A/N: I'm back with the next installment of "Neon Genesis Striker". This chapter follows the attempt by NREV to recover Yoshika after she was swallowed into Unit-01 while she goes on another freaky mind trip.
Thanks to my pre-reader Makuhari-fan01
Disclaimer: I don't own Evangelion or Strike Witches
In their usual darkened room, the SEELE Committee was holding another hologram meeting to discuss the events surround the last battle. It had only been a day since Yoshika was absorbed and the fallout was already being felt.
"What a mess we're in." sighed the Liberion member.
"We never intended for a Striker to become one with an Angel's core let alone consume it." added the Orussian member.
"This is a major deviation from our scenario." said the Gallian member.
"It was a major mistake to entrust our scenario to Minna and her father wasn't it?" asked the Karlsländ member.
"We had no alternative." answered Chairman Maloney.
"There is now a massive hole in the Geofront." complained the Karlsländ member.
"Central Dogma is defenseless to attack." added the Orussian member.
"Putting Commander Minna in charge was a mistake. She's too young and untrustworthy." argued the Liberion member.
"She's just as bad as her father." spat the Gallian member.
"Unfortunately we cannot undo that mistake." sighed Chairman Maloney.
"We should have put a bell on Minna." said the Orussian member.
"We have a bell, but it doesn't ring." replied Gallian member.
"A bell that doesn't ring is of no use." said the Karlsländ member.
"I'm starting to think our bell is just an untrustworthy as Minna." said the Liberion member and the other three agreed.
"Enough. Clearly Minna is at fault for what happened with Unit-01 so we must send her a message that this kind of deviation from the scenario will not be tolerated. As for our agent, we must keep a very close eye on her." said Maloney.
"Well this was definitely not in the Dead Sea Scrolls. I could imagine how bad the old men are freaking out." laughed Shirley as the redhead stood in the Commander's office.
"I wouldn't don't that at all." replied Minna who sat at her desk in pose while Ferrara stood next to her.
"That smirk tells me you're not to upset by that." said Shirley.
"Frankly, those old geezers deserve everything they get." replied Minna.
"It would serve them right." agreed Ferrara.
"The how do plan on explaining this turn of events to SEELE?" asked Shirley.
"I have nothing to explain. Unit-01 wasn't under our control at the time so we couldn't do a thing to stop what occurred." said Minna confidently.
"You think they'll buy that?" asked Shirley.
"It's the truth." answered Minna with a sinister smile.
"What of Unit-01?" asked Shirley.
"It has been frozen by the Committee until further notice." answered Minna.
"Are you sure this will hold?" asked Sakamoto who was standing in the Striker cage and right in front of the heavily secured Unit-01 with Amaki by her side.
"These are the strongest and most durable restraints at NERV." answered Amaki.
"But, Unit-01 has gone berserk before, we saw what it can do." replied Sakamoto.
"Man, this place was trashed whistled Nishiki as she, Lynne and Perrine stood in the ruined Central Dogma.
"The Angel did heavy damage and Central Dogma will have to be abandoned but luckily the Magi are okay so we should be okay." said Perrine breathing a sigh of relief.
"We can transfer the Magi and be up and running in a few days." said Lynne.
"But we don't have that kind of time so we'll have to use the reserve base." replied Perrine.
"Without the Magi?!" asked Lynne amazed.
"I'm afraid so." replied Perrine, "I know it's not comfortable but it will have to do."
"Yes ma'am." replied the two technicians.
The next day in the NERV infirmary Sanya V. Litvyak awoke after being out cold for two days. She had suffered many cuts and a bad gash, which required a bandage be placed over her head and part of her face, but thanks to her shield she avoided any serious injuries.
"I am alive." said the girl staring at the ceiling. Sakamoto called Hanna with the news but the blonde was not pleased.
"I don't give a damn if Litvyak is alive! Don't bother with useless crap!" yelled Hanna over the phone before hanging it up and throwing the it to the ground of her trashed room, before throwing herself on an equally trashed bed, "I was defeated again. I'm Hanna Justina- Marseilles the Star of North Africa, I shouldn't be so weak."
The next day was the third day since Yoshika was absorbed into Unit-01. Sakamoto and Perrine stood in the reserve command which was a clone of Central Dogma but less comfortable to work in. The three technicians were at their new stations.
"You better have a plan to get her back Perrine." said Sakamoto.
"I'm afraid this is the reality of a 400% synch ratio." replied Perrine.
"You said this happened to Sayaka Miyafuji in 2004." noted Sakamoto as Perrine winced.
"It did. She took part in an activation test and suffered the same fate." said Perrine unhappily, "Back then my mother the Director of Project E and Ichiro Miyafuji was the Commander of NERV. Now they're both dead as well."
"Do you think we'll be able to recover Yoshika?" asked Sakamoto.
"Hard to say." answered Perrine shrugging her shoulders.
"You don't seem to upset." noted Sakamoto now getting angry, "Let me guess, the top priority of NERV is preserving Unit-01 not saving Miyafuji."
"I don't deny that; however saving Yoshika is a concern, just not the top one." said Perrine.
"You don't care if a witch dies, since you can just find a new one to replace them. You're ducking responsibility for your part in this." said Sakamoto,her anger growing by the second.
"I'm just following orders." replied Perrine.
"I never thought you'd use the Nuremberg Defense." said Sakamoto.
"The Strikers are powerful weapons beyond anything is existence today." said Perrine her patriotism hurting.
"Are they made from the Giant of Light that caused Second Impact?" asked Sakamoto which caused Perrine to flinch.
"That is classified." answered Perrine so Sakamoto slapped the Gallian with her good hand before storming off.
Inside Unit-01, Yoshika Miyafuji found herself drifting in a void much like after she was swallowed by Twelfth Angel. Since she had been through a similar ordeal Yoshika wasn't afraid just upset by the whole ordeal.
"I'm same in the situation as before. Why is it always me?" asked Yoshika exhausted by this happening again.
"Miyafuji." a familiar voice echoed out throughout the empty void.
"Who's there?" asked Yoshika looking around but seeing nobody.
"Miyafuji." said the voice again and this time Yoshika recognized it.
"Litvyak, where are you?" asked Yoshika who then blinked and found herself across from Sanya.
"Why are you here?" asked Sanya.
"I could ask you the same thing." replied Yoshika.
"Are you running away again?" asked Sanya.
"No. I returned and fought but then I was absorbed into Unit-01." answered Yoshika.
"If that is so then simply return." said Sanya.
"I don't know how." said Yoshika.
"It's simple. You refuse to." replied Sanya.
"The tell me how to return." Yoshika pleaded, finding herself back on the escalator with Sanya shortly before the Fifth Angel arrived.
"Do you trust your sister?" asked Sanya repeating the same question from that time.
"No. I could never trust her." replied Yoshika.
"Why?" asked Sanya.
"She and father abandoned me." said Yoshika who opened her eyes and found herself on the same train car she had been on when she was swallowed by the Twelfth Angel.
"Are you the Fourteenth Angel?" asked Yoshika nervously.
"No. This is your subconscious. The Twelfth Angel was able to communicate with you here because it took you into it's self." answered Sanya.
"Okay." replied Yoshika understanding enough to get by.
"I am glad you understand." said Sanya.
"Are you the real Sanya?" asked Yoshika.
"I am not the Sanya V. Litvyak you know. I am your subconscious taking on her form since it is a familiar one for you." answered the being.
"My head hurts." complained Yoshika rubbing her temples.
"Why are you running away?" asked "Sanya".
"I'm not." replied Yoshika.
"This must be much to take in but you must face the reality you are running away." replied "Sanya".
"How am I running away?!" asked Yoshika, "I was abandoned as a child!"
"Now we're making progress." said "Sanya".
"I don't want to go there." said Yoshika.
"You must face your problems." replied "Sanya".
"It's hard." said Yoshika.
"Indeed but it must be done." said Sanya.
"Father abandoned me. That's why I hate him." said Yoshika with resentment in her voice.
"What of your sister?" asked "Sanya".
"She was his favorite! Father took her and left me!" yelled Yoshika venting.
"Deep down you resent Minna." stated "Sanya".
"No. I wished father took me to." said Yoshika sadly.
"Is that why you pilot?" asked "Sanya".
"I do it because people like me when I pilot. They respect me when I pilot Striker." replied Yoshika.
"You are trying to please your sister. Deep down, there is a part of you that wishes for the idealistic , earlier time when the two of you were close; but there is also a hatred because she was chosen over you. Especially since she's is not biologically a Miyafuji." said "Sanya".
"Maybe I do." confessed Yoshika feeling weird.
"She was an alien brought into your family and you felt neglected by your father when he appeared to prefer her over you." stated "Sanya".
"Part of me does feel that way." confessed Yoshika as her emotions took on a darker turn.
"You were never able to reconcile with your father before his death so now you try to reconcile with you're sister while ignoring the hatred you have pent up within you." said "Sanya".
"You're my subconscious so you already know the answer." replied Yoshika in a flat voice as she hung her head down.
"I might but you do not. You hide from the truth. Much like the Striker." said "Sanya".
"That's right, I remember now. When I was a little girl I saw Unit-01 before." said Yoshika as she lifted her head to find herself on a beach. There in front of her were Sakamoto, Hanna and Sanya nude.
"Miyafuji, do you want to become one? One mind, body and soul?" asked Sakamoto as she approached Yoshika, "You might be afraid but it feels really good."
"Hey stupid Yoshika do you want to become one? One mind, body and soul?" asked Hanna as she approached Yoshika, "You should thank your good fortune I want to become one with you."
"Hello Miyafuji, do you wish to become one? One mind, body and soul?" asked Sanya as she approached Yoshika, "It would be enjoyable."
"Let's become one Miyafuji." said Sakamoto grabbing Yoshika by the right arm.
"Become one with me with me. It'll be a blast." said Hanna as she grabbed Yoshika by the left arm.
"Become one with me." said Sanya as the other two let go and they began to circle Yoshika repeating asking Yoshika to become one with them until they fused into one combination.
It had been thirty days, a whole month, since Yoshika had been absorbed into Unit-01. All injuries from the last two battles with the Thirteenth Angel and Fourteenth Angel had healed, except for Hartmann, but NERV had come no closer to recovering Yoshika. But now Perrine had a plan.
"What do you mean you'll salvage Miyafuji?" asked Sakamoto skeptically.
"We're going to reverse the magical current on Unit-01 and try to pop Yoshika out." answered Perrine.
"Is that safe?" asked Sakamoto skeptically.
"This has never been tried before so we can't be certain." answered Perrine who added, "It's likely our only chance."
"If there's no other option then do it." said Sakamoto.
"Ready to begin ma'am." said Lynne and the test began.
"Do it." replied Perrine and the three technicians began their attempt.
"It's going well ma'am." replied Nishiki but after a few minutes alarm bells began to rang.
"What's going on?!" asked Sakamoto getting worried.
"The test is failing." replied Perrine trying to remain calm as the three technicians quickly ended the test.
Inside Unit-01 Yoshika found herself floating through an endless magenta colored void. She was totally used to this so it didn't bother her at all.
"This stinks." moaned Yoshika as the floated.
"You are not alone." came another familiar voice Yoshika recognized.
"Mother?" asked Yoshika looking around.
"Yes honey. I've always been with you." answered the disembodied voice of Sayaka Miyafuji.
"I can't see you." said Yoshika looking around.
"True, but you can't see gravity either." replied Sayaka with a chuckle.
"But you've been gone for over a decade." noted Yoshika.
"My physical presence was destroyed but my soul survived and has resided here since. Ever since you began piloting I have been watching over you." replied Sayaka.
"Mom." said Yoshika as tears built up in her eyes.
"I know you must hate your father and sister for their actions, but you shouldn't. While what they have done is reprehensible and misguided, they meant well." said Sayaka.
"I don't know if I can." replied Yoshika.
"You have it in you." said Sayaka.
"Thank you mother." said Yoshika smiling as Sayaka began singing.
"Hushabye, Hushabye!
My good Baby, Sleep!
Where did my girl's babysitter go?
Beyond that mountain, back to her home.
As a souvenir from her home, what did you get?
A toy drum and a shō flute."
Outside in NERV it had been a day since the failed attempt to recover Yoshika. Everyone was back at their stations except for Sakamoto who found herself in front of Unit-01.
"Give her back." demanded Sakamoto of the inanimate object.
"Mio, it's not going to work." said Perrine putting her hand on the right arm of Sakamoto and trying to lead her away.
"No! I'm not going anywhere until this damn thing gives me Yoshika back!" yelled Sakamoto as she violently jerked her arm away.
"You're just making yourself suffer." said Perrine.
"I don't care! I want Miyafuji back!" cried Sakamoto and as if by cue a bright magenta light began emitting from Unit-01 and in a flash a nude Yoshika Miyafuji was lying on the floor of NERV.
"I'll be damned." said Perrine amazed as Sakamoto ran over to Yoshika and embraced her.
"Major." said Yoshika weakly.
"Just rest Miyafuji. You're back now." said Sakamoto gently.
Two days later Perrine was getting a ride home from Sakamoto. Everyone at NERV knew Yoshika had retired but the girl was still at the NERV infirmary.
"How long do you think it will be until Miyafuji can came home?" asked Sakamoto as she drove the car.
"She can probably come home tomorrow." answered Perrine.
"That's a real relief." said Sakamoto.
"You were really worried about her." noted Perrine.
"Miyafuji and I have gotten close. We're similar so we can relate to each other." replied Sakamoto calmly.
"Yoshika will be out of action for a while." said Perrine.
"Yeah, I'm actually glad. Miyafuji deserves a break." said Sakamoto.
"You want to drink?" asked Perrine, "I got wine from the Gallian countryside."
"I've got someone to meet." replied Sakamoto.
"I understand." said Perrine as they arrived at her home and she got out, "Goodbye."
"See you tomorrow." said Sakamoto who then left.
"That raccoon dog has only been back for two days and she's running off to that womanizing Liberion delinquent." said Perrine seething.
"Coming." called Shirley as she headed to her door, "Glad to see you made it."
"I'm only here on business." said Sakamoto.
"I'll be on my best behavior. Scout's honor." said replied Shirley.
"I doubt it." sighed Sakamoto as as she removed her shoes and entered Shirley's apartment.
"So what do you want to know and what's your poison?" asked Shirley as she and Sakamoto headed to the former's bar for a drink.
"Bourbon and anything you know about the Striker." answered Sakamoto.
"The Striker is an ordinary machine but it's core is made up of matter from the giant inside Terminal Dogma." said the redhead as she poured the alcohol.
"So that's why it goes berserk." said Sakamoto before taking a drink.
"Indeed." replied Shirley before slamming her alcohol.
"So we're simply puppets of Minna and the Committee." said Sakamoto getting angry as she tightly gripped her glass.
"I love a girl with passion." said Shirley.
"We're over. Our relationship was great but I'm just not ready for a relationship right now." said Sakamoto.
"I understand." said Shirley as Sakamoto finished her drink and headed for the door with the redhead behind her.
"Thanks for your help." said Sakamoto bowing before putting on her shoes and leaving.
"I might not be around long enough to start a new relationship of my own." said Shirley solemnly as she laid against the door and hung her head low.
A/N: Well there is chapter twenty. You'll notice I changed the end. In case you're wondering the song Sayaka sang is called the Edo Lullaby which originated during the Tokugawa Shogunate period in Japan and is said to be the source of all Japanese lullabies. Next time, the origins of NERV are revealed while Sub-Commander Ferrara goes missing. Please review!