Koros45 doesn't own Getter Robo, Mazinkaiser, or Neon Genesis Evangelion
Stage 30: [Fly Me to the Moon]
They hadn't expected Fuyutsuki as one of the candidates to appear, but his signal was present. Rei sated that his knowledge of NERV's inner workings would be useful so the bridge bickered on what to about it.
"Now of all times? When it's almost midnight?" Hyuga groaned, rubbing his eyes.
"Well – any of you Getter pilots want to pick up the former Subcommander?" Shigeru radioed the hanger.
"This is Sho. I'll use Shin Jaguar to do it." The woman said.
"Understood. Thanks, Sho." Maya responded.
"Of course. Don't want the old man to drown." Sho said back. "Besides, Gai's too busy examining Shin Dragon's systems to do it."
'Hold up. There's one more. And if this is right, it's one Captain Katsuragi will want to know about." Shigeru added. "Sending those coordinates your way as well."
"Then I'll be sure Shin Jaguar's empty. Three people is going to be cramped." Sho said with a sigh.
/
With the additions of NERV's main staff, the Photon Labs' crew, and the reserve Getter Team, Shin Dragon had enough people to function. They were finally ready to begin take off procedures. With the Photon Power Labs' energy reserves, they'd have enough power for the trip. The crew was to meet about that once a few things happened. The first being the retrieval of Evangelion Unit 01.
Ritsuko had been keeping tabs on Unit 01's location for hours and was relieved to put them to use. She gave Kouji the coordinates to the estranged EVA Unit and Mazinkaiser took off.
"I'd ask Tetsuya to do it but – we're too busy removing all of those shards from Great's armor. That imitation Lance of Longinus was strong enough to scratch the Super Alloy New Z." Dr. Yumi explained.
"Well - Kaiser's systems are fine. Other than the damage to the targeting system in the Pilder. It's going to need a re-haul." Kouji responded.
"By the way – can we install some more padding in the Pilder? I get knocked around so often in this thing. Kaiser may be invulnerable but I'm not."
"Understood, Kouji. Once you've returned we'll repair and outfit Kaiser Pilder as best we can. I know we have enough materials around to get your machine restored and the control system improved." Yumi stated. "Just bring back Unit 01."
"You got it. Over and out."
/
Meanwhile Tetsuya watched as a crane neared the face of Great Mazinger, the claw opening up to remove a red needle from its' head. One by one, the shards of crimson were pulled from Great Mazinger's body, leaving small dents in the Super Alloy Z armor.
Boss Borot had been reconstructed and held Great Mazinger's head in place while the crane extracted another needle. Boss, Nuke and Mucha were piloting it while Sayaka worked the crane.
"Tetsuya. You should rest." Dr. Yumi said and the pilot shook his head.
"I can't rest. Not until Great is fully fixed. Kouji's strong but right now we need more than just a Kaiser running on fumes and a rebuilt and untested Unit 00. If the Invaders catch us off guard now, we're done."
"Valid point. But don't forget that this Shin Getter Dragon is quite powerful in its' own right. And I think if they did attack us, it would be when we leave Earth's atmosphere. I think for now you can afford to sleep."
"That's right! This is delicate work! And you're freaking me out staring like that so intensely!" Boss yelled.
"Boss – I just want to make sure Great is alright. This is the same armor as Mazinkaiser's and even it was scratched from that attack. We'll have to expect our enemies will be strong enough to damage our Mazingers like this from now on."
"That's less because of the armor's compounds and more because of the Lance itself. It's a mysterious item but it can punch right through AT Fields. I wish I knew more about it but even Ritsuko's knowledge of it is limited." Yumi noted, looking over from Great Mazinger's standing form to a pile of raw Japanium, sheets of the metal stacked together in the corner of the hangar.
"We have more than enough raw material to patch up Great. Once we exit the atmosphere, Kaiser's Photon Beam and Fire Blaster can heat up the material enough and Freezing Beam can then cool it down. It won't be as smooth as the initial process, but we're on a fast schedule."
"Still, that's wonderful, Dad!" Sayaka said with a laugh. "We'll have Great done soon."
"Sayaka is right. Despite how your Mazinger looks, the shards didn't go too deeply in. Only about a foot at most. In fact I'd say that Great's durability is precisely what kept you and Asuka in that fight against that Invader hybrid." Yumi finished.
"Then you don't have any more excuses. Come on, you need sleep." A tired looking Jun Hono said, looking down at Tetsuya. The man was sitting on the catwalk, still staring right at Great Mazinger. His legs dangled in the free space as he had leaned back and gazed up at the machine.
"Jun. . . I guess you're right. Doctor. Everyone. Please look after Great Mazinger."
"I gotcha! But only because Jun cares so much about you, Tetsuya!" Boss yelled with a grin.
"Plus if you really want to be ready for combat, you need to take care of yourself." Yumi said with a tired smile. "I'm able to stay up because Ritsuko will be able to cover for me in the morning. Right now Kouji's on standby so let him do his job. Great will be fully charged once you wake up again. You can look after everyone in the morning."
". . . Noted." Tetsuya said, standing up and letting Jun pull him away from his machine.
"Make sure Venus A is ready before we leave. I want something to pilot in case my boyfriend decides to be reckless." Jun said as they left the room.
"Hmph! He's lucky we care so much~!" Boss said with a laugh.
"Still. . . I can see why he'd be so distraught. Great Mazinger is a symbol of himself. Of his life and his pride. I imagine Asuka feels the same way since Unit 02 is in space right now." Yumi pondered.
"Yeah, I know he cares a lot about this Mazinger. Now – how's the face look?" Boss asked as Sayaka removed the last shard.
"It didn't take much damage. The thicker parts of the armor just got scratches. Now – do you all want to take a break?"
"Naw. The face was tricky due to how each needle hit differently. But the arms and legs should be pretty simple. Hey Nuke! Mucha! Make sure we have that Japanium Alloy before we leave! Otherwise Great Mazinger's gonna look funny for the whole trip!"
Boss griped with his henchmen as Sayaka started working on removing the shards from Great Mazinger's chest, yelling at Borot to hold still.
/
Kouji returned. Mazinkaiser pulled Unit 01 from the LCL just as the Photon Labs were fully absorbed, giving Shin Getter Dragon multiple power sources to draw from.
"Kouji, move Kaiser. Sho's returning with a guest." Go ordered and Kouji sighed as his Super Robot marched to the opposite side of the hangar before he lightly tossed Unit 01 on the floor of the hanger, sending a reverberation though the room. The EVA was still, fingers splayed open and limbs bent.
"Oops. My fingers slipped." Kouji said with a chuckle.
"Kouji . . . that EVA is very important property. You should be careful with it. If Captain Katsuragi were here, she'd let you have it!" Dr. Yumi chastised.
"Dr., I know! But it's Yui Ikari in there. You know how I feel about her. I'm just reminding her that she's on thin ice!" Kouji said, stooping Kaiser over to pull the EVA back upright.
"You could do that verbally you know! Besides, Unit 01's armor needs a complete overhaul since it's not re-entry-proof like Kaiser." Sayaka countered and Kouji groaned.
"Put Unit 01 in that docking bay. Properly. We've got all the restraints needed in case it goes berserk again." Yumi stated. "I want everything to be under control by the time Ritsuko arrives tomorrow morning."
It took some doing but the EVA was moved to an upright position, now under restraints and under the gaze of both Mazinkaiser and Great Mazinger.
Unit 01 stood, hunched over in the hanger. Its purple armor plating was charred and scuffed, pieces of the EVA's exterior bent out of place. Yet it still was upright, the red core in the chest fully recovered.
"Boss, Sayaka, wow! You've been working on Great all night, huh?" Kouji asked.
"Just for three hours! No sweat!" Boss bragged.
"We're on hanger duty until all our Super Robot Army is finished." Sayaka explained.
/
The Jaguar Unit docked a few minutes later. Everyone on staff was surprised as two people followed Sho out of Jaguar – Fuyutsuki and Kaji. It was around 2:00 AM once they'd been boarded on the ship and hassled into some empty rooms by a sleep deprived and cranky Nuke and Mucha. If Kaji was expecting a grand hello from Misato, he'd have to wait, the two explained as they shoved him into a free bedroom and ordered him to get some sleep.
Hours passed as the crew each changed roles, Jun, Gai, and Benkei relieving Boss, Nuke and Mucha.
Time passed over the empty Earth. The Sun rose and the orange LCL sea was almost beautiful to look at as it shone in the light.
/
Now it was the morning. And just in time to begin the sync test. Ritsuko hypothesized that a connection with Unit 01 would still be possible with the EVA's fast healing speed and S2 organ.
Misato arrived with Shinji and Asuka behind her. They were in a hurry as the Plugsuits were hastily on, the two both adjusting the fit of each suit before they walked further into the room. The two stepped towards the EVA while Ryoma watched from Shin Getter's cockpit.
"Let's begin the test!" Ritsuko said as Shinji and Asuka boarded the Entry Plug.
"Holding pattern steady. Detecting something strange though." Maya reported.
The white tube had entered the back of Unit 01's neck as the pilots were obscured from view.
"Asuka. Shinji. Are you two alright?" Maya asked, giving Unit 01 a glance before checking her monitor.
"It's quiet in there – but it looks like syncing with Unit 01 is doing what you theorized, Dr. Akagi." Maya stated, keeping an eye on the graph.
"Not just syncing – almost like they're making the EVA respond in turn. Strange . . . is it because they know it's Yui Ikari in there?" She asked.
Her senior looked over her shoulder with a nod, grabbing the mic and speaking directly to the pilots.
"Shinji! Asuka! Whatever you're doing, keep it up!" Ritsuko urged.
/
Yui had answered the two signatures in Unit 01 and the response was not what she was expecting.
The quiet suddenly exploded in a long string of Japanese, English, and German swear words as Asuka let herself be heard with her voice in addition to her thoughts.
As Shinji was connected to her, he wasn't surprised with the torrent of anger. Still, the sheer length of time Asuka spent yelling at his mother was impressive.
"- and how dare you treat your son like this! Oh – you didn't like how Kouji kicked your ass? Then you'll wish you never met me! Yui Ikari - I'll make you regret everything you put Shinji through!"
Outside of the EVA, Ritsuko looked to Maya, Shigeru, and Mikoto, the three of them looking awkward given Asuka's choice words.
"So . . . I think it's safe to tell you all about who the core of Unit 01 is." Ritsuko said with a cough, hoping Asuka wouldn't go so far into her tirade to get them off track.
/
Getting in Unit 01 again was not something Shinji had wanted. At least - it was something he never thought he'd want again. But now it was something he had to do – if he and Asuka were to ever be normal again.
She kept letting his mother have it and only once she stopped her string of swear words and curses did Yui Ikari speak.
"I am not pleased to hear you speak, Second Child. To think Kyouko's daughter would speak so ill of her close friend."
"Then – you knew her too! You knew her and didn't say anything!" Shinji screamed, the tie between him and Asuka urging her on even further.
"Bitch! You're one of the reasons Mama was shoved in Unit 02! I could have had a normal life if you'd just said something!"
"Hmph. Kabuto said much the same. And I find that now – I do not care. Kyouko and Nishkiori both knew the risks."
Shinji's shock at his Mother's careless response was enough to keep Asuka quiet for a moment as Yui continued.
" As for you, I'm surprised you survived given your affinity for danger, Second Child."
"Why you! - "Asuka responded at the mention of her identification.
"Who's Nishkiori?"
Shinji asked to his mother.
"The mother of Kouji Kabuto. She was a coworker of mine. If you'll both listen, I'll tell you more. Is that acceptable?"
Silence filled the LCL around them as the two stopped and listened.
/
Maya found that Dr. Akagi kept her grip on the mic, even though doing so was keeping her fingers over Maya's own. Still, Ritsuko didn't seem concerned with that as her free hand typed in a quick command, bringing up a different display.
"Asuka and Shinji are communicating directly with Evangelion Unit 01. We can't hear everything they're saying but they're not relaxed in any way. I think Unit 01 is agitating them in some way. It isn't like anything we've seen before."
"Well, Asuka's not too happy meeting Shinji's Mom for the first time." Shigeru said and gave the purple EVA a side glance. "And seeing how she's acted prior to this, I can't say I blame her."
"If Unit 01's got a person in it, does that apply to the other two? And what about Shin Getter? That thing's eyes move around like a person's would." Mikoto added and Maya hushed them.
"Should we wait, Ritsuko?" Maya asked.
"If they're in trouble, I trust them to tell us" Misato said, and Ritsuko nodded, slowly letting go of the mic as she slid her fingers off.
"For now we'll be on standby then." The Doctor seconded.
/
"Well – I guess you felt you didn't have a choice. But still – you could have said something – ANYTHING – to Shinji." Asuka responded to Yui's story.
"I protected him! Unit 01's Berserk State was me reaching out - !"
"That's bullshit! He didn't know it was you for the longest time! He doubted you and – and if I'd known that Unit 02 was Mama from the start, I'd have been so much more well adjusted! Do you know how much trouble your disappearance caused?!"
"I'm now aware of Gendo's actions since I vanished. But that doesn't mean that you can judge me for them. As an Evangelion, I've transcended humanity. And I've done my part as Yui Ikari. It was you and your friend Kabuto that ruined the final phase of the Human Instrumentality Project."
"'As an Evangelion?!' Can you believe this, Shinji?!"
"Mother – if you really believe what you're saying than – I don't know if I can trust you."
"Shinji - !"
"Mother – if you told me I could be happy – wherever I went – then why did you try to leave Earth behind?! Couldn't you see how much Father put me through?!"
"I'm sorry Shinji. But my mission was all I had. If I didn't act, SEELE would have struck. And I would have died for nothing."
"That may be the case but – even if you'd just left a note. A clue. Anything behind. It would have made a difference."
"Your father burned it all. You told me just as much."
"Yes but – you could have told me everything the first time. The first time I boarded Unit 01."
"I did not awaken until the EVA was damaged. The only thought I had at the time was to lash out at my opponent."
"And yet – you didn't move to help Asuka when I pleaded with you! If not for Great Mazinger - " He was cut off as Asuka spoke."Additionally you were OK with your son being a sacrifice for SEELE's plan?! I was convinced Gendo was the worst parent in this partnership but this is giving me doubts! Shinji, I don't know what to say other than that your mother is quite the -" "That's enough. We have what we need. The sync test has separated your personalities again. You both can exit Unit 01 now."Ritsuko's voice stated.
"Leave. I will not speak again unless it is to Shinji alone.""Fine. I have nothing to say to you anyway. Enjoy your time out."Asuka shot back, the entry plug rising as they disconnected from Yui Ikari's consciousness.
/
She exited the Entry Plug as soon as she could, leaping down to land in a crouch, glad to feel disconnected from either consciousness. As much as she cared about Shinji, having her own thoughts to herself was liberating.
Shinji was soon to follow, stretching the red plugsuit and grunting as he got used to the feeling being his alone. The two stood in front of Ritsuko, who nodded to them.
"Problem solved. I'm glad that Unit 01 is still working. Now we just need to retrieve Unit 02 and the Lance of Longinus." The scientist said with a proud smile. "And we'll see the Moon shortly."
"Well done pilots!" Misato said, giving them a nod. "Glad to have you both back to normal."
"As normal as Shinji can be."
"I see you wasted no time grilling our Third Child, Asuka."
"Well – it's only natural right? Besides, I give him a hard time because I -" She said with a confidant stance before covering her mouth and looking around the room with panic.
"Now now, I'm not Commander Ikari. So that's fine with me. Just not when you're on duty. Do remember that you can't just communicate things to him with your thoughts now." Misato said with a smirk and a wink. Asuka wanted to leave the room.
"In any case – I think both of you spending time by yourselves might be for the best for now." Ritsuko suggested.
"Then you don't need to tell me twice. But – is there anywhere on this ship that's actually private?" The Second Child wondered. "I need that until we recover Unit 02 again."
"Well – we're about to take off – but you'd have a half hour to view the Earth right above the engine room. There's a camera that should show you a good view as we depart." Ritsuko answered.
"Over and out!"
The Second Child walked away as Shigeru directed her in the general direction.
"And Shinji . . . what would you like to do?" Misato asked.
"Well – I guess I could go back home and - " He paused for a moment, still taking time to realize that home was aboard the massive Getter.
"- And make some food." he finished, bowing as he left the premise.
After he left, Ritsuko looked to Misato.
" . . . So, should we tell them they swapped plugsuits by accident or not?" Ritsuko asked as Misato covered up a laugh.
/
Rei Ayanami was in the middle of a conversation. Just like how it had been back at NERV, here she was inside of an LCL tube periodically. Ritsuko wanted to make sure everything was in working order before Rei broke from the regular protocol. The only difference was this LCL was also mixed with Getter Rays given the ship they were in.
Go watched as Rei floated in the tube.
"The concept of free will. I do not understand it. It is something that every person has. And yet – my previous lives I was deprived of it. Therefore it is difficult for me to grasp." Rei admitted.
After a moment of silence, Go Ichimonji responded. "That is relatable for me. As a vessel for both Michiru Saotome's memories and one designed to pilot this Getter, there are times I feel more a tool than a person."
"It is something I struggle to articulate. My emotions. My feelings for others. They are more complex than I would like to admit."
"It was difficult for me to open up at first. But Kei was the first person that I spoke to and – that changed me. Being there for her as a brother was – it gave me a purpose beyond just following directives."
"I see. I feel the same regarding Shinji. He was – the first person other than Commander Ikari that regarded me. And that felt important to me. Even now – I am not sure how to feel about him."
"How so?"
"I find I have feelings for him that are hard to explain. They do not feel – familial in nature. Despite my genetics partly being taken from Yui Ikari."
Go was silent at Rei's latest statement, the two of them sitting across from each other in meditation. They were on the bridge of the Getter and going over the schematics of Shin Dragon - waiting for the ship to take off.
"I do not have an easy answer to this. If I confront him about my feelings, I am unsure what will happen. Will he view them as an abomination? If I am honest with him, I fear what will happen."
Go said nothing and Rei spoke up again to fill the quiet void, wondering if this was the feeling other people got talking to her.
"Go. Do you have any kind of feelings like this?" Rei asked.
"No. I have never felt romance. If anything perhaps just a vestige of Michiru's ease around the old Getter Team. I apologize. I do not have any advice to give you regarding this."
"I love both of them. But – I do not know what kind of love is proper. Emotions are present but – difficult to put into words. As now I am a broken record, repeating the same things again and again."
"Remember the battle where your Unit 00 was infested? Shinji fought as hard as he could to save you. And also the battle against Zeriul. Wasn't Asuka there to convince you not to throw your life away?" Go asked.
"Your assessments are true. And they visited this current form in the hospital. Though I do not know what to think of that."
She exited from the tube and wrapped a towel around herself before she lept off, landing on her toes and standing up straight.
Go looked away so that Rei could change.
She paused for a moment before she spoke again.
"Go - you are the only person that I can relate to on this ship. If I have any familial feelings, you feel like an older brother to me. Therefore I could move and grasp your hand." She said, finishing her equipping of the plugsuit.
"Shinji and Asuka showed me my self-worth but – so did everyone on the Getter Team and the Photon Labs."
She took Go's hand and he placed his other on top of hers, stooping down a bit so they were on the same level.
"I am making an estimate but – I think Shinji and Asuka will still respect you even if they do not agree with your feelings. In this case Kei, Sho, and Gai are more knowledgeable than me regarding expressing one's true feelings."
"Thank you Go. Unit 00 is waiting and - I have much to think about. Your words have been helpful." Rei Ayanami said as the conversation ended.
"Then I will return to the bridge and resume piloting Shin Dragon. I will be there if you wish to speak more." Go said, walking out of the room.
/
"You'll be glad to know that we added the padding you requested. On top of that the control system for Mazinkaiser has been remade from top to bottom. Everything in it is now one-hundred percent Super Alloy Z. We did the same to Brain Condor, though we'll have to see if Tetsuya wants the same specifications you did."
Kouji got in the Kaiser Pilder, which was now refitted. He was impressed as he tapped his knuckles on the control pad.
"The only things that aren't are the cushioning on the seat and the glass, which is a hybrid material that should still hold up to most things. We also took liberties remaking the canopy to allow space travel and better suit re-entry. You would've been fine re-entering the atmosphere with Kaiser, but it should have a greater resistance to heat as well."
"Way to go, Doc! I couldn't do this without you and everyone else giving me strength!" Kouji said with a beaming grin.
"That said – we'll need your strength soon. We've arrived by the Moon, and Captain Katsuragi wants you to assist Rei's Unit 00 in retrieving the Lance of Longinus and Asuka's Unit 02."
"That's right. Then I guess I get to give Kaiser its' first test flight in space!"
/
"There it is." Asuka said, hands on the glass of the window as the ship finally took off and began to leave Earth's orbit. It had been an hour she was sitting there, just rummaging through her thoughts, feeling stunned as the majority of them had been Shinji's until recently. She was out of his head physically but mentally thoughts of the boy were still in there.
The sight of the Earth was beautiful even as the clouds seemed to shrink and condense as the sky darkened, revealing the entire Earth, LCL everywhere but still – the Earth.
"We'll be back." She said, knocking the glass with her fist lightly. It was a promise.
And there was the Moon. Despite the red mark of blood on its' surface it was still beautiful. She could hardly believe it. They'd be able to bring back her Mama soon! Since she'd been focused on navigating the mental bridge with Shinji it had seemed like a far off possibility. But now it would happen today. It would actually happen!
She felt a thought strike her like a lightning bolt. Once Unit 02 was recovered, she'd be able to spend as much time with Mama as possible. It made her feel giddy. How long ago was it that she felt a childish sense of glee? At least when it didn't involve either a life threatening situation, a side helping of sarcasm, or her attraction to a few certain people? She couldn't say to be honest.
An exhale fogged the glass and Asuka looked at the white material she was in, annoyed at how odd she felt in the suit. It took a single minute after leaving the hangar for her to catch that.
In the morning, they were in such a hurry to get in the EVA that they must have swapped suits, muscle memory and sight memory filling in the gaps as they made their way to Unit 01. It would certainly explain all of the looks they'd gotten from the various crew members. Stupid Boss looked like he was about to fall over. Then again, Shinji did look pretty feminine in her curvy red plugsuit.
Now she had a need to change. And that meant going back 'home'. Which meant she would have to talk to Shinji again. Asuka sighed and wondered how awkward that exchange would be as she left the viewing area and began a long walk to the living quarters.
/
Kouji stood on the edge of his seat as the bay doors opened, revealing the vastness of space below.
"Kouji, I'll launch Kaiser Scrander once you're free of Shin Dragon's gravity." Jun said through his comm.
"Roger!" Kouji yelled, putting on his helmet.
Minutes later, Mazinkaiser fell, from the Getter's open hanger bay, entering the darkness of space. Kouji heard a clang as the Scrander connected to his machine's back soon after. Then the Kaiser Scrander ignited for a moment as Kouji prepared for departure.
Rei was second to follow, the re-forged Unit 00 landing on Mazinkaiser's back, grabbing onto the Super Robot as she disconnected the umbilical cord from the EVA's back.
"Rei, we haven't done a proper sync test of Unit 00 yet, so no sudden movements, alright?" Ritsuko asked.
"Yes Doctor. My sole objective is to retrieve the Lance of Longinus."
"And Kouji, no showboating. Get Unit 02 and then get back here as soon as possible. Since Great's still under repairs, you're the only Mazinger right now!" Tetsuya ordered.
"Yeah yeah! Hear you loud and clear!" Kouji sighed.
"You both know your jobs now - begin the retrieval operation!" Misato commanded.
/
From the bridge, the crew watched as the Mazinger and the yellow – orange Evangelion left Shin Dragon, slowly making their way through space to the far off Spear and EVA Unit 02.
"Everyone – not to take away your attention but - what is that?" Dr. Yumi asked. The screen followed his question and revealed a burnt out husk floating ahead of Shin Dragon. It was derelict, the mechanical pterasaur's body looking worse for the wear. Something had ripped it open.
"That's – a Mechasaurus?! So far up here?" Hayato asked, glancing to Misato.
"Captain Katsuragi, I propose we investigate." Hayato suggested. "That Demon ship that wiped out NISAR is close by and I'd like to tie up that loose end before we leave the area."
Misato was silent for a moment as she assessed the situation. "All our machines are being repaired. And there's also the fact that we need to recover Unit 02."
"Then we'll take Neo Eagle. I'm not expecting any resistance, but we'll be armed just in case."
"I see. In that case, permission granted. Though I'm having Kouji and Mazinkaiser on standby once they return. Even if it's not at full power, you need a backup plan."
"Agreed. I'll get my team ready." Hayato said, leaving the premise.
"You hear that, Kouji. We'll need you to stay out just a while longer." Maya relayed.
/
Mazinkaiser boosted lightly, engines firing as it moved in a curve, giving Rei enough distance to hold out her arm, grasping the spear in her EVA's right arm.
"I have the Lance in hand." Rei stated.
Then Kouji passed the area again, Mazinkaiser extended both arms and grabbing the suspended Unit 02 in a bear hug. "Gotcha! Unit 02 is with us! Great job, Rei!"
"Mission complete." Rei responded and Kaiser returned to the ship with both EVAs.
"Pilot Kabuto – Kouji." Rei said as her Unit 00 stood on the base of Shin Dragon's waist.
"Huh? You need something, Rei?" Kouji asked, facing her EVA, surprised that she said his name.
"Thank you. I – am glad that we completed the operation."
"Yeah. No problem! Just like when we fought Black Getter together! Piece of cake!" Kouji said, giving her EVA a big thumbs up with Mazinkaiser's free hand.
She nodded and looked to the monitor. "I will enter the ship now. Farewell."
Rei had Unit 00 put the Lance down in the hanger before taking Unit 02 from Mazinkaiser, the Super Robot remaining outside.
Once Rei was aboard Hayato gave Misato a nod from Neo Getter Eagle's comm.
"The Lance and Units 00 and 02 are aboard. And now – We'll use Neo Getter Eagle to board the Demon Ship. I don't want that thing hanging around while we're away from Earth." Hayato said.
"Roger Commander Jin. We're monitoring you now. Mazinkaiser is still on standby if you need backup." Misato said.
"Pah. Sho, Gai and myself are enough for this. But Kouji, make sure Mazinkaiser can use Fire Blaster at full power on that thing. Blow that Demon ship to Hell if something happens to us." Hayato commanded.
"You got it! Fire Blaster is charging!" Kouji replied as his machine hovered beside the Demon ship.
/
The machine known as Neo Getter had been practically destroyed by Emperor Gore. Reconstruction of the robot was impractical, as its' plasma output was not as potent as the Getter Rays. Still – the Eagle craft was salvageable from the wreckage. The triangular ship exited the hanger bay and hovered outside of Dragon's body.
The alien vessel was a wide circle of silver. Massive cables and pistons ran along the outside rim of the body. It dwarfed the Get Machine as the blue ship approached.
Neo Eagle got close enough to fire a cable and the three pilots were able to board the ship with no trouble.
The boots on their suits magnetized to the hull and Hayato spoke as he glanced around the dark ship.
"This is Hayato. We're onboard. No sign of any Dinosaurs so far. There's one life sign but its' faint. No heat readings that make it stand out either."
"Commander Jin. Look at this." Sho stated, Gai yelping as he looked where she shone her flashlight.
A series of tubes wound down the hallway, joined by others as they all merged and pointed towards a large room more within the ship.
"Now we're picking up something. That's odd." Hayato said as he checked the readings again.
"There's faint traces of Photon Power and Getter Rays."
A metal tube, about ten feet in diameter was in the middle of the room. Various cables and nodes were attached and a human form was visible within the liquid.
"Huh? Th-there's no way!" Gai exclaimed as he took a step back in shock.
"Incredible." was all Hayato could say as he looked onward at the thing suspended in front of him. It was a cyborg, a red eye surrounded by a metal ring taking the main attention of the group. Then two large and angular metal horns. These modifications framed a wizened Caucasian face. A wide eye glared at them from the tube as a long white beard wavered in the liquid.
"It's been a long time - Hayato Jin." A voice called and the three tensed as they beheld the suspended form of Professor Rando.
/
/
/
/
Author's note:
I had a lot of personal issues spring up around the time I was proofreading this chapter and it gathered dust, only being tweaked and edited for minor parts until I finally sorted myself out. I'm feeling better now although that's up in the air considering the pandemic and how long it will last in the United States. It's a stressful time and I hope that everyone's taking the time they need to take deep breaths. I certainly needed to do so. That said, thank you for reading.
Gnaw55617: Thanks so much for your review! I'm glad you liked my merging of the universes into one established setting. It took a lot of thinking to plan when each event happened so that Mazinger Z and Getter Robo would be seen as these legendary figures by the time NERV came onto the scene. Stuff like SEELE banning Getter Rays and Kouji's mom working with Yui seemed like natural fits when crunching fictional settings together.
I had Rei and Go speak in this chapter but given the nature of their characters expect them to speak again soon. Realizing how similar they were to each other was a good way to further connect Rei with the Getter Team.