CHAPTER 24: INNER DEMONS

"Well, it's about time they got us out of those goddamn plugs!" Asuka shouted. They were finally on their way back to the locker rooms. The rescue crews came out in boats and provided them with coveralls before bringing them back.

"I slept the whole time," Shinji replied.

"Dumbkopf."

"You alright, Rei?" Shinji asked his blue haired battle buddy. "That angel really went after you."

"I'm fine, Shinji," Rei smiled softly. "I was in a panicked state early on."

"Probably because you activated Unit-00's AT Field," Shinji theorized. "Must've been what drew the angel's attention. Good thing it didn't actually get to the EVAs." He shuddered at the thought of an angel possessed EVA.

"But…" Rei said softly.

"But, what?"

"Afterwards I…I felt like…there was someone holding me in an embrace." She said quietly. "In fact…it…it felt like you."

"Hmm," Shinji shrugged. 'What the hell?' "That's interesting."

That night, all three pilots sat around as Misato related everything that had happened. "So you're saying that the angel is technically still alive?" Shinji asked. "And is living inside the Magi?"

"Sort of," Misato shrugged as she sipped at her second beer. "But Ritsuko is confident that it is no longer a threat."

"Mmm," Shinji rubbed his forehead. "Where the hell did this damn headache come from?" He asked out loud. "I've had it ever since the angel attack." Misato then looked at Shinji's right elbow.

"Shinji…" she pointed. "Where'd you get that scratch?"

"Huh?" He looked at his elbow and noticed a slight gash about the size of a half-dollar. It wasn't bleeding but it would eventually scab over. "Whoa, I didn't even notice that. Must've gotten scraped as those rookies from the rescue crews were pulling us from the plugs."

"You should put a bandage on it," Rei suggested.

"Ah. It's not that bad."

"Not until it gets infected!" Misato snapped.

"Fine, fine." Shinji got up and headed for the bathroom. "I'll grab an aspirin, too."

Meanwhile, at NERV, Ritsuko and a construction crew were investigating the 87th Protein Wall. That's when she discovered the remains of the bottle of solution placed there by persons unknown to her. "This is odd," she said looking down at the wall. "It appears that some kind of acid was in this container. A small explosive charge then spread the solution all over the wall, thereby destroying it and weakening the angel. This must've been the reason it dissolved. But, who put it here?"

Later, that night, Ritsuko called in Misato and brought the evidence to Commander Ikari's desk. "What is all this?" Misato asked.

"This is what's left of a container that held a powerful acidic compound," Ritsuko replied. "I found it in close proximity to the 87th Protein Wall. I believe the acid in this container is the reason the protein wall dissolved suddenly during the attack."

"Are you saying someone snuck into the B-Wing and planted this acid to destroy the protein wall? Why?"

"The wall's destruction greatly hampered the angel's state. The compounds in the protein wall were a source of renewable energy. Its loss was likely a factor in the defeat of the angel's attack." She then turned to more bottles on the desk. "These were the chemicals that were used to create the formula; in my lab, no less."

"So someone broke into your lab, created an acidic formula and placed it so it could help us beat the angel?" Misato was finding it difficult to believe. "Who the hell could do this?"

"And this?" Ikari said pointing to the charred cloth next to the bottles.

"That's the remains of a standard issue set of coveralls. They were found in an incinerator not far from the B-Wing."

"Any chances we can extract DNA from this?"

"None," Ritsuko shook their head. "And there are no traces of fingerprints on any of the evidence. Whoever did this hid their tracks well. And because of the attack all the cameras were offline. We've done an inventory check and the only person short one pair of coveralls is Lt. Makoto Hyuga."

"But…he was on the bridge with us the whole time," Misato said. "It couldn't have been him. And Captain Tokarev cleared that area of personnel. Records confirm all personnel accounted for."

"Could this be related to the power outage last month?" Fuyutsuki asked next. "We've yet to determine who was responsible for that."

"I don't know," Ritsuko shook her head.

XXXXX

A few weeks later the pilots were performing another test. This one wasn't as odd as the last, though. This time Rei was in Unit-01. It was a compatibility test to determine if, due to circumstances, it became necessary for a pilot to use an EVA they weren't assigned to. "So Rei," Ritsuko asked over the radio. "How does it feel to be piloting Unit-01 for the first time?"

"It smells like Shinji," was Rei's random reply.

"The synch ratio is almost the same as with Unit-00," Maya said as the data came streaming in. "Both their personal data patterns are almost identical."

"That's what makes this experiment possible," Ritsuko nodded. Off to the side, Misato couldn't help but wonder if there was another reason for this test. Shinji was thinking the same thing: the 'Dummy' autopilot system for the EVA.

"Harmonics are normal."

"No detectable compatibility problems," Ritsuko announced. "You can get out now, Rei. The test is over."

Asuka was tested in Unit-02 for a baseline. But, when it became evident that she wasn't interested in being a willing participant in the test both she and Unit-02 were cut out. Shinji, however, was in Unit-00. It was his first time in an EVA other than Unit-01. Well, he was in Unit-02 for the fight against the Sixth Angel but he wasn't really piloting it so he didn't think that counted. This time he was going solo. Up in the control room, Shinji noticed Rei standing alongside Misato.

"How's Shinji doing?" Ritsuko asked.

"He's a bit jittery," Makoto replied. "But he's playing it cool, as always. No problems found in the nerve patterns."

"It's his first time in Unit-00," Misato replied. "It's only natural for him to be a little nervous."

"Why should that idiot care which EVA he's in anyway?" Asuka asked out loud without meaning to.

"That's just Shinji, for you," Misato replied. "But he goes along with it, even if only to amuse us."

"So why aren't I running in these compatibility tests? Is there something wrong with me?"

'A lot,' Rei said to herself.

"Well we figured you didn't want to pilot any other EVA. So we thought it would be a waste of time."

"You've got that right, Misato."

As the LCL and the plug were charged up Shinji felt himself connect with Unit-00. It felt odd and slightly uncomfortable for some reason. The fact that he'd been having some really vivid and bizarre dreams lately also didn't help. "Shinji," Ritsuko asked over the channel. "How does it feel to be in Unit-00's entry plug?"

"I don't know," Shinji replied. "Kind of weird, actually."

"Like incompatibility."

"Not that," Shinji shook his head. "Just…I don't know. Alien. Maybe it's just Unit-00. But, it feels like there's something missing and at the same time something there that shouldn't be."

"Hmm, that is weird."

"Plus, it kind of smells like Rei."

"It smells like WHAT!?" Asuka shrieked in her plug. "Perverse mensch."

"It smells?"

"I can smell a faint hint of vanilla and coconut," Shinji replied. "It's the shampoo I've noticed that Rei uses a lot. I'm observant like that."

"Pattern green," Maya announced from her station.

"How's it look?" Misato asked.

"Well, the synch ratio is a little lower than that with Unit-01," Ritsuko replied. She then leaned closer to the screen.

"Hmm," Maya hummed. "His harmonics are all normal."

"But, the readings are still good. These numbers means that were can implement our current plan."

"You mean the 'Dummy System', don't you?" Maya asked. "Ma'am, with all due respect, I really don't think we should proceed."

"I understand your misgivings Maya," Ritsuko nodded. "But we have to be prepared for all options."

"I believe in our work ma'am, no doubt about that," Maya argued. "But I'm really not convinced."

"I have to agree with Maya, doc," Shinji spoke up. "This 'Dummy System' sounds dangerous. And in the wrong hands could be very bad news for everyone."

"People who develop too many scruples will always have difficulty working amongst others," Ritsuko shot back.

"Scruples? Where I come from we call them 'ethics', doc."

"You'll understand once you get your hands dirty, Maya," Ritsuko said ignoring Shinji.

"Maya," Shinji spoke up. "I've gotten my hands dirty. And I know what I'm saying when I say stick to your guns. Call them scruples if you want, doctor. But, in my opinion, our morals and ethics can never be overrated. It's what keeps us from becoming sadistic barbarians."

"Shinji," Ritsuko snapped. "I don't appreciate it when you undermine me in front of my subordinates."

"I'm just stating my opinion, doc." And with that he signed off.

As the test went on Shinji could still feel that alien presence inside the plug. And it was really starting to bother him. "Hey, Shinji," Asuka's mug appeared on a pop up. "Does it feel like you're close to momma's breast? Is it like being in her womb or what?"

"Asuka," Ritsuko snapped. "Stop interrupting. You're being obnoxious."

"Yeah! Yeah!"

"Commence A-10 nerve connections," Ritsuko ordered. At that moment, Shinji's headache got a lot meaner.

'What the fuck?' He grasped his head. 'It feels like something's trying to drill into my brain!' His vision blurred and turned to double vision. Then images flashed in his mind. Images of Rei at various ages and states. Her in bandages, as a child, sitting by his hospital bed, at school, in pain. 'Rei? Is it…Rei? It's…hers…' "Rei!"

In the test cage Unit-00 went spastic. "There's a problem in the pilot's nerve pulse!" A technician shouted.

"Mental Contamination!" Maya shouted. "It's starting!"

"That can't happen at this plug depth!" Ritsuko shouted. "That's impossible!"

"It's not coming from the plug! The intrusion is coming from the EVA!" At that moment the EVA broke free of its restraints. "Unit-00 is out of control!"

"Shut all circuits!" Ritsuko ordered. "Cut the power!"

Inside the plug, Shinji was wrestling with all the images and thoughts racing into his brain. "Rei! Ritsuko! Father! Monster! AHHH! WHAT'S HAPPENING TO ME!?" He could see brief glimpses of what the EVA could see. If anyone could see in his plug they'd see that he was writhing in the same manner as the EVA.

"Unit-00 is rejecting Shinji!" Ritsuko shouted.

"Negative!" Maya replied. "The auto-ejection doesn't work!"

"It's the same error! Is it trying to absorb Shinji?"

Inside the plug, Shinji spotted Ritsuko in the control room through various flashes. Instantly, several alien thought penetrated his psyche. "Akagi. Die," Shinji growled like a savage. "Whose…whose thoughts…monster. Whose…thoughts…are these? The Doctor Ritsuko Akagi…must die." He lashed out.

Unit-00 began pounding on the glass. Trying in great earnest to break through to its target. Rei remained still, eyes locked on the EVA. "REI! GET OUT OF THERE!" Misato yelled at the albino girl. She then rushed at her. "REI!" She grabbed her and pulled her back. As she did she lost her footing and both of them fell to the floor.

"Rei!" Shinji spotted her and Misato on the floor as the images kept flashing in his mind. "Kill. Kill them. Kill them all. No. Monster. NO! Kill Akagi. Kill Katsuragi. NO! Kill…Kill Ayanami. Monster! Kill! I can't! I can't hurt Rei! MONSTER! KILL! I WON'T! KILL! GRRAARRR!"

Unit-00 then whirled around and began pounding its head into the wall. "Unit-00's power will terminate in seven seconds!" Maya announced as the EVA bashed its head into the wall.

"MONSTER! GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HEAD!" Shinji screamed as he fought for control of his mind. "KILL THEM! LEAVE ME ALONE!" Then, just like someone turning off the lights, it all stopped. Shinji felt exhausted and just collapsed into his chair.

XXXXX

"Rei!" Shinji bolted upright as he came to in the hospital bed, startling said red eyed girl in the chair next to it. "Rei!" He spotted her. "Are you alright?"

"I am uninjured," she said.

"Wha…what happened?"

"Unit-00 went berserk. It tried to assault the control room."

"Oh, god, was anyone hurt?" Shinji pleaded with her. "I didn't hurt…"

"No." Shinji placed his head between his knees.

"Is there…" Shinji groaned out, "any aspirin around? I've got a headache that could put an angel out of commission."

"I'll go see if there's any at the nurse station," Rei said standing up. "Wait here." She walked towards the door but stopped. "Do you…remember anything?"

"No," Shinji shook his head. "I remember climbing into Unit-00's plug. After that…it's one big blank spot."

"I see." She then left the room.

'What the fuck was that? Why did I get an overwhelming desire to murder them? What the fuck is going on here?' Shinji wrestled with this as he waited for Rei to return. 'Was it the EVA? Or something inside the EVA? Or…was it…? No. It couldn't have been me. I'm not a monster. What the hell is going on in this place?'

Misato was on the command deck when she got the call that Shinji was awake. "There's no sign of mental contamination," Makoto added. He could tell from her expression that the Colonel was worried. "But… he doesn't remember what happened."

"That's probably for the best," Misato said. "I can't imagine that anything that happened in there was in anyway pleasant. But, it doesn't give us any more clues as to what exactly happened. Great."

A/N: As I was writing this chapter I was wondering why Rei was used as the basis for the Dummy System and not Asuka or Shinji who had higher synch ratios. Asuak would be a 'no-go' because she wouldn't be compatible with the other EVAs. Maybe Shinji was rejected because of the berserk incident with Unit-00, but Rei also had a previously similar incident. Curious, no?