Ten years in the future, Tokyo-Three
After a mere two months of construction, the new NERV Evangelion Pilot Training facility was finally open. It had been an arduous journey, what with the post-Angel War reorganization and restructuring of NERV into a civilian research corporation, the re-christened Gehirn.
However, it was not to remain that way. After nine years, former SEELE members had escaped prison and sold the MP Eva designs to various terrorist groups. In response, Gehirn re-formed NERV as a subsidiary Private Military Corporation for the express purpose of hunting down and destroying those former SEELE members and any terrorist organizations that had Evangelions.
NERV Commander Shinji Ikari yawned as he climbed the steps and joined Hikari Horaki just inside the lobby. Technically, he was in full command of the new NERV, while his father and step-mother ran Gehirn and were the only ones with authority over him.
His first act was to start recruiting and training pilots, initiate a construction program for this center and construction at several facilities, including the Branch 2 and Branch 3 for the production of New Class Six Evangelions. These were the first Combat model Evangelions Gehirn/NERV had produced since the Angel War.
After the retirement of Doctor Kyoko Sohryu and her husband from Gehirn, he asked that all research and researchers be moved to Tokyo-3, and converted Berlin and Massachusetts into production lines, almost doubling the construction rate of Evangelions.
And so it was, that as the world geared up for War, only NERV could save them again. He felt older than he was. Too much was riding on the Evangelion.
"Good morning Shinji."
"Morning, Hikari. Coffee?" he asked.
She suppressed a yawn and replied, "That's our new motto isn't it? God's had his coffee, all's right with the world."
"I'm surprised you didn't say 'her'," he replied as he rolled his eyes.
"I'm not talking about your step-mom. I'm talking about you."
He snickered at that as they walked over to a coffee machine in the lobby, then replied, "Nah, Dad's the minor deity. I'm just human."
Elsewhere in Tokyo-Three, Gendo coughed and spit out a mouthful of coffee, then fanned his mouth with his hand. "Damn, too hot to drink," he mumbled around a burnt tongue.
Back in the Training Center, Shinji paid for their two canned coffees. Then he paid for a third one, waited for a count of three, then turned and looked at the doors as they opened.
In stepped Doctor Asuka Langley Sohryu. She glanced over and he tossed the can her direction. She caught it, cracked it open and downed half of it in a single draught – uncannily reminding him of Misato years before.
They all three finished their coffees almost at the same time, and each passed the same garbage can, tossing the cans in with practiced ease. Then they split up, and walked into different locker rooms, where they all got out of their uniforms and into leotards, or in Shinji's case, shorts and a t-shirt.
Then almost simultaneously, they exited and walked toward the actual training center.
Hikari stretched uncomfortably and said, "I hope we can still do this. The latest batch of hopefuls are about as coordinated as a bunch of five year olds with ADHD."
"So were we at the beginning," Shinji replied. "Hell, you were the latecomer to our little gang. You saw us after we'd been trying it for several months."
"That's true," Asuka said.
"Never thought they'd have us doing the training, much less reactivate us at all."
"Don't remind me," Asuka spat, "I'd like nothing better than to kill those former SEELE members with my bare hands."
"Better them than me," Shinji muttered as Hikari said, "When do you think we'll be deployed again?"
"As soon as Kaji finishes tracking the next batch down." Shinji added.
"Speaking of which, how are Misato and Ryoji?" Asuka asked.
"Well, she's semi-retired while raising the kids, and he's the head for Section Two now."
"I know that Baka-Shinji." Asuka growled, "How are they doing?"
Shinji smirked, "Well, she is supposed to be here today as a technical advisor for the training. You can ask her yourself."
"Remember when we started the teamwork regimen?" Asuka asked.
"I don't think I could ever forget." Shinji remarked as they entered the hall.
##
*sigh* ...Just Dance...
##
Present day:
It had been a few days since Unit-02 had arrived. Repairs had been completed and it had been refitted to the baseline B-type equipment. Ritsuko Akagi got off of a conference call with Kyoko Sohryu several days before and immediately ordered tests. After spending the last few days analyzing the data from the Dual synch and running a plethora of synch tests that had left the pilots weary, she still wanted more information.
She already knew the dual synch tests with Unit-00 would be a failure, indeed, putting any pilot other than Rei into Unit-00 without also installing a new core would be a failure. Unit-01's core tended to be picky, but may just allow dual synch. She wasn't sure that Yui Ikari would allow any other pilot solo however.
She authorized the tests, and it was no surprise the results. No pilots could Synch solo in Unit-00 except Rei, and the only pilot able to Dual synch with Rei in Unit-00 was Shinji, and she supposed it was due to their close relationship. Shinji's score however, at 8%, was still well below Activation borderline, and Rei seemed strained during the test.
All the pilots were able to achieve solo and Dual Synch with Unit-01, but all of the pilots save Shinji barely got past the Activation borderline.
She once again regretted pulling the SAVI cores that had resided within Unit-00 and Unit-01 before the Angel attacks, but they had some issues with acquiring the right materials at that crucial time just after the first attack, and couldn't afford to let Cores go to waste. So, with reluctance she had shipped the two SAVI Cores to the United States for Units Three and Four and reinstalled the original Cores for the Prototype and Test Type. It had taken the pilots a week to get used to them.
Rei adapted easier than Shinji had, the core was effectively blank except for the personality Rei has imprinted on it years before, and she merely reflected her soul off of it, and the EVA synchronized to her rather than she to it. That was the reason only she could pilot Unit-00 at present.
Shinji's ratios skyrocketed, and after one disastrous high-80s test, he synch crashed. He didn't think she knew, but he was re-locking the plug depth very low before final stage. From a comment Misato had made on their return from bringing Unit-02, Shinji's mind had been contacted by his mother within the EVA, and he got scared.
SAVI core equipped EVAS were, however, set for Dual Synch and in theory could accept any trained person as a pilot. It was proven several times, all six pilots were able to make identical synch scores in either Unit-05 or Unit-02.
Still, she wanted more data. Combat Data. Fate would be kind and give it to her.
An object had been detected by one of the Pacific Fleet Battlecruisers patrolling Japanese waters. They requested Tokyo-3's Magi Link so they could get an analysis, and it came back Pattern Blue.
Per a new protocol that had been instituted, the Angel was tracked, but allowed to pass without a shot fired. The UN didn't want to lose any more ships if they could help it.
Fuyutsuki was in contact with a JSSDF General that had been freshly assigned to Tokyo-3, and he came into the Command Center. JSSDF forces, newly stationed within Tokyo-3, were bought to Combat Alert.
The six pilots arrived shortly, the last two being the new boys.
Misato, Fuyutsuki and the General were discussing a basic battle plan, and they all finally agreed that all four Evangelions, and the bulk of the mechanized forces would engage the Angel on the shore near what used to be Numazu.
NERV mobilized all of it's capability to lift two portable power plants, four cables, the EVAs, the Command Van, and support crews.
The JSSDF immediately dispatched it's new Tokyo-3Armor Division and VTOLs. Their job would be to provide fire support and skirmish for the EVAs as they engaged the Angel.
##
"Mari, Asuka, you there?" Shinji called as Unit-01 powered up. He grabbed a cable and locked it into the port on the EVA's back.
"Yes," both girls called in tandem. Mari glanced and grinned at the boy perched in a secondary position behind her, where the Drive console would normally be.
"Good. Touji, Kensuke?"
"Riding shotgun in Big Red," the former said while the second simply said "Yeah!"
"Rei?"
"I am here."
"ARCTIS Mobile Battle Network Active," Lieutenant Aoba called, "Command Van Online and acting as Master Computer. Uplink to Tokyo-Three established. Relaying shared targeting between Evangelions. Latency average is twenty milliseconds. We're within spec and ready."
"Okay, Misato, what's the battleplan? Take turns?" Shinji asked as Asuka complained, "Four on one doesn't seem like a fair battle."
"That's the point of it, Asuka. The Angels have many unknown abilities. We can't afford to 'Fight fair'. The plan is simple. Mari and Asuka are going to be close-in. Kensuke and Touji will be managing AT fields and data systems for them. Shinji and Rei stay at range and lay down covering fire. Try to keep it pinned until they can destroy it." Misato replied. She glanced around at the cockpit views of all four EVAs, then at the tactical holographic topographical map of the battlefield in front of her.
"Yes ma'am. Rei, you heard her. Lets break out the type 20s." Shinji said.
"Ma'am," Lieutenant Hyuga said, "Am I seeing this right?"
"Confirmed Shinji." Rei said as she broke the seal on a case and extracted a rifle.
Misato looked at his display and her brow creased.
"Two S2 signatures?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Get me the MAGI designation and run a crosscheck against the name," she said.
"I am so glad Dr. Akagi cleared the Magorox for field testing." Asuka called with glee as she cracked the case on the massive AT field sword. Above her, Touji cringed a little, but focused on making the overlays work and the AT field switchover system.
"Designation confirmed: Isafrel." Aoba replied, "Running check. Angel of Song."
"Two signatures, but only one Blue pattern. Kids, listen up."
"You and your swords. I'll take the Sonic Glaive." Mari replied.
"We're here Misato," Shinji called.
"The Angel apparently has two S2 Cores, but there's only one Blue pattern. I don't know what it means, but be careful."
"Yes, Ma'am. You heard her. We're possibly looking to destroy two Cores. Be on watch." Shinji said.
"Shall we decide who gets first swing?" Asuka asked.
"I'll back you, Asuka. You have the prototype that needs testing. The Glaive is proven."
"I think I have this. Tactical displays up, switching overlays. Systems ready," Kensuke said.
"Good, cutie," Mari replied.
"Okay Mari. Powering AT field Focusers. Magoroku Exterminate Sword online and at full power." Asuka replied, then grinned as orange lines of force appeared from the long hollow shaft of the Magorox as it powered up and focused Unit-02's AT field into an edge in the sword. "AT field switchover system standing by, all systems report ready. Shared Targeting, uh, Thing working." Touji pitched in.
Both EVAs dropped into guard stances, Unit-05 holding the Glaive in a stance that reminded Shinji of the sword fighting stance Waki Gamae. Unit-02 held held the two-handed Magorox to it's right in a position that Rei could not identify.
"What stance is that, Second," Rei called, "It looks like an improper Siegan no Kamae."
"It's a German sword guard known as the Pflug, or plow, in your language. The sword's obviously designed as a katana, so I can handle it like a kreigsmesser." Asuka replied as the Angel broke from the water ahead of them, "I'm not really familiar with Japanese stances. If this thing works as well as I hope I'm going to suggest some changes to the design so I'm more comfortable with it."
"I see." Rei replied, "Target locked. Adjusting position for line of sight."
"Target sighted, Major. Permission to engage?" Shinji asked as a firing corridor lit up on the HUD.
"Granted. Take that Angel down." Misato replied from the Command Van.
Units 00 and 01 opened fire. Flashes of light scattered off of the Angel's AT field, the small explosions doing nothing to it. The JSSDF forces, keeping mobile to make themselves harder to hit, assisted them with a withering barrage of Anti-tank Autocannon fire and rockets.
Isafrel stopped, blinked it's eyes, then strode forward, even as explosions harmlessly blasted off of it's AT field.
Almost immediately, an alarm went off in the Command Van.
"The Angel is transmitting a subsonic sound pattern! All the Pilots synch ratios are dropping!"
"It's lulling them to sleep!"
"Why isn't it affecting us?" Misato asked.
Mari had already slumped over, as had Touji. Kensuke was too busy trying to fight sleep to switch the controls over, so Unit-05 had effectively shut down. Asuka and Shinji were also fighting sleep, and their EVAs noticeably sagged. Unit-00, however, was a different story.
##
Rei heard the song of the Angel, trying to put her to sleep. Then she felt it again. The Other stirring within. However, it was not stirred to more than the merest semblance of consciousness before it began to Sing. A Song that was counter to the Angel's.
She felt her plug forcibly ratchet backwards, in counter to the mental command it had been given. Again, it was taken from her. Then again, she knew, it was not yet time for that fullness.
Even as the Song started, even as her own eyes popped open to full wakefulness, Misato's voice cut through the Comms, "Kids, activate your Emergency Stimulant Packs!"
#
"Rei's Synch score just shot up, Seventy percent, Eighty, Ninety!"
"Relock her plug at point three!" Ritsuko said via commlink from Tokyo-3.
"Done!" Hyuga called as he fingers flew over the console.
"Her synch ratio has stopped, holding steady at Ninety one point three percent."
"We're here, Misato, We've activated the stims. Request Detox when we get out." Shinji said.
Misato's voice cut in the plugs of all four EVAs. "We'll have med teams on standby. Shinji, Rei, the Type 20s aren't effective. Try to shoot around it to corral it so the others can finish it off."
"Asuka, you charge it. Try for a bisect. I'll be two steps behind you." Mari said s her eyes popped back open. Asuka needed no urging and Unit-02 ran for the Angel.
She altered her grip, raising the sword above her EVA's head, then as the guard changed again, she let the blade start an arcing swing. Shinji winced as the sword continued it's arc, neatly sliced through the Angel's AT field and split the Angel in half, straight through it's head. The blade passed through, bisecting the Angel, and each half slumped over.
They didn't have time to congratulate themselves however. Within two seconds, the two halves shuddered, morphed, grew faces and cores, then attacked in synch. With the doubling of the Angel, so did the intensity of it's Song.
Rei narrowed her eyes, and the Other flared within her consciousness. She began to Sing, audibly, although she did not realize it. "I AM..."
##
"Pilot Synchrographs are normalizing, Unit Zero is transmitting a subsonic counter to the Angel's noise. Rei's ratio is creeping upwards now."
"Activate Secondary Synchronization restraints on Unit Zero." Ritsuko replied, "We need to keep her from achieving one to one ratio, or from going past it."
"What is Rei doing?" Misato wondered.
"You'll get an answer after we find it, Misato," Ritsuko replied, "For now, concentrate on getting those kids back here alive."
Being nearest, Unit-02 deflected the AT field blast aimed at her with the sword, then swung it again as Shinji's and Rei's EVAs peppered the Angel twins with additional fire from their positron rifles.
Unit-05's AT field absorbed the blast from her half of the Angel, and she stabbed out with the Glaive. It penetrated the core, splitting it, and she withdrew the Glaive to join her partner when she screamed in pain. Her half of the Angel had already regenerated and repaired it core, and it's next attack took Unit-05's right arm off just below the elbow.
"OW! Field up, sorry," Kensuke was sweating, but angled the AT field as Mari hopped backwards twice.
"Don't sweat it, Trainee. No one's perfect." Mari replied as she side-stepped an attack and then pivoted on her rear foot, thrusting her right leg out in a kick. It hit and the Angel half that she was fighting staggered backwards.
Then it countered with an AT field blast. Kensuke raised the field quickly enough, but the impact from it made Unit-05 stumble back.
Misato called, "Asuka, Mari, fall back to land. We need to even the odds a little. Shinji, Rei, arm yourselves with melee weapons and move forward to meet them."
"We'll provide cover fire," the JSSDF commander said, and he issued a command. A dozen VTOLs made strafing passes with autocannons and rockets as the ground armor popped out from behind the nearby ruined buildings, their turrets raining HEAT shells on the Angel as Asuka and Mari's EVAs backed away to regroup.
The Angel twins moved in tandem, attempting to flank the Red and Pink Evangelions and perform a pincer strike from the outside.
Two Type-20 Positron rifles hit the ground and both prototype EVAs drew their progressive knives, then dashed forward. However, the JSSDF forces shortly found themselves unable to fire upon the target as the two EVAs were again too close, and they risked hitting them. The JSSDF commander knew that the EVAs could handle it with ease, but it was a matter of principle – you don't shoot your allies.
The deep wounds Unit-02 was inflicting on her half of the Angel simply regenerated immediately, and she found herself forced backwards step by step. Asuka was simply amazed the jock was switching between Magorox and Defensive modes for the AT field as fast as he was, allowing Unit-02 to avoid all damage while dealing significant damage in return.
Rei and Shinji's EVAs rushed the half that had damaged Unit-05, and Shinji pushed more speed from his EVA as he said, "I'm going to get it's attention. Leap over me and pin it if you can so we can split the core."
"Confirmed."
"Negative, Shinji, join Asuka, try to kill it's core at the same time as Rei and Mari. I'm guessing both cores been to be destroyed at the same time or it will keep coming back at us." Misato called, "We're going to bring in the JSSDF forces to try to act as cover fire. Rei, support Mari."
They called affirmative and in only a few seconds they had closed to range.
Unit-01 veered off and leaped while kicking, sailing past Unit-02 and impacting the Angel, knocking it backwards hundreds of feet. Unit-01 rolled to it feet as the Angel stopped and got to it's own.
Unit-00 meanwhile sidestepped an AT field Blast and reverse spin-kicked it, staggering it as Unit-05 retrieved the Glaive and wielded it one-handed.
Unit-05 spun, using the Glaive as a bladed staff, swinging it and cutting the Angel in half across it's waist as Unit-00 back-flipped out of the way of the swing. It regenerated and Kensuke barely got the AT field up in time to absorb a blast.
Unit-01 deflected several rapid AT field blasts with his AT field. Unit-00 jabbed the Angel's face with a left hook, then twisted, bringing the Prog knife to bear, leaving a bloody diagonal slash downward across the Angel's torso. She then reversed the swing, slamming the knife into the core, splitting it again. Her AT field flared, driving lines of force through the Core, keeping it from regenerating as her half of the Angel slumped over.
Simultaneously, Unit-02 had leapt over Unit-01, bringing her sword down on the other half. She split it in half, and it's core with it.
Being destroyed almost simultaneously, both cores flashed white, and the three of the four EVAs were thrown backwards in the explosion before they could bring their AT fields up. The JSSDF forces, even as they attempted to attain minimum safe distance, witnessed two crucifix shaped explosions, and three huge figures bodily thrown backwards hundreds of feet, trailing smoke. They all landed and skidded backwards, leaving furrows of upturned earth.
Unit-00 stood alone, unharmed as it's AT field shimmered around itself. Rei then forced the Other back down, and began to walk her Evangelion back to shore.
A moment passed, and slowly, the scorched and damaged EVAs got to a stand. A raucous cheer flooded the Military comm channels, and back in Tokyo-Three, Fuyutsuki shook his head even as he smiled.
##
"Alright. Not a bad operation, but it could have been better." Fuyutsuki said as he met the children's eyes in turn. "At least we have some solid data, and we know the Angels are adapting to us. We need to adapt ourselves so the Angels are forced to react to us rather than we react to them."
"Yes sir."
"There's also a matter of teamwork. Only two of you are able to work as a synchronized team. We'll be assigning you quarters here for a couple of weeks and getting started on teamwork training regimens. We'll be moving you into quarters tonight."
"How long will the training last?" Asuka asked.
"Four hours per day, seven days per week. You still have school to worry about."
"So, how did it feel taking the fight to them rather than deploying quickly here?" Fuyutsuki asked.
"It was a welcome change of pace, Sir," Shinji said to a chorus of nods from his fellow pilots.
The old man just smiled.
##
Doctor Akagi groaned as she surveyed the damage to the Evangelions. The pilots, after they had locked their EVAs onto the Rail transports, had been flown back separately and were debriefed.
The Angel was Singing, just like it's name implied. The only reason they were still here was because the part of Lilith's soul within Rei had responded with a counter-song. Misato knew Rei wasn't fully human. She didn't know that Lilith's Soul had been transferred to that of her daughter. It was a risk, placing Lilith within part of her own body, then having that body pilot a clone of Adam. But if Impact were to happen, all they needed to do was remove the limiters, and allow Rei to initiate it before an Angel could, or before SEELE could.
She had her data, and over a weeks' worth of repairs to the EVAs. She'd decided it wasn't strictly the children's fault. With the possible exception of Shinji and Rei, none of them knew how to fight as a team, a single unit.
She'd brought it up before the debrief and Misato and Fuyutsuki agreed. They were trying to come up with a training regimen that would give the pilots that kind of teamwork.
They'd been released to school, making it there in time for afternoon classes. It was likely that there'd be a study group going on in Misato's apartment after class. That's right, Gendo was in Geneva, wrangling a budget increase from the Comittee.
"Guten Tag Doktor Akagi," she heard, and turned to see Kyoko Sohryu walking toward her on the catwalk.
"Doctor Sohryu. I take it you're here to make sure Asuka is settled in?"
"Yes, I arrived last night. I will be here for a week before I have to return to Berlin. Of course, I can extend my stay if needed."
"Excellent. Would you want the chance to look over the Evangelions and assist in repairs?"
"Gladly. I also wanted to meet with you to assist in the Core redesign. As you know, the SAVI protocol doesn't work with the prototype S2 Cores that the United States has provided."
Doctor Akagi smiled, then said, "The Maintenance Crews can replace the armor easily without supervision. Unit-05 needs it's arm reattached, and that requires my supervision. But I can easily spend time with you on R&D, especially since I've heard some very disturbing things about Branch 2's research into the S2 organ."
"Yes, I ordered a full deconstruction of the one Core we were given. I didn't like what I found. Shall we go to your office to discuss my findings?"
"By all means. This way."
##
"Drink?" Ritsuko asked as they walked into a small office. It was her private office, a haven of sorts against bad EVA days, pesky Misatos and of course, the almost daily ten rounds with Gendo Ikari.
"No, thank you."
"Then I think I'll forgo as well." Ritsuko replied, and then snapped her fingers in midair and opened a dataspace, "My terminal here hardlinked into the MAGI, and I installed a prototype hologrid. We can use the AR interface and access my Shadow drive."
She continued making gestures, shaping the dataspace into a flat plane and locking it to constantly hover at a specific location in front of her.
Kyoko quirked an eyebrow and sat down at the desk, logging in remotely to the Berlin MAGI. Risuko noticed and asked, "Are you not comfortable with the hologrid?"
"I know the basics. Pieter has one installed in his office, same as Commander Ikari." She secured the communication line, then linked the Terminal to the Hologrid and ran output on the visual to a massive dataspace along one wall. Finally, she pulled out a pair of reading glasses from a pocket of her lab jacket and put them on.
Files opened in rapid order, and Kyoko selected one, opening it and displaying technical schematics and atomic structures.
"Okay in review of what I found in the core we were sent from the United States, I found that the Double-Helix construction of the S2 Core interferes with the Helical SAVI data storage structures. In addition, we found elemental contamination in approximately one third of the core."
"I've begun some programming to adjust the SAVI protocol to a double-Helix. I've finally replicated the accident that produced Rei's micro S2 organ. I've got the synthesizer producing a full-size core using a modified accident model." Ritsuko replied.
"So, the girls are now stable?"
"Yes. Once I'm sure they are not rejecting the organ, and things have calmed down, I'll be taking them to live with me and enrolling them in school."
"They are like your daughters, aren't they?"
"They're intelligent, inquisitive, and deserve a real life. Once the Angel crisis is done and Third Impact averted, I'll be training someone to take over here and just try to be a mom to them."
"Good." the red-head said, smiling slightly.
"So, what was the elemental contamination?" Ritsuko asked.
"Composition of the same elements found in the Third Angel's Core and in the remnants of the Fifth's Core." she replied, glancing at Ritsuko over her glasses before looking back at the dataspace in front of her.
"So, it's like they tried to build new cores from the pieces of the Angel's cores and filled in the rest with a half-adapted standard Core model?" Ritsuko raised an eyebrow and looked over at her counterpart.
"Sums it up nicely, Doctor. Which unit is getting the test S2 Core that you are making now?"
"Unit Three or Four. I'll be pulling their cores and breaking them down for analysis. I shipped two SAVI cores to them, I doubt I'll get back standard SAVI Cores when Three and Four arrive."
Kyoko nodded and took off her glasses. "Quite wise, I would think. If they're intentionally corrupting cores, you may consider full teardown and inspection of both Evangelions to be prudent as well."
"We were already planning it." Ritsuko admitted.
"So, why not integrate the Test Core into Provisional Five?"
Ritsuko tapped a tab on a display, opening a subwindow. She dragged a file to the working space within the dataspoace, then sent it to Kyoko's display. "Provisional Five has been refit to Production Spec, except for a few legacy systems. We're going to use it as an interim unit for the two trainees. We've also converted a Test Body to Production spec. Once Three and Four pass their teardowns, they'll be relegated to testing platforms again."
"So, make it pass the teardown, integrate your S2 Core, begin low level stability testing?"
"Once it passes that, initiate high-level testing with the designated pilot, and start assembling more cores."
"Sounds like a plan. I'll let Pieter know what you're trying to do about the S2 program. I've no doubt he'll agree to support you however we can despite Chairman Keil's interference."
##
That night, after having moved most of their belongings into quarters within NERV HQ itself, the pilots retired to their assigned rooms to start on homework assignments or just relax.
Shinji sighed. Again. The fourth time by Asuka's count. She got up from her desk, where she paused the game on her computer. It was a popular game, despite it's blocky graphics, but it was perfect for mindless fun. She was still trying to make a 1:1 scale model of Berlin, and not really feeling motivated to continue. Not with a roommate that was frustrated.
She got up and walked up behind him, asking, "What's wrong, Shinji?"
"This!" he growled, gesturing at the math book that was open in front of him.
"Why are you having such a hard time with the homework? You are a college graduate aren't you?"
Shinji growled, "I can understand the science just fine. I just get hung up on the math. That's always my weakest point."
"But math's easy stuff!"
"Easy for you Ms. Genius! I'm not the one who aced everything and then some taking home top honors with a perfect grade average! I'm the one who barely got my Bachelor's degree. I knew I should have gone for an arts major, but no, Dad insisted I take a Science track. 'With the intelligence you inherited from both your mother and myself, you'll be a formidable scientist some day'."
Asuka cringed, opened her mouth, closed it, opened it again, then shut it again as she turned and walked away in a huff and flopped down on her bed.
Shinji sighed. He knew he was intelligent. Just not in the ways everyone thought. Asuka had graduated her Masters already, and she was six months younger than he was. Then again, Germany's Academic system was operating under the Bologna Standard, while Japan's was not. He had what his one professor had called 'an innate understanding of the world and how it worked'. What it meant was long tedious hours of math studies to try to contort equations into doing what they should. Equations that usually came out wrong anyway.
So here he was again with his old enemies A2, B2 and C2, and still no idea as to the why, or even what practical application it might hold, even though he occasionally had the how down.
He reflected back as he sighed again. Asuka was trying to help him, but her personality kept getting in the way, as was the fact she expected everyone to have her level of intelligence. He supposed his attitude didn't help either.
She flopped onto her bed and stared at the ceiling.
"I'm sorry Asuka."
"What are you apologizing for?"
"I shouldn't have snapped at you. I'm not as good at things as everyone thinks I am. I had to fight tooth and nail for every grade I got in University. Yeah, I'm having a much easier time of it in school, but I still have to fight the math. Doesn't help I'm going to be working on starting my Master's studies next year."
"I already have mine."
"Germany's Academic system works differently. The shortest average time between starting university courses to getting a Doctorate is eleven years in Japan. I managed my Bachelor's in the standard four years. The Masters is going to kick my ass, then I have to start on my Doctorate."
She was silent for a moment, then asked, "Would you want help?"
"If you wouldn't get too frustrated with me, I'd love to have help."
It was at that moment that Doctor Akagi chose to walk in.
"Good, the MAGI said you both were here. I get to be your chaperone until the apartments are remodeled. That means the middle bed is mine. If I am not here and you are, you will be under surveillance to prevent any 'incidents'. Misato will keep Makinami and Suzuhara in line, and Kaji will be overseeing Ayanami and Aida. Any questions?"
Both pilots looked at each other, expressions shocked and incredulous, then back at Doctor Akagi as they both blushed.
Her expression however, stopped any protests they may have had.
##
The next morning,
"Before we begin class, we have a visitor from NERV Headquarters. Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki."
"Thank you, Ogawa-kun," the older man said with a bow. He straightened and with a small smile, said, "Well, it's been years since I stood in front of a class. Before Second Impact I was a University Professor in Kyoto. However, as nostalgic as this feeling is, I'm here for a different reason."
He looked over the class, and everyone had their attention focused on him.
"Very good. You are listening. I am here to extend an invitation to all of you. As you know, Ayanami and Ikari are pilots of the Evangelion platform, in addition, we chose two pilots from this class, and you have recently received two oversea transfers as well who are also pilots. Some of you have speculated that you might be candidates for piloting Evangelion. You are correct."
With the exception of the pilots, most of the students cheered, shouted, or stood up, causing Hikari to stand and shout, "QUIET! IN YOUR SEATS!"
Just as fast as they started, they sat down and stopped. She swept the class with a glare and continued, "If any of you act out again, you will receive detention."
"My apologies, Sub-Commander." she said with a bow, then sat down herself.
"I already know we'll be looking at you pretty closely, Horaki-san. You show able leadership. That's something that isn't taught." He bowed slightly in return to her, causing her to blush as he straightened, "You will be receiving a guided tour of the facilities, and watch each of the pilots in a variety of training activities, ranging from firearms practice and qualification, to melee combat training, to combat simulations. You will also watch a pilot Synchronize with their Evangelion and perform a Harmonics tests."
He paused for a second, "If all goes well, and we find ourselves with the time to, we may have a special treat for you all. However, there are qualifications. You will need to sign waivers, as will your parents, and you will not be allowed to bring anything electronic into headquarters. The reason I say this is part of your check-in will involved a high-powered magnetic field that will fry any electronic device, even wristwatches."
He paused, "The reason for that is we don't need anything classified being leaked to the Internet. You would mean well, but many of the things you will be shown are classified to even most governments and they would stop at nothing for information. This is part of the Waiver. After this tour, you will for one year's time, enjoy a certain amount of protection, in the form of a Security detail that will watch your homes, and your travels to ensure that you are not kidnapped or anything like that."
Silence ruled the room, as he paused, "The waiver also gives us permission to monitor your communications via Internet, text messages, and phone lines for one year. You understand that we have our secrets to keep. Many of them, in the wrong hands, could harm the world."
He smiled again, "If you are still willing, and your parents agree, after all of that, then you are in for a once in a lifetime experience."
##
"All right. Today's the big day. You all ready to visit the Geofront?"
The four clone girls nodded nervously at their 'Mommy'.
"Will Shinji and Rei be there?" Chiyoko asked.
"No. They're still in school. I know they would want to be here, but we don't know how stable any of you are yet, and I really don't want to wait, just in case." Ritsuko said softly.
They all nodded, and followed her out the door and down a hallway to an Elevator.
Having five people in the Elevator made it feel rather cramped, but they bore it well, being both eager and afraid.
It was explained to them that while the Geofront was huge, it was still an enclosed space. The actual surface was much larger than they could really imagine, no matter how many panoramic pictures they'd seen.
And so it was, after several minutes of Elevators and hallways, Ritsuko stopped in front of a heavy hatch, Access card in hand. She swiped the card and the hatch swing open. She stepped through and turned, her smile shadowed by the glare of light flooding in.
"Well, it's not the surface, but it's big enough."
##
"Man, I'm not going to be able to go. My parents won't let me." a girl said. Another pitched in, "Mine too. What about you, Hikari?"
Hikari sighed. "My Dad is in the Security Department of Section Two. I'd say it's a good chance I'm going."
"Lucky," someone grumbled.
Shinji rolled his eyes before speaking up, "Here's what I know. All of your parents work for NERV. That means your communications are probably monitored already. If your parents are department heads, then they have at least one security shadow. Just explain that, and if they have any concerns about the waiver, they can call Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki to ask questions."
"I don't like the idea of someone always watching me," a boy said.
Shinji nodded and asked, "I understand, but let me ask you another question. You know as a pilot I have a rather large security team following me at all times - a minimum of eight men. Also, right now this conversation's being recorded by no less than four cameras. Have you ever really noticed my team or the cameras?"
With the exception of Hikari, who sat quietly and listened, the class had to admit, they'd be hard pressed to see who exactly was part of Shinji's Security detail – or any of the other pilots for that matter. They also couldn't find any of the cameras Shinji had said were present.
Shinji smirk and answering reply of "That's how good they are," lay to rest most of the concerns of his class. Hikari at that point glanced back and sent him a knowing look.
##
The air that flooded across them was, for lack of a better term, fresh. A huge mixture of smells they had never experienced before, all bundled in a crisp, cool sensation that wafted past them.
Yuki was the first to step out of the hatch, and she stopped, her eyes growing as wide as saucers as she stepped back into Keiko. Keiko for her part, stared out past Yuki, drinking in the vast space as her eyes darted around. Izumi cowered on the floor away from the wide open space, her hands grasping the hatch frame in a deathgrip.
Chiyoko set her jaw and strode forward to meet her Mommy as the older woman had stepped away from the door. She stopped by the woman, her pale skin literally white as a sheet, then she turned around and looked back at her sisters.
"It's fine, see? We're not used to it, but this is normal for most people. We need to learn to make this feel normal for us," she said in a shaky voice.
Ritsuko smiled and placed a hand on Chiyoko's shoulder, and that reminder of her presence helped calm the girl. She looked around, keeping her face impassive, even as she stared at everything, exhilarated, and awed, despite the newness, the strangeness of seeing a new world.
She knew though, that this wasn't the surface. It was a microcosm ecosystem, that in many ways simulated the surface. A gentle breeze fanned Chiyoko's face as a distinct scent crossed her awareness. She started off up-breeze, toward the scent, which she could not identify except to say it was cheery.
Yuki was the next to step out into the open. She looked back and held out her hand toward the other two. Izumi released the hatch frame and got to her feet, stumbling forward, grasping Yuki's hand.
She ended up on one knee, looking at the ground as she stood again. Then, she forced herself to look around. She was clearly scared, shivering visibly as Yuki stepped forward. Yuki kept her vision low, and saw a shade tree, and made a straight line for it. Izumi went with her.
Keiko visibly gathered herself, then strode forward, much like Chiyoko had.
While Yuki and Izumi looked at everything from underneath the branches of an oak, Chiyoko had found a flower bed, and was in the process of smelling the flowers to see which had produced the scent that had drawn her.
Keiko looked up at a tree that had a low-lying branch, and walked toward it. She leaped for it, grabbed a hold of it, and almost lost grip. The roughness of the bark was a surprise to her. She tightened her grip, and began to pull herself up onto the branch. Then she stood, seeing another branch about waist-high from her current vantage point.
"Don't climb too high. Some of those branches won't hold your weight, Keiko."
"Yes, mommy."
Chiyoko pointed to one and said "This. It's what I smelled. Lavender, right?"
Ritsuko replied, "That's right."
"The surface is bigger than this right?" Izumi asked.
"Yes. This is a ten kilometer diameter circle. Right now we're only about a kilometer underground. The skylights there use mirrors to funnel light down along with lots of projection lamp systems. This gives us something approximating surface sunlight, minus the excess of UV currently present." Ristuko replied, pointing toward an aperture in the city blocks that light was streaming from.
Scientist warred with mother, but mother was slowly winning, as Risuko helped the girls explore a new and fascinating world.
##
That evening,
Fighting jetlag, and amped on several cups of coffee, Gendo sat back in his chair in his office, lights on so as to be less intimidating. Gloves and sunglasses were in his jacket, instead he was wearing a really old pair of black framed glasses.
The other people in the room were the parents of the two new pilots, and both Kaji and Misato.
"I want to thank you for coming to this meeting. As you know, your sons have been chosen to be Evangelion pilots. This brings up an interesting dilemma."
Mrs. Suzuhara looked at her husband, then asked, "What dilemma is that?"
"The parents of the original four pilots have had guardianship of their children switched to a trusted subordinate. In the case of Shinji and Rei, it was Major Katsuragi. While Lieutenant Dragunov has not transferred from Bethany, Agent Kaji has transferred from Berlin with pilot Sohryu. This means we have both a male and female guardian for the children here in Tokyo-Three."
"What does that have to do with us?" Mr. Aida questioned.
"I am asking that you sign legal Guardianship over to Agent Kaji and Major Katsuragi. This will allow us to barrack the pilots together, increasing pilot security and deployment speed. I want you to note is not mandatory, but during Angel attacks, every second can count."
"So, you'll own our son?" Mr. Suzuhara said with considerable venom as his wife patted his arm.
"No. We're not trying to take your children away from you, not permanently, but it makes for faster deployment, easier training arrangements, and better security for the pilots if all the pilots are living in a central location. It is only due to certain legal stipulations that I'm even asking you to sign guardianship of your sons over to Agent Kaji and Major Katsuragi. If you do not sign, then that is fine, but we will have to spend the necessary money to ensure the pilot's security, and to construct nearby local access points for their personal use."
"That would be how much in cost?" Mr. Suzuhara replied.
"To us, the pilots are worth more than the Evangelions. Money... is no object where they are concerned."
"Well, we already work for NERV, under your command, although in different departments. I'm just concerned. All the pilots, male and female are barracked together?" Mr. Aida asked.
"Not quite," Kaji spoke up.
The parents looked at him and he said, "The female pilots are going to be living with Major Katsuragi. The apartment next door to hers is being converted to a common area for training and recreation. The male pilots would be barracked with me on the other side of the common apartment. In addition, the common area will always have surveillance cameras from the local Section Two staff."
Misato said, "In addition, any visits to the other gender's dorm approved by that dorm's guardian, and the visitor must be supervised by one guardian or the other. Due to the heavy Section Two presence, unapproved visitors to either side will be returned to their own dorm, and both guardians and the parents of the offender will be notified. The parents will decide what punishment would be appropriate."
"That seems quite reasonable."
"The apartment complex itself, as does the School, have private Geofront Access points within a few hundred feet of them. The pilots have security clearance to access them and have priority access to the Geofront terminal hub. They can be to headquarters within five minutes of an alert sounding from school or the apartment."
"What about you two?" Mr. Suzuhara asked.
"I won't deny it. There's a history between us," Kaji said. "Good and bad. Point is, we know each other very well, and we'll be keeping an eye on all the kids. We were kids once ourselves you know."
"How often will we be allowed to see them?"
"As often as you can now. In fact we invite you to continue playing an active role in their lives. Once the Angel crisis is over, We will be changing our research focus anyway, and your sons will be signed back to you, although their status as pilots will not change. In fact, your sons will be permanently assigned to specific Evangelions, and where that EVA goes, they will. Until they reach legal age, you will also be assigned wherever they are stationed. At present, it will likely be the United States. One in Massachusetts, one in Nevada."
"I take it Units One and Two stay here?"
Gendo looked at Mr. Suzuhara, "You're a technician, Suzuhara-san. You've seen how much lower maintenance Units Two and Five have been compared to Zero and One. They must stay here regardless of what comes. Two will go back to Berlin, and Five back to Bethany. Three and Four are from branch Two and will return there once this is over."
##
You may have noticed a complete lack of Synch training in this chapter. This is intentional. Firstly, the episode takes place over a week in time. This story spans three days at most. Secondly, the training here is much more relaxed, and wedged in alongside School, instead of replacing it as in canon. Plus, you have to ask yourself, if they're starting slow, then it may be training as simple as trying to make all the pilots simply march in perfect lockstep for the first few days until they can work out synchronized dance routines, three legged races or whatever. Depending on how the next chapter goes, I may touch on some of the synch training.
The cast is fully assembled, save one. Now, the story really begins. And you'll see it diverge and take a new path, although it'll pretty closely follow the series timeline. That's a bit of a problem with EVA, especially if you follow the series timeline. However, most of the backstory has been told. You see some of the changes in the characters. I'm even allowing a glimpse into the future, as warped as it may be.
I was really unhappy with this chapter. What's to write about when the Angel goes down in the first quarter of the story? So, it's try to hash out some of the daily stuff happening in Tokyo-Three, except when my own life likes interfering.
Having six pilots while having only four operational EVAs isn't something I explained, but the logic is simple. The purpose was to train pilots for EVAs 3 and 4 so that when they are ready, there won't be any issues bringing pilots up to speed. This is an issue I have with the original series, although I know it's a deconstruction of the super robot genre.
'We have a giant robot, let's shove some untrained kid in it and hope he saves our asses instead of oh, you know, maybe TRAINING someone for years so they won't be tripping over their own feet their first battle.' So, I'm letting a little common sense rule. Notice I said little.
The dual synch exercises are because the production models starting with Unit-02 were fitted with the Sohryu-Akagi Virtual Intelligence Core, and they're flexible enough to allow anyone to synch, even two people at a time. At one point, Rei's Core and Yui Core were removed and SAVI cores installed into Units 00 and 01. The fact the SAVI cores were removed from Units 00 and 01 was a subtle bit of Gendo manipulation, not having certain materials available for core manufacture at a critical time to make sure the original cores were reinstalled shortly after Sachiel.
Asuka is trained in one of the Germanic sword-fighting styles. Make sense, right? More information about how she may have been trained can be found online at the Association for Renaissance Martial Arts website. They have thousands of people in their ranks all studying Medieval and Renaissance Martial Arts, everything from grappling and wrestling to swordsmanship to fencing.
Keep in mind this is a real school, utilizing modern translations of the ancient training manuscripts that have survived, not LARP foam sword swinging, or fantasy swordplay which is laughable at best.
For Japanese martial weapon styles, I have a friend who's studied Kendo. His help has been invaluable. He and I, as soon as we get enough Wasters/Bokken for both styles, will be crosstraining with each other, much like Asuka and Rei will be in the future. The more you know, the more adaptable you'll be. Who knows, if I get mine in time, it may bleed into the story.
ARCTIS is an acronym for 'Augmented Reality Combat Targeting Information System'. I made mention of the Comm-Con battle network in an earlier chapter, and this is part of it. I've basically taken the canon Targeting/Information systems, and mixed them with a few concepts I'd played with from an original SF work I've been slowly making progress on. The Four EVAs, each having a massive amount of processing, are networked together and share targeting data. This isn't counting the Command Van or MAGI.
Tags on the HUD show what the others have targeted, and movement in m/s or km/s of all allies and hostiles. In the case of ranged combat, it interfaces with the weapons and provides a Line of sight corridor showing the path of the next attack. They're still working out some glitches in the system, but it works well enough for them.