Got in the Robot, now what?! 4 - Or 'Where is the fucking instructions for this big ass robot?!' (NGE, Shinji!SI)
Ramiel is just around the corner.
The attack was meant to start in the next two days, and I had scrambled my thoughts in an effort to find a suitable replacement to the canon events that led to its demise.
The idea of using such an excessive amount against the Angel was something that troubled me as it would further 'formalize' NERV's authority over the military with that kind of stunt.
No, I knew that a direct victory would be a short-term boost of reputation to NERV as it had been in the previous occasions. Sure, the people were going to be loud about it for a short while, but it was meant to be brief.
So, solutions: I had a few in mind, and none I could train for beyond further studying the AT Field's subject. After all, the use of the Spin had confirmed I could potentially recreate similar abilities like that. I thought of the Rasengan, but I felt like it wasn't as simple as it was introduced in Naruto due to the fact that it would be a perfect representation.
The Spin was something entrenched in the scientific argument that then created the conceptual might it was renowned for, while the Rasengan was tied to a specific form of energy that could not be fully replicated with the AT Field.
In fact, despite the Evangelion being able to produce an AT Field, it wasn't a form of energy that was 'normal' within it. It was abnormal enough that it wasn't fully usable without the body and mind collapsing if overused.
I couldn't Kamehameha Angels no matter the control I had over that form of power.
So, I went back to square one, yet centered around that very concept- something focused, strong and precise. To pierce a barrier, I needed something that was going to concentrate a lot of AT Field's energy into a single tiny but intense tip.
And as I mulled over this planning, I was pulled to an 'emergency meeting' to meet the Director. It wasn't just him in the office as his lapdog, Fuyutsuki, and Rei were there too.
I didn't speak more than was needed, but I was slightly surprised by the topic that was being brought up by Gendo in regard to 'cautious steps' taken by NERV.
"A new Eva Pilot will soon be dispatched to assist you both."
I frowned at this, but spoke not as I knew he was referring to Asuka- unless this reality got fuckier than I expected and Mari got suddenly pulled to replace Asuka. I doubted it, but no one can be any smarter about this sort of stuff.
Nonetheless, this was concerning. Gendo was lying and I knew this because he didn't take this extra step in the canon timeline until it became clear that a dysfunctional Shinji and Rei were not prepared for this sort of business. No, there was something else he wasn't mentioning as the defining reason for this decision.
I couldn't press him on that, not without exposing myself too much. But I soon learned that it wasn't the only topic he wished to address. As the meeting was seemingly drawing to an end, Gendo turned to look at me.
"Pilot Ikari, do you have a picture of Ikari Yui in your possession?"
…Oh, he is going to mention that. I guess that the off-hand comment about Rei had rang more alarm bells than I had expected. Still, the 'no Yui picture' rule is quite a silly one, if not outright mean.
Of course, I could be pettier than that.
"I do have a picture, yes."
"I order you to turn it over."
There was no beat skipped in that demand, and I took a moment to stare at him straight through his shades. Before anyone could have talked, I stood up and retrieved my wallet. The picture was soon in my hands as I calmly walked up to the desk.
He had a gloved hand open and ready to accept the picture. The easy gesture was such a shameful display of power- but one that mattered nothing as I proceeded to tear the picture into pieces and give it into his palm.
This is where I saw a hint of surprise and hesitation within his gaze and posture. A brief one, one that died as he crushed the fragments in his hand, forming a vicious fist.
"...Is that all, Director?"
He turned slowly to stare at me, his soulless glance greeting me.
"That would be all, Pilot Ikari."
Without any fanfare, I was out of the office and making my way towards the… labs. I needed to check something there as I had asked Ritsuko for a specific addition to the Eva-01. Considering the stuff that was being researched, it wasn't wrong for the 'Pilot' to be interested to have the edge in combat.
As I reached the labs, I was greeted by a familiar face as Ritsuko had to be busy at this time of the day.
"Oh, Shinji-kun. We weren't expecting a visit," The chirpy voice owned by Ibuki Maya greeted me as politely as she could.
The girl would have been Best Girl for me if she had been open to guys. But I knew already her heart was taken by her 'senpai', so I wasn't even trying considering the messy web of deception and messes that lingered around the blonde.
Still, she was smart, cute, reliable and so many other good things that I kind of found attracted to ladies like her. She wasn't playing to be a strong woman, but she was actually one by untold actions through her job.
"To be fair, Maya-senpai, I had been yanked for a visit to the director about some interesting news in the next few days."
"Is that so?" The brunette was curious, but held back from being too aggressive about it. "Anything you can mention?"
"Only that work here is going to expand a bit more."
Her shoulders sagged and I saw a guy bashing his skull onto his keyboard as he caught notice of these words.
"That's good to know. Still, are you here for a specific reason or-"
"I wanted to check on the upgrades if possible," I interrupted politely. "Of course, if those are ready."
"They are," Maya beamed, her smile shining a beacon into my soul. I may not be romancing her, but her smiles were giving me hope that a teensy bit of humans could be spared from the shit that the world deserved. "It's just- I never thought it would come a day we would produce weapons for a Gundam- I mean, Evangelion."
I blinked at that. "Did you like that show?"
"I still have some action figures in my flat," The young woman confessed unashamedly. "Those are my treasures~."
I had to fight to keep my smile in check at that adorkable remark. "I am glad to hear that. So, about these 'Gundam Weapons'."
"Follow me, please."
I nodded and slowly found myself stepping through the R&D Facility owned by NERV. It was bigger than I had imagined, and the products I was waiting for were… well, Eva-sized. There were some specific side-cannons for the arms meant to be used in conjunction with the AT Field. It wasn't going to exactly matter much against Ramiel, but it was going to be an interesting addition.
But the next bit was… essential.
"The 'Steel Ball' was actually a bit more difficult to make, but the end result should fit the measurements and design you offered."
I gave it a thorough look and nodded at this in confirmation. While I could technically rely on the AT Field to create a sphere, the idea of cutting steps to simplify the process felt like a good step in the right direction, especially in the battle against Ramiel.
"It's well-made."
"Of course it is," The young woman whined. "But I am glad you like it."
And then she proceeded to put a hand on top of my head.
"After all, this pilot deserves all the best equipment to win against the Angels."
…
I wish to remark this again, Maya is excluded from the Best Girl's list because of her preferences. And no, Rei, seething from the corner while I smile at the head pat will not bring you into the Top 20.
