Chapter 46
Sawyer stood in front of the monitors, pacing back and forth at the NERV Command Center. He was fully armed and suited up in his combat fatigues to go into combat if needed. Over his head, his headset was attached to the portable wireless communications system on his hip.
"Scramble fighters." Asuka said flatly over the relay.
Hope's out there still…she can't be serious. "General?" Sawyer asked.
"SCRAMBLE THE DAMN FIGHTERS NOW!" She growled. "MAJOR IKARI IS A CASUALTY OF WAR AND WE CAN'T SAVE HER. WE CANNOT ALLOW ANGEL 20 TO MAKE CONTACT WITH EVA UNIT 1 AND ABSORB IT!"
Sawyer looked back to the screen and shut his eyes, as he knew she was right. Hope was one individual and the fate of the world was greater. How could she? He clenched his first as he thought to himself. She may be one individual but she's the only one I will ever love. I'll never forget what she did today.
"Commander Dell!" Asuka said firmly. "I gave you a direct order."
Sawyer swallowed hard as he shut his eyes and nodded his head. "Yes, General." Sawyer said flatly. 'NERV COMMAND TO SQUADRON COMMANDER…. SCRAMBLE FIGHTERS….ATTACK HOSTILE AT WILL."
"Acknowledged."
"Have we tracked the signal yet, Lance?" Sawyer asked.
"No, sir. We're still working on it." Lt. Fuki said.
"Do it quicker!" Sawyer snapped. "I want to find out where that damned signal from Angel 20 is coming from! GET ME THAT SIGNAL NOW!"
Hope, I'm sorry. Sawyer thought as he looked at the screen, feeling pain in his heart.
On the read out showing the outline of a body, Sawyer watched in horror as several red areas flickered within the shape.
Looking back to Asuka on the screen, Sawyer could see the decision she had just made was one that tore her heart out. The emotions displayed on General Ikari's face could not be hidden.
Hope is dying. She's in pain. Asuka has two reasons for doing this. One: to ease Hope's pain and help her along to an easy death. Two: stop Angel 20 and save our world.. Sawyer thought as he looked back at her and breathed in.
"I'm sorry, Sawyer." Asuka said. "I can't say much more then that."
Sawyer nodded. "I know."
"Sir, fighters report three minutes to target!" Lt. Fuki told him.
"Commander, what's the status of finding that signal?" Asuka asked.
"Lance, report!" Dell said.
"I'm close." Lance said firmly. "It's within a two hundred mile radius…..that's all I can do right now….I'm trying!"
"NOT GOOD ENOUGH ! DO IT QUICKER!" Dell snapped. "FIND IT NOW!"
"Sawyer…." Asuka said in soulful voice. "…. Don't. They are doing their best."
Sawyer nodded as he looked at her and the turned to Lance saying. "I apologize, Lance. Its just…."
"Its okay, Commander." Lance told him as he fixed his eyes on the screen and typed away. "Don't worry. I'll get you the signal. Its barely detectable but we found it. We're close to identifying the source of the signal. Once, we do that, we've got SEELE."
"COMMANDER, WHERE ARE THE FIGHTER JETS?" Asuka demanded.
"T-minus two minutes and forty seconds to intercept…" Sawyer said as he tried to keep his emotions in check.
"All of SEELE WILL PAY FOR THIS!" Asuka growled.
"General…please…."
Asuka was silent for a moment and then said in a shaky voice. "Report to me any new data. Ikari out."
Sawyer leaned forward. "Lt. Fuki, when I leave to go with the detachment crew, after that signal is found, you will be in command."
"Sir?'
"YOU HEARD ME!" Sawyer growled. "They will pay for this. For all of it! For Isao! For Shinji! For Hope! For Third Impact! For it all! I WILL MAKE THEM ALL PAY!"
(A/N: Oooooo! Damn, do you think Sawyer is just… a little upset here?)