Collision, Part 2
Note, the parenthesis indicate languages other than Japanese, in this case, English.
Please Read and Review. I'd like to know what I'm doing right (to keep doing it), and what I'm I doing wrong (to correct it).
Somewhere in the Antarctic Ocean
Dead Water Zone
Over the Rainbow, Flagship of the Pacific Fleet; Command Bridge.
Two Days Before Sahaquiel´s Appearance, 10:18 A.M. (Local Time)
An Ensign turned towards the unmistakable leader of the Pacific Fleet. "(Sir, we are near the objective.)" the Admiral put his coffee mug on the table.
"(Send word to our guests, Ensign. The sooner we pick up whatever thing they got us to carry back to Japan, the sooner we get rid of them.)"
The Captain looked at his superior officer. "(Indeed, Sir.)"
The Admiral took a sip from his cooling coffee, and seemed to swallow a bitter pull along with it. "(Hrumph. What an idiot. The old guy is tolerable, I guess, but his boss... I'm pretty sure the kid must have gotten the good genes from his Mother.)"
"(The crew seems to have settled on giving him and his companion the cold shoulder.)"
"(And the cold coffee. And the cold food. I venture.)" The Admiral hid his grin behind his mug of coffee.
"(Lukewarm at the most, Sir. After all, we are close to the South Pole.)" For all the satisfaction the Captain felt, nothing was revealed in his flat voice. Still, he allowed himself a smug grin.
Similar smug smirks spread on the bridge crew member's faces. All Pacific Fleet crewmen on the Over the Rainbow considered themselves indebted with the Third Child, his warning before the Sixth Angel attacked and sunk the Othello had saved many lives.
However, his father... He carried such an insuffferable attitude that not a single sailor would give him the time of the day if it wasn't for his position in NERV.
The sailors were, at first, very glad to be hosting the father of the Pilot who had left such a positive impression, even on the Admiral of the Pacific Fleet. But after many cold answers, that good will had eroded to nothing. Sure, they wouldn't resort to open hostilities, but simply dragging their feet when away from the view of their superior officers, that they could, and would, do.
Therefore, all the little tasks that could be delayed, were delayed. Nothing too obvious, but enough to make their discontent very clear.
Hell, even the Admiral played that game!
Tokyo-3
Katsuragi-Ikari Apartment
One Day Before Sahaquiel´s Appearance
07:25 A.M.
Shinji Ikari was almost ready to go to school when the colors shifted around him. He looked around for the Phantom Stranger, but the mysterious man wasn't anywhere in sight. Puzzled, Shinji looked around once more. This time, he noticed his own shadow had changed. Instead of the slim shadow of a gawky teenager, it was the Phantom Stranger's shadow!
The radio turned on by itself, for a moment, the frenetic voice of an announcer blared the virtues of a liquid dish soap, only to be replaced by the soft voice of the Phantom Stranger. "Shinji, urgent matters require my immediate attention, Deadman has his own mission to attend to. We will come back as soon as possible. In the meanwhile, trust in your friends. According to my analysis of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the next Angel will attack from the sky; hopefully, after we have returned. Otherwise, I'm certain Captain Katsuragi is more than able to develop a plan to confront the Angel; but if, and only if, she can't, I can implant a suggestion in your subconscious mind, to propose a plan. This carries some risks, as it could very well raise the Commander's suspicions. Voice the plan only if there's no other way."
Shinji had to sit down for a moment, his blood had turned into ice and his legs to jelly. he nodded, and said. "Um… sure… Will it hurt?"
"No. You won´t even notice it."
"Okay, go ahead." A momentary dizziness, and nothing else. "That´s it?"
Colors and shadow went back to normal. Shinji grabbed his backpack, and opened the door, to find both his neighbors were already there, Asuka had her finger on the intercom button. "Good, right on time, Wonder Boy. Let´s go."
Somewhere in the Antarctic Ocean
Dead Water Zone
Over the Rainbow, Flagship of the Pacific Fleet; Observation Deck
One Day Before Sahaquiel´s Appearance
Same Time
Two men watched the blood red ocean around them. Neither spoke. One mused about the pristine condition of the word around them. A world completely free of sin and corruption.
The other mused about the dead condition of the word around them. A world completely devoid of life, of potential.
Both thinking about the mysterious Lance of Longinus. And what it would mean for the plans traced long ago. SEELE's and Commander Ikari. At a minimum, the Lance would allow NERV to keep Lilith under control. It was a miracle the creature still was immobilized by the titanic nails that held it on the crimson cross it had been found at the lowest level of the GeoFront.
They kept silent for a long time.
Somewhere in the Antarctic Ocean
Dead Water Zone
Over the Rainbow, Flagship of the Pacific Fleet, Observation Deck
Spiritual Plane, Same Time
A red clad ghost entertained himself with simple acrobatics. "(Man, I'd prefer to walk the railings outside as a high rope, but I need to watch you guys in case you say anything interesting.)" he sighed, resigned, "(Which it seems I'm gonna wait for for a very long time. C'mon! Say something! Recite the alphabet, a poem even! Just say something already!)"
"(Damn... Just how did I get this job?)" Deadman paused dramatically, "(Oh, yes... Got murdered on the job I had, was turned into a meddling ghost by an Asian goddess, investigated and solved my own murder, partnering with the Batman a lot of times in the process; met strange and interesting people; stopped AND investigated a murder attempt on Robin's wife, followed the breadcrumbs, gossiped about it to the Phantom Stranger, and got saddled with following you two Masters of the Boringverse around. Once this damned plot you guys and the old farts of SEELE gets completely trashed, I'm taking a sabbatical!)"
Earth Orbit, LaGrange Point 3
One Day Before Sahaquiel´s Appearance
09:26 A.M. (Tokyo-3 Local Time)
Soft footsteps echoed in the empty halls of a floating, translucent, green citadel.
Their owner stopped in front of a three-sided pillar, slowly rotating in the air. Inside it, floated a body, immobile inside the glowing green prism. The Phantom Stranger looked upon the faces of the citadel's creator, owner, keeper, and only occupant.
"(What do you want? Do you even know what I do here?)" three voices asked. They came from inside the pillar. In it, the man seemed frozen in time, like an insect in amber. His visage was different. As the pillar rotated around him, his face changed with each facet of the gigantic prism. He wore a curious armored suit, made of flowing green light. It looked like a futuristic knight.
The first face he showed was old, with wrinkled, yet dignified features, full of strenght despite his old age, his white hair seemed to have been blond many years ago.
The second face belonged to a middle aged man, his brown hair showed silver hair on his temples. His face set with anger and determination.
The last face was young, yet it was worn beyond is years. His black, thick hair seemed to rebel against any attempt to tame it.
"(I have come here, to ask for your help, Emerald Guardian. Earth is in dire peril. I need to locate an object in orbit.)" The Stranger held up a hand, and over his palm appeared an image. It was roughly round. An aglomeration of dirt and rocks. The image turned around, showing what looked like a crude sculpture of a human skull. (or confirm it is not orbiting Earth anymore.)
"(This artificial asteroid was created years ago by the Spectre, the Incarnated Wrath of God, to preserve and contain the Lance of Longinus.)"
The Emeral Guardian stirred a little. "(You are distracting me from my work. I need to focus all my attention, all my will on it.)"
"(I shall replace one of you in the meanwhile.)" The Stranger answered without any hesitation.
"(Very well.)"
A minute later, one of the three came out of the prism, it was the younger of the trio. He shook his head and stretched his arms and legs. "(I´ll be glad when the Earth´s atmosphere is finally stabilized.)"
The Stranger nodded once. When he stepped into the prism, he spoke again. "(Indeed. I thanks you three for your unfaltering work adjusting the climate. Without you, Earth would have drifted into either an Ice Age or a Fire Age.)"
Kyle Rayner fixed the image of the artificial asteroid in his mind, and walked to a platform where two lanterns awaited. One looked like an old railroad lantern, the other, like a futuristic version of the same. He took the later by the handle, and pressed his right hand onto the center of the lantern.
"(In darkest night,
In brightest day,
No evil shall escape my sight
Let those who worship evil´s might
beware my power, GREEN LANTERN´S LIGHT!)"
A wave of green light inundated the room. "(Man, it´s been a long time since any of us recited any oath… Maybe next time I´ll recite Alan´s. Yes, that would be nice.)"
Over the Indian Ocean
Five Minutes Before Sahaquiel´s Appearance
A series of "Pings!" Went unheard in the vast orbital space. A new glowing cylinder floated next to a little box, floating Free in the eternal night. The box took múltiple readings, and sent them back to its sender, wich proceeded to analyse the data packages.
This New orbital position nearly fulfilled the Mission requirements. Still, the timing was a fraction off.
Sahaquiel calculated complex combinations of time, speed, distance, comparing millions of possible results.
Had it been capable of both the emotional response and the mere physical movements, Sahaquiel would have sighed and shrugged. The orbital position was satisfactory.
Barely.
Still, it was close enough for its purposes. The creator signal was clear and strong. Sahaquiel determined to fulfill its purpose from this place. After all, the creator would direct the impact to the best place on the planet to remake it at his own design. Sahaquiel was to be his tool to wipe the slate clean and begin with the long process of rebuilding it into a suitable place.
The energy cylinder closed on itself, while the box kept on pinging.
A silent boom later, a new energy cylinder opened into place, this one was big enough to accomodate Sahaquiel's mass and Volume.
The Tenth Angel's arrival destroyed the box. Behind it, the tunnel closed.
Sahaquiel unfolded and extended its body. His original, spherical body become a strange vision floating in space.
Tokyo-3; GeoFront; NERV HQ.
Central Dogma
Two Minutes, 5 Seconds After Sahaquiel´s Appearance
Lt. Makoto Hyuga turned back, to inform his finding. "The Angel appeared suddenly, two minutes ago."
A diagram appeared in the main holographic display, showing the initial estimated orbital trayectory of the massive object. A female voice issued instructions. "Send Search Satellite Number Six to that orbit."
A moments later, SS6 transmited the first image of the latest threat to life on Earth.
It had a massive central body, showing a colossal, unblinking eye in the center, similar to the ones in Matarael's body. Disturbingly human in shape, disturbingly inhuman in expression. The pupil was blood red, while the iris was sickly Green and the schlera was yellow. Three antennae like eyelashes in each eyelid.
Two branches protruded from the central mass, one to each side. They ended in a round secondary mass, from which three mayor protrusions greae, extending away from the secondary masses, like grotesque fingers, plus two minor fingers. In the center of the secondary masses, there was a circular eye like structure, with the same colors than the central eye.
There was no time for a more detailed examination. Sahaquiel emitted a shock wave with its AT Field, destroying SS6 with contemptuos ease.
And establishing a radio dead zone over half the northen hemisphere, including the whole of Japan.
In the meanwhile, Shinji waited. Knowing he had some plan implanted in his memory, hoping he wouldn't need to reveal it.
Earth Orbit, LaGrange Point 3
Three Minutes After Sahaquiel´s Appearance
Kyle Rayner enjoyed a breath of fresh air. He and his two companions had stood on guard for over a decade. By now, the three of them knew each other better than anybody else.
But he didn't have time for enjoying the momentary freedom. He himself had never met the Phantom Stranger, but his two companions had. The mysterious man never appeared unless Things were dire indeed. And if he needed to track a sinister looking chunk of dirt and rock, it was important. So, after a brief deliberation, the youngest Lantern was selected to search for the object.
"Okay, Kyle, get back to work, that coffee was nice, although it was a simulation." He mumbled. "The blue guy didn't give you this ring just for fun. Get to work, get to work. Find it, find it." He kept babbling on. He had almost forgotten the sound of his own voice. And after so many years of mind communion, it was an incredible experience.
Systematically, his awareness attacked the long and tedious labor of locating a needle in a haystack. "Nononononono, not a needle in a haystack. I'm looking for a train of sand in the ocean! Yes, in the ocean! After a hurricane! I can do it. I can, I can."
Tokyo-3; GeoFront; NERV HQ.
Strategy Room
Two Hours After Sahaquiel´s Appearance
Misato heard the reports. This Angel was a literal living bomb. If it dropped on Tokyo-3, it would erase the city completely. There would be nothing left. Only water.
'Dammit!' she growled, 'We just can't catch a bre...' Her eyes lit up.
She looked around to the other occupants of the strategy room. Their faces Illuminated from below by the image projected from the floor.
"I have an idea. Ritsuko, just how strong are the EVAs AT Fields?"
Tokyo-3; GeoFront; NERV HQ.
Women´s Restroom
Two Hours; Twenty Five Minutes After Sahaquiel´s Appearance
As if the hanging threat of a kinetic bomb weighting hundreds, or maybe even, thousands of tons wasn't enough, the Angel's AT Field also disrupted communications,
Captain Misato Katsuragi studied herself on the mirror.
Yes, she had an idea.
Yes, it was a very long shot.
Yes, if it failed the consequences would be catastrophic.
Yes, she admitted to herself her plan put NERV Japan at risk. She had given everybody a chance to evacuate to Matsushiro. The MAGI were still backing themselves up at the secondary base.
However, the main tech crew had refused to evacuate. A moving show of confidence on her capabilities.
And a big weight on her conscience if her plan failed.
Tokyo-3; GeoFront; NERV HQ.
Strategy Room
Three Hours, 4 minutes After Sahaquiel´s Appearance
"No need for last wills. The three of us won't fail." Shinji closed his fist with determination, his two fellow pilots nodded their agreement.
"Great! And don't forget it, I'll pay for the best dinner ever! Vegetarian for you, Rei."
Misato turned around, leaving the strategic room, for some reason, it showed an aerial view of the GeoFront, from above NERV's HQ. It was incredibly real.
As soon as the echo of her steps vanished, the pilot's confident smiles dropped down.
"Hey, Wonder Boy, you really sounded enthusiastic about this absurd plan." Asuka's smile turned sarcastic as she poked at Shinji´s ribs with a well placed elbow..
Shinji looked at her sideways. "I have two reasons. I have faith in Misato. She has not failed us yet. Even when everything was against us, her harebrained plans work."
"Oh. And the other?"
Shinji began walking out the room. He turned and looked her in the eye, smiling. "I fight at Huntress and Wonder Girl's side. How could I lose?"
Rei walked behind him, and nodded when she passed him by.
Asuka thought about it for a second, and ran after them. "Damn right!"
As they went to the lockers, Shinji sighed in relief. Whatever plan the Phantom Stranger had put in his mind, he was glad he didn't need it.
He trusted in his friends.
That was more than good enough.
They would catch that Angel.
"I will not break." He whispered. "We will not break."
Somewhere in the Antarctic Ocean
Dead Water Zone
Over the Rainbow, Flagship of the Pacific Fleet; Observation Deck
1 Hour After Sahaquiel´s Appearance
The two men watched around from the Observation Deck, their spirits affected by recent events in different ways. For one, it was one more step closer to the realization of his plans. For the other, it was one more step closer to damnation.
Over the carrier's flight deck, lay an incredibly massive and ancient object. A relic of impossibly powerful creatures. The key for the next step for mankind.
For SEELE, the Lance of Longinus meant the means to keep Lilith imprisoned inside the GeoFront; the way to control, and if necessary, destroy Lilith or Adam themselves, should they wake up from their long slumber. The destruction brought by Adam during the scant minutes he was awake fifteen years ago appalled even the callous souls of SEELE's High Council, although it didn't took them long before they hid from their consciences with long and convoluted rationalizations. Anyway, they had already murdered half the world, in the name of forcing the other half into Instrumentality. Backing up now would mean it had been all for nothing.
For Commander Gendo Ikari, the Lance represented a way to stop SEELE's plan. Using it at the right moment, he could get rid of it, depriving SEELE of a way to stop his own Scenario. Invalidating theirs in the process was a nice bonus.
Antarctic Sea
Over the Rainbow, Flagship of the Pacific Fleet; Observation Deck
1 Hour After Sahaquiel´s Appearance
Spiritual Plane
Deadman looked again at the massive object resting on the carrier´s deck. He whistled his astonishment. "(Wow… You guys don´t play around when you are planning the apocalypse…)" He floated around Commander Ikari, watching the tiny, barely visible, smug grin that appeared on his lips. "(Now, I wonder what are you guys planning to do with this thing… I really hope you got a bag of really big marshmellows instead of some way to kill the world…)"
Author Notes
The Emerald Guardian is a composite being, made from three bearers of the Green Lantern; the first, Alan Scott, the original Green Lantern. He debuted back in , first appearing in All-American Comics (Issue#16, 1940). He got his power from a magical artifact, the fabled Aladdin´s Lamp, turned into a railroad man lantern (check Secret Origins issue 18, Sept 1987 for the whole story).
There´s an extra Secret Origin for that particular Green Lantern, but I´m going to ignore it. It was too forced to my taste. But if you want to check it, it was in Green Lantern issue 19 (Dec 1991)
The second Lantern here is Hal Jordan, turned into Parallax after Coast City was destroyed during the Reign of the Supermen storyline. He debuted back in Showcase issue 22 (Oct 1959), and for a long time he was one of the most active heroes in the JLA and the Green Lantern Corps. Coast City´s destruction pushed him over the edge, and in his grief and madness, he single handedly destroyed both the GLC and the Guardians of the Universe. This happened in the story arc Emerald Twilight; in Green Lantern, issues 48 (Jan 1994) to 50 (Mar 1994).
The only surviving Guardian, Ganthet, escaped to Earth, gravely wounded, and delivered the last set of ring and power battery to a young graphic artist named Kyle Rayner.
The third component of the Emerald Guardian. Kyle Rayner debuted in Green Lantern 50, in the last pages. For quite a while, he was the only Green Lantern in the galaxy.
The Orbiting Citadel and the armor the Emerald Guardian wears are both inspired by the Green Lantern appearing in Kingdom Come (four issue miniseries, 1996).