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In the last chapter, it was revealed that
Shinji had been permanently handicapped by the loss of his
ability to feel. Though this enabled him to try and get close
to Asuka without getting pummeled, he finds instead that Asuka
starts to avoid him altogether. Depressed, Shinji sought refuge
at a secluded spot on a hill outside of Toyko-3. However,
Rei, who finally decides to reveal her feelings for him, seeks
him out and asks that he be with her for at lest that moment,
knowing all to well in turn that Shinji carried strong feelings
for the 2nd child. Things turn to a deeper end when Asuka
unexpectedly drop in on the two.
At the same time at that was happening, Gendo
discloses a little-known secret to Fuyutsuki, which if revealed,
could get him in very bad terms with Angela. Whilst, Kaji
encounters a familiar face within the ranks of the secret
organization known as OMBRA, of which he now belongs to.
What will happen between Rei, Shinji and Asuka?
Will Angela ever find out about Gendo's secret? What fate
awaits Kaji under the command of OMBRA (and his ex-girlfriend)?
Will I have to sell my soul to the devil to make this a successful
fanfic?
Who knows? 'cause I sure as hell don't…
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In a field on the outskirts of Toyko-03
Asuka: There's nothing to talk about!
Rei however, was not convinced of that, in
fact she knew that there was a lot that the two had to finally
get out. It was only a matter of getting Asuka to go along
with it without sustaining any bodily harm.
Rei: Shinji is not the one to blame, I am.
Asuka: So, your admitting you're a slut?!
Rei: No. Though I admit that I believe that
I love Shinji. If my understanding of love is correct.
Asuka: …y… you… love…
him?
Rei: But his heart already yearns for someone
else and you know very well who it is.
Asuka: What do I care! What would I want with
that pathetic loser!
Asuka was so consumed in her own anger that
she failed to notice one of the rarest phenomena
she would ever witness. An enraged Rei. In her stubbornness
Asuka didn't realize that she was on dangerous grounds.
Rei: If you continue to hurt Shinji, then
I shall be forced to remove you from his reach. Only then,
will he have peace.
Asuka: Are you threatening me!?
Rei: I made a promise to Shinji that I would
not fight you. But I can do other things… such as have
you transferred back to where you came from.
Asuka: You can't do that!!
At this point, Rei decided to utilize a little
technique she had mastered called 'bluffing', she had only
became aware of how good she was with it recently whilst playing
poker with Shinji.
Rei: I can refuse to pilot unless you are
transferred away. Who do you think Commander Ikari would rather
have?
She knew though, that Commander Ikari would
never stand for that. She was suppose to be his puppet, vital
to his plans, but still quite replaceable. However, as far
as everyone knew, and believed, Rei was the Commander's favorite.
Asuka believed that too, that was why Rei was going to exploit
that belief.
Asuka: Bitch!!! I hate you!! You hear me!
You complete whore!!!
Rei: I would rather you hate me for the rest
of eternity, than watch another minute of Shinji suffer this
continuous torment...
Asuka: How can you be so naïve!? Even
if I loved him back, he'll only end up leaving me like everyone
else did! In the end, I'm the one that gets hurt!
Rei: So you would condemn 'love' because of
your fear of 'pain'? Now who is the naïve one?! Living
'is' pain. I know this truth all too well, but it is love
and passion, that makes life worth living. The pain comes
from loneliness. At the same time, in this existence, we are
all alone, but the ability to forget that very fact is what
sustains us. Love gives us that ability to forget. Thus, you
would rather live a pitiful life, rejecting what actually
makes life worth living. Pretending that you do not know pain,
when pain all you know.
Voice: You know she's right.
Asuka jumped at the sound of a female voice
behind her.
Voice: Do you two always make this much noise
everywhere you go?
Asuka spun around but couldn't find the source.
Rei seemed a little puzzled too, but she at lest she wasn't
acting like a cornered animal. Unlike Asuka.
Asuka: W…who's there!! S…show yourself!!
Raising from where she had been lying. Angela
revealed herself to the two pilots, who then realized that
they had failed to spot her previously due to the long grass
of the open field.
Asuka (recognizing her as Conrad's step-mom):
What the hell are you doing here!?
Angela simply stood there, opened her arms
and slowly spun around. She then stopped and arched her head
upwards towards the night sky.
Both Asuka and Rei gave her blank looks.
Angela (annoyed that they didn't get it):
This 'IS' a public place you know… is it a crime for
me to be out here just to lay down and enjoy the clear night
sky? I was here already when you two came around and started
making a hell of a lot of noise.
Asuka: Y… you heard everything?
Angela's features strangely softened for some
reason. She knew it would be better if she didn't interfere
with the children's lives, but this girl did sort of remind
her of herself only a few years back. She knew her past, she
had been briefed on everything before she even arrived in
Tokyo-3. Save for Rei that is, considering that for all their
powers, even they had zilch on her.
Angela: I know that you probably don't want
to hear this, but Rei is right you know? You can't keep on
living like this, bottling up your feeling for others like
that. One day, it's going to kill you.
Asuka: How would you know?! You don't know
me!
Angela: Oh but I do. I know about your past
Asuka, but I don't worry, I won't tell Rei.
Rei: You do not have to worry, I already know
her past.
Angela: ?
Asuka: Oh god! Is nothing sacred anymore!?!
Has my private life became suddenly the subject of everyone's
attention!?!
Angela: No… I think Rei knew all along…
Rei: That is correct.
Asuka: And you?! What's your excuse?
Angela: Well, as it happens… I do work
in the security division at NERV.
Asuka: …
Angela (chuckling): Conrad's also been telling
me a lot about you children, he thinks that you probably really
do have a thing for Shinji… looks to me like he's right…
Asuka (blushing even more than before): T…that…
that sleaze ball. I'm gonna kill him when I get my hands on
him!! How dare he go around saying I like Shinji! I've got
my pride too you know! If people start thinking that I like
him it'll seem like he… he won me over or something!!!
Asuka was totally unprepared for the speed
in which Angela's mood darkened. There was something in the
young woman's eyes that suggested to her that she'd made the
wrong choice of words.
Angela: Pride? You haven't seen real pride
girl... I've stared into the eyes of true pride. The same
sunken eyes of so many men, women and children even younger
than you who starved to death, refusing help from others all
because of their lousy, stupid pride. That was the post second
impact era. But you still see those same eyes today, in the
guise of people like you. Maybe it's because you're spoilt.
You were one of the lucky ones who were shielded from the
post-impact years. But to everyone else, it was shear hell.
Angela walked over to Asuka, towering over
the red-head. Imposing, aggressive and intimidating. Their
hair fluttered wildly in the wind as she came to a halt in
front of her. She seemed so different from the same woman
she seemed only a few minutes ago.
Angela: I was only a little older than you,
when over half of the planet's population were lost. You think
that you're the only one to have lost your parents in painful
ways? I lost my father just before 2nd-Impact, whilst my mother
died during it. I had no relatives. No one who would take
care of me. No one NEEDED me. Do you know what happened to
a lot of kids who ended up like that in those days? They all
believed that they could handle everything on their own, and
for that they died. Oh sure, in the end they did come crawling
for help, but everyone was too busy trying to save themselves
that they couldn't even help those kids if they wanted to.
If you really want to know, we're are more alike than you'd
like to think Asuka.
Asuka: H…How would you know! We're nothing
alike!
At that point Angela brought up her arm, and
pulled down her sleeves. Asuka had to squint to see in the
darkness, but she could still make out several scars running
across Angela's wrist. She gasped, recognizing them as the
all too obvious marks of several attempted suicides.
Asuka: W… what…?
Angela: The only way I could survive back
then was to become like you I guess. Burying my feelings as
deep as I could, isolating myself from any emotional contact.
Judging my self-worth by achievements. I couldn't keep that
up though, in a space of a year I had tried to kill myself
three times. Eventually I joined the army, threw in it all
my skills and talent so that I had to succeed, to be the best.
Five years later I obtained the rank of Captain. Having a
goal kept me physically alive. But I wasn't living back then,
I was only running through the usual routines. Get your order.
Obey them. They point. You shoot. It was that simple. Don't
wait until you are forced to kill another human being with
your own bare hands before you realize that you've made a
mistake. My hands are stained with blood and can never be
washed clean.
Asuka: …
Angela: If you won't listen to me then at
least listen to you heart.
Asuka: … that's… what… Misato
once said…
Angela: Then why don't you do it?
Asuka: …
Angela: …
Asuka: …
Angela: You're a smart girl… stop hating
yourself for what you've already done and think more of how
much you'd hate yourself ten years from now if you keep this
up...
Asuka: …
Angela: And please… stop being such a
bitch to Rei, what she'd asking would be for you're only good
too. Don't blame her for 'knowing' herself better than you,
and before you think of saying another word… think about
it first… really think about it…
Switzerland, Antrum-3
Loren: Reports on the damage?
Peter: Antrum-6 has only two surviving domes,
the surface facilities have been completely washed away. Only
a dozen personnel have reported in so far. They are now still
trapped within those two remaining domes. One of the survivors
is Commander Hingata, he wishes to speak to you now, the signal's
very faint… they'd had to use a damaged emergency communication
buoy to up-link with our network and we don't know how much
longer can they sustain it.
Loren: Put him on screen.
Commander Hingata was one of the first few
people Loren had met when she was first recruited into OMBRA's
ranks. He was Hawaiian, one born from one of the many Japanese
families who inhabited the islands pre 2nd-Impact.
Hawaii was one of the few places, which actually
thrived after the disaster; this was due to its volcanic nature.
Even though much of it sunk beneath the rising waters, volcanic
activity increased to a point that magma constantly flowing
from the many surrounding volcanoes. This was later artificially
encouraged and in the space of a year the island had doubled
its size (the same technique was later used to expand Iceland
too).
It's many underwater thermal vents provided
a rich fertile area to support the newly developed sea-farms,
which were a direct result of the requirement to feed the
starving population of the world. In 2003, Hawaii gained independence
from mainland United States, the political turmoil created
by 2nd Impact and its newfound prosperity had enabled such.
At the time they met, even Hingata had found
her attitude to life quite unnerving, but eventually begun
to gain an understanding of her. He eventually became her
mentor, preparing her for her position as the Commander of
an entire base. Everything she'd learn was from him, she owed
him a lot, but one of the attributes of her personality was
that she would never regret, display sadness, or much emotion
at all, over something she couldn't have prevented.
Hingata: Loren… I'm glad that we could
make contact with you in time. I wish that the circumstances
in which I speak to you were better. The dome I'm in is severely
damaged, there is no way for me or any of the other survivors
of this dome to make our escape. However, I request that you
commence a priority recovery mission to retrieve the survivors
of the other dome and our research databases and vaults.
Loren: The beta segment of P023?
Hingata: Yes… it has been completed.
Fortunately we were able to transfer it into the deep bore
bunker before the shock waves struck. All of our research
data should also be there with it.
Loren: Your situation?
Hingata: The emergency pumps are failing,
the air filters won't hold up for much longer either. We have
little time left… the deep bore bunker codes are our
standard Alpha Gamma-encryption, though I fear that it may
in vain… You see… domes 23 and 24 have collapsed
on top of the entrance…
Loren: How bad?
Hingata: Quite… those were our two largest
domes, there must be tons of rubble and debris on top of it.
You won't be able to clear any time soon. Not before…
Loren: I see… very well, I shall pass
this on.
Hingata: I guess this is goodbye then…
Loren: Goodbye… Commander...
A loud crack was suddenly hear, followed by
the sound of the wall of water which crashed into the dome,
without any attempt to save himself, Commander Hingata simply
stood there, resigned to his fate, as the water slammed into
him, washing him clear of the screen.
The connection went silent.
Peter: We've lost the signal. Satellite scan
shows that the source dome imploded. The structure couldn't
handle it anymore I guess. Poor Hingata …
Loren: Take care of the recovery mission.
I'll be in conference.
Peter: Understood… What do we do about…
Lloyd Dexter? It could only have been him…
Loren: Send Danielle… tell her to take
Kaji too.
Peter: What!? Only Danielle and Kaji? I would
have thought that it would have been better to send an entire
sweeper team.
Loren: Too obvious and noticeable. He would
be able to spot them easily and consequently more than likely
setup an ambush that would result in the loss of the entire
team.
Peter: But shouldn't we at least send Angela
too? You know perfectly well, she's the only one who can match
Dexter.
Loren: She's too emotionally involved, she
won't be able to keep it professional, and therefore she will
only be a hindrance. Besides I've got another job for her.
Peter: What about Kaji? Why are you sending
him?
Loren: He can take care of himself.
Peter: …
The next day in New York
Kaji and Danielle sat in a metallic blue convertible
in one of the many slums, which sprouted in New York after
2001. Such a luxury car was rare in the muddy and rather criminally
active area. Thus it was not surprising that they were not
unnoticed by the local population. The rising water had actually
swallowed much of the city, but the Americans were able to
save or recover a large proportion of it by raising a seawall,
as had many of the other major port cities in the world.
Kaji: So tell me again why we're here?
Danielle ( signing ): Yesterday, a SEELE agent
infiltrated our base Hawaiian base and sabotaged its power
supply. The whole base was shut down and was completely defenseless
against two Sub-Orbital 1-29A-stealth bombers armed with N2s.
Kaji: … how many died?
Danielle: At least fifteen hundred…
Kaji: … So… where's the sweeper
team?
Danielle: We're it.
Kaji: Whatdaya mean it's only us!?! Are you
saying we're the only ones sent to retire a guy who's capable
of wiping out one of your bases almost single-handedly!?!
Danielle: If you put it in that way…
yes.
Kaji: Whom exactly are we dealing with here?
Danielle: That would be Major Lloyd Dexter,
former Elite of the British Marines and the UN Special Ops.
They both officially discarded him on the basis of his atrocity
records. He was known to get the job done but would quite
often use pretty unpleasant and messy means to achieve it,
with total disregard for human life.
Kaji: He has a history with one of you…
I mean us, now… doesn't he?
Danielle: You're perceptive, I'll give you
that Kaji. Yes you are right. He is what you might call Angela
Lervino's arch-rival, or rather SEELE counterpart. They've
matched wits on more than one occasion you see, and most of
those times neither of them came out of it unscathed. Although
we cannot confirm it, Dexter also claims he killed Angela's
father pre-impact.
Kaji: I see… that would be 'history'
alright…
Danielle: We've been able to trace Dexter
into this abandoned section of the city, I strongly suspect
he's already detected us…
Kaji: Oh that's just great…
Danielle brought up a pair of binoculars and
scanned the surrounding building for any signs of life. After
failing to find any, she switched it to thermal imaging, again
to no avail.
Danielle: Damn it… he's got to be here
somewhere…
Kaji: Maybe he's far gone by now…
Danielle: Shit! Get down!
The woman ducked her head just in time before
the rapid firing rounds from an Ingram special shattered the
windows of the car. Kaji had been smart enough to listen to
her and was now laying on his side in the cramped front seat
of the car with Danielle.
Kaji: Ingrams specials…! Hired gangers…?
After the development of newer and better
weapons, old guns always found themselves sold cheaply on
the black markets before long. This was especially with the
case of Ingram fully automatic sub-machineguns, which became
the 'official' standard must-have US gangland weapon about
a decade ago.
Danielle: Bloody hell, there must be at least
a dozen of them out there… and I'm only carrying this
pea-shooter of a 9mm.
Kaji: Hey hey! Lucky for us I brought something
heavier.
From underneath the passenger seat, Kaji pulled
out a briefcase and quickly opened it. Inside was a small
cache of several guns and grenades.
Danielle: The hell! What the fuck are you
doing with that shit! You're not cleared for that stuff yet!
Kaji ( grinning ): Well… it was a present
from Miriam in Ordinance…
Danielle: The poor girl… thought she
had better taste…
Kaji: Can we like… concentrate on the
present for a moment?
Danielle: Right! Pass me a coupla Frags and
the MetStorms.
He passed her a small cylindrical object that
was in fact a fragmentation-type grenade, and what seemed
like a large pistol and rifle which both possessed quad barrels.
Kaji: I see you like it messy…
Danielle: Just grab something and let's go!
Kaji: I'll just take the Thompson Automatics,
alright?
Danielle: Yeah whatever! On my mark…
get set… go!
With those words, Danielle hurled a fragmentation
round through the car's shattered windows. As the grenade
exploded in a fiery conflagration, they both threw themselves
out of the car, and begun running like hell towards the nearest
cover they could find, taking care to keep a mental note of
where the shots where coming from.
NERV Command
Not a single soul was present in the large
cavernous hall that was the NERV Command Bridge. All personnel
had retired to their homes or living quarters, the Magi were
left to run their standard self-maintenance routines. However,
if one were to listen carefully, they would hear a gentle
tapping sound on metal, it then became obvious that it was
the sounds footsteps, which became louder and louder, over
lapping the soft hum emitted by the Magis. With a small hiss,
the automatic doors opened and a figure stepped inside, he
was not a night security guard, he was not even of NERV. Strangely
enough, the alarm was never raised. He would never appear
on any of the security monitors even as he passed straight
in front of them.
Stopping momentarily to admire the sight,
he continued his pace until he reached his objective; the
Magi super-computers. Slowly, he ran his hand over the cold
metal shell of Caspar, mesmerized by it.
Figure: I'm home… mother…
Back in New York
The gunfight lasted only about ten minutes,
the surviving gangers retreating to lick their wounds and
avoid the police (who would arrive for another half an hour).
Danielle ejected the spent shells from her MetStorm pistol
and regarded the area. They'd sure made a mess, and from the
looks of it the gangers were actually only a bunch of rookies…
Why did Dexter use such incompetents? Was he playing a game
with them? Something just didn't feel right…
Kaji was bent over one of the gangers they'd
wounded and wasn't able to crawl away in time. He couldn't
have been older than 18 Kaji noted. The mangled mess that
was one of his legs had been riddled with holes from Danielle's
pistol. He whimpered in pain as Kaji attempted to interrogate
him. It was always the same, Kaji thought, these whelps all
act like tough and macho trigger happy thugs, but when most
of them get shot at by someone who knows how to use a gun,
they turn into mush and piss in their pants. The only reason
the one was talking was because Kaji promised to give him
some painkillers for the info.
Wounded ganger: Who the fuck are you people
huh!? FBI? CIA?
Kaji: Hey! We're asking the questions here…
tell me again 'bout the guy that hired you!
Wound ganger: Fuck man! I told you already,
the bastard just walked into our place and told us he'd give
us a grand each for snuffin' u two… Fuck! He could have
told us you were going to shoot the shit outta us! And that
bitch of yours, why the fuck did she had to go and blow my
fucking leg off!?!
Kaji: Tough luck… you tried to kill us
remember. And I don't suggest you let her hear you call her
that.
Wound ganger: Your mama!
Danielle: Give it up, you won't get anything
useful from him, and besides, Dexter's too smart for that.
The next thing she knew. A sharp stinging
pain surge through her leg. A high powered round, from an
unseen sniper, smashed into her left thigh, ripping through
flesh and shattering the bone. Danielle fell onto the ground
with a cry, clutching her wound in agony.
Kaji: Danielle!!
Wounded ganger: Ha! Take that yo bitch! Serves
you right for fucking up ma leg..!!!
Before he could relish Danielle's predicament
any further, he was cut short by the loud crack of another
shot. This time ripping through the ganger's jugular and cutting
off his spine, almost tearing his head off at the same time.
He managed one last unintelligible gurgle and toppled over,
blood spilling from his shredded arteries.
Not wanting to meet the same fate, Kaji threw
himself into a roll towards Danielle, quickly he hefted her
up and carried her into a nearby abandoned building. Kaji
then proceeded to place her down carefully in a corner. He
tore up some rags he found laying about and attempted to stanch
the blood flood with it.
As soon as he was done he went over to the
doorway and carefully peeked outside. It was getting dark
and it was beginning to rain. He knew he had to get Danielle
some medical attention soon, before she bled to death. But
the bastard must be still out there.
Danielle ( moaning through clenched teethes
): ..K…Kaji…
Kaji: I… I don't see him.
Danielle: He's gone… He wasn't here for
the kill, he just wanted to warn us… and cause…
pain…
Kaji: What do you mean?
Danielle: He's like Angela… doesn't miss…
with a clear shot… he could have killed both of us…
easily…
Kaji: …Ok… I guess you know what
you're talking about… let's get you to a doctor…
NERV Command, the next day
Maya: Sempai… have you accessed my terminal
this morning?
Ritsuko: No… why?
Maya: It's just… well… it sounds
silly, but it feels like someone's being using my terminal…
it's just a feeling though…
Ritsuko ( in good humor ): Hmmm… Have
you asked Aoba or Hyuga if they've being inviting people to
play LAN games on the Command Bridge again?
Hyuga ( protesting his innocence ): That's
not fair ma'am. We've only done that once… just to see
what it was like…
Hyuga ( mumbling under his breath ): …and
man did it run…
Ritsuko: Well… you two are still lucky
I didn't report that to the Commander, or he'd busted your
asses back to the janitorial crew. Or worse…
Aoba ( with a gulp ): Yes ma'am… we know…
and we appreciated it.
Hyuga: Ma'am?
Ritsuko: What is it now?
Hyuga: There's something strange here…
The Magi apparently engaged in some seriously heavy data transfer
last night…
Ritsuko: Was the data uploaded or downloaded?
Hyuga: That's what's strange Ma'am, it did
both, according to the records, the Magi was sharing massive
amounts of data with someone or something…'who' or 'what'
however can not be confirmed…
Maya: Sempai! Could have someone hacked into
the Magi again?!
Ritsuko: …
Hyuga: I'd thought of that but… last
night, the Magi had cut itself off from all network connections
other than it's direct line with the other Magis abroad…
that would mean that a person would have to break into the
Command bridge physically, and that's impossible…
Ritsuko ( whispering to herself ): Unless…
mother allowed it…
Maya: What was that sempai?
Ritsuko: Oh! Nothing, just thinking out loud…
no, it sounds to me that the Magi 'convened' with one or more
of the other Magis abroad, which isn't an uncommon thing.
As to why that wasn't recorded I don't know, but leave it
to me… I'll check it out myself…
Hyuga: Yes Ma'am.
Later… Pilot Ikari Synchronization
test
Maya: …three… two… one…
borderline… synchronization confirmed.
Inside the test plug, the unprepared Shinji
was overwhelmed by the tide of sensations which, crashed into
him. Having been denied his sense of touch and feeling for
as long as he had, Shinji didn't even try to repress his urge
to cry.
This did not go unnoticed by Misato, standing
in the nearby observation booth, who seemed to watch over
him like a hawk more than ever these days.
Misato: Shinji! What's wrong! Does it hurt?!
What she received was sniggers…
Misato ( scared that he'd finally lost it
): Shinji? Ritsuko! What the hell's wrong!
Ritsuko: Nothing! I didn't do anything! Did
I?
Shinji: No! No! Everything's all right Misato!
Misato ( looking puzzled ): Explain?
Shinji ( taking a deep breath, or in his case
a mouthful of LCL ): The irony of it… Here… in this
thing… I can feel Misato… in here… I can feel…
Ritsuko: My god! Why didn't I think of it
before! But he's not feeling what his body feels… He'd
feeling what the Eva feels… normally, everything except
for the sense of balance, contact or extreme pain is overridden
by the senses of his own body, but he doesn't have those anymore…
Misato: So they're kinda like running piggy-back
over what he would normally be feeling…?
Ritsuko: If you want to put it so crudely…
yes…
Maya: S…sempai? Shinji's sync ratio…
Ritsuko: It's… stabilizing at… ninety-four
percent…!?
Misato: How is this possible!?
Ritsuko ( staring at the data ): Well…
for starters he can feel everything that the Eva feels, so
that certainly is sure to boast is empathy with the Eva. However
I also think this was the truth all along. How it always has
been… the only difference is that now… Shinji actually
WANTS to be synchronized with Eva…
Misato glanced down at the data, and then
turned her attention to the Comm window linked to Shinji.
When she saw the smile on his face, she just knew that Ritsuko
was right.
Now, the question was… who was going
to tell Asuka?
Maya: Major? Why are you staring at me like
that?
The girl in question was seated in the cafeteria.
Strangely enough, seated on the same table next to her were
Rei, and Touji. After last night's incident, Rei found that
she could no longer predict the 2nd's actions, it seemed that
her 'talk' and Angela's input had shaken the nature of the
fiery red-head. However, she was surprised that Asuka seem
to bare no malice whatsoever towards her for making those
threats at having her transferred. Even more surprised when
she was invited to lunch along side with Touji.
Asuka: So… Touji… how's your pilot
training been treating you?
Touji looked up from his bowl of wonton noodles
soup and stared at her like if she'd just sprouted another
head and turned into a daemon of some sort ( complete with
tail and forked-tongue ).
Touji: Hey…! What are you up to? Since
when'd you start caring 'bout us plebes...!
Asuka: Fine! I was just being nice!
She turn away from him with a scoff, strangely
facing Rei instead ( who was enjoying… ok…ok…'simply'
having some vegetable soup ,and hey, this is cafeteria food
after all ), he continued to scrutinise her… trying to
see any signs of deception or treachery…
Touji: It's…it's going fine… what's
it to you?
Asuka ( turn her head ): I just wanted to
know how my teammates are faring.
Touji: Uh huh… ok… well then…
what's up with you? Why did you bring us here…
Asuka: I… well… I just wanted to
say…
Touji: Come on… spit it out…
Touji ( he noticed Rei had looked up to stare
at him with her mouth full ): Figuratively of course…
Asuka: Well…I was saying…I'msorryforbeeninganutterbitchandthat'stheendofitsonowjustshutupandeat,
can you pass me the salt please…
Touji just stared at her…
Rei just stared at her…
Touji: She's probably on drugs, drunk, or
possibly has a braining eating tumor… but it could just
be that talk Conrad's mom gave you must have been really something…
Asuka: HOW'D YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT!!!?
Touji: Errr… I asked Rei this morning
what's up with you… so she told me what happened…
Asuka: Rei!
Rei: Yes?
Asuka: You do know that some things you're
suppose to keep to yourself you know!
Rei: Yes?
Asuka: Then why…!? Oh forget it…
I don't want to know…
Rei: I hope you have come to realize what
should be done now…
Asuka: You mean…
Rei: About Shinji.
Touji: What was that about Shinji…? You
mean you two…!? Damn! It's about time! Now I can go and
collect my money off Kensuke.
Asuka: WHAT!! You mean you've been betting
on people's relationships!!!
Touji: Only on who's gonna get to go out with
either you or Shinji… talk to Kensuke about it, he's
the one who's been running the betting tables…
Asuka: Oh 'I' will…
Rei: You still haven't answered me.
Asuka: … I will talk to him…
Touji: Only? Awwww!!
Rei: It is a start…
Maya: Excuse me…
The trio turned around to find the woman standing
in front of them, she was clutching a small clipboard as if
her life depended on it. It was obvious to all three pilots
that she was nervous… 'very' nervous.
Rei: Lieutenant Ibuki…
Asuka: …
Touji: Ma'am…
Maya: Errr… I've just come from Shinji's
synchronization test… and I… have the results…
Touji: So… how'd Shinji do?
Asuka ( interrupting ): Wait a minute…
you wouldn't normally be bothered to tell us something as
trivial as that… unless…
Rei ( finishing of for her ): …there
is something wrong…
Maya: Well… I wouldn't say there is something
wrong…
Asuka: So what was is it… that Misato
would send you, rather than telling us… or 'me' herself…
Maya: Well… we… all know on how
much you pride yourself on your high sync ratio Asuka…
Asuka: Oh here it comes… Shinji the invincible
got higher than I did 'again' didn't he?
Maya: You… better see the results for
yourself…
The young Lieutenant hesitantly handed the
clipboard to Asuka… bracing herself the explosion, which
was sure to come next.
But it never came…
Sure… Asuka's eyes 'did' bulge at the
sight of the numbers… but strangely enough, she did not
go ballistic like she normally would have. Instead, she scanned
through the information in front of her and laid the clipboard
down. This gave both Rei and Touji a chance to have a look
for themselves. Touji gasped. Rei looked just kept on looking
like Rei.
Touji: Holy!
Then, they all turned their attentions on
Asuka. Attempting to find a reaction of some sort in her.
But her face was blank. What she did was to calmly push her
chair back and stood up.
Asuka: Excuse me… I have to go and see
someone.
She then walked towards the door, however
when she heard the sound of another chair being pushed back,
she could only assume correctly that Rei had, in fact, gotten
up to follow her. Asuka came to a halt and spoke without turning
back.
Asuka: Don't worry Rei. I'm not going to hurt
him.
She then left the room without another word.
For the first time since she'd arrived to
Tokyo-3, Angela had requested an appointment with Commander
Ikari. This would be the first time she would meet him face
to face. Or at least she believed so.
She had received a phone call only recently
from her real employees, informing her about Antrum-06's fate,
and from simple the way the operation had been carried out,
she knew in her heart that this was the work of Lloyd Dexter.
Commander Boucein also informed her that it was time to make
an official contact with NERV and offer a limited alliance
in exchange of certain 'favors'. She also prohibited her to
skip off and go gunning for Dexter right now, she had a more
important job to do.
She was to be their mediator, so thus, it
fell to her to face Gendo Ikari. She was not surprised when
as soon as she made the request, she was told that the Commander
would see her now. For those reasons, she was now standing
in front of Ikari and his lapdog; Fuyutsuki, in that dark,
but spacious office of his.
Gendo: Captain Angela Lervino… what brings
you here?
The way he said those words reminded her of
the old man: Keel Lorenz, when SEELE first recruited her.
She forced herself to avoid shivering at the memory.
Angela: You know who I am, you know whom I
represent. You will listen to me.
Gendo: Is that so…?
Angela: OMBRA wishes to offer you a treaty,
a limited alliance against SEELE. We know that you plan to
cut all connects with SEELE in the near future, we can provide
'assistance' when that time arrives. In return, you must 'loan'
us one of your Evangelion units for a period of three weeks
among other 'things'.
Gendo: And may I ask… why should even
consider an alliance with OMBRA, let alone 'lend' you an Evangelion?
Fuyutsuki: Not to mention your intrusion in
battle against the 13th Angel.
Angela: I take full responsibility for the
incident with the Angel. OMBRA had nothing to do with that.
Also, in anticipation to you lack of trust, I have been authorized
to give you access to a secure channel to my direct superior.
Gendo: Very well…
The code was passed on and before long a holographic
screen appeared next to Angela. It was Loren, seated in her
chair within the safety of Antrum-3
Gendo: And who might I have the pleasure of
meeting…
Loren: I am Commander Boucien of the organization
known as OMBRA.
Gendo was quite surprised at her at being
both a woman and so young at the same time, but he would not
show to the others around him. He however, noticed a small
smile on Loren, and suspected that the woman could read him
better than anyone else. The only one who had been able to
do that before was Yui. Inwardly, he winced at the thought.
Loren: I trust you've heard of the recent
incident with the N2 mines in Hawaii. That, as you probably
guessed, was the work of SEELE. Their target happened to be
one of our largest research facilities. I would inform you
that at this very moment, a retaliatory strike against SEELE
is in progress even as we speak. Their hidden base underneath
Dajian Shan in southern China will be annihilated in a matter
on minutes.
Gendo ( obviously knowing of the base she
was talking about ): And how would you set to achieve this?
The Daijian Shan base possesses defense barriers that rival
our own; they could withstand one or even two N2 strikes.
Loren: The Janus platform.
Gendo: Refresh my memory…
Angela: It's an orbital solar platform built
and launched by Fulmen Energy Inc. It was designed to reach
a geo-synchronous orbit above a solar power plant in the Australian
outback to increase its effectiveness.
The Janus platform utilizes an extensive array
of mirrors to deflect an almost constant beam of light to
the power plant, more than doubling its output. With the development
of the DTEC ( Direct Thermal-Energy Conversion ) system by
Fulmen in 2012, solar power produced by the corporation has
become one of the most economic, though still unreliable,
source of energy in the world. One of the reasons, which made
the Janus platform so effective, was that it made the plant
a much more reliable source of power. Most of Australia currently
relies on the Fulmen outback power plant, as it's primary
energy source. Geo-thermal plants were also extremely effective,
but could only be built where the earth's crust was thin enough.
Gendo ( finally remembering it ): Correct
me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that the Janus
platform was not equipped with weapons, at least of not the
nuclear variety… nothing else would be able to breach
the base's armored barriers from that range.
Loren ( with a smile ): What is not know to
the public is that the solar cells on the platforms can generate
enough energy to power a working Maser cannon.
Fuyutsuki: You mounted an operational Maser
cannon… on an orbital platform? How?
Gendo ( giving a cunning smile ): It matters
not, it is certainly not the only weapons platform in orbit.
The others however, are generally armed with at the best,
low-yield missiles. The UN inspection crews can easily detect
the components of N2 warheads. As for the matter that they
developed a Maser comes to me little as a surprise, taking
into account that they've already managed a man portable Ion-rifle.
Angela ( glancing at her watch ): It's done.
It begun with a low hum, but immediately increased
into a crescendo of thunderous chaos. A scarlet beam of energy
sliced through the atmosphere of the planet. Its power was
enough to vaporize any living creature within its strike range.
The ground buckled and ignited into a fiery inferno when it
struck. The earth itself ripped asunder, revealing the heavy
armored barriers of bonded plasteel and carbon composites.
Even the high-grade thermal dissipaters were unable to match
the unbearable heat, which melted though the barriers like
a hot knife through butter. The beam then begun to spiral
outwards into a circle, slicing through the perimeter of the
entire base. Searching. Alone, the thin beam would not have
been able to do significant permanent damage to the base,
but that was not the case this time as it kept up its search
for a specific point.
Searching until the beam found their stockpile
of N2 mines.
Needless to say, the explosion could be seen
and heard from the cities of Guiyang and Kunming, both being
about two hundred kilometers away.
All there was left of the SEELE base was a
massive crater, which rivaled the size of a large meteor strike.
Of the mountain that was once known as Dajian Shan, there
was no evidence. There would be no survivors. Within an area
of twenty kilometers, complete sterilization had been achieved.
Loren: Awwww poor them… they had a little
accident. Too bad.
Angela clenched her teeth, suppressing the
anger she felt right now. Even though she was a friend of
Loren, she could not condone her total disregard for human
life, it was times like these she reminded her of Dexter.
The SEELE base had been know to employ at least nineteen hundred
men and women, the majority of which are totally oblivious
of SEELE's true intentions. Not including the inhabitants
of the towns within the area of effect. Now, there was nothing
left of them but ash. 'We had to burn the village to save
the village' she thought.
Loren: Check with the Magi if you want. You'll
see I'm right. You know the spot.
Without another thought, Gendo connected to
the Magi and dialed in the access codes for an observation
satellite. He entered the co-ordinates 27'N 103'E. The Magi
systematically redirected him to a GSS-class satellite within
range and ordered it to bring in sight the co-ordinates given.
The image of a massive crater appeared next
to the one containing Loren. The scans showed that they had
to in fact strain the sensors to receive any image at all,
a cloud of dust, ash and debris still hovered over the area
like a raging storm.
Gendo: And… what did you wish from us?
For this… treaty…
Loren: Nothing much, we will inform your pilot
at their arrival. You can send us whichever one you want,
it matters little to us…
Gendo: What assurances do we have that you
will return the unit?
Loren: Other than this, we have no need for
it… You see, if we wanted an Evangelion, we would already
have built one. And trust me… we wouldn't have a problem
with pilots neither.
Gendo: …
Loren: I will tell you one thing though, what
I need the Eva for, Keel is not going to like it.
Gendo: Your proposal is intriguing, but I
must insist that you can provide us with a more current advantage
than a promise of aid against SEELE.
Loren ( with a grin ): How about instead I
make your life a living hell, and order a ground strike on
Unit-01's location… hmmm?
Gendo ( his expression darkened ): Is that
a threat?
Loren ( ever smiling ): You tell me…
I hear you use them quite often.
Fuyutsuki ( turning to Angela ): You knew
about this?
Angela: No. She never tells me anything until
the last minute. I do know she's quite willing to leave me
here in your hands after nuking the Eva too. I believe you
could label me under her 'replaceable' list.
Fuyutsuki ( disbelief on his face ): And you
are OK with that?
Angela ( in a serious tone ): The only difference
between you and me is that I know were I really stand. Isn't
that right Commander Ikari?
Fuyutsuki: …
Gendo: Enough… it seems that you leave
me no choice. I will assign Unit-02 under your temporary command
for a maximum period of three weeks. You may inform pilot
Sohryu yourself Captain…
Angela: Somehow… I knew you'd be giving
us the little minx.
Shinji stood on the edge of the ramps, which
overlooked the colossal body of Unit-01. He'd finally managed
to gather the will to get out of the test plug. He was still
obviously depressed over that fact that he was back to being
unable to feel anything, but knowledge that he was able to
feel through the Eva gave him much needed hope to face the
coming days with a more positive out look. Whoever would have
guessed only a little while ago, that by today, he would be
relishing every minute with Eva.
Asuka: Shinji.
He whirled around that the sound of her voice.
He was prepared however, having been informed by Misato of
his sudden boost in piloting sync and of the probable reasons
behind it. Even he knew that this was unavoidable.
Shinji: Asuka…
Strangely, he found it hard to read her, in
contrast to all the other times. Her face expressionless,
her voice balanced. If he didn't know any better he'd think
that she wasn't angry at all.
Shinji: ?
She approached him cautiously, walking over
to the edge where he was standing but not directly where he
was. Asuka then came to a stop, but kept facing Unit-01 rather
than Shinji.
Asuka: You know… A few days ago, knowing
that a spineless wimp like you could beat me. I would have
torn out your spine…
Even though he knew she could not possibly
hurt him physically, Shinji instinctively gulped.
Asuka: But… this is not a few days ago.
You have changed. Even wonder girl's changed… 'I' have
changed... A few days ago I thought that being a genius made
me capable of understanding everything and knew everything.
That was why I could never admit that there are things, which
even I don't understand. I did not realized that even I did
not 'know' myself, let alone able to judge you for what I
thought you were…
Shinji: Y…you don't know yourself…?
But now you do…?
Asuka ( looking downwards, into the murky
depths of the coolant lake ): No… I cannot know myself,
until I know what I am to you…
Shinji: W…what you are… to me? Asuka…
I think I lo…
Asuka ( interrupting ): No. Don't tell me
that you even think you…'love' me, do not use that word
so lightly. With that word comes more than just physical attraction.
With that word also comes the possibility of pain, and 'I'
am not ready for that.
Shinji: I see. How about I put it this way…
at this very moment… you are the person that matters
to me the most. Is this answer… satisfactory?
Asuka: I… Yes…
Shinji: Do you now know yourself…
Asuka: A little better… but not enough
yet. Now I need to find out where exactly 'you' stand in my
life.
Shinji: I… understand…
Asuka: Maybe… you do…
Shinji: I hope you can find your answer eventually…
and when you do… you know where to find me.
Asuka ( smiling ): You know for once…
I'm not angry that wonder girl was right…
Shinji: …
Asuka: Shinji… if I find that my feeling
is not mutual to yours… even I'm not so blind as not
to see how much Rei has become so devoted to you. You WILL
then forget about me and never turn back.
Shinji: …
Asuka ( suddenly turning towards him ): And
I case you think you've gotten away with beating my score
AND kissing Rei, then I have news for you! Even though I can't
beat you up, you'll still have to make it up for me with something
else!
Asuka ( grinning an inch away from Shinji's
face ): Understood!?
Shinji ( sweatdropping ): Yes Ma'am!
With the tension gone, the two pilots burst
out laughing, both feeling a great weight hand finally been
lifted off their shoulders. For the first time in weeks, they
felt happy and without a care in the world.
This was however to be short lived.
Angela: Asuka…
Asuka turned around to find the Captain standing
with her arms crossed. She had a look on her face, which suggest
that the young girl might not like what she was about to tell
her.
Angela: Asuka, I'm afraid you and Unit-02
will be leaving Toyko-3 for three weeks, the reasons for which
are classified. Briefing will occur at 1800 hours in the Briefing
room nine. I expect you there on time.
Asuka & Shinji: What?!
Asuka: Where the hell am I going and why hasn't
Misato come to tell me about this herself!?
Angela: The mission is classed Special Ops
and because the Major doesn't even know about it yet.
Asuka: So why do 'you' know about it!?
Angela: You'll see.
With those words, Angela turned around and
left the two without another word. Leaving them totally bewildered
and confused as hell.
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