Any author-original Characters/Mecha/Items/and others will be tagged with '*'.

This is set several years after the following conflict of the Neon Genesis Evangelion series, created and owned by Hideaki Anno.

Neon Genesis Evangelion: EVA Reborn

Contact 02: Forgotten Truth

I felt out of place. That was the first thing that crept into my mind. I was standing in a small rectangular office with tattered pure-cement grey walls. There weren't many things to be seen: only an old pair of bookshelves, a small thin-legged table that has a beat-up coffee maker with several cups on its dusty surface, a slightly torn green leather chair, a longer bed-like velvet seat that resembled something to a psychologist's patient chair, and an extremely old fashion wood and metal desk.

To my left Misato-chan stood by my side, her unclipped purple hair was hanging free to her shoulder height. Her collar was unbuttoned as she rapidly plucked at her uniform to cool herself down with a grimace. For moment, I thought I saw a scar that crept from under Misato-chan's uniform and seemed too reached out across the right side of her throat. I couldn't help a gulp and absent-mindedly touched my neck.

Commander Shinji Ikari, my mother's friend that I have been looking for, sat at the desk in front of me. His hands were folded in front of his mouth and an eerie glint reflected off his yellow-tinted glasses. I peered my eyes up to look passed him. Behind him was a window, concealed behind closed blinds. The blinds itself, when closed, formed the symbol that I have saw earlier in the day, when that horrid machine struck. It has half of a slanted Japanese maple-leaf, with four words beside it, and below it had a have ring quote that finished that symbol.

NERV; 'God's in His Heaven. All is right with the world.'

"Ah…" groaned Misato-chan, "please tell me that your AC is not dead again…so hot…Why don't you get it fixed?"

"I did…but it broke again last week…" replied Commander Ikari. I too found it quite stuffy inside the room. I felt like I could barely breathe without gulping in the air itself. What astounded me was that Commander Ikari seemed to ignore the heat, as he was still in full black uniform, "Keiko-san."

"H-hai?!" I was so surprised by the sudden call that I could not help a shiver running down my spine.

"I wish to sincerely apologize for what happened earlier on in the day," answered Commander Ikari, "as my responsibility, I will provide a safe shelter for your protection."

"Sorry," sheepishly frowned Misato-chan. She nervously rubbed the back of her head, "It's also my fault…I was suppose to pick you up…but kind'a forgot…my bad."

"N-no, it's not your fault! I…" I trailed off as I thought of an excuse to take the blame. I took a moment to think back for a second…I came to Tokyo-3. It was hot. A machine appeared directly from the ocean. It demolished a quarter of the ghost-city. It chased after and nearly killed me. Finally, I was rescued by this peculiar boy who had the machine's strength, only tripled…Unfortunately, I could not finish my sentence properly.

Commander Ikari gently waved a hand at me, "That's alright, Keiko-san. The important thing to know is that you are safe in good hands."

"Anou…Commander Ikari…sama…" I hesitated, "my mother mentioned that…you want to see me…you said you wanted my help?"

Silence hovered over Misato-chan and Commander Ikari. Finally, Commander Ikari sat up straight and broke that silence, "That is Correct. We would like you to help us…in regarding about your research of energy generation and consumption."

"May I ask…why?"

"Our flyboy needs it," replied Misato-chan. I turned to her, surprised that she wanted to add something. She slightly turned to me and grinned, "Atticus is a special type of person; whenever he fights he needs a constant supply of energy in order to continue his mission. As you've seen before, he shortly power-down because his internal batteries can last for less than 8 minutes…Poor guy has to be continuously recharged in order to keep him awake."

"Your mother greatly boasted about how your research received a Nobel Prize. She praised highly of you," smiled Commander Ikari.

I felt my cheeks burn and I quickly threw my gaze down to the floor. Actually, I was curious about something and I completely forgotten my timid feelings.

"Anou…Commander Ikari-sama…may I ask…what is Nerv?"

Again there was a short pause. Commander Ikari slowly folded his hands in front of his mouth and the reflection across his glasses returned.

"After what you have been through and what you have seen…as well as being my friend's one and only daughter…I'll tell you…" he answered softly. I nodded and listened carefully, "Nerv, was originally a special agency owned by the UN. 2015, we were charged with the defense of Tokyo-3…as well as the elimination of humankind's greatest threat…the Angels."

A memory triggered in the back of my mind. The bedtime stories my mother always told me about. Monster falling from the sky and three giant knights fought them in the lands of Tokyo-3…could this Monster from the sky, be the one and only Angels?

"27 years ago, all 18 Angels were destroyed and the world was shortly suspended in post-Third Impact."

Third Impact? I remembered I have done some research on events known as the First and Second Impact…First Impact was long before the Earth was formed to hold life on it. An asteroid from outer space collided into the pre-Earth, with a destructive force that caused it to separate a small part of itself into space; hence the formation of the moon. Second Impact was again another meteorite that struck Earth on September 13, 2000. Though the meteorite was said to be small, its speed and collision against the Earth surface was the initial cause of such destructive force. A shiver went down my spine, but frozed mid-way. What was Third Impact then?

I was about to open my mouth to speak, but Misato-chan already started to talk, "The higher ups of Nerv officially disbanded us…ever since then this base have been left under silence for years…That is until yours truly came back and unofficially reorganized it…"

"Ever since our first encounter with the creature you saw earlier," continued Commander Ikari, "we've been on high alert in case of an attack on Tokyo-3…this is also the cause of the city being completely empty."

"Commander Ikari-sama…" I whispered. He perked his head up at his name, "Wh-what…are those monsters?"

Commander Ikari did not answer right away, "They are discovered to be a sibling race to the Angels…they are classified as Arbiters of Worlds' End…we at the Nerv call them Requiems."

"Re…quiem…" I breathed.

"So, Keiko-san…will you lend us a hand…as we try to protect this last line of defense against them?" grinned Commander Ikari.

I straightened my back, "Hai! Commander Ikari-sama!"

He gently waved at me, "Shinji or Ikari will do just fine…"

I nodded. For a moment, I dared myself to ask this question, "Anou…Comm…etou, Ikari-sama…How is Atticus? Is he alright?"

Commander Ikari smiled, "Yes. He is doing fine. As we speak he is undergoing recharge right now."

I let out a sigh of relief, "Yokkata…"

Misato-chan wrapped her arm around my neck and hugged me close. I could not help a short gag as she took me by surprise, "Thank you, Keiko-chaaan! You'll really help our flyboy even better with the Requiem-butt-kicking part!"

"I-I understand…here I have my research with me…" I said. I touched my bare shoulders. I finally realized something as my eyes widen.

A scream filled the room, causing both Misato-chan and Commander Ikari to flinch. I soon came to noticed that I was the one who screamed. My hands sealed my mouth shut in absolute horror.

"MY BAGS!"

*****

Teary-eyed, I stared down at what was left of my teddy-bear back-pack. I could not bear to look at it any longer. It was torn and singed gruesomely in half. A black button eye was missing and its right arm was hanging limply from its side. I was about to break down and cry.

I sat on a freshly pressed bed within my newly acquired quarters of the Nerv base. I solemnly rested my teddy-bear backpack at the top right corner of the bed. I lightly brushed off a patch of soot from the top of its head. I let out a sad sigh.

I sat up straight and quietly took a moment to look around at my new room, my guess for the months to come. It felt up to date with the current times: with fluorescent light-bars across the ceiling, a holographic computer console on top of a fancy and expensive computer desk, a nearby metallic bookshelf, and a nice bed. Beside me was a small automatic drawer, with a tiny computer screen on one side for password recognition. On top of it was a cylinder-like and t-shaped fish tank and a small metal pot that projected a life-like and real-time image of any flower, or plant, I wished to project. Why the fish tank was there, I could not put my finger on it; but I did like the flower pot, setting it to project a lovely sunflower before me. I could not help a childish smile.

That was when the door to my quarters was buzzed. I sprung in my seat as a voice filtered through the door speaker, [Ooooooi! It's me, little'ol Misato-chan, and company!]

[Real cute, Misato, real cute…] grumbled a male voice.

I went up to the door and pressed the door button. It slid open with a soft whoosh and there standing at the doorway, with a grin that nearly reached her ears, was Misato-chan.

"Keeeeeiiiiikko-chaaaaan! Tadaima!" she giggled, almost child-like. Without warning, she burst through the door and instantly hugged me. I barely had a chance to realize anything else.

"M-Misato-chan?" I suddenly noticed more people at the doorway. I blushed at little as they all smiled at me.

There were three of them, two men and one woman. The woman was gentle and elegant, with short brown hair and a dune-colored uniform with skin-tight white pants. One man was somewhat short, with spiky brown hair, a pair of glasses across his nose bridge, and had a cheerful smile on his face. The last one was tall and had long hair, almost like a heavy metal player, with a straight face and unimpressed look on him. I'm guessed why he looked that gloomy is because he was holding onto large and heavy grocery bags. Actually, they all brought something into my room.

"Ne-ne!" giggled Misato-chan. She pulled away from her embrace and smiled at me, almost ecstatic, "I would like you to meet some friends of mine!" She instantly whirled around, swung her right arm around my neck and shoulder, and pointed at each entrant with a playful gun-shaped left hand, "This is Maya Ibuki!"

"Hello!" waved Ibuki.

"This little nerdy guy is, Makoto Hyuga!"

Hyuga was taken aback. He recomposed himself with an air of confidence and cleared his throat, "Technical genius is the better term…"

"And grumpy here is, Shigeru Aoba!"

"Hey!" he snapped. I instantly recognized that voice; it was the same male voice that came through the door speaker, "I only thought of buying some snacks for the kid, but I didn't expect to carry bucket loads of food for you!"

Misato-chan frowned and nonchalantly combed a strand of hair behind her ear. She pouted "Oooooh, but Aoba-saaaan…I'm just little old me, I'm not as stronger as yoooouuuu…"

Aoba scoffed, "Cut the girly-girl-girl act, Misato, you're just lazy!"

Misato-chan's brow twitched, yet she had on a twisted smile, "Be lucky that I am not Ichikawa, or else I would throw something bigger and painfully heavier than books…"

Aoba rolled his eyes, "Tch, make my−"

"Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha…" nervously laughed Ibuki, hoping to changing the subject before something happens, "Yes…well we all came to pay you a visit, Keiko-san. We even brought you some things."

"What?" I gasped, "n-no! You shouldn't have!" Ibuki stepped forward. In her arms she carried a large stack of female clothing, neatly folded and freshly ironed. She set it down on the computer desk with a smile.

"I know that your luggage was lost during the Requiem's encounter, so I hope you don't mind my spare clothes…"

"N-no not at all!"

She suddenly bent forward towards me. She cupped her hands to her mouth and whispered into my ear, "I'll get your private clothing later, don't worry."

My cheeks tinged with a pink shade. I nodded at her words, thankfully, and whispered back, "Thank you."

"I know this isn't much," nervously spoke Hyuga. As Ibuki took a step back to reveal Hyuga, I was surprised by what he was carrying.

"M…manga?" I wondered.

"Y-yeah…like I said it ain't much…" said Hyuga. He smiled, "But it's better than having nothing to do, am I right?" He too set the various collections of manga books onto a corner of my computer desk.

I graciously bowed, "Th-thank you!"

"Ahem…" uttered Aoba. I turned to him, almost afraid. It was only his gentle and friendly smile that shocked me, "Here." He lifted forth a pair of large white bags. I glimpsed inside and I felt my mouth sting with hunger. Food, snacks, and drinks…lots of them, "I apologize for the over-amount of food here. I planned to buy you a sandwich and a soda…but little miss I'm-the-boss-of-everything-as-I-am-Deputy-Commander…" At that he threw a short glare at Misato-chan. She merely checked her nails and whistled, "Bought nearly an entire lane…so here…" He finally rested the bags near the legs of the computer desk and stood back up to pat his hands, "Enjoy."

I instantly bowed to everyone, extremely grateful for their sincerity, "Uh…Hajimemashite! I am Keiko Langley-Soryu Birmingham! Douzo yoroshiku-onegai-shimasu!"

Ibuki gentle smiled and bowed as well, "Yoroshiku."

Hyuga and Aoba cracked a grin and bowed, "Ah, yoroshiku."

Misato-chan blinked at me from the corner of her eyes. She finally cracked a smile and giggle as she patted my left shoulder with her left arm around me, "A~ha, yoroshiku…Aree?" She suddenly perked her head up in confusion. Hyuga, Aoba, Ibuki, and I all stood back up and watched Misato-chan. She was looking for someone, "Any one seen Ichikawa?"

A pair of feet screeched to a stop and a figure was hidden directly behind Aoba and Hyuga. As soon as they noticed the figure behind them, they panicked and leapt away. Behind them was a young girl with long curly blonde hair…and an almost balanced yet extensive use of make-up on her face. She was pretty, but that could be just the cosmetics.

"Yo~ho!" she called out, her arm shot up above her head as a greeting, "Kiera Ichikawa, at your service."

"You're in a strangely good mood…" muttered Aoba, "what did you do now?"

Kiera's tiny foot shot up and kicked Aoba in the shin. He madly hopped about my small room as he held back curses, for my sake I guess. Kiera innocently giggled, but I thought I saw a vein was throbbing across her forehead, under her golden blonde hair.

"Ah, pish-posh!" she laughed, waving off Aoba's remark, "I came here to see the new girl!"

"New girl?" I then realized that there was no need to answer, "Me?"

Kiera nodded, almost joyfully, "Of course! Here!" She pulled out a rather large bouquet of yellow flowers, from behind her back, and presented it to me. I gasped at the sight, "Welcome aboard Nerv!"

I graciously accepted the flowers and held it in my arms, "Th-thank you very much…"

"No, thank you!"

"Eh?" I wondered. Kiera playfully hopped towards me like a little girl. I felt like I was meeting Goldilocks personally.

"You wouldn't believe being the only teenager here is the most boring role ever been in this place…As well, taking high school lessons here is such a hard to take by yourself!" grinned Goldilocks – I mean Kiera, "So what do you say? Wanna take high school lessons here together?! I promise to share with you my notes so we can study together and we'll be great BFFs even after graduation!"

I blinked as I took in all that information, "Eh…what's a BFF?" Kiera gladly wanted to define it, but Hyuga, while pressing his glasses up his nose bridge, took the first cake.

"Best friends forever…"

A vein streaked across Kiera. She quickly glimpsed at me and immediately chuckled out, to what I think would be frustration. She looked over her shoulder at Hyuga, "Of course…what better ways to define such simple words than from a nerd…"

Hyuga grimaced, "Technical genius…"

"Wait…" I realized, "did you say high-school?"

Kiera excitedly turned back to me, "Yeah! Yeah! So, wanna take high-school with me?"

"I can't," I answered, "I've already graduated from university…"

Silence hung in my room. Kiera kept her smile on…but I felt its initial emotion was swept under the rug. Without changing her expression, neither uttering a word, she slowly took the bouquet of flowers from my hands. Instantly, her face twisted with rage and she held the bouquet over her head.

"WHY YOU!"

"GET HER!" growled Aoba. In a flash, Ibuki, Hyuga, and Aoba wrapped their arms around an enraged Kiera. She thrashed in their hold as they struggled.

"LET ME AT HER! JUST LET ME AT HER! I'LL TEAR HER TO SHREDS! LET ME GO!"

Her elbow swiped across Hyuga's face, whipping his glasses off. He grimaced with a glare, "Get a hold of yourself Kiera! She's just academically talented than average, that's all – even if she is around your age!"

Misato-chan frowned and slapped a hand to her tired face, "Oh, shoot…right…She goes berserk whenever someone mentions they've graduated…faster than she could…" I did not quite get the idea. I blinked, kept my mouth quiet, and continued to watch the struggle in front of me.

"NO FAIR!" screamed Kiera, "SHE'S ALREADY A TEENAGER AND GRADUATED FROM UNIVERSITY?! I'VE BEEN SUFFERING FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS JUST TO GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL AND I HAVE TO REPEAT SEVERAL GRADES EVERYTIME! AAAAAAAAAAAGH! THIS IS ABSOLUTELY NO FAIR!"

"GET – HER – OUT OF HERE!" hollered Aoba. Quickly, he and the others started to drag Kiera, while she still ranted furiously at the top of her lungs. I quickly stepped forward and picked up Hyuga's glasses. I passed it to him as fast as I can. He was about to say thank you, when Kiera lurching forward at me – with deadly clawed hands reaching out towards my throat – interrupted him.

"THERE IS NO JUSTICE AT ALL! IT'S JUST NOT FAIR! MARK MY WORDS, I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE!"

Soon, after gripping at the edge of the door, Kiera disappeared with Hyuga, Aoba, and Ibuki. Automatically, the door swooshed closed. I finally let out a sad sigh.

"I feel sorry for Ichikawa-san…poor girl…" I whispered. I must have missed it, but Misato-chan gave me a slow look at the corner of her eyes. A sweat drop must have hovered over her head.

*****

"AAAAAAAAAHHH!" breathed Misato-chan. She had just gulped down a refreshing remains of a freshly emptied soda can. She crushed it in her hands and tossed it into an empty bag with a clutter.

"I'm sorry Misato-chan…for losing my research during the machine's attack…I'll rewrite another one as soon as I can…" I said, crestfallen.

Misato waved a forgiving hand at me, "Oh please, it's not your fault. Again, it was me who forgot to pick you up. If I had remembered, we wouldn't be having this conversation in the first place…" She sighed with a faint grin, "Besides, take your time with your research, we're in no rush as long as you feel comfortable being here." She started to open a new can

I sat on my bed, lightly nibbling at the mouth piece of my soda can. Misato-chan had drunk her next soda halfway, until she saw me. She lowered the can from her lips and turned to me with a smile.

"Why so glum?" she asked.

I snapped out of my thoughts, "Eh? What?"

"What's on your mind?"

"Etou…" I hesitated at first, "I was…I was wondering about the monsters, the Requiems…and Atticus…"

"What about them," asked Misato-chan. She leaned against my computer desk and continued to drink her soda. She stole short glances at the unique t-shaped fish tank beside my bed.

"You and Commander Ikari mentioned before once that…the Requiems have finally made their move…" I answered, "I'm sorry, I overheard your conversation back in the helicopter…"

Misato-chan grinned and lightly laughed, "Heh-heh…might as well tell you." She turned her full attention to me as she drank her soda from time to time, "Well…after the fight with the Angels 27 years ago, the world was no longer at threat. Nerv, as we said before, was disbanded. It just so happened that some of us, as well as former staff members, kept in contact with each other. And it just so happened that Shinji-kun wanted some of our help with…" She paused for a second, as if nearly spilling out something that was not meant to be spilled, "…a special project…We used Nerv's headquarters as the labs – which was my idea by the way…" She gulped down the rest of her soda and crushed it in her hand, "Then it happened…"

"Wh-what?" I said, breathless.

"Our old scanners that we used to identify an Angel's presence went off," answered Misato-chan coldly, "it took us completely by surprised when we found out what made that pinged…Oh sorry, my bad. Pinged is a term where something is detected by radar…That day…it was not a pinge you would've like…"

"The…Requiems?" I asked. She nodded, eyes narrowed.

"We've had a total of 8 encounters so far…each merely passing by 2000 km off of the Tokyo-3 bay. They never struck…until today…"

I lowered my gaze, unsure of what to say or asked next. I recollected how frightening it was just to face one of these Requiem…and there are more of them that could attack Tokyo-3? I bit at my lower lip to ignore the shudder down my spine.

Suddenly, a red box appeared right in front of me. I was taken aback by surprise as I raised my gaze. A…Pocky snack box? I looked up at Misato-chan. She returned a wide child-like grin.

"Pocky?" she gestured. I hesitated. Finally, I gingerly pulled one out and started to nibble on it. It was sweet and relaxing…it's been a while since I had this snack…I cracked a smile. Misato-chan too pulled out two Pockys. She pinched one between her second and third finger and happily snapped off the other Pocky stick into two with her lips. She started to munch happily.

"D…do you like snacks? Misato-chan?" I asked.

She shrugged and answered, almost without thinking, "Not really…but ever since I had the accident, I had a weak body…So whenever I am under tension I need something sweet to keep me going…or all chaos will break loose without me…"

"An accident?" I asked, almost squeaking. Could it be that scar on her neck?

She realized what she said and choked, "*Cough* *Cough* I mean…yeah…an accident…" She slowly returned a nod and averted her eyes to my fish-tank, "Just an accident…" She didn't look so happy for some reason. I made a strong decision not to pursue it any longer.

"Anou…how is he? Atticus-sama?" I asked, changing the topic.

Misato-chan turned to me. She surprised me with a sudden change of expression on her face. She looked like she was grinning whole-heartedly again.

"Our flyboy?" she smiled, being cheery and enigmatic herself again, "Why don't you ask him yourself?"

*****

The door swooshed open before me. I could not help a blink, for the lights inside the room were really, really, bright. I stood outside of a strange laboratory's threshold, with Misato-chan backing me up in behind. She guided me inside first and we entered. She took a moment to wave at a nearby Nerv Scientist and Technician.

"Yooooh! How's our flyboy after today's rumble?" she asked, almost casually.

I took a step forward away from Misato-chan, drawn towards one spot inside the entire lab. It was him, the boy…Atticus. He was floating inside a strange cylinder tank filled with cyan-tinted liquid. Tiny bubbles, like from that of a soda bottle, rose to the bubbling surface above his head. Several monitoring device were attached to him, wearing a skin-tight suit that reached out to his wrists, neck, and ankles. There was this fighter-pilot-like oxygen max that was cupped to his face, connected to an oxygen tube attached to the ceiling of the tank. If I hadn't known better, I think he was fast asleep.

"Unit-01's status is well stabilized at the moment. He is in good condition, suffering only minor injuries and several scratches. We took care of that," replied the Nerv Scientist. He flipped through papers attached to a clipboard, "Being the second time he's been in operation, I'd say he's cleared for further extensity for future missions."

"Power recharge is almost complete," replied the Nerv Technician. He adjusted his orange and tan-colored backwards cap across his head, "Aegis Cloth has been inflicted with minimal damage. Only minor stabilizer control and some enhance sensory components have stopped working and are currently being repaired."

Aegis Cloth? I turned to look at Misato-chan to ask for the definition. Something caught my eyes, which was held inside a tall and empty capsule, standing next to Atticus' tank. It was his clothing, his purple jacket, his green shirt, and long black pants. They were scarred, but I saw several bright sparks across it and slowly made repairs the damages.

"Those are nanobots that are fixing the Aegis Cloth." I perked my head up and turned to Misato-chan. She had just received the clipboard from the Nerv Scientist and looks at it without turning to me, "The Aegis Cloth is a special clothing-based armor set and system that can protect Atticus from high amount of damage, enhancing his combat synchronization effect, and has anti-G-force diffuser to dissipate high amount of speed pressure that might injure his internal organs…" She suddenly realized who she was speaking to. Misato-chan sheepishly grinned and stuck her tongue out, embarrassed, "Aha…gomene, Keiko-chan…" She turned to the others, her voice hinted with authority yet with a touch of kindness, "Thank you, guys, you are both relieved from your post until further notice."

The Nerv Scientist and Technician returned a nod. They grabbed most of their things and walked out of the lab, the door sliding closed behind him. As soon as that door closed, Misato-chan chucked the clipboard over her shoulder. It landed perfectly across another table.

"We're alone," she smiled, almost frighteningly mischievous, "you got something to say to our flyboy?"

I hesitated. I felt my shy self inside stirring inside my stomach as I turned to Atticus. He was still floating in the tank, eyes closed in deep sleep. I gently touched the tank's surface with my right hand. I leaned in closer to the glass, almost to kiss it. I did not want him to miss my words, for what he has done for me.

"Arigatou…"

His eyes opened. It took me exactly four seconds to realize that. I sprung back in fear, and I definitely know my cheeks are burning so badly.

"Ohayou gozaimasu. Keiko Langley-Soryu Birmingham," answered the monotonous voice of Atticus, though the oxygen mask attached to his mouth. I simply stood where I was, blankly blinking dumbfounded. Atticus' eyes lingered onto me for a short moment. Finally, he turned slightly to gaze at Misato-chan, "Ohayou gozaimasu. Deputy Commander Misato."

Misato-chan smiled tenderly, almost motherly like, "Ohayou…but it's not morning anymore."

Atticus passively blinked, "What time is it?"

"It's almost evening," replied Misato-chan playfully, "so what do you say at this time?"

"…Konbanwa. Deputy Commander Misato."

Without warning, Misato-chan suddenly appeared to my left. I took a step back in surprise. She was bent forward and was staring right through the glass at Atticus, with a girlish air around her. She was slightly irritated as she shook her head, "Jiiiiigaaaaruuuu! Misato-chan! Mi-sa-to-chaaaaaan!" I blinked. Despite her age of looking like a 40 year old woman…she had a strong essence of an average and energetic high school girl. I turned to Atticus. Again, he paused as he blinked.

"Misato."

Misato-chan stumbled on the spot, "Ai-ya-ya…never could get that through your thick skull, can I?"

"Sumimasen. Misato," apologized Atticus, his tone never changing. Misato-chan shook her head.

"Anou…arigatou gozaimasu, for before," I spoke. Misato-chan and Atticus both turned to me. I struggled to put on my best confident smile I could come up with, but I knew my shyness got the better of me and my cheeks, "Ha-ha-hajimemashite…I am Keiko…d-dozou yoroshiku-onegaishimasu…" I ended my introduction with a bow. I stood back up just as Atticus spoke to me.

"Hajimemashite…I am EVA-01 Atticus…dozou yoroshi−" When he bowed, his forehead painfully knocked onto the glass of his tank. I squeaked with fear. Misato-chan stared at him with closed mouth disbelief. Atticus passively stood back up in his tank.

"Ittai," he said flatly, his expression never changing.

Misato-chan slapped a hand to her face and sighed, "Ah…Atticus…"

The lab door slid open and someone in a black and high-ranking uniform entered. Misato-chan, Atticus, and I turned. I gasped with surprise and I slapped my mouth shut.

Misato-chan grinned, "Yoooh! Shinnnjiii-kuuuuun."

Commander Ikari returned a smile as he entered the labs, the door sliding to a close behind him. C-C-Commander Ikari-sama? What was he doing here for? I then realize where I was and who the person behind me was in the tank. Oh…of course, he is the Commander…he needs to make sure his soldiers are alright. I quietly stepped to one side, as if to let him pass me. He only stopped in front of me as he talked with Misato-chan.

"How is he?" he asked, casually.

Misato-chan pressed a finger to her forehead and thought it over as she pursed her lips. Soon she turned to Commander Ikari with a smile and gave him an okay sign with her hand, "A-Okay!"

Commander Ikari nodded. I was impressed in how Misato-chan was able to summarize the Scientist and Technician's report…into one word…or was it two words. The Commander stared up at the tank and stood right in front of it. He stared at Atticus with quiet, yet soft eyes, as he had his hands folded behind his back.

"Good evening, Atticus, are you doing well?"

Atticus nodded with the same expressionless gaze, "Hai. Shittsue".

At first, I missed what Atticus just mentioned. When I thought over what he said, I realized something really important that I should have noticed at first hearing. Sh… shittsue? I remember when my mother taught me Japanese while I was a child, she explained to me that this word, 'shittsue', was an extremely honorific word to say…one's father…

I slowly turned to Atticus and he turned to me, "Hai?"

"A-anou…Atticus-san…what is your full name?"

Atticus paused for a second while he passively blinked, "Atticus Ayanami Ikari."

"…eeeeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEHHHHHH!!!!" My face went as pale as a ghost. I turned to commander Ikari and Misato-chan, my mouth wide open with shock, "He's…He's…He's…"

Misato-chan sheepishly rubbed the back of her head, "Ah, gomene Keiko-chan…I forgot to tell you…"

Commander Ikari smiled, "It is correct…Atticus is my son."

Author's Notes

JAPANESE TERMS:

Yo-kka-ta: Means good, or in speech terms 'Oh…thank goodness…'.

Go-me-ne: Feminine form of gomenasai. Girls only. It is equivalent with 'gomenasai' to apologize (Sorry), only used at a closer intimate level than 'sumimasen'.

Ha-ji-me-ma-shi-te: In Japan if you introduce yourself to someone you do not know, you start with Hajimemashite. It is equivalent to say: 'Hello, how do you do.' Then you tell the person your name. Used only if you are introducing yourself for the very first time; after that, do not use again on the same person.

Do-zo-u yo-ro-shi-ku: After you introduce yourself, you end with dozou yoroshiku and bow. It is equivalent to say: 'Please honor/accept me within your humble presence' or so. The longer it is the more polite, ie. Dozou yoroshiku-onegaishimasu, but would be considered somewhat awkward for to be that long in reality with the Japanese; unless if it was for Anime. Otherwise stick with the basic form.

Ji-ga-ru: Equivalent to mean: 'No, not like that! / No, not at all! / Not true!'

Shi-ttsu-e: Heard from Anime (notably from Yu-Gi-Oh! During the Noah Battle Arc) as a way of calling father, only it is extremely high-ranking in honor to use. Spelling may not be accurate.