A/N: It looks like the Muse has struck again. Based upon the amount of work I've done to the story this past week it looks like I'll be able to complete this story sometime in the next month or so.

Disclaimer: I do not own Evangelion or Scrapped Princess. Those shows are owned by Gainax and BONES respectively. I do not profit from writing this story.


Maya rubbed her eyes for what seemed like the hundredth time. Ritsuko hadn't been kidding when she remarked that the Valkyrie preparation would take up most of their transit time. Maya smelled the rich aroma of fresh coffee as Ritsuko appeared with two fresh cups.

"You look tired, Maya. Want some?" Ritsuko extended her hand out as she offered Maya a cup.

Maya took the cup gratefully. She drank slowly, allowing herself time to savor the taste of the bittersweet drink. She watched as Ritsuko scrolled through data quicker than anyone she had ever seen. Maya had heard of Ritsuko's talent for programming, but the rumors made the reality no less impressive.

"Maya?"

Maya jumped, slightly startled by the mention of her name. "Ma'am?"

"I just wanted to commend you on your work. I'm impressed by your abilities. Your professors taught you well."

Maya was a bit surprised by Ritsuko's comment. "I- I'm not sure what…"

"To say," Ritsuko finished Maya's sentence. "It's all right. It's been a long time since I've seen this kind of talent. Tell me, would you like to return to Earth and finish your studies? Maybe even do your doctorate…"

"I don't know. I signed up because I didn't have anywhere else to go when Arius Eridani fell."

"It's all right," Ritsuko said. "Let me know. I can make it happen."

Maya was about to reply when a chime sounded from her computer.

"What is it?" Ritsuko asked curiously.

"I ran a computer program to analyze the code currently installed on Valkyries and it looks like it found something…"

Ritsuko didn't allow Maya to finish. She walked over and glanced at the younger woman's screen. Ritsuko's eyes widen at the sight. "What is this?"

"Well," Maya replied, "the code appears to have been changed recently. Whoever did it covered their tracks well. It's almost like…"

'I wasn't supposed to find this,' Ritsuko thought as she glanced at the code in question.

"Maya?"

"Yes, ma'am?"

"I have new instructions for you. And, don't say anything about this. I'm going to look into this matter myself."


Misato yawned as she cursed whoever was at her door. She was prepared to sleep for a few hours before the operation began. She opened the door and found Kaji standing nervously on the other side. The silence between the two lovers was thick. Neither was unsure of what to say.

"Kaji," Misato finally managed to say. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Kaji replied, "There's something I needed to tell you."

"Did one of the mainframes break down again? Really, I…"

Kaji shook his head. "No, something else." Kaji took Misato's hand in his and gently placed something in it. "Katsuragi, I found this after you left."

Misato looked down and saw her old white cross. She had looked for it for years without success. "Kaji, I… Thank you," Misato managed to express her gratitude.

"Katsuragi, I promise you on this cross that if we survive I will ask you what I've been afraid to ask."

Misato took on a haughty air, "Really, this is so sudden."

"We're not quite there yet," Kaji reminded Misato.

Misato laughed. "I feel like those kids in the simulators. You should have seen them the first time they fought."

Kaji smiled. "I think we're going to make it, somehow."


Shinji's young hands patted the cool sand. Other children ran past his sand box without a care. Shinji cherished the pile of sand that was his castle. In his young mind he imagined himself to be the king who ruled the land. By his side was his queen, a lady of beauty and steadfast resilience. Her smile made him feel warm and her hair shined like moonlight.

Lost in his fantasy, Shinji failed to notice another child playing nearby with a stick. He was a jealous child who was inflamed with each pat of the sand. The child snapped and stomped over to the sand box. Shinji wailed as the child kicked the sand pile in. Annoyed with Shinji's crying, he rammed his stick into Shinji's chest for his troubles.

"SHINJI!"

Shinji screamed as he bolted up from his bed. He was still exhausted from all of the training. In this hazy exhaustion, he noticed Yui standing at the foot of his bed. She looked worried.

"What's wrong, Yui?" Shinji finally inquired.

"I was concerned. You're heart rate, perspiration, and breathing increased."

"I had a bad dream," Shinji explained. "I always have bad dreams."

"I see," Yui acknowledged his explanation.

Shinji glanced at the time. It still about three hours before the operation began. He needed to be at the Vanguard's hanger bay in two hours, so he figured that there was no need to sleep anymore.


"I can't raise them, sir!"

"Keep trying," Fuyutsuki ordered his communications officer. "And, give me a report."

"Sir," Major Rosen responded crisply, "the Coventry and her battle group report heavy fighting in their sector and request immediate assistance. Captain Mauser's squadron is holding their own and expects to capture their objective within the hour…"

"Sir," the communications officer interrupted, "the Coventry reports that a complete collapse is imminent. They request authorization to use the Valkyrie."

Fuyutsuki frowned. He wanted hold the Valkyrie in reserve, but if the situation was this dire… "Tell the Coventry they are authorized to use the Valkyries. And, keep trying to raise Admiral Ikari."

Fuyutsuki watched as all around his ship, large red machines appeared and unfurled their wings. They looked defiant and angry. The battlefield exploded anew with deadly light.


Touji yawned and stretched as he entered the Vanguard's hanger bay. Mechanics rushed past him with tools in hand. The rows of Gigas mechas towered about the hanger bay like giant trees. It was a busy sight.

"Touji," a diminutive voice called for his attention, "I believe that the other D-Knights are over that way."

"Oh, thanks Gloria," Touji replied. He looked in the direction his Dragon had noted and glimpsed a familiar mop of red hair. As he approached, he noticed that Asuka was not alone. The other D-Knights were already there clustered around Misato; even Shinji.

"Nice of you to join us, Mr. Suzuhara," Misato teased.

Asuka jabbed him playfully. "I thought the war was going to end before you showed up."

"Stop it," Misato said. She held out a data pad for Touji to review. "Here, these are the plans for the attack. Now that you're all here, I can review them with you."

Touji bent down so that Gloria could get a better look at the details.

"You can see," Misato continued, "That you will sortie in an hour as the fleet exits hyperspace. The 15th Fleet will act as a blocking force for our combat group as we move in and take out the facilities surrounding the principle jump gate. We need to hit them with all the firepower we have. That's why I'm committing all of the Dragons to the fight. The Gigas will act as our operational reserve and provide fleet defense. Ayanami, Soryu, and Kirishima will move in first to engage the HI ships defending the facilities. Make as much trouble as you can. We need you to keep the HI are busy while Ikari and Suzuhara escort the Chicago and Exeter to the battle site. Those ships will make the hit against the facilities. When that's done they'll begin dropping mines. When you return you will provide fleet defense. Any questions?"

"Yeah, I got one," Touji said as Misato finished. "What happens if we have to use the jump gate to leave the system?"

"That's a chance we'll have to take," Misato answered.

There was a chill in the air as the D-Knights sat in silence. Touji didn't have to say it; they all knew. This was a suicide mission.

"Well, I'm going show those HI bastards what real combat is about," Asuka quipped with a slight edge in her voice. She was nervous.

"Colonel Katsuragi?" Rei asked, "What kind of resistance can we expect?"

"That's a tough one Rei," Misato replied, "We know that they have a large fleet orbiting the main colony. If we're lucky, that fleet will still be parked in orbit around the colony when we show up."

War was all about being lucky. All plans assumed the enemy would be were the planners predicted them to be. Even the best laid plans never survived contact with the enemy.

"I'm anticipating a tough fight ahead," Misato continued, "If you do your jobs, we have a shot at coming home. When you come back we'll hold a big party in your honor. My treat."

'Seeing the Colonel party is something worth living for,' Touji mused.


The door to the evidence locker room fell open with a gentle shove from Ritsuko's hand. It had taken her some time, but she managed to convince security that some of her files had been confiscated along with Kaoru's belongings. With the ship on combat alert she couldn't blame them. The bags under her eyes and her pasty skin made her look suspicious in their eyes.

Only a few years prior Ritsuko's career had been in decline. She was a shadow of her former self and her ideas were considered fiction. Ridiculed by men of trivia she fell into obscurity. Then the bastard Ikari appeared whispering words of love and promising money. Personally unfulfilled in both realms, she relented easily.

Ritsuko's work took on new significance as human fortunes waned. Project NERV was only a marginal success until a chance encounter with a graduate student's sister changed everything. Syliva Mauser had the gift of sight and she became a prisoner of her own talent.

More accurately, she was Ikari's prisoner. Ritsuko felt guilty for what she had done. Ikari had twisted and manipulated her. Today would be different. Ritsuko planned to take everything back. In one supreme moment she would make Ikari understand.

Ritsuko shook off her thoughts as she focused on the task at hand. All the evidence for Kaoru's case was locked away in the same locker. She undid the security lock and peeked inside. There was a data crystal containing pictures and files obtained from the crime scene and Kaoru's and Chief Ellison's quarters.

The murder weapon was also there.


Shinji sat alone from the rest of the D-Knights. Asuka was talking up a storm with Hikari. It was her way of blowing off steam. She didn't seem like the devil she made herself out to be.

Touji and Mana stood together chatting. Shinji looked on as Hikari eyed the couple from time to time. He found it amusing that Hikari was worried about such a thing. Touji rarely talked with other females because he only had eyes for one: Hikari. Shinji found it ironic that Touji could face down HI ships without breaking a sweat, but he couldn't bring himself to confess.

Out of the corner Shinji noticed that Rei was leaning against a bulkhead, her Dragon by her side. Her white D-Knight flight suit conformed to her body revealing an envious figure. Her hand touched her lips thoughtfully. Shinji thought she looked lovely.

"Shinji?" Yui asked.

"Yes, Yui?"

"You appear to be interested in Captain Ayanami. Perhaps you would like to talk with her."

"I don't know, Yui. I really don't know."

With that, Shinji noticed that Rei broke her train of thought and walk in his direction. She stopped in front of him and he stared into her deep red eyes.

"Captain Ayanami… I, uh," was all Shinji could muster.

"Lieutenant Ikari, you can not hide it. You harbor attractive feelings toward me."

"What?" Shinji asked flabbergasted. He hadn't expected Rei to say anything to him, much less something about attraction.

"I can sense these things, Lieutenant."

"What do you mean sense?"

Rei looked Shinji with a confused look. "Are you not aware?"

"Aware of what?"

"That you are a latent remote viewer."

Shinji practically laughed, "That hocus pocus stuff isn't for me."

"True, your ability does not manifest itself as strongly as the Seer Mauser, but it is a naturally latent ability."

"I had heard that your squadron has people with remote viewing abilities."

"I should not comment on this, but that is true. However, your ability is stronger than any of ours, only it is deeply imbedded within your subconscious. Perhaps it may manifest itself later."

"Why tell me all of this?"

"I do not believe I will survive."

Shinji's conversation with Rei ended with those words as Misato's voice boomed over the intercom, "All D-Knights and Gigas pilots prepare to sortie. We will be exiting hyperspace momentarily."


"Nice of you to join us, Dr. Akagi," Ikari said. "Are the preparations complete?"

Ritsuko dodged several people before reaching Ikari's side. "Yes, sir. Lieutenant Ibuki and I worked on the program all night. The Valkyrie complements on all of our escorts are ready. We shouldn't experience any problems this time."

"I'm counting on you, Doctor. Captain Miller, how long until we exit hyperspace?"

"Forty-five seconds, sir," an officer standing off to Ikari's right replied.

"Remember, I want all the Valkyries launched. And make sure we come out in formation," Ikari ordered sharply.

"Aye, sir," Miller acknowledged.

As Miller carried out his orders, Ritsuko found herself alone with Ikari. She had been on the bridge for every battle the Valkyries fought and she could never shake the odd feeling she got from watching Ikari. He was different when he commanded. This was his element.

"Are you doing all right, Doctor?" Ikari asked unexpectedly.

"Oh… yes, I'm just tired. That's all," Ritsuko replied softly.

Ikari didn't respond. He turned to Miller and asked, "Status?"

"Exit in fifteen seconds. All ships within 0.1 of expected positions."

"When we exit, raise shields and activate weapons," Ikari commanded.

"Aye, sir. Exiting in 5…4…3…2…1…NOW!"

The bridge's viewscreen shimmered and turned into a normal view of space. As they exited, Ikari watched as one of his lead ships erupted into a fireball. "Report! What ship was that!" He called out.

A young enlisted man stammered a reply, "S-s-sir, the Gettysburg… she's been rammed."

"Sensor readings! Get me a sensor reading! And, raise the shields!" Ikari demanded.

Ritsuko watched as the crew rushed about and followed their orders. One young officer yelled out, "Sir, we're getting reports now. Lead ships are engaged in heavy combat with the HI. We exited right on top of them!"

Ikari fumed. "Launch the Valkyries! Launch everything and get me Katsuragi!"

Ritsuko watched on as laser streaks danced across the sky in deadly fashion. Ships tangled with ships. At that moment, the giant Valkyries appeared, their wings unfurled like angels. She felt helpless in their presence.