Disclaimer: See Prologue

Evangelion: Any place can be Heaven, if you let it (A sequel to Random1377's, Crimson and Azure)

Chapter 1

2015

Six weeks since Third Impact

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An official from the Japanese Government stood with his cellphone to his ear in what was once the command center of NERV. A handful of former employees: senior staff, some junior staff, administrators and pilots, stood around him waiting patiently. Around them, 30 members of the JSSDF, fully armed and ready to arrest anyone the gentleman on the phone ordered them to arrest.

"Yes sir. That has been confirmed and verified? Yes sir." A long pause elicited sighs of impatience from several staff members including one very irritated redheaded 14-year-old.

"Yes, sir, I understand." He terminated the call and turned to the elderly gentleman who stood alone amongst the crowd.

"Well, the United Nations has cleared all NERV personnel of any wrong doing and has chartered it to begin the rebuilding process under UN jurisdiction. Congratulations Commander Fuyutsuki. You are now in charge of NERV's Asian branch." He extended his hand to the gray-haired man.

"Thank you Mister Secretary. When may we begin rebuilding?"

"Immediately Commander. I wish you the best of luck. I can't wait to see what peacetime use the Evas will be put to. Once again, congratulations." He bowed politely and exited the facility, his entourage of soldiers in tow.

The new commander took a moment to watch the new Secretary of Defense leave then turned to the personnel present. "Well people, we have much work to do. Dr. Akagi, I would like you to continue being in charge of Project E. Will you accept?"

"Yes sir. It will be an honor." She responded without a hint of emotion.

"Excellent. Your first task will be to rebuild Unit 00 and attempt to incorporate an S2 engine from one of the production models within it." Turning his attention to Misato, he continued, "Major Katsuragi, I would like you to fill the dual roll of Operations Director and Sub-Commander for the time being, until a qualified person can be found or groomed for the OD position. Will you accept?"

"Yes sir, it will be my privilege sir." She saluted, trying to hide her excitement but failing miserably.

Fuyutsuki went on filling the other department head positions then retired to his office. He needed to get on the phone with the UN and discuss several pressing issues, not the least being funding.

'Groom someone for the OD position.' Misato looked over at Maya, the only one of the three senior command center operators to return. But before she could say a word Ritsuko passed by her and whispered. "Don't even think about it. She's mine." Misato scratched the back of her head and gave a big silly grin. "Thought never entered my mind. Hehehehehe" 'SHIT!'

Later that evening at Katsuragi's apartment

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Stepping out of the bathroom in a clean pair of shorts and a T-shirt with her hair wrapped up in a towel, Misato scanned the room but saw no one around. "Hey, where'd everyone go?" She yelled.

"Out!" Came a voice from Asuka's room.

Misato slid her door open and asked, "Out where?"

"Shinji said something about seeing what was left, if anything, of Rei's old apartment. Apparently the area's been re-opened to the public." Asuka looked over her magazine from her position on her bed.

"Why didn't you go with them?" Misato asked, hoping the reason wasn't Rei.

"Why, so I can watch those two slobber all over each other." The redhead shook her head. "Gross."

'Well, at least it wasn't just Rei.' Misato stayed in the doorway a bit longer debating whether to discuss the idea she came up with while in the bath with Asuka now or later.

"Was there anything else you needed Misato?" Asuka asked impatiently.

"Well… yes. Yes there is." She walked into the room and stood next to the bed waiting for the redhead to sit up. Realizing she wasn't going to do it voluntarily, she asked, "May I?"

Finally, Asuka sat up grudgingly, "What is it?"

"Well, I've been thinking about what Command Fuyutsuki said about appointing an assistant OD to groom to become the OD in a few years. And… "

"And you want to appoint Rei so you want to know if I'd be willing to pilot Unit 00." Asuka finished. "Thanks but no thanks. Though I live to pilot Eva, to pilot anything other than my Unit 02 would be like eating frozen fishsticks after you've eaten fatty tuna."

Misato smiled. "Actually, I was hoping to appoint you as my assistant."

This got Asuka's full attention as she placed her magazine on the bed. "Pass that by me again."

"I'd like you to be my assistant. If you'll accept the position of course. You don't have to answer right away. Take your time and think it over." Misato stood up and began walking out.

"Why?"

She turned around and looked questioningly at her ward.

"Why me? Why not Ayanami? Is it because I lost my Eva… because you need a reason to keep me here… keep me around?"

Misato pondered her questions for a moment then sat back down. "I'll admit, Rei did come to mind first. Her technical knowledge of NERV operations and the Evas is second to none. But I honestly don't see her being able to command the respect and authority she would need, with how soft spoken she is. You've already graduated college, so getting up to speed should be no trouble for you. And your outspoken nature should make it easier for you to command the respect you need to do this job. As far as giving you a job just to keep you around. The decision to go or stay is yours alone. I've selected you because with the proper training I think you would make an excellent Operations Director." Misato patted the redhead on the knee and got up to leave again. "Think about it."

As she reached the door she heard from behind.

"Misato."

"Yes?" She turned.

"Thanks… for having confidence in me."

The woman smiled and walked out.

2016

Four months since Third Impact

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Asuka and Rei walked with purpose down the corridors of NERV: Rei, in her plug suit and Asuka in a uniform similar to Misato's but with a scooped neckline and a little longer skirt.

"This is such a waste of time." The Assistant OD grumbled.

"How so?" The Pilot replied.

"These stupid sync tests after each stage of Unit 00's development are an incredible waste of time."

"Safety protocols dictate that synchronization testing be performed at each stage of development to ensure reject of the pilot does not occur, especially during the incorporation of the S2 engine."

"Yes, I know but Ritsuko has deliberately shortened the stages, creating more of them."

"She must feel it is safer to progress at a slower pace."

"Don't get me wrong. I don't want anything bad to happen to you but this level of safety is simply absurd."

They walked in silence for several minutes.

Finally Rei inquired, "Do you suspect there is another motive for the frequency of these tests?"

"Well… every time we run the sync tests, development is delayed by three days. I think it's a funding issue. I don't think we have the money to continue Unit 00's development at its normal pace."

"What evidence do you base this conclusion on?"

"Call it a hunch."

"A hunch?"

"Yeah a hunch. You do know what a hunch is, don't you?"

Silence

Asuka sighed. "Well, now you have something new your boyfriend can teach you."

Having reached an adjacent corridor, which would take Rei to the test platform, down the right and Asuka to the test control room down the left, they stopped and faced each other.

"Well, good luck with your test Pilot Ayanami."

Rei paused a moment. "I am confident all will go well Lieutenant Souryu."

They turned and went their separate ways.