate!"
"Some kind of signal was sent to Adam from Unit 01," said Maya, "It shut down Adam's main control protocols."
"I thought those protocols could not be effected without going through the dummy plug," Misato said to Hikari.
"They can't," said Hikari, "Unless Asuka put in some kind of bypass circuit for emergencies. But I seriously doubt she could have done it secretly."
"Is there any other explanation?" Misato asked.
"The dummy plug system itself was contaminated," said Maya, "Theoretically, it would be possible to overload and damage the dummy plug system enough so that the signal wouldn't have to go through it."
"How would that be accomplished?"
"There are actually many ways," said Maya, "Unfortunately, how and if Unit 01 used any, we don't know."
"Find out," Misato ordered.
"Yes ma'am."
"Commander."
Misato turned and faced Toji.
"You planned for all of this to happen, didn't you?"
"Of course."
"Everything, from the capture of Unit 14 to the inspections. Why?"
"Because Shinji was very capable of destroying NERV like he promised," said Misato, "He is now out of the way and we can proceed however we want."
"That was a rather cruel way to go about it," said Hikari.
"You saw how Shinji acted," said Misato, "Do you really believe he would have stood aside?"
"Commander," said Makoto, "Unit 01 just sent a transmission."
"Where is its destination?" Misato asked.
"I don't know. I couldn't trace it."
============================================================================
Military officers were compiling data collected from the MAGI computers. Even though it was most likely false data, some of it might be useful. Suddenly a message popped up on all of the screens.
"What the hell?" said General Christopher, "Colonel, where is that coming from?"
"Origin is Japan," the colonel replied, "It's from, General Sam Richards."
"When was the message sent?" Christopher asked.
"Just a few minutes ago," the colonel replied, this time a bit more uncertain.
"That's impossible," said Chris, "Sam was killed by Adam. How could he have sent this?"
"Sir, I really think you should read this."
Chris leaned over and looked at the screen.
Adam is not capable of causing another Second Impact currently. It took Adam five thousand years to gather the energy needed to trigger it and therefore it does not have the power to do it again so soon. NERV is bluffing. However, NERV does have the capability to take out Neo-New York. They control an intercontinental ballistic missile armed with a fifteen megaton N2 warhead. That threat can be neutralized by the laser defense network around New York. As my last operation order, I request that the Pentagon approve a full-out assault of NERV. All personnel that surrender will be treated as prisoners-of-war while those that resist should be killed. The United States must act within two weeks or else all is lost.
Major General Sam Richards, United States Army
"Fuck," said Chris, "Send a copy to the president. Send an order to our forces in Japan and tell them to stop packing up and prepare for a possible assault of Tokyo 4! Get on it!"
============================================================================
"Any progress on reactivating Adam?" Misato asked.
"No," said Makoto, "Something is interfering with the activation signal we send it and we don't know how to punch through it. It might be Unit 01, but we are detecting anything."
"Commander, Unit 01 is moving again."
Misato raised her head and looked at the massive creature start to move away from Adam. It headed for the shaft Adam had used and started floating down.
"Where is it going?" Misato asked.
"Perhaps Central Dogma," Hikari suggested, "I'm not completely sure."
Unit 01 suddenly stopped on a level and broke through the armored wall. It then walked in, getting onto its stomach to fit. After tearing the ceiling apart, it managed to move around a bit easier. After crawling through two large rooms, it smashed the door of the main storage facility.
"What is it going after?" Misato asked out loud.
Unit 01 suddenly grabbed the core of Unit 02 and pulled out.
"What use is that?" said Hikari, "The core is just a massive piece of crystal."
"Commander, something is overriding our command protocols," said Maya, "Unit 01 appears to be returning to the hanger. Wait, one of the entry plugs is activating. I think it's going to be placed inside Unit 01."
"Commander Katsuragi," a voice boomed.
Misato spun around, trying to find the source of the voice.
"I'm rather surprised you don't recognize my voice."
Misato's eyes narrowed and they suddenly went wide.
"Shinji?"
"Correct, in a manner. Ms Ibuki. You're to be commended. I hadn't thought it was possible for NERV to detect my use of an AT-Field. Apparently, I was wrong."
"What do you want?" Misato demanded.
"It's more like what I'm going to do when I get my hands on you. I suggest you bring Asuka up from the brig."
Misato nodded to two NERV guards and they went down to fetch her.
"So tell me, how did you survive?"
"Remember the Sea of Dirac?" Shinji asked.
"Of course."
"Well, you might say I escaped to there. It's a real wonder what an inverted AT-Field can do. So Commander Katsuragi. Are you prepared to face the consequences of your actions?"
"It is more like the fruits of my labors," Misato countered, "Tell me Shinji, have you ever wanted to get someone back that you loved?"
"Of course, as have you."
"Well naturally. Both of us have been very alone for a long time. What would you do to get that person back?"
"I would kill."
"As would I. You see, are we that different?"
"Yes," Shinji replied, "I have not taken a life yet. You, on the other hand, did kill someone I loved."
"But she can be brought back," said Misato, "With Noah's Ark, she can be brought back."
Hikari gasped while everyone else's mouths dropped.
"That's impossible," said Toji, "bringing back the dead."
"Your arm could be healed," Misato said to him, "It would be easy for the Ark to do."
"And that's why you did all this?" said Maya, "to get back someone you loved?"
"You could say that," said Misato.
Just then, Asuka was escorted in by the NERV guards.
"Asuka also has someone she wants back besides you," Misato continued, noticing Asuka's flinch, "Her mother, Kyoko Soryu."
"I am perfectly aware of that," said Shinji, "and I also want my mother back."
"Shinji?" said Asuka, "Where are you? You're alive?"
"He's alive," said Misato, "and still trying to stop me even though he could have whatever he wanted if I succeed."
"What?"
"Katsuragi is correct," said Shinji, "However, you forgot about one thing. I don't need Noah's Ark to bring back my mother, or Asuka's for that matter."
"Even if you could," said Misato, "You couldn't bring back whoever else you lost. Death is permanent."
"Indeed," said Shinji, "and for you, it will be more than just permanent. It will be damning."
There was a click and the audio systems returned to normal.
"The entry plug as been inserted into Unit 01," said Maya, "It's doing something to Unit 02's core."
"What!" Asuka screamed, "What's it doing with Mother's core!"
"I don't know," said Misato, "However, all I can hope for is the best."
Orange-colored triangles appeared and covered Unit 01. They then seemed to fold into each other and within seconds Unit 01 had disappeared.
"Where did it go with Mother's core!" Asuka demanded.
"An inverted AT-Field," said Hikari, "He used that to transport Unit 01 out of here."
"He has to be stopped," said Misato.
Suddenly the entire installation shook.
"What the hell was that?" said Misato.
"American troops are attacking!" Makoto reported, "US forces just blew apart most of our sensors and radar systems. Ground troops are entering NERV now."
"They wouldn't dare," said Misato, "This must be some kind of mistake."
"So Misato," said Toji, "Are you going to initiate another Second Impact?"
Misato glared at Toji before moving to one of the consoles.
"No. I'm destroying New York."
She tapped in a command and an underwater missile silo activated. A few seconds later the missile was launched.
============================================================================
"Ladies and gentlemen of the United Nations," said Larson, "at this moment United States ground troops are storming NERV and preparing to seize control of the entire facility. From intelligence that General Sam Richards provided us, we have learned that Adam is currently incapable of initiating another Second Impact. NERV will pay for what it did and the United States of American will dispense justice."
"Mr. Ambassador," said the NERV representative, "are you truly willing to risk that on information a dead general provided?"
"We will soon find out if General Richards is right," said Larson, "If NERV really has the guts to initiate another Second Impact, then we'll know in a few seconds. If not, we win and NERV is finished."
============================================================================
"Is Adam active yet?" Misato asked.
"Yes."
"Order it to destroy the US forces in and around Tokyo 4. Now."
"Commander?"
"Do it!"
Makoto sent the order but soon found himself doubting the wisdom of it. Perhaps this time NERV would really be finished.
End of Chapter 6
Scared you for a second, didn't I? Well, Shinji's still well and alive, though he's kind of without a body right now. It'll soon be time for Jessica to take on a more, active role in this story. Also, I didn't do much in the way of rereading and editing, so don't expect much.
Z98
Flight
Chapter 6: Surprise, Surprise
"General! Get out of there!"
Shinji had just enough time to see the massive creature when it raised its arm and opened fire. He shielded his head with his arms and a blue explosion erupted when the positron beam struck. The entire inspection team disappeared.
============================================================================
The soldiers in the main office all noticed the commotion at the MAGIs.
"Take Commander Katsuragi into custody!" Mark screamed.
The troops all approached Misato but the NERV guards moved to block them.
"I wouldn't suggest that," said Misato, "Adam is very capable of initiating another disaster that is the magnitude of the Second Impact. How many people will live after that? Not many, if there are survivors at all. Are you willing to risk that?"
The UN soldiers looked at each other nervously.
"Move out," Mark finally ordered, "This isn't over, Commander Katsuragi. You've killed Americans, and that will not be forgotten."
The escorts pulled out and the Rangers that had originally been stationed in NERV retreated as well. The last one that left the main office stared at the command staff and looked as if he would actually open fire, but he left as well. Misato let out a sigh of relief. It was short-lived as Asuka turned around and punched her right in the jaw. Misato lost her balance and fell to the ground. The NERV soldiers immediately seized Asuka and held her. Toji already had his pistol out but hadn't raised it yet. It was pretty obvious who he would point it at.
"So commander," said Toji, "You're willing to kill Shinji to achieve your ends."
"No one is irreplaceable," said Misato.
"Hmm. Well, I guess the only question right now is whether I kill you or not."
"You wouldn't dare. Killing me will force Adam to initiate another Second Impact."
Toji stopped raising his gun and finally put it away after staring at Misato for a very long time. During that time no one dared say a word.
"There is actually another question," said Kensuke, "Who has changed more, Shinji or you?"
"That is a matter of perspective," said Misato, "Guards, return Dr. Soryu to the brig. Maybe this time she'll actually learn some respect."
The guards dragged Asuka away, who was still staring defiantly at Misato. Misato didn't seem fazed at all and turned her attention to the rest of the staff.
"I'll expect all of you to fall in line now," she said, "Shinji is dead, and that's that. The dummy plug program has been completed, as has construction of Adam. It is time we moved onto the final stage."
"But we're not ready," said Hikari, "and Asuka is the only one that can initiate the procedure!"
Toji didn't like the sound of this. Apparently they'd hidden something else from him. He looked over at Kensuke but found his friend unwilling to look him in the eye. There were too many secrets today. Then Misato looked over at Rei and for some reason Toji felt his blood go cold.
"Asuka is not the only one that can initiate the communications procedure, isn't that right, Lilith?"
Toji felt disbelief wash into him. He had read the briefing of all of the Angels, and knew that Lilith was the second Angel and the mother of humanity. If what Misato was saying was correct, Rei was the mother of humanity. But that was impossible.
"You promised," Rei muttered.
"You will initiate the procedure," said Misato, "We will begin in two hours."
Toji saw tears run down Rei's face. So it was true. Misato was hurting anyone she needed to in order to succeed. Toji had to find a way to stop it, but he needed to make sure Adam didn't destroy the whole world after he had shot Misato.
============================================================================
"So NERV has Adam," the president said.
"Yes sir," Colonel Walters replied, "They've killed General Richards and the rest of the inspections. Unfortunately, we can't move against them without having to deal with Adam or facing another Second Impact."
The president sighed. "This will not go unopposed. They've killed Americans and we will do everything in our power to disable NERV. What are our options?"
"We must disable Adam," said Walters, "Unfortunately, none of our agents in NERV have the ability to do so."
"What about the Japanese?"
"You'll have to ask officially," said Walters, "I don't have that authority, and General Richards is dead."
"Of course. Was a body recovered?"
"No. They were completely vaporized."
"NERV will pay," said the president.
============================================================================
The United Nations meeting was even more confusing than the last. Finally Karina got the crowd settled down.
"Ladies and gentlemen," said Larson, "I regret to inform the council the death of Major General Sam Richards, of the United States of America. He and the other UN inspectors were killed by NERV, who now we have learned has possession of Adam, the first Angel."
"This cannot be allowed," said Hikowa, "NERV must surrender Adam immediately."
"NERV will do no such thing," said the ambassador, "Adam is our only asset, and we will not give it up willingly. Unless you want to risk the massacre of the rest of the world, I suggest you not attempt to take it."
"Is that a threat?" Blair asked.
"Indeed it is," the NERV ambassador replied, "Let me make myself clear. NERV will not allow outsiders to disrupt our operations. NERV is an independent organization."
"And where exactly will you get your funding?" Jacques asked.
"This is the message from Commander Katsuragi. Every month, NERV is to receive ten million dollars or else a major city will be destroyed. The first target would be Neo-New York. We also require the return of the personnel that the United States took when they attacked the freighter."
"That's a declaration of war!" Larson exclaimed.
"So it is," said the ambassador, "However, who will win that war? NERV will, and either you pay or be responsible for the death of millions."
This shut up the rest of the council. This was something none of them had expected and certainly put a twist to everything.
============================================================================
"Are we ready?" Misato asked.
"Yes," Makoto replied reluctantly, "Commander, are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Just do what you're ordered to," Misato replied.
The two techs typed in their commands and waited for Rei to finish it. Both looked as her as she carefully considered the odd symbols on it. Rei finally chose two dozen symbols and entered them. Adam was outside standing in one of the city parks. Suddenly a massive white beam of light shot out from it. It became a large cross. After about twenty seconds, it finally dissipated. Misato looked over at Rei.
"It's done," she said, "It's on their way."
Misato nodded and then smiled.
"After this long, we will gain access to the tool that the Angels used to create humanity."
Rei looked like she wanted to die. She quickly ran out of the main office, crying.
"What is coming?" Hikari asked.
"Noah's Ark."
============================================================================
Sarah. Sarah. Misato. William. Bart. Zach. Were they dead? Yes. They were. Sarah. Jessica. Where was Jessica? It had to end. It had to end. Jessica. I'm sorry.
============================================================================
"Suzuhara, can you come and look at this?"
Toji walked over and looked over Maya's shoulder.
"What am I looking at?" he asked.
"This was when Adam opened fire on Ikari."
"I really don't need to see this," said Toji.
"Wait," Maya urged him, "Look closer. See that light blue spot?"
"Yeah. Isn't it just the positron beam?"
"No," said Maya, "There's more. The sensors in Central Dogma detected a blue energy pattern."
"What?"
"It sensed another AT-Field, aside from Adam's."
"Could it have been Shinji's?"
"I don't know," said Maya, "I had always thought only Angels could make an AT-Field manifest physically, and that humans needed an EVA to do so."
"But what else can it be? And I'm not sure it did any good. Shinji still died."
"I know," said Maya, "but something happened and I don't know what it was. But I get the feeling that it was important."
"Let's hope so," said Toji, "but right now we do have to kind of worry about this Noah's Ark."
"Of course."
Toji stood up straight again and walked over to Hikari. He put a hand on her shoulder and she looked up and smiled at him. These were bad times, and all of them needed some glimpse of hope in order to carry on.
Suddenly alarms activated throughout the complex.
"What's going on?" Misato demanded.
"Unit 01 is breaking loose," Maya reported, "It's broken off all of the restraints and is wrecking the storage bay. It just broke down the wall!"
"That wall was eight feet of titanium alloy," said Misato, "How did it break through so easily?"
"Sensors detect high concentrations of energy," said Maya, "I don't know how this is possible, but Unit 01 is focusing energy into a powerful beam. The energy is as strong as Zeruel's."
"But that shouldn't be possible," said Misato, "Unit 01 was never equipped with that kind of weapon."
"I'm not detecting any kind of mechanical add-on that would allow Unit 01 to do this," said Makoto, "I think it's because of the S2 engine. Somehow the S2 has caused the growth of this weapon."
"Activate Adam," said Misato, "Order it to destroy Unit 01."
"Commander?"
"You heard me correctly lieutenant. Now do it."
"Yes ma'am."
============================================================================
Adam had settled down after firing on Shinji and the others. Now its eyes opened and the massive creature got off its platform and walked into the massive lake of LCL. It was walking through the blood of its daughter, Lilith. Deep down, Adam was quite aware of what the humans had done to it. It was not angry with the Lillium, just annoyed. To think that they could control the power that had created them was laughable. Adam bid its time. It was ultimately patient and would strike when it was ready. Also, it was not alone in its fight.
The beast approached Heaven's Gate and halted. The two massive doors opened and allowed the creature to walk out. It used one of the massive conduits and floated up using its AT-Field. The space was too constricting for its wings. It landed in one of the storage areas and walked towards Unit 01. The EVA had thoroughly wrecked a large part of NERV. Adam held the Lance and prepared to engage the EVA.
Unit 01 seemed to notice Adam and turned to face it. The two massive beasts stared at each other for a few seconds before both deactivated.
============================================================================
"What happened!" Misato screamed, "Why did Adam deactivate!"
"Some kind of signal was sent to Adam from Unit 01," said Maya, "It shut down Adam's main control protocols."
"I thought those protocols could not be effected without going through the dummy plug," Misato said to Hikari.
"They can't," said Hikari, "Unless Asuka put in some kind of bypass circuit for emergencies. But I seriously doubt she could have done it secretly."
"Is there any other explanation?" Misato asked.
"The dummy plug system itself was contaminated," said Maya, "Theoretically, it would be possible to overload and damage the dummy plug system enough so that the signal wouldn't have to go through it."
"How would that be accomplished?"
"There are actually many ways," said Maya, "Unfortunately, how and if Unit 01 used any, we don't know."
"Find out," Misato ordered.
"Yes ma'am."
"Commander."
Misato turned and faced Toji.
"You planned for all of this to happen, didn't you?"
"Of course."
"Everything, from the capture of Unit 14 to the inspections. Why?"
"Because Shinji was very capable of destroying NERV like he promised," said Misato, "He is now out of the way and we can proceed however we want."
"That was a rather cruel way to go about it," said Hikari.
"You saw how Shinji acted," said Misato, "Do you really believe he would have stood aside?"
"Commander," said Makoto, "Unit 01 just sent a transmission."
"Where is its destination?" Misato asked.
"I don't know. I couldn't trace it."
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Military officers were compiling data collected from the MAGI computers. Even though it was most likely false data, some of it might be useful. Suddenly a message popped up on all of the screens.
"What the hell?" said General Christopher, "Colonel, where is that coming from?"
"Origin is Japan," the colonel replied, "It's from, General Sam Richards."
"When was the message sent?" Christopher asked.
"Just a few minutes ago," the colonel replied, this time a bit more uncertain.
"That's impossible," said Chris, "Sam was killed by Adam. How could he have sent this?"
"Sir, I really think you should read this."
Chris leaned over and looked at the screen.
Adam is not capable of causing another Second Impact currently. It took Adam five thousand years to gather the energy needed to trigger it and therefore it does not have the power to do it again so soon. NERV is bluffing. However, NERV does have the capability to take out Neo-New York. They control an intercontinental ballistic missile armed with a fifteen megaton N2 warhead. That threat can be neutralized by the laser defense network around New York. As my last operation order, I request that the Pentagon approve a full-out assault of NERV. All personnel that surrender will be treated as prisoners-of-war while those that resist should be killed. The United States must act within two weeks or else all is lost.
Major General Sam Richards, United States Army
"Fuck," said Chris, "Send a copy to the president. Send an order to our forces in Japan and tell them to stop packing up and prepare for a possible assault of Tokyo 4! Get on it!"
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"Any progress on reactivating Adam?" Misato asked.
"No," said Makoto, "Something is interfering with the activation signal we send it and we don't know how to punch through it. It might be Unit 01, but we are detecting anything."
"Commander, Unit 01 is moving again."
Misato raised her head and looked at the massive creature start to move away from Adam. It headed for the shaft Adam had used and started floating down.
"Where is it going?" Misato asked.
"Perhaps Central Dogma," Hikari suggested, "I'm not completely sure."
Unit 01 suddenly stopped on a level and broke through the armored wall. It then walked in, getting onto its stomach to fit. After tearing the ceiling apart, it managed to move around a bit easier. After crawling through two large rooms, it smashed the door of the main storage facility.
"What is it going after?" Misato asked out loud.
Unit 01 suddenly grabbed the core of Unit 02 and pulled out.
"What use is that?" said Hikari, "The core is just a massive piece of crystal."
"Commander, something is overriding our command protocols," said Maya, "Unit 01 appears to be returning to the hanger. Wait, one of the entry plugs is activating. I think it's going to be placed inside Unit 01."
"Commander Katsuragi," a voice boomed.
Misato spun around, trying to find the source of the voice.
"I'm rather surprised you don't recognize my voice."
Misato's eyes narrowed and they suddenly went wide.
"Shinji?"
"Correct, in a manner. Ms Ibuki. You're to be commended. I hadn't thought it was possible for NERV to detect my use of an AT-Field. Apparently, I was wrong."
"What do you want?" Misato demanded.
"It's more like what I'm going to do when I get my hands on you. I suggest you bring Asuka up from the brig."
Misato nodded to two NERV guards and they went down to fetch her.
"So tell me, how did you survive?"
"Remember the Sea of Dirac?" Shinji asked.
"Of course."
"Well, you might say I escaped to there. It's a real wonder what an inverted AT-Field can do. So Commander Katsuragi. Are you prepared to face the consequences of your actions?"
"It is more like the fruits of my labors," Misato countered, "Tell me Shinji, have you ever wanted to get someone back that you loved?"
"Of course, as have you."
"Well naturally. Both of us have been very alone for a long time. What would you do to get that person back?"
"I would kill."
"As would I. You see, are we that different?"
"Yes," Shinji replied, "I have not taken a life yet. You, on the other hand, did kill someone I loved."
"But she can be brought back," said Misato, "With Noah's Ark, she can be brought back."
Hikari gasped while everyone else's mouths dropped.
"That's impossible," said Toji, "bringing back the dead."
"Your arm could be healed," Misato said to him, "It would be easy for the Ark to do."
"And that's why you did all this?" said Maya, "to get back someone you loved?"
"You could say that," said Misato.
Just then, Asuka was escorted in by the NERV guards.
"Asuka also has someone she wants back besides you," Misato continued, noticing Asuka's flinch, "Her mother, Kyoko Soryu."
"I am perfectly aware of that," said Shinji, "and I also want my mother back."
"Shinji?" said Asuka, "Where are you? You're alive?"
"He's alive," said Misato, "and still trying to stop me even though he could have whatever he wanted if I succeed."
"What?"
"Katsuragi is correct," said Shinji, "However, you forgot about one thing. I don't need Noah's Ark to bring back my mother, or Asuka's for that matter."
"Even if you could," said Misato, "You couldn't bring back whoever else you lost. Death is permanent."
"Indeed," said Shinji, "and for you, it will be more than just permanent. It will be damning."
There was a click and the audio systems returned to normal.
"The entry plug as been inserted into Unit 01," said Maya, "It's doing something to Unit 02's core."
"What!" Asuka screamed, "What's it doing with Mother's core!"
"I don't know," said Misato, "However, all I can hope for is the best."
Orange-colored triangles appeared and covered Unit 01. They then seemed to fold into each other and within seconds Unit 01 had disappeared.
"Where did it go with Mother's core!" Asuka demanded.
"An inverted AT-Field," said Hikari, "He used that to transport Unit 01 out of here."
"He has to be stopped," said Misato.
Suddenly the entire installation shook.
"What the hell was that?" said Misato.
"American troops are attacking!" Makoto reported, "US forces just blew apart most of our sensors and radar systems. Ground troops are entering NERV now."
"They wouldn't dare," said Misato, "This must be some kind of mistake."
"So Misato," said Toji, "Are you going to initiate another Second Impact?"
Misato glared at Toji before moving to one of the consoles.
"No. I'm destroying New York."
She tapped in a command and an underwater missile silo activated. A few seconds later the missile was launched.
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"Ladies and gentlemen of the United Nations," said Larson, "at this moment United States ground troops are storming NERV and preparing to seize control of the entire facility. From intelligence that General Sam Richards provided us, we have learned that Adam is currently incapable of initiating another Second Impact. NERV will pay for what it did and the United States of American will dispense justice."
"Mr. Ambassador," said the NERV representative, "are you truly willing to risk that on information a dead general provided?"
"We will soon find out if General Richards is right," said Larson, "If NERV really has the guts to initiate another Second Impact, then we'll know in a few seconds. If not, we win and NERV is finished."
============================================================================
"Is Adam active yet?" Misato asked.
"Yes."
"Order it to destroy the US forces in and around Tokyo 4. Now."
"Commander?"
"Do it!"
Makoto sent the order but soon found himself doubting the wisdom of it. Perhaps this time NERV would really be finished.
End of Chapter 6
Scared you for a second, didn't I? Well, Shinji's still well and alive, though he's kind of without a body right now. It'll soon be time for Jessica to take on a more, active role in this story. Also, I didn't do much in the way of rereading and editing, so don't expect much.
Z98
