Answers:
ADS: I answered you via PM
Akuma: I pmmed you as well.
Ulyces: I do have a hard time writing Rei convincingly. I think I'm getting better, though.
Joker: Two things. One: basic genetic engineering has proven that clones are not identical to their donors. Two: You kind of shot down your own point, the thing about Asuka is that she's too prideful to admit or 'solve her problem'. And it shows, she gets worse as the series progresses.
Fanus: I'm going to start calling everything a 'shadow abyss to white hell' from now on. Thanks a lot.
Disclaimer: See Prologue
Chapter 17: Allies
"One-Oh-Eight...One Hundred and Eight..." mused a 16 year old, twin-ponytailed brunette girl as her company, a poorly shaven man, also with a ponytail, sorted though rubble and trash at the location they were photographing.
"108 different locations, 108 different businesses under the ownership of the Marduk Institute, every one of them either a landfill, a dirt parking lot, or a bombed-out warehouse. Really, Ryouji, is it time for me to say that I smell a rat?"
"We should have started baiting the mousetraps months ago, Mari." The unshaven man replied. "The Marduk Institute. A Billion-Yen medical research group whose primary goal is to identify the prospective Evangelion Unit Pilots for the NERV organization. It might as well be a slush fund for alcohol and prostitutes."
"Something funny about their findings, the possible pilots are always teenage kids, either orphans with no next of kin, or, more commonly, a dead mother and a living father. Only those two criteria seem to match across the three active pilots. The Fourth possibility has a dead mom, and he still lives with his father and little sister."
"You know, you've never acted concerned about being an orphan."
"I also don't count as a Numbered Child, either. Unit-05 was a deeper experimental Unit than even Unit-00, and they called me the 'Problem Child' for a reason. No next of kin means no temptation about writing home. It helps me keep my security clearance. Still, who does NERV actually want for pilots? The First, Second, and Third Children have the most mismatched personalities that I've ever experienced. Third does smell pretty good, though." She shot the man a mischievous smirk.
The pair heard a knock on the door to the warehouse they were investigating. "It's me."
Ryouji Kaji opened the door to find an old woman petting a lost cat.
"You are getting too deep, at this point. SEELE and NERV both have more power than the United Nations. Lorenz and Ikari both suspect you. If you dig deeper, I don't think we'll be able to protect you, Kaji."
"You're right, but I have help, this time around. Even one ally is quite a strength when you're playing The Great Game, but two are even better."
"And you have a second?"
"She'll come around when she sees what I've been finding. Now, Mari and I have to get back to the GeoFront before somebody notices we ran away..."
"Yes, then get going...And do tell Ritsuko that I miss her, I hope she's not gotten in over her head like her mother did."
Neither Ikari or Fuyutsuki appreciated being berated by SEELE early on a Friday morning.
SEELE-03 SOUND ONLY: "Both programs are moving too slowly, Ikari. We've already given you Unit-02, all three Units currently in Japan are performing their tasks. Why are you so behind?"
"Because we aren't behind, gentlemen. The dummy plug system is nearly complete; soon we will not concern ourselves with inconsequential things such as those naive pilots' senses of morality and restraint. As for the other project, there are two potential triggers now. The first trigger has always been under our control, and the new trigger grows more loyal to NERV each passing day."
SEELE-02 SOUND ONLY: "And both triggers will survive until after the Last Angel?"
"If your motions to transfer another Unit succeed, Unit-00 will be deactivated and its pilot will be taken off of active duty. That will take the original trigger away from danger, to be held until the Impact date, and the new trigger can be deployed into combat without concern."
SEELE-03 SOUND ONLY: "Until the new Unit is tested onsite, Unit-02 will be deactivated first. It is still on loan from Germany, and we would hate to see it lost when there are alternatives."
"Yes, yes, but if the new Unit is a standard production model, then the testing conditions will be met without issue, and the Marduk Institute is identifying the Fourth Child as we speak. As such, I expect to have Unit-02 back in service by the time Unit-00 is deactivated."
SEELE-02 SOUND ONLY: "The United States Air Force currently operates two Evangelion Units, both without pilots. Since America is considered a low-threat environment, we will gladly offer you one Unit if it speeds up completion of the projects. The UN will see it as a gesture of good will, and we come closer to the realization of our goal. Now, Unit-04 is currently undergoing upgrades and testing at Groom Lake. Unit-03, however, is sitting in storage at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts. It's state-of-the-art, and the best candidate for transfer."
SEELE-01 SOUND ONLY: "You can see, Ikari, that my colleagues eagerly await the hour of human perfection. Do not fail us."
"With Unit-03's power and a new pilot on the way, I am certain that we won't fail, gentlemen."
The holodeck deactivated, and the monolithic structures acting as voice terminals for SEELE's leadership vanished.
"Commander," Professor Fuyutsuki spoke up, "Weren't you just a bit callous when you were referring to Rei and your son?"
"They are tools, Professor, and if a tool breaks, it must be discarded."
Friday was an interesting day at school for Shinji Ikari. His father needed to be at some sort of conference, so he had suspended sync testing for the weekend, and that meant that he had an entire weekend to spend with his...she wasn't his girlfriend, not that Shinji wasn't trying to make it that way, but the particular girl he was focusing his efforts on didn't really understand the concept. Not for lack of knowledge, she was brilliant and wise beyond her age, she simply spent the vast majority of her life in a heavily sheltered childhood.
He made one mistake. He met Rei Ayanami at her train station and convinced her to walk to school with him, arms linked. When they entered the building, they were spotted by a crowd of their classmates, who erupted into a frenzy at seeing the two quietest, most withdrawn students in the school walking into class together as a couple, boys complaining in jealousy and girls squealing at the sight.
"Is that Shinji...and Ayanami!?"
"Shinji?! I didn't know he had it in him!"
"Rei? Dammit, she's gorgeous! What's Ikari got that I don't?!" "Probably deodorant."
"They look so cute together!"
"Shinji's such a gentleman, Rei's lucky isn't she?"
They quickly manoeuvred away from the attention and sat down in class 2-A, the commotion causing more than a few of their peers to miss the tardy bell.
"Shinji?"
"Sorry, Rei, I wasn't expecting that kind of reaction..."
"Perhaps we should not enter school so obviously...together."
"Don't worry about it now, they'll stop when they get distracted by the next shiny object they see."
She watched as he quickly snapped his attention to his laptop computer and glared.
"What is it, Shinji?"
"Two of the Three Stooges sent me a message."
"Does Pilot Soryu still refer to you as the 'Third Stooge'."
"Yes, but it doesn't bother me. When Hikari does it, it sounds kind of funny..."
Rei felt a twinge of jealousy as Shinji mentioned the other girls so casually. = I have never experienced any dislike of Representative Horaki before, why should I now? =
As Rei was self-reflecting, Shinji was dealing with his friends.
Ikari01
Yes, you two did see me walk in with Rei. Get over it.
3pointshot
Hey we aren't mad or anything...we just couldn't believe that you actually went for it!
Ikari01
Look, I'm going to level with you two. Rei had a very sheltered life at NERV. She doesn't handle lots of hyperactive attention well, so she hangs out with me because I have the self-control not to act like a caveman around her. So please, nix the terrorizing, if just for her sake.
RailGun
Hey, if it's like that we won't do anything to you guys, we promise!
Ikari01
Great, thanks. Now tell me about that betting pool that you've been running behind my back.
3pointshot
Sukes, he's on to us...here it is: 5000 Yen says you wouldn't make a move on her for 6 more months.
Ikari01
And you can either give me the whole amount or I convince Asuka to beat the money out of you and I share the winnings with her.
2ARep
Shinji! Talking about betting and making threats is against the school code! Do I have to report this?
Ikari01
Hikari, Touji and Kensuke were betting on my and Rei's relationship, and that qualifies as harassment. I'm merely telling them that I'm willing to settle out of court.
2ARep
Oh...well that's a different story entirely. (by the way, I think you and Rei look really good together)
Ikari01
Thanks, Hikari. Now, you two were thinking?
RailGun
We've decided...you get your money after class, just don't tell Asuka...bastard
Ikari01
Nice to do business with you.
-Ikari01 Signout-
= I have enough to take her to a decent dinner tonight, thanks guys. =
NERV Branch 2, USA, 0000 Hours
"All right, Gordon, your suit should keep you comfortable through all this. Now, If you would be so good as to climb up and start the chargers, we'll hold the Live S2 Core at 80% until the dummy plug arrives...Very good, we'll take it from here...Power to Stage 1 Emitters in 3...2...1...Power ON...Stage 2 Emitters starting...Now. Gordon, we can't predict how long this system can handle the strain, or how long the new Core will need to be tested. Please work quickly. Now, overhead capacitors at 105%.
...It's probably nothing, probably, but I'm showing a small discrepancy in...never mind, it's well within accepted limitations. Sustaining sequence."
"We've just been informed that the dummy plug is ready to be matched to the Core. Move to the delivery system for the specimen. Perform a standard insertion...Wait! Oh God shut it down! Shutting down! Attempting shutdown! IT'S NOT SHUTTING DOWN! IT'S NOT-"
The entirety of NERV Branch 2 in the Mohave Desert vanished. A circle of space, 110 Miles across, vaporized. Twelve thousand active-duty military, civilian researchers, and their families, all dead. Evangelion Unit-04, the epicenter of the explosion.
Tokyo-3, Japan, 1600 Hours
Phys Ed is the final period of the day, and a few of the girls at the pool actually managed to engage Rei in a conversation as they were finishing their swimming tests, even as a colleague of hers wasn't enjoying the change of pace.
"Tell us, Rei, when did you two decide on it?"
"Just recently. After...Shinji was injured in the latest attack. Pilot Sory- Asuka and I visited him in NERV's onsite hospital facilities." She was still having trouble referring to individuals by their social names and not their official titles, but this was as good of an opportunity to practice as any.
"Ohmygod was he hurt badly?"
"No, not at all. He was just shaken...possibly fearful...he asked me to stay with him there."
"Ohhh, that's so sweet!"
"Wait a minute, Rei, what did Asuka do?" Another girl spoke up.
"I am...not certain. She would not enter his recovery room and left before Shinji was cleared to return home."
"Wow...sounds like she was too worried to go in there and see him."
"I could not understand why. As I said, he was uninjured."
Asuka was on the other side of the pool facilities, silently fuming as she watched Rei respond well to her newfound popularity.
= So Wondergirl steals herself a boyfriend and she's suddenly queen of the campus. And for what? She's even weaker and more vulnerable than he is! = She saw that the period was ending so she grabbed Hikari and trudged off.
"So, Rei, do you two have plans for this weekend?"
She looked puzzled and thought deeply "...No. We have not discussed any future actions..."
"Oh, well it is Shinji we're talking about. He'll probably do something wonderful for you!"
"...I am...glad that you all think so highly of Pilot Ikari."
"It's not at all hard to do, you know. He's so polite and considerate to us girls, most of the boys here are such perverts."
The girls started breaking away from her as she started looking off into the distance and thinking to herself.
"Rei? Rei?"
"Just leave her alone, she's probably daydreaming about Prince Charming. C'mon, let's go get dressed."
= 'He's so polite and considerate to us girls...' That statement means that the other students here recognize Shinji's character... Is it wrong of me to wish that I was the only person to see that side of him? I won't leave school yet. I have no sessions today and I need more exercise. =
She re-entered the pool and began swimming laps as the guys were leaving the basketball courts.
"Okay, Shinji, how far have you two gotten in the dark? Don't skip details!" A few of the guys were badgering him, and he was not enjoying himself.
"We've hugged, okay. I'm not in this to get laid. I'm in this because, unlike you perverts, I actually care about Rei."
"OKAY THAT'S IT PARTY'S OVER! Let's get out of here, it's Friday!" Touji and Kensuke arrived and broke up the mob.
"...Thanks guys, I guess I owe you for that one."
"No you don't. We know you're trying to defend Rei's good reputation. Here's the cash, just promise us you'll take her somewhere nice with it."
"That's exactly what I planned on doing." He made his way up to the pool complex, knowing Rei wouldn't leave with all the girls.
He watched her slip through the water. She doesn't kick her feet or dig in to the current with her hands, she simply twists through it. = She swims like an Olympian. =
She returned to the starting blocks to breathe where she saw Shinji gawking at her. = It is good to know that he finds me...attractive. = She had never referred to herself as that before.
"Hello, Pilot Ikari."
"Uhh he-hey Rei, you looked really, uh, professional in the water. Where'd you learn to swim like that?"
"I practiced this style after testing the physics of our swimming facilities. Swimming exercises are thorough ways to improve fitness."
"Huh? What's the 'Physics of swimming facilities'?"
She climbed out of the water, walked over to where he was sitting and Shinji noticed that her simple, blue, one piece bathing suit amplified her subtle figure. The dark, slightly perverted parts of his mind realized that he'd rather see her in this outfit than the skimpy bikinis that Asuka liked wearing. = Waitaminute, you're looking at Rei! Stop thinking about Asuka! Rei looks better in a one piece anyway... = He was shaken from his thoughts by Rei repeating herself to him.
"You were asking about the physics of water."
"Oh, yeah, Rei, I was. Sorry, I got distracted..." He was blushing furiously and tried to look away from her.
"Distracted? By...me?"
"Umm...yeah." He blushed even harder.
"Shinji, I am...flattered." = Is this emotion flattery? It is a good feeling. =
"Really?"
"...Yes. I am. Do you understand the concept of a wave?"
"We studied it in physics, but I didn't learn much."
"Are you not a strong swimmer, as well?"
"No. I only know how to dog paddle. I lived with my Sensei while I was growing up, and he's getting pretty old, so he couldn't teach me much exercise stuff, only how to toss a baseball or stuff like that."
"A wave is movement with zero net change in position."
"Zero net change?"
"Yes. When an individual unit of water is trapped in a wave, it can oscillate up-down, side to side, or however the energy of the wave moves it, but it is always forced back into its original position. When I am swimming through the water, I oscillate along the entire length of the human body. I move the water around me, but the water returns to its original position. I am able to move quickly through the water without growing tired. Does that sound more understandabl-" She cut herself off when she noticed Shinji staring again.
"Shinji, you are staring."
He blinked and replied. "Yes, yes, I know I am...Sorry, I still just can't believe how smart you really are. I heard everything, and it is more understandable."
"Shinji, why do you stare at me?"
"I'm sorry, Rei, but you're really pretty and I'm a guy and I can't help myself sometimes. I'll try not to in the future."
"You do not have to apologize."
"I don't?"
"No. You may stare, similarly to the other adolescent males that attend this school, but you do not whistle, or shout, or make sexually inappropriate comments about me. But I am happy to know that you are attracted to me, Shinji."
"It's not really hard to be, Rei. Your blue hair and red eyes are colors I've never seen before, and you really are one of the smartest people I've ever met, and...you look really good in that swimsuit and..." He was staring again, this time at her lips. He leaned in towards her as her cell phone rang and she answered.
"Lieutenant Colonel Katsuragi? Is there anything I can do for you?...Hold one moment...
Shinji, where are your belongings?"
"Back at the basketball courts...oh, shit."
"Lieutenant Colonel Katsuragi called you first. You need to keep your cellular telephone close by. We are needed for an emergency briefing at headquarters. Pilot Soryu is already on her way there." She lifted the phone back up to her ear.
"Yes ma'am, we are both coming, now."
Rei stood up, pulled her school blouse and dress over her swimsuit and the pair started towards the basketball courts to find Shinji's stuff.
= Great. Now I'm turned on knowing she's still wearing that swimsuit under her uniform... =
NERV Combat personnel were assembled in the Eva pilots' ready room as Commander Ikari spoke.
"UN Inspector Kaji is our primary international contact. He will be delivering the report."
"Thank you, Commander. At midnight in Nevada, roughly 95 minutes ago, Evangelion Unit-04 exploded. The American NERV branch out there was installing the latest development for the Evas' core. It was supposed to power the Unit without needing a power supply. As the installation was made, the core vaporized everything in an 89-kilometer radius from Unit-04. The American Government is in panic mode trying to investigate. Now, having said that, the good news is that Unit-03 in Massachusetts is safe, and it's being transferred here as a gift, hopefully strengthening the US-Japanese alliance. Unlike Unit-02, it will become Japan's property and won't just be here on loan. Until it arrives, it's business as usual, we'll have a report on the chosen pilot as soon as the Unit gets here."
As Kaji finished his report he walked over to Misato. "We have to talk as soon as we aren't noticed. It's that important."
Shinji was between the two female pilots. "All those people in that blast...all dead."
Asuka agreed with him, for once. "And it was not even in a battle, just an 'accident'."
Rei finished. "Everyone has the right to live. These persons had that right stolen from them."
The NERV personnel exited the room quietly and solemnly. Things had been peaceful for just a few days...now this.
Shinji and Rei were walking closely as Dr. Ritsuko Akagi approached them.
"Rei, you missed your latest LCL immersion, you have to make it up before your anemia is amplified, come with me, now." Ritsuko lied while Shinji was listening.
"Yes ma'am."
"Dr. Akagi, will she be okay?"
"As long as we get her in treatment regularly, yes Shinji, don't worry. We won't let her die."
Somehow, that sounded...literal to Shinji.
"Okay, Kaji, what is it?" Misato was in her office with Kaji, who was giving her higher-than-top-secret details.
"Misato, you were right about the dummy plugs. We shouldn't trust them. They aren't a computer autopilot like I thought."
"Then what are they?"
"They are made of bioengineered components from a human nervous system, literally wiring a human brain into the Evangelion Unit."
"The Evas themselves are synthetic humanoids. That reveal doesn't surprise me."
"But this one will, the 'brain' isn't synthetic. It's cloned from a human donor."
"Human donor? Who?"
"That's my next question. I need every possible angle and aid I can get my dirty hands on to find out, and that means your help and trust."
"You already have it."
A/N: Man, writing a political thriller is fun!