She is not good at voicing concerns, and her usual cool demeanor does not well show her trepidation. On some level, she wanted to ask if maybe, just maybe, they could hold off on plugging her into the 200 foot tall biotech monster that tried to kill her the last time she was in it.

But, she does not. Orders are given, orders are obeyed.

Still, while sitting in the Plug, waiting as systems are checked off and she can see through her monitor link that the Commander visibly has his fingers crossed, she is nervous. The fact that both Unit 02 and Unit 01 are on the other end of the massive testing room is reassuring, though.

She has not had much time with Ikari. Most of his time is taken up by training, school, or whatever plot Captain Katsuragi has planned. Still, she is not sorry she will not go with them to meet the Fourth.

If anything, their departure will give her time to herself.

Something she rarely finds, especially given her living mates.

"Okay, Rei," Misato says, her face appearing in the corner of her eye, "Begin syncing. Units are on standby."

"Understood."

She grips the butterfly controls, closing her eyes. As always, her mind expands, her sense of self expanding out…

"Breathe, Pieter."

Sohryu half turns his head to Kozou, grunting as he taps his foot.

"Everything's set," he asks.

"Bakelite pumps primed, both Evas are ready to restrain Unit 00 if it goes berserk again. If the pilot cannot control it, Unit 00 will not be moving an inch from where it is and we retrieve the Entry Plug. No repeats of last time."

"As much as I appreciate watching Ikari run like that, I'm not comfortable putting her in danger."

Kozou looks at him, and nods, slightly.

"No one is," he says, "But it is what we have to fight with."

The single eye of Unit 00 lights up, hands clenching as it stands up straight.

"Synchronization holding at 36%. Unit 00 is activated."

Ibuki's voice echoes through the Cages, Sohryu visibly relieved. He walks over to the console next to her, tapping the intercom.

"Okay, let's power down. Shinji, Asuka, meet up with Dr. Ikari and the Captain at the landing pad in one hour. Dr. Akagi, please give Rei a thorough once over. Everyone back to work."

"So, how am I the Third Child if the Fourth Child's been doing this longer than me?"

For some reason, it was decided that all NERV personnel for the meet would be wearing NERV uniforms. The beige and black jacket and pants are oddly comfortable, but itchy. But, considering that not too long ago he was in a spandex jumpsuit obviously built for a girl, he can't really complain.

Everyone is wearing the uniform. Asuka, Misato, his father, and him, even the pilots and guards. He is sitting next to Misato, and Asuka next to his father. At least, he's pretty sure it is his father, mainly because he hasn't put down the newspaper since they arrived. If the Commander thought this was an opportunity for Shinji and Gendo to bond, he was sadly mistaken. Everyone is wearing the uniform. Everyone, save for the two other passengers.

"Holy crap! It's the Over the Rainbow!"

A quick explanation to the Commander has Touji's sister moved to the intensive treatment ward in NERV, and as a peace offering (and bribe so they tell no one about Rei) they were offered the chance to join them to meet the Fourth Child. As it turns out, both Touji's father and grandfather work for NERV. As do Kensuke's parents. In fact, as it turns out everyone in their class has parents working for NERV.

"The Fourth Child was chosen after you," Misato explains, holding onto a hand rail as the Osprey shakes, "Actually, you were chosen about...six years ago."

Shinji, Touji, and Ken stare at her.

"The Marduk report," Gendo says, not putting down the newspaper, "Is an annual report where the children with the highest potential for piloting Eva are chosen. This has been done since 2003. There are eleven potential pilots."

They turn to Gendo this time.

"Then why are there only four," Ken asks.

Gendo folds down the newspaper, staring at Aida.

"Because there are five Evangelions. The Evas are choosey of who pilots them. Neither Pilots Sohryu or Ayanami can, for example, activate Unit 01, much as Pilot Ikari will most likely not be able to activate Unit 02. The Fourth Child can activate Unit 04. That is why he is the Fourth Child."

He unfolds the newspaper. Behind the newspaper, where no one can see, he smirks.

"Okay, everyone stay with me," Misato says, "Asuka, did anyone tell you who the Fourth Child is?"

"No," Asuka responds with a sigh, "That's only known to you, Ikari, and the Commander."

Misato's lips twist, and she groans.

"Crap."

The monoliths come into existence around Sohryu, who adjusts his jacket at the one labelled 00 centers on him.

"Your Progress, Commander Sohryu."

"All three Evangelions are in working order," Sohryu responds, "We have recovered the corpse of the Fourth Angel and have sent the findings to NERV America for their S2 engine project. No sightings of the Third Angel in the past two weeks. Either it is biding its time, which means the Angels are independently more intelligence than we believed, or its run away, which also implies a higher intelligence."

02 centers, now.

"Commander, keep in mind this is not a guessing game. If the Angel appears, it is to be destroyed. Do not sympathize with them."

"I wasn't suggesting I was. I am pointing out we may need to change strategies if they turn out to be able to communicate with each other."

06, now.

"You have voiced concern over the choice of the Fourth Child. Explain."

Sohryu nods, pushing his glasses up.

"The effectiveness of my Pilots is based on their fostering teamwork," he says, folding his arms, "Pilots Ayanami and Sohryu are sisters, if not by biology. Training Pilot Ikari has given Pilot Sohryu focus which otherwise would be misaimed. They are directed by myself, Sub Commander Fuyutsuki, and Captain Katsuragi, all of whom are people they trust, if not like. The Fourth Child will introduce another element into this."

"Explain."

"Asuka hates the Fourth Child."

The Osprey lands, the motors coming to a halt as the passengers disembark. Yelling for them to keep together, Misato leads them across the flight deck of the massive aircraft carrier, towards the procession waiting for them. Misato smartly salute the captain of the vessel, the others following suit, speaking in some sort of code which Shinji guesses with allow them to seize control if, say, an Angel shows up.

"The Eva is secured on the frigate behind us," the captain says, "The Fourth Child and the Agent are here as well."

"Agent?"

"The Child's guard," the captain explains, "This way."

He leads them across the deck. Shinji falls behind slightly, realizing the ship is easily bigger than the school. Quickly catching up, he arrives just in time to see Asuka practically tackle the stubble-faced man with a briefcase chained to his wrist, just as Misato yells at him for it. He stays wisely silent during the exchange, instead turning as the bulkhead door opens.

"About time," the man says, "C'mon, kid. Time to meet your coworkers."

Asuka walks up next to Shinji, clearing her throat. He imagines she is about to give off an official greeting. Welcoming the new pilot to NERV. Welcoming him or her into the oncoming war with the Angels.

It never comes.

Instead, all that comes are a litany of German swear words. And then, a venomous, growled,

"You."

The new pilot, if he is all disturbed by the verbal assault, does not show it. Instead, he smiles, bowing respectfully.

"It is a pleasure to meet you all."

He is dressed in a black and white plugsuit, almost the same shade of pale as his skin and ash gray hair.

"It is good to see you again, Pilot Sohryu. I look forward to working with you once more."

He flashes golden red eyes, and turns his welcoming, attentive gaze to Shinji.

"You must be the Third Child," he says, "It is an honor to meet you. I am the pilot of Unit 04. My name is Kaworu Nagisa."

"Any master plans are to be run by a teenager or at least a five year old child before approval," Sohryu says, walking out of the meeting room and finding Kozou waiting, "I think Katsuragi will have to take in the Fourth. If I have Asuka and Kaworu room together, she's going to kill him."

"It may be a good idea," Kozou says, walking alongside him, "Kaworu is as extroverted as Shinji is introverted. He may be a good influence."

"So they balance out and we get someone normal as a result? Sounds good to me."

"Normal is overrated. I think without some sort of trauma, the Eva would not except them."

"You're telling me the Evas might be sympathetic, then? I've officially heard everything."

The two enter an elevator, Sohryu tapping the button for Central Dogma.

"Don't say that, Pieter," Kozou responds with a grin, "After all, the day is young."

Leaning against the railing on the escort frigate, the one with the Eva on it, Shinji looks over the calm Pacific. Next to him is Touji and Ken, and they've been talking. Bonding, if one took a deeper look at it.

"So, you're really Doctor Ikari's son," Ken repeats, again.

The bombshell came when Shinji explained that it is no coincidence he and the Director of Project E share the same last name. There were many reasons for that.

First off, Shinji doesn't really look like him, and since no pictures remain of his mother there's little to compare. Secondly, Shinji acts nothing like him. They have gotten maybe two words out of Gendo since they landed, and he's developed a disappearing act that would make Ninja jealouse. Shinji, on the other hand, has been tagging along and asking questions.

"My father sent me to live with my godfather when I was four," he says, straightfaced, the horror of that event long having sublimated by his acceptance, "I hadn't seen him in…I think four years before I was recruited by NERV."

"You're Dad's an asshole," Touji coughs, "Seriously, he is."

"I'm not arguing," Shinji responds.

"No, really. He works people like slave labor. I'm lucky to see my Dad once a week at this point. How'd he end up in charge, anyway?"

"I heard," Ken interrupts, animated, "And don't tell anyone, that he really screwed up ten years ago. He was going to end up Commander."

The two stare at him.

"No, really. He was in it good with the UN, but he messed up big time ten years ago and the guys at the UN went with-"

"With my father."

The three turn, finding Asuka standing there. None of them heard her arrive. Touji yelps in surprise, backing away.

"My father ended up in charge of NERV because Dr. Ikari screwed up on two counts," she says, holding up one finger, "First, his handling of the Unit 01 activation test. Pilot lost, place wrecked. Second…"

"Second was me, wasn't it," Shinji interrupts, "They took away the command because he abandoned me."

Asuka nods, eyes closed.

"Yeah," she says, "His treatment of you, and I quote, disgusted the people in charge. They couldn't rationalize giving him charge of NERV, but he was still a brilliant scientist. Dr. Fuyutsuki lobbied for them to leave him in charge of Project E. They went with my father for Commander instead. The pilot of Unit 02 was still…was still alive. He lobbied for custody of Rei, got it, and we all moved to Tokyo-3."

Shinji leans against the railings. Gritting his teeth, he turns and walks into the ship, taking stairs down two at a time. He reaches a landing, collapsing against a wall, pumping his fist as he stares ahead…

"My apologies. You want to be left alone."

He turns, quickly, finding Kaworu standing in front of him.

"I…sorry," Shinji says, furiously scratching the back of his head.

"I overhead," Kaworu says with a smile, "You don't like talking about your father."

Shinji nods, sitting on a stair.

"I guess…I guess I'm jealous," he says, visibly deflated.

"Of your teammates," Kaworu responds, sitting next to him, "Asuka has her father, has an adopted sister. She seems stable, seems supportive. Her father, while having some flaws, has theirs, and your best interests at heart. So you ask yourself…"

"Why can't my father be like that," Shinji says, looking down.

"It isn't always like that, though," Kaworu responds, "Does she ever talk about her mother?"

Shinji turns to him, eyes questioning. Explanations are cut short, however, as every alarm in the ship goes off. Quickly, they run up, jumping stairs. The others are staring out into the sea, watching as something cuts through the water…

And cuts through one of the escort destroyers.

"Blue pattern detected," Gendo Ikari's voice booms through the speakers, "Pilot Nagisa, report to Unit 04."

"How can he be so damn calm," Asuka growls, "Alright, Fourth. I read the specs. Let's go."

Kaworu sighs, shrugging.

"Right," he says, "I hope you don't mind, but the other seats aren't control seats. I can take passengers."

He turns, smiling, to Touji and Ken.

"My Evangelion can take up to four extra passengers in the Entry Plug. Would you like to ride along as we fight the Angel?"

Kensuke claps his hands together and squeals.

"Priority alert," Kozou says, leaning over to Pieter in Central Dogma, "The Fleet is under attack. It's an Angel."

"Shit," Sohryu growls, "Alright, get me an open line. I trust Katsuragi to handle herself, but mobilize as many craft as we have. Get the pilots and Ikari out of there before we get any more emergencies-"

Alarms blare, screens popping to life above them.

"Blue Pattern Detected," Maya announces, the screens forming an image of a massive blue diamond hovering over the remains of old Tokyo, "Angel confirmed! MAGI Designation: Ramiel!"

Sohryu slowly stands up, looking at the two screens. One of the massive fish closing into the fleet, and the other on the diamond heading towards them.

"This ain't good."