Interludes After the 14th Angel, Part 3

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).

Notes, the parenthesis indicates languages other than Japanese, in this case, English, Interlac, and Neogenii.

Tokyo-3, Japan
NERV HQ, Hospital Wing

Shinji Ikari stood unsteadily from the chair. It had been a really bad experience. The doctor signed the note, the prescription, and printed his instructions on a sheet. "You are free to go, Mr. Ikari. Follow the instructions and you'll have no problems."

The pilot mumbled some unintelligible words, but the doctor had no problem to understand. He was used to it, actually. "You're welcome, I'm very sorry I couldn't save your last molar, but the crack ran to the very root, it had to go."

Shinji mumbled again.

"Just rest tomorrow. No heavy exercise, soft foods only and come see me next Monday to check the sutures. But feel free to come if you feel any sudden pain or perceive a foul taste, okay? You'll feel numb for about…" he checked his watch, "half an hour more. Don't eat anything until two hours after you get your feeling back."

Shinji nodded slowly. The doctor opened the door, Kaji was waiting for him. "Ready to go home?"

The Third Child mimicked writing. Kaji passed him a small notebook and a pen. "Yes. Please. Could we get a cold drink on the way out? Water or tea."

"Sure, if the doctor is okay with that."

The doctor answered for him, "Actually, I suggested it, let him put the can against his cheek, it will help reduce the swelling. And it is easier to manage than an ice bag. He can drink it once it has warmed up a bit."

"Ah, I see. My treat then."

The Moon
JLU Watchtower
The Past

A coordinated attack from a full-fledged villain army battered the defenses of the Justice League base on the moon. The field force projectors had been overwhelmed by the barrage.

"(I'll hold them as long as I can, guys! Evac! Evac! Just go back to the teleporters!)" Plastic Man (1) had turned himself into a ghastly sight, multiple heads and arms controlling the Watchtower weapon systems, frantically operating them as of it was a deadly videogame.

"(We are on our way, Plas!)" Hawk (2) roared in his throat mic, always ready and willing to fight.

"(No! Go back to Earth! Right now, I'm doing my best to multitask the weapon systems! I can't do it for too long! Go down to the evac tunnels, Hawk! There are emergency tubes there! I Can make them believe the rest of the League is here, but I'm a goner.)" He mumbled something, "(Damn! A group slipped by and are after you! Run! These guys are carrying heavy ordnance, and if they get close will just blow you to high Heaven!)"

Down in the access tunnels, the small group of heroes hesitated, until Hawk took the decision out of their hands. "(You heard the rubber band! To the tubes! Dove! That means you too!)"

The white and blue heroine looked at her partner. "(Plastic Man is right. If the main chambers…)" she paused, while a deep rumble shook the tunnel. "(The main chambers have been exposed to vacuum. Only JLUers who can survive unaided in space could go back. And the villains must be either immune to vacuum or wearing sealed armor!)"

"(And we don't have any of those around, yeah. Hey, shadow boy, don't stop!)" Hawk grumbled, he pushed Obsidian (3) to keep running, the shadow manipulator glared at him, but ran anyway.

Dove flew ahead, and pushed a hidden panel in the tunnel. "(Keep running! I'll input the det sequence to blow the tunnel after us!)" Soon, the small group of heroes overtook her, running to the emergency tubes chamber.

Vigilante (4) stayed behind, a bit short of breath. He adjusted the bandana that hid the lower part of his face, panting, and stopped next to Dove. "(I'll cover you, M'am. Just in case.)" The portly man pulled out his twin guns, and planted his feet on the floor. Dove nodded, the veteran hero had been part of the heroes that appeared around the time of World War Two, and had spent years in the Wild West before the JLA and the JSA rescued him and his partners, bringing the Seven Soldiers of Victory back to the XXth Century. The hero was well past retirement age, but had answered the call after Second Impact killed so many heroes. He was on the reserve list, 9as an instructor, but he had answered.

"(You could die if you stay, Mr. Saunders.) Dove said softly, while she kept on with the sequence.

"(Hah! I'm dying anyway, Miss! Just like my pardner, the Crimson Avenger (5).)" He tapped at his chest, "(Terminal heart disease. In a few weeks, tops, the old ticker will pop, and I'll be gone to the green prairie in the sky.)" The man laughed. "(I'd prefer to not go softly into the night, as the poet said. Go on.)" He tilted his head to the other end of the tunnel. "(Go on, I'll cover you guys. Make sure the charges go off.)"

Dove took his hand in hers. She looked at him for a long moment. Words failed her.

Vigilante pulled his bandana down. "(Do me a favor, will ya?)" he used one gun to push the brim of his hat up, "(Tell el Diablo to send the letter, he will understand.)"

She nodded, and pushed the last digits of the code. "(I will.)" She kissed his cheek. "(Godspeed, Mr. Saunders.)" And flew down the tunnel, as the blast door closed behind her.

Under her mask, a tear rolled down her cheek.

The heavy blast door closed with a sound like the lid of a coffin. Vigilante thought it appropriate. He steadied his breathing, and aimed his guns towards the end of the tunnel.

A platoon of armored figures stepped in. He didn't recognize their insignia, but villains are villains. He shoot at the leader, who was armed with a futuristic looking shotgun. Behind the group, the bullet ricocheted from the steel wall.

'(Dang!)' the old hero thought, '(Moon gravity.)' While the villains scrambled for cover, Vigilante adjusted his aim downwards, to compensate for the longer reach of his guns.

This time he nailed the target. A bullet in the barrel of a gun, going in the wrong direction, can cause a lot of damage. Add the fact that it was a high-tech piece of equipment, and the results are obvious.

The gun exploded.

However, once the cloud of smoke and debris cleared up, Vigilante realized the invaders were unharmed. Unharmed and angry.

He threw himself to the floor, minimizing his silhouette, and shot again. Instinctively, the armored intruders protected their faces.

He let them come closer. Once they were almost on him, the old man jumped to his feet, aided by the low gravity, and slammed the butt of his gun on the red button.

At the other end of the tunnel, behind multiple blast doors, Hawk and Dove operated the transporter tubes, sending their companions back to the planet.

They felt a tremor shake the whole place. Dove looked down. "(That was the tunnel collapsing.)" She swallowed the lump in her throat, "(Vigilante has died.)"

Hawk growled. "(Damn!)" He closed and opened his fists, looking like he was looking for a fight. He was. "(That guy was okay in my book!)" High praise from the only hero who could stand Guy Gardner's endless tirades.

Dove spoke again. "(He bought us time. Let's not waste his sacrifice.)"

Hawk exhaled a lungful of air. "(Yeah, Right. Coordinates locked for Washington, timer set, charges ready. We are out, this place goes down.)"

They entered the tubes, ready to be sent down. As they dematerialized, the Watchtower collapsed behind them.

Plastic Man had set the self-destruct mechanism to activate once all JLU members had evacuated the base.

As the Watchtower exploded silently in the airless surface of the Moon, Plastic Man annoying laughter was heard all over the place. And in the comms systems of the intruders, in case they were in an airless area.

It was the last sound the invaders would hear in their lives.

The Watchtower was no more. A new crater formed in its place.

The intruders disappeared, reduced to particles by the explosion.

Plastic Man… disappeared. His molecules dispersed all over the surface of the Moon. (6)

Apokolips (7)
Tower of Rage
Darkseid's Throne Room
The Past

A servile form approached to the raised throne, slowly, fearfully, the Chief Torturer in Darkseid s room approached his master.

Darkseid's (8) eyes followed DeSaad (9). Each movement and facial gesture of the coward wretch spoke of the rightful fear instilled in him by centuries of cruelty. His sadistic tendencies only came to light when DeSaad had a helpless victim to play with.

The ruler of Apokolips didn't move a single muscle of his powerful body, his fingers interlaced in front of his stony, gray face, hiding his mouth, revealing only his cruel gaze.

"(Master…)" DeSaad croaked, throwing himself to the floor in abject submission. "(I beg your mercy!)"

Darkseid spoke, his voice was like stone grinding stone, "(Speak, you spineless worm. I have no wish for your whinging!)"

"(Oh, Great Darkseid!)" DeSaad stood trembling before Apokolips absolute ruler. "(I.. I bring bad news… about that insignificant planet that dares to oppose your magnificence!)"

The ruler of Apokolips glared at his slave. His eyes narrowed. A sure sign his already short patience was wearing thin. The New God could be patient, yes; but only with his own plans. DeSaad looked ready to bolt. Only the knowledge it would be useless kept his feet on the ground.

"(Earth…)" Darkseid leaned a franction if an inch forward. DeSaad closed his eyes for a moment, gathering what passed for his courage. "(Earth is gone.)"

"(Destroyed?)" Darkseid grumbled.

"(No, Master! Not destroyed! Gone! No one knows where it is!)"

"(Search the area, send Torment class cruisers. Take as many as needed until you locate Earth.)"

"I beg your pardon, for I have misspoken, Grest Darkseid. No one knows where Earth is! The knowledge is gone! Every memory, every scrap of data about Earth's location is gone!)"

Darkseid took a moment to review his own memory. He still knew everything he knew about Earth before; except for its location in the universe. Frustrated, he squeezed the armrests if his throne until they crumbled. "(Contact our agents, Godfrey, Grace, the Deep Six! Their Boom Tubes will take us there.)"

"(We can't… contact them, Master. They disappeared too. Not a single one of your slaves has contacted the Tower of Rage! Their fates are unknown!)"

Darkseid stood up, slowly. DeSaad cringed under his unblinking gaze. "(Locate a new place to track the Anti-Life Equation (10). You have three days to find it.)" DeSaad scrambled to obey the order. He knew very well the penalties should he fail. And a single second could mean the difference between life and… that other state the Omega Beams could induce, that was neither life nor death, but a kind of aware non-existence.

Darkseid sat down on his throne, and brooded.

Orbit of Saturn
Brande's Orbital Shipyard 3 (in construction)
A Possible XXXIst Century

"(I am ready.)" Imra Arden said, as she leaned her head back on the self-adjusting headrest on the chair she occupied.

"(Go slowly, and retreat at the first sign of hostile intent, dear child.)" R.J. Brande said softly.

"(Got it. Just a soft scan now.)"

Sensor used her prosthetic arms to gesticulate expressively. Being a snake, with fixed facial features, she really appreciated how the mechanism allowed her to effectively convey her emotions to people of other species. "(I'll be monitoring you, Saturn Girl, and cut the link should it be dangerous.)"

M'Onel spoke from outside the ship, wearing his trans-suits. "(And if needed, I will punch the problem!).

Superboy added "(Hey! What about me?)"

Imra smiled despite herself, and closed her eyes, focusing on the ice-covered giant outside. She couldn't see the worried look on their benefactor's face. She began her scan.

"(Mhmm… Silent… there is no activity… no surface conscious thought…Wait!)" Her brow furrowed in concentration. "(I can feel something, very, very strange… the Giant has no awareness, it's brain is…)" She gulped, "(It's been mutilated! It has no way to think! The brain is…)" She was horrified.

Brande patted her hand. "(Shh… shh… it's okay, Imra. Retreat.)"

Sensor interrupted him. "(No. Imra, don't focus on the giant's brain. I'm sensing it through your mind. Can you hear voices?)"

Saturn Girl swallowed hard, and continued her scan, "(What, how…?)"

The friendly snake tilted her head, "(I was sensing around. Can you hear them?)"

"(Yes… but… why are they coming from the chest? There's no brain there. I can feel organic matter, and some machinery, but it doesn't feel like an A.I.)"

"(I don't know what it is either. But I can sense no ill intent. It's like people dreaming, wouldn't you say?)"

"(Yes, it almost feels like several people dreaming.)"

Sensor's unblinking eyes focused on Brande, he shook her head. She knew what he was wondering. Are there pilots in Unit-01?

SEELE HOLOCHAMBER
Now

Lorenz Kiehl rested his left forearm on the surface of his desk, fist closed in pain, though his co-conspirator though he was simply angry. He looked around, though his visor betrayed no movement. "I trust you have examined the data, gentlemen." He said, "What are your thoughts? Let's start with the Geo-Front; before proceeding to the Evangelion Units."

SEELE 6 pushed a sheaf of papers away, and rubbed his eyes. The time difference was killing him. Still, he had diligently studied the info and had prepared a preliminary report. "Repairs to NERV HQ must be prioritized. Leaving aside the damage to Tokyo-3 itself, Central Dogma was exposed by Zeruel's attack, and the Angel was close to the shaft leading to Terminal Dogma and Lilith's chamber when it was forcibly ejected by Unit-00. Both Central and Terminal Dogmas must be protected until the endgame. Multiple reinforced walls between Central Dogma and the Evangelion cages area were demolished by Unit-00. I reccomend allotting a budgetary increase for said repairs. The rest of the GeoFront can be written off as a complete loss. Zeruel's explosion destroyed the forest areas, and the lake water carried uncounted tons of dirt and debris as it settled back into the lake. For all practical purposes, the lake is now a swamp. Even if we assigned budget to its recovery, the work wouldn't be completed before Third Impact. The wreck of the frigate can be left wherever it fell down. To repair it would be more expensive than commissioning the construction of a new one; and anyway, its original purpose, the mapping of the lake and pinpointing any possible leak to Lilith's Chamber (11), has been fulfilled already. It had become nothing more than a quaint object of idle speculation."

Kiehl nodded in approval. "All in favor?"

A green light appeared in each desk. Kiehl would only have to vote in case of a deadlock. "It's unanimous, then. Calculate an appropriate amount, and determine from which projects and miscellaneous budgets are the least likely to be noticed in the remaining time before Third Impact is enacted."

SEELE 6 nodded back, "I'll have a preliminary allotment ready for perusal in three days."

Kiehl continued, "Next item, the Evangelion Units."

SEELE 5 closed the folder in front of him, "The repair budgets must be increased urgently." He said, "Unit-01 received catastrophic damage to both arms, Unit-00 finished the combat without new damage, though its left arm must be reattached. Unit-02 received minor damage to the umbilical cable attachment point. But I must add that as it developed a S2 Organ, the umbilical energy supply has become superfluous. The cosmetic damage can be easily repaired with NERV Japan resources. No need for extra funds."

Kiehl nodded, "Make sure we receive copies of all tests done to it, plus samples. This could be the breakthrough we needed for the Mass Production Evangelion Units. Send spare parts as needed, from NERV USA and NERV Germany. Schedule a debriefing session with the Third Child about his impromptu manipulation of the AT Field. We need to understand it and if necessary, neutralize such capability."

SEELE 3 was next, "The Second Child's loss is inconsequential. She can be easily replaced from the available pool of candidates."

SEELE 4 took a sip of coffee, though they allowed no drinks or snacks during meeting with SEELE members of lower ranks, among the High Circle they took what sustent they wanted. He took a moment. "I agree, though removing the current KZS core could compromise Unit-02's performance. I fear it has integrated too deeply into Unit-02 to be replaced."

At the other side of the table; SEELE-5 nodded, "In that case, the new pilot must be familiar with, at least, ALS subject. Which candidates are in her closest circle?"

SEELE 2 keyed Asuka Langley Soryu's file. The one related to her social activities, "Subject ALS has a very shallow circle of acquaintances." He paused, "Reportedly, she associates mainly with the other pilots, including the recently inducted Fourth Child." He hesitated, "The second Fourth Child, I mean, Suzuhara." The others nodded. "The rest of her social group includes Subject Kensuke Aida…"

Kiehl interrupted, "Inadecuate. Subject Aida has already been discarded due to inconveniently high insight on the First Child psychology. Anybody else available?"

"I was coming to that, Sir. The only candidate left, according to the established parameters, is another female student, Hikari Horaki." He pushed a button, and Hikari's picture appeared in the central space of the chamber, spinning slowly, so everybody had a clear view of her face. "She has an emergent sentimental link to the Fourth Child, and acts as social lubricant for the rest of the group, defusing many of the Second Child… temper tantrums, and coaxing the First and Third Children into social activities. According to her psychological profile, she is dedicated, neat, studious, and has some leadership qualities. In my opinion, she is an even better candidate than the Fourth."

Kiehl grunted. "All in favor?" Again, only green lights, no disagreement. "Very well, Candidate approved. Ikari will have to handle the details."

Author Notes.

(1) Plastic Man is the original stretchable hero. He was originally a crook, known as Patrick "Eel" O'Brian, who was shot during a robbery, and exposed to an experimental acid, which got into his wound. He managed to flee, half-delirious, and somehow ended up in a monastery. After recovering, he realized he had become a human rubber-band. Moved by the monks' generosity, he flipped a coin to decide on keeping up being a crook, or becoming a hero. He has been on the good guys' side ever since. He debuted in Police Comics issue 1 (Aug, 1941).

(2) Hank Hall, and his brother Don, were offered power by a mysterious voice, when they were desperate to save their father from a group of criminals. Due to their opposite outlooks in life, their new identities were also opposite. The aggressive and conservative Hank, became Hawk; while the pacifist liberal Don, became Dove. Dove died during the Crisis on Infinite Earths, affecting Hawk, who became dangerously aggressive. Dawn Granger was offered power during a terrorist attack in England, and became the second Dove. Her powers are slightly different from both the original Dove and from Hawk. After Hawk and Dove II had been working together for a while, they found out that the mysterious voice that granted them power wac actually the composite voice of a pair of trans dimensional entities, T'Charr and Terataya, respectively a Lord of Chaos and a Lord of Order, who had fallen in love, and were determined to show their fellow Lords that Order and Chaos can co-exist! Hawk and Dove I debuted in Showcase issue 75 (Jun, 1968); while Dove II debuted in Hawk & Dove issue 1 (Oct, 1988).

(3) Obsidian (Todd Rice), and his sister Jade (Jennie-Lyn Hayden), are the children of the original Green Lantern, and the villainess Thorn. She hid her pregnancy and fled from Green Lantern, who didn't know he was a father for years. They were separated at birth, and adopted by different families. Obsidian can create and manipulate shadows, while his sister Jade is basically a living Power Ring and Power Battery at once, with the same powers than the original Green Lantern. They debuted in All-Star Squadron, Issue 25 (Sept, 1983)

(4) The original Vigilante was basically a cowboy, horse and all. He was part of the Seven Soldiers of Victory, a group of human level heroes. During an adventure, the Soldiers were thrown back in time, and eventually rescued by the JLA and the JSA. Vigilante retired, and founded a chain of restaurants along with his sidekick, Stuff, the China Town Kid. He helped a new hero, el Diablo, a few times, lending his experience and knowledge. Vigilante debuted in Action Comics issue 41 (Nov, 1941); the Seven Soldiers of Victory debuted in Leading Comics issue 1 (Dec, 1941); and they were rescued from the past in Justice League of America,issues 100-102 (Aug-Oct, 1972 ; lastly el Diablo debuted in El Diablo issue 1 (Aug, 1989). This particular Diablo was the second one.

(5) The Crimson Avenger died piloting a burning ship, loaded with explosives, out of the Gotham City harbor. He was dying from an incurable disease. This was one of the "Whatever Happened to..?" back-ups in DC Comics Presents, specifically in DC Comics Presents issue 38 (Oct, 1981). The Crimson Avenger debuted in Detective Comics issue 20 (Oct, 1938). On a miscellaneous note, after the Crisis in Infinite Earths, the Crimson Avenger was considered the first masked hero to appear.

(6) In theory, Plastic Man can be rebuilt from the fragments. But gathering them all would be quite a fest!

(7) Apokolips and New Genesis, the home planets of the New Gods, were formed from the fragments of the old gods home planet, destroyed in a terrible cataclysm, aeons ago. Apokolips is an industrial wasteland, populated by hungry slaves, soldiers, and an elite class, ruled with an iron fist by Darkseid. While New Genesis is a lush paradise. Apokolips and New Genesis debuted in New Gods issue 1 (Mar, 1971).

(8) Darkseid is the undisputed God of Evil in the DCU, he is one of the New Gods, and opposite to Highfather. He debuted in Superman's Pal; Jimmy Olsen issue 134 (Dec, 1970)

(9) DeSaad is the chief torturer, scientist, and all around minion of Darkseid. As his name makes obvious, he is a sadistic piece of a bully. He is also a coward, especially in front of Darkseid. He debuted in Forever People,issue 2 (May, 1971)

(10)Darkseid's main motivation was to obtain the Anti-Life Equation; a mathematical formula that would grant him absolute dominion over the universe. Later interpretations have changed the Equation to a sentient entity, or a primal force. In any case, the search for the Equation has led Darkseid and his forces to many planets. The Anti-Life Equation was first mentioned in Forever People issue 5 (Nov, 1971). In the Martian Manhunter series, during the story-arc "In my Life", issues 33 to 36 (Aug to Nov, 2001), it was mentioned that before messing with the Earth, Darkseid and his forces also meddled with Mars. Meaning that the New Gods have been at war for over 200,000 years!

(11)It was the only explanation I could think of.