We Came To Help

by Mercaba

While on a journey to visit a new planet, Eris encounters an angel and crashes only to be found by the pilots. Now forces try to capture or control the alien for their own wishes.

8. Chapter 8

Standard Disclaimer

Summer is just about here, so pool will be open! Been dealing with some allergies/health issues but mostly better now. My brother was an idiot and did bad things again, seems like I'm an interest free bank to many people who never pay back...life is stupid read fun thing!

X-X

We Came To Help

Chapter – 8

The world had gone through several stages over the week since Nerv launched its little sting operation. First had been outrage at the agency. How dare they launch an offensive against military bases without any word using the new aliens as muscle! Panic quickly followed as some people started asking if Nerv was just coopted by the Catians into the act and the aliens were evil! Once governments calmed down enough to listen to Durel and Kuune and view the evidence, well panic turned to relief then quickly followed by panic again. It was a different type of panic at least, it wasn't fear of being indoctrinated by sexy cat girl aliens, more 'we were being duped by our leaders for years and they nearly killed us'.

Once he was in custody, Gendo turned on his faux allies as he was shown proof that Kehl was prepping a betrayal and that the Dogsians lied to him. Making an enemy of Gendo was a big mistake apparently as the man had his fingers in everything and once learned he'd never get Yui back had no qualms about throwing all of Seele under the bus. Kehl however was found in the remains of the base Rei and Melwin went to. And one week to the day after the secret mission, Nerv and the Catians were being heralded as heros!

Rei didn't really care about any of that, all this stupid human emotion and over reaction was distracting her from searching for Shinji! Countless meetings first to explain her actions, and then to be thanked, were keeping her from the apartment where what she cared about was happening. After the latest bout of sudden affection, an interview with a television station, Rei brutishly opened the door to the embassy, "What did I miss?" she was working on her social graces, the interview went poorly.

"No change, Durel is getting desperate so be careful what you say," Chaika warned from the couch. Laying on her side, tail flicking about, the security officer was watching Rei's interview. Sitting up and pointing at the screen, "You really don't care about others outside this apartment, do you? Fun to watch though. That woman looks terrified of you." Sliding over and giving Rei access to the luxury furniture the Catians were gifted, Chaika patted the cushion.

Noticing the spunky mother had her suit on, this wasn't a request it was an order, Rei acquiesced to the subtle demand. Was it going to be about her behavior, about Eris, or about the small fight she had with Soryu? Eris had been hyper focused to the point of mania, Kuune hinted she wanted Rei to help distract her. Soryu had been doubling down on the 'I don't care about that idiot' bullshit, Rei took office…Asuka's room was now destroyed and Asuka was sleeping in Shinji's room as the Assist-aroids did the repairs. Bristling as Chaika put a hand on her shoulder, "What are we going to talk about first?"

Applying gentle pressure, Chaika let out a sigh, "I'm not a shrink kiddo, I can hardly keep my kids from running wild at times. But I know when THEY want to talk." Pointing at the screen where the emotionless girl on the screen responded so bluntly to questions they had to censor some of the words used. With a shrug, "That seems like you want to talk, at least a little bit. Nobody just SAYS that they're going to find their guy and…well I don't know WHAT you said as they bleeped it, but that woman's face is full red. You know subtly kid. For years you kept secrets that would make most break, so why you all talky now?"

"I no longer care to keep secrets that no longer matter," Rei tried to distract her interrogator. While keeping the ex-commander's secrets was no longer something she needed to do, Rei used that bastard as a shield for her actual state. Chaika drummed her fingers along Rei's collarbone, not buying it. Thinking of other options that might distract the Catian, "I am worried I will have to fight Eris for the right to mate with Shinji first when we get him back. Soryu can watch, both of us."

Snorting just a little, Chaika's smile was wide and her fangs glistened as her ears smoothed back, "Both of you are going to have to wait for Durel, you won't know what hit you and next thing you'll hear will be…clever girl. You nearly got me off topic. But if you don't want to talk you don't have to, not going to force you. That will be Katsuragi once she gets back from that base they have her kept at." Misato had been put in charge, temporarily she was told, of Nerv during this time of crisis. Until the Catian shield went up, Nerv was still needed in the rare case an Angel appeared on earth. The woman was not happy with it at all, as she wanted to be here dealing with their missing number.

Knowing Misato wouldn't be as easy to distract, when not drunk, so Rei weighed her options. "I will talk, but I will not repeat myself. So do you want to…" Rei was going to ask if Chaika wanted to relay the words. But the door opened, and Rei's hand clenched tight enough to tear her skirt.

"I told you I'd get you back in the third round. Next time we should bring ot-hers," Asuka quickly stopped her jovial talk upon seeing Rei on the couch. "I thought we said we'd keep the animals off the new couch. Don't want to break it already," Asuka huffed as she entered the room and sat on one of the side chairs.

Sitting on Rei's side, flanking the girl, Eris was haggard but smiling, "We talked about this Asuka. We're all taking this differently. Or did we not just spend five hours in that Geo-Front forest hunting each other?" The holes in the girls clothing was proof that they weren't just playing Hide-and-Seek, they were training for the hopeful mission. Patting Rei's thigh, Eris was quite touchy-feely and it really did get Rei to relax (and wonder if Shinji's touch would be as nice), "So how did the interview with Teen-Beat go?"

"She nearly caused the interviewer to have a panic attack when she was a bit to honest about her future plans. You two leave much of the forest behind or is it full of toppled trees that need replanting?" Chaika smartly turned the station to something less interesting. Rei would owe Chaika one for that.

Bursting into the room, Durel was disheveled with a dirty coat on, wild hair, and uneven glasses. "I think I have it. What the Dogsian plan is now," she shambled over to the kitchen and got herself another refill of her coffee. With Eris and Chaika spun around, knees on the couch and tails swaying, Rei got a view of two very pert mountain ranges, she could appreciate the art. Wobbling over to the room, she collapsed into the unused chair, opening a channel to the ship, "Melwin, tell them what you found."

"I-uh, well Captain Kuune is off to verify it, but we're pretty sure we found the Dogsian emp. If it is, it was all a faint, the ship is in no danger if it were to go off, but it would disable us for about twenty minutes," Melwin was panicking, tugging on her collar making her bell chitter. Noticing Chaika, "Uh maybe you can get her to take her medication? She needs sleep and she's not taking it! I need MY sleep and she won't let me."

Waving off the fellow blue-hair's concern, Rei wanted to know more, "Where was it found? And she can sleep after we have her speculation." The longer things went, the more Rei's nerves were threaded and her ability to restrain herself when the time came would be harder. These stupid dogs took what was hers, lied to humanity, used Nerv to do their dirty work, and now were still keeping what was Rei's from her! Just where WAS he? What were they doing with him!? She just wanted to hear his voice…

"Ayanami? Is that…" Shinji's voice wafted so softly in Rei's ears she wasn't sure she heard it or if it was just in her head.

Rei shivered as Chaika gently touched her cheek, "You alright kid? You just went quiet and started staring off into space. Durel was about to go into her thesis, so hope you have used the pot and got your snacks ready, as once she starts, ain't no stopping."

Pulling a small device out of her pocket that was beeping, Durel nodded at it, hit a button, and put it back. "To repeat what Melwin said, the emp device was found by the shield generator. Once we turn it on, a total system outage would be triggered causing at least twenty minutes of reboot. If anybody was outside the ship their might be a problem, but standards are we keep all hands inside just in case of an energy spike. Since we haven't noticed any departure signatures, it is safe to say the Dogsian agent, Jens if we believe the old commander, is in orbit waiting for us to activate it. Once we do, we'd not be able to pick up a ship leaving the atmosphere. They'll just slingshot themselves out into space and into the arms of their people," Durel finished with drinking her coffee fast enough to dribble down her chin.

"Well then lets fucking find the bitch and take her down! The longer you wait to activate that shield the more countries are going to keep bitching about it! A-and an angel could spring up at anytime," Asuka quickly altered her tone once the room noticed her outburst, Eris even took her hand which wasn't batted away. Stupid sexy cat girl just had to get through defenses just like stupid sexy Shinji could!

But Rei still wasn't going to just forgive and welcome Asuka into her harem with open arms, girl had to work for it. "If we knew where she was, don't you think Durel would have already done so? She is…" unhinged, focused, really-really hor-concerned.

"I have a plan, but I'll need you three to help with it, Chaika you as well if you can get away from Kuune. Basically we let the EMP go off, act as if we never found it. But we coat Eris's ship with shielding to keep it functional. Once the mothership goes dark, we scan for their engines, and pounce. Eris's ship will be faster than any Dogsian tech. Find the ship, stop it, and recover the parcel," Durel's confidence was intoxicating.

Leaping off the couch and rushing to her father figure, Eris grabbed Durel's biceps gingerly, "You really think this will work? Want me to go get my ship ready?" Her hips and tail were swaying back and forth as her Assist-aroids had signs up asking how they could all help.

"I won't be able to go with, Kuune will demand I stay on ship just in case the Dogsian's launch a distraction against us. But with the three of them…four if you go, their won't be enough of them left to put into a mug," Chaika chittered as Asuka and Rei all crowded in.

Holding her hand out, an earth custom Durel learned, she let the others stack her hands on hers, "We cannot start this without Kuune allowing the risk, but I know how to push her buttons to get it going. So Eris get your ship ready, Asuka get the suits cleaned and fixed, and Chaika get working on the EMP shield. I'll be going with them to help locate the ship once the op starts." With all the known orders given, Durel gave a pump and the crew scattered, except for Rei and Durel.

"You didn't mention me, you have something you wanted to ask in private," Rei wasn't sure if she was happy or nervous. Durel was not the type to have secrets from Eris, but here was a secret meeting a few days after a group of people were arrested for having secret meetings.

Pulling out the small device she had used earlier, Durel winked at Rei, "You can calm down. Not going to ask you to do anything you don't want to. And I didn't want to embarrass you or put undo stress on you in case this made a mistake. So I wanted them out of the room…you heard him didn't you. In your mind you heard him?" Durel was already opening holographic monitors and Rei could see Eris's ship schematics and the crazed woman already configuring a shield for various EMPs.

"I don't…know. I thought it was just my imagination," Rei rubbed her arm, a small phantom pain that sprung up from time to time since the botched operation.

Opening another window, showing it to Rei, "We don't have much imagination. We enjoy facts, they comfort us and give us reason to trust. Correct? And if you look at this, you'll see I've been working a hypothesis. With your genetic structure being what it is, either you can literally sense that machine they took or him. ESP is a rare ability, very few species have it, so my experience with it first hand is very limited, but I think you have at least some ability." The screen showed Rei during the meeting and a strange wavelength around her peaking and dropping where the others were tranquil seas of nothing.

Durel was correct though, Rei did trust actual data more than hopes and dreams. Seeing the difference between the humans, Catians, and her did lead Rei to think at least something was accurate with Durel's comment. But it lead to her next thought, "So what? What do you want me to do?"

"Be my backup. I will do my best to find the ship, but the closer we are when the op goes live, the better the chances of us catching them. We will only have a very brief window here. If this Jens is as smart as I fear, she'll only power up once, launch, and then go dark and coast. If we're on the other side of the planet from her, we may never find them in time. So, in the day or two it takes us to get ready, try an harness that connection," Durel stopped her frantic typing and actually let her hands fall to her side as she pleaded with Rei.

Something she alone could do, something that her strange creation allowed her, Rei felt her mouth go dry. "I will make my best effort," Rei wouldn't promise, she was to pragmatic for that. What she did just now wasn't intentional, and not even a guaranteed fact. But if their was a chance, if she had any real capabilities to contact Shinji or Unit-01 she was going to do it. Leaving Durel, who was already absorbed in her own work, Rei retired to her room, shut the door, turned off the light, and attempted to reach out with her mind.

X-X

Did the Catians just die or something? Some earth virus that they didn't have an immunity or cure for just come in and take care of all of them? Would be funny if that was the case, considering all Jens did to try and deal with them. What else could account for the utter lack of response from the stupid felines? Just over a week since she detonated two bases, captured both prizes, and started to wait for the endgame to start and still nothing. This was well past her expected timeframe, and was starting make her a little worried.

Checking her power, not the best, keeping in stealth mode took a lot more in atmosphere. So Jens did the only thing she could to conserve more of it and turned off the A/C. "Once we get into space at least it'll be cold instead of hot, I can handle cold," Jens muttered. It was already stuffy in the ship, it wasn't meant for long term usage yet here she was. Going over more important supplies caused another grimace, medical supplies were dwindling. Transport ships didn't have very much, and what she needed to keep her price compliant weren't standard chems so she had to get creative.

"I'll have to lower the dosage to a quarter of what I want, might not even have an effect at that potency," Jens tapped her foot in frustration. Emotions were stupid and only got in the way of the mission and logic, but she felt a small stirring of them. Not wanting to hurt the kid, if the drugs didn't work she'd have to knock him out if he resisted. Taking off her coat, leaving her in a sleeveless undershirt and quite short shorts, she tugged on her skimpy top as sweat dribbled down, "I hate heat."

That was another problem, Jens clenched her first hard and forced her mind to clear as best she could. Stupid biology, she didn't want offspring so why did her body get this way!? Another small medical absence in the ships cache of meds. One of the few Catian drugs that Jens did sneak in, even if it was against orders. But the anti-heat med had been a lovely creation that Jens really wished she had right now.

Powering up the scanners, Jens offered a small prayer up to the star-gods that she got some ping that the pre-stages of the shield were present. Finding none, she turned it back off with a grunt. "Either they're not doing it cause they're searching for you, or they don't like humanity as much as I thought," Jens would put her bonus on what she thought. But they couldn't wait forever, couldn't risk a whole planet for one boy, even a Catian wouldn't be that selfish. With nothing left to do on the bridge, Jens pulled on her top again and pealed herself out of her chair.

"Guess I'll go play another round of chess with him," Jens hated how her tail swished a little, emotions were stupid. With nothing else to do on the ship though, Jens spent the whole week talking and interacting with her…with the pilot. Don't get to friendly, she was going to hand the kid over to the eggheads eventually. They needed him to interact with the machine, learn the secret of how the soul sync worked and how to replicate it. If it didn't go smoothly, well Jens knew they would do what was needed, saw a few horrors in her time.

Moving past Muttley, powered down to conserve energy until he would act as her co-pilot for the brief period, she gave his head a small pat. A good companion, trusted servant, and capable machine. And a spy. Muttley was made by Dogsian scientists, meant that anything she did was recorded and uploaded to her superiors. Standard protocol, one all soldiers of high enough rank knew. More than one lesser soldier was exposed as incompetent or a liar when their 'loyal' aid reported infractions. If her superiors knew she was being chummy with the pilot how would they take that?

Going to the supplies, gathering the crummy MREs she had, Jens did her best to gussy it up and put in the makeshift mind numbing concoction. "Will this have negative effects? That nurse was…" shaking off her concern, Jens couldn't second guess things now. Stupid Catians being lazy, Jens should have already handed off the pilot by now! Not getting excited about playing chess with paper pieces with him! In a moment of frustration, Jens grabbed her tail that was still wagging happily at the base and squeezed it. The pain made the traitor stop moving. Taking the two trays of food, no reason to not eat with him, helped add to the lie, she headed over to the makeshift cell. It was the second bedroom on the ship, one for the captain and one for the co-pilot.

"Food is ready. Just got a call that they're still clearing up that EMP damage. Shinji?" Jens announced herself. Empty, the room was empty. Did he escape? Impossible, he couldn't get the doors open and she had the only escape suit what could survive upper atmo! Putting the food on the desk in the small room, the smell assaulted her nose. Masculine scent, the pain in her tail sobered her up but the fogginess was growing. Calming herself to think logically, "Ok, he has to be on the ship. Just find him."

Scenarios popped off in her mind as she paced the small room. Checking under the bed, idiotic as it might have been to think he'd hide there, she had to check. Nope, not there. Next was the small wardrobe. Empty save for the hangers. "Shinji you alright?" she called out. Maybe the medication did have a negative effect on him, one she hadn't anticipated and he was having a fit somewhere, choking on his own tongue or something! If he died now she'd be punished! No-no other reason at all for the sudden tightness in her chest!

A sound, not a voice, and to soft to fully know what it was came from a the only other door in the room. There was the one that led to the hall, and the other what Jens believed lead to a maintenance bay! Was he sabotaging the ship? Rushing to the door, Jens threw it open expecting to see thin slip of a male with a tool in hand causing mayhem! He'd take the took, knock her down with it, turn her over pull up her hind quarters and…huh, guess she had a fetish after all.

What she saw was hard but it wasn't a spy or undercover super agent, just a teenager with a wet towel in hand and a problem most males got from time to time. Yelping and moving the towel, more hand rag with its small size, Shinji literally made a pitched tent. "Jens-san!? Sorry! I felt gross and saw the sink in here. W-wanted to clean up a bit, the heat is making me all sweaty and…" Shinji babbled. He likely said more, but Jens had already shut the door and leaned against it.

"Bathing, he doesn't have access to the communal shower!" Jens actually smiled at the stupidity of her actions. Her room had a private bathroom, the rest of the crew were to use a communal one for showering, which was in part of the ship she had locked off to prevent any injuries from a wandering pilot. Then the elephant in the other room reared its head, "Was not expecting him to be quite so…" She had studied human anatomy, made the job easier, knew not all humans were created equal. Guess instead of being tall the growth happened somewhere else first. "Ok, stop thinking about it now, stop…STOP," her imagination did not stop. An encore of the last hallucination came through with Shinji kicking open the door and…

Well the door did open, and Jens found the sense of vertigo wash over her as she fell backwards into Shinji's chest, his arms grabbing around the waste as she fell backwards into him. Oh yeah, guess leaning against the door wasn't the smartest thing. How long had she been fantasizing about a good tail stroking? A sign the medication was wearing off that Jens chose to ignore, Shinji was strong enough to hold her up, "S-sorry about that Jens-san. I didn't expect you yet. Thought I had time to wash off before you got here with food. A-any word from Nerv?"

She SHOULD have moved, gotten free of his hold, but it was nice. Humans called this a hug, she remembered. Not a true one, she wasn't stupid, he just was short so he grabbed her where he could to stabilize her, but it still felt nice. An orphan taken by the state, raised in a military academy, then sent off on missions Jens wasn't used to positive reinforcement. Trained to use her body as a weapon to kill, a tool to seduce, or just a pack mule at times this simple act had always been denied her. Weakness, pure and unbridled weakness. Her tail wagged and she felt it brush up against a sizable welt in the lad's gown.

When the urge to just start grinding against him popped into her old animal brain, she jerked away after one tantalizingly mind burning moment of full on contact. "I did, they're nearly ready for us. Brought us some food. Thought we could play a round of chess while we ate. Not much else to do…while we wait. Hungry?" Jens couldn't look back at him. Her cheeks felt ablaze, stupid little girl thoughts in her head needed a good quelling. Getting the food, she hunched over it for a few moments to collect herself. When she felt more in control again, she turned and her breath left, of course he was sitting on the bed, where else could they BOTH sit, but the connotation was there.

"N-not really hungry, but I'll eat. Who did you talk to this time?" he took the tray of food. Picking at it, he gave Jens a look that made her question how much he trusted her, before eating. His eyes moved over her scandalous attire, both quite aware that they weren't in state of dress suitable for social gatherings. Jens was basically walking about in a translucent white shirt with no arms that thanks to the sweat hid nothing, and shorts that showed ALL of her leg, never had she realized how long her jacket was until now, and he was in the same hospital gown he'd worn since they started drugging him.

Going over the names of Nerv employees that she could think of, Jens felt a spike of jealousy that so many were female. "Hyuga. Nerv is still having issues getting the shield to meld with its systems," a feeble lie, but it went along with the one she was selling. Now did she sit next to him, or take the chair by the desk? Well the chess 'board' was on the bed, they needed space for it and the players and the desk wasn't big enough. She said she wanted to play, would be rude to lie, so she sat, "Once we get to our destination, I will spring for better food."

"This is pretty bad, a-and what you p-put in it…makes my head fuzzy and my…uh…makes me," he blushed purple as he gestured timidly to his crotch. So he knew, of course he did. With how the dosage was so limited now, he'd be able to think clearer, sober up and realize when he felt different. Kid was quick on that, and yet he still ate it. Knew he was a prisoner, knew Jens was lying, and realized if he didn't do what she expected he might get punished.

Taking his plate away, she dumped it into the trash and handed him her tray. "No reason for you to eat it as long as you don't cause trouble," Jens confessed without saying it. Setting the board up, she watched him poke the food a little, nod, then eat listlessly. So the meds caused the lad to have a bit of a standing issue? Her eyes were focused on it, the hospital gown did little to mask it, she sniffed hard and the scent just went all the way down. Coughing a little as Shinji noticed her noticing, "You'll be well taken care of. We…we need this. Generations ago my species made a mistake, we're being punished for the sins of our fathers. With this we might finally be treated like a regular species again. Work with us and…you can have a good life."

"T-then will you let me go back to them? Is there anyway we can do this WITH them? I want to help you, but I miss them," Shinji ate a bit of the food then set half he didn't on the bed. Spinning the board around, letting Jens go first, Shinji's head was tilted hard down to avoid seeing all the tantalizing skin before him.

Starting the game, Jens felt that stupid hitch of emotions strike against her logical side. "I'll try, but prejudice is hard to overcome. But if you work with us, it shouldn't be to long a process. Then you'll be freed. They want the mech not you. Once they have a way to work it without you, I'll take care of things," Jens was proud of her mental control. It wasn't a lie, not exactly. If the eggheads had a replacement they'd use it, but they'd want the original around in case what they created failed and they had to go back to the drawing board. But he didn't need to know that. Capturing his bishop with her queen, "And they'll provide for you while you help us. Food, entertainment, w-women if you want them." That pulse hit her again, stupid biology.

"I-I don't want w-women for s-sex," Shinji was an odd male, the soldiers she worked with mostly would take any hole they could find. A few family men did exist, but Jens wondered how faithful they'd be if presented with 'exotic beauties'. Doing a sneaky and taking Jens queen with his knight, "I think s-sex should come from emotion. D-don't you?" Jens felt Shinji's eyes on her, and she made the mistake of meeting them.

This male was stupid and weak, she could easily crush him if she wanted both mentally and physically. Yet in that moment, gazing at him across a thin mattress, in a hot and stuffy room, if he tried to strike her down she'd offer no resistance. Instead though, she just reached across to his cheek, cupped it, and pulled him towards her. At first he resisted a little, but only at first, then she batted the 'board' off the bed and licked his cheek twice. His hands went to her ears and hit the sweet spot where the ear met the head and applied the right amount of petting to get Jens leg thumping. He was drugged up still and she was in a biological induced state of heightened arousual, all she had to do was…

"I have to go check the scanner again," Jens suddenly got up and sent Shinji tumbling onto his back on the bed. Things went from a silly crush, to learning her prey knew he was trapped, to sappy talk, and then she…she…she made an oath to protect him!? Nobody saw it, hell she doubted the human knew the significance so she didn't have to honor it at all! But she did it, she knew what she did, and oh…oh boy did she just want to shuck off her suddenly very confining shorts and just…

A cold shower was in order, a very cold one. It was going to be a long wait for pickup if this continued.

X-X

"We're just about to activate the shield, is your team ready to go?" Kuune did not have her typical openness. The captain was showing her concern openly to her crew and Durel would have to do something nice in the future for the woman.

Aboard Eris's ship, Durel had her modified tech at the ready. The suits were naturally immune to the EMP's effects, but all higher functioning computers of Catian-make were highly susceptible. Having access to the Dogsian device allowed Durel and Ritsuko enough foreknowledge to make shielding for Eris's ship. Sadly the amount of natural resources needed prevented having more than just Eris's ship able to be protected. Everything in the ship would be fine, so the custom Assist-aroids, arms, and the ship itself. Not a very good setup, Durel would hand it to this Jens. This Jens would have succeeded if any number of tumblers hadn't fallen in place.

Triple checking her readings, Durel hated pre-ops paranoia, "We're as good as we can be here. We'll go over the briefing and give you the all green. How long until that new angel gets to close for the shield to counter?" Stupid alien creature had to show up and really put the fire to the fuse here. For the last few days Rei had started showing much greater success at pinging either Shinji or the mech, almost to the point where they could get an exact location. Another day or two and they'd have the city Jens was over and not just the country (France right now). But the more sophisticated computer of the Mothership detected an approaching threat, was going to automatically deploy the shield if not done manually.

"The automated system will trigger in seventy-three minutes. We are unable to filter out if the signals are pinging are actual stealth Dogsian ships or dummies. So we'll have to go with Plan-A Chaika," Melwin showed the potential bogies. The air was dower all around, nerves were high, and adding complexity to the already tense situation was not wanted.

Slapping the now pouting mother on the back, Asuka flashed a thumbs up, "No matter, we got this. Hell I feel like I should be able to do this alone with how much training we did. We'll get that idiot back, and then things can go back to normal after he cooks me a feast!" Asuka had been one of the more boisterous personalities since the plan was proposed, girl had so much confidence it was infectious. "Wondergirl, how is your psychic cheat going? Seriously not fair YOU get special powers, why can't I ever get something special," Asuka called out.

"Asuka calm down a little, you're distracting her. Rei do you want a juice or something, I can give ya a shoulder rub?" Eris chimed in. Pushing Asuka away from Rei and hugging the girl, Eris acting the barrier between the volatile human and the…uh well Durel wasn't quite sure what to actually consider Rei. The genetics were strange, the abilities not human, but the girl was an ally and that was all Durel cared about.

At times like this Durel was frustrated the human handler, Misato, wasn't able to attend the mission. Misato could keep Asuka and Rei in line, Durel was a scientist typically who ran an op. But the human nations were still in turmoil from the revelations that were still fresh in their minds and Misato was helping calm things. Thankfully her heat was just about gone, next time, so her mind was clearer, "Calm down all of you. Mission brief time children, that includes you Chaika."

Thankfully the faux confidence was tempered and they three non-psychics settled and got into a line. Once Asuka stopped needling Eris, girl was a fidgeting mess when stressed, Durel went over the op plan. "First we deploy our shielding. Second Kuune deploys the shield. Third we transfer over Chaika and the bulk of Assist-aroids for defense if needed. Forth using Eris's computer and Rei's ability we locate and intercept the Dogsian ship. Fifth we rescue," only five points, but if any of them took to long it would be a failure.

"Six we have a BIG party back at the apartment to celebrate Shinji's recovery, the destruction of those monsters, and all the good things that happened!" Eris threw her hands up and rallied a cheer from all willing to offer one. Once the cheers died down, Eris eyed everybody on the ship, save Chaika who was expectedly focused for a security agent when their ship was about to be put in danger. Smiling broadly, "And Seven…whoever gets to Shinji first gets to get a personal reward before the others! Others can wait!"

That stupid little…Durel grabbed Eris's nose and waggled it back and forth. Now was not the time to confess her openness to the bedchamber, but then Eris wouldn't be herself if she wasn't so carefree and sharing. With the ultimatum given, the atmosphere shifted and the dwindling hum of heat pulsed and Durel ran her finger along her bell…not a captain's bell but it had more options than the other younger girls who thought with their groins not their brains. "Kuune, I'm deploying our shielding in Five, four…" Durel just opted to pull the plug and go.

Everybody had a moment of frantic panic as they realized the op was a go, and all the anxiety would soon be over soon. Once Durel hit the deploy of the modified lead shielding, the comms between the ships deteriorated. For a moment Durel hoped the Dogsian device failed and this was going to end very anti-climatically, but then the comm went fully dark. The emp had worked, and the shielding they had worked…mostly. The lighting and auto defense systems were out, but Eris had been smart enough to bring earth lanterns. Working fast, Eris piloted her ship over to the loading bay of the Mothership.

"Alright girls, this is where I wish you luck. Don't let that bitch get away with all this garbage she put us through. Go get her so we can put her on trial. And Durel…don't go getting addicted and remember setting forty-three of your bell," Chaika winked as she leaded her small army of Assist-aroids to the hamstrung ship.

Sealing the door, Durel had forgotten the little illusion/masking aspect of the bell. Being all clothing was nice and all, but making somebody practically invisible would give a small advantage at outpacing the more spry young women. Not that it was a race for a prize, emotions were more important there, but they had to expect Jens to have at least one contingency plan in case she got boarded. Rushing from the loading bay to the cockpit, "Chaika is offloaded, have you detected any engines powering up?" Durel found the small lantern soothing.

"He is agitated, conflicted, worried….close….close…that way" Rei spoke in flat and empty tones. Ayanami had gotten a bit better at emoting, but this was something everybody (even Eris) felt creepy. It was a disembodied voice, devoid of anything resembling Rei's personality, it was a body acting on remote, receiving commands from afar. Rei's hand pointed and without checking the computer Eris followed the command.

Bouncing off Asuka, who was hovering over Eris's shoulder to watch as best she could, Durel got into the co-pilot seat. "Don't forget your spacial senses Eris, you need X, Y, and Z coordinates here. But it seems she is pointing in the right direction. I am getting signs of an engine starting up, and more potential dummy signals. Asuka get on that station over there the auto system is out, like we trained. Rei update if you can. Eris bank up by three degrees," Durel was in pure data regurgitation mode. Don't feel, don't postulate, just work on pure logic and facts.

"Just like a video game, right," Asuka flicked Eris's ears as the growing anxiety forced some action. The girl leapt to the seldom used turret and powered it up. The green screen bathed Asuka in a sickly light, illuminated the gaunt face sick with worry, girl played a good game of hiding emotions but when push came to shove she showed she did worry.

Speeding up as the green blip that was the Dogsian escape vessel was closing, Eris was strained. "There is a lot of chop here, they must have dropped waste in the atmo just in case. I can't keep going straight at them. Asuka can you take out some of the bigger pieces?" Eris yelped as the ship collied with debris.

Klaxons went off, another problem! Finding the problem, Durel ground her teeth together painfully, "Shields are down. Well not so much the shields are dead, but the recharge for them is out due to the emp. The generator is outside of the shielding layer. That hit took out one of the storage bays and damaged engine three. We might have to slow down and go above the debris field." But with the readings, the ship was about to jump. If the Dogsian jumped, odds of finding them were practically nil.

"Distressed, tense, a fight, unconscious," Rei muttered then snapped her head about and blinked a few times. Falling to her side, Rei just lay there for a moment, "He's been knocked out. I saw him, things are interesting. No clear image, but just impressions, emotions. He cares for the woman in some way, her emotions are mixed. He tried to stop her, he is not a fighter." Rei forced herself up and wobbled over to Eris. In a lab environment Durel would have loved this, a lot to learn about telepathy. But Rei's post link status would be a test for another day, right now was the mission.

Eris spun and twirled around debris rather than slow and avoid it, Asuka took out what she could, but soon Durel and Rei noticed red lights in the mess followed by flame trails. "He did something as the power building on the ship stalled, but it's rising again. We don't have much time. But we have incoming, Dogsian Assist-aroids in the debris are going to come in. They'll get in and try and wreck key systems. Rei, when you are ready get prepped for boarding," Durel wanted to join in on that little fight, but somebody had to coordinate these kittens.

"I think I can see the ship, it's a transport! Asuka bottom center is the lead engine!" Eris announced with a mix of joy and aggression. More bumps as small contact was made, the gravity stabilizers went a bit wonky at times and all aboard started to feel the effects of weightlessness came and went with expected queasiness.

With a roar of triumph, Asuka was quite the marksman, "Make this hard for me, Eris! With all your bad driving I have to re-aim and still I'm taking these things out! And get closer and I'll put a hole right through that things core!"

"Hit a bad sector and a chain reaction will cause the ship to explode, or you could destroy Unit-01," Rei dampened Asuka's exuberance. Tapping the bell she was provided, lowest grade, Rei went from her school attire (she claimed it helped focus) to a modified version of what the humans called a plugsuit. The ship rocked again, more emergency lights whirred to life, the Ai for the ship flew about panicked. Rei was calm however and with the assembled custom Assist-aroids, "Where do you want me to go?"

Finding the hull breaches was easy, ordering Rei where to go was hard. "Two impacts sites, one near life support the other the engines. Need these two here, I could go and…" Durel was already getting up when Eris grabbed her hand blindly and held tight. No, she was needed here to coordinate. "You can choose which to go after. But go fast, we don't have a second go at this," Durel stopped resisting Eris's pull and sat back down.

Rei ran off, Durel expected to see life support go critical soon while those engines remained good. Another hit, Asuka and Eris both saying it was the others fault, but it did further damage the already hit engine, they started to slow. "Redirecting power from failing engine to others, Eris you're in for a jolt and an increase in speed. Asuka if you can get a hit go for it, readings indicate they are less than a minute away from jump," Durel made a few alterations that would have resulted in disciplinary actions for how unsafe they were.

Her slipshod fix worked however as they all felt the increase in G's as the ship speed up far more than Durel expected. Have to remember that for later, really give the mothership some kick! Warnings from the life support did trigger but never got to red, Rei must have worked extra quick to get to both before any critical damage could be dealt. "I can see their main engines powering up! Asuka take the shot!" Eris had done all she could and gotten far further than most pilots would have.

"Don't rush genius!" Asuka lost her positive, and leaned in far closer to the screen than was necessary. Eris pushed the engines harder, redlining them, the ship got closer, the power fluctuations now easily able to be seen, and Asuka triggered her turret. She targeted far to far head of the ship, Durel's heart went into a tissy, but then the ship launched and then stopped…Asuka predicted the activation. Leaning back into the chair, body trembling, "Told you, don't rush me."

Ok, this girl wasn't just all pomp and flair, Durel rerouted the engines to prevent them from burning out. "You calculated the point the ship would be when they jumped in your head? Very impressive. As for the ship, life support was damaged but as long as we're back on earth in under two hours we'll be fine. Engines will need serious repair, but should get us back. They are downed but not out. If they reconfigure their drives, they'll be able to jump in ten minutes. Get suited up, Eris get as close as you can, and get ready to board," Durel gave a wave at Rei as she reentered the bridge with a small cut on her cheek. Grabbing a medkit, "They actually hit you?"

Letting Durel apply the small dab of medical gel, Rei actually averted her eyes as a slight pink twinged her cheeks, "I tripped on the way back." Well if an uber capable genetic creation could make a mistake, anybody could right?

"Approaching a loading bay, who is going to get that machine loaded?" Eris vaulted over her seat as the autopilot took over. Tapping her bell, it formed a helmet, Eris armed herself and formed a triangle with Durel and Rei.

Rushing over, guess a few stay clusters got Asuka's attention, the cockiness was back as she flashed a gnarly grin, "Not me. One of you can. I'm going to drag that dog back here by the tail and make her pay for ruining my weekends! But we go in and get out, nobody left behind!" Putting her hand out, the others joined with Durel last.

"Since I'm older and not as spry as you three, I'll get that machine loaded. Be careful though, Eris you're in charge here in my absence," Durel had ideas, plans within plans…and best to let them THINK they're in control. Eris' preened at the opportunity to lead the charge to save her mate, Rei didn't care, and Asuka sulked. Not two minutes later, the ship had docked, Asuka tore through the sealed door of the Dogsian ship, and Durel…hacked the rest of it open. Haste makes waste. Setting her hidden Assist-aroid to the task of loading Unit-01, Durel went dark and silent, activated her suits active-camo and joined the fray.

X-X

This felt different than the run through the Seele base, more dangerous, to Eris. The Dogsian robots were not the cobbled remains of low grade models, the automated systems more accurate, and punishment for missing higher as the ships integrity needed to remain. Slow, they were making slow progress through the ship with its cumbersome design of winding halls, locked doors, and resistance. Why was it that this felt more important to her even though in all reality the consequences of failure were less in the wider sense of the galaxy? Duh, she was going after something personal to her, the person she loved most, and she had her new friends with her!

"So we're agreed we beat that Jens woman down when we get to her right? And did I hear you say, Wondergirl, that the idiot likes her or something?" Asuka yelled out. Pulling her fist out of the wall, beneath it was the crumpled remains of a reinforced Assist-aroid. It crumpled, let out a small beeping groan, and fell into pieces. Kicking at the pieces, "These things are a lot more sophisticated than the last we dealt with, what's the deal?"

Staying in between Asuka and Eris, Rei was acting as their compass as they maneuvered through the mazelike ship. Only having a small one hand weapon, Rei was the support to Eris's range and Asuka's up close capabilities. Coming to another crossroads, Rei closed her and tried to focus, "He is waking back up. As for his captor, I cannot read her, but we were told to bring her back so do not hurt if possible. Shinji-kun's emotions are conflicting afraid but sympathizes. Maybe she is acting to gain his trust. His is this way."

Following Rei's directions, Eris was conflicted. Racism against Dogsians was real, she hadn't directly met one but her people had suffered thanks to the countless ploys. They were in an alien ship instead of having fun playing on earth because of them! But Rei said Shinji had at least some positive feelings for this Jens so the woman couldn't be all bad right? "From what Durel and Kuune said, this woman is likely a higher rank so she'll have better tech, and likely suits like ours just more suited for combat. So be careful. OH! We should plan our party! What do we all want to do when we get home?" and it was home now. Hard fought for, earned, and cherished.

"Don't think now is the best time to talk about that. You can hardly focus on one thing at a time, so lets focus for now. And anyway we all know what you'll both be doing for the first few days," Asuka tried to sound authoritative. Leaping over Eris's back as she took down an approaching squad, Asuka's foot took the head off of a bot coming from a side corridor. Grabbing the dropped appendage, spinning it like a gourd in her hand, she hurled it at a mounted turret. Putting her hands to her hips with a satisfied grunt, "Just let him cook some good food that I can steal."

Blushing as Asuka wasn't wrong, part of Eris was really hoping they could have more private time when the got back, she sagely kept her mouth shut. Turning to ask if Rei was thinking the same, Eris grew concerned as Rei just ran at them and swept them both off their feet with a painful bash behind the knee. When Rei then laid down along side of them, Eris saw the cause. A thin strip of metal had hurled down the corridor and would have bisected all of them if Rei hadn't non-gently applied their heads to the floor.

"Didn't have time to tell you," was all Rei said as apology. From anybody else it would have required a bit more for the generous application of force to body, but from Rei it was quite a lot. Helping Eris back up, Asuka vaulted up alone, Rei took two small plinks at approaching forces. A hail for blasts came down, hitting all of them in various extremities but the suits integrity held, painful yes but nothing lasting. Pointing at the door behind the squad of five, "He is in there."

Feeling the need to be playful here, Eris tossed her piece to Rei, got on all fours, and pranced as fast as she could down the corridor. Her shoulder and side took a hit, nearly toppled her over but she used the momentum to claw into the wall. Digging into the metal, speeding up as she saw that door growing larger, she just wanted to scoop up her man, and get out. But before that she had a job to do. So Drawing into a small ball on the wall, hands and feet buried into the metallic shell, she propelled herself forward and carved through the mess. "How is our rear support doing?" Eris asked dusting herself off.

"Better than your suit now, they're keeping our backs clear. Look at those holes you've got," Asuka pouted. The custom Assist-aroids waved at them from down the corridor, each taking care of vital support and backup from encroaching bots. Asuka, more to needle Eris, poked her in sizable holes, "Get hit there again and it'll be that doctor or her that get first use of that perv."

"Or you," both Eris and Rei said drolly Neither teenager was having anymore of Asuka's denial. Eris did sort of tell Rei about the little talk she had with Asuka. Eris hated secrets after all, secrets when you COULD tell without harm. Eris giggled as Asuka just turned away with a scowl and a complexion matching her suit colors.

When Eris went to open the door, Rei grabbed her wrist, "Wait, it will be trapped. I will open it. You two discuss how we will convince Shinji-kun to abandon the dog. She will have him likely concerned…he is to considerate of others." Not waiting for Eris to agree, Rei ripped off a side panel and connected her suit to wires she tore free.

Leaning against the wall, kicking at the scrap, "She's right. Idiot will have heard some sob story or fell for some ploy. Always so starved for affection. And he is a guy so girl flashes some skin and…" Asuka took that moment to remember something and shut her mouth. Grabbing another hunk of metal, she tossed it at the small mob of bots their support was dealing with.

"The truth, we tell him the truth. Even if what this woman told him IS true and he wants to help, we tell him the truth. I have faith in him, just as I do both of you. You both had…reasons for approaching Shinji and me, but we dealt with it. If this woman did the same, she can come back with us," Eris would forgive. Sure the Dogsians as a whole were a blight on the Milky Way Alliance, but an individual could change and grow. Shinji opened up to her, Asuka confessed her spying, and Rei betrayed those that raised her! The pilots all had to overcome tribulations to find peace, Eris saw that and knew anybody could try and do the same!

Hearing the chime of the door, Rei pulling her connectors back, so Asuka just groaned. Shaking her head, "Your head is full of mush and flowers. Idiots like you three need somebody strong to be the barer of bad news and reality. This woman is a thief and a liar. She goaded those old farts into a possible whole wide genocide! But because she saw the error of her ways we forgive? No, not without punishment. And I'm tired and hungry, so lets get this over…" Asuka punched the door, despite Rei's efforts to open it, and sent it skidding to the floor. "Honey I'm home! And if you've been cheating on me with a dog I'll end ya!" Asuka strolled into the room.

Fanning into the room, Eris's stomach twisted at seeing not a tranquil scene or even a shocking tryst as in the NTR documents Misato gave her as learning aids. Standing in the middle of the room, screens behind them flashing warnings, Jens held Shinji by the neck with one hand and a gun to his temple in another. "You could have just left me this one thing. Could have taken the whole planet, leave me one mech and pilot. But no, Catians have to have everything," Jens seethed. Oddly she was not in formal attire, a skimpy white top and shorts that Asuka told Eris were 'slut shorts.' "Back against the wall, hands above your heads," Jens pushed harder against Shinji making his head tilt.

"Yeah, so what are you going to do if we don't? You kept that idiot alive this whole time and NOW you're going to do something to him?" Asuka cracked her knuckles and slowly advanced. The control room was wide and long, full of controls, but the lights were flashing, and Asuka had a long distance to close. Almost an afterthought Asuka just had to ask, "You didn't have sex with the dog did you?"

Holding his hands out, Shinji's eyes were wide but clear, "What n-no we didn't. We talked a little! You don't understand what the Dogsians are going through. T-their ancestors did bad, now they're being punished for it. Jens-san just wants to do what is best for her p-people. Can't we just talk about this?" He didn't fight to get out of her grip, but tried to keep his head away from the gun, not that Jens gave him the opportunity.

"Told you she'd trick him. Shinji…this woman's people were going to sack Earth. And you want us to have tea with her or something?" Asuka wasn't having it. About to pounce when Jens Assist-aroid put a hole in the floor by her feet and laughed at her.

Forcing Shinji onto his knees, Jens went a step further and shifted position to having the barrel against the back of his head. "And you're going to tell me, little girl, that your commander did nothing wrong? His plan was to betray all of us to get his wife back. Drive him made, let you die, sacrifice you and replace you. But yes, blame me for all of it. Just like the Catians do! Your species forces mine to scavenge for scraps of tech. We have no choice but to go to growing planets to get needed materials. All I want is that mech and the pilot long enough to understand it. Then you can have him back. So step BACK or we see if we can do it with one of the clones we kept," Jens kicked Shinji into the back sending him to the ground, Muttley laughed.

"The humans are a young race, they don't know any better at times. And yes, we all made mistakes, but we can learn from them, grow. So put the weapon down, let us take you into custody. You can say your peace then!" Eris, empty handed, started to slowly pace around to Jens' side. This woman, was she being honest or just trying to sow confusion. If push came to shove would she hurt Shinji to clear up evidence. What she could see from the monitors was the ship was reeling from the damage Asuka had done, far more than expected.

Kicking Shinji in the side, forcing him to roll onto his side coughing, "One more step. Just one more closer and we see how serious I am. Back up NOW, get out NOW. I am going to count to ten and if you're still in the room…I don't get a pet." Jens twisted the diel on her device and it whirred loudly.

"You don't mean that, y-you can't. You're a good person, I believe that," Shinji coughed out as he clutched at his belly.

Distracted excellent! Eris started to move again after nodding at both Rei and Asuka. Jens was focusing on Shinji so they moved!

"Idiot! I'd have said anything to get you to listen to me. The drugs I was giving you were running out. What? You thought I actually cared about you? Thought anything I did was more than just a way to alleviate my heat so I could think straight? NO! You're just a stupid monkey, one that I could goad and if necessary remove. AND I TOLD YOU THREE TO STOP!" Jens reared back and aimed at Rei. But out of nowhere the device fell from her hand and she flew backward into the control bay with a look of shock and pain.

A voice tittered in the empty space above Shinji, "You all talk to much. But thanks to that, I won our little bet. Girls, get her," Durel's voice teased in the empty space. Almost as if by magic, Shinji started to float in the air and was hurriedly pulled out of the room calling out to not hurt the woman.

"Now what will you do? No weapon, no hostage, just you and us," Eris hoped it was enough deterrent to talk the woman down. Slowly approaching the woman, one hand out, Eris didn't expect the lighting fast recovery the Dogsian had as she didn't dodge the punch to the face. Bouncing backward from the blow to the chin, did she have a suit somehow? "Watching out, she's got a lot of strength in that punch," Eris wiggled her jaw and the pain was real.

Standing up tall, Rei actually kicked a dent into the wall, "Now we have to wait for Durel to finish. I must vent frustration!" Rei charged in despite Eris's warning, dodged the wild haymaker Jens threw, but failed to notice it was a fake and took a kick to the hip that sent her sprawling thanks to suit enhanced forward motion.

Asuka, girl didn't care about fair play, capitalized on Rei's pain to administer some of her own. While Jen's was extended, Asuka landed two solid punches to the woman's kidney. "Nice distraction, now stay down dog, or WHOA!" Asuka found herself up in the air as Jens lifted her.

"Kids, surrounded by kids. Couldn't just…let me…" Jens hurled Asuka at Eris. Rushing to the command bay, she entered a series of commands and the ship went dark, total shutdown. "Lets go Muttley, we retreat for now. Always a tomorrow," rushing past the dazed and bruised rescue crew, Jens entered an unnoticed till now escape pod and was launched with the last of the ships dwindling power.

Laying on her back, having rolled off Eris, Asuka grumbled, "I know you hate lying, but can we omit the fact we got destroyed by that woman who didn't appear to have ANY augments? Don't want to hear about that for the next few months from everybody." This time Asuka did take the aid from Rei in getting up. The ship was getting cold and fast, and Eris could feel it moving. Without power to stabilize it, the ship was being pulled back into Earth's gravity well and would crash.

"We can talk about what we won't say later. First we have to get out of here before my ship detaches! And I won't say anything about this until after we discuss it," Eris agreed that it was mighty disgraceful to get so easily taken out. But, if Jens was that strong why was Shinji not hurt worse? They all took serious hits while in their suits, Shinji didn't have one. If Jens had wanted to, couldn't she have kicked him in half? Thoughts for later, now was escape and convalescence! They got back to the ship just before the umbilical that connected the ships snapped off.

Finding Shinji and Durel on the bridge, Shinji still in that rather fetching hospital gown, Eris got into the pilot seat and set course back for the Mother Ship. Only thing that added to her confusion was when Durel showed Eris the weapon that Jens had, and pointed to the fact it was dead. The Catians didn't let the humans know that fact. Was Jens that desperate that she faked the whole event, or did she actually have some affection for the lad and had no intention of doing serious harm? No matter, that was an issue for after they celebrated.

X-X

Sitting on the floor of the apartment, back against the couch with Chi-Chi to his left, Shinji felt unable to relax despite the situation. Touji and Kensuke were over, Misato wasn't letting him out just quite yet, and his buddies were playing a game. Just two days back from his little space ordeal, and he was still having new nightmares. Well go figure he would, he was nearly space-jacked. It was different than when Eris and he were held. That time he had Eris with him, this last time he was alone, and a good chuck he'd been so doped up he only had vague memories of syncing with Unit-01.

"I hate that combo! It's just fan-spam and fire! You're banned from playing Yukiko anymore! Shin-man you're up," Touji griped. Poking Shinji in the cheek with the controller, Touji jerked back when Shinji spasmed a little. At Shinji's tweaking Chi-Chi dove atop him in a defensive stance, then everybody realized it was just an overreaction. Shrugging bashfully Touji held the controller out, "Sorry about that, you doing alright?"

Setting Chi-Chi back at her spot at his side, she wouldn't take no for an answer anyway so Shinji just succumb to her demands less he be besieged by countless signs pleading to let her. Taking the controller, Shinji nodded slowly, "Yeah, just got lost in thought. We told you about what happened. Durel-san said I'll have some issues as the drugs leave my system, said I might have a few slips. Guess that was one of them." Visions, dreams, flash-backs, and uh…his little friend having attention issues were to be expected for the next week as his system cleansed.

"That is messed up, man," Kensuke pushed his glasses back up, "but glad they got you back. Don't know what life would be like with you gone. So I'll go easy on you this round." The idiot-trio laughed at the oh-so gracious gift from Kensuke. Characters selected, match started, and they played. As Kensuke played the 'jumping around the screen game', "So where are the others? Things going alright now that you're back? Anything you want to talk about?"

Now that was a leading question that Shinji just knew was a plant from either Kuune or Durel. Yes it was good to talk about these things, not dwell on them mentally on that. But there was proof in that fact, and Shinji knew it would be easier to talk to his buddies right now than the others. Shinji tried his best to take advantage of Kensuke's pity play, "Misato is in a meeting with the UN, they're…talking to my father. The others are at the embassy. They want to give me some space to be alone, come to terms with things. But if I need them they'll be here." Shinji expected if he hit the call-button that Dural gave him their would be humanoid shaped holes in the wall when they charged through.

"Dude you've got your special, just cream him!" Touji cheered on the underdog. In response to the subtle suggestion, the screen was filled with particle effects and the air laden with loud sounds, concluding with the game cheering KO. Wading up a bag of empty chips, Touji pitched it at Kensuke, "Take that jerk. Now pass," Touji took the controller and again picked his 'main' which was the worst option, "How are other things going? After what happened, I can't even imagine."

Watching as Pen-Pen waddled over, grabbed a bag of chips, and hoped up on the chair to watch the show, Shinji did wonder how smart that bird was. Had Pen-Pen noticed him missing? Well that was easy, Shinji was the one that fed him the 'good food' and not just the normal pellets. So when he got back, Pen-Pen pecked his shin until Shinji gave him some sardines. Bird hugged his leg after that, Shinji missed Pen-Pen as well. Picking a random character again, "Won't lie, having bad dreams and I think about it a lot. But I'm happy to know the shield worked."

"I never have dreams, but that sounds nasty. Why not have Eris sleep with ya? That would keep the bad dreams at bay right?" Kensuke pulled out a binder of DVDs. Flipping through them for something nice to watch, kid had a rather creepy smile on his face. "And man, since they officially introduced themselves, Catians are all over the city. Dude I'm getting so much footage!" Kensuke gushed but kept the camera off and away from him. Asuka had laid an ultimatum on the geek when they arrived, any usage of the camera would have Chi-Chi obliterate it.

Memories flooded his mind, Jens and that room, that one moment he felt they actually connected and Shinji set the controller down. Touji capitalized on that, not even noticing the lack of motion, and took the easy victory. Shinji passed on the controller. "Misato says that until my system is clean only she and I sleep here, Asuka has been sleeping at the embassy. I understand why too," Shinji drew his legs up to his chest.

Was it all lies? Jens said it was when Eris burst into the control room, but Shinji just didn't believe it. Misato said that was Stockholm-syndrome, which made sense logically. But Misato hadn't been in that room, saw that softness in the nearly always stoic and firm face. Asuka called him gullible, Rei said he was to soft-hearted, and he knew he was. Despite all that, Shinji had hope that maybe Jens had been earnest. Not that he'd ever know, he'd never see her again or get that closure. If Jens showed her head again there was no limit to the number of people that would try to claim it. With the Catians informing earth about the facts of the Dogsians, Jens was now an enemy of Earth.

They played a few more rounds, Shinji winning a few and losing in equal measure. Eventually they got bored of the roster of teenage-shadow hunters and picked out a movie. Picking a movie about a man waking up in a fantasy world with the bizarre power of an internet shopping screen, Shinji got a few snacks for them. Shinji and Chi-Chi took the couch while the others the two side-chairs. This was good, Shinji felt calm and safe, needed that. Moments came where his mind wandered to think what would have been his fate if any number of complications caused the rescue mission to fail. Where would he be? Would they have drugged him back to being semi-asleep the whole time? Jens said she'd have taken him after the scientists didn't need him, what did that mean? So much to fear.

"Dude this movie is stupid! The dude just has Amazon as a power? At least the wolf is cool," Touji grabbed on the cans of soda off the coffee table. Kicking his feet up on it, knocking some of the standing bags of chips over, he relaxed to the max of his options. Wiggling deeper into the chair, "So when Misato-sama opens the flood gates, who is going to be the first? Going to take them all out on dates and shit right?"

Actually thinking the idea of being able to buy whatever you wanted wherever was a great power, Shinji stayed silent on his opinion. His plans regarding the others? Well Shinji did have thoughts on that, "Durel-sensei actually. Apparently they had a small joke bet to calm themselves before they got to me. She won, and…I've kinda wanted to spend more time with her outside of the lab. She's such a shut-in when she can be, think she'd really…like…what?" Finding both Touji and Kensuke gazing slack jawed at him, Shinji felt the need to defend the brilliant and beautiful Catian.

His hand inched for his camera, but Kensuke kept his composure and the camera got to continue to exist. Popping the top of his can though, Kensuke's giddiness spread, "The doctor? That hot older lady? You're going to take HER first? What about Kuune-san?! Please tell me Kuune-san as well! Get her to do cosplay and I will pay you so much money! I told you he had a thing for smart chicks man! And you need to pay up man!"

"Damn it! I understood Ayanami, but to think Shin-man had a taste for the mature," Touji took out a few bills and hurled them at Kensuke. After putting his wallet back into his pocket, "That doctor though? Seriously? You have odd taste man. I was asking between Eris and Ayanami, but here Shin-man throws the curveball. Good on you though, man." Touji flashed a thumbs-up and the trio settled back into the movie.

Best not to tell them about Asuka right now, they'd either freak out again or not believe him. Watching the film, Shinji's mind drifted in and out of it. It was fun, Sui was adorable despite constantly craving violence. But he just kept falling back into what-ifs and how close he came to being a Guinee pig for the rest of his life. All because he wanted to help learn what the Dogsians wanted, help the Catians protect there ship. He believed they'd keep him safe during the operation, they failed. Should he be upset at them for that? Should he judge them and hold them responsible for what he suffered?

"No," Shinji muttered and got a side eye from Kensuke, Shinji covered and just pointed at the movie. Kensuke took the fib as real, and went back to watching the wolf and slime destroy a fleet of demon cows. He had told Eris and Durel that he didn't hold them accountable for the failed mission, and he didn't lie about that. More proof that Jens was lying to him all along, but he just had to hope some glimmer of what he believed was true. No blame from him though, he made his choice knowing it could go south, which it did. And they saved him in the end! So…clean slate between them.

Movie eventually ended with the cliffhanger of more silly cooking adventures with the human his wolf life-mate and their slime son. Touji turned on a silly gameshow for sound, and the teens just talked about dumb things that teenagers find so important. It was peaceful though, and much needed. After a solid hour of just bumming around, the door opened and a drained Misato called out, "Shin-chan, I brought home some takeout. You want the chicken or the beef? And you got my Yebisu ordered right? Stupid adorable little bots didn't want to keep the fridge stocked like…oh yeah you guys were going to be on duty today."

With Shinji gesturing to the bags, Touji and Kensuke took the hint and started packing. "Just leaving now Misato-san. How are things going with the talks?" Kensuke asked. He held the camera for a very long moment, Chi-Chi eying it intently, and sadly put it away.

"Not aloud to talk about it to civilians Aida-kun, but I will say things are progressing. And thanks for being over. Girls next door are still in a mood, either they'd tear his cloths off or cry themselves into a fit. See ya next time boys!" Misato was mostly earnest with her chipper attitude but Shinji could tell she was forcing a little. Waiting until the boys said their goodbyes, and for Shinji to join her at the table, Misato found her blessed cans waiting for her, "Sorry for kicking them out. I'm just so fucking tired, sorry for swearing, but the word fit. How you feeling?"

Taking the takeaway containers, Shinji did what he knew Misato wanted and split the containers equally so she could have both types. Pouring himself some nice Barley tea, "Better, had a few moments that Durel-sensei warned off, but they pulled me back. Yourself?" The surreal fact that he had those fugue states of being lost in his own memories, but having his friends there helped a lot.

Picking out the meat first, Misato chowed down and made a mess, "I want to grab most of them and have you step on them in Unit-01. They want to know how we knew about Seele, why we did what we did, and then there is your fa…the former commander." Nobody used that name anymore, and Shinji was alright with that now. The man had planned to do horrible things not only to Shinji but the whole world. The bridge was burned, and Shinji wasn't sure if even given the opportunity he'd try to talk with the man. "There is going to be a trial, he's going to be tried along with all known Seele council members," Misato crunched a piece of broccoli.

"Will I have to do anything regarding these talks or trials?" Shinji picked about his plate. Not hungry, he hadn't had an appetite since his rescue which Durel said was also a part of the after-effects. Misato had been adamant that the pilots not be exposed to all these talks, but there was always the chance.

Crushing her empty and opening another, Misato shook her head as she drank. Letting out a whoop and belch, "Not on my life. Those old bastards won't see any of you unless they're willing to cough up a lot for it. You three are safe. Eat a bit more and you can stop. In the morning we can talk about when you're out of quarantine. Can't have that weapon of mass destruction wandering about free or we'll have kittens." She winked at the lad who went full red, then she laughed far to much.

Even though he was sitting, Shinji's hands went to check and cover if the little side-effect had come back. "I can't control that right now Misato-san, it isn't fair! And-and…" her laughing continued, escalated so Shinji took his plate and went to the living room. Sadly he did catch the table with his problem and that sent Misato into a bigger gale of laughter. The show Touji put on had shifted to another show, this one was about warrior women fighting to be queen with a lot of casual nudity. Not good for his problem, the lead women just struck Shinji's fancy. "Not fair Misato-san, not fair at all," he yelled out.

"Sorry-sorry, but my little Shin-man is well not little in that regard. Just go easy on them and take the meds Durel-kun gives you," Misato called from the table. Clatter of plates moving from table to sink, and Misato making a solid 'after supper drink' came from the kitchen. Plopping down next to Shinji on the couch, arm going around his back, she sat there protectively. Leaning against him, "Just trying to get you to relax. You went through a horrible thing, twice in fact, and just glad you can still blush like you do. Glad you're still the timid little thing that moved in with me, don't change that."

A lone tear did fall down his cheek, Shinji wasn't sure if Misato noticed but she pulled him against her regardless. She wasn't his mother, never would be, and he didn't want that from Misato, but at that moment he felt closer to Misato than he had before in a familiar way. She drank, watched television (she liked the spunky red-head bandit more), and they sat in silence. In the morning, they woke on the couch…his problem alive and poking Misato right where biology intended, and when Misato moaned in her sleep, Shinji rolled hard, fell off the couch and banged his head. Was the best night sleep he had in the last week.

X-X

Notes

One chapter left, basically an epilogue. I got in, had some fun with this, told a silly lil story, and about to start a larger story. Got a couple neat ideas to pick from, but want to really cement it down since I want the next to be more than 10-chaps so that is a longer commitment.

Later

Mercaba