Chapter 4

On the way to the Katsuragi residence

Asuka and Shinji were headed back home, but not before taking the scenic rout. They walked along the lake holding each others hands. Asuka let out a sigh and let her head fall gently onto Shinji's shoulder. Taking a hint, Shinji, slowly released Asuka's hand and moved it around her waist. With her hands free, Asuka slid both her arms around Shinji and pulled him closer.

"You think that we should tell Andrew that he's getting a new unit to be able to fight the angels?" asked Shinji.

"Hmm...You just had to ruin the moment didn't you, baka." replied Asuka flicking Shinji on the nose. "No, I think we should surprise him. Hey, did you hear that we're going to have that other pilot living with us?"

"Yeah, Misato said that her name was...Chid... or something like that."

"It's Chidori Kaname! Jeez, don't you listen. She also said that she used a cover name of Kirishima Mana for the past years so that's how some people know her."

"Right!"

"Now, no more talking." Asuka leaned over and kissed Shinji.

"Mmmm!" Came the sound from both of them.

Another rout back to the Katsuragi residence

"(sigh) Andrew, I have something to tell you." Kirishima/Chidori said, pulling herself out of the embrace.

"Yeah...what is it?" asked Andrew, still lost in the kisses and embrace.

"I have a secret; my name isn't really Mana Kirishima. I've only been using it so that I can infiltrate certain organizations. But since they think that I'm now dead, I can switch back to my original name."

"So...was everything a lie then?"

"No, believe me. I wasn't expecting to fall for you when I tried to learn more about Section 9."

"What is your real name?"

"It's Chidori Kaname."

"K...K...Kaname? The Kaname? The one rumored to give information about black technology?"

"Yup! And you're going to be given command of the Prototype M9 AT. The new prototype version with improvements on the M9 Gernsback."

"Don't I need training for that?"

"And your going to get it; from me!"

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

"Nothing's bad when I'm the one that's with you...mmm" came Kaname's answer following a kiss.

Katsuragi residence, morning

All the members of the household were lying in various places around the house. Asuka and Shinji were on the couch, with Asuka on top. Andrew and Kaname were lying next to each other on the floor in front of Andrew's and Shinji's room. And finally, Misato was passed out on the inside of the apartment; next to the entrance.

"Knock, Knock." Misato stirred a little.

"Knock, Knock, Major! Please answer the door." Rei's voice came from the other side of the door.

Grumbling, Misato got up and answered the door.

"Goomorning Rei..." said Misato, still not fully awake.

"Good morning Major, I have a promotion to hand over to...it says here that this person lives here, but the letter did not address the person getting the promotion."

"It's probably me, thanks Rei." Misato began closing the door.

"Major, can I ask you a question?"

"Uh... sure!"

"I have been feeling unwell when a member of the student body has fixated his eyes on me while in class. Is this normal?"

"What do you mean by unwell." Misato asked with a hint of curiosity.

"I seem to develop a fever, but instead of my forehead becoming warmer, my cheeks get warmer."

Phew, I thought it was something very serious. Thought Misato.

"Don't worry Rei; it's what we call a crush. Either you like the boy, and/or the boy likes you back."

"Are you sure?"

"Well, if you don't believe me, you can ask Shinji and Asuka."

"I would prefer that pilot Sohryu not know about his yet. Could I ask assistance from pilot Chong and pilot Chidori?"

"Why ask them?"

"They seem to have developed this crush very quickly."

"What..." Misato began and looked over to find Andrew and Kaname lying next to each other.

"That would be a good idea, but you're going to have to wait until I chew them out first. They're not supposed to sleep together where everyone can see them." Continued Misato sensing that Rei might ask another question.

"Thank you Major..." Rei's stomach growled loudly.

"Hehe, sounds like you're very hungry."

"I have been up all night thinking of the best solutions to my fever; obviously I came up with an almost correct course of action."

"Well, you're welcome to stay for breakfast; we're all going to Nerv after this anyway."

"That would be much appreciated."

"SHINJI! GET UP UNLESS YOU WANT ME TO COOK BREAKFAST!"

Misato's yelling finally got into the minds of the two couples. Resounding in their heads until it registered as a threat.

"I'M UP! Please don't cook." said Shinji.

"Uh, what's wrong with Misato's cooking?" asked Andrew.

"Are you CRAZY?!? Have you eaten her cooking?" Asuka said in disbelief.

"No, but it can't be worse than Batou's dinner special."

"Now, that was horrible; of course not having to eat means that he doesn't care." said Kaname.

"Alright, I'll make breakfast." said Shinji.

After breakfast, on the way to Nerv HQ

"Why are we going to Nerv Misato?" asked Asuka.

"There's going to be modifications to the Eva's and Ritsuko wants to know what kinds of weapons to add on."

"New weapons?"

"Specially designed melee combat weapons. The pilot will get to choose which one he or she prefers."

"Cool!"

Nerv HQ

"Alright, Eva pilots this way; 2nd Lieutenant Chidori and Captain Chong, please follow me." said a Nerv technician.

"Uh, I'm not a Captain." replied Andrew.

"Oh, I assume you haven't received the letter of promotion then."

"Hmm... Captain, that sounds nice."

Andrew and Kaname followed the technician into a large hanger.

"Captain, 2nd Lieutenant; these are your new multipurpose combat units." announced the young tech.

"WOW, is that the Prototype M9 AT?"

"Sure is, and it's all yours." said Kaname.

Andrew climbed into the unit and booted it up.

"Good morning Captain Chong; please enter pilot access code."

Andrew entered it.

"Code accepted, please select mode of use."

Since Andrew was going to have to train with this unit he entered TRAINING. Kaname then entered her M9 Gersback unit and explained how to fully activate the unit. Basically the unit will respond to whatever the pilot does inside the unit. Moving his right arm, Andrew found that his arm slave (which is what the units are called) also moved its arm.

"This is an amazing piece of technology!" exclaimed Andrew.

"Yes, it is; but right now I need you two to report to the upper levels of the Geofront for testing." came Ritsuko's voice over the intercom.

Geofront

"Hey Asuka! How do you like that weapon of yours?"

"What, yours isn't good enough for you?" said Asuka holding up her right arm. She then concentrated for her new weapon. SHPLUNK! A long evil looking blade came out of her arm.

"No, I think mine is just fine. What about you, Rei?" replied Shinji; also holding up his right arm, twin laser barrels came out. Shinji's weapon was designed to have precision cutting with pin point accuracy.

"My weapon is quite efficient." Rei also dislodged her newly added weapon, a grappling hook.

While they were talking, Andrew and Kaname shot out of the elevators and proceeded to walk towards their fellow pilots. Besides being three times smaller than the Eva's, Kaname knew that the AS's were far more maneuverable with their micro thrusters and Lambda Drives.

"You think you're going to stand a chance against angels in those tiny things?" laughed Asuka.

"We shall see, Asuka." replied Andrew.

ENG! ENG! ENG! The angel sirens wailed. An angel was headed towards Tokyo three.

The pilots prepared themselves with their new weapons to face of what will become their most feared angel of all.

Continued...

End of Chapter 4