Chapter 06

A slender hand reached forwards and pressed the button inactivating the lock on a door. Ikari Shinji stepped forward, the electronic door sensing him and opening to accommodate the resident. He looked up and down the passageway with a puzzled expression.

"Weird. I could have sworn I heard someone talking here." He chalked the feeling up to nerves and went back inside his room. The door swished closed behind him. He went to the refresher and began brushing his teeth. Afterwards, he splashed some water on his face to make sure he was wide- awake. Taking a towel, he dried his hands and face, and then went to his closet to put on a new shirt.

'She said she's coming soon. The others may be here already. I'll take a walk around and see if anything new has come up.' He put on a fresh pair of black pants, then once again stepped out the door. He turned right and began walking to the elevator. His steps echoed in the empty hallway.

Truthfully, he did not expect to see much of anyone at half past four in the morning. Which was why he was mildly surprised to sense another's presence in the hallway. The presence spoke before he did. "Taking a stroll around? Or are you interested in seeing you're friends before the battle begins?"

"Both, really." The Third Child gave a soft smile at his absent partner in the conversation. Said converser decided to make his appearance a moment later just behind Shinji. "It's good to see you again, Zima."

Zima chuckled. "And you too, little one. Though what I tell you may even be better than just seeing me. I'll let you know on the way." The two of them entered the elevator.

Shinji stood inside, his shoulders a bit humped over. It was a trait he had acquired since piloting the Evangelion. Zima on the other hand, preferred to lean back, his arms crossed over his chest and his visor still over his eyes. Shinji pushed the button for the Command Level, and the elevator began its ride downwards.

Shinji glanced at the Zima as the taller man settled into the relatively long elevator ride. "So where's Dita? She didn't leave you, did she?"

Zima smiled. "Hardly. I had to persuade her to let me go in on my own. She's still out there waiting for me just in case I get caught or something. Of course, that would never happen."

"She's right you know. What if you do get caught?"

Zima waved his hand in an eccentric shrug. "Don't worry about that. I made sure to adjust the filtering software on their computers. Now the cameras won't even pick you up. They may find it strange if someone sees you walking around and the security cameras don't."

Shinji turned his head forward again. "I doubt it. Strange things are not out of the ordinary in this place. In fact, you fit right in."

This time Zima let out a chuckle before replying. "Look who's talking. You've got half a dozen girls around you. Are you sure your girlfriends don't mind sharing?" Shinji's face erupted in a hot blush, which he barely managed to get under control.

"Did. . .Didn't you have something to tell me?" For the second time in 24 hours, Shinji found himself trying to change the subject in an effort to avoid an awkward situation. Fortunately for him, Zima could be merciful when he wanted to.

Turning towards the Third Child, Zima divulged the information that would have had both of them killed if a certain NERV Commander knew. "SEELE has commissioned the entire Terra fleet here as both a diversion and a defense. You probably already know about Zophiel and Shizel. The Americans have sent a party here for "diplomatic" reasons. In reality, they're as desperate as SEELE is. In the party, however, is one of our, or should I say your, friends."

"Meanwhile, I've learned from the files here that you're father is doing a little investigation of his own. He has also erased all the files concerning one Kaji Ryouji."

"Kaji-san's dead?" Shinji snapped his towards the cyber system's hacker at the new piece of information.

"Not exactly." Zima replied in a more managed tone. "All of his files have been erased, including birth documents, education, dental records, everything. It's as if Commander Ikari wanted him to disappear as if he never existed or. . ."

"If Kaji-san is under Father's protection. No information, no knowledge, Kaji would be free to learn as long as he worked for Father." Shinji turned to face Zima. "Can you meet him?"

Zima paused for a moment. "You mean, ask him if he was loyal to your father or was just forced to go along."

Shinji nodded. "Something like that. I still trust him and it's hurting Misato that she doesn't know about him. Asuka too, though she doesn't show it as clearly."

Zima leaned back against the elevator wall again. "Alright. I'll have to be careful not to let him know that I'm with you, though. Maybe it's time to play the triple agent once more." He turned back to Shinji. "One other thing. There are some new recruits in NERV that you might find interesting."

"Interesting?" Shinji asked just as the elevator doors opened.

"Go to the Evangelion bay and look for yourself. I guarantee you'll be interested." Zima finished before going stepping off the elevator, and walking off a fork in the hallway.

Shinji stopped for a moment to think over what Zima had said. Finding nothing that would give any indication, he resolved to do as he had been advised. He walked to the Evangelion bay alone. He didn't notice anyone else aside from a few bodyguards and agents guarding the corridors. They already knew him so they let him pass. He walked right into the bay and found himself surprised by what he saw.

Instead of three Evangelion Units, he now found himself facing four gigantic biomechanical creations. Only one of them didn't look like the Evangelions. He didn't want to go in for a closer look, so he settled for observing from the shadows of the doorway, and found himself looking up at a very large robot. Its head had an elongated reptilian shape. The robot also had wings attached to frames at the back and side. It was bulkier than the Evangelions but looked like it had considerable firepower. The whole thing was painted gray and white.

Suddenly the robot moved its arm. Only then did Shinji notice that cables attached the entire robot to harnesses around it. These cables extended into the walls and ground and into the platform from where the technicians would usually be in. 'Maybe I can know should go up there.' Shinji thought. He turned around and went up the hallway that would take him to the platform.

As the door opened, he could hear a barrage of conversations taking place. Stepping inside, he found himself staring at the techs as they hurried on their duties. Dr. Akagi was standing to the side with a clipboard at hand, while Maya, Shigeru, and Makoto were monitoring the equipment. None of these were fairly unusual except for three things.

The first reason was that aside from him, none of the other Evangelion pilots were supposed to be up yet. The second and third reasons were the two teenagers in the platform. One was a girl with auburn hair who had her back turned towards him. She was wearing a uniform from his school. The second one was a boy who Shinji was quite familiar with.

"Kensuke?" he wondered out loud

Apparently Dr. Akagi heard him, because she turned towards the source of the sound. Judging by the brief look on her face, Shinji had managed to give her a mild surprise of his own. "Shinji! I wasn't expecting to see you here."

The girl turned around and Shinji found himself staring into the widened blue-gray eyes of Kirishima Mana. "Shinji?"

A brief silence overtook the trio. Or would have been silent if not for the constant reports from the three techs and Kensuke who seemed not to notice Shinji's arrival. Eventually, Shinji managed to break the silence. "Umm. . .can I ask what's going on here?"

Dr. Akagi glanced at Mana for a second. Her eyes seemed to ask the same question that Shinji just asked. Mana sighed and dipped her head. "I guess it's okay since you would have found out anyway."

She raised her head to look at Shinji directly. "Shinji, it was no coincidence that I transferred to your class. I . . . I'm actually the pilot of a Trident. That's the name of the robot you see outside. I was sent here by the JSSDF, the ones who created the Tridents, to see if I could find out about you and the other pilots."

Shinji tried to act surprised at what Mana had just told him. He'd been acting for so long in front of almost everyone that it was almost second nature to him. He could bluff his way out of most situations by pretending to be something he wasn't. Or rather, something that he was but wasn't. The realization sparked a brief pang of sadness within him. 'A half-truth.' Shinji thought, while looking at Mana. 'You and I are more similar than you think, Kirishima-san. But at least, you've told me now. I wonder if I could do the same.'

He replied before Mana could mistake his silence for shock. Dr. Akagi had already turned her attention back to the Trident or at least pretended to. "So. . .were you going to spy on us?"

Mana gave him a sad smile. "I was, at first. But I grew to like it here. And as cliché as it may sound, I actually meant it when I said you were cute."

Shinji blushed. For all his experience in fooling people, he still couldn't control blushing when most people commented on his looks. Or, in fact, anything sexual in nature. "Then. . . why are you here? If you were supposed to be spying on us, why are you telling me this now."

"'Cause she and her friends were almost hunted down and killed," Kensuke's voice joined the conversation. The otaku had swung around in his seat and now faced Mana and Shinji. "Hey Shinji! I'm sure you're curious about why I'm here as well, but I'll tell you later. As for Kirishima, I was told that she defected when the JSSDF killed her friend and almost killed her off as well."

This was something unexpected for Shinji. Granted, the JSSDF had minimal connections with NERV and was only controlled from afar by SEELE, but he still should have known about this. Remembering Zima's last words before leaving, he realized that Mana was probably whom the android had meant. 'Leave it to Zima to milk the suspense.' Shinji thought dryly.

Mana turned back to Shinji with a shaky smile. "I wouldn't blame you if you're mad at me. I'd be mad too, if somebody did what I did. But, I still want to be friends. If, you would."

Shinji frowned slightly. He had known for some time thanks to Zima about Mana's true purpose, but her personal intentions had always been her own. 'Can I trust her? Maybe she just wants to use me like my father. No! She's not lying, that much I can tell. I should give her the benefit of the doubt now.'

In reply to Mana's statement, he said. "Well, it's not really my right to judge what you want to do. But I would like to have you as a friend. I'd like that."

Mana beamed at the statement. Of course, this was rather marred by what Kensuke said next. "Now that you're done scoring with girls, Shinji, you have to see what's up with the Trident!"

Kensuke turned back to his console totally ignoring the bright flushes on Shinji and Mana's faces. "It's not as cool as the Evas but it's still great! Take a look at the modifications I made. The original Triton design was good enough, but I added a little more height and density to the legs to make it match with the Evas. Of course, in a real fight, the Evas would win with their AT Fields, but I've added a lot of auxiliary weapons to make the Trident better. And that's just Musashi's Trident. Wait 'till you see what I have planned for Mana's new one! I already have the reposition-able thrusters in 3D models, pretty soon, with Dr. Akagi's help, I'll be making these babies in the dozens."

Dr. Akagi stepped in before Kensuke's enthusiasm carried him overboard. "Just remember that we're only making them for preparation and for Mana. You are not going to make as many toys as you want."

"Yes Ma'am," Kensuke said in that voice teenagers used with teachers when they said they'd do something they wouldn't really do. Apparently, Dr. Akagi wasn't fooled by Kensuke's statement but decided to let it go. Instead she turned her attention to Mana and Shinji who had stopped blushing only to sweat drop at Kensuke's speech.

"Since you're in on this Shinji, I might as well tell you the rest about the Triton. That robot you see outside is not the original design, but rather something we came up with overnight. Your enthusiastic friend here," glancing at the still-absorbed Kensuke "was able to come up with a brand new design for the system, so we upgraded the entire structure. It's no match for the Evangelions, but Musashi and Mana should be able to provide some back-up for you in a heated battle. Which, it turns out, may not be too far off."

"Who's Musashi?" Shinji asked, while thinking of a way to make Zima stop playing around when things were serious.

Mana stretched her hands behind the small of her back. "Oh, he's my friend and another pilot from the JSSDF. He was the one who came to me and told me about the plans to get us terminated from service." Mana suddenly seemed to lose her cheerful demeanor as quickly as she had gotten it. "There was supposed to be another one of us, but he. . . didn't make it."

Shinji was too familiar with death to feel any more than a strong pang of sorrow. At the same time, he was familiar enough with death to know what many people went through. "I'm sorry."

Mana wiped a hand across her face, as if trying to stop unshed tears. "No, it's not your fault. I'm glad Musashi and I made it out though Keita didn't."

"Keita? That was his name, right?"

"Yes. His full name was Asari Keita. He was a nice boy, if a little timid. He looked more like he should have been in a church, with his freckles and curled hair." Mana sighed. "He and Musashi were my best friends in the JSSDF. Let's face it, when you're the only three children in a military organization, you always develop a bond. I really miss him, and I know Musashi does too."

Mana was silent for a long time after that so Shinji tried to continue with another question. "What about Musashi? Is he the one piloting the Trident right now?"

"Yes, that's him. Come to think of it, I'm not surprised that he was the one who made it out. Lee Strasburg Musashi; he was like a leader to Keita and me. The JSSDF classified me as the smartest, but Musashi would always lead the charge when we were training. Sometimes, he takes his leadership too seriously, though. That's why when Keita died, Musashi tried to come for me."

Shinji smiled. "He sounds like a really great guy."

Mana smiled back. "Oh, he is. Don't worry, you'll get to meet him once the analysis is done. Aida-kun is still trying to figure out how to accommodate the communications equipment to the new design, so we won't be able to talk to him until after training."

In the distance, a bell was suddenly rung. Dr. Akagi peered over her shoulder at the direction of the sound, then began giving out orders. "Alright everyone, it's 6:30 A.M. Time for breakfast, so let's wrap things up. Someone tell Lee to get out of the Triton."

"Yes, Sempai." Maya answered from her station. Makoto and Shigeru also signaled their readiness.

"Just a second, Doc!" Kensuke called. "I've almost gotten the results for the pivotal gear in the midsection. Once we've determined the needed center of gravity to balance the Triton . . ."

"That's enough, Aida."

"But. . ."

"We can do that, later. Stop rushing, you're more enthusiastic than Maya was on her first day."

Maya blushed, unsure whether the statement was a compliment or not. Kensuke frowned but started to close his terminal.


The ring of the bell awakened a sleeping redhead from her slumber. With a slender arm, she raised her right hand to slam down on the offending alarm, only to realize that it wasn't her alarm clock that was ringing. This realization was aided when her slender palm smashed into the hard steel of her bedside cabinet.

Muttering explicit curses in three languages, Asuka threw off the covers and headed for the door to demand what in hell was making the noise. Upon reaching the electronic door of her room, the door slid open to reveal Ayanami Rei in her school uniform, Katsuragi Misato in her usual morning attire, and a blonde man rubbing his jaw and lying against the floor.

"What the hell was that for?" The man shouted out in English. Asuka, who was just about to ask the same question, was stunned to hear somebody apparently talking in a language another than the Japanese she had gotten used to in the last year. This was further aggravated when the doors all over the corridor began opening, most of their occupants still in a state of drowsiness. This exploded into pandemonium as each of them finally acknowledged the presence of others in the hallway, and began yelling almost immediately. A few, Asuka noticed, were looking as shocked and silent as she was, except for Rei who just stood there without a care and a pale guy beside her who was just grinning like an idiot. This would have continued for a while if an overhead speaker didn't begin to blare and a female voice heard above the din.

"Attention occupants of Level Five Residence Section. Due to the recentness of your arrival to NERV HQ, you are excused from the regular morning schedule. Be advised however, that the morning bell will signal the time for breakfast from now on at precisely 0630 hours. You are therefore advised to prepare yourself for the morning meal as soon as possible."

At the announcement, the rest of the loud crowd was cowed into silence. Then almost immediately, each one suddenly dashed back into his/her room. It was as if they had suddenly become aware of their current state of undress which, considering that they had just woken up, was likely to be the case. Asuka was one of those who immediately went into her room and locked the door. Just before she did so, she caught a glimpse of Misato making a dash to her own room, and Rei still standing there.


Shinji, Kensuke, Mana, and Musashi walked out of the elevator into the Cafeteria of NERV Level Three. Musashi was still in his pilot gear, but most of the staff had seen the plugsuits so they weren't too surprised.

Kensuke was babbling about the technological capabilities of the "Triton Version 2.2" design as he called it. It was supposed to be Mana's new robot. Meanwhile Musashi just listened to him with a polite and semi- interested air.

Shinji's mind drifted back to his first meeting with Musashi a few minutes later. The three of them, Kensuke, Mana, and Shinji had just left the platform and gone into the Evangelion Bay. Shinji's first glimpse of Musashi was when the pilot jumped out of the cockpit of his robot. He was a 14 year old boy, just over average in height, with very dark blue hair, and deeply tanned skin. It seemed to Shinji that everything about Musashi was dark at first glance. However, he could see that Musashi was just serious about his duties. Musashi's apparent dedication to his teammates reminded Shinji of how Touji treated Mari.

After seeing Musashi get out of the Triton, Mana had immediately introduced the boys to each other. Musashi had looked at Shinji when Mana mentioned Shinji as the Third Child, but Musashi's own thoughts were harder to see. It seemed to the Eva pilot that Musashi was gauging Shinji as a threat to himself and to Mana. Eventually however, Musashi extended his hand and cordially acknowledged Shinji. As for Kensuke, the Triton pilot seemed taken aback by the otaku's obsession with the Triton but accepted Kensuke as a good, if eccentric, friend. Now the four of them were heading down to the Cafeteria to eat.

". .the armaments on the dorsal cannons would add a lot of firepower. I'll have to see what I can do with the Pulse Lasers on the forelimbs, but I can tell you, it'd be so cool. The telemetry system is off on a few programs but not too many bugs and with the MAGI, it'll be a breeze. Once we get the Tritons in for the rights of production, we'd rule those Angels like the Red Headed Devil whipping Shinji in the ass. . ."

"KENSUKE!" Shinji almost screamed. He didn't have a problem with Kensuke's obsessions but he drew the line when it came to that kind of thing.

Mana giggled. "Since Shinji-kun is too kawaii to tease, why don't you tell us how you joined up with NERV, Aida-kun?"

Shinji sent her a look of gratitude. Even Musashi was having a hard time deciding whether to be sympathetic or amused at the moment. Kensuke just grinned and winked at Shinji, then proceeded to outline the entire sequence of events from when he was called in by NERV, to Dr. Akagi's telling him about joining in, Touji going back home for the night so as to pack and get his sister, and the rest of the story about how he met Mana and Musashi.

"I can tell you that it surprised me quite a bit when Kirishima-san popped in the platform. Never knew she was a spy. I'm just thankful she was sent to spy on you guys and not on me." Kensuke continued talking his way into a plate of rice and fish. "I'd have been devastated if she had taken away my diskettes containing those files on the JSDF and my porn collection."

Musashi raised an eyebrow. "JSDF files?"

Kensuke continued to blabber. "Yeah, you guys really should make a new firewall. That old one was so full of holes, I could pinpoint where each of your regular units were."


Ayanami Rei walked down the elevator corridor of Level Three NERV. She was dressed in her usual light green school uniform. Her hair was uncombed but not in disarray. Her face was held in a level gaze with her eyes staring straight ahead. Her footsteps echoed along the corridor with the soft clapping of leather on metal. Suddenly she stopped. Her eyes drifted to her right, though she did not turn her head.

"Why are you following me?" she asked with her usual calm voice.

Off to her left and behind, Nagisa Kaoru appeared with his hands clasped behind his head humming a tune. He wore black pants and a white, button up shirt in the style of Tokyo 3 Junior High. He cocked his head to the side in a distinct mockery of innocence and answered Rei's question with one of his own. "Why, whatever do you mean?"

Rei turned around to face the other Angel in a meeting of gazes. "You have been following me since the alarm went off in the Residence Section. Why?"

Kaoru dropped his hands and brought them to his pockets, locking his right leg in position while swinging his left forward. "For no other reason than the one that you happen to be going the same way as I am, and no other. Well, that and one more reason."

"And what is that?"

Kaoru stepped forwards suddenly with his hands still in his pockets, bringing him face to face with Rei. "The reason that you intrigue me. We are the same, you and I, and yet I can think of no others like us. For that reason, I want to know about you since what you are is forever linked to what I am."

He brought his head even closer to Rei's, bending over slightly to make his height even with hers. "Or rather, what I could become."

Rei didn't flinch. "You and I are not alike."

Kaoru didn't back off. "But not any more different than we are supposed to be."

Rei tilted her head ever so slightly. Her arms were still at her sides, but her eyes were fully opened and aware of any changes to Kaoru's gait and posture. "What are you?"

Kaoru's face showed a pleasant surprise for a moment before he shifted back to his original position. "I am a Child, the Fifth, and an Evangelion Reserve Pilot. For the time being."

He turned around to seemingly stare at the clean, blue walls but his eyes were closed. "I had hoped to meet the Third Child upon my arrival but it seems that my calculations concerning him were somewhat off. He is not overly unusual in his behavior of late, but I can't seem to meet him. It's as if he, who was once a pure but faltering light, was suddenly surrounded by a haze. The haze is weak but adds power to the light, making it brighter and yet at the same time, less discernable to observers."

He turned back to Rei. "I had tried to meet him early this morning but it seems he had already left. You being the closest one next to him, I chose to accompany you."

Rei's eyes narrowed as she concentrated on solving the puzzle before her. All she could see was that Kaoru was trying to do the same thing with her. "What business do you have with Ikari-kun?"

Kaoru smiled. "What business of yours is my business?"

Rei took a step towards Kaoru who held his ground. The situation had reversed from its start. "If you cause unnecessary harm to Ikari-kun, you will suffer for it. The Commander will not have him affected by outside influences unless it is under the parameters."

Kaoru avoided the implied threat with a provocation. "A soldier following her Commander's orders?" He raised a finger to his chin. "Or a mother protecting her children?" He brought his right hand under his chin in a gesture of thought. "Or perhaps a female protecting her mate." He finished his line of reason with a statement. "You are almost as interesting as the Third Child himself."

Rei's answer was no answer to the question. "The cause does not matter if the outcome will be the same. Harm Ikari-kun and your life will not be guaranteed. Unless the Commander intervenes, I can make sure of that. I follow the Commander and nobody else."

With that, Rei turned back to her way, going towards the elevator. Kaoru watched her go with a smile.

"So you say, little sister. So you say."

He set to following her again. They arrived at the Cafeteria moments after Shinji left.


"Well, we have to get back to the platform. We still have a few adjustments to make before my Tritons are battle ready." Kensuke said, rubbing his hands.

"Your Tritons?" Shinji asked.

"Heh, heh, I meant our Tritons, of course. Come on, let's go." Kensuke raised a finger high as if leading a charge, then raced to the Cafeteria exit like a madman, nearly colliding with an agent heading to the counter. Shinji, Mana, and Musashi looked at each other and shrugged then went after Kensuke.

Barely a moment after Shinji and the others went out the exit, Rei and Kaoru came in the Cafeteria entrance. Rei went to the counter and picked out a few vegetable dishes and went to seat down at a table. Half a second later, Kaoru sat down with his own pickings of vegetables and noodles. Rei glanced at him for a second but didn't say anything. For his part, Kaoru just grinned and ate.

As the two albinos ate, the Cafeteria door opened and four girls came in. They immediately headed over to the counter, talking as they walked.

"Can you believe this place? I've never been so embarrassed before in my entire life!" Midou Madoka was complaining again, though this time the other girls agreed with her. Her dress swirled around her, mimicking her hair, as she stalked to the counter.

"I'm not sure, but I don't think we should be expected to wake up at the ring of a bell like we're in some sort of boot camp." Kagariya Momiji, once again dressed in a white coat and red pants, leaned against the line railing.

"Granted this is a military base. But you'd expect to be told in advance about wake-up calls." Yamamoto Yoko yawned. Her dark glasses were gone, and she was wearing a pair of jeans with a T-shirt. Her waist-length brown hair had a few loose strands but was otherwise in order. "I got less than three hours sleep. By the way, thanks for waking me up again, Ayano- chan."

Ayano smiled, her prim image softening. She wore a deep gray jacket over a lighter gray dress. Her conservative dress and pony tailed ribbon clashed against her best friend's outgoing manner but it suited her nonetheless. "It was nothing, Yoko-san."

"Yoko probably fell asleep the minute she closed her door." Madoka waved a spoon in the air with her chin raised to emphasize the point.

"Oh, and you were comfortable with just two hours sleep?" Yoko retorted.

Indeed, Madoka had two dark bags under her eyes from the lack of sleep. Her bright forehead only made them more noticeable. She glared at Yoko through lowered lids. "I would not even dignify that with a response."

Yoko just sat down at their table and began eating. "Like you could dignify anything, Madoka."

Momiji changed the subject with a well-timed jerk of her head. "Hey girls, is it just me or does those two look a bit strange to you?" She was pointing right at Rei and Kaoru's table.

Madoka turned around to get a better view. "Just a couple of albinos. Weird, but not too weird."

"It's not the albino skin." Momiji persisted. "Look at their hair and eyes. I know albinos are supposed to have light hair but isn't blue and silver too much? Plus, their eyes are a deep red."

Madoka shrugged. "Probably just some dye and contact lenses. What do you think, Cat-woman?"

Yoko shook her head and concentrated on cutting her steak. "I think you shouldn't gossip about other people so much, Mirror-head. It's bound to reflect on your own appearance sooner or later."

Madoka grimaced but didn't reply as hunger got the better of her. She dug into her own food while trying to think of a smart comeback.

Contrary to what she had said however, Yoko was looking at the two Evangelion Pilots out of the corner of her eye. So was Ayano.

Ayano was trying to decide whether it was better to try and talk to Yoko about the two pilots now, or later. She decided to find out for herself whether the two were who and what she expected they were. Half closing her eyes, she concentrated on the two Evangelion Pilots.

Rei suddenly felt as if she was being watched. That wasn't unusual since she was being watched by Section 2 most the time, but now she felt as if someone was trying to pry into her. She struggled to find the source of the discomfort.

"Another one." Kaoru's voice held a mixture of surprise, admiration, and glee. "I didn't know there were more! But by the look and feel of this one, she was created naturally. Not unlike us and yet not like us. Very, very interesting.

Rei looked at Kaoru to find him looking back at her. Yet his mind seemed to be elsewhere.

"She's as surprised of us as we are of her." He continued. "I feel another one close by, but I can't tell where. No matter. Where there's one, there's bound to be more. Now she's trying to find out if we are what we seem to be."

He winked at Rei. "Or rather what I seem to be. Maybe I should give her a direct answer."

Without warning he turned over to look Ayano directly in the eye. Red met indigo, and Ayano blinked in surprise. As if it weren't enough, Kaoru flared his own AT Field to just below NERV detection level.

To the machines trying to scour the globe for dangerous AT Fields, it was a mere rise in intensity, barely worth registering. But to Ayano's probing Field, it was like a sudden bright light to someone in the darkness. The flare caused Ayano to startle and fall off to the side of her chair. She shut her eyes and dampened her own Field before it rose out of control. Dimly, she became aware if her teammates calling out to her.

"Ayano! Ayano-chan, are you all right?"

"Ayano, what's the matter?"

She felt a hand on her shoulder and opened her eyes. Turning to her right, she saw Yoko's concerned green eyes meeting her own. "You alright, Ayano?"

Taking a deep breath before answering, Ayano tried to reassure her best friend. "I'm all right now, Yoko-san. Don't worry about it."

"Good." Yoko helped Ayano up and back into her seat, before turning her line of vision to Kaoru. "Just be careful the next time you try to pry into him. He's stronger than he looks."

"Yes, Yoko-san." Ayano quietly replied. She sat back in her seat and didn't look at Kaoru anymore over the course of their meal. Madoka and Momiji were a little concerned but forgot about it when they saw that she was okay.

"Did you feel that?" Kaoru whispered to Rei. "That one with the green eyes. She's strong enough to challenge me."

Rei was staring at the quartet of girls. She had felt the three Fields clash but had judged not to get involved until she gathered more information.

"Her aura feels familiar." She whispered; more to herself than to Kaoru.

Now it was Kaoru's turn to stare at her. "Familiar? Do you mean to say that you've felt it before?" He turned back to Yoko and Ayano. "Then again, there aren't too many Lilim who can control their Fields. If I didn't know better, I'd say they were Nephilim." He frowned. "But the Nephilim were supposed to have been annihilated with the Great Cleansing. You and I are supposed to be the first and only ones since then."

He turned back to Rei. "Perhaps she is one of our sources. That would explain your familiarity."

"Maybe." Rei turned back to her food with determination and two thoughts running through her head. 'I must tell Commander Ikari about this. And yet, why does that girl feel so familiar?'


The controlled rise of one aura followed by the sudden rise of two others did not go by unnoticed. None of the sensors detected them; none of the Fallen felt them. Yet inside the shielded fortress of NERV, there were a few who felt their ripples in the light of their souls. And not all of them were even in the Cafeteria.

Shinji turned his head to look back at the direction of the Cafeteria from where he had just come. A single thought streaked through his mind.

'They're here.'

He had to control himself from running off. Turning back towards the platform, he and Mana watched as Kensuke continued to make adjustments on Musashi and his Triton.


Inside a darkened room, a pair of green eyes opened. Tousled brown bangs fell over them as their owner tried to rise. A light was turned on and the bed shifted slightly to accommodate the movements of the one on it. The green-eyed figure sat up and turned towards the door.

'Nee-san.'

A knock on the door shook the figure out of her thoughts.

"Sakura!" Chun Li's voice called out from the other side. "Sakura, are you ready yet? We have to get up now. It's already late."

The green eyes wandered over to a clock by the bedside drawer.

'Eight AM! I have to hurry before the food's gone!'

"Coming!" she called out. Reaching over to the drawer, she took a pair of brown contact lenses out of their case.


Zophiel stretched his arms.

The long trip from Europe had almost cramped the muscles in his limbs. He wasn't used to being immobile for a long time. Usually, he had to move quickly and constantly. In fact, his missions often made it necessary for him to do so. He looked out the window at the wide landing area of NERV HQ. The landing area was full of ships, yet the technicians had managed to keep the runway clear. Not that the VTOL Zophiel was on needed the space. It could probably land on a lawn.

A sudden movement to his right caught his attention and he turned to see his sister already unbuckling her seatbelt. Her skirt flowed down her legs as she stood up, uncaring that her hair was tangled from hours in the plane.

"What's the hurry, Shizel?" Zophiel asked his sister.

She turned back towards him with all seriousness and signed a brief but meaningful message.

"They're here."

Zophiel started to get up from his own seat while still questioning her. "Did he tell you that?"

A nod was all that he received but it was enough. "All right, then let's be off. I can see you're enthusiastic to see them."

Shizel was already heading to the exit ramp. Zophiel grabbed his communicator and followed her.

Across the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, few islands still remained. With the giant tidal waves of Second Impact, many of the islands had been laid bare of fauna and faura alike. The few islands that survived were only sparsely populated, with the cities mostly built anew.

In this expansive stretch of water, there were many places that an enemy fleet could lurk and fly from the eyes of observers. Such was the plan of the Fallen who had been sent here.

A few dozen leagues east of Japan, a ship with a form reminiscent to that of a giant, black, manta ray rose up and out of the water. It had seemed to travel effortlessly in the marine environment but now flew over the surface, skimming the waterline every now and then. Flying at several knots per hour towards Japan, its landing destination of Tokyo 3.

The sleek ship had the shape of a ray with two black wings curving outwards in arced curves and ending in a slender tail. The ray was large, over a block in width, but not as high as a battleship, being only three or four stories tall. The bridge was set atop on the dorsal line, with two windows running along the sides.

Suddenly the bridge pulled back and disappeared into the armor of the ship, exposing the crew to the winds of the sea. Of course, that was exactly what Rasiel wanted.

"You take too much pleasure in this." Af remarked from behind Rasiel. The brown-haired Angel of Calamity snapped around at her partner's intrusion in one of her few pleasures. Her green dress swirled around her ankles as her bracelets clanked together.

"You, on the other hand, seem to take pleasure in aggravating others. I guess your title does suit you."

Af flinched and gritted his teeth from the insult. His red hair swayed furiously in the swift breeze as equally red eyes blazed. The chains on his suit glowed briefly, then darkened. Then he took a deep breath, and seemingly let go of his anger. He took a step forward beside Rasiel and leaned on the waist-high partition of the bridge. Below the two of them, the crew attended to their diverse duties.

Without turning to Rasiel's questioning gaze, Af spoke his part. "Though my name may suit me most of the time, this time I let it go. For I came here not to spar but to talk."

Rasiel's brown tresses flowed into the wind as she turned to look down at the view. "And what, pray tell, do you have to talk to me about. I still think that your methods in the attack consist merely of throwing yourself at the enemy with no plan or strategy."

"I made a decision in the battle to take out the enemy base. Your warriors died nobly in the cause of that mission" Af replied.

"Yet they died needlessly. Such is the need for a plan when attacking."

"Tell me." Af s voice was less mocking than usual. "What kind of planning do you usually carry out against these Lilim?"

Rasiel gestured to the ship they were on. "This ship was designed by Sam'mael. The contours prevent the Lilim from detecting us with their devices. The shielding keeps them from reading our auras. The color keeps them from seeing us with their eyes."

She turned to face Af. "All of these were planned to counter the Lilim. Abel himself advocated these plans."

Af narrowed his eyes. "Did he now?"

"Yes he did." Rasiel answered. "Plans are what allow us to succeed. Do not mistake my contempt for you, Af. I acknowledge your strength and fire on the battlefield. But I deplore your lack of wisdom when it comes to strategy. You might have served better as a follower instead of a leader."

Af snorted. "I am a follower. I follow Lord Abel."

He eyed Rasiel for a moment. "Lord Abel's orders are the only reason why I agreed to lead the attack with you. If it will please him, then I will do as he wished. If that means to tolerate your ways, then I shall do so."

"Glad am I to see us agree for once." Rasiel said dryly. "If you agree to do so, then may I present my plan for the invasion?"

"Very well." Af resigned himself.

Rasiel made a gesture and a gust of wind blew up from their surroundings. With it were particles of dust. A few moments later, the dust was condensed into shapes in front of the two Angels. Recognizable from the silhouettes was the Geofront and the rest of Tokyo 3. Rasiel walked over to one portion of the three-dimensional map and pointed to the area recognizable as Tokyo Bay.

"The olden city of the Lilim was destroyed in the wake of Adam, but the Lilim have built two more cities as such. The first one they called Tokyo 2 and was built further southwards. It is of little consequence to us at the moment."

"The second one city they built after the destruction is called Tokyo 3. Like Tokyo 2, it was modeled after their old metropolis but had several distinct differences."

"The first difference is the existence of NERV HQ or the Geofront. It is a large base extending several hundred feet above and below the terrestrial surface. In it, the Lilim guard Adam. Integral parts of the defense are the three Abominations they copied from Adam's flesh. As Sam'mael have informed us, Tabris is also said to be inside the base. Whether he is aiding the Lilim or his own kin that remains to be seen. Either way, he will most likely prove to be a detriment to our cause."

"And what of the three Abominations? Do we focus on them or on Tabris?" Af asked.

"Both. They must all be destroyed or driven aside in order for us to acquire the Adam. With his new awakening, the Lilim will be destroyed almost completely while we shall be safe in the womb of the Abyss."

"With this end in sight, we shall proceed to lay waste to the Lilim defenses of Tokyo 3."

Af frowned. "Why not just destroy the Lilim now?"

Rasiel gave him a look of contempt before answering. "We do not have the numbers or the power to destroy all of their bases. An attempt to do so would result in failure at the worst and a high loss at best. Lord Abel does not wish to tempt fate; therefore he opted for the quickest way to victory."

Af sneered. "And how do we accomplish this end?"

Rasiel gestured with her hand and the map shifted again to gain a more magnified view of Tokyo Bay. "We are to make landfall here. If you are willing, you and I are to lead the charge. Our enemy will be the abominations should they try to stop us. Our lesser warriors will swarm their other defenses." The map changed to present the passage from Tokyo Bay to the Geofront.

Rasiel dropped her hand and the map disappeared. "However, this time we do not have the advantage of surprise nor knowledge. The Lilim will most likely detect us before we are able to launch our attacks. They will engage us at sea and air, then at land. Our transports are armored and armed but they will not be able to withstand a barrage by the enemy. Therefore, we should try to make landfall as quickly as possible. The Wraiths will hold their starships at bay, while you and I lead the rest of our warriors in the main charge."

She turned towards Af with a serious expression. "The invasion must be done within the first charge. To retreat and charge anew is to invite self-destruction at Lilim hands. Our warriors do not have the ability to withstand the Lilim fire without much loss. Once we engage the Abominations, we must keep them at bay and present a clear way for our warriors. They will overrun the Lilim defenses and trap the Lilim inside their own stronghold."

Af straightened up and smiled. "Your plan is to engage our whole force in one fell swoop directly into the enemy. I cherish such a way of battle."

Rasiel glared at him. "Loathed am I to use this plan, for it is weak. Yet no other can be used in this situation. To the north and west are the mountains, only to the south and west do we stand a chance of striking and succeeding. Strike quickly enough and we shall earn this victory."

"As it should be." Af remarked. "This battle will earn us the respect of Lord Abel himself. For that honor alone, I would give my life."

"Giving your life might be the required price of this attack." Rasiel replied. "For all we know, we could very well be flying to our doom. Yet our cause demands it."

She raised her hand to the winds and the ocean breezes began to quicken. "Justice be done to those who deserve it. The winds and earth shall not give mercy to the ravagers of this world. The Lilim will fall ere the day is over!"

Af curved his lips in anticipation. "Of that, Rasiel, we can agree."

Behind the black ray, similar ships began to arise from the water. The first armada of the Fallen was in reach of Tokyo 3.


Inside the Commander's office of NERV HQ, four figures were holding a meeting. In a new development of indoor decor, the Commander had acknowledged the need for new chairs in his office.

Commander Ikari Gendo sat behind his desk in his usual position with his palms interlocked in front of his face, wearing his uniform, glasses and red scarf. Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki stood at attention to his left. Admiral Leon sat in one of the new chairs. Despite the earlier incident with the bell, Admiral Leon's uniform was as clean and proper as it ever was. And behind her, next to the door, stood a man in a black suit with a black tie, and black shades.

The door opened and Ritsuko stepped in.

"What took you so long, Doctor?" The Commander asked the scientist.

"I'm sorry, Commander. Our newest tech insisted on finishing the upgrades on Triton M1. He was very exited about it."

"I see." Commander Ikari pushed up his glasses with a finger. "Take a seat, Doctor."

Ritsuko sat down across from Admiral Leon. The two blonde women glanced at each other, but said nothing.

Ikari took note of the exchange and said, "Fuyutsuki, introduce our subordinates to each other, if you please." Despite the politeness of courtesy, the statement was clearly a command.

Fuyutsuki coughed, then said, "Very well. Dr. Akagi Ritsuko, meet Admiral Leon of the Terra Starship Fleet. She was in Command of Project T, an offshoot of Project E, until recent events forced her crew to evacuate the station. Admiral Leon, this is Dr. Akagi Ritsuko of NERV Technical Section. She is our primary developer in the biomechanical field."

"And this," Fuyutsuki gestured to the man at the door, "is Captain Hideaki Anno, head of NERV Section 2. He is the primary source of our information concerning internal affairs in NERV." Captain Anno bowed slightly.

"I'm sure none of you need to ask why you were called to this meeting." Gendo spoke. "These recent developments have revealed a threat to which none of our current defenses stand to defeat. You are here, therefore, to report the situation and so as to be informed of the next stage in the plans for defense."

"What plans, Commander?" Leon asked.

"The plans I will give to you, Admiral, in due time. First, you will be briefed of the situation. Fuyutsuki?"

Once again, the aging Sub-Commander stepped forward. "The defense of Tokyo 3 has nearly been completed. 98 of civilians have been evacuated, the rest are to be kept here at NERV or evacuated within the next two days. The defense walls to the north and south have been completed. The defense wall to the east is 67 complete but is having difficulties due to the allocation of ships and cargo from Tokyo Harbor. To the mountains in the west, we have not constructed a wall, but there are several stations to defend and report the passages should the enemy try to strike us from behind."

"The JSSDF has also agreed to cooperate with us. In the event of an enemy attack, we are free to use their resources at will. They have also donated two machines called Tritons to us for our use as auxiliary weapons."

"I was under the notion that the JSSDF did not like to share its technology." Leon remarked.

"We managed to persuade them after Dr. Akagi modified one of their machines. Their pilots are also willing." Gendo answered. "What of your pilots, Admiral?"

Leon nodded. "They are all right, if a bit lacking in rest. The morning bell was an unannounced factor, though. They also feel it is unessential."

"They are in no position to question NERV standards, Admiral." Gendo responded.

"If you say so Commander. In any case, most of the Terra ships are already docked and being refitted for engagement as we speak. We should be finished in a few more hours."

"Good. And what of the Evangelions and Tritons, Doctor?"

Ritsuko flipped through her paperboard checking each item as she listed the status changes to the giant biomechanical creations. "The Evas are in good shape. Unit 00 and Unit 02 have been completely repaired from the last battle. Unit 00's dorsal area and limbs needed new armor but that has been taken care of. Unit 01 has produced no ill or abnormal malefactions since the battle with Zeruel, though we continue to monitor its patterns as a precaution. Unit 02 took the most damage but the severed limbs have been reattached and internal connections restored."

"The Tritons are presenting problems but that was to be expected. We labeled Lee's Triton as the M1, and Kirishima's Triton as the M2. The Triton M1 has been quite helpful to our progress since Aida's insertion into the team. He found many ways to modify the Triton until it was as capable as it could be. The Triton lacks defensive power but compensates by focusing heavily on offensive power. Currently, the Triton has shoulder and dorsal missile and rocket load, straggled-laser capabilities in the forearms, and optional high-powered machine guns. It also has a hand to hand weapon in the form of the forearm claws."

"Basically, we can use the Evas as a prime assault and defense unit while the Tritons support them." Ritsuko finished, giving the clipboard to Gendo.

Gendo flipped through the papers himself before asking. "What about the pilots?"

Ritsuko leaned into her chair. "The First Child is as stable as ever. The Second Child just the opposite, still being irritated at her defeat at the hands of the 14th Angel. The Third Child showed some slight instabilities in his sync ratio, but nothing that causes even mild concern, and is most probably due to stress at school or in NERV."

"In other words, everything is as it should be. All is right with NERV."

"I hope you're as confident of this as your words make you seem to be, Doctor. I don't like surprises." Gendo said. "Captain Anno, Doctor Akagi said that there may be stress factors affecting the Children. Have your men anything to report on this matter?"

"No, sir." Anno replied crisply. "As of the last hour, the First Child has met the Fifth Child. The Second Child decided not to come out of her quarters after the episode with the morning bell, and consequently ordered some of my men to get her breakfast. Of course, my men immediately complied since the health of the Second Child was at stake as well as their own. The Fourth Child has gathered his sister and is at his house preparing for his return to NERV."

Gendo raised an eyebrow. "And what of the Third Child?"

Anno shifted slightly on his feet. "Well sir, it seems that the Third Child managed to leave his room early in the morning undetected, though we don't know how. However, he appeared almost immediately in the Evangelion Bay, and we therefore didn't deem it necessary to report the incident as a major abnormality. Since then, he has been accompanying the new arrivals around the base."

Gendo frowned. "This is the second time. Make sure to watch him further next time, Captain. You certainly don't want to be terminated from your duties due to a lack of responsibility."

Anno bowed from the waist. "I'll keep that in mind, sir. The Third Child shall be kept under closer surveillance."

Suddenly, Anno snapped up rigid. He raised a finger to his right ear, and seemed to be listening to something. Then he looked at the Commander and said quickly.

"Sir, reports are coming in about multiple Blue signals a few dozen leagues out of sea."

"Blue signals?" Admiral Leon frowned. "What does that mean?"

"It means the Angels are here." Ritsuko said, snapping up her clipboard in hand.

Gendo stared giving out orders. "Doctor Akagi and Admiral Leon, head to your respective stations immediately. Captain Anno; inform your men of the order to bring the Children to the Evangelion Bay. Dismissed."

Captain Anno bowed again and led the way out. Ritsuko and Leon followed him.

Once the trio had gone out, Gendo tapped a speaker on his desk and said. "You may enter now, Agent Kaji."

Kaji Ryouji entered in one of the Section 2 uniforms. He took off the glasses, saluted, and said mockingly. "Agent Kaji reporting for duty."

"Be careful how you speak, Agent." Gendo said calmly. "Your dislike for your work should not be reflected in your attitude towards your superiors."

"I doubt that you're my superior." Kaji said grudgingly.

Gendo ignored the comment. "Report!"

Kaji took a breath and began. "Let's see. Since you forced me to join your side, I've been trying to go deeper into the secrets of SEELE. Apparently, they know nothing of recent events aside from what you already know. As you suspected, the two Agents that they sent here are also spying for them."

Kaji reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigarette. "But although they don't know anything about the new Angels, they themselves have a few secrets of their own. Two of them in particular."

"Who?" Gendo asked.

"Lorenz Keel and SEELE Seven." Kaji answered.

"What kind of secrets would those two have together?" Fuyutsuki thought out loud.

"Not together." Kaji corrected him. "Apparently, those two are working apart. When you told me about the new Agents, Ikari, I tried to pry for more information about them. The strange thing is, they appeared about a year ago in the service of Lorenz Keel, but they have no records going farther than that. Not even in the files of Keel himself."

"When did they appear?"

"About a week before the Third Angel's attack." Kaji said, putting one hand in his pocket.

"A week." Gendo said as if in deep thought. "They might be related to the Angels after all."

"That's my guess." Kaji commentated. "But compared to the secrets of SEELE Seven, those two fade into the background."

"Why?" Fuyutsuki asked. "What's so important about SEELE Seven?"

"That's just it." Kaji said, raising his arms in a shrug. "Nobody knows. Seven's records ended about three years ago without a trace. Since then, nobody has seen him outside or making any business transactions. Everything needing his signature is marked electronically. That's not unusual for SEELE but even they have to come out sometime. Nobody has seen SEELE Seven's face since three years ago."

"But Ikari talked to him." Fuyutsuki voiced out. "Isn't he present at your meetings with SEELE, Commander?"

"Not exactly." Gendo said. "Whenever I have my meetings with SEELE, they do not show their faces, only monoliths and voices. The voices could have been electronically modified. Seven may know more about this than the entire committee of SEELE."

Kaji nodded. "So what do you want me to do now?"

"Continue looking for hidden secrets, Agent. That's what you're good for." Gendo said. "Dismissed."

"Yeah, yeah." Kaji said turning around.

"By the way, Agent Kaji. I wasn't informed you had an affiliation with tobacco." Gendo raised his voice just before Kaji went out the door.

"Oh, you mean this?" Kaji asked taking the unlit cigarette from his mouth between his middle and forefinger. "I don't really smoke. I just like something to chew on every now and then."

Kaji left the room as the door closed on the two Commanders still in their original positions.

Fuyutsuki talked first. "What do we do about those two Agents from SEELE?"

"We will deal with them later." Gendo answered. "For now, give them the usable rooms in the Level Five Residence Section."

"Is it wise to have them interact with the Children?"

"Of course. Few can work uninterrupted when in the company of Children. Those two will have a hard time trying to work without coming out in the open. Meanwhile we can deal with the battles."


Shinji turned at the sound of the door opening to see Asuka and Misato coming in. Misato was wearing her red and black uniform while Asuka just wore a jacket over a dress. "Good morning Asuka, Misato. What's wrong?" he asked, taking note of the grumpy looks on the faces of his former roommates.

Asuka glared at him and said. "I had to wake up at six thirty in the morning to the sound of an army bell, then listen to a bunch of crazy people at my door. Then I had to order breakfast since you weren't there. The rice they brought was too wet and the eggs were burnt. Then just as I was planning to go visit Hikari for a while, Section 2 comes up to me and says that I have to come here and save their buts from the big, bad Angels. Again!"

"Quit complaining, Asuka." Misato ordered, rubbing her head. "At least, you got your breakfast. I couldn't get a single beer the whole morning!"

"Well, I wasn't the one who went into the hall nearly naked." Asuka pointed out.

"I was just surprised. If that guy hadn't ogled me so much, I wouldn't have gotten mad and punched him in the face. It's not like I dress like that in front of everybody."

Asuka rolled her eyes. "Sure you don't."

"Do you always drink every morning?" a chipper voice asked from behind Shinji.

"Kirishima?" Asuka blinked. "What are you doing here? Wait, are you and Shinji doing something that you're not telling me?"

"Like he would tell you anything." Kensuke appeared at Shinji's other side, much to his chagrin and embarrassment. "You'd just get jealous and chase his girlfriend away."

"Shut up, Stooge, before I forget myself and break your glasses on your face!" Asuka flared.

"Oh, you must be the new pilot Ritsuko was telling me about. I'm Misato, pleased to meet you." Misato extended a hand to Mana.

"Likewise, Katsuragi-san. Shinji-kun told me a lot about you." Mana said, shaking Misato's hand.

"Did he now." Misato eyed Shinji, causing him to sweat. "I hope he didn't tell too much."

Shinji tried to get out of his predicament before it became too deep. "Umm, of course not, Misato. I was just telling her about you and Asuka since you were my roommates. You know, the same things I told Kensuke and Touji."

Asuka joined Misato's side. "If you told her the same things you told you're fellow stooges, you are dead, Third Child!"

As if to lower the rising tempers in the room, a cold breeze swept in from the opening door. Rei and Kaoru stepped inside the platform. Ritsuko, who thus far had been ignoring the entire conversation, now turned towards the group.

"Well, since all our NERV pilots are here now, you better get to changing into your suits." She said without glancing over from where she stood by Maya's terminal. The three technicians were totally absorbed in their duties while Ritsuko watched over them.

"You mean there really is an attack?" Asuka asked. She turned to Kaoru who was smiling beside the silent Rei. "And what's up with all the new weird people today?"

Kaoru spoke up. "I'm Nagisa Kaoru, designated Fifth Child of the Marduk Report." He turned to Shinji and smiled. "I'm very pleased to meet your acquaintance."

"Introductions and explanations will have to wait." Ritsuko said. "Right now, we have to prepare for the Angel attack. Shinji, Asuka, Rei, go to your changing rooms. Kaoru and Mana since we don't have anything for you to pilot right now, you're free for a while. Kensuke, get back to your station."

"Affirmative." Rei said and headed out of the room. Shinji bowed and followed her.

Asuka looked at the two of them, then everyone else. "What's the use of being a college graduate if nobody will tell you anything?" she commented, before going out herself.

As Shinji changed into his plugsuit, his thoughts wandered to the people he had met that day, the most recent one being the Fifth Child.

'He seems okay, but he's also hiding something. I'm sure he's like Rei in that respect, though he reminds me more of Zophiel or maybe Kaji- san.'

He finished with his neural connectors and got out of the dressing room.

'Whoever he is, I'll have to talk with him later. Right now, I have to fight.' He sighed. 'Fighting. I never did like it that much. Sparring is more fun.'

"It is, isn't it. In sparring nobody gets hurt." The voice was heard once again.

"You're here now, right?" Shinji asked. "You slept for a long time."

"It was rather uninteresting on the way here."

Shinji chuckled. "I wish I could say the same for my first trip to this place. That was when the Third Angel attacked."

"And now they're here again."

"Yeah."

"Fight hard, Shinji. I'll be watching. And you have the others with you now."

"I know." Shinji replied as he went back into the Evangelion Bay.

End of Chapter 6

This is it for Chapter 6. The next chapter should be out in the next two months or so, since I now have to deal with summer schooling.

There may be points that need clarification in this story, but I will only answer technical questions, and not ones concerning matters that would be revealed in further chapters. Sorry, but that would ruin the story.

As for this part, some of you may wonder at the Fallen's reference to the Evangelions and Anno's appearance.

When Rasiel called the Evangelions "the three Abominations they copied from Adam's flesh", she did so on purpose because she did not know about Lilith. In Kaoru's episode, he made it quite clear that he did not know of Lilith being in NERV. It stands to reason that the other Angels might not know that Lilith is in NERV.

As for Anno being the head of Section 2, I needed some sort of leader for Section 2, a minor character that would report directly to Gendo. Who better to represent this character than the man who gave us the story in the first place? His position in Section 2 would certainly have made him witness to the events. That's why I chose him.