Apotheosis:
One's Descent into Heaven in order to become God
Chapter Three
Walk Forward
Italics - Inner thoughts
Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest,
Return, ye children of men.
Psalms 90:3
Another stupid test, why? Test, after test, after test. They have more of my body fluids than I do. They've tested every physical and mental capability I could think of, not to mention a whole bunch I couldn't. Over the last few days, I have overheard roughly 150 technical and medical terms that I have never heard before, and they all have to do with things in or around myself when I'm in the Eva. It's been ridiculous, I have been sitting in the entry plug for more hours than I care to remember. I am starting to forget how the outside looks. At least they finally have me doing actual combat drills now. Except, what the hell is with the gun? I didn't see any guns in my fight with the angel. Here I was, all excited to just be able to get into the Eva without anything trying to kill me. Serves me right for think it would be a joy ride. So here I am, weapons training and way too easy at that. The target nor I move at all, just the same shot over and over.
"Just for the record this is both boring and useless. Unless the angel plans on standing still and not using it's AT field I really don't think this pathetic tests you call training are going to help much." I said trying to convey exactly how annoyed I was.
"Well we have to get you used to the targeting systems of the Eva." Ritsuko retorted.
"Just out of curiosity, which do you think would work better? A: Shooting at a stationary target or B: Trying to hit things that are moving?"
"Hinote, we have to start off slow, you can't walk before you crawl." This time it was Misato.
"That wasn't an answer, and what exactly does crawling and running have to do with this?" Now I was more than annoyed, I felt patronized.
"It was a figure of speech." Said the captains voice with an edge.
"Yes I know that but it was a stupid comparison. I can shoot the damn thing, and obviously I can hit the same target over and over again. So why are we still doing this when we could actually be improving my skills and not just making sure I wont lose focus when bored. Because honestly that has been the hardest part of all these pathetic 'tests'." I let go of the controls and crossed my arms. "Seriously now, I thought it was common sense that if you want to get better you challenge yourself. That's how I became so good at fighting, I trained until my arms were going to fall off and then I would spar when I had nothing left. The adrenaline pushing me to the max."
Ritsuko's time to tag in, "We know Hinote, but..." I wasn't hearing it.
"But nothing, you can only exceed and increase your limits by testing them. Not by pussyfooting around and taking the easy way. You people have to make a decision, do we want the next Angel to kill us all because I can't hit a moving target? If it does go down like that we'll all know who is to blame and it won't be me." I've never been very good with authority, especially incompetent authority.
The women in the command center looked at each other and sighed. Turning off the com so I couldn't hear, Misato turned to Ritsuko. "I have no intentions of saying it to him, but you do know he's right. The Angel wont be standing still and the more progress we can make between now and then the better. Maybe we should step it up."
Over her clip board the doctor responded, "We have to do all the tests on level one so we can collect the data for them before we can move on."
"You sure? I think the commander would be particularly pleased it we got the pilot up to say... level three by the end of today. I mean if the data is good enough who cares about levels one and two." Said Misato, always looking for ways to impress the ever watching higher ups. But she did have a point and Ritsuko knew it. Besides, this boy could use a little humbling.
She turned back on the com. "OK Hinote, you want a harder test here. Lt. Ibuki, please raise the testing to level three. Which means that now, not only will they move but they will actively attack you as well." She said in a way that silently added 'You should know your place'.
I caught her , "Good, about time. I mean you people call yourselves scientists and I was the first one to realize we weren't getting anywhere." The trick to being a good smart ass is to never ever let anyone else have the last word, and making sure your last comment was the best of them all. If someone can out do you, you lose. I rarely lose. Also you must make sure you can back up any shit you talk otherwise you are just arrogant. Succeeding is the difference between confident and cocky. Remembering that fact, I closed my eyes and got ready. Time to show these people what I am made of. "Ready when you are."
"OK begin" a satisfied voice from the control room said.
The first one appeared at my two o'clock, about 500 meters away. I shot it easily. The next was directly to my left and this time much closer, I still took it down before it got near me. The third came from behind me, I rolled forward coming up facing the opposite direction shooting.
"Now we're talking." Finally now I can have some fun.
The forth was to my right but because of my roll it was behind a building from where I was. So I walked backwards looking for... There. For just a second The target came into site between two buildings, I waited a split second and opened fire into the next gap hitting it in the head just as it appeared. I smiled, with self satisfaction. That was a mistake though, as the fifth Angel appeared directly at my six and only two hundred meters away. I didn't have time to turn around and I knew it. But I couldn't prove them right. So I thought quickly and as I spun I dropped to the floor landing on my back just as the Angel got within a step from me.
I heard Ritsuko in the control room, "Not so tough now huh, it's got you, you..."Watching she froze mid sentence.
From my back I kicked the Angel in what would be considered it's balls if it had any. At the same time I grabbed one of it's arms pulling the Angel onto my foot as threw it in the opposite direction. Shooting it several times as it passed over head then was flung across the simulation city. "As you were saying?" I got up and couldn't help but laugh a little with a big smile.
"...lose" Ritsuko weakly finished her obsolete statement awestruck. Her and the lieutenant stood with mouths agape. Misato however had a wide smile on her face and a very sharp look in her eye.
"Well, I think that pretty much settles the matter." Misato said. This is a lot better than I expected, I bet the commander will notice, she thought to herself.
"That was very good work Hinote. Give us a second to set the other test levels up and we will begin again with all the simulations we had to do on level one." Ritsuko quickly recovered making sure that I paid for showing her up by making me do all the tests over again.
"Of course maybe now I'll be able to see what this thing can do." Damn, I guess that's the price though. Being a smart ass to people who run the show sometimes costs you, but you can't let them know it.
I wound up in that entry plug for almost twelve hours. From ten in the morning to about nine thirty at night. This was after two hours of other kinds of physical exams. I couldn't believe that in that whole time I hadn't felt the need to eat or go to the bathroom. I asked at one point and they told me that since the Eva doesn't need to do those things, when you are inside those natural impulses are suppressed. What they didn't tell me was that when I did leave, all that time that I hadn't done those things would hit me all in one moment. I preferred to avoid a mess so I chose to sprint to the locker rooms before even stopping to speak to anyone. I decided they could wait after all the hell they had put me through. So I stayed and took a shower, I had to get the LCL off of me. It smelled like stale blood, a smell that I could never take for some reason. It took me almost a half hour to get out of the shower and I took about ten minutes to get dressed. Misato was waiting for me leaning back against the wall outside the door. She had her arms crossed and one foot up against the wall. "Heya Misato, how you doing? Did you enjoy the show?." I was still feeling good about the tests, I figured I had the right.
Her smile didn't help the size of my head, "Good work kid, though I think you might want to try to avoid Ritsuko on your way out." She smirked, "Though I personally will have to say I'm quite impressed."
"Nice, to tell you the truth, we can talk about all that later, all I want to do right now is eat and sleep. I'm spent. The shower was good but I need to refuel." I said rubbing my shoulder and smiling.
Misato came off the wall and we started down the corridor, "Well I've a lot of work to do now, so I can't bring you home so you'll be taken home by a member of section two. But if you want I can sit with you in the cafeteria while you get some food."
I really did want her to come with me but I didn't think I had the energy to be very good company, "No that's ok you have alot of stuff you do you go ahead, I think I could use some down time. Thank you anyway Misato."
"Alright, well I will tell your ride meet you in the cafeteria in say a half hour?"
"Misato I haven't eaten all day. Give me an hour, please?" I clasped my hands to add to my plee.
"Fine. But you have school tomorrow, and you better not be late. It'll be almost midnight by the time you get home."
"Thank you, don't worry. I'll be fine." With that and a nod me and Misato parted ways and I went to go get some much needed sustenance. The food at NERV was not going to win any taste contests but it was probably the best cafeteria food I had ever eaten. Sure enough though I still wanted to eat more when the section two man arrive and was quite adamant about leaving right then. He mentioned a treat from the Captain and I smiled thinking of Misato. But the man himself was nothing to smile about. Clean shaved, hair shiny and slicked back wearing a black suit and dark sunglasses at almost eleven thirty at night. I eyed him suspiciously, trusting this man with my safety for some reason made me think of the word oxymoron. But I knew this man wouldn't hurt me, I doubt his life would go well for him afterwards if he did. He didn't speak at all on the ride home, that was just fine with me.
Creepy son of a bitch. He looks like the classic bad guy goon. Does that make NERV the bad guy? Do I work for the bad guy? Well that would make my father the bad guy and that's not poss... Wait a second! That's definitely possible if not probable. On the good side, we are saving the world. Or so I'm told.
I left the goon... I mean agent, and went up to the apartment. I still hadn't unpacked everything, I had spent almost all day, every day for the last few weeks running tests and learning all about the operations of the Eva. I learned where all the access elevators and weapons depots were. I was overloaded with information. When I was home I spent most of the time cleaning. I figured it would be easier to unpack once I didn't have to tread through garbage. Tonight though, my excuse was much simpler; I can't lift the boxes right now. I walked pass them into my room closed the door lifted the covers flopped onto the bed peeled off my clothes. Pulling the covers over myself I settled into my pillow and was asleep as I exhaled my first breath.
I got up in a daze and I almost broke my alarm with a wild swing. I went and took a shower and got dressed without ever fully opening my eyes. Which is not easy let me tell you. It wasn't until I went into the kitchen in search of something to eat when I noticed Misato wasn't up. When I went to her room and called for her she grumbled half asleep that she had worked late and to leave her alone, but she did manage to get in a have a good day. I was nice and just quietly closed the door after thanking her. I was tempted for a little pay back for yesterday but I knew it wasn't her fault.
I walked to school still half asleep, it was a miracle that I wasn't hit by a car, or that I didn't walk into something. I had been in school for a few days now on and off and I really wasn't in the mood today, so as the sensei went on about Second Impact, I went to sleep. I woke up just long enough to eat lunch and then I just went back to sleep. I woke up about twenty minutes before the day was over.
I noticed a blinking on my computer, apparently I had a message. Odd, I don't know anyone here, who would be sending me a message. Turns out I had quite a few, I chose one from one of the female names and opened it hoping for someone who had a crush on the new boy. Disappointed I read the message, I opened a few others out of curiosity but they all said the same exact thing. 'Is it true? Are you the pilot of the robot? Yes or No?' I knew I wasn't supposed to say anything really but I highly doubted these kids were spies so... All I sent was one message to one person 'Yes' and within two seconds I was surrounded by almost the entire class. They were all talking at once, Most with questions after an initial "Wow" or "Cool".
I couldn't answer most of the questions but I gave into a couple. "Well they call it Eva or Unit 01. But really it's all top secret stuff I can't tell you much more than that." No reason not to use it to sound important. It worked I heard a few gasps. A couple told me they were proud of me and to keep up the good work and such. I noticed one kid in the back quickly typing on a computer. I got nervous wondering if i was saying too much, but one look at him told me he wasn't a spy. The glasses and pale skin that only comes with lack of exposure to sunlight told me this was simply a nerd. Not that I have a problem with that. I had a few properties that could make me a nerd, I am an avid fan of both video games and anime. I spent almost every moment I was at home doing one of those two things. My saving grace was that I balanced it out with my running and fighting.
I couldn't really take much more of this attention, as I've never been very good at being in the center of things. I quickly went through more than a few shades of red as the onslaught of questions and comments continued. It felt like my lungs weren't working. I stuttered off a few yes's and no's to some of the various questions. But soon I'd had enough, I stood abruptly, "I need to go to the bathroom excuse me." I almost had to push people to the floor just to get out of there. Once outside the classroom I stop to catch my breath, leaning against the wall. Man, and here I thought it'd be great. Tell a few chicks that I was the big bad Eva pilot and have them all drooling. It seemed reasonable enough. But I felt claustrophobic when they all came up to me, and not everyone seemed to be happy with the idea; one or two even seemed apprehensive. I walked to the bathroom and splashed a little water on my face as I looked back at myself in the mirror. "Damn nothing ever happens the easy way does it?" Of course I was only talking to myself but with everything that had gone on in the last few weeks that was the least of my problems. I took my dear sweet time in the bathroom letting the final bell of the day sound. I stayed in there long enough to let the classrooms and halls to clear a little.
I quietly and quickly went into the classroom and got my stuff. There was a few students in there but they weren't paying attention to me. I secretly thanked them as I left the room and walked towards the exit. I stopped for a moment in the yard of the school as I came into the sun light. I had to shield my eyes for a moment. At least some things in life are always bright and shining, even when you don't want them to be.
I got a strange tingle up my spine and my muscles tightened on their own. My eyes narrowed and instinct made me lift my arms just a little. Getting ready for what, I don't know but you should always trust your gut as it's usually a lot quicker on the ball then the rest of you. I started to turn around and I caught a kid from the corner of my eye walking very purposefully in my direction. He was less than a full step away as I turned to face him, realizing just in time that he was in the process of cocking back a punch. However this was the punch of a normal school bully not a real fighter's. Thankfully, it gave me enough time to react. I imagine he thought he'd come up and slug me one and I would hit the floor. I say this because of the utter look of shock on his face when I move to the side grabbing his wrist and pulling it forward. Letting go after I pulled him just far enough off balance that he stumbled forward into the elbow of the same arm that had pulled him forward as I took a step in. It connected perfectly right across the bridge of his nose, it was a good shot too. I couldn't help but smile for just a second in triumph.
"Serves you right, trying to take cheap shot like that." I said to the kid on the floor who was trying to see straight again. When someone hits you like that your eyes immediately water. I could see him wiping his eyes as he sat up. He wore a black jogging suit, I had noticed him in class as the only one not even trying to adhere to the dress code. That is the way of the jock however. They seem somehow exempt from most school rules.
The nerd kid from class came running up the look of shock on his face told me the kid on the floor wasn't the only one who expected this to go differently. He dropped down next to the other kid, "Touji are you ok? Wow never thought I would see anyone get the best of you." Then he looked up at me. "Wow new kid, I have never seen a move like that before pretty impressive."
My attacker, I guess Touji was his name shook off the other kid. "Yeah but don't think you'll get me like that again." He stood up obviously ready to try again but his friend got between us.
"Hey this isn't going to solve anything," He restrained his friend. "Hey I'm really sorry about Touji. He's just looking for someone to take it out on. Ya see, his little sister got injured in the fight you were in the other night with your Eva, and I hate to say it but you were the one who did the damage to the building she was in."
Oh shit. I did it? I hurt his little sister? "Are you serious?" I was frozen, with the sheer size of the Evas the amount of damage that was caused was immense, I hadn't even thought about all the people I must have hurt..
Touji almost went crazy. "Do you think we would joke about something like that? I'm gonna kick your ass." His friend was holding him back again.
"I didn't pilot by choice, they forced me to do it." All the bravado in my voice long gone as I couldn't even look him in the eye.
"You're right I hurt your sister, I'm sorry. Let him go." I said it with a low voice but my tone was all but a command.
"Huh? Are you sure?" The kid with the glasses looked at me like I had two heads.
"Yeah, he deserves to take his shots, and you don't have to worry this time I wont even try to defend myself." I went so far as to put my hands behind my back. He doesn't deserve it, but I do.
He looked at me for a second like trying to see if I had a trick up my sleeve but his resolve soon returned and his stormed towards me, "Don't think I'm going to take it easy on you because you were trying to be honorable." He got within a step and cocked back.
"I don't want you to." I said staring him dead in the face, I simply braced for blow. But it never came.
Just then the blare of the Angel alarm sounded freezing the whole world for just that moment. He stopped and but his arms down. Just then Rei ran up "We've got an emergency call, we must go." She simply turned around and ran in the direction of head quarters not waiting for me at all.
I looked at her then back to Touji. "Well I have to go. If I live you can have your shots when I get back." I took off, I felt guilty for leaving things like that. But I had more important concerns and if I died I'm sure he wouldn't mind not getting his punch in.
As the evacuation to the shelters went on, I reached NERV, I was rushed into the locker rooms and I got into my plug suit as quickly as possible. I could hear what was going on over the PA. They were prepping the city and making sure all the buildings were underground and all civilians were in the shelters. It didn't take me long to get to my Eva and soon enough I was waiting on the launch pad, receiving any information we had, which wasn't much. It was coming from the water and it was moving fast that's all we really knew for sure. Most of the Intercepting force was still in repair from the last Angel so they wouldn't be much help in delaying it. On the bridge the chatter was surprisingly light hearted for the situation.
Misato stood on the bridge a thin grin on her face, "Figures that the forth Angel would show up while the Commander's away. It's alot sooner than we expected."
The tech I now knew as Lt. Hyuuga responded, "It's only been three weeks, last time they gave us fifteen years between attacks."
She sighed and rolled her eyes. "They have absolutely no consideration for us do they? Figures us women hate their type."
The UN forces that remained unleashed their futile attacks with the few remaining defense posts. It didn't even manage to slow it down. The Sub-commander smiled, "They're just wasting the tax payers money."
The other male bridge tech Lt. Motowa turned from his console. "The committee demands that we dispatch an Evangelion again."
Misato shook her head, "Those guys really get on my nerves. I would have sent out an Eva even if they hadn't told me to. What did they think I was going to do?"
I was barely listening to them all I could think of was the kid from school. I hurt a little girl, an innocent little girl. Am I worthy to pilot this thing? Who am I going to hurt this time? Damn, why did that kid have to be in my class. How am I even going to look at that kid. This sucks, but I really don't have a choice.
Most people huddle in the shelters afraid for their lives. Those people were smart rational people who understood the depth and severity of the situation. Kensuke Aida was not one of those people as he was more worried about the media blackout that prevented him from seeing the monumentous battle going on outside. He however was a quick thinker and an extremely motivated person. OK well maybe a fanatic was a more proper term. And he was certainly fanatical about the Evas so like all great minds he had a plan. He had gotten Touji, who was his best friend and himself out of the main room of the shelter and to a bathroom so he could relay what he had come up with.
"So what's all this about?" Touji asked.
He hastily replied "I've got to see it, at least once in my life." He was nearly whining already.
"What you mean the battle up there?"
"Yeah, no one knows when the next one will come." This was a pleeing statement as well.
"Kensuke, are you serious?" He was shocked at his friend, whom he always had considered a coward.
This time he sounded like he was barking orders "If we let this opportunity pass us by we may never get another." He softened up again. "Please help me unlock the gate."
"Hey man we could get killed if we go out there."
"Who's to say if we stay here the chances aren't the same, If one of those things lands on us were done. Shelter or no shelter. If I could go either way I would rather get to see it at least once." It seemed like he was winning.
"You idiot what do you think that NERV is for?"
"Well what do you think NERV's most effective weapon is? That robot the new kid pilots. Like it or not he protected us all the other day and if he refuses to fight we all die. So I think that makes it our obligation to watch him fight."
"Fine, it's not like you're giving me much of a choice. You'll do anything to get your way."
Kensuke simply smiled with a small chuckle.
God I hate waiting. The anticipation is killing me. I closed my eyes and tried to forget about everything, especially the little girl I hurt. It was ironic that I had never seen this girl before, but I've had about a thousand mental images of her getting hurt. This is pathetic! How can I fight if I'm too worried about people getting hurt? Or more appropriately that I will be the one to hurt them?
I was almost too much in my own world to hear what the bridge was saying about the target but one word broke through everything and made me sit up like a bolt and my eyes go wide. I had heard the name "Nagoya", the name of my home town.
"What! What about Nagoya?" I opened a direct channel to the bridge frantically. Misato couldn't even look into the screen. My heat began to race. Everything I know is there... Omar... no... The realization hit me before she even had to say it.
"I'm really sorry Hinote, but the town of Nagoya was directly in the path of the angel and it looks like it's almost completely destroyed. They didn't even have time to evacuate to the shelters." Her voice was level but I could see her straining to keep it that way.
"No..." Tears began to well up in my eyes. I tried my best to fight the sobs, now was not the time to cry. I slammed my fists into the handles but I knew it wouldn't help. I did manage to keep myself some what under control but my tears were still dissipating into the LCL minutes later when Misato spoke to me again.
"OK Hinote, this is it. The Angel is here we are going to send you up. All you have to do is neutralize it's AT. Then fire a volley into the target just like we practiced. Nice and simple."
Apparently I was still on the doctor's bad side she chimed in with, "Think you can handle that?"
However I was in no mood to play games at the moment. "No problem, just shut up and send me out." Even I was surprised that I had actually said that over the com. That fucking thing is going to pay. Omar... I closed my eyes and fought the last of my tears away as my entire body filled with rage. ...this is for you my friend. I felt the G forces pressing down on me as the Eva was launched up to the surface. I already had a rifle and as I came to the surface I realized I was in a building. Last time I wasn't enclosed this time I had to wait for a door to open. I couldn't see the Angel but the Evas radar quickly showed me where it was, the building was providing me cover so I took one last deep breath and peeled away from it coming around facing the Angel who was only a few blocks away.
This was the first time I had gotten a visual of it. It was huge even compared to the Eva. It didn't have legs but rather a long thick body that it was reared up on, It reminded me a bit of a snake. It was almost purple in color and no where near humanoid in any way. On either side of it's spade shaped head were large protrusions, each looked kinda like a large capital T.
I only had a split second to see it as I opened fire. "Die, you piece of shit!" I let my anger take hold and a small volley turned into the entire clip. Smoke from the shells encased the Angel making it impossible to see it. I couldn't even tell if that had worked. When the gun was empty I took a couple of deep breaths trying to stead my rage. Even if it was dead I wanted to rip it into pieces. I felt the hair on my neck stand just as a flash emerged from the smoke. I wasn't able to react fast enough and when I saw what looked like a whip lashing out at me I simply fell backwards to avoid it. "Holy Sh..." I couldn't even finish as I was forced to roll.
Misato screamed "Look out!" into the com as if I planned on letting the thing hit me.
I did just that but the building that had been used as my lift was cut to ribbons next to me. I struggled to my feet trying to put a little distance between me and the thing. I heard Misato over the com. "I am sending you a spare rifle take it!" A building shoots up with a new gun in it, I go for it but before I get there the Angel destroys the building. I roll away quickly, and stand up. It starts to move, getting ready to strike again as it approaches.
Shit, well the gun idea is pretty useless. Let's try the prog knife. The left shoulder pylon opens and I pull it out. "I'm going to try close range combat." I charged the Angel just as it turned a corner to face me. One of it's tentacles shot out at me I ducked to my left and it shot passed.
Gotta get rid of these things! I snatched it as it started to retract and cut if it in half. I turned at the Angel as the remains of it's arm went back. Instead of writhing in pain it simply extended more of he tentacle. "That's not good."
Now both of the tentacles shot at me. I manged to grab one but the other wrapped around my leg. We both pulled at the same time. Thankfully since the Angel was in fact floating, I had superior leverage. It came flying towards me and my foot simply raised to meet it. The Angel took the worst of it but the force sent me on my back. Unfortunately it still had my leg which quickly became a problem when I found myself soaring through the air. As I was flung the umbilical cable got cut by the tentacles. "Fuck." Was all I could say as I saw the five minute internal battery countdown start.
Wow the city sure looks pretty from way up h... I slammed into a mountain side just outside of the city. Luckily I had managed to keep hold of my prog knife though it was thoroughly implanted into the mountain. I was just about to say shit to myself when something caught my attention from the corner of my eye, movement. I turned.
"What the fuck are you two doing here?" The two kids from my class Touji and the nerd were crouched in between the fingers of my Eva and they were terrified. One had his head between his knees the other just looked up at me crying.
My mind raced, These two idiots are going to die if they stay out there but it doesn't look like there's anywhere for them to go. I didn't have long to think since the Angel had recovered and had closed the distance between us quickly. The command room Identified them as Touji Suzahara and Kensuke Aida, they were livid. I didn't have time to do anything and I couldn't move far with them down there so I waited and got ready to react. Three minutes left.
It reared up again and attacked, I caught both of the tentacles and held on. "I"m going to eject the plug and let them in. If I hold the Eva on it's current commands it will be ok. The battery wont be running when the plug is ejected I still have time." I did exactly what I said I would hearing Misato just before the power shut down.
"You are not authorized to do that Hinote, civilians are not allowed in the entry plug. I order you..." I never really did care much for orders.
The plug opened and I opened the small panel next to the hatch and taking out a mic. over the speakers I yelled, "Hurry the fuck up and get in. Come on." They reacted immediately running towards the Eva. It was a good thing I was on my back and the emergency access ladder was enough to get them inside. As they practically tumbled into the plug I settled back into my seat and hit the commands to reinsert the plug. Luckily my gamble had paid off and the Eva had held the Angel still.
"Oh my god I am inside an Eva. This is a dream come true." Kensuke was in his own personal heaven, the danger totally forgotten.
Touji however, "I think I am going to be sick."
The entry plug began to fill. They panicked
"What the hell, we're gonna die." The jock wasn't so tough now.
I couldn't take it anymore. "Both of you shut the fuck up, I need to concentrate to work this thing. You'll be able to breath, trust me. I don't know how this is going to work with you in here and I'm going to get in a lot of trouble for this so just be grateful I didn't leave you out there to die." They stared at me shocked only when they were suddenly submerged was there any movement.
"I think I'm gonna to be sick." Touji repeated.
"Shut the fuck up, you already pissed yourselves I can smell it. Now listen to me; If you see me trying to do something imagine yourself doing it with me, that's how this thing works, don't tell anyone I told you that, but I need all the help I can get." I turn around and hit the final command to sync with my EVA. My heart was racing and I was furious, but I had a mission and I would not fail. And it had nothing to do with NERV.
Omar, I am going to make this thing pay. The lights flashed and I was staring into the face of the Angel. Immediately the small screen appeared with Misato's face on it
"What the hell were you think pulling a stunt like that? You're going to pay for that one mister!" She was pissed but she was the least of my problems. I felt like I was being stabbed in the head.
"It's hurts... I'm getting.. some kind of feedback."
The doctor answered. "You let two foreign bodies into the matrix. They are being picked up as noise interference in the nerve impulse system."
I cut her off, "I didn't have a choice!"
I was at my limit so I used the Angel's tentacles like a whip pulling it back over my head, then launching it in the other direction. It fell all the way back to the edge of the city, crashing into the rim buildings. I jumped to my feet freeing my prog knife from the mountain and with two minutes left, I charged at the Angel.
"Hinote retreat immediately! We can start again later." Misato's voice cut over the com. "Use recovery route thirty-four, retreat to the east side of the mountain." Her voice was loud and hurried.
Touji came up behind me, "Hey new kid she said "Retreat! New Kid..."
"No!" Fuck that.
"Hinote Obey my orders! You must retreat now!" Misato screamed.
"No! I won't run away! I'm going to kill this thing now!" I turned the com off. I heard the whimpers from my two passengers. It distracted me for just long enough to lose my footing and I slid down to the base of the mountain. "Oh shit!" The Angel was right in front of before I had the chance to recover. It's two laser arms shot out and stabbed straight through my stomach. I screamed out in pain. I wasn't the only one as the other two boys did too. One minute remaining.
I took both of its tentacles in my hand and pulled forward. As it came towards me, I swung the progress knife into the red orb in the Angels chest. What looked like sparks shot out as the blade pierced the core. It's lasers pushed further, I screamed out again. But all I could see was red, this thing was going to die. Twenty Five seconds remaining.
I pushed forward again and I could feel it losing strength. We we're locked in that position, neither of us would even think about yielding. I slammed both of my hands onto the right control stick pushing forward as hard as I could. I could vaguely hear the two idiots praying for their lives. I don't care what happens to me, my friend isn't going to die alone. Either this thing is going with him or we both are, it's all the same to me. Ten seconds remaining.
Nine... This it going to be close. I hope I made the right choice.
Eight... Damn is it just me or are these seconds lasting forever.
Seven... Misato's going to be pissed even if I do win.
Six... Fuck her. She's the last thing I should be worrying about.
Five. Well If we do all die, at least they wont get a chance to say I told you so.
I saw the core of the Angel crack and it faded until it was no longer shining. I smiled as I saw it start to fall limp. The final seconds ticked off the clock. I fell back into my seat as the EVA powered down and the dim blue emergency lights came on. "Check please!" I said with a small laugh as I held onto my sides. The nerve connections were no longer active but the body tends to take a little longer to remember that it's not hurt. The small sounds coming from behind me in the dark reminded me that I wasn't alone. I turned around to see the two boys huddled to together shaking and crying. "You two can relax now, it's over."
They looked at me for a second before they realized that they were hugging each other. They shot in opposite directions so fast they both hit their heads on the sides of the entry plug. After a pair of cursing fits they finally settled down. Kensuke was the first to speak.
"So we won?" I could see the child in his eyes, pure wonder.
"Well I don't know about we. But it's dead and we're not, so I guess that's a yes." We shared a quick laugh.
Touji did not share in Kensuke's reveling, "So now what?" he said abruptly. "Do we just sit here or do we get out or what?" He didn't seem to want to be here anymore.
"Unfortunately we have to wait for the recovery team but they shouldn't take very long. I'd say we'll be out of here in less than an hour. It'd be alot faster if we were inside the city, but I don't know with the mountains." I turned around to face them. "You guys both okay?"
They looked at each other then over to me giving me a nod. I could see a question forming, thankfully Kensuke spoke up before I had to ask. "Umm, can I ask you something?" I nodded. "When that thing stabbed the Eva you screamed out, and when that happened but of us felt like something was tearing at our stomachs, what the hell was that?"
"The price of piloting. When I pilot, my brain is directly connected to the Eva. In a very real sense I become a part of it and it becomes a part of me. I control it using my thoughts, what I think, it does. The other part to that is I feel it's pain. It gets hurt, so do I. Or at least I feel it like I was hurt." I pointed to the nerve connectors on my head. "See these things, they help me sync better with the Eva. You guys are lucky, all you felt was phantom sensations, I felt as if I was being stabbed."
"You mean you can feel the damage the Eva sustains?" I could almost see Kensuke's mind taking mental notes.
"And that's not to mention the pain I felt from having you two in here."
The two boys stared at me stunned. "Because of us?" they said almost simultaneously.
"Yeah, it felt like both of your thoughts were going through my head. I couldn't pick them out or even know what they were, it just felt like pressure." I laughed a little. "It kinda sucked."
"We're really sorry all this happened!" Touji bowed slightly. Which surprised me to say the least.
"Yeah, for everything. I know you are going to get into alot of trouble because of all this. My father's a general so I know how many regulation you broke. They aren't going to be very happy with you. This is all top secret stuff and we could be shot just for seeing it." Kensuke was amazingly calm as he talked about his possible demise. This was probably because at this moment he felt he could die happy.
"Don't worry, it's my fault so I don't think you guys will get in alot of trouble. I will take the blame, they can't do too much to me all I gotta say is 'who's going to pilot then?' and they'll shut right up." That got a laugh from the group. "But seriously you guys can't tell them all the things I told you. Tell them I didn't tell you anything about the workings. Tell them I wouldn't talk to you, trust me it will make all of our lives much easier."
"We don't know nothin'. Don't you worry." Touji said with a wink. Trying to act all tough.
"Well thank you for that. And don't worry guys I wont tell anyone about you two pissing yourselves or anything." I smiled back. I paid their grumbling comments no mind I simply sat back into the chair and rested. "I hope you guys don't mind but I'm going to close my eyes for a few. Piloting kinda takes it out of ya." As I did the thoughts of Omar and my old town came flooding in. I couldn't help but wonder if any of it had survived.
It didn't take long for the recovery team to get to us. I had fallen half asleep and when the hatch finally opened I almost didn't want to get out. The other two however fought one another to get through the small opening. I climbed out after them and could see that they were already surrounded by section 2 agents. Both of the boys had their hands up looking almost terrified. I started to laugh then I remembered something. Just as the agents began to walk away with the two boys.
"Hey hold on a second I have to talk to that kid for just a second."
One of the agents peered over his shoulder. "Sorry sir but we must take these two boys into custody immediately you are not allowed to share any..." Sir? Why did he just call me Sir? Being a pilot probably gives me some kinda rank. I could get used to that idea.
"I know, I know. This has nothing to do with privileged information, don't worry and it will only take a second. Don't believe me? Just stand right there and watch." Reluctantly the man did just that. "Now Touji, I believe that me and you were in the middle of something."
The boy looked at me puzzled, "What the hell are you talking about?"
"You owe me at least one very serious punch in the face." I said staring him down putting my hands behind my back again.
"You're shittin' me. You actually want me to hit you now? Oh, I get it. You know that when I try these goons are going to give me a walloping. Well nice try..."
"No they wont. Agents, listen to me. No action is to be taken against this boy for what is about to happen. Not here, not later. This doesn't even need to be reported, it does not concern NERV. Do you understand?" I got a round of nods as I looked to the agents who surrounded us. "See you'll be fine. Now go ahead take your shot." I stood ready looking him dead in the eyes.
"You can't hit him he just saved our lives." Kensuke seemed almost disgusted at the thought.
"Yes he can! I got his sister hurt and I deserve it! Now hit me!" The intensity of my words and the look on my face ended all discussion.
Touji had been staring at the floor, when he finally looked up at me I could see a few tears in his eyes. He cocked back and hit me. But not very hard. "There." He spat.
"NO!" I grabbed his shoulder as he tried to turn from me. "Did you forget that I'm the reason your sister is in the hospital. Do you not care about her? You will hit..."
SLAM! Yeah that hit a soft spot.
I hit the floor, my entire world was rocked. When I could see straight again I looked up at Touji who's tears dropped on the floor in front of me.
"Thank you." I said to him as the agents came back into view.
Touji looked down at me in utter shock. "W-what... thank me...what?"
"OK guys he's ready to go." I smile up at him. "I deserve far worse."
The Agents had to come grab him by the arms and escort him away. He continued to look back at me until he was no longer in view.
End chapter 3
A/N; Next chapter almost entirely original, please keep reading I promise you will not be disappointed.