"Altitude at 6000, climbing at a steady rate. Throttle is at 100%."

"Good. Monitor the prototype for any malfunctions. We cannot botch this, not anymore."

"Roger. Boosters are almost out."

"Cut the throttle and separate them, then attempt to land them back here."

"Uh, sir? We don't know if that'll wo-"

"Just do it."

"Alright. Cutting throttle, separating boosters." The Boosters had the capability of landing without them being destroyed, as to make the launch system more reusable.

"Throttle to 100% on the Core Stage, attempting to land Boosters 1 and 2.

"All according to plan."

"Booster 1 landed, 2 is a bit behind. Attempting to land 3 and 4 now."

"Status on the Core Stage?"

"Altitude 13000, almost out of fuel."

"Separate it now, fire the Second Stage."

"Roger, separating the Core Stage, deploying parachutes, second stage firing."

"Good. Status on Boosters 3 and 4?"

"4 has landed, 3 may not make it."

"For a prototype, that's good. How high is the Core stage?"

"Altitude 10,000, decreasing rapidly. We have a naval ship stationed nearby to carry it back here. Second Stage altitude 21,000."

"Excellent. The prototype is a clear success."

"Wait, sir! What's the payload for the upper stage?"

"You'll see it when it gets there."

"Wait, where?"

"I'll let you guess."

"Uh… Geostationary Orbit?"

"Nope! Wrong! That was your only attempt."

"Aw c'mon!"

"Heheh."

MISATO KATSURAGI'S APARTMENT

"Hey, Shinji! It's on the news!"

"Wait, is it? I thought the thing about Russia was still on."

"Nope! Guess NERV is more important."

"Yeah, you're right about that. Wonder what the Russians think."

"I bet they are fuming!"

"Probably."

NOVEMBER 30, 2015

12:19 PM, MOSCOW TIME

APARTMENT BLOCK NO. 36

?

"The Japanese have apparently launched a rocket within the past few minutes. External sources believe it is to rival our newly launched Moon rocket. The President is expected to make a statement on this development. More at 12:30."

"Gendo Ikari, you sly bastard. Guess I can't say much." The man's attention is pulled towards his phone, which is now ringing.

"Hello?"

"What are the Ruskies saying about it?"

"Something about rivalling their Moon rocket, the president is gonna talk about it soon."

"Alright. At least they haven't seen it yet."

"Yeah, you are lucky." The man hangs up the phone, with the TV now blasting adverts.

"A "rival rocket", huh? Guess that means…"

2 MINUTES UNTIL START

CHAPTER 4: RIVALRY OF THE DECADE

DECEMBER 1, 2015

9:49 AM

SOMEWHERE UNDER THE OCEAN

GENDO IKARI

"So, the Russians have declared a rivalry, correct?"

"You do know what this means, right Ikari?"

"It means SEELE's plans are FUMBLED!" The thundery voice of SEELE 02 rang throughout the room, but as usual, Gendo Ikari sat stoically in silence.

"I do not believe that they are. We haven't lost yet, have we?"

"While that may be true, Ikari, Russia has ignited a fire that we cannot put out."

"And it is YOUR fault, don't try to deny it!"

"02, I am certain that I did not cause this. It was not my authorization to broadcast the launch to the general public."

"I honestly doubt that, Ikari. You have been rather disobedient lately. Willingly leaving a Unit in orbit of the Moon, and almost killing your own son? Reckless."

"It was not the fault of Pilot Ikari, nor myself. I had to leave the Unit up there, as I had no means of returning it, until now."

"According to the report, the cause of the accident was faulty wiring. Seems like a fault on YOUR end, Ikari."

"Was I the one who made the rocket? No. Take that up with Doctor Akagi."

"Either your fault or not, NERV is on very thin ice. Do not mess up any further, Ikari, or you will face a fate far worse than a petty game of space politics."

"Alright then." The monoliths, as usual, disappeared instantly. Next to him was Kozo Fuyutsuki.

"Ikari, are you sure that was alright with the old men?"

"I'm sure of it. Angry or not, they still only care about Unit-01."

"Yes, but-"

"We better head back to the Geofront."

"Alright then, Commander."

SAME DAY

11:54 AM

TOKYO-III FIRST MUNICIPAL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, CLASS 2-A

SHINJI IKARI

"Same old lecture from the old man, isn't this supposed to be math class?"

"Hate to break it to ya, but I think this teacher's a bit dumb in tha head, ya know what I mean?"

"Probably. Always sounds like a robot, don't you think, Kensuke?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah. Always going on about the Space Race and stuff, wasn't that 50 years ago?"

"Ya, but ol' Shin-man here's gone and started anotha' one!"

"Geez, Toji, you know I don't make the decisions!"

"Ya, but ya see, ya carry them out, no question."

"My father would be pissed if I didn't."

"Aw c'mon, Shin-man! Grow a backbone, or somethin'!"

"Alright, well, what if I told you I do it for Misato?"

"Then… I guess it'd be alrigh'.."

"For god's sake Toji!"

"Wha?"

"What are those two even arguing about?"

"I dunno. Hikari, have you got the homework notes?"

"We had homework?"

"Geez, as a class rep, I thought you'd know."

"I genuinely didn't know we had homework! I swear!"

"Weird, how did I know before you did?"

"Well, I guess it is the end of the year. I might be getting a bit sloppy."

"Sounds about right!"

"Hmph! I'm not the one with the crappy grades now, am I?"

"HIKARI!"

GROUND CONTROL

12:29 PM

"Begin TLI, throttle to 100."

"Roger sir, performing TLI."

"So, what exactly is the payload?"

"You'll see when it gets there."

"Hmph. You did some fine work on the Remote Control, Ritsy."

"Thanks, nice to hear someone actually praising me for once."

"Don't people always praise you?"

"Believe it or not, no. NERV doesn't seem to realise I am the one pulling all the weight."

"I suppose, but I'm here too!"

"Oh please, all you do is drink beer!"

"I do NOT! I do other things like actually care about the welfare of the pilots!"

"Well yeah, you have to! Otherwise, we'd be toast if we didn't!"

"EXACTLY! So who really is pulling all of the weight here?"

"Probably the people that actually make the rockets."

"Fair point."

"Status on TLI?"

"About halfway there. Interim Propulsion stage fuel at 73%."

"Good. Monitor for any malfunctions as usual."

"Well, I'm gonna go get more coffee. You in, Ritsuko?"

"I suppose a 7th coffee won't hurt."

"Yeah, not like smoking is any better."

"Or drinking."

"Shut it!"

"Hey, I'm just telling the truth. Still don't know which is less painful though. Science can't do that."

"Ha! Liver cancer wins again!"

"I think I'd rather cough my lungs out than to die from liver failure."

"Meh, liver failure for me."

"Alright, then."

30 MINUTES LATER

"How long do you estimate the time to get to the Moon?"

"About 2 days. Faster than the Russians."

"Good, we don't want the Commander soaking his trousers over Russia."

"Why exactly is it Russia we're fighting over?"

"That thing in orbit of the Moon. Unit-01."

"Oh right. If they found that we'd be dead for sure."

"Yup. That is exactly why we are launching this payload."

"Huh?"

"Nothing."

"Okay.."

"How much fuel does the IPS have?"

"About 37% remaining. Enough to get into orbit."

"Good. We do not want to mess this up."

4:34 PM

"OLD PART OF TOWN"

APARTMENT "AYANAMI REI"

REI AYANAMI

Rei Ayanami had recently gotten a NERV issued TV. From her apartment, she could be informed with the latest information, as Gendo Ikari himself did not have a TV in his office, for some reason.

"Everything is in Cyrillic. If only I knew it. It is surprising that Russian TV signals reach this far." From what Rei could see on TV, there was definitely a segment talking about the recent launch from the JSSDF Space Center. Unfortunately, the imagery did not look good.

"I wonder if this place has any books." After a few minutes of searching, she found a few books in her closet, hidden in a box. Inside was, coincidentally, a book about how to learn Russian.

"This will be useful. I do wonder, however, how long this will take." An hour of reading later, she could make out most of what was being said on TV. Some things were still lost in translation, however.

"Oh no. It seems like Russia has spotted the satellite. I must warn NERV. But how?" She then figured out that a TV was essentially a radio with a screen, and tuned into the only frequency she could remember.

GROUND CONTROL

"So, how's Kaji?"

"How should I know? He never calls."

"Well, he is a busy man. Being a guinea pig for the Commander and all."

"True." The TV Misato was using to pass time was suddenly hit with interference.

"What the hell? Something ain't right."

"Let me pick up where it's coming from." Eventually, Ritsuko had traced the source… to Rei's Apartment.

"The hell? That can't be correct, a TV can't do that."

"A NERV issued one can."

"Maybe. We should probably see what is going on."

"You go, I gotta stay here and watch over the Bridge."

"Alrighty then! Catcha later, Ritsy!"

"See you, Misato." Misato raced to the Renault Alpine, thankfully repaired after the N2 incident, and drove at full speed toward Rei's Apartment. Thankfully, Tokyo-III doesn't care about speed limits. No one lives there, anyway!

"Rei! Are you in there?" The familiar blue-haired child answered the door as soon as possible.

"Hello, Captain Katsuragi. I have discovered something… disturbing… on the TV."

"What is it about?"

"It is about Russia and their reaction to NERV's rocket. I have managed to translate what they are saying onto a notepad."

"Oh! Well, uh… excellent work? How did you learn Cyrillic that fast anyways?"

"I have ways. Also known as a book."

"Oh. Mind showing me the notepad?"

"Sure." On the notepad, Rei Ayanami had written an extensive script of what the Russians were saying. Most harrowing, was indeed the part about the rocket.

"They've discovered it?"

"Indeed. Even though it was supposed to be hidden."

"This is not good. If they can find it that easily, who knows what else they could find."

"Unit-01."

"Yep. I better get back to HQ. Sit tight, okay?"

"Roger that, Captain Katsuragi."

"Goodbye!"

MISATO KATSURAGI'S APARTMENT

Out of morbid curiosity, Shinji had tuned into the closest Russian TV channel, much to Asuka's amusement. They were unaware, however, that Rei had already done the same thing.

"Hey, Asuka? Do you know what they're saying on TV?"

"Are you still trying to understand Russian? Geez! Why are you asking me, anyway? Aren't you the one who tuned into that station, anyway?"

"I was curious! How was I supposed to know Russian was unintelligible? Besides, I figured you were smart enough to understand."

"Hm, suppose you're right! What are they going on about?"

"Dunno. The imagery is a bit funny."

"The hell do you mean by that?"

"Something about a satellite, or something."

"Hmmmm, maybe they're sending a satellite along with their lander?"

"Maybe, it would be a good idea."

"Hah! I always have good ideas."

"Not always…"

"HEY! Weren't you the one who directly disobeyed Misato when on that one training mission?"

"I had to! Otherwise I would've died!"

"I doubt it was THAT severe…"

"Pff, not like you would've known."

"Shut it, Third Turd!"

"Oooh! A new nickname!"

"You're damn right!"

"I always am."

"Debatable."

"ASUKA!"

1:14 PM, MOSCOW TIME

APARTMENT BLOCK NO. 36

?

The man was in a bit of trouble. Somehow, Russia had figured out what NERV was sending into orbit of the Moon, and was rushing to contact NERV. Eventually, after a stroke of luck (forgetting it was in his pocket), he called Gendo Ikari using his cellphone.

"Speak."

"Yeah, you done goofed, Ikari. They found out about your little satellite mishap."

"I am aware, Captain Katsuragi told me already."

"Yeah, but if they can easily figure out that satellite, who knows what they'll find near the Moon. Maybe… a stranded top secret capsule… perhaps."

"I would be surprised if the Russians don't know about it by now. We are working on recovering it anyways."

"So that's what that little gift of yours you're sending up is for."

"Indeed."

"You sly fool." The man hung up.

NERV HEADQUARTERS

"Ikari, are you sure you're playing your cards right? We do not want to make the Russians mad."

"Everything is going to plan. There are no mistakes. Not right now, anyway."

"One day your stubbornness will catch up to you. I know that feeling well."

"I am only doing this for her, you know."

"I am pleasantly aware, Ikari. But, did she really want this?"

"I sometimes ask that question myself. Not like SEELE shoves these missions down my throat or anything."

"Can't we just get funding from the government?"

"They're still going through that recession, no way we would get it from them."

"That's true…"

"We should probably get a TV installed."

"Good idea."

MISATO KATSURAGI'S APARTMENT

"Same as last night? Didn't know we had leftovers."

"Well, pork is pork. Lasts a long time."

"True, but I'm not sure about this reheated stuff."

"Oh, I reheated it in the oven, don't worry."

"Good, I was not looking forward to microwaved pork."

"Eh, I'd never do that to myself. Anyways, time to eat."

ANOTHER 30 MINUTES LATER

"Well, that's the last of it! Time to wash it down with 36 beers and call it a night."

"You're… joking about the 36 beers part right?"

"Of course! I'll only down 6!" Asuka sighed in disappointment. Nothing was gonna stop Misato from drinking her way to death. Probably a good thing in Asuka's eyes, anyway.

"Jeez, Misato. When are you gonna stop drinking?"

"I dunno. Maybe when I'm dead." Shinji sighed like Asuka did just before.

"Oh well, It's your turn to do the dishes anyway."

"Aw what? I doubt it." Shinji pointed to the calendar with the agreed chore days on it, and he was right.

"Fine! I'll do the stupid dishes!"

"Yeah, for once." Asuka snorted, much to Misato's dismay.

"When's the last time you did them, Asuka?"

"3 days ago."

"Oh."

"So, I assume it's agreed that you do them."

"Fine, fine!"

"Alright then. Asuka, wanna watch TV?"

"Already beat ya to it!"

"Eh?" Sure enough, she was already watching TV. They both snickered whenever they heard Misato complain about the dishes, but both were pleasantly surprised that she even did them.

GROUND CONTROL

RITSUKO AKAGI

"How long until it gets to the Moon?"

"ETA 2 hours. Fuel is enough to get into an orbit."

"Good. We don't wanna have an incident this late into the mission."

"Yeah, agreed. Why are we sending a satellite up there anyway?"

"To find Unit-01, of course. I'm pretty sure its GPS is still enabled, allowing us to track it."

"I hope it is."

"Yeah, if the Russians find it before we do, we will be in for a lot of trouble."

"Why, exactly? It's just a command module."

"It has a lot of top secret tech inside of it. Who knows what Russia will do if they find it."

"Hm, we could consult NASA?"

"NASA? Didn't that die a while ago?"

"No, the United States has apparently reformed it."

"The bastards, only making things harder for us."

"Not necessarily, they aren't Russia."

"I suppose. They did land on the moon before the Russians did, and before we did. What would NASA do to help anyways?"

"Dunno, access to their better satellites… guns…"

"We have enough guns."

"No no, what I mean is that, space guns."

"Are you suggesting we go to war with Russia… in space?"

"If the time arises, perhaps."

"I never knew you were such a warmonger, Maya. You should show that side a bit more."

"Thanks, Dr Akagi."

"Don't mention it. Do you know where the Commander is?"

"Isn't that your department?"

"Nope. Looked everywhere, but I couldn't find him."

"Even his office?"

"No, he wasn't there either."

"Hm, weird. What do you think is the most unexpected place he could be right now?"

"Visiting Shinji."

MISATO KATSURAGI'S APARTMENT

A distinct knock was heard at the door, and Shinji rushed to get it. He was expecting some kind of post office delivery, but he was in for a surprise. It was his father.

"Father? What are you doing here?"

"I have come to discuss matters with Captain Katsuragi. Where is she?"

"She's uhh… a bit wasted right now."

"So that explains why she wasn't answering my calls. Tell her she's been put on notice for not being nice to me enough."

"Eh? W-wait Father!"

"Hm?"

"I'm uh, glad you could visit."

"I share the same sentiment." Shinji knew what that meant, and was surprised to hear his father say that. Before he could say something else, though, his father was already gone.

"Hm, even not at NERV my father is weird."

"Who was that?"

"Hm? Oh, uh, my father."

"Oh."

"Yeah, he wanted to see Misato." Shinji glanced at Misato, who was asleep at the table.

"Jeez, she's such a slob."

"True, It's like the only thing she does is drink."

"Guess so."

GROUND CONTROL

"Oh, commander! You're here!"

"Yes. How is the satellite?"

"It is in position sir. Unit-01 is being successfully tracked."

"Good. When is the Russian craft projected to arrive?"

"In about 6 hours."

"Well, we better track that too."

"Agreed."

"If we don't get Unit-01 down from the moon, a war will begin over it."

"Indubitably."

A/N: Kind of a filler chapter for this one, story will pick up next chapter, promise.

-nbcman67