AUTHOR'S NOTES: Again, much thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. A special shout-out to Rory Betteridge, Collis Paris, and Tim Murphy for helping me out.

For those of you that live in the Midwest USA, I'll be at Anime Central May 14-16, hopefully dressed as Gendo Ikari. Look me up if you get a chance–I'll be around somewhere!

Makoto Hyuga shook his head in wonder as he watched the Eva Matrix code radically shift and change. A series of clicks in his earpiece told him of an incoming call. "Operator."

"What happened back there, Makoto?" It was Gendo.

"I can't figure it out, Commander. Scouts just came out of nowhere, and then the code got all weird. Encryption I've never seen before."

"Is Shinji okay?"

"Okay?" Makoto laughed. "Damn, Commander, you should have seen him."

"Where is he now?"

Makoto scanned the readouts and sighed. "Doing his Kiki impression."

Shinji, with his ability to warp the Eva Matrix, had assembled EVA-01 around him. The purple and green monstrosity rose through the clouds on amber, dragonfly-like wings. It hovered for a moment, as Shinji got his bearings. He then canted the mecha downwards, and dived at near the speed of sound towards Tokyo-3 below. The clouds parted around him with a thunderclap of displaced air, as Shinji moved fast enough to pull the clouds behind the Eva like a cyclone. Looking, he finally found what he was looking for, and alighted the Eva next to a deserted old temple. He ejected the entry plug partway and climbed down, going inside. The door opened easily to his touch, and he stepped into familiar rooms, noticing the hole in the wall that Son Goku had made to demonstrate there was indeed no wall. Even the arrows Kagome had nearly killed him with were still embedded in a shoji panel. But of the Oracle, Belldandy, there was no sign. A thin film of dust revealed that no one had been in the rooms for some time. Shinji sat down onto the couch and stared at the ceiling. "Where are you?" he wondered aloud.

Several hours later, the Bebop cruised down a very old access tunnel at slow speed. Makoto was at the helm this time, watching the rusting metal walls of the tunnel very carefully. There were protrusions here that could damage the Bebop. He also knew there were defenses hidden in the tunnel walls that could destroy the ship. The Geofront remained the last otaku haven because of its hidden location, and its thick defenses. The first had already been compromised.

"This is the Bebop on approach," he radioed, "requesting access to Central Dogma."

In the Geofront's Command Tower, overlooking the vast open docking bay that was Central Dogma, a short, teenaged blonde woman touched her headset. "Bebop, this is Geofront Approach. Maintain present velocity and stand by." Sammie Young switched frequencies as Makoto acknowledged her order. "Geofront Approach to Central Defense, requesting immediate stand down of defenses at Gate Three. We have the Bebop on approach. Let's open her up." She waited patiently until her board showed all green lights, indicating the defenses had been placed on standby. "Thanks, Central. Bebop, you are clear through Gate Three to Launch Bay 07."

"Roger that," Makoto replied.

"Door's open and we even left the light on for you. Welcome home, Bebop."

"No place like it," Makoto smiled. He pushed the Bebop's throttle forward and eased the ship down the approach corridor, watching the lights set into the floor. On either side, he saw several gun batteries and Deca missile launchers swivel back to lay flush against the walls. Ahead of him, two enormous armored steel doors slid aside to allow the Bebop into Central Dogma. He applied a little more throttle; the Bebop slowly entered the cavernous interior of Central Dogma's launch bays. Beneath the bulbous, pointed bow of the ship, Makoto noticed an Aestavalis covering the entrance he had just come through. Just because no Inus had ever penetrated this far, or attempted to enter an open gate, did not mean they wouldn't try. The Bebop's stern had just passed through the gate when it began to rumble shut again. Makoto deftly manuevered the ship around, twisting it gently 180 degrees and set it down, extending the landing gear. Once he was sure that the ship was securely in its bay, he let out his breath and leaned back. Finally, they were home again. It was not to last long, but it was long enough. He shut down the Bebop's systems and went back to the main deck, where Gendo, Shinji, and Asuka already waited with their gear. Makoto slung his duffel bag over one shoulder, and Shinji helped him drag the ship's personal weapons to the ramp.

Waiting at the bottom of the ramp when it hissed open was an entourage of men dressed in high-impact plastic armor, leather, and steel helmets, all black. The man standing to one side, however, was dressed in a less threatening yellow jumpsuit. Gendo nodded at him respectfully. "Pilot Tenkawa."

Akito Tenkawa smiled back. "Commander Ikari."

"Are you here to escort me to the brig, Pilot?"

"I'm just here to keep the peace. Besides, I'm a cook." He nodded at the men in the black armor. One of them removed his gas mask and tried to stare holes through Gendo. "Admiral Hunter demands–" Gendo turned and lifted his head slightly, catching the reflection of Central Dogma's lights in his glasses. The man swallowed nervously at being the recipient of the Gendo Glare. "Er...requests your immediate counsel. Sir."

Gendo merely nodded. "Makoto."

"Sir?"

"I want the ship ready to go as soon as humanly possible."

"Yes, sir."

Gendo nodded once more to Akito and followed the armored men across a catwalk, the Aestavalis pilot falling in behind. Shinji leaned over to Asuka. "What is it between them?"

"Gendo and Hunter?" Asuka shrugged. "Rally Vincent."

"Commander Vincent?"

"A lot of things changed after Third Impact. Rally used to be with Gendo. Now she's with Hunter."

Shinji shook his head. Damn, Dad is a pimp. Mom, Ritsuko, Rei, and Rally Vincent? Whoa. "So what happened?"

"Gendo went to the Oracle. After that, things really changed."

Shinji looked at the grated floor. "Yeah, she does that, I've noticed." His name being shouted brought his head up. "Oh, no."

Asuka bit back a vile German curse. "How does he always know?"

"Doesn't he have anything better to do?"

"You know what they say about the life you save. They become giant pains in the tuckus."

"I didn't save his life," Shinji insisted, but put a smile on his face as Kensuke Aida bounded up to him. He slapped Shinji on the back with enough force to collapse his lungs and went to embrace Asuka. Asuka gave Kensuke a glare that would freeze a nuclear reactor, so he just grinned at her. "Shinji! Asuka! Makoto! Wow, it's so kewl to have you back!"

"We've only been gone for a few friggin' days–" Asuka began, but Shinji cut her off. "Thanks, Kensuke," he said. "It's good to be back."

"Can I carry that for you, Shinji?" Kensuke bubbled, pointing at Shinji's backpack.

"No, that's okay, I got it."

"Asuka?"

"I'm fine. Go awa–"

"Makoto?"

"Sure!" Makoto exclaimed. "You can carry these." He pointed to the weapons bag. Kensuke pushed up his glasses and eagerly grabbed the bag, then nearly went down with a hernia. "Lift with the legs, Kensuke."

"Sure...erg..." Somehow, Kensuke got the bag over one shoulder without major injury. "Hey, you know...argh...I'm taking the tests to join a crew. I've...damn...been thinking about it and I've...ow...made my decision."

"Let me guess," Makoto groused.

"The Bebop, of course!" Kensuke's happiness momentarily overrode the feeling that he was about to be torn in half. "I know Commander Ikari hasn't filled the other crew positions yet...I'm sure he has his reasons, but the more I think about it, the more I think it's meant to be. You know, destiny. I mean, you're the whole reason I'm here, Shinji—iiiii!" With that, Kensuke fell over with a crash.

Shinji helped him up. "Kensuke, you found me, I didn't find you."

"Yeah, but you got me out! You saved me!"

Shinji looked to Asuka for assistance, but she merely rolled her eyes.

Several levels up into the bowels of Central Dogma, Gendo Ikari stepped into Admiral Rick Hunter's office. He had been there before, but even if he had not, he would have known it by heart. It was circular, with a reflective black floor and ceiling. Gendo looked up reflexively, but of course there was no Tree of Life there, only the fighting kite symbol of the GDF. Shaking his head at lives long past, Gendo stepped forward and stood before the desk that had once been his.

Unlike Gendo, Rick Hunter had printouts and paperwork spread out all over the desk, threatening to overrun his computer. Rick looked up and pushed the fall of brown hair from his face. "Commander Ikari," he said flatly.

"Admiral Hunter," Gendo acknowledged.

Rick returned to his paperwork for a long minute, then looked back up to Gendo. "I've spoken to the other ship captains, and I wanted to offer you the chance to explain your actions."

"I wasn't aware that my actions required an explanation," Gendo replied evenly.

"You were given a direct order to return to the Geofront."

"And here I am."

Rick fought down an urge to strangle Gendo. "You asked for one ship to remain behind."

"I would have stayed myself, but the Bebop needs supplies. We're running a little low on toilet paper."

"So you admit to a direct contravention of your duty," Rick snapped.

"Admiral, we need a presence inside the Eva Matrix to await contact from the Oracle–"

Rick shot to his feet. "I don't want to hear that crap! I don't care about Oracles or angels or dial-up Goddesses! I care about one thing–stopping that army from destroying this city, and to do that I need soldiers to obey my orders!" He got in Gendo's face. "Let's face it, Commander, your name isn't the best around here. You need to be doing it better and cleaner than the other guy. So what is it with you?"

Gendo did not raise to the obvious theft of lines from Top Gun. "With all due respect, Admiral, there is only one way to save our city."

"How? Stick a wave-motion gun in Central Dogma?"

"Not a bad idea, but I was referring to Shinji."

Rick's hand came down on his desk with a crack. "Dammit, Gendo! Not everyone believes what you believe!"

"My beliefs do not require them to."

"Were you always so damned Zen?"

"That depends on your definition of Zen."

Rick pulled out some of his hair. "Gad, I hate you! I'm going to recommend to the Plenipotentiary Council that you be removed from duty!"

"That is, of course, your perogative, Admiral."

Rick gritted his teeth. Was there anything that would ruffle this cold bastard? "If it were up to me, Gendo, you wouldn't set foot on a ship for the rest of your misbegotten life."

"Then I'm grateful that it's not up to you."

Rick's retort was cut off by the door sliding open, admitting a gray-haired man dressed in comfortable, samurai-like robes. The Admiral reined in his temper. "Councilor Fuyutsuki."

Kazuo Fuyutsuki resisted the urge to smile, and was glad he got here before Hunter had a chance to kill Gendo outright. "Admiral." He turned to Gendo, and did smile. "Commander."

Gendo returned the smile. "Councilor." He knew Fuyutsuki, of course. Unlike the older man, Gendo knew–and felt the shame of knowing–that he had once leaned on this man to help him in his plans, and then sacrificed him, as he had sacrificed all the others in initiating Third Impact. Fuyutsuki suspected that they shared a past, but neither man had ever brought the subject up. It was better to leave some things firmly in the past.

Fuyutsuki turned to Rick. "The Council's asked me to speak tonight, at the gathering. The presence of the fleet and the persistence of rumor must be addressed. The people deserve to know what's happening."

Rick took a deep breath, and some of the red went out of his face. "Of course, Councilor. But might I advise a level of discretion on details. We don't wish to start a panic."

"Right, a panic is not what anyone wants, full metal or otherwise." He looked at Gendo. "What about you, Commander, what would you advise?"

Gendo ignored the sounds of rupture from Rick. "The truth. No one will panic. There's nothing to fear. The Inus will never reach the Geofront gates."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Consider what we've seen in the last six months, Councilor. In the last six months, we've freed more otaku from the bonds of Toonami than we had in six years. No longer are we merely a bunch of smelly people in the world's largest basement. This attack is an act of desperation on the part of the Censors. I believe very soon that the prophecy will be fufilled and this war over ratings will end."

Fuyutsuki was quiet for a moment. "I hope you're right, Commander," he said at length.

"I do not believe it to be a matter of hope, Councilor," Gendo said with finality. "I believe it's a matter of time."

Shinji, Asuka, Makoto, and a mostly recovered Kensuke had gotten onto one of Central Dogma's freight elevators and rode it down, into the deep dark of Moira–er, the lower levels of the Geofront. Long ago, these had been converted from storage facilities into a warren of living quarters.

Kensuke continued to prattle. "There's a gathering tonight. Everyone's talking and a lot of people are scared. No one can remember when so many ships were docked. Something's happening, isn't it? Something big, huh?"

Makoto looked to the ceiling for help. "For the fourth time, Kensuke-san, we're not allowed to say anything, so stop asking. Geez." The elevator rumbled to a stop, the doors opening. Makoto hefted his duffel bag. "Well, my stop. See you soon...hopefully not too soon." He winked at Shinji and Asuka, then grabbed Kensuke by the shoulder. "C'mon, Kensuke-san."

"But I wanted to jaw with Shinji some more–"

"I hear there's a new Aestavalis being unveiled down in the weapons level," Kensuke lied.

"No way! Kewl! Sorry, Shinji, I'll get back to you later, man!" Kensuke practically jumped out of the elevator. Asuka waved as the door slid shut and the elevator started moving downwards again.

Asuka looked at Shinji. Shinji looked at Asuka. Boldly, Shinji grabbed Asuka and gazed down into those beautiful, rich blue eyes. "Gimme some sugar, baby." Asuka did, too, pressing her lips so tightly against Shinji's that he thought she would shove his teeth down his throat. Her tongue thrust between aforementioned teeth and began going after Shinji's tonsils like a congoer on a box of pocky. Finally, Shinji managed to break free long enough to get some air. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" he gasped out.

"Yeah. This time let's use the oven mitts!"

"Close enough...how long to recharge the Bebop?"

"24, maybe 30 hours." Asuka began trying to get his belt unbuckled.

"Some people go their entire lives without hearing news that good. Woo-hoo!"

They were just about to get properly buckled to when the elevator suddenly groaned to a halt and the door slid open. An old woman stood there, a plate of pork rolls in one hand, a walking stick in the other. "Shinji, please, watch over my daughter Xian Pu onboard the Cat Café–" She rose from her bow and her eyes widened. Then she turned and yelled, "Hey, everyone, check it out! The Third Child's getting some!"

"No way!"

"Holy cow–the world is ending!"

"Go for it, Shinji! My man!"

Shinji looked up with one strap of Asuka's bra in his teeth. He spit it out and rolled onto his back. "I'm so screwed up," he said to the ceiling.