Chapter 14
Sacrifice / The Ugly Truth
Central Dogma
"The Angel is remaining stationary over a section of Tokyo-3." said Aoba.
"Rei," said Misato, "We'll be launching you. Get the sniper gun a recon the target. Do not engage."
"Yes Ma'am."
"Sayoko. Since Shinji is still locked down, you're her back-up. Get ready to launch just in case."
"Right, Misato."
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Down in the Eva cages.
Shinji sat quietly as the orders were given. After Misato had assigned Sayoko as back-up, Touji's image appeared on his screen.
"So once again, the girls have all the fun, and we sit here and watch."
Shinji looked out of the side of his Eva and watched as Unit 04 moved into position on the launcher. "It's not all fun Touji. Remember what happened to Asuka."
Touji flinched. "Ooo. Yeah, right. Sorry Shinji."
Shinji just nodded and watched as Rei's Eva was launched to the surface.
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Rei moved into a position near a hill. She watched the Angel through the sniper scope.
"Rei?" came Misato's voice.
"No change in the target, Major."
"Very well"
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"Are you sure about this?" asked Fuyutsuki.
Commander Ikari sat in his usual position at the top of the command tower. He watched as Misato ordered Rei into position. "The signs are all there. The scenario will proceed as scheduled."
Ikari picked up the phone. "Get me Dr. Akagi."
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RING
"Yes?"
"It is I. Are you aware of the situation?"
"Yes sir. We have been monitoring it."
"Be ready. It will happen anytime now."
"Yes sir."
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"What is it waiting for?" muttered Misato.
"The pattern keeps fluctuating between blue and orange." said Hyuga
"What does that mean?"
"It means that this isn't its final shape." said Ritsuko as she entered Central Dogma.
"Where have you been?"
"Checking the 2nd Child's status."
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Rei was still watching the Angel as it hovered overhead.
"Rei, come back. We've got to sort this out."
Rei was about to comply when she felt something.
"It's coming." She said quietly.
The Angel changed from a loop into a snake-like tube. It flew directly towards Unit 00.
"REI! MOVE!" shouted Misato.
The Angel blasted through the Eva's AT-Field and attached itself to Unit 00. Rei tried to pull it free but it would not release. She then moved the barrel of the sniper gun into the Angel's side and tried to shoot it off, with no effect. Then the pain came.
"WE HAVE CONTAMINATION!" shouted Maya. "The Angel is fusing with the Eva."
Where the Angel had attached itself, veins began to bulge on the exterior of the Eva. Veins began to appear on Rei in the same locations. She cried out in pain as the veins forced their way through her body.
"We have bio-contamination in the entry plug!" shouted Aoba.
"Pilot's readings are fluctuating!" shouting Maya.
"LAUNCH UNIT 4!" shouted Misato.
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Unit 4 raced upwards towards the surface. Sayoko gripped the control handles a little tighter.
'I'm coming Rei…. Hold on.'
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Inside Unit 00
You are like me. Why do you resist?
"I am not like you. I am me."
But you are like me.
"I ….am not….like you. I am Rei Ayanami."
But you are like me. Join with me, and you will not be alone.
Rei clenched her teeth as the contamination spread.
"I…am….not…..alone. I have friends. Ikari, Sohryu, Suzuhara, Sayoko, Hikari."
But you are not like them. You are like me. Become one with me.
"Never."
It was then that a silver and red Eva appeared in the city.
"Sayoko?"
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"Sayoko, Deploy your AT-Field and grab a rifle."
"Right Misato."
Sayoko moved the control handles forward and willed Unit-04 into action.
Only Unit-04 would not move.
"What!" Sayoko shouted out in confusion.
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"Her sync level is 18." Maya shouted out.
"What?" Ritsuko shouted back, "That's not even enough to move a finger!"
"Pull her back in." Misato ordered, "She's a sitting duck out there. Ready Unit-03."
"Belay that." Everyone turned and looked up at Commander Ikari.
"The freeze on Unit-01 is lifted." The Commander continued, "Launch the Third Child."
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Sayoko stared blankly at the controls as her Eva vanished into the ground.
"Why Momma?" Sayoko called out softly, "You said you would always be with me."
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Rei grunted in pain as the Angel continued to fuse with her Eva, and in turn, herself. Through the corner of her eye, she watched Unit-04 vanish, only to be replaced by Unit-01.
"Shinji?" Rei gasped.
"Deploy your AT-Field and attack!" came Misato's voice over the comm.
Almost immediately, the other end of the Angel whipped out at Unit-01. Unit-01 Dodged the strike, but lost it's pallet gun. Rei watched as the Angel came around a second time. Shinji jumped out of the way. Rei then made a decision.
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"MAJOR! Unit 00 has reversed its AT-Field!" shouted Maya. "She's pulling the Angel closer to her!"
"Bio-contamination has increased!" shouted Ritsuko.
"REI! What the hell are you doing?" shouted Misato.
"I will not…..let Shinji…………. be harmed." came Rei's voice.
"Rei eject! Get out of there!"
"If I abandon…………… the Eva, the AT-Field will collapse."
"She has initiated the self-destruct!" exclaimed Maya.
Shinji's eyes widened when he heard that. "NO REI DON'T!"
"Tell Sayoko…….I said Good-bye…." Rei said.
She then sat back in the pilot's seat. As Eva's core began to emit a high pitch whine, Rei felt something travel down her cheek. A tear dropped into her hands.
"Is this a tear? Am I crying?" Rei looked up at the monitor. A figure appeared in it. Rei's eyes widened as she realized who it was. The figure smiled at Rei then extended a hand towards her.
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"REI!" shouted Shinji.
Shinji watched in horror as Unit 00, which was curled into a ball, relaxed slightly before erupting in a massive explosion. The shock wave knocked over Unit 01, and it blanked the screen in Central Dogma for several minutes.
"Rei." cried Shinji.
In Central Dogma, the entire bridge crew sat stunned.
"Status." Misato said, quietly.
"The target….is silent. Unit 00 is…." Hyuga could not finish.
"This operation…..has ended. Recall, Unit 01" said Misato.
"Yes Ma'am."
Ritsuko stared at the screen as it began to clear……revealing a giant crater where Unit-00 had once stood. She then turned toward the Commander. Ikari stared at the screen, his expression blocked by his hands.
"Dr. Akagi. You will go out with the recovery teams. Report to me when you return."
"Yes sir."
Ikari stood up and walked to the elevator. He turned around to face the screen again. As the elevator began to lower him, a smirk appeared on his face.
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Standing quietly on top of one of the remaining buildings, a lone figure watched as the smoke clear.
"So now it falls to me. Where my brethren have failed, I will succeed. We will have our revenge."
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It was very quiet in the pilot's locker room. Shinji and Touji sat in silence. Sayoko was crying openly.
"Why did she do that?" asked Touji quietly.
"I don't know." said Shinji. "Maybe she thought that was the only way to beat it."
"But I wasn't even launched! Together we could have….."
"We'll never know." Touji and Shinji turned to Sayoko.
"We'll never know if we could have defeated it had we all been there. It was invading Rei's body. It was becoming a part of Rei. Anything we did to it, Rei might have felt." Sayoko closed her eyes and leaned back against the wall. "She… she wanted to protect us from that." Sayoko then opened her tear filled eyes and looked at the boys. "It still doesn't make the pain of failing to help her go away."
No one spoke after that. Soon Misato arrived to take them home.
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An Hour later.
Ritsuko hated the environment suits. Even though the Angel had been blown apart, the suits were still necessary to prevent possible contamination from any remaining pieces.
'Doesn't mean I have to like them.' thought Ritsuko. As much as she hated the suits, she hated what she was going to be doing when she got back.
'Ikari needs his obedient soldier returned to him. God how I hate him.'
"Doctor! We've found the entry plug!"
Ritsuko walked towards the direction of the voice. As she moved through the brush, she could just make out the shape of the entry plug ahead. As she walked, she thought about Rei. She had broken out of Ikari's control, and had started to develop her own personality. Ritsuko had actually started to like Rei. Now she was about to see whatever the explosion had left of her.
'I am not looking forward to this. I really don't want to see her….what's left of her.'
Ritsuko splashed through a puddle and approached the plug. The plug was battered and scorched. The emergency entry hatch lay open. Ritsuko approached and looked inside.
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Misato sat at the kitchen table with Megumi. An unopened beer sat in Misato's hand, yet she made no move to open it. Shinji stood on the balcony, looking towards the crater in the distance. Sayoko had gone straight to her room and had not been seen since.
Misato sighed, "First Asuka ends up in a coma, now Rei is….. I don't know how much more they can take."
"I don't know much about Shinji," said Megumi. "I do know Sayoko. She was close to Rei. She's really upset about what happened, almost as upset as when her mother died."
"Shinji's not handling it well either. At least Asuka is alive….sort of."
Megumi sighed. "What else can happen to them?"
The ringing of a phone prevented Misato from answering. Misato walked over to it.
"Hello…What? Slow down Ritsuko. Now, what did you say?" Misato's eyes widened in shock. "Your kidding! Its not possible! WHERE IS SHE! Alright, we're on our way!" Misato dropped the phone and turned towards the rest of the apartment.
"SHINJI! SAYOKO! GET OUT HERE NOW!"
"What the hell is going on Misato?" asked a very confused Megumi.
"Things are starting to look up!" said Misato with a giant grin.
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NERV Infirmary
Sayoko and Shinji practically ran down the corridor towards the sitting area. Upon arriving they skidded to a halt. Sitting quietly in a hospital gown, staring out the windows was a bandaged Rei. From what they could see, both of Rei's arms, and her left eye were covered in bandages. Sayoko ran to her.
"REI!" Sayoko shouted, tears running down her face. "You're alive! I thought you had died."
Rei turned and looked at Sayoko. Bruises could be seen on the uncovered portions of Rei's face.
"I am still alive….."
Sayoko carefully put her arms around Rei and hugged her.
"Why did you do that?" she asked.
Rei closed her eye. "I did not want Shinji to experience, the pain I was feeling. He is not replaceable…… and I am."
Sayoko glared at Rei, "Dammit Rei! I already told you…. You are not replaceable!"
"I understand now." Rei said quietly. "That is why I…. made my decision."
Sayoko's eyes widened. 'You mean?' she thought at Rei
Rei looked at Sayoko with her good eye and gave a small smile, 'Yes.'
Shinji looked at both of the girls, "What's going on between you two?"
Sayoko and Rei turned to Shinji and gave him a smile.
"Nothing." They said together.
Shinji let out a loud sigh. "Well, I guess I'll go see Asuka." Shinji turned and headed toward the Cranial Ward.
Sayoko watched Shinji disappeared around a corner. She then turned back to Rei.
"I suppose we should go with."
"Yes," Rei replied with a nod, "I would like to see Pilot Sohryu."
"So, How did you survive the explosion?"
Rei smiled, "I cannot tell you."
"Why not?"
"Because, I was asked not to."
Sayoko frowned. "By who?"
"I cannot say."
"Can't you even give me a hint?"
"No."
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RING
"Yes?"
"We have completed the task as requested sir."
"And?"
"She lives."
"Very well. Tell them both, Good job."
"Yes sir."
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"I still have no idea how she survived." said Ritsuko.
"What do you mean?" asked Misato.
"Come on Misato. You saw that explosion. It took out part of the city. Unit 00 is in pieces no bigger then a beer can. The entry plug has been smashed and super heated, yet most of her injuries where sustained from the Angel. It's almost as if she had someone watching over her….."
Misato coughed. "Well, you know…maybe she was lucky."
Ritsuko gave Misato a look. "She should be dead."
"That's kind of cold Ritsuko."
Ritsuko sighed, "I know. Don't get me wrong. I'm glad she's alive, but there are a lot of unanswered questions."
Misato leaned against the wall. "So, how did the Commander take Rei's survival?"
Ritsuko began to grin. "Oh you're going to love this…."
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Fuyutsuki stood in front of the Commander's desk. "I'm going to assume that this wasn't in your scenario."
"…………."
"I haven't seen you punch anything like that in years."
"…………."
"Dr. Akagi is correct though. Steel plate doesn't give much when you hit it."
"Fuyutsuki."
"Yes Ikari?"
"Get out."
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Later that evening.
Misato and Megumi stood on the balcony.
"No idea how she survived?" asked Megumi.
"Nope. Ritsuko thinks someone was watching out for her."
"Wasn't Sayoko, she was in her Eva."
"Yeah. I know, plus her reaction afterward." Misato turned to look at Megumi. "You don't suppose her Aunts..?"
Megumi shrugged. "I have no idea. They haven't contacted me. Or Sayoko as far as I know."
Misato turned back towards the city. "So, you're leaving tomorrow?"
"Yep. Sayoko has recovered, Rei is alive. I need to get back to Tokyo-2."
"I understand, but I was wondering if you could do me a favor?"
"What's that?"
"Could you take Pen Pen with you? We're not around much anymore, and he needs someone to take care of him."
Megumi smiled, "Of course I will."
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NERV Infirmary
Ritsuko moved into Rei's room holding a clipboard.
"Hello Rei. How are you feeling?"
"I am alright."
"According to the tests, there is nothing left from the Angel in your system. You should be able to leave tomorrow."
"Yes Doctor."
"Alright Rei, get some rest." Ritsuko started to leave.
"Doctor?"
"Yes Rei?"
Rei sat up and seemed uncertain how to proceed.
"I have something…that I wish to discuss with you Doctor."
Ritsuko pulled up a chair and listened to what Rei had to say.
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The next morning,
Sayoko sat quietly on the couch, having just watched her Aunt Megumi leaving for Tokyo-2. There was no school that day. Actually there currently was no school building as it was blown away by Unit 00. Shinji was moving quietly about the kitchen, cleaning up after breakfast.
"Have you heard from Hikari?" asked Shinji.
"Yeah, She and her family are going to Toyko-2. They have family there."
"Touji is going to be unhappy about that."
"Well, at least he has someplace to go, other then the fact it's a NERV barracks. What about Kensuke?"
"His family lost their home also. They are also going to Tokyo-2."
Sayoko sighed. "It's going to get really boring here real quick. Most of our class has left. As far as I know, its only you, Touji, Rei, and myself."
Shinji started to get a frown on his face. Sayoko realized her error.
"Oh and Asuka." Sayoko said quickly, "How is she doing?"
"Still no change."
"Well, Rei did say she would check in on her while she's in the hospital."
Misato showed up at that moment. "Come on guys. Ritsuko needs us at headquarters."
Both Children groaned. "More sync tests?" asked Shinji.
"No. No tests."
"Then what?"
"She wouldn't say."
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Misato, Sayoko and Shinji arrived outside Ritsuko's office. Ritsuko came out of her office.
"Follow me."
She led the group to an elevator. She entered the elevator and typed a code into the panel.
"Where are we going Ritsuko?" asked Misato.
"I know you've gone over the data that you got from Kaji."
Misato paled slightly, "How did you…."
"Don't worry I haven't told anyone. But I decided to save you the trip through the MAGI. We just need to pick up one more person."
The elevator stopped at a floor and the doors opened. Rei quietly stepped onto the elevator. She was still bandaged, but looked stronger then before.
"Doctor, Major, Ikari, Sayoko."
"Hi Rei." said Sayoko quietly.
Ritsuko looked at Rei. "You still want to do this?"
"Yes Doctor." replied Rei.
The elevator continued into the deepest areas of NERV.
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"What is this place?" asked Misato. "It looks like one of the cage control rooms."
The room they had entered was cluttered with debris, Computer monitors and equipment was covered in plastic. Broken windows looked out into darkness.
"It was a control room, 10 years ago." Ritsuko turned to Shinji. "It should look familiar to you. You were here."
Shinji took a step back and then realized where he'd seen the room before. He walked over to the windows and put is hand against one of the remaining panes of glass.
"Mother disappeared from here." Shinji said quietly.
Sayoko and Misato's eyes widened. Ritsuko nodded her head.
"Back when this was GEHIRN, your mother was the test pilot for Unit-01. During the test, she achieved a 400 sync rate and was absorbed into the Eva. The Eva went berserk. The Eva caused a lot of the damage you see, but this wasn't all. One of the power generators at the time received feedback and detonated. The resulting explosion shorted out computer equipment all over the base, even equipment not associated with the test." Ritsuko paused for a second. "Unknown until later was that it also affected an airplane that was flying overhead, Flight…
"303." came a quiet voice. Everyone present turned to Sayoko, who was trying to hold back tears. Rei walked up next to her.
"It was Flight 303." repeated Sayoko.
"How did you know?" asked Ritsuko. Misato replied with the answer.
"Her parents were on that flight."
"I see." said Ritsuko quietly. "Perhaps we should move on." Ritsuko led Shinji and Misato out. Rei waited for Sayoko.
"Are you alright?" asked Rei, quietly.
Sayoko took in a deep breathe and nodded, she then walked out of the room with Rei.
Ritsuko showed them a room filled with all the Eva failures, it seemed to go on forever. She then brought them to a room that looked strangely familiar to Shinji.
"This looks like Rei's apartment."
"This is the room where Rei was 'born'." Ritsuko stated. Misato and Shinji looked at Rei. Rei had her uncovered eye closed. Sayoko grabbed Rei's hand and gave it a slight squeeze.
"No matter what, I'm still your friend." Sayoko said quietly to Rei. Rei quietly nodded.
"What do you mean.. She was 'born' here?" asked Misato.
"This way." said Ritsuko. Everyone followed Ritsuko into the next room, Sayoko did not let go of Rei's hand.
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Ritsuko led them to a large room. A giant glass cylinder stood in the center of the room. The back of the room had a glass windows lining it. Computer equipment and monitors lined the rest of the room. Sayoko felt an odd feeling as she entered the room. She walked to the cylinder in the center and placed her hand on it. Flashes of images and thoughts entered her head. Sayoko concentrated to sort out the thoughts while Ritsuko began to talk.
"This room is the main control area and the source of the dummy plugs."
"What do you mean the source?" asked Misato.
Ritsuko started to turn toward the glass wall when Sayoko gasped. Everyone looked at her. Sayoko removed her hand and stared at the cylinder, before turning towards Ritsuko. Sayoko face was neutral.
Ritsuko turned and flipped a switch. The glass wall lit up to reveal a tank of LCL. Inside the tank were Reis, dozens of them. All of them turned and looked at the newcomers with happy expressions. Misato and Shinji stood there in shock. Ritsuko turned to Sayoko and was surprised to see that she was not at all shocked. Rei was not paying attention.
"These are the cores for the dummy system. They are also spare parts for Rei, should something happen to her. Rei is…"
"A Clone." said Sayoko, her face remained neutral, "Using DNA from…an Angel….and Yui Ikari, Shinji's mother." She then turned and looked at Rei.
Misato gasped and stared at Ritsuko. Shinji looked at Rei, who could not look at Shinji. Ritsuko stared at Sayoko.
"How did you know?"
Sayoko turned and stared at Ritsuko. The intensity of the glare caused Ritsuko to take a step back.
"I know. What do you intend to do now?"
Ritsuko turned away and looked at Misato.
"I brought you here because Rei asked me to do something for her. She has a life now, without Ikari's influence. She has friends and is developing her own personality. She does not wish to lose what she has gained, and return to being the Commander's puppet. She has asked me to destroy the Dummy Plug cores, thus preventing her from being brought back should she die. She requested you to be here, because she feels the closest to you 3." Ritsuko turned to Rei. "Rei are you still sure about this?"
Rei finally looked up at Misato and Shinji. She then looked at Sayoko. Finally she turned to Ritsuko. "Yes, I am sure."
Ritsuko nodded and then turned to a panel on the wall. She typed in a series of codes and then turned back to the tanks. Inside, the dummies began to slowly dissipate into the LCL, until nothing remained. As the last dummy disappeared, the main door opened and Commander Ikari and Vice-Commander Fuyutsuki entered. Ikari walked to the tank and stared into it long and hard. His left hand unconsciously began to rub his bandaged right. Finally Ikari turned to Ritsuko.
"Why?"
"She no longer wishes to be your obedient slave. She is no longer replaceable."
"But you still are. Lieutenant!" Lieutenant Kaoru Nagisa entered the room. "Dr. Akagi is hereby placed under arrest. Escort her to the brig, she will be held in solitary confinement."
"Yes Sir!" Nagisa walked over and grabbed Ritsuko, hauling her out of the room. Ikari then turned and glared at Rei. Rei met his gaze without flinching. Ikari then turned to Misato.
"Major. You are instructed to forget everything you have seen. Take the children out of here. The First Child is now your responsibility. Now go." Ikari then turned back and looked at the empty tank. Misato looked at the Vice-Commander, he gave a nod that basically said 'Get them out of here before he change's his mind.' Misato gathered up the children and left quickly. Upon hearing the door close, Ikari unleashed his anger on the tank. Grabbed a nearby chair and threw it at the glass wall. The wall shattered, allowing the LCL to escape on the floor. Fuyutsuki stepped back to avoid the rapidly spreading LCL.
"What will you do now?" asked Fuyutsuki.
"I will be reunited with Yui, with or without the First Child. I will adjust the scenario accordingly."
Fuyutsuki just stared at the Commander. 'You have truly lost her now, you just haven't realized it."
