Chapter 19: Day Out

Hello again, with chapter 19. I hope that you will forgive the way that I don't update on a regular basis. Anyway, here's you're chapter, read and enjoy!!

Disclaimer: I do not own NGE, Gainax does.

Preread by YouarenotasrandomasI

Nerv HQ

It was the night shift, and Ritsuko was drinking her third cup of coffee. She had already finished her work, but had stayed behind so that she could go over what she learned that day. The day before, the ninja, or rather the male half, had told them the reasons for the absence for a few members of their team, and why they kept it quiet.

Flashback

"Okay," Shuri said, "here goes"

"The three that you're wondering about have left for America"

Tilting her head in confusion, Misato asked, "Why?"

Smiling wryly, Ritsuko said, "They went to the Third branch of Nerv"

The ninja nodded as he continued, "Yeah, they went to delay the coming of the Thirteenth"

At this, both women's eyes bulged, "What!"

Nodding, Shuri continued, "The number thirteen is associated with misfortune, and so the Thirteenth will appear some time after a great misfortune. That day is when the scientists at the Third branch attempt to install the S2 engine in unit-04"

Nodding, Ritsuko gestured for him to go on, but he was interrupted by Misato

"Wait, three?"

"Oh yeah, Kaitos went along with them" Shuri said in answer

Scratching her head, Misato said, "Wow, I never even thought of him, even during this conversation. In fact, now that I think about it, I never really recalled him at all"

Nodding, Shara said, "It's surprisingly easy to forget him, and it's better to stay as far from him as possible. The experiments he does are pretty disgusting"

On the fields outside US Nerv, the crippled Avatar sneezed loudly. Confused at why he sneezed, being that he had few allergies and was not currently sick, despite his infirmary, he turned to the others.

"Probably someone talking trash about you" Cairn said cooking on a portable stove

Hunter only stared out at the Nevada Nerv base

"Anyway," Shuri continued, "the three of them left and are doing everything possible to delay the Angel"

"Why not tell us, we can stop the whole process, and then we never have to deal with the Angel" the head of Tactics said

At this, the ninjas turned to one another and muttered to each other silently. The two women looked at one another in confusion before turning back to the ninjas.

Shara said, "I'm sorry, but that's classified for now"

Before either one could say anything Shuri said, "It's not that we want it to come, but if we stop it there, it'll just appear at a time that we can't control"

Both women could see the logic in that, but Misato then asked, "Why then, did you not tell us about this, we could still do something about it"

Shaking his head, Shuri said, "Unfortunately, we were still forbidden from telling you this"

Angrily, the purple-haired woman demanded, "By who?!"

In unison, the ninjas said, "The 'commander'"

Noticing the way that they said that, Ritsuko arched an eyebrow, but didn't say anything. Instead, she watched as Misato continued to try and get more information from the two. The doctor sat back and assimilated the information already given. The Avatars left to Nevada to delay the installation of the S2 engine, meaning that the process was doomed to failure. Recalling numerous reports of minor setbacks from the base, she realized how good these people really are, being able to delay a major project through subtle means.

Present

Drinking the last of her coffee, Ritsuko stood up and brushed her clothes. She picked up a book with numerous numbers and looked for one in particular. Dialing the number, Ritsuko waited for a few moments before receiving a reply.

"Yes, this is Dr. Akagi Ritsuko, is the head of directors there?"

She waited a moment before receiving an answer, "Yes, I was calling to see how everything was going with unit-04"

"Well Doctor, as you know, we've been having some technical difficulties"

Nodding, she replied, "And recently?"

"Hell, we've had half a dozen leaks in half the coolant tanks. Then there's the short in one of the main computers that we are still looking for, then there's broken sensors, viruses, and whatnot. The list goes on and on, and at this rate it'll be a month before we can install the engine"

Actually more like two month's, Ritsuko thought with a wry grin, knowing the plans the Avatars made

"Well keep to it, the Angels could attack anytime and we need another power source other than the cables"

She then hung up and leaned back into her chair. Pulling the card from her pocket, Ritsuko saw the date and time was for just after noon the next day. Looking at the clock, she saw that it was well past midnight. Opting to get some sleep, she got up and went in search of some well deserved rest.

Later that Day

The sky was partly cloudy, the weather promising rain later in the day. Taking note of this, Ritsuko prayed that it would not, since she did not have either a raincoat or an umbrella. She was sitting on a bench in a park, waiting for the appointed meeting, dressed in a blue blouse and black jeans. Taking a look at her watch, she noted that it was a few minutes before the appointed meeting.

Her stomach rumbling, Ritsuko began to wonder if not eating before going out was such a good idea when she heard a voice behind her.

"We can go get something to eat while we talk"

Jumping, Ritsuko turned to see that a young man had appeared behind her. He wore a green vest over an orange shirt with black baggy jeans. She noted that he had a scar on his left cheek and wore sunglasses.

"I assume that you're Iak?" she asked

Nodding, Iak turned, "Coming?"

Getting up, the doctor followed him to a nearby ramen shop. Sitting down on the seat next to him, she looked up to order something. About six minutes later, the two of them were slurping up noodles.

"So, Iak, I have a few questions I'm sure only you can answer"

Slurping up some more noodles, Iak swallowed before replying, "I'm sure I can"

Seeing that she would need to ask directly, Ritsuko took a few moments to compose herself.

"I have been told that you and Rikku were a couple"

"Yes" Iak replied

"Then, are you an avian-human as well?"

Nodding Iak slurped up the last of the noodles in his bowl and ordered another. He then turned to face the doctor, "Is the purpose of your questioning based solely around the individuals?"

Smirking, Ritsuko replied, "No, but I am quite interested in the people as well as your plans and purpose of coming to this world"

Picking up his chopsticks, Iak said, "Very well, just know that I will be limited in the answers I can provide."

Ritsuko looked over at the young man as he slurped up the noodles in his second bowl. While glad to receive his cooperation, she was slightly frustrated that she would possibly not get all the answers she wanted.

Deciding to find more about what the Avatars were doing, the doctor asked, "Where are you getting information about the Angels and Nerv?"

"Hacked the main computers"

Looking over at him, Ritsuko replied, "How do you get information about Angel attacks from the computers before we even get attacked?"

Silence met her question, so she asked another, "Well then, how about telling me what you know about the angels"

"We know as much as you do"

Frowning, Ritsuko realized that, although that was technically true, there was a deeper meaning behind his words.

"As much as I personally do or as much as another Ritsuko does?"

A blank look on his face, Iak replied, "Yes"

Growling under her breath, she demanded, "Would you give a straight answer?"

Staring at the younger man, Ritsuko watched irritably as Iak ordered another bowl of noodles. Unfazed, the Avatar slurped up his noodles as he waited for her next question.

"Alright then, tell me if there any other plans you have made"

Iak replied in a neutral tone, "To continue to help until the danger from the risk of Third Impact has passed"

Intrigued, Ritsuko asked, "How many more Angels will there be?"

Finishing his current bowl of noodles, Iak replied, "After the Thirteenth, four"

Grinning at what at last appears to be a breakthrough, Ritsuko asked, "How will they attack? When will they come?"

"That is classified"

Dropping her head, Ritsuko muttered, "Like everything else"

Seeming as though to take pity on the woman, the Aerolan said, "One of the Council is coming here to restore Shinji and Asuka. You may talk with her if you wish and if she would allow it"

Her curiosity reignited, Ritsuko gestured for him to continue. Realizing that he wasn't paying attention when she did this, the doctor vocalized her request.

"She will be arriving tomorrow. I can ask her and-"

Iak's voice trailed off as he looked in one direction with a surprised look on his face. Following his gaze, Ritsuko noted that he was looking at a young woman. Wondering what was going on, she was about to say something when she realized that everyone around them weren't moving.

"Um, what's happening?" she asked in as calm a tone as she could make

Not answering her, Iak got from his seat and bowed to the woman he was looking at. When Ritsuko took a closer look at the woman, she noted that her entire appearance had changed. Standing up, the woman was about as tall as the doctor was, but with a slighter build. She wore a full length silver dress that was shimmering despite the low lighting. The sleeves were diaphanous and allowed a clear view of pale skin. Her hair was the same silvery color her dress was and reached partway past her shoulders.

That, however, she noticed afterwards, for the first thing that caught her attention was the mask. It was a full face mask that replicated perfectly a female's face. Made of some material that the doctor could not identify, it had holes for the eyes that were hidden in shadows.

"Council Mimara, it is a pleasure to see you again," Iak said while still bowed over, "I did not think that you would be here early"

The woman did not answer, only stepping past him to meet Ritsuko. She suddenly felt as though she was back in high school and that this woman was a teacher looking over her report, marking inaccuracies and errors. Only this teacher was grading her.

Nodding her head as though in approval, Mimara said, "Greetings, Akagi Ritsuko"

The doctor bowed back, nervously returning the greeting. Feeling like a child who was caught with her hand in the cookie jar, she felt as though she should confess everything to this person.

"There is no need for that" the woman said, startling Ritsuko

Iak had straightened up and was now standing behind her. He had a slightly wary look, but was as calm as he usually is. Mimara turned to him, causing him to stop.

"I will be at your place; I will talk with Ritsuko there"

Iak bowed again before taking his seat again, gesturing Ritsuko to follow suit. After resuming her seat, the doctor saw that the people around them were moving again. Feeling confused the doctor turned to Iak for answers.

"That was one of the Council. They are the ones who first started up the organization and the ones who assign missions" Iak said in an undertone

"What happened?"

"Council members were the first people to travel the infinite realms. Mimara was the second to enter the void, and is the second strongest. All of them are capable of manipulating time and space"

Gulping, Ritsuko asked the question that was front most in her mind, "What was she doing when she was looking at me?"

Looking around quickly, as though afraid that the woman was still around, even though she had disappeared as quickly as she appeared, Iak leaned in and said in an undertone, "She is known as the Secret Searcher. She knows everyone's life: their dreams, their memories, their secrets, everything"

Paling, Ritsuko realized that Mimara now knew everything about her. Knowing that someone knew her secrets made her feel exposed and vulnerable.

"Um, I think we can finish this conversation later" she said getting up

Iak nodded and pulled out his wallet, "I'll take care of this, you can go"

Stepping quickly outside, Ritsuko pulled out a cigarette and lit it. Puffing on the cancer-stick, she slowly calmed down.

"This is really getting weird" she said as she quickly walked back to Nerv.

Iak stepped out of the ramen shop a little after her and looked around

"Shuri, Shara, you can come down now"

The ninjas dropped down silently from the tree they were in. Shuri with a sheepish look on his face, Shara with an irritated look.

"She's scary" Shuri said with a slight shiver

Nodding, Iak started walking, the two kids following behind, "We had best get back and get Shinji and Asuka"

The three hurried down the street, where the rest of the inhabitants of their base would soon meet the Second Council.

There you go, I hope you enjoyed reading this installment. R&R and I'll get back with the next chapter as soon as possible.

Later!