Author's note -
This is the final chapter. There may or may not be a sequel. If you want one, let me know. Any questions, ask me and, if I get enough, I'll put a question and answer section up. (Otherwise I'll e-mail you a response.)
Thank you to all my reviewers, especially to Black Robed One, Ishagu and DSZ. And thank you to Ultima Bigaroh for pointing out my mistake last time. I have since corrected it.
Disclaimer -
All the characters contained in this story are copyright GAINAX, Project EVA, Movic, and any other company and/or division associated with the creation and/or production of Neon Genesis Evangelion. A.D.Vision holds the copyrights to the translated version of Neon Genesis Evangelion. All characters are used WITHOUT the permission of the aforementioned institutions.
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IMPACT
A sequel to "A Question Of..."
By Room3
Chapter 10 - "Kommen, süßer Tod"
Evangelion Units 00 and 02 burst from the lake and ran towards Unit 01, which had found itself surrounded by the newly arrived, white, mass produced Evangelion units.
"Glad you could make it," Shinji taunted as Asuka's machine took a fighting stance to his right.
"You didn't think I'd let you have all the fun now, did you?" she replied, smirking.
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"Major," Makato Hyugo called.
"Make sure that door's secure," Misato yelled at the technicians working to repair the damage done by the JSSDF's forces as she walked over to the bespectacled technician. "What is it Hyugo?"
"I'm getting some strange readings from the surface," Makato informed her.
"What do you mean?" the major asked, leaning over his console.
"Let me show you," he replied, calling up the relevant feed. "I'm guessing these are the signals from Eva's 05 to 13," the technician told her, pointing to what looked like wavy lines on his screen. "The funny thing is," he added, typing commands into his console, "they're all the same." The lines were superimposed on each other, and they did indeed match.
"How the hell can that be?" Katsuragi asked, straightening up. She looked at the image on the main monitor.
"Well, there is one possibility," Shigeru interjected, having overheard their conversation.
"What?" the major asked, looking at him.
"They're using dummy plugs," the longhaired technician told her.
"But how?" Maya asked. "Dr. Akagi destroyed the dummy system."
"I guess they had a backup," Aoba shrugged. "But dummy plugs are the only way to explain the identical data patterns."
"Then there's no one inside those things," Misato muttered. She activated a voice link to the three pilots. "Listen up you guys. Those things are being controlled by dummy plugs. There are no pilots."
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"You hear that Shinji?" the second-child asked. The boy grunted over the radio. "Nine enemies. That makes it three a piece," the redhead commented, her one serious. "Think you can handle that Shinji?" she asked, her usual cheerfulness reasserting itself.
"I'll do my best," the third-child replied, uncertain. He'd only had to face another Eva in battle once, and these things looked nothing like Unit 03. "You okay Rei?" he enquired.
"I am prepared," the first-child answered softly.
"Then let's get this show on the road!" Asuka cried. The red Eva leapt forward, landing on Unit 09. The German's machine crushed the white Eva's head as it staggered backward. As Unit 02 jumped backwards, Unit 09 collapsed to the ground, a red liquid pouring from the gapping hole where once its head had been.
"That's one for me," the second-child stated cheerfully, drawing her progressive knife.
Damn, she's really enjoying this! Shinji thought. A movement caught his eye. The unit directly in front of him, Unit 13, raised its weapon. The boy charged at it. As 13 swung the bladed implement at Unit 01, the purple machine sidestepped the blow and came to a stop behind the white Eva. Before it could react, Shinji grabbed its arms just below the shoulders. Squeezing as hard as he could, he brought his Eva's right leg up and pushed it against 13's back. There was a horrific tearing noise as the mass produced Eva's arms ripped from its body. Red liquid poured from the wounds.
As the third-child threw the severed arms away, Unit 01 was knocked to the floor by Unit 08. As it straddled the prone form of the purple Eva, Shinji grabbed its head and squeezed. His vision was blocked momentarily as 08's head burst, showering Unit 01's face with its blood. Eva 01 shook its head as it pushed the disabled unit off it.
Looking around quickly, the boy saw Asuka use her progressive to sever a leg of the unit she was attacking. Rei's umbilical cable lay on the ground a short distance behind the blue Eva. It appeared to be winning a fist fight against one of the attackers. As the third-child watched, Unit 00's fist ripped into the belly of Unit 11. Its free hand drew the blue machine's knife and plunged it into the white robot's cranium. As both fist and blade were removed, the white form dropped to the floor.
"Shinji! Behind you!" Asuka cried over the radio. The boy made his Eva drop, turning it around as he did. He saw Unit 05 swinging its double bladed weapon in a move that would have severed Unit 01's head, if not for the German's warning.
"Bastard!" the third-child cursed, quickly grabbing his knife from its shoulder casing and driving it into 05's belly, ripping through the delicate internal mechanisms. The white Eva slumped against Unit 01, and Shinji threw it to the ground.
"That's the last of them," Asuka said, panting hard. Shinji looked up to see both Units 00 and 02 looking at him. "You okay Shinji?"
"Yeah," the boy sighed. "I'm just glad that's over with!"
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"How much power has Rei got left?" Major Katsuragi asked. Everyone in command had been watching the battle.
"Just over three and a half minutes," Maya answered, after checking her console. A high-pitched beeping made her look back at her display. "Oh my God!" she gasped as she interpreted the data it was displaying.
"What is it?" the major asked, worried by the lieutenant's tone.
"The destroyed Eva series units…" Ibuki said, looking at Misato. "The Eva series has reactivated!"
"What?!" Katsuragi demanded, turning to look at the main display.
"Dear God!" Fuyutski muttered as he stood beside the major.
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"What the hell?!" Asuka exclaimed as the fallen Eva's got to their feet one by one. She backed away from the unit she had been standing over, Unit 06, as a smile appeared on what was left of its face. As the red machine backed up against Units 00 and 01, 06 got to its feet and seemed to be staring at her, mocking her.
"What's going on?" the third-child asked in disbelief, watching as the three pilots found themselves surrounded once more.
"They are reactivating," Rei replied calmly.
"Dammit! What does it take to destroy those things?" the German cursed.
"They're…they're repairing themselves," Shinji stammered.
"What?!" the second-child cried. She looked at the Unit 06. The arm she had severed was regenerating before her eyes. "Mien Gott!"
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"How the hell are we gonna stop those things?!" Misato yelled as she watched the damaged Eva's repair themselves.
"I know," Akagi's voice called from the major's left. Misato looked over at the doctor, who was stood by the consoles near Casper. "Shinji, Asuka, Rei," Ritsuko said, turning on the radio, "you'll have to disable their S2 organs and…" A bullet ricocheting off the floor at her feet stopped her.
"That's quite enough doctor," Commander Ikari said, pointing a gun at her. He was stood on the top level of the command deck. Akagi turned and faced him, her face blank.
"Commander?" Misato asked, puzzled, looking up at him.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Ritsuko asked him, staring up at his face.
"Yes," he replied calmly.
It's now or never, Fuyutski thought. "Would Yui have wanted any of this?" he yelled up at Gendo.
Who the hell is Yui? Shigeru wondered, looking at the professor.
"I'm doing this for her," Ikari informed Kouzou. Ritsuko listened closely to his tone.
Yui! That's it! the doctor thought. "Asuka is Shinji's Yui!" she shouted at him. "He loves her for who she is!"
"Shinji loves Asuka?" Makato whispered, looking at Shigeru.
"It's news to me," the longhaired technician replied shrugging, his eyes fixed on the commander.
Gendo dropped the gun and lifted his right hand so it was directly in front of his face. As he stared at its gloved palm, his hand shook and his mind raced. Emotions he had bottled up for years broke free.
"Shinji," the commander murmured, his voice breaking. He closed his eyes and swallowed hard, a single tear rolling down his cheek. "Dear God! What have I done?!" he whispered, hanging his head. A few moments later he looked up, his emotions under his control once more.
"Proceed Dr. Akagi," he ordered, returning to his desk.
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"What the hell's going on in there?" Asuka murmured, having been listening over the still opening voice link. She snorted. "Hey Shinji! It looks likes the secret's out," she said.
"I guess so," the boy replied absently. He was still focused on the white forms surrounding the three pilots.
"Listen carefully," Ritsuko's voice instructed over the voice link. "To defeat the Eva series you'll have to disable them, then destroy their S2 engines and dummy plugs."
"You guys get that?" Major Katsuragi's voice asked.
"Yeah, yeah. We got it," the redhead replied flippantly.
"Rei, you best try to avoid the battle," Misato added. "You don't have much power left."
"Yes major," the first-child replied calmly.
"Looks like it's up to the two of us Shinji," the German said. "I bet I can beat more of them than you?" Shinji opened a video link to Unit 02.
"You're on," he told her, smiling at her. "Just one question, though. Where are the S2 engines?"
"We're working on that," Misato told him. "Just disable them and keep them down for now."
"Then lets get to it!" the second-child yelled, leaping forward. Unit 02 grabbed the undamaged arm of 06 and sliced it off with its progressive knife. The red Eva dropped the now severed arm and slammed the knife into the grinning face, slicing the head in half. As she withdrew the blade, it snapped. Cursing, Asuka pressed a button on the control carriage, causing a new blade to take its place. Seeing Unit 06 still on its feet, she delivered a roundhouse kick to its face, knocking it flying.
"Asuka! Look out!" Shinji's voice cried over the intercom. Before she could react, Unit 02 was knocked to the ground by Eva 11, the progressive knife sent flying. Snarling, the German grabbed the white unit's head and held it over her right shoulder wing. The housing opened and seven spikes shot out, impaling the robot's head. As it staggered backwards, Unit 02 grasped its weapon and ripped it free. Taking a proper grip on the twin bladed implement, Asuka swung it, slicing through the white Eva's waist. Blood sprayed across her vision as the two halves fell to the ground separately.
"And stay down!" she shouted at it. She took a brief look at Shinji and saw him slice the head off Unit 07. Spotting movement from the corner of her eye, she swung the weapon in her hands round. It clanged and shook violently as it impacted the weapon of Unit 10.
"Trying to sneak up on me, hey?" the German asked. She swung the blade in her hand at the white Eva, which dodged the blow. Grinning to herself, Asuka allowed the momentum of the swing to keep turning her, dropping to her knees as she span. Unit 02 swept 10's feet out from under it, quickly getting to its feet as the white machine fell. Before Unit 10 hit the ground, Asuka ran it through with her weapon. Spotting her progressive knife on the floor, she left the doubled bladed implement in the fallen robot.
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"Rei, listen up," Major Katsuragi's voiced said over the intercom. "We've located the S2 organs. We're sending you the data now. I want you to destroy the organs in the Eva series Asuka and Shinji have disabled. You got that?"
"Yes major," the first-child replied calmly.
"I'll send them the data as soon as they've disabled all of them," Misato added. "Get to it." Surveying the battle field, Rei spotted Unit 06 beginning to stir. Tightening its grip on its progressive knife, Unit 00 ran over and sank the blade into the white Eva's torso, slicing through its protective armour and into the internal mechanisms. As she thrust deeper, Rei felt the resistance to blade's passing increase. Figuring she had found the S2 organ, she pushed harder.
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"Unit 01's power output is at one hundred and twenty three percent!" Maya shouted, attracting Misato and Ritsuko's attention.
"What?" the major demanded, looking over at the lieutenant.
"That's impossible!" Dr. Akagi replied, rushing over to Ibuki's console. She typed a few commands. "Output confirmed. And increasing!" The blonde doctor looked up at the commander, who was frowning as he watched the battle.
"We have little time left," Gendo murmured. Professor Fuyutski, now stood beside him as usual, looked worried and leant over the commander's desk.
"What do you mean?" Kouzou asked.
"If my hypothesis is correct, things may soon be taken out of our hands," Ikari replied quietly.
"Unit 02's umbilical cable has been severed!" Shigeru shouted.
"How much time does Rei have left?" Katsuragi asked him.
"Just over one hundred seconds," the longhaired technician replied, checking the countdown displayed on his console.
"How many of the Eva series are still active?" the major asked, looking back at the main display.
"Units 05, 09 and 13 are still active," Makato replied. "S2 organs in Units 08, 11 and 12 have yet to be disabled."
"We still need to disable the dummy plugs," Ritsuko reminded the major, who grimaced.
"Rei, I want you start destroying the dummy plugs," Misato said into the intercom.
"Yes major," the first child responded calmly.
"Hyugo," Misato continued, turning to the bespectacled technician, "as soon as Asuka has disabled the next unit, send her the S2 data and have her begin disabling the fallen units."
"Right," he replied.
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"Bravo team, status?" the JSSDF commander's voice asked over the radio. The captain held up his hand to indicate his team should stop and grabbed the radio.
"Almost in position," he said. "Assault on the secondary command centre should begin in two minutes."
"Negative Bravo team," came the reply. "All personnel are to withdraw from combat and regroup outside the city."
"Sir?" the captain asked.
"You heard me," the commander growled back. "Orders from upstairs. Now fall back!"
"Yes sir," the captain responded. He snorted as he passed the radio to another member of his team. "You heard the man, fall back," he told his team.
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"Major! Reports are coming in," Shigeru announced. He looked at his console in disbelief. "The JSSDF is withdrawing!" A cheer echoed throughout the command centre.
"Don't celebrate yet!" Misato shouted. "They may just be regrouping, or preparing to launch a chemical strike." Silence fell in the chamber. "How's Asuka doing?"
"Just finished disabling Unit 13," Makato replied. "I'm about to transmit her the S2 data."
"Good," the major responded. "Rei's status?"
"Less than forty-five seconds activation remaining," Hyugo answered. "S2 organs in Units 06, 07, 08, 10 and 12 have been disabled. The dummy plugs in Units 07, 08 and 12 have been destroyed. Eva series Units 05 and 09 are still active."
"Order Rei to fall back from the scene," Katsuragi told him. "We can't afford to have her run out of power in the battle zone. Unit 01's status?"
"Currently engaged in combat with Unit 09," Shigeru replied, checking the data he was receiving.
"Unit 01's power output is up to one hundred and fifty-seven percent!" Maya yelled at the major.
"Very soon now," Gendo said softly, his chin resting on his interlocked fingers. Outwardly, he appeared calm; but his mind raced, trying to figure out just what would happen next, and whether or not he had any chance to preventing that which he had set in motion.
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"Looks like Shinji's gonna win our little bet," the German muttered to herself as she picked her progressive knife up from where it had landed. She smiled. Not that I really care, she thought. After all, it was just a bit of fun. Leaning over the disabled form of Unit 13, she checked the data she had just received. "Right," she murmured, dangling the blade over the white torso, "the S2 organ should be just about…here!" Having found the spot she wanted, Asuka gripped the progressive knife in both hands and slammed it down into the belly of 13. Its mouth emitted a horrendous cry as the blade sank in, slicing through its internal mechanisms.
"This is it," the redhead muttered as she felt the resistance to the blade increase. She pushed down harder and felt the knife sink into its target. A display window to her left showed her attack had been successful as the status of Unit 13 changed. "Who's next?" she wondered aloud, looking at the status' of the other white Eva's.
"Asuka, remove 13's dummy plug before you move on," Ritsuko ordered over the radio.
"Okay, okay," the second-child muttered. Unit 02 rolled the inactive white form onto its front. The red machine grasped the plate covering the dummy plug and ripped it off. "Dammit!" Asuka cursed, looking at the plug. "There's no way I'm gonna get my hand in there!" She sighed. "I guess there's only one thing to do then." Her Eva brought the progressive knife over the hole, then pushed downwards, slicing the dummy plug in half.
I wonder how Rei has been doing it? the redhead mused as she withdrew the blade. Evangelion Unit 02 got to its feet and began walking towards Unit 11. It swung its progressive knife around and returned it to its housing in the shoulder wing.
"Time to finish you off," Asuka growled as she walked towards the white robot which still lay in two pieces. She picked up one of the double-bladed weapons from the ground as she advanced. Stopping in front of the top half of Unit 11, Asuka looked down at the prone form beneath her and smirked. She lifted the weapon in her hands over her head with both hands.
"Auf Wiedersehen sweinhund," she taunted, swinging the blade down, slicing through the head and chest, destroying both S2 organ and dummy plug in one move. "Next," she muttered, looking around. She saw Unit 10 still impaled on 11's weapon and walked over to it, dropping the twin-bladed implement she held.
"Now then, how should I finish you off?" the German said, standing over the impaled Eva. A movement on the edge of her field of vision caught her attention. Spinning, she saw one of the double-bladed weapons flying towards her. Without thinking, she raised and expanded her AT Field to block it. The field glowed as the weapon impacted it. As Asuka looked at it, wondering which unit had thrown it, the metal weapon seemed to twist and flow into a new shape.
"The Lance Of Longinus?!" the second-child gasped as she recognised the form it had taken. She froze, transfixed as it began to cut through the AT Field. Free a few moments later, it shot towards her. A moment before impact, something barged into her knocking aside. A feminine scream filled her ears as she hit the ground.
"Rei!" Shinji's voice cried. The redhead looked behind her to see Unit 00 with the two prongs of the grey 'Lance' sticking through the blue Eva's torso. It leaned backwards for a moment, before collapsing to the ground.
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"Unit 00 has ceased activation," Shigeru said softly, shocked by what they all had just seen on the main display.
"Wh…what's Rei's status?" Misato stuttered.
"The pilot is injured, but she's alive," Maya responded, relieved to see the first-child's vital signs on her console. The major leant over Makato's console and activated the radio.
"Rei's alive," she said calmly. "Which unit threw it?" Misato asked, looking at the bespectacled technician.
"Unit 09," Hyugo replied. "It's the only one still active."
"Right. Shinji, disable Unit 09," Katsuragi ordered. She watched as Unit 01 ran over to the white Eva and began attacking it savagely.
"Are any S2 organs still active?" Fuyutski asked from beside the commander.
"Unit 05's is still functioning," Makato answered, checking his console.
"Disable it," Gendo ordered. "What is Unit 01's output?"
"One hundred and sixty-nine percent," Lieutenant Ibuki informed him.
"Are we still receiving the feeds from the observation satellites?" the commander asked.
"Yes sir," the long-haired technician replied, checking.
"Watch for any activity from lunar orbit," Ikari ordered.
"Yes sir," Aoba responded, puzzled by the order.
"Dear God!" Kouzou gasped, looking at Gendo. "You don't think…?"
"Indeed," the commander replied calmly. "That is why time is of the essence." He looked at the main display, just in time to see his son's Eva rip open Unit 09's chest. The purple Eva then picked up its progressive knife from where it had landed and plunged it into the S2 organ. The command centre was filled with an unearthly shriek as the knife penetrated the organ.
"That's the last of them," Makato said softly. "All S2 organs have now been disabled."
"What about the dummy plugs?" Ritsuko asked. Hyugo checked his console before answering.
"The dummy plugs of Units 05, 06, 09 and 10 are still operational," he replied.
"High speed object detected coming from lunar orbit!" Shigeru yelled. "It's heading this way!" The blonde doctor looked up at the commander, who nodded.
"Eject Unit 01's entry plug," she ordered. Misato and the three technicians looked at her.
"Do what?" Major Katsuragi asked.
"Trust me Misato," Akagi replied.
"Do as she instructed," Commander Ikari ordered. The major looked at him for a moment, her mind racing.
"You heard the man," Misato said, turning to Makato. "Eject Shinji's entry plug."
"Time to impact?" Fuyutski asked.
"Fifty-five seconds and counting," Aoba replied.
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"What in hell?" Asuka muttered as she watched the third-child's entry plug was jettisoned from his Eva and the robot collapsed to the ground.
"Asuka," Dr. Akagi's voice said. "You have to destroy Unit 01's S2 organ."
"I have to what?!" the redhead cried. "No way!"
"Just do it Asuka!" Ritsuko told her. "Please, we don't have time to discuss it."
"But…" the second-child started, but a video window opening to her left interrupted her.
"It's okay Asuka," Shinji said, smiling at her. Looking at the face of the boy she loved, her resolve melted.
"Right," she said, walking Unit 02 over the deactivated Eva. She rolled the purple robot on to its back. "I'm sorry Shinji," she whispered. She kneeled down over the purple Eva and drove her progressive knife into Unit 01's torso, feeling like she was betraying the one she loved. As the knife bit into the robot, it arched its back and threw its head back, roaring. Tears in her eyes, Asuka pushed harder. Unit 01 shuddered and then went silent, dropping to the ground.
"Impact in ten seconds!" Shigeru's voice yelled, loud enough to make the girl cringe.
"Asuka! Hit the deck!" Misato's voice shouted at her.
"Shinji!" the girl cried. Unit 02 got to its feet and grabbed the boy's entry plug. Seeing a red glow in the sky, the German jumped to the floor, the entry plug safely wrapped in her arms. Hitting the ground, she rolled over onto her front as a sudden heat began to make her sweat. There was a sound like an explosion and a shockwave hit, knocking the girl out.
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"Asuka. Asuka!" a voice called, dragging her slowly back to consciousness. She shook her head to clear it and put her hand to her face, wincing as she touched her forehead.
"Great," she muttered, "another bruise."
"Asuka, you okay?" the voice asked.
"Shinji?" the girl asked, recognising the voice. "How long was I out for?" she asked him, looking at the still active video window.
"Only a couple of moments," the third-child replied. "But it was long enough to worry me." Asuka's heart skipped a beat at his words.
"Idiot," she told him, smiling. "You worry too much."
"I can't help it," Shinji told her. "Besides, I want to worry about you." The two of them sat in silence for a few seconds, lost in each others eyes. "What happened?" the boy asked eventually.
"I don't know," the German replied. "Hang a sec, I'll take a look." She slowly stood her Eva upright and felt something slide off her back. Must have been buried by that…whatever it was, she thought.
The now upright Unit 02 looked around itself. Small fires burned around it and the air shimmered in the heat. Looking behind itself, it froze.
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"What is it Asuka?" Shinji asked, seeing the look on his girlfriends face. She blinked and looked at him.
"You have to see this for yourself," she told him, her voice empty of al emotion. The image of her face was replaced by an exterior view. The boy shook his head as he took in the sight. Glistening in the light from the fires surrounding it, the Lance Of Longinus sat embedded in Unit 01; one prong in the face, one in the neck.
"Glad I wasn't in there," Shinji muttered to himself. "Oh my God, Rei!" he gasped. "I completely forgot about her."
"I will be fine," the first-child's voice told him over the radio. Her laboured breathing was clearly audible over the link.
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"Major Katsuragi," Commander Ikari said, getting to his feet. Misato turned to face him.
"Yes sir?" she asked.
"I want the all of the Eva's and the Lance recovered," he told her. "No matter what state they are in. Leave nothing behind. Use all available personnel."
"Yes sir," Katsuragi replied.
"Professor Fuyutski, Doctor Akagi, come with me," Gendo continued. "We have much to discuss." Misato watched as the three most powerful members of Nerv walked out of the command centre.
"What was that all about?" Makato asked.
"I doubt we'll have to wait long to find out," Misato sighed. "We better get started with the clean up."
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"Well this is just great!" Asuka said as she paced the floor of the rest area. It had been three hours since the battle had ended and Commander Ikari had insisted that the pilots remained in headquarters, although he had allowed them to change back into their own clothes, rather than remain in their plug suits. The third-child watched from the bench he was perched on.
"It's for our protection," Shinji told her, walking over to the German. She stopped as he stood in front of her, smiling.
"What?" she asked, planting her hands on her hips.
"Do you have any idea how beautiful you look when you're annoyed?" the boy told her, taking her hands in his. The German flushed slightly at his words, and broke eye contact.
"What about her?" the redhead asked, spotting Rei watching them from the far side of the area.
"What about her? The secret's out, remember," Shinji reminded her. "We don't have to hide how we feel anymore." He squeezed her hands before releasing them. "And I'm glad," he told her. "I love you Asuka and, like I said before, I want the whole world to know how I feel."
"You know, you can say the sweetest things sometimes Shinji," the second-child said softly, running her right hand through his hair. "And in case I haven't said it yet today, I love you too."
"You have," he said, stroking her cheek with his fingers, "but it's always nice to hear you say it." The object of his affections closed her eyes and gently pushed her head against his hand. A tear appeared at the corner of her left eye. "What's that for?" he asked as he softly brushed it away.
"I just realised how close we came to loosing each other today," Asuka told him, her voice breaking. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you," she added, opening her eyes. The look of pain in them spoke volumes to Shinji about her fear.
"You're not going to," the boy assured her, pulling her into an embrace and wrapping his arms around her middle. After a few moments she wrapped her arms around his waist. "I told you before," he whispered to her softly, "you're never going to be rid of me." Asuka smiled at his words and leant her head against his shoulder.
"I'm gonna hold you to that," she muttered, closing her eyes and tightening her grip on him. He reached up and rested his right hand on the back of her head.
From her vantage point, Rei watched the interaction of her fellow pilots with interest. In her lifetime she had heard a great deal about love, but had never really seen it in action. As she observed the two, she felt something. Something she had felt before, but never as keenly as this. It took a few moments to figure out exactly what it was. Loneliness. She felt empty and alone.
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"You busy Ritsuko?" Misato asked as she entered the doctor's office. It was the early hours of the morning and Akagi was sat at her desk, working on her computer. She quickly turned the monitor off and turned to the major.
"I thought you'd be asleep by now," the blonde doctor replied. She picked up the mug of coffee sat on her desk and took a sip as Katsuragi yawned.
"Couldn't," Misato sighed, perching on the edge of the desk and rubbing her eyes. "Ritsuko, I…I need a favour," the major said hesitantly. "And before you ask, it's nothing to do with Asuka and Shinji. It's…personal."
"Sure," the doctor replied. "I've got some free time. What is it?"
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"Man, I'll sure be glad when we can get out of here," Makato commented tiredly, sliding into his seat. He, Maya and Shigeru hadn't long woken up and he and Shigeru were in desperate need of a shave. A change of uniform wouldn't hurt either, he thought, setting his mug next to his console.
"You and me both," Aoba replied, yawning. He arched is back and stretched his arms back behind his head.
"With luck, we should be able to leave sometime this afternoon," Lieutenant Ibuki informed them. "The retrieval operation is about seventy percent complete," she explained, reading the data displayed on her screen. She frowned. "That's strange," she commented.
"What is?" Hyugo asked, looking over at her.
"There's no repair schedule for the Eva's," the lieutenant replied.
"Maybe Dr. Akagi just hasn't gotten around to it yet," the longhaired technician suggested. He picked up the mug of coffee next to his station and took a long drink, feeling the beverage run down his throat and warm his stomach.
"Maybe," Maya muttered. "I just feel like I'm out of the loop on something."
"I wouldn't worry about it," Shigeru told her, sitting down. "Whatever it is, we'll find out sooner or later. We always do."
"You mean like about Shinji and Asuka?" the bespectacled technician asked. "Misato didn't seem surprised about it, nor did Commander Fuyutski." He gave his neck a quick rub as it felt stiff, probably a result of sleeping on the cot in the canteen. "Seems like we're always the last to know just bout anything around here," he added.
"It seems weird," Ibuki said. "Thinking of those two as a couple."
"Yeah, I know," Hyugo agreed. "Especially considering how often they used to fight."
"I've been thinking about that," Aoba commented. "I can't help but wonder how many of those fights they staged to hide their relationship."
"It is possible I suppose," Makato said, picking up his mug.
"What is?" Misato asked as she approached the three technicians, who turned around to look at her. Her jacket was badly crumpled, as was her dress, and there were bags under her eyes. All in all, she looked pretty rough.
"You okay major?" Makato asked. She smiled.
"Yeah," she replied, sighing a little. "I just didn't get much sleep last night. What's possible?" she enquired, returning the conversation to the previous topic.
"That Shinji and Asuka have been staging their fights to hide their relationship," the longhaired technician replied.
"I guess it is," Katsuragi muttered, perching on the edge of Makato's console. If they have been staging fights, they've been doing it at school, she thought, leaning forward and blowing on the steaming mug in her hands.
"Where are they anyway?" Makato asked, realising he had no idea where the subjects of conversation were.
"With the JSSDF holding position about fifty kilometres from here, Commander Ikari agreed to let them leave headquarters," the major replied. "I doubt they've gone far though. I think they just needed some fresh air." And to get away from all the stares they've been getting!
"How long have you known abut them?" the bespectacled technician enquired.
"About a week," Misato replied, sighing. "It…it's weird, seeing them together like that. But they seem… They are happy together."
"Has anyone seen Dr. Akagi this morning?" Maya asked, realising she had yet to see the blonde doctor.
"I saw her last night, but…" Katsuragi replied, trailing off. "You know, I don't remember seeing the commander or Fuyutski either."
"I wonder what they're up to?" Makato muttered.
"Who knows," Shigeru shrugged.
One thing for sure, Misato thought, with those three working together, it's going to mean trouble. She lifted her mug and took a sip, pleased that the queasiness she had been feeling earlier had passed. Has the commander given up on Instrumentality? She sighed and shook her head slightly, trying to clear it.
"So, how's the recovery operation going?" she asked cheerfully, changing the topic of conversation.
--------------
"I wonder where Rei went?" Shinji muttered as he lay on the grass next to Asuka, watching the clouds pass by overhead. The two of them were lying on a hillside that over looked the remains of Tokyo-3, but they paid the devastation no heed. "She really should have stayed in the infirmary last night."
"Who knows," the redhead replied absently. "Sometimes I swear Wondergirl is a law unto herself." She smiled and sat up, looking down at the boy she loved. "Don't worry about her," she told him. "She can take of herself."
"I guess you're right," the boy replied softly, closing his eyes.
"Of course I am," Asuka quipped. The third-child chuckled, opening his eyes.
"I wonder what's going to happen now," he muttered to himself.
"I don't know. And right now, I don't care," the second-child told him, lying back down next to him and taking his hand in hers. She turned her head and looked at him. "I don't want to think about what happened yesterday, about what's going to happen next week, tomorrow or in ten minutes," she said softly. "All that matters is that, right now, I'm here with you. The one I love." Shinji turned to look at her and found himself lost in her blue eyes.
"I love you Asuka," he whispered, not willing to break eye contact.
"I know. I love you too."
--------------
"I wonder when they'll get started," Makato muttered as he leaned back his seat. He'd set his console to run a diagnostic on the refrigeration system for the Eva's and could do nothing more until it was complete.
"Started with what?" Shigeru asked, looking over at his colleague. He'd writing a report on the recent battle and had been distracted by the bespectacled technician. Maya heard Aoba and looked at them.
"Rebuilding Tokyo-3," Makato replied.
"It will probably be a while," Misato stated from where she was leaning against the wall near Maya's console. "The government will want to make sure we're no threat before they start.
"Do you think the JSSDF will attack again?" Ibuki asked her, concerned.
"Maybe," the major replied, pushing off the wall and walking over towards Makato's console where she had left her coffee mug. "Right now, they'll be busy analysing what happened during the battle. They won't make a move until they're sure they can win."
"I hope they don't," Hyugo commented. "Two thirds of our shift were killed during the attack."
"Yeah, if they attack now, we don't stand a chance," Aoba added.
"But they don't know that, do they?" Lieutenant Ibuki asked, worried.
"No, they don't," Misato assured her. "They won't risk another confrontation yet. Not until reinforcements have arrived." She picked up her mug and took a sip, grimacing as the now cold liquid ran down her throat. "They'll also be worried about the Eva's," the major added, putting the mug down.
"I can't believe how few injured there were," Makato said, checking the progress of the diagnostic. Less than half done.
"They weren't taking any prisoners," Shigeru related.
"I heard that they'd been authorised to kill non-combat personnel," Hyugo added, leaning back and closing his eyes. "Glad we didn't need to surrender." Maya shuddered at the thought of what could have been. The door behind them opened and Misato looked over her shoulder to see who it was.
"Has the retrieval operation been completed yet?" Professor Fuyutski asked, as the door slid shut behind him.
"Yes sir," Shigeru replied. "As ordered, all Eva units and the Lance have been recovered."
"Good," Kouzou responded. Without saying another word, he headed for his usual position. Commander Ikari entered and took his seat as Fuyutski reached his place. "Retrieval is complete," he told Ikari.
"Excellent," Gendo replied. "Then we will able to proceed before the old men can act again." Doctor Akagi chose that moment to enter the command centre. She glanced up at the commander's position and headed towards him. "Do you have the data I requested Dr. Akagi?" the commander asked, seeing her approach.
"Yes commander," she replied calmly. "We will need to make use of all nineteen available and it will take approximately eighty minutes to complete the preparations."
"And the distance?" Fuyutski enquired.
"One hundred and sixty-eight point nine eight kilometres is the minimum sir," Ritsuko replied.
"We are agreed on this course of action, are we not?" the commander asked. The professor and the doctor nodded. "Very well then. Let us begin." He opened a drawer to his right and pulled out a telephone handset. He pressed a few buttons inside the drawer and lifted the handset to his face.
--------------
"This is Commander Ikari to all Nerv personnel," Gendo's voice echoed through the base intercom. Throughout headquarters, men and women stopped what they were doing and looked upwards.
--------------
"I am ordering a complete evacuation of this facility," he continued, speaking slowly and carefully, ensuring everyone listening would clearly understand him. Below him, Misato and the three technicians stared upwards, finding it difficult to believe what he just said.
"You have ninety minutes to get a minimum of one hundred and seventy kilometres from headquarters. I repeat, all personnel are to evacuate to a minimum distance of one hundred and seventy kilometres. You have ninety minutes. That is all." He put the handset back in the drawer and closed. "Make sure the government receives a copy of that doctor," he said.
"Yes commander," Ritsuko replied. Ikari stood up and leaned forward.
"Major Katsuragi," he called.
"Yes sir?" Misato asked, still stunned by his announcement.
"I am making you personally responsible for the pilots of Units 01 and 02," Gendo told her. "Their safety is your top priority."
"Sir?" the major asked, her face clearly displaying her confusion.
"You have your orders major," he replied, firmly. "See to it."
"Yes sir," Katsuragi responded, saluting. He nodded and she ran from the command centre, towards the parking garage. Realising she had no idea where her two charges were, she pulled out her mobile phone and dialled a number.
"Come on, come on," she muttered as it rang, coming to a stop by her car. "Pick up Shinji," she murmured, pulling her car keys out. The phone rang a couple more times and was then answered.
"Hello?" the third-child's voice said.
"Shinji, it's Misato," the major responded, opening the car door. "Where are you?"
"I'm near the lookout point," the boy replied.
"Is Asuka with you?" Misato asked, getting in the vehicle and closing the door.
"Yes, she is. Why?"
"I don't have time to explain now," the major informed the boy. "Just meet me at the lookout. I'll explain then." She turned off the phone, dropped it on the passenger seat and started the engine.
The rear wheels span as she kicked the car into gear and she sped off, leaving rubber streaks on the concrete and smoke in the air. She knew the entrance nearest the lookout as clear enough for her to drive through, and drove at high speed towards it.
--------------
"What is it Shinji?" Asuka asked, seeing the puzzled look on her boyfriend's face as he put his phone away.
"Misato wants to us to meet her at the lookout point," the third-child replied, getting to his feet.
"Why?" the redhead asked, standing up.
"I dunno," Shinji answered. "She didn't say. It sounded like she was in a hurry."
"We'd best not keep her waiting then," the German said. She took the boy's hand in her own and began walking up the hillside to the lookout point. She'd only been to the actual point once, but she and Shinji had been to this spot near it many times. It was peaceful, and they were unlikely to be disturbed. Once at the point, they climbed over the railing and sat down on it, turning their backs on the scarred city they called home.
Asuka shivered a little as a cold wind blew along the road. Shinji noticed and moved closer, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. She leant against him and sighed, closing her eyes. A few moments later, the sound of screeching tyres attracted their attention. As they got to their feet, a blue car skidded around the bend in the road and skidded to a stop a short distance from them.
"Get in!" Misato yelled at them, leaning out the driver's window. The third-child opened the passenger door and Asuka climbed in the back. The boy quickly sat down and pulled the door closed.
"What's going on Misato?" he asked, buckling his seatbelt.
"I'll tell you in a minute," she said, revving the engine. "Hang on!" she shouted as the back wheels span for a moment before the car shot forward. The redhead in the back gripped the handle over the rear passenger's window to avoid being thrown into the front seat. "Your father's ordered a complete evacuation of headquarters," the major said, her eyes glued to the road.
"He…he was? Why?" Shinji asked as the car bounced over a bump in the road.
"I don't know," Katsuragi told him. "And I wasn't going to hang around to ask him." She took a quick glance at the dash clock and the speedometer. This is gonna be tight, she thought. "I've got less than an hour and a quarter to get you two about a hundred and seventy kilometres from here," she explained, sliding the car around a bend. She stole a glance at the boy; he was staring out the passenger window as the world sped by.
"Shit!" Misato cursed as she looked back at the road; a tree had fallen over and was blocking both lanes. She span the wheel frantically to the left and drove around it, the car bucking as it bounced over the grass verge beside the road. "You okay back there Asuka?" the major asked as the vehicle returned to the tarmac, her eyes fixed on the road ahead.
"Just peachy," the second-child retorted, feeling a little sick. Looking forward, she could see the side of Shinji's head, who looked a little pale. She was about to speak to him, when a sudden veer slammed her into the side of the car. She bit hr lip to keep a yelp in and decided to keep watch on the road so she could be ready for any other sudden manoeuvres.
--------------
"I thought I would find you here," Gendo said to Rei as he walked along the metal walkway in front of Unit 01. The first-child was staring up at the face of the Eva. She turned and looked at him.
"What is my purpose?" she asked calmly. "Why do I exist?"
"Your purpose is no longer relevant," Ikari said, standing next to her. He turned his gaze at the purple machine. "Your existence shall end soon, as will mine." He reached up and pushed his glasses back. "We are no longer needed."
--------------
"That's the last of them," Fuyutski muttered, wiping his brow. He was leaning on the large cylindrical object he had just positioned next to Melchior. There was one beside each of the Magi, with a number of other scattered throughout headquarters. It had taken the four of them over an hour to position them all, just as Dr. Akagi had predicted. "All the S2 mines are in position."
"Good," Commander Ikari said, looking at the main display. The countdown reached three minutes. "Are you prepared?" he asked, turning to Akagi, who was sat at Maya's station.
"Yes commander," she replied, her hands dancing across the console. "The Magi's failsafe is ready."
"Very well then," Gendo replied, looking back at Rei, who was sat in Makato's chair. She looked at him and smiled. "Proceed," the commander said. Ritsuko nodded and typed in the final command.
"Forgive me mother," the doctor whispered as the emergency programme began to run.
"Warning. Magi failsafe data purge has been initiated," the base's automated voice intoned. "Ten seconds until all information is erased. Nine… Eight... Seven... Six... Five... Four... Three... Two... One..." All the console screens in headquarters went blank.
"I removed the firewall as well," Akagi said, standing up. "The failsafe will have purged the other Magi, as well as any other systems connected to them."
"Very good," Ikari responded.
"Don't you have a call to make?" Fuyutski asked, standing upright.
"Indeed," Gendo answered, smiling.
--------------
"Well, a couple more minutes and we find out what's going on," Makato stated as he walked over to Misato's car. The major was sat on the driver's seat, the door open and her feet on the ground, looking bored. Asuka was sat on the car's bonnet. Shinji stood directly in front of her with her arms around his waist. JSSDF officers watched them intently from the other side of the blue vehicle as they manned the barricade, keeping anyone from returning to the city.
"I guess so," she muttered, sighing. She'd arrived with the two children a few minutes earlier. "Hey, where's Rei?" Katsuragi asked, looking around her.
"No one's seen her since last night," Shigeru informed her, joining them.
"I'm sure Wondergirl will show up," the German commented. A ringing phone prevented any further conversation. The boy removed his mobile from his pocket.
"Hello?" he said, answering.
"Shinji," the male voice on the other end responded. It took a moment for the boy to recognise it.
"Fa…father?" the third-child asked. Misato and the others looked at him
"I'm sorry Shinji," Gendo told him.
"For what?" the boy asked.
"For everything," the commander said, calmly. "I'm proud of you. Goodbye…my son." With that last comment, the line went dead. Shinji looked at the phone, puzzled by his father's words.
"You okay Shinji?" Asuka asked as he put his phone in his pocket.
"He said he's proud of me," the boy told her, looking her in the eyes. "He called me his son. And he said goodbye."
"Weird," the redhead responded. A buzzing from behind her stopped Misato from commenting. She reached into the passenger foot-well and grabbed her phone.
"Katsuragi," the major said, answering the call.
"Hello Misato," a female voice replied.
"Ritsuko?!" Misato exclaimed, getting to her feet. "What the hell's going on?!"
"Oh nothing much," her friend told her. "We're just bringing an end to all the lies and manipulations."
"I don't understand," the major told the doctor, beginning to pace.
"You will," Akagi assured her. "Oh, and Misato," she added, after a short pause. "That question you asked me last night? The answer is yes." There was a beep and call ended.
"Ritsuko?!" Katsuragi shouted into the phone, stopping in her tracks. "Dammit! What the hell's going on?!" she wondered aloud.
"We'll know in about thirty seconds," Shigeru announced, looking at his watch. Asuka jumped to the floor behind the car and looked in the direction they had come from. Silence fell over all the Nerv personnel and soldiers as the countdown came to an end. For a few moments, nothing happened and everyone just stared at the remains of Tokyo-3 vacantly. Suddenly, a bright flash illuminated the sky, blinding everyone momentarily.
"EVERYONE DOWN!" Misato yelled, dragging the two children to the floor and covering them with her body. A moment later, an immensely powerful wind lashed at them as a massive shockwave hit. There was a deafening sound like thunder, and the world of Misato Katsuragi turned dark.
--------------
Asuka groaned as she slowly fought her way back to consciousness; her head was throbbing and there was a ringing in her ears. She felt a rough surface against her cheek and realised she was face down. She put her hands to the ground and pushed herself upwards, feeling the tarmac bite into her palms. Dirt slid off her back as she moved.
"Asuka? You okay?" a voice asked. She scrunched her eyes and shook her head before looking to her left.
"Uh… Shinji? Is that you?" she asked, rubbing her eyes. The boy was crouched down beside her.
"Yeah," he replied. "How are you feeling?"
"Lousy," the German informed him. "What happened?"
"I don't know," the third-child said, stealing a glance behind her. "Everyone seems to be in shock," he added. "Can you stand?"
"I hope so," the redhead muttered. Slowly, with the boy's help, she got to her feet. Looking around her, she spotted Misato's car on its side, the windows shattered. It looked like everyone was beyond that. "Let's go see," she told him. He nodded and helped her.
"Mein Gott en himmel!" she whispered, staring at the scene, her mind having trouble accepting what it was seeing. Where once had stood the city of Tokyo-3 and Nerv headquarters, there was now nothing but a gigantic smoking crater.
"For there shall be a flash as bright as Heaven, and the destruction shall come to an end," a voice muttered.
--------------
"Was the destruction complete?" the heavily accented voice from monolith 07 asked the assembled members of Seele.
"Yes," 04 responded. "It has been confirmed by our operatives at the site. Nerv headquarters, and everything it contained has been annihilated. Nothing remains."
"The destruction of the Eva's will merely delay our plans," the British voice of 03 commented.
"If it was merely the Eva's, that would be true," 04 said. "However, both Adam and Lilith were within headquarters, as was The Lance Of Longinus. And the Magi failsafe was activated."
"So all of the data on the Angels and Eva's has been destroyed," Keele commented. He sighed. "Ikari, with your last act, you have ruined decades of planning, and doomed us all." The chairman's booming voice echoed through the chamber. For a few moments there was silence.
"So…what now?"
The End
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Well, what do you think? Please contact me with your comments. My e-mail address is CEO_Room3@Hotmail.com.
This is the final chapter. There may or may not be a sequel. If you want one, let me know. Any questions, ask me and, if I get enough, I'll put a question and answer section up. (Otherwise I'll e-mail you a response.)
Thank you to all my reviewers, especially to Black Robed One, Ishagu and DSZ. And thank you to Ultima Bigaroh for pointing out my mistake last time. I have since corrected it.
Disclaimer -
All the characters contained in this story are copyright GAINAX, Project EVA, Movic, and any other company and/or division associated with the creation and/or production of Neon Genesis Evangelion. A.D.Vision holds the copyrights to the translated version of Neon Genesis Evangelion. All characters are used WITHOUT the permission of the aforementioned institutions.
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IMPACT
A sequel to "A Question Of..."
By Room3
Chapter 10 - "Kommen, süßer Tod"
Evangelion Units 00 and 02 burst from the lake and ran towards Unit 01, which had found itself surrounded by the newly arrived, white, mass produced Evangelion units.
"Glad you could make it," Shinji taunted as Asuka's machine took a fighting stance to his right.
"You didn't think I'd let you have all the fun now, did you?" she replied, smirking.
--------------
"Major," Makato Hyugo called.
"Make sure that door's secure," Misato yelled at the technicians working to repair the damage done by the JSSDF's forces as she walked over to the bespectacled technician. "What is it Hyugo?"
"I'm getting some strange readings from the surface," Makato informed her.
"What do you mean?" the major asked, leaning over his console.
"Let me show you," he replied, calling up the relevant feed. "I'm guessing these are the signals from Eva's 05 to 13," the technician told her, pointing to what looked like wavy lines on his screen. "The funny thing is," he added, typing commands into his console, "they're all the same." The lines were superimposed on each other, and they did indeed match.
"How the hell can that be?" Katsuragi asked, straightening up. She looked at the image on the main monitor.
"Well, there is one possibility," Shigeru interjected, having overheard their conversation.
"What?" the major asked, looking at him.
"They're using dummy plugs," the longhaired technician told her.
"But how?" Maya asked. "Dr. Akagi destroyed the dummy system."
"I guess they had a backup," Aoba shrugged. "But dummy plugs are the only way to explain the identical data patterns."
"Then there's no one inside those things," Misato muttered. She activated a voice link to the three pilots. "Listen up you guys. Those things are being controlled by dummy plugs. There are no pilots."
--------------
"You hear that Shinji?" the second-child asked. The boy grunted over the radio. "Nine enemies. That makes it three a piece," the redhead commented, her one serious. "Think you can handle that Shinji?" she asked, her usual cheerfulness reasserting itself.
"I'll do my best," the third-child replied, uncertain. He'd only had to face another Eva in battle once, and these things looked nothing like Unit 03. "You okay Rei?" he enquired.
"I am prepared," the first-child answered softly.
"Then let's get this show on the road!" Asuka cried. The red Eva leapt forward, landing on Unit 09. The German's machine crushed the white Eva's head as it staggered backward. As Unit 02 jumped backwards, Unit 09 collapsed to the ground, a red liquid pouring from the gapping hole where once its head had been.
"That's one for me," the second-child stated cheerfully, drawing her progressive knife.
Damn, she's really enjoying this! Shinji thought. A movement caught his eye. The unit directly in front of him, Unit 13, raised its weapon. The boy charged at it. As 13 swung the bladed implement at Unit 01, the purple machine sidestepped the blow and came to a stop behind the white Eva. Before it could react, Shinji grabbed its arms just below the shoulders. Squeezing as hard as he could, he brought his Eva's right leg up and pushed it against 13's back. There was a horrific tearing noise as the mass produced Eva's arms ripped from its body. Red liquid poured from the wounds.
As the third-child threw the severed arms away, Unit 01 was knocked to the floor by Unit 08. As it straddled the prone form of the purple Eva, Shinji grabbed its head and squeezed. His vision was blocked momentarily as 08's head burst, showering Unit 01's face with its blood. Eva 01 shook its head as it pushed the disabled unit off it.
Looking around quickly, the boy saw Asuka use her progressive to sever a leg of the unit she was attacking. Rei's umbilical cable lay on the ground a short distance behind the blue Eva. It appeared to be winning a fist fight against one of the attackers. As the third-child watched, Unit 00's fist ripped into the belly of Unit 11. Its free hand drew the blue machine's knife and plunged it into the white robot's cranium. As both fist and blade were removed, the white form dropped to the floor.
"Shinji! Behind you!" Asuka cried over the radio. The boy made his Eva drop, turning it around as he did. He saw Unit 05 swinging its double bladed weapon in a move that would have severed Unit 01's head, if not for the German's warning.
"Bastard!" the third-child cursed, quickly grabbing his knife from its shoulder casing and driving it into 05's belly, ripping through the delicate internal mechanisms. The white Eva slumped against Unit 01, and Shinji threw it to the ground.
"That's the last of them," Asuka said, panting hard. Shinji looked up to see both Units 00 and 02 looking at him. "You okay Shinji?"
"Yeah," the boy sighed. "I'm just glad that's over with!"
--------------
"How much power has Rei got left?" Major Katsuragi asked. Everyone in command had been watching the battle.
"Just over three and a half minutes," Maya answered, after checking her console. A high-pitched beeping made her look back at her display. "Oh my God!" she gasped as she interpreted the data it was displaying.
"What is it?" the major asked, worried by the lieutenant's tone.
"The destroyed Eva series units…" Ibuki said, looking at Misato. "The Eva series has reactivated!"
"What?!" Katsuragi demanded, turning to look at the main display.
"Dear God!" Fuyutski muttered as he stood beside the major.
--------------
"What the hell?!" Asuka exclaimed as the fallen Eva's got to their feet one by one. She backed away from the unit she had been standing over, Unit 06, as a smile appeared on what was left of its face. As the red machine backed up against Units 00 and 01, 06 got to its feet and seemed to be staring at her, mocking her.
"What's going on?" the third-child asked in disbelief, watching as the three pilots found themselves surrounded once more.
"They are reactivating," Rei replied calmly.
"Dammit! What does it take to destroy those things?" the German cursed.
"They're…they're repairing themselves," Shinji stammered.
"What?!" the second-child cried. She looked at the Unit 06. The arm she had severed was regenerating before her eyes. "Mien Gott!"
--------------
"How the hell are we gonna stop those things?!" Misato yelled as she watched the damaged Eva's repair themselves.
"I know," Akagi's voice called from the major's left. Misato looked over at the doctor, who was stood by the consoles near Casper. "Shinji, Asuka, Rei," Ritsuko said, turning on the radio, "you'll have to disable their S2 organs and…" A bullet ricocheting off the floor at her feet stopped her.
"That's quite enough doctor," Commander Ikari said, pointing a gun at her. He was stood on the top level of the command deck. Akagi turned and faced him, her face blank.
"Commander?" Misato asked, puzzled, looking up at him.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Ritsuko asked him, staring up at his face.
"Yes," he replied calmly.
It's now or never, Fuyutski thought. "Would Yui have wanted any of this?" he yelled up at Gendo.
Who the hell is Yui? Shigeru wondered, looking at the professor.
"I'm doing this for her," Ikari informed Kouzou. Ritsuko listened closely to his tone.
Yui! That's it! the doctor thought. "Asuka is Shinji's Yui!" she shouted at him. "He loves her for who she is!"
"Shinji loves Asuka?" Makato whispered, looking at Shigeru.
"It's news to me," the longhaired technician replied shrugging, his eyes fixed on the commander.
Gendo dropped the gun and lifted his right hand so it was directly in front of his face. As he stared at its gloved palm, his hand shook and his mind raced. Emotions he had bottled up for years broke free.
"Shinji," the commander murmured, his voice breaking. He closed his eyes and swallowed hard, a single tear rolling down his cheek. "Dear God! What have I done?!" he whispered, hanging his head. A few moments later he looked up, his emotions under his control once more.
"Proceed Dr. Akagi," he ordered, returning to his desk.
--------------
"What the hell's going on in there?" Asuka murmured, having been listening over the still opening voice link. She snorted. "Hey Shinji! It looks likes the secret's out," she said.
"I guess so," the boy replied absently. He was still focused on the white forms surrounding the three pilots.
"Listen carefully," Ritsuko's voice instructed over the voice link. "To defeat the Eva series you'll have to disable them, then destroy their S2 engines and dummy plugs."
"You guys get that?" Major Katsuragi's voice asked.
"Yeah, yeah. We got it," the redhead replied flippantly.
"Rei, you best try to avoid the battle," Misato added. "You don't have much power left."
"Yes major," the first-child replied calmly.
"Looks like it's up to the two of us Shinji," the German said. "I bet I can beat more of them than you?" Shinji opened a video link to Unit 02.
"You're on," he told her, smiling at her. "Just one question, though. Where are the S2 engines?"
"We're working on that," Misato told him. "Just disable them and keep them down for now."
"Then lets get to it!" the second-child yelled, leaping forward. Unit 02 grabbed the undamaged arm of 06 and sliced it off with its progressive knife. The red Eva dropped the now severed arm and slammed the knife into the grinning face, slicing the head in half. As she withdrew the blade, it snapped. Cursing, Asuka pressed a button on the control carriage, causing a new blade to take its place. Seeing Unit 06 still on its feet, she delivered a roundhouse kick to its face, knocking it flying.
"Asuka! Look out!" Shinji's voice cried over the intercom. Before she could react, Unit 02 was knocked to the ground by Eva 11, the progressive knife sent flying. Snarling, the German grabbed the white unit's head and held it over her right shoulder wing. The housing opened and seven spikes shot out, impaling the robot's head. As it staggered backwards, Unit 02 grasped its weapon and ripped it free. Taking a proper grip on the twin bladed implement, Asuka swung it, slicing through the white Eva's waist. Blood sprayed across her vision as the two halves fell to the ground separately.
"And stay down!" she shouted at it. She took a brief look at Shinji and saw him slice the head off Unit 07. Spotting movement from the corner of her eye, she swung the weapon in her hands round. It clanged and shook violently as it impacted the weapon of Unit 10.
"Trying to sneak up on me, hey?" the German asked. She swung the blade in her hand at the white Eva, which dodged the blow. Grinning to herself, Asuka allowed the momentum of the swing to keep turning her, dropping to her knees as she span. Unit 02 swept 10's feet out from under it, quickly getting to its feet as the white machine fell. Before Unit 10 hit the ground, Asuka ran it through with her weapon. Spotting her progressive knife on the floor, she left the doubled bladed implement in the fallen robot.
--------------
"Rei, listen up," Major Katsuragi's voiced said over the intercom. "We've located the S2 organs. We're sending you the data now. I want you to destroy the organs in the Eva series Asuka and Shinji have disabled. You got that?"
"Yes major," the first-child replied calmly.
"I'll send them the data as soon as they've disabled all of them," Misato added. "Get to it." Surveying the battle field, Rei spotted Unit 06 beginning to stir. Tightening its grip on its progressive knife, Unit 00 ran over and sank the blade into the white Eva's torso, slicing through its protective armour and into the internal mechanisms. As she thrust deeper, Rei felt the resistance to blade's passing increase. Figuring she had found the S2 organ, she pushed harder.
--------------
"Unit 01's power output is at one hundred and twenty three percent!" Maya shouted, attracting Misato and Ritsuko's attention.
"What?" the major demanded, looking over at the lieutenant.
"That's impossible!" Dr. Akagi replied, rushing over to Ibuki's console. She typed a few commands. "Output confirmed. And increasing!" The blonde doctor looked up at the commander, who was frowning as he watched the battle.
"We have little time left," Gendo murmured. Professor Fuyutski, now stood beside him as usual, looked worried and leant over the commander's desk.
"What do you mean?" Kouzou asked.
"If my hypothesis is correct, things may soon be taken out of our hands," Ikari replied quietly.
"Unit 02's umbilical cable has been severed!" Shigeru shouted.
"How much time does Rei have left?" Katsuragi asked him.
"Just over one hundred seconds," the longhaired technician replied, checking the countdown displayed on his console.
"How many of the Eva series are still active?" the major asked, looking back at the main display.
"Units 05, 09 and 13 are still active," Makato replied. "S2 organs in Units 08, 11 and 12 have yet to be disabled."
"We still need to disable the dummy plugs," Ritsuko reminded the major, who grimaced.
"Rei, I want you start destroying the dummy plugs," Misato said into the intercom.
"Yes major," the first child responded calmly.
"Hyugo," Misato continued, turning to the bespectacled technician, "as soon as Asuka has disabled the next unit, send her the S2 data and have her begin disabling the fallen units."
"Right," he replied.
--------------
"Bravo team, status?" the JSSDF commander's voice asked over the radio. The captain held up his hand to indicate his team should stop and grabbed the radio.
"Almost in position," he said. "Assault on the secondary command centre should begin in two minutes."
"Negative Bravo team," came the reply. "All personnel are to withdraw from combat and regroup outside the city."
"Sir?" the captain asked.
"You heard me," the commander growled back. "Orders from upstairs. Now fall back!"
"Yes sir," the captain responded. He snorted as he passed the radio to another member of his team. "You heard the man, fall back," he told his team.
--------------
"Major! Reports are coming in," Shigeru announced. He looked at his console in disbelief. "The JSSDF is withdrawing!" A cheer echoed throughout the command centre.
"Don't celebrate yet!" Misato shouted. "They may just be regrouping, or preparing to launch a chemical strike." Silence fell in the chamber. "How's Asuka doing?"
"Just finished disabling Unit 13," Makato replied. "I'm about to transmit her the S2 data."
"Good," the major responded. "Rei's status?"
"Less than forty-five seconds activation remaining," Hyugo answered. "S2 organs in Units 06, 07, 08, 10 and 12 have been disabled. The dummy plugs in Units 07, 08 and 12 have been destroyed. Eva series Units 05 and 09 are still active."
"Order Rei to fall back from the scene," Katsuragi told him. "We can't afford to have her run out of power in the battle zone. Unit 01's status?"
"Currently engaged in combat with Unit 09," Shigeru replied, checking the data he was receiving.
"Unit 01's power output is up to one hundred and fifty-seven percent!" Maya yelled at the major.
"Very soon now," Gendo said softly, his chin resting on his interlocked fingers. Outwardly, he appeared calm; but his mind raced, trying to figure out just what would happen next, and whether or not he had any chance to preventing that which he had set in motion.
--------------
"Looks like Shinji's gonna win our little bet," the German muttered to herself as she picked her progressive knife up from where it had landed. She smiled. Not that I really care, she thought. After all, it was just a bit of fun. Leaning over the disabled form of Unit 13, she checked the data she had just received. "Right," she murmured, dangling the blade over the white torso, "the S2 organ should be just about…here!" Having found the spot she wanted, Asuka gripped the progressive knife in both hands and slammed it down into the belly of 13. Its mouth emitted a horrendous cry as the blade sank in, slicing through its internal mechanisms.
"This is it," the redhead muttered as she felt the resistance to the blade increase. She pushed down harder and felt the knife sink into its target. A display window to her left showed her attack had been successful as the status of Unit 13 changed. "Who's next?" she wondered aloud, looking at the status' of the other white Eva's.
"Asuka, remove 13's dummy plug before you move on," Ritsuko ordered over the radio.
"Okay, okay," the second-child muttered. Unit 02 rolled the inactive white form onto its front. The red machine grasped the plate covering the dummy plug and ripped it off. "Dammit!" Asuka cursed, looking at the plug. "There's no way I'm gonna get my hand in there!" She sighed. "I guess there's only one thing to do then." Her Eva brought the progressive knife over the hole, then pushed downwards, slicing the dummy plug in half.
I wonder how Rei has been doing it? the redhead mused as she withdrew the blade. Evangelion Unit 02 got to its feet and began walking towards Unit 11. It swung its progressive knife around and returned it to its housing in the shoulder wing.
"Time to finish you off," Asuka growled as she walked towards the white robot which still lay in two pieces. She picked up one of the double-bladed weapons from the ground as she advanced. Stopping in front of the top half of Unit 11, Asuka looked down at the prone form beneath her and smirked. She lifted the weapon in her hands over her head with both hands.
"Auf Wiedersehen sweinhund," she taunted, swinging the blade down, slicing through the head and chest, destroying both S2 organ and dummy plug in one move. "Next," she muttered, looking around. She saw Unit 10 still impaled on 11's weapon and walked over to it, dropping the twin-bladed implement she held.
"Now then, how should I finish you off?" the German said, standing over the impaled Eva. A movement on the edge of her field of vision caught her attention. Spinning, she saw one of the double-bladed weapons flying towards her. Without thinking, she raised and expanded her AT Field to block it. The field glowed as the weapon impacted it. As Asuka looked at it, wondering which unit had thrown it, the metal weapon seemed to twist and flow into a new shape.
"The Lance Of Longinus?!" the second-child gasped as she recognised the form it had taken. She froze, transfixed as it began to cut through the AT Field. Free a few moments later, it shot towards her. A moment before impact, something barged into her knocking aside. A feminine scream filled her ears as she hit the ground.
"Rei!" Shinji's voice cried. The redhead looked behind her to see Unit 00 with the two prongs of the grey 'Lance' sticking through the blue Eva's torso. It leaned backwards for a moment, before collapsing to the ground.
--------------
"Unit 00 has ceased activation," Shigeru said softly, shocked by what they all had just seen on the main display.
"Wh…what's Rei's status?" Misato stuttered.
"The pilot is injured, but she's alive," Maya responded, relieved to see the first-child's vital signs on her console. The major leant over Makato's console and activated the radio.
"Rei's alive," she said calmly. "Which unit threw it?" Misato asked, looking at the bespectacled technician.
"Unit 09," Hyugo replied. "It's the only one still active."
"Right. Shinji, disable Unit 09," Katsuragi ordered. She watched as Unit 01 ran over to the white Eva and began attacking it savagely.
"Are any S2 organs still active?" Fuyutski asked from beside the commander.
"Unit 05's is still functioning," Makato answered, checking his console.
"Disable it," Gendo ordered. "What is Unit 01's output?"
"One hundred and sixty-nine percent," Lieutenant Ibuki informed him.
"Are we still receiving the feeds from the observation satellites?" the commander asked.
"Yes sir," the long-haired technician replied, checking.
"Watch for any activity from lunar orbit," Ikari ordered.
"Yes sir," Aoba responded, puzzled by the order.
"Dear God!" Kouzou gasped, looking at Gendo. "You don't think…?"
"Indeed," the commander replied calmly. "That is why time is of the essence." He looked at the main display, just in time to see his son's Eva rip open Unit 09's chest. The purple Eva then picked up its progressive knife from where it had landed and plunged it into the S2 organ. The command centre was filled with an unearthly shriek as the knife penetrated the organ.
"That's the last of them," Makato said softly. "All S2 organs have now been disabled."
"What about the dummy plugs?" Ritsuko asked. Hyugo checked his console before answering.
"The dummy plugs of Units 05, 06, 09 and 10 are still operational," he replied.
"High speed object detected coming from lunar orbit!" Shigeru yelled. "It's heading this way!" The blonde doctor looked up at the commander, who nodded.
"Eject Unit 01's entry plug," she ordered. Misato and the three technicians looked at her.
"Do what?" Major Katsuragi asked.
"Trust me Misato," Akagi replied.
"Do as she instructed," Commander Ikari ordered. The major looked at him for a moment, her mind racing.
"You heard the man," Misato said, turning to Makato. "Eject Shinji's entry plug."
"Time to impact?" Fuyutski asked.
"Fifty-five seconds and counting," Aoba replied.
--------------
"What in hell?" Asuka muttered as she watched the third-child's entry plug was jettisoned from his Eva and the robot collapsed to the ground.
"Asuka," Dr. Akagi's voice said. "You have to destroy Unit 01's S2 organ."
"I have to what?!" the redhead cried. "No way!"
"Just do it Asuka!" Ritsuko told her. "Please, we don't have time to discuss it."
"But…" the second-child started, but a video window opening to her left interrupted her.
"It's okay Asuka," Shinji said, smiling at her. Looking at the face of the boy she loved, her resolve melted.
"Right," she said, walking Unit 02 over the deactivated Eva. She rolled the purple robot on to its back. "I'm sorry Shinji," she whispered. She kneeled down over the purple Eva and drove her progressive knife into Unit 01's torso, feeling like she was betraying the one she loved. As the knife bit into the robot, it arched its back and threw its head back, roaring. Tears in her eyes, Asuka pushed harder. Unit 01 shuddered and then went silent, dropping to the ground.
"Impact in ten seconds!" Shigeru's voice yelled, loud enough to make the girl cringe.
"Asuka! Hit the deck!" Misato's voice shouted at her.
"Shinji!" the girl cried. Unit 02 got to its feet and grabbed the boy's entry plug. Seeing a red glow in the sky, the German jumped to the floor, the entry plug safely wrapped in her arms. Hitting the ground, she rolled over onto her front as a sudden heat began to make her sweat. There was a sound like an explosion and a shockwave hit, knocking the girl out.
--------------
"Asuka. Asuka!" a voice called, dragging her slowly back to consciousness. She shook her head to clear it and put her hand to her face, wincing as she touched her forehead.
"Great," she muttered, "another bruise."
"Asuka, you okay?" the voice asked.
"Shinji?" the girl asked, recognising the voice. "How long was I out for?" she asked him, looking at the still active video window.
"Only a couple of moments," the third-child replied. "But it was long enough to worry me." Asuka's heart skipped a beat at his words.
"Idiot," she told him, smiling. "You worry too much."
"I can't help it," Shinji told her. "Besides, I want to worry about you." The two of them sat in silence for a few seconds, lost in each others eyes. "What happened?" the boy asked eventually.
"I don't know," the German replied. "Hang a sec, I'll take a look." She slowly stood her Eva upright and felt something slide off her back. Must have been buried by that…whatever it was, she thought.
The now upright Unit 02 looked around itself. Small fires burned around it and the air shimmered in the heat. Looking behind itself, it froze.
--------------
"What is it Asuka?" Shinji asked, seeing the look on his girlfriends face. She blinked and looked at him.
"You have to see this for yourself," she told him, her voice empty of al emotion. The image of her face was replaced by an exterior view. The boy shook his head as he took in the sight. Glistening in the light from the fires surrounding it, the Lance Of Longinus sat embedded in Unit 01; one prong in the face, one in the neck.
"Glad I wasn't in there," Shinji muttered to himself. "Oh my God, Rei!" he gasped. "I completely forgot about her."
"I will be fine," the first-child's voice told him over the radio. Her laboured breathing was clearly audible over the link.
--------------
"Major Katsuragi," Commander Ikari said, getting to his feet. Misato turned to face him.
"Yes sir?" she asked.
"I want the all of the Eva's and the Lance recovered," he told her. "No matter what state they are in. Leave nothing behind. Use all available personnel."
"Yes sir," Katsuragi replied.
"Professor Fuyutski, Doctor Akagi, come with me," Gendo continued. "We have much to discuss." Misato watched as the three most powerful members of Nerv walked out of the command centre.
"What was that all about?" Makato asked.
"I doubt we'll have to wait long to find out," Misato sighed. "We better get started with the clean up."
--------------
"Well this is just great!" Asuka said as she paced the floor of the rest area. It had been three hours since the battle had ended and Commander Ikari had insisted that the pilots remained in headquarters, although he had allowed them to change back into their own clothes, rather than remain in their plug suits. The third-child watched from the bench he was perched on.
"It's for our protection," Shinji told her, walking over to the German. She stopped as he stood in front of her, smiling.
"What?" she asked, planting her hands on her hips.
"Do you have any idea how beautiful you look when you're annoyed?" the boy told her, taking her hands in his. The German flushed slightly at his words, and broke eye contact.
"What about her?" the redhead asked, spotting Rei watching them from the far side of the area.
"What about her? The secret's out, remember," Shinji reminded her. "We don't have to hide how we feel anymore." He squeezed her hands before releasing them. "And I'm glad," he told her. "I love you Asuka and, like I said before, I want the whole world to know how I feel."
"You know, you can say the sweetest things sometimes Shinji," the second-child said softly, running her right hand through his hair. "And in case I haven't said it yet today, I love you too."
"You have," he said, stroking her cheek with his fingers, "but it's always nice to hear you say it." The object of his affections closed her eyes and gently pushed her head against his hand. A tear appeared at the corner of her left eye. "What's that for?" he asked as he softly brushed it away.
"I just realised how close we came to loosing each other today," Asuka told him, her voice breaking. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you," she added, opening her eyes. The look of pain in them spoke volumes to Shinji about her fear.
"You're not going to," the boy assured her, pulling her into an embrace and wrapping his arms around her middle. After a few moments she wrapped her arms around his waist. "I told you before," he whispered to her softly, "you're never going to be rid of me." Asuka smiled at his words and leant her head against his shoulder.
"I'm gonna hold you to that," she muttered, closing her eyes and tightening her grip on him. He reached up and rested his right hand on the back of her head.
From her vantage point, Rei watched the interaction of her fellow pilots with interest. In her lifetime she had heard a great deal about love, but had never really seen it in action. As she observed the two, she felt something. Something she had felt before, but never as keenly as this. It took a few moments to figure out exactly what it was. Loneliness. She felt empty and alone.
--------------
"You busy Ritsuko?" Misato asked as she entered the doctor's office. It was the early hours of the morning and Akagi was sat at her desk, working on her computer. She quickly turned the monitor off and turned to the major.
"I thought you'd be asleep by now," the blonde doctor replied. She picked up the mug of coffee sat on her desk and took a sip as Katsuragi yawned.
"Couldn't," Misato sighed, perching on the edge of the desk and rubbing her eyes. "Ritsuko, I…I need a favour," the major said hesitantly. "And before you ask, it's nothing to do with Asuka and Shinji. It's…personal."
"Sure," the doctor replied. "I've got some free time. What is it?"
--------------
"Man, I'll sure be glad when we can get out of here," Makato commented tiredly, sliding into his seat. He, Maya and Shigeru hadn't long woken up and he and Shigeru were in desperate need of a shave. A change of uniform wouldn't hurt either, he thought, setting his mug next to his console.
"You and me both," Aoba replied, yawning. He arched is back and stretched his arms back behind his head.
"With luck, we should be able to leave sometime this afternoon," Lieutenant Ibuki informed them. "The retrieval operation is about seventy percent complete," she explained, reading the data displayed on her screen. She frowned. "That's strange," she commented.
"What is?" Hyugo asked, looking over at her.
"There's no repair schedule for the Eva's," the lieutenant replied.
"Maybe Dr. Akagi just hasn't gotten around to it yet," the longhaired technician suggested. He picked up the mug of coffee next to his station and took a long drink, feeling the beverage run down his throat and warm his stomach.
"Maybe," Maya muttered. "I just feel like I'm out of the loop on something."
"I wouldn't worry about it," Shigeru told her, sitting down. "Whatever it is, we'll find out sooner or later. We always do."
"You mean like about Shinji and Asuka?" the bespectacled technician asked. "Misato didn't seem surprised about it, nor did Commander Fuyutski." He gave his neck a quick rub as it felt stiff, probably a result of sleeping on the cot in the canteen. "Seems like we're always the last to know just bout anything around here," he added.
"It seems weird," Ibuki said. "Thinking of those two as a couple."
"Yeah, I know," Hyugo agreed. "Especially considering how often they used to fight."
"I've been thinking about that," Aoba commented. "I can't help but wonder how many of those fights they staged to hide their relationship."
"It is possible I suppose," Makato said, picking up his mug.
"What is?" Misato asked as she approached the three technicians, who turned around to look at her. Her jacket was badly crumpled, as was her dress, and there were bags under her eyes. All in all, she looked pretty rough.
"You okay major?" Makato asked. She smiled.
"Yeah," she replied, sighing a little. "I just didn't get much sleep last night. What's possible?" she enquired, returning the conversation to the previous topic.
"That Shinji and Asuka have been staging their fights to hide their relationship," the longhaired technician replied.
"I guess it is," Katsuragi muttered, perching on the edge of Makato's console. If they have been staging fights, they've been doing it at school, she thought, leaning forward and blowing on the steaming mug in her hands.
"Where are they anyway?" Makato asked, realising he had no idea where the subjects of conversation were.
"With the JSSDF holding position about fifty kilometres from here, Commander Ikari agreed to let them leave headquarters," the major replied. "I doubt they've gone far though. I think they just needed some fresh air." And to get away from all the stares they've been getting!
"How long have you known abut them?" the bespectacled technician enquired.
"About a week," Misato replied, sighing. "It…it's weird, seeing them together like that. But they seem… They are happy together."
"Has anyone seen Dr. Akagi this morning?" Maya asked, realising she had yet to see the blonde doctor.
"I saw her last night, but…" Katsuragi replied, trailing off. "You know, I don't remember seeing the commander or Fuyutski either."
"I wonder what they're up to?" Makato muttered.
"Who knows," Shigeru shrugged.
One thing for sure, Misato thought, with those three working together, it's going to mean trouble. She lifted her mug and took a sip, pleased that the queasiness she had been feeling earlier had passed. Has the commander given up on Instrumentality? She sighed and shook her head slightly, trying to clear it.
"So, how's the recovery operation going?" she asked cheerfully, changing the topic of conversation.
--------------
"I wonder where Rei went?" Shinji muttered as he lay on the grass next to Asuka, watching the clouds pass by overhead. The two of them were lying on a hillside that over looked the remains of Tokyo-3, but they paid the devastation no heed. "She really should have stayed in the infirmary last night."
"Who knows," the redhead replied absently. "Sometimes I swear Wondergirl is a law unto herself." She smiled and sat up, looking down at the boy she loved. "Don't worry about her," she told him. "She can take of herself."
"I guess you're right," the boy replied softly, closing his eyes.
"Of course I am," Asuka quipped. The third-child chuckled, opening his eyes.
"I wonder what's going to happen now," he muttered to himself.
"I don't know. And right now, I don't care," the second-child told him, lying back down next to him and taking his hand in hers. She turned her head and looked at him. "I don't want to think about what happened yesterday, about what's going to happen next week, tomorrow or in ten minutes," she said softly. "All that matters is that, right now, I'm here with you. The one I love." Shinji turned to look at her and found himself lost in her blue eyes.
"I love you Asuka," he whispered, not willing to break eye contact.
"I know. I love you too."
--------------
"I wonder when they'll get started," Makato muttered as he leaned back his seat. He'd set his console to run a diagnostic on the refrigeration system for the Eva's and could do nothing more until it was complete.
"Started with what?" Shigeru asked, looking over at his colleague. He'd writing a report on the recent battle and had been distracted by the bespectacled technician. Maya heard Aoba and looked at them.
"Rebuilding Tokyo-3," Makato replied.
"It will probably be a while," Misato stated from where she was leaning against the wall near Maya's console. "The government will want to make sure we're no threat before they start.
"Do you think the JSSDF will attack again?" Ibuki asked her, concerned.
"Maybe," the major replied, pushing off the wall and walking over towards Makato's console where she had left her coffee mug. "Right now, they'll be busy analysing what happened during the battle. They won't make a move until they're sure they can win."
"I hope they don't," Hyugo commented. "Two thirds of our shift were killed during the attack."
"Yeah, if they attack now, we don't stand a chance," Aoba added.
"But they don't know that, do they?" Lieutenant Ibuki asked, worried.
"No, they don't," Misato assured her. "They won't risk another confrontation yet. Not until reinforcements have arrived." She picked up her mug and took a sip, grimacing as the now cold liquid ran down her throat. "They'll also be worried about the Eva's," the major added, putting the mug down.
"I can't believe how few injured there were," Makato said, checking the progress of the diagnostic. Less than half done.
"They weren't taking any prisoners," Shigeru related.
"I heard that they'd been authorised to kill non-combat personnel," Hyugo added, leaning back and closing his eyes. "Glad we didn't need to surrender." Maya shuddered at the thought of what could have been. The door behind them opened and Misato looked over her shoulder to see who it was.
"Has the retrieval operation been completed yet?" Professor Fuyutski asked, as the door slid shut behind him.
"Yes sir," Shigeru replied. "As ordered, all Eva units and the Lance have been recovered."
"Good," Kouzou responded. Without saying another word, he headed for his usual position. Commander Ikari entered and took his seat as Fuyutski reached his place. "Retrieval is complete," he told Ikari.
"Excellent," Gendo replied. "Then we will able to proceed before the old men can act again." Doctor Akagi chose that moment to enter the command centre. She glanced up at the commander's position and headed towards him. "Do you have the data I requested Dr. Akagi?" the commander asked, seeing her approach.
"Yes commander," she replied calmly. "We will need to make use of all nineteen available and it will take approximately eighty minutes to complete the preparations."
"And the distance?" Fuyutski enquired.
"One hundred and sixty-eight point nine eight kilometres is the minimum sir," Ritsuko replied.
"We are agreed on this course of action, are we not?" the commander asked. The professor and the doctor nodded. "Very well then. Let us begin." He opened a drawer to his right and pulled out a telephone handset. He pressed a few buttons inside the drawer and lifted the handset to his face.
--------------
"This is Commander Ikari to all Nerv personnel," Gendo's voice echoed through the base intercom. Throughout headquarters, men and women stopped what they were doing and looked upwards.
--------------
"I am ordering a complete evacuation of this facility," he continued, speaking slowly and carefully, ensuring everyone listening would clearly understand him. Below him, Misato and the three technicians stared upwards, finding it difficult to believe what he just said.
"You have ninety minutes to get a minimum of one hundred and seventy kilometres from headquarters. I repeat, all personnel are to evacuate to a minimum distance of one hundred and seventy kilometres. You have ninety minutes. That is all." He put the handset back in the drawer and closed. "Make sure the government receives a copy of that doctor," he said.
"Yes commander," Ritsuko replied. Ikari stood up and leaned forward.
"Major Katsuragi," he called.
"Yes sir?" Misato asked, still stunned by his announcement.
"I am making you personally responsible for the pilots of Units 01 and 02," Gendo told her. "Their safety is your top priority."
"Sir?" the major asked, her face clearly displaying her confusion.
"You have your orders major," he replied, firmly. "See to it."
"Yes sir," Katsuragi responded, saluting. He nodded and she ran from the command centre, towards the parking garage. Realising she had no idea where her two charges were, she pulled out her mobile phone and dialled a number.
"Come on, come on," she muttered as it rang, coming to a stop by her car. "Pick up Shinji," she murmured, pulling her car keys out. The phone rang a couple more times and was then answered.
"Hello?" the third-child's voice said.
"Shinji, it's Misato," the major responded, opening the car door. "Where are you?"
"I'm near the lookout point," the boy replied.
"Is Asuka with you?" Misato asked, getting in the vehicle and closing the door.
"Yes, she is. Why?"
"I don't have time to explain now," the major informed the boy. "Just meet me at the lookout. I'll explain then." She turned off the phone, dropped it on the passenger seat and started the engine.
The rear wheels span as she kicked the car into gear and she sped off, leaving rubber streaks on the concrete and smoke in the air. She knew the entrance nearest the lookout as clear enough for her to drive through, and drove at high speed towards it.
--------------
"What is it Shinji?" Asuka asked, seeing the puzzled look on her boyfriend's face as he put his phone away.
"Misato wants to us to meet her at the lookout point," the third-child replied, getting to his feet.
"Why?" the redhead asked, standing up.
"I dunno," Shinji answered. "She didn't say. It sounded like she was in a hurry."
"We'd best not keep her waiting then," the German said. She took the boy's hand in her own and began walking up the hillside to the lookout point. She'd only been to the actual point once, but she and Shinji had been to this spot near it many times. It was peaceful, and they were unlikely to be disturbed. Once at the point, they climbed over the railing and sat down on it, turning their backs on the scarred city they called home.
Asuka shivered a little as a cold wind blew along the road. Shinji noticed and moved closer, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. She leant against him and sighed, closing her eyes. A few moments later, the sound of screeching tyres attracted their attention. As they got to their feet, a blue car skidded around the bend in the road and skidded to a stop a short distance from them.
"Get in!" Misato yelled at them, leaning out the driver's window. The third-child opened the passenger door and Asuka climbed in the back. The boy quickly sat down and pulled the door closed.
"What's going on Misato?" he asked, buckling his seatbelt.
"I'll tell you in a minute," she said, revving the engine. "Hang on!" she shouted as the back wheels span for a moment before the car shot forward. The redhead in the back gripped the handle over the rear passenger's window to avoid being thrown into the front seat. "Your father's ordered a complete evacuation of headquarters," the major said, her eyes glued to the road.
"He…he was? Why?" Shinji asked as the car bounced over a bump in the road.
"I don't know," Katsuragi told him. "And I wasn't going to hang around to ask him." She took a quick glance at the dash clock and the speedometer. This is gonna be tight, she thought. "I've got less than an hour and a quarter to get you two about a hundred and seventy kilometres from here," she explained, sliding the car around a bend. She stole a glance at the boy; he was staring out the passenger window as the world sped by.
"Shit!" Misato cursed as she looked back at the road; a tree had fallen over and was blocking both lanes. She span the wheel frantically to the left and drove around it, the car bucking as it bounced over the grass verge beside the road. "You okay back there Asuka?" the major asked as the vehicle returned to the tarmac, her eyes fixed on the road ahead.
"Just peachy," the second-child retorted, feeling a little sick. Looking forward, she could see the side of Shinji's head, who looked a little pale. She was about to speak to him, when a sudden veer slammed her into the side of the car. She bit hr lip to keep a yelp in and decided to keep watch on the road so she could be ready for any other sudden manoeuvres.
--------------
"I thought I would find you here," Gendo said to Rei as he walked along the metal walkway in front of Unit 01. The first-child was staring up at the face of the Eva. She turned and looked at him.
"What is my purpose?" she asked calmly. "Why do I exist?"
"Your purpose is no longer relevant," Ikari said, standing next to her. He turned his gaze at the purple machine. "Your existence shall end soon, as will mine." He reached up and pushed his glasses back. "We are no longer needed."
--------------
"That's the last of them," Fuyutski muttered, wiping his brow. He was leaning on the large cylindrical object he had just positioned next to Melchior. There was one beside each of the Magi, with a number of other scattered throughout headquarters. It had taken the four of them over an hour to position them all, just as Dr. Akagi had predicted. "All the S2 mines are in position."
"Good," Commander Ikari said, looking at the main display. The countdown reached three minutes. "Are you prepared?" he asked, turning to Akagi, who was sat at Maya's station.
"Yes commander," she replied, her hands dancing across the console. "The Magi's failsafe is ready."
"Very well then," Gendo replied, looking back at Rei, who was sat in Makato's chair. She looked at him and smiled. "Proceed," the commander said. Ritsuko nodded and typed in the final command.
"Forgive me mother," the doctor whispered as the emergency programme began to run.
"Warning. Magi failsafe data purge has been initiated," the base's automated voice intoned. "Ten seconds until all information is erased. Nine… Eight... Seven... Six... Five... Four... Three... Two... One..." All the console screens in headquarters went blank.
"I removed the firewall as well," Akagi said, standing up. "The failsafe will have purged the other Magi, as well as any other systems connected to them."
"Very good," Ikari responded.
"Don't you have a call to make?" Fuyutski asked, standing upright.
"Indeed," Gendo answered, smiling.
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"Well, a couple more minutes and we find out what's going on," Makato stated as he walked over to Misato's car. The major was sat on the driver's seat, the door open and her feet on the ground, looking bored. Asuka was sat on the car's bonnet. Shinji stood directly in front of her with her arms around his waist. JSSDF officers watched them intently from the other side of the blue vehicle as they manned the barricade, keeping anyone from returning to the city.
"I guess so," she muttered, sighing. She'd arrived with the two children a few minutes earlier. "Hey, where's Rei?" Katsuragi asked, looking around her.
"No one's seen her since last night," Shigeru informed her, joining them.
"I'm sure Wondergirl will show up," the German commented. A ringing phone prevented any further conversation. The boy removed his mobile from his pocket.
"Hello?" he said, answering.
"Shinji," the male voice on the other end responded. It took a moment for the boy to recognise it.
"Fa…father?" the third-child asked. Misato and the others looked at him
"I'm sorry Shinji," Gendo told him.
"For what?" the boy asked.
"For everything," the commander said, calmly. "I'm proud of you. Goodbye…my son." With that last comment, the line went dead. Shinji looked at the phone, puzzled by his father's words.
"You okay Shinji?" Asuka asked as he put his phone in his pocket.
"He said he's proud of me," the boy told her, looking her in the eyes. "He called me his son. And he said goodbye."
"Weird," the redhead responded. A buzzing from behind her stopped Misato from commenting. She reached into the passenger foot-well and grabbed her phone.
"Katsuragi," the major said, answering the call.
"Hello Misato," a female voice replied.
"Ritsuko?!" Misato exclaimed, getting to her feet. "What the hell's going on?!"
"Oh nothing much," her friend told her. "We're just bringing an end to all the lies and manipulations."
"I don't understand," the major told the doctor, beginning to pace.
"You will," Akagi assured her. "Oh, and Misato," she added, after a short pause. "That question you asked me last night? The answer is yes." There was a beep and call ended.
"Ritsuko?!" Katsuragi shouted into the phone, stopping in her tracks. "Dammit! What the hell's going on?!" she wondered aloud.
"We'll know in about thirty seconds," Shigeru announced, looking at his watch. Asuka jumped to the floor behind the car and looked in the direction they had come from. Silence fell over all the Nerv personnel and soldiers as the countdown came to an end. For a few moments, nothing happened and everyone just stared at the remains of Tokyo-3 vacantly. Suddenly, a bright flash illuminated the sky, blinding everyone momentarily.
"EVERYONE DOWN!" Misato yelled, dragging the two children to the floor and covering them with her body. A moment later, an immensely powerful wind lashed at them as a massive shockwave hit. There was a deafening sound like thunder, and the world of Misato Katsuragi turned dark.
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Asuka groaned as she slowly fought her way back to consciousness; her head was throbbing and there was a ringing in her ears. She felt a rough surface against her cheek and realised she was face down. She put her hands to the ground and pushed herself upwards, feeling the tarmac bite into her palms. Dirt slid off her back as she moved.
"Asuka? You okay?" a voice asked. She scrunched her eyes and shook her head before looking to her left.
"Uh… Shinji? Is that you?" she asked, rubbing her eyes. The boy was crouched down beside her.
"Yeah," he replied. "How are you feeling?"
"Lousy," the German informed him. "What happened?"
"I don't know," the third-child said, stealing a glance behind her. "Everyone seems to be in shock," he added. "Can you stand?"
"I hope so," the redhead muttered. Slowly, with the boy's help, she got to her feet. Looking around her, she spotted Misato's car on its side, the windows shattered. It looked like everyone was beyond that. "Let's go see," she told him. He nodded and helped her.
"Mein Gott en himmel!" she whispered, staring at the scene, her mind having trouble accepting what it was seeing. Where once had stood the city of Tokyo-3 and Nerv headquarters, there was now nothing but a gigantic smoking crater.
"For there shall be a flash as bright as Heaven, and the destruction shall come to an end," a voice muttered.
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"Was the destruction complete?" the heavily accented voice from monolith 07 asked the assembled members of Seele.
"Yes," 04 responded. "It has been confirmed by our operatives at the site. Nerv headquarters, and everything it contained has been annihilated. Nothing remains."
"The destruction of the Eva's will merely delay our plans," the British voice of 03 commented.
"If it was merely the Eva's, that would be true," 04 said. "However, both Adam and Lilith were within headquarters, as was The Lance Of Longinus. And the Magi failsafe was activated."
"So all of the data on the Angels and Eva's has been destroyed," Keele commented. He sighed. "Ikari, with your last act, you have ruined decades of planning, and doomed us all." The chairman's booming voice echoed through the chamber. For a few moments there was silence.
"So…what now?"
The End
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