Interludes After the 14th Angel, Part 1
Please Read and Review. I'd like to know what I'm doing right (to keep doing it), and what I am doing wrong (to correct it).
Note, the parenthesis indicates languages other than Japanese, in this case, English and German. The underlined text is a JLA code that, in this case, corresponds to eye blinking. The two characters involved are carrying two conversations at the same time.
Tokyo-3
Japan
GeoFront
Bunker 2
"Maya, I want a channel open with Units 00 and 02." Major Katsuragi ordered, her voice tightly controlled.
"There's residual interference, Major." She passed a lapel microphone to Misato. The Chief of Operations put it on, tapped it twice, and looked at Lt. Ibuki, who nodded.
"Robin? Huntress? Can you hear me?"
Shinji's voice answered a moment later, "- -an h-ar you, Mis—o. Bare-y."
"The Angel almos EMP'd us. Are you okay? Repeat, are you okay?"
"My -ead hurt-, Misa-o, - lot. And my bac- teeth. Nose bled t—, but it st—ped. I'm fi—, apa— from —at."
"Good, I'll send the recovery crews in a moment. Huntress? Are you okay?"
No answer.
"Repeat; Huntress, are you okay?"
"Major? I'm not getting any vitals from Unit-02." Maya hissed.
Dr. Akagi covered Misato's mic with a hand. "I fear Asuka is not there anymore. Her synch went over 400%! The last pilot who went over 400% was absorbed into the core!" She whispered.
A chill went up and down Misato's spine. Kaji took her hand. He looked into her eyes, and the trust she saw in them pulled her out of an incipient panic attack. She nodded minutely at him, and turned to Ritsuko. "What can we do?"
"Recover Shinji, and move both EVAs back to the cages. We can start working on Unit-02 as soon as we have evaluated the damages."
"Shinji? Can you move Unit-00?"
"No. Whatever powered it af—r the batteries died is no —-ger working." He sent a brief impulse of thanks into the core.
Tokyo-3
Japan
GeoFront
Unit-00's Core
"Will he be okay, Boston-San?"
"I dare think so, kid." Deadman rocked Rei in his arms. "You did really well."
Rei nodded, rubbing her little fists against her eyes, "'m tired…"
"Sleep well, kid. You earned it." Rei somehow managed to jump to his arms. Deadman maneuvered to make her comfortable, remembering how his late brother carried his daughter, Lorna, when she was Rei's age. Actually, her size. Rei had spend years inside Unit-00's core, unable to age, to grow up.
"Can… can you sing me to sleep?"
"Sure, let's see…ah, my mom used to sing me this one when I was a little tyke like you, just gonna change a word, okay?" He cleared his throat, and began to sing.
"(Hush, little baby, don't say a word,
Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird.
If that mockingbird don't sing,
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring.)"
By the time Deadman finished the second verse, Rei was sound asleep in his arms, and silently, she vanished back into the core. He managed to kiss her forehead before she was completely gone.
A sad smile appeared on Deadman's lips. He took a moment to swallow the lump in his throat and compose himself. "(Gendo, I don't know how, but I'm gonna make you pay for everything you've done. I swear I will.)"
He flew out the core and into Unit-00's Entry Plug. Surely by now there would be comms going on.
Tokyo-3
Japan
GeoFront
Unit-02's Core
"Asuka!" Kyoko Zeppelin Soryu's soul hugged her daughter in a desperate hug, the pain of years of madness and separation melting away.
Asuka herself barely could think of anything but her Mama's presence, drinking her love like it was the first life giving rain after a long drought. "Mama!"
Neither could say afterwards for how long the hug lasted. But that simple bond healed many wounds that had been open and bleeding for years.
Finally, they separated.
Kyoko cupped Asuka's cheek, caressing her face with a thumb. "(Oh, Kami… how much you have grown… I'm so sorry, Asuka. I missed so much of your life. And I know I… I hurt you so badly.)"
"Mama." The red headed pilot answered. "(It's not your fault. Those verdammte Bastarde (1) of SEELE set you up to die. I saw it.)" "(What? How could you? You were a little child when I…)" Instinctively, Asuka bristled, but she knew there was no malice behind the accidental insult. "(Everything SEELE did, does, and will say is a lie. They are monsters, Mama. They have manipulated everything to achieve their goal. Sacrificing Humanity during Third Impact.)" "(But, we were trying to stop Third Impact!) "(You, yes. But the bigwigs who pull the strings from the darkness, not so much.)"
Kyoko willed a couple of chairs to appear, and the two sat down. "(I think it will be better if you start from the beginning.)"
"(That's going to be more complicated than you could think… tell you what, I'll start with what I went through, and then the rest, okay?)"
After Second Impact
"(Maya (2) is dying.)" Dr. Fate pronounced, his deep voice echoing all over his impregnable Tower near Salem, Massachusetts.
John Constantine put his foot down, he had been sitting comfortably over one of Fate's strange seats. "(What? Who is that? Bloody Indian Illusion of the world?)" (3)
"(No.)" The Spectre growled with barely contained fury. "(Maya is the very soul of this world. If she dies, the world shall follow.)"
Fate wove an image, a beautiful woman, with skin the color of growing wood and warm brown eyes. Her golden hair long and straight, with a crescent moon on her forehead. She lay naked in a dark cave. "(Maya, soul of the Earth, is dying. Second Impact dealt her a deadly blow. Unless she heals, this planet is doomed.)"
"(I helped her once, when the Sun went dark. (4) Preserving her life took everything I had, and it was barely enough.)" The Spectre leaned forward, a strange expression in his ussually aloof or wrathful face.
Constantine whistled, "(Ow, matey. The big bad Spirit of Revenge admits he had trouble?)"
The white eyes of the Astral Avenger nailed the irreverent Brit. "(My remit is avenging the murdered dead, John Constantine. Preserving life directly goes contrary to that remit.)"
"(Point taken, Guv. Must have hurt.)" The Hellblazer conceded. The Spectre nodded brusquely.
Fate waved his hands in the air, tracing a complex sigil. He examined it carefully. Finally, he spoke again. "(She needs life forces to heal.)"
"(So we feed her a few bad guys and problem solved, right?)" Constantine snorted, "(I can volunteer a few, by force or guile.)"
From a corner, a new voice announced its owner, "(She won't consume lives, Constantine. It would be like killing her children.)"
"(Phantom Stranger.)" Dr. Fate nodded. "(Your input will be appreciated.)"
"(The life forces must be willingly given. Starting with the Elementals in her service. They can channel and refine living energies to feed Maya. But they must all be volunteers.)"
Constantine rolled his eyes, "(Yeah, I know, I know. I'll get the big guy.)"
The Stranger raised a hand, stopping him. "(Wait. Even her Elementals won't be enough. Maya will need as much magical energy as possible to forestall her death, and maybe giving her enough energy will allow her to heal.)"
From behind his golden helmet, Dr. Fate's eyes examined his companions. "(This merits a gathering not seen since the Great Crisis.)" (5)
"(There is another factor to keep in mind. Tying up so many magic users will inevitably draw attention.)" The Stranger observed, "(An obfuscation spell, and a protective shell around the Earth would be prudent.)"
"(I agree.)" Said Fate, "(I shall call for a conclave.)"
Tokyo-3
Japan
GeoFront
Shinji Ikari watched the proceedings from a folding chair, wrapped in a blanket, and sipping from a mug. Theoretically, it was coffee. Technically, it was slop. Still, it gave him something to do while the recovery crews worked.
"Shinji?" Misato brought a folding chair too, and sat next to him. "I'm sorry, news are not really good right now."
He looked down, into the mug. "What happened?" His voice was heavy with dread.
Misato sighed. "Rei is unconscious. A feedback loop. Rits had her sent to the hospital for 24 hour watch. She says it's just a matter of time until Rei wakes up. She will be okay."
Shinji nodded. Misato hesitated for a few seconds, "It's Asuka. She… there's no easy way to say it, she exceeded the synch parameters and…" she bit her lip, "the core absorbed her."
"It has happened before." He said, with certainty, surprising Misato.
"Um, yeah."
"I was there, Misato. I can barely remember it, it was my Mother."
"Oh, Kami. I'm sorry, Shinji." She squeezed his shoulder in support.
He shrugged slowly, keeping her hand on his shoulder, "Not your fault. What are they doing about it?"
"Rits has orders to review the logs and update the recovery procedure."
"It didn't work then." He looked at the distance, at the still smoking crater where the two EVA Units waited to be taken back under ground.
"No." She admitted, "But now we know more about the EVAs. Hopefully it will be enough." She went rigid for a moment, "Hey, you okay, pal?" Misato's face seemed to change, "Yep, Boston here."
Shinji released a lungful of air. "Just worried, Boston-San. Did you heard?"
"Yup, I followed your boss gal here. I wanted to check on you before I go checking on our Fedora wearing friend, see if he's decent again. Last time i saw him, he had just regrown his skin."
"Is he okay?"
"Not in top condition, but getting better. Give him a week, and he'll tell you himself."
"What a relief… um… could you do me a favor?"
"Sure, buddy. Let me guess, check back with you about Red?"
"Yes, please. And Rei, if you can."
"Count on it. Now, I'll release the Major, keep talking to her, will ya?" Shinji nodded, "On three, two, one, go." Misato's body relaxed again. "Don't give up on Asuka, Shinji. I'm sure she will come back to us."
She turned her mug between her fingers, "Well… at least I have one good thing to tell you."
He perked up.
"Your appointment with the dentist has been approved."
He looked at her for a moment. And seeing her earnest face, he couldn't help but laugh.
Tokyo-3
Japan
GeoFront
Commander Ikari's Lair
Gendo Ikari occupied his chair, thinking, silent. His elbows propped on the surface of the desk, fingers laced, hiding his mouth. A "thunk!" On his desk brought him out his thought. Vice-Commander Fujutsuki put a glass of whiskey in front of him. Evidently taken from the well provided hidden bar.
"If you don't drink it, I will." The old Professor threatened. "And I am in no shape to face the rest of the day in sobriety, so I'll just pour another."
Gendo nodded, and drank the liquid in a single gulp, while Fujutsuki paced his own glass. "So, what's next?"
Ikari put the glass on the desk, and began to play distractedly with it, turning it around, leaving a faint trail of water drops.
"Examine both EVAs with a fine toothed comb. We must know how and why both reactivated themselves without an S2 Organ."
"While not having Yui in the core, you mean. Unit-01 has the annoying habit of self-powering."
"Indeed. She has moved Unit-01 several times, always to protect the Pilot…" Commander Ikari paused, "The Third Child will be reinstated as Pilot for Unit-01."
"I thought you'd dismiss him as a pilot. Permanently." Fujutsuki thought it would be for the best to release Shinji, instead of subjecting him to psychological torture, but kept his council to himself.
"That was my intention, especially with the Dummy Plugs working as intended. I didn't want to risk him contaminating Unit-01, but he managed to awaken Unit-00. I want to know if he can do the same with Unit-01."
Fujutsuki thought about it. "I guess he could do it in the right circumstances. What about Unit-02? Soryu was absorbed into the core."
"I'll instruct Akagi to re-start the recovery process research. There is no hurry. Soryu is inconsequential to the Scenario, and Akagi's failure of the recovery efforts will crack the Third Child's spirit, preparing him for his sacrifice. We will select the Fifth Child in the meanwhile."
"What about the Fourth?" The former professor asked softly.
"He is in no physical condition to continue at the moment. He must stay at the hospital for at least two more weeks, and even after his bones have healed completely he will need physiotherapy. We need a replacement for Soryu."
"Very well, I'll select a few candidates and submit the list for your final decision."
"Do not include Aida in the list."
"Of course not. Putting him in the roster would only lead to uncomfortable questions."
Both men kept silent for almost a minute. Fujutsuki broke it, "We will have to redraw the GeoFront maps, you know."
Berlin, Germany
Kiehl Manor
"(You did well bringing this matter to my attention, Inspector Kaji (6). Keep me informed of further developments.)" Lorenz Kiehl cut the comm without waiting for Kaji's answer.
He stood up with difficulty, the degenerative disease ravaging his body never stopped. It took his eyes first, the optic nerves were the first to go. The optic implant that replaced his eyes and the cyber implants in his back allowed him to see and move, but the cost was measured in constant pain. Blessed pain, for in suffering his sins were purified.
And guiding Humanity into the next evolutionary stage would bring redemption to the world, and he would be rebuilt. Reborn in a new, healthy body.
Tapping on a secret keypad, he closed the comms, and walked to the hidden elevator. With a key, he directed the lift to the secret basement from where he ruled the world of sinners, tracing the course towards salvation.
Once he was sure the protective devices that protected his sanctuary were duly activated, he took his place at the desk. No need to turn the holochambers on. Not yet. The time would come, but at the moment, he needed to commune.
He occupied his chair and deactivated the multiple security systems protecting his most prized possession, the key to Instrumentality.
It was deceivingly small, about the size of a pack of cards, covered by lines that reminded him of buttons and circuits.
He put the device in front of him, rested his hands by the sides of the small object, and opened his thoughts, his emotions and his heart to it.
After a minute, the device activated in response. "Ping! Ping! Ping! Ping! Ping!"
Kiehl pressed a series of hidden buttons in the desk surface, and the holo-screen activated, showing images of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Slowly, his heavy fingers found the sections he needed to check.
Three hours of careful study later, he had the answers he needed. Kiehl compared the Holy Text with Gendo Ikari's preliminar report of Zeruel's incursion, added the info gathered by his agent, and sat there, in the dark, for long minutes.
He nodded to himself, and proceeded to store everything away. He pressed a button, and sent a voice message to his followers and co-conspirators. "(Three hours, holo-chamber, the Fourteenth.)"
Then, he dialed a number in an antique telephone. A few seconds later, he spoke, "(Your moment approaches, Kaworu. Study the Third Child's file with particular diligence. He is the key to Instrumentality.)"
Hong Kong
Saint Cosmas & Damian Hospital. (7)
Year 2000
"(You have five minutes, Mr. Dibny. Please don't agitate the patient.)" The nurse warned the former costumed hero.
"(Thank you, nurse.)" Ralph Dibny opened the room's door, and closed it behind him.
"(Hello, kid.)" He said, somberly. The young man barely moved his head. "(Man, you are a mess…)"
The body was practically wrapped like a mummy, medical casts, neck brace, bandages, IV tubes, sensors. Discreetly, Ralph pointed at his eyes, and Dick Grayson began to blink in code.
"(Other survivors?)" he asked. Ralph shook his head.
"(The Coast Guard, the Navy, and many volunteers are still looking, but haven't found anybody yet.)" Ralph said, more to the benefit of any hypothetical listeners. He paused, and blinked back, "(I asked J'Onn to send a group, they are looking too.)"
Dick didn't move, apart from closing his eyes for three seconds. The closest he could do to a nod.
Ralph sat on the visitor's chair, but stood up immediately. Dick couldn't see him there. Ralph blinked code again "(Ra's escaped, Mr. Terrific found his pod.)" "(Hopefully the searchers will find other survivors soon. Alfred has put a substantial reward.)"
"(Tell him… I… I think I'm the only one who got away. Ra's booby trapped the pods.)"
"(Damn! And me without powers…)"
Dick raised an eyebrow. "(No Gingold?)"
"(Just have patience and focus on healing, okay?)" (I used the last bottle in a rescue operation in South Africa. Elongated Man is history.)" "(Alfred is coming here in Bruce's jet as we speak. I'll arrange matters for a long stay while you recover. Uh… the doctors did what they could, but I fear there will be… sequels.)"
"(I expected that.)"
"(If you don't mind, I'll ask Sue to come once the doctors release you.)"
"(Ask Alfred to arrange for a big house. I won't be moving much in the near future, I guess. You guys stay there, this is no time to be alone.)"
Author Notes.
Please bear with me on the exact dates for the flashbacks. At the moment, I have no access to the timeline file I have been using to keep things in order. Once I am able to review it, I'll add the correct dates.
(1) God-damned Bastards.
(2) Maya (or Maia) is the world's soul, and it's very life force. She is the creator of the elementals that protect the world, by tying an elemental force to the memories of a dying human. The current elementals are Swamp Thing (Earth), Red Tornado (Air), Naiad (Water) and Firestorm (Fire). Maya debuted in Firestorm issue 92 (Dec, 1989). Extra note, there is a different character embodying the same concept, Gaia, who debuted in Aquaman issue 6 (Feb. 1995). For this story, I'll keep Maya in that role.
(3) In several Indian religions, "Maya" is the name for the illusion that hides spiritual reality.
(4) During the Final Night crossover event, in The Final Night issues 1-4, plus a Preview (Jul to Nov 1996). The Spectre's part in the story was detailed in The Spectre issue 47 (Nov 1996)
(5) The Crisis in Infinite Times (published as Crisis in Infinite Earths), Shinji and Asuka saw part of the Crisis back in chapters 83 and 84, Crisis Event.
(6) Mr. Weatherbee's activities have deflected attention from Kaji's spying, so he is still a triple agent.
(7) Original place. It won't figure in the rest of the story.