Okay, so finally I've got it done! This took way to long, by my count at least. Well, I just hope you al read and enjoy it!
The Girl in White Bandages: The True Confessions of Ayanami Rei
Ch. 4 Arrival of the Second Child, Asuka Langley Sohryu
I hadn't been able to do it. I hadn't written a single response to any of my classmate's notes. Despite all my brave talk my nerves had failed. Part of me wondered why I had even considered friendship. I knew my fate and it didn't leave much room to leave a good impression on others. I was the commander's puppet and that was it.
I was however correct in my assumption that it had Suzuhara and Aida that had got the class riled up. From what Ikari had told me Aida had found out about the operation and brought a group of our classmates out to watch it. The rest they showed the video to the next day. Apparently they also had footage from the first two battles. The combination of the three along with their glowing accounts of our "heroism" got the class riled up. The fever died down after a few days but they still treated us with reverence from then on.
They were nicer to us when we had to miss school and they treated us to special meals. I got the feeling some of them did it for status. Class Rep. Horaki-san however seemed to generally take interest in our plight.
For the next several days my visits to Nerv were infrequent but long, often lasting twelve hours or more. Most of this time was spent running tests on me, Unit Zero and me or the dummy plug system. The worst of these was the day I was ordered to Nerv early for the expressed purpose of assisting in the removal of Unit Zero's melted armor. From what I had been told large sections of it had melted to the skin and muscle beneath causing it to be almost irremovable by normal methods. So I was placed in Unit Zero so that I could use its impressive strength to speed up the job.
As I pulled and tugged on the destroyed armor I had to continually remind myself that I wasn't ripping up my own skin. It was slow work but by late I finally got the worst of it off. Exhausted and aching with lingering pain I made my way home for the night.
The next afternoon a knocking at my door awakened me. "Ayanami, it's me! Can I come in?" Called Ikari-kun's voice.
Groggily I pulled myself from my bed and made my way towards the door. I fumbled with the latch for a minute then the door slid open. I couldn't remember why I locked the door and I barely recalled even performing the act. Harsh sunlight met my eyes and I squinted to see Ikari-kin. He blushed crimson and looked away when he saw me standing on the other side in my shirt. I glanced down as I remembered Ikari-kun became uncomfortable around me when I wasn't fully dressed. "Rei, I'm sorry. Were you still sleeping?"
I nodded in response and explained, "Dr. Akagi had me at Nerv until late last night working with Unit Zero."
"Wow, Ritsuko can be mean. Should let you get back to sleep and come back later? I don't want to impose."
I recalled the time on my clock and decided it was late enough. I need to get going or I would be late for the meeting for the Commander this afternoon. "No, I've have slept enough; come in. What did you want to see me about Ikari-kun?"
He took my offer and followed me inside. He sat down on my bed while I splashed cold water on my face in an attempt to wake myself up. "What did you want Ikari-kun?" I asked him when he seemed afraid to speak.
"I heard my father has ordered the Second Child and Unit Two to come to Nerv HQ from Germany."
"That is true."
I had been told of the Second Child's coming two days before when the Commander had instructed me to read her file. Pilot Sohryu was listed as outgoing and strong willed person. She was however noted as having few friends. As a Pilot she was exceptional and devoted to willing accept orders without fail. I had also learned about her dark past with her mother's suicide. Ikari-kun's voice interrupted my recollection forcing me back to the present. "Ayanami, I hear she's the best Pilot Nerv has. Do you think father will have her replace us?"
I grabbed my towel from the rack and pressed it against my face. I patted it several times until my face was dry. Then I glanced up at him through the mirror, "No," I replied firmly "We have experience against multiple angels, but she has none. The Commander will have us work with her to help her gain combat training. I will be the only one who might lose out because my numbers are the lowest. You have done well since you started and have nothing to fear."
"Really? Doesn't that worry you at all?"
I paused in the middle of hanging my towel and shook my head. While I knew what the second child's coming would mean for me, being on backup frequently and waiting an extra fifteen days for Unit Zero's repairs I had no prior apprehensions. I would not go anywhere, the Commander still had a use for me. "No. The Commander still needs me. He won't send me away, yet."
"What do you mean?"
I sat down next to him. "I'm still needed to Pilot." I replied.
He looked baffled for a moment as if he wasn't expecting the answer I gave him. "I see. So are you coming with Misato and me to meet the Second?"
I shook my head in response. Part of me would have liked to have gone but I had other plans. "No. The Commander has ordered me to accompany him to Antarctica."
"That's a shame. It would be nice if we could meet her together."
I nodded. "Agreed."
A few days later I was called into the Commander's office. When I entered I found him sitting silently at his desk, concentrating on a document in front of him. I stopped in front of his desk and waited for him to acknowledge my presence. He made me wait for many minutes for that to happen. I read the back cover of the report while I waited, it said, Seele Review of the 16th Interim Report on the Instrumentality Project. I had accidentally seen part of the last one of those the Commander had received, it hadn't been pretty. Seele had repeatedly chastised the Commander for his recklessness and not focusing on the goal.
My wait ended when The Commander looked up at me and motioned for me to sit in the chair opposite his desk. "Rei, I know I planed on taking you to Antarctica with me but Seele has changed my plans and the trip must be postponed. I want you to go you with Captain Katsuragi to meet the Second Child and Unit Two instead." He explained.
"Yes, sir."
"Very well. How is Unit Zero?"
"No problems."
"And school?"
"The same. No problems."
"Good."
Two days later I found myself in a helicopter over the Pacific Ocean with Major Katsuragi, Ikari-kun, Suzaha-san and Aida-san. I sat by myself in the far corner dressed for once, not in my school uniform, by Dr. Akagi's suggestion. I was wearing a loose white cotton t-shirt with a pair of blue jean shorts and on my head was a light green bucket hat. I was spreading sunscreen on my long pale arms while I studied a map of the ship we were heading to.
Personally I disliked sunscreen finding it greasy but since I would out in the sun all day I had to use it if I didn't want my albino skin to become sunburned. According to Dr. Akagi It was worse for me to become sunburned than most people because I had no natural protection against it. Fortunately it had only happened once before according to my memory but after that Dr. Akagi had perfected a medication that helped prevent sunburns and reduced the discomforts such as sensitive eyes that albino's suffered from. It wasn't perfect though so I still had to put on sun screen if I was going to be out in sun for long.
The map was for a completely different reason. I had a secret fear of getting lost or disoriented in a new place, one reason I had Nerv's layout memorized by heart, so I was always careful to know my way around.
"Touji! Look! Oh, my god is that the Pacific fleet?" Aida-san exclaimed.
I looked up to see what he was yelling about. Several large ships, I believed they were aircraft carriers, could indeed be seen on the horizon. "That's our destination right up there! Hang on guys!" The Captain called out to us.
Over the next few minutes we rapidly approached the leading vessel. Up close they were amazingly huge. Even I was mildly impressed. Beside me Aida-san was about to faint or have a heart attack. He was bouncing excitedly up and down in his seat with his camera in his hands shouting wildly. Beside him Suzahara-san was leaning over looking impressed while poor Ikari-kun was trying desperately to get a good look around his two companions. "Hold on to your seats we're coming into to land." Warned Captain Katsuragi.
We landed uneventfully and one of the ships crew came and took the helicopter from us. Aida-san and Suzahara-san began to explore while Ikari-kun looked around hesitantly. Suddenly a gust of strong wind took Suzahara-san's hat from him and he went chasing after it. Ikari-kun and I watched its path with interest. It presently ended up under the red shoe of a young redheaded teenage girl dressed in a yellow sundress. When Suzahara-san tried to get it back a gust of wind caused him to catch a look of her underwear. She smacked him hard for his trouble. She then turned to Major Katsuragi and marched up to her. "Hello. Misato. It's been I while hasn't it?" She asked.
She had a slight German accent but it was barely noticeable. "I know. It's good to see you again, Asuka. You're looking good I see." The Captain exclaimed.
She grinned and puffed out her chest. "My figures really filled out nicely."
Captain Katsuragi nodded. "Rei, Shinji I'd like you to meet the Second Child, Asuka Langley Sohryu."
The Second Child looked at us in surprise. "These two are the great First and Second Children. My god, they're pathetic." She exclaimed.
I felt her hard gaze focus on me. "What's your problem? Afraid of a little sunlight?"
I blinked and stared back at her. She was getting on my nerves already. It wasn't enough to make me show it though. When I said nothing she screwed up her face into a scowl. "Can't speak either? Can you?"
"I can talk just fine, thank-you." I replied stiffly.
She looked slightly horrified for a brief moment and exclaimed, "Mein Gott, the doll can speak."
"I am not a doll." I said for the first and what I figured not the last time.
For a brief instant she stared angrily at me before she turned her attention to Ikari-kun. She walked up to him and flicked him angrily in the head. "What about you? Can you speak?" she demanded angrily.
"Yes, yes. . . I can." Ikari-kun stammered.
"Let's go introduce ourselves to the Captain of the ship." Captain Katsuragi said loudly.
With that conversation ceased. I suspected the Second would have more to say later because she kept giving Ikari-kun and me dark stares. We presently arrived on the bridge to be greeted by the crusty, unhappy character of the Admiral. Almost instantly the Captain and he got off on the wrong foot; arguing about who had authority when and were. Ikari-kun and I were quickly bored and began looking around. On the deck the crew ran around doing various tasks to keep the ship running. I watched with mild interest as one of the planes came into land. I tuned and made my way so I could look at the hallways that connected the rest of the ship and the bridge. Coming up the passageway I spotted the form of Ryohji-san. "Ah, Miss Ayanami it's nice to see you again. Tell me, what do you think of Asuka?"
"She's . . ." I paused unsure of how to end my sentence.
I think Ryohji-san sensed annoyance with her on my part. He laughed and brushed some pieces of stray hairs from his eyes. "Give her a chance, Miss Ayanami. She's not so bad under the surface."
"Yes, sir."
"Really, Rei. You don't have to yes sir me. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to take a little visit to the bridge."
I stepped aside and Ryohji-san went past. As he entered I heard a groan come from Captain Katsuragi. I wondered if I shouldn't have let him passed. I couldn't have physically stopped him but I would have been able to delay him. I turned to see what was going to happen. "WHAT is HE doing HERE?" The Captain demanded loudly.
"My Katsuragi, you're looking well. It's been far too long." Ryohji-san said trying to sound debonair.
"Stand back you."
"Katsuragi . . ."
"I said step back."
"Relax Katsuragi I was asked to escort Asuka to Japan. Is that a crime?"
"Yes . . ." the Captain grumbled.
She glared angrily at him and he tried to smile back calmly. I observed their interaction from the safety of the doorway. I was aware that they had a past relationship that had been short and fiery then ended abruptly. They had not spoken outside of profession channels since. This was interesting to see them meeting face to face. It ended when Ryohji-san put his arm around the Captain's waist and pulled her from the room calling, "Let's go. I want to show you around."
I followed the others out, last in the line. We made our way down the stairs to the elevator. We took it down to the lower levels where we had lunch and then Ryohji-san proceeded to lead of on a tour around the ship. Pilot Sohryu disappeared during this time and it was a relief not to have her nagging voice in my ear. Unfortunately our reprieve didn't last long. As we were riding the escalator back up to the deck she reappeared at the top. She pointed dramatically at Ikari-kun and me calling loudly, "You two come with me!"
We went with her to some unknown location. She finally stopped at a pair of double doors and swiped her ID card through the lock. The doors opened and we went inside. Before us lay, partially submerged in LCL was the massive red form of Unit Two. Stretching to the floor where we stood was an island of buoys that were clearly used to approach the biomechanical being. Pilot Sohryu took these quickly and climbed in top of Unit Two's left shoulder. "This," She said proudly gesturing at the Eva below her "Is Unit Two. The very fist Evangelion to be approved for actual combat conditions."
"What about Units Zero and One?" Ikari-kun asked.
"Unit Zero is the Prototype and Unit One is the Test Type." I explained.
Pilot Sohryu shot me a furious stare and continued on. "Which is obviously why you got such high scores the first time you got in and why yours won't work right."
I looked over at Ikari-kun to see how he would react to the insult. He seemed slightly upset but not enough to reply and start a verbal confrontation with the Second Child. Hesitantly he made his way out onto the buoys to get a better look at the red giant. I followed behind him. I felt the enemy's arrival moments before the explosion. As the shock waves rocked the ship we were on Pilot Sohryu looked around. "One's here." I heard her whisper.
I lead the way as we made our way out on deck to see what was going on. After waiting for a few moments we all saw it when it surfaced to attack another vessel. A massive white fish like creature with huge fangs. Pilot Sohryu looked at it with hungry eyes and murmured, "Now is my chance."
She turned and seized Ikari-kun wrist in a flash. "Come on, let's go."
I ran behind them as she led us to a new room where the plug suits were stored. I got the feeling she didn't want me here but I wasn't leaving. Pilot Sohryu frowned and pulled me inside behind her ordering Ikari-kun to go back up the stairs or risk castration.
He obeyed quickly disappearing up the stairs and out of sight.
Inside Pilot Sohryu shoved a Plug Suit bag into my hands. I took it out and held it up. Red. Said my thoughts. That was the only thing I could focus on was the suits red coloration. "Something wrong with it?" Pilot Sohryu demanded "Is it too revealing perhaps?"
"It's red." I stated simply.
Pilot Sohryu seemed confused for a half second but quickly hid it. "What's wrong with that? I happen to like the color besides it goes so well with your eyes."
"I dislike the color."
"Well, sorry. I guess you'll have to deal with it or stay here."
That was not an option. It would be the most effective if we all worked together. I turned my back to her without another word and quickly began pulling the suit on. We should hurry before the enemy caused more damage. "Ready, yet?" Pilot Sohryu demanded as she shook her mane of red hair out.
I pressed the air release button and nodded. We climbed to the top of the stairs and Pilot Sohryu gave a third red plug suit to Ikari-kun. Then she pushed him down the stairs snapping, "Hurry up. We're running out of time."
He appeared beside within moments dressed and ready to go. I let a small grin escape when I saw the way the suit fit; Pilot Sohryu had had these specially made to fit her. We hurried from the stairs back to the Unit Two. "Um, Sohryu-san. Do I really have to wear this?" He asked as we ran.
"Well, excuse me if that was the best we have!" She shot back.
That was the end of that. We arrived at Unit Two and Pilot Sohryu let the way inside. She started up the activation sequence but red words flashed over the plug walls. Pilot Sohryu turned and glared at us angrily, "You're thinking in Japanese. Think in German!" She exclaimed.
"Guten Tag." I said recalling the one phrase in German I remembered from a visit there a few years ago.
Behind me I heard Ikari-kun muttering some various words. "Um, Strudel, sauerkraut . . ."
"Uh, you two are hopeless!" Pilot Sohryu exclaimed. "Switch language to Japanese."
The language matrix switched and the red lines disappeared to become our surroundings. "Alright. Eva Unit Two lift off!" She cried.
Unit Two rose to her feet tarp around it like a cape. Before we could go anywhere a voice link appeared and the Admiral's voice spoke, "What do you think your doing? You do not have orders to move!" He growled fiercely.
The Captains voice followed right behind insisting "Go ahead Asuka. Show them what you can do."
"Yes ma'am." We all replied in unison.
"What! Shinji, Rei you're in there too?"
"Yes, ma'am Ayanami-san and I are here to." Ikari-kun replied.
"Go get it guys!"
We didn't need to be told twice. "Let's play hop-scotch." Pilot Sohryu declared.
With that we leapt into the air and came crashing down on another ship a hundred yards away. I looked back in time to see the angel destroy one of the ships behind us. We had gotten its attention and it was coming. "Go!" I shouted.
We jumped again and landed on a new ship. This process continued for several minutes with the angel always right behind. Finally we were running out of ships and the angel was not giving up, it was time to make a stand. Unit Two drew her prog knife and raised it as the angel neared. At the last second it leapt into the air. The angel came down on top of us using its superior weigh to drag us into the water. We began to sink helplessly the minute we entered until we were near the bottom. Pilot Sohryu moved the control stick and we began to swim in the water. "I thought Unit Two had Type B armor on and couldn't move in water." Ikari-kun asked.
"Actually we had it switched at the last minute to Type C for water combat. Probably didn't make the report."
"No way."
Pilot Sohryu grinned at him. So off we were looking for the enemy. We hadn't gone far when I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I turned around in time to see the enemies open jaws right behind us. "Turn around!" I cried.
It was too late. The angel's massive jaws came down around Unit Two's midsection with one fierce chomp. None of us cried out but I saw Pilot Sohryu's confidence waiver as she experienced her first pain in Eva combat. "Don't let go." Ikari-kun insisted placing his hands over her's.
"Shut up. You're ruing my concentration." She snapped back.
The angel began to drag us along to some unknown destination. "So what are we going to do?" Ikari-kun asked.
We were getting farther and farther away from the vessel where the power cable was attached. If we got too far there would be a problem. "We need to get this bastard's jaws open." Pilot Sohryu declared.
We all made eye contact and nodded slightly. Then we focused our attention on the job at hand. Open. Open. Open. Open. Slowly the angel's massive jaws began to give way. Unit Two roared angrily and threw them wide with a mammoth push of its arms. Unit Two readied her Prog knife and turned to face the enemy. "How do we kill this thing?" Pilot Sohryu asked.
"The core. If you hit it, it'll explode killing the angel."
"Right. Thank-you doll."
Now the question became, where was it? The angel roared at us and I caught a flash of red. "It's in the mouth." Pilot Sohryu gasped.
"Careful." Ikari-kun warned us as the angel charged again.
I placed a hand on my stomach reflexively as the gashes in Unit Two burned. We needed to make this quick before the Eva bled out. Unit Two aimed the knife at the target and fired. It was stopped when the angels jaw came down on top of it. Crunch. Pilot Sohryu muttered something angrily in German. I assumed it wasn't good so I didn't ask. As fast as possible Unit Two drew her second knife. "3, 2, 1, Fire! Pilot Sohryu shouted.
On command we all thought fire. Unit Two threw the knife and it landed dead center in the core. The core began to glow red, it was going critical. "Get back!" Ikari-kun screamed.
We ducked as a massive explosion rocked the sea around us. We flew into the air and came crashing down on top of one of the ships. We held a standing position for two second before we fell down.
A short time later we were released from the entry plug and descended the elevators to change. Suzuhara-san and Aida-san were waiting for us at the bottom. "Wow look at Shinji!" they cheered.
Beside me Ikari-kun blushed crimson. I remembered the fact the way Pilot Sohryu's plug suit fit him. I kept my face impassive as I heard them say, "Ayanami looks great in red, right?"
I disagreed completely with their statement. I disliked red with a secret passion and I doubted I looked good in it as they said. Pilot Sohryu was indulging in the compliments from the others allowing Ikari-kun and I a chance to escape to change. I went in first while Ikari-kun waited outside. "So what do you think of her?" Ikari-kun asked through the door.
"She's an excellent pilot and will make a great addition to our defense."
"I know that but what I meant was as a person."
This question took me longer to answer. Sure she was obnoxious and insulting but I wasn't so sure that was all there was too her. "I'm unsure of that . . ." I began slowly "I have only just met her for the second time."
"You met her before?"
"Yes. Right after she was designated the second child. I went to Germany with the Commander to oversee her activation experiment."
"What was she like back then?"
The memory was fuzzy but I recalled her being unhappy and stubborn. I had heard something about her mother's recent death. "She was upset by the recent loss of her mother." I replied.
"She lost her mom. That's so sad. I guess that means she's like us isn't she?"
I straightened my skirt and opened the door. "You may change now, Ikari-kun."
He nodded and stepped inside. "So are you going to answer my question?"
"She seems . . ." I began slowly but was forced to pause so I could find the right word, "Strong and independent."
After reaching the main land we left for home while Pilot Sohryu and Ryohji-san oversaw the turnover of Unit Two. I had been informed by Dr. Akagi that she would be joining our class and expect to see a lot of her around. So I wasn't surprised when she arrived two days later at the front of the classroom. "Alright class we have a new student today." The sensei said.
She turned to face us and smiled charmingly. "Hi, I'm Asuka, Asuka Langley Sohryu."
Ikari-kun, Aida-kun and Suzuhara-san looked shocked and horrified. "It's the demon lady!" they cried.
Over the next week Pilot Sohryu quickly became the most popular female student in out class. I didn't understand the way my classmates awed and admired her. It seemed . . . fake. She did manage to make one friend in Class Rep. Horaki-san. Still I spent my time minding my own business and staying away for her when possible. However one day she came looking for me.
A dark shadow appeared over my book. I knew Pilot Sohryu was there but chose to ignore her. I did not wish to hear what she had to say today which likely were just insults. I moved myself so that I was back in the light but the shadow followed. "So there you are First Child." Came the voice of Pilot Sohyru.
I looked up and noticed that a large group of students stood behind pilot Sohyru and were obviously waiting for my response. "What do you want?" I inquired in my usual monotone.
"I wanted to ask you if you would be my friend." She said in a falsely high cheery voice.
I saw no point in making friends I was fated to die and be reborn to complete instrumentality. My life had no purpose for friendship. Besides what would a clone, and artificial being, such as me need with friendship? That was the whole reason I had given up my one attempt. "Why?" I asked.
Pilot Sohyru looked annoyed. She's probably never been given that kind of an answer before. "Because it would be convenient; we're both female Eva pilots after all."
I sighed to myself. I didn't particularly have any interest in being Pilot Sohyru's or anyone's friend. However I knew I couldn't refuse if I was told to. "If I am ordered to."
"Fine then, forget it!" Pilot Sohryu exclaimed angrily.
She stomped off into the crowed and I wasn't sorry to see her go. I preferred the peace of my book to her violent temper any day. I turned back to my book and continued to read.
Class Rep. Horaki-san approached me after school that day. "Ayanami-san can we talk?"
"What do you want?"
"I know you and Asuka don't like each other but you didn't have to turn her down." She said softly.
"I do not need friendship."
"Ayanami, you don't have any friends surely you need someone to talk to."
"No. I don't . . ."
I turned to go but the Class Rep stepped in front of me. "Rei, don't say that. Everyone needs a friend. Look if you ever just want to talk you can always come to me."
"Thank-you Class Representative Horaki-san but I'm fine."
"No, you're not."
I turned and walked out before I had any second thoughts. I did not need friends.
Towards the end of my month long wait for Unit Zero to complete repairs the next angel arrived. I hadn't been at Nerv at the time; I had been at home in my room starring blankly at the ceiling when the sirens went off. I had reported to Nerv directly and waited in the Pilot's lounge for instruction as I had been told. The Commander saw no point in making me change since there would be nothing I could do. So I was forced to sit and wait. I received a call shortly after the fight was over and was told to see The Commander for a briefing.
I had learned from the Commander that Pilot's Sohyu and Ikari had been defeated in battle. The angel was injured but would be back in a few days. "Ryohji will be giving his plan over to Captain Katsuragi any time now. I want you to observe the First and Second Child's training."
"Yes, sir."
For the next several days I watched at Pilot Sohryu and Ikari-kun tried to master the movements. I watched the dance so many times that I memorized it myself. One afternoon the practice session went especially badly and Pilot Sohryu yelled loudly at Ikari-kun and sat down refusing to try again. "Rei, why don't you try?" Captain Katsuragi suggested.
I nodded and took the pair of head phones. I placed them on my head and stepped onto the mat. The music started and I followed the movements. I didn't even have to wonder if Ikari-kun and I were in sync. I could feel it. The next thing I knew there was aloud bang and Class Rep. Horaki-san was yelling at Ikari-kun. "What's wrong?" I asked softly.
"You guys got Asuka upset." She sated accusingly.
"Gomen. I will go apologize."
Before I could stand up Ikari-kun put his hand on my shoulder stopping me. "No, I'll go Ayanami-san. You wait here."
He left the room before anyone could protest taking both pairs of headphones with him. We waited for nearly an hour before they returned but when they were they were both ready to work. Two days later they defeated the enemy in combat as I watched on. Seeing them do so well in combat I knew I should feel happy but I wasn't. Why do I feel so empty? I asked myself over and over. There was no answer.
I returned to Nerv later that day for a dummy plug experiment. I stripped and took my place inside the tube as usual. However when the test started this time I heard a voice.
Rei
Who?
Rei.
What do you want?
Rei.
Someone was speaking but from where.
ReiIt was a voice I recognize but it was different.
Can you still hear me down here? The cold reflection of your soul.Who are you?
You know who I am. I am everything you once were; everything you are and everything you will be.
No.
I even know you secret name and desire.
Go away.
You can send me away for now but not for long. Soon I will come to take your place. I will do for him what you can't.
Never.
I will take everything from you. Even that which you don't yet know you have.
I will stop you.
No you won't. For I am what he truly desires. Once he has me you will be nothing. You can't stop me . . .
I will . . .
No I will open the throne of souls and the day of final reckoning shall be bathed in blood!
Stop it!
Who's going to stop me? Certainly not you and certainly not him . . .
There was a long silence during which I felt and heard nothing.
He does not even know what you are.
I opened my eyes as the dummy plug experiment ended. I looked around at the Commander and Doctor Akgi. Who was she? What kind of monster where they creating from me? I didn't ask. I had learned long ago that bliss in ignorance was better than knowing the truth.
The next afternoon Unit Zero's repairs were completed and I reported to Nerv for a reactivation experiment. It went smoothly; as planned but when I got out Captain Katsuragi asked to see me.
Misato watched the computer screen as it displayed the children's sync ratios. As usual Asuka had a large lead over the other two, but Shinji was making excellent progress, his score had gone up almost 8 points. Rei was another story entirely. Of the three of them she had the most difficult time syncing. Even in the beginning when she'd first gotten in Eva Unit Zero, it had taken her over seven months to begin to achieve a proper and stable sync ratio with it. Since then Misato suspected Ritsuko had been giving Rei extra coaching with it yet after all that her sync ratio barely went up .5 points. Misato's hunch was that something missing between Rei and Eva Unit Zero that the other two children had, something that made it easy to connect with their Eva's. It was time she asked Ritsuko and talked to Rei about it.
Beep! Beep!
The sound of the test ending interrupted Misato's thoughts. She quickly memorized their final score and relayed it to the children. Then she dismissed them saying, "Good job guys you can go now, you're done for the day."
Misato knew that would make them happy because all three of them had just spent most of their Saturday here at Nerv doing several grueling tests assigned by Ritsuko. On top of that none of them had eaten since 9:30 that morning and it was now almost 5:00. The children's reactions didn't surprise her, except Asuka. While Shinji had cheered and sighed with relief and Rei had given a slight half smile, Asuka could be seen scowling in anger. Misato was confused, and it took her a minute to understand Asuka's reaction. Once she looked at their scores she thought she knew why. For now Asuka held the top spot in sync ratio scores. Shinji was rapidly closing the gap between them and it wouldn't be long until he had an equal or greater score than her.
Judging by the way Asuka forced herself past Shinji and Rei, Misato knew Shinji would get it when they got home, if not before. She wondered if she should go home incase WWIII broke out in her apartment but realized she still had work to do. Misato pressed the com button, "Rei," She said "I want to see you in my office before you leave."
"Yes, Captain Katsuragi." Rei replied.
Misato then turned to Ritsuko. "You too." She said.
Then she went off to grab something from the snack machine to offer Rei since it was her fault she wouldn't be able to go home and eat right away. Misato choose two candy flavored energy bars and a can of lemon aid then went to her office. Rei wasn't there yet but Ritsuko was and she didn't look happy. "What's the meaning of this, Captain?" She demanded
"I'll explain when Rei gets here." Misato promised.
It didn't take long for that to happen and the three of them sat down. Misato began by offering Rei the food bars and drink, which she accepted and then she got down to business. "The reason I asked you two to come here is because I've noticed something that's beginning to concern me. Rei has a much lower sync ratio and skills level then the other two. This isn't just some minor difference, there's a huge gap between them. I want us to come up with the something that will make it easier for her to keep up with the other two. I'm afraid that if we don't think of something that it will not only jeopardize the mission but also Rei's life."
Ritsuko seemed to ponder what Misato had said for a minute then adjusted her glasses and pulled out her lap top. While she typed furiously on the keypad Misato turned to Rei. "What do you think, Rei? You should know Unit Zero better than anyone else."
She sat in silent thought for a minute before replying in a softly, "The core doesn't accept me."
"Why? What do you mean?"
"The core resists synchronization." She replied.
Misato quirked an eyebrow, "Does that mean anything to you, Ritsu?" She asked.
"It just might." She mumbled after a moment.
What will happen next? Well only I know however I will say this,
In Chapter Six: Class 2-A is told to attend the summer festival and madness ensues. Who will Shinji take Rei or Asuka and what about the rest of the Eva gang?