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 XVII:
It is a disturbing sound, hearing a man gasp after a bullet is put into him. But for our situation, it was a necessary sound, a joyous sound. Knowing one more of those vermin was on the ground in pain gave me another dose of pleasure. They had hurt Maya, and when I finally convinced the lieutenant to cut through the handcuffs with the dulled hacksaw we found in the rubble of the hangar, I made sure her attackers were the first to hit the ground.
It was an interesting experience, using the rusted conduit to bludgeon and strangle the first two grunts. I took their rifles, all of their ammo, and waited for them. They eventually awoke some minutes later, as I had not used killing blows. But that was more for what came next.
"Smile," I growled, shoving the barrel of one of the M4 carbines into the taller soldier's mouth. I pulled the trigger slowly, taking pleasure in feeling the crisp, single stage action. The muzzle flash lit the man's cheeks from the inside, as if he held a flashlight up to his lips. They were red first, and they were red again as his throat and mouth exploded into a geyser of ruptured tissue. I felt the man's blood splatter my plugsuit, and while I stood shaking from the realization of what I had done, I had no desire to stop.
There were more coming now. Hearing their voices call out like the coyotes off in the distance, it made me want to hurt them. Maya was by my side every step of the way, every round I pumped into my prey. She wasn't comfortable with defending herself if it meant hurting someone. That is why she was hurt, and why I suggested after we returned that she reconsider her position. But for the time I was lining up the targets in the metallic sights, emptying clip after clip, it was nice to know she was there. With her beside me, I knew no one would be able to sneak up from behind without knowing about it.
About five men were dead by the time we made it to the bunker where they defiled the female techs. "Don't come any closer!" the soldier from before yelped. Again he put the M9 Beretta to Misato's head. I had never dropped the rifle from my shoulder, preferring to keep anything I saw safely on the harmful end of the weapon. "Put it down!"
"Look at you, barking orders from a position of weakness," I hissed. "Very stupid." Of course, we had observed them for a long time before making our move. The bad seeds of the platoon that ambushed us convinced the others to leave before they had their way with the major. It was one thing to force a lieutenant, but once they got above the rank of captain, the men were picky about who they messed with. "Your men are dead." I could hear Ibuki vomiting a few yards away as I kicked the decapitated head of one of the privates over to the soldier. The skull bobbed as it rolled towards him. It was when the remains stared back at his commanding officer that Misato began to shiver. "Drop the weapon."
He did not back down, which made things complicated. "You won't sacrifice your superior officer," he smiled, his disgusting smile making me even more angry. Flipping the action selector switch to three round burst, I didn't hesitate. His gun arm was held out and away from Misato, and while it did put the barrel snugly against the major's scalp, it gave me a target. Very stupid move of his, but it was to my advantage.
Three bullets into one's arm has a way of making a man talk. The M9 discharged, but thankfully the bullet just grazed Misato's forehead. There was a cut, and a bit of powder burns, but nothing that kept Katsuragi from smashing her right elbow into the man's face. Her eyes were still wide in fear as she began to slow her breathing, standing beside me. Misato's red flight jacket was slightly torn, but otherwise it seemed nothing had happened. She did not understand, however, why I continued to advance.
"Susan, it's over," she breathed. She set her hand on my shoulder. I guess the adrenaline was really running, or I just didn't feel like socializing at the time, because I snapped. Turning my head to glance over my shoulder, I raised the butt of the rifle to eye level, threatening to bash her head in. Katsuragi was immediately three steps away. I had never seen that expression on her face before, and I wish to never see it again.
I turned back to the soldier, and squeezed the trigger once. Three rounds was not enough, however, and I continued to pump the trigger until the entire magazine was empty. "SUSAN!" Misato screamed. The major was comforting Maya, the lieutenant's stomach now empty. Glaring back at the both of them, I turned back to the body of the fallen soldier. His jet black hair and tanned skin were stained red, while his eyes were dully staring back. "Susan, what... what the HELL?"
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't speak. Instead, I just walked towards Unit-04. I was originally planning to activate the Eva, and hope I could at least use the AT-Field as some kind of defense for the remaining recovery crew. However, until I had some kind of weapon to effectively fight the enemy, there was no other option but to run. The words finally came. "We will retreat after we eliminate the rest of the platoon. Make sure to take any provisions and weaponry you can."
•••••••••••••
Misato and Maya stared up at me while I climbed the scaffolding, the Barrett M107, the upgraded version of the M82A1, strapped to my back. It was a horrible burden, as the rifle weighed thirty-two pounds. I nearly lost my grip on the aluminum rungs of the scaffolding ladder once or twice, and when I finally reached the top, I had to roll onto my back, taking a sharp breath. I was convinced from that point on, I would have to resume my exercise regimen that I had started a year before at college.
Setting the rifle down on the platform, I flipped the skeletonized bipod open, removed the tinted lens covers from the fifteen power scope, and racked the action back. The huge .50 caliber Browning Machine Gun round fed perfectly, the crisp sound of metal snapping together bringing back fond memories of target practice. Finally, and most importantly, I fumbled with the earplugs. Anyone who's fired a .50 caliber knows earplugs do very little, but it beats going deaf.
The convoy was closer now, though they weren't in any hurry. I reminded myself these were the good guys, and while they were close enough to hear the gunfire, they must have highly doubted anything would happen. From what Maya told me, the killing of the technicians wasn't until after the platoon split up. Perhaps they were reporting in, or maybe checking through the wreckage of the base, as Third Branch had extended for miles.
I knew the mil-dot reticle scope could be used to calculate an estimated range, and I had done this with a cheap four-power scope for a .22 rifle once, but I couldn't remember the elevation drop of the .50 BMG, nor did I know the exact angle measured for each tick mark in the reticle. However, I was guessing, as this was an anti-material rifle meant for sniping that the scope would be zeroed in for about 200 meters, maybe more. Looking closely through the scope, I counted two H1 type Hummers, and a badly worn LAV. I guess there were parallels with this world and mine, after all, including the development of military equipment. But I would have expected some VTOL aircraft, or some new advancements rather than relying on such old technology.
I mentioned this to Misato later on, and she explained how all of the world's resources had gone towards Eva. America had just been one of those first world nations who had lost. However, I knew it was more than blind luck that the United Nations took everything my homeland had to pay for these playthings of Seele. Glaring through the scope, knowing what I had to do, I made a promise to myself I would pay Seele back in full.
When the first Hummer reached what I guessed to be two hundred meters, I fired my first shot. A .50 caliber, for those who don't know, kicks so hard the typical gun enthusiast will bring along some sandbags to help support the weapon. However, the Barrett has an extra dampening cylinder built into the buttstock, much like the AR-15. Throw in the muzzle break, and while it didn't lighten the recoil up enough to be pleasant, it was bearable. The picture in the scope jumped, and all the accumulated dust on the scaffolding platform flew in every direction. When the platform came to rest, I glanced back through the scope.
The first Hummer veered off to the right, but while my bullet found it's way into the cabin through the windshield, I didn't inflict any casualties. One of the men in the Hummer was crawling out through the hole in the roof, an M-249 Squad Automatic Weapon mounted on a pivoting axis. This would be my next target. Two rounds later, the man was a collection of reddish, ragged tissue dangling limply from the roof.
The vehicles came to a stop now, including the LAV. Again, while driving into enemy fire was not a bright idea, coming to a dead stop wasn't that smart, either. This time I hit my targets more or less. Soldiers from the two other Hummers leapt out into the desert, and firing wildly into the night, they advanced to retrieve the fallen. A few of their bullets passed close, as it didn't take a rocket scientist to guess where the gunfire could be coming from. I had
I had seven rounds left. Taking my time, I killed those who were exposed to the open, and after I was sure they were down, started to unload on the second Hummer now parked behind the first. My heart was pounding in my chest, and I could feel a cold sweat between my palms and the stock of the rifle. The plugsuit felt itchy against my skin. I felt horrible doing what I was doing, but showing weakness was not part of my agenda. I had to appear calm, ruthless, and precise in my actions. If I wasn't, the enemy or my peers could use my emotions and my weaknesses against me.
The first magazine was out. Ejecting it, I slapped another in, giving me ten more rounds. The ammunition was heavy, so I only took tow magazines. After this, I would be out. But that's why I was on the scaffolding. The techs and Misato below could do what they wanted when the soldiers came. I planned to be in the Eva, and figuring out how to get out of Dodge. Yes, it was cruel of me, but going out of my way to help others would only get me shot. In the most heartless of rationale, as a pilot, I was also the most valuable member of the team there. If I was killed, the Eva could not functio. Even if they wanted to defend themselves, without Unit-04, Misato, Maya, and the other women would eventually have to surrender.
Now I heard shooting from the ground below, and I started to consider climbing into the entry plug. However, glancing down over the edge, I noticed a short-haired brunette with an M-16A2 rifle in her hand. While her air was inaccurate, I had to admit Ibuki was doing quite well at keeping the enemy pinned down. Smiling faintly, I turned back to the distasteful task at hand. Against the LAV, unless we had a Javelin or M72 LAWS rocket launcher, there would be no way to penetrate the armor. Engaging the safety on the rifle, I crawled to the entry plug, trying to keep my silhouette to a minimum.
Shoving the weapon into the plug, I scrambled in between the exchanges of gunfire. It had gotten louder, especially when someone in the LAV started returning .50 caliber rounds from the turret-mounted M2 Browning. There was minimal power left in the batteries, as the plug insertion actuators moved more slowly, and the L.C.L. pumps whirred at a lower pitch. I wasn't in the plug for more than thirty seconds before the tac-radio burst into static and gunfire, an indistinct woman shouting faintly over the noise.
"What are you doing?" Katsuragi shrieked. There was minimal power, so I switched to an audio-only message. For the moment I saw Misato pinning the headset from the portable terminal to her ear, I knew she wouldn't be able to hear what I said. Frantically searching, I eventually found the controls I had been searching for. The public address speaker was so intense, I could hear it reverberate in the cockpit.
"I need S2 drive and FLIR now!" I shouted.
Misato tried to shout back, but I could hardly make it out. It was a another two minutes before I got my response, as the reserve power indicator digits went to eights. The L.C.L. pumps sped up, the fluid losing it's metallic taste. Another thirty seconds, and I had primed all systems. It was then I could feel unfamiliar thoughts creep into the back of my head.
My vision went black, and I felt suddenly drowsy.
•••••••••••••
I was back in the center of Highway 16 again, the midday sun beating down harshly. Turning around, I heard the tone of a lumpy V8 idle. I had nearly turned around completely when I noticed my red GTO, parked in the gravel shoulder of the west-bound lane. The driver side door was open, and I could see a figure sitting in the passenger seat. A sudden chill in my right hand caused me to look down, and there was the infamous Smith and Wesson revolver. Opening the cylinder, it was filled with all six rounds. Snapping the cylinder closed again, I stepped cautiously to the driver side door.
I leaned over, the revolver held out in front of me as I peered into the car. An unknown caucasian woman with long brunette hair and a blue formal dress sat in the passenger seat. "I thought you would be more willing to talk if you felt more in control," she said in a soft, calm voice. I nodded in agreement. "Please, have a seat."
Cautiously crawling into the driver seat, I was still in the plugsuit, and the hot vinyl upholstery bled it's heat through the protective layers, burning my skin. "Can we drive?" I asked. "It will feel cooler if we get some moving air in here." The woman nodded silently, and closing the door, I put the car into gear, fastened only the lap belt, and opening the revolver's cylinder again, dumped all the ammo out of the driver side window.
"Was that really necessary?" she asked.
"I may be gullible, but I'm not that stupid," I answered calmly. Pressing gently on the accelerator, I checked my blind spots, signaled, and pulled out onto the highway. "Alright, you're obviously an echo of either the Fifteenth or Sixteenth Angel. Which is it?"
"Why are you so gentle with this vehicle?" the woman asked. "From your memories of other people handling this car, and your, how do you say, taste in movies, shouldn't you drive faster?"
"There are laws that prevent me from doing that," I explained.
"But you have no problem killing and manipulating others."
I glared at the woman, then checked the gauges. Satisfied the engine was staying within operating temperature and the oil was as proper pressure, I kept my eyes on the road. "I kill to defend myself, and who said I didn't have a problem with it? As for manipulating others, I am dealing with people who break the law already. It is cruel, and borderline illegal itself, but I deserve to look after my own interests." She seemed confused, but I didn't give her time to think about it. "This vehicle, or any vehicle I handle, are pieces of precision equipment that must be handled delicately like fine wine to bring out their true potential. I follow the traffic laws not just because it's the right thing to do, but because one should treat their car like they would a pet or a child."
"You are a strange person," the woman spoke softly. "The other, Asuka Soryu, is not like you at all."
"So, you are the Fifteenth!"
"Neither is Rei Ayanami."
I stared at the road ahead, but now I was troubled. "You have seen the minds of both of them? Okay, then you are either both the Fifteenth and Sixteenth, or one of you gave the other some vital information."
The woman smiled. "The others don't seem to realize what is happening as well as you do. But we both know why that is, don't we?" I could see out of the corner of my eye the woman stretching slightly in the bucket seat, setting her hands in her lap. "Tell me, though, why do you wish to fight us?"
"Well, from what I know, your kind is here to join with the one we call Adam. If that happens, I have been informed my kind will be completely annihilated from the result. However, if we win, and we join with Lillith, your kind will vanish. Of course, even if we don't, you will not stop your attacks, and we will have to kill you anyway." I took a short breath, glanced back at the gauges, and then back at the road ahead. "You don't seem to be the kind to negotiate, and what we are fighting for, we cannot simply divide evenly like territory. This is for all or nothing."
She nodded again. "And you realize why we are still one, don't you?"
"You're probably planning to use me as a medium to reach Adam," I grumbled back. "You could take over Unit-04 now, but you're too far away from your objective. Also, the Eva will be willingly sacrificed if there is even the slightest indication of your presence. However, in me, if you are patient, I won't be so easily executed. At least, not as long as I cooperate, and don't tell anyone you are here, right?"
"Had my body not been destroyed, our merging would be far more thorough, and I would have enjoyed getting to know you better."
I gave a false smile, and checked the side mirror. "We can still have pleasant discussions, but I would prefer you not dig too deeply into my memories. As individuals, the Lillim prefer privacy."
"I will never understand," she sighed. "You Lillim prefer not to be alone, but you prefer privacy. There is this contradiction, and yet a longing to be permanently with another."
"There are ways to be content with someone, but not literally merged as one. Besides, sometimes we Lillim need time to be alone, even away from the people we love." I thought about the girlfriend I had left behind, and hoped I would be able to meet her again. But now was not the time for hopes. I was supposed to be settling a score with a certain military unit. "There is one last question I have, but then we have to focus on dealing with those-"
"Yes, those men outside," she sighed. "You can be far too diligent sometimes. But go ahead, what's the question?"
"That time during the conference, my eyes changed color, and I was far less cautious with expressing my beliefs. Are you the cause?"
"No," the woman, or Angel, answered. "You have a favorite fictional character known as the Shadow, correct?"
"Yes," I answered, though I could see where this was going.
"Our merging, from our point of view, is a gift. We have been given a chance to survive and complete our objective, while you have been given certain gifts that, while nowhere near the Eva or Ayanami, can be used to gain an advantage." She closed her eyes, leaning back into the seat, and considered her words carefully. "What you saw is what you wished to become: the physical expression of your Shadow. But we have no more time. Our enemy is close, and Lillim's puppet is ready."
As the world faded back into my vision, I could see the black and white infrared image on the primary display of the entry plug. "This could be very interesting," I grinned.
•••••••••••••
End of Chapter XVII
•••••••••••••
Comments/questions/suggestions for what to put here, write a review.
•••••••••••••