I do not own the rights to Neon Genesis Evangelion, or any of the characters, equipment, or locations written in this fanfiction. The purpose of this fanfiction is merely for the non-profit enjoyment of other readers. If requested by Gainax, Hideki Anno, or other parties which represent aforementioned objects in this story, I will remove it promptly.
Chapter III:
Once again I had a chance to speak with Maya Ibuki, who, we were informed, would be my escort for the time being. She entered the examination room, the door taken to maintenance and a white curtain put up in it's stead. I nodded at Maya in acknowledgment, which resulted in a nervous smile from the brunette. I can be cold at times, and it then I realized I should work on that.
It was my parents that mentioned my antisocial nature after my girlfriend and I started dating regularly. "Before, you stalked around like you were going to kill somebody!" my mother said. "You're still mean, but some of the edge has worn off." I hadn't completely lightened up, and it was now, watching all three women in the room standing a safe distance from me while they conversed, that I decided I should try to lighten up. I still don't think Misato ever relaxed after the trouble with her Jericho, but I didn't really care. I wanted respect, not friendship. I saw the kind of friendship she offered Shinji in the series, and that was not my style. If she wanted to get close, she had to learn I didn't like others messing with me.
Maya slowly broke from the trio of women, and walked to my side. "Good afternoon," I said. She simply smiled, and nodded. "I will... escort you for... how you say?" she started, then held up her hands, and flashed the value of twelve in front of me, first by showing all ten digits, then two. Now it made sense. Ibuki was to be watching over me until she was needed for the operation to retrieve Shinji. Until that point, there was really nothing left she could do.
"I understand," I said. "Is there... anything you need me to do?" The brunette paused, completely lost as to my meaning. Sensing the difficulty, Ritsuko reappeared at her side. I waited patiently, knowing the doctor would help serve as translator, at least just this once. "What did you ask?" she said.
"I was curious," I replied, "if there was anything you or Ms. Ibuki needed me to do." Again, my meaning wasn't entirely clear, so I tried to elaborate. "What I mean is... how do I say it? I want to know what you expect of me. I really don't want to be in the way."
Immediately my meaning had become clear, Ritsuko's face beaming with understanding. "That is very considerate of you," she answered. Reaching for the clipboard sitting on the nearby countertop, she removed a small pamphlet. Handing it to me, I examined it slowly in detail. It was a map, the buildings and corridors broken into hexagonal sectors. Some, however, were blacked out or removed. It made sense. I wasn't a part of NERV at this point, nor was there the likelihood I would join after nearly shooting Misato. I was a security risk at best, and more likely, a criminal given the pleasure of a guided tour.
"You know what this is, don't you?" she asked, her smile fading. "Yes," I answered. "It's a map of NERV headquarters, located beneath Tokyo-3 in the GeoFront." I continued to read over the map. "Thanks for translating it to English for me. Otherwise, I'd probably end up lost." The doctor grinned. "It's no problem."
A thought finally struck me. I don't know why I wasn't thinking about it before. Well, I had been considering it before, but I really hadn't bothered to ask until now. "What about... clothing?" I asked. "I would pay for it if I could, but I don't have money, and... I still don't know my... dimensions."
Ritsuko groaned, and glanced over at Ibuki. This was a job for the assistant, I took it. After Ritsuko spoke, Maya hastily replied, blushing brightly, and stuttered some of her words. At least I thought she was stuttering, since I didn't know Japanese, and really I still don't. To this day I just learned a few basic phrases to get me around, and forgot them quite promptly after. Even when I spoke in Japanese, I couldn't read or write it, and relied more heavily on the fact English was the primary language for international business.
Finally, Maya lowered her head, her face a brilliant shade of crimson. Of course, she wasn't the one who had to be embarrassed. I was the one running around in just a hospital gown, getting poked, prodded, and escorted by heavily armed soldiers. "I will... help you with...clothing," Maya said. "Thank you," I said. "I really appreciate it."
•••••••••••••
I suppose I should have seen what was coming the minute the map of the GeoFront was given to me. Obviously my movement and interaction with the civilian population would be restricted. I had yet to know if I would ever reach the surface and experience the amusement of Tokyo-3. But for now, I had to live with the fact I was a liability. I had admitted it myself. Too much knowledge of the future could affect the timeline, especially if I interacted directly with the wrong person.
For now, all my clothing would be purchased on Section Two's account, under the premise of keeping a reliable source happy. Everything would be ordered online, and shipped to Misato's apartment. Since Asuka already lived there, no suspicions would be raised. At one point, I got a laugh using Asuka's name for the shipping address.
Maya stuttered and cringed while having to explain the more personal aspects of being female, as well as measuring certain parts. I guess what embarrassed her the most was the fact I was taking detailed notes. It was a serious matter to me. I had fourteen years worth of experience as a girl to learn in eleven days. Even when I did get some of the more important aspects down, including the social expectations for Post-Impact Japan, I acted more like a gearhead American male. This got me some odd looks, but whether or not I was criticized for not being "girly" enough, no one said a word to me.
Finally we came down to measuring my new body for clothes. I had expected this part. A simple flexible measuring tape, and fifteen minutes later, I had a good idea of where I stood. It was rather awkward, though. A full-size mirror was placed in the examination room while I was left to myself. I knew at one point I had to get an idea of what I looked like, but it still didn't make the experience any better.
"I'm supposed to be American," I grumbled. While I looked rather attractive for my new demographic, it wasn't me. I hate to admit it, but I did actually turn around a couple times to get a complete picture as to what I was dealing with. It didn't occur to me until Ritsuko announced the result of the DNA profile. I should have guessed the donor to half of my genes was the same soul trapped within the Eva I emerged from. But to be a by-product of Yui Ikari, I had to say it was disturbing at the least.
Though I had enough traits to indicate some of my physique had made it into the mix. My eyes were one, the color-changing green irises staring into people with the same poor eyesight I had acquired in my own world. That was one downside, but at least it was something I was familiar with. The brunette hair I decided to cut to shoulder length, and put in a side part, much like my parents insisted I have years ago for my elementary school photos. It didn't look so great when I was a guy, but as a girl, it worked fairly well. Also, it was entirely unique to the other girls and pilots I encountered later on.
I was still rather thin, lacking in body fat much like I was before. Why it was considered "attractive", I didn't understand why. I looked over my shoulder, then back at the mirror. Stretching for a moment, I practiced a few uppercuts, jabs, reverse punches, and strikes in mid air. I felt weaker than before, though none of my joints cracked or groaned, unlike my old body. I considered the free time available, and decided to ask Maya if there was a gym within the complex I could give a try, when she spoke up, startling me. "Are you... done?" Ibuki asked.
"One moment," I answered, slipping into a cloth hospital gown this time. It would give a little more warmth, protection from staring eyes, and held up better until Misato had come back with the clothes we had ordered. "I am done," I called out. Maya immediately came in, her laptop computer in tow. She face was still a slight shade of pink, but I smiled reassuringly. "It's embarrassing for me, too," I said. She must have been practicing her English while I was alone, because she was responding more quickly than before. Nodding, she opened a laptop computer on the counter, powering it up, and established a wireless connection on the local network.
After about fifteen minutes, I had a week's worth of clothing picked out, mostly simple single-colored cheap polo shirts, three pair of jeans, some generic brand sneakers, and the most bland, utilitarian undergarments I could find. I'd never get why either gender wanted to look "cool" or "sexy" in their underwear. Overall, if it was cheap, durable, and could take being washed all in the same laundry load without ironing or other care, it was what I wore. I glanced over at Ibuki, and she just glared at me. "You are buying men's clothing," she said.
"Just the t-shirts and jeans," I replied in my defense. Ibuki sighed, shaking her head. "Girls... we don't wear men's clothing." "Look, I don't care," I grumbled irritably, "and I'm still a guy, regardless of these!" I gestured towards my chest, making Maya blush. "I'll get it right the next time, but right now, I want something comfortable to get me around." I paused, remembering Maya couldn't understand much English. I was too mad to remember, and at this point, I didn't care. I wasn't going to be criticized for my choices, not even by someone who knew my gender better than me.
Maya cringed slightly, backing away from me. It was after I shut down her laptop, staring into the blank screen that I noticed I was grinding my teeth. "Sorry," I said. Forcing myself to take a long, deep breath, my hands shaking from the built up adrenaline, I clenched my fists tightly. My palms screamed in agony as my fingernails dug into the skin, and I drew just a slight amount of blood before I finally released. "Sorry," I repeated. "This is my decision, and I'm saving NERV money. Do not question me."
Maya stared, confused. "What is... your issue?" I was about to answer, when I remembered the camera from the cell. While I had not left this room long enough for any complex equipment to be installed without my knowledge, Maya herself could have been wearing a wire. Other monitoring devices in portable objects could have been left behind as well. Perhaps I was being observed, the commander or even Misato hoping for this very moment. That's what I was kept alive for, after all. I was here to provide information.
"It is nothing," I answered.
Of course, she didn't believe me, and for what I believed was an hour, she pressured me not just to tell her why I seemed so upset, but to also buy something more feminine. I humored her, but only in the way of clothing. A simple white dress shirt with black knee-height mini-skirt, black pair of conservative pumps, and matching blazer seemed to ease Ibuki's pressure.
I was also concerned about having some decent formal wear for possible business meetings. Between a business etiquette dinner, and my instructor in business writing stressing the need to dress for success, I wasn't going to be a complete slob during my time in Tokyo-3. If I ever did leave the confines of NERV, I had a good idea my enrollment in Class 2-A would be mandatory. If that was the case, I wasn't going to be caught dead in the supplied uniform.
"You are so... difficult," she grumbled.
"Yes, yes I am," I replied.
•••••••••••••
There were eleven days left until we expected Shinji to return. I hadn't told Misato or Ritsuko how he would return, but simply said it would most likely happen in that time. However, the operations director and doctor did not put the project on hold simply because I was presumed correct. As a result, while Maya was excused from all duties except monitoring the Magi and staying on alert status in the event of an Angel attack, the remainder of the NERV personnel were hard at work on Unit-01.
There was also the mystery of my origins. At least two hours of every day was spent by Ritsuko putting me through a series of rigorous testing, including a daily MRI. Maya assisted, but that was her only other duty. Her primary assignment for the remaining eleven days was to serve specifically as my escort. She complained once or twice, but I tried to reassure her as best as I could.
"I am... not good at anything but computers," she cried, bowing her head in shame. "That is why... I am helping you." We sat during lunch in the cafeteria, the third full day after my arrival, The lieutenant slumped in her seat, staring at the low quality replica of spaghetti and garlic bread. Her hands rested on the table, surrounding the sides of her fiberglass food tray.
I sat across from her at the table for two. "I am sure you have many other talents," I replied. "You were with the Self Defense Forces before, weren't you?" Watching the brunette sulk, I knew something had to be done. Her eyes shifted slightly as I extended my right hand, holding her left gently. She reacted immediately, shifting uncomfortably in her seat. "You're good at what you do. Isn't that enough?"
Ibuki took a sharp breath, and shook her head. "I'm not even a good Self Defense Forces officer!" she whined. "I had trouble passing firearms training, and almost failed physical training. I cannot even speak English clear." Tightening my hold on her hand, I smiled reassuringly.
"If you want, we have the spare time now," I suggested. "Would you like me to help teach you?" Ibuki stared at me in disbelief. "I have been around guns since I was a child, and I can do fairly well with the AR-15. You are helping me adjust, so I can at least help you in return."
Maya stared in disbelief, then smiled back. "Okay," she breathed.
I don't think Maya ever expected me to have the experience with guns that I claimed. She was used to living in a nation where all gun ownership is outright banned. The idea of a guy my age having about sixteen years of experience around handguns alone disturbed her. But before we tried the pistols, I wanted her to have an idea of how to handle the rifles.
The fact of the matter was, as any good Evangelion fan knew, the invasion by the Self Defense Forces was bloody and remorseless. Although I had made my judgments about her, Ritsuko, and the other officers of NERV, I wasn't going to let them get killed. There were so many unarmed personnel who were butchered helplessly while they surrendered. I couldn't change the invasion, but if I could give one more person a chance to live, at least until the Third Impact, I would be satisfied.
Ibuki led me to the indoor rifle range, the cold steel doors sliding back into the recesses of the wall. Two soldiers were at practice with their M4 carbines. I watched them intently, nodding towards them when Maya glanced at me. "They are good," I said. The soldiers paused, their ammunition depleted, and turned to face us. The men saluted, and Lieutenant Ibuki quickly saluted in return. I simply bowed respectfully to both men. When they noticed us checking out the M16-A2, and the 120 rounds of ammunition in six magazines, they simply laughed.
I couldn't make out the Japanese, but I saw Maya shrink back, intimidated by the men. She was about to turn the rifle back in to the gun locker, when I grabbed it from her forcefully, and strode up to the nearest station beside the two soldiers. Both must have had some practice with English, because they glared at me when I said "Watch me, faggots!"
Slapping a twenty round magazine into the lower receiver, I racked the charging handle back, wrapped the sling around my left arm, and stood parallel to the range, my left elbow tucked into my ribcage for added bone support. I think both Maya and the guards realized I knew my stuff the second I flipped from the large aperture sight to the smaller one, since the range was approximately 200 meters in length. Replacing my right hand on the pistol grip, I flicked the selector switch to semiautomatic, took a deep breath, let it out, and pulled the trigger.
Five or six rounds made it downrange in approximately a three inch grouping. "Not bad for 20-100 vision in my right eye," I said calmly. The soldiers were frozen in stunned silence, while Ibuki gasped. To add some emphasis to my skill, I flicked the action selector to the three round burst setting, and emptied the magazine into the target. The resulting impacts were spread out slightly more than my first grouping, but still concentrated enough to mean death for any human on the other end of the rifle. Engaging the safety, I ejected the mag, pulled the charging handle back, and peered through the upper receiver. "The action is filthy!" I grunted. Turning to Ibuki, I asked "Do you have a pencil?"
Handing over a pen, Maya stared, confused. Using the back of the pen, I pressed the two receiver pins out, separating the upper and lower of the rifle. From this point on, removing the charging handle, taking apart the bolt assembly, and inspecting the barrel for debris was a piece of cake. Noticing one of the soldiers approach, his jaw unhinged in surprise, I simply replied "This is what I do for fun."
•••••••••••••
Maya and I left the rifle range about an hour after we first entered. Her aim needed work, but she was steadily improving through the session. More importantly, her confidence grew. "Thank you," she said, the minute our ear plugs were removed.
"You are welcome," I answered. "Tomorrow, do you want to try pistols?" She nodded hesitantly. Of course, handguns were more difficult to aim, but that could be resolved with the proper breathing technique, stance, and lots of practice. We just reached the t-junction, when the klaxon alarm blared over the public address system. Again, the Japanese threw me. I was learning a couple words here and there, but everything was said too fast to keep up. I didn't need to know what the woman said over the speakers, however, as Maya gripped my right hand tightly, pulling me to a jog. "It is... Shinji," she said.
He was a full eleven days early. I felt my stomach twist in discomfort. This world had diverged from the schedule, and somewhere in the back of my mind, I laughed. Gendo was probably reworking the scenario as we ran for Cage Seven.
End of Chapter III
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It's about time I get to talk guns and lead up to the meat of the story. Keep the feedback coming. I need to know if I'm doing something stupid, or I haven't proofread enough.
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