Authors note: I do not own Gainax, or Evangelion, etc. If you read Soldaten please submit reviews. I would like other people's input. Right now though I would like to thank the people that have helped to make Soldaten

John: story advisory and Evangelion fanatic

Karen: proofreading my error filled work

PART II

Ian took his first steps into the labyrinth once called The New York sewer system. There's one way to describe the sewers; they stink…a lot. Rats scurried up and down the dark and damp hallways of the sewers. Ian clicked on his flashlight to illuminate the darkness; he saw pools of blood, guns, and corpses everywhere from a recent skirmish between refugees and anarchists. The Anarchists wanted more conscripts to join their cause for world domination, and the refugees wanted out of this war. Ian saw something shimmering in the water. He pried it off one the dead refugee's hands. It was a ring. It read "Today is the first of many steps in a journey."

"Yeah right." Ian muttered. He looked inside the band. It read "Gracie and Kyle Forever," with little hearts engraved around the message. Ian took the ring, maybe he would meet Kyle's wife and give it to her.

Ian decided that he had turned the headset off long enough. Chrissie should've cooled down by now.

Click whhhr click Chrissie, are you still there? Chrissie?"

The headset clicked back then Chrissie voice sarcastically came on "Oh hi Ian! I was so worried about you, you little shithead. How are the sewers? Can I keep you and your buddies locked up forever? Hey at least you'll have company!"

"Chrissie don't get your panties in a bunch. I'm sorry that I offended you back there, are we even." C'mon take the bait Chrissie. Take the appeasement and get off my back.

"All right I suppose so. I'll keep you updated via your headset if anything goes wrong."

"Cool can you guide to a rendezvous point with the mages."

"Sure, uploading map now." A visor slipped down Ian's head till all he could see was a yellow screen. Then blue lines representing walls came into view. Two purple dots appeared on the screen followed by two red triangles.

"Thanks for the map Chrissie. Talk to you soon."

"Hopefully, it's later." Chrissie answered. She sat back in her chair and wondered about times gone by, the times before second impact, when life was normal.

September 1999

"Here we are" said a woman in soothing voice "Chrissie do you know where we are?"

"Kiiin-deer-gar-ten" answered the little 5-year old.

"Yes Chrissie, this is Kindergarten. This is where you'll be going to school from now on because mommy has to work just like daddy. Maybe then we can buy you something special like a toy or a book." The woman turned around in the pale morning sky to boy about 9 years old who was holding a book. "Chad, come here" she commanded "you'll catch a cold if you're out in the open."

"But mom," the Chad whined "I don't want to be over there, my friends might laugh if I'm over by the little kids."

"Spare a few minutes with your sister, will you. You seem to forget that you still are a 'little kid', just stay with your sister for a few minutes, ok?"

"Yeah sure mom," agreed Chad. He walked up to Chrissie with his brown hair hanging over his eyes as if trying not to be seen. "So you're now in kindergarten, are you? Well Grandma Birdie thought you might like this book. You do like all that fantasy stuff."

"Silly," said Chrissie cutely "This is your book." Her blonde hair forming around her frame around her smiling face.

Chad grew bright red from embarrassment "Nnnno" he stammered "This is Grandma's book; she thought you'd like it"

"It has your writing in it see" Chrissie pointed out, and then she started to read from it. "Chad Myers, 1151 Harter Way, Rosemead CA. But that was sweet of you to give me your book." She ran up to him and gave a hug.

The brother who was really embarrassed now started to squirm "Hey, gitoff" he said "Not here, ok." Then the bell rang, the boy was know alert and wanted to see his friends. "Ok Chrissie you get to class, ok? We'll read The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe when we get home today."

"Alrighty, see ya later big brother!" she said as she walked into her class.

"Yeah, see you later." He gave her a little wave and walked away.

June 2005

A twelve-year old blonde haired girl hung over the railing of a crystal clear river. Her hair fell down to her chest in braids. She was crying over the railing, her tears falling into the river. Then a dark haired boy, about the same age ran up behind her

"Chrissie pant where were wheeze you?" Your brother was pant looking for pant you. What happened?"

"My parents died." She said without any emotion "People die all the time in this world." The kid finally caught his breath and spoke.

"Chad was looking for you after school when you weren't at home. He's looking over all over town for you."

"Well, it's nice to know someone hasn't died yet." She said sarcastically

"Look my parents died too, ok so stop you're whining and pull yourself together." Suddenly Chrissie burst into tears.

"Damn it! Damn it! Why! Why did they have to die!" she screamed. Chrissie turned the boy and looked straight into his eyes to avoid him telling lies. "Zack, your parents died because of natural causes! Mine! No natural causes would've been mercy! They were killed! Killed! Killed Zack! How do you think that makes me feel! I just want to stab all of those bastards who killed my parents right now!"

"Calm down Chrissie, there are people around you know."

"Well they can screw themselves if want to listen," she turned to the land and screamed "that's right people! If you want to listen! You can screw yourself…!" The boy grabbed her to muffle her. Gradually the grab turned into a hug.

"Chrissie stop please! This isn't what your parents would want and I'm sure your brother can take care of you. Please just stop!" Chrissie started to cry in Zack's arms

"Is there anyone who understands, Zack? Anyone at all?" she asked

"I do Chrissie. I do" Her face reached up to his, his down to hers. Under the dying light of the sun, Chrissie shared her first kiss. They kissed as their image danced across the river."

October 20, 2021

It was a gray sky and very cold. The funeral for Chad was short because Anarchists would soon be back. Chrissie had cried during the whole funeral. She had lost the final part of her old life; she was now the last of her family. Her boyfriend Zack was killed during a refugee skirmish with anarchists four years ago. She was all alone in the cold box called earth. The vicar walked up to her and said "Peace be with you." Chrissie said nothing. There was nothing to talk about. Her brother was dead like everyone she cared about. The vicar began to speak up again "I know this is a hard time for you, and I would like to offer you a job with my hospital." Chrissie looked up and began to talk for the first time since the funeral started.

"What kind of job?" she asked.

"I know you have an extensive background in medicine, so how about a nurse? You wouldn't be getting your hands dirty; you would just be helping out."

"Alright, when can I start?"

"Anytime you want. There will always be spot for you at my hospital"

"Ok I'll go."

"Excellent."

The DEEEEEETTTTT of the transmitter startled Chrissie. She glanced at the holo-screen. One of the mages had just been shot. Her rusty chair creaked as she laid back.

"Impossible" she said stunned "Shit, this can't be happening." Just then Ian's voice cackled over the radio.

"Chrissie what the hell was that! Did one of the mages EKG's just just just just flatline?"

"I'm afraid so, "she replied "get out of there now Ian! You can't take on a squad of Anarchists!"

"Well I can try I've only got a few meters to go, so I need to turn off the radio or they may pick up the signal."

"Sure, just be careful. Come back in one piece ok?"

"Hey it's me. They'll never know what hit them." click Ian clicked off the headset and started to continue down the sewers until he heard moaning and yelling by a huge group up a head. Ian knew here he had to tread lightly.

"Well Bitch!" yelled an Anarchist in his late 30's with a 5 o'clock shadow and scars running up and down his cheeks "What'd ya think of your boyfriend now! God! He was so damn weak that he threw down his staff and ran for these sewers. Just curious, are all mage guys' pansies. Geez, but we got one lovely prize here don't we Lobel?" he turned to his squad mate who was too busy feeling up one the snipers.

"Huh, oh yeah sure. Real hot stuff there. She does have nice legs though"

"Yeah, I wonder what she hiding between those quads. What'd ya say precious? Why don't we just take you in for some questioning? Heh heh heh." He turned around as he heard footsteps coming from the right. Ian walked out like he was going for his afternoon walk in the sewers, not a care on his face, or nothing threatning about his persona, except for the rifle and the body armor.

"What the hell are you doing here!" barked Scar

"Just on my daily patrol." Replied Ian

"Who are you affiliated with?" questioned Scar, his eyes twitching for a little more blood.

"Nobody." Ian replied "Just some harmless refugees."

"Well you're just going have to turn around and go straight backtowhere you came fromin these sewers."

"No," replied Ian sauntering to the back of the squad with his hands behind his back "my report says I have to pick up any wounded civilians in the sewers because it makes the sewers stink even more and its bad for the décor, you know?" Ian started to walk behind the squad to where he could see the mage. She was in her late teens or early 20's, her uniform was ruined by the stains of blood on her chest and legs. She was trying to get up but all she had done was paint the wall with bright red. Her light brown hair clung to her shoulders and her pale face. In her hands was a Gaiain Ethereal staff only given to nature mages. That explained why she couldn't heal her self. Nature mages could use the earth life force (i.e. trees, rocks, and fire) to turn on their enemies. She had no healing powers, even if she did she was too weak to do anything but lay against the wall. "So if you'd be so kind, please hand over the mage, please?" Ian asked.

"What do you take me for" said Scar now getting into Ian's face "she our property now, if we do her or kill her is none of your goddamn business." Scar walked back to his squad and announced "Alright, let's load up the mage. Puss, Lobel, and Rod with me. Angel, carry the mage." Ian readied a smoke grenade behind his back and walked towards the anarchists.

"You know, I heard that the grunts of the Anarchist armies are called meatheads. You want to know why?"

"Ha Ha Ha Ha" Scar chuckled "You think your gonna be Prince Charming and rescue the mage princess? Sorry Romeo, but unless you want a death wish I suggest you get out of here now."

"Alright," answered Ian "You've got me convinced," He started walking towards a pillar "but first a little present from me!" Ian pulled the pin of the smoke grenade and threw it.

"What the fuc…" exclaimed Scar as the smoke grenade exploded. Ian ran behind the pillar. Ian readied his rifle, got his grenades readied, and popped a stick of gum into his mouth.

"LAY DOWN SURPRESSING FIRE" screamed Scar, failing his arms towards the pillar. Ian waited until they stopped to reload, then threw himself into the firefight, and opened fire. FWAP FWAP FWAP FWAP FWAP FWAP FWAP FWAP FWAP went the pulse rounds into Angel's body. He didn't have a chance to respond, and paid for his ignorance with a torso full of blood and holes. Puss answered with a few shotgun shells to where Adrian was hiding. Bits and pieces of concrete flew everywhere during the barrage.

"SHIT!" Puss exclaimed when she had to reload. Ian used this chance to run towards Puss and punch in her face. Puss doubled over from the blow and dropped her shotgun. Ian stole the shotgun in midair and swung the butt of the gun against Puss's ribs. She landed with a thud against the wall and began foaming blood from her mouth. Rod pulled out his M4A1 Maverick but Adrian was faster. He swung the butt of the shotgun against Rod's face. CRACK! Went Rod's neck. Somehow Rod still got up and began throwing punches at Ian. Ian backed up and fired the shotgun. The blow sent them both reeling backwards. Rod's stomach was now a fountain of Stomach juices, blood, and urine. Ian landed on his feet and pumped the empty shell out the barrel. Lobel and Scar were all alone at the end of the tunnel. Scar demanded that Lobel use his canon. Lobel agreed with his modified Vulcan cannon spitting out 7000 bullets a second.

"Take this you bastard!" screamed Lobel as he opened fire. Ian knew he was outnumbered. A shotgun can blow a man's insides out but a Vulcan cannon will incinerate you in seconds. The only way to beat was waiting till it overheated which the modified version always did at the most unreliable times. It finally burned out after a few minutes.

"HOLY FUCKING SHIT!" Lobel exclaimed. Ian knew know was the time to chuck the grenade. It landed at the feet of Scar and Lobel.

"Oh God…."Lobel whimpered. The explosion was deafening and Ian was dizzy and feeling a bit lightheaded from the explosion. He looked at the tunnel in the dim light he saw Lobel crawling for the edges. Both his legs had been blown off and he was screaming from the pain. "Fucking pansy" said Scar unemotionally, he raised his OICW rifle on Lobel's back and silenced him with 6 cracks for his rifle. He now walked towards Ian with his smoking rifle in one hand. Ian checked his shotgun, damn empty, and his rifle was too far away to get without being shot at. He whipped out his Colt Commando, a six shot revolver capable of doing what a shotgun could in a smaller package. He checked the bullets.

"Six…thank God." Ian muttered. The mage sensing that he was in danger looked mournfully at him. She uttered something under her breath and her hand began to glow. Ian didn't see that the mage was readying a spell; he was too busy focusing on the black abyss from where Scar would come. "Come on, Come on you little shit!" he muttered under his breath while trying to get up. Scar walked by and looked straight at him, then leveled his gun.

"Heh, I guess now we both die, eh? Well you might think you won by killing me and my squad, but FYI the rest of my platoon is coming down to check on you and you won't have enough bullets or wits to save you next time, so go ahead shoot at me." The mage looked at Ian then at Scar. The glow on her hand then shot out blue flames aimed at Scar's OICW. "AAAARRRGGGGHHHH! GODDAMN WITCH!" he pulled his hand from his melting OICW. Then Ian took only a moment to hesitate then shot the bastard with his revolver. Ian got up, relived that he survived that long. He brushed the rubble of his pants and armor.

"Thanks girl," He said to the mage "can you walk?" she shook her head. "Okay well climb on my back, and let's get you patched up." The girl offered a little smirk and happily got on Ian's back. Ian turned on his headset again. Click Whrrrr click "Chrissieare you there, it's me Adrian."

"Adrian, Thank God are you hurt?"

"Nope I'm not, but I've got a mage on my back that is. What's her EKG?"

"It's weak. Adrian you have to get her back here as fast as you can, got it?"

"Sure, tell the scouts that there's gonna be some Anarchists down in the sewers, and we don't want to keep them waiting."

"Alright, get back her you lazy bastard, alive ok?"

"Right" Ian clicked his headset off and started to run back towards the hospital. "Come on girl, don't die on me now!" he said to the mage. The mage just held on.