Neon Genesis Evangelion: Horizon of Eternity

by Bardic

Disclaimer: Neon Genesis Evangelion belongs to Gainax and Hideaki Anno. This is simply a piece of fanfiction based on the series. There, now since that's out of the way...

Ok, it's be a few months since I last updated the fic. Just wanted to show to you guys that I've not stopped writing yet. This part's pretty short but it is integral to how the fic would progress. I hope you guys enjoy it. I'll try to post chapter 4 as soon as I can.

Of course, reviews and reactions are always welcome. :-)

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Chapter 3.5: Moonlit Interlude

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:SATURDAY, 0308 hours:

It was a beautiful night out at the open sea. The full moon hung proud over the cloudless, starry sky, the night's dark glory still preserved at such an early hour. Gentle waves regularly rolled in to softly lap at the metal hulls of the group of ships that cruised uneventfully over the calm ocean. Up on the cargo ship the open window of the captain's cabin allowed the bright moonlight and the soft sigh of the ocean breeze to fill the lightless room, yet the captian himself, sitting on his desk, noticed none of these things. While he appeared to focus on the transmitter that he held in front of his face his blank eyes stared sightlessly, his mind filled with the images of the next series of orchestrated events that would happen in the next few hours, and the glory they will bring. A few moments of reverie passed, and with a start he finally activated the device, waiting for it to sync to the dedicated frequency before speaking.

"Contact was a success. The package is delivered." he muttered tersely.

"Are you still being followed?" came flat mechanical reply from the transmitter.

"We tried to shake them off for the last two days to no avail.They continue to follow even after two eccentric manuevers. We've observed them while they tailed us and they didn't show the slightest sign of hostility; no AT fields, no rise in energy readings, just constant movement toward the cargo ship's direction, always matching its speed. I don't understand why they remain completely docile, but Brother Whiteman believes that they are simply reacting to a resonant signal being broadcasted by the cargo. A disruption of any magnitude might cause them to behave differently." the captain explained solemnly.

"And the cargo?"

"The same since it was recovered. No monitored change at all."

The transmitter went silent for a few moments before continuing.

"This changes what we've planned. By now NERV will surely be on alert with the Evangelions deployed. With an immiment encounter at Old Tokyo Bay the significance of your sacrifice would be overshadowed by the ensuing conflict."

"Then tell me, Commander. What shall we do?" The captain demanded, his voice rising involuntarily in anger at the thought of the day's glory being denied. "We were promised the honor of being the heralds of our crusade. All of the brothers with me volunteered for this. No matter what happens next the result is the same: in just a few hours they WILL know of our existence. The time for hiding has finally passed. I say we stay and see the deed done!"

"What good will it be if the ship sinks in the wake of the battle? The cargo may be salvaged, but your bodies will not." came the reply, its flat tone cutting through the captian's ire. "No, Brother Artus, you must not fall here."

The man known as Artus swallowed his disappointment, acquiescing to the Commander's authority. "What are your orders?" he whispered, his soft voice shaking from the effort of quelling his bitterness.

"When the fight begins take the brothers and all of our equipment. Escape on the speedboats, and return to us. No trace of your presence must remain." The speaker paused, then continued, as if in consolation. "The war has just begun, my brother. There will be many more battles who's import would far surpass this day. Come and return to us safely."

With a sigh Artus let the moment's passion fade, instead soaking up the logic of the Commander's words. "Very well, Commander. It shall be as you say." he said, touching his forehead with his right hand as he bowed over the transmitter. When he rose, he allowed himself one last inquiry. "Yet this does not change the fact that when morning comes our existence, without our identity, will be known. It might not be my place, but I wonder how the rest of the Brotherhood will take this? Today was to be our day of glory; the day when we strike fear into the heart of the adversary."

"Do not worry, Brother Artus. I've already seen to that. The Dagger is still poised over its prey." came the reply, and even through the flat voice of the transmitter Artus felt the chill of his Commander's words.

"When morning comes SEELE will indeed know fear like it had never known before."

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Moonlit Interlude END

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