Chapter 43: Are So Many Reaching Out to Us?
Being left to wait for days on end in isolation was bad enough for Misato as she was kept imprisoned but not even hearing updates left her even more anxious. She knew there had to be at least one Angel attack that came to pass and there had to be many more risks to the pilots as well. Being unable to impact the world in conflict she was part of had left her in a state of uncertainty she never hoped for. Neither the one she loved nor her own mother was permitted to see her as she was left praying that nothing would happen to her baby at this point.
As soon as she heard the door open, Misato snapped her head up to discover she was being given a view of the halls of NERV. She was not alone however as she saw several soldiers of the Self Defense Force with their guns ready in case she did not cooperate. It did not take much reasoning to determine she was about to be escorted out but to where, she did not know.
A soldier made his way up to her and commanded, "Follow me."
Without the means to protest her situation, Misato walked out the room and made her way down the halls. She wanted more than anything to break away from her captors and find some way out of this prison she was forced into. Remembering there were others for her to worry about however proved to be the ultimate detriment that kept her from making such decisions when she could not even determine the nearest turn she could take.
Misato had to ride up the elevator and make another few trips down the halls before she was brought to the room where she was expected. She was placed down on a chair across from someone she did not anticipate to see any time soon. Aoi Mogami waited until she was the only other person in the room with Misato before she would say a word.
Cutting right to the point, Aoi asked, "How long were you intending to keep your secret?"
Hearing that question was enough for Misato to reconsider everything she thought about. There was no hiding what got her into this situation and there was no way she would be able to avoid it either. Whether it was the dedication from the MAGI technicians or from her mother being forced to confess, Misato was being reminded how what she did was going to affect others around her.
Misato leaned back in her chair as she answered, "Honestly I didn't even think it would matter at one point."
Hearing the indifference behind Misato's answer made Aoi tap a finger in irritation before asking, "You're referring to when you tried to escape? Or from the day you broke up with "Mitsuru"?"
Having the root of everything she did placed in front of her still only made Misato answer with indifference, "Both if I'm being honest."
Aoi placed both hands in front of her as she unveiled her decision for Misato, "You have no idea how much pain you have caused Misato. These children already aren't able to live a childhood anymore. Using one of them for your own ends is even more deplorable."
Misato kept herself seated as she addressed what she and many others would know by now, "Did you have to force it out of him? I swear if you even laid one hand on Shinji..."
Hearing the venom behind her threat made Aoi look up and observe, "Your mother certainly showed us where you received such passion from."
Realizing she would have more than just Shinji to worry about made Misato demand, "Leave my mother out of this."
Aoi remained unshaken by Misato's demands as she revealed, "She placed herself into this web you allowed to be spun. Did you even know your mother got him drunk? You're fortunate you weren't on the premises, or we could have added to your charges. Not that it matters now."
Hearing about what caused her mother to be caught made Misato feel a chill down her spine. Not only did she have to be captured but ended up serving Shinji his first drink as well. She wished she was in a situation where she could lament missing the experience but she knew she could not afford that luxury now.
It was bad enough that she was taken into custody for reasons she could not comprehend but she was being confronted by someone who she could not imagine caring about such a situation. People who worked with SEELE were everywhere to be found in NERV and it was apparent Aoi was just one such person. She could not understand how anyone with the plan of Instrumentality at hand could have seen a use for this interrogation she was going through.
Using this knowledge to strengthen her resolve made Misato ask, "Then why bring it up? Why even have this whole show?"
Aoi caught on to Misato's point by explaining, "We have superiors who need to believe we are cooperating with them. As such it is necessary for me to be the one asking questions now."
Crossing her arms, Misato denied what was expected of her by warning, "You won't be hearing anything out of me until you prove that Shinji is okay."
Aoi followed the demand on cue as she tapped a button to reveal a window into the next door room. Turning to her left, Misato saw the one she was hoping for waiting alone in complete resignation. It was only when Shinji raised his head that he realized Misato was looking for him.
Misato had no care for procedure at this point as she shot up and made her way to the glass to confirm she was indeed there for Shinji. She placed both hands in the window to see him look up in surprise and rush over to her and begin shouting something to her. What he was trying to say, Misato was unable to guess when she realized she was on one side of soundproof glass.
Before she could say anything in response, Misato saw the window close itself again as she shouted, "Shinji!"
There was a harsh reality that settled as Misato discovered she was right next to Shinji but could not do anything to get to him. She still could not understand the necessity of her capture but she knew there was a reason she would have to cooperate. If Shinji could be hers again, she was ready for whatever the demand would be.
Aoi subverted what Misato expected to hear as she was told, "So you damaged him that much."
Misato turned to Aoi to retaliate, "You're the ones who had to kidnap him! Just let us out of here!"
Aoi stood up as she walked towards Misato accusing, "Kidnap? It's the least we could have done for him after what you did Misato. People like you are the ones we have to make sure can't cause any more harm like what you've been doing."
"And that's what you want me to confess to? I didn't do anything that should get me tied up like this."
"Do you hear yourself? Do you even know what you're excusing?"
Misato leaned against the wall when she heard Aoi ask that. There was a time where she was afraid of what being found out by others would do to her and everyone she cared about but it had long passed. She wanted nothing else but to have Shinji in her arms again and never allow danger to fall upon him. She had these desires and she did not even care about the consequences of what others thought about what she was doing anymore.
Knowing what future condemnation she would inevitably receive did not keep Misato from answering, "People like you don't even care. You don't have anything to warn me about."
Aoi clenched her hands as she heard Misato's accusation before telling her, "That is disappointing to hear. You made it this far and now you are willing to push others away because they want to help. I know you must have feared being judged this way before, but you still did this to yourself."
Misato pointed to what she saw as an inconsistency, "After what you people are doing, I don't have anything left. All this shit you're trying to pull off and you still think you can manage how I live."
Aoi adjusted her glasses as she accepted the answers she received from Misato and told her, "Indeed you have nothing left to lose now. I will make sure the General learns everything he needs to."
Trying to make sense of the situation made Misato ask, "Is that what this is all about? Just to get me to say what I did?"
Aoi shook her head as she explained, "Your contributions to NERV are over Major. If you aren't even going to allow common decency to question your decisions, it is clear you are not fit for duty."
"Just tell us what she did to you."
"She didn't do anything to me. I asked for it. I wanted all of it. She doesn't deserve to be hurt."
"We won't do anything of the sort. Just tell me what happened."
"I wanted her to be with me and she said yes."
"You're saying this is all consensual? That you wanted her to do this since the beginning?"
"Yes."
Takeshi lost track of how many times he re-watched the conversation between him and Shinji. He remained intent to find out if there was some detail he was missing that went against what he was being told. The past few days alone proved to be demanding for him and the incarcerated members of NERV as he tried to make sense of what he had just learned.
Out of everything he could have discovered to be at play within NERV for such a long time, the idea that some of their personnel were taking advantage of minors was a reality he was afraid of discovering. Even more alarming was the state Shinji seemed to be in despite being out through hours of interrogation for his confession. He hoped he would find some way to get through to him about what he was talking about but still received answers similar to the first time he confronted him in the conversation he was watching.
His re-watch was interrupted as he heard the door to his room open and Satsuki asked, "I understand you have not found anything new General?"
Takeshi sighed as he admitted, "This boy is potentially telling the truth about everything. And I'm supposed to just accept that this is what happened?"
Satsuki warned, "You are hearing from his side of the story. You must remember that he was certainly coerced into this over time. There is no reason to deny that his mental state is now in such a way that he cannot fathom a scenario where he does not have the Major with him."
Turning to face her, Takeshi tried to imagine another perspective by asking, "And you don't think this can be a schoolboy crush sort of deal do you? In the same vein as Unit-02's pilot? It's very possible this could be a scenario for him that was left unchecked when more responsible forces could have prevented this."
Satsuki recognized the similarities as she reminded, "We are fortunate to have no record of Ryoji Kaji approaching her in that way. Even if he did it would only mean that he would be guilty for what he did. We cannot have exceptions for either case either way."
"I can't deny that is the case. It just isn't right that they should be left in our custody however. Shinji needs to be taken into therapy to speak with someone trustworthy. And Major Katsuragi needs to be tried as the criminal she is."
"I don't enjoy giving them time General but we must remember what is at stake. The last Angel has yet to descend and we cannot trust Nagisa will remain loyal to us."
The threat of Kaworu turning on them was still a difficult idea for Takeshi to accept but knew it was foolish to dismiss anything at this point. He was still having trouble trying to determine what was actually happening in NERV. Having an Angel work for them was a struggle to accept as was the idea he would have to make his prisoners willing to accept their conditions.
Realizing he had no way of safely removing Shinji or Misato from the base without risk of harm, Takeshi asked, "And what about the mother? Is she supposed to remain here and wait until she is finally released? That woman by all accounts should be in jail right now."
Satsuki denied the idea, "Major Katsuragi will be more cooperative if we have her mother as collateral. From what we have determined, it would seem Shinji will be just as concerned if he learns about her."
Being reminded of what he would hold over the prisoners made Takeshi rethink what he was about to ask. He would indeed be able to keep Shinji and Misato from attempting to escape or refuse to directly answer any questions. Even with such an advantage he had to consider what sort of implications he was allowing to develop under his hold of NERV.
Sighing at the conundrum, Takeshi reminded, "This place was not built to be a prison. Do not expect anyone else to be taken in just because it is convenient to us."
Satsuki agreed, "I do not believe there will be many we have to concern ourselves with anyway. Our most crucial prisoner is already forcing himself in isolation."
Being reminded of Gendo made Takeshi agree, "There is much weight on our prisoners. There are still Angels making their way here. We must be able to discover everything before this all ends."
A select number of occupants in NERV knew to remain alert when the alert for the next Angel attack would occur. Although the appearance of Adovaquiel was not a welcome one for the occupants of Tokyo-3, it would not remain unopposed in its advance through the sky. Nothing was keeping NERV from hesitating however as they sent the three Eva units to face their latest enemy.
Adovaquiel was not faced with a challenge yet but it was determined to find Adam no matter what was necessary. It saw the three Eva units ascend in the distance but did not have an idea of what sort of challenge was coming its way. Raising a few of its tentacles it swung in front and sent a building crashing down to clear a path towards NERV headquarters.
Unit-02 led the advance but Asuka heard Takeshi order, "Maintain your distance. Wait for the order to attack."
Asuka denied the demand, "We're already out here. Let's just get this thing cut down already."
Takeshi found his order being ignored as Unit-02 made its advance towards Adovaquiel to leave Unit Alpha and Unit Beta behind. Before he could manage the situation himself he saw the Angel raise one of its tentacles before causing jolts of electricity to form the bottom of the tip under its body. The electricity channeled into the pointed end of the raised tentacle before making a snapping gesture in Unit-02's direction and sent out a bolt of electricity that slammed its way to the ground.
While the personnel of NERV were relieved to see Unit-02 avoid being hit directly, Makoto announced, "We have a reading of massive damage to the city General. Unit-02 is still trying to make its advance."
Ritsuko did not provide any assurance for the situation as she added, "All readings of the Angel are still attempting to determine its power. We don't have much to work with."
Regretting the dedication Asuka had to the battle, Takeshi prepared for the battle to continue as he ordered, "Rei, Kaworu. Move out and support her. Make sure Unit Beta leads the attack."
Rei accepted the plan, "Understood."
Kaworu was reluctant but told him, "I am ready General."
The two Eva units made their way forward as they prepared to face the Angel but were now forced to contend with the growing thunderstorm that was being used against them. A bolt shot its way to the ground in front of Unit Beta but Kaworu leapt over the destruction at his feet while fire blazed across the city below. All three Eva units managed to avoid being hit but they were still left with a blaze of destruction making its way towards them.
The distance was rapidly closing for the three Eva units and Adovaquiel was prepared to retaliate. It raised another two of its tentacles and sent a storm of lightning that forced Unit Alpha and Beta to stop before they could be hit. Unit-02 remained uninterrupted by the attacks as it leapt over a blaze of fire and prepared its progressive knife.
Asuka thrust Unit-02's knife towards Adovaquiel and found herself colliding with the AT Field. Much to her enthusiasm she found the field was not very strong and made a slow cut through it before stepping towards the Angel. She did not need a reminder what sort of challenge she would be facing but she was forced to remember she would not be given an easy fight.
Adovaquiel lashed out a pair of tentacles towards Unit-02 preparing to take hold of it but was met by Unit-02's hands trying to pull it to the ground. The Angel turned itself on its side as it waved its tentacles to force Unit-02 into the ground while it began to summon another charge of electricity on its tip. Unit-02 was prepared to make another advance but was quick to realize what sort of danger it was in and threw itself into a nearby building as several lightning bolts shot out.
Rei watched the destruction unfold but prepared to respond as she sent out a pair of laser pods and kept them away from the Angel and its electric bolts being dispersed. Adovaquiel recognized the danger that was approaching as it kept several tentacles focused on Unit-02's location while throwing another two out to both sides to summon more lightning out both sides. Rei maneuvered the laser pods around the bursts while keeping aim before firing back in retaliation. The attacks made their way towards the Angel but were stopped as the laser shots collided with another series of lightning bursts that came towards the pods.
Aoi watched the fight that was unfolding as she announced, "Unit Beta is not moving forward. We must enact the protocol now."
Kaede took hold of a nearby switch as she accepted, "Activating DSS Fibers."
Within the cockpit of Unit Beta, Kaworu felt himself subject to another punishment for his hesitation. He felt his body threaten to contract with every second he remained in place and watched the other two units bear the responsibility for attacking Adovaquiel. There was only one way for him to make the pain stop and he was still reluctant to even consider the possibility of stepping forward. Forcing himself to remember what made him continue to fight however was enough to give him the strength he needed to step forward and draw his unit's heat sword.
It took several steps before Unit Beta made his way towards Adovaquiel but the first swing of its heat sword was enough to subside the pain that rang through Kaworu's chest. He was forced to trade one source of regret for another as he saw his heat sword cut its way through a tentacle and lose its opportunity to reach out to Unit-02. Harming one of his own was entirely against what he wanted as an individual, but he was once again forced himself to face the Angels against his will.
Asuka was not pleased to find herself being denied the opportunity to face the Angel and demanded, "Out of my way Boy Wonder!"
Unit-02 drew its hand gun and fired in Adovaquiel's direction while Unit Beta moved out of the way to avoid damage. Kaworu watched Adovaquiel ascend into the air as it avoided the shots but summoned another charge of electricity in its tip. All of its remaining tentacles shot in multiple directions and forced the Eva units to run and avoid the attacks.
Rei moved her laser pods to avoid being hit while she heard Kaworu ask, "Can you find an opening Rei?"
Rei backed Unit Alpha further as she answered, "I have been searching for one. I do not see the opportunity."
Unit Alpha remained at its current distance to leave Unit-02 and Unit Beta to find an opportunity to attack. Adovaquiel was able to keep itself at a safe distance for the moment but knew it would have to go back on the offensive at some point. It prepared for another attack by stretching out its tentacles and summoning another barrage of lightning to the ground below.
Asuka and Kaworu were able to avoid being hit directly but their umbilical cables were severed as the strikes hit the ground behind them. Both Kaworu and Asuka were brought under the five minute limit and had to defeat the Angel before it could be let loose on its rampage. Kaworu kept his sword at the ready but realized Unit-02 would not be cautious either.
Kaworu warned, "Asuka! It's attacking!"
Asuka moved Unit-02 through the remains on the ground as she told him, "It's up to you if you don't want the glory!"
At that proclamation, Unit-02 leapt into the air and fired its handgun a few times before using its other hand to draw its progressive knife. The bullets dissipated as they made contact with the electric fields but could not do anything to stop Unit-02 from stabbing its progressive knife into the tip beneath its body. The collision with one another caused the two to land on the remains of the ground below while Adovaquiel used its tentacles to wrap around Unit-02 again.
Asuka dug her progressive knife into the tip of the Angel as hard as she could while commanding, "Die!"
Try as she might, the blade only moved along the skin a little before being met with resistance as it tried to move. The tentacles that held back Unit-02 did everything they could to keep it from moving but were rapidly becoming more of a danger by the second. Electricity began to pulse its way through the tip before preparing to make their way through the tentacles that held Unit-02.
Struggling against the hold of the tentacles commanded Asuka's attention but she was forced to defend herself as she heard Kaworu warn, "Watch out Asuka!"
Before Asuka could ask what he was doing, she saw Unit Beta slash its heat sword down in the tentacles at the base of Adovaquiel's body and forced her out of the hold. Both units were still in danger however as the Angel backed away and used what tentacles it had left to fire multiple bolts of lightning to the two Eva units. Both were struck square in the chest respectively and forced them flying backwards from the attack.
While Asuka and Kaworu were forced to ensure pain they did not anticipate, Rei did what she could to turn the battle in her favor. The two laser pods chased after Adovaquiel and flew through the incoming lightning bolts before finding a place in the air where they were safe. While she managed to find a moment of security she still struggled to find an area where the Angel could be fired on while being in range.
Rei found the moment she was waiting for as Asuka forced Unit-02 back up and ran towards Adovaquiel making a leap to the top of the Angel. The Eva unit was stopped in midair as the Angel took hold of it with its remaining tentacles and held on to it. While Asuka was forced to continue struggling, Kaworu felt himself once again compelled to run forward and draw his heat sword to free her. The advance was not so easy for him as he was forced to deal with another series of incoming lightning bolts that shot towards him.
Kaworu contacted, "It is held down now Rei!"
Rei knew what he was referring to and positioned the laser pods behind the head of Adovaquiel as she told him, "Beginning attack."
With both pods in position, Rei fired at the top of the Angel where its core was located. One shot made its way to the ground while the other shot its way through the body to shoot through Adovaquiel's body. Asuka felt herself fall back as she protected herself from being hit by the incoming laser while watching Unit Beta look next to her.
The shots did not stop however as Rei continued her barrage of laser fire into the Angel's core. Adovaquiel spewed blood from its being while writhing in the ground as it tried to save itself. For all of its struggles it was rewarded with one barrage after another of laser fire as its core was repeatedly fired upon. Adovaquiel's efforts to save itself were finally undone as the flashing red core on top of it flashed repeatedly for a few seconds before finally fading to black.
Rei returned the laser pods to the shoulders of Unit Alpha as she heard Takeshi ask, "Were you successful Rei?"
Rei looked at Unit-02 and Unit Beta stuck in their position as she reported, "The Angel appears to have been destroyed General. The other two appear to be affected by the attacks."
Takeshi was thankful to hear another successful mission was accomplished as he turned to the NERV personnel beneath him and ordered, "Retrieve the Eva units. Begin the cleanup operation right away."
Fuyutsuki looked over the field that had been affected and praised, "You still manage to handle yourself. Few of these Angels have been so comparable to previous ones."
Takeshi stood up as he dismissed, "You're not in command anymore. Prior reports have already shown that you people have struggled to even handle these Angel attacks half as well as we are managing now."
He had reason to appreciate what Takeshi's performance was achieving but Fuyutsuki reminded him of possibilities on the horizon, "That is worthy of praise when you do not look beyond where this is headed."
Uninterested in such a cryptic warning, Takeshi walked away ordering, "Follow standard post operation procedures. I have pressing matters to attend to."
Takeshi did not like to admit how the situation was progressing, but his handling of the Angels was a more comfortable place for him than what he was dedicating himself to now. Having the Eva units to give commands to and an enemy to fight gave him a sense of leadership he worked his entire life to one day realize and he had results to show for it. Being forced to handle the current prisoners he had right now however was a reminder of the bureaucratic nature his position demanded.
He found Porter outside the door of the pain of locked rooms before asking, "You have made sure the prisoners did not do anything?"
Porter nodded, "There has been no activity General."
Taking hold of the handle to the left room, Takeshi ordered, "Prepare to change shift. I need to try again with these two."
Porter accepted his order as he looked at his watch confirming, "Yes sir."
Entering the room, Takeshi found Shinji lying on the bench on the other side of the room. He did not attempt to free himself from his current holding but it was clearly from a sense of resignation rather than lack of desire. The sound of the door opening was still enough for him to lift himself up only to find out that his window to escape was shut as soon as it was opened.
Takeshi sat on his side of the table asking, "Are you still not willing to cooperate with us?"
Shinji shuddered at the question as he pleaded, "Please let me see Miss Misato..."
Takeshi shook his head telling him, "No. Confronting her is not the solution."
Being denied again made Shinji cross his arms as he kept himself from standing up but protested, "I told you everything... What more do you want?"
Seeing Shinji ask with a sense of sincerity made Takeshi pause as he tried to determine what happened to Unit-01's pilot. He knew he could not accept the idea that Shinji's relationship with Misato could be seen as acceptable, but he was still not willing to cooperate with him. Almost everything he feared was unfolding the more he found out and was left with the task of making sense of the dilemma.
Takeshi finally answered, "I want you to be honest with us Shinji. Just tell us that Misato took advantage of you. You know you don't have the grounds to make such judgements about your life."
Shinji shook his head, "Why do you even care? She didn't do anything to you."
Being denied what he expected to hear made Takeshi point out, "Even if this is what you wanted, you still don't know what you are putting yourself through."
It was a truth that Shinji was afraid to admit long ago but remembering how Misato changed everything for him made him argue, "It's still better than where I was."
Takeshi was hopeful he managed to find an ideal argument as he warned, "This is a common part of coercion. She is trying to make you think that your life can't be any better. Whatever sort of woman Misato might be, she still has her own desires, and she can very easily toss you aside."
Long before Shinji even imagined having a relationship with anyone he found himself afraid of the dilemma Takeshi was warning him about. Then he endured the pain of approaching Misato, trying to assure her, cutting himself off from her, resisting her call, and finally pleading for her to accept him again. In a stretch of time that seemed to pass him by so quickly he could not say he was afraid of what possibilities were there anymore. He could not put into words what made him change his feelings but it seemed to be a series of events that few were able to account for themselves.
With a newfound sense of commitment to making she he could see her again, Shinji countered, "Miss Misato told me that. She even has my baby. I want everything that she is now."
Takeshi recoiled as he realized how committed Shinji was as he asked him, "So nothing will ever make you say that she was using you the whole time? That you wanted everything she did to you?"
Determined to prove how sincere his desire was, Shinji stood up to answer, "Misato is everything I ever wanted someone to be for me! I'll do anything if it means I can be with her again!"
A/N: That's another one in the books. Both Shinji and Misato are now being confronted head on with the revelation that has become public knowledge. As you might have guessed, not a lot of them are taking this very well. The stigma around these two is just unavoidable especially with how this sort of thing is accepted in Japan.
Business as usual with the Angel attack, Adovaquiel is another from the Decisive Battle RPG, and the second to last one with an image at least. Will that mark the end of them once the last one is defeated? We've seen additional ones before.
I also found it important to establish how dedicated Shinji is now that he made his decision. As much to the point where he can say it to a person of authority. Whether or not it will be enough at this point is still up in the air and will have to be determined in future chapters. I hope to see you all then.