Shinji Steel 7

Disclaimer; I do not own Neon Genesis Evangelion or Max Steel. Wish I did, though.

(NERV HQ; Gendo's Office)

As Gendo pores over Chiron's 'Plan B', he nods his approval.

"Make it so, Captain Chiron." Smirking, he adds, "Psycho should be an excellent 'convincer' for the task I have in mind."

"Yes, Commander." Unsure, Chiron asks, "Why him though, sir? I mean, pardon the expression, but he does have a few screws loose."

"A few loose screws a bad Agent does not make."

"Even if the screws are big, sir?"

"Even if, Chiron. After all, the bigger the loose screws are, the better for us."

"Very well, sir. Any time frame in mind?"

"Yes. After the arrival and defeat of the Fourth Angel." Picking up a folder on his desk, he opens it and reads the paperwork within. As he reads, his eyebrows quirk up in consternation. "Captain Chiron, have you ever heard of an individual named 'Birdman'?"

"If it's supposed to be a comic book superhero, not really, sir. Why do you ask?"

"I have a report from the Third Branch stating that 'Birdman' had been apprehended at the Evangelion test site in Berlin. He'd stolen a condor named Gustav and was intercepted by… are you fucking kidding me?"

Chiron, knowing that his Commander is usually not one for swearing unless he has a reason, tentatively clears his throat.

"Is something wrong, sir?"

"You better read this and tell me if there is something wrong, Captain." After Chiron takes hold of the folder, Gendo positions his hands before his face, asking, "Where do these people come up with these outlandishly absurd names?"

"Good question, sir. 'Max Steel Jr? Able to break a human fist in one punch? Vanishing into thin air after accosting the Second Child'?" Looking up, Chiron can't help but ask, "What are they smoking over there in Germany, sir?"

"I know not, Chiron. However, this does lead me to believe it's time for a random drug test at all NERV facilities. Including this one." His eyebrows furrowing, he adds, "We may also be dealing with a conspiracy of ill intent, Chiron." Scowling, he mentally adds, 'Especially one not of my design.'

"Orders, sir?"

"Pass the word that all NERV personnel are to subject themselves to blood tests for the presence of illicit substances."

"And if it's not narcotics, sir?"

"CAT scans and MRIs, Captain." As an afterthought, he adds, "See if you can arrange a 'meeting' between this 'Birdman' and myself as well, Captain."

"Yes, sir. Right away, sir."

Putting the folder back down, Chiron turns and exits the office. Leaving a stewing Gendo.

"Max Steel Jr, 'Birdman', Psycho." Bringing one hand up to his forehead and rubbing it, he groans, "You can't make stuff like this up." Bringing his hand back down to his desk, he picks up another folder. Opening it, he sighs at the sight of yet another requisition form for ammunition for Section 2.

'Another day, another Section 2 ammunition requisition form. This is the third one this week!' Shaking his head, he verbally asks, "What do they do, anyway? Get all liquored up and shoot anything that moves?"

(Tokyo-3 Forest)

A group of five Section 2 Agents are in the forest. A cooler of Yebisu beer with them, with one Agent carrying a CD player belting out a 'Weird Al' song. Zanily enough, the song is 'Trigger Happy'. All of them heavily intoxicated. One of them hiccups, can of Yebisu in hand, before finishing it off. Upon seeing a moving form, he aims his service weapon. Pulling the trigger once, he hears a man cry out, drunkenly, in pain.

"My… a… ass!"

(Gendo's Office)

"Nah. They wouldn't do that. At least not on duty hours, anyway."

(Forest)

The shot Agent drunkenly checks his watch before speaking. Hiccupping all through it.

"We've… a… got… a… whole… a… other… a… hour… a… before… a… shift… a… ends." His shooter, unsure and disoriented, nods at the voice.

"O… a… kay."

(Office)

"If they are drunk on duty, I will personally kill them."

(Forest)

All five of the drunk Agents then cheer drunkenly before shooting each other. Dead. Right when the song ends before replaying.

(Office)

Shrugging, Gendo signs off on the form, approving it. Along with adding a notation.

'Make the ammunition stretch this time! You are required to protect the Personnel, after all! You can't very well do that without ammunition for your weapons!'

Sitting back after closing the folder, Gendo shakes his head while rubbing his writing hand.

"Sometimes it isn't easy being me."

An hour later, Gendo is paged on his intercom.

"Yes, Ms Okisona?"

He can't help but feel his current secretary is a vast improvement of his last one. As the woman had sought to blackmail Gendo with a picture of him in a status unfitting of him.

"Commander, Section 2 found five of their men in the Tokyo-3 Forest. All of them dead." Feeling a migraine coming up, Gendo rubs his head.

"What happened?"

"Unclear, sir. But Captain Chiron reports the presence of a cooler filled with Yebisu beer. Along with a CD player playing a song named 'Trigger Happy', sir."

"Oh for crying out loud!" Turning off his intercom, he yells out, "WHY AM I SURROUNDED BY INSANELY INCOMPETENT LUNATICS?"

With that, he starts bashing his head against his desk. Five bashes later and he's nursing a big bump on his head.

'There's got to be a better way to deal with the insane stupidity I'm surrounded by! Preferably less painful.'

(NERV Medical Wing)

As he walks along the halls of the Medical Wing, Shinji's eyes pick up and focus on a familiar form on a gurney. Walking to it, he smiles lightly at the sight of the bandaged girl on it.

"Hey. How're you feeling?"

"I am recovering satisfactorily. The bandages are slated to come off in another month."

"Jeez, she doesn't even sound alive. Let alone look it, Shinji." Shinji can only nod softly at Berto's voice before replying.

"That's good to hear." The girl's un-bandaged eye blinks before turning to him.

"Who are you?"

"Shinji Ikari."

"I am Rei Ayanami."

"Nice to meet you." Lightly grunting, he adds, "I guess we'll be working together for the remainder of this turkey shoot once you've recovered and gotten those bandages off."

"How are shooting birds with projectile weapons involved in a war against the Angels?"

"Man, she doesn't even know about idioms or slang? Where's she been living? A cave?"

"Turkey shoot's another way of saying 'war'."

"I believe I understand." Although the tone in her voice is flat, Shinji can tell she's unsure.

"If you like, I can tutor you in using expressions."

"I will consider it."

"Oh, talk about a chilly reception. I think the temp around you just dropped thirty to fifty degrees, Shinji." Shinji doesn't say anything in reply to Berto. He just nods his head toward Ayanami.

"See you around, Ayanami." With that, he walks away. Not seeing Ayanami close her un-bandaged eye in thought.

'Pilot Ikari, you are quite perplexing.'

(NERV EVA Training Bay; fifteen minutes later)

"Okay, Shinji. Just remember these are simulations. No need to do any of what you did with the Third Angel in these. Okay?"

"Okay, Misato." Misato gives Shinji a smile with a nod as the entry plug slides down into the training body. Once it's in place and filled with LCL, Shinji says, "Trainer-01 ready."

"Okay, Shinji. First up is shooting with the combat rifle. Center target, pull switch." At Misato's voice, Shinji nods.

"Roger."

Mouthing the words to himself, he listens to Berto track his vitals. Along with possible attack angles. As he trains, he thinks about the song on 'GI Joe; Rise of Cobra' during Duke and Ripcord's training. Somehow, Berto must've read his mind as Shinji soon hears the song 'Get it On'.

Up in the observation box, as she watches the screen, Misato can't help but smile as the simulated EVA fires on its opponents. In the background, Maya is introducing copies of the Third Angel as quickly as the EVA can destroy them. Three per minute.

After fifty are destroyed, she throws in a wildcard. No ammunition for the rifle. Much to her surprise, however, Shinji quickly adapts by taking it on hand-to-hand. Easily defeating it by snapping off its beak and plunging the point of the broken-off piece into the Angel's eye-hole. Maya can't help but wince, feeling her gorge rise. Misato, fortunately enough, notices Maya's distress.

"Let's see how you do with the prog knife, Shinji."

"Roger."

Maya recovers enough to activate the 'prog knife scenario'. Only for her recovery to recede upon seeing the simulated EVA ram the prog knife right up into the Angel's rectal area. Causing her to cry out.

"Now that is just disturbing!"

Suddenly clamping her hand over her mouth after her outburst, Maya quickly flees. Hoping to reach the women's wash room in time. She does, but barely.

Back in the observation box, Misato can only sigh.

"Shinji, we really need to tone down your aggressiveness quotient." Smiling widely now, she adds, "Just a tad, of course."

"Roger." A second later, he asks, "How bad was it?"

"You inadvertently made Lieutenant Ibuki sick to her stomach."

"Sorry about that. I guess I was over the top."

"Just a tad, Shinji. Just a tad." Her laughter matches Shinji's as the two laugh themselves silly.

(Gendo's Office; two hours later)

"Commander, I bring you 'Birdman' for your meeting, sir."

"Very good, Chiron. I will let you know when you are needed." Chiron nods before exiting, leaving Gendo alone with 'Birdman'. Clearing his throat, he says, "I imagine you're wondering why you're before me, 'Birdman'."

"As an enabler of an enemy of birds, you seek to eliminate or at least silence me without violence."

"Neither. I had you brought here so you will tell me everything you know about Max Steel Jr." Taking note of the bandages on 'Birdman's hands, he adds, "I am certain you have a score to settle with him."

"I don't really know all that much about him. I do know, however, that he has an uncanny knack for showing up where he isn't wanted."

"All the more reason for you to tell me all that you do know." As 'Birdman' considers it, Gendo adds, "With my resources, Max Steel Jr will only be a faded memory." Nodding, as he finds that to his liking, 'Birdman' clears his throat.

"There is one thing I do know about him for certain."

"I'm listening."

"He has a soft spot for children. He can't stand the sight of children alone and/or scared."

"Very well." Touching a button on his desk, he adds, "Captain Chiron will escort you to a 'penthouse' suite to reside in while your injuries heal."

(Kyoto-2; a week and a half later; four hours pre-sunrise)

"All packed up, Ritsy?"

"All packed up, Mom."

Deidre gives her a nod before turning back to the house she and Ritsuko had resided in ever since Ritsuko was found by Deidre. The small modest house had some fading paint on the outside, but was structurally sound. That, in Deidre's opinion, was good enough for her. Turning toward and getting into their small van, Deidre starts the engine, with Ritsuko curling up into the seat beside her before going back to sleep.

Deidre looks toward under the passenger seat and can only smile faintly at the sight of the small black-gold gym bag. Said bag having been in place ever since Deidre bought the van shortly after taking Ritsuko in. As Deidre pulls the van away from their home, she thinks about her past and how much she'd changed over the years.

'I guess Motherhood, even if it's adoptive, does change any woman. Especially one with my past.' Glancing at a sleeping Ritsuko out of the corner of her left eye, Deidre smirks softly before mentally adding, 'In my case, the change was definitely for the better. Much, much better.'

Ritsuko lets out a light moan, murmuring, "Shinji." Which brings a somber look to Deidre's face.

'I don't know if I'm really ready to be a "Grandmother" just yet.' The thought of becoming a 'Grandmother' brings the smirk right back. 'But, if it does happen soon, I'm going to relish every minute of it.'

Reaching over and gently tousling Ritsuko's hair, she lightly chuckles at the memory of her 'talk' with Ritsuko. Strangely enough, it was the night after Ritsuko first met Shinji on the beach in Okinawa. Deidre sighs softly as she recalls that night.

(Okinawa; one year ago)

As Deidre prepared dinner for the night, she heard the rented bungalow's door opening. Picking up and clutching a nearby knife in a combat grip, she made ready to attack. Only to relax upon hearing Ritsuko's voice.

"I'm 'home', Mom."

The tone in her voice caused Deidre's left eyebrow to rise curiously. As Ritsuko sounded mildly dazed. Prompting her to poke her head out of the kitchen. The sight of a blush on Ritsuko's face, along with a soft smile, caused Deidre's eyebrow to arch even more.

"You okay, Ritsy?"

"Yeah. I'm okay, Mom." Her blush not fading, Ritsuko lightly tapped her index fingers together before going on. "I met a boy on the beach today."

"Oh?" Her curiosity peaked, Deidre ducked back into the kitchen and put the knife back down before exiting the kitchen. "What happened, baby?"

"He and his 'Aunt', as he called her, were about to go scuba diving when she called out to me. I accepted, even though I'm not certified." Letting out a shy giggle, she added, "It was fun and we held hands while underwater. He was so shy."

"What's his name?"

"Shinji Ikari, and he's cute." Her eyes starting to drip tears of happiness, the girl looked up at Deidre. "He asked me if I'd like to join them for dinner tonight."

"What'd you tell him?"

"I told him I couldn't as I was expected for dinner already here." Lightly gulping, she asked, "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, baby. No." Deidre smiled softly before wrapping Ritsuko into her arms. "But I'm afraid it's time for a 'woman-to-girl' talk." Letting out a chuckle, she added, "I just didn't figure I'd be doing it so soon."

"I was expecting it last year, Mom. But it's okay. You've had a lot on your mind. Taking care of me for the past thirteen years have been a strain on you. I didn't want to burden you any further."

"Oh, Ritsy. You were never a burden." Tightening her arms around Ritsuko, she added, "You were the best thing that ever happened to me, Ritsy. Never forget that. Okay?"

"Okay." Drying her eyes, she took a gulp and asked, "Shall we begin, Mom?"

"Yes. We shall."

That night was filled with the two talking over dinner.

Snapping back to the current, Deidre shakes her head at how happy Ritsuko has been ever since meeting Shinji. Checking her watch, she nods in approval.

'Barring complications in traffic or in the van, we should be in Tokyo-3 just about in time for school registration.'

Glancing over lightly at Ritsuko once more, she smiles softly at how relaxed the young woman is. Along with tired as she had awakened Ritsuko an hour before they left. Shaking her head in amusement, Deidre turns back to her driving, rolling the window down to a crack to feel the cool breeze as it flies into the van.

(Tokyo-3; sunrise)

As Shinji stretches while rising out of bed, he looks over at the CARE package Josh, Kat and Berto had sent him. His Mother's cello, his SDAT player, a group photo of him with them and a picture of Ritsuko. Now, to many other people, it may not be much. Shinji, on the other hand, is quite content with it. Turning toward his room's south wall, he sighs upon seeing the uniform of Tokyo-3 High School.

'First day in a new school. Should be quite a day for me.'

Quickly dressing, he exits the room and heads to the kitchen to make breakfast and lunch for both he and Misato. As he starts, Misato exits her room in her sleepwear, scratching her belly.

"Hmm, morning Shinji."

"Morning, Misato."

As the woman goes to the beer fridge, Shinji makes it a point to look away from her t-shirt and shorts. If only to keep Berto from whistling at her. Shuddering lightly at the first time Misato exited in such a state, he suddenly cringes upon hearing Misato shriek in joy. Misato, however, notices his cringe before smirking.

"Oh, the young 'Secret Agent' can't handle my little beer cheer?"

"I can handle it if you won't shriek it out so high."

"Oh, but it won't be as fun, though." Shinji can't help but roll his eyes mildly as Misato perches herself Indian-style onto the counter beside him. A piece of toast in her mouth. As she chews, she asks, "Looking forward to your first day of school?"

"I guess. It's just hard to be away from my friends and family, is all."

"You don't have to worry about them, Shinji." Swallowing her toast, she adds, "Think of it this way. You're protecting them under the auspices of the UN. Combine that with your 'N-Tek' work and you've got a lot to concentrate on. If anything, do it all for them. They're worth it, after all."

"Yeah. They are." Smiling fondly at the thought of Hoshi and Hinata, he adds, "I can hardly wait to see those two again."

"What about Ritsuko? Your 'future wife', I believe Berto described her as being."

"What do you think, Misato?"

"I don't have to think. I heard you call out Ritsuko's name in rapture." Shinji's blush gets Misato to titter merrily. "Looks like I found another 'chink' in your armor, Shinji. You really need to get over that if you're going to be any good against those nuts you fight."

"Yeah." Shinji then frowns before asking, "What would happen if 'Commander Deadbeat' was to find out about her, though? I mean, he's bound to have people watching this apartment at all times."

"You could always 'stealth' your way out of here. Like you did three days ago."

"Yeah, I could. But that does take energy, though. A small amount, but energy nonetheless."

"If it's a small amount, why worry about it?"

"Picture yourself in my situation, Misato. You go into 'stealth' mode and sneak out to do battle against someone, like say, Hammerhead. As you fight, you find yourself getting to be exhausted as Hammerhead is an experienced prizefighter." Misato's grimace is all he needs to nod. "Exactly. Had I exited regularly as myself before switching to my other self, it would've made a big difference."

"No wonder you came in looking like you got pounded by a meat tenderizer. You pretty much were."

"Yeah."

"How'd you survive his onslaught?"

"Well, it went a little like this." Minutes later, Misato and Shinji are laughing their heads off. As they laugh, Shinji smirks and says, "While he was eating the meat donuts, I snuck to in front of him, went 'turbo', and belted him right in the stomach. Causing him to spill his guts out onto the ground." Misato can't help but let out another peal of laughter at that image while sticking out her tongue.

"Oh, that must have been so gross!"

"You have no idea, Misato. I wound up having to take ten showers just to get rid of the stench of his barf before coming back here."

"Do I even want to know how bad it was?"

"If it's bad enough to need gas masks to breathe, no, you don't."

"Ugh. Why'd you do that?" Shinji can only shrug, a mischievous smirk on his face. "You're a mean one."

"You'll get used to it." Sighing, he adds, "Let no one tell you otherwise, Misato. Barf showers are not the wave of the future."

Misato can't help but let out another laugh with a grossed out grimace before checking her clock and shrieking.

"Shinji! You're running late!" Racing into her room to dress, she adds, "We better hurry to get you there for registration!"

"This can't end well." Josh's voice gets a nod from Shinji. Five minutes later, Josh says, "I don't know what's worse, Shinji. Just watching the world fly by through your eyes or picturing myself riding with her." As Misato turns the wheel to take a sharp turn, Josh adds, "I'd go with picturing myself there. She took that turn on two wheels!"

Shinji lets out a light chuckle as Misato's 'Blue Bullet' reaches the high school and power-slides to a stop. As they both exit the car, Misato checks the time and cheers.

"Yes! A new land speed time record! Two minutes and thirty seconds!" After Misato's cheer, Berto pipes up.

"Two minutes and thirty seconds of having my hair standing straight up. Just from watching it on screen, no less." Letting out a chuckle, Berto then asks, "Are you sure Misato didn't give birth to you?"

"I'm sure, Berto. Why?"

"Because you and she are pretty much cut from the same bolt of cloth!" Shinji lets out a chuckle, causing Berto to add, "You are!"

"I'll let you tell Misato that, Berto. Tonight. I gotta go register."

"Got it, hermano. Go get 'em." Shinji nods before turning to Misato, a small smile on his face. Only for the smile to get bigger upon seeing behind her. Berto's voice comes back with, "Is that who I think it is?"

"Yeah. It is."

"SHINJI!"

Misato's attention is drawn by the joyful cry and turns around in time to see a pretty girl Shinji's age run up and jump into his arms. Plastering his face with kisses.

"Oh I missed you so much!" Shinji can only hold her close while returning the kisses as best he can. Of course, with the girl kissing him endlessly…

"Right back at you, Rits!"