Author: FlyingOct
Chapter: 05 -- The Undesired Resurrection
Silence pervaded the cabin of the sedan, broken only by the hum of the powerful V8 and the intermittant honking of horns. The manner in which Asuka was driving astounded Kunihirou. She seemed to have a total disregard for the law and for the safety of the other motorists around her, but of course she was in complete control of her own vehicle. Even though Kuni considered himself some kind of "street racer," because of several instances in the past, he tried to always follow the posted and unwritten rules on the road. Perhaps by driving a car modified with power in mind he was trying to make his life more exciting and dangerous, but at the same time he was afraid or unwilling to be a dangerous driver. Often he thought about the many nuances of his everyday life, overanalyzing them to the point where everything seemed as if it was a mistake.
The silence was broken after the Toyota had left the city limits and onto open highway, headed away from Tokyo-3 and towards the Sea of Japan in the west. "So, are you dense... or what?" she asked slowly, as if to imply he wouldn't understand if she spoke at a normal speed. He diverted his eyes from the road ahead for just a second, but didn't reply. "You're supposed to say something like, 'no, that's not possible, lady, don't you know simple mathematics?' At which point in time..." She trailed off, thinking.
"What is it?" Watanabe cautiously queried.
"Actually, I probably would have gotten pissed and gone on and on about my degrees and how I graduated from university at fourteen... Which would be pointless, because you probably don't care." It made sense to both of them. "Death is a funny thing, kid. Everybody dies, but no one really understands it. Your heart stops, your brain shuts down... but no one knows what happens to you, to your 'soul', I guess. Do we all live on in some kind of heaven or hell, living forever in peace or pain? Or perhaps death is really the end and no soul really exists."
Kunihirou stared out at the mountains in the distance, over which the ocean would be visible. As the sun began to set in the horizon over the mountains, the young man wasn't sure what to make of his captor. Being that she was Megumi's half-sister, of course he wanted to inquire about the sisterly relationship that had or hadn't existed. Above all else, he wanted to know where they were going, and why she had taken him without any explanation. Furthermore, why had he agreed? "Maybe... death is followed by rebirth. You know, another life as a different being, living on and on forever," he said casually. In his mind there was no hidden meaning behind it, but that statement struck home with Soryu Asuka Langley.
"Anything is possible," was the only thing she would say for the next two hours.
--
"You don't talk much, do you?"
Watanabe looked up from his hamburger. He quickly swallowed whatever was in his mouth before responding, "I guess. Does that matter?" Soryu shrugged and took a small sip from her coffee. "Why should I talk to you, anyway? You haven't even given me a clue as to what we're doing, where we're going, or how you are the age you claim to be." He said it nonchalantly, but inside he was nervous about those questions, even moreso about the answers he might receive. A thin smile grew on Asuka's face, but she said nothing. Staring at the cars which passed by the small family restaurant where she had decided to stop, she knew she couldn't give him a real answer to most of his questions. He wouldn't believe her, even if she did.
"I guess you deserve to know what happened to little Megumi, at least." She sighed a little; this was against her instructions. However, she knew it wasn't morally right to withhold information about a person you love. "You said before that it was common knowledge that all of the Evangelion pilots disappeared in 2016, right?" Kunihirou nodded. "Do you ever stop to think about it? Why hasn't anything been done? The pilots... We were heroes, we saved the world, for Christ's sake!"
"You kidnapped me because you want recognition?" Asuka growled angrily, slamming her hand down on the table as she turned her face away. "That's... a 'no', I guess."
"Yea... I don't want recognition from the public. Sorry... I used to be like that, striving to be seen, to be the best. My whole world was based around being better than everyone else, and when I wasn't, that was the end for me. I got lost in myself, and it hurt the people around me. It's true that the other two pilots disappeared without a trace, and it's true that no one seems to care that they are gone. I was comatose at the time they disappeared... and when I awoke, the world had changed. There was no longer an enemy for me to fight, or a weapon for me to fight with. All of the people I had been close to were gone. I spent a lot of time trying to sort things out, trying to decide what to do with myself and my life."
Kunihirou had put down his sandwich, deciding to listen to the woman with his utmost attention. He could not remember the last time someone had been so open with him. Even Megumi had never been this open with him, yet he barely knew this Soryu. She paused after realizing how closely he was watching her, a light blush appearing on her cheeks. "I'm sorry, go on," he said quietly, leaning back in his seat.
"No, no, I'm getting way off topic," she said as she waved a hand in the air. "You want to know about Megumi. To make things simple, as I tried to gain information to find out about my comrades, I found out about a resurrection, of sorts. There is an organization, called NERV, which managed the fight against the Messengers in my time as a pilot. I have reason to believe it's been reinstated, with new Evangelion units built at the world's taxpayers' expense." Her voice had become hushed. This information was top secret.
Watanabe shrugged. "So? I don't understand what the problem is." Asuka's face had become much more serious and cold, her eyes betraying her natural drive to be the one in complete control of her situation.
"If you knew what I knew, you'd understand," she replied quietly.
"So tell me what you know. What are we doing here, where are we going? What happened to Megumi?" His voice was casual and light. While Asuka tried not to blame him for not realizing what was happening, she still decided to give up at that time.
"Right here, we are eating and taking a break because my ass hurts from that stupid car's seat. We are going to an airport, boarding a private jet, and flying out of country. Megumi... She has been drafted by NERV to pilot one of those things." Watanabe suddenly sat completely upright, his wide eyes betraying his shock.
"Why? Why her?" The calmness of his voice was now gone. Asuka shrugged, a packet of sugar in her hand.
"More than likely, to save money, the NERV organization simply rebuilt the Evangelions they had before, using whatever small samples were left over and re-engineering the rest. This has been going on for a couple years, that's how I got to you so quickly. I've been watching their every move; I knew that bastard Ikari would choose my sister... to be my replacement." Her voice was angry, twinged with a deep sadness that Kunihirou didn't understand. "I'm a different person now. I wouldn't be compatible with the EVA. She is."
"I heard that the EVA could only work with certain people because of their brainwaves, or something. Why would it work with her, but not you?" Watanabe stared at Asuka as she tried to formulate an answer. Her mouth worked slightly, as if she was going to say something, but closed quickly again. He looked at her in a way which reminded her of someone she had known long ago. That look of determination, undermined by the evident presence of fear and lack of confidence...
"You'll find out soon enough. I'm not the right person to be telling you that. Let's go." As the pair slid out of the booth and stood, the whole diner broke out in mumbling and screams of terror. Watanabe watched from the corner of his eye as Asuka put one hand on her waist. She was carrying a gun? He was relieved as she pulled out a vibrating cell phone. The people were all focused on the digital TV on the far side of the room. As Asuka began yelling into her phone, everything but that screen faded from Watanabe's mind. He had seen this before somewhere. He couldn't remember where, but this was a familiar sight. This feeling of overwhelming terror was all too familiar.
A giant being, which could only be described as a monster, was standing outside of Tokyo-3. The city's bright lights were gone, spotlights flooding the monster's body the only source of man's power. The beast had very thin legs and arms but a huge upper body, with what could be called its head protruding from the middle of its chest. Military VTOL aircraft hovered around the monster, firing off shots of ammunition that had no noticeable effect as the beast continued its painfully slow walk towards the city.
"I know, I know! No, you need to settle down! Send the plane here, it won't be a problem with everyone concentrating on this development!" Asuka yelled into the phone, trying to overcome all the voices in the diner. She grabbed Watanabe's arm and yanked. He went along with her as they exited the building. The road the restaurant faced, which had been populated with cars only minutes before, was now empty. "They shut down all of the highways that lead to Tokyo-3. That's a good thing for us."
"Why is that? What are you looking for?" he asked as Asuka peered into the southern skies. Before she responded, a VTOL aircraft appeared on the horizon. "You're with the military?"
"No, of course not! That's our private aircraft!"
--
Watanabe had never flown before, therefore how was he to know that he had a fear of extreme heights? His body shook uncontrollably, and no matter how hard he tried, he could not overcome it. "It's OK, kid! Most people has at least one inborn fear!" Asuka said. They both wore headphones with microphones plugged into the plane's communications system. "I'm sorry this is moving so quickly, but things got much more complex all of a sudden."
"You mean that... m, m-monster?" Kunihirou said through clenched teeth.
"You were a young kid back then, so it's understandable that you don't remember. In 2015, that monster was the first 'Messenger' to attack Tokyo-3."
"That thing is a Messenger! What does it have to do with you? With me? What do you mean, wasn't it defeated before?" Watanabe's eyes strayed past Asuka, all he could see was the blue ocean. He suddenly felt as if he were about to lose his mind and passed out.
--
NERV's underground headquarters was abuzz with activity, but it was very organized. The old man Ikari sat at the head of the upper bridge, looking out at the viewscreens that hovered in the air above the ground level of the Announcement room. Standing to his left was Dr. Ibuki, who was currently busy giving orders to her own staff. Any information that could be gathered before the main attack would be a substantial help. Lieutenant Suzuhara sat on his left, his brow deeply furrowed. "Something bothering you, Lieutenant?" the Commander asked.
"Yes, sir," the younger man said stiffly. "This Messenger looks exactly like the one that injured my younger sister back then."
"Well, it has been discussed in depth that this time around would be very similar to the previous attacks, has it not?"
"You're right... I don't know, I guess I never got a lot of resolution back then. This must be my second chance for revenge." A thin smile crossed Ikari's face as he remained motionless. His eyes were focused on the pitiful attempts of the Self-Defense forces to attack the enemy. Sachiel, the third Messenger, swatted them away as though they were insects.
"A second chance... Indeed."
Deeper inside of Central Dogma, special agent Horaki Hikari watched the monitors with disdain as the army sacrificed itself. Though the loss of life was regretful, the stupidity of the nation's military leaders was more regretful. Why would this time be any different than before? They should have asked for NERV's help to begin with, even if NERV was an autonomous group now and not a true government organization. She hated the senseless loss of life. Ikari had promised her that things would be different this time, that she would not have to worry about losing anyone. For the first time in years, the city moved into defense mode, moving all of the important buildings into the Geofront. The city had grown extensively since then, but since the attacks were supposed to be over, none of the city's planners made room for additions to the defensive grid.
Countless businesses and homes were destroyed as the monster attacked and was attacked. They would all become part of a statistic after the battle was over, insurance claims by broken families. Hikari stood and left her post. It was hard to see all these things again after fourteen years. Back then she had hoped never too see the horror of battle again, but somehow had let herself be dragged into a life which would only lead to more death and pain. As she walked through the busy halls of Central Dogma, her thoughts strayed to Soryu Megumi. More likely than not, the Commander would choose her rather than Ayanami to fight. She remembered some of the files she had read about the last time. Ayanami had been injured at that point, but Ikari chose to put his own son, with no training, into battle. Ikari had counted on the fact that the EVA would go out of control and beat the enemy.
Megumi... Hikari would not let her turn out the same way as Shinji.
--
The plane touched down ahead of schedule, saving precious minutes in their losing battle. By then Kunihirou had awakened again, and was rushed along with Asuka away from the landing pad. "Where are we?" he asked as he followed Asuka down a long, well-lit staircase.
"I'll let our leader explain that to you when we get to the Renesis." She spoke quickly as she ran down the stairs as fast as she safely could. The staircase was thin and completely walled on both sides, nothing like the wide-open escalators inside of NERV's headquarters as Asuka remembered it. At the bottom of the staircase was an opening to a slightly wider room. Two security guards stood watch, letting Asuka through without hesitation. However, they stopped Watanabe from continuing on, raising their automatic weapons. "Guys, we discussed this, remember?" she asked, annoyed at the pair's incompetance.
"You mean, this is... him?" one asked over his shoulder. Soryu didn't respond with anything more than a scowl. The security guards lowered their raised arms and bowed slightly. "Sorry, sir." Watanabe was surprised at the sudden change of heart, but had no time to thank them before Asuka grabbed his arm and pulled him into their headquarters. Before too long they reached a nondescript electrical door. Asuka simply stood in front of the door and did not move.
"Shouldn't you knock or something?" Kuni probed. She scowled again.
"No, you moron, although you don't seem to realize it, we are being probed right now. We have a lot of people who would like us gone, so we need more than a couple guys at the front door as security. This door scans the DNA structure of the people around it and compares it to the DNA matches of known contributors. If it gets a positive match..." The door hissed open. "... Bingo. Come on in."
Watanabe was astounded by the size of the next room. The ceiling must have been at least eighty meters high, and the room was at least four times that long and wide. The walls, floor, and ceiling were all a brilliant white, reflecting the many flourescent lights around the room. "This is our launchpad," Asuka said. She pointed to the four huge dock-like structures that took up most of the room's wall space. "We have the ability to accomodate four units at once." Although he thought they were very odd docks for VTOL or airplanes, he didn't voice his questions. He knew he was wrong, anyway. He followed Asuka though the center of the room to a door on the other side. This one opened without hesitation.
Beyond the door was another large room, although smaller and much less bright than the previous room. This room was obviously the control room. Immediately ahead of the door the walkway continued straight. Along the left side there was a steep edge where the floor dropped away. Huge holographs took up this half of the room, displaying all kinds of information Kunihirou didn't understand. To the right of the door were three separate tiers of control stations and computers. He followed Asuka to the top tier. There he found no control stations, but there seemed to be controls built into the three chairs which occupied the floor. The middle chair was turned away from the pair, obviously occupied.
"Sir, I've brought the boy here as you requested," Asuka said, her voice full of respect for whoever she was speaking to.
"Good, good, I knew I could count on you, Asuka," the voice of the leader said. The voice was deep and powerful, but very calm and easy-going. Kuni knew the voice belonged to an older man, because its tone wavered just a bit. "You must be Watanabe."
"Yes, I am." Several tense moments passed before Kunihirou spoke again. "And you are?" The chair slowly swiveled around to reveal a man in his twilight years. His face was pale and wrinkled, a white electronic visor covering his eyes. A wool sheet covered his legs, he wore a simply black sweater over what looked like a white school uniform's shirt identical to the one Kuni had worn in Toyko-3.
"I am Ikari Shinji. Pleased to meet you." A warm smile creased the old man's face. Watanabe's jaw dropped slightly as he looked to Asuka, and then quickly back towards the old man. "I know you must be confused with all of this, and if you take a seat here beside me, I'll do my best to explain what I can." Kunihirou sat down at the seat to the old man's left, Asuka walking behind them both and sitting on his right. "First off, I'll answer any questions about myself or Soryu here."
"I uh... Your ages... I don't understand, you know... how?" he stammered, trying to concentrate on this old man rather than the flurry of activity going on on the lower levels.
"Well, as you know, Asuka and I were both Evangelion pilots. Because of our prolonged exposure to the EVAs, unforseen effects on aging have since been found. Our friend Asuka was comatose for several weeks in 2016, after which she found that her rate of biological growth had slowed by a certain percentage. Today, she has lived nearly thirty years of experiences, but in actuality her body is 22 years old. My own condition is much harder to explain, so we can talk about that later." Watanabe continued his questions without taking much time to consider the responses.
"Why are these Messengers attacking again? I thought you guys defeated them a long time ago. Why is NERV using Megumi? Why aren't you two there helping her?" Ikari held up his hand.
"I can only remember so many questions before I'll forget all of them. NERV is controlled by a corrupt man, who has manipulated the situations concerning the Messengers and Evangelions since the Fall fifteen years ago. He thinks he can find a way to reunite himself with his deceased wife using a very complex cerimony which can only be carried out if a large number of factors are correctly aligned. We oppose him, and beginning now we are all trying to derail his plans. I guess I am trying to ask you, Watanabe, if you would join us." To Kuni's surprise, the man's voice stayed light despite speaking of such a serious subject.
"Join you?"
"Join our cause, for the sake of all humanity." For just a moment, the clamor of everything seemed to disappear to Kunihirou's ears.
"I guess I don't have a choice, if you put it that way," Kuni stated quickly. Ikari chuckled a bit, confusing the young man. "What... I don't understand what's so funny. If you think I'm just saying that so you will leave me unguarded, you're wrong. I won't try to escape." The old man now laughed before regaining a normal voice and continuing.
"Escape? Heh heh, my boy, please don't misunderstand our intentions. I suppose the way Asuka goes about things, she may have led you to believe that you were being kidnapped, but this isn't the case. You never felt trapped or afraid of Ms. Soryu, did you?" Kunihirou didn't respond, but his face betrayed the truth. "You went along with Asuka because you wanted to. As humans living in a normal world, we sometimes become bored with our daily lives. If given the chance for change, to break out of the ordinary and do something new, most people would take certain risks to break free from their boredom. Because you also felt this way, Kunihirou, you went along with Asuka for this reason."
"Well, I guess... No, I went along with it because I was worried about Megumi!" he protested. The grin slowly vanished from the old man's face, which then became solid and dead serious. "She's... she's being used by your enemies... but she isn't your enemy! I can't fight against her."
"No, no, we realize that. No doubt she has no idea what is happening around her. In 2015 both Asuka and I were pilots of the Evangelion weapons. The unit I piloted was cast from the earth once its purpose had been served. NERV, using new versions of two different EVAs, went into space and brought back that forlorn hope from the blackness of nothing. We know Megumi had piloted one of the weapons, the one which was regenerated from Asuka's original EVA-02. Recently we learned that she had been seriously injured when part of the weapon's armor shattered during orbital reentry."
"Is she OK!" Kunihirou suddenly interjected.
"Yes, she is fine." The young man slumped back in his seat, relieved for just a few precious seconds before his mind started racing again. "However, we suspect she will be used to fight against that Messenger."
"You said that NERV has your EVA... and another one. Do those things also have pilots?" He spoke quickly, forgetting the age of Ikari. He took a second to think before responding, his voice finally betraying some frustration.
"We don't have any conclusive evidence. We can only guess that the potential pilots would be gathered in a class at a Tokyo-3 school, but since they could be of any age we can't narrow down our search enough. Megumi was slated to be in your class, if I am not misaken."
"Well, yeah, but how did you...? Did Asuka find that out?"
"Of course! She's one of the most important people of this organization. I would venture a guess, and say that there is at least one other pilot in your class there. Someone who rarely attends school, and who doesn't socialize very much with the other students. Someone... maybe a mysterious person no one knows." Ikari's eyes twinkled as he pressed deeper, hoping that Watanabe had contact with this person. He smiled as he saw realization grow on the younger man's face.
"I do know someone in my class who fits that description, just one. Her name is Ayanami Rei." Ikari nodded knowingly. "You know? Was she someone you were also watching?"
"No, in fact we suspected her because we couldn't reconnoiter very much on her at all. More likely than not that girl is the pilot of EVA Unit 00. If so, then maybe NERV isn't as readily-equipped as it would seem to be."
"What do you mean?" Ikari patted Kuni on his knee.
"All in time, my boy. Right now I'd like you to watch this," he stated firmly, pointing to the main viewscreen. It was a view of Tokyo-3, more specifically of the JSSDF planes and tanks retreating from the Messenger's position. "The Japanese govenment has probably contacted NERV by now, requesting help. And by help, they mean mobilization of an Evangelion."
--
Ikari hung up the phone which sat beside his command chair, a confident smirk wide across his face. "Lieutenant, continue with the launch preparations for Unit 02. Ready the pilot for immediate deployment." Suzuhara looked towards his commander with unsure eyes.
"Sir? The pilot of Unit 02 is still injured from the retrieval mission, perhaps using Unit 00 would be more advisable."
"Unit 00 will be the emergency backup, with its pilot on standby alert. Unit 02 will scramble against the enemy," Ikari said, his voice colder than Suzuhara had heard it in many years. The last time... No. Touji stood and left to continue preparations. After he had left, a young boy who had been hidden by the darkness near the back of the platform stepped forward and stood next to the commander. He was young, perhaps 14 or 15, with long, unkempt brown hair that hung down over most of his face. His mouth was the only part of his face not shrouded by hair. His build was thin, almost unhealthy, and his pale skin also pointed towards some kind of frailty. He wore a pair of black slacks and white shirt, the local school uniform.
"I wish to fight," the boy said quietly. Only Ikari heard his voice. He placed a wrinkled hand on the boy's head and ruffled his hair.
"Not today, it isn't time yet for your performance. Have patience, Shinji." A wide, cruel smile crossed the boy's face. His hands tightened into fists for just a second before he regained control. "Now, stay here with me to witness these important first steps."
In front of a computer screen in a dark part of Central Dogma, Ayanami Rei stood. Her face was also dark, her anger hidden in that darkness. She had not felt these feelings for many years. She was jealous as she watched Ikari be so close to Shinji. Every time the old man smiled at the boy, her blood would boil. These feelings raged uncontrollably until she walked away from the computer. These things were not important. She had to be ready if Unit 02 was beaten.
But still, she yearned to tell that child who... No, what he was. The horrible truth that not many were privy to, Ayanami knew. No one had told her, and for this reason she kept quiet about that knowledge. She was merely a clone with a borrowed soul, but that boy was an abomination of all things holy. At least she could hold that over him. Her thoughts suddenly strayed to the other pilot. She had been seriously injured during the retrieval of Unit 01. No one had gone to visit her in the hospital; not even the guy she lived with.
--
Watanabe Kunihirou stood against the railing on the third command level of the Renesis, the headquarters of the anti-NERV group. His eyes were wide as the red Unit 02 appeared from beneath the ground on some kind of huge elevator. It was an ugly thing, its four green eyes brought a fuzzy memory into Kuni's mind. 'Protect her.' But there was nothing he could do except watch as the beast slowly took its first step forward into terror. The Messenger seemed to sense the EVA's presence immediately. It quickly bridged the city blocks between itself and its enemy. Unit 02 drew out a knife from the tall pylon on its left shoulder. "That's called a progressive-type weapon," Asuka stated, stress evident in her voice.
"I'm surprised. That design is the same as the ones we used towards the end of the attacks last time," Ikari said to Asuka. "Maybe he hasn't had the resources to advance the technology any further. That could play into our hands." He grinned a little as Kuni whipped around. "Don't worry, our plans extend far into the future. Part of our plans is to get little Megumi out of there."
"Why don't you help them fight the Messeger?" the younger man asked calmly. "That other room, it must be used to house inactive Evangelions, right? You have room for four. Where are they?" Ikari's face slowly faded into a blank look before he turned to his counterpart. The look on her face was one of displeasure towards Ikari.
"We have one at the moment, but it isn't ready to be used in battle yet." Watanabe frowned and looked back at the battle.
"With all this knowledge and information you seem to have, it sure is convenient that I've been brought here just as a Messenger attacked Tokyo-3." EVA-02 was taking somewhat uncoordinated stabs and thrusts at the enemy, unsuccessful for the most part. The enemy seemed only to be dodging, taking stock of the EVA's capabilities. As Unit 02 stepped back and then lunged forward again, knife pointed at the center of the target, it suddenly lept into the air and away from Tokyo's defensive weapon. Propelled by unknown means, it hung in the sky, falling away from EVA-02. Its eyes suddenly lit up like the noonday sun, and moments later an explosion overtook Unit 02.
Some of the camera signals were interrupted, images of the aftermath coming in intermittantly. "Is she OK?" Kuni asked Asuka. She nodded.
"Those things can take much more abuse than just an explosion that limited. Believe me."
--
"Pilot Soryu, respond!" Suzuhara shouted. "How are her life signs?" he asked Dr. Itsuki who was monitoring the situation on the level below.
"She's dazed, but not unconscious. Interface is normal, but her brainwaves have become a bit more erratic. Synchro rate is at 51.2 and slowly falling." The main viewscreen switched from the enemy to the inside of the plug. "Megumi, concentrate! Don't be discouraged! You must get up and engage the target again. Remember to aim for the red core at its center."
"I can't! I can't beat that thing. Whenever I manage to cut it, it just regenerates immediately!"
"Have faith in your abilities. You can do this if you want to," Suzuhara said with full confidence in his voice. Megumi looked away from the camera for a few seconds. When she looked back, her face was full of conviction. "That's it! Now, get up and move in for a second attack sequence. Expect some kind of physical counterattack this time."
"Understood!" The screen clicked off, replaced by a view of Unit 02 rising from a pile of debris.
"Synchro rate has just risen five percent! Still climbing!" Aida excitedly yelled from his station.
"You see, Lieutenant, Unit 02 will be successful," Ikari said confidently. Suzuhara didn't turn from the viewscreens. The commander's ego swelled just as it had those many years ago. Things were going well, maybe even better than last time. He knew from the moment Unit 02 reactivated for the first time that the results would be excellent. Soryu Megumi had already proven that she was a worthy investment. However, in the end she would be disguarded once her purpose had been served. Such was the position of the child designated 'Second.'
--
"What's wrong with its arm?" Kuni asked nervously. The EVA's left arm seemed to be hanging down limply at its side.
"She must have some injury to her arm still from that accident," Ikari said sadly. "Depending on how well she can... control the EVA, it may or may not regain use of that arm."
"Yea, I guess if she fell on her arm that was hurt, she might not be able to move the control sticks," Kuni responded. Asuka quickly glanced at Shinji, his face was still, save for a raised brow. "So there is no way we can help her?"
"I'm sorry, my boy, but we can't show our cards so early," Ikari carefully stated. "We have to keep our very existance hidden from NERV. They should be able to handle these first few Messengers without our interference."
Shortly after Kuni had retired the idea of helping Megumi, she defeated the enemy by piercing its core, which he learned was called an "S2" engine, which supplied the Messengers with a limitless supply of energy. The technology to reproduce the energy was available, but the blueprints from NERV's series of S2 engines had been lost. "So, we know NERV doesn't have a completed S2, although we know they are working on it. It's only a matter of time before they surpass the liability of the energy cable and the batteries which supply energy to their EVAs." Ikari spoke firmly to his staff at an informal debriefing-type meeting.
"Concerning the Messenger's abilities," Asuka started. "It is obvious that this was their first attack, and as last time they will learn more about us with each attack. The question is, how much have they retained from the last round. I think we should expect very advanced tactics and weapons, compared to last time. Employing the same strategies will not work. I also suspect that some kind of evolution may occur, by which some of the Messenger's basic physical or psychical abilities may be altered and advanced."
"We know the methods employed last time," a man Kuni found out was named Tanimoru added. "So, it would be a good idea to work out plans of attack ahead of time, which could be modified at the time of the attacks."
"Yes, yes, good thinking!" Ikari shouted. "Tanimoru, make up a work schedule using any personnel who have gaps in their duties. A think tank... excellent idea, just wonderful..." The old man trailed off, a smile across his wrinkled face. "Oh, um, dismissed." Kuni watched as the other members left, with only himself, Asuka, and Ikari remaining. "Asuka, where shall Mr. Watanabe be staying? We have very limited space here."
"I... I don't know, sir, perhaps one of the engineers could-"
"I think it would be a good idea for him to be roomed with someone he already knows. If I recall correctly, you have a spare bedroom?"
"Sir, with all due respect-" Again Ikari cut her off.
"Then it's settled. Please show him his room, Asuka." Soryu's bewilderment caused Ikari much amusement, while Kunihirou was feeling more uncomfortable. "Don't feel bad, my boy. She knew the luxury of an open room would be a fleeting joy. Now, if you please, Ms. Soryu." Her face was wiped clear of any emotions as she stood, running a hand through her auburn hair.
This was the end of innocence for mankind. The Messengers originally appeared to destroy mankind, who had tampered with the hand of God in Antarctica. They were defeated before, by using an amalgamation of Adam and technology. Man had still been defeated that day, but by his own hand and not God's. The forbidden fruit had been tasted, the tree of life planted in the red soil of Earth. A broken boy was mistakedly vaulted to a position equal to a god, given the opportunity to bring Mankind together as one being or to leave it as a broken collection of lonely souls.
Ikari Shinji tried often to remember that event. He was one of the few that did remember, and why not? After that day he had become a different man. He had aged a lifetime from a single decision. He could not remember much of those times, but what he did remember was horrible and beautiful. The end of the world... and the birth of a new one, a world which was created based upon the old. What an embarassing situation.
END:Chapter 05