"Dr Freeman, I have someone who wants to meet you." Ritsuko opened the door to let Shinji in. Gordon turned to see his guest, it was the boy named Shinji. Shinji bowed, which Gordon really didn't expect that, since he wasn't familiar with Japanese customs, no that was Barney's thing. "Thank you for saving my life Freeman-Sensei." Shinji looked at Gordon with a simple smile. "I-Its no problem. I just did what anyone should do. Besides kindness goes a long way." Shinji smiled at that last sentence. "Hey, if you don't mind me asking, what was that thing that I appeared in?" Shinji grimaced at his question. "Usually that information is classified to the public, but the commander has given you rank Nephilim, so I can show you later. He has also offered you a position until the angel crisis is over, And then we can help you find a way back home." If only he knew the truth… "A job?" Gordon pondered this for a moment, before coming to the realization that he has to play along if he wants to get back home.
"Alright, I guess I have no other choice, who will I be assigned to? My PhD is in Theoretical Physics, and a minor in computer sciences." Ritsuko's eyes lit up, he meets the requirements and surpasses them. "You'll be Assigned to me. Do you know anything in Meta-Physics? And what about any coding languages, Our main system here is programmed in both C++ and Java." Gordon scratched his chin as he tried to remember the languages he knew. "I Do know C++, and some basic x86 Assembly. And yes I am well versed in Meta-Physics, I am also licensed to handle hazardous materials, Hence the HEV suit." She grinned. "We Had a look at your suit, its pretty sophisticated stuff." She looked on her data-pad and checked his chart, he was healed pretty quickly. "Well Dr Freeman, Your vitals check out, you are able to be checked out. Your clothes are over in that locker, however your other belongings are in the lab." He nodded, and looked over at the locker, and looked over at the window. It was a bright shining day outside. Ritsuko then told Gordon she will be waiting outside, she then walked outside with Shinji. He got up and walked over to the locker where he saw his City 17 clothing cleaned and repaired. They could've at least took off the City 17 logo… He got dressed and walked out the door. He followed both Ritsuko and Shinji down to the lobby, and out the door, and what Gordon saw amazed him: The Geo-front in all its glory. "Welcome to The Geo-Front: Mankind's fortress against the angels." Gordon looked in total awe. "This is.. Impressive… We don't have anything on this scale back home… Well aside from the citadel…" He looked around, seeing the trees and nature around him. "Come now Mr Freeman, Ill show you to where you'll work, and afterwards I can get someone to take you to your quarters, you must be tired of having me show you everything." Said the faux-blonde, feeling a bit sad at that last statement. "Not really, you're a sight for sore eyes, considering that I see either zombies, aliens, soldiers, or strangely similar looking scientists."
Ritsuko was not expecting him to say that, causing her to blush for a quick second. "Freeman-Sensei, what is it like back where you're from?" Shinji said, hoping to at least be familiar with the man. Gordon grimaced. "Well, for one, North America No longer exists…" Gordon said sadly, remembering all his fond memories in Seattle. "Well here, Antarctica was vaporized… It caused massive flooding, killing a large majority of the planet…" Ritsuko said pulling out a pack and lighting it, she offered one to Gordon, but he declined. "At least you're able to repopulate, the Combine put a suppression field around the continents so we couldn't reproduce. We are essentially there to serve them until we die out." Shinji then thought it wasn't a good idea to ask him. By then, they had reached the pyramid and had gone down into it, making their way through halls and elevators, until they finally reached the bridge. "Here is the bridge, this is where the MAGI, and everything is controlled, During Battle condition 1, you normally aren't allowed to be here without special permission, however since you are my assistant, you'll mostly spend your time either here, the test chambers, or my private lab." She then points down towards the three square thing on platforms. "Those computers down there are the MAGI, they essentially control the facility, we have terminals virtually everywhere for it, even in the city above." She then gestures to the three people working at computers. "These are the Bridge technicians, they are mostly stationed here." The three technicians wave at Gordon before returning to their task. "Shinji-Kun you can head home for the day, come back tomorrow for a sync test." Shinji nodded and said goodbye to Gordon before walking away. "Why do you have a kid here anyways? And why would he be your greatest asset here?" Gordon asked, hoping he wasn't asking a stupid question. Ritsuko sighed, as she knew he would've asked this sooner or later. "Only people born after second impact can Pilot…" Gordon knew asking what second impact is would be a long story, so he kept his mouth shut. She then lead him down to a large room marked Cage 1. The two then entered the room, and to Gordon's surprise, he was staring down the face of a giant. A large purple and gray face. He felt as if it was looking back at him. "This is our greatest weapon against the angels… This is Evangelion Unit 1. Shinji-Kun pilots this, and the thing you appeared in." Gordon stared in awe, the resistance could greatly benefit from this. "The Unit before you, is not pure mechanical, instead it is an artificial human, capable of almost becoming a god…" Gordon didn't like the sound of that, but didn't question it, as he didn't want to lose their trust. "What causes man to recreate a god?" He asked, hoping for a straight answer. "The death of the true god, the very thing that caused this mess. We killed god, and now we pay the price." She said sounding somber. He didn't know how to respond to such a profound statement.
They killed god… That is Humanity's Hubris, the very thing that caused the Resonance Cascade… "We have one more stop before we head to your room." She gestured for him to follow, and so he did. They walked for a bit before stopping in front of a door with a cat sign labeled "Akagi's Lab" She pressed a button and the door slid open, revealing a medium sized room with computers and equipment strewn around. It also smelled of nicotine… "Welcome to my humble mess, you'll be mainly be assisting me here and in the main labs." Gordon took a look around, there was data-pads everywhere, computer parts and hard drives laying around, ashtrays filled with cigarette butts, that had the markings of red lipstick on them. "I've dealt with worse, at least there isn't a headcrab roaming around." Ritsuko chuckled. "Well you wont have to worry about animals in here, my cats are at home… Anyways you must want to see where your room is, just follow me." She led him out and down a few hallways until they came across a redhead teenager and a blue haired teen. "Guten Tag Fraulein Akagi" Said the redhead, while the blue haired girl nodded. "Good Afternoon Asuka, Rei, this is Dr Gordon Freeman, he is the one that saved Shinji-Kun, and he will be working with me from now on." The Redhead looked annoyed at that, while the bluenette stared in indifference. "Good Afternoon ladies." Gordon wanted to make a good impression to the other teens he presumed to be pilots. "Dr Freeman, These are our other two pilots, Unit-2's pilot Asuka Langley Soryu, And Unit-0's Pilot Rei Ayanami." Asuka crossed her arms in annoyance. "You needn't focus on these other two, My Eva is the perfect one, I am the best pilot here, unlike Sir-Whines-A lot, and Doll here, whose Evas can't even be kept under control." Some big ego she has… And this one, just looks like she doesn't even care… Ritsuko then told the two to come back tomorrow for a sync test. The two teenage pilots carried on and the adults walked on.
Eventually they reached the Employee quarters and checked in. "Room 333, here is the keys, You'll get your ID and papers tomorrow morning." She handed him the keys. "Work is at 0700… Get some rest." She smiled before walking away, but her smile quickly turned sad. Gordon opened up his apartment. It looked much better than the ones back in City 17, Its actually clean. He looked in the pantry to find it stocked with standard rations. He checked the bathroom and turned on the water, Yep running water, a luxury back in the city. If im not too careful, I might actually want to stay! Haha!
Somewhere within the depths of NERV HQ, 15 Black Monoliths are yelling at Gendo Ikari. "Ikari! Do you have any idea what this might do to the scenario?!" Said SEELE 3. "Why should we allow him here!" Yelled SEELE 5. "Ikari, Explain yourself, and you may be spared." Said Lorenz Keel, the Chairman of the Council. Gendo pushed up his glasses and spoke with icy words. "He knows nothing of our true plans, he may be a resistance leader back from where he is from, but he has no power here. And his skills in Academics and Combat may prove useful to both our pilots and scenario." The old men grumbled in reluctance, as Gendo could be right. "The Council will decide upon this, but for now, keep Dr Freeman under control, you are responsible for his actions." Keel said as he pressed a button to end the meeting. Fuyutsuki appeared behind Gendo. "Will this be a chance for us to gain their trust while going along with our scenario?" He asked and which it was responded with a nod.
About half past 11 pm, Ritsuko lays down in her bed, still sore from earlier. She ponders about Gordon, and his life before here. She really couldn't believe a scientist in Theoretical Physics would be able to take down a literal space god, but the proof was there in the black box of the HEV Suit. It played all the recordings of his exploits. There is so much more out there… And the combine… Who is to say they wont track him down to here? But if they where to come here, we could defend ourselves with the Evas… She was in deep thought for a bit, before one of her cats jumped up on her. "I guess that's enough thinking for one day, isn't that right Schrodinger?" The cat happily meowed and laid down on the women, both soon drifting to sleep
Gordon laid down on his bed, wondering about what's going on back home. Is Alyx OK? What about Eli or Kleiner, or even Barney? And did we even really destroy the citadel? Gordon sighed, he needed to sleep, he had a big day tomorrow and he couldn't miss it, as something gave him the feeling that he shouldn't keep them waiting. Tomorrow is a big day, and apparently I get to see those kids do something important. But I have the feeling that something is wrong here, but I think I should wait before investigating… Gordon soon stopped thinking so heavily and quickly feel asleep. It felt good to sleep after that nonstop journey, even though he slept for a whole week.
Well that was a doozy, as I'm writing this I'm already working on chapter 3! Feel free to comment or even send a message! Stay Epic! -DerpymanMt