Disclaimer – Don't own Eva or Armored Core or anything in this chapter with a copy write on it, but you know that, don't you.
A/N Before you ask, seeing as how I had just subjected this story to a massive re-build I didn't really see a point in doing it again, so I'll keep it going.
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Quote the Raven
Chapter 17
March of History
A full week had passed since the 15th's attack and Requiem's mission into the abandoned facility, which had been determined to be a research facility by Ritsuko and her data analysis team. The artifacts recovered from the facility were brought out and stored in the unused Cage 2 for analysis.
The facility's computer core also held a vast data storage system as well as a complete historical reference. This painted a vastly different picture of human technological advancement up to current time.
Fuyutsuki sat reading over the report Ritsuko had submitted, Jack-O and the UN had also received copies. The UN was still debating weather or not to reveal what had been learned.
Or burry it as they had the truth of second impact, which was most likely as one could lead to the other.
Except from the report of Dr Ritsuko Akagi
September 14 2015
06:34:21 Hours
…..also due to the fact that the machine recovered in the collapsed research lab contains biological material identical to the samples recovered from the 4th angel and the fact that it generates a slight blue waveform pattern, we must conclude the two are linked. This fact is collaborated by the data recovered from the Ancient facility computer core, though it will be years before we are able to decipher all of the data. Much of which is either corrupted, or has simply decayed with time….
He read a bit further down.
...it is my belief that the Ancient civilization that once existed on earth was wiped out by their own run-away AI controlled machines. One of these designs we have previously designated as "Unknowns". These machines, responsible for the destruction of the ravens nest, match descriptions in the computer core's logs of a last resort weapon intended to destroy everything on the planets surface should their faction lose the world war that they had engaged in with what ever factions there were at the time, that data has yet to be uncovered….
He stopped at a phrase about half way down.
….it is my belief that the angels could very well be left over from this lost civilization, or remaining units that had also gone on a rampage. Though why they did not re-activate until now remains a mystery.
This actually made since to him, the angels did behave in such a way as to suggest an AI program. They were set on the single minded goal of reunion with Adam; he would have to get Ritsuko to find out exactly how he and Lilith figured into this equation.
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Shinji's eyes shifted open. He was awakened by stirring by the weight on his chest. He looked down to see Asuka slowly stirring awake. He leaned down a bit and kissed the top of her head which fully woke her. She stretched and looked up at her boyfriend.
"Morning hansom"
She moved up and kissed him. The pair just lay together for a while until Yui knocked on their door.
"Come on you two time to get up, you have to leave in an hour"
The pair climbed out of bed and gathered their things. Requiem and Rei were already awake and ready. They were suppose to go to the Garage today after school to complete some work on their AC's
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The new garage facility in the GeoFront had been completes that morning and all ravens moved their AC's to it, including Requiem, Rei and Shinji's. They had arrived after school and split up to work on their respective machines, giving help to each other as needed. Asuka sat with Shinji watching as he worked.
Shinji looked over his re-designed AC. After his mission in the Ancient Facility he had decided to do a complete redesign of the machine.
AC Name: Backdraft
Raven: Zero
Head: H05-HORNET (redesigned 3rd generation model)
Core: CR-C98E2 (state of the art EO design, based on C89E model)
Arms: CR-A92X5 (4th generation design with low energy consumption)
Legs: LH1 0-JAGUAR2 (jaguar model design featuring balance adjustments)
Extension: none
Back Unit R: CR-WB78GL (high power folding grenade launcher)
Back Unit L: CR-WB73MP (mid-sized missile launcher)
Arm Unit R: WR04M-PIXIE2 (machine gun designed for extended battle)
Arm Unit L: CR-WL79B2 (modified WL69LB, Improved offensive stats)
Color: black primary with Gray secondary and black joint color, red details
What Shinji still didn't understand was why Genobee of all ravens would help him. He had more a less redesigned the AC after Shinji had first finished it, replaced a missile launcher with the insanely heavy grenade launcher and tuned the newly designed lightweight AC to carry it.
After trying the AC out though Shinji decided to leave it as it was. It had good mobility and balance so why bother. Plus the fire power of that grenade launcher would come in handy.
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Requiem's test of the new Crest core, the CR-C45L3, had just finished. For being an upgrade to the CR-C840/UL this thing was impressive.
He now stood looking at the Wraith with the new core, and then back over to the core his parents had designed. Which sat next to Wraith on a pair of CR-LH9253's Requiem had spare. Suddenly requiem was struck by a rather interesting idea. He turned to Morison.
"Hey Morison, each raven is allowed 2 secondary AC's right?"
The head tech looked over at the teen, then back to the wraith.
"Yeah why'
He looked back over to Requiem, following his line of thought.
"Oh no, you're not thinking of…"
Requiem smirked and nodded.
"Oh yes, yes I am!"
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Rei looked at the screen showing the Lillian. Mirage had dropped support and spar parts manufacture for all older Zio-Matrix model parts, much as crest had done with all Emeraude parts except weapons. So she had switched to their Mirage and Crest equivalents. She had selected a lightweight crest core to lighten the load and increase speed. She had also swapped her laser blade for a shotgun and exchanged her extra ammo pod for a basic missile launcher.
AC Name: Lillian
Head: H01-WASP (First generation Mirage model well designed and still popular)
Core: CR-C840/UL (lightweight OB model with built in hangers)
Arms: CR-A80S3 (3rd generation model which expands on the A71S2 design)
Legs: CRLH84L2 LH79L successor with improved defense and load capacity)
Extension: none
Back unit R: CR-WB72CGL (lightweight chain gun adapted to smaller rounds)
Back unit L: CR-WB69M (single-launch small missile, takes time to lock on)
Arm Unit R: WR02M-PIXIE (base machine gun model enabling rapid fire bursts)
Arm Unit L: CR-WH76S (Shotgun designed fro sue in close-quarters fighting)
Color: Blue primary with Gray secondary and joint color and black detail
She was satisfied with the results; she had found the balance between armor and speed she was looking for. Her next mission would show its effectiveness.
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Everyone went home that evening. Yui had stayed to work while the kids went home. They found Misato walking though the kitchen in a "little black dress" apparently getting ready for a date. Asuka crossed her arms.
"And just where are you going?"
"Out"
"Where?"
"To dinner"
"With who?"
Misato smirked.
"Tyree Frostmorn"
Requiem raised and eyebrow.
"You're going out with Executioner"
Misato nodded.
"Yep, dinner and then maybe a party, Yui said she would be home by 10. Asuka you and the others have a Sync test tomorrow so just stay home. The rest of you have school so get to bed on time"
The teens nodded. Executioner arrived about 30 min later and off the pair went for a date Misato hoped to repeat.
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The next day, after school, Requiem brought Shinji, Rei and Asuka to the garage to see the results of his conversation with Morison the day before. There in two bays stood what looked like, two Wraiths?
"What do you think?"
Everyone just looked at the two AC's. They recognized the original Wraith easily enough, but the second one was a bit different. Requiem stepped forward.
"I call them Wraith Alpha and Wraith Beta. The alpha is the same as before, Beta's based on the new crest core I tested. I gave Beta the Linear rifle and linear Cannon and a new missile launcher. It has higher performance than the alpha but not as much punch thanks to the Karasawa"
AC Name- Wraith Alpha
Pilot - Requiem
Head – CR-H98X5-EYE4 (Crest EYE model with expanded radar capacity)
Core: CR-52PXC (Crest prototype core based heavily on the CR-C90U3, has both OB and EO functions)
Arms – CR-A92X5 (4th generation design with low energy consumption)
Legs: CR-21PXL (Crest prototype legs based heavily on the CR-LH80S2, has installed hanger units on upper legs)
Extension - none
Back unit R –CR-WB69M (Single launch missile launcher)
Back Unit L – WB1 1 M-HYDRA (missile splits into 4 separate warheads after launch)
Arm Unit R – Karasawa Mk II (high power laser rifle with high energy use)
Arm Unit L – CRWL69LB (basic model laser blade meant for close combat)
Color: Brown primary with Gray secondary and Black joint color
AC Name- Wraith Beta
Pilot - Requiem
Head – CR-H98X5-EYE2 (armor reinforced version of the H97XS)
Core: CR-C45L3 (Crest prototype lightweight core, has OB function)
Arms – CR-A92X5 (4th generation design with low energy consumption)
Legs: CR-LH92S3 (4th generation design with emphasis on overall performance)
Extension - none
Back unit R – WB04M-NYPHE2 (small missile launcher, 12 lock max)
Back Unit L – CR-WB91 LGL (reduced weight Linear Gun, uses smaller rounds than the WB7LG)
Arm Unit R – CR-WR93RL (high heat attack linear rifle equipped with a new mechanism)
Arm Unit L – CRWL69LB (basic model laser blade meant for close combat)
Color: Brown primary with Gray secondary and Black joint color
Requiem smiled and turned to face the 3 other teens.
"Wraith Alpha is for when I finally catch 9-Ball and Arena matches. The Beta will be general use for missions, so what do you think"
Rei looked over to him.
"I'm sure they will both perform as you have designed them to"
Requiem walked to her and wrapped his arms around her. She wrapped her arms around him and melted into the embrace. Shinji couldn't help but slip his hand into Asuka's and steal a quick kiss. Requiem went on to explain more about the Beta and exactly why he had built another AC. By the end Shinji and Rei were also contemplating building a second one.
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A few days later Requiem, Shinji, Rei, Toji Asuka, Kensuke, Lantz, and Hikari kicked back on the school roof during lunch. The group of teens sat chatting and eating their lunches as normal. No angels had come; the only excitement had been Requiem and Rei heading out on missions. Shinji was to go on his first solo mission tomorrow, though he was confident he could handle it.
All was quiet at Nerv as well. Ritsuko was busy today. Today was her day off, and she had a contract.
As everyone sat eating lunch a sound similar to low rolling thunder caught their attention. Requiem and Lantz immediately snapped their heads in the direction of the sound. The both knew the sound of a Grenade Launcher. Suddenly Requiem's cell phone went off. He snatched it from his pocket.
"Go ahead"
"Requiem its Larna, a Crest transport carrying supplies for the Layered City has been attacked, they called for you specifically"
"Why me"
She paused for a moment, when she finally spoke her voice seemed small.
"It's Nine-Ball"
Requiem's eyes widened, Lantz who had heard everything snatched the phone from him.
"This is Lantz; send my AC along with the Wraith up on the 3rd launch elevator that will bring them up in front of the school. We'll deal with this"
He handed the phone back to its owner and took off; Requiem put the phone back to his ear.
"Do what he said, and send the Wraith Alpha, I designed it for this"
"I will good luck"
"Thanks"
He hung up and turned to the others.
"I have to go, Shinji get the girls to Nerv through the entrance nearest here, Hikari I suggest you keep everybody here"
Asuka spoke up.
"What the hell's going on?"
Requiem turned.
"I'm going to finish 9-Ball"
He kissed Rei took off. The group quickly followed him. They found him and Lantz standing next to the road as it opened up and one of the Evangelion elevators lifted their AC's to the surface. Hikari turned and helped the teachers keep the students away from the machines as the pilots jumped in. before he boarded his AC, Requiem walked over to Rei and wrapped his arms around her.
"I'll be fine; I'll be back before you know it, so don't worry. And don't get involved, I don't want you getting hurt for this. This is something I have to do"
"What about Lantz"
"He has just as much right to fight as I do. Trust me Rei; go to HQ with Shinji and Asuka. I figure Toji will go too. I'll see you when I get back"
He let her go and headed for the Wraith Alpha, as he was climbing in Rei called out.
"Joshua"
He looked down at her; she blushed, but didn't waver.
"I love you"
He smiled down at her from atop the 8 meter tall knelling AC.
"I love you too, I'll be back soon"
He climbed into his AC and strapped in.
"This is it Wraith, were going after 9-Ball"
The AI's voice chimed in his ears.
In this configuration we have a 30 percent chance considering you past performance against him.
Requiem nodded.
"I know, but I was a lot worse back then. I know we can do this"
Rodger, Engaging combat mode, all systems ready.
"Right, lets end this, you with me Lantz"
His fellow Ravens voice chimed over the com line.
"Confirmed"
Both AC's hit their boosters and shot off in search of 9-Ball, to end its menace for the final time.
A/N as you probably figured this whole chapter was set up for the final battle between Wraith and 9-Ball next chapter. And sorry this took so long
Also, what would you think about an Evangelion/Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time crossover...or maybe with Star Trek in the Next Generation/DS9/voyager era