Chapter 6

Six men sat in a conference room around a large table. On one wall a video screen flashed various technical displays and images.

"How much?" asked the man at the head of the table.

"In total, Mr. President," spoke one of the others, "approximately 30 billion."

"Well that doesn't seem so bad." One of the others said.

"I wasn't finished. It's 30 billion a month."

"That's 360 billion a year! We can't afford that!"

"I agree it is costly, but in the long run……..it will more then pay off."

The president raised his hand. "Now this can protect the entire country? From anything?"

The man nodded. "Yes sir." The man pressed a button and a map of the city-state appeared on the screen with several areas indicated. "We will place facilities around and in the city at these locations. They will protect the country from both space and land attacks. In addition, the location's will also provide back-up power to the city."

"Excellent." The president said, "When will they be ready?"

"We have built smaller versions of the device. We are currently building a full-scale version out in the wastelands. We will conduct our tests there before completing the facilities here."

"And when are the Tests?"

"They'll be ready in four days."

"Very well." The president said, "You have my blessing to continue this project. Ahh what do you call this project?"

"We call it the S2 Engine/AT-Field Project."

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Arael blinked.

"You want me to do what?" she asked.

Lime held out a pad of paper. "We want you to take down orders and waitress."

"Me? Orders?"

"Yes." Lime put the pad into Arael's hands. "You already know the menu. You just ask the people what they want, and write it down on the pad. All you have to do is be polite, and smile."

Arael looked questioningly at Lime.

"SMILE!"

Arael quickly smiled.

"Good! Now get to work. And if you have any questions, ask Cherry or me." Lime turned on her heel and walked back over to where Cherry was leaning against the bar.

"Are you sure about this?" asked Cherry, "I mean……..she's not exactly outgoing."

"Give her a chance." Lime said, "Unless you want to try Yui again."

Cherry blanched. "No thanks. She barely gets by in the kitchen as it is."

Lime glanced into the kitchen and saw only Bloodberry working over the stove.

"Where is Yui?"

"She's at home with Dad and Mom." Cherry replied, "Apparently, Yui met the Marionette Lime before they were even married. They wanted her around to help the marionette adjust." Cherry gave Lime a smile. "It's been over twenty years after all."

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"Otaru doesn't love me anymore."

Yui glared at Lime (the marionette). "That's not true and you know it!"

Lime looked up at Yui, "How do you know?"

"Lime, I may not be a true Goddess, but I was taught the basics." Yui tapped her head. "I can tell what he is thinking about. Ever since you came back both he AND Lorelei have been very happy. You have no idea how much pain they were in when you three didn't come back."

"But we didn't all come back." Lime said sadly, "Cherry……...and Bloodberry……"

Yui placed her hand on Limes, "I know. There's nothing we can do to bring them back either. They will be missed."

"I wish I hadn't been brought back." Lime muttered.

"Don't say that Lime! I already told you everyone was happy you were back! Why do you say such things?"

Lime glared at Yui. "If Otaru missed us so much how did he get three girls who have the same names and look like us? He replaced us!"

"From what I know, it was Hess that created them, from the Lorelei master clone." Yui said softly, "Some kind of signal was sent from the Neomesopotamia as it exploded. Tiger, Luchs, Panther, even Lorelei felt it. It lead Faust and Otaru to a cave where the 3 cloned girls were. As far as anyone knew, that was all that was left of you three. He raised them as his own children. Six years later, he married Lorelei."

Lime sighed, "I still feel left out, unwanted."

"You're not unwanted." Yui said softly.

Lime was quiet for a bit.

"So who's Keima?" she finally asked.

Yui smiled. "Keima is Belldandy's son. Sayoko's little brother."

"But what is he doing here?"

"Well, the other Lime made a wish……….."

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"YOU WHAT!?!?" shouted Faust.

The man on the screen flinched.

"I have no idea why your shouting Faust. You of all people would understand the precautions that New Texas is taking. We wish to protect the human life on this planet from destruction."

"Find another why then!" Faust replied, "The S2 technology created many problems on Earth! That is why it was abandoned! Don't you read any history!?!?"

"Yes I do Gerhard." replied the man, "The S2 engine, which I admit caused certain……..issues on the Earth, will be put to good use here."

Faust rubbed his face. "Chris, your NSM-X1 design was a failure. What makes you think that this will be any different.

Doctor Chris Richardson frowned. "My marionette design may have been flawed, but this design goes back to Earth and the design of the Evangelions! We will succeed!" The Doctor then sat back in his chair. "I am so sure of success that I invite you to attend the activation test in four days. Feel free to bring whoever you want to."

"I will be there Chris." Faust said, "If only to make sure it is not a disaster."

Richardson narrowed his eyes. "There will be no disaster Gerhard. You can be sure of that!" His image vanished from the screen. Faust immediately entered in several commands. Within minutes, Lorelei appeared on his screen.

"What is it Faust?" asked Lorelei.

"We have a problem." Faust said.

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"I still don't get it." Lime said.

"Lime," Yui said, gritting her teeth, "I've explained it to you 3 times now."

"But if you love him so much, why did you give him up?"

"Because in the end, I couldn't win." Yui sighed, "If I had continued to press after him, I would have been alienated from him, and everyone else around me." Yui looked at Lime and smiled. "So in the end, I decided it was better to be his friend."

"Yui!"

Yui and Lime turned to see Lorelei and Otaru running towards them.

"What is it?" Yui asked.

"Could you get us to Japoness Castle?" Lorelei asked, "Something's happened and we're meeting Faust there." Lorelei paused a second. "We may want to bring Arael along as well."

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In a flash, Otaru, Lorelei, Lime (the marionette), and Yui appeared inside Castle Japoness. Faust stood silently nearby with Baiko and Tamasaburo.

"Baiko-chan Tama-chan. HI!" Lime shouted.

The Imperial Guard stared at Lime for a moment.

"JSM-01L." Baiko said, "Operating System 'Lime'"

"You were believed lost." Tamasaburo said.

"Yeah well." Lime seemed to deflate slightly, "I was."

Faust looked at Lorelei and Otaru. "We have to decide quickly what to do about the situation."

"What is the situation?" asked Yui, "Lorelei didn't have time to tell me."

Faust's eyes narrowed. "New Texas plans to activate an S2 engine."

Yui's eyes widened. "Are they crazy!?! Don't they know…….."

"Yes they know." Lorelei said, "But they don't seem to care. Lime." Lorelei turned and looked at the Marionette. "I need you to run to the apartment. Bring everyone here."

Lime nodded. "Yes Lorelei." She then turned and ran off.

Yui looked at Faust. "Can I make a call?"

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"I did what was asked." Arael said as the customer stormed out of the shop.

Lime (the mortal) was holding her head in her hands while Keima rubbed her shoulders.

"Arael." Keima said softly, "He didn't mean 'Step on it' in the literal sense of stepping on his food. He meant hurry up."

Arael frowned. "Why didn't he say that then? You Lilim make this all to……."

"Mortals!" Keima shouted, "NOT Lilim!"

"I'm sorry." Arael dropped her head and looked at the floor. "Please forgive me."

"Don't worry about it." Lime said softly, "That guy has been in here many times. He's always obnoxious. Just, try harder next time."

"Yes Ma'am."

"And stop it with the Ma'am. I'm Lime."

Arael looked up at Keima, then back to Lime.

"Alright, Lime."

Lime sighed and placed her head on the table.

"Finally, something going right."

The door to the restaurant burst open, revealing Lime (the marionette) standing there. The Marionette briefly took in the sight of the human version of her getting her shoulders rubbed by Keima, then shook it off.

"Lorelei needs to see everyone at the Castle." She said calmly.

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As the group of six approached the castle, Lime (the mortal) noticed that it seemed different.

There still was no Shogun in power. Lorelei had run things for a few years along with the Shogun's surviving advisors. Finally, 10 years ago, a new Shogun clone was created. But he was still young, unable to govern. He was also kept far away from the public eye and the castle.

The thing that Lime had noticed was there seemed to be more guard activity. Baiko and Tamasaburo were even out and about, patrolling the Castle grounds. Lime wasn't the only one that noticed the increased activity.

"What do you think is going on?" asked Cherry softly.

"I don't know." Lime said.

They were met at the castle doors by the Saber Dolls and Yui.

"Yui will take you to the meeting room." Tiger said. She then looked at the marionette. "Come on Lime. We didn't have much time to talk before."

"K." The four marionettes wondered off. Yui turned and led everyone inside. Keima, who had felt something familiar coming from inside the castle, quickened his pace to walk next to Yui.

"What's going on Yui?" he asked.

"Something's happened." Yui said, "It could affect Terra 2 and the Heavens."

That's when Keima placed the feeling he had about the castle.

"Do you mean that my….."

"Yes." Yui said.

She led them into a corridor that ended at a door. Standing on either side of the door were six armored woman.

"Who are……" Lime began to ask before Keima interrupted her.

"They're Valkyries." He said, "They guard Yggdrasil and the heavens."

"Why are they here?"

"They also protect important individuals." Keima said.

"So who is here?"

Keima remained silent as they reached the door. Yui turned towards one of the Valkyries.

"I am Guardian Yui." She said, "I have brought the God Keima, the Angel Arael, and the 3 mortals Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry as ordered."

The Valkyrie nodded. "You are expected." She then reached over and opened the door.

Entering the room, Lime could see the large meeting table where her father, mother, and Uncle Faust sat. Also sitting there was a woman with long light brown hair with another woman standing behind her with purple hair. Lime then realized where she had seen the first woman before. This was confirmed when the woman stood up and ran to hug Keima. Both talked briefly in a language that Lime couldn't understand before Keima turned to Lime.

"Lime, this is my mother, Belldandy."

Lime didn't know wither to bow, fall to her knees or what.

"Ummm Hi."

Belldandy gave her a smile which relaxed her immediately.

"I'm sure we'll get better acquainted later. But first, we have other matters to attend to." Belldandy turned and walked back to her seat. The six new arrivals quickly sat down at the table. Lime made sure she was next to Keima. As they got comfortable, Lime whispered into Keima's ear.

"Is your mother why the Valkyries are here?"

"Yes."

Lime indicated the purple haired woman.

"Who's that?"

"Cayla, Mom's assistant, secretary, whatever. She's been with Mom for years."

Faust stood up. "Now that we are all here, I will tell you why we are here." He motioned to the display on the wall. "New Texas has created a shielding system designed to protect the city-state from meteors, weapons, and anything else libel to cause damage to the city."

"What's wrong with that?" asked Bloodberry, "Sounds like a great idea."

"Normally I would agree." Faust said, "But here is where we come to the problem. They plan to use S2 Engines."

Lime heard Arael gasp. She looked over to see that the Angel had a shocked look on her face. Keima, Cherry, and Bloodberry looked as confused as her. Yui, Belldandy, Cayla, and her parents however had very serious looks on their faces.

"How can they?" Arael asked, "How can they create….."

Faust held up his hand. "They know what the S2 Engine came from. But in their minds, it is the perfect solution."

"Until it blows up and takes out half the city." muttered Yui.

"What is an S2 Engine?" asked Keima.

"It is that which provides me with my power." Arael said softly, "The heart of the Angels."

"They also powered several of the Evas." Yui said, "And when they get destroyed."

"Boom." finished Cayla.

"Which is why I am here." Belldandy said, "If an S2 Engine is successfully made, and Eva might be next."

Yui glanced over at Belldandy, "If they do make an Eva will we send down…….."

"If it comes to that, yes."

"Which brings us to what will happen in four days." Faust said, "I have been invited to attend the activation test. I am also allowed to bring guests. Of course the Saber Dolls will be present. I have also asked Lorelei and Otaru to attend."

"Lime will be joining us." Lorelei said.

"I am?" Lime asked.

"Umm, the other Lime."

"Oh."

Belldandy looked over at Yui, Arael, and Keima.

"If I could, I would send down Asuka, Shinji, Rei, of Touji. But all four are off on an assignment. Which leaves me with you three. Yui, because you are a Guardian, Arael, for the obvious reason, and Keima, because you might sense something the others don't."

Lorelei looked over at Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry.

"You three can come as well."

"Of course I'm coming." Lime said, "If Keima's going, I'm going too."

"As much as I'd like to," Cherry said, "someone needs to run the restaurant."

"I'll help Cherry." Bloodberry said.

"Very well." Faust said, "We'll met again in 2 days. Then we leave for the testing site."

Everyone got up and was starting to leave the room, all of them but one.

"Keima," Belldandy said, "I'd like a word with you."

Lime glanced back at Keima. Keima nodded and Lime left the room. Soon, only he and his mother remained.

"You and Lime have gotten close in the past couple of months." Belldandy said softly. "I'm glad."

Keima looked at his mother curiously.

"In some ways you remind me of your father and me when we first got together." Belldandy smiled, "Only your not as naïve as I was."

"Sayoko was here two weeks ago." He said.

"I know. She told me about bring Celes here, as well as Lime's return." Belldandy stood up. "It's about time for me to go. Your father will be wondering." Belldandy pulled her son into a hug. "My little boy…….."

"Mom……" Keima muttered, "I'm not a kid."

"To me you always will be." Belldandy released her hug and looked at her son. "You have to call more."

"Mom! You never gave Sayoko a hard time!"

"But she remembers to call." Belldandy glanced at the door. "I'm sure if I ask her, Lime will help you remember."

"Alright Mom!" Keima glared at Belldandy, but there was no malice behind it. "You've been hanging around Auntie Urd too much. You're starting to act like her."

"Well she is my sister."

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Four Days Later

A large group of diplomats, scientists and guests from all six city-states were assembled in a party-like atmosphere. Far off in the distance, the red sphere of the S2 Engine could be seen. Yui and Arael walked silently among the people. Both were wearing their cloaks with the hood pulled over their heads.

* Explain why we are wearing the cloaks again? * Arael asked.

Yui glanced over at Arael. * Because we look older then what the females on this planet should be. This way, people will think we're marionettes. * Yui looked up ahead. * There they are. *

Arael and Yui walked up silently behind the group. Keima noticed them right away. He looked at them from head to toe.

"Aren't you a little warm in that?" he asked. Keima was wearing a short sleeve shirt and khaki pants. Yui glared at Keima.

"What are you stupid?" she asked, "These are our god cloaks! I'm probably a lot cooler then you are."

"Good point." Keima said. "The test is going to be in a couple of hours. See anything out of the ordinary?"

"Nothing." Yui said, "No sign of any demons either."

"Think it will work?"

"I talked to my mom last night." Yui said, "Until Doctor Akagi got her hands on it, Unit 04's S2 didn't work. Only after that did SEELE get their Mass Produced Evas to work."

Keima looked over at Arael. "You've been very quiet. What do you think?"

Arael looked out towards the distant sphere.

"They are dealing with things beyond their comprehension." Arael said, "No good will come of this."

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"Ladies and Gentleman!" Doctor Chris Richardson stepped to the podium. "Welcome to this historic day! After today, we will no longer have to fear things that might drop on us in the night, be it natural or unnatural!" Everyone present chuckled. "This project has been generously supported by the people of New Texas, and will eventually be available for all of Terra 2 to share." People all over clapped. Faust scowled. Richardson took notice. "We have many people present here today. From Gartlant to Japoness. Even the famous Doctor Lorelei is here!" Lorelei blushed slightly from the attention.

Richardson stepped down from the podium, carrying the microphone towards the giant switch.

"And now……I give you the fruits of our labor: The S2 Engine." His hand came down on the switch, activating the engine. Off in the distance, the sphere began to noticeable glow red. People began to clap and cheer. Richardson shook hands with many well-wishers as he slowly approached where Faust, Lorelei, and Otaru were standing.

"As you can see," Richardson said with a smile, "It's perfectly safe."

Faust was about to respond when there was a flash of light. People began to ooo and ahhhh as the giant sphere began to send off lightning.

"That's pretty." Lime (the marionette) said clapping her hands.

Keima had the sudden urge to pull Lime (the mortal) closer to himself. Arael was muttering something behind him, but with all the people cheering, he couldn't understand what she was saying. Then the ground shook. Everyone quieted down quickly as they tried to balance themselves, some unsuccessfully. More lightning flashed off from the sphere. Now people were beginning to worry.

"Everyone! Remain calm!" Richardson shouted, "It's just reacting to the plasma……."

'LIE!' Keima's mind screamed.

"………..It's just reacting to the plasma." He turned quickly to an aide. "Shut it down." He hissed. "Shut it down now!"

"We can't!" the aide replied, "It's out of control!"

The ground rumbled again, knocking everyone to the ground, all but one. Arael still stood, staring towards the sphere, muttering towards the distant sphere.

"Arael!" Keima shouted. The Angel ignored him. Keeping an arm around Lime, he grabbed Arael's cloak and pulled her down to his face. "What's the matter with you!?"

Arael looked down at Keima, her red eyes seemed glazed over.

"It's calling to me…….." she muttered, "I hear it calling out to me……" She turned and looked back towards the sphere.

"What is it saying to you?" Lime asked from under Keima.

"Good bye……"

The ground shuddered again. Keima looked back at the sphere to see a white light beginning to form. Then there was a blinding flash, followed seconds later by a shock wave that thundered across the ground, knocking everything flat. Keima remained over Lime, trying to protect her from…..well……from whatever. He felt two more people pressing against his back. He looked up to see Yui and Arael on either side of him, using their cloaks to cover both Lime and himself.

"I guess those cloaks came in handy." Keima said.

Yui gave Keima a small smile and stood up. Arael stood up right away. Keima leaned in close to Lime.

"You alright?" he asked.

Lime nodded. Keima then stood up and looked around. People were laying on the ground everywhere, knocked down by either the ground quakes or by the shockwave. Lime (the Marionette) was protecting Otaru, who was in turn protecting Lorelei. Faust was being protected by the three Saber Dolls. All four marionettes seemed to have blank looks on their faces, as if shut off. Seeing everyone in his general vicinity was unharmed, Keima looked toward the spot where the sphere had stood. A large amount of dust blocked the view, but slowly cleared to reveal…………..

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The Heavens

Alarms still screamed all over the main building. Peorth and Urd sat calmly at the SysOp terminal, listening as the various operators reported in. The doors to the control room then opened, admitting Belldandy into the room, followed closely by Cayla.

"What happened?" Belldandy asked

"We detected the S2 Engine powering up." Peorth said, still staring at her screen. "Everything looked normal for about 30 seconds, then all hell broke loose."

"There was a runaway reaction." Urd said, "As a precaution, Sayoko went to Unit 04 and began the start up procedures. The Guardians have been recalled and also on their way back."

Belldandy nodded. "Have we heard anything from the surface?"

"Not yet."

"Ma'am!"

Urd looked down at Chronos. "What is it?"

"I found the site of the S2 Engine……but……"

"But what?"

Chronos hit several buttons on her terminal. The main screen lit up to reveal a large area of the uninhabited region of Terra 2. A circular shock wave was still rolling across the desert. In the middle, was a dark object.

"Is that the S2 Engine?" asked Belldandy.

"I thought so too, but when I zoomed in……….."

The screen zoomed in, revealing a large castle sitting on a large circular patch of mountain.