Rebuild of Third Genesis

Chapter 37

"Wait," Gretchen blinked, "you have CLONES?"

"Two of 'em," Asuka agreed, the three women in Misato's jeep as they headed back to Tokyo-3. She was in back, while Gretchen was up front with Misato.

"How the...?" Gretchen looked at Misato.

"Gendo Ikari ordered it, we think," Misato noted. She scowled, "We assume that Kyouko agreed to it, but she wasn't mentally competent at the end."

"If Ikari was still alive, I'd kick his ass," Gretchen scowled. "Is his lackey, Kozo, around anywhere? I'll beat him as a substitute."

"He took off shortly after the Impact Event," Misato noted flatly, "he's not stupid He presumably knew that he'd be charged for all the crap Gendo and SEELE got up to, so he headed for the holls as fast as possible."

"Or he's dead, as no one's found him yet," Asuka noted cynically.

"Or that," Misato agreed.

Gretchen chuckled softly, sitting back in the seat. "I got the briefing," she said, "so I'm working under Maya and Ritsuko?"

Asuka snickered.

"Not like THAT," Gretchen laughed.

Misato grinned, "Yeah, we're trying to build a new Evangelion from scrap parts. You'll be working on that for sure."

"I will be allowed to pursue my own research, too?" Gretchen asked Misato, frowning slightly.

"As long as it's approved," Misato cautioned. She joked, "I don't want the whole base accidentally 'Tanged'."

"I promise we won't do that," Gretchen reassured her.

"Famous last words," Asuka teased. She grinned evilly, "Also, you know about our new medical policies right?"

"Medical?" Gretchen raised am eyebrow.

"You're about to get a VERY thorough medical exam," Misato grinned as she explained, "with how unpredictable exposure to Angel and Evangelion bio-matter can be, we want to keep a close eye on everyone."

"Huh," Gretchen nodded, "Well, how hard can it be?"

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"HOW MUCH MORE BLOOD DO YOU NEED, YOU VAMPIRE?!"

Suema Kazuko chuckled softly as she finished taping over the injection point on Gretchen's arm. "We're done, sorry about all the prodding," she noted, amused.

Gretchen sighed, dressed in a open backed medical smock as she mused, "I've never had a medical exam that thorough before."

Suema smiled back, her black hair tied back. "I'm aware that it's more than NERV facilities previously did," she said as she put away labelled vials of blood, etc etc, "but NERV previously wasn't worrying about long term exposure."

"Because they were expecting everything to end in Instrumentality," Gretchen agreed as she grabbed her clothes.

"Exactly," Suema nodded, "no one in charge really cared if you got cancer, or a mutation or worse. So now we're monitoring everyone's condition, especially those working directly with Evangelion materials, and watching for any abnormalities."

"That's fair," Gretchen conceded.

"So now we'll have a baseline," Suema said, "and you'll come in here once a week, once you start work."

"That often?" Gretchen asked.

Suema chuckled, "If I had the staff, I'd do it more often, actually. But as it is, I feel confident we can catch anything amiss."

Gretchen looked dubious, which Suema couldn't blame her for.

"My nurse will set up your next appointment," she added. Suema smiled, "Welcome to NERV Tokyo-3, by the way."

"Thank you," the now dressed woman hurried.

'Once again, someone gladly escapes my clutches,' Suema noted, amused. She checked her schedule, noting that Mari would be in for her weekly exam too.

"Hopefully I won't have to slap her, again," Suema muttered.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

A smiling Ritsuko Akagi looked up as the doors opened. "Gretchen, good to see you," she said.

"Ritsuko," Gretchen smiled back, "it's good to be here."

The two women had been in touch somewhat, on a professional level. While Ritsuko was a expert, it was always useful to consult other people in the field.

"Doctor Sohryu," Maya Ibuki nodded.

"Please call me Gretchen," she smiled as she added, "we're all doctors, professors or PHDs here, after all."

Ritsuko noted that Maya seemed a bit tense, but smiling.

"Ma'am," Mana Kirishima, who was there was a assistant, raised a hand. "I'm only a Masters Degree," she noted.

"You're at the 'all but dissertation' stage for two degrees," Maya noted to her junior, "you just need to get it done."

"I remember being there," Gretchen mused aloud.

"Heh," Ritsuko smiled wryly. "Okay, let's put you to work..."

"Yes, please," Gretchen said eagerly.

"We're currently surveying the materials we have to assemble a Evangelion," Ritsuko said, "Mana will assist you in assessing what parts are still viable."

"Got it," Gretchen nodded.

Mana looked less than thrilled. "We'll need to get into protective gear," the young woman sighed as they walked to the elevators.

Maya waited till they were gone then turned to Ritsuko. "It's mean sending her down to the graveyard first thing," she scolded.

Ritsuko smiled and shruged, "Gotta know what she's made of."

"It's practically hazing, really," Maya rolled her eyes.

Changed the subject Ritsuko mused, "We've nearly got the upgraded power pack ready, so we'll need to get Asuka ready to field test it."

"Not Mari?" Maya smirked.

"She'd probably try to break it intentionally," Ritsuko sighed. She added thoughtfully, "We SHOULD call her in when we stress test it."

Maya sat at the computer station, "Think Gretchen will complain about the smell or...?"

"The rotting blood stink is awful," Ritsuko agreed.

In fact, Gretchen did NOT complain, actually. She did look pretty green when she checked in, though.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"Welcome to Tokyo-3!" the group declared.

Satoko Shinden had set up the welcome dinner, whuch they were having at a Tokyo-3 resturant. Nice place, if a bit generic.

"Thank you, ma'am," Gretchen smiled a bit shyly.

"How was your first day?" Mari asked. She grinned, "Did they make you work in the Eva Graveyard?"

"They do that often?" Gretchen wondered.

"All the new staffers, yeah," Mari laughed.

Satoko approached, "Well, we're glad to have you, Doctor Sohryu."

"Gretchen, please," she smiled. She asked, "As the UN rep, are you in charge, more or less?"

"Only in very broad terms," Satoko shook her head, "operational command is Misato's. My job is more keeping the UN from messing with us, and pleading for more budget."

"Speaking as someone who's faced budget fights in academia," Gretchen noted, "we deeply appreciate your efforts."

"Thanks," Satoko chuckled. "Your quarters were set up, as I understand. Have your belongings arrived?"

"That'll be a few days, but I brought enough clothes in my luggage for the time being," Gretchen answered.

"If you need any assistance, just let me know," Satoko reassured her.

"I will," Gretchen nodded.

Satoko returned to where she was sitting by Misato, smiling as she noted, "Do you think she'll settle in alright?"

"She'll be fine," Misato reassured her.

Satoko dropped her voice, "Can I come over tonight?"

"Of course," Misato murmured back. She grinned, "Should we sneak out early?"

"No, sorry," Satoko sighed. "We've got to be good bosses for the staff."

"Being the boss sucks," Misato joked.

To be continued...