Chapter 2: We change, we discover…
…March 24th…2002…
Initiating re-binding experiment. Harmonizing chamber zero two ready, LCL submersion complete…
…Introducing subject T.G into the chamber…
The woman stared on, looking down a near fifty meters below her, she saw the subject being lowered into the tank of LCL. None of this sat well with her, but what had to be done…had to be done.
Looking behind her she saw the entire ops center spread out before her. At least a dozen technicians labored away at computer workstations, several superior officers had come to oversee the re-binding, the image of a triangle with seven eyes on the lapels of their suits.
Behind them she saw two smaller figures standing hand in hand…she was unsure as to whether she was comfortable with the two being here.
She was snapped back to reality by the announcements on the P.A system.
Harmonizing rods in place, awaiting clearance.
The woman picked up the microphone before her and spoke,
"Clearance approved. Begin forced induction of subject's AT field."
Far below several large cables were attached to the subjects extremities.
Connection link established, inductor cables in place.
"Begin"
The low hum of electricity now filled their ears. Far below the subject began thrashing wildly, trying desperately to free itself. After a short length of time, a dull glow began to form around the subject.
"Induction successful. We have AT field generation from the subject." A technician sounded.
"Very good. Proceed as planed. Artificial AT field level at ten percent." Said the woman in reply.
The rods now began revolving around the subject within the LCL tank.
"Harmonization ratios rising. All levels within safety range."
The artificial AT field generation was raised to 50, nothing wrong so far.
"All right, raise AT field generation to a hundred percent. Lets get this over with."
The rods spun faster and faster around the subject. All was going well until…
"Harmonizing levels of balance. Levels crossing into critical zones."
There was now the low rumble of growing panic spreading across the room.
"Reduce AT field levels. Alter synch ratio by 0.001!!" the woman boomed.
"No change captain. Its n- oh god!!!"
"What is it?"
"Harmonizing ratios are inverting. Massive AT field generation detected. Monitors are off the charts!!!"
"Fuck!!! The ratios weren't properly calibrated."
"Captain!!! We are unable to contain the energy. We could just have triggered the third impa-"
"Silence lieutenant! We are just fine!! This is a minor flaw; we were warned that this could happen. Flood the lower levels with Bakelite immediately."
Commencing introduction of phenol resin into LCL chamber.
"No use, the energy is still spreading. We have a new AT field!! Readings off the charts."
"W-what! That's it, evacuate immediately. Code red, begin quarantine procedures immediately, Isaac run… "
…July 2017…
Clap clap clap clap!!!
Beads of sweat threatened to appear on his forehead, he wasn't used to being in the spotlight…well not quite this way.
Looking at all the suits, dresses jewelry and what not Gendo thought only one thing.
'They're being paid far to much.'
He wasn't one for speeches…sadly for him they came with the job. Looking down to his left he saw Fuyutsuki staring up at him looking amused as he sat beside Gendo's standing form. Taking a deep breath, he began his speech.
"Almost seven years ago we saw the birth of NERV. It was created with one sole purpose, to protect humanity. Post third impact many questioned our re-emergence into the world, but I say, that today, we are as important as the day we fought the third angel. Today we stand to once again to help humanity, to further its cause, to enrich the very life we live. Today we have built wonders for the world."
Gendo was pleased at his little pun.
"Today I raise my glass to NERV…for today we have made a difference."
The speech was followed by rapturous applause. Even today, much of the NERV elite found themselves unsettled by Commander Ikari's sudden change of attitude. Today's party was in celebration of NERV winning the UN's humanitarian award. The official presentation ceremony had been last night leading to a substantial reduction in the financial assets of the female employees…due to expenditure on dresses.
"Boooooring." Asuka whined as she sat with the other children.
"This party sucks. Why are we here anyway."
"Oh come on Asuka, were here to celebrate all our achievements. Don't you feel good about all the people you've helped."
"Oh boy, you're as sad as they are third child. All we do here is build stuff and prevent minor fights."
"Just as expected, she needs chaos to live…being the devil and all." Touji said while shifting his chair a good few feet in the other direction.
They'd each been permitted to get one friend with them so Kensuke and Hikari had come along as well. Touji himself had been re-designated as the fourth child after NERV's reemergence.
"Baka!! You guys are just jealous that I have the highest synch ratio among all of you." Asuka retorted.
"Sure devil child sure. At least we're dunk on jealousy, unlike you."
Asuka shot Touji a look of pure death.
"Shut up fourth child, I'm not drunk, I never get drunk…and definitely not on this wine stuff."
Only Asuka seemed to be comfortable with drinking in front of the adults…and the adults saw it normal for only Asuka to drink.
"You mean you were sober the time you walked into the boys changing room."
Every one burst into laughter at Shinji's comment as Asuka buried her head in her arms.
"Shut up third child!! You're supposed to be on my side."
"S-sorry." Shinji said hesitantly.
Asuka groaned as she lightly smacked her head.
"Uhh you're so tame. And anyway, that wasn't my fault. I was a little drowsy…a-and that stupid first child got me confused. And I know she did it on purpose!!!"
Everyone kept laughing as Touji gave Rei a big smack on her back, a small smile on the usually reserved girl's lips.
Yes there had been some major changes after the third impact. Gendo had resolved to change his ways and had become more…caring. Asuka had become a little nicer-she called Rei by her name more often than just 'doll' now-Shinji was becoming more assertive and Rei, more outgoing. Well the changes were all…relative.
"Hey who's that?" Kensuke cut through the laughter and pointed to a man dancing with Dr.Akagi.
He was about as tall as she was and wore a white tux. Two of his most notable features were his shoulder long hair and his van dyke beard.
"Oh him." Asuka said with a dreamy look in her eyes. "You've never seen him before."
"That's Edward." Interrupted Shinji, "He's been with us for about six months now. He comes with us when we go overseas for missions and looks after us while we're at NERV."
"His rank is captain, he's the sub-commander of operations under Major Katsuragi. He is only four years older than all of us." Rei completed…
"You know, the children are staring at us."
"Ehhh, that girl's always staring at me…it's so wrong." Edward replied.
"You sound like you enjoy it, she's only fifteen you know."
"Wow, you think very little of me don't you, Mom."
"What was that."
"Mmmmmm, that smells good Dr.Akagi, what is it, rose?"
"Well done Edward, you're safe."
Ritsuko watched as a very tipsy Misato drag poor Hyojo behind her as she headed for the bar. As she passed by Edward sniffed the air.
"Mmmmm that smells like…"
"Its lavender Edward, she wears it all the time." Ritsuko helped,
"I was thinking of beer, she wears that a lot too."
Edward broke away from the good doctor and headed towards the table where all the children were sitting. Dancing with colleagues was plain unsettling.
"Wow, you children look bored."
"I'm not a child." Asuka pouted.
"Yes…that's true, you're actually drunk."
They all laughed as Edward accepted a high five from Touji.
"Speaking of which, you guys know that's the secret to get through these big adult things."
"What!!" they all chanted in unison.
"Why get drunk of course."
It was almost amusing to see how all their faces fell at once; even Rei seemed to droop the slightest.
"We can't drink." Hikari interrupted, finally getting to speech after simply staring at Edward for a few minutes.
"Why not??"
"The adults won't stand for it." Rei answered indifferently as everyone save Asuka nodded in agreement.
Ann odd smile spread across Edward's face as he heard this.
"Ah that's where you guys are wrong. See, it's all about the vicious cycle of self imploding perception."
"The cycle of s-" the rest of their chant was too garbled and varying to discern anything, it was safe to say, Edward had their attention.
"Exactly, look, Asuka drinks but no one says anything. That's not because she's allowed to drink at you guys are not, I mean she's the same age as you. See she can drink because others see her drinking as normal, thus she fells normal to drink in front of others, thus the it is reaffirmed in others minds that she can drink on so she drinks more…and so on. Now in you're case, you think people think you can't drink, when actually you can. But now when you don't drink people think that you don't drink so you feel bad at the thought of drinking. Thus people now are surer of the fact that you don't drink. Then the start making those jokes about you drinking which furthers the weirdness felt when you do entertain the notion of drinking and so on and on…get it."
The lot of them stared at his blankly. Asuka's head dropped onto the table.
"Ah its ok, I didn't get half of that either. Just remember kids, always appear to understand at least half of what you say…that way you'll never be the biggest moron in a room…cheers."
Edward now slowly rose from his seat.
"Well, I have to go help the good major out…or else…well who knows. Be good kids, remember don't drink and d…pilot Eva."
"Does that effect the synch." Asuka suddenly asked.
"Hmm, that's a good question. I think it was done once before. When they combined alcohol, being completely smashed and big robots what did they get? Oh yea, they got RahXephon!"
"Wha."
"It was an anime the had on TV, you post second impact kids just wont get it."
With that he walked away. In his place they saw Gendo and Yui Ikari heading their way. Immediately Shinji's head shot from left to right, desperately searching for a way out. Seeing that he was trapped he looked for the only escape.
BANG
Shinji's head bounced off the table as he misjudged the distance. Readjusting, he successfully hid beneath the table amidst the laughter of his friends.
Smoothly Gendo sat down as Yui stood beside him.
"Where's our son?" she asked catching on to Shinji's antics, but there was no fooling Gendo.
"Shinji, get out from under the table."
BANG
Shinji emerged slowly, rubbing his head. "Hello father, hi mom."
Yui beamed back at him as Gendo continued to speak.
"Why do you all look so…dead?"
Silence, they were still used to the oddly cold Gendo Ikari, this was just weird.
"Oh come on, there just bored. Just let them go, Edward was ready to drop them off, anyway, by the looks of it he'll have to take Major Katsuragi home."
"Yes, I guess th-guah!!"
Gendo recoiled as Yui gently smacked him as he was reverting to his usual posture of placing his interlocked fingers before his face.
"I told you to break that habit."
"S-sorry Yui."
After seeing the children and Major Katsuragi off with Edward (they needed to borrow a NERV bus.) Gendo attended to more important news. Going up above all the festivities in his home, Gendo entered his personal office on the top floor of the estate. Entering the room he passed Yui's desk (he enjoyed having her work along with him).
There he saw pinned up against the wall, newspaper clippings of all the events preceding the third impact…
…NERV emerges from the ashes…
…Green Eva's: the future's saviors…
…NERV introduced into the UN re-birth program: help in rebuilding the world…
…SEELE top men arrested…
…Keel Lorenz gets death sentence…
…Eva's finish help building the seven wonders…
Gendo smiled, this was Yui's favorite. The picture that went with it was absolutely hilarious.
It was the newly completed Taj Mahal, each of the four MP Eva's (Manually piloted) stood by each of the wonders four pillars giving big 'thumbs up's'
Moving to his desk, he was pleased to see the information he had requested on the table. Opening the file he began reading its contents. When he was done...he felt weak…
Edward stared up at the starry sky; he had no intention of going home.
'Only bad memories there'
Taking another drag of the cigarette, he felt the herbs rise to his head.
'Shigeru Aoba…thank you, you really have some top quality stuff.'
As he felt the intoxication taking effect he heard a voice in his head speak to him…
'Where do we go Valcos…who are we…who are you…'
AN: there is nothing such as the vicious cycle of self-imploding perception.
The chapters are kinda fluffy right now coz we're getting into the story. The hard core screwed up pseudo philosophy/action will all come in good time.
I know that RahXephon actually aired in 2001, thus the children could have sen it, but well what the…
Please R&R
TO MY CRITICS
Fifth Horsemen:
Thanx man, I need all reviews I can get. The chapters will keep getting longer.
You're a metal head huh, cool, ever heard of Dream theater.
Ginny:
Well hello again. If you get lost in the story at any point just ask. Oh BTW
THEY PUT Inuyasha BACK ON AIR WOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Peace out.
