A/N: We're now over half-way there and now we enter the second half of "Neon Genesis Striker" with chapter fifteen.
Thanks to my pre-reader Makuhari-fan01
Disclaimer: I don't own Evangelion or Strike Witches but I do own Ai Matsumoto and Yoshi Nakagawa
It was a sunny day in Tokyo-3. Life in the city went peacefully on without an evacuation since the Twelfth Angel. Above the city two women were flying high in a Black Hawk helicopter.
"The First Lake Ashinoko is a natural lake outside Tokyo-3, the Second Lake Ashinoko was created by the defeat of the Seventh Angel and the Third Lake Ashinoko was caused by the defeat of the Twelfth Angel. Tokyo-3 might become the Fourth Lake Ashinoko if we're not careful." said Ferrara as she sat across from Minna in the helicopter, "I was contacted by Chairman Maloney yesterday and he wasn't happy."
"What is he so mad about?" asked Minna.
"It seems SEELE is not happy with delays in the scenario." answered Ferrara.
"The scenario is moving as fast as it can. We can only enter the final phase once the Angels have been defeated which we cannot do until the arrive." replied Minna, "Those fickle old men just like to complain."
"I guess you're right." said Ferrara, "So what should we do about her?" asked Ferrara.
"Let her go about whatever business she has for now." answered Minna, "We'll deal with it once the time is ready."
In the outskirts of Kyoto a busty redhead had just arrived at her destination. Shirley Yeager examined the abandoned building for a moment; then pulled a piece of paper out of her right breast pocket to confirm the address.
"This is the place." said Shirley who put the paper back into her pocket and entered the building. The inside was bare with no sign of life or recent occupation at all. The windows were dirty, cracked or broken, the light blue paint on the wall was chipping, the cement floor was cracked and had weeds sprouting through the cracks.
"Why did she tell me to come here?" asked Shirley to herself as she heard the handle of the backdoor turn gently. Shirley slipped over to the wall, and, from the back of her waistband, pulled out a Smith and Wesson model 29.44 caliber revolver.
"It's me so you can put the gun away." said a familiar voice as Shirley opened the door.
"Good to see you again Dominica." said the redhead. Dominica S. Gentile was an eighteen year old with brunette hair. She worn a brown leather jacket over a tan button down shirt and a green tie and brown shoes on her feet. Dominica's accent was a curious mix of someone who grew up in South Philadelphia, and that of Rome where her parents were from.
"Same to you Shirley." replied Dominica who spat our her piece of Wrigley gum onto the ground then pulled a pack of Marlboro cigarettes from her pocket, "You want one?"
"No thanks." replied Shirley while Dominica put a single cigarette in her mouth and lit it up, "How have you been?"
"I'm good and I know you've already met Jane." answered Dominica.
"Yeah and I know she's your wife." replied Shirley chuckling before getting serious, "Let's begin with why I'm here."
"This is the headquarters of Shannon Bio." began Dominica taking a drag from her smoke, "We've investigated one hundred-sixth company tied to the Marduk Institute we've investigated."
"And the one hundred-seventh proven fake." said Shirley as Dominica handed Shirley a piece of paper from her pocket.
"Here's the board of directors." said the South Philadelphia native.
"Let me guess: Chairman Maloney, Sub-Commander Ferrara and Commander Minna." said Shirley taking the paper and confirming what she already knew.
"Something definitely ain't right around here." said Dominica taking another drag.
"It would seem both SEELE and NERV are working closely to hid something." said Shirley.
"You're job is to investigate the Marduk Institute not SEELE or NERV. If you're not carefully you might just get hit with a knockout punch that sends your down further than the mat." warned Dominica, using a metaphor from her time as an armature boxer.
"I'll remember." replied Shirley who then turned and left, "See ya."
"Remember, I warned you Yeager!" called out Dominica as the redhead left.
"Help me Shirley! Get your hands off me you creep! I said no! Shirley help!" cried out Hanna over her cellphone and on Shirley's answering machine. School had ended, the entire class were staying late to down chores, and Hanna was in no danger.
"What's going on?" asked Barkhorn leaving the classroom after hearing the cries to find Hanna in the hallway.
"I was just leaving a message for Shirley. I wanted to go out tomorrow but she's been so busy lately I can't get a hold of her." answered Hanna.
"So you'll be free tomorrow then?" asked Barkhorn seemingly pleased by this.
"It looks like it." answered Hanna with a sigh.
"There's a med student at Tokyo-3 University that wants to go on a date with you." said Barkhorn, "He asked my sister Elsa who then asked me to ask you."
"Well I've got nothing else to do so I guess so." said Hanna sighing.
"Thanks. I'm sure he'll be very happy." replied Barkhorn
"She's hasn't taken her eyes off the cloth." said Yoshika softly to herself as she watched Sanya wringing out the classroom's wash cloth while intently watching the water drain.
"Is something up Yoshika?" asked Hartmann walking up to her friend.
"No. I'm fine." replied Yoshika quickly.
"Get back to work Hartmann." said Barkhorn as she walked back into the classroom.
A short time later the three witches were at NERV undergoing a routine synch test. Nishiki, Amaki and Lynne manned the computers monitoring them while Perrine and Sakamoto stood by watching their progress.
"So Sakamoto, what are you wearing to the wedding?" asked Perrine looking back to her friend.
"I'm not really sure. I've worn most of the dresses I've had." answered Sakamoto.
"Who's getting married ma'am?" asked Lynne.
"Our school friend Ai Matsumoto is marrying her long-time lover Yoshi Nakagawa." answered Perrine, "I'm sure you have something to wear Sakamoto."
"I worn my red dress when Mana got married and my pink dress when Erika tied the knot." replied Sakamoto.
"What about your orange dress?" asked Perrine.
"There's a reason I don't wear that one." answered Sakamoto, "Anyway; it seems like all over our friends are rushing to the alter."
"I know what you mean. Mana, Erika, Sakura married Li, Usagi married Mamoru, now Ai is marrying Yoshi." said Perrine before turning her attention back to the girls, "Yoshika seems more subdued than usual."
"Well tomorrow is the anniversary." said Sakamoto as Perrine dismissed the trio.
"Oh that's right." replied Perrine knowing exactly what Sakamoto meant.
"Sanya, can I ask you something?" asked Yoshika nervously as she and Sanya rode the same elevator down.
"You may." answered Sanya.
"What's my sister like?" asked Yoshika, "I've seen you with her and you enjoy each others company. She and I haven't been close since we were children and tomorrow I'm going to meet with her."
"There is some significance to tomorrow for you." stated Sanya.
"Tomorrow marks the eleventh anniversary of my mother's death and second anniversary of my father's death." explained Yoshika, "My parents died on the same day only nine years apart. I visited my mother's grave with my father and sister in 2012 then attend my father's funeral the next year. He was buried next to my mother and I haven't been there since. I'm nervous for tomorrow."
"I understand but I'm not sure I can help you." replied Sanya who cringed as she hear the explanation though Yoshika didn't see it.
"You did a great job cleaning today." said Yoshika deciding to change the subject, "You were really detailed when you were wringing out the wash cloth. It looked like a mother."
"I am just the replacement." said Sanya sadly in a soft voice.
A few hours later Sakamoto returned back to her apartment after work. When she entered the living room she found Hanna lying on her back picking out chips from a Lay's bag on the floor next to her while skimming through the latest Cosmo magazine until the commercials ended, and a re-run of The Long Love Letter came on screen again.
"I haven't seen that since I was your age." said Sakamoto as she headed to her bedroom carrying a bag in her right hand.
"You're home late." said Hanna.
"I was buying some things for the wedding I'm going to tomorrow." replied Sakamoto as Hanna's show went into commercial.
"I just got a new dress and make-up for the wedding." replied Sakamoto, while opening her Macy's bag, "I haven't seen Ai and Yoshi in years so I want to look nice."
"If you're using the Calvin Klein lavender perfume then can I use it for my date?" asked Hanna.
"I am but it's too mature for a first date." answered Sakamoto, "Is Yoshika in her room?"
"Yeah. She's been held up there all night." answered Hanna as Sakamoto went over to her ward's door.
"Yoshika, can I come in?" asked Sakamoto knocking on the door.
"Yes ma'am." answered Yoshika who was curled up on her bed.
"You're worried about tomorrow." said Sakamoto sitting on the bed next to Yoshika.
"My sister has been cold to me ever since my mother died. She and my father didn't even acknowledge me until the anniversary of mother's death came then sent me right back home after. It got even worse after my father died. Minna wouldn't even look at me during his funeral. Ever since I arrived at NERV it's been the same thing. I don't know why she hates me." said Yoshika who became very choked up.
"I'm sure she doesn't hate you. Minna also lost her parents and I'm sure she's taken it very hard. That's probably why she acts the way she does." replied Sakamoto trying to comfort Yoshika.
"You think so?" asked Yoshika feeling slightly better.
"I'm sure of it." said Sakamoto, "Now get to sleep and don't worry about tomorrow."
"Okay." said Yoshika who nodded off shortly after.
The next day was Saturday so with no school and a rare day off for the Director of Operations, Pen-Pen found himself the sole resident of the apartment for the day.
Sakamoto attended the wedding which went off without a hitch. She was wearing a dark blue dress, while Perrine was wearing a dark green dress. When the wedding was over, and the reception began, the duo sat at their table enjoying the catering but there was a noticeable absence.
"Shirley is late as usual. You think she could be on time for once." said Sakamoto not pleased.
"But I am." replied Shirley as she snuck up by the duo in a dark red dress showing a fair amount of cleavage, "Sorry but I was working late."
"You don't work so I find that hard to believe." replied Sakamoto.
"Hey waiter, can you bring a bottle of vodka over here. Absolute or Smirnoff are fine." called Shirley to the nearest waiter who went to retrieve the bottle.
"I hope you haven't been drinking too much. If so then you should have water to counter the alcohol." said Perrine.
"Vodka is Orussian for water." replied Shirley as the waiter arrived with a bottle of vodka and Shirley a bottle of Shōchū.
"You'll never learn." sighed Perrine as Shirley tipped the waiter with one-thousand yen before he left.
"She'll always be immature." added Sakamoto as Shirley poured herself a glass of the alcoholic drink and downed it in thirty seconds.
Outside the sun was setting while a nervous Yoshika walked with two bouquets of flowers for each of her parent's graves. When she arrived Minna was standing in front of the two graves with her head hung down and eyes closed. When she finished, Minna looked up and stepped back silently so Yoshika could place the two bouquets on the graves then say a silent prayer. While raised Shinto, Yoshika only practiced when she visited her grandmother but was irreligious otherwise.
"It's been two years since we've been here." said Minna as Yoshika finished her prayer.
"I ran away. I didn't understand why father was so cold to me so I just ran away. I couldn't face him but after he died I just wanted to escape reality." said Yoshika.
"Father had his reasons for the way he acted as do I." replied Minna.
"There are no bodies here are there?" asked Yoshika.
"Father cremated Mother and I cremated Father. These graves are empty plots in the ground. I destroyed all photos of them as well." answered Minna, "You get nothing from looking to the past. You must always look to the future."
"Just like grandmother said." replied Yoshika as she rose to her feet while a Black Hawk helicopter arrived behind the two.
"It's time for me to go." said Minna who turned to leave but as she left Yoshika spotted Sanya in the helicopter.
"Sister!" called Yoshika causing Minna to turn around and look at her, "I..I'm glad we had this time together."
"I feel the same." said Minna who then boarded the helicopter and left.
After leaving Yoshika returned home and arrived as the street lights came on. Yoshika entered and after watching TV for a while grabbed her cello from her bedroom and began to play in the kitchen. Yoshika played for fifteen minutes until an applause interrupted her.
"Very good Third Girl. I'm actually impressed." said Hanna entering from the hallway in her yellow sundress, "Where did you learn to play like that?"
"My uncle taught me. It was my birthday gift when I turned five." answered Yoshika as Hanna entered her room, "I've kept playing because nobody ever told me to stop."
"I should have figured." replied Hanna throwing herself on her bed.
"How was your date?" asked Yoshika.
"More boring than you if that's possible." answered Hanna, "When were in-line for the roller coaster I said I had to go to the bathroom and left."
Meanwhile the wedding had ended, the couple was headed of their honeymoon, and the guests were gone. Perrine, Sakamoto and Shirley had left to go drinking.
"Here's to the married couple!" called Shirley as the three of them toasted their friends matrimony.
"It's only a matter of time before they tied the knot." said Perrine, "Now we can wish them the best."
"I'll be right back. I just need to use the bathroom real quick." said Sakamoto who excused herself.
"It seems like just yesterday that were all in school together." laughed Shirley taking a drink of sake,"Many people are doomed to be alone forever. Ai and Yoshi are lucky to have each other." said Shirley
"You miss Sakamoto?" asked Perrine.
"We were only children playing house and nothing more." replied Shirley as she pulled a small purple bag out of her purse and handed it to Perrine, "Before I forget again, I found something you would love."
"Thank you." said Perrine opening the bag to find a small coin with a picture of a cat on it.
"I know you love your cats." replied Shirley before downing another shot of sake.
"When were you in Kyoto?" asked Perrine noticing the 'made in Kyoto' printed on the bottom of the coin.
"I was in Matsushiro." answered Shirley.
"You better be careful or you're going to be burned." replied Perrine.
"I'll be burned by my own passion." said Shirley.
"I find that hard to believe Casanova." said Sakamoto returning to the duo.
"Well I hate to do this but I have work tomorrow so I have to get going." said Perrine as she finished her drink.
"See ya Perrine." replied Shirley.
"See you tomorrow." said Sakamoto.
"Goodnight and get home safe." said Perrine as she waived goodbye to the two.
"If I'm going to stay out I better call home." said Sakamoto breaking out her cellphone. Once Yoshika answered Sakamoto told her she was out drinking with Shirley and would be back later.
"That Sakamoto?" asked Hanna emerging from the shower in her regular attire.
"Yeah. She's out drinking with Shirley and won't be back until later." answered Yoshika.
"I see." replied Hanna with faint sadness her voice that went unnoticed by Yoshika.
Under the bright glow of the artificial street lights two figures stood out. The two figures were Shirley and Sakamoto headed home after the bars closed for the night. Both women had plenty to drink but Shirley was in better condition due to her higher tolerance. As a result, she had the right arm of Sakamoto draped around her neck and her own left arm around the waist of Sakamoto who was currently having a difficult time standing under her own power.
"You really drank yourself out of it." laughed Shirley.
"Shut up." replied Sakamoto slightly slurred and clearly focused more on something else.
"Nothing." answered Sakamoto.
"I know that's a lie." replied Shirley.
"I lied to you Shirley." said Sakamoto not willing to face the redhead, "I didn't leave because there was somebody else."
"So it was guilt." mused Shirley.
"After my parents falling out, I became being in a relationship only meant pain. It was a sign of weakness and nothing positive could ever come from it. I never wanted to fall in love but then I did and it was great but those thoughts never left my mind. I left because I was afraid of falling into that same cycle as my parents did. Hell, I even had to get drunk to say all of this." said Sakamoto drunkenly.
"You had a real screwed up childhood. I totally understand." replied Shirley.
"No you don't!" cried Sakamoto, "I ran away! I'm a coward! I took tail and ran off !" cried Sakamoto as tears began rolling down her cheeks.
"Stop beating yourself up Sakamoto!" said Shirley grabbing Sakamoto by the shoulders.
"I'm pathetic! I don't deserve to be the guardian of Yoshika and Hanna!" cried out Sakamoto who would have kept going if not interrupted by Shirley kissing her.
In the apartment Yoshika was listening to her S-DAT music player while Hanna was seated at the table tapping her finger.
"Hey Yoshika." said Hanna.
"Yeah." replied Yoshika as she removed her earplugs.
"You wanna kiss me?" asked the Karlsländ girl.
"What?" asked Yoshika completely through for a loop.
"Are you afraid to kiss on the anniversary of your mommy's death?" asked Hanna teasingly, "Or are you just chicken?"
"I'm not!" answered Yoshika forcefully as she stood up.
"Then here I come." said Hanna who walked over to her before stopping, "Your breath is tickling me."
Hanna then pinched the nose of Yoshika shut and kissed the girl. The kiss last for a minute during which Pen-Pen wandered into the kitchen from the bedroom of Sakamoto where he was napping. The penguin stopped to look at the two before heading into his room to watch his favorite movie Happy Feet. The kiss finally ended when Yoshika pulled away which caused Hanna to run to the bathroom and grab the Listerine.
"I should never kiss to pass time!" cried out Hanna after gargling as the doorbell rang.
"I wonder who that is?" asked Yoshika as she opened the door to find Shirley and Sakamoto. Shirley came inside and laid Sakamoto on her bed.
"Shirley!" cried out Hanna happily as she emerged from the bathroom and jumped on the redhead.
"Nice seeing you Hanna but I have to go. I'd never life it down if I went to work like this." said Shirley who headed to the door with Yoshika and Hanna behind her. Yoshika being a good host wanted to see Shirley off while Hanna was trying to stop her from leaving.
"It's fine." replied Hanna who grabbed Shirley by the arm only to become wide-eyed and let go right away, "Lavender perfume from Calvin Klein."
"See you tomorrow." said Shirley as she left.
"Goodbye." replied Yoshika who closed the door and looked back at the wide-eyed Hanna, "What's wrong?"
"None of your damn business!" yelled Hanna who then stormed off to her room holding back tears.
The next day Hanna was seemingly doing fine as she and Yoshika headed to school. They arrived right before class began by running to almost the entire way.
"Is Miss Litvyak absent again?" asked the teacher doing roll call.
In the lowest depths of NERV dubbed Terminal Dogma, a sole tube of LCL stood in the center of a black room. The tube had machinery hooked up to the top and a naked Sanya floating in it. The only other person in the room was Minna who stood smiling at Sanya.
A few hours later Terminal Dogma was again empty. Or it was at the moment as outside the entrance Shirley Yeager was on her knees rewiring the security system so she could enter. As she finished she stood up only to have the barrel of a SIG P229 semiautomatic pistol meet with the back of her head.
"Glad to see you're feeling better Sakamoto." said Shirley raising her hands in mock surrender.
"A little sleep and I was fine." replied Sakamoto, "The question is what are you doing here?"
"I think you already know." answered Shirley.
"You're right." said Sakamoto, "It just matters which Shirley I'm talking to: the Shirley Yeager who works as an agent for NERV Intelligence or the Lieutenant Shirley Yeager who's an agent with Interpol?"
"Right now it's the latter." answered Shirley nonchalantly.
"You'll be killed if you keep this up." warned Sakamoto.
"I'm not afraid of death." replied Shirley.
"Why are you doing this?" asked Sakamoto.
"Because Minna and Perrine are keeping a secret from you." answered Shirley who quickly hit the button to open the doors to Terminal Dogma, "And this is it."
Before Sakamoto could react a sight caught her eye that caused her heart to skip a beat. In the center of the room stood a steel red cross that stood twenty feet over a lake of LCL. On the cross was a white humanoid object with a purple mask filled with creators, an upside down triangle on it and seven eyes: three on the left and four on the right. The Spear of Longinus was pierced into the area where it's heart would be while it's arms where nailed to the cross and it's legs were missing. It was from the severed torso that the LCL in the lake was coming from.
"What the hell?" asked Sakamoto quivering as she dropped her gun.
"This is the cause of Second Impact and everything after. It's also why the Angels keep attacking this city. Sakamoto, I give you Adam." answered Shirley.
"You're right Shirley, I don't know NERV." replied Sakamoto now being overcome by anger, "I don't know NERV at all."
A/N: The first thing you may notice is I made the object in NERV smaller than in the actually series and that was done on purpose because the massive Evangelion don't exist here which is why the Spear of Longinus is also the size of a regular spear. The revolver Shirley had in this chapter was the same one Clint Eastwood used in the Dirty Harry films. This marks the end of the mostly action part of the story because from here on out it's a Freudian train wreck. Next time, Yoshika is swallowed by an Angel and confronts her inner fears. I hope you keep reading and please review!