Evangelion - Exodus
Episode Two: Genesis
By Jonathan Jordan
DISCLAIMER: Neon Genesis Evangelion, most Eva Units, and many characters that may or may not appear in this series are copyright Gainax. Lance Murphy, some of the Eva Units, and a bunch of potential characters are my friend's or mine. Just in case you care.
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It's dark.
And cold.
I can't see anything.
Are my eyes even open?
I can't tell.
I think so...
or not.
I...
I...
I can't move!
Oh god.
Am I dead?
I can't move.
I try to scream, but no sound comes out.
I can't even feel my body.
What is going on?
Light.
There, in front of me.
It's a light.
If I could just move.
I have to reach the light.
Have to..
reach..
light...
A BARREN CRATER SOMEWHERE IN THE NEVADA DESERT
As is common at this time of year, it is hot. The heat is so strong, even the very ground seems to be radiating it. Even the gentle breeze, kicking up dust devils as it blows through, does nothing to alter this fact. The occasional lizard scampers across the ground in search of the perfect rock.
There is an eerie silence to the scene. Even here, in the proverbial middle of nowhere, the occasional sound is to be expected. Yet, there is nothing. Just silence, as the breeze dies down and what little activity there was grinds to a halt. Everything seems to have pause in expectation.
Something is going to happen, and the desert is ready.
The perfect stillness and silence is broken by the abrupt appearance of what seems to be a large military facility that fills the crater that was once there.
Inside the facility is a scene of pure chaos. Technicians are running back and forth, comparing print outs and entering new data into the programs. There is a palpable feeling of fear as the senior technicians monitor their computer terminals.
Dr. Stockton grasps the cross around his neck and mutters a small prayer. "Oh my god, the S2 engine. It's...it's..."
"Powering down. The S2 engine has gone offline." reports Lt. Turner.
Lt. Evans looks at her terminal and calls out. "Synch ratio leveling...no, rising. 50%. 65. 78. 94. 100%"
One of the technicians looks toward the three senior technicians. "What happened? Shouldn't we be dead or something?"
Dr. Stockton continues to hold his cross as he answers.
"I don't know, but we need to contact Commander Young immediately."
*****
Lance screams out in agony as the LCL boils around him. The plug suit has served to increase his sensitivity, causing the pain to be enhanced tenfold. Every one of his nerve endings feels like it is on fire. He floats from his seat at the cockpit and writhes in the scalding liquid.
Then, just as quick as it began, the heat and pain recede into nothingness. He floats throughout the entry plug, unable to move from the memory of the pain. The cooling LCL, which just moments ago was set to burn his flesh off, now serves to soothe the pain. He allows the relief to wash over him before he returns to the cockpit.
A few moments later, the radio crackles to life. "Pilot Murphy! Pilot Murphy, come in....Lance, talk to me."
He turns on his transmitter. "I'm here...I think. What happened, Angel?"
"We aren't really sure. We are gathering the data now." Dr. Stockton's voice comes over the receiver. "Return to the base, Lance. The testing is over until we can determine what went wrong."
"Ok, I'm on my way." he radios back, muttering under his breath after turning the radio off "Dammit. Just when I was startin' to have fun."
*****
"What does this mean, Charles?" asks Commander Young, looking up from the report in front of him.
Dr. Stockton is caught off guard by the use of his first name, rather than being referred to by his rank. He stammers for a moment before responding. "We...we...we don't really know, sir."
"Well, what do we know then?"
"From what we can gather, the S2 engine malfunctioned. It overheated, from what we can tell. Lance...Pilot Murphy tells us that the temperature inside the entry plug rose dramatically. An examination of the inside of the plug does indicate extreme heat. We think that this is the explanation for the drop in synch ratio we noted. At this point, there was a dramatic increase in energy production from the S2 engine. Then, there was nothing. All warnings simply stopped, the S2 engine went offline, and synch ratios returned to normal. We immediately radioed Unit-04 to determine if the pilot was unharmed, then compiled this report for you."
The commander just sits there, silently taking in this information. When he does finally speak, shattering the oppressive silence in the room, his voice almost sounds too loud. "Very well. I want a full report by 0900 tomorrow. We need to contact NERV Central with this. Commander Ikari will want to be informed."
The senior technician nods silently and leaves the room. Commander Young does not move for a very long time. When he finally does, it is to press a button hidden on the side of his desk. The surface of his desk lights up, revealing a screen showing the feeds from every security camera. His gaze flashes from one feed to another and he grins.
*****
In the locker room, Lance is still shaking from the experience. He peels his plug suit off carefully. The areas of his skin where there were metal plugs on the suit are burned and have begun to blister up. Lance grits his teeth as he pulls the suit down away from these spots. When he has finally managed to remove the suit, he makes his way toward the shower.
The water is turned all the way up, and as cold as it can get. Lance's teeth are chattering and his lips are starting to turn blue, but he remains under the frigid jet of water.
"LANCE MURPHY! You get out of that shower now before you give yourself hypothermia, or something."
He jumps at the voice and turns to face the speaker. "Dammit, Angela, I've told ya not to sneak up on me like that. And what in the heck are you doing in here, anyhow? You know you ain't supposed to be here."
She gives him a sly smile. "Where is it written that a girl can't see her boyfriend after work?"
"I've got no problem with seeing you. It's just that it's not right to have a girl in the men's shower. Ain't proper."
"Proper? You should know by now that I am not a proper sort of girl. Now, get out of that shower, or I'm coming in to get you myself."
He is shivering now, the blueness spreading to his fingers, toes, and other extremities. He sets his jaw and shakes his head. "Ain't coming out. Not until I am done with my shower, and definitely not while you are here."
"Oh please, Lance. It isn't like I haven't seen you naked before. You don't need to be shy."
"That's different. There's a time and place for everythin'. This ain't the right time for...that."
She smirks. "Oh really?"
Quirking one eyebrow, she advances on him. As she walks toward the shower, she slowly unzips her uniform jacket and removes it. She continues forward, shedding her clothes with every step she takes. Lance, for his part, is stunned into inaction by her bold actions. She stands in front of him, the cold water streaming down over both of their nude bodies. Placing her arms around him and smiling, she asks.
"Still think this isn't the right time and place?"
He doesn't say a word, choosing the answer non-verbally.
NERV CENTRAL COMMAND; 2300 HOURS
The Commander stalks angrily down the halls of NERV Central Command. He fastens the last button on his hastily donned uniform as he makes his way to the Operations Center. His hair is a mess, and there are dark bags beneath his eyes. As he enters the Operations Center, the technicians there all cower before his wrath.
"This had better be important, Akiyama."
"It is sir. We just received a transmission from our American branch." the young woman responds.
"That is not urgent. We receive frequent transmissions from Massachusetts."
"This wasn't from Massachusetts, Commander. It was from Nevada."
At this, the tired man pauses and looks at the technician for a very long time. "What do you mean, it is from Nevada? The Nevada branch was destroyed last year, during the S2 testing."
"I know that sir, but the transmission does appear to originate from the location NERV-02 was at. All the proper security protocols are in effect. Either they really are who they say they are, or this is one hell of an elaborate hoax."
"Very well, I will take the message in my office." He turns to leave, but is stopped at the door by Lt. Akiyama.
"Uh, sir. There is something else."
He turns back, the fatigue showing through his stern exterior. "What is it now?"
"Well, sir, they did not send the message to you. It was addressed to Gendo Ikari."
At this revelation, the Commander of NERV looks genuinely surprised. "Ikari? So, they don't know...what happened?"
Makoto Akiyama simply shakes her head. "I don't know, Commander Fuyutski."
*****
Later, in the dark office of Commander Kozo Fuyutski, the Commander sits at his desk and reads the message. He frowns slightly. He reads and rereads the missive, trying to glean some semblance of understanding from it. Each time he reaches the end of the message, he finds himself just as at a loss as the time before.
"How could they have survived? Where have they been all this time? What is going on here?"
The shadows of his office provide no answers.
NERV-02; 1100 HOURS
"Sir, we have an incoming transmission from NERV. It's a live broadcast."
The wall view screen flashes to life, the image of Kozo Fuyutski filling the screen. "Commander Young, this is Commander Fuyutski at NERV Central. I have received and reviewed your report. It raises some questions, which I feel would be best addressed here in Tokyo-3. An aerial transport unit has been dispatched to bring the Experimental Eva Unit-04 to Japan. You are to have the Eva ready for transportation, as well as the pilot and a small group of support staff."
Commander Young nods in acknowledgement. "You will excuse my asking, but why has Commander Ikari requested you to send the message, rather than ordering us himself?"
"Gendo Ikari is no longer the head of NERV. I am the Supreme Commander now." Fuyutski said without a trace of emotion behind his voice. With this final statement, he ends the transmission.
*****
Lance Murphy's living quarters look as they always do. While the place is technically "clean," it is not free of clutter. There are piles of clothes strewn about, all clean. There are unorganized piles of magazines here and there. On the table is a rather large stack of mail, some of it dating all the way back to his first week at the facility.
"Lance Murphy, I swear, I don't know how you manage to accumulate all of this...this...mess. It hasn't even been a week since you last had me over. It was clean then."
Lance blushes, looks at his feet, and scratches the back of his neck. "Aw, c'mon Angel. It ain't that bad."
Angela smiles at this. "How do you find anything in this mess, anyhow?"
"That ain't a problem. I have it all organized. I know where everything is. Never have trouble findin' what I need, when I need it."
"Oh really?" She raises an eyebrow at him and challenges "Ok, I'll bet you a home cooked meal that you can't find....oh...let's say the January 2015 issue of Rolling Stone magazine."
"Aw hell, that's an easy one. That's right here..." He points to a pail of magazines, riffles down six magazines from the bottom and pulls one out. Surely enough, it is the January 2015 issue of Rolling Stone.
Angela looks impressed. "Well, I guess I owe you a meal. Any requests?"
"Yeah, that you let me cook it."
She laughs and moves to straddle his legs, facing him. She takes his hat off and places it on her own head. "Lance Murphy, you are one in a million"
*****
The halls of the lower levels of the base have been abandoned as more and more of the operations have been consolidated into the Operations Center. As such, they make the perfect place to conduct more unscrupulous activities. Things like hacking the NERV-02 computers for sensitive information, or altering the programs of the main computer system to malfunction, or monitoring the activities of your superiors.
This is why Adam likes it here.
It is also the ideal place to perform a covert investigation of the personnel working at the base.
This is why Lt. 2nd Class Harold Greer is here tonight. He is pouring over his notes for the third time tonight. After weeks and weeks of investigating, tracing the mysterious computer user's movements throughout the system and ascertaining what it was the person wanted, he thinks he has finally found out who is the thief.
"No, it can't be. I must be wrong." he mutters to himself as he looks over his findings one more time. "Adam wouldn't..."
"Adam wouldn't what?" come a voice from the open door behind him. With a start, he turns to see who is addressing him. A look of dread crosses his face as Adam Turner steps into the room. "What wouldn't I do?"
"N-n-nothing. I was just...um..."
Adam smirks at the young man. "Oh, I'm sure it was something. I distinctly heard my name mentioned. Would it have anything to do with this?" He steps around the terrified man to look at the computer screen. Lt. Greer looks on in horror, his fear paralyzing him.
"Lt. Turner, sir, what are you doing down here anyhow? This level has been pretty much abandoned."
Adam looks up, his face calm. "Hmm? Oh, I was just wandering the halls, you know. Looking for old computer terminals to use to steal more NERV secrets."
Harold looks shocked. "Y-y-you admit that you have been hacking into the computers?"
"Why not? Nobody is going to find out."
The junior technician looks confused for a moment, before the full meaning of this dawns on him. "You know that if you kill me, they will investigate."
With a wicked grin, Adam advances. "I don't think there will be. You see, I have 'evidence' that you were the one behind the whole thing. Selling information to outside sources, and trying to pin the blame on the senior technician whose position you wanted. How despicable of you." He laughs and lunges for the young man.
Lt. Greer scrambles to get away. He bounces off of the doorframe as he runs out and down the hall. He nearly reaches the lift when something strikes the back of his head, knocking him to the floor. He looks up and back down the hall, his vision blurry and blood trickling down the side of his head. Adam casually walks down the hall, holding a second piece of old machinery from the room.
"Tsk, tsk. No running now. We can't have you leave yet. The party is just getting started."
Harold tries to get to his feet and make it to the life. He knows that if he can just make it to the lift, he can radio for help. The security forces will be able to capture Lt. Turner. If he can just make it a little further...
He falls to the floor again as the world seems to tilt and turn on him. He looks back once more, and sees Adam's shoes right in front of his face. He flinches slightly just before one of the feet in front of him moves back, then kicks him in the stomach. Coughing up blood, he groans "Why? Why are you doing this?"
"Why am I doing this" the senior technician responds, kneeling down. He grabs a handful of the other man's hair, pulling him up to eye level. His grin has become a disturbing mixture of malice and joy. "I am doing this, because I can."
Harold struggles against the grip of the psychotic man holding him, but his head wound has made him dizzy. He frantically flails his arms around in an attempt to do something, anything, to get away. He manages no more than a few glancing hits and one scratch across the face. Adam screams in pain and throws Harold to the floor. Lt. Greer's head hits with a dull thud.
"That hurt you little prick. I'm done playing now. Time to end this."
He plants a few more kicks on the prone man on the floor. Standing over the young man, he sits heavily on the technician's chest. He once again lifts Harold's head off the ground and places one thumb over each eye. Letting out a grunt of effort, he exerts pressure on the man's eyes, digging his thumbs into the sockets. This elicits the expected cries for mercy, and the even more expected denial of such.
With an audible pop, Lt. 2nd Class Harold Greer's eyes exit his head, followed by a good deal of blood. Adam drops his head to the floor once more. This time, the impact is not a thud so much as a sickeningly squishy crack.
Lt. Adam Turner stands and takes one final kick. For good measure, he stomps on the fallen man's head, releasing a spray of blood and more solid matter. Then, he wipes his hands and shoes on the dead man's shirt. He begins whistling the end of "Bohemian Rhapsody" as he casually enters the lift and makes his way to the surface, the lights shutting off one by one behind him.
*****
The NERV-02 cafeteria is unusually void of all signs of life, save the two figures sitting at a table against the wall. Dr. Charles Stockton and Sub-Commander Annabelle Oliver are drinking coffee in the empty room. They are sitting close to each other, discussing the current situation.
"I can't imagine what would cause Gendo Ikari to just give up command. You have met the man, right Anna?"
The sub-commander nods, her dark hair (with just a hint of gray sneaking in) bobbing. "Yes, once. Right after I started working here. He came to inspect the site. I don't see the man as being someone to give up on anything easily."
"Exactly. Ikari is a control freak. He would never give up command, even to Fuyutski. Not unless he was dead, or planning something. I have a feeling he isn't dead, either."
The woman nods. "So, what could he be planning that would require him to leave NERV?"
"That, my dear, is the million dollar question."
*****
The subterranean hangar where Unit-04 is kept is dark. All of the floodlights used to light the room are off, save one. The single light shines down upon the experimental Eva Unit, illuminating it in a halo of light. Lance is sitting against the railing opposite the silver machine, in his characteristic t-shirt, jeans, and hat. He looks up at the automaton and sighs.
"Well, girl, it looks like we're headin' off to Japan in a few days. I ain't too sure how I feel about that. I mean, goin' to another country'd be great and all, but I'd rather go someplace I speak the language. You know, like England or Canada or somethin'. Still, Japan would be nice."
He stops and sighs heavily. "I just don't know why they want me to go. They need you, that's a given. But, I ain't done anything worth anything. Yeah, I piloted you once 'r twice. But, I was also the one who was in you when the...um...accident happened." He stops again and shudders at the memory.
"I shouldn't be the one to go. I dunno what happened out there yesterday, but it was probably my fault. I screwed up, and nearly got myself killed. Hell, for all I know, I could have killed all of us. I...just can't handle that kind of pressure. I don't wanna be responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people. Especially if it they're people I care 'bout."
"And, I do care about everyone here. Dr. Stockton has been awful nice to me. He's the one who first welcomed me here, and made me feel like I belonged. He made me feel at home. I really respect that man. The Commander and Sub-Commander seem nice too, though I haven't ever really talked to them. They're so busy all the time."
"Angela...Angel. Ah, she's a wildflower. I'm lucky to have a girl like that, you know. It may surprise you, but I didn't think I had a chance with her. She's so smart, and so pretty. I was sure she was out of my league. But, she came after me. I love her. I don't know if I am IN love with her, but I do love her."
"Lt. Turner has been a real nice guy too. He's been the closest thing to a friend I have here. He's always offering to go out to the bar or club with me. We are a lot alike, I think. I'm glad I got to know him."
"Ya see, though, that's why I don't think I should pilot you anymore. What if it happens again? What if, next time, it doesn't end up so good. What if someone dies? I don't know what I would do if that happened. I don't want to have to think about it."
"Frankly, girl, I'm scared. I'm being sent to a new place, to meet new people, who speak a language I don't know. All so I can pilot an experimental weapon of destruction...no offense intended, of course. I just don't think I am up for any of this."
"Not like I have a choice, though. You never really have a chose with these big decisions, do you?"
With another sigh, Lance stands up and walks toward the Eva. He reaches out and gently strokes its face, then slowly turns toward the exit and makes his way out. The single light of the room stays on, shining down upon Unit-04. The way the light hits its shiny metal contours, it almost appears as if the Eva unit is crying.
NERV CENTRAL HEADQUARTERS; TOKYO-3
Throughout the NERV facility in Tokyo-3 video screens are turning on, or switching over from their normal function. Around the city, loud speakers crackle to life. Commander Fuyutski appears on the screens, where visible. His voice rings out.
"This is an announcement to all Citizens of Tokyo-3. UN Forces, under command of NERV, will be entering the city of Tokyo-3 on the 22nd at 1400 hours to deliver an experimental Evangelion Unit. Due to the volatile nature of the delivery, NERV advises all private citizens to remain in their houses to avoid any unfortunate accidents. Once the Unit has been delivered and properly secured, an All Clear announcement will be broadcast to indicate it is once again safe to leave your residence. NERV thanks you for your cooperation."
In the pilots' locker room at NERV, the two teenagers pause and look at each other. Both were in the process of packing their plug suits away. The taller of the two, a boy of American descent, blinks a couple of times.
"Did he just say what I think he said?"
"I don't know, Nicholas. I never know what you are thinking." responds the much shorter Japanese girl dryly.
The boy rolls his eyes. "Weren't you listening to the announcement? It sounds like there is a new Eva Unit being brought in."
"That is exactly what Commander Fuyutski said."
"Yeah, but he also said it was coming in from America. I know that can't be right, because someone at NERV-05 would have told me. So, it must be coming from Germany or China."
"It could be from NERV-04 in Matsushiro, too."
"Exactly! You see my point, then. If his information was wrong with that part, he could have been wrong about the whole thing. Or lying."
"Commander Fuyutski is not the same man Commander Ikari was. He would not lie about this."
Nicholas's face grows serious for the first time, rather than the smile he has been wearing throughout the exchange. "Yumiko, you are impossible to talk to sometimes." He roughly grabs his bag up and storms out of the room. The young girl cracks a small smile at this.
"Stupid American. He makes it too easy."
TO BE CONTINUED...
Episode Two: Genesis
By Jonathan Jordan
DISCLAIMER: Neon Genesis Evangelion, most Eva Units, and many characters that may or may not appear in this series are copyright Gainax. Lance Murphy, some of the Eva Units, and a bunch of potential characters are my friend's or mine. Just in case you care.
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It's dark.
And cold.
I can't see anything.
Are my eyes even open?
I can't tell.
I think so...
or not.
I...
I...
I can't move!
Oh god.
Am I dead?
I can't move.
I try to scream, but no sound comes out.
I can't even feel my body.
What is going on?
Light.
There, in front of me.
It's a light.
If I could just move.
I have to reach the light.
Have to..
reach..
light...
A BARREN CRATER SOMEWHERE IN THE NEVADA DESERT
As is common at this time of year, it is hot. The heat is so strong, even the very ground seems to be radiating it. Even the gentle breeze, kicking up dust devils as it blows through, does nothing to alter this fact. The occasional lizard scampers across the ground in search of the perfect rock.
There is an eerie silence to the scene. Even here, in the proverbial middle of nowhere, the occasional sound is to be expected. Yet, there is nothing. Just silence, as the breeze dies down and what little activity there was grinds to a halt. Everything seems to have pause in expectation.
Something is going to happen, and the desert is ready.
The perfect stillness and silence is broken by the abrupt appearance of what seems to be a large military facility that fills the crater that was once there.
Inside the facility is a scene of pure chaos. Technicians are running back and forth, comparing print outs and entering new data into the programs. There is a palpable feeling of fear as the senior technicians monitor their computer terminals.
Dr. Stockton grasps the cross around his neck and mutters a small prayer. "Oh my god, the S2 engine. It's...it's..."
"Powering down. The S2 engine has gone offline." reports Lt. Turner.
Lt. Evans looks at her terminal and calls out. "Synch ratio leveling...no, rising. 50%. 65. 78. 94. 100%"
One of the technicians looks toward the three senior technicians. "What happened? Shouldn't we be dead or something?"
Dr. Stockton continues to hold his cross as he answers.
"I don't know, but we need to contact Commander Young immediately."
*****
Lance screams out in agony as the LCL boils around him. The plug suit has served to increase his sensitivity, causing the pain to be enhanced tenfold. Every one of his nerve endings feels like it is on fire. He floats from his seat at the cockpit and writhes in the scalding liquid.
Then, just as quick as it began, the heat and pain recede into nothingness. He floats throughout the entry plug, unable to move from the memory of the pain. The cooling LCL, which just moments ago was set to burn his flesh off, now serves to soothe the pain. He allows the relief to wash over him before he returns to the cockpit.
A few moments later, the radio crackles to life. "Pilot Murphy! Pilot Murphy, come in....Lance, talk to me."
He turns on his transmitter. "I'm here...I think. What happened, Angel?"
"We aren't really sure. We are gathering the data now." Dr. Stockton's voice comes over the receiver. "Return to the base, Lance. The testing is over until we can determine what went wrong."
"Ok, I'm on my way." he radios back, muttering under his breath after turning the radio off "Dammit. Just when I was startin' to have fun."
*****
"What does this mean, Charles?" asks Commander Young, looking up from the report in front of him.
Dr. Stockton is caught off guard by the use of his first name, rather than being referred to by his rank. He stammers for a moment before responding. "We...we...we don't really know, sir."
"Well, what do we know then?"
"From what we can gather, the S2 engine malfunctioned. It overheated, from what we can tell. Lance...Pilot Murphy tells us that the temperature inside the entry plug rose dramatically. An examination of the inside of the plug does indicate extreme heat. We think that this is the explanation for the drop in synch ratio we noted. At this point, there was a dramatic increase in energy production from the S2 engine. Then, there was nothing. All warnings simply stopped, the S2 engine went offline, and synch ratios returned to normal. We immediately radioed Unit-04 to determine if the pilot was unharmed, then compiled this report for you."
The commander just sits there, silently taking in this information. When he does finally speak, shattering the oppressive silence in the room, his voice almost sounds too loud. "Very well. I want a full report by 0900 tomorrow. We need to contact NERV Central with this. Commander Ikari will want to be informed."
The senior technician nods silently and leaves the room. Commander Young does not move for a very long time. When he finally does, it is to press a button hidden on the side of his desk. The surface of his desk lights up, revealing a screen showing the feeds from every security camera. His gaze flashes from one feed to another and he grins.
*****
In the locker room, Lance is still shaking from the experience. He peels his plug suit off carefully. The areas of his skin where there were metal plugs on the suit are burned and have begun to blister up. Lance grits his teeth as he pulls the suit down away from these spots. When he has finally managed to remove the suit, he makes his way toward the shower.
The water is turned all the way up, and as cold as it can get. Lance's teeth are chattering and his lips are starting to turn blue, but he remains under the frigid jet of water.
"LANCE MURPHY! You get out of that shower now before you give yourself hypothermia, or something."
He jumps at the voice and turns to face the speaker. "Dammit, Angela, I've told ya not to sneak up on me like that. And what in the heck are you doing in here, anyhow? You know you ain't supposed to be here."
She gives him a sly smile. "Where is it written that a girl can't see her boyfriend after work?"
"I've got no problem with seeing you. It's just that it's not right to have a girl in the men's shower. Ain't proper."
"Proper? You should know by now that I am not a proper sort of girl. Now, get out of that shower, or I'm coming in to get you myself."
He is shivering now, the blueness spreading to his fingers, toes, and other extremities. He sets his jaw and shakes his head. "Ain't coming out. Not until I am done with my shower, and definitely not while you are here."
"Oh please, Lance. It isn't like I haven't seen you naked before. You don't need to be shy."
"That's different. There's a time and place for everythin'. This ain't the right time for...that."
She smirks. "Oh really?"
Quirking one eyebrow, she advances on him. As she walks toward the shower, she slowly unzips her uniform jacket and removes it. She continues forward, shedding her clothes with every step she takes. Lance, for his part, is stunned into inaction by her bold actions. She stands in front of him, the cold water streaming down over both of their nude bodies. Placing her arms around him and smiling, she asks.
"Still think this isn't the right time and place?"
He doesn't say a word, choosing the answer non-verbally.
NERV CENTRAL COMMAND; 2300 HOURS
The Commander stalks angrily down the halls of NERV Central Command. He fastens the last button on his hastily donned uniform as he makes his way to the Operations Center. His hair is a mess, and there are dark bags beneath his eyes. As he enters the Operations Center, the technicians there all cower before his wrath.
"This had better be important, Akiyama."
"It is sir. We just received a transmission from our American branch." the young woman responds.
"That is not urgent. We receive frequent transmissions from Massachusetts."
"This wasn't from Massachusetts, Commander. It was from Nevada."
At this, the tired man pauses and looks at the technician for a very long time. "What do you mean, it is from Nevada? The Nevada branch was destroyed last year, during the S2 testing."
"I know that sir, but the transmission does appear to originate from the location NERV-02 was at. All the proper security protocols are in effect. Either they really are who they say they are, or this is one hell of an elaborate hoax."
"Very well, I will take the message in my office." He turns to leave, but is stopped at the door by Lt. Akiyama.
"Uh, sir. There is something else."
He turns back, the fatigue showing through his stern exterior. "What is it now?"
"Well, sir, they did not send the message to you. It was addressed to Gendo Ikari."
At this revelation, the Commander of NERV looks genuinely surprised. "Ikari? So, they don't know...what happened?"
Makoto Akiyama simply shakes her head. "I don't know, Commander Fuyutski."
*****
Later, in the dark office of Commander Kozo Fuyutski, the Commander sits at his desk and reads the message. He frowns slightly. He reads and rereads the missive, trying to glean some semblance of understanding from it. Each time he reaches the end of the message, he finds himself just as at a loss as the time before.
"How could they have survived? Where have they been all this time? What is going on here?"
The shadows of his office provide no answers.
NERV-02; 1100 HOURS
"Sir, we have an incoming transmission from NERV. It's a live broadcast."
The wall view screen flashes to life, the image of Kozo Fuyutski filling the screen. "Commander Young, this is Commander Fuyutski at NERV Central. I have received and reviewed your report. It raises some questions, which I feel would be best addressed here in Tokyo-3. An aerial transport unit has been dispatched to bring the Experimental Eva Unit-04 to Japan. You are to have the Eva ready for transportation, as well as the pilot and a small group of support staff."
Commander Young nods in acknowledgement. "You will excuse my asking, but why has Commander Ikari requested you to send the message, rather than ordering us himself?"
"Gendo Ikari is no longer the head of NERV. I am the Supreme Commander now." Fuyutski said without a trace of emotion behind his voice. With this final statement, he ends the transmission.
*****
Lance Murphy's living quarters look as they always do. While the place is technically "clean," it is not free of clutter. There are piles of clothes strewn about, all clean. There are unorganized piles of magazines here and there. On the table is a rather large stack of mail, some of it dating all the way back to his first week at the facility.
"Lance Murphy, I swear, I don't know how you manage to accumulate all of this...this...mess. It hasn't even been a week since you last had me over. It was clean then."
Lance blushes, looks at his feet, and scratches the back of his neck. "Aw, c'mon Angel. It ain't that bad."
Angela smiles at this. "How do you find anything in this mess, anyhow?"
"That ain't a problem. I have it all organized. I know where everything is. Never have trouble findin' what I need, when I need it."
"Oh really?" She raises an eyebrow at him and challenges "Ok, I'll bet you a home cooked meal that you can't find....oh...let's say the January 2015 issue of Rolling Stone magazine."
"Aw hell, that's an easy one. That's right here..." He points to a pail of magazines, riffles down six magazines from the bottom and pulls one out. Surely enough, it is the January 2015 issue of Rolling Stone.
Angela looks impressed. "Well, I guess I owe you a meal. Any requests?"
"Yeah, that you let me cook it."
She laughs and moves to straddle his legs, facing him. She takes his hat off and places it on her own head. "Lance Murphy, you are one in a million"
*****
The halls of the lower levels of the base have been abandoned as more and more of the operations have been consolidated into the Operations Center. As such, they make the perfect place to conduct more unscrupulous activities. Things like hacking the NERV-02 computers for sensitive information, or altering the programs of the main computer system to malfunction, or monitoring the activities of your superiors.
This is why Adam likes it here.
It is also the ideal place to perform a covert investigation of the personnel working at the base.
This is why Lt. 2nd Class Harold Greer is here tonight. He is pouring over his notes for the third time tonight. After weeks and weeks of investigating, tracing the mysterious computer user's movements throughout the system and ascertaining what it was the person wanted, he thinks he has finally found out who is the thief.
"No, it can't be. I must be wrong." he mutters to himself as he looks over his findings one more time. "Adam wouldn't..."
"Adam wouldn't what?" come a voice from the open door behind him. With a start, he turns to see who is addressing him. A look of dread crosses his face as Adam Turner steps into the room. "What wouldn't I do?"
"N-n-nothing. I was just...um..."
Adam smirks at the young man. "Oh, I'm sure it was something. I distinctly heard my name mentioned. Would it have anything to do with this?" He steps around the terrified man to look at the computer screen. Lt. Greer looks on in horror, his fear paralyzing him.
"Lt. Turner, sir, what are you doing down here anyhow? This level has been pretty much abandoned."
Adam looks up, his face calm. "Hmm? Oh, I was just wandering the halls, you know. Looking for old computer terminals to use to steal more NERV secrets."
Harold looks shocked. "Y-y-you admit that you have been hacking into the computers?"
"Why not? Nobody is going to find out."
The junior technician looks confused for a moment, before the full meaning of this dawns on him. "You know that if you kill me, they will investigate."
With a wicked grin, Adam advances. "I don't think there will be. You see, I have 'evidence' that you were the one behind the whole thing. Selling information to outside sources, and trying to pin the blame on the senior technician whose position you wanted. How despicable of you." He laughs and lunges for the young man.
Lt. Greer scrambles to get away. He bounces off of the doorframe as he runs out and down the hall. He nearly reaches the lift when something strikes the back of his head, knocking him to the floor. He looks up and back down the hall, his vision blurry and blood trickling down the side of his head. Adam casually walks down the hall, holding a second piece of old machinery from the room.
"Tsk, tsk. No running now. We can't have you leave yet. The party is just getting started."
Harold tries to get to his feet and make it to the life. He knows that if he can just make it to the lift, he can radio for help. The security forces will be able to capture Lt. Turner. If he can just make it a little further...
He falls to the floor again as the world seems to tilt and turn on him. He looks back once more, and sees Adam's shoes right in front of his face. He flinches slightly just before one of the feet in front of him moves back, then kicks him in the stomach. Coughing up blood, he groans "Why? Why are you doing this?"
"Why am I doing this" the senior technician responds, kneeling down. He grabs a handful of the other man's hair, pulling him up to eye level. His grin has become a disturbing mixture of malice and joy. "I am doing this, because I can."
Harold struggles against the grip of the psychotic man holding him, but his head wound has made him dizzy. He frantically flails his arms around in an attempt to do something, anything, to get away. He manages no more than a few glancing hits and one scratch across the face. Adam screams in pain and throws Harold to the floor. Lt. Greer's head hits with a dull thud.
"That hurt you little prick. I'm done playing now. Time to end this."
He plants a few more kicks on the prone man on the floor. Standing over the young man, he sits heavily on the technician's chest. He once again lifts Harold's head off the ground and places one thumb over each eye. Letting out a grunt of effort, he exerts pressure on the man's eyes, digging his thumbs into the sockets. This elicits the expected cries for mercy, and the even more expected denial of such.
With an audible pop, Lt. 2nd Class Harold Greer's eyes exit his head, followed by a good deal of blood. Adam drops his head to the floor once more. This time, the impact is not a thud so much as a sickeningly squishy crack.
Lt. Adam Turner stands and takes one final kick. For good measure, he stomps on the fallen man's head, releasing a spray of blood and more solid matter. Then, he wipes his hands and shoes on the dead man's shirt. He begins whistling the end of "Bohemian Rhapsody" as he casually enters the lift and makes his way to the surface, the lights shutting off one by one behind him.
*****
The NERV-02 cafeteria is unusually void of all signs of life, save the two figures sitting at a table against the wall. Dr. Charles Stockton and Sub-Commander Annabelle Oliver are drinking coffee in the empty room. They are sitting close to each other, discussing the current situation.
"I can't imagine what would cause Gendo Ikari to just give up command. You have met the man, right Anna?"
The sub-commander nods, her dark hair (with just a hint of gray sneaking in) bobbing. "Yes, once. Right after I started working here. He came to inspect the site. I don't see the man as being someone to give up on anything easily."
"Exactly. Ikari is a control freak. He would never give up command, even to Fuyutski. Not unless he was dead, or planning something. I have a feeling he isn't dead, either."
The woman nods. "So, what could he be planning that would require him to leave NERV?"
"That, my dear, is the million dollar question."
*****
The subterranean hangar where Unit-04 is kept is dark. All of the floodlights used to light the room are off, save one. The single light shines down upon the experimental Eva Unit, illuminating it in a halo of light. Lance is sitting against the railing opposite the silver machine, in his characteristic t-shirt, jeans, and hat. He looks up at the automaton and sighs.
"Well, girl, it looks like we're headin' off to Japan in a few days. I ain't too sure how I feel about that. I mean, goin' to another country'd be great and all, but I'd rather go someplace I speak the language. You know, like England or Canada or somethin'. Still, Japan would be nice."
He stops and sighs heavily. "I just don't know why they want me to go. They need you, that's a given. But, I ain't done anything worth anything. Yeah, I piloted you once 'r twice. But, I was also the one who was in you when the...um...accident happened." He stops again and shudders at the memory.
"I shouldn't be the one to go. I dunno what happened out there yesterday, but it was probably my fault. I screwed up, and nearly got myself killed. Hell, for all I know, I could have killed all of us. I...just can't handle that kind of pressure. I don't wanna be responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people. Especially if it they're people I care 'bout."
"And, I do care about everyone here. Dr. Stockton has been awful nice to me. He's the one who first welcomed me here, and made me feel like I belonged. He made me feel at home. I really respect that man. The Commander and Sub-Commander seem nice too, though I haven't ever really talked to them. They're so busy all the time."
"Angela...Angel. Ah, she's a wildflower. I'm lucky to have a girl like that, you know. It may surprise you, but I didn't think I had a chance with her. She's so smart, and so pretty. I was sure she was out of my league. But, she came after me. I love her. I don't know if I am IN love with her, but I do love her."
"Lt. Turner has been a real nice guy too. He's been the closest thing to a friend I have here. He's always offering to go out to the bar or club with me. We are a lot alike, I think. I'm glad I got to know him."
"Ya see, though, that's why I don't think I should pilot you anymore. What if it happens again? What if, next time, it doesn't end up so good. What if someone dies? I don't know what I would do if that happened. I don't want to have to think about it."
"Frankly, girl, I'm scared. I'm being sent to a new place, to meet new people, who speak a language I don't know. All so I can pilot an experimental weapon of destruction...no offense intended, of course. I just don't think I am up for any of this."
"Not like I have a choice, though. You never really have a chose with these big decisions, do you?"
With another sigh, Lance stands up and walks toward the Eva. He reaches out and gently strokes its face, then slowly turns toward the exit and makes his way out. The single light of the room stays on, shining down upon Unit-04. The way the light hits its shiny metal contours, it almost appears as if the Eva unit is crying.
NERV CENTRAL HEADQUARTERS; TOKYO-3
Throughout the NERV facility in Tokyo-3 video screens are turning on, or switching over from their normal function. Around the city, loud speakers crackle to life. Commander Fuyutski appears on the screens, where visible. His voice rings out.
"This is an announcement to all Citizens of Tokyo-3. UN Forces, under command of NERV, will be entering the city of Tokyo-3 on the 22nd at 1400 hours to deliver an experimental Evangelion Unit. Due to the volatile nature of the delivery, NERV advises all private citizens to remain in their houses to avoid any unfortunate accidents. Once the Unit has been delivered and properly secured, an All Clear announcement will be broadcast to indicate it is once again safe to leave your residence. NERV thanks you for your cooperation."
In the pilots' locker room at NERV, the two teenagers pause and look at each other. Both were in the process of packing their plug suits away. The taller of the two, a boy of American descent, blinks a couple of times.
"Did he just say what I think he said?"
"I don't know, Nicholas. I never know what you are thinking." responds the much shorter Japanese girl dryly.
The boy rolls his eyes. "Weren't you listening to the announcement? It sounds like there is a new Eva Unit being brought in."
"That is exactly what Commander Fuyutski said."
"Yeah, but he also said it was coming in from America. I know that can't be right, because someone at NERV-05 would have told me. So, it must be coming from Germany or China."
"It could be from NERV-04 in Matsushiro, too."
"Exactly! You see my point, then. If his information was wrong with that part, he could have been wrong about the whole thing. Or lying."
"Commander Fuyutski is not the same man Commander Ikari was. He would not lie about this."
Nicholas's face grows serious for the first time, rather than the smile he has been wearing throughout the exchange. "Yumiko, you are impossible to talk to sometimes." He roughly grabs his bag up and storms out of the room. The young girl cracks a small smile at this.
"Stupid American. He makes it too easy."
TO BE CONTINUED...