I've decided to just write the location of the scene change. Nothing else
is working.
Reprise of Humanity
Chapter 7: The Fruits of Labor
Months had passed and progress was made in many different places. Asuka watched the genome flow past her eyes and smiled.
"This is incredible," she said. "I thought it would take years to do this, not months."
"After we finished construction of the new MAGI system, the calculations could be done faster," said Maya.
Asuka nodded.
"You developed the new programming for the MAGI," said Stark. "We haven't encountered any problems so far and it is far more stable than the previous version."
"Thank you."
A rabbit hopped past them and twitched its noise and ears. It sensed another small chemical spill and slurped it up.
"I think I like that design," said Asuka. "It's rather cute."
Maya smiled as she handed more papers to Asuka.
"This is the authorization for the project." Her smile turned to a frown. "Are you sure you want to do this? There's a great deal of risk involved."
"I wouldn't want anyone else to risk it. Besides, the artificial methods won't do for this project. We're trying to create a human, not just a clone."
Stark wrote down a few more things and filed away the report. There were a lot of things going on, but she wanted to be here for this moment.
"Constructing this genetic material wasn't easy," said Maya. "It's surprising that making the fertilized egg was so much easier."
"When constructing a true human being, we must account for everything," said Stark. "However, because of the changes we made, we must also account for things we do not know."
"This is a human/Angel hybrid," said Asuka. "We have the data from the Evangelion Project and from Rei. We've done everything possible."
Asuka looked sadly at the strings of genes passing on the screen. Would the child be as sad as Rei? She hoped not, especially under her care. It wasn't alive yet, but the data before her might as well have been a living thing. Soon enough, they would create life.
On the other side of the world, Shinji Ikari was having similar thoughts. With the genetic data from Metatron completed and already assembling its own structure, they just had to fix the problem with Azrael before moving onto Zadkiel. It was certainly exciting what they were doing.
"We've spliced out the genes not needed," Uzuki reported. "However, this might cause development problems if we don't substitute the correct sequences in later."
"We'll have what's needed," Shinji assured him. "The data from Azrael is forming up nicely and we've almost finished mapping the genome. We're watching the development closely and it's going as scheduled."
"I hope you're right," said Uzuki. "Here's the report regarding Zadkiel."
Shinji nodded. He accessed the primary project and looked at the security lock.
Project: Jehovah. It was the greatest secret of the Japanese government being carried out by a Directorate Shinji himself had formed.
Back in Germany, Asuka was looking at a similar security lock, for Project: Marienkind.
"Ye shall be as Gods."
Almost simultaneously, the two computer systems accepted the passwords and opened the database. Both smiled, neither truly aware of what the other was up to.
"Humanity's survival will be assured," Asuka said to her coworkers.
"There will be nothing to stop the advancement of the human race," Shinji said to his.
Both seemed to have the same goal, and yet their projects were completely different. Only time would tell who would succeed.
-Tokyo 4 Military Academy of Science and Technology-
"This is incredible," Mari said.
After being in the theoretical physics class for about nine months, Mari was glad she hadn't been one of the students that had dropped out. In fact, she was at the top of the class and worked with Shinji on some of his more radical experiments.
"Watch the electric field carefully," Shinji warned. "At this temperature, the electrons might end up stopping, especially with so many fields active."
"Yes professor."
Out of view inside a black chamber, a long chain of photons had been stopped by Shinji and Mari. Now the trick was keeping them that way after the forces holding them were removed. That would require something else to trap them.
"The titanium crystals are latching on around the photons," Mari reported. "The electromagnetic field is holding."
Shinji nodded. "All right. Is the chain complete?"
"Yes sir."
"I'm destabilizing the fields. Let's hope this works."
The energy levels started dropping and the humming stopped. Without warning, the entire chain of titanium collapsed as the photons vanished with explosive force. The chamber contained them but a loud thud was heard. Mari checked the sensors again.
"I see no radiation," she reported. "I think it's save."
Shinji nodded. "A pity it failed."
"Well, it almost worked," said Mari. "If only we had more power."
"The Japanese government doesn't think creating solidified light is very important," said Shinji. "At least not important enough to commit the full energy reserves of a fusion generator."
"We might need more," said Mari. "From the calculations I did, it's going to take at least the total output of five fusion reactors."
A chuckle answered her as Shinji opened up the hatch.
"I'd like the see the faces of the brass when I tell them that one. As things stand, I doubt we'll get the energy needed until..."
"Until what?" Mari asked, curious.
"Never mind that."
Mari gave her teacher a curious look. Was he involved in yet another secret military project? He'd hinted it before but it was really getting ridiculous.
"I know it might be classified, but you can't even give me a hint?"
"I actually could tell you," Shinji said as he put on heat-resistant gloves. "The project isn't that classified, considering all the construction activity. It's actually common knowledge on-base, but no one's leaked what it is off-base, so I don't want to be the first."
Mari almost started pouting when Shinji dragged out the twisted pieces of titanium.
"I think these are salvageable. We'll have them reprocessed and stored for later use."
"Could you at least give me a hint?"
With a laugh Shinji dragged out a hose. He shook his head and started spraying the inside of the chamber with a tight stream of high-pressure water.
"Mari, you'll find out soon enough. Besides, the project is nearing completion and the Japanese government will make an announcement soon enough."
Mari took a peek at the insides and frowned. The little experiment had done a good deal of damage and from what she could tell, it would take a while to clean it all out. After most of the debris was cleaned off Shinji called down the maintenance staff. They would have to finish cleaning it out for the next series of experiments.
"Sometimes I can't decide whether you're brilliant or insane," said Mari. "I mean, you're trying to create solidified light, but both you and I know that when containment is released, they'll just revert back to the speed of light."
"There's always a way," said Shinji. "How's your gravitational experiments coming along?"
"I haven't made much progress," Mari admitted. "I don't know what the problem is, but something keeps interfering with the electromagnetic fields. That and I can't generate a field strong enough to accomplish anything. All I can do is run simulations at the moment."
Shinji nodded. It came back to the same problem: power. There wasn't enough electrical power to run the magnetic field generators for his experiment or Mari's. They really would have to wait.
"Well, I have to get home now. You need to get some rest yourself, Mari. It isn't exactly a good idea to kill yourself with work."
"Do you want me to throw your words back at you?"
"But who's the one going home?" he replied with a smile.
And he was glad to be going home. Recently the results from many of the projects were coming in so that had forced him to stay overtime to make the necessary adjustments and also attend dozens of meetings with the brass. None of the projects were even close to finishing but with all the money pouring into them, the brass wanted assurance that they were at least on schedule. Fortunately, only one of the projects had been set back and that had been because of delivery problems for the equipment. Otherwise, the Directorate had pulled off some incredible miracles.
On the subway Shinji took out his newspaper and started reading it. Besides the usual problems; famine, disease, and civil war, the world was pretty much calm. Of course, more UN forces were being deployed in Africa and the Middle East. Though the recent deployment of the JA had shattered the tougher resistances, guerilla fighters still hid about ready to strike.
Still, that wasn't what was on the front page. Apparently under Asuka's guidance NERV was preparing to release a new genetically engineered wheat that would grow three times as fast. This was designed to help relieve the famine that was spreading throughout Africa and might actually work. Shinji smiled, knowing it was all just a publicity stunt. The genetically engineered wheat was probably a product of Asuka's before NERV was formed. She had timed the announcement of its completion well.
After getting off the train Shinji took the elevator up several floors to the condo he shared with Mana. The smell of cooking greeted him.
"Hmm. I thought it was my turn to make dinner tonight."
"Oh, I got hungry so I decided to wipe up something," Mana said from the kitchen.
"Did you already eat?"
"Just a snack."
A glance at the empty dishes provided a definition for Mana's 'snack.'
"Well, I hope there's some dinner left."
"Oh stop it," Mana said and giggled. "I am eating for two now."
As he sat down, Shinji tried to take his mind off work. With so much going on, it was hard, but he did it anyways.
-Directorate Weapons Manufacturing Facility. Location: Classified-
"Here they are."
The briefcase was placed on the table and clicked open. Several sheets of what seemed to be plastic were taken out and handed to the gathered engineers and scientists. Another new development, the sheets were actually the latest in miniature and compact computer technology.
"These are the latest figures from Captain Ikari and his team. Now we have to translate that into physical reality."
"That's not going to be easy. He's going against several laws of physics."
"Didn't Dr. Katsuragi when he developed the Super Solenoid Theory?"
The scientist shrugged. "It took us over twenty years to get that thing working though."
"These figures don't have any errors. We've confirmed it, as did our supercomputers."
The mathematical symbols and equations that rolled across the screens were so complicated few could even begin to comprehend them. Still, it was in those lines of numbers and symbols that so many secrets were contained. Each scientist or engineer here was head of one project or another and when they were completed, everything would be brought together.
As the scientists left with the new notes and calculations, two went down the hall towards their respective workplaces. They stepped onto some kind of electrified field and both started moving forward through the hall.
"That new MAGI is really something. Its AI OS system is like nothing I've ever seen before."
"That's because the OS isn't like the previous ones. All the previous ones were based off the original MAGI in Tokyo 3. This one was built from the ground up."
"That must have cost a fortune."
The engineer nodded. "It was funded by the Directorate. Of course some of the money is made back by leasing the MAGI's calculating capabilities to various organizations."
"What was it based off of this time?"
"The OS? Oh, I heard that Captain Ikari wrote the coding himself. At times I don't know what to expect. The man has so many hidden talents one can't even keep track of them."
"The original MAGI was a group of three supercomputers, based on the mind of Dr. Naoko Akagi. It was her as a woman, a mother, and a scientist. Whose thought pattern was it based off this time?"
"Hmm? Oh, I think Captain Ikari based it off himself. Let's see, I believe it was him as a pilot, as a man, and as a soldier."
"What? A soldier and a pilot?"
"Yes. An EVA pilot isn't a soldier, remember. They were a bit young to be that. There was a different mentality."
"Oh, I see. He is a pilot now too, though he's in the reserves currently."
One of the engineers stepped off the electrified floors and walked the rest of the way to the construction hanger. Because of the immensity of the projects, this site was as large as the former NERV Headquarters under Tokyo 4. Thus the electrified walkways were a good way to get around. The engineer stepped through the doors and leaned against the railings. In the hanger under him, the framework of a ship was being built. This would not be like anything the UN Space Command had built, nor would it be like anything the United States Air Force was planning. This would be the most powerful space cruiser ever built; a testament to the power of humanity.
"Any problems?" the engineer asked his second.
"No sir," the woman replied. "We've encountered no major problems and the construction is actually ahead of schedule. In five months, it will be complete."
The engineer nodded. "Once it is, humanity might have a fighting chance."
A long way down in another hanger, the newest generation of JA units were being built. The JA-Epsilon was designed by the greatest minds in Japan and augmented by several advancements Shinji Ikari had added. Originally only using mechanical parts, Shinji had added artificial muscles to the design, making the Epsilon far stronger than previously thought possible. With the advancements in particle technology, a new positron cannon would be added on later.
"The artificial muscle growth has been stable and no contaminants have gotten in," the doctor reported. "All fifteen units will be ready, unless they can't find a way to compact the particle accelerator."
The scientist nodded. In the hanger were fifteen construction stations where the prototype Epsilon units were being built. Each unit was being put together by a team of mechanics and engineers, with the pilot coming in every few days or so to get familiar with his or her JA and to gain an understanding for how it worked. This also gave the pilots the opportunity to establish ties with his crew and even sometimes add on personal touches. Even now the head had received request for different colored paint. As long as it didn't interfere with the stealth technology on the JAs, he saw no reason to deny them.
The construction method currently used was rather inefficient, though for the prototypes it wasn't a problem. If the Epsilon was ever mass-produced, they would have to scale down on many things, including weapons. Still, the development and construction of the JA-Epsilon wasn't exactly public knowledge so they still had time.
"Make sure that the power cells aren't installed until next week. I want the other systems integrated first."
"Yes sir."
Again digital technology had been supplemented by advanced biotechnology developed by Captain Ikari. This time it imitated the nervous system of the human body, sending electrical pulses through the system at the speed of light. The computer systems onboard were also capable of reading the brainwave of its pilot and translate it into action. An advancement from the JA-Deltas, the Epsilon was the cultivation of many pieces of technology.
With a dozen other projects, all just as important, the research facility here was of utmost important to the Japanese government. However, it was one man that held everything together, and if he failed, so would all the projects that depended on him.
-Tokyo University-
Shinji had just finished another lecture and gathered his papers when Mari approached him.
"Um, Shinji?"
"Yes?"
"I was wondering, umm, the gravity experiments I've been working on? I think you know the answer to them."
Shinji smiled and looked at the young woman standing before her.
"And what makes you say that, Mari?"
"Please don't play dumb, Shinji. You know the answers but you just won't tell me. Why?"
"Oh come now, Mari. You're so close yourself. Why should I give you the answers when you've worked so hard to find them?"
"But if you already know them, what's the point of me finding them? Isn't it a wasted effort?"
Shinji sighed and shook his head.
"Mari, just because I know it, it doesn't mean humanity knows it. If you figure out the little problems in your project, then humanity will have figured it out."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Mari asked.
"Let's just say all my knowledge isn't exactly natural," Shinji said with a playful smile.
He closed his briefcase and walked out of the room, leaving a bewildered Mari. No matter how hard she tried, it was difficult to understand the man she knew as Shinji Ikari.
On the other hand, Shinji Ikari had gained a great deal of understanding for his fellow human beings. Of course, the occasional surprise still struck him. One such surprise was waiting for him when he got home in the form of a note.
Shinji,
Have to go to the hospital. I think the baby's coming. Come as soon as you can.
Love Mana
It took a few minutes for Shinji to absorb the meaning of the note as he was too taken aback at first. However, the smile that grew on his face was undeniable.
"I'm going to be a father."
Shinji whistled a bit and used a magnet to attach the note to the refrigerator. He'd want to keep this as a reminder of sorts later on. Now the only question was which hospital Mana had gone to. Fortunately, this was an easy problem to solve and Shinji immediately called the SSDF Military Hospital.
"Hello? I'm wondering if Mrs. Mana Ikari checked in."
"May I ask who is calling?"
"This is her husband."
"Ah, Captain Ikari. One moment please." The wait wasn't long. "Your wife is here and in labor, sir."
Shinji smiled. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, Captain, and congratulations."
As he hung up the phone Shinji grabbed his jacket and keys and rushed down the stairs. He jumped into his Toyota Phoenix and raced through the streets, appearing at the hospital minutes later. Finding the room wasn't hard but Shinji had to wait outside. Knowing how most pregnancies were, this one would take possibly ten hours. Unfortunately, for a man like him, circumstances never allowed him to remain inactive for that long.
"Captain Ikari?"
Shinji turned around and found two officers standing before him.
"Something urgent has come up."
"Something urgent always comes up," Shinji replied, though he went along with them. However, he did leave a note for Mana just in case he wasn't back in time.
"So which department sent you?"
"It's about the construction of the city."
Shinji nodded. After all, Tokyo 4 was still only 56% complete even today. Most of the city proper had been completed and now the outskirts and such were under construction. But that did not include the defenses that were planned for the military base and the city. This included a large-scale version of the electromagnetic shield on the JA-Delta. After all, Tokyo 4 was still a fortress city.
-SSDF Advanced Research Facility, Tokyo 4-
"You know, whenever you people call me, it's never good news."
"The instability in the S2 engine was a known factor," said the scientist. "However, it was never corrected. They were rushed into production for the EVA Series and the originals were all destroyed."
"We still have the S2 organs from the Angels," Shinji pointed out. "Why can't we take them apart?"
"They're biological in nature. Ours are purely mechanical so even if we knew what they did, knowing how they did it would be difficult to understand and duplicate."
"At least it's a starting place," another scientist said.
Shinji nodded. "Gentlemen, the Japanese government wants to make the announcement soon that we've perfected the S2 engine. As things are, we have a working prototype, though it can't convert large quantities of matter. Therefore, we need a model similar to the ones used for the EVAs, though designed to produce electrical current instead of biological or chemical energy."
"But we know how to do that," said the first scientist. "Again, it is the very instability that is the S2 engine's nature that is the problem. Restricting the S2 engine's intake of matter will only do so much."
Shinji shrugged. "Perhaps that isn't the problem. How does the S2 engine take in matter?"
"It draws in matter through a gravitational field," said another engineer. "The effect is like a black hole."
"Then we must find a way to negate gravity," Shinji stated.
The collective gasp made Shinji smile. Though these people were brilliant, they were brilliant in their specified field. And because of their brilliance, they were bound to a certain way of thinking that was rather conservative.
"A student of mine has been working it out and she's very close. I'll have some funds released to her so she can finish the experiment."
"A student?" a scientist said incredulously. "Do you actually believe a student can solve a problem that is stumped physicists for five decades?"
"I believe so," Shinji replied. "I've checked her work and it has merit. And a suggestion gentlemen, don't interfere with it. It shows how immature even scientists can be. Just because one of you isn't working on it doesn't mean it won't succeed."
It was a sharp rebuke and the scientists took it in stride. If anyone had the right to say that to them, it was Shinji. He had provided most of the information that was the foundation of their current projects, and all could admit that without him they wouldn't have gotten this far so quickly. Still, that didn't weed out all disloyalty.
-NERV Headquarters, Germany-
Asuka stretched her arm a bit, getting it looser as she hadn't really used it for months. She pet Bunnie and stood to leave the lab. It was getting late and even Maya had gone home for the night. At the last minute, the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Dr. Soryu, I have Director Finley on the line for you."
"Put him through."
"Dr. Soryu, it's a pleasure to speak with you again."
"Good day Director Finley. What is so urgent that you called me?"
"We may have a lead on the antimatter technology," Finley said. "However, it's much worse than we initially thought. The reactor technology isn't antimatter. Apparently it is based off of the Super Solenoid Theory."
A full ten seconds passed in silence.
"What!" Asuka screamed.
"That's what I said. Now could you please tell me what exactly this Super Solenoid Theory is?"
Asuka's mind was racing at the moment as she considered the consequences.
"The S2 Theory involves the transformation of matter into energy," Asuka replied. "During the Angel Wars, the 2nd NERV Branch in the United States was destroyed because of the S2 engine under development there. Something went wrong but even today we still don't know what exactly."
"Jesus Christ."
"Indeed," said Asuka. "I hope you understand how dangerous this technology is."
"But why pursue it?" Finley asked. "There must be some benefit."
"Keep in mind what I said. The S2 Theory is about the transformation of matter into energy. If it were perfected, it would guarantee energy as long as there was matter. Any matter would do."
This time it was Finley that was considering the consequences.
"This would shift the balance of power greatly. Would it be possible to use it as a weapon?"
"You know what happened to the Second Branch," said Asuka. "I would say yes, though that probably isn't Shinji's objective."
"Perhaps. However, I must consider the security of my country first."
"I am aware of that, Director Finley. Rest assured that we will help you to uncover more regarding this Directorate."
But that was true only to the extent that it benefited NERV.
"I appreciate your cooperation, Dr. Soryu."
As he hung up Asuka tried to again piece together Shinji's plan. It obviously had something to do with the coming harbinger, but she knew nothing for sure. There had to be more ways to find out.
-Tokyo 4 Military Hospital-
Shinji charged down the hallway in a panic towards the emergency room. Several doctors and nurses were behind him and two orderlies tackled the captain.
"Let me go, damn it! Mana!"
The doctor from the operating room came forward and tried to help the orderlies.
"Captain Ikari, please remain calm. You don't want to go in there!"
With sheer strength Shinji broke through the three men and pushed his way into the emergency room. On the bed Mana stared lifelessly at the ceiling, her emerald-like eyes now dull and pale. Blood soaked the bed and ran down to the floor, collecting in puddles.
The doctor and orderlies walked in but didn't disturb Shinji. He stepped forward and placed a hand on Mana's face. Tears ran down his face and blinded his eyes. Still, they were clear enough to see the object that had pierced her neck through her body and out her side. Shinji fell to his knees and cried as he held Mana's limp hand. For several minutes no one could bring themselves to approach the grieving man, but finally the doctor gathered the courage to step forward.
"Captain Ikari, let us do our job."
Shinji stood slowly and allowed one of the nurses to lead him out. Just as he crossed the threshold into the hallway, he collapsed completely.
"Doctor!"
The man ran over and checked Shinji's eyes. Though they responded to the light, there was no life in them.
"Get him to a room immediately," the man ordered. "We need to check his pulse and neural activity."
As they moved along two more doctors stepped into the emergency room and looked at the body before them.
"Dear god."
"If there was one, this would never have happened."
-SSDF News Conference-
The military spokesman was clearly agitated and that told a great deal to the reporters and others gathered. Rumors were already floating around and they merely waited for confirmation.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the man began and coughed. "Excuse me. Ladies and gentlemen. At 2200 hours yesterday night, Captain Shinji Ikari experienced a nervous breakdown and went into a coma. His wife had died in labor only ten minutes before, resulting in a miscarriage. We believe the mental stress placed upon the captain was the cause."
"Can a nervous breakdown really cause a coma such as this?" a reporter asked.
"Normally, no. However, our doctors are having difficulty identifying exactly what happened with Captain Ikari. Currently they are investigating it."
"What caused Captain Mana Ikari's death?"
"That is also under investigation. At the moment we are not sure what happened within her body, but our doctors are working on it."
"Is there any danger to others?"
The colonel shook his head. "We believe that this was a freak accident and at the moment there is no reason to believe it is widespread."
"Where is Captain Ikari now?"
"He has been hospitalized and is currently on life support."
"Will he live?" a reporter finally asked.
"We do not know. Our doctors currently have him at critical condition."
That last answer sent the entire world into a firestorm. Shinji Ikari was a hero to much of the world because of his actions during Third Impact. Now they were finding out that their hero was near death and the uproar was great. And yet, it was only personal for a few people.
Asuka stared, frozen in her bed as she watched the news. The scream of anguish could be heard all through the residential complex and she locked herself away for days before coming out again. In Japan, Mari Suzuhara could barely move as she listened to the news regarding her mentor. Her tears came slowly but they came nonetheless. She tried to focus and think about the future, but now there was something missing. Toji and Hikari both comforted each other at the loss of one friend and the potential loss of another. It was difficult, especially since Shinji had asked them to be his son's god-parents. The loss of lives close to someone was difficult at best to deal with. At worst, it could destroy a person, as it was doing with Shinji Ikari.
Kensuke looked at the news summary on his desk and frowned. He had been working with Shinji for so long and knew his old friend well. To have something like this thrust upon him could easily drive a man mad. He just hoped that it wouldn't affect Shinji like it did his father. That had created a monster and right now the world needed a hero.
"Hang in there Shinji. If you survive this, you just might save us all."
On another computer screen was the translations were a fragment of the Dead Sea Scrolls. A warrior Messiah had been prophesized and someone had to fill that role. Still, even a Messiah could be a destroyer.
End of Chapter 7
That ending seemed a bit abrupt but it does fit. Trust me. And what exactly killed Mana? Well, you're just going to have to wait and see. Something tells me people are going to be pissed. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to catch some Zs.
Z98
Reprise of Humanity
Chapter 7: The Fruits of Labor
Months had passed and progress was made in many different places. Asuka watched the genome flow past her eyes and smiled.
"This is incredible," she said. "I thought it would take years to do this, not months."
"After we finished construction of the new MAGI system, the calculations could be done faster," said Maya.
Asuka nodded.
"You developed the new programming for the MAGI," said Stark. "We haven't encountered any problems so far and it is far more stable than the previous version."
"Thank you."
A rabbit hopped past them and twitched its noise and ears. It sensed another small chemical spill and slurped it up.
"I think I like that design," said Asuka. "It's rather cute."
Maya smiled as she handed more papers to Asuka.
"This is the authorization for the project." Her smile turned to a frown. "Are you sure you want to do this? There's a great deal of risk involved."
"I wouldn't want anyone else to risk it. Besides, the artificial methods won't do for this project. We're trying to create a human, not just a clone."
Stark wrote down a few more things and filed away the report. There were a lot of things going on, but she wanted to be here for this moment.
"Constructing this genetic material wasn't easy," said Maya. "It's surprising that making the fertilized egg was so much easier."
"When constructing a true human being, we must account for everything," said Stark. "However, because of the changes we made, we must also account for things we do not know."
"This is a human/Angel hybrid," said Asuka. "We have the data from the Evangelion Project and from Rei. We've done everything possible."
Asuka looked sadly at the strings of genes passing on the screen. Would the child be as sad as Rei? She hoped not, especially under her care. It wasn't alive yet, but the data before her might as well have been a living thing. Soon enough, they would create life.
On the other side of the world, Shinji Ikari was having similar thoughts. With the genetic data from Metatron completed and already assembling its own structure, they just had to fix the problem with Azrael before moving onto Zadkiel. It was certainly exciting what they were doing.
"We've spliced out the genes not needed," Uzuki reported. "However, this might cause development problems if we don't substitute the correct sequences in later."
"We'll have what's needed," Shinji assured him. "The data from Azrael is forming up nicely and we've almost finished mapping the genome. We're watching the development closely and it's going as scheduled."
"I hope you're right," said Uzuki. "Here's the report regarding Zadkiel."
Shinji nodded. He accessed the primary project and looked at the security lock.
Project: Jehovah. It was the greatest secret of the Japanese government being carried out by a Directorate Shinji himself had formed.
Back in Germany, Asuka was looking at a similar security lock, for Project: Marienkind.
"Ye shall be as Gods."
Almost simultaneously, the two computer systems accepted the passwords and opened the database. Both smiled, neither truly aware of what the other was up to.
"Humanity's survival will be assured," Asuka said to her coworkers.
"There will be nothing to stop the advancement of the human race," Shinji said to his.
Both seemed to have the same goal, and yet their projects were completely different. Only time would tell who would succeed.
-Tokyo 4 Military Academy of Science and Technology-
"This is incredible," Mari said.
After being in the theoretical physics class for about nine months, Mari was glad she hadn't been one of the students that had dropped out. In fact, she was at the top of the class and worked with Shinji on some of his more radical experiments.
"Watch the electric field carefully," Shinji warned. "At this temperature, the electrons might end up stopping, especially with so many fields active."
"Yes professor."
Out of view inside a black chamber, a long chain of photons had been stopped by Shinji and Mari. Now the trick was keeping them that way after the forces holding them were removed. That would require something else to trap them.
"The titanium crystals are latching on around the photons," Mari reported. "The electromagnetic field is holding."
Shinji nodded. "All right. Is the chain complete?"
"Yes sir."
"I'm destabilizing the fields. Let's hope this works."
The energy levels started dropping and the humming stopped. Without warning, the entire chain of titanium collapsed as the photons vanished with explosive force. The chamber contained them but a loud thud was heard. Mari checked the sensors again.
"I see no radiation," she reported. "I think it's save."
Shinji nodded. "A pity it failed."
"Well, it almost worked," said Mari. "If only we had more power."
"The Japanese government doesn't think creating solidified light is very important," said Shinji. "At least not important enough to commit the full energy reserves of a fusion generator."
"We might need more," said Mari. "From the calculations I did, it's going to take at least the total output of five fusion reactors."
A chuckle answered her as Shinji opened up the hatch.
"I'd like the see the faces of the brass when I tell them that one. As things stand, I doubt we'll get the energy needed until..."
"Until what?" Mari asked, curious.
"Never mind that."
Mari gave her teacher a curious look. Was he involved in yet another secret military project? He'd hinted it before but it was really getting ridiculous.
"I know it might be classified, but you can't even give me a hint?"
"I actually could tell you," Shinji said as he put on heat-resistant gloves. "The project isn't that classified, considering all the construction activity. It's actually common knowledge on-base, but no one's leaked what it is off-base, so I don't want to be the first."
Mari almost started pouting when Shinji dragged out the twisted pieces of titanium.
"I think these are salvageable. We'll have them reprocessed and stored for later use."
"Could you at least give me a hint?"
With a laugh Shinji dragged out a hose. He shook his head and started spraying the inside of the chamber with a tight stream of high-pressure water.
"Mari, you'll find out soon enough. Besides, the project is nearing completion and the Japanese government will make an announcement soon enough."
Mari took a peek at the insides and frowned. The little experiment had done a good deal of damage and from what she could tell, it would take a while to clean it all out. After most of the debris was cleaned off Shinji called down the maintenance staff. They would have to finish cleaning it out for the next series of experiments.
"Sometimes I can't decide whether you're brilliant or insane," said Mari. "I mean, you're trying to create solidified light, but both you and I know that when containment is released, they'll just revert back to the speed of light."
"There's always a way," said Shinji. "How's your gravitational experiments coming along?"
"I haven't made much progress," Mari admitted. "I don't know what the problem is, but something keeps interfering with the electromagnetic fields. That and I can't generate a field strong enough to accomplish anything. All I can do is run simulations at the moment."
Shinji nodded. It came back to the same problem: power. There wasn't enough electrical power to run the magnetic field generators for his experiment or Mari's. They really would have to wait.
"Well, I have to get home now. You need to get some rest yourself, Mari. It isn't exactly a good idea to kill yourself with work."
"Do you want me to throw your words back at you?"
"But who's the one going home?" he replied with a smile.
And he was glad to be going home. Recently the results from many of the projects were coming in so that had forced him to stay overtime to make the necessary adjustments and also attend dozens of meetings with the brass. None of the projects were even close to finishing but with all the money pouring into them, the brass wanted assurance that they were at least on schedule. Fortunately, only one of the projects had been set back and that had been because of delivery problems for the equipment. Otherwise, the Directorate had pulled off some incredible miracles.
On the subway Shinji took out his newspaper and started reading it. Besides the usual problems; famine, disease, and civil war, the world was pretty much calm. Of course, more UN forces were being deployed in Africa and the Middle East. Though the recent deployment of the JA had shattered the tougher resistances, guerilla fighters still hid about ready to strike.
Still, that wasn't what was on the front page. Apparently under Asuka's guidance NERV was preparing to release a new genetically engineered wheat that would grow three times as fast. This was designed to help relieve the famine that was spreading throughout Africa and might actually work. Shinji smiled, knowing it was all just a publicity stunt. The genetically engineered wheat was probably a product of Asuka's before NERV was formed. She had timed the announcement of its completion well.
After getting off the train Shinji took the elevator up several floors to the condo he shared with Mana. The smell of cooking greeted him.
"Hmm. I thought it was my turn to make dinner tonight."
"Oh, I got hungry so I decided to wipe up something," Mana said from the kitchen.
"Did you already eat?"
"Just a snack."
A glance at the empty dishes provided a definition for Mana's 'snack.'
"Well, I hope there's some dinner left."
"Oh stop it," Mana said and giggled. "I am eating for two now."
As he sat down, Shinji tried to take his mind off work. With so much going on, it was hard, but he did it anyways.
-Directorate Weapons Manufacturing Facility. Location: Classified-
"Here they are."
The briefcase was placed on the table and clicked open. Several sheets of what seemed to be plastic were taken out and handed to the gathered engineers and scientists. Another new development, the sheets were actually the latest in miniature and compact computer technology.
"These are the latest figures from Captain Ikari and his team. Now we have to translate that into physical reality."
"That's not going to be easy. He's going against several laws of physics."
"Didn't Dr. Katsuragi when he developed the Super Solenoid Theory?"
The scientist shrugged. "It took us over twenty years to get that thing working though."
"These figures don't have any errors. We've confirmed it, as did our supercomputers."
The mathematical symbols and equations that rolled across the screens were so complicated few could even begin to comprehend them. Still, it was in those lines of numbers and symbols that so many secrets were contained. Each scientist or engineer here was head of one project or another and when they were completed, everything would be brought together.
As the scientists left with the new notes and calculations, two went down the hall towards their respective workplaces. They stepped onto some kind of electrified field and both started moving forward through the hall.
"That new MAGI is really something. Its AI OS system is like nothing I've ever seen before."
"That's because the OS isn't like the previous ones. All the previous ones were based off the original MAGI in Tokyo 3. This one was built from the ground up."
"That must have cost a fortune."
The engineer nodded. "It was funded by the Directorate. Of course some of the money is made back by leasing the MAGI's calculating capabilities to various organizations."
"What was it based off of this time?"
"The OS? Oh, I heard that Captain Ikari wrote the coding himself. At times I don't know what to expect. The man has so many hidden talents one can't even keep track of them."
"The original MAGI was a group of three supercomputers, based on the mind of Dr. Naoko Akagi. It was her as a woman, a mother, and a scientist. Whose thought pattern was it based off this time?"
"Hmm? Oh, I think Captain Ikari based it off himself. Let's see, I believe it was him as a pilot, as a man, and as a soldier."
"What? A soldier and a pilot?"
"Yes. An EVA pilot isn't a soldier, remember. They were a bit young to be that. There was a different mentality."
"Oh, I see. He is a pilot now too, though he's in the reserves currently."
One of the engineers stepped off the electrified floors and walked the rest of the way to the construction hanger. Because of the immensity of the projects, this site was as large as the former NERV Headquarters under Tokyo 4. Thus the electrified walkways were a good way to get around. The engineer stepped through the doors and leaned against the railings. In the hanger under him, the framework of a ship was being built. This would not be like anything the UN Space Command had built, nor would it be like anything the United States Air Force was planning. This would be the most powerful space cruiser ever built; a testament to the power of humanity.
"Any problems?" the engineer asked his second.
"No sir," the woman replied. "We've encountered no major problems and the construction is actually ahead of schedule. In five months, it will be complete."
The engineer nodded. "Once it is, humanity might have a fighting chance."
A long way down in another hanger, the newest generation of JA units were being built. The JA-Epsilon was designed by the greatest minds in Japan and augmented by several advancements Shinji Ikari had added. Originally only using mechanical parts, Shinji had added artificial muscles to the design, making the Epsilon far stronger than previously thought possible. With the advancements in particle technology, a new positron cannon would be added on later.
"The artificial muscle growth has been stable and no contaminants have gotten in," the doctor reported. "All fifteen units will be ready, unless they can't find a way to compact the particle accelerator."
The scientist nodded. In the hanger were fifteen construction stations where the prototype Epsilon units were being built. Each unit was being put together by a team of mechanics and engineers, with the pilot coming in every few days or so to get familiar with his or her JA and to gain an understanding for how it worked. This also gave the pilots the opportunity to establish ties with his crew and even sometimes add on personal touches. Even now the head had received request for different colored paint. As long as it didn't interfere with the stealth technology on the JAs, he saw no reason to deny them.
The construction method currently used was rather inefficient, though for the prototypes it wasn't a problem. If the Epsilon was ever mass-produced, they would have to scale down on many things, including weapons. Still, the development and construction of the JA-Epsilon wasn't exactly public knowledge so they still had time.
"Make sure that the power cells aren't installed until next week. I want the other systems integrated first."
"Yes sir."
Again digital technology had been supplemented by advanced biotechnology developed by Captain Ikari. This time it imitated the nervous system of the human body, sending electrical pulses through the system at the speed of light. The computer systems onboard were also capable of reading the brainwave of its pilot and translate it into action. An advancement from the JA-Deltas, the Epsilon was the cultivation of many pieces of technology.
With a dozen other projects, all just as important, the research facility here was of utmost important to the Japanese government. However, it was one man that held everything together, and if he failed, so would all the projects that depended on him.
-Tokyo University-
Shinji had just finished another lecture and gathered his papers when Mari approached him.
"Um, Shinji?"
"Yes?"
"I was wondering, umm, the gravity experiments I've been working on? I think you know the answer to them."
Shinji smiled and looked at the young woman standing before her.
"And what makes you say that, Mari?"
"Please don't play dumb, Shinji. You know the answers but you just won't tell me. Why?"
"Oh come now, Mari. You're so close yourself. Why should I give you the answers when you've worked so hard to find them?"
"But if you already know them, what's the point of me finding them? Isn't it a wasted effort?"
Shinji sighed and shook his head.
"Mari, just because I know it, it doesn't mean humanity knows it. If you figure out the little problems in your project, then humanity will have figured it out."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Mari asked.
"Let's just say all my knowledge isn't exactly natural," Shinji said with a playful smile.
He closed his briefcase and walked out of the room, leaving a bewildered Mari. No matter how hard she tried, it was difficult to understand the man she knew as Shinji Ikari.
On the other hand, Shinji Ikari had gained a great deal of understanding for his fellow human beings. Of course, the occasional surprise still struck him. One such surprise was waiting for him when he got home in the form of a note.
Shinji,
Have to go to the hospital. I think the baby's coming. Come as soon as you can.
Love Mana
It took a few minutes for Shinji to absorb the meaning of the note as he was too taken aback at first. However, the smile that grew on his face was undeniable.
"I'm going to be a father."
Shinji whistled a bit and used a magnet to attach the note to the refrigerator. He'd want to keep this as a reminder of sorts later on. Now the only question was which hospital Mana had gone to. Fortunately, this was an easy problem to solve and Shinji immediately called the SSDF Military Hospital.
"Hello? I'm wondering if Mrs. Mana Ikari checked in."
"May I ask who is calling?"
"This is her husband."
"Ah, Captain Ikari. One moment please." The wait wasn't long. "Your wife is here and in labor, sir."
Shinji smiled. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, Captain, and congratulations."
As he hung up the phone Shinji grabbed his jacket and keys and rushed down the stairs. He jumped into his Toyota Phoenix and raced through the streets, appearing at the hospital minutes later. Finding the room wasn't hard but Shinji had to wait outside. Knowing how most pregnancies were, this one would take possibly ten hours. Unfortunately, for a man like him, circumstances never allowed him to remain inactive for that long.
"Captain Ikari?"
Shinji turned around and found two officers standing before him.
"Something urgent has come up."
"Something urgent always comes up," Shinji replied, though he went along with them. However, he did leave a note for Mana just in case he wasn't back in time.
"So which department sent you?"
"It's about the construction of the city."
Shinji nodded. After all, Tokyo 4 was still only 56% complete even today. Most of the city proper had been completed and now the outskirts and such were under construction. But that did not include the defenses that were planned for the military base and the city. This included a large-scale version of the electromagnetic shield on the JA-Delta. After all, Tokyo 4 was still a fortress city.
-SSDF Advanced Research Facility, Tokyo 4-
"You know, whenever you people call me, it's never good news."
"The instability in the S2 engine was a known factor," said the scientist. "However, it was never corrected. They were rushed into production for the EVA Series and the originals were all destroyed."
"We still have the S2 organs from the Angels," Shinji pointed out. "Why can't we take them apart?"
"They're biological in nature. Ours are purely mechanical so even if we knew what they did, knowing how they did it would be difficult to understand and duplicate."
"At least it's a starting place," another scientist said.
Shinji nodded. "Gentlemen, the Japanese government wants to make the announcement soon that we've perfected the S2 engine. As things are, we have a working prototype, though it can't convert large quantities of matter. Therefore, we need a model similar to the ones used for the EVAs, though designed to produce electrical current instead of biological or chemical energy."
"But we know how to do that," said the first scientist. "Again, it is the very instability that is the S2 engine's nature that is the problem. Restricting the S2 engine's intake of matter will only do so much."
Shinji shrugged. "Perhaps that isn't the problem. How does the S2 engine take in matter?"
"It draws in matter through a gravitational field," said another engineer. "The effect is like a black hole."
"Then we must find a way to negate gravity," Shinji stated.
The collective gasp made Shinji smile. Though these people were brilliant, they were brilliant in their specified field. And because of their brilliance, they were bound to a certain way of thinking that was rather conservative.
"A student of mine has been working it out and she's very close. I'll have some funds released to her so she can finish the experiment."
"A student?" a scientist said incredulously. "Do you actually believe a student can solve a problem that is stumped physicists for five decades?"
"I believe so," Shinji replied. "I've checked her work and it has merit. And a suggestion gentlemen, don't interfere with it. It shows how immature even scientists can be. Just because one of you isn't working on it doesn't mean it won't succeed."
It was a sharp rebuke and the scientists took it in stride. If anyone had the right to say that to them, it was Shinji. He had provided most of the information that was the foundation of their current projects, and all could admit that without him they wouldn't have gotten this far so quickly. Still, that didn't weed out all disloyalty.
-NERV Headquarters, Germany-
Asuka stretched her arm a bit, getting it looser as she hadn't really used it for months. She pet Bunnie and stood to leave the lab. It was getting late and even Maya had gone home for the night. At the last minute, the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Dr. Soryu, I have Director Finley on the line for you."
"Put him through."
"Dr. Soryu, it's a pleasure to speak with you again."
"Good day Director Finley. What is so urgent that you called me?"
"We may have a lead on the antimatter technology," Finley said. "However, it's much worse than we initially thought. The reactor technology isn't antimatter. Apparently it is based off of the Super Solenoid Theory."
A full ten seconds passed in silence.
"What!" Asuka screamed.
"That's what I said. Now could you please tell me what exactly this Super Solenoid Theory is?"
Asuka's mind was racing at the moment as she considered the consequences.
"The S2 Theory involves the transformation of matter into energy," Asuka replied. "During the Angel Wars, the 2nd NERV Branch in the United States was destroyed because of the S2 engine under development there. Something went wrong but even today we still don't know what exactly."
"Jesus Christ."
"Indeed," said Asuka. "I hope you understand how dangerous this technology is."
"But why pursue it?" Finley asked. "There must be some benefit."
"Keep in mind what I said. The S2 Theory is about the transformation of matter into energy. If it were perfected, it would guarantee energy as long as there was matter. Any matter would do."
This time it was Finley that was considering the consequences.
"This would shift the balance of power greatly. Would it be possible to use it as a weapon?"
"You know what happened to the Second Branch," said Asuka. "I would say yes, though that probably isn't Shinji's objective."
"Perhaps. However, I must consider the security of my country first."
"I am aware of that, Director Finley. Rest assured that we will help you to uncover more regarding this Directorate."
But that was true only to the extent that it benefited NERV.
"I appreciate your cooperation, Dr. Soryu."
As he hung up Asuka tried to again piece together Shinji's plan. It obviously had something to do with the coming harbinger, but she knew nothing for sure. There had to be more ways to find out.
-Tokyo 4 Military Hospital-
Shinji charged down the hallway in a panic towards the emergency room. Several doctors and nurses were behind him and two orderlies tackled the captain.
"Let me go, damn it! Mana!"
The doctor from the operating room came forward and tried to help the orderlies.
"Captain Ikari, please remain calm. You don't want to go in there!"
With sheer strength Shinji broke through the three men and pushed his way into the emergency room. On the bed Mana stared lifelessly at the ceiling, her emerald-like eyes now dull and pale. Blood soaked the bed and ran down to the floor, collecting in puddles.
The doctor and orderlies walked in but didn't disturb Shinji. He stepped forward and placed a hand on Mana's face. Tears ran down his face and blinded his eyes. Still, they were clear enough to see the object that had pierced her neck through her body and out her side. Shinji fell to his knees and cried as he held Mana's limp hand. For several minutes no one could bring themselves to approach the grieving man, but finally the doctor gathered the courage to step forward.
"Captain Ikari, let us do our job."
Shinji stood slowly and allowed one of the nurses to lead him out. Just as he crossed the threshold into the hallway, he collapsed completely.
"Doctor!"
The man ran over and checked Shinji's eyes. Though they responded to the light, there was no life in them.
"Get him to a room immediately," the man ordered. "We need to check his pulse and neural activity."
As they moved along two more doctors stepped into the emergency room and looked at the body before them.
"Dear god."
"If there was one, this would never have happened."
-SSDF News Conference-
The military spokesman was clearly agitated and that told a great deal to the reporters and others gathered. Rumors were already floating around and they merely waited for confirmation.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the man began and coughed. "Excuse me. Ladies and gentlemen. At 2200 hours yesterday night, Captain Shinji Ikari experienced a nervous breakdown and went into a coma. His wife had died in labor only ten minutes before, resulting in a miscarriage. We believe the mental stress placed upon the captain was the cause."
"Can a nervous breakdown really cause a coma such as this?" a reporter asked.
"Normally, no. However, our doctors are having difficulty identifying exactly what happened with Captain Ikari. Currently they are investigating it."
"What caused Captain Mana Ikari's death?"
"That is also under investigation. At the moment we are not sure what happened within her body, but our doctors are working on it."
"Is there any danger to others?"
The colonel shook his head. "We believe that this was a freak accident and at the moment there is no reason to believe it is widespread."
"Where is Captain Ikari now?"
"He has been hospitalized and is currently on life support."
"Will he live?" a reporter finally asked.
"We do not know. Our doctors currently have him at critical condition."
That last answer sent the entire world into a firestorm. Shinji Ikari was a hero to much of the world because of his actions during Third Impact. Now they were finding out that their hero was near death and the uproar was great. And yet, it was only personal for a few people.
Asuka stared, frozen in her bed as she watched the news. The scream of anguish could be heard all through the residential complex and she locked herself away for days before coming out again. In Japan, Mari Suzuhara could barely move as she listened to the news regarding her mentor. Her tears came slowly but they came nonetheless. She tried to focus and think about the future, but now there was something missing. Toji and Hikari both comforted each other at the loss of one friend and the potential loss of another. It was difficult, especially since Shinji had asked them to be his son's god-parents. The loss of lives close to someone was difficult at best to deal with. At worst, it could destroy a person, as it was doing with Shinji Ikari.
Kensuke looked at the news summary on his desk and frowned. He had been working with Shinji for so long and knew his old friend well. To have something like this thrust upon him could easily drive a man mad. He just hoped that it wouldn't affect Shinji like it did his father. That had created a monster and right now the world needed a hero.
"Hang in there Shinji. If you survive this, you just might save us all."
On another computer screen was the translations were a fragment of the Dead Sea Scrolls. A warrior Messiah had been prophesized and someone had to fill that role. Still, even a Messiah could be a destroyer.
End of Chapter 7
That ending seemed a bit abrupt but it does fit. Trust me. And what exactly killed Mana? Well, you're just going to have to wait and see. Something tells me people are going to be pissed. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to catch some Zs.
Z98
