The name Trident came from Hotwire's fic Together We Stand. He's a great author and I only used the name because I had no idea what the damn things Mana piloted were called. And Dany, is that high-kick so beautiful because of Asuka's *cough* state of undress? Hehe. A few other notes. I know Humanity's Faith was not that well detailed, but considering I only did a patch-up job that's to be expected. Also, a few people want me to get deeper into their thought. Well, guess what? Some people beat you to the punch and requested I back off since apparently it revealed too much of what the characters were planning. Can't have it both ways and I am still adapting my writing style. Besides, the stories I've posted up on ff.net isn't even the best stuff I've cooked up. There's a sample of the story I've been working on for a few years now on fictionpress.net, but that's only sample. It's called Gathering of Force, and that is still on the drafting board.

Adaptation

Scenario 7: The Scrolls

Shinji yawned and got out of bed. Asuka had woken up when Shinji had moved her head off of his chest. He freshened up and soon enough the three were starting their day at work or school. Shinji had recycled all of the UN papers since that was probably better for the environment than actually doing all of them. He took the ones the Pentagon had given him and would do them in the office. When the two arrived at NERV, Shinji and Asuka were both given a situations report. Once Shinji was in his office, the same one that his father and Misato had used, he called Toji.

"Toji, can you come up here?"

"Sure boss."

Shinji placed the phone back down and looked at the briefing. So far there were no strange sightings and he thanked whatever god there was for small miracles. The desk that he did work on was a different one from his father's and Misato's. So far every new NERV commander got a new set of furniture. On his computer the DIA had deposited the data he would need to run an operation to get the Dead Sea Scrolls. Toji appeared a few minutes later.

"Have a seat," Shinji said to his friend.

The office was ridiculously big for just a place to do paperwork. However, it was nice to have a copy of the information for initiating the Third Impact written into the ceiling. It provided some amusement for Shinji and also a big problem for the Science Department to try to solve.

Toji sat down across from Shinji and leaned back.

"So what do you need me for?" he asked.

"We think we have a lead on the Dead Sea Scrolls," said Shinji, "The CIA tracked them through Germany and there is a possibility we can get them there. Do you have enough manpower in the NERV Branch there to pull it off?"

"Maybe," said Toji, "I mean, we have Branches in Russia, China, Germany, and the US too. Well, not really the US anymore. If I have to I can transfer from agents from Russia."

The US First Branch had been shut down by the US government after the failed Third Impact. What people apparently didn't know was that though technically the First Branch was closed it was actually still running as a US base. Project MATRIX had actually been conducted there for many years.

"So can you do it?"

"Sure. I can't be one hundred percent sure but we have a very good shot. I could go there and oversee it personally."

"You sure? I would think Hikari wants you close by right now."

"Good point. I'll appoint someone I trust."

"There is another thing," said Shinji, "An organization that Kaji was affiliated with has been attempting to gather information on us."

"Kaji? That Japanese spy that worked as a NERV Special Inspector?"

"The one and only. He's dead now but any organization that he worked with should be suspect. I want your men to do some checks on this group and try to figure out what their objectives are. Also, find out who they're affiliated with."

"Fine," said Toji, "Your American friends willing to help us on this?"

"NSA is currently working on cracking their codes," said Shinji, "Otherwise, the CIA won't get involved this deeply and FBI hasn't caught any of them yet."

"So they're at least competent. I'll get on this right away."

"Good. Oh, and congratulations."

"Thanks. How did you find out?"

"Asuka wouldn't shut up about it last night," Shinji admitted, "She thinks I can't take a hint."

Toji broke out in laughter. "I do not envy you, my friend."

"Yeah well, we'll see."

"Hey, you have two girls chasing you right now," said Toji, "or didn't you realize?"

"I know Mana still likes me, but I'm trying to avoid getting people killed," Shinji replied, "Still trying to find a way around it."

"Fine. Good luck though. God knows you'll need it."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Asuka had actually been having a decent day when she saw Mana. The redhead almost exploded but she remembered the conversation she and Shinji had.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Try to at least be polite towards Mana," Shinji said to her as the two lay in bed. "I know you hate her with a vengeance but she's also a pilot now and she is still my friend. I'm not going to suddenly go out with her so stop worrying. Besides, I have you."

"Fine. But don't expect me to become her friend," Asuka replied.

Shinji kissed her on the forehead. "That's the best I'm going to get, and I'll settle for it."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Hello Kirishima."

Mana looked over and saw Asuka standing by her. She remembered the phone conversation she had with Shinji, and tried to act upon it.

"Hello Soryu."

"I hope all of the Tridents are operational," Asuka said.

"Of course they are. The repairs will be completed soon and they wouldn't be much use if they weren't."

Asuka took a deep breath. Though she had promised Shinji she wouldn't be rude, she still wanted answers.

"Why are you interested in Shinji?"

"He is a compassionate young man," Mana answered, "I reached out to him first when I came here, and if I had not left he might be mine. I guess I still want him."

"Perhaps."

The two young women walked together down the hallway. Asuka was in her lab coat while Mana wore a standard SSDF uniform. Asuka still disliked the SSDF for what it did to NERV so long ago. The two were silent for a while until Asuka broke it.

"I heard that the SSDF wants to move in permanently in and around the Geofront," she said.

"That's right. The SSDF feels that since they've made such an important contribution to NERV they should be allowed inside NERV's workings and be a part of it."

"Shinji will never agree with it," Asuka stated.

"How do you know that?" Mana asked.

"Because he hates the SSDF even more than I do. They almost killed everyone he cared about, and he's not going to let that go."

"Does that mean he hates me?"

"Hardly," Asuka replied, "though I wish he did. He sees you as another person that complicates his life."

"Everyone complicates his life in one way or another," said Mana, "That's just how humans are."

"There is some truth in that," said Asuka, "but remember this. Many times one will wish to limit the complications."

Asuka left Mana and continued onto the command center. Mana headed down to the warehouses to see how the Tridents were holding up. She didn't want any NERV officer to screw up her Tridents, especially a certain redhead.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Because the JSSDF supplied NERV with the Tridents, we feel that NERV should allow the Japanese government to station a few troops here to watch the Tridents and a few technicians to help service them."

"No."

"We believe it would be wise for you to reconsider," the colonel said.

"No," Shinji repeated.

"The SSDF have contributed the Tridents to NERV's arsenal and they have already proved to be very useful. We don't see how this is an unreasonable request."

"I guess all bureaucratic agencies have a short memory," Shinji replied, "It would be unreasonable for you to assume just because you've given me access to the Tridents that I will allow you to establish a foothold in NERV. I only accepted them because I was advised by the United Nations Security Council to do so. However, the orders from the United States supersede those from the UN, and their orders are to keep the Tridents unless they become a hindrance. Having more people looking over my shoulder is a hindrance."

"Very well General Ikari. It is a pity that you see things this way, but do not think that the Japanese government will accept this. We have always attempted to reestablish friendly relations with NERV, but it seems that NERV is the one standing in its own way. The UN will hear about this."

"Like I care."

The Japanese colonel left but Shinji didn't relax. Unknown to the United Nations, the United States wasn't about to back up the Security Council on anything regarding changing the current situation between the Japanese government and NERV. The US was quite content to let the Japanese shimmer and rant, but was unwilling to let the Japanese see the latest US products of war. Project MATRIX took precedence to maintaining friendly relations to the UN.

"That was rather harsh," the Angel said.

"Perhaps. However, I must say that it is surprising he didn't comment on you."

"Perhaps he is waiting for more instructions."

"Perhaps. So Rachel, what are we going to do with you?"

"That is your choice," Rachel reminded him.

"Of course. But tell me, why choose Rachel?"

"It was the first name that caught my attention," the Angel informed him.

Shinji wasn't exactly amused. The Angel had spent hours looking over every name that humanity had come up with to finally choose Rachel. It was rather ridiculous just for choosing a name.

"Are you sure the United States government will back you?" Rachel asked.

"The US government has wanted to pay the UN back ever since it took over most of the world," said Shinji, "The UN is going to regret pissing off the most powerful nation on Earth."

"Very well. But I must advise you, proceed with care."

"Of course."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The NERV Section 2 agents quickly found the target location and stormed the building. Several GSG-9 operatives were also with them, smashing the door down and charging in. They found several men armed with automatic pistols guarding a massive steel container. The soldiers quickly killed most of the defenders while the rest surrendered, throwing their weapons down on the ground and holding up their arms. The German soldiers marched out the enemy guards and secured the container. Several safecrackers quickly broke the lock and they opened the safe. Inside was a large stack of very old parchment with strange looking symbols and writing on them. They quickly closed the container and other soldiers lifted it up, a few grumbling about its weight. The NERV German Branch had secured the Dead Sea Scrolls and would be airlifting them to Japan. Unknown to the soldiers, one of their own and betrayed them and informed other operatives in Japan about the cargo. People would be in the ground and Kensuke would move with more troops to seize the cargo. NERV would not be allowed to retain the Dead Sea Scrolls.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"There's a fucking leak," Toji cursed, "Crap."

He picked up the phone and called Shinji.

"Shinji? It's me. Our agents got the Scrolls but there's a leak and we should expect trouble when the transport lands."

"Very well," said Shinji, "Find the leak and take care of it. I'll move some more assets to secure the airfield."

"Yes sir."

Toji hung up and looked at the file on the infiltrator. This man also had ties with an organization the former Kaji Ryoji was associated with. Even after his death, that man still interfered with NERV's projects. Not that at the time he was doing anything bad, but now NERV couldn't afford to have outsider interference.

"Interrogate him and if he doesn't talk execute him," Toji ordered. The gloves were off.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Shinji dialed another number and got the colonel in charge of the MATRIX soldiers stationed at NERV.

"Detach three teams and have them move to secure the Dead Sea Scrolls when they arrive," Shinji ordered, "They are to shoot on sight anyone that attempts to get the Scrolls or tries to talk their way through the perimeter. Taking prisoners is not a priority, making sure no one gets their hands on the Scrolls is. Is that understood?"

"Yes General Ikari. I'll dispatch the teams immediately."

"Good."

Shinji hung up first and sighed. He had a pretty good idea what organization had found out about the Dead Sea Scrolls, but right now all he needed to worry about was stopping them at the airfield. If this organization didn't stop their attempts to disrupt NERV's operations, he would have to order their destruction.

"General, Dr. Soryu is on the line for you."

"Which one?" Shinji asked.

"Dr. Soryu Sr."

"Very well. Put her through."

Kyoko's image appeared on the console along with his mother.

"Shinji, we got the suit to work!" Yui said excitably, "The software is ready for use but we need someone to actually use the suit so we can calibrate it."

"Very well," said Shinji, "Call Asuka down. Me and Rei can already use our AT-Fields, so the suit will help her the most for now."

"Right away," said Kyoko, "Oh, by the way, we think we can also set up a kind of interface with a Trident to allow it to project an AT-Field."

"Run with it," said Shinji.

Both women gave him a curious look at the statement.

"Oh, sorry. It's an American term for continue the work."

"Ah," said Yui, "One final note. Mind if I come over for dinner tonight? I forgot to go shopping and my fridge is bear."

"Sure. I assume both of you will be coming?"

"Of course, considering I'm your mother's roommate," said Kyoko, "We'll see you tonight general."

The image blinked out and Shinji got back to work. The Angel was talking with Rei, who she insisted on calling Mother, about how other humans could start utilizing their AT-Field. Unfortunately, no human other than himself could use their AT-Field without their body deteriorating. That was why the suit was so important.

Shinji looked over the analysis on the formulas that had been inscribed onto the ceiling. They were beyond anything humans had come up with and the equations were for advanced bio-mechanic theory. Actually, not exactly theory anymore. The creation of the EVAs had made theory into fact and that still scared people. Shinji scanned over the equations, most of them too complicated for him to truly understand. He put them away and went into the PR report.

"Oh sit," he muttered.

Apparently back in the States there had been riots about the renewed fighting against the Angels, with the US leading the way. Religious leaders and some fanatics were calling for peace with the Angels. What Shinji would like to do was send one of those blasted fools to meet one of the more deadlier Angels and let them fend for themselves. The worst so far had taken place outside the UN building in New York City. The president had already issued statements regarding the threat that Angels were to humanity and had shown how much destruction they had caused. The information that had been unclassified after the US takeover of NERV had managed to take out a lot of the pro-Angel faction's arguments. Suddenly, Shinji had an idea. He started writing a memo for someone in the Pentagon to read.

If we allow some protestors to meet with the Angel we captured, the Angel can tell them what the true objective of all Angels is.

He fired it off and maybe it'll get up to someone high. Otherwise, he didn't really care. However, there was one thing he needed to do. He picked up his phone.

"Get Rachel on the line," he ordered.

A few seconds later the Angel was on the other end.

"Yes?"

"What exactly is the objective of all Angels?" Shinji asked.

"To merge with Adam," Rachel replied.

"What would happen if you did merge with Adam?"

"That is currently impossible because Adam's body has been destroyed, but if it were to occur it would wipe out humanity."

"And do you Angels care whether you kill all of humanity or not?"

"No. If humanity dies, it would not matter to us."

"Very well," said Shinji, "Thank you for the information."

He hung up and smiled. Yes, it would be nice to send a protestor to face an Angel one on one.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Mana let the colonel have his say before speaking.

"Colonel, I believe that is the worst possible mistake you could make," she said, "The US ambassador will make this look like an attempt by the SSDF to be ready to launch another massacre, and this time of American citizens, if the Japanese government proposes this."

"Rubbish," said the colonel, "Americans are not that skilled at such diplomacy, and besides, we hold the Tridents. If the Americans don't agree, we will withdraw all of them, including you and the support team."

"Which General Ikari or the Pentagon will regard as a good way to remove spies," said Mana, "You apparently don't understand how General Ikari thinks. No matter what, he was raised as a Japanese and he thinks just like you or me. In that way, he will welcome the chance to get rid of loose ends."

"But he has been Americanized," the colonel insisted, "He does not have the strength to match us."

"General Ikari has faced down numerous Angels by himself and defeated them alone," Mana reminded the colonel, "He will destroy the Tridents if keeping them intact means giving the SSDF a way to attack him. I haven't had much time to actually examine the American soldiers, but I do know this. They are ready and willing to support their general's action to the death. You will not win in this confrontation."

"That is what you think," the colonel shot back, "You are acting like a defeatist and the SSDF does not need them."

"No, what the SSDF needs are realists, which you are not."

"That is insubordination!" the colonel shouted.

"I am also a colonel," Mana replied calmly, "Also I outrank you as my division is far more important than the diplomatic corps and I suggest you remember it."

The man was fuming and Mana knew why. He still had that old Japanese mentality that men were superior to women, and losing to a woman deeply wounded his pride. Unfortunately, the Japanese people were too prideful and it could lead them to disaster again.

"Is there anything else?" Mana asked, her tone on edge.

"No."

Mana left the office and returned to her own office inside NERV. Shinji had given the SSDF attaché an office, but that was the limit of his cooperation. If the SSDF pulled out with the Tridents, that would mean she would be forced to leave Shinji. Mana considered resigning and joining NERV. If it came down to it, NERV was probably the better choice.

"Damn bureaucrats," Mana muttered.

The Japanese government had never really wanted to admit they made a mistake regarding NERV, and what was even worse now was that NERV was reminding the Japanese government of that mistake and using it as a way to keep them out. It was also apparently working.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Shinji and Asuka had prepared a large dinner since there would be more people eating here today. Two extra seats were pulled out and their mothers arrived on the dot.

"Hello Shinji, Asuka."

"Hello Dr. Soryu, Mom."

The two walked in.

"Shinji, we aren't on duty so Kyoko is fine."

"Alright, Kyoko."

"My, isn't this a lovely dinner! Hi Jessica. Come give your grandmother a hug."

Jessica walked over and squeezed Yui. She then hugged Kyoko too.

"Oh, well I'm not your grandmother yet, but I hope to be."

Shinji and Asuka turned bright red, though it was Shinji that saved them.

"Ahem, shall we eat?"

"Of course," said Yui, "I'm starving."

The five sat down before an arrangement of European, Japanese, and American dishes.

"My," said Yui, "This is certainly a spread. The two of you both know how to cook?"

Shinji and Asuka nodded.

"I had to learn in order to fend for myself after Shinji left me to eat only Misato's cooking," Asuka joked.

"Well that certainly wasn't a very gentlemanly thing to do," Kyoko added, "Shinji, at the very least you should have left a cookbook."

"I did. Five of them."

The four laughed while Jessica grabbed some food and started eating before them. Shinji cut portions of a steak for everyone else and they settled down into a family meal.

"I hear the Japanese government has been pressuring you to let them station a detachment in NERV," Yui said to her son, "How are you handling that?"

"By saying no and ignoring their petitions," Shinji answered, "NERV is independent of the Japanese government and the UN can't force us to do anything we don't want to since this place is maintained using mostly American funds."

"I bet it was the SSDF that tried to do this," said Asuka, "They never seem to learn."

"What can you expect?" said Yui, "I read the reports and the Japanese government lost a lot of face because of their screw-up. There are still issues about moving NERV out of Japan completely, though the government managed to stop that."

"Why exactly are they so eager to keep NERV here if it's such a big problem?" Kyoko asked.

"If NERV moved it would be a great lost of face for the government," Shinji explained after swallowing a piece of meat, "Also, NERV allows them to tap into the funds of the UN for their own projects and such."

"If NERV moved to China we'd still run into similar problems," Asuka added, "but in Japan we have plenty of ammo to use against the Japanese government."

"I see," said Yui.

Jessica cleaned off her plate and tugged her father's sleeve.

"May I be dismissed?" she asked.

"Of course."

Jessica took her plate and deposited it in the sink before going off to do whatever she was going to do.

"Enough about work," said Yui, "We managed to confirm what gender Hikari's baby will be."

"What will it be?" Asuka asked excitably.

"A boy," Kyoko informed them, "I think Toji's going to start a betting pool to see who can guess the day and time the baby will be born."

"So very like him," said Asuka, "Shinji, you'd better not try anything like that if you get me pregnant."

Shinji swallowed loudly and gave Asuka a look.

"Don't worry just yet," she said with a sly smile.

"Umm, when do your estimates say it's going to be due?" Shinji asked, trying to change the subject.

"Now that would be cheating," said Yui, "I'm afraid I can't tell you."

"Aw well. Guess I'll just pull it up from the medical records at NERV."

"Good luck," said Asuka, "Did I mention my mom is a hell of a programmer? She set up a very annoying firewall around all of the medical data, and the MAGI won't let you past it."

Shinji smiled. "Well that's why it'll be fun."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Kensuke watched as the plane landed and came to a stop.

"Move in," he ordered.

Former SSDF soldiers and other mercenaries appeared from the fields surrounding the airfield and opened fire, killing three of the guards quickly. Suddenly the attackers were getting picked off one by one by another team of soldiers. They were wearing black armor and had remained in the shadows of the buildings, nearly invisible. The attackers returned fire, hitting some but doing no damage. A few of the soldiers had large tubes mounted on their shoulders and opened fire with a laser beam. Explosions ripped through the air, setting fire to the fields.

Kensuke could hear the screams of the soldiers as they were cut to pieces by the gunfire from the mysterious soldiers. He quickly tried to fall back but a stray bullet caught him in the leg. Fortunately for him a jeep appeared and the men hauled him on board. They quickly retreated. Kensuke called back to base.

"Kaji, this is Kensuke. We failed. The Americans deployed some kind of soldier that massacred all of our troops."

"Understood. Tell me everything when you get back."

Kensuke turned off the radio and winced as a man bandaged his wound. This had been a major screw-up and now the US was aware of someone trying to steal the Dead Sea Scrolls. It might be time to bug out.

End of Scenario 7

Z98