A/N: Solidsnake2234, The AKs were AK74s, the current standard rifle for the Russian military. And it is chambered for 5.45mm. Not as well-known as the AK47. Also doesn't have quite the same ring to it as "A K Forty-Seven", does it?
The Wee Baby Seamus: Giggle!
A/N: See? He knows what I'm talking about.
CHAPTER 9: ROUND TWO
When they arrived at Mt Futago their EVAs were already waiting on platforms and there was a large experimental positron rifle lying along a ridge. "So it's a sniper shot, huh?" Shinji said looking out the VTOL's view port.
"Yes," Rei said from her seat behind him.
'And I doubt that weapon has been fully tested,' Shinji said to himself.
When they landed Misato greeted Shinji with a concerned expression. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Shinji nodded. "I've got a score to settle. So, let's get this show on the road." He then looked up and examined the rig. "Now that is a big fucking gun. Is this thing safe to fire?"
"Theoretically, yes," Ritsuko said walking up to them.
"Oh, only 'theoretically'," Shinji grumbled. "That makes me feel comfortable."
"Well, we're not sure if the barrel and cannon assembly can take the pressure. This is the first time it's been fired with such a high power output."
"Shit," Shinji swore. "Lucky me."
"Shinji," Misato spoke up. "You'll be…"
"The shooter," Shinji said. "I kind of figured that. But why's Rei here?"
"She'll be the defense."
"Defense?"
"Yes. We've jerry-rigged an improvised shield for Unit-00 from an experimental space shuttle's heat shield. It should withstand the enemy's attack for seventeen seconds. If it fires."
"Understood," Rei spoke up.
"Unit-01 is the gunner because Shinji has the higher synch-ratio," Ritsuko explain. "And this operation will require extreme precision. The positron beam will be affected by the earth's gravity and magnetic fields. And given the distance to the target there's the Coriolis Effect to take into account. That's…"
"The curvature and rotation of the Earth," Shinji filled in. "Wind speed, temperature and humidity also have to be taken into account as well as the distance and elevation of the target in relation to me."
"How do you know all that?" Misato asked.
Shinji gave her a look and replied with "I read a book, once."
"Right."
"Unit-01 has been equipped with the Type-G equipment configured for sniper operations. There is an object that materializes when the angel is in combat. We've surmised that this is the core. As the automated weapons platforms engage the angel this will not only cause the core to appear but also distract the angel from Unit-01."
"Sounds like a damn near impossible shot," Shinji said.
"Don't worry about the mathematics. The computers will handle all the necessary calculations," Ritsuko continued. "Just follow the manual's directions. When the reticules converge in the center just pull the trigger."
"Now what happens should I miss?" Shinji asked. "Just for…reference?"
"You'll have to wait for the unit to cool before you can replace the fuses and reload," Ritsuko explained. "But you should try to get it on the first shot."
"One shot, one kill," Shinji said. "I got it."
"I'm…" Rei spoke up softly. "I'm only to protect Unit-01, is that correct?"
"Yes," Ritsuko nodded.
"Understood."
"Get geared up," Misato said. "It's time."
In the trailer set up as a changing room Shinji and Rei got out of their clothes and donned their plugsuits. There was a partition dividing their halves of the trailer. "That thing came damn close to killing me today. I've had brushes with death but I think that was the closest I've had." His new plugsuit was dark green with black knees and shoulder and had a full color US flag on the right bicep and blood red stripes going down the thighs and forearms. The trigger fingers and thumbs were also cut off halfway. Maya figured he'd like the additions. "Hell, my heart actually stopped."
"Are you well, Pilot Ikari?" Rei asked as she removed her bra. Shinji activated his suit and it tightened up around him.
"Yeah," he nodded. "Just reminiscing, that's all. This isn't going to be an easy fight. But then, why should it? Hopefully my luck will hold out for this one."
"Why would you say something like that?" Rei asked as she pulled her suit on. She pressed the activation switch and Shinji watched it conform to her perfect figure. "You won't die." She said firmly. "I'll be protecting you."
On the platforms with their EVAs Shinji and Rei sat in silence as they waited for the operation to begin. Shinji looked over at Rei. He couldn't help but be mesmerized by the way the moonlight reflected off her. "Hey, Rei," he spoke up.
"Yes?"
"Earlier today, you asked me why I pilot EVA." She nodded. "Mind if I ask you the same question?" Rei paused for a second before replying.
"Because I'm bonded to it."
"Bonded? What do you mean?"
"It is my life; all that I have known. I'm bonded to piloting EVA."
"Because of my father?" Rei thought for a moment on that. Did she pilot for Commander Ikari?
"Because of all people," she replied recalling what he told her when she asked him why he piloted.
"You're a strong person, Rei," Shinji said looking back out over the landscape.
"That's not true," Rei said causing Shinji to look back at her. "I am not a strong as you."
"Yes, you are." She shook her head.
"I am not special," She said. "And I have nothing else."
"What do you mean, Rei?"
"It's time," she said standing up. "Let's go." She started towards her EVA and paused at the entry plug. She turned back to him, looked at him sadly and said, "Goodbye, Shinji…You've been…very kind to me." And with that she entered the plug and closed the hatch.
XXXXX
The second the clock hit 00:00:00 power began flowing down to the positron cannon from all over Japan. Shinji sat in his seat, focusing on controlling his breathing. As the mechanical crews ran through their checklists Shinji brought a visor down over his eyes. Similarly, outside his EVA the Type-G equipment extended an aperture that connected to Unit-01's optical sensors, or eyes. With the visor Shinji could still see the diamond shaped angel but two crosshairs were now superimposed over his line of sight. One represented the x-axis and the other the y-axis of the cannon's aim.
As the energy continued to flow in to the cannon Shinji worked to bring the weapon to bear. Slowly the crosshairs moved closer together. 'Breathe,' Shinji reminded himself. 'Take it easy, Shinji. Don't rush it. Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. Slow is smooth; smooth is fast.'
"Begin operation," Misato ordered. "Have all observation planes pull back. Order the weapons platforms to fire at will."
In the surrounding country side remote missile, gun and cannon platforms appeared amidst the mountains, hills and forests. A pair of Vertical Launch System missile launchers opened the attack, firing a barrage of missiles. As the warheads streaked towards the angel from three directions the angel shifted its shape into a spoke-less wheel and fired an arcing beam that destroyed all the missiles. It then fired a retaliatory beam that destroyed both VLS platforms.
Next were a series of remote-controlled howitzers that fired a salvo of high explosive shells. The angel warped its shape into an octagonal shield that deflected the shells. It then morphed into a rotating cannon and fired another beam that blew the howitzers to pieces. This back and forth battle continued as Gatling guns, MLRS batteries, and distant bombers fired cruise missiles at the angel.
Inside Unit-01, Shinji watched as tracer rounds and missiles shot towards the angel and the retaliatory beams the angel fired back in defense. He could even see brief reflections of the explosions and rockets off the water of the lake between him and the angel. It had appeared to be a Fourth of July Celebration minus the festivities. It reminded Shinji of Operation: Gadsden, when US forces finally assaulted into and retook Philadelphia.
"Positron cannon is ready to fire," a technician announced. "Relay system charging the shot."
"Get ready, Shinji," Misato said to the pilot.
"I was born ready," Shinji said as he chambered a large fuse into the cannon and the crosshairs neared each other.
"Ready to fire in 10…9…8…7…6…" Shinji held his breath as he steadied the shot. "2…1…" Shinji lined up the crosshairs and, "FIRE!" The cannon screeched as a bright green beam erupted from the barrel and lanced out at the target. The beam pierced right through the angel.
A high pitched shriek filled the air as the angel burst into a crystalline star. "Did we get it?" Misato asked. But then, the angel reformed into its original shape.
"Shit! How did we miss!?"
"The enemy is charging again!" Maya shouted.
"Everyone, brace for impact!" Misato shouted as the angel morphed into a large starfish shape and fired at the mountain. The beam impacted the mountain ahead of and slightly to the side of Futago but much of the beam still hit the area of the sniper perch.
"AAHHHHH!" Shinji yelled as Unit-01 was thrown backwards from the positron cannon and knocked out when his unit landed.
When the trembling stopped, Misato and the command crew got back on their feet. "What's the status of the positron cannon?" She asked.
"It's got only superficial damage," Maya replied. "It's already begun to cool down. But we're not sure if it can handle another shot."
"Worse than that," Makoto added, "The Type-G equipment is fried. We can't align the shot."
"And Shinji?" Misato asked.
"He's alive, but not responding to hails," Shigeru replied.
"Shinji?" Misato's voice filled the plug as Shinji peeled his eyes open. On the EVA's view screens he could see that the entire area had a series of wildfires burning freely. Some parts of the mountain had even been burnt down to cinder. The whole area glowed and the thick smoke gave it an aura of Hell come to Earth."Shinji? Come in!" He had been knocked out temporarily by the blast. "Shinji!?"
"Go for Shinji," Shinji replied as he held his head, which was still spinning.
"Shinji! Get up, now!"
"The enemy is preparing to fire again!" Maya shouted.
"Not now!" Misato screamed. A second later the angel fired. Shinji watched as the purple light raced directly at him. It grew brighter and bigger as it rapidly approached him. Suddenly a dark mass appeared in front of him. Rei moved Unit-00 into position just in time to take the enemy shot on the shield.
"REI!" Shinji cried out.
"That shield won't last long," Ritsuko shouted.
"Shinji!" Misato shouted. "Retreat now! Abort the operation! We'll have to regroup and try again later. Move it!" As Shinji moved out of the way he noticed Unit-00 was not moving.
"Rei! Get out of there!" He screamed at her. But she did not reply. "Rei! Come in! Rei!"
He then recalled her last words to him. "Goodbye, Shinji…You've been…very kind to me."
"That shield won't last much longer!" He heard Ritsuko cry out. "Is she going to sacrifice herself!?"
"No! Don't do it, Rei!" He shouted as he moved back to the rifle. He took hold of the cannon and ripped it off the struts fixing it to the ground.
"Shinji! Get out of there now!" Misato shouted.
"NO!" Shinji barked as he ripped the cannon from its mount and recharged the weapon, expelling the spent fuse and reloading a new one. "I'm not leaving!"
"Unit-01 has just discarded the Type-G equipment!" Maya shouted. "He's switching to manual."
"Shinji! I gave you an order!" Misato shouted.
"Shove it!" He snapped back as he dropped into a kneeling position, hoisted it to the EVA's shoulder and took manual aim. "I'm not leaving Rei to die!" He placed the support arm angled so that the hand was bent backwards over the arm allowing a straight line from the cannon to the wrist down to the elbow resting in the middle of the thigh and finally to the left foot.
He brought the weapon to bear and zoomed in as the shield began to melt. As the split image from the manual zoom function focused his heart began pounding in his ears. "Come on, you motherfucker!" The two halves of the split image began to blend together Shinji could swear that time began to slow down. "Come on!" The images began to line up…
"You crazy, fucking, cowboy!" Misato screamed at him causing his ears to ring. Target aligned.
"HOOYAH!" He shouted as he fired. The beam raced along the angel's shot and punched right through the target's core. Upon being hit the angel's beam ceased instantly returned to its original shape and burst into flames.
"Bulls eye!" Makoto shouted. "AWESOME!"
"Impossible!" Ritsuko screamed.
"Yes! He did it!" Misato cheered as well. As the angel fell to the earth Unit-00 dropped the now shriveled shield.
As the angel slowly fell to the ground Unit-00 dropped to its knees and collapsed to the ground. "REI!" Shinji shouted. He quickly darted up to Unit-00, and noticed that parts of it were glowing from melting armor. He grabbed the stricken EVA and jumped down to the lake, its shore had been spared the worst of the conflagration. He then dunked the smoldering unit into the water to cool it off.
After pulling it to the shore he rolled it onto its belly and ripped the back panel off. The plug immediately ejected and began discharging the hot LCL. Shinji then pulled the plug out and set it on the ground. Above the EVAs the mountain continued to smolder, even as firefighting aircraft were called in to dump water onto the fires.
He then exited his plug and raced to the emergency hatch. When his fingers grasped the handle it burned him right through the suit. "AH!" He recoiled. But once he recalled his experience in the hot entry plug he grasped the handles with both hands. "GRRR!" He twisted the handles around, planted his left foot against the hot plug and forced the hatch open all the while ignoring the parts of the suit that were melting onto his palms and the exposed flesh on his half fingers. "Rei! Are you alright!? REI!" He shouted as he climbed inside. She was slumped over to the side in her seat but at the sound of his voice she began to stir.
He stepped into the plug and picked her up. It felt like an oven on the inside. He then carried her outside and knelt down in the cool grass. "Rei!" He gently shook her. "Wake up! Rei!" Slowly she opened her eyes and looked up at Shinji. Shinji let out a sigh of relief.
"You're alive…" He said with tears in his eyes. "Rei, don't say goodbye when you leave on a mission. Don't you ever talk like you won't be coming back. Don't you dare talk like that again. It-it's too sad." He wiped his eyes and two tear drops fell onto Rei's check. Sitting up she gently wiped them off and looked at them on her fingers.
"Why are you crying?" She asked. "Are you…in pain?"
"No," he shook his head. "I'm just…really glad you're alright." He really was. He was amazed that he was feeling this relieved.
"Glad that I'm…alright?" She blinked at him and he nodded. He looked away to wipe his nose and eyes. "I'm sorry," she whispered looking away. "I don't know what to say or do at a time like this."
"Smiling might be a good start," Shinji said looking back at her. She looked up at him and saw how happy he looked as he too smiled. He was happy that she was alive.
Someone was happy for her. She tried a little smile at first but, after noticing how good it felt to smile, she let it grow wider and wider. "You have a beautiful smile, Rei." Shinji sniffled. Rei blushed slightly but kept smiling. "And don't say you've got nothing else. If anything…you've got me, Rei."
"I don't…understand."
"We're friends, Rei," Shinji said as the water tankers began to dump water onto the mountain side, creating an artificial rain. "We're battle buddies. I'm your friend. And friends are always there for each other. No matter what."
'A…a friend…' Rei thought. She never had anyone that she could call a friend. Not even the Commander. 'Pilot Ikari is…' "My friend," Rei said. "Yes." That thought made her smile again. "You are my friend, Pilot Ikari."
"Shinji," he said. "Friends also call each other by their first names, Rei."
"Shinji," she smiled some more, liking the way it rolled off her lips.
Watching from above, Misato couldn't help but smile at the tender scene. "How romantic," she said as Ritsuko appeared at her side with an umbrella. "I suppose I'll forgive him for disobeying my orders…again."
"Seems like a pretty regular thing for him," Ritsuko added. "Isn't it?" She too couldn't help but smile at the sight. As the medical shoppers arrived Shinji helped Rei stand up and led her to the helicopters as they landed. On board, the medics checked over Rei and applied bandages to Shinji's hands.