Chapter 19

"Okay, Major, that's enough for today." Dr. Ibuki said over the COM.

The red lights came on in the simulator and after having disconnected her flight recorder, Hope exited it from it and proceeded to the locker room where she enjoyed a nice, hot shower.

As she showered, she thought of the way that the simulations have been stepped up. This is unusual. Ten hours? Everyday? No breaks. Fourteen days of this? What the hell is going on? Why hasn't Sawyer returned yet? He hasn't called either. I wonder what's happening. It's been at least two weeks now. When is he coming back?

She exited the shower and pulled the towel from the side of the door, drying herself off as she wrapped the towel around her body and then proceeded to her locker.

After quickly changing into her uniform, she proceeded to the command hub. When she walked in she went up to the stairs to the command hub and nearly broke into a large smile as she caught sight of whom was standing over the desk.

"Commander!' She said happily.

He turned to her and gave her a smile. He was wearing a blue denim shirt with his sleeves rolled up, his pants were the darkkhaki. On his head was his headset and his arms were crossed as his attention was focused on the screens in front of him.

"So, these are the latest tests, Dr. Ibuki?"

"Yes, Commander Dell." Dr. Ibuki said as she stood off to the side wearing her white lab coat. Ibuki adjusted her glasses while she ran her hand through her now gray hair. "Major Ikari's sync remains nominal throughout the testing. Ten hours per day for fourteen days and it has not changed."

"We have to step it up." Dell said firmly. "Do you feel that she is ready now?"

"I would say…. yes." Dr. Ibuki said. "All though the only other pilot for Unit 1 has been Shinji Ikari. We have no idea how Unit 1 will react."

"Her sync and harmonics match close to his, do they not?"

"Yes, Commander.. Plus the harmonic echo will make Unit 1 believe that Shinji is still the pilot of Unit 1 as a safety measure."

"Good." Sawyer said. "Is Unit 1 fitted for Major Ikari?"

"Yes, Commander, the modifications were completed two days ago. Solid tests have been running since then. Unit 1 is ready."

"Have the hanger crew detach all moorings and prepare it for launch tomorrow morning." Sawyer said firmly.

"Yes, Commander." Dr. Ibuki said as she walked away.

"Commander!" Hope said with a smile as she stood in the command hub.

Sawyer turned to face her. He smiled at her briefly with his blue eyes dancing for her and said. "Good afternoon, Major."

"How was your trip?" Hope asked.

"Fine." He answered flatly as he focused his attention back to the monitors.

You haven't seen me in two weeks, Sawyer and that's the greeting I get? What the hell?

"Major Ikari!" Commander Dell said as he turned to her. "I've been given strict orders. We're to be on standby for a potential strike."

"A strike?" Hope asked.

"Yes. Navy SEAL teams have been observing, what they believe is the base of operation for SEELE in the Sahara Desert. A command structure has been erected to be the temporary command center for NERV. General Ikari will be in command of the strike team."

"General Ikari will?" Hope asked.

"Yes." Sawyer told her. "I've been observing your test results while I was in Washington. You've done well, Major. It seems as though you corrected that dip you had in the first simulation. Good. Now, you're ready for the second phase."

"I see." Hope said as her thoughts turned to her duty. "What time frame are they looking at for the strike?"

"At this time?" Sawyer asked.

"Yes, Commander."

"It is unknown." Sawyer told her. "Major Ikari, tomorrow you're going into the EVA itself. You'll perform battle exercises at the testing grounds. You are fully versed in the operation of the tactical and defense mechanisms, aren't you?"

"Yes, Commander." Hope said as she raised an eyebrow.

"Very well. The sooner you become battle ready the better off you'll be. Your training in the simulator is complete. Now you need to actually operate the EVA."

"You said the simulator wasn't much different from the EVA."

"In terms of battle it is." Sawyer told her.

"Sawyer?" Hope asked.

"Major Ikari," Sawyer said as he turned to her in a very direct way. ", at the moment I have much work that needs to be accomplished. Tomorrow morning you will report here at 0600 and proceeded to the hanger deck where you will change into your plug suit and board Unit 1. You are dismissed, Major."

"Understood…Commander." Hope said as she went to turn to leave, taking another look at him and then exiting from the command hub. She proceeded to walk down the stairs.

Sawyer watched her go and then took a deep breath as he continued his work. I'm sorry, Hope, he thought. I just I have to keep my eye on the ball. There's much I have to tell you only now, I can't do it. I'm sorry.

Hope was angry. No hello-Hope-how-are-you? No I-missed-you-Hope- and-I'm-glad-to-see-you. What the hell? What happened? What? Did Souke tell my mother about us? I'll bet he did and I'll bet my mother told him he couldn't see me anymore. Duty and honor, right? Yeah okay. You should have thought that before I actually started feeling something for you, Commander! How could you do that to me? Why? What's going on? Something happened in Washington that's for sure.

Angrily, she proceeded to the elevator and then from there went to her car and drove home with her temper boiling.

Even after she got home and engaged in an argument with Souke about how loud his stereo was, she had hoped for at least a call from him and no call came.

Frustrated, she went into her bedroom and slammed the door. She threw herself down on her bed, setting the alarm for four thirty am.

It was early, only 21:30, 9:30pm. She tried to rest but her mind was a jumble and she was restless nearly all night with questions.

What's going on?

What is this strike about?

Did they find SEELE?

Is the EVA going to be involved?

Why are they pushing me so goddamned much?

What happened to Sawyer? He didn't even…maybe its work. .