I don't own anything here....
The holo-vid paused, showing Daniella seating at a cafe with a waiter next to her.
"I believe it is good to follow old traditions?" Asked Takihiro as he sat down.
He hugged her. After being apprehended, she had been taken to the lower level cells, and awaited questioning. But the sudden change had been too much for her, and she had broken down, now only a portion of her real self. The moment Takihiro met her in the cell, his heart moved. Feelings like those had not been revealed in a long time, and to his annoyance, he knew he would allow himself to be driven by them. Immediately, he stopped the holo-vid and ordered the guards to leave, and stay out of sight.
"Dogan-chan," she said, starting to cry on his shoulder. "I am so sorry! I didn't think it would go so far! I didn't know it would come to this!"
"How long have they known about this?"
"Before Tukayyid, ROM had entered Nerv's terminals, acquiring knowledge of Unit 01 and the Third Impact."
"And your job was to keep them informed."
"Well, yes," she answered. "I have to keep them informed because my priority is Terra, Dogan-chan. But I didn't know they would send an operative inside Nerv itself. I was never informed about that."
"But who do you think he was? Was he ROM?"
"I don't know, maybe. Or it could've been mercenary, I don't know."
"I lost two entire platoons and mech pilots, Danny."
"I'm sorry, Dogan. I'm so sorry!"
He held her close as she began to sob. As he stroked her hair to soothe her, he began thinking of ways to prevent these kinds of attacks. The stranger knew that, by himself, it would be impossible to enter Nerv. But, perhaps, by being brought inside by someone else, like the guards, then he would have a much better chance of making contact with Unit 01. Don, the guard that challenged the prisoner, had been suspended. But that was according to the report. Takihiro and two Nerv agents escorted Don until he reached the outside perimeter, when he handed his IDs and badges. Takihiro turned to the Main Building, but as he walked away he heard an explosion. The spot where Don had stood, outside the perimeter, had turned into a crater, with only pieces of Don's charred remains left. Immediately, Takihiro sent the two agents to investigate, but when he later received the report, it only stated that one of the mechs, during a drill, had misfired. Nothing to loose in that accident, is what Command had said after they had tried linking Don with intentionally helping escape the prisoner. But Don had many years of service with Nerv, and proven himself loyal during several occasions. But he had committed one mistake, and one mistake had been paid with his life. Takihiro knew that Daniella might befall the same fate.
"Danny, You know that Treivan's death was no accident, right?" He asked her pushing her away so they would see eye to eye.
"I know, Dogan! I don't want the same thing to happen to me!"
"Then I need you to prove to both Commanders, Daniella, both of them, that you are not a traitor. That everything you did was for the same reason as theirs. It was to protect Terra. They will meet with Seele, and they will decide on what's going to happen to you. Both Commanders are set on their path to betraying Seele, and am I. You need to prove that by working with ComStar you had decided on the same goal. You need to convince them that your number one priority is protecting Terra."
"But where do I start?"
"From the beginning. Tell them everything ComStar wants to know, what they want to acquire, and for what reason--"
"Dogan-chan," she said interrupting him. "Do you trust me?"
He was taken aback by the sudden question. But as he thought about it, he knew he didn't. There were other emotions that he still held for her deep within him, but trust was something that had long being forgotten. And not knowing how to respond, he simply took her and hugged her. To Daniella, Takihiro's sudden rush had taken her by surprise. They had not held each other so close in years, and after a few seconds, the warmth of forgotten emotions began to reveal.
She hugged him back and whispered "We know that one of your own has betrayed you and Nerv, and has sold classified information to the Clans."
"Who was it?" He whispered in her ear without letting her go.
And as she told him, Takihiro felt his heart jump and break as he heard how one of his most trusted had betrayed them all.
=====
"Once again you try to ruin us by allowing such incidents to occur, Ikari."
"We were fortunate enough that the stranger did not get his hand on Unit 01. But next time we shall not be so lucky."
"True. Why didn't you use Unit 01 to stop the man from escaping? Do you have any idea how long it will take to replace the destroyed lance and units? Consider yourself lucky that the generators that produce Lake Oniyusha were not damaged."
"Even so, there is no use for cover anymore. Whatever faction that man belonged to, will surely come for Unit 01, and this time they will be armed and ready to take it."
"You have, once again, proven yourself useless, Ikari. Tomorrow we shall proceed to take back Nerv. You know very well what your fate, and those of your personnel, will be once we possess Nerv and Unit 01."
"We recommend, meanwhile, that you get yourself rid of the Eva pilot and Dr. Evans. We don't want anyone unnecessarily piloting the Eva, or a traitor training someone else to do it."
Eleven of the pillars faded away, only one remaining in front of him.
"Ikari, we thought that by reproducing the very best of you, we would get acceptable results. How sadly were we mistaken. Your ineptitude astounds us, Ikari. Never again will we make the same mistake, by duplicating someone as useless as you. Consider yourself discarded."
With that, the last pillar faded, leaving Ikari alone.
"We need to act quickly," said Evans as he walked behind Ikari.
"We'll have to release your daughter and have her destroy the Seele program within Magi."
"Then she is no longer guilty of treason?"
"She might be," said Ikari, "but I believe we can use her effectively. After all, isn't the enemy of our enemy, our friend?
=====
Research Director Winbeck finalized the transfer by adding his initial, I.D., and signature. He handed the tablet to the large man and requested the same steps.
"Now," Winbeck said, "I'll have to ask you a few questions and give you a bit of detail on the transportation of the mechs."
"What for?" Asked the man, with a voice that sounded more like a growl than human.
"Just standard procedure. I can't release them until I have verbal acknowledgment from you, as well."
"Then proceed," said the man. "I have not all day."
"Okay. Do you understand that by taking the mechs, you are carrying weapons of mass destruction?"
The man stared at Winbeck for a couple of seconds, surprise showing in his face by being asked such an idiotic question. But finally he answered, "I do."
"You, as the carrier, are solely responsible for the safety of the mechs when you refused escort from Bochum to Tokyo 5. Do you understand that?"
"I do."
"State your name for the record."
"Odin Jorgensson."
"Do you, Jorgensson, Odin, understand the Release Agreement you have just signed, as well as the questions I have just asked you?"
"I have understood everything," growled the man, growing impatient.
"Very well," said Winbeck, ignoring Odin's tone of voice. "The cargo is yours, and I wish the best of luck."
Odin did not answer, but walked out the office and headed for the docking bay holding four wide-load Karnov choppers. Winbeck, himself, stayed and began typing the release notes and orders.
New Proprietor: ComStar Research
Transport: Independent Contractor - Seele Group
Transport Vehicle: Karnov Heavy-Duty (4)
Cert Num: 01525-A
Dest Point-Contact: Terra - Tokyo 5
Equipment Released:
Vulture (2) - Orig Config Thor (2) - Orig Config Nova Cat (2) - Orig Config Mad Cat (2) - Orig Config Daishi (2) - Orig Config
Release: Winbeck, Geoffrey, RD - Krupps Armament Works
Department: New Technology Research and Development
Notes: All equipment is still in their original configuration. No IS equipment has been added, only original Clan components.
=====
"How long has he been working outside of Nerv?" Yuri asked.
"We don't know," responded Takihiro, "but ComStar thinks he might've been doing it for quite a while now."
"But the Combine?" Asked Kadena. "Why would he sell information to them? You really think the Kurita House would risk loosing their seat in ComStar for Unit 01?
"I think everyone is risking everything to get their hands on Unit 01," said Takihiro. "Not only do we have Seele now to worry about, but now we have one of Lords after it."
"When do you suppose Theodore Kurita will try to make contact with Unit 01? Asked Tenku. "You don't think it will be after Seele has weakened us?"
"Most probably," said Takihiro as he typed into one of the terminals, bringing in information about the suspect. "But whenever it is, we have to get ready. We can't have two forces attacking one right after the other. It will destroy us."
"You want me to send a group to arrest him?" Asked Kadena.
"No," responded Takihiro, "we'll wait a bit more to see what exactly he is transmitting. But meanwhile, I'm going to request ComGuards help in defending the base."
"And the Commanders have approved?" Asked Yuri.
"I have the formal request ready to go and transmit," he said as he brought up a memo into the terminal.
"I'll transmit it right now," said Tenku. "It will take them two days to reach a decision. Nerv will not be able to hold on that long."
"Do it now," said Takihiro. "The more time passes, the more vulnerable we become."
Tenku wrote down the memo's number code and began to walk past the door, when he heard something click behind him. He turned around and saw Yuri beginning to cry, so he looked at Takihiro and found him pointing a gun to his head.
"You just allowed two Clan stars to simply walk out of Germany with ten fully equipped Clan mechs," Takihiro calmly said. "When did you plan on telling me about this?"
Tenku did not respond. He did not know how. All he wanted to do was take the gun away from Takihiro's hands and leave. In an instant, he pushed Takihiro's hand away from his face, but immediately he felt an explosion in his right temple, for less than a second, and after, nothing else.
His body dropped next to Yuri who began to cry hysterically after being covered in Tenku's blood, while Kadena could not lower his arm after firing point-blank at Tenku.
"Get her out of here," ordered Takihiro, but Kadena just stood frozen in place. Not getting a response, Takihiro barked. "Get her out of here! Now!"
Kadena snapped out his trance and moved to Yuri, who was still crying. He held her and helped her walk out the room. Once they were gone, Takihiro removed his jacket and covered Tenku's head delicately. He stood over for a few seconds, but he lost strength in his legs and sat down.
"Tenku," he whispered, and began to cry.
=====
"We just received another dispatch," said one of the techs.
"Let me see it," she said as she came closer to the feed and began reading the report.
'Lady Mc.,
With the following we would like to request your services, once more, concerning the last contact point. We have received some rather disturbing reports concerning the illegal distribution of Clan technology inside Terra itself. Being it our duty to protect Terra from any outside influences, the use of Clan technology is prohibited within any military installations located in Terra, with the exception of research and development. The request was given out by a traitor within the last contact point, and we assume it was given as a means of infiltrating even further within.
Unfortunately, the location of the last contact must still be kept secret, simply because of its precious content. Shall we begin to move within Terra itself, certain religious factors will begin to stir as provocation of points long forgotten. We cannot also move, as this might bring suspicion from within any of the larger estates that hold place within our committees.
We feel we may count on your services, as we have before. Discretion is, and always has been, truly well maintained between the two. So, we ask once more that we be aware of the delicacy of this contract, if accepted, in terms both favorable to you, and as well as us. Therefore, we do not wish that you suffer unnecessarily by simply entering a battlefield, without first being prepared by our very best.
Attached, you will find a list of mechs retrieved from one of Terra's manufacturers, and also a larger force we believe will also enter the arena, but with its own purpose. Shall you decide to engage with the larger force, then your fee shall be greater. But I remind you that priority falls in removing any unnecessary Clan technology used outside of the safe parameters set by us and the committee. Anything else you may find shall become targets of opportunity.
We hope we may count on you once more,
PD S.M.'
She studied the letter once more, trying to read between the lines and understand every single, and significant, detail concerning the new mission. She knew that by taking this mission, she would fulfill her people's destiny. But to her it also meant risking their lives unnecessarily. But choices were few as resources ran low. Accepting the contract meant refitting and repairing, as well as fresh supplies. The more she thought about it, the more desirable the contract became.
"McMillan," she called into one of her com-screens.
"My Lady?" Alexis responded, his face filling the small monitor.
"Have you read the new contract?"
"I have, my Lady," he said. "It is a sound contract, and they have yet to fail us."
"So, it is a good contract."
"It is. The two Clan stars shall provide quite a fight, but I expect none, if any, from the larger force."
She considered this for a few seconds before continuing, "then get ready. We will honor the contract."
"And my Lady? Will you be joining us?"
"I will be, Alexis. I will be."
"Very good, Lady McEvedy."
=====
Its time had come. As it stood up, both pair of legs shook straining under this new sensation of carrying its own weight. But it only took a few seconds to grow accustomed to gravity. It then moved to take its first step, then the other and another. It's immense front legs crushed anything that was underneath them, not feeling remorse for humanity's creation or humanity itself. The smaller back legs helped it push its immense mass forward. Having now acquired a sense of direction, it looked from side to side, searching. With every turn of its head, it inhaled, breathing in not only air, but also scents.
And after a few breaths, it found it. It found the creator.
The holo-vid paused, showing Daniella seating at a cafe with a waiter next to her.
"I believe it is good to follow old traditions?" Asked Takihiro as he sat down.
He hugged her. After being apprehended, she had been taken to the lower level cells, and awaited questioning. But the sudden change had been too much for her, and she had broken down, now only a portion of her real self. The moment Takihiro met her in the cell, his heart moved. Feelings like those had not been revealed in a long time, and to his annoyance, he knew he would allow himself to be driven by them. Immediately, he stopped the holo-vid and ordered the guards to leave, and stay out of sight.
"Dogan-chan," she said, starting to cry on his shoulder. "I am so sorry! I didn't think it would go so far! I didn't know it would come to this!"
"How long have they known about this?"
"Before Tukayyid, ROM had entered Nerv's terminals, acquiring knowledge of Unit 01 and the Third Impact."
"And your job was to keep them informed."
"Well, yes," she answered. "I have to keep them informed because my priority is Terra, Dogan-chan. But I didn't know they would send an operative inside Nerv itself. I was never informed about that."
"But who do you think he was? Was he ROM?"
"I don't know, maybe. Or it could've been mercenary, I don't know."
"I lost two entire platoons and mech pilots, Danny."
"I'm sorry, Dogan. I'm so sorry!"
He held her close as she began to sob. As he stroked her hair to soothe her, he began thinking of ways to prevent these kinds of attacks. The stranger knew that, by himself, it would be impossible to enter Nerv. But, perhaps, by being brought inside by someone else, like the guards, then he would have a much better chance of making contact with Unit 01. Don, the guard that challenged the prisoner, had been suspended. But that was according to the report. Takihiro and two Nerv agents escorted Don until he reached the outside perimeter, when he handed his IDs and badges. Takihiro turned to the Main Building, but as he walked away he heard an explosion. The spot where Don had stood, outside the perimeter, had turned into a crater, with only pieces of Don's charred remains left. Immediately, Takihiro sent the two agents to investigate, but when he later received the report, it only stated that one of the mechs, during a drill, had misfired. Nothing to loose in that accident, is what Command had said after they had tried linking Don with intentionally helping escape the prisoner. But Don had many years of service with Nerv, and proven himself loyal during several occasions. But he had committed one mistake, and one mistake had been paid with his life. Takihiro knew that Daniella might befall the same fate.
"Danny, You know that Treivan's death was no accident, right?" He asked her pushing her away so they would see eye to eye.
"I know, Dogan! I don't want the same thing to happen to me!"
"Then I need you to prove to both Commanders, Daniella, both of them, that you are not a traitor. That everything you did was for the same reason as theirs. It was to protect Terra. They will meet with Seele, and they will decide on what's going to happen to you. Both Commanders are set on their path to betraying Seele, and am I. You need to prove that by working with ComStar you had decided on the same goal. You need to convince them that your number one priority is protecting Terra."
"But where do I start?"
"From the beginning. Tell them everything ComStar wants to know, what they want to acquire, and for what reason--"
"Dogan-chan," she said interrupting him. "Do you trust me?"
He was taken aback by the sudden question. But as he thought about it, he knew he didn't. There were other emotions that he still held for her deep within him, but trust was something that had long being forgotten. And not knowing how to respond, he simply took her and hugged her. To Daniella, Takihiro's sudden rush had taken her by surprise. They had not held each other so close in years, and after a few seconds, the warmth of forgotten emotions began to reveal.
She hugged him back and whispered "We know that one of your own has betrayed you and Nerv, and has sold classified information to the Clans."
"Who was it?" He whispered in her ear without letting her go.
And as she told him, Takihiro felt his heart jump and break as he heard how one of his most trusted had betrayed them all.
=====
"Once again you try to ruin us by allowing such incidents to occur, Ikari."
"We were fortunate enough that the stranger did not get his hand on Unit 01. But next time we shall not be so lucky."
"True. Why didn't you use Unit 01 to stop the man from escaping? Do you have any idea how long it will take to replace the destroyed lance and units? Consider yourself lucky that the generators that produce Lake Oniyusha were not damaged."
"Even so, there is no use for cover anymore. Whatever faction that man belonged to, will surely come for Unit 01, and this time they will be armed and ready to take it."
"You have, once again, proven yourself useless, Ikari. Tomorrow we shall proceed to take back Nerv. You know very well what your fate, and those of your personnel, will be once we possess Nerv and Unit 01."
"We recommend, meanwhile, that you get yourself rid of the Eva pilot and Dr. Evans. We don't want anyone unnecessarily piloting the Eva, or a traitor training someone else to do it."
Eleven of the pillars faded away, only one remaining in front of him.
"Ikari, we thought that by reproducing the very best of you, we would get acceptable results. How sadly were we mistaken. Your ineptitude astounds us, Ikari. Never again will we make the same mistake, by duplicating someone as useless as you. Consider yourself discarded."
With that, the last pillar faded, leaving Ikari alone.
"We need to act quickly," said Evans as he walked behind Ikari.
"We'll have to release your daughter and have her destroy the Seele program within Magi."
"Then she is no longer guilty of treason?"
"She might be," said Ikari, "but I believe we can use her effectively. After all, isn't the enemy of our enemy, our friend?
=====
Research Director Winbeck finalized the transfer by adding his initial, I.D., and signature. He handed the tablet to the large man and requested the same steps.
"Now," Winbeck said, "I'll have to ask you a few questions and give you a bit of detail on the transportation of the mechs."
"What for?" Asked the man, with a voice that sounded more like a growl than human.
"Just standard procedure. I can't release them until I have verbal acknowledgment from you, as well."
"Then proceed," said the man. "I have not all day."
"Okay. Do you understand that by taking the mechs, you are carrying weapons of mass destruction?"
The man stared at Winbeck for a couple of seconds, surprise showing in his face by being asked such an idiotic question. But finally he answered, "I do."
"You, as the carrier, are solely responsible for the safety of the mechs when you refused escort from Bochum to Tokyo 5. Do you understand that?"
"I do."
"State your name for the record."
"Odin Jorgensson."
"Do you, Jorgensson, Odin, understand the Release Agreement you have just signed, as well as the questions I have just asked you?"
"I have understood everything," growled the man, growing impatient.
"Very well," said Winbeck, ignoring Odin's tone of voice. "The cargo is yours, and I wish the best of luck."
Odin did not answer, but walked out the office and headed for the docking bay holding four wide-load Karnov choppers. Winbeck, himself, stayed and began typing the release notes and orders.
New Proprietor: ComStar Research
Transport: Independent Contractor - Seele Group
Transport Vehicle: Karnov Heavy-Duty (4)
Cert Num: 01525-A
Dest Point-Contact: Terra - Tokyo 5
Equipment Released:
Vulture (2) - Orig Config Thor (2) - Orig Config Nova Cat (2) - Orig Config Mad Cat (2) - Orig Config Daishi (2) - Orig Config
Release: Winbeck, Geoffrey, RD - Krupps Armament Works
Department: New Technology Research and Development
Notes: All equipment is still in their original configuration. No IS equipment has been added, only original Clan components.
=====
"How long has he been working outside of Nerv?" Yuri asked.
"We don't know," responded Takihiro, "but ComStar thinks he might've been doing it for quite a while now."
"But the Combine?" Asked Kadena. "Why would he sell information to them? You really think the Kurita House would risk loosing their seat in ComStar for Unit 01?
"I think everyone is risking everything to get their hands on Unit 01," said Takihiro. "Not only do we have Seele now to worry about, but now we have one of Lords after it."
"When do you suppose Theodore Kurita will try to make contact with Unit 01? Asked Tenku. "You don't think it will be after Seele has weakened us?"
"Most probably," said Takihiro as he typed into one of the terminals, bringing in information about the suspect. "But whenever it is, we have to get ready. We can't have two forces attacking one right after the other. It will destroy us."
"You want me to send a group to arrest him?" Asked Kadena.
"No," responded Takihiro, "we'll wait a bit more to see what exactly he is transmitting. But meanwhile, I'm going to request ComGuards help in defending the base."
"And the Commanders have approved?" Asked Yuri.
"I have the formal request ready to go and transmit," he said as he brought up a memo into the terminal.
"I'll transmit it right now," said Tenku. "It will take them two days to reach a decision. Nerv will not be able to hold on that long."
"Do it now," said Takihiro. "The more time passes, the more vulnerable we become."
Tenku wrote down the memo's number code and began to walk past the door, when he heard something click behind him. He turned around and saw Yuri beginning to cry, so he looked at Takihiro and found him pointing a gun to his head.
"You just allowed two Clan stars to simply walk out of Germany with ten fully equipped Clan mechs," Takihiro calmly said. "When did you plan on telling me about this?"
Tenku did not respond. He did not know how. All he wanted to do was take the gun away from Takihiro's hands and leave. In an instant, he pushed Takihiro's hand away from his face, but immediately he felt an explosion in his right temple, for less than a second, and after, nothing else.
His body dropped next to Yuri who began to cry hysterically after being covered in Tenku's blood, while Kadena could not lower his arm after firing point-blank at Tenku.
"Get her out of here," ordered Takihiro, but Kadena just stood frozen in place. Not getting a response, Takihiro barked. "Get her out of here! Now!"
Kadena snapped out his trance and moved to Yuri, who was still crying. He held her and helped her walk out the room. Once they were gone, Takihiro removed his jacket and covered Tenku's head delicately. He stood over for a few seconds, but he lost strength in his legs and sat down.
"Tenku," he whispered, and began to cry.
=====
"We just received another dispatch," said one of the techs.
"Let me see it," she said as she came closer to the feed and began reading the report.
'Lady Mc.,
With the following we would like to request your services, once more, concerning the last contact point. We have received some rather disturbing reports concerning the illegal distribution of Clan technology inside Terra itself. Being it our duty to protect Terra from any outside influences, the use of Clan technology is prohibited within any military installations located in Terra, with the exception of research and development. The request was given out by a traitor within the last contact point, and we assume it was given as a means of infiltrating even further within.
Unfortunately, the location of the last contact must still be kept secret, simply because of its precious content. Shall we begin to move within Terra itself, certain religious factors will begin to stir as provocation of points long forgotten. We cannot also move, as this might bring suspicion from within any of the larger estates that hold place within our committees.
We feel we may count on your services, as we have before. Discretion is, and always has been, truly well maintained between the two. So, we ask once more that we be aware of the delicacy of this contract, if accepted, in terms both favorable to you, and as well as us. Therefore, we do not wish that you suffer unnecessarily by simply entering a battlefield, without first being prepared by our very best.
Attached, you will find a list of mechs retrieved from one of Terra's manufacturers, and also a larger force we believe will also enter the arena, but with its own purpose. Shall you decide to engage with the larger force, then your fee shall be greater. But I remind you that priority falls in removing any unnecessary Clan technology used outside of the safe parameters set by us and the committee. Anything else you may find shall become targets of opportunity.
We hope we may count on you once more,
PD S.M.'
She studied the letter once more, trying to read between the lines and understand every single, and significant, detail concerning the new mission. She knew that by taking this mission, she would fulfill her people's destiny. But to her it also meant risking their lives unnecessarily. But choices were few as resources ran low. Accepting the contract meant refitting and repairing, as well as fresh supplies. The more she thought about it, the more desirable the contract became.
"McMillan," she called into one of her com-screens.
"My Lady?" Alexis responded, his face filling the small monitor.
"Have you read the new contract?"
"I have, my Lady," he said. "It is a sound contract, and they have yet to fail us."
"So, it is a good contract."
"It is. The two Clan stars shall provide quite a fight, but I expect none, if any, from the larger force."
She considered this for a few seconds before continuing, "then get ready. We will honor the contract."
"And my Lady? Will you be joining us?"
"I will be, Alexis. I will be."
"Very good, Lady McEvedy."
=====
Its time had come. As it stood up, both pair of legs shook straining under this new sensation of carrying its own weight. But it only took a few seconds to grow accustomed to gravity. It then moved to take its first step, then the other and another. It's immense front legs crushed anything that was underneath them, not feeling remorse for humanity's creation or humanity itself. The smaller back legs helped it push its immense mass forward. Having now acquired a sense of direction, it looked from side to side, searching. With every turn of its head, it inhaled, breathing in not only air, but also scents.
And after a few breaths, it found it. It found the creator.