Creation began on 07-13-18
Creation ended on 07-14-18
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Excuses, Excuses
A/N: How NERV is facing ridicule after Kirby takes Shinji back to Popstar.
It was technically Gendo Ikari's fault, but because he was the one in charge, the whole of NERV was, by right of association, the victim of ridicule due to his actions within the Geo-Front. Even if the Angel that appeared to destroy the human race was dealt with by what seemed to be a little, pink alien, it was the same alien that broke into NERV Headquarters…and rescued Gendo's estranged, toddler son from him after seeing the boy was not being treated properly and said man had done absolutely nothing to make amends for leaving him over ten years ago. And it was because of this that the entire agency was getting dragged into the mud of questionable attitudes used by it with the public and the UN.
"Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki, despite his role in the absence of your son, is hardly at fault for your actions, Ikari," SEELE 01 told Gendo during his meeting with the council that controlled the UN from the shadows. "We've interviewed him earlier, and he explained that it was you that had him incarcerated after demanding that he tell you all that he knew about this…Kirby."
"If he knew the alien by name, then he had to know how it fights, its strengths and weaknesses," Gendo expressed his reason for throwing the boy in the brig. "I explained to him that until he divulged what he knew, he'd be confined."
"You never once thought to consider that maybe he didn't know anything beyond what he explained already about this Kirby being a jolly individual?" SEELE 08 questioned.
"Children are capable of lying," Gendo defended.
"What ulterior motive would your ageless son have to lie to you about a creature he has stated saved his life several times in the past?" SEELE 11 asked him.
"He has been away for over ten years. That is plenty of time to learn deceptive behavior."
"Spoken like one that knows deception," said SEELE 03, making no hint that he was referring to Gendo himself.
-x-
"…It's definitely possible that this time, the kid won't return," stated Ritsuko to Misato as they looked at the online news that reflected NERV's ridicule over Shinji Ikari's sudden return after going missing and later departure.
"And the surveillance footage showing Commander Ikari pointing a gun at both the pink alien and his son diminishes NERV's credibility and competence," Misato responded. "What was he thinking? I mean, what the Hell was he thinking? If he had shot either one of them, he could've killed his own son, he could've hurt him."
"He's not a subtle person," the faux-blond explained. "This may affect our ability to deal with the Angels later."
-x-
"…Unfortunately, we don't have the luxury to replace you right now, Ikari," SEELE 01 informed him, having informed the man that his actions against his son and his pink savior had left several people insisting that he be stripped of his authority at NERV and incarcerated. "But don't think that you're off the hook. We'll be deciding whether or not the idea Fuyutsuki suggested is the best option during these desperate times. Until then, your future actions will be monitored."
Gendo was feeling less than relieved to know this. If he was going to be monitored now, he had to be more careful wherever he went.
"It's not just the concern of the adequate pilots and Evas," SEELE 01 continued. "We also need to be ready for the Human Instrumentality Project. It may very well be our true salvation in these desperate times, and we'll not let the second coming of the Angels or your nonexistent relationship with your son delay it. Don't trouble us with your actions further, Ikari."
-x-
"What did you suggest to the Committee, Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki?" Misato asked the elder as he stood in front of Evangelion Unit-01.
"If we see this jolly alien again, we should let it face the Angels for us," Fuyutsuki had suggested. "Maybe even aid it or use it as NERV's poster propaganda that we're open to extraterrestrial aid. It was able to defeat an Angel on its own and that was far from Tokyo-3 when it happened."
"But even if such were possible, we don't know if the alien, this…Kirby…will even return after what happened two days ago. We may be left to our own methods of facing the Angels because of it."
"It's only a suggestion for if it does come back, nothing beyond that."
To be continued…
A/N: Be on the lookout for my new poll based on this story. It will decide the next chapter in the future. Peace out.