Author's notes:
Before starting this chapter I would like to thank Blury-kun for his or her very positive and inspiring review.
By the way, there will be a couple of flashbacks in this chapter, and all of them will be written in italic type, in order to prevent possible confusion.
No Need For RecoveryWith no small effort, Empress Ayeka opened her eyes. The moment ago she was inside EVA-00's cockpit, or Entry Plug, as Lord Kouzou called it. And the next moment, she found herself in what appear to be hospital bed. Ayeka tried to move her arm, but immediately regretted about it, because pain instantly overwhelmed whole her body.
"Damn, it hurts!" – though Ayeka after a few minutes when pain finally passed – "Anyway, how did I get here? And what does it mean? Did I won, or lost battle against the Giant of Light? And why I don't remember anything?"
After nearly half an hour of waiting, door to Ayeka's room opened. Ayeka was surprised to find that it was Captain Misato, who entered her room, not some kind of nurse or doctor.
"How do you feel, Your Imperial Majesty?" – asked Misato with concern in her voice.
"I feel like there is no living spot on me left, but I guess, that I will live nevertheless" – said Ayeka, speaking wasn't easy for Ayeka, but at last it didn't caused her as much pain, as first attempt to move did – "What has happened?"
"You don't remember, Your Imperial Majesty?" – asked Misato with astonishment.
"No" – said Ayeka – "I don't remember anything after I was launched. There was just a blinding flash of light, then utter darkness, and then I woke up in here, in the hospital bed. So, what has happened?"
"I am sorry, Your Imperial Majesty, but I don't know" – said Misato – "After you was launched, I commanded evacuation of the rest of Greenport personal, just as you had ordered. Once on the high orbit of the Planet Jurai, we tried to re-established communication with you, but with no success…
*Flashback (from Misato's point of view)*
"The last ship has reached high orbit of the Planet Jurai" – said Shigeru.
"Is evacuation fleet safe now?" – I asked.
"As safe as it is possible under current circumstances" – said Shigeru.
"Very well" – I said, and then added to comlink to all ships – "Flagship Shi'Rax to all the civilian ships, you receive orders to go to the fifth planet of Ashiro system. Only battleships are to remain at their current positions. Repeating, all the civilian ships are to go to the fifth planet of Ashiro system, only battleships are to remain at their current positions. Execute your orders immediately."
"Captain Misato!" – said Shigeru suddenly – "We have just detected a massive energy discharge at the Plane Jurai!"
"Is it threatening us?" – I asked.
"Negative, Captain Misato" – answered Shigeru.
"What is going on there?" – I asked then.
"We don't know, Captain Misato" – answered Shigeru – "All communication with Greenport security systems and EVA-00 have been cut down. We don't have even a slightest idea about what is going on there."
"Then re-establish communication as soon as possible!" – I ordered.
Dammit, how I hated to sit and doing nothing!
"We can't, Captain Misato!" – said Shigeru after a few seconds of trying – "Massive energy discharge somehow interfered with our radar waves! We are blindfolded now!.. Wait! We have detected another massive energy discharge, this one even greater then the previous one!"
"All we can do is to wait" – I said gloomy, and instantly hated myself for speaking it out.
In after about ten seconds, Shigeru reported about third massive energy discharge, greater then both previous massive energy discharges taken together. I watched the screens in horror, as the blinding light engulfed the whole Planet Jurai. In another few second all was over…
"Send recovery team" – I said heavily – "Of course, if there is anything or anybody left for recovering there.
I sighed heavily, for despite young Empress' inexperience I came to like her spirit and sense of duty…
*End of flashback (also end of Misato's point of view)*
"…After everything was over, I sent a recovery team to the remnants of the Planet Jurai, and they have found you, barely alive, drifting through the space in heavily damaged EVA-00. It is a true wonder, that you and EVA-00 somehow survived the explosion, which was powerful enough to destroy the whole planet. Before that, I never really believed that these Evangelion will be of any use to us, but right now, I almost believe that."
"So, we were victorious in the end, weren't we" – said Ayeka with tears in her eyes.
"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty" – said Misato – "The whole Jurai Empire has paid a terrible price, but in the end we have won, of course, if you can consider it victory. The Giant of Light is no more. Though, this victory is possibly just first of many, if we are to survive."
"How long has it been since then?" – asked Ayeka – "And where are we right now."
"Right now, we are in the best hospital at planet Tyrian-3 – new capital of Jurai Empire" – answered Misato – "And two weeks have passed since your battle at the Planet Jurai."
"You mentioned, that this victory is possibly just first of many, if we are to survive, right?" – asked Ayeka.
"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty" – answered Misato.
"This must mean, that there is another danger, not only Giant of Light, right?" – asked Ayeka.
"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty" – answered Misato – "There are others creatures, who possess same power as the Giant of Light. Since the Giant of Light's destruction, another of such creatures turned its attention to Jurai Empire. And it is not less dangerous then the Giant of Light was in any way. Since then, our fleets have lost two major battles and countless number of minor battles. Most remaining fleet has regrouped here, in Tyrian system. Nevertheless, I don't believe, that we will be able to win battle for Tyrian-3 without using Evangelions once again."
"And what about Azaka and Kamidaki? They weren't sent into battle, I hope?" – asked Ayeka with worry in her voice, for she couldn't believe, that Azaka and Kamidaki would be able to defeat creature similar to the Giant of Light, no matter what a formidable power they possessed."
"No, Your Imperial Majesty" – said Misato – "I personally ordered them to stay away from battles, to their bid displeasure, may I add."
"So, you pretty much run the whole Jurai Empire while I was unconscious?" – asked Ayeka almost smiling.
"Well" – said Misato a bit embarrassed – "Everything was in such a mess, after destruction of the Planet Jurai, your comma, and Lord Gendo's disappearance, that nobody really knew what to do. Since I was acting upon your orders during the evacuation from the Plane Jurai, somehow eventually everyone turned to me for guidance…"
*Flashback (from Misato's point of view)*
I set in Tyrian-3's government building in some kind of office. Because of its rich décor and large amount of various communication screens, I assumed, that it was local Lord's office, before I arrived. Not a long time ago, such situation would amuse me, but right now I was too tired to be amused by anything. I haven't slept for two days. Suddenly one of the screens lit itself, and an old man's face appeared in it. If I remembered correctly he was an Admiral of Jurai Imperial Navy.
"Captain Misato" – he said – "I have a disturbing news for you. Another unidentified flying object is about to enter territory of Jurai Empire. Little is known about it, be the energy it radiates is similar to the energy, which was radiated by the Giant of Light. We tracked its possible course, apparently it is heading toward Shonto planetary system. Fleet stationed there is warned, and ready to fight to the death."
"This is foolishness!" – I shouted, instantly forgetting with whom I talked and how tired I was – "The 'fleet' stationed there consists of twelve battleship and maybe four time that number of fighters. And according to our information, these creatures are able to slaughter such fleets in a matter of minutes."
I typed a command at keyboard, and instantly star map appeared on another screen.
"The nearest planetary system to Shonto planetary system is Kordo planetary system. Without doubt, this creature will head there next. Order evacuation from all planets in Shonto and Kordo planetary systems. Then move fleets from Shonto planetary system and all nearby planetary systems to Kordo planetary system. We will give this creature battle there. It is our chance. Understood?"
"Understood, Captain Misato" – he said, and cut off communication.
After that, I set stunned in my chair for a few minutes.
"God help me!" – I though – "I have just gave orders to Admiral of whole Jurai Navy!"
*End of flashback (also end of Misato's point of view)*
"…But I am certain, that you will fully recover soon, and I won't have to be in command of whole Jurai Empire any longer. Being in command makes me feel uncomfortable, for I have neither high rank nor noble title."
"Thank you for your care, Misato" – said Ayeka – "I would rather have some rest now. Please, bring me list of possible candidate to pilot Evangelions in a few days, okay?"
"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty" – said Misato – "I wish you speedy recovery. Goodbye."
After three days of rest, Ayeka recovered very little. Each movement still caused he a lot of pain, even though not as much pain, as they caused her before. While Ayeka hasn't recovered enough to leave her hospital room yet, Misato visited Ayeka every day, keeping her informed about current situation in Jurai Empire. Right now, new enemy slowly but surely moved toward Tyrian planetary system, where new capital of Jurai Empire was located, devastating all the colonized planets, that happen to be at its way.
"Good day, Your Imperial Majesty" – said Misato, as she entered Ayeka's hospital room – "I have brought you a list of possible candidates to be Evangelion pilots.
"Finally" – said Ayeka and, trying to ignore her pain, took list from Misato's hands.
The name at top of the list immediately caught Ayeka's attention.
"Prince Shinji from Ikari family" – read Ayeka aloud – "He is Lord Gendo's son, isn't he?"
"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty" – answered Misato – "However, this list was made quite a long time ago, even before your return to the Planet Jurai, it isn't up to date. Since you agreed with decision of the High Council of the Planet Jurai… well, it is High Council of Jurai Empire now, to strip Lord Gendo from all his titles and proclaim him traitor to the Jurai Empire on the run, Prince Shinji officially became new lord of his family line."
"I see" – said Ayeka and looked through the few names bellow Shinji's.
"I know some of these names" – said Ayeka – "But this list was sorted in order of greater potential for Jurai Power, wasn't it?"
"Yes, it was, Your Imperial Majesty" – said Misato.
"But it can't be, that this Lord Shinji possess more power then any other candidate, can it?" – said Ayeka with astonishment in her voice.
"It can, Your Imperial Majesty" – said Misato – "Lord Shinji indeed has received a large amount of Jurai Power from his mother's family line. However, so far he displayed little ability to control this awesome Jurai Power."
"Very well, then it's decided" – said Ayeka – "Bring him here."
"But, Your Imperial Majesty, may I remind you, that Lord Shinji's father, Lord Gendo was accused in betrayal of Jurai Empire and neglecting his responsibilities as Warden of the Planet Jurai?" – said Misato – "Thousands of people died because of Lord Gendo. Would you trust Lord Shinji after that, especially now, when his father has been officially proclaimed traitor of Jurai Empire?"
"No, I am not foolish enough to trust Lord Shinji, at last not completely" – said Ayeka – "However he is still the best of the possible candidates to pilot EVA-01. And besides, when Lord Shinji will be here, we will be able to watch him closely."
"Alright, if it is your orders for Lord Shinji to pilot EVA-01, then so be it, Your Imperial Majesty" – said Misato gloomy – "But, whom will you choose to pilot EVA-00? EVA-00 is almost repaired now."
"Nobody" – said Ayeka.
"Nobody?" – asked Misato – "But why?.. No, you aren't going to keep piloting EVA-00 yourself, are you?"
"I am Supreme Empress of Jurai Empire, and it is my duty to serve my people in the best way I can" – said Ayeka – "I will never become like Lord Gendo in this way. I will pilot EVA-00 as soon, as I will be able to."
"But…" – started Misato.
"I know, it is very dangerous" – interrupted her Ayeka – "But it is my duty, and I will fulfill it, no matter what!"
"I understand" – said Misato a bit sadly – "I will immediately give orders for Lord Shinji to go to Tyrian-3 as soon as possible. Goodbye for now, Your Imperial Majesty."
"The Third One is coming straight toward its death" – said man in ceremonial light blue clothes of Jurai Lord – "Soon, he will be killed, and his power will be in our disposal!"
"Very well" – said man in ceremonial blood red clothes of Jurai Lord – "What are results about Second One?"
"It is dead" – said man in ceremonial indigo clothes of Jurai Lord – "Our other weapon was perfect. However, there is one question left. What should we do with her?"
"I will erase her memories" – said man in ceremonial blood red clothes of Jurai Lord – "After all, it is not normal for weapon to have memories or personality. Then, I will send her to the Galaxy Police until we will need her again. I have contacts there, so Marshal will give a story to back up her amnesia. They are just our pawns, and they will do everything we will tell them to. Yes, Galaxy Police Headquarter is perfect place to hide our secret weapon."
Following man's mental command, holographic image appeared inside the circle of seven men. This image showed strange light blue spaceship, docked somewhere.
"She and Lance of Longinus" – said man in ceremonial blood red clothes of Jurai Lord – "Both of them are indeed gifts from the gods! If only we knew more about them…"