How to Make a Human Being – Chapter 1

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Author's Notes:

Well, what to say, where to begin. Since How to Make a Human Being installments are small, maybe I'll be able to keep this going a bit while I'm working on my "project". :D Can always hope. Oh well, without further adieu, here's the first chapter.

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Title : How to Make a Human Being
Genre : Short Story
Author : PitViper (pvalpha@yahoo.com)
Created : 08/02/02
Chapter1 : 08/09/02
Synopsis : Many believe that the character of Rei Ayanami is bound in steel to
her duty. She accepts nothing into her life that is not related to Eva or
Angels. This is the story of how a few small changes can make a big difference.

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How to Make a Human Being – Chapter One : Mix in some spice…

September 13th, 2015 - 8:01am

Small bubbles floated gently from the First Child's mouth. After all, she was completely submerged in LCL, in the tank that conveyed her thoughts and experiences to the Dummy System. Her Sync Ratio held steady at One Hundred Percent, for that was the required sync ratio to ensure that the memories were properly transferred.

This activity had become so commonplace to the First Child that her mind automatically performed the synchronization, and after the first few minutes, the task faded to the background leaving her mind open to contemplate the activities and actions she would take. Under normal circumstances, Rei would concentrate on Eva and her piloting. She would remember her duty, and place herself in the mental landscape of an Evangelion preparing for attack. Sometimes she would imagine herself in the place of her opponent, an Angel. She would think of strategy and theory that concerned destroying her unit, or any of the other units. After all, to know your own weaknesses was to be able to eliminate vulnerability on the battlefield.

However, her mind was not on the vulnerabilities of angels and Eva, but instead on the conundrum of the individual ant. She had exerted effort not to destroy the creature. While she would never have gone out of the way to eliminate it, why would she bother thinking about if it was in her path? The ant was not a considerable obstacle, yet the incident had frozen her in action. An ant was insignificant compared to her, right?

But each ant was significant to its colony. Each worker was necessary, although somewhat expendable. One ant can be replaced, but this particular ant was carrying a load for the colony. While the colony would likely survive if the ant had been crushed by her foot, it would have had to send another ant in its place to accomplish the task of acquiring the necessary material.

Not to mention the loss of the ant's abilities, however insignificant, to the whole. Therefore the ant was needed by the colony. The energy she expended in not stepping on the ant was insignificant to the energy required for the hive to replace the ant. Therefore it made sense to allow the ant to live. After all, the ant intended her no harm. It would have attacked her if she had threatened it, or the hive, but otherwise it was oblivious to her existence. Of course, it could not have survived the attack against her. Just as a human would not survive the encounter of a rampaging angel… or perhaps a rampaging Evangelion.

Rei blinked in the chamber, but her synchronization rate didn't waver. As the ant was to her, as was a human to an Evangelion. How many could she have stepped on in her Eva, charging to catch a falling angel? How many could have died under the sole of her foot as she trod across the landscape – a giant playing in the land of humanity? How many had been crushed under an angel's unyielding weight? Certainly the number was not great, since people were evacuated to shelters during the emergencies. Yet, what would happen if she were charging the angel and a human fell beneath her feet? Like the ant was beneath her foot earlier in the day…

All these thoughts were in the forefront of Rei Ayanami's mind as she struggled silently with the internal dilemma. Had anyone seen the Dummy System itself, a mirror of that particular battle would likely be seen in each of its various components. For as Rei was the core of the Dummy System, so was she the source of its tactical information and knowledge.

After several hours of internal debate she finally came to a conclusion. 'Human life is worth preserving. We pilot Evangelion to protect humanity. While the survival of the whole takes precedence over the survival of the few or the one, the individual must be considered. If an individual can be saved without changing the outcome of the battle, then that individual must be saved. Even one human life is important.' Rei sighed softly in the LCL, and around the chamber, a similar sigh was released in the core of the Dummy System.

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September 13th, 2015 - 9:23pm

Rei sat patiently in her plug. She'd already been submerged in the liquid for almost twelve hours before the Eva synchronization test began, and now she was still in the liquid after fourteen hours. The Second and Third Children had been bickering between each other about mundane things for the last twenty minutes. Rei wondered why they had so much to say to each other about things so… insignificant. As they continued to argue, Rei watched a small window that showed Doctor Akagi and the rest of the Prinbow Box sync test team.

The terminal window displayed 'Mute' as the status. 'Doctor Akagi does not wish to hear the Third and Second argue…' Rei thought to herself. Noting the concerned look on the doctor's face, Rei rationalized that Akagi was clearly struggling with something - perhaps it was the upcoming Activation test tomorrow.

The Unit 03 Activation Test was going to be a three day period that Rei would not be required to directly synchronize with the Dummy System, since the Doctor would not be there to monitor the interaction between the Magi and the Dummy Control Systems… 'And me,' Rei thought absently. A sudden yell from Asuka broke Rei's train of conscious thought.

"You were playing with my panties, weren't you!" She screamed at Shinji.

Shinji, aghast, went into a defensive posture, "I would never… I don't even like red that much."

"You idiot! How did you know they were red, unless you were playing with them, you pervert!"

"I… I didn't!!!" Shinji defended himself weakly.

"Then how the hell did you know about it, you pervert?" Asuka retorted; smiling inwardly as the Third Child cringed. "Well?"

Shinji stuttered more, "I…I…"

"It's obvious." Rei said softly, not wanting to participate in the argument but finding herself compelled to speak.

Asuka's façade shattered, and for a split second, all color drained from her face before she regained control, "O…Oh yeah, First Child, then you explain it to me!"

"Shinji does the chores in the house, therefore he washes the clothes." Rei said.

Asuka snorted, "Of course he does. You don't think I, The Great Asuka Langley Sohryu, would perform such menial tasks such as laundry duty!" Asuka ignored Rei as she turned to Shinji. "Now, explain why…" Asuka didn't have the chance to finish.

"It's been explained. He knows the color of your underwear because he washed your underwear." Rei cited calmly, hoping that would bring the distracting argument to an end.

Shinji blinked once, and then his face brightened, "Y-Yeah!!! That's why I know Asuka! You certainly don't go out of your way to wash them." Shinji said with a hint of a smirk on his face.

Asuka's face turned beet red, as she blushed furiously at the results and implication of the First Child's sudden verbosity, and the Third's sudden courage. She had just been made a fool of by the two Children. Shinji started to cringe slightly, as Asuka began to scowl in his direction, with the occasional withering glare directed at Rei's window. Asuka sucked in a large lungful of LCL, and was prepared to scream at the top of her lungs.

Suddenly Ritsuko broke in on the channel, "Very good Shinji, I see your synchronization ratio just jumped a point and a half. You're starting to catch up with Asuka. I think that's enough for today..."

Rei sighed as the signal from Asuka's unit went away and the synchronization with Unit 00 was severed. As her plug went dark, she allowed herself a moment to relax. Soon however, the LCL drained from the test plug and the cover was opened.

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Rei quickly exited and began gathering her things from the area in the test plug. While Rei took her time, a flustered Second Child made her way to the locker room, muttering in German and dripping LCL all over the test area. Rei paid little attention, except to make sure that the Second was gone.

However, Rei soon felt a presence behind her as she continued her departure preparations. For a moment, she half expected it to be the Commander, but then realized it could only be one person – since the commander couldn't get down here that fast, and probably wouldn't come down at all unless there was an urgent matter to discuss.

"I…" Shinji gulped, as Rei turned around to face him. "I…I… just wanted to say, you know, thank you."

"What for?" Rei asked, puzzled.

"For sticking up for me in front of Asuka… I couldn't find an excuse to give her that would make her… stop." Shinji managed.

Rei arched an eyebrow, "So you did take her underwear?"

"N…No!" Shinji quickly answered. "I… I washed them, like I always do. I…I… I just couldn't think of how to tell her, that's all."

Rei looked at him oddly for a moment, "Is that the truth?"

Shinji became very serious, "I would never do such a thing. I didn't 'play' with her underwear. After all, that particular shade of red is not exactly my favorite color."

"Why?" Rei asked.

"Why what?" Shinji nervously shifted from one foot to the other.

"Why do you not like red?" Rei clarified.

"It's not that I don't like all red… it's just that… her panties – they were blood red. I…I don't particularly care to see that color."

Rei thought about this for a moment. "So you find this particular shade of red… upsetting?"

Shinji nodded.

"Why?" Rei asked, her head tilting.

Shinji thought for a moment, "B…Because. The first memory I have of being here at NERV, is holding you when you were injured. You bled all over my hand, and I remember looking at the blood. Then I got in the cockpit of the Eva, and they pumped in the LCL… it smelled like blood. Then there was the battle, so much blood, everywhere…'

Rei continued to stare at him. "You are afraid of blood?"

Shinji shook his head back and forth, "No. Blood doesn't frighten me much… I'm not afraid of blood; I just don't like the color."

"My eyes are red." Rei said softly, searching his eyes for some hint of deception.

"It's not the same. Blood-red, that is the color I hate, Ayanami. I guess because if I saw you bleeding, it means that you were hurt. I can't tolerate seeing people I care about hurt."

Rei froze for a moment, "You… care about me?"

"O…Of Course!" Shinji exclaimed. "I… I consider you a friend, Ayanami."

"You consider Sohryu a friend?" Rei asked softly, her eyes suddenly cast downward. While she was interested in his response to her comment about her eyes, she did not want to see his reaction to the mention of the Second.

Shinji nodded. "Yes. Although she doesn't seem to want to be, I know things can be different with her. I just need to give her the chance."

Rei nodded, an almost sad expression on her face, "I understand."

"Y…you do?"

"Yes. You hate red, red like blood. Blood outside the body is a sign that the body is injured. You do not like to see your friends injured. Therefore you hate red." Rei reflected, 'It is logical.'

"You're right, Ayanami." Shinji said, scratching the back of his head and fidgeting.

Rei's eyes snapped to his. "Rei."

"Excuse me, Ayanami?" Shinji asked softly, his arms falling to his side.

"It is customary for friends to call each other by their first names, is it not, Ikari?"

"Um… yes it is…"

"Then, you may call me Rei." The First Child said formally.

"U…Uh ok… Rei." Shinji said softly.

Rei turned to complete her tasks, as Shinji continued to stand behind her. Rei felt his gaze boring into her back, yet she didn't want to turn around and face him. She had her duties to accomplish, menial as they were. While she had no dislike of LCL, she certainly did not want the substance dried to her skin. It was difficult to clean dried LCL unless one was re-immersed in the fluid.

Shinji fidgeted for another few moments, before finally saying, "Rei… Call me Shinji."

Rei froze in her actions yet again, and blinked several times. Her lips echoed the name for a moment, then she gave intonation to her voice. "Very Well… Shinji."

Rei didn't have to turn around to know that the Third Child had moved away. But had she turned, she would have noticed a small, thoughtful grin on the face of Shinji Ikari.

-

As Rei quietly made her way to the locker room, she paused for a moment. 'Why? Why did I say that Ikari could call me 'Rei'? We are co-workers, yes? We are equals? On many levels we are similar to each other.' Rei's thoughts drifted for a moment before returning. She felt the color rise in her cheeks, 'Is this… pleasure? This lack of emptiness…'

"Rei." The cool voice of the Commander pierced the young child's reverie.

Rei turned around, and noticed the Commander standing right behind her. "Sir." She stated with glee.

Softly, the commander looked down upon her, the slightest hint of a smile on his face. It disappeared quickly though. "We need another hour in the Dummy System. We will have use for it tomorrow. I will be with you during this session."

Rei's smile increased slightly. "Of course, sir."

"Rei, this is very important. The Dummy System must be as ready as possible. Bardiel will attack tomorrow."

"The thirteenth?" Rei said, a slight bit of confusion on her face. "Of course, sir." Rei paused for a moment, "Will the Activation Test for Unit 03 proceed as planned with the Fourth Child?"

Gendo paused for a moment, struggling internally with something before finally letting out a sigh. "Unit 03 is to be the bait for the Angel. You are to reveal this to no one."

Rei's smile disappeared, "What of the Fourth?"

The Commander's face was as stone, "He is… expendable. However, if all goes according to the scenario, he should be uninjured by the encounter. Unit 03 is the least prepared Evangelion. Should the Angel choose one of the other units…"

"I understand, sir." Rei said softly.

Gendo nodded slightly. "Under no circumstances are you to tell the Third who the Fourth is. We will have a difficult enough time with him as is, which is why we must prepare the Dummy System."

Rei nodded curtly, "Understood, Sir."

"We will have some dinner after this." Gendo said. Rei's face lit up in a smile. Gendo warmly returned it.

"Yes sir." Rei said, clutching her things tighter to herself. As the Commander walked past, leading the way to the Terminal Dogma elevators, Rei's smile fell away as she contemplated the revelations given to her.

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September 13th, 2015 - 10:41pm

As Rei floated in the yellow LCL liquid, her thoughts were consumed with the following three things: The Angel Bardiel, The welfare of her new friend, Shinji, and Shinji's relationship with the Fourth Child, Touji Suzuhara. 'Tomorrow I must defeat the Angel, or all is lost. Tomorrow I must protect Shinji, for he is my friend. Tomorrow I must try to protect Suzuhara, for he is Shinji's friend…' As these thoughts echoed through Rei's mind, they also echoed deep within the Dummy System.

Before the last two sessions, the Dummy System had only the battle reflections of Ayanami's mind. Now it had something else. It had a set of priorities. The Dummy System knew four things: It was to defeat the Angel Bardiel - that was the first priority. The Second Priority was to protect the Pilot of Unit 01. The third priority was to protect the Fourth Child, pilot of Unit 03. Number four - even an ant deserves to live when the act of taking its life can be avoided.

As Gendo and Rei left the Dummy Chamber, and the light in the center of the room was extinguished, two dozen softly glowing red eyes could be seen in the cloying darkness.

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Author's notes:

Well, this chapter is written. I hope you enjoy. I hope to have the encounter with the Thirteenth ready soon. You will enjoy it. By the way – there are no parings as of yet in this story. And, of course, this is a character analysis of Rei – so Shinji and Asuka are going to take a back seat to her thoughts and actions. I promise, though, these won't be out of character too much.

Again, I'd like to thank Alnilam Orionis for glancing this through a bit before I posted. Now after I've boiled her eyes with my terrible work, and have improved my fic somewhat, I will now set it before the world. In all seriousness - without her input, I'd be cursing myself and pulling the revision down from the net after seeing all the blatant errors I made. She didn't pre-read this, though (she only looked through it for five minutes). So, don't blame her for any errors you may find. Like I said before, I'm far from perfect. I only hope that you enjoy the story so far. Please, remember, reviews make my muse happier.

Later,
PitViper