February 3rd
Suborbital Special Transport
Over Hawaii
The gentle, yet distinguishable sounds of the rocket engines could be heard throughout the SSTO, the vibrations faint but still there.
The cabin was filled with the many former NERV staff, as they were now returning home to a battle torn city. Most of them were also preparing to attend the funeral service for all the lives lost during the siege.
Shinji stared out the window and into the vast darkness of space. He could feel somewhat weightless as they were far away enough from the earth's gravity to do so.
It wasn't enough though to require a jumpsuit but enough to feel somewhat out of it. Sitting next to him was Naoko, who leaned over to him.
"You know, I flew in one of these when I went to Germany for that meeting… It was fun the first time and it's fun the second time."
Shinji simply gave a tired smile before going back to staring at the void.
Naoko sighed and returned her focus to the news playing on the cabin's TV. The stations across the world were heavily covering the recent revelations about SEELE members, with many of them being sentenced to death without a proper trial.
"Many people of many religions have voiced their outrage and grief at the facts presented before them. The public release of the creature named Adam and Lilith has caused many to question their own existence, with some people calling the two beings the true gods."
Naoko shook her head in frustration before glancing around the cabin.
She saw Maya sitting a few rows ahead, staring blankly at the floor, while Misato and Kaji sat two rows behind with Misato sleeping on Kaji's shoulder.
Rei and Asuka sat quietly in their seats across from Naoko and Shinji, both of them lost in a peaceful slumber.
Meanwhile, Ritsuko and Shiro occupied the seats in front of them, both of them engrossed in a book. It was clear that the book was just a distraction, a way to take their minds off of the stressful day they had just gone through.
The day had been long and emotionally draining, filled with endless questioning and meetings. The questions had become increasingly personal, causing everyone to feel uneasy and on edge.
At one point, the pressure became too much for Shinji, who lashed out violently at a UN member. The outburst was so intense that he had to be restrained by several guards.
Despite the tension and exhaustion, everyone remained silent as they continued their journey back home. The gentle humming of the rocket engines and the occasional flicker of the cabin lights were the only sounds that could be heard.
Each of them were lost in their own thoughts, reflecting on the events of the day and the difficult days ahead. It was clear that the aftermath of the siege would take a heavy toll on all of them, both physically and emotionally.
"Attention Passengers, we are beginning reentry procedures. All outside communications will be temporarily cut off until we are on final approach. Please stay seated and do not remove your seat straps. We will be landing at the Tokyo-II Space Port in approximately 20 minutes. Thank you for your cooperation."
[Break]
Ritsuko and Shiro
Chapter 3
"Rubble"
[break]
Japan
Tokyo-II Space Port SSTO Landing Strip
5:34 PM JST
The passenger spacecraft skidded down the runway, its air brakes and spoilers at full deployment. The craft shook and shuddered as they fought against physics, just to slow down.
Soon enough it slowed down just right to turn off the strip and taxi to a lot.
Looking out the window, Shinji could see other SSTOs preparing for either take-off or getting ready to shut down and allow its passengers to depart into the terminal.
Coming to a full stop, the SSTO began to turn off its atmospheric engines and wait for ground crew to prep the craft for disembarking.
As the engines quieted down, Shinji took a deep breath and prepared himself for the long walk to the terminal. He could see other former staff already starting to gather their belongings and make their way to the exit.
He grabbed his carry-on bag and made his way to the aisle, joining the line of passengers. He could feel the excitement of being back on solid ground, mixed with a hint of apprehension.
Naoko beside him also joined in the line as they waited for the hermetically sealed door to unlock and open.
They soon feel their ears pop as the cabin begins to equalize the pressure inside with the outside atmosphere.
"Ready to head back home?"
…
…
"Is there still a home?"
[break]
Tokyo-III International Airport
6:11 PM JST
The group of VTOLs landed all at once on their respective landing pad, each a good distance away from one another so as to not crash into each other.
The sliding doors opened and out came Naoko and the others, stepping back down onto their home city once more.
The airport had survived the artillery strikes and was left relatively untouched, so some planes were still coming and going. But It was mainly cargo, responders, and returning citizens.
They could see off in the distance the Tokyo-III and the Building that had been hit or crushed by the defending team.
Ritsuko stepped out besides Shiro as they looked around. It felt strange to be back home, when home turned into a battleground against humans. Around two hundred people died that day, both staff and soldiers. And a few friends too that day.
"I wonder if our house is still there…"
Muttered Ritsuko. Shiro took notice of her sadness and pulled her into a side hug as they began to head over to a series of armored trucks. Seeing all this protection for them felt even weirder. They knew there were people who wanted to kill them for their involvement.
"Probably. They said the residential district was left mostly intact, so most likely our home is intact."
Ritsuko sighed and just held on to him as they got into the truck with the rest of their… Family…
[Break]
Till next chapter…