A/N: Here we go with chapter twenty-one of "Neon Genesis Striker". This and the next three chapters are based on the director's cut versions of Evangelion so they will be longer and if you haven't seen the director's cuts and you don't recognize any of this that is why. This episode tells us how NERV was created, how we got to this position and how Minna became Commander which is all my own brainchild and you'll also notice I changed the chronology of events in this chapters as well. Finally, italics indicate internal dialog. This chapter has character death.
Thanks to my pre-reader Makuhari-fan01
Disclaimer: I don't own Evangelion but I do own Hideaki Mitsumeki who is an original character of mine from another story, Mamimi, Premier Yukimura and Marianne Clostermann who are also all original characters of mine.
In his dark room Trevor Maloney sat sipping a glass of wine. Normally pleased with his scheming, he was worried about the loyalty of Minna to the Instrumentality that SEELE envisioned.
Reclining further in his chair; he turned his attention to his flat screen television in front of him and pressed the 'play' button on his old remote which began an old VHS machine. On the television, a recording he'd seen more time than he could count began to play...
"The date is 13 September 2000 and I am Dr. Sakamoto he head of the Sakamoto Expedition giving my daily." said the women sitting in front of the camera, "It has been over a week since we discovered Adam encased in the ice here and our testing on the subject is fascinating to say the least."
"Since the Renaissance man has cast aside theology as a guideline for life and put science upon a high pedestal." said Maloney watching the tape.
"Hello ma'am. Just brought new data for you." said Mamimi a college interne on the expedition.
"Wow this is amazing. These numbers are unearthly. This has to be what were looking for." marveled Dr. Sakamoto before turning her attention back to the camera, "I am confident in saying our mission has been a success."
"Great to hear!" cried Mamimi, "Does that mean we can return home."
"Yes, my young girl we can and you can see that boyfriend of yours." answered Dr. Sakamoto.
"I've missed him so much." replied the young girl happily.
"If you want my advice never enter a relationship it only ends badly." said Dr. Sakamoto.
"Humans always think they're the greatest species to ever live." continued Maloney taking a sip of wine.
"But you have your daughter Mio." pointed out Mamimi.
"That is my greatest blessing." said Dr. Sakamoto as alarm bells began ringing.
"But no God, science or our own arrogant self-worth will save us from our own destruction." said Maloney.
"Adam is breaking free!" cried out one of the scientist from outside.
"We have to stop it!" called Dr. Sakamoto.
"We can't!" cried the man again as Adam's giant wings spread.
"It's Adam's true form. God help us all." said Dr. Sakamoto stunned before an explosion and the loss of feed.
"Man needs someone to tell them what to do; and control them like sheep, or they just bring about Armageddon on their own. That is the goal of Instrumentality and why nobody will stop us." said Maloney determined as he finished his wine and headed off.
The next day Shirley Yeager and was leaning up against her red corvette on the outskirts of Tokyo-3. She pulled out her NERV ID card and cell phone which she used to make a call.
("This is Sakamoto and if you're getting this then I'm out at the moment please leave a message after the tone and I'll get back to you when I can.") said the voice over the phone.
"It's better this way." said Shirley as the phone beeped and she left her message before hanging up and staring at her card, "My last mission. My ID is red...just like blood."
"What do you mean Sub-Commander Ferrara is missing?!" asked Sakamoto jumping out of her chair and throwing her hands on her desk as the two Section 2 agents in front of her delivered the news.
"She was last seen a few hours ago then disappeared without a trace." continued the first agent.
"What the hell was intelligence doing?!" asked Sakamoto angered by the incompetence again shown by Section 2.
"Whoever this was knew our patterns and was able to abduct the Sub-Commander under our noses." said the second agent.
"You don't think?" asked Sakamoto as she realized why the agents were here.
"Charlotte E. Yeager is our prime suspect." answered the first agent.
"And because of our past you want me as well." concluded Sakamoto standing up.
"Your co-operation would be welcomed." said the second agent.
"Where am I?" asked Ferrara waking up in a dark room tied to a steel folding chair she was sitting in.
"It's been a while Sub-Commander." said a large black monolith that only read SEELE-01 as it appeared in front of Ferrara.
"We could have met under different circumstances Chairman Maloney." replied Ferrara recognizing his voice immediately.
"We had no alternative." replied Maloney.
"The Committee really had to see me urgently." mused Ferrara as other large monoliths appeared surrounding her, "So it's not the Committee but SEELE."
"We are deeply concerned about the last battle." said monolith 03.
"Unit-01 absorbed a core into it's self." added monolith 05.
"Unit-01 broke free and reached it's God state." replied Ferrara.
"Blasphemy!" snapped monolith 07.
"Creating a god is not part of our scenario." added Monolith 10.
"This is out of my hands." said Ferrara.
"Remember why you're here Professor Ferrara." said Monolith 09.
"I haven't forgotten." said Ferrara.
"Hey Professor Ferrara!" called one of the students as the woman was walking to her car.
"Hello boys. What you do need?" asked Ferrara as a group of male students
"We wanted to know if you'll come to the bar with us." said another one of the boys.
"No thanks guys I'm not the big party type." replied Ferrara.
"You're the most popular teacher at Kyoto University. You need to hang out with us." said the first guy.
"Thanks for the offer but I didn't transfer here from Ca' Foscari University to Fuso to party." said Ferrara.
"Didn't the dean say you have to get out more?" asked the second guy coaxingly.
"You won't give up so I might as well go." relented Ferrara as the guys cheered and they headed out to the nearest bar.
"Look who finally came out to have some fun." said Hideaki Mitsumeki a co-worker of Ferrara in the political sciences department.
"Don't go over board on the sake." laughed Ferrara before taking the bottle and pouring herself a drink., "Hideaki, do you have today's newspaper?"
"Here ya go." said Hideaki handing her the paper.
"Thanks." said Ferrara taking the paper and opening it, "I want to see the European Parliamentary election went."
"How's it look?" asked Hideaki.
"The Union for Europe of the Nations did okay, both the the European United Left-Nordic Green Left and the European Liberal, Democrat and Reform party did moderately well, the Greens-European Free Alliance did very well and the European People's Party-European Democrats were the big winners. The Party of European Socialists did the worse losing thirty-four seats and becoming the second biggest group behind the European People's Party-European Democrats." answered Ferrara.
"I guess 1999 is the year of the conservatives then." said Mitsumeki, "I'm really glad you got out. You're brilliant but, you don't put enough into your relationships with other humans.
"I live how I feel comfortable." replied Ferrara.
"Before I forget, the dean told me to give this to you." said Mitsumeki, "It's an essay written by a very promising bio-engineer named Miyafuji."
"This is amazing." said Ferrara looking the paper over.
"The dean wanted you to talk to this girl." said Mitsumeki.
"I'll do it." said Ferrara energized, "Tell her to meet me in my office after class tomorrow."
"Hello ma'am." came a young female voice after a knock on the office door of Ferrara.
"You must be Miss Miyafuji; please come in." said Ferrara as the student entered and sat in front of the teacher."
"I understand you read my work." said the younger woman.
"Yes, and I'm very impressed Miss Miyafuji." answered Ferrara.
"Please call me Sayaka." said the student.
"Okay than Sayaka. I must say you may very well be a prodigy." replied Ferrara.
"Thank you ma'am." said Sayaka happily.
"Are you considering a career at the university or a government position?" asked Ferrara, "The latter would suit you well and it would pay much better."
"I'm not sure but I do have a third option I'm weighing." answered Sayaka.
"Please tell me." said Ferrara.
"I might get married, settle down and start a family." replied Sayaka, "That is if I find the right man."
"The events from the last battle deviate greatly from our scenario." said Monolith 09 angrily.
"Can we trust Minna?" asked Monolith 13.
"She's acting like her father." added Monolith 04.
"I swear I'll have carpel tunnel by the time I finish grading these papers." said Ferrara sitting in her office grading the recent test she had given when her phone rang.
("Ma'am, there's a call here from the Kyoto Prefecture police station on the line. The man says he has to talk to you.") said the secretary on the other end.
"Hello, this is Professor Ferrara." said the elderly woman.
("Hello ma'am. Are you familiar with a Ichiro Rokubungi?") asked a male voice.
"I haven't meet him but I've heard plenty of unsavory rumors." answered Ferrara.
("Well that's me. I was out drinking last night and got into a fight. Now I'm locked up jail, so I need you to bail me out.") replied Ichiro.
"Why should I do that?" asked Ferrara.
("You are my legal council after all.") replied Ichiro.
"Is this some kind of a joke?" asked Ferrara.
("Not at all. Come see for yourself.") answered Ichiro.
"I will." replied Ferrara who hung up and headed to the police station and discovered she was the legal council to Ichiro so she reluctantly bailed him out.
"It seems you didn't fair so well last night." remarked Ferrara as they left.
"The guy I fought was much worse off." replied Ichiro the left side of his face bruised and his left arm bandaged.
"Just so you know I'm only doing this because I'm your legal council. We're not becoming friends." said Ferrara.
"Just what I would expect from Professor Ferrara." said Ichiro.
"My first impression of Ichiro was he was a bull on a short tether. There was suspicion his true interest was the secret organization funding Sayaka called SEELE." thought Ferrara to herself then remembering a walk with Sayaka a few months later in the Autumn, "This was back when Fuso still had seasons. It was a more peaceful time though I'd never expected the bombshell Sayaka dropped on me that day."
"You're what?!" asked Ferrara shocked by the news she'd just heard.
"That's right, I'm dating Ichiro Rokubungi. We've been dating for a while now." said Sayaka, "I hope you're not mad I made you his legal council."
"I'm not mad about that." replied Ferrara.
"I think he might the one I could settle down and start a family with." replied Sayaka happily.
"I wish you the best of course." said Ferrara.
"Thank you professor." replied Sayaka who hugged Ferrara allowing the woman to release momentarily the frown she had been holding back.
"Next year came Second Impact and the world was never the same. As bad as 2000 was the year 2001 was no better. By 2002 things had begun to settle down and I had found a steady job." thought Ferrara to herself.
"This must be the place." said a man in a black suit as he stood outside a houseboat in the flooded Toyohashi City, "Hello, is anybody home?"
"Come in. I'll be with you in a minute." called Ferrara from inside.
"Nice operation you have here." said the man entering and looking around at the makeshift medical room set up.
"Now tell me what's wrong." said Ferrara.
"I'm not here for a medical exam I'm here to see you. I work for SEELE and my bosses sent me here." explained the man.
"If you don't need an examination then please leave so people who do can enter." said Ferrara sitting at her desk and turning her back to the man.
"Maybe this will change your mind." said the man handing a letter to Ferrara.
"They're finally going to Antarctica!" said Ferrara amazed.
"The UN has finally commissioned a formal investigation into the Second Impact." replied the man.
"So why do you need me?" asked Ferrara suspicious.
"You're background in this field makes you a valuable asset." answered the man.
"I'll pass. I've got a job here and at my age I don't need to be gallivanting off to Antarctica." replied Ferrara.
"You're services would be most useful on our mission Professor Ferrara." said the man.
"That's former Professor Ferrara." said the woman.
"Don't you think you're services would be better used on our mission?" asked the man.
"You were obviously told not to come back without a yes from me." remarked Ferrara, "Well, if you won't leave any other way then I'll go."
"I'm certain you won't regret it." said the man.
"Hey, the recommendation is blank. Who recommended me for this?" asked Ferrara.
"I'm not sure." answered the man.
"My God. To think this used to be a continent." marveled Ferrara as she stood inside a UN ship deep within what was once Antarctica. The continent was gone with only icebergs remaining and the sea had taken on a blood red color that made Ferrara uncomfortable to look at.
"Observing the view?" asked an all too familiar voice causing Ferrara to turn around.
"Ichiro." said Ferrara amazed the man she bailed out two years ago for a bar fight was on this mission.
"It's been a while." replied Ichiro.
"I'm surprised you weren't locked up for that fight." said Ferrara.
"My appeals kept pushing it back then Second Impact happened and my case was forgotten so I got off." replied Ichiro.
"Were you on the trip?" asked Ferrara.
"I was but luckily I left the day before Second Impact." answered Ichiro digging into his pocket and pulling out a card, "This is for you."
"Okay." replied Ferrara taking the card only to barely avoid a heart attack after reading it, "Ichiro Miyafuji."
"Yes. Sayaka and I eloped in 2000 and we've been happily together since." replied Ichiro.
"Where is Sayaka?" asked Ferrara.
"She was unable to make it with the children." answered Ichiro.
"You have children with Sayaka?" asked Ferrara.
"Yes and both girls. Yoshika is the younger and biologically ours while the other is adopted. Her name was Minna- Dietlinde Wilcke and she's three years the senior of Yoshika. Minna was from Frankfurt, Karlsländ. Her parents were worked for a corporation and they took her on trips but the day before they left on a trip to Hamburg but fell ill and stayed with her grandmother. Second Impact occurred while both of her parents were in Hamburg and because of the drastic increase in water level they drowned when Hamburg was destroyed by the rising water. Her grandmother died shortly there after so she became an orphan. Sayaka and I visited Karlsländ a few months later and we stumbled across the orphanage were she was. After hearing her story Sayaka made up her mind to adopt the girl so now she's Minna Miyafuji." answered Ichiro.
"I see." replied Ferrara.
"Please come with me professor." said Ichiro who walked away with Ferrara behind her.
"I must admit I'm surprised it took the UN so long to commission an investigation." said Ferrara as Ichiro let the elderly woman go up the stairs.
"Well, I guess the time was right." replied Ichiro.
"So, why exactly is the UN here?" asked Ferrara reaching the top of the stairs and turning around to see Ichiro.
"This is there investigation." answered Ichiro with a calm smile.
"SEELE is behind this not the UN. The UN personnel here are just for show." said Ferrara.
"I can assure there is a legitimate reason for your presence her." said Ichiro as he reached the top of the stairs and led Ferrara down a hallway.
"I hate it in here." said Sakamoto uncomfortable as she sat in a NERV detention cell while Intelligence probed the disappearance of Sub-Commander Ferrara, "This brings back way to many memories."
"This is what I wanted to show you." said Ichiro stopping at a cell located in the UN base.
"Who is she?" asked Ferrara.
"This eight year old girl is Mio Sakamoto the daughter of the late Dr. Sakamoto. She's the only survivor of that day so we needed her to come along." answered Ichiro.
"That poor girl must have suffered so much." said Ferrara feeling empathy towards Sakamoto.
"Indeed. The only major physical scar was the loss of her left eye hence the patch. But, of course her emotional scares are probably beyond compare. She's gone mute, the girl hasn't said a word since Second Impact." said Ichiro.
"She's still young so she might recover." said Ferrara.
"Indeed and thanks to her mother we can move forward with our goals." said Ichiro.
"The UN investigation into Second Impact ended a few months later with the Second Impact being declared the result of a meteor striking Antarctica. The truth was repressed so a small group could carry out's it's own agenda. That group was called SEELE and Ichiro Miyafuji was a member. I knew of this cover up and I was determined to get to the bottom of it even it meant going against one of my own former students." thought Ferrara to herself as she remembered a spring day in 2003.
"Artificial Evolution Laboratory." said Ferrara as she stood outside a large building which was one of the few buildings still standing in the ruins of what was once Hakone, Fuso. Ferrara headed to the door of the building but as she reached the stairs a familiar face walked out.
"Professor Ferrara." said Sayaka warmly as she walked down the stairs and up to her former teacher.
"Hello Sayaka. It's been a while." replied Ferrara, "I hear you and Ichiro have children now."
"Two lovely daughters." answered Sayaka who reached into her pocket and pulled out a recent picture of six-year old Minna and three-year old Yoshika.
"They are beautiful." said Ferrara smiling.
"Thank you but what are you doing here professor?" asked Sayaka.
"I came to met with Ichiro." answered Ferrara seriously.
"Then I won't keep you. Great to see you again professor." said Sayaka who then left as Ferrara watched before the elderly woman went inside and made a B-line for the office of Ichiro Miyafuji.
"Oh, how nice to see you again professor." said Ichiro calmly as he sat at his desk while Ferrara marched over with a purpose.
"Did you really think I wouldn't figure it out?" asked Ferrara angrily.
"What ever do you mean?" asked Ichiro innocently.
"I've gone over the financial records of this company and you're pay way too much money for a mere civil servant." answered Ferrara her temper raising.
"I do have a family." said Ichiro.
"I realize how much raising a family costs, but that still doesn't cover everything. In addition, I found multiple irregularities in your reports to the Fuso government." snarled Ferrara.
"Very good. Maybe you should have gone into economics rather than science." replied Ichiro.
"Don't try to railroad me!" yelled Ferrara dumping a multitude of papers onto the desk of Ichiro, "I know about you, SEELE and what caused Second Impact!"
"Those all should have been destroyed. Somebody failed at the job." said Ichiro calmly as he seemingly ignored Ferrara.
"I know you're about your lies and cover-up of Second Impact and I will go public!" shouted Ferrara.
"You did your research professor and I am impressed." replied Ichiro unphased by the threats waged at him, "Come with me."
"Were are we going?" asked Ferrara not certain she'll be coming back.
"You'll see." answered Ichiro with an unnerving smile and soon Ferrara found herself riding a cable car beneath the building.
"How much further?" asked Ferrara nervous as the tunnel they were currently traveling down through was pitch black with the only light inside the car and only the man she had moments ago threatened was with her.
"Very soon." answered Ichiro and within thirty seconds the cable car passed out of the tunnel revealing a massive subterranean cavity beneath the city.
"My God. This cavity was just like the one beneath Antarctica." said Ferrara overwhelmed by what she was seeing.
"It is similar and while we have worked on it the creator of this cavity is still unclear." replied Ichiro.
"Is it another giant like the one that caused Second Impact?" asked Ferrara.
"We call that being Adam and no. However, we believe this was caused by a similar being." answered Ichiro as the ride soon ended and Ichiro brought Ferrara to a room were another familiar face awaited.
"Professor Ferrara. It's been a while hasn't." said a blonde woman in her thirties and she stood up from her desk in a dark room only light by artificial lights.
"Dr. Marianne Clostermann. It has been a while." replied Ferrara shaking her hand, "Is the rest of your family here?"
"My husband Jacques and I divorced last year after which he moved back to Gallia but my daughter Perrine is here in Fuso." answered Dr. Clostermann showing Ferrara a picture of the young child she kept on her desk.
"She looks just like you." noted Ferrara, "How old is she?"
"Perrine is three." answered Marianne.
"Doctor, I brought Professor Ferrara here so we could show her what exactly we're working on." said Ichiro.
"Right this way." said Marianne who led the two to another room.
"What is that?" asked Ferrara seeing a pair bizarre cylinders in front of her.
"This is our prototype: Striker Unit-00." answered Ichiro, "You were correct earlier, you see the Artificial Evolution Laboratory is merely a front for our real organization called Gehirn which shall be the new Temple of Solomon. Through the Strikers we will achieve our true objective: the final and greatest evolutionary stage of mankind. That is the objective of Project Eden."
"Does Sayaka know about this?" asked Ferrara.
"I am the current Head of Project E but Sayaka is heavily involved none the less." answered Marianne.
"It was her idea for you to visit Antarctica in hopes you would overall join." added Ichiro.
"That can't be." said Ferrara shaking her head.
"So what do you say, will you join us in creating a new Eden in the here and now?" asked Ichiro extending his hand.
"I will." answered Ferrara after a minute which was followed by her shaking the hand of Ichiro Miyafuji.
A year later Ferrara was standing by the side of Lake Ashinoko on a warm and sunny October day waiting for the other person to keep their appointment. Sayaka arrived as she said she would but her daughters were with her. Yoshika had a pink dress with white shoes while Minna had a white dress with ruby colored shoes she begged for after watching the "Wizard of Oz" months earlier.
"Mommy and Miss Ferrara have to talk now so you girls go play." said Sayaka and with that the girls were off.
"My, your children are cute." said Ferrara as Sayaka joined her by the lakeside, "I'm getting sick of this eternal summer. I'd never thought in my life I'd miss Autumn."
"It was on a hike watching the Autumn leaves changing color I told you I was dating Ichiro. It's hard to believe it's been five years." replied Sayaka.
"I still can't believe your with SEELE." said Ferrara.
"It's for the best." replied Sayaka.
"You might think so but I still have my doubts." replied Ferrara, "But, I support your decision not SEELE."
"Just don't cause trouble on my behalf. I'd hate for something to happen to you." said Sayaka.
"I've already been warned about outbursts. I know I'm replaceable." replied Ferrara, "I don't want to see you be a test subject especially since you have children."
"But that is why I'm with SEELE, for the sake of my girls." said Sayaka looking at her children, "I'll just go with the flow for now."
"If this goes well then we can keep the schedule going." said Ferrara entering the testing room only a month after her conversation with Sayaka. When she entered Ferrara saw Ichiro sitting at a desk, and Marianne Clostermann standing nearby. Beyond the safety glass separating the observation room from the actual testing room were the two young Miyafuji girls: Minna in a canary yellow dress and Yoshika in a mustard yellow shirt and blue shorts.
"Now that your here we can begin." said Marianne to Ferrara.
"This isn't a daycare, why are these children here?" asked Ferrara.
("Sorry professor, I brought them. The girls wanted to see this test.") answered Sayaka over the radio from the testing room were she stood inside Unit-01.
"Let's begin." said Ferrara and test began but after a minute it was clear something was wrong.
"Her synch ratio is 400%! This is too unstable, we have to end this!" cried out Marianne as a glowing light began to surround Sayaka who had lost conscientious.
"Get out of there!" cried out Ichiro but thirty seconds later they're was a bright flash of light after which Sayaka Miyafuji was gone.
"An investigation was launched and the death of Sayaka Miyafuji was ruled an accident but despite not being charged Ichiro changed. He became darker and more cold after that day. He had shut off his heart to the world." thought Ferrara.
"Ichiro, how are you?" asked Ferrara knocking on the office of the man.
"If you want to come in than do so." said Ichiro coldly and Ferrara did.
The office was barren except for a desk where Ichiro was sitting and and a couple chairs in front of it. A large window was on the left side of the room from the entrance to the door and with the sunset one of the window beams caste the shadow of a cross behind Ichiro.
"I am still grieving but I must move on." answered Ichiro who had his fingers clasped and below his nose while his elbows rested on the table.
"How are the girls?" asked Ferrara.
"Minna is struggling and I'm not sure about Yoshika." answered Ichiro.
"How could you not know the emotional state of your own daughter?" asked Ferrara puzzled.
"I sent Yoshika to live with my brother. She might be hurt but Minna has already lost her birth parents and now her adopted mother too. No matter how bad Yoshika is Minna is worse." answered Ichiro, "Ferrara, the time has finally arrived."
"For what?" asked Ferrara.
"It is time to move to the next phase of our project. The Human Instrumentality Project." answered Ichiro.
"Unit-01." said Perrine standing in front of the Striker inside it's cage.
"Ma'am?" asked Lynne not used to Perrine wondering off mentally.
"It's nothing. Everything looks in order here. Another successful maintenance exam." replied Perrine.
"Ma'am, I have seen Major Sakamoto anywhere." noted Lynne.
"Neither have I." replied the Gallian before leading her assistant away.
("Good morning and I hope you're enjoying this heat it looks like it will stick around for a while.") said the weather girl on the cafe TV.
"It's 2012. This heat hasn't gone anywhere in over ten years." said Perrine softly as she sipped a bottle of water while looking over her class schedule for this semester.
"Excuse me but is anyone sitting here?" asked a female voice causing Perrine to turn around and see an older girl with black hair and an eye patch standing behind her.
"No." stuttered Perrine as the woman sat down.
"By the way, my name is Mio Sakamoto." said the woman.
"Are you related to Dr. Sakamoto by any chance?" asked Perrine.
"She was my mother. I was with her in Antarctica when Second Impact happened that's how I lost my eye. Mother sacrificed herself to save me." answered Sakamoto clearly upset by telling this.
"I'm so sorry." replied Perrine.
"Thank you but I didn't catch your name." said Sakamoto.
"I'm Perrine H. Clostermann, the daughter of Dr. Marianne Clostermann." said the blonde.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Perrine." said Sakamoto as the Gallian got a look st the class schedule of Sakamoto.
"It's looks like you and I will be in several of the same classes." said Perrine comparing the schedules.
"Then I guess we truly were meant to be friends." replied Sakamoto letting out a hardy laugh.
("The race is heating up now as the 2013 general election is only a few weeks away. Incumbent Premier Yukimura is running for re-election but she faces stiff competition from Representative Shiro Hinamora.") said a male newscaster on TV while Marianne Clostermann worked diligently on advancing Project E in her new office when her cell phone rang.
"Hello." said the doctor.
"Hello mother." replied Perrine on the other end.
"Hello sweetheart how are things?" asked Marianne.
"They're good mother." answered Perrine, "How is your research coming?"
"Everything is good and with the city complete I've finally been able to get above ground and see the light of day." answered Marianne with a laugh.
"Glad to hear it." said Perrine.
"How is your friend Sakamoto?" asked Marianne.
"She's been ducking me lately so I finally got her to tell me why and of all the crazy reasons she's been spending time with her new girlfriend. Sakamoto told me her name was Shirley and she was from Liberion. I meet her yesterday and she's not bad if you like big breast but she was totally classless and lazy." answered Perrine venting.
"Just try to accept it honey. I know she's very different from what you might be used to but you should try and get used to her." said Marianne.
"Okay." said Perrine, "Before I forget, my arrival to Gehrin has been approved. I start in two weeks."
"That's great honey. I look forward to working with you." replied Marianne.
"Thanks and thanks for helping me." said Perrine before hanging up.
"I've only been a mother to her when it's convenient for me which isn't often." sighed Marianne putting her cellphone back into her pocket.
Perrine began working at Gehrin as scheduled; and was soon following in her mother's footsteps. The only issue she had was Perrine still got lost from time to time with in the building.
"Where are you going?" asked a security agent finding a young blond walking down a hallway.
"I hate to admit this but I got lost. My name is Perrine Clostermann and I'm the daughter of Dr. Clostermann." said Perrine showing the man her ID.
"This place is so huge anyone could get lost. Come with me." said the guard leading Perrine to the observatory above the Magi before taking his leave.
"There's mom." said Perrine seeing her mother standing in front of Ichiro Miyafuji who next to her.
"How is the Magi coming along?" asked Ichiro.
"They're nearly done now. It took a lot longer than we would have liked but we're finally ready." said Marianne who then threw her arms around Ichiro.
"You're interested in something else." said Ichiro as the Gallian hung onto him.
"How much longer do we have to keep our love a secret?" asked Marianne.
"I've told you, as your boss our relationship might not be seen as appropriate so it's best if we keep things subtle." answered Ichiro.
"Then let's enjoy our time together now." replied Marianne who kissed Ichiro open-mouthed.
"That shameless whore." snarled Perrine as she watched this seen in disgust.
A few days later, Marianne and Perrine were walking down the hallway of Gehrin in the morning with the later trying to pretend like everything was okay. When they walked they noticed Ichiro with two girls: one was clearly the sixteen-year-old Minna in a olive green jacket while the other was a thirteen year old girl with silver hair, pale skin and in a ruby red dress.
"Hello Commander, might I ask who this is?" asked Marianne.
"This is Sanya V. Litvyak." answered Ichiro.
"Father is looking after her." added Minna.
"Hello Sanya." said Perrine kindly.
"Hello." replied Sanya monotone.
"There's something about this girl." said Marianne to herself.
"I have important work so I'll let you girls be." said Ichiro who then left with the girls.
"Let's go Perrine." said Marianne heading to her office, "Oh honey, can you be a dear and head back to the cafeteria I think I left my wallet there."
"Okay mother." replied Perrine and as soon as she was gone Marianne began investigating Sanya V. Litvyak."
"There's absolutely no records of a Sanya V. Litvyak. It's like the girl came out of thin air." said Marianne after her digging found nothing.
"Mom, I didn't find your wallet." said Perrine returning.
"I actually just found it. Let's get back to work on the Magi." replied Marianne causally and with that the two women went to work finishing the Magi that afternoon.
"We've really done it mother." said Perrine as she to the left of her mother over the three magi computers.
"What could possible be my greatest piece of work; the Magi: Melchior is myself as a scientist, Balthazar as a mother and Caspar as a woman." said Marianne marveling at her work.
"It is a masterpiece." said Perrine, "Oh, before I forget my friend Sakamoto is joining Gehrin."
"Oh really." said Marianne.
"Yes. She's going to be at the Karlsländ branch." said Perrine.
"So are she and Shirley committing to a long-distance relationship?" asked Marianne.
"They broke up. Frankly, I thought that Shirley was a corrupting influence." said Perrine not to displeased.
"They seemed seemed like a strong couple." said Marianne.
"Well humans are fickle. We jump at the first thing we like but we don't want to make an effort if it inconveniences us." said Perrine.
"You never did put enough faith in other people." said Marianne.
"Maybe you're right." replied Perrine, "Well, I have to get going now."
"Okay dear I'll see you later than." replied Marianne and the younger Clostermann left but after a minute of enjoying her work the door opened again and the young Sanya walked through.
"Hello Sanya, why are you all the way out here?" asked Marianne.
"I am lost." answered Sanya.
"I can take you back to the Commander." said Marianne.
"No thank you, old hag." replied Sanya.
"What did you call me?" asked Marianne trying to keep calm.
"I called you an old hag, old hag." answered Sanya.
"You shouldn't call somebody an old hag." replied Marianne getting angry.
"But, you are an old hag." said Sanya.
"That's it, the Commander will spank you for this." said Marianne angrily.
"The Commander is the one who calls you this." replied Sanya causing Marianne to feel her world come crashing down.
"No." said Marianne to herself.
"The old hag is useless, the old hag is annoying, the old hag is foolish, the old hag is gullible, the old hag is easily manipulated, the old hag is replaceable." said Sanya as Marianne listened in disbelief the voice of Sanya transformed into Sayaka mocking Marianne which caused the woman to jump up and begin to choke the life out of Sanya.
"What do you think of this you little bitch?! Did you know you're replaceable too Sanya?!" asked Marianne crushing the windpipe of Sanya in her hands, "Oh God."
"What the hell are you doing?!" asked Ichiro from the doorway who had found Sanya after looking.
"Why do you care?! I though I was just an old hag to you?!" shouted Marianne after dropping Sanya.
"Is that why you did this?!" asked Ichiro furiously.
"You were just using me!" cried out Marianne.
"I need to manipulate you so you would go with my plan." replied Ichiro.
"You bastard!" shouted Marianne.
"Just calm down, everything will be okay." said Ichiro walking up to Marianne and putting his arms on her shoulders.
"I've got another idea." said Marianne pulling out a small knife from her pocket she used for self-defense the doctor stabbed Ichiro in the heart.
"Bitch." groaned Ichiro before falling backwards onto the floor dead.
"Goodbye Commander." said Marianne before walking over to the ledge above the Magi. Dr. Marianne Clostermann then crossed herself before stepping of the ledge and falling to her death.
"Dad!" cried out Minna, as she ran over from were she had been standing in the shadows. Having been with her father, she'd seen everything.
Ten minutes later everyone at Gehrin knew of the two deaths.
"Where is she?!" asked Perrine running into the room as Minna still stood by the body of her father.
"Your mother threw herself off the ledge. She's gone Perrine." answered Minna.
"Mother!" cried out Perrine breaking down and falling to her knees.
"It's okay Perrine. I'm here for you not matter what." said Minn embracing her as her father's body was removed. Minna noticed his glasses had fallen off and picked them up.
"Minna, I just wanted to see how you were doing." said Ferrara entering the same office that once belonged to Ichiro were Minna was sitting her what was her father's chair.
"Have my fathers funeral plans been arranged?" asked Minna sitting in with her father's glasses hanging from inside her shirt collar, her fingers intertwined under her nose and her elbows resting on the desk.
"Yes. Luckily you're father had it arranged in case. Your little sister Yoshika will also be attending." answered Ferrara, "Marianne will be buried in Gallia so Perrine will be taking time off to mourn. As for Gehrin, the Committee has decided to dissolve it and replace with a new organization. You will be the Commander and I will be Sub-Commander and your regent." answered Ferrara.
"No. You will be Sub-Commander but I will have no regent. I will stand on my own as Commander while Perrine takes over for her mother." replied Minna forcefully as the sunset came over the horizon casting the same cross-like shadow behind Minna as it had behind Ichiro after the death of Sayaka.
"Understood." said Ferrara ominously as she noticed the parallel.
"One more thing Ferrara. I will no longer be using the surname Miyafuji, from now on I will be referred to by my biological name: Minna- Dietlinde Wilcke." said the younger woman.
"The next day Gehrin was disbanded and superseded by NERV with a change in leadership. Perrine took over control of Project E and hired new staff including Nishiki, Amaki and Lynnette. Minna took over as our Commander she immediately followed in her father's footsteps in order to bring about Instrumentality." said Ferrara to herself as she sat alone in the dark room when the door behind her opened, "I'm glad you made it.
"Hey getting in this place was a pain in the ass." said Shirley as she walked over and untied Ferrara.
"You realize SEELE will kill you if they find out you helped me escape." said Ferrara as she stood up and stretched quickly.
"I'm only out to find the truth." replied Shirley as she led Ferrara out of the building, "Besides, the Committee will eventually find out I gave the Wretched Egg to Commander Minna upon arriving in Fuso. It's time I bear my cross."
"Major Sakamoto." said the two Intelligence agents as they entered her cell, "You are free to go."
"The Sub-Commander?" asked Sakamoto.
"She's returned safely." answered the second agent.
"What of Shirley?" asked Sakamoto.
"We've found a solution to that problem." answered the first agent.
"Where is she?" asked Sakamoto.
"We wouldn't know." answered the second agent while outside the skirts of the city Shirley stood alone in an abandoned factory waiting for her appointment to be kept when a SEELE agent entered through the old door.
"You're late." said Shirley to the man who stopped a few feet in front of her and pulled out a Beretta 92 semi-automatic pistol and aimed at Shirley.
"Nothing personal. Just orders from Chairman Maloney." said the man.
"I knew this was coming." said Shirley and a moment latter the man fired one shot that torn into the chest of Shirley.
"That really hurt." laughed Shirley before closing her eyes and dying on the cold cement floor.
"I'm home!" called Sakamoto as she entered her apartment but the only other person there was Yoshika who was listening to her S-DAT. Sakamoto grabbed a drink from the answering machine where she found one message from Shirley.
("Hello Sakamoto it's me. Since you're not home then I'll have taken my leave by the time you hear this. Sorry for all the trouble I've caused you and tell Perrine that I'm sorry for her too. I just wanted wanted to say thanks for the great times together. I wanted to say my crap can go to whoever wants it but I want you to have my car. It was one of the things I held closest to me and I want you to have it. The truth is, I know I never really acted mature adult at times and I'm sorry for that. I was just a kid who never really grew up as much as I could have. I spent my time at NERV hunting for the truth and I was able to spend time with you which was amazing. But Sakamoto, the truth is with you. Don't hold onto the past and don't hesitate. Move forward. I'll see you again someday.")
"That idiot. What a damn fool. Only she'd be stupid enough to do something as reckless and moronic as that." sobbed Sakamoto slamming into the table. Yoshika heard the sobbing and went out to see what was going on but returned to her room and threw a pillow on her head.
"I want to help her but I'm only a child." said Yoshika to herself.
A/N: Much like with Hartmann I took no pleasure from killing off Shirley but there was no way around it. I hope you didn't mind the extra reading but this chapter and the next three are based off the director's cut so they will be longer. Now for the references: Mamimi was a nod FLCL aka one of the craziest things I've ever seen which is probably why I love it, Yukimura is a nod to Yu Yu Hakusho, andthe "Wretched Egg" was a nod to Deadman Wonderland which I may write a fanfic for in the future. I plan on writing a story for FLCL next year and possible Yu Yu Hakusho later on as well. I'd love to hear what you guys thought of my changes to the plot in how Minna came to power. Anyway, next time Hanna's tragic past is told as new Angel arrives and destroys the barriers that Hanna put up to protect herself. Please review!