CHAPTER 9
THIRD / CHILD
Shinji nodded in gratefulness as Misato helped her out of the helicopter. It was her first day out of the hospital since her recent brush with Death but she still felt weak. According to Ritsuko, fatigue was completely normal and will persist for a few days at the least. The girl felt herself lucky for retaining all her body hair; it would've been awkward to show up in class completely bald.
Misato was the one who offered to take her to somewhere interesting when she complained about boredom – where, she didn't say. Shinji was quite surprised when the 'interesting' place turned out to be a full carrier group heading for the floating city.
"So why are we-" – the girl began but she never got the chance to finish that sentence.
"SCHNELL, SCHNELL! AUS DEM WEGE!"
Shinji didn't even have the time to look before something crashed into her with enough force to make her airborne for a few moments before she painfully landed on her back.
As soon as she could ignore the pain, Shinji opened her eyes and looked at the offender. All she saw at first was a mess of red hair on her chest. That gave away the offender's identity as a person. – "Are you deaf? I said get out of my way!" – the person swore in English just as Shinji became aware of a hand on her left breast. – "Wait a moment..." – she heard as the hand gave her a noticeable squeeze. Then the hair rose up and was replaced with a pair of sky-blue eyes. – "Well, well... what do we have here?" – the person Shinji now knew was male murmured.
Shinji growled and pushed him off her then stopped Misato's attempt to help her up. – "I can do it myself, thank you!" – she growled as dusted herself off – not that there was much dust on an aircraft carrier in the middle of an ocean.
She got a good look at the guy too. It was a boy about her age. Evidently of good physique, he was wearing shorts and a black shirt proclaiming with large red letters that 'KMFDM SUCKS'. He was currently fetching an overturned skateboard lying nearby and when he stood up, Shinji noticed he was a full head taller than her.
"Why don't you introduce yourself?"
The boy immediately grinned. – "Right away!" – He turned to Shinji. – "It's more than likely you've heard about me already but in case not, open those tiny ears and listen up! One who never falters, never backs down! I am the wunderkind of the world's greatest country, the young titan of a new age! The great Asuka Langley Soryu is ME!"
The silence was only broken by Shinji's deadpan "...huh?"
"I was under the impression you came to reign in the madhouse these two created." – the fleet's admiral growled. Shinji already knew about the source of his foul mood, having already met the person in question. Said person was currently standing nearby, humming to himself; on the numerous stairs leading up to the bridge, the girl felt his eyes roaming on her body. She never did catch him red-handed, though; he always just happened to be looking at something else whenever she looked.
What she didn't know was, the first time she looked away on the flight deck, Asuka looked at the hand he accidentally groped her with and grinned to himself.
"I apologize if he might've upset you. After seeing it myself, I imagine you must be fed up with it by now."
The man let out another growl. – "I am fed up with your whole organization! That expensive toy could've been airlifted by a simple cargo plane but noooo, you had to degrade the AAN Pacific Fleet into a glorified cargo service!" – He turned to the boy. – "And you, mister Soryu! How many times must I tell you that you are NOT allowed to skateboard on the flight deck?"
Asuka shrugged. – "Hey, I have to occupy myself with something! You won't let me into my Eva anyway so what's the deal?"
The admiral's eyebrow twitched dangerously. – "The 'deal' is that you are disrupting crew operations with your activities! I could consider it sabotage and have you thrown into the brig until we arrive to Tokyo-3, if you wish!"
"I don't believe that's necessary, captain." – came an amused voice from the doorway.
"Heeey! Good timing, bro!" – Asuka called out as Misato did a strangled growl at the smirking man in the doorway.
By this point, the admiral was positively fuming. – "Mister Kaji, I believe I asked you numerous times to stop inviting yourself to the bridge!"
"Long time no see, eh, Katsuragi?" – the man Shinji presumed was called Kaji remarked later as the four was in the ship's currently empty mess hall.
"What the hell are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be in Germany!" – Misato snarled in response. Shinji noted she was in a foul mood ever since this guy showed up; from the way he addressed her, it was obvious they were old acquaintances.
"I'm mister Soryu's guardian, of course. Isn't that right?" – he asked from Asuka with a smirk.
"Damn straight!" – the boy grinned as the two males fist-bumped.
"From what I heard, you took in a kid yourself. I believe that would be her?" – Kaji continued as he glanced in Shinji's direction.
"Why do you even care?"
"So tell me, Katsuragi... are you with anyone?"
Seeing the woman's near-bursting point anger, Shinji narrowed her eyes. – "She's not bringing guys home with her, if that's what you're implying. Even if she would, I wouldn't care anyway." – Her head was already ringing with plenty of alarm bells; something about this man rubbed her the wrong way. She wasn't sure what but one thing was certain: Ryoji Kaji was trouble.
"Pity. I remember during out college days, she was quite the wild one in bed..."
Shinji merely raised an eyebrow at that remark. 'So that's where he knows her from...'
Asuka on the other hand was laughing so hard he almost fell out of his chair; partially from Kaji's shameless attitude and partially from the interesting shade of red Misato's face became.
Misato couldn't make a single sound for a while, but when she did it wasn't quiet. – "Wh-? JUST WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU IMPLYING, YOU JERK?"
"Just ignore him." – remarked Shinji. – "Perverts don't worth getting an aneurysm over."
Asuka retaliated as soon as he caught his breath. – "Misato, what is this bigmouthed chīsai gaki [lil' brat] doing here?"
"Who are you calling little?" – Shinji growled, having understood the insult. She also noted in her mind that Asuka obviously understood spoken Japanese. Even without that assurance, she would automatically presume that was the case before saying something he should not know, just in case. It would not do to presume he can't speak Japanese and say something he actually understands than to presume he can speak Japanese and say something he doesn't actually understand.
Summary: when in doubt, assume worst-case scenario. It worked for her so far.
"You, of course. Who else?" – he stated as if that would be the most obvious thing in the world.
"You'd better shut up if you know what's good for you."
Asuka crossed his arms with a cocky grin. – "Or you'll do what?" – he shot back, obviously enjoying her reaction.
"Alright, that's enough you two!" – Misato warned, using the distraction to calm herself down. – "She's Shinji Ikari, the Third Child and pilot of Unit-01."
He dismissed her with a shrug. – "I know that, I read her profile back in Germany. What I asked was, what is she doing here? Are you trying to set up an omiai?"
"You wish!" – the girl seethed. – "I'd sooner impale myself on the Kusanagi* than to sleep with you!"
A long silence fell onto the four, finally broken by Asuka. – "...are you a guro fetishist?"
"So, what do you think of the girl so far?" – Kaji asked as the two males were looking over the ocean. After Shinji jumped onto the table and punched Asuka so hard the boy fell out of his chair, the man figured it would be better to give her some time to cool off. He really wouldn't want to look into the Commander's eyes and explain why did the children came back with bruises... not to mention his other employers.
Then there was the fact that Asuka could easily overpower Shinji in her present state... and he saw in the girl's eyes, mannerism and behavior just how similar she was to her father. Kaji had his doubts she would voluntarily back down from any fight she started herself.
"Boooring... she looks like she could be pushed over by stray wind." – Asuka winced as he touched the bruise on his cheek – man, did that girl punch hard.
"Well, she is recovering right now."
Asuka looked at him. – "Recovering of what?"
"Severe radiation poisoning. That nuclear accident in Fukushima, did you hear about it? She was the one who stopped it but didn't get away scot-free, from what I heard."
Asuka harrumphed. – "Pfft... that chīsai gaki? Bullshit. Shouldn't she be having, you know, hair falling out and all that?"
"That doesn't happen on everyone."
"Riiight... how good is she?" – Asuka tried to be as casual as he could but Kaji immediately picked up on his anxiety.
"Nowhere near as good as you." – he assured the boy.
Asuka smirked, his confidence immediately back in place. – "Good. She should know her place. I worked my ass off to get to where I am right now; no way I'm gonna back down for a couple of daddy's girls!" – Not long ago, he almost screamed in annoyance when he was informed about the selection of the Third Child and her identity. It didn't matter in the long run: even if their precious daddy was his superior, they were still just girls. Asuka had no idea why would anyone choose them to do a man's job but he was determined to show just why he was in the program as well. Competing with the boss' daughters was more challenging than competing with a pair of nobodies... but Asuka liked challenges.
After having some fresh air, Shinji was on her way back to the bridge to find Misato when she was suddenly confronted by Asuka. – "Third Child, you are coming with me!" – he announced in a commanding tone that left no room for a 'no'. That was confirmed a moment later when he snatched the girl's wrist and pulled her after himself.
"I remember I once pissed off the base commander real good. I heard he was about to file a request to NERV HQ asking for my discharge." – the boy said as they left the motorboat ferrying them from the carrier to a cargo vessel.
"And...?"
"I marched into his office and screamed his head off until he gave in. During the next simulation session, I might've gone just a bit too far with my anger. After that, I heard some technicians from the Japanese branch call me 'the real Shinn Asuka'." – He shook his head. – "I don't get it."
Shinji rolled her eyes. 'I bet you wouldn't...'
"Here it is! Mein Stolz! [My pride!]" – he announced proudly as he lifted the tarpaulin.
Shinji raised an eyebrow. – "This... it's red?"
Asuka immediately thrust an index finger skyward. – "Red is the color of strength and bravery! It is the central element of my home's glorious flag! Heil, Einheit Zwei!"
Shinji sweatdropped. 'What a nutjob...' Her train of thought was interrupted when the entire ship shook.
"That didn't sound good." – Asuka remarked as he ran to the edge of the ship.
'Way to state the obvious, mate.' Shinji thought with an eye roll as she followed him.
Whatever caused it, one of the ships was literally snapped in half and rapidly sinking. Right in front of their eyes, another ship was hit by something just under the surface.
Something big – really big. The speed and maneuverability excluded the possibility of a submarine. Or anything man-made, for that matter. – "Just what my day needed... an Angel." – sighed Shinji. She was way beyond the point to be surprised.
Asuka just grinned and ran off. With nothing else to do, Shinji ran after him.
She caught up to him back at Unit-02, just as he was rummaging in a crate near the Eva and pulled out a red G-suit. – "Just in time. I was itching for some real action!" – he remarked as he threw the G-suit to the ground and immediately took off his shirt.
Shinji raised an eyebrow as his shorts came off as well. – "What are you doing?"
"Putting on this damn suit, of course."
"Right here on the deck?" – she interrupted just as he was about to pull down his briefs.
Asuka grinned. – "What, are you afraid of seeing a man's pride up close?" – he said as he laid his hands on his waist, pushing his groin forward ever so slightly.
"I'm not!" – Shinji protested as she turned on her heels and marched away. Her reaction however couldn't hide the slight blush on her face as the only piece of cloth on his body wasn't exactly a loose one. It was only a slight bump at the fly but was more than enough.
Asuka shook his head. – "Jeez... Japanese women are so damn prude!" – he grumbled as he discarded the last piece of his clothing and grabbed the G-suit. While it was a pleasant thought to think about how the girl might've looked like under hers, Asuka forcibly pushed that thought out of his mind as he learned from experience the... uncomfortability of fantasizing with a G-suit on.
Shinji watched from the motorboat as another ship went up. She was intent on going right back to the carrier, before the Angel finds her.
The smooth, grey body that emerged from the waves was so large even Shinji lost her cool for a moment.
That is, until the large radar array bounced off it.
Unit-02 swiftly zoomed between the boat and the Angel, firing unguided rockets at it while sidestepping. – "Heeere, fishy-fishy!" – Asuka taunted as the Evangelion made a 'come hither' gesture.
The Angel complied quickly, its mouth wide-open as it charged at the Evangelion. At the last second, Unit-02's v-thrusters howled and the Evangelion leapt high into the air above the Angel. – "Meteor..." – Asuka called as he fell towards the Angel, fist drawn back. Shinji noted a compartment on the forearm opening and extending a pair of wicked-looking serrated blades that extended well beyond the fist. – "PUNCH!" – he screamed right before impact, thrusting his fist at the Angel. Right as the blades penetrated the Angel's thick skin, the muzzle on the wrist flared to life. – "Das zu essen, du hässlicher arschloch! [Eat that, you ugly asshole!]"
Shinji immediately noticed it didn't fire like Unit-01's minigun: it fired three large blasts instead of a pulsating light, each blowing a massive hole into the Angel's flesh. It was as if the Evangelion fired a large shotgun from point-blank range.
The Angel shrieked and tried throwing him off, twisting and tossing itself as it soared across the surface at speeds more usual from old fighter jets; Unit-02 however was firmly grabbing at the Angel's exposed flesh with one hand, the other extended skyward. – "Yahoo!" – Asuka hollered in delight as he rode the rabidly twisting Angel like a bull.
"What the hell are you playing at? Just kill it already!" – yelled Shinji angrily.
"Aw, come on! Can't I have some fun over here? Ollé!" – The Angel finally succeeded in dislodging him, only for Asuka to execute a mid-air flip and land on the water feet-first, v-thrusters keeping him afloat. – "Hehehee, that was awesome!" – Asuka gushed with an ear-to-ear grin.
"Watch out!" – Shinji warned as she saw the Angel turn around for another pass.
"What for? This guy's not-" – Asuka started to boast, only to be caught from behind.
Shinji facepalmed. – "Orokamono... [Dumbass...]"
Halfway inside the Angel's mouth, Asuka gritted his teeth as he tried to get his bearings. Good news was, Unit-02 narrowly avoided being impaled and was only sandwiched between two teeth; its pressure seal was still intact. Bad news was, the Angel's bite was so strong he could hear the Evangelion's armor slowly dent from the force. If he didn't do anything soon, the pressure seal would crack and not only would the LCL start to leak, he would take in water and drown inside the armor. – "Not... a... chance!" – he growled as he braced his Evangelion's hands against the Angel's jaws and pushed with all his might. Slowly, the Angel's mouth opened and he looked up... to see the Angel's core right at the back of its throat. Asuka's mouth formed into a borderline sadistical smirk. – "Your luck just ran out, big guy... Finishing Move: EXTERMINATUS BARRAGE!" – The missile pod on Unit-02's shoulder fired up and launched a huge salvo of missiles straight into the Angel's core, instantly pulverizing it.
The Angel spasmed... and sunk headfirst, taking Unit-02 with it into the depths.
Shinji shook her head in annoyance. – "Wait for it." – she murmured to herself.
Five seconds later, Unit-02 erupted from the waves and skid across the ocean in a victory pose, its external speakers blaring loud rock music. Shinji herself wasn't surprised at Unit-02's survival. She reasoned that since Evas were intended to operate on other planets, they must have an airtight seal; if so, they can go underwater as well. After discussing with Kensuke how hoverdrives work, she also knew that one could be used for underwater propulsion by orienting the v-thrusters in the opposite direction. – "Oh yeah, that's what I'm talkin' about! Werfen Sie einen Vorgeschmack auf meine persönliche Endlösung! [Have a taste of my own personal Final Solution!]" – came Asuka's voice. Shinji refrained from commenting as no one could seriously expect an everyday Japanese teenage girl to speak German.
After arriving to the carrier and personally assuring a worried-sick Misato that she wasn't fish food, Shinji heard the woman mutter – "Dear God, what kind of a child did that idiot raise?"
"So, what do you think?" – Misato asked as she and Shinji were watching Asuka being extracted from Unit-02. The dented plates made it hard to coax the chestplate to come off, forcing the crew to listen to the pilot's incessant bragging about the battle all the while. Misato wasn't really bothered by it as she already received an earful from the admiral when Asuka "borrowed" the radar array of the cargo ship for throwing at the Angel.
The girl shrugged. – "Honestly? An antisocial berserker and a crazy gaijin are not exactly my first choice of teammates. Is there a psychological requirement I don't know of to become an Evangelion pilot or what?" - She however couldn't wait to see the idiot try to hit on Rei...
I apologize if male!Asuka's personalization seems shallow; we just haven't gotten to the good part yet.
*Mythical sword and allegedly one of the Imperial Japanese royal regalia (there's no way to tell if it's the real deal or not). According to Shinto legends, the storm god Susanowo gave it to sun goddess Amaterasu as apology for a past grievance after retrieving it from the corpse of a dragon. I figured Shinji would be familiar with the myth; Asuka however isn't as why would a German teenager know about Japanese legends?