Disclaimer: See previous chapters

Chargone – True. But governments can be fickle creatures. Look at the Old Republic. Jedi were the guardians of peace and justice for generations, yet they were still turned on. Fear attracts the fearful…the strong…the weak…the corrupt…and the innocent (yes, I know, I just quoted Darth Maul).

Neferius – I know. Isn't it delicious?

Toby860 – With the individual relationships, I'm definitely going to work on that. But as for pairings… in all honesty, I'm trying not to pair anyone, but at the same time, leave it open to everyone. I want this to be a team/group writing basically. But as I said, I'm leaving it open.

Chapter Four - Visitors

The days passed steadily and soon enough the time had come for the visitors to arrive. A pair of limousines surrounded by police escorts on motorcycles made their way toward NERV HQ and soon parked in front of it. As aides left their vehicles to open the doors, Misato and Maya stood just in front of the building watching and waiting.

Maya worked on keeping her composure calm and professional like the Commander. But she just couldn't help the nervousness that stewed in her. And it must have been obvious, because Misato placed a brief, but reassuring hand on her shoulder. With a light smile, the chief scientist nodded and took a breath to calm her nerves as their visitors approached, each with an aide at their side.

The first was a woman, lithe and slender in form and wearing a dark green dress suit and glasses. Midnight black hair flowed down behind her as she strode, almost icily, toward them. Just ahead of her was a man of both medium build and stature with short silvery hair. He carried an aura of authority, much like the former commander of NERV, minus the sense of dread and disdain.

"Commander Katsuragi."

"Secretary General." Misato replied, letting out her hand for the other to grasp it. After a firm handshake, she turned her attention to the woman beside him, bowing her head. "Representative Koharu."

The woman mirrored the gesture and Misato stepped back and lent a hand out toward Maya. "This is the chief scientist, Doctor Maya Ibuki."

"Doctor. A pleasure."

Maya repeated the actions of the commander, shaking the general's hand and bowing her head to the woman. "Sir. Ma'am."

"Were you not the assistant of Dr. Akagi?" Koharu asked her suddenly.

Maya blinked, almost thrown off by the question. "I was. But when she was no longer available, I took up the position."

"Hm." Her gaze turned to Misato. "And yet, she is still under NERV's employ."

"As an advisor and consultant, yes." Misato answered, inwardly unnerved by the woman's gaze and tone. 'Now where have I seen this before... ?'

"I find that to be a bit of a surprise, given her...past record." she pressed.

"Despite that, she is one of the top scientific minds in the world today." Maya defended abruptly. "Her aid is invaluable to the managing of the Evangelions."

Koharu's eyes centered back in on Maya coldly, but before any word could be said, Halberd interjected. "I would suspect so. Now I believe we have a tour to get underway. But first, Commander, a moment of your time?"

"Of course, sir."

It was easier than he thought.

Since the invasion a year ago, NERV security had been tightened. However, during that time, one or two secret access entries had been exposed and left unguarded, genuinely due to the fact that no one knew about them to begin with. His employer had been very helpful in providing the blueprints and tech layout of the pyramid structure, making the job that much easier should everything go according to plan.

So, without any notice from the nearby guards, he slipped into NERV

"I knew your father."

That was most definitely not what she expected to hear. Misato and Halberd were in the commander's office, with the secretary general moving over to the window in silence to look out at the Geofront. Misato had stood next to him, looking out as well, but waiting to hear what the man would say. But of all the possibilities she had thought of, her father was not one of them, not by a long shot and she turned to him questioningly.

"Sir?"

He continued speaking, still staring out the window, but with a distant gaze in his eyes. "We fell out of touch for some time, but he was one of my oldest friends, and a good man." He slowly (and finally) turned to look at her. "I see a bit of him in you."

Misato worked hard to keep the frown from forming on her face. "Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Partly." he nodded. "I wanted to know your reasons for taking over as commander."

Now she frowned, although there was a hint of curiosity there as well. "Why do you ask?"

Turning away from her completely, he answered. "I viewed your record and profile, not to mention your testimony regarding SEELE and the former commander. Anyone else and I wouldn't have wondered, but you're different." Pausing, he turned back to her. "This is not what you wanted, is it?"

Misato was quiet for a long moment, debating what exactly to say. It was true, his words. This wasn't what she wanted. But considering the situation, she had little choice. She owed a good deal of people, first and foremost the Children, and she wasn't a person to leave a debt unpaid, even if it was unasked. For a moment, she considered telling him this. Aside from Ritsuko, she had no one to tell this to, although she suspected a few others could guess her reason for keeping NERV operational. She even suspected that the man before her knew of her reasons and simply wanted her to say it out loud. But, there was no need to. Until a new option came up, this was her burden and her burden alone.

"Respectfully sir, I have my reasons. Let's just leave it at that."

Closing his eyes briefly, the man gave a thoughtful hum and nod. "As you wish, although I suspect I may know the reasons." His eyes opened and gently settled on her. "Just know that help may not be far away if you need it."

Surprised, Misato merely inclined her head to him, wondering what he had just meant by his last words. But he merely smiled at her and made his way to the exit.

"Now then, on with the tour."

Perfect

Bent down in a dark chamber, the shadowy figure had unfurled a small pack on the ground. In it were devices and cylinders of various sorts. Separately as they were, they weren't much. However, as the figure connected them together, slowly, but surely, a weapon came into form.

A sniper rifle.

Everything was going according plan, and there were a few minutes before the time was right. All that was needed was to wait for the target to get into position. Everything was just right. Positioning was set and the exit route was secure. And that was needed now was to wait for that moment. One moment, one shot, and it would be over. The test would begin soon now.

With a silent click, the weapon was ready

'!'

Her eyes snapping up, Rei stared upward in search for. She had been feeling uneasy ever since she came into NERV today. Before it was just that; a feeling. Asuka and Shinji had both said the same thing to her and she could see the concealed, but uneasy expressions they wore now as they all waited in their plugsuits for the tour group to arrive. But right now, it almost felt like a physical force. It was though the Force was literally telling her that something was wrong.

Very wrong.

Her attention soon diverted to the tour group as they came toward them from the elevator. She could make out Misato and Maya walking along with two others, whom she identified as the Japanese representative and the UN secretary general. At the moment, Misato, who was in the lead, was directing their attention to the behemoth machines behind them.

"And here are the Evangelions. Units 00, 01, and 02."

"They are more impressive up close compared to what I've seen." Halberd said in awe. "And intimidating."

Nodding in agreement, the commander then turned their attention to the assembled Children, lending out a hand to each one. "And here are the three Children. First Child, Ayanami Rei. Second Child, Asuka Langley Sohryu. The Third Child, Ikari Shinji."

Halberd's gaze lowered from the Evas to the Children, but the expression of awe didn't leave his face. If anything, it grew and mixed with disbelief. Blinking once, he stood away from Misato and directly in front of the Children.

"I would like to personally offer my thanks to you three for all that you've done. The world is in your debt for your heroic actions against the Angels. It goes without saying that none of us would be here today if not for you."

Misato blinked in surprise as Halberd unexpectedly bowed his head to the Children. The surprise was mirrored on Shinji's face as well. Asuka had a mixture of surprise and pride on her features and Rei's face remained mostly the same, save for lowered eyes and a very light hint of a blush, which served to dispel her uncertainty for a moment. At that point, Ritsuko approached the group from the side, a clipboard in her hands.

"All preparations are ready, commander."

"Thank you." Misato replied. Turning back to the guests, she introduced. "My science advisor, Doctor Ritsuko Akagi."

"Sir. Ma'am."

"Doctor." Halbred nodded, shaking her hand. However, Koharu simply stared at her, her icy gaze becoming a glare. Ritsuko almost blinked questioning, but managed to keep her own gaze neutral. Misato didn't seem to notice though and continued on.

"If you will follow me to the control booth now, you'll be able to see the Evas in action."

As the group began to turn away, Rei suddenly became stiff, a dread chill going through her like ice water. Her sense of something wrong grew almost tenfold. It stifled her so that she staggered forward. Shinji turned to her in concern and began to move over to help her, but she regained her bearings and spoke up.

"Commander."

Misato paused in her step and turned partly. Rei stepped away for the others and announced formally. "I request permission to be excused from the exercise."

Turning fully, Misato regarded the girl. It wasn't like her to refuse an assignment, at all. Everyone knew that Rei accepted all of her missions without hesitation or complaint. As much as she had changed, Misato knew for a fact that hadn't changed about her.

"For what reason?"

"A maximum use of this exercise would be hindered by the 00's presence. Furthermore, it would work to save any materials and resources that would be used up during the exercise. And also, a greater demonstration of the two superior units would be more advantageous."

Misato blinked as Rei finished speaking. She hadn't been paying attention to her words, but rather how she said them. Rei had spoke with fluent logic, without any of the slight feeling she had been using up until now. That, in addition to her refusal, told Misato that something was up. But Rei was doing it in a way that didn't disturb the guests, who were listening nearby. 'Good girl'. She turned to Maya, who had just come up beside her after having listened to Rei's explanation.

"Doctor?"

Maya took a moment to think. "Truthfully, she has a point. We can demonstrate more on the exercise with two units than three. And it would be a save on resources."

Misato nodded, silently grateful for her agreement. "Very well then. Have 00 put on stand-by."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Ayanami Rei, you are relieved from the exercise program." Her voice lightened. "Would you mind accompanying us?"

Rei nodded and moved beside her and the two walked away, leaving Shinji and Asuka to prepare for the test. Yet both of them were fully aware of the silent message Rei was sending them, not to mention the distress they felt from her through the Force. Giving each other a glance, the same thought went through their minds.

'I've got a bad feeling about this.'