EVA: Mechas and Heroes

When the Angels returned, in 2015, humanity was ready. Pulled from an isolated and lonely life, Shinji Ikari was thrust into the titanic weapon Evangelion Unit 1. News of Shinji's battle and victory over the Angel spread like wildfire through NERV and related facilities. In a German NERV facility, a certain redhead took the news with glee.
"Finally," she said, "my time is here."
Unknown to most of the world, private companies had spent the last fifteen years working to create their own anti-Angel weapons. Powerful robots were created, and their pilots, trained in secret, were scattered across the globe. Some of these weapons were allied with NERV, while others remained independent.
It was in one of NERV's American facilities that such a robot and its pilot were stationed.
Following the first battle in Tokyo-3, the commander and sub-commander of this facility met to discuss their options.
"EVA 03 and 04 are still a few months from completion," said Commander Hauser. "Do we send the Brandt Industries mecha and the pilot now or follow the original plan and wait for the EVAs?
Sub-Commander Hinton sat back for a moment in thought before replying, "NERV is in need of heroes before humanity becomes zero."
"Somethings never change," said Commander Hasuer in response to his old friend's habit of rhyming.
It reminded him of a simpler time when evil didn't take the form of giant monsters but of terrorists determined to rule the world. Still, their time on the front lines was over. It was this new generation's time to fight, and for that, his pilot needed to be in Japan.
"I agree," said Commander Hauser. "Combat Unit 3 and the pilot are to depart to Tokyo-3 at once."
In a different part of the vast complex, a teenager sat in his living quarters, engrossed in a book. He glanced up when his front door opened and a uniformed man in his mid-fifties entered.
"The angels have appeared." The man in the uniform exclaimed, "Commander Hauser has ordered you to get ready to leave for Tokyo-3 immediately."
The young man closed his book, "The old man going senile?" He asked, "I'm not supposed to move out until EVA-03 is ready."
"You should respect our commander," said the man sternly. "Commander Ikari will not take your attitude lightly. The final adjustments are not finished on EVAs 03 and 04. We believe that they need you in Tokyo-3 now."
"Fine," said the young man. "Got a place for me to live yet?"
"An apartment has been secured in a building owned by Brandt Industries. Its location is convenient for both NERV and the local school. It will be sufficient for you," answered the older man.
"All alone, huh?" sighed the youth. "Wonder if I could convince the pilot of EVA-02 to move in with me; Kaji says she's a cute redhead," he said with a grin. "Or maybe the mysterious pilot of EVA-00."
The older man responded angrily. "You are not going there to find a girlfriend! The fate of the world is in your hands."
The young man laughed. "They say, 'All's fair in love and war, so what's one without the other?"
He stood and stretched. "Don't worry, I know my duty; you guys have beaten it into me since..." The young man trailed off as the smile left his face.
The older man's stern expression softened. "Draven, you don't have to do this."
Draven shook his head. "It's not like I've got anything holding me here. Besides, neither of them would forgive me if I ran away now."
The older man sighed. " Very well, you will depart in three days; be ready."
NERV Tokyo-3
"A new combat unit?" asked Misato.
"Correct," replied Commander Ikari. "This machine was designed to battle the angels before NERV revealed the Evangelion."
The commander gestured to a monitor screen that showed a large humanoid blue robot; the body was thicker than the Evangelions, almost as if it were more muscular.
"And this is going to help us?" asked Misato
"In terms of power, maneuverability, and overall combat ability, it is superior to the EVAs," said Ritsuko. "The drawback is that this machine cannot create the A.T. Field. Some of the technology used to build it was eventually incorporated into EVAs 00 through 02, including an experimental engine called the Drive System. We later found that generating the A.T. field puts too much strain on this system, forcing us to go back to the umbilical cord power source we currently use. By using this robot, we hope to avoid unnecessary damage to the EVAs."
"Captain Katsuragi," said Commander Ikari. "This pilot will be under your command."
"Yes, sir," said Misato.
Ritsuko handed Misato a large file. "Here's the data on the pilot."
Misato flipped through the file "Draven Dunway, he's the same age as Shinji."
"That's right," confirmed Ritsuko. "It looks like you've got another kid to look after. I wonder if he'll be as easy to deal with as Shinji."
Misato never got a chance to mention the new arrival to Shinji. Soon after the briefing, the 4th Angel attacked. As the battle against the newest angel raged, a military transport entered Japan's airspace.
Inside the plane, the new pilot watched out the window, oblivious to the battle going on just a few miles away.
"A new angel has appeared," said an officer as he entered the cabin.
Draven was sitting by the window and turned to the man.
"OK, and?" He asked, "Not much good I can do here on this plane, is there?"
"You will prepare to launch," ordered the officer.
"Launch? What are you going to do? Drop me on the angel." asked Draven
"You will be dropped as close to the battle as possible, then proceed to render any assistance as needed."
"Is Tokyo-3, NERV aware?" asked the teen
"We have been unable to make contact. However, once you get within the city limits, you can contact them from Combat Unit 3," answered the man.
"Nice to see we have such advanced military technology," mocked Draven. "Maybe we should send a carrier pigeon?"
"You have your orders," said the officer, his anger rising. "Now prepare for launch. Your belongings will be at your home address by this evening. MOVE OUT!
Grumbling Draven got up from his seat to change and prepare for his Tokyo-3 debut.
"Not quite how I wanted to make my entrance," muttered Draven. "I wonder how well this Shinji Ikari is doing?"
The battle had gone poorly. In his eagerness to end the fight quickly, Shinji fired his weapon; the smoke from the rounds obscured his view of the angel. He wasn't ready for the counterattack. In a flash, the angel's whip-like arms struck, and before he could fully grasp what was happening, Shinji found himself airborne, his weapon and power cord cut into pieces. EVA-01 landed hard, sending a shock through his body. When he looked up, the angel was already on top of him, attacking again. Instinctively, he grabbed his enemy's whips as they struggled. It was then that he noticed, out of the corner of his eye, that he was lying on the ground, not ten feet from where he had landed. Two of his classmates.
"Damn it," muttered Misato.
"Why aren't they in a shelter?" asked Ritsuko
"We've got to get them out of there," said Misato, her mind racing to figure out the best plan. The battery didn't have much power left, and Shinji was nowhere near an armament building to re-arm. If EVA-01 moved the wrong way, Shinji could kill the civilians.
"Hold tight," a voice said over the comm channel. "Help is on the way."
"Now what?" asked Misato as a large blue robot came into view. It grabbed the angel from behind and dragged it to the base of the hill, away from EVA-01 and the civilians.
"Pretty good at beating on a guy who can't move, squid face," called the new arrival. "Wanna try me on?"
The angel slipped free and turned its attack on the new arrival. The energy whip lashed out. The robot dove under them and delivered a powerful right into the angel's head. Misato and the Bridge crew watched as the new arrival dodged the angel's energy whips and counted with powerful punches.
This was their chance.
"Shinji," Misato ordered, "Eject the plug and let them in."
"What are you doing?" shouted Ritsuko, "You can't let outsiders into the plug; they'll cause contamination!"
Shinji did as was ordered; the plug slid out of the EVA, and through a speaker, Misato shouted to two boys.
"You two! GET IN!"
The boys complied, though one complained about a camera.
"Retreat now, Shinji!" Misato ordered
Shinji looks back at the battle. The blue robot had managed to grab the angel from behind, twisting its arms so the whips flailed around. "So anyone wants to tell me how I killed this thing?" asked the pilot.
"That's classified information," answered Ritsuko. "You're not cleared to know that."
"Would you rather I let him go?" countered the pilot, "Stop struggling, damn you; hey, EVA, little help here!"
The EVA had gotten to its feet, and an animal-like cry came over the communication channel as it lunged down the mountain slope.
"SHINJI RETREAT, THAT'S AN ORDER!" shouted Misato
Shinji didn't retreat; instead, he activated his Prog knife then gave a primal shout and charged the Angel.
He drove the blade into the red core of the enemy. The blue robot tightened its grip to prevent the angel from getting free in its death throes. When the target was finally silent, the robot let it slide to the ground.
"Of course, it's always the glowing red thing," the pilot muttered to himself. "Good job, EVA," he said, holding his robot's hand up as if expecting a giant robot high-five.
"Uh, hello," asked the pilot as he waved his hand in front of EVA's face.
In the control room, Misato was watching and trying to comprehend what exactly just happened.
"The EVA is out of power," said Misato quietly.
"Right," replied the pilot. "Short battery life"
He maneuvered his robot under the arm of EVA-01 to

carry it, as someone might carry a drunken friend. "OK, where do you want him?" asked the pilot.
LT. Hyuga coughed loudly to cover a restrained laugh.
Misato just stared at the scene, fighting the urge to both shout in anger and laugh at the absurdity of the scene.
"There is a lift at the base of that mountain," said Commander Ikari. "Two elevators will be there to bring you into the base."
"Right, Thanks," called the pilot.
"Commander, is that wise?" asked Misato
"We were aware of his arrival; his help allowed Unit-01 to destroy the angel with minimal damage sustained. Report to the cage to meet our new pilot" ordered Commander Ikari.
"Yes, sir," responded Misato with a salute.
The battle machines were there when Misato arrived. She saw the two civilians being led off for a proper yell. Shinji was escorted to a debriefing area. She would deal with him later. Right now, her attention is on the new arrival. The new robot was as tall as an Evangelion, probably twice as wide in the torso, with thick arms.
The main color was moderate blue, and the upper part of the legs and stomach area were light gray. There was what looked to Misato, like a golden crown around the head.
A young man came walking up to Misato. He was about Shinji's height with reddish-brown hair, and his outfit seemed to be a modified plug suit. It was dark blue with red highlights, but not skin-tight the way the pursuits were.
"Captain Katsuragi?" he asked.
"That's correct," replied Misato, keeping her tone business-like.
"Sorry about the flashy entrance, but I was ordered to aid the EVA," explained the young man.
"Draven Dunway at your service," he said, giving a slight bow. "And this," he said as he gestured to the large robot, "is Combat Unit 03, or as we in America like to call it, The Danner."
A few hours later
Shinji walked out of the debriefing room. Misato had been angry with him for not retreating when told to. She chewed him out for being reckless during the battle. He didn't understand. Toji and Kensuke were safe; the angel was dead, and he survived. Why wasn't that enough?
"Penny for your thoughts," called a voice, "or maybe I should say yen."
Shinji looked up to see another teen leaning against the wall, dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt.
"Who are you?" Shinji asked
"Draven Dunway," the teen responded. "We met earlier."
"We did? Asked Shinji. He remembered the blue robot. "Wait, you were the one in that robot."
"That's right," said Draven. "That was mine, and I'm here to help you"
End