"We're The Band"

Chapter 15: All For You The Unforgiven

Saturday Afternoon – NERV Command Center
Lots of people were milling around the Command Center waiting for the mission briefing to start. Newly promoted Captain Maya Ibuki was there as head of research and medical support. Newly promoted Captain Makoto Hyuuga was there in his new role as Intelligence Operations Officer where he was basically in charge of Section 2. Newly promoted Captain Shigeru Aoba was there as the combat commander. As the base transitioned away from the Angel Wars into a regional research and operations center, everyone was assuming new roles and responsibilities.

The assault team section commanders were there in support of Aoba. The lead intelligence operative was there in support of Hyuuga. The three former pilots were there in support of . . . well, everyone. Their roles in this mission had yet to be discussed and were probably only clear in Misato's mind - the very mind everyone was waiting to arrive so the briefing could start.

For their part, Rei, Asuka, and Shinji stood off to the side in camouflage fatigues – the uniform of the day. They were, for the most part, glad that they no longer had to wander around in plug suits but the concepts of "uniform of the day" and "military appearance" grated on them – Shinji most of all. He had griped to Asuka at one point that he didn't need another uniform and that there was no way he was getting a hair cut. He had added that why couldn't he just where his school uniform if they really needed him to where some sort of uniform. Her only response was that while the hair length might slide, he should just be a man and shut up about the clothes. More to the point, she had told him to pick his battles. Seeing that he had grudgingly accepted wearing a uniform, she softened the blow by telling him that he looked cute in it and that every girl likes a man in uniform triggering yet another cute conversation that caused Rei to shake her head in disgust and flee the locker room.

The wait was short lived as Misato made her entrance and took her seat. With a quick nod of approval from Misato, Aoba began the mission briefing.

"As you are all well aware, there have been a number of ultra-nationalist organizations that have begun agitation as the world moves towards a more unified government, Post-3I, and this agitation has included terrorist acts meant to destabilize nations around the globe. We have received verified intelligence that one of the most virulent groups in Japan – Warriors of the Rising Sun – is holding a summit of its top leadership and some other groups within the next couple of hours at this site near us. This group and some of its affiliates have staged bombings, kidnappings, and murders designed to destabilize the relationship with the UN and finance further activities. They desire a military solution to a political issue, so we will provide them a military solution."

A satellite image filled the main screen behind Aoba while the side screens contained grainy photographs of the known members to be present along with some blank silhouettes for unknowns.

"The Mission Objective is to assault the location where the meeting is taking place and kill or capture all attendees. Capture is at the discretion of the assault team commanders based on the tactical situation. Team safety and threat elimination are the priorities. You can see on auxiliary screen two a wireframe of the building in which they are meeting. This information will be passed on to you to allow for assault planning."

Seeing the head nods from the assault team leaders, Aoba continued on, "In a departure from doctrine, we are deploying three person sniper blockade elements along the only possible egress routes given the terrain. This departure from the traditional doctrine of sniper and spotter is driven by the fact that the two man team does not provide enough backstop security to slow a concerted escape effort of targets with vehicles and allow the assault group to re-engage. Therefore, a third person for security armed with a paratrooper M249 squad automatic weapon will be added."

"Locations are noted on image above. In addition, this key egress point on the only road to the site," Aoba indicated a highlighted sniper team, "will have a special sniper team consisting of Captains Ayanami, Soryu, and Ikari. Because you are essentially providing a roadblock, Captain Ayanami, you will be provided a higher power M24 sniper system to allow you to incapacitate thin skinned civilian vehicles. Captain Ikari, you are element security. Captain Soryu, you will have tactical command of the element."

Shinji listened to the rest of the briefing with only half an ear as Aoba went over transportation, call signs, timelines, and other mission essentials and wrote specifics on a notepad, but the majority of his mind was reviewing his training and trying to stay calm in the face of his first mission. The same "stage fright" jitters he had gotten were starting up again as his subconscious anticipated his return to combat operations. Only his proximity to Asuka kept everything in check.

"Excuse me, Captain," interrupted Asuka in a surprisingly professional voice.

"Go ahead, Captain Soryu.

"If we're going to be taking on vehicles, why are we not taking the heavier Barrett-based sniper system?"

"A couple of reasons: First, Captain Ayanami has not sufficiently trained on that system. Second, the system weight and recoil is excessive for your team. Third, your team may be engaging soft targets such as personnel where the higher rate of fire of a lighter system is more advantageous. Finally, the modified system we will provide has 85 of the effectiveness of the system you refer to against armored targets based on changes to the ammunition."

"Thank you, Captain."

The group of people familiar with Asuka's past behavior sat in quiet amazement. She had raised a concern in a very professional manner and not lashed out at having been told that there was more information in the decision. The only ones not surprised were Shinji, Rei, and Misato who had been intimately involved in the progress Asuka had made over the last weeks.

Aoba's part of the briefing over, Misato stood. "Alright, element and team planning and preparations begin now with embarkation onto transport in 30 minutes. Get it done, people."

Laertes Element – Outskirts of Tokyo-3
Shinji lay concealed in some scrub about 10 meters from his sister and girlfriend. The automatic weapon was on its bipod in front of him giving him command of a 200 meter stretch of the road. Asuka and Rei were up a slight rise from him where Asuka was acting as Rei's spotter and had linked them together in a unit specific radio net as well as on the general frequency. Everyone was observing radio silence, but Shinji had a song running unbidden through his head. It was a hard rock song Asuka had given him from a 20th Century American band called Metallica. His subconscious had dredged up the song, "Unforgiven", and he couldn't seem to get the lyrics out of his head.

New blood joins this earth
And quickly he's subdued
Through constant pained disgrace
The young boy learns their rules

With combat helmets on and face shields down, it was a quiet and lonely ride in the transports to their landing zone. Only the warmth of Asuka's hand had kept Shinji's nerves in check. Given the periodic trembling of her hand in his, Shinji suspected he had the same effect on Asuka in her first tactical command. The excitement of combat had given way to the dull ache of dread. The final march to their concealment spots had also been done in silence. The only communication was hand signals. The weight on Shinji's back of ammunition, first aid kit, and water seemed to weigh many times what it had in the past.

With time, the child draws in
This whipping boy done wrong
Deprived of all his thoughts
The young man struggles on and on, he's known
A vow unto his own
That never from this day
His will they'll take away

"Status Check," cracked Misato's voice over the general frequency.

"Hamlet," responded the assault team commander with his element name indicating his team's readiness.

"Othello." Sniper element one on the opposite side of the building.

"Macbeth." Sniper element to their right.

"Lear." Sniper Element to their left.

"Laertes," came Asuka's voice indicating the they were in position, concealed, and ready to initiate the roadblock.

"Nightingale." Medical evacuation and flight transport indicating engines running about 5 flight minutes away.

What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never be
Never see
Won't see what might have been

Misato was observing through satellite observation and other surveillance means not disclosed to the general populace. She had overall control of the operation but was about to relinquish tactical initiative to the assault team commander. A part of her hated the fact that she had to put her young charges in harm's way yet again after all they had sacrificed and done. In particular, she was worried about Shinji. Of the three of them, he had the thinnest mental armor for combat and the least amount of training since Rei and Asuka had practically been raised as combatants if not soldiers. The mother in her hoped that none of them would have to pull a trigger.

"Hamlet, you have control," came Misato's emotionless voice.

"Roger, Hamlet has control. Stand by . . . Ready . . . GO, GO, GO!"

What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee "Unforgiven"

Shinji listened to the radio chatter as the assault team hit the building. His musician's ears noted the dull thumps of the flash bangs; the whispered breaths of the silenced weapons of the assault teams; the staccato reports of terrorist weapons; and the screams – those terrible screams of fear and pain. A glance at Asuka and Rei showed the two of them wide-eyed at the sounds of violence coming in over the radio and Shinji had the bitter taste of bile in his mouth that his sister and his love had to be exposed to this debasement.

"They're running for the cars. All stations we have individuals breaking for the two vehicles."

"Macbeth copies."

"Lear copies."

"Laertes copies."

"Lear has them in sight. Engaging . . . no clear shot. Laertes, they're coming to you."

"Roger."

Aoba turned and glanced at Misato. She had sharply inhaled and began to quietly curse at the turn of events.

Shinji settled in behind his weapon vaguely aware that Rei and Asuka had done the same. Just as in the fight with the bullies, everything had begun to slow down for him and a strange calm washed over his mind.

They dedicate their lives
To running all of his
He tries to please them all
This bitter man he is
Throughout his life the same

He's battled constantly
This fight he cannot win
A tired man they see no longer cares
The old man then prepares
To die regretfully
That old man here is me

As the cars came into view, Rei's first shot rang out. It hit the engine compartment of the lead car and must have caused the engine to seize because the car began to abruptly slow only to be rear ended by the trailing car. Suddenly, Rei's voice rang out, "Stoppage! Stoppage!"

By this time, Shinji had opened up with the automatic weapon. He had blown out the tires on the cars and was methodically putting bursts into the huge silhouettes of the cars, ripping up the sheet metal. Over the top of the weapon, he said into his microphone, "Rei, Asuka, fall back to the secondary firing point! I have them under fire. Fall back!"

Shinji continued to rip into the cars with automatic fire. In the slow motion of the situation, he methodically moved from target to target making lightning tactical decisions to cut off the movement of the targets with bursts from his weapon and then dropping them. A part of his mind acknowledged that the target silhouettes falling in the shadows were actually people, but he had focused on the task of making sure the threat to his loved ones was gone. His weapon paused briefly as he quickly changed out the magazine and resumed firing.

"Macbeth flanking vehicles, press," crackled over the unit channel. Shinji's brain caught Asuka's acknowledgement of the communication indicating that the other sniper element was moving to add its fire to Shinji's from a flanking position and that Asuka's element should continue to press the attack.

Return fire was sporadically impacting around Shinji's position as the few remaining terrorists began to recover from the surprise of the ambush. The first shooter was silenced by another round from Rei firing from her secondary position. Just then, Macbeth's automatic weapon tore through ambush site opening a new window into Hell for the remaining terrorists.

What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never be
Never see
Won't see what might have been

What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee "Unforgiven"

" . . . ase fire! Shinji, cease fire!" penetrated Shinji's brain. He let up on the last burst just as the 'dead man's click' came from his weapon. As the silence washed over him and the stink of cordite from the nearly 400 rounds he had just fired registered on his nose. The smell shook him, and he became aware of the rest of the radio chatter.

"This is Nightingale. I am two mikes from the facility. Are you ready with the packages Hamlet?"

"Affirmative."

"Laertes, Lear. We are ready to sweep the cars with Macbeth. Othello and Hamlet have secured the facility."

"Laertes copies. You are clear to sweep the cars."

"Shinji?" queried Asuka the worry in her voice was in sharp contrast to the calm, flat voice she had just used that was typical of most military radio communication.

"I'm ok. Let me change out the magazine and then I'll come back to you."

"Ok."

The task was quickly accomplished and Shinji cautiously stood to make his way back to the girls.

You labeled me
I'll label you
So I dub thee "Unforgiven"

Shinji announced his arrival before coming through the brush. He didn't want either Asuka or Rei to accidentally shoot him. A worried Asuka ran up to him to give him a bone crushing hug, "Baka, you had me worried."

Her hug was then augmented by Rei's equally crushing grip as the three teens shared the relief of having survived their first counter-terrorism action.

Several Hours Later – NERV Break Room
Rei and Shinji were sitting at one of the tables waiting for Asuka and Misato to finish with the commander's debriefing. The full teams had already gone through the "After Action" but the element leads and the command staff had been required to stay for some additional discussion. The remnants of some snacks surrounded Shinji as he idly swirled his drink, staring into space. The small radio that had been donated by Shigeru as he upgraded his stereo softly played Sister Hazel's "All For You" in the background.

Finally I figured out,
But it took a long long time
Now there's a turnabout,
Maybe cause I'm tryin'
There's been times, I'm so confused
Down my road, will it lead to you?
Just can't turn and walk away

Rei moved to get Shinji's attention.

"Shinji-kun?"

"Hmm?" was the distracted response as Shinji took another swallow of his drink.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure," Shinji turned his full attention to his sister.

"How do I know if a boy likes me?"

It's hard to say what it is I see in you
Wonder if I'll always be with you
Words can't say it, I can't do
Enough to prove, it's all for you

Shinji choked on his drink but, miraculously, did not spray it all over his sister. Once he was able to breathe air and not orange soda, he took a long appraising look at his sister who was waiting patiently with a look of complete innocence on her face. Having gathered his thoughts and rallied his neurons to a coherent answer, Shinji began, "Well, you'll see them glancing at you and being nervous around you. They'll probably even look away when you look at them if they're shy. They may also blush when you look at them like they've been caught doing something they shouldn't be doing."

And I'd thought I seen it all,
Cause it's been a long long time
Oh bothered that we'll trip and fall,
Wonderin' if I'm alive

There's been times, I'm so confused
Down my road, will it lead to you?
I just can't turn, you walk away

Rei thought about this for a moment. "But, everyone looks at me. I'm not exactly average in appearance."

Shinji's higher brain functions were having trouble keeping up. This was not a conversation he had really ever contemplated having with his sister. The only reason he was still in the game was the realization that he was family, and she was serious about her question. "True. But, it's not staring at you just because you're unusual. It's watching to learn a little about what you're doing to try and understand who you are."

"Like the way you watch Asuka-chan?"

"Uh . . . I guess so."

Its hard to say what it is I see in you
Wonder if I'll always be with you
Words can't say, and I can't do
Enough to prove it's all for you
Rain comes pourin' down,

Fallin' from blue skies
Words give out a sound,
comin' from your eyes

"But, what about the nervousness? All the boys are nervous because they're afraid of you."

"Afraid of me?"

"Shinji-kun, after what you said at the dance and the beating you put on those bullies, there isn't a nice boy in the school who wants to get on your bad side by making an unwanted advance."

"I suppose . . . "

"So, how am supposed to tell?"

"Well, this is kind of what Doctor Akagi tried to explain to me. You'll never know for sure, so you have to risk the potential pain given the uncertainty against the potential rewards. I guess what I'm saying is that given everything you just told me, you're just going to have to risk asking a boy you're interested in out on a date with the possibility of getting rejected."

Rei just stared at her brother while she thought about what he just said.

Finally I figured out,
But it took a long long time
Oh now there's a turnabout,
Maybe cause I'm tryin'
There's been times, I'm so confused
Down my road, will it lead to you?
Just can't turn, you walk away

Shinji continued on, "Now, based on what I've heard so far in the Kensuke and Toji grapevine into the other students, I doubt you'll get rejected. You just have to pick a boy you think you like and trust. So, do you have a boy in mind already?"

Rei just blushed and, just as with Asuka, had a sudden attack of shyness and dropped her eyes. However, she did give a little nod.

"Ok. And, is there something in particular you want to take this boy to?"

Again, Shinji received the little nod from his sister but he noticed that she was fidgeting with her hands in her lap.

Its hard to say what it is I see in you
Wonder if I'll always be with you
Words can't say, I can't do
Enough to prove it's all for you

"Is there something else that you want to add?"

Shinji had to wait a few moments while Rei gathered herself to actually answer. "I wanted to ask this boy to take me to the concert that my favorite band is opening, but I don't want to go alone. I was wondering if you and Asuka would come with me, but I also know this would make the boy very nervous. I just don't know what to do."

For a brief moment, Shinji marveled at the twists and turns his life had taken to suddenly be sitting in front of Rei as her big brother, giving her advice on boys, and being asked if he and Asuka would double date with her. Those thoughts sank back into his subconscious as fast as trout swim away when released.

Well it's hard to say what it is I see in you
Wonder if I'll always be with you
Words can't say, I can't do
Enough to prove, it's all for you
Hard to say
Hard to say, it's all for you

"Well, I'm sure Asuka would agree that we'd be happy to go with you to make you feel more comfortable. We'd also give you enough space to not be too intimidating to your date. Besides, this boy would eventually have to get comfortable with us anyways. You might as well through him into the deep end of the pool to see if he can swim."

All further discussion came to an abrupt end as Misato and Asuka burst into the room from their meeting. With little ceremony, Asuka sat down next to Shinji, dropped her head to his shoulder, and let out a tired sigh. Misato had grabbed coffee and was contemplating the remainder with tired eyes. Shinji, without thinking, began to rub Asuka's back as he took all of this in.

"It looks like we're all just beat. How about we head home and I make us something?" offered Shinji.

"That would be wonderful, Shinji. Let me grab my keys and we'll head out," replied Misato as she moved to head up the hall to her office.

"The fact that you can cook makes up for your baka-ness," came the tired teasing from Asuka.

"Did the after action not go well?" queried Shinji in a quiet voice.

"It went fine. It's just that they dissect everything to the nth degree and it just gets very tedious. It made me want to scream, but I couldn't embarrass Misato like that. The only interesting thing that came out of the hour and a half after you guys were allowed to leave was that interrogations have started on the prisoners the assault team was able to capture."

"Let's get everyone home, then," declared a suddenly decisive Shinji.

Meanwhile, a few levels away, in a bright, sterile room, an interrogator was coaxing some interesting opinions from a captured terrorist. In a room down the hall, Hyuuga's eyes began to widen as his intelligence analysts explained their preliminary findings from the treasure trove of data captured from the facility. It all pointed to a major security breach with the identities of Rei, Shinji, and Asuka as the EVA Pilots becoming very public knowledge.

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Author's Parting Shots: The combat is adapted from what happened to a friend of mine in Special Forces, so it's not complete fabrication. He had put a shot from his Remington 700 into a car's engine block causing it to seize up after which his spotter shredded the car with a squad automatic weapon.

And I promise that I will close off some of the other story arcs before introducing too many more. Hopefully, you didn't see the fingers crossed behind my back.