Disclaimer: I do not own Evangelion.
Chapter 3
Dr. Akagi turned to Kaji and the two exchanged a look that seemed to convey a mutual understanding. Stepping forward, Kaji addressed the one screen that still held a picture of Asuka. "Asuka, are you prepared to deploy?"
"Finally," Asuka said, a large grin on her face. "I was getting bored around here. It's about time I have a real opponent. Fighting a few renegade outlaw's with stolen nukes isn't much of a challenge in an Eva."
"Listen to me Asuka, we still do not have visual of the enemy, all we know is that the patterns match that of an Eva, but it could be anything. Once you reach the surface, you're primary objective is to make visual contact. Once that is established you will wait for the target to make the first move. We need to know there motives before we get into an all-out battle right next to the city. Do you understand?" Kaji asked.
"Yeah, yeah, let's just get this show on the road," exclaimed Asuka.
The screen went blank and Shinji watched as the techs went to work trying to establish a satellite visual. After a few unsuccessful minutes, Aoba turned to Kaji. "Sir, we can't establish satellite visual. In fact, all of our satellites seem to be stationary. I believe they're partially jamming our signal," he explained.
"Hmm. Dr. Akagi, see what you can do with the Magi. I want a visual as soon as possible. I'd rather not send Asuka out there with no one watching her back," Kaji ordered. Shinji was amazed at Kaji's demeanor. Even in a situation like this he seemed to be the suave, collected man that he always was. Dr. Akagi nodded and made her way to the Magi's primary control station, immediately setting to work. Turning his attention back to the screen before him, Kaji once again addressed Asuka. "Asuka, are you and Unit Two prepared to launch?" he asked.
"You bet we are. Just give the order," she replied confidently.
"Very well. Unit Two, launch!" Kaji yelled.
Shinji watched the screen that depicted Unit-02's progress up the launch tube. When she reached the surface, Asuka sent back a visual feed to headquarters. "I don't see anything yet, where the hell are they?" she asked, frustration apparent in her tone.
"Be patient and stay your ground, Asuka. We've only got one Eva, we can't have you going off and getting into a fight without at least visual confirmation of the enemy first," Kaji said.
Shinji watched through Unit-02's eyes as Asuka scanned the surrounding area. Time ticked by slowly, and it seemed that everyone in the command center was holding their breath. Finally, Shinji could see the tree's on the mountain before her moving unnaturally. Unit-02 got into a battle read position, holding it's rifle up in preparation for the enemy. When it finally rounded the corner a gasp went up from everyone watching.
Making its way towards Unit-02 was a giant white Evangelion. Its head held the vague appearance of an aquatic creature, and it's mouth was pulled back in what appeared to be a feral grin. Shinji instantly recognized it as one of the Production Model Evangelions that had helped in the innitiation of Third Impact.
The white Evangelion unit drew a giant double edged blade and continued making its way towards Asuka. When he saw the blade, Kaji decided that he'd had enough of a visual. "Asuka, you are given permission to engage the target. Its intent is clear enough, don't hold back," he ordered sternly.
Everyone in the command center waited for Asuka to open fire. When she did not a wave of confusion passed over the room. A concerned look passed over Kaji's face. He briefly turned to Shinji, then back to the screen's before him. "Asuka, did you hear me. You have permission to engage the target. It has been classified as an enemy, you are free to open fire," he repeated.
Still nothing. Another moment of silence passed as the Evangelion unit made its way towards Asuka and Unit-02. In the silence, Shinji thought he heard the word "mamma" come from the speakers before him. Then, out of nowhere a blood-curdling scream was emitted from Asuka and Unit-02 opened fire. The rival Evangelion dodged her initial shots but Asuka kept with it. However, as Shinji watched Asuka's attempts to load her opponent full of rounds a loud crash could be heard and the screen suddenly turned to static.
Shinji leapt forward. "Asuka!" he screamed, leaning over the side.
Kaji ignored him, looking down at the bridge. "Dr. Akagi, what's the status on satellite visual?" he asked.
"I've almost got it. I need just one more minute," she responded urgently.
"We don't have a minute, I need a visual now!" he yelled, breaking his cool façade.
A few seconds passed then Dr. Akagi gave a triumphant yell. No sooner had the words, "There, I've got it!" reached Shinji's ears when an overhead view of the battlefield appeared before him. He was horrified by what he saw.
Asuka was battling what appeared to be not one but two Evangelion units, and she seemed to be on the losing side. Shinji's knuckles were white from the death-grip he had on the side of the balcony. "Kaji!" Shinji said, turning to the man beside him.
Kaji regarded Shinji for a brief moment, then gave him an affirmative nod. Looking back he addressed the bridge. "Dr. Akagi, is Unit One prepared for operation?" he asked.
For a moment, Dr. Akagi was confused; but when she looked at Shinji she immediately understood. "It should be. We won't know until we try however," she said.
"Right. Well then, prepare Unit One for immediate launch," Kaji ordered. Despite the general confusion on the bridge, people scurried about to fulfill their duties. Kaji glanced at Shinji. "I trust you know where you're going," he stated with a small smile on his face. Shinji simply nodded and made his way to Unit-01.
When Shinji got to Unit-01, he was greeted by many shocked faces; one of which was Kensuke's. "Shinji!" he exclaimed in surprise, "Are you going to pilot Unit-01?!"
"Yeah," said Shinji, not stopping to say anything else. He made his way up to the entry plug and climbed into the familiar cockpit. Well, he thought, it seems I wasn't able to escape you after all, huh? He gave a resigned sigh, then finished his thoughts: well, mom, lets do this.He was briefly surprised at the sensation of the entry plug filling with LCL, but quickly became re-accustomed to the familiar feeling.
Dr. Akagi's voice came over the entry plug speakers. "Shinji, Unit-01 is currently outfitted with a pistol on each leg and the prog knife, but that's all you'll have unless you can make it to one of the weapons bunkers," she informed him. Shinji merely nodded, knowing full well she could see him.
When everything checked out and Unit-01 went online Shinji heard Kaji give the order to launch. A sense of nostalgia briefly washed over Shinji as his stomach did cartwheels while Unit-01 ascended to the surface.
Back at the bridge, Dr. Akagi turned to Kaji. "Do you think he can save her?" she asked, "I mean, it has been a while since he's piloted".
Kaji smiled, not taking his eyes off the screen before him. "Ritsuko, I believe it would take the hand of God Himself to stop Shinji now. I have to admit, I feel a little bad for anyone who would hurt that girl while he's around."
As soon as he reached the top Shinji took off at break-neck speed towards the battle. When he rounded the corner, however, he came to an immediate halt. The two opposing Evangelion units had heard him coming, and one held Unit-02 with a blade across its throat. For what seemed like an eternity the three Evas were in a standoff. Finally, Shinji figured out a plan.
"Kaji, cut all of Asuka's nerve connections. I'm going to have to damage Unit-02 to save her," Shinji explained.
"Right... It's done," Kaji confirmed.
With lightning speed Shinji drew the two pistols attached to Unit-01's legs and leapt into the air; instantly opening fire on Unit-02. The sudden attack clearly caught his opponents off guard, and the one holding Asuka loosed its grip and stumbled backwards as the rounds busted through Unit-02 and collided with its A.T. field. The other one, however, was quick to recover and launched its weapon at Shinji before he even hit the ground. Twisting in midair Unit-01 barely avoided the large projectile and opened fire on the second Evangelion.
Unit-01 hit the ground running. Taking time to reload, Shinji ordered Kaji to eject Asuka's entry plug. When he saw the capsule shoot into the air he made a dash for the unit that had been holding her, sending round after round into it's chest. His opponent, however, quickly regained its composure and brought its weapon up, deflecting the last few rounds.
When his pistols clicked empty Shinji discarded the weapons and dove at his enemy, knocking the other Evangelion to the ground. The two wrestled for dominance over the weapon, but it didn't take Shinji long to tear it from his opponent's hands. Holding the double-blade in one hand, Unit-01 stood and held the other Evangelion in the air by its neck. However, as he lifted it up in the air he caught a glimpse of its back, and what he saw surprised him.
On the back of this Evangelion unit was the obvious covering for an entry plug. Shit, this changes things, he thought in frustration. Still holding the struggling Evangelion by the throat, he turned around to see where the other unit was. What he saw before him, however, caused his heart to skip a beat. The other Evangelion held up its hand, and in it was Asuka's entry plug.
Damnit! Shinji thought, how could I have been so stupid?! Looking for a way out of the situation, Shinji turned back to the Evangelion Unit-01 held in its hand. With a feeling of guilt, he shoved Unit-01's hand through its chest and pulled out the entry plug inside. I'm sorry, he thought, trying to send his feelings to the pilot inside, but I can't let your friend harm her.Dropping the Evangelion, Shinji turned to his opponent and showed it his bargaining chip. The two Eva units stood there in a stalemate for what seemed like hours. Finally, Unit-01 knelt down and made to put the entry plug on the ground, signaling for the other to do the same. Shinji's adversary complied, however, neither was willing to let go of the entry plug for fear that the other would not. Taking a gamble, Shinji had Unit-01 hold up three fingers. He took away the first one slowly, hoping that the other pilot would understand. When he took away his second finger, he was sure he saw the other Evangelion nod. Taking away his third, he opened his hand and lifted it away from the entry plug. He was relieved when his foe did likewise.
Free of their burdens, the two Evangelion units began circling one another. Shinji's enemy made the first move, rushing Shinji with its recovered weapon. Unit-01 hurled the double-bladed weapon it had taken from the other Evangelion at its opponent then drew its prog knife and charged. The white Evangelion deflected the projectile, but the distraction proved effective as it received a powerful blow to the chest from Unit-01; sending it tumbling backwards. Shinji continued his assault, once again charging his opponent.
The Evangelion regained its composure and drew its own prog knife, throwing it at Unit-01. The blade lodged itself in Unit-01's shoulder, but the rampaging Eva didn't so much as flinch as it dove for its foe. Tackling it to the ground, Shinji slammed the butt of his prog knife into the Evangelion's stomach. If these models are anything like ours then that should hurt like hell, he rationalized.
The attack bought him the little time he needed, and Shinji flipped the Evangelion around, tearing off the protective covering of the entry plug. When he saw his goal, he wasted no time in ripping it free of the Evangelion.
The massive mecha beneath him went limp, and Shinji gave a sigh of relief. He hadn't realized that he was holding his breath and wondered how long he had been doing so.
Locking Unit-01 into a crouching position with its hand on the ground, Shinji exited his entry plug and made his way to Asuka's, which was lying on the ground just a few yards away.
When Shinji opened the door he was briefly gripped by a state of panic, as Asuka appeared to be dead. However, when he reached out to check her pulse he once again gave a sigh of relief. Behind him he could hear the sirens of the rescue team. Deciding that Asuka would be fine Shinji made his way over to the entry plug he had just ripped from the second of his adversaries. The handle was still hot, but Shinji gritted his teeth and forced the door open.
Much to Shinji's surprise, inside the entry plug was a young girl who appeared to be unconscious. She can't be any older than me when I started piloting! he thought. Shinji checked her pulse to make sure that she was, indeed, only unconscious. When he confirmed his suspicions he turned and saw that a rescue team had already made it to Asuka and the other entry plug (the occupant of which seemed to be a boy) and another was on their way towards him. Passing them, Shinji ran over to the group tending to Asuka.
"Is she going to be alright?" he asked, unable to hide the intense worry on his face.
"I think she'll be fine," said one of the men, "she just seems to be a little banged up. Don't worry, we'll take care of her."
Shinji begrudgingly nodded and stepped out of the way, allowing the men and women to do their job. As he turned to make his way back to headquarters, he was surprised to find Kaji already standing right in front of him, his face holding no expression.
Shinji walked up to him, a mild glare on his face, "What the hell was that, we just fought other Evangelions. They had pilots, Kaji! Tell me what's going on here."
Kaji could see from the look on the young man's face that this was not the Shinji he once knew. Offering him a cigarette, which Shinji gladly took, Kaji nodded with his head for Shinji to follow him. "Come on," he said, "lets go for a drive. I believe we have a lot to talk about."
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thank you all for reading. sorry it too so long, school's been hectic and i've been lazy. however, if you leave a bunch of reviews, i promise to try and update sooner next time, although i'll be updating whether you do or not. this is is much for me as it is for you. i hope you enjoyed and once again thanks for reading!