CHAPTER 5 REPERCUSSIONS
Shinji woke up early and was disappointed to not find Tessa in his arms as he was sure he had felt her body next to His as he slept he shrugged to himself must have just been a dream he told himself. He quickly showered and then paused as he started to dress realising his shoes were at the bottom of the pacific leaving the boots Mithril Had given him as his only outdoor footwear seeing as he would look really odd wearing those with his normal clothes he put on the spare uniform Mithril had given him unlike the first one which was olive green this was some complicated camouflage pattern Kensuke could probably tell him which one he pinned the marksman badge on which a drunken sniper had insisted he wear for firing the largest rifle ever . The fact the uniforms he had been given nearly doubled his wardrobe was a bit embarrassing he had to admit .He would have to go shopping the prospect was not something he looked forward too. Not that money was a problem NERV paid him very well. A fact he had only discovered several weeks after he had started working as no one had told him the id card also worked as a debit card, looking back learning To fight the angels had been more important than things like pay though it would have been nice to know .So Asuka's and Misato's plan to remake him would not be limited by anything easy like lack of funds .He doubted Tessa would do anything apart from complaining she couldn't take part in the fun. He really was doomed and with that cheerful thought he went to start breakfast he had the can of Sardines open before Pen Pen appeared and after promising to get him some fresh fish next time he went shopping the penguin seemed happy, he had been upset at their overnight absence and was notsure about the new addition to the household
.Shinji thought he saw Asuka wrapped in a towel head for the shower out of the corner of his eye as he cooked the rice and fish. He was just finishing laying the table as Asuka appeared out of her room also wearing her Mithril uniform. He stared at her and got a very curt
"What!" for his trouble
"Nothing "he replied "breakfast is almost ready"
Asuka smirked as Shinji retreated to the kitchen she knew he wanted to know why she was wearing the uniform if he couldn't work it out she wasn't going to tell him. Misato arrived wearing her minimal sleep wear and still half asleep Shinji handed her a beer she took a mighty gulp and let out her normal morning yell it didn't phase Asuka Shinji saw he remembered Asuka had lived with her before. Misato stared at her two charges both dressed in Mithril uniforms she took another gulp of her beer
"Okay what's with the fancy dress guys?" She asked .Looking again it became obvious in Asuka's case as eva pilot was printed on the rank tab next to her name. Misato sighed.
"Asuka you don't need to wear a name tag I'm sure what happened years ago isn't going to happen again"
Asuka her mouth full of food replied by giving Misato a dirty look Shinji looking confused had to ask
"What happened to Asuka Misato?"
Smiling in memory of the events Misato launched into a explanation ignoring the glare of death Asuka sent in her direction.
"It was before I met Asuka Geherin had just be renamed NERV and lots of new personal had been employed
And everything was a secret and on a need to know basis so even asking directions would need you having to prove who you were and if you had the clearance to even know where you were
asking about. Hush you I'm telling the story she waved at Asuka to stop her interrupting. So of course the fact the Evangelion pilot was a little girl was kept secret from all, but, the important people. Asuka wanders off gets picked up by security and dumped in Child care and no one believes what she tells them it took hours to find her everyone thought she had wanderedOff and got lost or even fallen somewhere it was only when a guard asked what the pilot actually looked likeDid they find her" Misato laughed again as she reminisced
A scowling Asuka replied "Its not funny, no one believed me all the kids thought i was stupid or deluded they made me do finger painting , it was humiliating"
"Oh it wasn't that bad the teacher said it showed real promise" Misato replied enjoying the joke as Asuka screeched at her.
"Oh and you can stop laughing 3rd "Asuka turned on Shinji
"Anyway why are you wearing your uniform missing your girl friend already? is it a security blanket?" she teased "No err I lost my shoes on the ship the only footwear I have left are the boots they will look odd with my normal clothes . So I wore the uniform they go with" He stuttered a reply Asuka blushing at her accusations.
"God your pathetic 3rd we get paid a small fortune and you only owned one pair of shoes? We need to take you shopping Eva pilots should set an example people look to us to protect them you could at least make an attempt
to look good. People want us to be Heroes not nobodies they want larger than life characters not dorks, and,I Refuse to hang around with someone who doesn't at least make an effort to look good"
"Shopping that's a great idea there's not much Ritsuko wants to do too you today and their can't be much paperwork as the battle was at sea so we can go shopping, you need school stuff anyway Asuka" Misato stated
"Oh it won't be that bad Shinji, if you're good you can help us chose new swimming costumes "She added at the look of horror on Shinji's face. Pleased with the reaction she got from both teens she carried on.
"Well I'm going to get dressed now try and keep your hands off Asuka I know you have a thing for girls in uniform Shinji! "And with more cries of outrage she left for her shower. Returning to herown room to get dressed she saw something in her wardrobe which made her smile it still fit in with NERV dress regs such as they complete lack of interest the commander had in dress regs suited her fine though sometimes she would love to tell Aoba he needed to have a hair cut just to see the look on his face. Smiling at that she finished Dressing adjusted her beret and walked back into the living room. Interrupting an argument between her charges
"Hey guys what do you think?" She did a little twirl.
"Not many girls can pull off bad ass and sexy in one out fit can they?" She asked her stunned charges she was
Wearing her issue JSSDF camouflage uniform with highly polished boots webbing belt with her side arm in a drop leg holster and her red beret on her head .Shinji looked stunned he had never seem Misato dressed like this.
Asuka was the first to recover she had trained with Misato in Germany so seeing her in combat gear was nothing new for her she stared enviously at Misato's side arm.
"Misato now that I'm on active service can I get a carry permit?" Asuka was a crack shot with military issue weapons and all adults she respected carried guns so as she considered herself an adult she should have her own pistol in her opinion.
Misato smiled at her "Not a chance I know what happened with the Taser you convinced section 2 to give you in Germany"
Asuka fumed "That's unfair the professor was a perv everyone said, so I did the college a favour "
"And the others you shot? You used it more times than the entire German police force did in the week you had it. No way am I letting you go armed outside of your Eva"
"I don't think you really need a pistol Asuka tokyo03 is crime free and if you had it at school Kensuke would never leave you alone" The idea of Asuka being armed didn't sit well with Shinji she seemed a bit hot headed to be entrusted with weapons and if she had one he would end up with one and Kensuke would stick to him like glue.
"Whatever" Asuka grumbled she didn't agree with Misato a Taser was not a gun and it had only been a bit of end of term fun after all. She would just have to charm section2 they would see the advantage in pilots being able to defend themselves she was sure of it.
"Right then, already to go to the Geofront?" Misato asked brightly Lets go and led them out to her car. Shinji meekly got in the back some things were just not worth arguing about.
When they were seated. Misato turned and with an evil grin "I remember what you said about my driving yesterday guys"
"You're going to slow down then?"Asked Shinji nervously
"Not a chance "With a yell she gunned the engine and the car took off arriving at the car train with a squeal of brakes and an exultant shout of a new personal best from Misato and a torrid of German from
Asuka which whatever it was Shinji guessed it was not complementary. Misato and Shinji shared a moment of knowing looks as
Asuka was stopped mid rant by her first glance at the geo front .Shinji wondered how that view had just become the way to work to him and how quickly Evangelion had become his normality. The drive to headquarters was silent WIth Asuka trying to take everything in .As they parked up Misato smiled as an evil thought sprang in her head.
"Okay Shinji, Fish bait First stop Ritsuko's office."
"Pardon me! Why are you calling me Fish bait?"
"It's a Nick name Asuka your Eva was swallowed by a giant fish so it kinda fits maybe the marketing department could make 02 shaped fishing lures. What do you think?"
Asuka Screamed and tried to punch Misato who dodged Shinji who was trying to hide a smile also dodged a blow.
"Run for it Shinji I think we made her mad "Laughed Misato and took off running with Shinji Following pursued by Asuka.
"Run for your lives mad German on the Rampage "Misato screamed to a bunch of techs as she shot pass.
By the time they got to Ritsuko's office Misato and Asuka were both out of breathe Shinji was no where near as bad. Misato swearing she needed to get to the gym and Asuka blaming her incarceration on the carrier for her loss of fitness. Their bitching session was interrupted by the Appearance of Dr Akagi .
"Good Morning Misato you do know your rampage through the halls in combat gear nearly triggered a full scale lock down? Why on earth are you dressed like that anyway?" She asked having not seen Misato in a combat uniform for a long time.
"Well the kids were wearing theirs so I thought I'd join in." She answered
Ritsuko rolled her eyes though it made as much sense as anything Misato did .Ignoring Misato she turned to the
Two pilots smiling at them "I just need to do a quick medical on you two and then your free for the rest of the day I'll start with you Asuka. Shinji would you mind running these forms up to the bridge crew Its just some idiotic survey on stress in the workplace. No ones bothered to fill them out so their threatening to stop your pay if you don't fill one out." Here is yours Misato". Handing her an envelope.
"Do we get one?" asked Asuka
"No that what makes it so idiotic the pilots are not included as their 's evidently been drawn up by an idiot who has no idea what we do here! If I find out who is responsible for it I think I will use their skull for a new armour piercing shell its evidently denser than anything else known to man" Dr Akagi vented .She took a deep breathe and smiled at Asuka "Where are my manners Welcome to the Geo front Asuka lets get this medical done and I'll get someone to give you a tour if Misato does it we would only have to send out search parties and in her camo gear we might never find her."Misato stuck her tongue out at that and stalked off to her office .Shinji headed for the bridge.
"Just strip to your underwear Asuka. Let's see what damage the Navy did to you. Pointing to the scale Asuka obediently did as she was told being poked and prodded was just part of being an Eva pilot.
"You have lost a bit of weight guess the navy food didn't agree with you"
"You have no idea Doctor first decent meal I had was on the TDD-1"
"Well I'm sure living with Shinji will sort that out. He is a very good cook I'm sure he will cook your favourites if you ask him nicely .Eat what you like and that should sort things out we will check it next month and if things haven't improved I can prescribe some supplements for you ,but,it should resolve itself as long as you eat proper Food and not what Misato thinks is food"She reassured Asuka ."I will just need to take a routine blood test and we will be done For the day".
"Hmm what happened here"As Dr Akagi went to find a vein she noticed the bruise from where the medics had started an iv when Asuka had been in the Tdd-1 sick bay. Dr Akgia medical training was a shortened course for those who already had a degree in the sciences. Even though she rushed through it and avoided as much patient contact as possible. She was still a brilliant Doctor not that brilliance was needed to recognise a bruise from an Infusion or realise Asuka's explanation was a pack of lies to be frank she had heard more realistic stories from junkies in the emergency room.
"So you fell asleep at the party the medics panicked and you woke up in the med bay is that right?" She looked at
Asuka who gave her the most innocent puppy eyed look possible. Ritsuko who was a cat person was not swayed.
"And how many beers did you have before you fell asleep?"She asked rolling her eyes at her.
"2or3" Asuka confessed her face burning as she realised she was busted. At that Ritsuko lost it with Asuka and
Launched into an angry tirade.
"What were you thinking? You spent weeks not eating or sleeping right fight a battle and then decide to keep up with Misato's drinking !Your supposed to be a genius."
"I said I only had 3 beers" Asuka interrupted angrily
"Everyone lies to their Doctors about their Drinking! I bet you had 6 or more you idiot."She sighed taking a breathe she continued less angrily
"It was a party you had just fought a battle I guess its understandable I'm just glad the crew treated you well.
Misato is a freak of nature she has drunk a lot bigger and tougher men under the table try and keep up with Her and you will be in serious trouble. Your too important to have a hangover okay?"
" Yes doctor" Asuka replied full of shame "Are you going to tell Misato ?"She asked worry in her voice
Ritsuko paused, for a moment Asuka was a frightened child again not the somewhat arrogant pilot Ritsuko did not like being reminded of what they were making school children do. She gave Asuka her most reassuring smile
"I see no reason to. As long as you get on well with the other pilots and it isn't repeated I'm prepared to keep this off your records make a habit of it and Misato will know and I will prescribe a detox which will be as unpleasant as possible .She smiled evilly as Asuka shivered NERV doctors had already done a through battery of tests on her young body. Asuka knew that if a NERV doctor said it was going to be unpleasant it really would be.
Ritsuko smiled trying to put Asuka at ease."While you are here Asuka can you tell me how piloting with 2 in the entry plug went as between you seem to increase your sync rate tremendously."
This being Asuka's favourite subject she launched into a description of the battle.
Meanwhile Shinji made his way up to the bridge where he was greeted warmly by Maya Hyuga and Shigeru .
Without an Angel or an Eva test bridge duty was routine to the point of boredom. So any distraction was welcome and the two men were eager to interrogate Shinji not really believing Maya's account of how he had a smoking hot girlfriend who was also the commander of the TDD-1 which was now the most famous submarine in the world.
"Hello Shinji. So When are you seeing Captain Testerossa again?" asked Maya anxious to prove the truth in what she had been telling her disbelieving colleges even though she had photos of Tessa and Shinji trying to eat each others faces in public! The men had just made comments that they were photo shopped and the more she had insisted it was true the more they had denied it could be true.
"I don't know when I'm seeing her again .I have invited her to Tokyo 03 to see the geo front ,but,when she can get away. I just don't know. Of course I understand I can't visit her till the Angels stop coming which is a shame as people say Merida Island is nice." replied Shinji with a sigh.
The Bridge bunnies noticed the smile that had come over Shinji at the mention of Tessa's name. Makoto and Hyuga realized that Maya was telling the truth and she would make them pay. Maya who was a closet romantic couldn't help but smile, Shinji looked so much better when he smiled she thought.
"Well if your not seeing her for a while you should send her flowers or something. She declared.
"That's an excellent idea "Hyuga said as the opening shot of operation suck up to Maya started.
"How would I do that?" pondered Shinji never have brought flowers for a girl before.
"Leave it all to us Shinji, Right guys!" Hyuga told him seeing it as a way to get back into Maya's good books, Have you your ID card with you?"
"Err No it's in the ocean" Admitted Shinji.
"Not a problem" he was reassured as he watched as the three of them started typing at keyboards.
"Did Tessa say when she was sailing?"Maya asked
"Um not till this evening I think?"
"I'm checking that and the address "replied Makoto
Here you go Shinji the number of the florist in Tokyo two the berth of the TDD-1 and it's not due to depart till nineteen hundred hours so there's plenty of time, and here's your I.D .number quote that and the payment will automatically be deducted from your account. I've also ordered you a replacement you can pick it up later from administration." A smiling Maya handed a phone to a nervous Shinji who dialled the number his mantra of I must not run away running through his head as he did it.
"Hello Tarkis Flower Emporium how may I help you?" Yurikio ling answered the phone the middle aged owner of the shop and smiled as a nervous boy's voiced about ordering some flowers for his girl friend. Even knowing the cheapest bouquet would bring joy to a young girl.
"How much would you like to spend?" Get the money side out of the way was the best in these cases she thought.
"Whatever a dozen red roses cost?"
"That would be one hundred and eighty thousand yen"
"Okay" said the voice without any hesitation
"Would you like anything else to go with the flowers a vase, balloons chocolates we have a range of gifts? She hated this part of the job, but, the profits from those were more than the flowers and every bit helped. He brought a plastic vase wanting something shatter proof and then just before she was thinking he was scrimping on stuff brought the extra large deluxe box of Belgian chocolates.
"And what's the name and address of the lucky lady"
"Tessa the TDD-1 submarine tied up at quay five the naval harbour Tokyo 02"
"Just Tessa?"
"Err yeah, the crew will know who they are and I probably shouldn't use her full name and rank for security" Shinji had been told that Mr Mardukas was going to be seen as the captain in the worlds media and Tessa's role was being kept secret.
"Oh I understand completely we can be very discreet. Wow your girlfriend works on the TDD-1 you must have been worried about her during the battle"She could be discreet, but, you couldn't name drop the
Heroic TDD-1 and not expect people to want to know everything about it .
Nervous laughter down the phone "I was too busy trying to save myself and anyway I didn't meet her till after it was all over and we were on the submarine"
"Oh really what do you do are you in the Navy?"
"Oh no I work for Nerv"
"I can pay with my Nerv card can I?"
"Certainly just give me your name and Number Its Shinji Ikari 5683656-8"
Thank you Mr Ikari do you want a message on the card?"
"Umm. Wishing you calm seas and fair winds until we meet again love Shinji"
Certainly Mr Ikari we will get these delivered in the hour its an honour to serve someone from NERV and to deliver to one of the Heroes of the TDD-1"This was one delivery she was going to make herself she vowed as Shinji put the phone down. Shinji relaxed as he ended probably one of the most embarrassing conversations so far of his short life. Hero worshipping was bad enough face to face. At the mention of the TDD-1 and NERV the florists attitude had changed instantly.
"Thank you Inspector Ryoji Shinji turned and bowed to the unshaven Kaji who had arrived on the bridge just as Shinji was trying to think of something to put on the card.
"Call me Kaji Shinji ,and no problem it's just something I heard once and thought it appropriate your Tessa is a sailor after all isn't she?"
"Yes I guess she is."
Kaji noticed the way shinji smiled at the mention of her name. Whoever Tessa was Shinji had fallen for her deeply part of him was happy for him, the cynical part wondered if Shinji had been set up and the professional wondered how he could this to his advantage .Mithril was of an interest to almost as many people as Nerv if only for its habit of doing bad things to bad people. After the Chidori incident in Switzerland Mithril had launched on full scale assault on the mafia group responsible. The Italian and European response had been muted SEELE was furious as a useful puppet had been removed and various others had tugged at their strings as the Mafia that had been used to keep them in line were all dead and the blackmail material they had held was either destroyed or now in Mithril's hands.
"You must like her awful lot to spend that much on her?" He told Shinji.
"Do you think it was too much?" Shinji asked suddenly realizing he had no idea how relationships worked
"Relax Shinji I'm sure she will love them" Interrupted Maya Kaji who had already introduced himself annoyed her in a way she couldn't figure out.
"Maya is right I guess us guys are just jealous you have so much cash to spend on her right." He appealed too the two other men in the room who readily agreed. As both were working on how to placate her and how they could blame the previous winding up on the other .
Shinji led Kaji back to medical where they were met By Asuka who let out a squeal when she saw Kaji.
" You saw my victory didn't you." She demanded of him
" I doubt there is anyone in the world who hasn't seen O2 emerge from the ocean victorious or your triumphant entry into Tokyo harbour" He reassured her and was rewarded by a dazzling smile.
"Ah inspector Ryoji and Pilot Soryhu I'm Sachiko kai from HR if you like to follow me your just in time for orientation" said a strict looking office lady of about Misato's age who walk round the corner at just that moment her look of disdain at Kaji about to raise an objection instantly made him feel like a naughty school boy and he followed her without objection Asuka followed looking puzzled. Kaji knew when to fight his battles upsetting the demonswho wore human skins that comprised any organisation's human resources department was never a good idea . Ritsuko emerged from her office just in time to wave Kaji off to HR hell.
" Should I attend that Doctor?" Wondered Shinji
" We were a bit busy when you first joined us it would be a waste of time now your handbook should tell you how to find someone to answer any questions you should have left. Though
I'm afraid it won't have when the next Angel will arrive or how long this war will last. She laughed as she ushered into the exam room.
" Just a Quick check-up Shinji as the two of you were in the plug together we just need to make sure their were no complications you have not experienced any unusual symptoms have you?"
Shinji had stripped down to the t shirt and shorts Mithrill had issued him.
"Loose the shirt I need to listen to you chest "
Shinji reluctantly complied revealing his chest was covered in scratches and bite marks. Dr Akagi failed to stop a smile appearing on her face at her young patients discomfort.
" If I hadn't seen Tessa yesterday looking at your chest I could be accusing you of a crime Shinji"
She waved off Shinji's protestations of innocence.
"It's a joke Shinji she is obviously head over heels with you I don't think anyone would ever accuse you of something like that if anything she could be accused of taking advantage of you.
"It wasn't like that" Sputtered Shinji
"I'm your Doctor anything you say here is confidential if you want to talk about anything feel free I won't judge you." It was a white lie if it effected his ability to pilot eva it would go further but that would be her decision what info she shared she thought.
"Well I don't know if what we did was normal" Shinji began
" Just tell me Shinji I'm a doctor"
So he did " …. And then in the morning in the bathroom she"
Okay that's enough Ritsuko interrupted him.
"Well apart from the telepathy bit which is odd the rest is normal. Actually she was a bit jealous of Tessa her first time had not been that great . Shinji was good boy friend potential he was kind and caring and cute she was sure Tessa would be good for him. The fact that Tessa was whispered would change things and Gendo would have to know. Though as she worked for Mithrill the idea of him having her disappeared was not going to be an option. Then she decided even though the next bit was necessary she was just taking a bit of pleasure in inflicting it on Shinji.
" Well as you didn't use a condom we are just going to take a blood sample to make sure your fine if you notice any symptoms just come in"
Shinji paled
" I'm sure your fine ,but, your a Eva pilot so we have to be seen to be doing everything to keep you piloting next time you might like to talk about contraception though NERV has a excellent crèche and better than most maternity benefits." She continued she could see why Misato teased Shinji it was fun he reacted so quickly.
"Crèche" Shinji mumbled
"Relax I'm sure they don't hand nuclear Submarines over to air heads you both got more responsibilities than anyone else your age has ever had so you have to think about these things.
I'm sorry we have stolen your childhood"
" It's okay I wasn't really enjoying it " Laughed Shinji. He found it was a genuine laugh he had wanted to discuss the sex with someone and he felt like a weight had lifted off him and if Tessa waspregnant well its not like he didn't have a job.
" Well that's okay then childhood is over rated in my experience school sucks worse than any job." Agreed Ritsuko
"I guess you will want a sick note to excuse you PE classes till those wounds have healed
"Yes please" He really didn't want to explain his sex life to school
"I'm willing to do it on one condition Shinji" Blackmailing your patients a new low she thought ,but, needs must.
"Name it "
" I'm coming over to yours tonight please cook I can't take another Misato curry surprise"
"Of course I couldn't let a guest eat her food " Shinji reddened as soon as he said that he cared for Misato deeply so felt bad about criticising her cooking it's just left to her own in the kitchen her creations were different to say the least the fact she eat them with relish worried Shinji in some undefined way
" Well that's fine then I'll see you later Oh and one more thing Shinji " She paused she was going to hell anyway so might as well enjoy the ride she thought
" Yes"
" Next time you speak to Tessa tell her to be more gentle or I'll send her a bill for Damaging NERV property!" She laughed as Shinji turned red made some sort of strangled sound and scuttled away in embarrassment" Shinji was so cute when teased it she smiled. Then the smile died on her face she would have to tell Gendo her son was know in telepathic communication with a woman working for an equal powerful secret organisation who would be opposed to the human instrumentation project and might well be able to oppose them. Supposedly having an Arm Slave with a working LAMBDA drive. In theory it might rival the AT field of the Eva. Except the construction of one was likened to building a Swiss watch out of spider web while wearing snow mittens and the need for the pilot to have a certain type of mindset best reached by either those suffering from some kind of psychosis or the drugs to simulate such which were powerful and addictive and made the pilots prone to berserk rages and even operating the device seemed to effect pilots sanity. Left it as a frustrating possibility than a technology in wide spread use Jet alone hadn't even considered trying to incorporate one into their robot such was problems of construction and use of the device. Dr Ristukio wondered what sort of monster mithrill used to operate the lambada drive.
Souske Sagara might have sneezed at the thought of someone thinking about him. He was far to busy being sick and wishing he was dead and so were his comrades as he was beginning to believe long island ice tea was not a non alcoholic drink after all even though they had repeatedly reassured him it was.
Shinji having escaped the clutches of the Doctor. Though he had to admit this was the nicest she had been to him ever. Headed down to personal to collect this new phone and I.d. Card Nerv was not difficult to get around once you got used it how Misato had managed to get lost was beyond him. Though there were vast areas he had never been personal being one it was fairly easy to find . It looked like a typical cubicle filled office people were using computers and photocopying and there was a counter where people waited to have their problems dealt with. Shinji meekly joined a queue behind a uniformed guard who was filing some form about a training course finally he was done thanked the clerk and turned round did a double take at Shinji in his Mithrill Uniform read the tags on it sprang to attention and saluted with a loud "Sir!"
" Relax I'm not an officer just a pilot " Shinji tried to reassure the guard he didn't like being saluted or even noticed really and was beginning to regret putting the uniform on.
" Surely you out rank me though sir" Queried the guard looking puzzled
" I don't know, I just pilot the Evangelion and fight the angels when they appear . I just do what I'm told to do " Admitted Shinji
" Oh! Anyway it is an honour to meet you Sir " The guard saluted and marched away hurriedly Shinji watched him go looking puzzled.
" I think he was scared of you" said the office lady manning the counter in reply to Shinji's look of bewilderment
" I don't think he expected to turn round and see he was keeping a hero waiting " She said smiling she thought it comical the big strapping guard had practically run away from the small boy
who looked more like he was cos playing rather than the heroic pilot he was. Shinji chose his next words carefully
" I'm just the tip of the spear everyone in NERV does their part to help defeat the Angels. I'm just piloting the Eva till they find someone better I'm no hero" He wanted to sound modest and ended up sounding like some cliché animé hero Misato would tease him horrendously when she found out what he had said.
" What can I do for the non heroic Pilot Ikari then? We don't normally get important people down here " She smirked back with a look which told him his quote had not had the effect he had tried for.
"I need a new phone and I.d. Card I lost mine when the ship sank . I was told the replacements had been ordered"
" Certainly I 'll go and see if they are ready " She walked away Shinji found himself watching her walk and pulled his eyes away he also became aware that work in the office had seized and everyone was staring at him he smiled nervously wishing the camouflage clothing he was wearing actually worked in offices instead of jungles. He looked at the office workers and they stared at him fortunately the office lady returned with her supervisor who could have been Shinji's school teacher's slighty younger brother a tall slim older man dressed in a gray suit which seemed to match his complexion he had the look of the bureaucrat and he looked at Shinji with a hint of disapproval for daring to disrupt his office.
"Pilot Ikari could you explain how you came to lose your I.d. Card and issued phone"
So he told them how he had been forced to change into Asuka's spare plug suit and how it felt when it squeezed him between his legs . How the ship they were on was attacked so Asuka had powered the Evangelion up and leapt from ship to ship to land on the carrier how the Angel had attacked the carrier and tipped them into the ocean swallowed them and severed their power cable the only way they could return to the surface. How even knowing they were doomed they had attacked the core of the Angel and stared out of the Angels mouth at the sunlight streaming down through the water for the last time. Only to see a swarm of torpedoes approaching followed by the TDD-1 bent on a collision course. How they had used their AT field to surf the explosion of the torpedo's onto the TDD-1 and the desperate final moments of power to cling to the submarine as it surfaced the waves trying to rip them off back to the ocean they thought they had escaped. And how good the sea air tasted as he had opened the entry plug.
When he finished he got a round of applause. He looked around as if coming out of a trance. He had no idea where the ability to tell a story like that had come from. He just thought people should know what it was like to pilot the Evangelion. How scared he had been how beautiful what he thought was his last look at the sun was ,And how lucky they had been that the TDD-1 had attacked and how terrifying the surfacing had been clinging to the submarine as it carried them back to the surface the power counted down and the water tried to rip them off.
The manger seemed un phased " Pilot Ikari all you had to say it was lost in the Angel Attack we do understand the nature of your job ,but, thank you for that vivid description of the battle I think we all feel privileged to get a first hand account of what it is like to fight the angels"
Shinji smiled it had felt good to actually talk about the fight in more than just dry tactical terms of the debrief he had after every fight he had never had the chance to tell people what it felt like before.
"It is okay I see little of NERV other than the bits directly to do with Evangelion I should show more appreciation for all the work that is done around me " It sounded like something Tessa would say to her crew to his mind . He wanted to be nice to these people without patronising them. After all without an I.d. Card he couldn't get into NERV and they shared the danger of an Angel Attack just as he did he realized if he failed their deaths would come soon after it was something he didn't want to think about he wondered if they thought about. Suddenly Asuka's line about people wanting hero's didn't sound so stupid. So he posed for photos with the admin team and learned exactly what they did. Shinji had never worked in an office or actually knew that much about the day to day routines of NERV so he didn't have to fake interest.
He left with a new phone and I.d. Some leaflets about the benefits of working for NERV and some new friends. He decided to get a new wallet for his I.d. Card the easiest place for that would be the nerve centre as the small shop in the pyramid was called. The poor joke summed up the placeto Shinji. Their was nothing wrong with the shop itself it was a small minimarket that sold most things the employees of NERV could possibly want and didn't have the time or inclination to head for the surface for ,and, if they didn't they would get hold of. The manager was just a bit too enthusiastic and treated Shinji with a little too much deferential respect. Shinji was beginning to realise their were a lot of people in NERV like that he had thought they were just ignoring him as an unimportant kid. It was probably they were just scared of him like that guard was. He grinned after all they only other pilot they had met was Rei who really didn't do conversation. He walked towards the shop and nearly jumped out of his skin as he saw Kaname Chidori pointing a machine gun at him it took him a moment to realize it was just a life size cardboard cut out advertising gunfighter girl instant ramen pots. Misato's favourite brand though she still added hot sauce to the spicy flavour one why he had no idea.
"So how does this compare to the real thing Pilot ikari." the manager asked. Shinji tried not to show the embarrassment at jumping at the sight of the cardboard cut out and failed.
" Well she is not smiling and Kaname has a great smile and can put you at ease like you have known her forever" He said Kaname was really nice though whether she would remain nice when she heard how her boyfriend had accidentally shared the effects of the telepathic link she shared with Tessa. Her angry outbursts were fuel for the gossip magazines after all.
" How did you know I had met her?" He asked puzzled
" Oh did you not know? They had her on tv doing a tour of the TDD-1 I assumed you met her being a pilot." The manager helpfully replied
Shinji bit back a groan Kensuke and Touji would be insufferable knowing he had met their idol and hadn't invited them it was not as if was a deliberate snub or anything. He decided Tessa was not going to be mentioned at school ,and, he had the perfect way to buy Asuka's silence.
" Is there something wrong Pilot Ikari" enquired the manager looking concerned
"No just some my school friends are going to be jealous I met her and they didn't"
" I'm sure they will get over it. I'm sure everyone will be eager to here about your latest adventures though"
" I'm sure they will and I'm sure the new pilot will be eager to tell them " replied Shinji. He then had to tell the manager about Asuka. Well trained , hopefully though how exactly they trained you to fight Angels he didn't know they were all different after all. Beautiful unquestionably. A genius possibly she been to college at an early age after all. He didn't mention her personality as he couldn't think of a nice word to use. Or mention her problems with alcohol as he wasn't tired of life just yet. And any way it was probably just an accident. He brought a cheap nylon wallet embossed with NERV and on impulse a model of unit 01 for a friend he made on the TDD-1 he told the manager without going into details.
He then headed to the cafeteria for lunch Asuka seemed to be holding court on a table to a bunch of her fellow countrymen. Shinji left her too it he didn't really want to meet another bunch of new people. Not seeing Misato anywhere on a hunch he brought a couple of bento boxes and drinks and went to her office. Misato was seriously considering finding out Mithrill's prices to sink a carrier. The Admiral was getting his revenge on NERV. the UN wanted a full environmental assessment on the battle and wanted to know every material and lubricant used by the Evangelion and quantities and their effects on the aquatic environment and how much had been the oceans were damaged anyway from 2nd impact and would take centuries to recover and their had been a huge naval battle and an angel had been blow to pieces. An Evangelion going for a swim was the least of the oceans problem. Though fortunately NERV had documented everything used in Evangelion construction and the chemical data sheets existed even if the stuff was classified the UN documents were horrible bits of bureaucracy and even to say something had not been released and was harmless took pages and pages. She was slowly loosing the will to live. Shinji arriving with lunch was a welcome distraction. "Shinji is that the time ?Oh you are a life saver thank-you" She grabbed the lunch belatedly understanding hunger was making her more angry than ever " She ate hurriedly shoving the rice and vegetable mix in hardly tasting it her time in the military had given her the ability to eat at a speed which others found unbelievable Shinji was not sure if he was impressed or horrified at the way Misato eat. She sat back opened the can of iced tea and took a deep chug of it.
"Ah just what I needed Shinji what would I ever do without you? Tessa has no idea how lucky she is though I guess she does now you sent her a bouquet and chocolates" She was going to go on ,but, Shinji was already turning red.
" How did you know? Misato." he pleaded
"Maya told me think she couldn't have been happier if they were sent to herself she really needs a life" Misato quipped she liked the girl ,but, she needed to come out of her shell.
"Oh do you think she will like them?"
Misato bopped him on the head
"Ow Misato! What was that for?"
" Just to see if you were brain dead or not? Shinji you just spent a small fortune on flowers and chocolates for your girlfriend and sent them to her place of work where all her friends and colleagues will see them being delivered. I'm worried Tessa is sending commandos to abduct you as we speak" She looked at Shinji who looked at her blankly
" She will love them and you , you baka ahh you got me quoting Asuka that won't do."
" Anyway talking of Asuka this paperwork will take all afternoon so our shopping trip is postponed can you take her and get her school uniforms and supplies here they have given her an allowance for them and for you to replace the uniform you lost." Handing him two print out declaring and amount of yen had been placed in their accounts.
Shinji didn't argue he knew it was useless and anyway he needed Asuka to be on his side and he knew the exact shop to do it.
" She will be in the lecture theatre doing the staff induction pull her out just say it is pilot stuff if anyone asks."
"Okay" Shinji replied tided up the lunch things and left Misato to her paperwork.
Meanwhile Gendo sat at his desk and thought. It was becoming clear to him now that Mithrill entering the fight had not just saved the Evangelion and the two pilots the magi simulation basically left the Evangelion lost and the pilots dead without the TDD-1 rescuing them. Gendo had ranted at the Germans down the phone when he had discovered they hadn't equipped the Eva to fight underwater. The equipment had been shipped with the eva and the pilot trained in its use just not fitted and now it was at the bottom of the ocean. And his Son was now the girlfriend of the teenage captain of the TDD-1!The media was been shown a Mr Mardukas Royal Navy veteran who had left the navy under a cloud though what exactly he had done was not known and the Royal Navy wasn't saying . Which didn't stop rumours of either Captain blyth like behaviour or Captain kirk like heroics on secret missions. The truth was Teletha Testerossa was the designer and captain of the TDD-1 and a teenager. She was in fact Whispered that pre second impact urban myth. SEELE had dismissed it as one of those wild stories like how stealth technology came from crashed UFO's and black technology well they was just normal advances which for some reason people were talking up. Humanity had reached a plateau and only instrumentality could save it. The idea that the whispered existed and might be the next step in human evolution was basically heresy to SEELE. Second impact had swept the problem away the whispered became just a part of conspiracy theories. Now here one was. It changed everything she was proof SEELE were wrong and Yui was wrong humanity was not doomed! He loved Yui and had gone along with her plan as their was simply no alternative. Now their was. Even if Third impact was inevitable having Mithrill's military on side would make things easier he knew SEELE would use the JSSDF against NERV in the end. NERV was deliberately weak against a conventional attack. A pack of arm slaves and mercenaries would make a huge difference. Unfortunately Yui's plan for their son had destroyed his relationship with him and he had been an idiot in his dealings with Captain Testerossa. He knew he could recover from that though he could eat humble pie with the best of them. Getting SEELE to accept the presence of Mithrill which they loathed would take a genius in manipulation. He allowed himself to smile he was after all a wannabe gangster who had become head of a giant organisation which was fighting to save the Earth ,and, he was fighting a secret war against a global conspiracy spanning centuries with an over the hill professor and a double agent who was as trust worthy as a snake and a Genius Doctor whose sanity he doubted as his only allies and he was reached for his phone he had some calls to make. He would see his wife again and if he had to save the world to do it he would. Shinji may have captured his own queen ,but, they were still pawns in his game.
Pte Sanderson looked out over the naval dockyard from behind his dark ballistic glasses. He hated Japan and the Japanese. No he hated the fact that he was so gullible to believe his buddy when he told him no one gets a hangover drinking sake they just got the blame for inventing the drink he had consumed to much of. He took another sip from his hydration pack of Mithrils own brand of caffeinated hydration fluid. The pain killers had quelled the demons who were using jack hammers against his brain . And the go juice was keeping him on his feet . It wasn't helped that he was in full battle rattle. body armour with an assault rifle with under-slung grenade launcher and enough rounds and grenades to start a small war. Plus a pistol and a combat knife a radio and a trauma kit and a life jacket was also attached to the body armour in case he fell overboard its not like anyone could swim this encumbered. The oily green water of the dock actually looked cool and inviting he felt so bad it was tempting to take a few steps and fall in he decided not to horror stories of the polluted water and what lurked in it making him think twice. At least he didn't have to wear his helmet or pack which lay behind him. And he did make a great photo for the tourists. Which seemed to be flocking around even though this was a supposedly a secure naval facility. He was tall well built and tanned from countless hours of PT and training and riding around in ribs scaring off fisher men and yachts getting too near the fleet. He towered over the Naval policeman or what ever he was he seemed a nice enough guy and it wasn't his fault he wore shirt sleeves and a cops belt instead of body armour and a full combat load. It must suck everyone wanted a photo with the Mithrill soldier the heroes of the hour ,but, he happily accepted his lot and even took the photos for the tourists a lot of them being girls which was making the time fly. A little electric delivery van pulled up. Sanders eyed it with little concern if it had got through the JSSDF checkpoints it would be safe. His orders were to be nice to the locals after all. It would not look good if he started screaming and pointing his rifle at an innocent flower girl. The middle aged lady who had been driving the van opened it and pulled out a large bouquet of red rose and a large box of chocolates so big in fact the police dude carried it for her . He approached him and told him in his very good English "She says she has a delivery for a Tessa who works on the TDD-1 do you know who that is?"
"Yeah wait one " he replied and immediately got on his radio
"Hey sarge I've got a delivery for Tessa what do you want me to do"
"What is it ?"
"Flowers and chocolates"
"I'll be right down"
Sgt Kurz Meyer came down the gang plank like it was a cat walk. He was immaculate his uniform razor sharp his no where near regulation hair cut too long for any military anywhere perfect the fact he had rolled in the same time as Sanderson was no where visible. He wouldn't have liked to hate Kurz ,but, it would be like hating a puppy. Not only was he incredibly good looking he was good at his job and a nice guy he got away with crap no one else could. Whether that was risks on the battlefield, idiotic pranks ,or cheesy chat up lines which would never work for anyone else Kurz could do it. Some things you just accepted Kurz being better than you was one of them. He also tended to attract the ire of the Sargent major and the lieutenant so it kind of worked took one look at the bouquet of flowers Sanderson was holding and said something in Japanese which caused the delivery lady to blush the policeman to smile and several touriststo laugh. Sanderson guessed he was the butt of the joke somehow. Kurz signed for the flowers charming the delivery lady who may not have found out who Tessa was ,but, seemed happy with whatever Kurtz had told her. He posed and charmed the tourists and then retreated up the gang plank with the bouquet and chocolates. Sanderson's replacement arrived wearing just fatigues and a pistol. Sanderson realized he been suckered again. He stomped up the gangplank plotting murder. Seeing Kurz reading a magazine at a desk by the entrance way.
"Did you know I didn't have to wear all this crap sarge?" he accused him
"Yeah ,but, I thought you were wearing it cause you liked it you infantry types seem to like all the bullets and armour and to be honest it is a look that works for you."
Sanderson paused he couldn't tell if Kurz was laughing at him or making a genuine compliment he had been a model after all and had reduced people to hysterics with his fashion comments on various uniforms before he decided to let it go.
"Did Tessa get her flowers and Chocolates?"
"Yes and I made sure Kaname knew about it " Kurtz replied and at Sanderson's puzzled look continued
"Ah young Padawan you have much to learn in the ways of women its not just enough for Tessa to get flowers another woman must see her and be jealous."
" I see" He didn't really weren't Kaname and Tessa best of friends? He didn't care all he wanted to do was hand in his kit and go and die on his bunk even plotting vengeance on his squad leader who had made his stand guard for 2 hours in full kit could wait.
Shinji was on his way to fetch Asuka when he was stopped by a section 2 agent and told to report to the commanders office. He went with trepidation it was not as if his father ever called him for a friendly chat. He was waved in by Gendo's secretary and was shocked the blinds to the office were open it looked completely different not exactly warm and friendly ,just not as intimidating as normal.
"Sit Shinji we need to talk" Shinji sat at the chair in front of Gendo's desk he was completely confused at what was happening the only thing that was normal was his father's complete lack of small talk it was almost comforting when he launched into the explanation without further ado.
"As you may or not be aware NERV has enemies with the UN. As we are too busy fighting the Angels to be bothered with political oversight and explaining our actions to people who don't need to know." He grimaced "You have no idea how many people were upset by the seizing the positrion cannon not to mention putting an end to the bad joke that was jet alone.
Could you see that actually being any use in a fight against an Angel?"
After a moments pause Shinji spoke " I guess I could have hid behind if I didn't mind the radiation " It was a particularly ugly and stupid robot after all in his opinion EVA was ugly ,but, it did work.
Gendo smiled at that " I should have put that down as our assessment to its usefulness unfortunately we had to be slightly more diplomatic ,but, I digress just as we have made enemies so has Mithrill for much the same reason they have gone out and resolved problems without politicians getting a say. Which comes to the crux of the matter." he paused for effect.
"Objecting to your relationship with Captain Testerossa is seen by many at the UN as a way to hurt both organisations and they have found a way. Your present contract allows me to order you to end any relationship deemed incompatible with piloting Evangelion and that is what I have been ordered to do.
"You want me to stop seeing Tessa?" Shinji said resignedly he had expected this. It not like he expected something as fantastic as Tessa entering his life to last Gendo's next words shocked him though.
"No! It's what I have been ordered to tell you and your present contract allows me to do this. If you love someone you don't give up at the first obstacle. Your made of sterner stuff than this Shinji for goodness sake ! An Angel boiled you to death and yet less than 12 hours later you climbed back into an Evangelion and blew it to hell. Yet your going to give up on love because I tell you to?"
" What do you want me to do then?" Yelled back an Angry and confused Shinji. He was even more confused as Gendo merely sat back in his chair and rested his head on his interlinked hands
and smiled back at him.
"Good there is a spine in you after all" Shinji glared at him
" What you are going to do is use this phone in a minute to phone Tessa and tell her exactly this "Under my present contract I can be ordered to abandon any relationship deemed harmful to my ability to pilot Evangelion and my relationship with you has been deemed so by higher ups in the UN. I'm sure Tessa will know what to do from then on.
Gendo finished as Shinji looked on uncomprehending. Was I ever this dumb he asked himself ? Looking as his son failed to get a clue well I was never forced into a war I don't understand or find my first girlfriend is a nuclear submarine commander I guess I should allow him some leeway.
" I'm going to leave now to allow you and Tessa some privacy just press one the phone will automatically put you through to the TDD-1 I will be outside when you are through. Gendo walked away leaving a shocked Shinji alone. For a second he had no idea what to do and then he reached for the phone.
Kaname decided there was probably some club in Tokyo 02 which would pay Tessa money just to let men watch her eat chocolate. It seemed each one was a full on sensual experience for the little blond. In fact Kaname felt distinctly voyeuristic watching her shiver in ecstasy as she bit in too each one savouring every piece. Then she remembered Tessa had grown up on a battlefield just like Souske. Except hers was one of cold metal decks computers and sonar where one mistake would lead to a sudden horrible death for herself and her crew. At least Kaname had had a childhood before being thrown into this life Souske had had no choice and neither had Tessa. Tessa grabbed every chance of pleasure with both hands as she so little opportunity to relax or even enjoy life's normal pleasure. Last night's pizza and ice cream was probably the first chance Tessa had had to let her hair down in months. Well apart from the party where she meet Shinji . Shinji would be good for her Kaname thought okay he was younger ,but, Tessa really was not that mature okay she could command a nuclear submarine and fight a war. Real life she was as hopeless as Souske sometimes ,just less likely to use a grenade to solve a problem. Both of them knew what it was like to be child soldiers and have the heavy responsibility placed on their Shoulders. He had sent her flowers and chocolates which she had to admit made her jealous Souske wouldn't do that without prompting romantic gestures were not really his strong points ,and, anyway his stupid friends had got him so drunk he was lying on his bunk wishing he was dead at this moment so she was ignoring him.
Tessa's phone rang interrupting Kaname's chain of though the TDD-1 was equipped with impressive comms gear so it could receive phone calls even under water if need be on the surface it was even easier. As Tessa was enjoying a toffee Kaname picked it up .
" Captains office whose speaking please?" a very nervous Shinji identified himself Kaname smiled he hadn't recognised her time for a bit of fun.
"Captain there is a Shinji on the phone for you claims he is your boyfriend do you want to speak to him?" She spoke loud enough so Shinji could here as well. Tessa mad a grab for the phone
while trying to swallow the toffee. Kaname held it just out of reach. "You have so many captain honestly it is hard to keep track !" She added to Shinji's consternation.
" Give me the phone lieutenant now" Tessa growled at her and Kaname meekly handed it over and fled she knew when she was on thin ice and anyway she had somewhere to be.
Tessa took a moment to control herself and then answered the phone. "Hello Shinji Lieutenant Chidori has left the room now."
"That was Kaname? I didn't recognise her. She was teasing wasn't she ? Stammered Shinji.
"Yes Shinji she was. If she wasn't off to see the emperor I'd have her keel hauled " Tessa had to bite her tongue of course she was kidding her romantic history was pretty barren not that Kaname could speak at least she was never voted the most beautiful girl you wouldn't want to date something Kaname was quite sensitive about. We fished the crown prince out of the sea so the emperor was going to visit ,but,politics intervened so he is visiting the carrier and Mr Mardukas is taking a helicopter and some of our crew to visit.
"Oh right what's keel hauling?" Shinji had heard the term ,but, had no idea what it was
"It's an old fashioned naval punishment I'm probably not allowed to do it she was very jealous of the flowers and chocolates as Souske is lying in his bunk with a hangover as Kurz and Mel took him out and got him drunk last night "
"Oh ah so you liked them"
" Oh Shinji I love them the roses are beautiful and smell lovely and the chocolates are delicious I could only be happier if you were here to share them with"
Shinji could hear the shear happiness in her voice he could hardly bear to tell her what his father had ordered him to tell
" Tessa I have been ordered to tell you something" he said hesitantly
" What is it Shinji?" She could hear the anxiety in his voice. Robotic ally he told her precisely what his father had told him to say Tessa was silent as the implication impacted on her then she smiled
"Tessa? Are you there?" Shinji asked the silence over the line worried him"
"Shinji when you signed the contract did you read it and speak to a lawyer ?"
" No I just signed the stuff Misato told me too"
"In that case we can simply get a new contract. I need to make a phone call."
" You can do that?"
"Shinji your a child soldier NERV and the Japanese government are acting illegally under national and international law. I should know Mithrill are breaking the same laws letting me command the TDD-1. Even though there may be no choice in the fight against the Angels they can't enforce stupid rules about who your girlfriend is."
" So my father wants to help us?" The idea of Gendo caring about him and wanting to help was a strange idea though actually nice one to Shinji.
"I believe so " Tessa wondered what Commander Ikari was up to ,but,didn't really care. Nothing was going to stop her seeing her Shinji again.
" So your breaking the law as well ?" Shinji asked her.
" It's sort of a grey area if I wasn't commanding this submarine the chances are I'd be in a lab while some one picked my brain apart and I'm not speaking figuratively " She shivered what had been done to the whispered in the name of science and national interests was terrible. She had no problems having those responsible killed . Mithrill wasn't going to get their hands on those sort of scientists not when she might end up as their guinea pig.
" I didn't know that " Stammered Shinji people wanted to hurt Tessa ! He couldn't allow that.
" Don't worry I have a submarine full of bad ass's itching to prove their loyalty to me." She grinned
" The last time a scientist suggested an experiment to see how I ticked I didn't want to to do there was a knife at her throat before I said anything else which was a shame as I was only objecting to the timing of it". She laughed "I'll make a phone call and we will get this contract sorted out don't you worry about it."
"Okay then , I should go now then " He finished he didn't want to ,but, couldn't think of what to say.
" I love you Shinji" Tessa said
" I love you Tessa" Shinji replied
" Goodbye I'll speak with you in a day or so Shinji" Tessa put the phone down and hugged herself with joy. She then picked her phone up and quickly made another call.
Shinji put the phone down and walked out of the office in a daze his father was waiting for him.
" Well did she understand what to do?" He asked as abruptly and cold as ever.
" Yes father"
" Good I will await developments you can go back to whatever you were doing then " Dismissing him with a wave of his hand.
Shinji left to find Asuka not having a clue what is father was up to he put it too the back of his mind.
Authors note.
Another chapter done this writing lark is a lot harder than I thought it would be. Gendo see the whispered as proof that SEELE is wrong and he can use Mithrill to thwart SEELE. Seele hate Mithrill for various reasons mostly because they don't control it. they can't do anything about because at the moment they are the heroes of the hour. Mithril really doesn't believe Seele exist.