---Rebirth of the Evangelion---
Shinji looked around him at the swarms of pedestrians on the streets around him. He felt it a bit awkward to be suddenly back in civilisation, even though he had no clue as to where he was or what kind of civilisation this was.
It had been 2 days since he had found himself in this wierd environment. He and Rei had finished connecting the emergency energy cables to Rei's Evangelion. There was a spare set of cables that he thought were probably meant for unit-02, but they still had no lead as to where Asuka was.
Rei had planned to go to the nearest city to find information on where they were. It was a good idea to become familiarized with where they were before departing on any missions. They had set down behind a sufficiently big mountain range and had covered the Eva's pretty well with bushes and logs. At least air units would have a hard time spotting them, Shinji thought.
Shinji now sat at a bus stop, patiently waiting for Ayanami. He had finished the job set out for him and this was their arranged meeting place. He finally caught sight of blue hair and stood up to greet her.
"Rei!"
"Hello Shinji."
"Where were you? You're a little bit late." Shinji sat down as Rei entered under the protective roof of the bus stop. She sat down beside him.
"Were you worried of me?" Shinji reddened a bit and was about to hastily deny that when Rei cut him off. "That's nice of you, but it had taken me longer than I had hoped to access information terminals."
"Same here. I'm not going to ask where you found that weird currency that this city seems to use though."
"Good."
Shinji silently wished he could find out where she got the money from, but on second thought he decided it would be better if he didn't waste his time trying to find out.
"Well, i'm pretty hungry, let's get something to eat shall we?"
Rei was hesitant for a moment before understanding Shinji's plight. "I agree, we do not need to discuss this in the middle of a street. I am curious as to what forms of food they provide here."
"Me too." Shinji smiled. Rei probably didn't notice it, but she had suddenly started to show more emotions since she got here. She had actually given Shinji a smile once or twice so far, which was very unusual for her otherwise emotionless state. "Let's find a restaurant...you've got enough money right?"
"Yes." Both teenagers set off looking along the streets until they found a relatively good looking one with japanese style food. They sat down next to window and began talking and exchanging the information they had found.
They ordered their food and were able to get a lot out of the way before the food came. By putting together what they had each found out at the internet cafes they had each visited, they were able to find out that they were definetly on Earth. They knew that this was sometime in the far future, at least 200 or 300 years later than when they had come from. They also found news that there was a mysterious event that had occured in a city to the east. Both pilots were sure that it had something to do with Asuka.
"Plus," added Shinji, "I found out they're using combat robots that have similar designs to our Evangelions. Though they're smaller and compensate with more armor since they don't have any A-T Fields."
"That seems logical." Rei simply stated as she took a few more helpings of salad.
"Um, Rei, are you only going to eat salade?"
"I dislike eating meat."
"I know that, but there are other things that we can order you know. You said yourself that we don't need to worry about money."
"That is true, I will think about it." Rei continued to eat her salade as Shinji finished off a bowl of Shark Fin Ramen. They finished eating their meals and continued to talk after the server had given them the bill. Watching a huge television built into the building directly accross from the restaurant, they were able to come up to date with their new position on Earth.
"AC 195 huh?"
"I agree that this appears unusual," Rei said in her monotone voice, even though she herself was very interested to learn even more of that around her.
"Well, what would you like to do now? Do you think those so called 'Gundams' could be long lost versions of our own technology? They keep talking about how dangerous and powerful they are..."
"I highly disbelieve that to be so. I think any form of contact between ourselves and this new world would be a negative influence on our mission."
"B-but...why? Aren't we trying to rescue Asuka? They might know where she is!"
"...And they might not. The most likely explanation for any contact between us and the people on this world would be for our technology. It is obvious that this civilisation is much more advanced than us, yet they do not comprehend A-T Fields or nerve based controls."
Shinji sighed; you just can't argue against logic, which means it's practically impossible to argue with Rei. He still felt that it would still be a good idea to maybe find some friendly people in their new surroundings.
"You're right Rei. Hey, you know, why do you always have to refer to me as Pilot Ikari now anyways? We're working together as friends now, not coworkers, kindness is not a weakness as Kaji once said."
"..., that would be acceptable then Shinji..."
"Thanks." Shinji smiled and Rei felt one tugging at her lips.
"We must be leaving. We have further information data banks to search through. We will meet back here and if it will then be too late, we can stay at an apartment."
"Okay, the Eva's should be fine. I don't think anyone will find them unless they know exactly where they are." The two Evangelion Units were well protected from view by the thick carpet of trees on the mountain to the south of the city. Unit-00 was charging it's batteries at the moment as well, there was no need to check up on them too soon.
"Well, Let's meet back here at 6:00, okay?"
"That's acceptable. 6:00 then."
As Shinji and Rei departed the restaurant in opposite directions as Shinji had some lingering thoughts. His feeling of nervousness hadn't left him since he had heard that Asuka was missing.
"Asuka...I hope you're doing okay..."
---
"We have extracted the pilot sir. I'm on my way up right now."
Trieze leaned forward in his desk, satisfied. He quickly tried to find a good posture for the incoming men. "Good work, I want him in my office on the 32nd floor."
"Oh, you changed rooms? Then we'll bring her to you in a few moments then. We're right here!"
Trieze was caught a bit off guard by his comment, but he didn't think they were making a mistake. "Excuse me general?"
"I know, I aggree it's strange. We're coming in right now."
Trieze watched as his double oak doors opened and the familiar sight of his promoted General came into the room in the lead. There were 3 other people behind him. 2 of them were obviously soldiers, their rifles cocked over their shoulders. The other one was a high ranking scientist, he wore the one piece white suit with 3 stripes down his arm. The scientist was holding what looked to be an unconcious body in his hands. Trieze stared.
"So that's the pilot?" The general moved off to the side to allow the scientist to step up.
"The girl in my arms was found inside the mech, sir."
"May I ask what that substance is that she appears to be coated in?"
"We have no idea sir, but it appears to be highly oxygenated. Some sort of advanced neural fluid is my guess."
"Okay, I don't need any explanations that I can not comprehend. Please put her in the chair in front of my desk." The Scientist hesitated before lowering the limp body into the chair. The girl hunched over slightly and leaned on the arm-rest, her bright red hair, containing more orange liquid, was covering most of her face.
"Is she awake?" Trieze asked tentatively.
"According to our scans sir, she is concious. She is probably putting on some act at this moment."
"Okay then, General, please take your men and yourself outside please."
"Excuse me sir?" The general turned politely around to look directly at Trieze.
"You heard me, please wait outside with your men, I wish to speak in private." Somewhat unwillingly the uniformed man motioned for his men to follow him outside. When the doors closed, silence remained in the room.
The scientist looked somewhat apprehensive. "Sir, should I go too as well-"
"No, I need you to stay here." Trieze motioned for him to sit down and waited as the scientist seated himself. Then he began to direct his attention towards the girl to his right. "I am Trieze Kushrenada. I would like to ask you a few questions if I may. Is that okay with you?" Trieze waited but the figure didn't respond. Trieze didn't let any hint of irritation appear on his face. "Please tell me your name."
There was silence once more and the scientist fidgetted, wondering if he should be doing something right now. Then Trieze spoke again:
"Dr. Alcindo am I correct?"
"U-uh, yes sir."
"I am sure that you keep your syringes with yourself as always, am I correct?" Trieze stared at the scientist as if trying to let him know he would have to give the right answer or this wouldn't work.
"Y-yes sir...Ah! Yes, I will use one immediately sir." Trieze smiled as Alcindo pretended to go through his pockets and produce something metalic. It was definitly not a syringe, but the the girl didn't know that.
---
Asuka had hoped that as long as she stayed silent she wouldn't be forced to talk or be questioned. When she found out she was being brought directly to a commander her heart leapt into her mouth.
So far it had been going not too bad for her. She had stayed quiet during the whole time she was released from her Eva; now she felt scared, she had heard the unfamiliar voice talking to another one telling him to get a syringe to use on her. She didn't like the ideas of needles, so she wasn't sure how much longer she would last. She hoped they were faking it.
Just then she felt something sharp prick at her neck. Asuka immediately yelled and grabbed it out of the unknown person't hands. Her eyes shot open and she lunged at the figure behind her chair but only managed to fall on him. Her legs were weak and her body was refusing to give her the strength necessary to fight. She then noticed she was holding a pen. She looked at it disgustedly and dropped it on the floor.
"Whoa! Hey, calm down. I won't hurt you, you just had to stop faking it okay? We won't hurt you." The man in the white coat picked her up gently and she remembered his touch as the person who had brought her here in the first place. She bowed her head and wiped her face with her hands when she was seated again. The LCL was getting rather uncomfortable all over her.
"So you are awake at last, pilot?" Asuka looked up to see a very superior looking man with a blue jacket on, highly indicating he had an advanced rank. She didn't say anything so he spoke again. "I will say it once more, I am Trieze Kushrenada, I am the commander of Oz. This is Alcindo, the scientist who recovered you from your...what do you call it...'Eva' I believe?"
Asuka only nodded. She tried not to look at him as he questioned her, though she was slightly put at ease that he wasn't treating her as badly as she thought he would.
"Okay then, I would like to know your name. It is not in your best interests to be uncooperative because we bear no hostility towards you. The person who ordered the attack on you has been dealt with, so please be open with me. I am not your enemy."
Asuka stayed silent for another minute as the person in front of her named Trieze continued to wait patiently. She finally gave up and answered without using her usual self confident attitude.
"My name is Asuka." In the very least, Asuka hoped, she might be able to get some help and find her way back to NERV through this man.
"Asuka? I have never heard such a name, where are you from?"
"Tokyo-3."
"Tokyo? I only know of a Tokyo-5 situated in Japan. Though that's not from the colonies. How could you be from Earth, what organization are you from?"
"I-..." Asuka tried to think of something to say. She didn't know what she should tell this commander seeing as NERV was a secret organization, so she tried something different. "I know we're on Earth, where else would I be from?"
"You mean to say you did not come from the colonies?"
"Colonies?" Asuka's mind began swimming, she had no idea what this person was talking about. "What colonies, what are you talking about?!"
"I should think you should know, being raised in this era."
That did it for Asuka. She snapped somewhat and used all her self restraint to calm her voice. "Colonies, as in space colonies, orbiting around Earth huh? Very neat. What age am I supposed to be in then? The age 3000?"
"Actually, I do not know what measurement of time you are using. We got rid of the AD's a long time ago, we now consider the year to be AC 195."
"AC 195?" If Asuka wasn't bewildered before, she sure was now.
"You mean you do not know what has been going on around you? AC stands for After Colony, how did you get to be in that fighting machine if you don't even know about your surroundings?"
Asuka could not respond to that. Her mind was in fast forward, trying to link facts together, but the possiblities she was coming up with were just too...crazy to pay attention to.
"What's happening here?" She whispered to herself as Trieze got up and looked out the window behind himself, preparing to ask more questions. Trieze gave a short smile, it seemed he would be able to use this girl after all. He would find out what it will take to have the advantage over the Gundams.
---
Trowa walked into Quatres mansion silently as usual. What he did not expect to see was Quatre waiting for him right behind the door.
"Trowa, I need to speak to you about something." Trowa calmly took his shoes off and followed Quatre to a big well furnished room. He took a seat on a couch opposite that of Quatre.
"What is it?"
"Data from our allies satelites."
"Concerning?"
"That's the thing. We believe Oz to be working on some sort of new advanced weaponry."
"You mean, are they trying to copy Gundam technology?"
"I don't think so. I think it has to do with some of these images we have. Take a look at these."
Trowa quickly went through a few pictures before picking up a few data disks for futur reference. He was intrigued, to say the least. "Where's Duo and Heero? Do they know of this?"
"Well...They decided to do this in their own way. They left before we returned from our last mission. They are not that dependable to say the least. I have a better solution, I believe."Trowa's eyebrows arched at this statement. "Are you going to fill me in on what is going on?"
"Those are pictures of unknown and possibly alien vessels. That is, until we got a better look at them. Their technology is beyond even the Gundams I believe, if not just for the fact they're almost twice the size of any mobile suit. We were unable to get many photo's because of heavy interference in that region, though we were able to get a good shot on them while they were unactivated and two pilots emerged."
Quatre handed Trowa a picture showing an arial view of two people roughly the same age as himself, one with blue hair and the other with brown. They were talking beside two huge beings and they were wearing interesting suits...
"I agree, we should find out more. Can we find these people? It is possible they are working around our own civilians to find information and etc."
Quatre smiled this time: "I'm ahead of you. Our resources have found that they are currently in the Misobashi region, in the city of Raihoshiro. If you're with me, get you Gundam prepped, we're leaving as soon as possible. We could use allies in the war to say the least, or at least destroy our enemies early."
Trowa grinned as he remembered a saying well. He sat up and started towards his room:
"Mission, accepted."
Well, I'm still open for comments. But seriously, I need some feed-back. I've got a few complaints about the scene's where Asuka is currently reflecting upon herself while she is trapped inside the entry-plug. I need her to start some progress towards overcoming her personal demons, but I'm not sure how to portray her doing that without it sounding too OOC. Can you give me some suggestions? (Chap. 3)
I look forward to comments and reviews!