. At the edge of chaos, unexpected outcomes occur. The risk to survival is severe. - Michael Chrichton

Chapter 04

Darkness. Within the darkness, a door opened and Chairman Lorenz Keel walked into the unlit room. The sudden light revealed a TV monitor, a chair, and a small desk with an intercom and a CD player.

Walking with the use of a cane, Keel made his way to the chair. Despite his pronounced limp and hunched back, the old man exuded an air of pride.

In his hand, he held a single CD case. The disk inside contained a recording from his Agent's latest report. Keel had deemed it safer for the reports to be recorded instead of direct. After several handlers had died from hidden explosives or toxins, he had been proven correct.

Sitting down, he inserted the disk into the player. The TV automatically turned on. Static, then images started to appear, becoming clearer by the second. A blue-skinned face appeared, belonging to one of his top Agents, one that Chairman Keel would never forget. After all, it was he who found that face.

It was just over a year before that he had found the boy and his sister. He had been lead to them by their energy signatures and he had found them unconscious. When the boy woke up, he didn't remember anything about himself or his sister save their names. "Zophiel and Shizel", he had called themselves. Aside from that, he did not know anything else, and neither his identity, nor his origin was ever discovered.

Though the boy did not know what he was, Keel did. And so Keel had had the boy trained in the arts of stealth, espionage, and assassination. The boy had learned with an amazing degree and at an unbelievable rate. He seemed to be reviewing lessons learned in the past, then forgotten, a trait that raised Keel's suspicions. When after a few months, the boy did not show any other sign, Keel had put aside those suspicions. The boy had then progressed to become his most valuable Agent, one that was under his direct control.

It was a pity that his sister did not share the same trait. Though the two always worked together on missions, the girl had not spoken or responded to anyone else except her brother. She never spoke, even when ordered to. She accepted training and missions without a word. How the siblings communicated was a mystery, even to Keel. It was the only reason that the girl was allowed to live.

His Agent's voice broke through Keel's reminiscence. He listened intently as the youth reported his mission.

"We scouted the area per orders, Chairman. The NERV base in Berlin was not destroyed but its personnel were all killed. No weapons or information were stolen but the enemy seems to be manning the base with their own personnel. It appears that the annihilation of the staff was the enemy's objective. We had one contact with the enemy, during which we managed to defeat them. At present, we are returning to Headquarters with the full data. Zophiel, out."

The screen went blank. Keel mulled over the information he had just received, then pressed the intercom button.

"Call a meeting immediately."

Without waiting for a reply, he cut off the connection.

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Asuka sat on the sofa inside Misato's apartment, trying to see if there was anything of interest on television. Finding absolutely nothing that would hold her attention for more than a few seconds, she decided to salvage whatever brain cells she had left and turned off the TV.

She looked around for something else to do, something that would occupy her in the very boring time period between six and seven PM. Unfortunately, there was none. The Third Child was still preparing dinner, so teasing and taunting him was out of the question unless she wanted more of Misato's cooking.

That meant there was only one other thing to do. One thing that, if she weren't as bored as she was she would not even attempt. That thing was conversation with a certain blue-haired pilot who was currently watching Asuka from the other side of the sofa. Asuka might have called the gaze creepy, since the albino was taking her time studying Asuka's profile as if it was the most natural thing to do.

'What could be interesting about me that would matter to that doll? If it was anybody else, staring at me might be considered normal, but Wondergirl is definitely not normal. Wait a minute, could she be interested in me that way? After all, it has happened before and with my looks, it's hardly surprising.' Asuka's thoughts were rapidly taking a turn for the worse. Then again, that's what happens when you are bored.

'Why did the stupid stooge invite her here in the first place? I bet that excuse about letting her go alone being dangerous was a lie. I have enough trouble with him; I can't be bothered by a doll! This is all his fault. When I finish eating, I'm going to beat him to a pulp.'

Fortunately for the designated target of Asuka's temper, Rei decided on that specific moment to speak up.

"Pilot Soryu, why do you behave so antagonistically towards Pilot Ikari and myself?"

Asuka couldn't have been more surprised if Misato had suddenly stopped drinking, or the Commander had suddenly stopped being a jerk, or if Shinji had suddenly grown a spine. Well, except that last one, there was no way Shinji could ever grow a spine. At the moment, all Asuka could utter was a single syllable. "What?"

"I said,. . ."

"I know what you said, Wondergirl, I just couldn't believe you said it." Asuka was holding a hand to her forehead and clutching her stomach with the other hand. Apparently she was trying to contain her laughter, so as to be able to give an audible answer. Rei just watched.

Finally Asuka seemed to calm down. Taking a sideways look at Rei, she started. "You are quite a piece of work, Wondergirl. Definitely the most elaborate puppet I have ever seen. Why would you be interested in how I treat the baka? Don't tell me you actually have feelings for him?"

Rei answered immediately, not moving a single muscle other than her vocal system. "My feelings for Ikari-kun are irrelevant. Your behavior, however, detracts from our efficiency every time we go on a mission. Since you claim yourself to be more intelligent than him, I would assume your logic has a basis."

"Are you saying I'm dumb?" Asuka snarled, her hands starting to form into fists.

"No, I'm asking you if you are."

"What the hell! If you think you can just insult me, then you're way out of your league, Wondergirl!"

"I asked you for your logical basis on how you behave. Given that you do not have a logical basis, I would assume that you are illogical."

"Says you" Asuka snapped. "I already told you that I don't need a lecture from you. If you want to know why I treat Shinji like that, it's because he deserves to be treated like that. He's a stupid, spineless, pervert."

Rei was still calm. "Ikari-kun does not have a logical basis either, but he has shown himself to be capable at times. He also acknowledges his own lack of worth so I fail to see the logic behind your words."

"It's exactly because of his worthlessness that I'm mad at him. Someone that worthless cannot be better than me!"

"I'm sorry you feel that way, Asuka." Asuka and Rei turned towards the source of the words to find Shinji in the kitchen doorway. He spoke again. "Dinner's ready."

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Shinji stood in the doorway, facing his two fellow pilots. "Dinner's ready" he repeated.

Rei got up from the sofa and began to move towards the food, but Asuka sprang up and marched forward. She came up to Shinji and poked him in the chest. "And just what do you mean by that, Third Child?"

"Look Asuka, I don't want to fight you."

"Then tell me what you meant by that."

Shinji took a deep breath before answering. Rei was already at the table. She kept her silence but hadn't started eating yet.

"Asuka, you already know that I don't want to pilot Evas."

"Then what are you here for. If you don't want to pilot, then don't. Or do you think we'll just fall apart without you. What happened last time was a fluke, Third Child. It won't happen again." Asuka was shouting by now.

"I'm sorry, Asuka. It's not that I don't have faith in you Asuka. It's that I don't have faith in myself. I could never forgive myself if I let you, or Rei or Misato down. If someone deserves to be hurt while piloting those things, it's me."

Asuka couldn't find a smart retort to that one, so she settled for the next best thing. "Don't you dare underestimate what I am capable of." With that, Asuka marched past the Third Child towards the table, effectively ending the argument.

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Gendo sat behind his desk, his hands clasped in front of his face, fingers intertwined. Beside him, Fuyutsuki stood, his posture belying his age. In front of the desk were the two new factors that had brought Gendo from his other plans.

Mana and Musashi stood side by side, their eyes focused on the Commander. Mana appeared calm and unafraid, seemingly confident of her task. Musashi looked a bit strange in his pilot gear, but was otherwise decidedly fixed on the conversation. The dark-skinned boy reminded Gendo of a wary panther, eager to protect what was his. Musashi's jaw was set, an indication of how tense the boy was.

Gendo spoke. "Your offer intrigues me, Kirishima. Your motives don't concern me, but what value could you possibly offer me. I could just give the order and the two of you as well as your" referring to Musashi "Trident would be in my hands."

The unspoken threat was there, as well as the confidence in his own power. Mana knew enough not to underestimate the cold bastard but she was willing to give her last shot a go.

"True Commander. Yet I am offering you my services and cooperation willingly, without the need for unwarranted force. Though you know much about my mission, my robot, and me I doubt you know everything. I can give you access to JSSDF files and future operations, including the one's that concern your organization. In return, all I ask is that my fellow pilot and I be allowed to join that organization."

The small speech was precise and to the point. It was one of the few things Gendo would admire in others since he preferred it himself. The benefits offered, although not necessary, would be of great use to him. After all, he was being offered information, technology, and service and the only condition was that he accepts it and let the two defections live under his command. Besides, it would be a great blow to the JSSDF to lose the Trident series, already having lost the Jet Alone series before in a humiliation.

The whole thing was being handed to him on a silver platter. Gendo had learned to never trust a silver platter.

"Your proposition is accepted. The two of you will stay in NERV. Your quarters will be designated shortly. Any and all information asked of you will be given. Dismissed."

At the word, Man turned on her heel and left. Musashi followed right behind her. As soon as the door closed, Fuyutsuki spoke.

"You don't really need them."

"No, I don't." Gendo replied. "But having them under our thumb is better than having them as a wild card. I dislike wild cards."

Gendo then opened a direct connection to Section 2 command. "Set surveillance on the two JSSDF pilots."

"Understood, sir" was the reply.

Gendo returned his hands to their previous position. Without turning, he asked Fuyutsuki. "Has Doctor Akagi finished with the new recruit to the technical staff?"

"She will be finished shortly. I doubt the recruit will deny his chance."

"And the Fifth Child?"

"Arriving as we speak, sir."

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"So what's this I hear about new recruits?" Misato was saying as she and Ritsuko walked down a NERV hallway. "I didn't think you needed anymore pilots."

Ritsuko continued to scan her clipboard while answering. "He's not going to be a pilot, Misato. He's going to be one of the technical team. Quite young for such a position, but then again age isn't really a defining factor in this organization."

Misato's face broke into a grin. "So we get a new Bridge Bunny? Great! It'll be good to see a new face. Not that I have anything against you or the others Ritsu, but sometimes, you're all too serious for me."

Ritsuko raised her eyebrow at the comment. "You find everybody too serious, Misato. It comes with your immaturity. Now, why was it again that you decided to accompany me?"

Misato's face fell for a moment, before she spoke in a noticeably strained voice. "It's nothing Ritsu. I'm just taking time to see what my best friend is doing. Besides, as the Operations Director, I have to know about what's going on around here."

'You might wish you didn't if you did,' thought Ritsuko, though the next thing she said had a different message. "You're obviously lying, Misato. I've been you're best friend since college, I can tell when you're faking it or not."

Taking a sideways glance at the major, she continued. "This wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that Kaji has disappeared, now would it? I understand the Children are having a somewhat strained relationship as well."

"Strained would be an understatement." Misato responded as they stepped into an elevator. "But that kind of thing is rather normal for them. No, I really just want to know more about what is going on. And I figured, if I hang around you and find out, I can also find out what Kaji's up to."

"Getting information from me would be a long shot at best, Misato. I don't know where Kaji is and you probably already know the recruit I'm going to see." Privately, she thought. 'Though I don't doubt that the Commander knows about where Kaji is. I'm sorry I can't tell you anything Misato, but there are some things that you best not know about.'

Misato's attention however, had been refocused towards the new subject in the conversation. "Someone I know? Now who else would I know that so good at technical stuff, that he'd join your team?"

"You'll find out soon enough." Ritsuko replied as they stepped out of the elevator, into a hallway where two boys waited, along with a few Section 2 agents. "Though whether you'll still be happy after you do is a different matter."

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Misato glanced at the two boys in the room. She recognized one of them readily enough as the Fourth Child. His dark jacket and spiky hair could seldom be mistaken. His bionic implants also served as a not so gentle reminder of who he was.

At the moment the, the Fourth Child was currently in deep conversation with the other boy. This one was shorter than the former pilot, and had light brown, curly hair. His glasses framed his face, making him look intelligent and weak at the same time. At present, his features were arranged into a mixed look of confusion and euphoria.

Misato recalled meeting the boy a few months earlier, and seeing him around from time to time. She remembered that he was one of Shinji's very small circle of friends. Her mind searched for a name and found it just as Ritsuko started to speak.

"Aida Kensuke, welcome to NERV."

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Kensuke was staring at the blond woman in the lab coat. His nervousness was rising with every minute, even though Touji had already told him earlier not to worry. Though Kensuke had always wanted to be inside NERV and pilot an Evangelion, he wasn't sure what to make out of the current situation. He noted, with some relief that Major Katsuragi was behind the blond woman. He didn't know the major very well but he had met her a few times with Shinji and thought her to be a good person. Surely, she wouldn't allow to be incarcerated. He just hoped she hadn't heard the jokes he had made about her.

The blond woman spoke again. "Mr. Aida, I am Akagi Ritsuko, head of NERV's programming staff and Laboratory Department. I assume that you know why you are here." She looked down at Kensuke with glaring eyes.

Kensuke struggled not to gulp. "It wouldn't have anything to do with what I did earlier on my computer, would it?"

Ritsuko smiled a little. "Actually, it does. This involves all your previous work. According to our records, that includes three attempts at hacking, five occurrences concerning the acquirement of classified information, and one attempt to change the code in the anti-hacking program with the purpose of using it as a safeguard while you copied and transferred information, pictures, and battle data."

Kensuke felt his throat go dry. He gave a nervous laugh and said. "Oh yeah, I remember that one. It wasn't really anything serious, I just wanted to know more about what was the deal with the Evas."

Beside him, Touji decided to speak up. "Look Doc, I know Kensuke has gone over the line a few times, but he didn't really mean any harm. He was just doing it for kicks. It's not like he really damaged anything, so can't you let it go?"

Ritsuko almost laughed at the worried looks on the two boys' faces. "Don't worry, Pilot Suzuhara. I'm not here to send your friend to jail. In fact I'm offering him a job right here at NERV."

Kensuke sighed I relief. Then the words fully sank into his mind. "Really? Does that mean I become an Eva pilot?"

"No, actually we wanted to use your abilities for the technical staff. If you accept, you will be assigned the task of writing programs designed to counter other hackers. Since you'll be one of us, you'll know everything you want to know about the Evangelions."

Touji looked at Kensuke, then at the doctor. "What about me?"

"Unfortunately, Pilot Suzuhara, your injuries make it improbable that you will ever pilot again. However, under the terms of our contract, you will be staying at NERV from now on to prevent any leakage of information or attempts on your life. I'm sure you know that as an organization, not everyone is on our side."

Touji nodded. If anything, he was happy that he wouldn't pilot anymore. "At least I can still hang around with Kensuke and Shinji, right?"

"When conditions allow it." Ritsuko replied. "Now what is your answer to the offer, Mr. Aida?"

Kensuke thought the matter over. He was a bit disappointed that he wouldn't be able to pilot an Eva but considering what had happened to his two best friends, maybe that was a good thing. Being a tech wasn't so bad after all, and it was something he was actually good at. And he had every chance of seeing Misato as often as he wanted.

"Okay, I'll do it."

"Excellent. You will be transferred to a nearer location shortly. Please prepare everything you might want to bring alone. Good night, Mr. Aida." Ritsuko turned back to Misato, who had remained uncharacteristically silent during the conversation.

"Now what is it, Misato?"

Misato turned to her, looking more serious as she had ever been. "Now we're using children to man our technical staff, Ritsuko? Do you think what we were doing hadn't been bad enough?"

Ritsuko didn't answer; she just turned away and walked to the elevator. Misato glanced back at the two boys for a moment, and then she turned away as well.

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Pain streaked briefly through Kaoru's body. He clenched his hands and concentrated, trying to find its source. A cry echoed through his mind, one of pain and anguish. 'Arael', he thought. 'Armisael. Why are you I pain? Where are you?'

When nobody answered, he slumped down in his seat as he resigned himself to the inevitable conclusion. Kaoru hadn't expected Armisael to answer, but Arael should have been able to send a message with his abilities.

He looked out of the window of the VTOL, just as the captain's voice sounded off the speakers, announcing their arrival in Tokyo-3. 'Arael and Armisael have been destroyed before they came to the city. Why? Who did it? It cannot be SEELE, as they need us for we are the signals for their plan. Any other Lilim organization would have been detected if they had attempted anything.'

He left his thoughts as the VTOL landed on the tarmac. Seconds later, he was in an armored limo with guards on both sides as they made their way through the city. Along the way, he pondered what he was going to do. Things had changed drastically. Neither SEELE nor the Angels were in charge of the current situation. He suspected that a time of confusion and chaos would come before control was returned to either side. Both were too powerful to gain control of the other without a brilliant struggle. And of course NERV and the massive insurgence were forces to be reckoned with on their own.

The limo parked inside one of NERV's garages. A guard opened the door and Kaoru stepped out of the vehicle. The guard led him and his escort towards the Commander's office. The route was so complicated, Kaoru almost lost track of where they were going. Almost.

As he passed by the residential section, he witnessed two teenagers going into one of the hallways. One was a rather cute girl with maroon hair and the other was an equally cute boy with dark hair in a strange suit. Kaoru wondered whether there had been any additional pilots. These two were definitely not in the briefing.

Finally they arrived at the office of the fabled Commander Ikari Gendo. Stepping inside, Kaoru suddenly found himself alone. Apparently, his escort didn't count the Commander as one of the threats they were supposed to protect him from.

A light went on and he found himself facing the two Commanders. Before he could say anything, Commander Ikari spoke.

"Welcome to NERV HQ, Nagisa Kaoru, designated Fifth Child. You will be living inside NERV for the duration of your stay. You will be escorted to your designated quarters immediately. Dismissed."

A pair of agents came through the door and went to either side of Kaoru. "This way, sir", one of them stated. Kaoru looked as if he was mildly surprised for a moment, then shrugged and followed the agents, humming on his way. He had been humming the whole time.

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"Well, that was rather short." Fuyutsuki commented to Gendo. "I thought you would at least interrogate and analyze him before sending him to his quarters."

Gendo turned slowly to face Fuyutsuki, an impressive feat, considering he managed to do so without turning his body.

"Fuyutsuki-sensei. That was the third time I had to personally deal with a spy today. I suggest you step up measures to make sure that these kinds of confrontations are unnecessary in the future. I find them irritating."

Fuyutsuki raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything except, "Yes, sir."

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The meeting of SEELE was just starting when Chairman Keel made his startling announcement.

"The NERV Branch in Berlin has been attacked. The Commander of the Branch managed to delete all information pertaining to NERV and us but there are no survivors. The entire base has been taken over the attackers whom we have identified as a new strain of Angels."

"That is not all." Nine continued for the Chairman. "The station for Project T has been destroyed. Its loss is of no great importance to us. However the entire fleet managed to evacuate and losses there are minimal. Admiral Leon has reported to be regrouping the fleet and heading towards NERV HQ in Japan."

"Ikari is already a danger to us." Two added. "Giving him the starships will make his forces very difficult to deal with. Of our three agents, one has defected, and one has gone missing. We must enforce more control."

"We cannot do that" was Eight's rebuttal. "The leaders of Russia, China, Germany and the United Kingdom are already clamoring for information and permission to launch their militaries. A delegate from the Americans, escorted by USSF elite forces is already on their way to ask Ikari for aid. Eliminating Ikari now would destabilize the entire situation, sending it further out of our control."

Eleven cursed. "The Scrolls are practically useless to us now. We can no longer depend on their information. And the bases in the US, Russia and China are bound to come under attack as well. What can we do to stave off defeat?"

"We can turn this situation around to our advantage." Seven, ever the optimist, answered for their cause. "The new Angels have displayed their priorities by attacking Project E and the Berlin base, both of which were major threats to their existence. By massing our forces in Tokyo-3, we create a threat too powerful and imminent for them to ignore. They will attack there and give us time to build up our forces elsewhere. It will also keep Ikari busy while we implement our plans."

"And what if Ikari falls to the new Angels?" Chairman Keel asked. "The Lance, the Evangelions, Adam and Lilith. All of these will fall into the Angels' hands if NERV HQ falls."

"Then we send insurance to make sure that they don't." Seven countered. "I have been proven right when I recommended to send the Fifth Child earlier. Now I recommend that we send additional agents to make sure that the base does not fall, that Ikari is dealt with properly, and that the scenario is pushed through."

"And who do you have in mind?"

"Why, your two most reliable Agents, of course!"

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Keel gritted his teeth in frustration as he finished briefing Gendo.

"Do you understand, Ikari?"

"Affirmative. I am to take overall command of the starship forces as well as any troops in the vicinity of Tokyo-3. The pilots and everyone of significance to the project are to be moved inside the Geofront. I am also to expect two more arrivals whose purposes are still not clear to me." Gendo answered with a definite sneer in his voice, though his face didn't change.

Five, expressing his chronic dislike for the Commander, butted in. "You do not need to know their purposes, Ikari. Just understand that they are under your responsibility and that they are there to report to us. Don't think you can get away with defying us at every turn."

"Understood." Gendo said. He turned away and disappeared from the meeting.

"Do you think he will do it?" Three asked.

"He is too good not to suspect us. He will undoubtedly place our Agents under watch. Yet, that is better than having no one to watch him. Either way, they will pose as trouble to him." Eight's analogy was cool and complete. "By the way, Seven, how did you know of Chairman Keel's new Agents when we did not?"

"I would also like to know that." Keel added. He was not happy that someone else knew about his hidden advantages.

A chuckle sounded from Seven. "Gentlemen, we are of SEELE. We have dedicated our lives to knowing everything about those around us so that we can control them. Surely my knowledge of the Agents is not a surprise to you. Neither should be the fact that I prefer to keep my sources a secret."

The dark room was silent for a moment. Then Keel spoke again, his voice neutral. "Very well. We all know what is to be done. This meeting is over."

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The ringing of the phone alerted the Third Child. He glanced up from where he was washing the dishes and turned to Rei who was currently standing by him. It had taken a while to satisfy her questions concerning his cleaning habits.

"Rei, can you pick that up for me, please?"

Rei just nodded and went to pick up the phone. Shinji continued to wash the dishes, catching pieces of conversation every now and then. After a few minutes, Rei returned.

"Who was that Rei?"

"That was the Major. She said to inform you and Pilot Soryu to prepare your belongings."

"For what?" asked Shinji, washing his hands of the soap.

"For the transfer to NERV The Commander has given an order that we are to do so immediately. Section 2 will come for us in thirty minutes."

Shinji was now completely alert. He hadn't expected everything to happen so soon. He looked at the clock, and found it to be just nine in the evening. "Guess I'll have to wake up Asuka. I hope she's in a good mood."

Rei didn't bother to comment.

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End of Chapter

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Author's Notes

With the fourth chapter, I complete another short installment. All of the pieces are coming together but how they fit is still in question.

The next chapter should be finished a week after this installment.