Disclaimer: See previous chapters

Neferius – Dry your tears. The next chapter is here. ^_^

Chapter 5 - Motion

Shinji settled himself in the entry plug of the EVA-01; and by settled, it was term used very loosely. Since Rei's request to be excused from the test, Shinji was pretty much on edge. There was something wrong; all the Children knew it, as well as Misato. They just didn't know what it was, where it would come from, or what its target was.

It was disconcerting to say the least.

Relaxing, Shinji let himself take a breath, recalling his blindfold training to mind and the words Qui-Gon had echoed to him. Eyes could be deceived. When they couldn't be relied on, you had to use your other remaining senses and stretch out with your feelings. Soon enough, the edge of tension that Shinji had been feeling relaxed away; not completely, but enough for him to keep his focus and calm. If- when something happened, he and the others would be ready.

-"Are you finished? Seriously, you were beginning to stress me out there."-.

Blinking out of his thoughts, Shinji looked over to the Eva's camera feed to see Asuka's face looking back at him, part in amusement and part in annoyance and just maybe a hint of concern.

"Sorry."

-"You're apologizing now?"- When his head lowered in embarrassment, Asuka teased. -"I guess you're not too out of it after all."-

Working to force out his embarrassment, the young Jedi gave a light smile. "I- I guess not."

-"Don't worry about it."- she returned. -"Just keep your eyes peeled."-

Returning her earlier tease, Shinji lifted his hand up in mock salute. "Yes, ma'am."

Annoyance came to the forefront now.-"Cute, Third. I'll remember that during our next spar."-

At that point, Misato's face came up on another screen. -"Okay, get ready you two. The test will start in a few minutes."-

-"I've been meaning to ask; what are our targets?"- Asuka questioned.

-"We've set up several cannon turrets, all in random places. I know, they're not Angels, but it will be enough to gauge your reaction and versatility."-

"You'll get no complaints from me." Shinji replied. The Children knew more than anyone what a horrendous experience it was fighting the Angels and there was no need to recall, repeat or even simulate the experience.

Ever…

-"That's good to hear. But, that being said, do try to give us a good show."-

Asuka grinned at that and both Children replied. "Roger!"

In the command booth, Misato turned to one of the technicians seated beside her. "How are we on our end?"

"All systems are ready, Commander."

Nodding, Misato folded her arms while she watched the two Evas being prepped. Behind her to her left, the Secretary General and Japanese representative watched the proceedings while Rei stood with Maya and Ritsuko to the right. Her crimson gaze was centered in on the Evas just like Misato, but her mind was on the various emotions and feelings around her.

For the most part, there was tension. She didn't need the senses in the Force to tell her that much, but the threads they formed were interesting enough. Misato, she knew, would be keeping a sharper lookout on the proceedings, more so than usual. Beside her, Maya gave off waves of nervousness, but she was diligently working to keep it from showing on her face and body.

Meanwhile, the science advisor seemed to be tense in Rei's presence. That was no real surprise to the albino girl as she and Ritsuko had never really been on the best of terms. Even though Ritsuko no longer hated her, there was still a bit of discomfort there, at least on the part of Ritsuko. But perhaps Ritsuko would be able to relate to her now.

…Seeing as how Koharu was seething hatred toward her…

Maybe hatred was too strong a word. The woman kept an icy composure, but Rei could definitely sense a strong dislike for the science advisor, not unlike how Ritsuko used to treat her during the Angel Wars years back. 'I wonder why?' Rei would keep that thought in mind, but hold it for later. The disturbance she felt earlier was still prevalent and strong. It had dazed her earlier, but now she could feel the awareness of the others with her, enforcing her as it were.

"Okay. Prepare to launch." Misato commanded.

In the hanger bay, the two behemoths were just being wheeled to the test site when Shinji suddenly felt…something. Intent of some kind... He didn't know what exactly, but he felt it was important to find out. Calming his mind and thoughts, he stretched out his feelings, determining to find it. It soon began to clear for him. It was a flash, but Shinji caught it. No emotion, but a focus. A dark focus... a dark intent…

Killing intent!

Shinji almost jumped in shock when he realized it was. Only his trained control kept him from breaking away. He had to find out where it was coming from and fast. Forcing his mind to remain calm, he sought to source of the intent. His senses stretched further though the Force, seeking to find what he had felt before. It came just before, in a flash. Only this time, Shinji was able to hold on to it, using the intent to home in on the source. Using the Eva's camera, he directed it to where his senses was telling him

Up.

He vaguely heard Misato calling him, asking him if something was wrong. But he was too busy concentrating to answer her. His eyes soon caught of a glint of metal in one of the air ducts above the Eva supports. It wasn't much, but upon zooming in on the glint, he made out the distinct impression of the long barrel of a-.

'Gun!'

In the observation booth, Rei immediately picked up Shinji's thought. Her eyes flashed up to see the same he saw; the barrel of a gun pointing down right at them from high above. But who was the target? Time seemed to stop as her mind quickly went to work. The angle wasn't in her direction, but off in another…

The gun fired.

…To her left…

The bullet flew.

The Secretary General!

The glass shattered

'No!'

Her hand snapping out automatically, Rei used the Force to push Halberd out of the way just as the bullet entered the booth. Everyone was shocked by what Rei had done, but Misato didn't miss the bullet hole in the glass and immediately shouted.

"Sniper! Everybody down!"

Panicked, everyone did as the commander ordered; ducking down and away from the glass. From above, the sniper scowled, not believing that he had missed and not even understanding how. He quickly reloaded, hoping to get another shot. But he paused, noticing the massive crimson-armored hand that was coming up toward him.

Eva-02

Dropping his weapon, he quickly made a run for it, just as the hand grabbed hold of the support he was hiding in and crushed it in. The sniper stumbled upon the shock, but made it back up to his feet in order to continue his flight. But what he didn't know was that during his stumble, Asuka had quickly ejected her entry pod and, in an awesome feat befitting the Second Child, was now bounding up the Eva's arm, just barely making it up in time to see the sniper run out the exit.

'You're not getting away!'

Meanwhile, Shinji shook his head as he watched Asuka run up in pursuit of the sniper. Mentally, he shook his head. He didn't expect Asuka to behave so recklessly, although he probably should have. Asuka had always been action-oriented and had acted immediately after the sniper fired, starting up her Eva prematurely in order to capture him. But the Eva was still attached to the platform so Asuka couldn't do much else with it, leaving her with the option to pursue the sniper on foot.

Shinji hadn't been aware that was an option.

-"Shinji?"- Misato spoke through the comm. -"Are you there?"-

"I'm here." he replied. Her transmission seemed to be on audio only, probably because she was talking to him from another area that didn't have a visual.

-"I can't contact Asuka. Is she alright?"-

Shinji cringed. 'Uh, oh…'

Racing down the corridors leading to the upper level of the geofront, Asuka only just managed to keep her sights on the sniper. She was amazed enough to keep up with him this much. To be honest though, she hadn't expected to chase after him at all. But after hearing Shinji's warning through the Force, she had just reacted, using her Eva to bridge a route toward him as well as prevent him from taking another shot. It was as though she was watching herself move, reminding her of one of Qui-Gon's lessons.

"Remember, a Jedi can feel the Force flowing through them. It is a special duality that exists with them."

"A special duality?"

"On the one hand, it seems to control your actions. While that is partially true, it also follows your commands. In simple terms, your thoughts and intentions guide the Force in what to do, which in turn, causes you to act."

"Sounds like piloting an Eva, except you are the Eva."

"Well, that's a certain point of view."

Even now, Asuka couldn't believe her movements. But she did understand them. She had to stop the sniper, so she acted. The Force simply allowed her to do it, in a way that seemed incredible, perhaps too incredible. But, Asuka mused, nothing less should be expected from the Second Child. Ego aside, she continued chasing the sniper, all the while working through her mind to figure out what she should do once she caught up with him. But that was cut short when she looked up and caught sight of the sniper turning about.

…With a handgun aimed in her direction.

Nimbly, Asuka ducked down and to the side just as the gun gone off. But even as she did and the bullets whizzed past, she realized that the shot hadn't been aimed precisely. If anything, it was a warning shot to ward her off. 'Clearly this guy doesn't know me all that well.' Rising up from the ground, Asuka continued her pursuit and soon enough, found herself reaching the surface levels. The shooter was currently racing down a corridor where an exit awaited up ahead.

'Where did that come from?'

The sniper, seeing that she was still trailing behind him, wheeled his arm back and let out a few more shots. In the narrowed surroundings, the bullets came closer than the previous ones, forcing Asuka to stop and drop in order to evade them. The shooter continued to flee and Asuka saw that he would soon escape. She had to stop him, but she didn't know how. She didn't exactly plan this out and without her Eva, she didn't have any other resource.

That wasn't true. The Force was with her.

Stretching out with her feelings, the German girl focused ahead, looking for something, anything, to use. Catching sight of a wheeled cart just against the wall, Asuka decided to go with that. Reaching up momentarily, she snapped her hand to the side. The cart suddenly shot away from the wall just as the sniper made his way to the exit. Caught completely by surprise, the shooter tripped and was practically propelled out of the exit.

Back on her feet, Asuka moved toward the secret exit. She was cautious as she approached, but she knew the sniper had to have fallen pretty hard. Reaching the exit, Asuka found what she expected to see; the sniper was on the ground groaning in pain and holding his leg. His handgun had been knocked out of his grasp and had fallen to the side. Using the Force again, Asuka guided the weapon into her hand and aimed it at the shooter. It wasn't a lightsaber, but it would do.

"You're in so much trouble, buddy."

The sniper grimaced and looked up at her, seeing his weapon in her hands. He wasn't going anywhere, especially when she heard the commotion of the Section 8 personnel approaching them. It was only when they had arrived and hauled him up did she lower the gun. He didn't have to worry about her using it though; she had clearly seen that the fall had twisted his ankle. Beside, Misato would have questions for this guy.

Too bad he wouldn't answer them.

A tremor in the Force warned her, but by then, the sniper's head jerked to the side suddenly, with a spray of blood scattering over the ground. The guards holding him released him and the body crumbled to the floor. Holding off a bout a nausea that came over her, Asuka quickly ducked and looked about and the guards followed suit, recognizing that there was another shooter out there.

Her eyes soon caught sight of a figure some distance, wearing jet black gear and a motorcycle helmet covering his head and seated on a motorcycle equally shaded in black. The figure quickly put away the rifle they had and drove off, racing down the street and disappearing down the road. Standing back up, Asuka could only gaze out in the direction of the second assassin.

'This is going to be a long day.'