Good day to you all. Here we have the only part of the Jet Alone storyline. Initially this was a number of random plot points I knew I had to include as setup for the future story but I was not really sure how to do that. Understand this segment of story has been one of the bits I've been most excited to write so I've been planning and reworking that plan for a long time. That's part of the reason Ramiel ballooned from one episode to a full week long multi episode siege in my story. Jet Alone is important for what it's various segments will set up for future plot points, not so much for what it is actually about. I have still tried to put my own spin on it while holding true to the initial source, we do get to see Misato being a badass here, which I always enjoy. It's not done enough in Eva imo, Misato isn't even my favorite character, I just really like the few times we get to see her gun toting soldier side and not just her Commander of NERV combat ops side. I do plan on showing that off a bit more further on down the line, that's a promise. I also realize we've not heard much of anything from Gendo in a while now. Last we heard about him he was getting his ass handed to him by Goro. That won't be the case for too much longer, he's been noticing L's movements behind the scenes make no mistake. But enough of my rambling and spoiling my own plans, I really need to stop doing that.
Here's 6.1
NGST 6.1
HOMINIS OPERA/A HUMAN WORK
"Thank you! Come again!" The sartor called cheerfully as Lanthanein and Misato stepped out the doorway of the shop, the bell above the door jingling as it closed behind them. They had spent the past hour and a half in the shop, Lanthanein describing exactly what he wanted in his new uniforms, the clerk noting things down and occasionally sharing a look with Commander Katsuragi. Eventually though Lanthanein had been satisfied the tailor had know exactly what he wanted and talk had moved to cost. This had led to a period of about fifteen minutes where Misato attempted to explain money to him yet again before she eventually got fed up and snatched his wallet from him to pay the clerk herself. This whole exchange had left the clerk looking rather amused.
The sun had begun to set during their time within the sartorium, it hung near the horizon now, casting a brilliant reddish hue against the sky. Now that they had left, Misato handed Lanthanein his wallet back. The Imperial slid it into the pocket of his NERV issue fatigues and pulled his greatcoat back around him. He had his inhibitor active, but didn't have to set it particularly high, Misato did not seem to be very receptive to his aura, thankfully, and the unease that flowed before him kept the majority of those who recognized him from the press conference from approaching.
Not all though, Lanthanein groaned as another one wishing to thank him walked up to the pair with his hand out. The Imperial wished he could sink down behind the large collar fully, he shook the man's hand and nodded at what he had learned quickly was an expression of thanks in the local dialect. The man moved on afterwards, and the Lanthanein cursed the Misato's persuasiveness.
Approximately one week after the siege had ended Misato had called a meeting between all of the NERV officers: Ikari, Fuyutsuki, Ritsuko, Herself, Maya, and him for some reason. She had spoken about the need to reassure the people of Tokyo-3 that they were safe here. Then she had suggested the press conference, saying that they could garner far greater goodwill among the populace if they were willing to answer questions. Lanthanein did not see any issue with that…until she had suggested he answer questions as well.
In a turn of events that surprised all assembled both he and Ikari had cried out "NO!" in the same tone, inflection, and volume. Misato had spent the next hour trying to convince either of them to budge, the rest of the NERV command staff mostly staying out of the discussion. Lanthanein had suggested Rei be the one to answer, Ikari had put a stop to that almost immediately. Ikari had asked why questions needed to be answered at all, why would a simple press release not work as it had with the previous two angels. Misato had explained that the people were upset, they wanted answers, not just words, but actual concrete answers from NERV. Lanthanein did not see any issue with the idea of that, but he did not see why he needed to be involved, surely Misato was an adult and could handle a simple interrogation session in front of a vox hailer.
The meeting had ended abruptly, with Ikari telling her to do her press conference, but not to involve any other NERV employees, as well as his need to inspect any information she planned to release during the course of the event. Misato had then spent the evening trying to convince the Imperial to come around, pointing out that, technically, he wasn't a NERV employee. In a move that still confused him even now, he had finally given in, agreeing to do the conference with her.
It turned out she had seemingly only wanted him there to talk about his experience through the battle. That was better than actually being forced to answer questions about NERV or it's plans. So he had described, in detail, his actions during the battle. Questions were raised by some iterators about his opinions on the other notables involved, Kirishima, Ayanami, Katsuragi. He had answered these as best he could; they all seemed to be fine soldiers, Ayanami even being described as "an honor to fight alongside." Similar lines of questioning continued between a small cluster of iterators until one of them asked which one he was planning on marrying. This had the effect of a smack to the face with a large, unpleasant object on the Imperial and Misato had been forced to move the discussion on t other matters.
Next, questions had been raised about NERV and why they had not deployed troops of their own. Lanthanein was unable to answer this question satisfactorily, though he explained what little he knew regarding Ikari's prior answer. The reason for Lanthanein's dislike for the press conference idea was two-fold: the first being the simple fact he was not good with crowds. He had never needed to be in the Ordo and even here in Tokyo-3 while he may have been in a nominal leadership role through the siege, it had all been done over the vox. He was not sure if his preference to be out of the spotlight stemmed from his 'Condition' or if it was simply all he knew, but it didn't much matter.
The second reason was an irrational concern over how to respond to just such an event as had been occurring since. He had heard about the thanks and adoration titan crews often got from populations they had a hand in saving during his time training on Mars. How was he to respond to citizens (Imperial or not) stopping him on the street to thank him? The Imperium dealt with that by simply sequestering all knowledge of the Ordo and never letting any of its Princeps out unless it was to command their Engine. NERV did not seem to do the same nor could Lanthanein take that luxury even if it were offered. This was a far different time, Humanity had to shape her tools if she were to survive this war, and it seemed to him he was the only one who knew just how brutal those tools would need to be.
"Lanthanein!" Misato shouted.
The Imperial started and looked around, she was half turned toward him about three meters ahead looking impatient. Clearly he had let his thoughts get the better of him. "Apologies, Commander Katsuragi" He mumbled as he caught up with her. He looked over at her only to find her frowning at him still "Misato…" He corrected himself.
"That's better. I was asking if you wanted something to drink." She repeated as she began walking once more.
Lanthanein thought about it, he was feeling rather thirsty all things considered. "I am, Com- Misato."
"Great, any preference on where you want to go?" She asked crossing the street ahead of him as the signal came up green.
"Only that it be somewhere quiet. I think I have had enough random expressions of gratitude for a number of weeks." Lanthanein replied with a chuckle.
Misato nodded and set off down the sidewalk, Lanthanein kept up a few steps behind her. She seemed to know where she was going, at least. And she did, it wasn't long before they stopped in front of a small cozy-looking shop, set on a corner, and Misato went inside gesturing for the Imperial to follow. They were seated without delay by a young woman wearing a black blouse, grey skirt and a white apron. She lingered by their table after they had both seated themselves.
"I'll have a cup of ginseng tea and he'll have…"Misato told the young woman in Japanese before turning to her companion "You'll be wanting a recaff right?" Lanthanein looked back at her blankly. She sighed and turned back to the other woman, nodding, "Yeah just bring him a coffee."
As the young woman walked off, Lanthanein opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again when he realized he wasn't sure how to begin. He did this a few more times before Misato finally asked "Ok, you clearly want to say something, what is it?"
"There may be a problem approaching us…" Lanthanein began, he took a moment to decide how to express the concern. "I currently have a little over half of my God-Engine's ammunition capacity remaining. A solution will be required to this… 'supply problem' if I am to remain effective in combat"
"Ammunition? But your titan uses energy weapons doesn't it?" Misato asked him as her tea and his recaff arrived.
"Misato, do you remember when yourself, Ritsuko, and Maya were aboard my engine for the first time?" The Imperial asked, continuing when she nodded. "I made mention of the 'Sleepers' I believe." Understanding dawned on her face as she remembered.
"Oh. That ammunition. I wish I could help you on that front, but I haven't heard anything about any other weapons using human beings for ammunition." Misato replied, only half joking. The gun still unnerved her as a concept.
"I did not expect you to all of a sudden have a solution Commander, I just felt it prudent to let a trusted ally know. I would be cautious with the information were I you however. I do not know how someone like Ikari would react to it." Lanthanein explained, finishing the last of his coffee.
Misato emptied her own cup as well and left a few notes of the local currency on the table as she stood "Ready to head back?" she asked.
The Imperial stood as well and nodded, following her out of the shop. As they walked down the street towards the lot where she had parked Lanthanein spent the time looking around at various window displays. The one that caught his eye came as they passed a particular shop with a sign resembling a hammer. On central display was something that he had not ever expected to see again. He called Misato over as he marveled at the fact such technology existed on ancient Terra. She came up next to him and glanced at what he was looking at.
"A chainsaw?" she asked.
"Chainsaw? In my time we called them chainswords. This one is clearly of a more archaic provenance, but it appears the technology is the same. I had not realized their history extended so far back" Lanthanein said
"Don't tell me you're going to buy it? Don't you already have a sword?" Misato asked, slapping the scabbard she knew he was wearing with the back of her hand.
"I do Commander, but backup weapons are never something you can have too many of." The Imperial grinned, stepping away from the window he fell back into step behind the NERV commander who was currently shaking her head at his antics.
The crowd on the streets had thinned considerably by the time they reached Misato's car, the two were about to get into the vehicle when they heard sounds of screaming voices nearby. They shared a look briefly and both closed their doors, rushing back out to the street. A few moments later the two came around to a large open intersection, the Tokyo-3 Arbites had formed a riot shieldwall and were currently holding back a shouting mob of at least a few hundred. Over the din of the police's various calls for order and for the crowd to disperse, slogans could be heard from the mob as they pressed against the police line.
Lanthanein and Misato watched the budding riot for a few moments before Lanthanein spoke "I had honestly not expected it to take this long." He mused.
Misato snapped her head around, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"These people just lost thousands of their number due to NERV's unpreparedness, the fact they are only just now rioting in displeasure is surprising to me… They are wrong, but surprisingly uncombative." Lanthanein commented, seemingly viewing the riot as hardly notable.
"Maybe we can do something to stop it from becoming worse, come on!" Misato called and she rushed off towards the middle of the mob. Lanthanein looked down the street as he followed his commander, there were a pair of cargo vans cruising their way up the street towards the mob. He had a few ideas what they could be doing here, none of them good.
Misato pushed her way between the Arbites and the crowd, grabbing a large horn shaped device from one of the arbitrators "Alright everyone calm down! What's all this about?" She shouted into the horn.
Unsurprisingly she didn't get much in the way of a coherent reply. The mob shouted louder, the Arbites pushed back with more force, but neither made any headway. One of the Arbites commanders pulled Misato back behind their line and took her large horn away, shouting what was obviously battery of questions about just what she thought she was doing in the local tongue.
The cargo vans could be seen over the heads of the crowd by now, having stopped behind them. There seemed to be a good amount of commotion going on at the back of the crowd, Lanthanein drew his gamma pistol and power sword, just in case. The crowd started pushing against the line of Arbites with renewed vigor. The Imperial stepped up next to his commander.
"Misato!" He had to shout, the crowd's volume having risen to such a degree that made normal speech impossible. "Perhaps we should pull back, something about this crowd seems off." He told her as a gunshot rang out. One of the shieldbearing Arbites fell backwards and the mob slammed against their line yet again. Still reeling from the death of their comrade they broke at last. The mob, many now bearing rifles rushed through.
Misato opened fire, standing behind him. Lanthanein followed suit his gamma pistol's cooling vanes flashed as the gun fired in it's peculiar manner, its beam starting from point of impact and connecting back to the weapon's muzzle with a sharp crack and a flash of green light. Each rioter hit with the a shot crumpled to the ground almost immediately, some in more of a puddle than others. Misato ran for cover as the crowd advanced, her stub gun barking in time with her steps. Faced with a pair of obviously trained combatants, the untrained mob began to fall back, the ones who were armed seeking cover, the others fleeing for their lives. About twenty armed combatants remained by the time the rest had fled, they shouted in the local dialect and took shots at the hiding spots of the two NERV combatants.
Lanthanein called for them to surrender in low gothic, not that he expected them to listen, he wasn't even sure why he was making the attempt, these people were traitors. There was only one way of dealing with such foes. Lanthanein rose from cover behind the engine bay of one of the groundcars, a number of shots snapped off his refractor field. It was then he saw about ten of the traitors rushing away, obviously carrying someone. The Imperial glanced over to where he had last seen Misato and broke into a sprint. One of the enemy jumped out from behind another groundcar, threatening him with a rifle. Lanthanein did not stop, he charged right past the man's guard and sank his power sword into his gut.
He let the dead man fall to one side and kept running, calling out to Misato as he ran. The small mob of traitors seemed to be trying to escape with her in one of the two vans, he could see them all piling in. He raised his Gamma pistol and fired. The vehicle had begun to speed away when the Gamma pistol cracked again and flames began to lick from the edges of the engine compartment. The cargo van crashed through the window of a nearby shop and came to a halt.
Lanthanein rushed over to it, he tried the door handles, locked of course. Thankfully Imperial power weapons were more than up to the task of tearing through thin sheetmetal. Panicked shouting could be heard from within when he drove the blade through the gap between the pair of rear doors. A swift slice removed the hinges and allowed the imperial to pull the rear door free of the vehicle.
"Greetings." The Imperial breathed as he stepped up into the back of the vehicle. One of the rioters fired a shotgun at him. The shot flashed harmlessly off his refractor field. Lanthanein shot him before the field had even faded from view. "The gall of you filth…" He growled.
The man nearest the right side of the van grabbed a handle and threw the side door open making to scramble out, he was halfway out of the door when a hand closed around his shirt collar, dragging him back inside Lanthanein spun the man around and slammed the pommel of his sword into his nose "That you would stage this ridiculous excuse for a riot when the insatiable xenos are scratching at our door!" Lanthanein threw the man back towards the six other living souls in the back of the van.
In their haste to catch their comrade they were forced to let go of Misato who took the chance to duck out of the back door. "How dare you." He spat, stepping forward and driving his sword into the man currently trying to pick up the shotgun.
"That you would endanger the rest of your species with your paltry concerns in this manner disgusts me. I do not even care what those concerns are, their weight is miniscule compared to what Mankind faces now." The Imperial's voice was growing in volume now, no longer the barely audible whisper it had reduced to.
One of them, the one that had tried to run, tried to speak now, his words haltingly spoken in low gothic, his face full of fear "P-Please, we didn't-" He was cut of as the back of Lanthanein's hand crashed into the side of his face.
"SHUT UP!" The Imperial roared "There is no excuse for the actions you have undertaken here!" He raged.
One of the other men interrupted him this time, this one sounding far less sniveling and pitiful, "WE just want NERV to ensure our families are safe while they fight their stupid wars! Is that really so wrong?"
"And how exactly will murdering the Arbites forces and rioting in the streets help that matter?! If you want to keep your families safe, then join the fight and do so!" Lanthanein growled, rounding on the speaker. "Instead you distribute weapons to degenerates, you murder those trying to maintain order, and then you have to gall to feel justified?! You have the gall to suggest that the war NERV and the JSSDF fight on your behalf are somehow not your war?!"
This man was clearly braver than his comrades, for he spoke again, "Who are you to lecture us at gunpoint like this? You don't live in this city like we do! You don't work here! You aren't raising your family here! Who are you? You're nothing! An Outsider!" he shouted, straightening himself up as he warmed to his theme.
Lanthanein snarled, "I shed blood in the defense of your city, mine and my God-Engine's. As did NERV's other Princeps and the JSSDF. You would have been torn from your shelters and slain in the very streets were it not for our efforts! And how do you repay the blood we shed in your defense? By rioting and killing the very people who so recently stood as bulwark against the ravening hordes that sought to devour you! You should all be flocking to the recruiting stations if your concern was truly the safety of your loved ones!" Lanthanein leveled his Gamma pistol at him. "I should, by all rights, kill you all where you stand. You condemned yourselves the moment you even considered this farce of a revolt."
The sound of a throat being cleared from the side door pulled Lanthanein from his rant. A man in a dark business suit and sunglasses stood there with his stub gun drawn on the rioters. "We can take it from here, Preceptor-Intendant" the man said, climbing into the van and flashing a shiny gold badge faster than the eye could actually focus on it. "NERV Section 2, thanks for keeping these idiots contained."
Lanthanein's pistol arm drooped, he looked around and saw Misato standing a few feet back from the swarm of suited men currently shoving the remaining living occupants of the van out. Misato waved him over as the Section 2 agent who had interrupted him ushered him out of the van as well. The Imperial looked confused as he joined back up with the NERV Commander.
She was breathing heavily and looked like she had just run a good distance, "I called them when you gave me that opening to escape the van, They can handle a couple prisoners." She said, gesturing to the men in black.
"Very well Commander. I thank you for the… timely intervention" Lanthanein said, sounding almost disappointed.
"No, I should be the one thanking you Lanthanein. You probably saved my life back there. Thank you." Misato said with a smile "Now, you want to head back? I don't know about you but I've had enough excitement for one day."
As Lanthanein was leaving his hab for class a few days after the riot incident he ran across Misato (who had, strangely enough, stopped appearing in his hab every morning.) "Good morning, Commander. I trust you are doing well?"
"I'm doing fine, I'm glad I ran into you this morning though, Rits-chan and I have been invited to the unveiling of a new Evangelion sized machine that could potentially contribute to the fight against the Angels, so the Assistant Director will be in command while I am gone. Ikari wants you to be the one on call should anything happen." Misato said as she fell into step beside him, both of them heading for the lifts.
"Very well Commander, I shall make my way to the hangar in that case." The Imperial said, glancing at his commander
"No, there's no need to do that, just have your phone on you and go about your normal day, you have class today don't you? I think this will be the first class since the siege ended a little over a month ago right?" Misato told him, stepping into the lift behind him.
"Yes, I am unsure how that will turn out. It is rather clear that many see me as some sort of hero in the wake of the siege." Lanthanein groaned as the lift headed down.
"Oh stop, it'll be fine." Misato said with a grin, nudging him with her elbow "Honestly you sound like a kid trying t get out of going to school."
Lanthanein couldn't stop the small smile from cracking his mood as the lift came to a stop at ground level. He stepped out and offered a wave to Misato before the door closed. Alone in the lobby of the hab block, he turned and began his walk towards the university.
As he walked, Lanthanein thought back to the last time he had spoken to either of the young men he had met here. Touji had gone off to basic training for the JSSDF almost as soon as the siege had ended, Mana had explained it had something to do with his recruitment into the Secutarii Corp. most of the Squad Satou had disappeared, ostensibly to the same place, He hoped they'd return soon. As for Kensuke, the two men had been very busy in their own right and had not had much time to speak since the siege ended. He knew Aida had succeeded in returning the positron cannon before NERV caught wind of it. Misato was currently the only other NERV operative who knew about that, the others seemed to blame the JSSDF themselves. Ikari may have been suspicious of him for a time but eventually, he too, dropped the matter.
Coming upon the large wrought iron archway spanning the main entrance of the university the Imperial stopped and took a deep breath, like a man preparing to plunge into the depths he stepped past the archway. To his surprise he was not immediately swarmed with thankful citizens. This was good. He made his way to the classroom for post impact history, stepping through the door, he was pleased to see Kensuke already there.
Aida noticed him a few seconds later, waving him over and immediately asking "Hey L, heard from Touji at all?"
Lanthanein sighed as he sat down next to his friend "I haven't, in fact I had planned to ask you the same question."
Kensuke chuckled at that "I just want to know how he's doing, we didn't get a chance to talk before the JSSDF dragged him and the rest of his squad off to whatever training they have planned for them." Aida shook his head slowly then perked up again as something clearly came to mind "Oh that's right, I remember after the siege you mentioned that your Moderatii were getting a little worn out. I took two of my crew up to the Control Sanctum with me a few days ago. Both of them knew a bit about medicine, mostly just first aid, but they both said there's no way they should even be alive as they are, let alone able to link to a machine. I think we're going to need someone who knows more about the kind of biotech that goes into all that."
"I had expected as much." Lanthanein breathed "I have kept my eye out, but as of now it appears that the fields of biotechnology and implantation are in their infancy in this period of Terra's history. I may simply have to begin going easier on the whole system. We do not have the logistics of the Imperium at our disposal." The Imperial sighed and turned back to the front of the room "How goes your study of the various rites and practices I sent you?"
Kensuke's expression shifted to one of excitement at this question "Well, its all a really interesting way of looking at things I have to say, and it explains a bit of some weird stuff that happens with some machines… but I cant help feeling like there's something more to the Machine-God the texts speak about. Like the religion is not so much about simply worshipping machinery but more about the preservation of… well… knowledge."
Lanthanein gave a short chuckle at that. "You have a good head on your shoulders Kensuke. You have co to a realization that some Magos centuries older than you never come to. Walking the path of the Machine-God is not so much about the creation, operation, and maintenance of technology but rather the preservation and expansion of knowledge. The Mechanicus of the Imperium has some rather… strict views when it comes to invention and innovation so much of what you read may speak of the Heretek being one who engages in such actions. There's many reasons for that that we can go into later, but I would urge you to not merely follow the steps detailed in the texts I sent you but rather try to understand why those steps are necessary. We will not be a traditional pair of congregants of the God-in-the-Machine but we will forward His will." Lanthanein finally went quiet as he waited to see what the young adept's reaction to his borderline tech-heresy was.
"So, you think humanity should be striving to invent new things then? Everything you sent me that references invention and innovation is pretty clear that we shouldn't do that…" Kensuke trailed off.
"The Machine-God wills us to expand and preserve knowledge, correct?" Lanthanein asked, at an affirmative nod from Kensuke he continued "Vast swathes of technology used in some of the most basic devices from my time have not yet been invented. The Machine-God tells us that We as Humanity are the greatest of His creations. The Greatest Machine, if you will. If we do not reach the heights he has intended for us, are we not committing a heresy by that very action?. The skepticism of invention, I feel, is a reactionary response to the conflict with the Men of Iron. Thinking machines that very nearly wiped Mankind from the face of the galaxy. That is why invention is frowned upon, not because it is inherently evil, but rather because at the heights we as a species had ascended to, crossing the line into species annihilating danger was too much of a risk." Lanthanein spoke passionately, his growing volume attracting the attention of a number of other students, Horaki and Ayanami among them.
"I think I understand. You think that innovation and invention is acceptable up to the point we start trying to create artificial life ourselves right?" Kensuke asked, seeming to be working through his own concerns as he spoke.
"In essence, yes. Mankind has much to discover before that even begins to become a concern however. I would urge you to not be afraid to learn as much as you can about everything you can. After all, the Machine-God deems Holy all knowledge, not just certain fields of study." Lanthanein spoke, still not noticing the amount of attention his impromptu sermon had garnered. Almost everyone within earshot now staring at the two odd characters talking about their strange religion.
Horaki took the break in their conversation to speak up herself, sounding more confused than anything else. "So wait a minute, the new guy has roped you into worshipping knowledge Aida?" then in a more hushed tone "Never thought I'd see the day you actually started caring about your studies." She scoffed.
Kensuke bristled at that "Hey, just because I don't poke my nose over everyone else's shoulder doesn't mean I don't care about my studies!"
Lanthanein placed his hand on the young enginseer's arm "She did not mean it as an insult I'm sure, am I correct Class President?"
"No, not at all. I'm glad to see it." Horaki said "But that's not really the reason I came over here, I had a question. I don't know who else to ask…" The class president trailed off
"What's up?" Kensuke asked, his anger already faded.
"I haven't seen Touji in over a month, none of us have. I don't know his address or I'd go talk to his family. Do you guys know if he got through the siege ok?" concern laced Hikari's voice as she asked the question that had been on the mind of the majority of the class.
Lanthanein took the initiative to answer the young woman's question. "Touji is currently off with the rest of his JSSDF squad in training to begin their Vigil as Secutarii of my God-Engine." Lanthanein answered, his reply only sparking further questions from all involved.
Over a chorus of shouted inquiry Lanthanein began to speak yet again "Touji was stuck above ground when the Xenos entity initially laid it's siege, he joined up with an understrength squad of JSSDF troops before the first day was out and fought with them through the entire siege, eventually joining My Walk on the fifth day. I cannot speak as to what happened over those days where we had no contact, but I am sure he will answer any questions you all may have when he makes his return in a few weeks." Lanthanein sighed, yet again it seemed he was thrust into the position of managing a crowd, small as it may be.
With his answer however the crowd did begin to disperse, most of the listeners turning back to discuss this latest gossip with their own smaller friend groups. Horaki went away with an almost awed expression. The only one left after the impromptu mob dispersed was Ayanami, looking quite uncomfortable. Lanthanein greeted her with his usual salute and a nod.
"I-I would like to speak to Aida, Pilot Lanthanein." She managed, looking sicker by the moment.
Lanthanein caught on quickly and nodded, turning his inhibitor back up to full as he stood "Of course Princeps Ayanami. Excuse me Kensuke, but I will be on my way now. Due to certain… extenuating circumstances, Ayanami is not comfortable in my presence." The Imperial explained as he took his things and headed for the back of the lecture hall.
The NERV pilot looked less sick with every step Lanthanein took away from them. Kensuke looked questioningly at the young woman. "Ayanami right? We haven't really talked much, what's up?" Kensuke asked her, she still stood about a meter away, clutching her books to her chest. Aida gestured for her to sit, but she merely looked confused at his waved hand and remained standing.
"It is my understanding that it is customary to offer thanks to one who saves your life…" She paused for a long moment, seemingly debating whether or not that was enough "Thank you, Kensuke Aida, for saving me during the siege." She said this second part haltingly.
Kensuke looked back up towards Lanthanein, as if looking for input from him, but the Preceptor-Intendant had already pulled out his 'mobile cogitator' and was staring at it's screen. When Kensuke turned around, Ayanami had vanished. A quick look around the room revealed she had retreated to the opposite corner of the hall, near the front row of seats, quite literally as far from the Imperial as possible. Kensuke was about to follow her and try to clear up his current extreme confusion but the ancient professor had already taken his place at the podium and had begun to call for the class to begin.
As the massive plane flew over the ruins of Old Tokyo Misato gazed out the window as the old city rushed by below. "Hard to imagine that this was once the flourishing metropolis of Tokyo." She sighed as she rested her head on the window frame.
"Here, we've arrived." Ritsuko said, pointing out the window from the seat near the aisle. The gargantuan EVA carrier plane was far larger than would even conceivably be necessary to carry just two people, but Ikari had said something about 'making an impression' so here they were.
"Did you say the JSSDF had something to do with this project?" Misato asked as she saw the massive machine they were flying towards come into view.
The thing was huge, nearly the same size as an Evangelion, and sporting the same hunch to its shoulders. It was plated in white armor and its arms had an almost apelike appearance to them hanging down below its knees. The arms were strange in more than that way though, they were also plated in a metallic, segmented series of armor plates that almost made its arms look bladed.
"The JSSDF? No, no interference is allowed. The UN says so. The JSSDF cant have Evangelion scale weapons." Ritsuko explained. "Now, come on, we'll be landing soon, go get ready" She said, pulling her friend up out of the seat and pushing her towards the onboard bathroom.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for attending this exhibition by Nippon Heavy Industry Solidarity." The chairman of the industrial conglomerate said, speaking to the assembled dignitaries and fossils "You will be observing the first official demonstration of the Jet Alone system from the control room today. Are there any questions?"
"Yes!" Ritsuko called enthusiastically, her hand shooting into the air.
The chairman pointed to the doctor straight away. "Ah, the famous Dr. Ritsuko Akagi! I am very glad to see you here." He said with a barely tolerant smile.
"According to the documentation, the Jet Alone unit is equipped with an internal nuclear fusion reactor?" Ritsuko began, flipping through the pamphlet provided to each attendee when they took their seats.
"Yes. It's one of the big features of this unit--continuous operation for 150 days is assured." The chairman explained, not missing a chance to point out yet another selling point of their product when the chance was offered up so appetizingly.
"But looking at it from a safety perspective, you risk a lot using an internal reactor in a weapon for land-based combat. This thing will be operated in cities and other high population areas correct?" Ritsuko continued, undeterred by the man's insistence on making a sale.
"It's more useful than a weapon which lasts less than 5 minutes without its power cord." The chairman jabbed.
"We have Borealis Aristaios as well." Ritsuko countered.
"Ah yes, the 'titan' is it?" the man asked, the amused edge to his voice putting Ritsuko on edge. "Tell me, Does NERV even know how that contraption operates?" The Chairman replied. The room, which had previously sported a quiet undertone of other conversations, went silent.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Ritsuko asked accusingly, this conversation was quickly wrenching itself from her control.
"Oh nothing at all Doctor… I merely want to find out how NERV created such a uniquely effective weapon system, and why they didn't make more of those instead of Evangelions." The chairman prodded, clearly trying to see if he could antagonize the doctor into a slip of the tongue.
Ritsuko did not rise to his bait, changing the subject instead. "But it says here that Jet Alone is remote controlled. Surely there would be problems with remote-control in an emergency situation, no?"
The chairman grinned even wider. "Personally I would argue our system is more humane--it doesn't cause mental damage in pilots simply from the stress of piloting, nor do we have the same issue with 'psycho-stigmatic wounds' that you detailed in your last thesis"
Misato had had enough of this interminable back and forth by now "Stop! This is childish." She shouted.
Ritsuko ignored her friend's pleas and pressed ever onward "Your remote interface system also has it's own series of problems."
"It's safer than NERV's system that can allow a dangerous weapon to go wild. A weapon without control is insane. It's like a woman in hysterics--nobody can deal with one." The chairman fired back to a number of laughs from the rest of the crowd.
"Our technology and pilots are ready for such a situation!" Shouted Ritsuko, beginning to sound hysterical now.
"Do you really think that science and the human mind are enough to control those Eva monsters? Are you serious?" The chairman replied, his calm scorn doing more to prove his point to the assembled personages than his words ever could.
"Yes, I am absolutely serious." Ritsuko shot back, her voice still holding a slightly shrill tone.
"Because you trust such unreliable technology I would argue NERV allowed that first loss to happen. Had the 'titan' not appeared, seemingly from nowhere might I add, things would have turned out far worse for all of Japan. As the result of the loss of Unit 01' the United Nations was forced to supplement your already huge budget. Do you know that there are more than 20 thousand starving people in some countries? Everything about that first battle is still under investigation--you're lucky you're protected by a super-legal act." The chairman spoke, his words not so much directed at Ritsuko any longer, rather clearly meant to discredit her in the eyes of all assembled.
"Say anything you want, but except for our Evangelion's proprietary technology, nothing can defeat those enemies." Ritsuko spat, sitting back down
The chairman grinned menacingly at that 'You mean that AT-field thing? That's only a matter of time. NERV's epoch will not last forever. Now then if there are no more interruptions… we're about to start the demonstration of the JA. There's nothing to worry about. No danger at all. Please watch from that window there." The man told those assembled, looking over to one of the few technicians sitting in the lowered area at the front of the room
"Ready to start." One of them called.
"Begin!" The chairman shouted, raising his arms over his head in a flourish.
"Release all Engine Safeties." Ordered the chairman.
"Pressure is regular." Called one of the techs.
"Circulation in the cooling system, no problems." Called another
"Control rods, full release." Called the first, a rumbling sound was played over the control center speakers, the NHIS marketing department believing that the quiet startup of a fusion reactor would not be exciting enough for your average rich investor.
"Engine crossing critical threshold." Called another of the techs, the rumbling on the speakers switched to the deep thrum of a diesel engine under idle.
"Power feed holding stable." Another tech called, at this point the Chairman nodded, stepping back up to his podium. "Start walking." The Chairman ordered.
"Ahead slow, engage." Said the first tech
"Ahead slow, Engaging, Aye." Echoed another, fiddling with his own knobs and dials
The ermine colossus took its first step, right foot lifting high and slamming back into the ground. The excited murmur that spread through the ranks of technicians was palpable. They exchanged further chatter and the machine took its second step, this one elicited audible cheers from more than one tech.
"Ah, walking normally. That's something to be proud of." Misato scoffed, nudging Ritsuko. The other woman merely rolled her eyes and tapped away at the laptop she had pulled out around the time the demonstration had begun. A new sound was added to the chorus of voices in the 'tech pit' this one sounding more like an emergency alarm.
"What's wrong?" the chairman asked, seemingly forgetting his microphone was still on.
"Reactor pressure is increasing! There shouldn't be any reason for this!" one of the techs replied.
The Chairman rushed over to the station of the one who had spoken leaning over his shoulder and talking to him in a low murmur. It seemed he realized his mic was still on. Ritsuko sat up from her bored slouch and put her laptop away.
"What's going on?" she asked Misato as she leaned closer to the other woman.
"No idea, but I don't like it" Misato grumbled, standing up and pulling out her phone.
It was at this point that someone must have looked out the windows again, as a surprised gasp was heard by all attendees. Jet Alone was heading straight for the command center. It was not walking particularly quickly, but it also made no move to make any sort of turn, and it was getting very close. Misato made her way over to the cluster of techs surrounding the Chairman at the station he stood hunched over. It was at this point the screaming started.
The right foot of Jet Alone tore through the roof of the control center as it swung forward with the machine's step. The various attendees of the conference screamed and scattered in all directions as the roof of the building began to cave in. A number were likely crushed beneath the debris, but plenty more survived along the edges of the path of destruction. Misato, who escaped the rain of debris just barely now ran to the thoroughly shocked crowd of NHIS employees.
"I'm guessing it wasn't supposed to do that." She quipped. The glare she received from the chairman would have burned cities. "What exactly happened?" she continued.
The Chairman's face fell, the man unable to remain angry in the face of the looming disaster. "We lost control of Jet Alone. The last coherent signals we received showed the reactor pressure spiking, as if it were going to overload."
"And you can't shut it down somehow?" Misato asked, watching as the machine stomped off into the ruins of Old Tokyo and the various metropolises beyond it.
"Normally we could, but Jet Alone is not responding to any of our command signals." He Chairman answered, finally giving up his own efforts at the computer and allowing one of the techs to take over.
"Is there no other way to make it stop? I can't imagine that reactor overloading inland would be a good thing right?" Misato asked, flicking through the contact list on her phone.
"If we had some way to access the inside of the machine there is a code we could input, but it would wipe all data on the hard drive. All our work would be gone. That's why only the board of directors knows it." The Chairman answered, collapsing into a nearby chair, his head in his hands.
"Well, now would be a good time to get that code from them, unless they want to be to blame for a fusion bomb going off in the middle of Japan." Misato shot back.
"I know that! We have notified them, but until they make the call and provide the code, we're stuck. Besides, even if we had the code, we have no way to use it. The machine is not taking remote commands, and we have no one on board." The Chairman shot back, he tried to sound annoyed, but he was just too tired to keep it up.
"Then I'll have an Evangelion brought out to stop it." The NERV commander threatened.
"We both know how that would go over with the UN. Besides, if you jostle that reactor too much it will set it off. Can either of NERV's machines withstand a multi-hundred megaton fusion bomb at point blank range?" The Chairman asked tiredly.
Misato stayed silent for long enough that the chairman looked up at her, she seemed to be thinking about something. After a long moment, she spoke. "You said you need to get someone onboard? Get me the code. I'll handle the rest." She said, clicking the call button on her phone and walking off before the Chairman could retort further.
Lanthanein felt his vox unit going off in his pocket. He pulled it out and answered it without looking to see who was calling, there were only a few people who might need to call him. His voice rang out in the mostly quiet classroom, the instructor glaring up at the back row of the hall, "Lanthanein, speak."
A few moments of silence followed as the Preceptor-Intendant listened to the other party. He stood and marched his way out of the room little more than a short "Understood." Followed by the snap of the device closing as he strode out the door.
Misato stood in the open door to the cargo bay of the Eva Transporter, the gargantuan flying wing had a massive area cut out in it's main body, normally reserved for housing an Evangelion for short range transport. Today however it was not being used for that purpose at all. The pilots had raised concerns over whether or not the VTOL engines would have the power necessary to even lift Borealis Aristaios but they had relented when she threatened to do the job herself if need be.
Lanthanein had not been exactly pleased with her idea either, raising multiple points such as his titan being unable to maintain a seventy kilometer per hour stride and the lack of proper mounts anywhere to airlift a warlord class battle titan. His protests were silence with a simple inquiry as to whether he had a better plan. He had not had one. Thus she stood in the open cargo bay door, watching as a crew of harbor workers rigged up Borealis Aristaios with lines that had been dropped from the belly of the plane.
The Imperial titan would not fit in the standard Evangelion cutout obviously, but would spend the entire trip slung underneath the giant craft on it's lines. She shouted over the phone to Lanthanein, briefing him on her plan over the road of the engines and the wind they stirred up.
"So basically I need you and Borealis Aristaios to get me within jumping range of Jet Alone, and then try to keep the thing from getting any closer to the actually populated cities!" The NERV commander shouted.
"Commander, as I said, my engine cannot reach the same speed as Jet Alone can even at full stride. I will not be able to catch it" Lanthanein tried to explain to her again.
"What if we drop you at speed?" Misato fired back quickly.
Lanthanein thought for a moment, it wasn't something he had heard of being done before, but so long as he could keep the Engine upright there is no reason it wouldn't work "It will not be easy or safe, but that is possible. I could maintain the speed for a few moments, no more than half a minute. You would need to be fast Commander. It would be easier if I were to hold the other machine down when I catch it." Lanthanein offered, trying to find a solution that didn't involve Misato taking such a risky jump.
"And then I climb on while you hold it back? I think that'll work Lanthanein… The pilots are saying you're hooked up, we're going up." Misato cautioned as the aircraft increase the throttle on the engines to a more than deafening level. Misato stepped back inside and shut the door so she could continue to speak.
"You will need to ride on the carapace of my Engine then, Commander. If you ride in the gauntlet We run the risk of crushing you when We take hold of Jet Alone."
"That's fine. I need to get ready before we arrive. I'll let you know when I'm ready to board." Misato concluded, disconnecting from the vox.
Lanthanein busied himself through the flight with ensuring Borealis Aristaios was in good working order and keeping the Machine-Spirit calm, the great titan thoroughly unused to being anywhere but firmly on the ground. The flight took just under a half hour. Lanthanein could see the target coming into view as the giant carrier plane descended. Misato voxed that she would be boarding momentarily.
"Commander Katsuragi, I suggest you bring a form of tie down. Our landing will not be a smooth one, even if I am able to keep us upright." Lanthanein cautioned.
Misato gave a grunt of affirmation and her vox line went dead again. About a minute later Pain was pulsing him a notification of something on the hull, Misato's vox line reconected soon after.
"Ok. I'm on board and tied down, we should be dropping soon. You ready Lanthanein?" Misato shouted over the roar of wind.
"As ready as We'll ever be. This is not going to be pleasant, Commander. BRACE!" The Preceptor-Intendant shouted as the chains supporting the giant titan snapped free.
The feeling of freefall was a new one for the titan, Lanthanein as well, the Machine-Spirit almost felt… fearful… in its place growling at the back of his awareness. The freefall did not last long however and the titan slammed into the ground right leg first. Travelling at nearly eight kilometers per hour, there was not much that could be done except try to force the God-Engine to swing its left leg forward quickly enough that it did not fall face first into the dirt. The left leg pounded into the ground milliseconds after the right touched down, the titan began to tilt forward as Lanthanein reached out with the Arioch, He barely caught the backplate of Jet Alone before he tripped, the extra support that the other machine offered allowed Lanthanein to Haul Borealis Aristaios back upright as he leaned back to try and force the two charging machines to slow down.
Lanthanein saw Misato making her way down the arm of the titan to the entry hatch on Jet Alone wearing a very peculiar outfit. It was all white and appeared to be made of something resembling plastek or vulcanized rubber. It had an absolutely massive window for the head and seemed to fit extremely loosely. Odd choice of attire aside, Lanthanein respected her for insisting on doing this herself, many commanders would have pawned this dangerous duty off on a subordinate. "Good Luck Commander" he said over the vox, not waiting for a response before he cut the line.
Misato gained entry to the inner chamber of Jet Alone without much difficulty, the Chairman of NHIS had provided those codes before she had left. She was still waiting on the code to shut down the mecha. Coincidentally she just happened to be getting a call as she had that thought.
"Commander Katsuragi, go ahead."
"Commander, I have the code from the board… It's KIBOU. Please, just stop this impending disaster." The Chairman told her, hanging up as soon as he had relayed his information.
The interior of Jet Alone was currently very hot and steamy the protective suit she wore quickly become like a sauna, fighting a visor that refused to stop fogging and the persistent heat she finally found the access terminal. She input the code and tapped enter.
[ACCESS DENIED]
She tried again, making sure to check her spelling and ensuring all the letters were capitalized.
[ACCESS DENIED]
Misato growled and tried the code once more
[ACCESS DENIED]
{INIT LOCKOUT}
Misato punched the screen of the terminal in anger, given it was designed to operate in a heavy industrial environment this did nothing save hurt her knuckles. Misato stood and looked around the room for something, anything that might give her a solution. THE CONTROL RODS! The though was like a smack to the face when it hit her. They were deployed all around the room. If she could force them all back into their housings, she could forcibly cut power to the machine. She got to work immediately, pulling the release on the first and pushing on it with all her might. It began to move.
I=
"Captain Kirishima, I need you to make your way to the coordinates I am sending you now." Lanthanein spoke, his voice evident with a significant effort.
"Lanthanein? This is unexpected… Why?" Mana asked. Clearly confused by the sudden out of the blue phone call
"It would take too long to explain, needless to say I believe General Goro and the JSSDF as a whole will have significant interest in what is left behind here, as well as the faculty of the facility located nearby. I suggest you be sure to arrive here before NERV gets their salvage teams out here. I wish I could offer more, but all of my concentration is required for this current action. I must go." Lanthanein grunted as Jet Alone gave another shudder, trying to break free from his grasp. The phone went dead a moment later, Mana glancing around the barracks for a moment and then beginning to call her troops to readiness.
Misato was exhausted. She had only forced three of the control rods back down into their sheathes but even now the heat was getting to her. She gave another shove to the control rod she was currently fighting and it slid back into its sheathe slowly. She noticed that he phone had been ringing and she tapped the button on her headset to answer it.
"Commander Katsuragi, I do not know what you are doing, but we are stating to get some power dropping on our diagnostics. Whatever you're up to, keep it up!" The Chairman cried excitedly.
"I've been resheathing the control rods, but I just don't thing I have it in me to do many more, I've got at least five left in here." Misato lamented, leaning against the frame of the door to take a break.
"If you can sheathe just one more Commander it might be enough to force a reboot on the antenna. That might just be enough to force a reconnection. If we can get reconnected to JA then we can shut the machine down entirely." The Chairman said breathlessly. The noise of frantic computer work could be heard in the background on his end.
Misato rolled her eyes and mustered the strength to try to tackle one more control rod. She shoved and pushed for what felt like hours, but was likely closer to a few minutes before the rod finally slid back into its housing. She waited… and waited… and waited but nothing happened, she began to stumble her way back to the access hatch, she needed a chance to cool down, imminent danger or no. when she stepped out of the hatch, Jet Alone stood… alone. Borealis Aristaios no longer held it in place, it merely stood like a statue stone still and unmoving. Behind her she heard the sound of four control rod sliding into their sheathes.
Borealis Aristaios's head swiveled up to 'look' at her and her phone began to ring again. "Excellent work… Misato." Was all he said, and it was enough.
The redhead watched as her giant machine was slowly lowered on is back into the belly of an enormous cargo ship. Just a few more hours and they'd be on their way. She had found out Kaji would be coming along too, which made her heart to little flips whenever she thought about it. In a few hours she would be on her way to show everyone in Japan just what a Real pilot looked like. There was no way in hell that other thing could stand up to her masterpiece of an Eva. She was annoyed she hadn't been there during he siege to show them all how things were really done, but there would be more angels, of that she was certain. When they showed themselves, she would make them fear Langley-Soryu the Great.
This was going to be fun she thought with a shark-like grin.
END 6.1
Asuka's coming next chapter baby! In case it hasn't been obvious from the beginning, I am really excited for this whole bit from here on. I will make no attempts to hide it Asuka is my pick for best girl. I can only hope I am good enough to write her well. On one hand I've been looking forward to the coming chapter because I finally get to write her, but I've also been dreading her because what if I do a bad job... It's just something I'll have to risk I guess. The Asuka in NGST might be a little different from a purely show Asuka and not only because she meets a crazy Imperial blank and tries to compete with him, but also because I took the whole description of her upbringing as 'aristocratic' and dialed it up (not to 11, I didn't go that far, but if her canon life was a 7 on the aristocrat scale, I've gone up to a 9). On another slightly related note, we got to see Hikari and Rei again this chapter. Rei hasn't had many lines up to now and I dont think Hikari has had any... Like at all. She's got a role to play I promise. So does Rei. Anyway I should really stop typing now cuz I realize I'm doing the whole "spoiling my own story" thing again. Blame me typing this at 3 am for that. Thanks again to anyone who left a review on this, I really appreciate them, and I have to say the number of good reviews has continually really shocked me. You guys are allowed to not like it y'know, I won't purge you like the heretic you are. Promise.