Neon Senshi Evangelion
Twenty Two
Shingo Tsukino got briefed in on the latest Angel attack before the daily staff meeting. Most of the top staff saw the same film, along with various UN reports.
"HOW did they know it had a split core?" Kodama asked, frowning.
"I've always assumed NERV knew more about the Angels than we were told," Naoko Akagi said flatly.
"Apparently Asuka saw the split mask and intuited something was off," Shingo noted the official story.
Everyone at the table looked dubious at that.
Changing the subject Shingo looked over at Naoko and asked, "How is the new Jet Alone cockpit coming along?"
"We're making progress. We have a design, and have roughed up prototypes," Naoko said, "we're still working on leaking issues and a better wetsuit/plugsuit combination." She shrugged, "Mostly fiddly bits."
"I think flooding Jet Alone is more than fiddly bits," Caroline noted, teleconferencing from the US. "especiallv with the nuclear reactor on board." She usually stood in for Cave Johnson, who was more erratic to deal with.
"On the scale of something the size of Jet Alone," Naoko smiled at them grimly as she said, "it's still fiddly bits."
"Point," Caroline conceded.
"How's the pilot doing?" Shingo moved on.
Char Harris smiled a bit shyly. "Really well, sir," she answered, "she's doing well in the simulator, other than wanting to practice too long."
"Huh?" Shingo blinked.
"She REALLY likes practicing," Naoko conceded, "If you don't yank her out, she'll just keep on going..."
Char looked sheepish, having failed to do that, once...
Shingo nodded, "Well, remind her to take breaks."
There was a brisk knock on the conference room door, and the new head of security hurried in. "Sorry, everyone," Haruka Tenoh said briskly, "we had an emergency."
"Emergency?" Both Naoko and Shingo echoed.
"Industrial espionage," Haruka took a pair of documents and passed them over to Shingo and Naoko, then she took a seat.
"WHAT?" Naoko yelped.
"Ryk Carriger, a employee working in our janitorial department. He illegally accessed main databases, we caught him with USB drives containing classified data," Haruka explained.
Shingo looked impressed as he remarked, "And you managed to do this only a few days after we hired you?"
"It's partially because our perp was dumb," Haruka cheerfully admitted, "he panicked, and was getting ready to run. That made him sloppy, and set off several flags I set up."
"Well done," Naoko acknowledged. "What was he after? And for whom?"
"We're still going through the USB drives," Haruka admitted, "but he had Jet Alone tech, as well as information on Naoko's unique computer systems."
"I'm both complimented and annoyed at being targeted," Naoko muttered.
"Who sent them?" Caroline asked flatly.
"Ryk has had semi regular contact with a mid-level employee of Gulf and Bradley, a US Texas based tech firm," Haruka said, "but we're still digging."
Quickly Shingo added, "Caroline, sit on Cave for a bit. We don't want him doing anything rash, like sending in an assault team."
"Right," Caroline conceded.
"Any updates from security?" Shingo asked her. He smiled wryly as he added, "Other than this, of course."
"Most of the changes we're putting in are behind the scenes," Haruka admitted, "though you will notice new ID cards we're issuing. They will also function as key cards, and will log your access to certain areas." She added, "I think that's what panicked our spy..."
Naoko looked mildly peeved, "Why didn't we have that earlier?"
"Cost," Haruka answered bluntly. "I went over the files, our bosses were cost cutting as they were concerned we wouldn't get the deal with the military."
Shingo felt a twinge of shame at that. Clearly he should have been pressing for more security funding...
"I'll have a ful report on changes in a day or so," Haruka added. "I want to add any changes we need due to the security breech too."
"Makes sense," Shingo agreed.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"Hey, everybody," Mana Kirishima waved, the gangly teen hurrying into class.
"You were nearly late," Hikari chided.
"Sorry," Mana said sheepishly. She was living alone in a apartment in Tokyo-3 with Maya Ibuki. While Maya was a nice person and tried to be a good guardian, their schedules didn't always line up. Often Maya was gone before Mana awoke...
"Morning," Shinji smiled warmly, and his sister Rei waved.
Mana blushed slightly as she met Rei's gaze, then looked away. She quickly got to her seat and sat down, hanging her book bag on the side of her desk.
"Morning, everyone," Miss Haruna waved as she came in.
"Stand!" Hikari ordered the class, "Bow!"
"Yes, yes," Haruna waved that off as she got to the desk. She took attendance then started class.
"Did you hear about the new music teacher?" Toji whispered quietly.
The Evangelion (and Jet Alone) pilots had all been busy, so none of them had heard.
"She's GORGEOUS," Ken informed them. He pouted, "Sadly, she's married."
"How did you find that out so fast?" Rei had to ask.
"She told us," Hikari added quietly explaining, "she probably knew these idiots would be drooling over her."
"Would one of you like to come up here and complete the problem?" Haruna interrupted them.
"Busted..." Shinji muttered.
Class continued, then they went over to the music room to meet the rumored new teacher.
"Welcome," Michiru Kaoru smiled warmly, the gorgeous, light green haired woman dressed in a sleek pant-suit.
Mana had to agree, she was good looking. And, as expected, was wearing a wedding ring. What bothered Mana was the odd feeling of familiarity...
Rei leaned over, the black haired girl murmuring, "Why do I feel like we've met?"
Mana found the sweet smell of Rei wash over her, and was distracted a moment. "Wasn't she a concert violinist? Maybe we saw video of her." she suggested.
Rei frowned, "Maybe."
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Michiru Kaoru studied the students as she taught. The matching up with the Sailor Scouts were almost frighteningly obvious... Rei was Sailor Mercury, Shinji was Tuxedo Kamen, and Mana was Sailor Jupiter.
'And Misato is Moon, along with Mari as Venus,' Michiru thought. She wondered if the kids were aware to any degree... she certainly was drawing thoughtful gazes from Rei and Mana. She made a note to ask Setsuna about it later.
Cheerfully Michiru finished, "As I understand it, the music club at the school was closed due to lack of interest. I'm interested in re-starting it, so please let me know if you want to join."
Everyone looked dubious other than Shinji, which was her intent.
"All right, class dismissed," Michiru sent them on their way.
"Good luck restarting the music club," Miss Haruna noted.
Politely Michiru said, "If I can inspire even a few students, it would be worth it."
Haruna gave her a dubious look, then left.
Michiru tidied up, waiting for the next class. Of all the reincarnates, Shinji was the only one to not obviously manifest. There WAS the possibility he wasn't Tuxedo Kamen, of course... but if THAT was true, they would have to search for him. Complicated.
"Class 3-A is here," the teacher cheerfully called.
.
"Welcome," Michiru smiled.
To be continued...
Notes: Mostly Jet Alone focused this time. Still undecided if Shinji is actually Tuxedo Kamen or not. I'm VAGUELY tempted to have a lady classmate be Sailor Earth...