Hmm. Perhaps I should make this clear. I too am a Mana fan, despite what I have done to her. A pity politeness is dead on the internet. Perhaps that's why the guy even calls himself idiot man.

Let's see. I go to upload something on I fail to do so and receive an error message. I send an error report to the admin and the next thing I know, they report a hardware problem. Must have been bad timing on my part.

Reprise of Humanity

Chapter 8: He Who Has Not Yet Fallen

-Tokyo 4 Military Hospital-

"What is the patient's status?"

"Blood pressure is stable, heart-rate is stable, everything is stable except for his brainwave activity. It's extremely chaotic."

The doctor scribbled a few more notes down and shook his head.

"This isn't like any coma I've seen before. It's almost as if he were conscious, but not responding to any stimulus."

"That would make him a vegetable, not in a coma. Still, the neural activity does seem odd."

"Perhaps we should map his neural activity. That way, we can see if there's any abnormalities."

The doctors agreed on this course of action and proceeded with their work. But they were not the only ones hard at work, as even without their leader, the Directorate toiled to fulfill his vision.

-Ruhr Valley, Germany. NERV Command-

Asuka did her best to ignore the pain, but it was hard. She had buried the hurt feelings once before by excelling at everything she tried to do and it was Shinji that had healed those old wounds. Now that he was in a coma and might never awaken, Asuka went back to burying herself in work.

"Maya, I need the calculations from the MAGI."

"Yes Asuka."

Her assistant handed Asuka the papers and the young woman looked over them. She made a few adjustments before filing away the document. Even now, before the vital moment, she was hard at work. But could she fulfill the role with so much pain inside of her? Asuka shook her head. No, she had to do this. She would do it for him.

"Dr. Soryu, the doctors are ready."

Asuka nodded and walked out of the lab. She followed Stark and came to a hospital room. After they injected her with the sedative, Asuka finally allowed herself to cry. Fear ate away at her but she would not allow it to get in her way. Too much was at stake.

"We've taken all the precautions possible," Stark assured her.

"I know, Jennifer. Let's just get this over with."

It took a bit longer but Asuka fell asleep. Nurses moved the bed into the operating room and the doctors went to work. The zygote they were about the implant was the only one that had survived. Normally more would have been used, but this time they really weren't sure what the results would be. The operation was carried out and soon Asuka Langley Soryu would be a mother.

-Tokyo 4 Military Hospital-

All of the doctors in the neurology department were gathered in the conference room, trying to explain and decipher the data before them.

"This is utterly impossible," one said.

"But it's right in front of us," another said. "That means it is possible."

"We've just never encountered this before," said a third. "We need more before we can even forward a hypothesis."

"That is hardly necessary."

They all became quiet as the department head shifted his attention between several readouts. Dr. Watashi was the most brilliant neurologist in Japan, both in research and operations. His opinion was held in high esteem and these men waited for his words.

"There is no real room to interpret this data," Watashi said. "Captain Ikari's neural network is changing. The areas in his brain are creating new pathways through previously unused areas. At this rate, he'll have access to fifty percent of his brain's mental capacity in two weeks."

"It's unreal," a doctor muttered. "Could the stress of his wife's death really have caused this?"

A few others mumbled but fell silent when Watashi raised his hand.

"The nature of Captain Mana Ikari's death has been classified and thus we do not know how much it could have affected Captain Shinji Ikari. We must find out what exactly the brass is hiding from us if we are to try to explain the cause of this. I will forward a request."

The other doctors all agreed with the course of action but Watashi wasn't finished.

"However, I must point out that this information is also classified. It has been given the A4 level and we are not to speak of it with any outsiders unless they present written authorization from the high command itself."

As they were also part of the military, the men understood this as well.

"What we must do is map the development of Captain Ikari's neural pathways. This information is extremely interesting and perhaps it is evidence of humanity's continued evolution."

After the other doctors had left Watashi went back to his personal office. He took out a cigarette and lit it, inhaling the fumes and trying to relax.

"Those things will kill you."

The doctor spun around on his chair to face the speaker. It was General Terakata, the same man that had been Shinji's superior when he was part of the Japanese Tactical Directorate and a JA pilot.

"General."

Watashi started to stand but Terakata waved for him to remain as he was.

"This is an informal visit, doctor. At least right now it is. Both Shinji and Mana Ikari were my friends. I've known Mana since she was a young girl and she's almost like a daughter to me. As for Shinji, well, he's proven himself a capable young man involved with things even higher than my authorization takes me. Mana's death and Shinji's incapacitation are a blow to our nation and its people."

"Of course," said Watashi. "However, both matters are classified."

"I know," said Terakata. "I was the one that classified them. This matter is far more fragile than you imagine. The United Nations is starting to butt in, inquiring about the incident."

Watashi frowned. "What would they care?"

"Remember, Shinji Ikari saved the world once and fought with the UN in the Middle East. He is also friends with a member of the UN military's brass and members of the royal family in Saudi Arabia."

"Oh? I was not aware of that."

"A distant cousin served with Shinji during his little tour in the Middle East. He seemed to have made quite an impression on him."

"So. Are you going to get to the point of the visit?"

"Of course," said Terakata. "My superiors and I want a clear-cut assessment. Do you think Shinji Ikari will wake up?"

"Yes," Watashi said.

"Are you sure?"

"Whatever is happening to Captain Ikari has an end," said Watashi. "When that end comes, we're assuming he will regain consciousness."

Terakata nodded. "So how long do you think this, transformation, will take?"

"At minimum, two months."

"Very well then."

Just as Terakata was about to walk out the intercom went on.

"Dr. Watashi, please report to room 312."

Watashi frowned. "Perhaps I am wrong."

"What is it?" Terakata asked.

"312 is Captain Ikari's room."

Both men ran down the halls and found a dozen people gathered in front of the room. They let the two through and when inside saw several nurses trying to hold down Shinji.

As for Shinji, he was aware of the many people gathered around him but his mind was wandering. In that eye, the only thing he saw was the emergency room where Mana's body laid. In her was a weapon capable of destroying anything, mortal or immortal. Anyone that held it was utterly invincible and could never be defeated. And yet, it had taken the life of someone he loved.

Finally Shinji stopped struggling and laid there, unable to control his own body anymore. His brain had evolved far faster than he was prepared for and it took time to relearn how to do things he had done so effortlessly before.

"Captain Ikari, can you hear me?" Watashi asked.

Shinji didn't even look at him, as his hearing was slightly distorted. Everything sounded like echoes. With his conscious mind now in control, things became far more difficult. The biggest problem was that with the new neural pathways, sometimes the impulses fired down the wrong route. Now Shinji found that he had to focus just to keep breathing, much less understand the activity going on around him.

Watashi checked displays and frowned.

"Get a respirator in here immediately. The air's not getting through."

More activity surrounded the room as guards appeared and pushed back most of the staff. The respirator arrived seconds later and Shinji was hooked up. Finally, with oxygen getting to his systems, Shinji could focus his mind. He could finally concentrate on the activity around him.

"Captain Ikari, I'm Dr. Watashi. You have been unconscious for three weeks now and your brain has undergone some drastic changes. Try not to strain yourself too much. We're doing the best we can right now so please try to relax."

At this time, Shinji was hardly listening to Watashi. With his conscious mind guiding the changes, it accelerated even more. The others noticed the blank stare in Shinji's eyes and simply waited for a response. After a full ten minutes, his eyes focused and Shinji actually pulled the respirator tube out of his mouth. The doctors backed away as he sat up and tested his body.

"I'm fine," Shinji said.

Watashi cleared his throat. "We're not so sure of that, Captain Ikari. Please remain here until we've run some more tests."

Shinji nodded and looked at Terakata. "General, may my work be transferred here for the duration of my stay?"

Terakata frowned. "What would that work be?"

"Please inform the brass and they'll know what to do."

Watashi looked at Terakata and wondered what exactly Shinji was involved in that even the head of the Tactical Directorate didn't know about. For a moment that no one was aware of, Shinji's eyes turned a dark red. It immediately reverted back to blue as the young man laid back on the bed. The future was still undecided, but anyone that tried could change history.

-NERV Command, Ruhr Valley-

Asuka was in bed, recovering from the operation. Even though it hadn't exactly been complicated, it still felt draining. At the moment the young woman was lying on the bed, too tired to even read. Still, she was conscious and that meant she was bored.

Just great, Asuka thought. I'll be stuck here for three stinking days where I can do absolutely nothing. At least I told Maya to tell me if Shinji's condition changes. That idiot, why did he have to go into a coma all of a sudden? Does he have any idea of how much stress he's putting on me? And the baby?

And there it was, the next phase of Project: Marienkind. With the completion of the genome, it was implanted into a zygote and then into a surrogate mother. Because of the risks involved, Asuka refused to have anyone else take the chances and over the protests of the Security Council made herself the subject.

"Asuka!"

Maya burst into the room, panting hard. Seeing her assistant in such a state gave Asuka a limited burst of energy, which she used to sit up. Unfortunately that meant she didn't have any energy to remain up and fell down almost immediately.

"What is it?" Asuka asked, also panting now.

"Shinji! He's awake!"

"What!"

Another burst of energy drained and Asuka still remained in her same situation.

"Damn it, I need food! Okay, order something to be brought down and tell me what's going on, in that order."

Maya disappeared for a few seconds and returned immediately.

"Food's on its way. As for Shinji, well, he's out of the coma now but the Japanese government won't allow access to him. According to rumors, he's recovering but there are lots of mysteries surrounding his condition. It's been classified A4."

"Just great. He's okay now, at least. Right?"

Maya nodded. "That's the only thing we're sure of. At least enough to get back to work, though he is confined to the hospital for now."

"Not unexpected. Try to see if we can get at least a message to him."

"Yes ma'am."

Even that would take some doing, Asuka knew. She still had a laptop with her and used it to do some minor work. One thing that hadn't changed about Asuka was that she was a control freak. If it was important and she was involved, Asuka absolutely refused to let any part of it out of her control or view, even if people she trusted were working on it. That was just the way she was.

"Maya, has the report been sent to the Security Council yet?"

Her assistant nodded. "I'm expecting a good deal of yelling when they finish reading it."

"Or if they even get that far. Is the data on Adam ready?"

Maya nodded. Even in such a secured location, it was still a risk saying that name out loud. Project: Adam may have been a part of Project: Marienkind, but the Angel that had caused Second Impact was still despised for the destruction and death that followed.

"Then send that too. We want the Security Council to see some progress in other fields too."

"Of course ma'am. The entire project is actually ahead of schedule, which is unexpected."

"Indeed." Asuka looked up from the laptop and a frown came over her face. "You know, Shinji once told me a portion of his plans and its timeline. That's what my work is partially built on, but you have to wonder what exactly he's up to."

"In the past three years, Shinji has published over a dozen scientific papers, all of them controversial," said Maya. "We can only assume whatever it is, those papers are involved. If we're to try to figure it out, we should take a look at them."

"That's not a problem," said Asuka.

In a matter of seconds all of Shinji's research papers were pulled up onto the screen.

"I've kept copies of all of them."

"What are they about?" Maya asked. "I only read a few of them."

"Let's see, additions to the Unified Forces Theory, a few articles in regards to the Super Solenoid Theory, and something in regards to photons."

"Those are all exclusively physics papers," said Maya. "However, the S2 Theory also involves the Angels and EVA."

"Which means bad news for us if he's involved with a project similar to ours," Asuka concluded. "Knowing Shinji, he's probably ahead since the Japanese government has probably been helping him."

"And the German government has been helping you with yours," Maya reminded her. "Still, Shinji has a clearer plan of what he wants and I see what you mean."

The stressful feeling started welling up again but Asuka fought it down and tried to relax. Now she had to worry about another life. She had originally detested the idea of becoming a mother, but now found that there was joy in that, taking care of another living human being. Perhaps that was why she disliked abortion now.

"We have to move faster," Asuka stated simply. "At the very least, we need to know more about what Shinji's project is."

"Yes ma'am."

-Tokyo 4 Military Hospital-

Shinji cursed as his hand started twitching again. This was getting to be utterly ridiculous. Even though his hearing had improved drastically, his motor controls seemed to be degrading. That was a minor annoyance at the moment as he was actually getting better. The doctors had had him do a strength test earlier and freaked at the results. Changes were taking place all over his body and it took time to get used to them. Too bad time was so valuable nowadays.

"Oh, Captain Ikari. Are you having problems again?"

Shinji nodded reluctantly and allowed the nurse to spoon-feed him. He hated being dependent on others now. It was bad enough when he was growing up but now that Shinji knew what it was like looking out for himself he didn't want to give it up. Independence was a very good thing.

The nurse cleaned up after she finished feeding him and walked away. Normally she would have spent some more time with the cute captain, but she knew what had happened to his wife. The poor man probably still needed to recover.

As the nurse turned the corner Watashi walked into the room and sat down by Shinji.

"Well Captain Ikari. You've made quite a bit of progress. I would give you another week or so before you regain enough control to do things yourself."

"How long before I can get out of here?" Shinji asked.

"How long? It might take years for you to completely learn how to control your body again. It was as if your entire brain was rewired, not to mention what has happened to the rest of your nervous system."

Shinji frowned. "I need to get back to work, doctor."

"I'm well aware of that. You can go back to work in two weeks, but you will stay here in the hospital the rest of the time. You still haven't fully recovered yet."

"Fine. What about a laptop?"

"That I can approve for now," said Watashi. "However, if your mind becomes tired from working so much, I'll have to insist you stop to rest."

"Fine, doctor."

Watashi sighed. "You've gone through a lot, Captain Ikari, and it isn't healthy to bury yourself in work just to forget about it."

"I'm not going to forget about it," Shinji snapped. "You think I can? You think I want to?"

Shinji's voice was tense with anger and his mind was amazingly sharp from the release of hormones. It quickly settled down and Shinji laid back down.

"No, I don't think any of that. I'm going to have you talk with a psychiatrist."

"What? Why?"

"Don't worry, I don't think you're crazy. A psychiatrist just might be able to help you deal with everything that you're going through."

"Don't expect much cooperation from me," said Shinji. "I've had my fill of psychiatrists."

-JSSDF Headquarters-

The wheelchair was an old fashioned one without any electric motors. That meant Cadet Mari Suzuhara had to push it, but she didn't mind. It had surprised her that the doctors had called Hikari and Toji to see if they could look after Shinji when he was out of the hospital. Of course, he was still in the hospital and there was like a phalanx of guards around them in various places.

"Are you feeling better now?" Mari asked.

A jerky nod answered her.

"Better than before."

It was slightly stuttered but understandable. Despite his initial insistence that everything was fine, Shinji had developed a few problems as time progressed. From time to time neurons still misfired and things came out a bit weird. Perhaps that was why Shinji didn't want anyone near him unless absolutely necessary. In his condition, that just meant that Mari had to stay by him a lot though. Toji and Hikari both had work so it was hard for them to look out for Shinji as much. Since Shinji was technically still Mari's teacher, it worked out better that way.

"Why do you think the brass wanted to see you even if you're in such a condition?"

"Who knows. It's the brass."

That said it all. The security officers checked them before allowing them into the waiting room. As they waited, Shinji felt his eyes grow sore. The changes from his brain were spreading through the rest of his body and his senses were going right along. The faint X-rays were actually visible to his eyes. He had to learn how to process this new information and for the time being it was like he was blind. Another temporary disadvantage with the changes.

"Captain Ikari, you may come in now."

Mari started to stand but Shinji stopped her.

"Don't worry," he said. "I'll be fine. Besides, you don't have clearance to go in there."

Shinji smiled and turned towards the door under his own power as Mari stuck out her tongue. Of course he didn't see it, nor the wall that he ran into.

"Goddamn!"

Mari burst out laughing and helped straighten Shinji. He went in, still nursing his bruised leg. The gathered officers were waiting patiently as the lieutenant wheeled in Shinji. After he was at his seat, papers were laid down before him. Shinji noticed the movement but he couldn't read the documents through the haze. It would take a while longer.

"And what are these?" Shinji asked.

"The project is only a few months from completion," General Sato said. "Will you be ready to lead the expedition?"

"I'm not sure," Shinji replied. "This incident was unexpected. If I could choose to reverse it, I would gladly do so."

Someone coughed and Shinji turned his head towards the sound. Unfortunately, he couldn't tell who it was.

"Captain, I hope this means that your personal feelings won't become an issue when the operation is carried out."

Shinji shook his head. "They will not. I assure you. Besides, that is the past. I only have one way to go and that is forward. That doesn't mean I look forward to the future, of course."

"Of course," another general said. "None of us look forward to what must be done, but we will still go through with it."

"There is another matter," said Sato. "We are planning on announcing the completion of the S2 engine for electrical generation."

Shinji frowned. "The safety mechanism hasn't been completed yet."

"We are well aware of it. However, development is extremely expensive and that is the last technological hurdle. If we announce that it is almost ready, we might gain the investment needed to fund further development and research."

A few seconds passed as Shinji thought it over before nodding.

"I see no problems with that. However, I have someone in mind to lead the research effort in that field."

"Oh? Who?"

"Mari Suzuhara."

A few of the generals didn't know who she was but the ones that did seemed at a lost.

"Why her? What exactly is her expertise?"

"Indeed. What sets her apart from the other researchers?"

"She's nearly finished with the gravitational research," Shinji stated.

That silenced the gathered officers and they waited.

"Just trust me," Shinji said. "I know what I'm doing and I give her a month before finishing."

"Is that so?" said Sato. "How can we be sure? Despite everything, you just came from the hospital after a nervous breakdown."

Shinji smiled. "If you didn't trust my judgment, would I be here today?"

Sato grunted. "Fair enough. Dismissed, Captain Ikari."

Shinji did his best to salute and the lieutenant took him back outside where Mari was waiting. She took hold of the wheelchair and the two left the building.

"So? How did it go?"

"About what I expected," Shinji replied. "The brass needs me to complete the projects and they know it. Oh, and by the way? Your gravitational experiments have just been funded."

That stopped Mari for a few seconds as she looked down at Shinji.

"What!"

Shinji chuckled. "Your experiments are a lot more important than you think, Mari. That's why I secured a budget for you. This way, you'll actually have access to enough electricity to run a proper experiment, as well as equipment for that matter."

There was nothing Mari could say so she just thought about it. They continued down to the parking lot and Shinji was helped into the van. Another plus in looking after Shinji was that they had a chauffeur to take them around the city.

"So. Can I ask why my experiment is important?"

"You'll find out tonight, I think. The government is going to be making an announcement."

"Okay." Mari leaned back and tried to make some more conversation. "Are you going to come back and teach?"

"Maybe. If I recover enough to do so."

"Recover enough? But the doctors have been saying you're making progress!"

"Hehe. Wait until they get the results from today's test."

An eyebrow raised, Mari moved closer to Shinji.

"Is there something you need to tell me?"

"You'll see."

Mari had lost count of how many times Shinji had said that to her and now it really did annoy her, though in a good way. Still, she had to teach him a lesson and started pouting. Unbeknownst to her, Shinji did not see this and simply laid back and closed his eyes. After having them being bombarded by so much, it was nice to get some rest.

-Suzuhara Residence-

Toji was working on some more paperwork while Hikari and Mari watched the news. Of course, when Toji was working, it meant Shinji was telling him what to write so he didn't have to think.

"I wonder if that gray muscle of yours ever gets a workout."

"And pray tell what muscle is gray?" Toji asked.

"The one in your head that's almost nonexistent!" Mari called through the doorway.

"Why you little!"

"Hey look! There's some kind of announcement by the government!"

Toji pushed his friend in and set him by the couch. Though he still couldn't see very well, he could hear fine.

"Ladies and gentlemen. For the past several years, a special research venture of the JSSDF led by Captain Shinji Ikari has been working on a safe version of the Super Solenoid Engine. As many of you will recall, an S2 organ was the power source of the Angels during the Angel War and NERV developed an S2 engine for its EVA units. The prototype wiped out the Second NERV Branch in the United States because of an instability and while several others were manufactured, all were destroyed by the end of the War.

"However, we now know what caused that instability and we are one step away from solving it. Captain Ikari and another young researcher have already begun work on it and they expect the issue to be resolved within a month. Because of this, the Japanese government is preparing to market the S2 engine has a power generator. It is far more efficient than any other known power generation device, including the prototype antimatter technology being developed by NERV."

This brought a round of questions by the reporters as Mari, Toji, and Hikari all looked over at Shinji. He smiled and nodded.

"Well Mari, what do you think of your new job?"

"What?"

"As my research assistant. You're free to turn it down."

"There's no way in hell I'm turning that down," Mari said. She had a smile too. "I'd love to work with you, though I don't see how my gravitational research has to do with the S2 engine."

"You'll see."

"Shin-man, I didn't know you were that well connected!" Toji said and clapped his friend on the shoulder.

"That really was impressive," said Hikari. "Mind telling us about the research?"

"A good deal of it is classified," said Shinji. "However, I can say this. The S2 engine might just solve the energy crisis in the world, so it is worth the effort, even if it is just the first step towards the final product."

"What?" Hikari asked.

Shinji shook his head. "That is so classified that even I'm not involved with the research at the moment. But time will tell."

"Speaking of which, you think can get me a promotion?" Toji asked. "I've been stuck at lieutenant for a while now."

"Toji! That isn't very polite," Hikari said.

"Hey, I'm just kidding around."

"Something's in the works," Shinji said to their surprise. "Now if you'll excuse me, all this talking has really tired me out. I need to go to bed."

"Oh yeah!" said Mari. "The doctors said that you needed lots of rest so your body could recover faster."

"For once they're right."

"Funny you should say that," said Mari. "Now, let's go."

She pushed him over and past the bedroom.

"Uh, where are we going?" Shinji asked.

"You need to take a bath or something," said Mari. "What? You didn't do that before you went into the hospital?"

"Of course I did, and I'm perfectly capable of taking a bath myself," Shinji said, blushing a bit.

He wasn't the only one as Mari too was reddening.

"Well, it isn't like Toji's going to help you, or Hikari. Sorry Shinji, but I really don't think you're strong enough to do this. Or at least focused enough. It was hard enough for you to eat by yourself."

"Are you honestly going to sit by the bathtub and bathe me?" Shinji asked just as a wave of quivering overtook him.

When he stopped Mari just looked at him, not bothering to answer. Of course, her blush had grown worse, which was answer enough.

After the bath was done Shinji wondered if he would ever get used to what just happened. Losing Mana still hurt and he wasn't about to get involved with anyone else. In fact, he saw Mari more like a little sister of sorts. She already had a big brother but that didn't exclude another one from entering the scene. As he closed his eyes Shinji tried to forget all the pain. For just a second, he didn't want to be so burdened. Maybe if he could find some semblance of happiness again, he might experience such a second. Maybe.

End of Chapter 8

Going to make things move a bit faster now. We're going to see the fruition of Shinji's little project soon. By the way, there's going to be fighting.

Z98