Disclaimer: I do not own Evangelion or anything associated with it. I have written this story solely because I enjoy writing.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything belonging to Marvel Comics or anything associated with it. I have written this story solely because I enjoy writing.
Superwomen of Eva: Emerald Fury
Chapter 15: Maya's Malady
Shinji had no idea what time it was. He was certain that it was late, probably two or three in the morning. But that didn't matter to him. For even as tired as he felt that night, sleep would not come to him. Simply because of how cold his bed felt to him.
In his mind, he knew that this was ridiculous. The temperature in Tokyo-3 ranged from the sixties at night to the eighties during the day, with only the apartment's air conditioning rendering it comfortable. He was resting on top of his bed in a sleep shirt and pants and had curled up beneath a couple of blankets. But despite this, Shinji still felt cold. Cold, empty, and exposed.
And more importantly, he knew why. Why sleep had proven so elusive for him lately, along with so many other things.
On the day of her battle with the Rhino, She-Hulk had carried Shinji up and away from Tokyo-3, to that place where Shinji had been brought by her human self. And the place where he had learned that his life might actually hold value after all…became the place where Shinji had learned, once and for all, what it truly felt like to be loved.
For a long time, She-Hulk had cradled and cuddled Shinji, having brought him there just to be alone with him. To show him, in her primitive fashion, how much she cared for him. Eventually, both exhausted and overwhelmed by the events of that day, Shinji had found himself so comfortable, so content in the beast-woman's soft, strong arms, that he had fallen asleep. And when he woke up, he had found himself in Misato's embrace.
The purple-haired woman had had every reason to be angry when she woke up, both by her situation and the fact that she was being held and kissed by a teenage boy who was acting like a hormonal pervert. But despite these things, she had not lashed out at Shinji. Had not punished him, had not yelled at him. Instead, Misato, like her bestial other, had welcomed Shinji's advances and had responded in kind. And as a result, he once again enjoyed the tender softness of her flesh pressed against his slender form. Her beauty, her kindness, her warmth became his entire world.
Until finally, after putting off the inevitable for as long as they could, they had been forced to contact NERV. To have them send an ambulance to retrieve them, all for the purpose of returning Misato to her gilded cage.
As Shinji thought back to that night, he found his own reaction to that memory as divided as Misato herself was now. A part of himself was still blushing at that time, at the teasing Misato had subjected him to. There was happiness in seeing her once again being the woman he had grown to know and care for, there was sadness and resignation when the time finally came to call the medics to come pick them up, and there had been embarrassment and irritation when the ambulance finally arrived. Embarrassment for the teasing remarks Shinji had had to put up with when he had been caught in Misato's arms…and irritation that that wonderful time between them had come to an abrupt end.
And there was something else. A feeling horribly unfamiliar to Shinji. One that had risen up when Misato had kissed him there and had grown even stronger as he had returned the gesture. Of how this woman, completely bare to him and so horribly cursed, had taken him in her arms and so welcomed his touch. The warm, tender flesh stroking his own, and the beautiful woman he had spent the remaining hours of daylight, watching the sun set behind the horizon, not wanting or needing anything but to be with each other.
Laying in the darkness of his room, Shinji found himself wanting that again. Needing to feel that way again. Needing it so badly that the sheer thought of it made his blood feel like it was on fire.
Misato… Shinji thought, focusing on the many different images this single name produced in his mind. There was the playful, teasing guardian who had welcomed him to Tokyo-3, the woman who was slowly suffocating within the depths of NERV. There was the mindless destroyer that she became whenever her fury took over, the gentle giantess that same creature could be, who cooed and cuddled and protected him. And then there was that moment, far beyond Tokyo-3, when the sun was falling. The woman who kissed and held him, showing him so much love…
I…I need you… Shinji thought miserably, wanting to feel that way again. He wanted to be held, to be kissed and cuddled and loved. He wanted so desperately to be comforted, to feel her warmth against his own skin once again. To have her, this woman with so many different faces, to take him in her arms once again, and chase away the cold and loneliness that held him prisoner.
Feeling the minutes slowly passing into hours, Shinji curled up even tighter beneath his blankets. Wrapping them even more closely about his slender frame. Knowing that the heat these things provided wouldn't make him feel warm the way he wished to feel. And knowing that, like in the past few nights, sleep would not come easily to him. If at all.
"I don't believe this…" Ritsuko muttered, her eyes slowly expanding with horror. Her scientific mind unable, unwilling to accept that she could possibly be seeing what her brain perceived.
Frozen stood stock-still, Ritsuko stared at the being that had filled her with such shock. A being that slowly looked up from where she sat and turned her bloodshot eyes at the faux-blonde. Her lips slowly cracked open into a rough grin, from which horribly foul gasses slowly rose up and caused Ritsuko to recoil, wrinkling her nose in disgust. Just before she said, "Oh…hi, sempai."
"Maya, what happened to you?!" Ritsuko gasped as she continued to stare at the young woman, who was currently seated in her office. Automatically trying to reconcile the image of the sensible, intelligent young woman she had worked with so well and so frequently with the tattered wreck that sat before her, only to have her mind throw up its metaphoric arms and give it up as a bad job. "You look like an elephant sat on your face!"
"I'm okay, sempai," Maya got out, waving dismissively. The black bags lingering beneath her eyes seeming to sway from the movement, practically screaming 'liar!' as they did so. "I just…had a late night, that's all."
"A late night?! Maya, have you even slept these past few days?!" Ritsuko demanded incredulously. Only to wrinkle her nose at a strange odor. "And what is that smell?" the faux-blonde asked, just before taking an experimental sniff. "Is that…have you been drinking again?!"
"Aw, c'mon. It's no big deal. I only had a couple…" Maya started, only to sputter out. Her eyes rolling uncertainly in her sockets, as if she was unsure if she had been about to say shots, cans, six-packs, or kegs. Though the higher amounts of alcohol seemed to be the more likely answers.
Placing her hand to her forehead, Ritsuko shook her head slightly before trying to smile. "Look, I know it can't be easy, having to deal with everything that's been happening lately, but…you really shouldn't be drinking so much," she gently chided the younger woman. Then, with a mischievous tone, she added, "Besides, just because you've got Misato's job, doesn't mean that you have to do everything she does!"
"Can't be easy?" Maya asked incredulously. "Sempai…do you know what I've been doing ever since that battle with the Rhino?!" Unsure of what to say, Ritsuko just stood there as her former understudy hung her head miserably. "Paperwork. Mountains…and mountains of paperwork, that's what!"
"Really?" Ritsuko wondered, giving the younger woman a thoughtful frown. "I knew that Misato and Rhino had caused some damage, but…"
"Some damage?!" Maya moaned despairingly. "Sempai, I had to deal with thirty-seven requisition forms from the armaments division alone! And then the UN was asking why there was so much damage when there wasn't an Angel attacking! Not to mention all the buildings that were destroyed, and requests for compensation from local businesses, and…!"
"Uh-oh," Ritsuko groaned, already getting a fair mental image of such an event. "That bad, huh?"
"That's one way of putting it," Maya grimaced, shaking her head woefully. "The day after the battle, they just kept bringing in more and more paperwork! It was spilling off the top of the desk!"
Groaning sympathetically, Ritsuko watched as the current Operations Director glared at the desk, as if it was somehow stained from being inundated in overwhelming mounds of bureaucratic bullshit. "Well, we knew it would happen," she commented, trying to be a comforting presence. "Remember? Commander Ikari had NERV take full responsibility for the battle and the clean up. After all, it was the only way to keep what's happened to Misato a secret."
"I…I know that, sempai," Maya replied, heaving a deep sigh in memory of those decisions. "But I've barely had time to look at any of those analyses you've given me. You know, of the Rhino and his armor?"
These words caused something to click in Ritsuko's mind. "Maya…is that why you haven't been getting much sleep? Because you've been studying those reports?" the doctor asked worriedly. When the younger woman shot her a guilty smile, Ritsuko rolled her eyes and said, "Look, I know you want to help, but really. You need to give yourself a break. You don't have to…"
"Yes, I do," Maya insisted, pain and determination showing in equal amounts in her voice. "Those analyses, your work on the Major…sempai, don't you understand?! Things like that are the reasons I joined NERV to begin with! To work with my mind! Not things like…like this!" Smashing the palm of her hand down resoundingly on her desk, the young Captain swiveled her eyes about her office before once again looking at her mentor. "Why…why did you recommend me for this position, anyway?"
Exhaling through her pursed lips, Ritsuko eventually shrugged. "Well…I know you. I know how well you handle responsibility. I was sure that if anybody could handle this position properly, it'd be you," she carefully explained. "And I honestly thought it would be good for you. For your career."
"Well, it might be good for my career…but it's no good for me," Maya sniffed, a sound that mostly resembled a toilet backing up. "Sempai…can't you find someone else to do this? Someone…better suited for this kind of work?"
"Maya, please. It's not like this a permanent assignment," Ritsuko assured her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Remember? It's just until Misato is cured."
"Well, it sure feels permanent," Maya grumbled sourly. "At the rate things are going, the Angels will all be dead before the Major can take over again."
"Maybe. Maybe not," Ritsuko told her. When Maya's brows knotted up in confusion, the doctor smiled mysteriously. "What would you say if I told you that we're already got a possible cure in the testing stages?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Maya's bloodshot orbs swelled out of their sockets, with both pupils aimed directly at Ritsuko. "A…cure…?" the younger woman asked, a rivulet of drool appearing as she spoke. Only to be cut off as she narrowed her eyes despairingly. "Please tell me you're not joking."
"Why do you think I dropped by, anyway? To drop off more paperwork?" Ritsuko asked rhetorically. The Captain didn't answer, her face twisting with horror and confusion. Deciding that mentioning the bane of Maya's existence wasn't the best of ideas, the doctor cleared her throat and tried again. "Anyway, judging from our latest tests and samples, it should be possible to make Misato's body think it's being subjected to excessive levels of energy bombardment."
"Like…when she was hit by those explosions?" Maya asked blearily. Some trace of her keen mind still somehow functioning beneath the fog of sleeplessness and booze.
"Exactly," Ritsuko agreed. "And as we already know, when that happened, her body began venting the excess energies in order to remain stable. Now, if we can trick her body into thinking it's being exposed to a similar set of circumstances, her cell structure should begin purging the gamma radiation from her system. And once enough of it has been expelled…"
"She…she won't be able to transform anymore…!" Maya murmured, her beleaguered mind finally grasping the import of her mentor's words. Her lips drew into a twisted smile, letting out even more boozy breath as Ritsuko nodded, smiling despite the aroma. A smile that was dissipated completely when the beleaguered Captain leaped up and wrapped her arms about her. "Oh, sempai, I just love you!"
"Uh – what?!" Ritsuko froze, paling as Maya caressed her cheek with her own. Once again as stiff as a statue as the younger woman showered her with affection.
After several seconds of snuggling, Maya froze as well. Slowly, almost reluctantly, she pulled away, a blush coloring her rather sheepish expression. "Oh, I'm…I'm sorry," she giggled as she took a step backward. "I guess I got a bit…overexcited."
"Uh, yeah. I…kind of noticed that," Ritsuko returned, fighting down her own embarrassment.
"So, uh…how much longer until the treatment is ready?" Maya asked. Her eyes saying 'Soon, I hope!' for her.
"Well, we're still conducting tests on blood samples, trying to get the error margin down," Ritsuko explained, trying not to get Maya's hopes up too high. "But if everything goes well, we should be ready to make the attempt within…two or so weeks."
"Two weeks?" Maya asked, caught somewhere between relief and disappointment. Relief that her time in command was now more-or-less a fixed sentence, and disappointment that it was longer than a day or two. Swallowing loudly, she leaned in closer to the faux-blonde. "Really?"
"I think so," Ritsuko nodded. Then she gave a rueful curl to the corner of her lip. "Of course, I still have plenty of work to do before that can happen. Never mind everything that needs to be done before the Pribnow box is fully operational."
"Oh, right. It still isn't done yet, is it?" Maya winced, this recollection knocking away some of her rediscovered hope. Heaving a weary sigh, the younger woman shrugged helplessly. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised. With all the time it took, setting up the Major's quarters, the testing range…"
"That's right. Just about everything's fallen behind because of what's happened," Ritsuko grumbled good-naturedly. Then she directed a smile back at her friend. "Look, tell you what. Why don't you try and relax. Maybe catch up on some of the sleep you've been missing, and I'll see about getting Misato's treatment ready as soon as possible." Leaning in closer to Maya, she added, "I'll even let you do the honors of switching it on."
Exhaling heavily, Maya cast a weary smile at her mentor. "Thanks, sempai," the younger woman told her gratefully. Settling back down, she slowly eased herself back into her chair, only to shoot the doctor an apologetic look. "And…I am sorry if I…well, that is…"
"That's alright, Maya," Ritsuko smiled, waving away the young Captain's concerns. "I guess I wouldn't be doing too well with this sort of thing, either." Then she smiled even more deeply as she added, "After all, I'm a doctor, not a bureaucrat."
"Yeah, I know," Maya grumbled good-naturedly, giving a thoughtful shake of her head. "Could you do me a favor?"
"Of course," Ritsuko assured her. "What is it?"
"Please make sure this cure works!" Maya pleaded, clasping her hands together before her. "I don't know how much more of this I can take! I'm starting to see paperwork in my sleep!"
Unable to help herself, Ritsuko found herself giggling at the Captain's antics. "Oh, that's not good," she smirked, even as the brunette looked like she was about to throw herself to the doctor's feet and beg for mercy. And given the haggard air she wore, Ritsuko would have been far from surprised if she actually did that. "I'll try my best," she vowed in all honesty.
"Thank you," Maya smiled, her eyes moistening slightly as she looked at her desk. "I mean…I know it's wrong, but…the truth is, I'm starting to envy the Major somewhat." A questioning sound echoed in Ritsuko's throat, to which the Captain shrugged sheepishly. "At least she doesn't have to put up with all the department heads, the UN. And all this damned paperwork…why would anybody want a job like this, anyway?!"
"Misato has her reasons, in case you've forgotten," Ritsuko reminded her. "And you might not believe it, but…if she was given the chance, she'd probably trade places with you in a heartbeat."
Heaving a deep breath, Maya thought of the woman who was forced to languish within the depths of NERV. "Yeah, I know," she murmured sadly. "I'm sorry."
"Anyway, just try and keep it together for a little while longer, Maya," Ritsuko pleaded, placing her hand on her shoulder. Then, with a weary smile, she added, "And…try to be more careful about what you wish for."
"I know. Because I just might get it, right?" Maya grumbled, rolling her eyes somewhat in the process.
"That's right," Ritsuko told her in all seriousness. Thinking of things she herself had desired above all, only to find them to be tainted gifts when she finally received them. And grew even more tainted over the passage of time.
Putting these thoughts aside, Ritsuko added, "And we have enough going wrong here without jinxing ourselves in the process." Letting the younger woman absorb these words of wisdom, the doctor heaved a tired breath before moving away. "Well, I better get going. The sooner Misato's cured, the happier all of us are going to be."
"I'll buy that," Maya groaned as Ritsuko retreated. "Good luck, sempai."
"Thanks, Maya," Ritsuko smiled, looking appreciatively over her shoulder at the younger woman. Then she once again took in her exhaustion, her frustration, and otherwise spent condition, and mentally added, Though the way you're going, I get the feeling you're going to need it more than I will.
In a room devoid of life, where darkness was ruled over by twelve monoliths representing twelve cruel souls, a battle was being watched and reviewed. A battle that had ended many days ago, and had been recorded from various secret cameras that had been deployed throughout Tokyo-3 before it even began. The data collected from those cameras, as well as other sources, had been analyzed, scrutinized, studied, and evaluated by scientists, technicians, geneticists, and specialists of many other fields. Technical data had been crunched by different versions of the MAGI, and records checked and checked again to ensure their complete accuracy. And it was only now, after all twelve members of SEELE had finally been able to free themselves from their own affairs, that they were able to view the results…and discuss what they saw amongst themselves.
"Incredible," came a whisper of awe from the monolith marked SEELE-07. His voice the only intelligible sound to be heard as the twelve members of SEELE watched the earth-shattering battle that had taken place between Rhino and She-Hulk. At the mindless destruction wreaked upon both their agent and the city by the green-skinned Amazon. "Impossible…"
"Considering the fact that we are witnessing it with our very eyes, I'd say that it's not only possible, but incontrovertible fact," came the dry voice of SEELE-04. "Especially when you consider the telemetry received from our colleague's supposedly 'unstoppable' Rhino."
"Indeed," SEELE-12 commented, a slight bristling to his voice. "The Rhino's armor was composed of a titanium-steel alloy, and yet this…She-Hulk tore it apart as if it were paper."
"And she was able to successfully remove the armor's self-destruct mechanism, despite the countermeasures which you claimed to be foolproof!" SEELE-05 pointed out unhappily. "And now Ikari has it, and will surely be able to prove that -!"
"He will able to prove nothing," SEELE-12 broke in, the electronic distortion surrounding his voice incapable of hiding the annoyance he felt. "Every component of the Rhino's has been manufactured using unmarked technology taken from various manufacturers. As I told you all before, there is no way it can possibly be traced back to us."
"You had better be right," SEELE-09 muttered darkly. "If the Rhino were somehow linked to the Committee, then the press -!"
"The press? The press is the least of our worries!" SEELE-02 broke in. "This battle not only confirms that Ikari created this She-Hulk, but it is also under his command! If he can mass-produce creatures such as this -!"
"We'll have no power left over him! With an army such as that, we'll be unable to take control of NERV away from him, even with the help of the JSSDF!" SEELE-04 agreed fearfully. "The scenario, everything we've been working towards, could be imperiled!"
As if these words were a trigger, the various members of SEELE began arguing uncontrollably. For all their wealth and power, they knew they were vulnerable as long as Gendo held ultimate sway over the key components of their scenario. And if they lost the ability to take his power away from him, then he could take everything they had worked for over the many years away from them when the crucial moment finally arrived.
"Enough!" came the voice of SEELE-01. The voice of their eldest and most powerful member cut through the din, silencing the squabbling members effortlessly. As the last monolith fell silent, the voice of Lorentz Keel spoke once more. "This bickering accomplishes nothing." SEELE-01 let this sink in for a moment before following up with, "Remember, like our scenario, whatever plans Ikari has cannot be put into motion until the last Angel has fallen. We still have time."
"But how much time?" SEELE-07 demanded. "We have no idea what Ikari has planned, or if he has any other creatures like this She-Hulk at his command! We have to do something about him! Now!"
"And we will," SEELE-01 assured him. "But we cannot act hastily. The first thing we must do is learn the exact nature of Ikari's schemes."
"How are we to do that?" SEELE-08 wondered anxiously. "We cannot rely on Ryoji. He's playing games of his own, remember?"
"I am well aware of Mr. Kaji's agenda," SEELE-01 assured his fellows. "How fortunate for us that he is not our only resource." Letting the silence speak, piquing the interest of his fellows, the head of SEELE let out a low chuckle beneath his breath. "What is the Grey Gargoyle's status?"
"He is presently enjoying the full comfort of one my safe houses," SEELE-12 answered promptly.
"Then tell him that he's being sent back to Tokyo-3," SEELE-01 ordered. "Only this time, he will be aided and abetted…by persons of my own choosing."
"I see," SEELE-12 answered with an edge of curiosity. "And his mission?"
"He will be acting as support for my people. Given his previous experience with this She-Hulk and Tokyo-3's layout and defenses, it is logical to have him as a part of this mission. Especially in light of the…side-effect of his touch," SEELE-01 declared. His words were soon followed by a murmur of approval. "Once there, he and the others will assess the situation, and, if possible…gather samples from this She-Hulk, and whatever other monstrosities Ikari may be breeding."
"But if Ikari discovers that we're behind this…he could destroy the 1st and 2nd Messengers!" SEELE-09 protested. "The one true Lance, Adam, Lilith…he could annihilate everything!"
"True. There is some risk in this venture," SEELE-01 admitted with a hint of grimness. "But there is an even greater risk in allowing Ikari to continue such experiments unopposed. And we cannot simply slash his budget; we cannot afford to do anything that would unduly hinder NERV's ability to defeat the Angels. Or have you forgotten that they are as great a danger to the scenario as anything Ikari could breed?" There was silence as he let his words sink in. "No, we must discover what his plan is…and cut it off at the roots while we still have time. Take back control of the situation."
Slowly at first, but then more readily, there were noises of assent from the other members of SEELE. However, before SEELE-01 could say anything further, SEELE-03 spoke. "She is magnificent, isn't she?" he said, the electronic distortion of the chamber's voice synthesizers unable to hide the slight edge of desire his words possessed. "Hard to believe that such a thing could be even remotely human."
No one said anything to this at first. Instead, there was silence until SEELE-01 said, "Indeed." The thoughtful tone of this single word echoed about the chamber until he declared, "This meeting is adjourned."
"So, Rei and your father are okay?" Hikari asked nervously. More than simple compassion or curiosity driving her question.
"Yes," Shinji confirmed as the two of them walked along the streets of Tokyo-3. Smiling as best as he could for Hikari's benefit. "Dr. Akagi and her people have been giving them check-ups for several days now. There was some residual material from the Grey Gargoyle's nanites, but it doesn't look like they were still intact. So it doesn't look like there's any chance of them still being affected by them." Then the boy frowned slightly as he narrowed his eyes at his friend. "But…what about you, Horaki-chan? How are you feeling?"
"Me? I'm okay, I guess," Hikari shrugged helplessly. "I haven't noticed anything unusual." Then she smiled in a self-depreciating manner. "Well…at least not anything more unusual."
"I'm sorry it took me so long, but security around NERV is even tighter than usual," Shinji apologized profusely. "Section 2 has been all over everything, and Rei…"
"I know. I haven't seen her in class since the battle. And you don't have to tell me about security! Asuka's been complaining about that right along!" Hikari told him as she looked over her shoulder. Returning her attention to Shinji, she gave him a slight frown. "And speaking of which…are you sure we lost those Section 2 guys?"
Nodding, Shinji answered, "I haven't seen them since we left the Quickie Mart." Then a knowing smile graced the youth's face. "Actually, Asuka likes to say that a turtle with arthritis could shake one of them."
Unable to help herself, Hikari was soon chortling at the image the boy's word conjured. The mirth she was now enjoying a welcome distraction from the fears that had been haunting her. "Anyway, I guess if there were still some of those things in me, I'd have noticed something by now," the Class Representative admitted. Then, rubbing her hand up and down her arm, she added, "Though I have to admit…I've had some pretty creepy dreams since then."
"I'm sorry," Shinji spoke instantly.
"What are you saying?" Hikari asked querulously, raising an eyebrow at her friend. "It's not like it's your fault!"
"Oh, I know that!" Shinji returned with a nervous shrug. "But…I'm still sorry…that you got hurt." Then, his eyes lowering to the concrete before him, he added, "I just wish that…I'd been able to help, that's all."
Sighing lightly, Hikari smiled her appreciation. "Thanks," she told him, meaning it. "I have to admit, I would've felt a lot better with a couple of Evas backing me up."
"Uh, right," Shinji nodded, not entirely certain how to take this comment. The fact that Hikari would have liked to have had his assistance did feel good on one level. However, it also reminded him of just how little he could do on his own.
I…couldn't do anything to help. Misato, Hikari, Rei…anyone, Shinji thought woefully. The events of that battle still fresh and somewhat terrifying within his own mind, of how the Rhino had ripped apart the armored transport and dangled him and Rei before She-Hulk, the two children reduced to shields for their enemy. Without Unit 01…or the others…
Even as his thoughts were taking this grim turn, Hikari was eyeing Shinji in a puzzled fashion. "Well, not that isn't great to talk to you, but…what are we doing out here, anyway?"
"Huh?" Shinji got out, startled from his own world. As he looked at Hikari's face, he soon recovered and answered, "Well, I'm not sure." A questioning noise appearing from the girl's throat, to which he shrugged helplessly. "Y'see, Toji called me earlier today, and said there was something he wanted to talk about."
"Really?" Hikari got out, her brows furrowed with concern and curiosity. "What is it?"
"I don't know. All he did was give me the code words that we were supposed to meet at Kensuke's place," Shinji admitted. "I mean…you know that we can't risk talking too much over the phones…"
Exhaling through her pursed lips, Hikari shook her head. "I know," the pigtailed girl groaned in a disapproving fashion. "I swear, the instant we started up the Brigade, Kensuke went into total 'X-Files' mode. No talking on the phone, no emails, secret code words, making sure that nobody's following us…" Pausing to roll her eyes, she then added, "Honestly, you'd think we were in some bad spy movie!"
"He's just being careful," Shinji told the girl defensively. "And we can't take any chances. I mean…you know that, right?"
"Yeah, I know," Hikari grumbled, shaking her head unhappily. Her thoughts filled with all the misery caused her by NERV's various efforts to either capture or eliminate her winged alter ego, thoughts that led her to another discovery she had made. "By the way, I looked up that woman that Rhino and Gargoyle captured." Shinji frowned his confusion, to which she added, "Junko Marishima? The other person they were holding hostage?"
"Oh, right! Her!" Shinji cried out in memory. "Uh, what about her? Is she alright?"
"I think so. So far, anyway," Hikari reported. "I did a quick check on her place, and I saw her through a window. Or least, I think it was her." Then she frowned and added, "Unfortunately, I also spotted at least half a dozen Section 2 goons keeping an eye on her as well."
Letting out a heavy sigh, Shinji shook his head before replying, "Look, I'm sorry, Horaki-chan. But for now, I think we'd better keep an eye on her. You know…just in case."
"No arguments here. NERV isn't exactly subtle when they want to get someone," Hikari grumbled somberly. Then she arched an eyebrow at the boy and asked, "By the way, Shinji, there's something I've been wondering." He just looked at her in a puzzled fashion. "Do you have…any idea why NERV is out to get Spirit?"
Blinking rapidly at this, Shinji frowned slightly, considering his words. "Well…part of it is what Father told me. Remember? How Dr. Akagi said you might…?" he prompted as gingerly as he could. When Hikari tightened her lips, nodding her understanding, the boy sighed unhappily. "But…well, a lot of it is that…well, you know how much it costs to maintain the Evas, right? And…well…"
"And when a little girl blows up Angels left and right with just a wave of her hand, the government and the taxpayers aren't too happy about spending all that money on machines that wind up either collecting dust or getting blown up themselves," Hikari gathered, shaking her head unhappily. "Look, I know it can't be easy, having to deal with that sort of thing. But…I'm just trying to help."
"I know you are," Shinji protested somberly. Doing his best to keep the silent envy out of his voice as he went on. "Come on. We better get going."
"Right," Hikari nodded. The two of them started moving faster, passing by the various towers that made up Tokyo-3. Eventually, the two of them arrived at Kensuke's house, a fairly large home in one of the better parts of the fortress city, and a place that practically screamed money.
Letting out an impressed whistle, Hikari shook her head slowly as the both of them approached the front door. "Whew. I knew Kensuke was well off, but this…" the pigtailed girl murmured in low awe, to which Shinji nodded in private agreement. Having visited Kensuke's place a couple times in the past, though, he was used to the opulent two-story dwelling. Without hesitation, he went up to the door and rang the bell.
After a few seconds of waiting, the door swung open, revealing a tall, athletic boy on the other side. "Hey, Shin-man! You came!" Toji grinned pleasantly. Then his smile was diminished somewhat as he noticed the other person present. "Oh. Hi, Hikari."
"Hello, Toji," Hikari returned curtly.
Though not entirely pleased by Hikari's presence, Toji quickly returned his attention to his friend. "C'mon, you two," he said, gesturing for them to follow him as he moved back into the house. "Don't worry; Ken's folks aren't in. We have the whole place to ourselves."
"Okay," Shinji spoke as they entered, with Hikari closing and locking the door as they entered. They then followed Toji as the jock made his way up the stairs and led them into another room.
"Well, Ken, the Brigade's all here!" Toji declared as he stepped in, the door hanging open long enough for the others to follow him in. Completely unaware of the look of horror that spawned on Hikari's face.
"What in the…?!" Hikari gasped out as she took in what could only be Kensuke's bedroom. Though, for the prudish Class Representative, it might as well have been one of her absolute worst nightmares. The entire room seemed to exist in a state of barely controlled chaos. Everywhere she looked, there was military paraphernalia, everything from fake machine guns to camouflage clothing, there were bookshelves loaded with graphic novels and anime DVDs alike, and off in one corner was a desk laden with several computer towers and monitors. Hooked up to that digital monolith were scanners, cameras, and hordes of other devices Hikari couldn't even begin to identify. And littering the floor was what looked half of the otaku's wardrobe, several articles of which had footprints marking them.
"Hey, you two!" Kensuke grinned, looking perfectly at home in this landfill. Gesturing at his bed, he told them, "Come on, have a seat!
"Um…" Shinji started, looking at the proffered bed. The boy shifted uneasily on his feet as he studied it, clearly unhappy about the prospect of committing his posterior to such a slovenly disaster. Then, with a slight grimace, he seated himself so that he was right next to the homemade monstrosity that was Kensuke's computer.
"Thanks," Hikari got out as she joined him. "Nice place, Aida."
"Thanks! I designed it myself!" Kensuke grinned. Completely missing the sarcasm that had been oozing from Hikari's words, the otaku directed his focus at Shinji. "So, Shinji, how's everything going? And, say, how's Misato-sama? Have you seen her lately?"
"Oh, Misato?" Shinji responded instantly. Hesitating slightly, he shrugged before saying, "Well…she's doing okay, I guess. She's keeping busy, and…"
Shinji fell silent at this. His eyes lowering to the floor, the 3rd Child shook his head unhappily. "And…?" Toji prompted, gesturing for his friend to continue.
"I don't know. I…" Shinji murmured, thinking of the woman who had done so much for him. Of the happiness she had given him on that evening, far from Tokyo-3, happiness beyond anything Shinji had ever enjoyed before. A happiness that was torn away when Misato was returned to the prison his father had had built for her. And even though the wound this had left in Shinji's heart was scabbed over, it was all too easy for it to start bleeding again.
"I…she…it's just so wrong…" Shinji finally managed to get out. Heaving a sigh of pure misery, he lowered his gaze to the floor. "I'm sorry, but…"
"We understand," Hikari spoke comfortingly, placing her hand on his shoulder. "I guess it can't be easy. For any of you."
Gulping down on the lump of bile that had formed in his throat, Shinji managed a quick nod as he looked back up. "Thanks," was all he said. All he could think of saying then. "I – I'm sorry. It's just…"
"Hey, don't worry about it," Toji spoke from where he stood. His brusque air coming off more forced than anything else. "Look, this…this would be hard on anybody, okay?" Frowning somewhat, the jock paused to consider his next words. "So…she's doing okay, right?" When Shinji gave a slight nod, Toji looked at him more intensely. "And what about you? How are you holding up?"
Sucking in a deep breath, Shinji met his friends' gazes. "Me?" he asked, his voice sounding strained even to himself. "I…I'm okay. I guess. Sorry." He then forced a slight small onto his face. "And I'll be a lot better…when Misato's home again."
"I heard that!" Kensuke grinned. Teenage hormones free flowing out of his eyes.
"Kensuke Aida…" Hikari growled warningly beneath her breath. Shooting Kensuke a glare that almost caused him to shrivel up and die right where he sat, the Class Representative turned her gaze to the other boy. "Toji…you told Shinji that you wanted to talk about something…"
"That's right," Toji returned quickly even as he shot a sideways glance at their otaku friend. "Well, first of all, Ken was able to come up with something."
As two sets of eyes settled on him, Kensuke recovered the geekish eagerness that Hikari had boiled out of him. "That's right! And, man! Have I got some stuff for you!"
"Really?" Shinji wondered, despair being faded by hope. "Wh-what is it?"
"Well, you know how I've been trying to track down any info on what happened to Jet Alone?" Kensuke explained, his eyes glowing with excitement even as he worked his keyboard. "Well, I finally managed to find something!"
"You did?!" Hikari gasped as Shinji leaned forward. Both of their hearts pumping that much more quickly.
"Hey, don't get too excited just yet," Toji cautioned them. "It's not much."
"Not much?! It's a report from a government inspection team that just happened to have been brought over to the Jet Alone proving grounds! Just a week before that thing went nuts!" Kensuke enthused, moving for Shinji and Hikari to look at one of the monitors. "You see, the Japanese government was really interested in using robots like Jet Alone to support the Evas! It was all supposed to be part of something they called the Trident project, and -!"
"And what?" Shinji wondered as he studied the screen. Furrowing his brow as he looked at the various documents that Kensuke had dug up. "What are these?"
"Official reports made by a special government inspection team," Kensuke grinned, looking very much like the cat that had eaten the canary. While Shinji and Hikari were trying to grasp the import of this, the otaku was gesturing at certain parts of the digital document. "Now, Japan Heavy Chemical Cooperative was a serious government contractor! And so they had a lot of inspections done on Jet Alone's systems! You know, so the government could make sure that they were getting their money's worth! And that means -!"
"Kensuke, just get to the point," Hikari demanded irritably, not in the mood for the otaku's longwinded explanation. "What is it that you found?"
"Nothing much. Just certified proof that Jet Alone's meltdown basically had to be sabotage!" Kensuke grinned excitedly. "See? This is a report submitted by the inspection team to the government! And it shows all the systems they looked over during the inspection, and -!"
"And…they didn't find anything wrong with it," Shinji murmured as he studied the document. "Which means…"
"Which means that, whatever caused that thing to go nuts, it had to have happened in the week before Jet Alone's trial run!" Kensuke concluded, his grin threatening to grow slightly wider than his face. "And about the only way that could have happened is if somebody altered its programming after the inspection, but -!"
"But before the trial run," Shinji nodded, his eyes lighting up with comprehension. "So that they wouldn't find the problem and correct it…before it was too late."
"That's right!" Kensuke returned with ever-growing excitement. "That'd be the only way to make the sabotage work! I'm telling you, this clinches it! Everything that you've been saying, Shinji! It's all real, man!"
Studying the documentation intently, Hikari eventually turned a concerned frown towards the otaku. "That's good, Kensuke, but…it doesn't prove sabotage. Or that NERV had anything to do with what happened!"
His face falling into a wounded pout, Kensuke stared disbelievingly at Hikari. "Aw, c'mon, Class Rep! What do you want?! A security camera feed, catching the bad guy in action?!" the otaku protested. "Do you have any idea how long it took me, just to find this much?!"
"I'm not saying that you didn't do a good job, Kensuke," Hikari protested understandingly. "Something like this is definitely something we can use, and it does make the whole accident look pretty unlikely." While the bespectacled boy was recovering his smile, the Class Representative became practical. "But we still have to find some way of proving that NERV's behind this, and I'm afraid that this by itself isn't enough."
Even as Kensuke released a dismayed groan at just how unimpressed his audience was, Toji shrugged casually. "Hey, I hear ya, Class Rep," he grumbled. "But Ken's already been up and down the net several times! It's not like he's been having an easy time with this!"
"I understand," Shinji spoke up. "And I really do appreciate it." As the other two boys turned their attention to their resident Eva pilot, the 3rd Child looked intently at Kensuke. "But…maybe there's something else we can use."
"Like what?" Kensuke wondered, holding up his hands helplessly.
"Well…isn't there some way of finding a backup copy of Jet Alone's programming?" Shinji wondered. "I mean, if we could get a look at something like that, then maybe…"
"How?!" Kensuke asked somewhat bitterly. "The whole company went down, Shinji! Their computers, Jet Alone, the programming, all of it! Gone without a trace!"
"But there has to be something left!" Hikari countered forcefully. "Even if the Cooperative went bankrupt, somebody must've bought up what was left of it! Technology, computers, it all had to go somewhere!"
"I already thought of that!" Kensuke quickly protested. "And I've been trying to run down things like that, but the list is unreal! And I've already run into a couple dummy companies!"
"Dummy companies?" Shinji asked blankly, being only vaguely familiar with the phrase in question. "Wh-what's that mean, anyway?"
"It means that it's an empty shell. Just a front for another company or buyer. It's on the registry of various businesses, might even have a few buildings listed as a corporate headquarters, but that's about it," Kensuke explained patiently. Then he began working the keyboard, his fingers a blur as he typed in various commands. Soon enough, one of the monitors showed several different lists and documents.
"See?" Kensuke said, pointing at one of the smaller documents. "It's a list of the dummy companies I've found."
Leaning in closer, Hikari and Shinji began reading some of the names. "Extensive Industries…Oroku Standard Genetics…Shannon Bio Inc…" the freckled girl muttered as they read. Furrowing her brows, she looked questioningly at their resident hacker. "You mean…these are all fake?!"
"Completely bogus!" Kensuke assured them. "They look okay on paper, but if you do a little digging, you see that they haven't changed or sold anything for about ten years!" His glasses catching the light in such a fashion as to seem to magnify his intensity, the otaku added, "And here's the really nasty part. Each and every one of the dummy companies I've checked out? Well, guess what? You do a little looking, and each of them all leads back to one backer."
A dread pit opened up within Shinji's stomach at this. "You mean…NERV?"
"Not exactly," Toji broke in. The jock was leaning against the wall, his arms folded across his chest. "According to what Ken's found, those companies are all connected to the Marduk Institute."
"But…!" Shinji started, his unease increasing with each passing second. "But that's…!"
"That's the group the UN set up to select Eva pilots? Yeah, I know!" Kensuke piped up. Shaking his head worriedly, the hacker stared painfully at the screens. "Shinji…I have to tell you, the deeper I dig into this, the uglier things get!"
Exhaling deeply, Shinji lowered his eyes to the floor. Though initially excited by Kensuke's discoveries, his friend's words had ultimately caused doubts to rise up in him. For if the Marduk Institute was supporting Jet Alone's sabotage, then that would have to mean that his father's actions were supported by the Instrumentality Committee. And though Shinji was far from being an expert on world affairs, he knew enough to realize that there were some very powerful, very dangerous people involved in both these groups.
"Kensuke…" Shinji started nervously, looking about from one of his friends to another. "Look, um…I really appreciate what you've been doing, and…it's great that you were able to find all this out. But…"
Seeming to intuit what his friend was trying to say, Toji glared dangerously. "This better not be the part where you tell us that this is too dangerous and that we should butt out, Shin-man!"
Starting at this, Shinji met Toji's gaze. "I'm sorry, but…I don't want any of you to get hurt!"
"Hey, believe me! We don't wanna get hurt, either!" Kensuke grinned cockily. "Besides, if you're worried about somebody being able to trace what I'm doing, then forget it!" A confused gasp escaped Shinji's lips as he studied the otaku. "You see, I've been running a piggyback program in order to find all this stuff out!"
"A…piggyback program?" Hikari frowned perplexedly.
"Yeah!" Kensuke grinned easily. "It's real simple! I whipped up a search program that rides other forms of computer activity in order to execute specific searches in the appropriate databases!" Having said this, Kensuke proceeded to sit there, seemingly waiting for some kind of accolade to his computer genius. The only response he got was Shinji and Hikari staring blankly at him. Which was shortly followed a loud chortle from Toji.
"Maybe you should try it again in straight Japanese, Ken," Toji suggested in a mocking fashion. "Or have you forgotten that you're the only one here who speaks geek?" Then the athletic boy focused on his other friends there. "Don't feel too bad. I didn't get it the first fifty times he explained it to me, either."
It was slow at first, but soon titters of amusement resulted from Toji's words, with Kensuke's laughs being the strongest. "Okay, okay!" the bespectacled boy grinned, holding up his hands in surrender. He then returned his attention to the others, waiting for them to settle down before explaining. "Well, basically, my program works by riding things like emails, other search engines. It's like…my program is riding the same bus as somebody else's programs, using it to get wherever it wants to go."
"Oh, I get it," Hikari said, snapping her fingers. "So it's using the other programs to camouflage whatever it's doing?"
"Well, sort of," Kensuke replied. He seemed to consider giving a more accurate description of the process, but ultimately decided against it. "But trust me, there is no way anyone could have traced me. So stop worrying about it!"
Sighing at the sheer impossibility of Kensuke's request, Shinji considered the matter. "So…what do we do now?" he wondered, looking in the faces of his friends for some kind of answer. "Any ideas?"
"It's like I said, Shinji. If we're going to prove that NERV is responsible for sabotaging Jet Alone, we're going to need some hard evidence. Something linking NERV directly to Jet Alone," Hikari stated. The Horaki family matriarch considered the matter briefly. "So far, all we know is that it must have happened shortly before the demonstration, but that's it. We need more information than that!"
Frowning intently, Shinji considered this for a time. "What about…Dr. Akagi?" he asked with tremendous hesitation. "I…I did tell you about her, right?"
"That she was at the demonstration?" Kensuke inferred. When Shinji nodded to this, the otaku wrinkled up his face in concentration. "Well, I did a little checking on her background. And she definitely has the brains to pull off something like that. But I couldn't find anything that put her close enough to Jet Alone itself to actually do anything! And you'd have to think that the security there would be solid! Especially where someone from the group they were trying to replace was concerned!"
"Besides, didn't you tell us that she's Misato-sama's friend?" Toji asked, looking pointedly at Shinji. "If she was, why would she let her go out and try and stop Jet Alone when she knew it was gonna shut down by itself?"
"That's just it. I asked Misato about it, and…Akagi-san did try and talk her out of it," Shinji informed them. "I mean…I know it doesn't prove that she knew anything, but…"
"But she was there. And she has the necessary background," Hikari nodded thoughtfully. Then she eyed the other boys. "That just leaves us with one question; how do we prove that she had anything to do with it?"
There was an uncomfortable silence at this. Then a light bulb seemed to explode over Toji's head. "Hey, wait! Ken, didn't one of the news articles say something about one of the security people?" the jock asked excitedly. "You know, that guy…oh, what was his name? The guy who was in charge of security for the demonstration?"
"Oh, him?" Kensuke asked, his eyes widening at this. "I don't remember his name, either, but I'm pretty sure that I can find it again. Why?"
"Because maybe he knows something we can use!" Toji exulted.
There was a momentary thrill of excitement surging through Shinji's heart. However, like many emotions the boy had experienced over the course of his life, it was soon dampened by a wave of pessimism. "But…just because he was in charge of security, doesn't mean he saw Akagi-san do anything…"
"Maybe, but he might know someone who did see something," Hikari commented before turning to Kensuke. "If you can find this guy, maybe I could ask him more about what happened. And if one of his people saw something…"
"Not a bad idea, Class Rep," Toji admitted grudgingly. "But even if Ken finds him, what are you gonna do? Just go up to his door and ask if he saw Jet Alone being sabotaged?"
"Don't worry about that, Toji Suzuhara," Hikari smiled in what could almost be described as a superior manner. "I don't know if you've noticed, but I can be very persuasive when I want to be!"
An irritated snort was Toji's only response, but Shinji smiled gratefully at Hikari. "Are you sure about this, Hikari?" he asked. "I mean…"
"I'll think of something," Hikari smiled easily, waving aside his concerns. "I'm pretty sure I can just…wing it."
A few seconds passed as Shinji studied the girl's face. Though he was fairly observant, the young Ikari's ability to grasp certain social subtleties was limited at best. Which was why it took him a few seconds before comprehension finally clicked in his mind. "Oh, right!" Shinji finally got out, only to realize that maybe he was betraying too much emotion. "Um, well…I mean…that is…I'm sure you can…too!"
When Hikari responded by giving the boy a sheepish smile, Shinji looked at his fellow Stooges. Both boys were giving him curious looks, resulting in Shinji's cheeks coloring. Okay. I'm definitely not made to be a spy, he quickly concluded.
Fully aware of the uncomfortable silence that resulted of his mouth, Shinji decided to try and change the subject. "So, okay…if she can, Hikari will talk to the security guy," he declared, trying to think of something else to say. "And, well…the rest of us…"
"Uh, before we start making any other plans…there's one more thing we wanted to talk to you about," Toji spoke up. Both of the newcomers focused on him and saw a face that was taut with hesitation. "Now, the thing is, Kensuke's pretty good at dancing around with computers on his own, but he's still only one guy. And he's already been running into trouble, getting the info we need."
"I…I know that, Toji," Shinji nodded, frowning as he tried to grasp what his friend was saying. "But…what else can we do?"
"Well…you see, it's like this, Shinji…" Kensuke started out slowly, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "You see, me and Toji…we know somebody who might be able to help us."
"Somebody?" Shinji repeated, growing more confused.
"That's right," Toji confirmed. For once, his mannerisms were of utter seriousness. "They're a couple girls Ken and I met a while ago."
"A…couple girls?" Shinji repeated, looking from his fellow Stooges to Hikari. Suspicion welling up within him.
Obviously sharing in Shinji's wariness, Hikari locked gazes with the athletic boy. "Toji…this isn't just some school club. We can't just tell anybody about what we're doing here," Hikari spoke, trying to be stern and quiet at the same time, the need for secrecy affecting her mannerisms.
A need that Hikari was worried Toji had momentarily forgotten in the face of raging hormones.
Apparently sensing the girl's concerns, Toji gave her a hard look, giving the effect of a wounded ego. "Hey, I know that!" he grumbled, folding his arms across his chest. "I know you think I'm just another dumb jock, Hikari, but we know what we're talking about here!"
"Seriously!" Kensuke chimed in, looking equally wounded. "We wouldn't have said anything if they couldn't help! Honest!"
Taking a moment to eye Kensuke, Hikari then sighed as she looked at her crush. Leaning back somewhat, she considered her next words. "Don't get me wrong, Toji," she started, speaking as diplomatically as she could. "It's just that…we can't afford to take any chances here."
"Besides, uh…what makes you think we can trust these…girls?" Shinji wondered, looking intently at his friend. "And…why do you want them to join us?"
"Because they are total tech-heads! They can get into just about any computer ever made!" Kensuke grinned, practically salivating at the thought. "And put me together with them, and we'll be able to track down all the info we could ever need!"
"Never mind the fact that they wouldn't even need him to do that," Toji smirked. Resulting in a pained winced and from their resident otaku. "And as for why we can trust them…"
"Yes?" Hikari prodded, looking hard at the boy. Searching for any indication that he had less than honorable reasons for nominating two girls that she was apparently unaware for membership of the Brigade.
This time, it was Toji's turn to hesitate. The boy frowned somewhat, looking away as he sat back. "Well…let's just say that they aren't real big fans of NERV, either."
"Why's that?" Shinji wondered.
"Uh…" Toji faltered, his frown deepening. He finally shrugged, and looked straight at his friend. "Well, it's actually a long story and…we kinda promised them we wouldn't tell anyone about it."
Seeing an increase in suspiciousness from his friends, Kensuke waved his hands in negation. "Now, don't get us wrong! We never said word one about the Brigade to either of them!" he swore. "But…they're in something of a mess themselves, and…"
"What are you talking about?" Hikari gaped, narrowing her eyes at the both of them. "Toji, Kensuke…who are these girls, anyway?! Why would…?"
"Look!" Toji broke in, speaking with uncustomary heat. "We just…promised them, alright? The same way we promised not to tell anybody about the Brigade or about Misato-sama, okay?" With a sigh, the athletic boy swung his eyes between the friends seated before him. "We promised..."
"Oh, I understand," Shinji assured him, holding up his hands in a defensive manner. "It's just…well…"
"We have to be sure as well," Hikari told him. Doing her best not to come off as the hard, demanding Class Representative. Doing her best to be a friend. "Look, you're asking us to trust to complete strangers with our lives, and Misato's life as well."
"Hey, we know that! Despite what you and the Devil might think, we're not idiots!" Kensuke complained. "But I'm telling you, these girls would be a serious help to us!" Taking a moment to examine the faces of his friends, the jock then proceeded to make his case. "Look, you said we need proof that NERV sabotaged Jet Alone, right? Well, they can help us find it! Between their hackitude and mine…!" Pausing to shoot a sideways glare at Toji, the otaku then continued. "…we could even get into the MAGI! We could look through the NERV database itself, and get all the info we need!"
"Really?" Shinji piped up, feeling a surge of excitement well up in him.
"Shinji, hold on," Hikari cautioned him. Before Shinji could say anything to this, the pigtailed girl. "Look, I'm sure you two mean well, but think about this. You're asking us to trust a couple of complete strangers, but aside from telling us that they're good with computers and they don't like NERV, you haven't said anything else about them, or where they're from, or why they would be interested in helping us to begin with!"
Looking up at Hikari, Shinji then lowered his eyes, his mind focused on the argument being made. Finally, he looked at the other boys, his gaze firmly hardened, and frowned at the necessity of his next words. "Toji, Kensuke…I'm sorry, but Hikari is right. If you can't tell me anything else about them…"
These words rose up to the ceiling and came to hang above the heads of both the other Stooges like twin Swords of Damocles. For untold seconds, they frowned in silence, with Toji's expression of gloom the heavier. The wheels in his mind turning so rapidly that they were practically setting each other on fire, with deep smoke clogging up his thoughts. This continued until he finally looked hard at the 3rd Child and marched over to him. Grabbing Shinji harshly by the shoulders, eliciting a pained squawk in the process, Toji knelt down and drilled him in the eyes with his own gaze. "Okay, fine! But before I say anything, you have to promise me that you won't tell anyone what I'm going to tell you!"
"Huh?" Shinji started, his mouth falling open. A moment later, however, the boy regained himself. "Okay, Toji. I promise."
"You promise?" Toji asked pointedly.
"Really! I promise!" Shinji responded, this time more emphatically.
When the athletic boy turned to Hikari, she gave him an affirmative nod. "You don't have to worry about me, Toji," she vowed emphatically. Then, with an impish smile, she added, "I know how to keep a secret."
Exhaling heavily through his nose, Toji fell back from Shinji. Looking over his shoulder at Kensuke, the jock seemed to be asking him if he was doing the right thing. His only answer was a look of pure helplessness. One that resulted in Toji rolling his eyes skyward just before he pinched the bridge of his nose between his forefingers. Finally, he looked at his friends, who were still waiting expectantly. "Mana. That's her name," Toji finally told them with great reluctance. "Mana Kirishima…and her partner, Sid."
"Sid?" Hikari repeated blankly. "What kind of name is that?"
"Uh, the one that she was given?" Toji asked sarcastically.
"Okay, but Toji, you still haven't said why your friends – Mana and Sid – why would they want to help us?" Shinji wondered, his eyes unrelentingly focused on his friend. "And what do they have against NERV?"
Realizing that Toji was still struggling with this, Kensuke looked apologetically at the others. "It's because of Mana's father," Kensuke explained gingerly, once again glancing at his athletic friend. "He…was murdered."
Of all the things Shinji could have imagined his friend saying, this wasn't one of them. And it quickly became clear that Hikari felt similarly. "Murdered…?" the pigtailed girl gasped lowly.
Kensuke nodded slowly to this. "According to her and Sid, NERV sent a bunch of creeps to their home," the otaku explained grimly. "They killed her father, trashed the entire place. The two of them barely got out of there alive."
"What…?" Shinji started, gazing in disbelief at his friend. "But…why would Father…?"
"It's because her father had something NERV wanted, and they killed him trying to get it!" Toji got out. Seeing Shinji open his mouth, the jock stopped him with a scowl. "Please, don't ask us anything else, Shinji! We shouldn't have even told you this much!"
"That's for sure!" Kensuke agreed, paling at the thought. "Seriously, if Mana finds out about it, it'll be our butts on the line!"
"Shinji…I know we're asking a lot here, but Mana…she and Sid could really help us!" Toji pleaded. Then, with a look of dangerous excitement, he grinned, "And if we can get the goods on NERV, then we'll be able to help them as well!"
"Toji…" Hikari got out, stunned by the determination her crush was displaying. Frowning in confusion, she lowered her gaze to the floor, only to look at Shinji and ask, "What do you think?"
Shinji didn't say anything at first. Instead, he just sat there, weighing the potential gains against the probable risks. On the one hand, he didn't want to entrust just anyone with these secrets, and the more people that got involved with the Brigade, the more people were at risk if NERV learned of what they were doing. At the same time, however, Shinji couldn't lie to himself. He knew that if they were going to help Misato, find out exactly what NERV was doing, then they would need every possible advantage they could get.
Still…I don't know. What if they say no, or…maybe they aren't as good as…or what if they…? Shinji thought worriedly. His tormented mind already feeding him with every worst-case scenario his subconscious could conjure up. Pessimism at one side, doubt at his other. Telling him to give up, for the simple reason that everything in his life would end in futility. This would be no different.
But even as these inner demons were whispering their cruelties into Shinji's ear, something else appeared in his mind. A face. A smile. A woman. And all the memories he had of her kindness, her bravery. Of her placing her life on the line for people she did not know, enduring the monster that now shared her body for the sake of others…and for showing Shinji, for the first time in his entire life, what it was like to be truly loved.
As these and more images of Misato came to the fore, chasing away the demons that haunted him, Shinji felt his heart pounding with determination. I won't run away...I can't run away, he growled within his mind. Misato didn't run away…and I won't either. Then, even as thinking of her brought Shinji new courage, the memories of Misato and how she dealt with such situations came to the fore. How she had taken one impossible situation after another, and found a way to turn certain defeat into overwhelming victory. Every single time, she had analyzed the situation, taken what she had to work with, and found a way to win.
His features hardening with increasing intensity, Shinji looked up at his friends. "Toji…do you think you could get Mana to meet with me?" he asked, channeling as much conviction as he could into his voice. "I…don't think I should try and talk to her over the phone, and…"
"Mana and Sid? Talk on the phone? Yeah, right! Those two are even more paranoid than Kensuke here!" Toji grinned, jerking his thumb in the otaku's direction. While Kensuke letting loose with an indignant grumble, the jock frowned seriously. "Well…it might take a while. Like I said, they have reasons to be cautious."
"That's okay," Shinji nodded. "Just…do what you can, okay?"
"Will do, Shin-man! Just leave it to us," Toji grinned, giving him a thumbs-up.
"Thanks, you guys," Shinji smiled somberly. Then he heaved a deep breath before standing. "Well, if there isn't anything else, I better get going. I was planning on checking on Misato before going home, and…"
"Hey, no problem! We understand!" Kensuke replied. Smiling in what Shinji supposed was intended to be a sly manner.
"Yeah, sure! After all, anything's better than having to deal with the Devil!" Toji grinned. He then gave a full-body shudder, wrapping his arms about his body. "Ugh! Just the thought of it gives me the creeps!"
"Toji, don't call her a Devil!" Hikari protested vehemently. "That's my best friend you're talking about!"
"Uh, right. Whatever you say, Class Rep," Toji grumbled. Then, just loud enough to be heard, he added, "Though personally, I don't know if that says more about you or her…"
"Toji Suzuhara…!" Hikari growled, standing up and glaring doom at her crush. The meeting of the Brigade quickly turning from plotting and planning into a mindless shouting match. Leaving Shinji caught in the crossfire, holding his hands to his ears.
"Mm-mmm," Kaji grinned, taking in the view before him. "I swear, Katsuragi, you get even lovelier every time I look at you."
A mild grunt was Misato's only answer. All she could muster enough breath for even as lesser grunts escaped her lips as she exerted herself. Sweat rolling down her shapely form as she pushed herself on the exercise bike she was presently riding. Just one of the several pieces of aerobic equipment that had found its way down into her quarters in recent times.
"Just watching you move like that…only you could make sweat look that sexy," Kaji went on, still grinning that same idiotic grin that Misato had seen him wearing in college.
"Watch it, jerk!" Misato grinned beneath her breath. Then, taking in an especially large double-lungful, she looked dangerously at the man she had so readily succumbed to years ago. "Do you want to piss me off? Because we both know you won't like me when I'm pissed off!" Much to her annoyance, Kaji just chuckled beneath his breath at this, completely disregarding the fact that she was fully capable of launching him through several roofs if the mood took her. "So, would you mind telling me what you're doing here, anyway? I'm kinda busy right now!"
"So I noticed," Kaji nodded thoughtfully. "Well, Ritsuko told me about your…special request. So I decided to stop by and see for myself."
Snorting lightly, Misato finally decided that talking to Kaji and exercising demanded too much breath for her to do both effectively at the same time. And giving the sheer amount of sweat marking her skin, she decided she'd put in enough work for the time being. So she slowly got off the exercise bike, taking the towel that was draped around her neck and began mopping her face with it. "What, are you surprised I decided to do something good for my health? Is that it?"
"Well, no. Not really," Kaji replied with the usual amount of boyish charm he applied to his words. Moving closer to Misato, he angled his gaze so that it focused on her face. "Actually, I just wanted to see how you're doing, that's all." Giving her ex a sideways glance, the purple-haired woman saw him shrug in the devil-may-care manner of his. "Hey, is there something wrong with wanting to look on a close, personal friend of mine?"
"Not at all," Misato returned as she moved to the projection unit mounted near the exercise bike. With a flick of the switch, she dismissed the image of a winding road moving past, and the limited illusion that she was enjoying the outside world. This done, she shot her former boyfriend an impish smile. "So, where is this friend of yours? I'd like to meet him!"
"Ooh, ouch!" Kaji groaned in mock-horror, placing his hand over his heart. "Just how many spears are you going to shove into me, Katsuragi?"
"Just enough to encourage you to grow up a bit," Misato smirked. "Of course, in your case, that's probably going to take at least a couple hundred or so, but…"
Shaking his head irreverently, Kaji rolled his eyes before saying, "Well, some things in life are worth a little pain. Like you, for instance."
Doing her best to ignore her former lover, Misato moved to the small kitchen that was now her living quarters and began rummaging about in the refrigerator. A bit of searching soon rewarded her with a can of juice, which she quickly popped open and began chugging it down. "Wow, you certainly have changed, Katsuragi," Kaji noted playfully, almost causing the target of his words to choke on her drink. "I thought you would have preferred to have something a bit stronger after such a serious workout."
"Yeah, well, let's just say I had to make a deal with Rits," Misato grumbled. For although she appreciated the liquid refreshment, she would have also preferred something a bit stronger as well.
"Oh? And what sort of deal might that be?" Kaji wondered.
"Simple. She gets me the workout equipment I asked for, and I agree to improve my diet," Misato grumbled, taking another deep chug of her juice. After emptying the can, she gave it a grumpy look. "Then she went on to lecture me on how alcohol dehydrates the body. And that physical stress like that could only cause problems, make me more temperamental, and then…"
"In other words, she inundated you with details until you decided it wasn't worth arguing with her," Kaji gathered as she tossed the can into the trash. Laughing beneath his breath, the unshaven man asked, "And what about your new workout outfit? Was that part of the deal?"
"What? This thing?" Misato asked as she looked down at her current garment. It was a two piece outfit that consisted of a very tight purple top and matching shorts that left plenty of skin exposed, and what it covered up, it accentuated more than it disguised. Added to this were a set of white head and wrist bands. "Well, I didn't have anything that really seemed appropriate for this sort of thing, so I asked Ritsuko to pick up a few things for me." She raised a purple eyebrow at her ex-lover. "Why do you ask?"
"Oh, nothing," Kaji lied, his own smile deepening. "I was just thinking that it's too bad that you didn't wear anything like that back in college. It would have made for some very interesting parties."
Blinking slowly at Kaji, Misato lowered her eyes somewhat. "You know why I couldn't wear something like this back then," she told him bitterly, her right hand moving of its own accord. Tracing a line beneath her right breast that had once been marked by pain and trauma. Marked by a scar that had been just one of the many prices she had paid for surviving Second Impact. "You of all people should know that."
As Kaji looked at the spot where the Major's hand lay, the point of her body where there was only perfect, unblemished flesh to be seen, his eyes widened, then narrowed, as if he was only just seeing that portion of her body for the first time. "What the…?" he started, only to look from her exposed abdomen up to her face. "How…when did that…?!"
Smiling a hollow smile, Misato answered, "Well, considering the way this…this thing of mine heals, I'm guessing that the first time that…that I changed…it got rid of…this…" Her hand falling away from where the scar had once been, the Major started away from her ex-boyfriend and headed towards a full-length mirror that stood on one side of her dwelling. A mirror that now caught her image, and showed her the perfection of unmarred skin as well. "With everything that…that's been happening, I didn't even notice it was gone until…well…" A tinge of humiliation colored her cheeks before she admitted, "Until after I was moved in here."
"I see," Kaji replied. Gingerly closing in on her from behind, making sure that Misato could see his approach in the mirror, he came and placed his hand upon her shoulder. "Funny. You don't sound too happy about it."
"What's to be happy about?" Misato wondered, looking at the spot on her body that had once been a symbol for all the pain, misery, and shame brought about by Second Impact. By both the devastation caused by the Angels…and her own mixed feelings regarding the man that had saved her life.
Smiling tenderly in the mirror, Kaji slowly eased his arms about Misato's frame. "Well, considering the things you did to hide it – even from me – I thought you'd be glad to be rid of it."
"Yeah, and in its place, I get a brain-dead monster doing a timeshare with my body," Misato grumbled, too lost in thought to protest Kaji's closeness. "Not such a great trade-off, is it?"
"No, I suppose not," Kaji admitted, drawing himself even closer. "Still, I'm sure things will work out, Katsuragi."
"And what makes you so certain of that?" Misato asked him, shivering at his closeness. A shiver that was part anticipation…and part revulsion.
"Because you're a survivor, of course," Kaji answered simply, his breath sliding across Misato's bare neck. "And if comes down to the two of you, you know I'm going to be betting on you. Not some brainless bimbo."
Snorting a laugh, Misato turned to eye her ex. "And here I thought brainless bimbos were your -" was all she managed to get before she found Kaji's lips squarely planted upon her own. A muffled squeak was the only sound she was able to make as the unshaven man moved his hands about her body, fingering sensitive points that only he knew about. His ministrations quickly triggering a ripple of pleasure in her.
Pleasure that was quickly followed by shame. Shame at how easy it was for Kaji to press her buttons, and for how easy it was for Misato to let him do so. Shame at the way their relationship had begun, and for the pain and memories that caused her to end it.
And now there was something else. Shame because of a sense of betrayal. A memory that was already so precious to her, and one that was being soiled by how easily she was surrendering to the past, and her own hideous need and loneliness.
"Stop it…" Misato whimpered. Too many things too close to the surface cutting into her heart, leaving her caught between love and loathing as Kaji twisted her about, not breaking away from her. His hands finding all the right places that he had discovered over the course of that week in which they consummated their relationship. The feel of his expert touch resulting in twin waves of rapture and revulsion in Misato.
It quickly became too much for Misato to handle. The horror of her transformation and her subsequent incarceration had left her mostly cut off from the world. And despite the visits from Shinji and others, the desperate loneliness that was such a part of her had gotten worse with each passing day. Leaving her vulnerable, and wanting. So terribly alone and hurting. But even as this need urged her to surrender to the inevitable, there was a sickness in her heart that wanted her to refuse this. To refuse all the pain and heartbreak that she knew would result from being close to this man once again.
As these things mounted up, they gave way to another emotion. A deep, abiding hatred, a loathing Misato held for herself and her own weakness. The anger she felt at how she had run away from her father's memory, run away from Kaji, at all the things she had done to soil herself. It was like she was looking at herself from the outside, clenching her fists and staring at both the weak woman who was allowing herself to once again be captivated, as well as the man doing the captivating, who had brought her such poisoned memories. Looking and watching, and wanting to smash both the people before her.
Smash… hissed a deadly voice within the back of Misato's mind. A voice that surprised her with its strength and hatred. Her eyes flying open, the purple-haired woman twisted about in Kaji's arms, brought both of her hands to his chest and shoved him away.
"You damned idiot! Don't you dare try that again!" Misato spat out, staring in horror at the man she had given herself to so long ago.
"Aw, what's the matter?" Kaji asked with a wounded pout. "Weren't you enjoying yourself?"
Misato didn't answer right away. All she could do was stand there, listening to her heart pound furiously, feeling the storm of emotions that still raged within her threaten to send her blood into a boil. Fully aware that it would take very little to tip the balance, and allow the beast within to rise up and vent its fury. To take this man who symbolized so much of herself that she was ashamed of and smash him. To crush and break and toss him aside, to keep the past and all the pain that came with it from torturing her again.
A part of her wanted to do that. Wanted it very badly.
While the rational part of Misato's mind was trying to remind her that the safety features of her gilded cage would flood the place with sleeping gas and stop the monster within before it could do anything but ruin more of her clothes and perhaps some of the niceties she had been afforded, the door buzzer was heard, shortly followed by the intercom. "Misato?" came another familiar voice, this one not tied to all the shame that the purple-haired woman associated with the past. "It's me, Ritsuko? Can I come in?"
"Sure! Go right ahead!" Misato barked. Eager for something, anything, to distract her from her quandary. And the monster that was so eager to be released.
With a creaking that betrayed its weight, the door slid open, allowing NERV's Head Scientist through. "Oh, Kaji! I didn't know you were here!" Ritsuko beamed, smiling at her old friend. A smile that soon turned devious as she studied the both of them. "Am I…interrupting something?"
"No," Misato told her pointedly, trying very hard to avoid growling. "In fact, he was just leaving," she added, looking and most definitely growling at her former lover. "Weren't you, Kaji?"
Though Misato didn't have a mirror handy, she was willing to guess that her eyes must have at least flashed green. The fact that Kaji quickly paled a couple shades was proof positive of this. "Well, if you say so," the unshaven man shrugged, mustering all the cool he could. Turning to move away, he gave Misato one last look over his shoulder. "Of course, if you ever want to pick up where we left off…"
"Hmph. Fat chance of that, asshole!" Misato snarled, folding her arms across her chest.
"And a pleasure to see you, too, Ritsy-poo," Kaji grinned, playfully saluting the faux-blonde before exiting the secure apartment.
"Likewise," Ritsuko sighed. As soon as the door was once again securely shut and locked, the doctor looked over at her friend and arched an eyebrow. "Do I even want to know what almost happened here?"
"Not really, no," Misato grumbled simply. Then she took a quick look at the kit in Ritsuko's hand and rolled her eyes. "So, I'm guessing this isn't just a social call, is it?"
"'Fraid not," Ritsuko returned with a shake of her head. Moving to the dinner table, the doctor set the kit down and opened it up. "I have to take some more blood samples."
"Oh, great," Misato groaned, rolling her eyes in dismay. "Just how much blood have you vampired from me, anyway? You must have enough to start your own blood bank by now!"
Laughing at this, Ritsuko prepped a syringe to do its dirty work. "It's nice to see you've managed to keep your sense of humor down here," the faux-blonde noted. Then she eyed Misato's condition, as well as her sweat-soaked clothes. "And I see we're actually using the exercise equipment, too! Will miracles never cease?"
"What, you don't think I asked you bring me this stuff, just so I can let it sit around and gather dust?" Misato grumbled as she moved towards the sofa. Crashing down on the furniture with remarkably bad grace, she watched as her best friend once again prepared to use her as a pin cushion.
"No, but I will admit that I'm a bit surprised," Ritsuko admitted as she walked over to her friend's side. Knowing how this routine went, Misato grumbled slightly as she held out her arm, which the faux-blonde quickly moved to disinfect. "I thought you hated working out."
"Who has time to work out when you're up to your ass in bureaucratic bull?" Misato wondered, only to grunt as her friend stuck the needle in and began extracting blood. "It's not like you're in the same shape you were in back in college, either, Rits!"
Snorting at this, the faux-blonde smiled wearily at this. "I guess you've got me there," she conceded. Then she shot her friend a dangerous glare and added, "Though if I were you, I'd be a bit more careful with those kind of remarks. Unless you want me to add some other tests to your regime?"
Some of the blood drained from Misato's face as she looked at her friend. "You wouldn't dare…"
"In fact, I'm sure I could think of several reasons the Commander might accept as to why a full, in-depth examination would be extremely useful in your treatment," Ritsuko told her in a dangerous fashion. "Vaginal examinations, probes of your lungs and digestive system. And maybe even a…"
"Okay! Okay! I get the idea!" Misato protested, raising her free hand in emphasis. "Geez, you don't have to get nasty on me!"
"This from Bitch Katsuragi? The woman who personally transferred at least a dozen people to Maintenance Team 13 for gross incompetence?" Ritsuko teased as she withdrew the filled syringe.
"Well, I wouldn't have to do something like that if NERV didn't hire so many gross incompetents!" Misato sniffed defensively. "Those idiots aren't so much the Unluckies as they are Unusables!"
"Whatever you say, Misato," Ritsuko countered, shaking her head in amusement. With expert precision, the scientist cleaned up the slight opening in Misato's skin and bandaged it. "There. That should take care of that," she commented with a sense of professional satisfaction. Soon, the syringe was safely back in its kit, and the doctor looked back at her friend. "I have some more things to take care of right now, but I'll be back later to check in on you. Maybe have a drink or two."
"Uh, wait. Ritsuko? There's something else I wanted to ask you," Misato asked, getting to her feet. "What about those other tests I asked about?" The faux-blonde gave her a puzzled look, resulting in a weary sigh from Misato. "You know. The neuro-analyses or whatever it is you call them?" As soon as these words were spoken, Ritsuko heaved a wearied sigh, one that the purple-haired woman knew from their college days. Knew, and didn't like. "What is it?"
"Misato…don't you understand what you're asking me?" Ritsuko asked nervously.
"Of course I do," Misato informed her with absolute certainty.
"Do you?" Ritsuko asked pointedly. "Because I'm not so sure." Pressing her lips into a steely frown, NERV's resident mad scientist studied her friend carefully. "The kind of tests you're asking me to run…in order for them to be any good, they'd have to be done in your She-Hulk state."
"Don't you think I know that?!" Misato grumbled incredulously. "I might not have all those fancy degrees that you have, Dr. Ritsuko Akagi, but I do know how to think!"
"Then you should know that what you're asking of me is impossible!" Ritsuko told her flatly. She held up her hands before Misato could even speak a single word of protest. "Look, we had a hard enough time running the evaluations we did on you before! But in order to conduct the in-depth readings you're asking us to do, not only would we have to force you to transform, but we'd have to convince She-Hulk to sit still for at least six or seven tests that are bound to annoy her. And in case you've forgotten, she doesn't take very kindly to being annoyed!"
"I haven't forgotten anything," Misato retorted gruffly. "And yes, you already told me that the A-10 clips weren't able to get enough on their own the last time, but -!"
"But nothing!" Ritsuko cut her off. As she continued to stand there and look at her friend, the faux-blonde's expression slowly melted from irritation to restrained sympathy. "Look, it's not that I don't want to help you, but you have to remember that our budget has already been hit pretty hard by dealing with this thing! The damage She-Hulk's caused, the testing…!"
"I haven't forgotten any of that," Misato informed her, letting out a resigned groan as she saw where this was going.
"Good," Ritsuko nodded somberly. "Then you'll understand why Commander Ikari has already…denied your request."
Her eyes bulging out of their sockets, sparks of green shining in them, Misato leaped to her feet. "He what?!" the Major cried out. "But Ritsuko, I'm telling you, something has changed with this thing! I could actually remember what I was doing while I was transformed! And Shinji, he said she was acting differently during the battle!"
"I know! He told me all about it," Ritsuko informed her, thinking back to when they had been retrieved after the battle. Then she gave her friend a wry curl of her lip. "And Commander Ikari had a few things to say about it, too."
Looking at her friend with an air of confusion, Misato then groaned before bring her hand to her forehead. "Aw, damn. I forgot about that part..."
"Then you'd probably be the only one who has," Ritsuko commented. Unable to help herself, the faux-blonde snickered in memory. "Do you know I saw the words 'Ugly Bastard Man' written just outside one of the men's bathrooms?"
Ritsuko's laughter grew more intense as Misato slumped forward, shaking her head in disbelief. "I guess he wasn't too happy about that," the Major groaned.
"I'd say that's a good guess," Ritsuko replied, just before she let her mirth slide away. "But in any case, the Commander made it clear that no further testing involving She-Hulk was to take place, unless it was it somehow vital to perfecting your treatment."
Heaving a disgusted groan, Misato fell back into her seat, shaking her head miserably. "I don't believe this…"
"I do," Ritsuko countered, to which Misato leveled a look of pure betrayal. "Misato, think about it. We've already got a possible cure in the works, and considering the amount of trouble She-Hulk has already caused, we don't want to give her the chance to wreck anything else." When this failed to soothe her friend, the doctor shrugged. "And the sooner you're cured, the sooner you get your life back."
Brows furrowed with irritation, Misato tried again. "I know, that, but…"
"Besides, I already told Maya that we're almost ready to make the attempt," Ritsuko informed her wearily. "And I have to be honest with you, she's barely holding on as it is!"
"She's having that much trouble, huh?" Misato gathered.
"Trouble? Misato, she's started drinking even more than you do," Ritsuko told her, resulting in a disbelieving chuckle from her friend. Irritably, the doctor growled, "I'm serious, Misato! Just the other day, she came to work half-drunk!"
"What?" Misato got out, her laughter cut short. Blinking away her confusion, she narrowed her eyes at Ritsuko. "Are we talking about the same Maya here?"
"Unfortunately, yes," Ritsuko confessed, giving a shake of her dyed tresses. "Damn, I'm starting to wish I'd never recommended her for your position. I never thought she'd have such a hard time with it!"
Frowning in thought, Misato looked imploringly at her friend. "Look, I know that things have been pretty tough around her, Rits. And I realize that the budget's tight, but…can't you try and pull a few strings?" she pleaded. When an annoyed grunt was Ritsuko's answer, the Major shook her head in mounting frustration. "Couldn't you at least get me a set of A-10 clips? We could set them up to record whatever happens to me the next time I changed? So we could do a comparison between -?"
"No. And I'm going to tell you why," Ritsuko told her, invoking the voice of authority. "I'm not going to do that because I know you too well, Misato. Because when you decide to do something, you don't let anything stand in your way of doing it. And I know that the very day that I gave you those clips, you'd do something stupid and provoke a transformation, all so that we could record whatever it is you think is going on in that thing's head."
A frustrated snarl echoing in her throat, Misato sat back in her seat and threw her arms across her chest. "Damn. My reputation is killing me."
"Look, just think of it this way. Another two weeks or so, and you'll probably be cured and out of here," Ritsuko told her comfortingly. "Then you and Maya can go back to your lives."
"And I'm sure you're really looking forward to having Maya back in prime condition, aren't you, Rits?" Misato grumbled, a hint of her usual mischief in her words. Smiling victoriously as Ritsuko threw back her head in disgust, the Major closed in for the kill. "Well, I can't say I blame you. After all, if it came down to a choice between her and Gendo, I know which one I'd choose!"
"Misato…" Ritsuko growled warningly, waving a finger in her friend's face. When Misato just snickered even more loudly, the doctor let out an exasperated groan and gave up trying to shame her friend. "Look, I have to get going. I still have to do the MAGI's checkup today, not to mention all the experimentation we have to do for your treatment."
"Alright," Misato nodded, just before she stood from her seat. "As for me, I better get showered. Shinji's gonna be bringing me some more supplies later, and I'd rather not smell like a sweat sock when he gets here."
"I see," Ritsuko purred, eyeing her friend deviously as she immodestly shucked her top and let it fall to the floor. "A quiet dinner for two, then?" When Misato turned and gave her friend a look of patent annoyance, the faux-blonde just laughed. "Hey, fair's fair, right? Or don't you think I've heard about how the medical team found you and Shinji that day?"
Snorting at this, Misato flashed a nasty grin. "Well, what's so wrong with that? I'm sure he's a lot better at what he does than Gendo," she taunted, enjoying the sour expression that instantly spread across Ritsuko's face. "And the things he does with his hands…"
"Uck! Only you could think of something so disgusting! I -!" Ritsuko started, only to trail off in confusion as Misato frowned. The purple-haired woman then looked about, her eyes narrowed in confusion. "What is it?" the doctor asked as her friend folded her arms across her chest. "Don't tell me that you're actually ashamed to go parading around naked?"
Misato didn't answer right away. Instead, she looked about her surroundings a few more times before focusing on her friend. "Ritsuko…those cameras you had in here…they aren't on, are they?"
"What?" Ritsuko asked, only to shake her head. "No, of course not! The cameras are rigged so as to come online only where it looks like you're transforming!" Despite her words, however, Misato was not dissuaded. She continued to scrutinize her surroundings, suspicion etched into her face. "Why? Is something wrong?"
"Oh…I don't know," Misato grumbled, finally throwing up her arms in defeat. "It's just…"
"Just what?" Ritsuko prodded worriedly.
"Suddenly, I…I had this feeling like…I was being watched," Misato finally confessed. "And just a minute ago, I could have sworn I heard people…laughing."
"People?" Ritsuko wondered. She then frowned at the potential implications. "You mean…you heard her?"
Misato shook her head to this. "No. There was more than one voice. A lot more. Hundreds…maybe even more," she confessed worriedly.
Her mouth falling slightly open, Ritsuko then closed it and gave her friend a look of patent annoyance. "Nice try, Misato," the doctor scolded her, to which the Major made a questioning sound. "Trying to get me curious enough to order some more tests, are you?"
At these words, Misato's face fell in astonished disbelief. "What?!" the Major cried out, her jaw clattering to the floor. She quickly recovered, and threw up her arms in disgust. "Oh, great, Rits! Thanks for taking me so seriously!" When Ritsuko answered her with laughter, Misato loudly stomped off. Unable to shake the feeling that she heard other voices laughing as well.
"Hello, there, Captain!" Chihiro piped up in her usual cheerful manner as she approached.
"Oh, hello, Chihiro," Maya replied wearily as she turned about in her seat. Now facing her successor, the current Operations Director watched as the long-haired woman approached with a steaming mug and a file folder in hand. "And what do you have there?"
"Just a couple items I think you'll be needing," Chihiro explained with a smile. "The results of the MAGI's latest checkup and a cup of coffee to see you through the rest of the evening."
"Oh, thank you!" Maya replied, accepting both items. Taking a careful sip of the coffee and finding it warm enough to be tolerable, the young Captain looked at the paperwork in her hands. "So, I take it there weren't any problems?"
"Not so much as a tiny bug in there," Chihiro assured her. "Not that we expected any, of course. Not with Dr. Akagi taking care of things." The Lieutenant leaned in closer and looked conspiratorially at her superior. "She really is a genius. To be honest, I never would have believed that anyone could possibly do everything she does, and in so little time."
"I know," Maya nodded with a sad fondness. And feeling not just a little envy for the woman standing before her.
"You know, I can't thank you enough for giving me this promotion," Chihiro went on, completely without care. "I don't think I would ever have had a chance to be a part of something so…incredible without your support."
Feeling a nasty shade of envious green spreading through her insides, Maya forced a pleasant look to remain on her face. "It's no problem, Chihiro," she spoke as earnestly as she could. "After all, with your record…you were the obvious choice."
"Still, thank you so much for this," Chihiro went on. "If there's anything I can do for you, anything at all…"
Try shutting up about how great my job is?! Maya retorted inwardly, her mental voice far more spiteful than she would have liked. I already know that part! Having you remind me about it isn't going to make these next two weeks pass any faster!
Fortunately for Maya's sanity, Chihiro was denied the opportunity to speak any further by the approach of another. "Captain Ibuki, Lieutenant Mifune, would you come with me?" requested Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki. The old professor's manner showing that this wasn't a request, but an order.
"Yes, sir," Maya returned as she got to her feet. Her words quickly second by Chihiro, the two woman followed Fuyutsuki as he led them over to the main portion of the bridge, where Shigeru and Makoto were already hard at work.
"Is something wrong, sir?" Chihiro wondered casually.
"We've detected some anomalies in the Pribnow box," Fuyutsuki explained tersely. "The 87th Protein Wall is showing signs of deterioration."
"The 87th Protein Wall?" Maya wondered, looking incredulously at the Sub-Commander. "But that hasn't even been completed yet! How could that have happened?"
"That's what we're presently trying to determine," Fuyutsuki informed them. "Lieutenant Mifune, take your station. Captain Ibuki, please contact Dr. Akagi."
"Yes, sir," Maya nodded. Moving over to Shigeru's side, she scrutinized his display. "Any idea what's causing the problem?"
"Not yet," Shigeru replied tersely as he worked his controls. Within moments, the main holographic display shifted to show an incomplete hallway elsewhere within NERV. Where the metal plates ended, a hideous purple mass discolored the green metal. "See? We can see it with magnification, but the MAGI haven't been able to identify the cause of the problem."
"It can't be corrosion!" Makoto protested as he tried to analyze the affected section of the B-Wing. "Those plates were just installed yesterday! There's no way it can be deteriorating this fast!"
"But what could be causing it?" Shigeru wondered.
"It doesn't matter what's causing it," Fuyutsuki declared, hands folded behind his back. "All that matters is fixing the problem. Preferably as quickly as possible."
"Wait, sir," Maya cautioned, looking intently at the image displayed. Her scientific curiosity aroused by the anomalous substance growing before her eyes. "We should probably conduct a closer examination of the corrosion, find out what caused it." Tearing her eyes away from the display, the Captain took on an air of professionalism that had been somewhat lacking in her for some time. "If this part of B-Wing is corroding so quickly, then there's no telling what's happening elsewhere."
"She has a point, sir," Chihiro pointed out. "It sure doesn't do us a lot of good to take care of one problem if we've got a dozen more problems getting ready to jump in our laps!"
His expression tensing with displeasure, Fuyutsuki seemed to consider this for a time. "Very well, then," the old professor finally decided. "Just be sure to take care of this as quickly as possible."
"Yes, sir. I'll contact Dr. Akagi," Maya told him, to which Fuyutsuki raised a questioning eyebrow. "We could use her opinion on…whatever this thing is, sir."
Fuyutsuki seemed satisfied with this explanation, and so turned and left them to their duties without further comment. Leaving Maya smiling in deep satisfaction as she studied the foreign substance shown before her, a thrill of excitement shooting through her veins. For before her wasn't some hateful pile of paperwork, waiting to make her life miserable. Not some Angel out to obliterate the entire world. It was just some harmless anomaly, a form of corrosion that was unknown to her. A scientific curiosity.
After all the time she had spent trudging through the red tape that was spun about the title of Operations Director, Maya was practically salivating at the chance to challenge her mind, rather than put it to sleep.
Apparently, some malevolent deity of ancient times was reading Maya's mind and decided to have some fun at her expense. For as soon as this thought had run its course, the young woman's ears were filled with the hideous sound of the alarms. "What's happening?!" Maya shouted as she threw back her head. The young woman looked wildly about, trying to figure what had caused them to go off.
"We're picking up further contamination! This time, it's on the 8th floor of the Sigma Unit!" Chihiro reported worriedly. "There's an abnormality in 6th Pipe!"
"It's spreading through the Protein Wall like crazy!" Makoto reported, his eyes widening fearfully increasing. "At this rate, the entire thing will be contaminated in no time!"
"This can't be just some form of corrosion!" Maya declared, still relatively unworried. Her scientific mind already shifting into overdrive, trying to decipher the nature of this intruder from the scant number of clues available. "The way it's spreading…it's acting more like some kind of infection!"
"Whatever it is, it's not stopping for anything!" Shigeru announced, sweat rolling down his face. "I've already had to shut off all flows running through the 6th Pipe system, and this thing is still spreading! It's almost gotten to the Pribnow box itself!"
The instant these words were spoken, Maya considered their import. "Wait a minute. Didn't we install defense robots in the box? In case there was a problem with the simulation bodies?"
"That's right," Fuyutsuki nodded, grasping Maya's thinking. "And unless I'm mistaken, the polysomes should already fully functional."
"Then bring them online," Maya ordered, leaning in closer to study the holographic display. "As soon as the corrosion reaches the box, have them open fire on it. Maximum power."
"Do you really think that will stop it, ma'am?" Chihiro wondered.
"No, but it should give us a better idea of what we're dealing with here," Maya explained carefully, already waiting for the moment of truth. Unconsciously leaning ever closer to the display, as if doing so would enable her to see the exact moment the contaminants appeared.
Maya was jarred from this stance when Makoto cried out in horror. "Oh, no! The corrosion has gotten into the simulation bodies' active water system! They're being infected as well!"
"The contamination has reached the wall!" Shigeru shouted.
"Quick! Cut off the flow to the simulation bodies!" Maya ordered. "Open fire on the far wall!"
These words soon became action, and beams of deadly light lanced out at the affected wall. Only to deflected harmlessly by a wall of orange light. Light that sent Maya's stomach plummeting into the abyss.
"No…" Maya gasped out, scientific curiosity replaced by horror. "It can't be…an Angel?!"
"An Angel?!" Fuyutsuki barked out. Maya looked in his direction and saw him marching towards them with clouds of doom hanging over his head. "Are you sure?!"
"I'm afraid so, sir!" Chihiro piped up from her station. Maya's old position. "Pattern analysis confirms it!"
At these words, Fuyutsuki turned his wrathful gaze towards Maya. "I don't believe this! You let an Angel get inside NERV Headquarters?!"
On the verge of panic from these words, Maya found herself almost falling to her knees. Wanting nothing more than to tell him that it wasn't her fault, that it simply couldn't be her fault. Instead, all she could manage to stammer out was, "I…but I -!"
"Dammit! I don't have time for this!" Fuyutsuki declared before focusing his gaze elsewhere. "Cut off Central Dogma immediately! We can't let this thing get to us!"
"Yes, sir!" Shigeru responded instantly.
Still stunned by everything that had happened, by how quickly everything had gone wrong, and how easily the blame for it had landed on her shoulders, Maya looked helplessly at Fuyutsuki. "Um…Commander?" she began carefully, unwilling to subject herself to his wrath once again. "Shouldn't we alert the Major as to what's happening?" When the old professor narrowed his eyes at her, Maya squirmed beneath his gaze. "I mean, seeing how sensitive she is to Angelic powers, I just thought…"
A disgusted sound echoing in his throat, Fuyutsuki considered her words. "Very well," he finally decided. "Get her briefed, but make sure that she's aware that she should remain calm! The last thing we need is a visit from She-Hulk to make things even worse!"
"Yes, sir!" Maya replied. Without hesitation, the younger woman went over to the nearest available station and opened the appropriate channel. "Major Katsuragi? Can you…?"
"Maya! Thank God! I was hoping someone would call!" came Misato's voice the instant the link was established. Suddenly, a hologram holding the Major's image shimmered into existence before Maya's face, an image with such intensity that the younger woman was momentarily driven back by it. "Listen, you have to help me out here! I think there's an Angel on the base!"
"We know. We just detected it," Maya informed her, fear dripping from every word she spoke.
"Just now?!" Misato cried out in horror. Shaking her head in frustration, the Major growled, "Dammit! I've been sensing the damn thing for the past fifteen minutes!"
"You have?!" Maya squawked. She was about to ask why Misato hadn't contacted anybody, only to remember why. Because she couldn't. Because her quarters had been set up with maximum security and secrecy in mind, and Commander Ikari didn't want to take the chance of Misato, whether under the influence of the booze or simply desperate for contact, accidentally contacting someone who shouldn't know of her presence. As a result, he had arranged so that her com-system was set up so that it could receive calls, not send them.
Wishing that she had the nerve to tell Commander Ikari exactly what she thought of this particular arrangement, Maya forced herself to get down to business. As quickly as she could, she gave Misato all the information they presently had on it. "We're trying to seal it off from Central Dogma, but we haven't come up with any way to stop it yet!"
"Have you called the Children?" Misato demanded.
"Not yet. We're still analyzing it," Maya returned nervously. Heaving a deep breath, the Captain tried to keep control of herself. "Look, please, just stay calm for now, okay? As soon as we have more information, we'll let you know."
Heaving a deep breath, Misato's face tightened into an expression of pure battle-readiness. "Alright," she finally said. "Just do me a favor and keep me posted." Then her face split into an expression of feral eagerness. "And be sure to let me know if there's anything me or Greenie can do to help out!"
"We will," Maya nodded before breaking off the signal. As soon as Misato's visage disappeared, the brunette practically sagged beneath the monstrous weight of her situation. The fact that she had already been blamed for their situation striking her like a physical blow.
The only thing I'd like for you to do is come up here and take my place! Maya wept woefully. I don't care what anybody says! I'd rather be living with a monster like yours than dealing with all of this!
Author's Notes: And here it comes, the Lilliputian Hitcher, also known as the 13th Angel! Please, read and review! And hopefully, check out my other stories.
By the way, I have a question about Mari from the Rebuild movies. While I've done quite a bit of research into her character and personality, I haven't been able to find out one thing. Namely, what number Child she is. Is she the 4th Child, or the 5th, or some other designation altogether? If anybody out there knows the answer, I'd appreciate it if they were to tell me.
Mike313, the fate of Gendo will have to remain one of life's little secrets for now. Mainly because there was already a lot I wanted to get into this chapter as it was, and I wasn't in the mood to contaminate it with Bastard cooties. As for Misato and the age gap, I would think that she was already too overloaded and overwhelmed to give much thought to that sort of thing.
Quathis, I enjoyed that line of She-Hulk's as well. And let's face it; he is an Ugly Bastard Man!
Inque, don't worry, Shinji will definitely be getting into it with the gamma-enhanced Queen of Fan Service. It might not be for a little while yet, though. But I hope to make that event worth the wait.
Omake 1
"Well, that's the last of it!" Asuka declared. The German was all decked out in a red business suit and hat, a checklist held in her hand. "The Geofront has been completely secured! Nobody goes in or out without our permission."
"The JSSDF has been taken care of as well," Rei agreed, the albino somewhat ill at ease in her white business suit. "As far as they are concerned, Commander Ikari met with a fatal accident, and Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki has decided to retire."
"Good!" She-Hulk grinned, striking a provocative pose as she sat on her desk. "And what about you, Shinji-kun? How'd things go with the personnel?"
"The personnel?" Shinji repeated nervously, his hat sliding down in front of his eyes. Quickly easing it back into place, the boy looked down at his own checklist. "Well, I don't really think they'll be any problem." Then he smiled in an embarrassed manner. "In fact, most of them are celebrating, now that Father has been locked up."
"Glad to hear it!" She-Hulk grinned, her ample assets jiggling noticeably as she shifted about. "Of course, we'll have to have a formal celebration later, but that can wait!" Then she lowered her gaze dangerously before looking at the newest member of her staff. "What about you, Captain Rhino? Any difficulties with Section 2?"
"Hmph! Those little wimps? A problem?" Rhino sneered, his own business suit straining somewhat around his armor. "All I had to do was go 'ooga-booga!', and the stupid jerks looked ready to head for the hills!"
"Excellent!" She-Hulk grinned, making a big display of her exquisite legs as she swung them about before getting to her feet. "Now, I'll be honest with you. We've got plenty of work ahead of us before we can make my vision of NERV's future a reality, but all things considered, I'd say we're off to a very good start." The grey-skinned gangster then looked past the people before her. "But before we can get to that…oh, PenPen?"
Responding instantly to her call, PenPen opened the doors to the office that had once been Gendo's. Dressed to kill in his own black business suit and a Tommy gun in his claws, the warm water penguin escorted Ritsuko and Kaji in, both their hands held up high above their heads.
"Um, Katsuragi?" Kaji asked nervously, a drop of sweat rolling down his head. "Would you mind telling me what this is all about?"
"I'll be glad to, you sexist prick!" She-Hulk grinned as she strode towards them. "You see, I have something of a dilemma to take care of."
"A…dilemma?" Ritsuko wondered fearfully.
"That's right," She-Hulk agreed. "You see, considering how deep in Gendo's pockets the both of you were, I think it's pretty safe to consider you both as serious security risks." Letting this sink in for a moment, the scheming Amazon then shook her head thoughtfully. "On the other hand, Ritsuko is about the only person here with enough brains to effectively keep this place going. And Kaji, well…considering his links to SEELE and the JSSDF, we might need his help in keeping them both off our backs. So it's not like I can just get rid of either of you." Then she leaned down at them, enough so as to look them in the eyes. "At least…not without a very good reason."
"Misato, wait!" Ritsuko gasped out, squirming before her college friend. "I told you! Gendo would've killed me if I didn't do what he told me to! He's killed plenty of people before, and he'd have killed me, too!"
"And besides, Ritsuko was the one who sabotaged Jet Alone! And I did bring Gendo the 1st Angel!" Kaji chimed in. "So when you think about it, if it weren't for us…"
"Then I wouldn't have become the damned sexy gamma mutant that we all know and love," She-Hulk nodded, placing her hand on the hem of her jacket. "And given all the quality time we spent together in college, it would be nice if I could make you a part of my little enterprise. Make it more like old times." Just as Ritsuko and Kaji were showing signs of relief, the gamma-enhanced mobster furrowed her brows dangerously. "On the other hand, being careless is the first step to disaster. And one thing Misato Fixit isn't, it's careless."
"Wh-what are you saying?" Ritsuko gulped fearfully.
"Long story made short? If you two want to avoid winding up in a dark, dank cell, right next to the Bastard King and the old fart, then you're going to have to pass a few…loyalty tests," She-Hulk informed them.
"Loyalty tests…?" Kaji and Ritsuko groaned as one.
"That's right. Just a few trust-building exercises to help the people here forget about all the rotten things you used to do for Gendo. And to give you an idea of what'll happen if you decide to stop doing them for me," She-Hulk grinned. Then she looked past her two friends and cooed in a sing-song voice, "Oh, Maya? It's time for the kit."
"The kit…?" Ritsuko and Kaji murmured, their faces sagging with dread.
"Coming, ma'am," Maya called out playfully before she rolled into the office a cart laden with various, unidentifiable objects.
"Maya?!" Ritsuko cried out, her eyes bugging out as she took in her former understudy. "What the hell happened to you?!"
"The new Commander gave me a promotion," Maya smiled evilly, stretching out before them so that everybody could see her new outfit. Or what little there was of it.
"Hoo, baby!" Rhino cried out, drooling at the sight of Maya decked out in thigh-high leather boots, a thong bikini, and arm-length leather gloves. Completing this ensemble was a spiked collar around her neck. "And where have you been all my life?"
"Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to my new interrogations specialist!" She-Hulk smirked dangerously.
"Interrogations specialist?!" Kaji sweat-dropped.
"That's right," Maya nodded as she took a whip in hand and cracked it meaningfully. "I'm in charge of testing you both. To make sure that you're going to play ball for Commander Fixit."
"And to punish you both if you dare disobey me," She-Hulk put in. "So…are you ready to begin?"
"I was born ready for this!" Maya smirked cruelly as she went up to the prisoners. "Wouldn't you agree…sempai?"
Ritsuko's only response was to release a broken sob. With Kaji close behind.
Omake 2
"It's nice to see you've managed to keep your sense of humor down here," Ritsuko noted. Then she eyed Misato's condition, as well as her sweat-soaked clothes. "And I see we're actually using the exercise equipment, too! Will miracles never cease?"
"What, you don't think I asked you bring me this stuff, just so I can let it sit around and gather dust?" Misato grumbled as she moved towards the sofa. Crashing down on the furniture with remarkably bad grace, she watched as her best friend once again prepared to use her as a pin cushion.
"No, but I will admit that I'm a bit surprised," Ritsuko admitted as she walked over to her friend's side. Knowing how this routine went, Misato grumbled slightly as she held out her arm, which the faux-blonde quickly moved to disinfect. "I thought you hated working out."
"Who has time to work out when you're up to your ass in bureaucratic bull?" Misato wondered, only to grunt as her friend stuck the needle in and began extracting blood. "It's not like you're in the same shape you were in back in college, either, Rits!"
Snorting at this, the faux-blonde smiled wearily at this. "I guess you've got me there," she conceded. Then Ritsuko gave her friend a thoughtful look. "I mean, with all the crap Ikari has me doing every single day, it is hard to keep in top condition."
"I can't argue with you there," Misato agreed easily. Then she gave her friend a superior smirk. "Still, you might want to spend some down here as well. Don't want to get too flabby, or Maya might start looking in other directions!"
"What?!" Ritsuko spat out, staring daggers at her friend.
Misato just sat there, grinning wickedly. "The truth hurts. Don't it, Rits?"
"Why, you…!" Ritsuko snarled menacingly. Just as Misato was getting ready to ladle some more playful abuse onto her friend, the faux-blonde let out a slight gasp.
"What is it?" Misato asked as Ritsuko narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. "Come on, I can practically smell the wood burning already! So what is it?"
Ritsuko didn't say anything at first. Instead, she held up the syringe, waving it in Misato's face. "So, you think I'm getting flabby, do you?" the doctor cooed dangerously. With practiced ease, she prepared the syringe for action. "Well, I know how to fix that!"
"What?!" Misato got out. Then she realized her friend's intent and waved her hand in protest. "Wait, wait! You can't do that!"
"Why not?! After all, we're the same blood type!" Ritsuko protested. "And besides, why should you have all the fun, prancing about nude for all of our readers to drool over?!"
"But you're supposed to be Spider-Woman in these stories, not another gamma-mutated heroine!" Misato protested.
"So what?" Ritsuko sneered. "I happen to know that Spider-Man has gone through all kinds of mutations! He even became a gamma mutant himself for a while!"
"But -!" Misato tried again. Before she could say a word, however, Ritsuko took the syringe and jabbed it between her own breasts, sending the gamma-mutated blood to mix with her own. Within seconds, the needle had been emptied, leaving Ritsuko to stand up somewhat unsteadily.
Her breathing coming rapidly, Ritsuko looked down at her hands, then at Misato, before she smiled wickedly. "Whoa…" NERV's resident mad scientist breathed, her eyes burning with green.
"Oh, crap…" Misato groaned as green spread like wildfire through Ritsuko's flesh. The faux-blonde's breasts and muscles seeming to jump before they started expanding. Ritsuko's clothes already exploding before her burgeoning form. "I better talk to Orion about this! The last thing I want is for this to start spreading beyond the omakes!"
