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In the last chapter, Asuka is confronted by
unexpectedly both Rei and Angela. She decides finally that
she would give her feeling towards Shinji a chance to blossom.
Her timing is however, quite unfortunate, as in complying
with NERV's forceful alliance with OMBRA, Unit-02 and it's
pilot is to be shipped off and placed under full command of
OMBRA for a period of three whole weeks. A lot can happen
in three weeks. OMBRA has revealed itself to be quite resourceful,
having demonstrated their power by annihilating a SEELE base
in retaliation to the destruction of their own.
Who is the mysterious figure who was able
to penetrate NERV's security without being detected? For what
reason does OMBRA require the use of an Eva unit? What fate
awaits Shinji and Rei with the coming of the fifteenth Angel?
When will I have a mental break down and go on a rampage with
a pump-action shotgun?
Hehehe… I'm feeling… a little disgruntled…
hahahahah!!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Location: Outback Australia, The Red
Center, precise coordinates unknown, 0300 hours local time
The massive black winged carrier skimmed across
the terrain as smoothly as a bird. Simply taking into account
it's size, it wasn't hard to guess that the skills involved
in maintaining balance at such low altitudes in total darkness
were unachievable without the aid of an infra-red guiding
beacon. Flying in the same direction for several kilometers
by now, it had kept itself below radar coverage since entering
Australian airspace.
Primarily it was because its entry to the
country was unauthorized, but also because it wished to avoid
revealing it's final destination to the wrong parties.
Within minutes, the carrier reached a preset
position and disengaged the multiple locks with which it held
its precious cargo. Upon release, the giant body of Unit-02
slid off the carrier's ramp, falling a few stories, the unit
was easily able to land on it's own two feet, thus avoided
causing too much damage to the surrounding terrain. The Eva
rose from its crouched position and regarded the carrier,
which was already now fading off into the darkness, out of
the range of her echo scans.
Asuka: Shiest!
Asuka had been sitting in the Unit's entry
plug for close to five hours now, she was aching badly all
over the her body and was in quite frankly, a shitty mood.
Things had not improved when she noted through her Eva's tracker,
that the spare batteries were landing way off target and had
scattered several kilometers from their designated pick-up
point. Wasting no time, the multi-ton machine bounded across
the landscape, desperate to reach the batteries before the
Unit's own internal batteries ran dry.
Asuka: If I get stranded out here, those carrier
pilots are going to get a piece of my mind ( and fists ) when
I get back!
Fortunately, Asuka was able to locate them
without any further problems and fitted her spare batteries
in only a few seconds through practiced skills.
Asuka: Now… where was I supposed to go
again? That's right! 20' Westwards!
Without another thought, the red Eva again
made haste across the great Australian outback. A few Kangaroos
were scared shitless by the appearance of the red monstrosity
in the middle of the night but Asuka had thoughtfully avoided
trampling over any of them. Almost using her full reserve
power, she was able to reach an entrance to a large canyon,
to which she immediately entered.
Asuka: Oh this is just great!
The girl was obviously not very happy that
the canyon had turned out to be a dead end, it did not help
her situation when she realized she had only about forty seconds
of power left. Seeing that there wasn't much else she could
do at this point, Asuka switched the Eva into minimal operation
mode. She hoped she would be able to locate the base on her
own two feet before attempting to reach it with her precious
remaining power.
Asuka dropped off her Eva and landed carefully
on the soft dusty ground. Being drenched with LCL, the red
soil around her feet quickly turned into mud. Not to be discouraged
by this, Asuka turned around and made for the Canyon's exit.
Man's voice in English: Miss Sohryu I presume?
She twirled around, getting rather tried of
the way people kept on sneaking up behind he so often nowadays.
Standing only a few feet away from her was a tall man, with
dark short hair, he was of Asian descent, but the sound of
his accent was definitely Australian.
Asuka ( answering in English ): Where the
hell'd you come from?!
Man: The name's Phil, I believe you've been
told about me? I'm sorry to keep you waiting ma'am. We had
to make sure no one followed you and that there were no bugs
on your Eva.
Asuka: Bugs? Ohh….. you mean 'that' kind….
Phil: Now if you'd get back in your Eva and
follow me…
Asuka: Follow you where?! Because of your
people's bad instructions I got only 40 seconds of motive
power left so I can't get very far!
Phil: That won't be a problem ma'am.
Asuka: Huh? And quit calling me ma'am, I'm
not an old lady you know!?
Phil: Whatever you say Miss Sohryu…
Phil ( lifting up a Comm-unit ): Ok boyz,
she's clear… open up…
Asuka was more than flabbergasted when the
side of the Canyon next to her slid open with a loud rumble,
to reveal a subterranean Mag-Lev track similar to those used
to transport the Evas beneath Toyko-3. It was mostly due to
surprise though, as she quickly regained her composer and
reasoned that the tracks were probably part of a larger network,
which was actually normally used to shuttle equipment underneath
the Australian outback in haste and secrecy.
Phil: The Mag-Lev carrier is the same configuration
type you use in Toyko-3, just latch on and we can be on our
way…
Asuka: What's with all the bloody secrecy?!
How many more times do we have to switch transports?!
Phil: Oh, don't worry Miss Sohryu, the Mag-Lev
carrier will take us directly to your final destination.
Asuka: It had better be or you're the first
one I flatten, get it?
Phil ( sweating a little ): Err… Yes…
now please… there are people anxious to make your acquaintance
Miss Sohryu…
Asuka: So what I'm I here for anyway…
they still haven't told me anything.
Phil: Refitting.
Asuka: Refitting?
Back in Toyko-3
Rei watched intently as the clouds drifted
silently across the open night sky. The moon was full and
shone down upon her as she stood on her apartment's roof,
grasping lightly the cold metal railings which ran around
its perimeter. She stared across the sea of human dwellings
or rather 'the concrete hive' as she more often saw it. Across
that hive, something called upon her. It reached out like
a siren's song, though it was more like a whisper in the depths
of her soul. Her soul: the only thing, which was hers. This
apartment, these clothes, even this body weren't hers, they
were all his; Commander Ikari's.
The whispers were subtle though. She was unable
to pinpoint their exact source, nor how she did in fact sense
it at all. In truth, the voice wasn't even really calling
her, she merely sensed its presence within the city. It was
her curiosity in fact, that was tempting her into finding
it, she realized.
Then again, she already did have a good idea
from whence it came from.
Perhaps it would be time to finally confront
him with her queries. After all, had not her 'talk' with pilot
Sohryu the night before had already turned out to be successful?
Rei settled her chin on her arms and signed.
She looked up at the sky, the clouds having floated in front
of the moon, casting a gelid darkness across the area. This
time though, she thought, there would be no help from Angela.
Rei ( whispering to herself ): I will speak
to him.
Conrad: Well then speak…
She twirled around so quickly she almost fell
over. Being usually the quietest person around, Rei was used
to unintentionally sneaking up on people, but she'd never
thought that she would experience that for herself until now.
Rei: You…
Conrad: You have many questions… many
of them are not relevant.
Rei stared at him intently as she often did,
but unlike other's she'd stared at, he didn't seem at all
uncomfortable with it.
Rei: You are the one I can sense…
Conrad: Probably… that might be because
I had to form a connection to you in order to help you.
Rei: What do you mean?
Conrad: At one time, you were either unable
or unwilling to express many emotions because you failed to
understand them. I helped you understand them.
Rei: How?
Conrad: A medium, an interpreter if you will,
for other people's emotions for you. By knowing other people's
emotions, it helped you identify your own feelings.
Rei: But you did more than to translate their
feelings for me…
Conrad: Again you're right… just as I
can connect with you, I can connect with others, but unlike
you, everyone else will not sense a difference. It is likely
due to your nature.
Rei: What are you?
Conrad: Ah… well… It's a bit complicated…
you'll find out sooner or later…
Rei: Why are you here?
Conrad: Quite frankly, I don't have a clue.
Rei: Why… are you helping me?
Conrad ( offering a smile ): I only do what
feels right.
Rei: The Commander will not be happy with
this interference.
Conrad: But what about you? Are you happy?
Rei: …
Conrad: So?
She considered it a while, surprised that
he would reply by querying about her feelings on the subject.
Very few people ever asked her about how she felt about particular
subjects. Was she happy that he helped her understand the
people around her more?
Rei: Yes…
Conrad: Well that's good… well…
I'm off then.
She then turned and looked around the surrounding
apartment rooftops.
Rei: You should realize that Section 2 agents
are probably observing our meeting at this very moment.
Conrad however, didn't seem to care, he slowly
turned away and begun walking towards the stairs.
Conrad: What meeting?
With those words, reality ripped itself asunder.
To Rei, it seemed as if a massive ripple had washed across
the very ground she was standing on. Space and solid forms
distorted like some abstract piece of art, whilst everything
became blurred and a black void violently engulfed her.
She woke up with a start, the memory of her
conversation with Conrad still fresh and already replaying
in her mind. Rei took time to carefully memorize the information
and then proceeded to examine her surroundings. She found
herself back in her bed, within her apartment, where she had
retired for the night. She realized in fact, that hadn't moved
from the spot all night, or that she had gone up to her apartment
roof for that matter.
Rei: I see…
Across town, in the dark corner of a
bar
Two women sat opposite each other in a booth,
awaiting the drinks they'd ordered previously. The bar was
crowded with partygoers, one of the few places the people
of Toyko-03 still went night clubbing. The two had chosen
to come to this place to avoid the prying eyes and ears.
Ritsuko: So what are you saying?
Misato: I think that think there's more to
Angela's story than she's telling us. I have a feeling that
she isn't part of OMBRA because she wants to.
Ritsuko: Since when are you the best of judge
of character Misato? And anyhow we've just learnt of this
other organization recently, how could you possibly know her
reasons for being part of it? Besides I thought you didn't
like her.
The Major toyed with the empty bottle of Lemon
Ruski she'd drunk previously, pondering a response and whether
she should grab another.
Misato: Well I don't hate her, I just…
It's just a feeling ok?
Ritsuko: I'm a scientist Misato… remember
that I don't go with 'feeling' as certain facts.
Misato: It might be good to remind you that
although you're a scientist. I on the other hand, am still
a soldier or 'grunt', as you might call them. And we tend
to rely on those 'feelings' or rather intuition, a lot in
combat. That's what keeps us alive in those situations.
Ritsuko: I see your point, but other than
that, why are you so worried about Angela's reasons then?
Misato: There's still so much we don't know
about either OMBRA or its people; Angela included. I'm only
trying to either understand or know more about them considering
that woman's been assigned to me as an a tactical adviser...
not that I need one.
Ritsuko: I don't pretend to understand Commander
Ikari's reasons half the time, but I'm pretty sure having
someone to help you couldn't hurt.
Misato: Ritsu…
Ritsuko: Hmmm?
Misato: Kaji's with them…
Ritsuko: …
Ritsuko: So that's where he went off to…
Misato: I heard from him ages ago, but never
reported it.
Ritsuko: I see… don't worry… he'll
be fine…
Misato: …
Antrum-3, conference room.
In a room exactly like the one Gendo Ikari
uses to commune with the members of SEELE, the present Commander
of Antrum-3, Loren Boucien sits. She is shrouded in darkness
but for a single floating unmarked holographic icon. The emblem
of OMBRA.
Loren: Everything is proceeding as you predicted.
Unit-02 and it's pilot are currently en route to Antrum-5
where the modifications for her task will occur. Ikari backed
off just as you said he would.
Icon: People are so predictable. When you
force them into a corner. Even Ikari.
Loren: How has the loss of Antrum-6 effected
us in the long term?
Icon: The reports inform me that the economic
losses are straining our resources. But Antrum-2 is already
taking care of a temporary base for our continued mining operations.
We will probably have to waste some more good money to turn
some heads the other way before we can re-establish a sub-oceanic
operation like Antrum-6.
Loren: Then what shall we do about the Janus
platform? Now that they know what it is there will be quite
a hassle.
Icon: Let them. It was always only for show
anyway. Let them waste their missiles trying to take it out.
The platform defense system should keep it safe for a while
yet. China can't exactly point any fingers accusing someone
of blowing up one of their mountains, which happens to be
on top of a secret base filled with N2 mines now can they?
I think their PR divisions already coming up with some story
about some dull terrorist attack.
Loren: They'll take it down then?
Icon: Eventually. They have plans to use a
Positron cannon if the missiles fail, which they will.
Loren: What do we do about the other situation?
Icon: Ignore Dexter for now. Send Mr. Kaji
to Antrum-5 to receive the 2nd child. He will be of greater
use controlling her than sitting around.
Loren: Yes, ever since his return from New
York with Agent Nadel, he's been feeling responsible for her
injuries.
Icon: Pity about Agent Nadel, she was a good
agent.
Loren: It's doubtful she'll ever stand on
her own legs again.
Icon: In any case, Dr. Mitcham will also be
joining Mr. Kaji to supervise the modification of the Eva
unit and the recovery of the beta segment.
Loren: Understood.
Icon: In the event that Ikari make a move
against us, you will make him regret it.
Loren: Understood.
Icon: That is all.
The holographic display faded away as the
voice finished its sentence, leaving Loren alone in the darkness
of the room.
Loren found Kaji out in the main cavern, where
he had started a small trend amongst especially the female
elements in the base. Gardening. Only a few days since he'd
arrived to Antrum-03 he request some melon seeds from the
kitchen staff and headed off to find a suitable spot to plant
them. Although much of their food actually came from self-sufficient
hydroponics, this was the first time someone had planted something
that they had to take care of themselves, rather than letting
it go through the automated process in hydroponic farming.
Intrigued by the strange request, some of the female kitchen
staff followed him, and before long, had started up their
own small gardens in the same area.
It was a strange sight seeing Kaji watering
his plants amongst several other OMBRA personnel, including
Danielle, whom were tending their own Strawberry, Blueberry
and even several flower patches on their free time. Luckily,
the controlled conditions within the cavern allowed for many
various types of plants to flourish. Loren knew for a fact
that Kaji was the one who managed to get Danielle herself,
to start her own garden. Strangely enough, it was a patch
of sweet potatoes. Who'd ever guess, the tough Agent Nadel
had a craving for sweet potatoes? Besides, now that she was
stuck in a wheelchair there wasn't much else she could do.
It was just like Dexter to aim for her thighbone, shattering
it with one shot and leaving her handicapped for the rest
of her life, rather than to simply kill her.
When someone finally noticed her approach,
they all got up from whatever they were doing and saluted
her, nodded them back at them and then headed straight for
Kaji, who smiled and kept on watering all the same.
Loren: Kaji… Danielle…
Danielle / Kaji: Commander…
Loren: Kaji… a word with you… alone…
Kaji nodded and excused himself from Danielle
and followed Loren off to a more secluded spot so that they
could talk more privately.
Loren stopped when they came to the base of
a very large pine tree, which cast a shadow over a wide area,
hiding the two figures in a shroud of darkness.
Loren: You've got some new orders. You are
to depart ASAP to Antrum-5, our base in Australia and supervise
the 2nd child.
Kaji ( a little surprised ): Asuka?! How…?
Loren: It matters not, you are simply there
to supervise her and make sure she doesn't go out of control.
Her and her Eva are, after all, only 'borrowed' from NERV.
Kaji ( knowing better ): You mean more likely
'stolen' or 'blackmailed' from NERV.
Loren: Second option of course.
Kaji: Hmmm, what do you need her for?
Loren: Peter will be accompanying you down
there, he'll pass on the details. I trust you know to not
tell her too much about our operations?
Kaji: I understand.
He was about to leave when…
Loren: Wait…
Kaji: I thought you told me to leave ASAP?
Loren: After I finish…
Kaji: What is it?
Loren didn't say a word, instead she opted
to put her arms around him.
Kaji: Loren?
She still didn't respond as she hung on to
him with a firm hug. Eventually, Kaji brought his arms up
and wrapped them around her shoulders as well. They stayed
like that for a while, until Loren looked up and kissed him.
However, the act lasted for only a few seconds, reason being
that Kaji pulled away from her, leaving the two standing a
foot away from each other, inert. Kaji's eyes were lowered,
but he didn't look away from her. Loren's however initially
betrayed a look of surprise, but she then quickly lowered
her gaze, avoiding any further eye contact.
Loren: So it's true then…
She spoke ever so softly. So different from
when she was in control.
Loren: You're are in love with that Major.
You've have forgotten me.
Kaji: I haven't forgotten…
Loren ( interrupting ): No… that's alright…
But the hurt in her eyes betrayed her. Kaji
was surprised to find it there, but then again, he suspected
that she blamed herself for loosing him.
Loren: 'We' were more than a decade ago…
I just needing to be sure…
Kaji: But…
But the Commander did not reply, instead,
she turned around and slowly walked away, towards the base.
Loren ( as she walked away ): You should get
going…
Kaji ( watching her as she leaves ): Loren…
Far above, the silent void of space, an immensely
ancient entity ponders its next move. It sensed that things
are not right at all, someone or something has been interfering
with the Lilims. They were stronger in will now than what
was foreseen, they had been prepared. A direct approach like
what was planned was not feasible, another path had to be
selected.
Ahh… perfect…
The entity sensed the object's presence before
it could actually see it. Although still distant away, its
focus was changed, namely, from the city of Tokyo-3 to the
construct know amongst the Lilims as the Janus platform.
SEELE conference
SEELE 01: What is the meaning of this Ikari?!
SEELE 04: This is an outrage!
SEELE 03: Where is Unit-02 and it's pilot?!
Gendo: They have been taken off combat roster
for extensive training and refitting.
SEELE 02: So how come the 2nd Child has been
missing from school then?
SEELE 04: Surely, training does not normally
require her to be absent every day?
Gendo: Her new training requires high levels
of concentration, which is impossible with regular interaction
with the school environment. She had been ordered to maintain
minimum contact with any distractions. The new training will
be completed in three weeks.
SEELE 01: What does this new training consists
of?
Gendo: The pilot will attempt to increase
her focus, she has been reported to lacking in that department.
SEELE 03: Yes… so we've heard…
SEELE 01: Very well Ikari. But in the future,
you will make sure you confirm any such actions with us beforehand…
Gendo: Understood.
Voice: Kaji!!!
Kaji barely managed to get off the plane ramp
when he was assaulted by a red blur. Totally surprised, he
was knocked off his feet, and was flattened by the weight
of the red blur. Who, in turn also tripped and fell on top
of him.
Kaji: Ouch…
Peter ( stepping off the ramp after him ):
Do you two need some time alone?
Kaji ( looking up to see who the red blur
was ): Huh? Oh… hi Asuka…
The redhead in question was dressed in khaki
shorts and a white top, quite appropriate for the weather
of the Australia outback, even though they were underground.
She was currently rubbing her forehead having bumped it on
Kaji's chest when she fell on top of him.
Asuka ( standing up ): Owww… oh yeah…
Kaji!!!!
As soon as Kaji had managed to stand up again,
Asuka had him in a death-hug.
Kaji: A…Asuka… can't… breath…
Then before he knew it, Asuka pulled off and
punched him in the gut. Causing him to fall on the hard ground
once more. Everyone who was present to witness the action
were by now all sporting large sweatdrops.
Asuka: That was for not saying goodbye when
you left!
Kaji ( groaning from the pain ): Nice…
to see you again… Asuka…
Peter ( offering a small smile ): Is she always
like this?
Kaji ( still on the floor but with a small
grin ): Oh yes. Always.
Peter: I'm beginning to see now why they sent
you too…
Then, all of a sudden, unseen sirens began
wailing across the interior of the cavern. The sound was deafening
and caught them all by surprise.
Peter: What the hell?!
In amidst the confusion, Phil, the man who
had made initial contact with Asuka appeared from the hangar
doors. His face was paled, as if something had gone very wrong.
Phil: Dr. Mitcham? I think you better come
with us…
Without another word, the OMBRA's head research
director followed the man to the operations center of Antrum-05,
where the base's Commander was busily shouting orders at the
panicking technicians. Curious to see what the fuss was all
about, both Kaji and Asuka follow them in.
Commander: Transmit the override codes!
Tech1: No use sir! The signal's being rejected!
Commander: Dammit! That's it… try the
self-destruct code then!
Tech2: That won't do us any good sir! Only
9% of the systems are still responding to any commands at
all. The remaining circuits have all been compromised…
Phil: Sir! Dr. Mitcham is here!
The man quickly turned around at the mention
of the name.
Commander: Doc! We're is some serious shit
right now! The Janus platform has been hi-jacked…
Peter: That's impossible! The system's completely
isolated from all outside signals other than those coming
from this exact geographical location!
Commander: Well screw this! Something's got
control of it now, and it's not us!
Tech2: Sir! The platform's broken the geo-sych
orbit! It's fired its retro-jets, the bloody thing's drifting
away… we're getting sensor reports of massive damage
to the main block's armour plates… it's like they're
been torn off by something.
Asuka ( whispering to Kaji ): What's the Janus
platform?
Kaji ( whispering back ): It's a Maser Cannon
mounted orbital weapon's platform.
Asuka: What's a Maser?
Kaji: It's like a Laser… or a long ranged
microwave…
Asuka: IT'S A WHAT!!?!
Peter ( ignoring Asuka's outburst ): Calculate
it's trajectory… see were it's headed…
Kaji ( stating as a matter of fact ): Isn't
it obvious… Toyko-3…
Phil ( somehow looking quite as confident
as Kaji looked ): $50 bucks sez he's right.
Tech1: It's… heading straight towards…
Toyko-3?
Commander: …?
Kaji: I'm willing to bet it's an Angel.
Peter: This is highly unexpected… we
have to inform Loren…
Kaji: Not to mention warning NERV might be
also a good idea.
Peter: ….
Commander: It's gonna use the Maser to attack
the city?
Kaji: They've been getting smarter… I
don't see why not…
Peter: I see… it's infected the platform
like it did with the Magi…
Asuka: Hmph! What the hell I'm I doing here?
I should be back there! Loser boy and Wonder girl can't handle
that thing alone!
Kaji: They seemed too be doing a good job
before you came…
Asuka ( fuming ): What was that!!?
Kaji: Just calm down… they can handle
it… trust them…
Asuka ( thinking ): I do… but knowing
Shinji… he's gonna get hurt again…
Kaji ( noting her disgruntled look ): Are
you worried about Shinji?
Asuka: Oh don't you even dare start on that
too!!!
Only a little while later, NERV operation's
center
The whole base was ready on full alert and
all the civilians had been evacuated to their shelters. News
of the hi-jacked orbital platform had reached NERV from Loren
as soon as she became aware of it herself.
Misato entered the operation's center surprisingly
accompanied by both Angela and Conrad. She'd previously had
taken her time to send the children on their way to their
Evas and thus still had to be informed of the situation. Angela,
took it upon herself to provide the Major with background
info on the platform on their way in.
Misato: So why don't we simply take the platform
down with anti-satellite missiles or aerial N2s?
Angela: You can't, the platform's equipped
with the latest defenses. Are you familiar with the Metal
Storm weapon systems?
Misato gave a nod, knowing what Angela was
talking about. It was a system developed in Australia in the
last decade of the 20th century, a system with enabled guns
with be built with indefinite numbers of barrels which can
all fire simultaneously… she'd always wanted to try them
out herself, but they were all pretty expensive.
Angela: Well, imagine a device, using the
Metal Storm, which can automatically track incoming projectiles
and can fire thousands of rounds simultaneously in a screening
pattern at any given angle of approach. Think of it like the
CHAFF countermeasures on a fighter craft, except replace the
cloud of shrapnel with a hail of 5mm rounds.
Misato: No missile would be able to get past
that screen without detonating… you're saying the platform
is equipped with this device?
Angela: More like eighteen of them… if
it detects an attack early enough, that many of them can even
deflect solid mass projectiles the likes of Rail Cannon slugs.
Touji finally made an appearance too, as the
backup pilot, it was his duty to remain within close proximity
in case he was required. As unlikely that was.
Misato: That leaves us with the Positron cannon
then…
Angela: Yes, only a direct beam weapon could
do it.
Misato ( coming to a halt and looking around
): Ritsuko you heard her?
Ritsuko ( looking up from a screen next to
Maya ): Yes, I heard, I've already ordered the deployment
of the Positron cannon for Unit-01.
Misato: What's the countdown?
Ritsuko: It'll be right on top of us in fifteen
minutes. Exactly at 2000 hours.
In the background, Commander Ikari sat, content
with allowing the Major control of the situation, for now…
beside him, Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki stood silently as always.
Aoba: Commander, there's a signal coming through,
the origins can't be identified but it's… it's marked
as a direct feed from OMBRA.
Misato turned and looked up at the Commander,
who seemed to consider something for a moment and then nodded
to her.
Misato: On screen.
The face, which appeared on the screen next,
was not someone who Misato was expecting.
Kaji: Hello darl…
Misato: What the *@#$!
Angela ( sarcastically ): Oh great… just
who we need to see before we die…
Ritsuko: Kaji?!
Kaji: Hiya Ritz, I got someone here you might
want to meet; Dr. Mitchen, the man who designed most of the
systems on the platform.
There was a little bit of fuss on the other
end of the feed, but eventually Peter appeared on the screen
next to Kaji.
Peter: Dr. Akagi?
Ritsuko: Yes?
Peter: I have good news and bad news…
Ritsuko: What's the good news?
Peter: The Janus platform's solar array was
damaged when the Angel made it's forced takeover. It can still
provide the beam with constant power but it will be considerably
weaker than its full capabilities.
Ritsuko: So what's the bad news?
Peter: There might be some problems with your
plans to take out the platform with the Positron cannon.
Ritsuko: I was informed that the platform
did not have a defensive system to counter an energy weapon…
Peter: That may be true, but the few sensors
which we can still manage to coax data out of suggests that
the Angel has now merging itself into the superstructure of
the platform.
Ritsuko: My god… you're right…
Misato: What? What's the problem…
Ritsuko: Don't you see… the Angel isn't
only using the platform as a weapon, but it's also protecting
it with it's own AT-field.
Meanwhile, inside Unit-01's entry plug
Shinji ( thinking ): What are they waiting
for?
Shinji: …
Shinji ( thinking ): It's only me and Rei
again… I hope Asuka's alright, where ever she is…
Shinji: …
Misato ( suddenly appearing on a Comm window
): Shinji?
Shinji: Yes?
Misato: We're using a modified version of
the JSSDF's Positron Cannon again, ours has neither the range
or power to penetrate the Angel's AT-field.
Shinji: You mean we're gonna drain the power
of Japan again?
Misato: No… we don't have time for that,
but the Cannon's still our only option.
Shinji ( frowning ): I see…
Misato: Oh quit being so pessimistic…!
Shinji: …
Misato: Rei?
Rei ( also appearing on another Comm window
): Yes?
Misato: We're doing it like last time, you'll
be in charge of protecting Unit-01.
Rei: Yes.
Misato: Alright… Shinji, you'll be deployed
with the Positron Cannon, whilst Rei will concentrate on covering
you with her AT-field. It's risky gamble, but only an AT-field
has any chance of blocking the Maser beam.
Rei & Shinji: Understood.
Misato: Ok, move out and deploy at the preset
locations.
Within minutes, Shinji and Rei had reached
the surface, preparing themselves to welcome their latest
uninvited guest.
The rain splashed noisily off the purple armour
of Unit-01 as it leaned against a large weapons building as
to help support it's heavy load and maintain better balance
for the time it would be fired. Shinji always hated taking
the Eva out in the rain because of the noise it caused as
it battered against the composite plates, which formed the
outer skin of the Eva. The sound always seemed to echo painfully
within his skull.
Shinji found his hand was twitching nervously
as he held the large modified version of the Positron Cannon
he used a while ago. It was involuntary, but his Eva seemed
to mimic it none the less. Rei, who was standing next to him,
could see it clearly and opened a channel to him in hopes
of helping him calm down.
Rei: Shinji…
Shinji: I know… but I can't help it…
I remembered what almost happened last time I used this thing.
And you… you don't even have a shield this time…
Rei: My AT-field will block the attack.
Shinji: But… but are you sure you can
hold it off…?
Rei: I can. I will. I have to…
Shinji: Rei…
Rei: Yes?
Shinji: Thank you.
Shinji didn't say anything further. He didn't
need to. With a smile, he tightened his grip on the Positron
Cannon, hefting the heavy weapon higher on his Eva's shoulder,
scanning the skies for the expected foe. in Within her entry
plug, Rei was blushing wildly, glad that she had quickly cut
off the connection at this point. She was wearing a light
smile however, the kind she first showed Shinji after the
battle against the 5th Angel.
All of a sudden, her smile faded and lifted
her head towards the sky.
It was here.
Misato ( appearing again on a Comm window
): Shinji! Rei! It's here, get ready!
As soon as the words left her lips, the clouds
seemed to part and a giant ray of bright scarlet energy broke
through the cloud front, impacting the ground not too far
away from them. In a fraction of a second after the Maser
struck, it immediately skimmed across the city, causing destruction
and mayhem to where ever it passed. Small houses were reduced
to charred ruins as the beam burned through them, whilst larger
buildings were sliced in half.
Unit-01 was however still locking on to the
tiny speck from which the violent attack originated from,
only his Eva's sensors allowing his sight to penetrate the
think rain clouds which shielded the Angel's position. The
task made harder due to the electromagnetic discharge from
the Maser beam into the clouds, which dispersed and incited
the soft rain into a thunderstorm. There was little Shinji
could do about it.
In the meantime, Rei noticed the beam was
heading dangerously towards their position. Leaving a trail
of blazing inferno behind it.
Rei: Shinji!!!
Finally, the on-board targeting system confirmed
a lock on to the target and gave the go ahead. Needless to
say, Shinji gritted his teeth and gladly pulled the trigger,
which caused another screaming bolt of energy to lance out
towards space.
Those on the Command Bridge held their breath
and awaited the results as their own attack reached out through
the atmosphere towards the mass of jumbled metal and organic
matter that was once the 15th Angel and the Janus platform.
With a slight shudder by their target, the
positron beam bounced clean off the Angel's AT-field.
Obvious disappointment was clearly visible
on everyone's face as they realized the weapon had failed.
It did not however stop Rei from noticing
that the Angel's own Maser beam was now racing towards them
even faster.
Rei: Shinji! The beam!
Shinji: OH S$%T! Get out of here Rei!
Realizing that the Positron Cannon was now
as useful to him as an oversized paperweight, Shinji dropped
the multi-ton, multi-million dollar weapon unceremoniously
on the ground.
But the scarlet beam was already upon them.
Rei managed to raise her AT-field just in time before the
energy concentrated itself above her. Feeling the deadly force
of the attack, Rei had to stop in her tracks to focus her
concentration on the field to strengthen it and prevent it
from breaking through.
Command Bridge
Touji: It didn't work!
Misato: I can see that!
Ritsuko: We don't have time for this, anyone
has a viable idea then they better say it out now!
It seemed that it that Rei had managed to
protect herself for the time being. The Maser beam had halted
right on top of Unit-00 like it was waiting for its victim
to drop its defenses. At lest it gave them a little breathing
space to plan a new counter-attack. Though, Shinji could only
stared in horror, as he knew that the slightest slip by the
part of Rei could mean her AT-field collapsing.
Conrad ( whispering to Angela ): This is wrong…
Angela: Damn right it wrong.
Conrad: No, you don't understand. The Angel,
it's up to something… this isn't all…
Angela: … You sure?
Conrad: Positive… get her out of there…
fast…
He looked around, making sure that no one
was listening in. Major Katsuragi and Dr. Akagi were however
standing too close for comfort.
Conrad: I… I'll be going to a shelter…
Angela: I understand.
Through their own unspoken language, Angela
knew all too well that he didn't have any intention of going
to any shelter, but continued to stare forth with disregard,
as he departed. Conrad silently turned around and left the
scene unnoticed.
As soon as she was sure he'd made it out of
the room she spoke up.
Angela: Major. You have to get Rei from underneath
that thing.
Misato: I know.
Angela: No, I mean now.
Misato: But if she moves again the beam will
simply follow her and simply cause more damage.
Angela: No, you don't understand, I mean NOW.
The Angel will do something else.
Ritsuko ( in a sarcastic tone ): And you would
happen to know this because?
Angela ( ignoring her ): Rei, you hear me!
It's Angela. Get hell outta there!
Misato: Hey! You can't do that!
Upon hearing Angela's words, Rei unconsciously
shifted slightly to her side. Getting ready to make a run
for it. Somehow, she knew that the Angela was right and that
the Angel would do something else than simply use the Maser
Cannon. She soon found out just how right she was.
Another beam of light, a larger, brighter
white one, spotlighted her from the same direction as the
Maser's. It was the slight shift, and readiness to run that
saved Rei. Unit-00's AT-field collapsed the instant the white
light enveloped her, accompanied by the sound of Rei screaming
her lungs out. As the field collapsed, the scarlet Maser beam
bit through her flank and sliced a good portion of her Eva's
left arm clean off. The wound didn't even bleed, as the flesh
was sealed close by the heat.
Shinji: Rei!!!
Unit-00 clutched its head with its right hand
and the severed stump of its left arm. Rei howled in agony
and almost fell further into the Maser beam. Without another
thought, Shinji rushed to her aid. He grasped her right arm
and ripped her out from underneath both beams, he immediately
hefted her damaged Eva and ran.
Misato: What the hell was that!
Angela: The AT-field didn't stop it, whatever
it was.
Ritsuko: We're analyzing it now… Misato,
get them both the hell away from that thing as soon as possible…
Misato: Did you hear that Shinji! Get Rei
into retrieval point 56, then draw it's fire until she's secured.
After that make your way to 58 yourself!
Shinji: I'm on to it!
Angela: So… it was a two-fold attack.
It could bring down an AT-field already by itself, but it
needed the Janus platform to physically attack.
Ritsuko ( staring at Angela ): How… the
hell did you know this was going to happen?
Angela: Good guess?
Shinji glance nervously behind him as he pushed
his Eva as fast as it would go, noting that both beams originating
from the Angel were now moving. Or more correctly, following
him. He was barely keeping in front of it. So he decided to
make sure of Rei's condition.
Shinji: Rei! Are you alright?!
No good, she was out cold.
Shinji: Damn it!
When he got to the retrieval point, he pushed
her roughly onto the transport building, not having to time
to do it with much care. Once she was safely inside the blue
Eva was evacuated back into the relative safety of the Geo-front.
The beams were by then close behind him but managed to leap
aside when they shredded the buildings next to him aside.
He was about to run off to his own retrieval point when he
noticed something different. The white beam was not running
with the red one any more.
He glanced around.
It was right behind him and coming up at high
speed.
Shinji: %#@!!!!
He threw himself to one side again as the
Angel's attack missed him by a few meters.
Shinji: Misato! It's splitting it's attacks!!!
Misato: Just concentrate on getting out of
there now!!
Gendo: Belay that order. You will head to
retrieval point 194.
Misato: Commander! Why!?
Gendo: He will descend to Terminal Dogma from
there and obtain… a weapon.
Fuyutsuki ( whispering behind him): Ikari…!
Gendo ( answering softly so only Fuyutsuki
could hear him ): Yes?
Fuyutsuki: You can't be serious… think
of what might happen! And even if we do get through this alive,
the old man will count this as the last straw, they will remove
you.
Gendo: I'm well aware of the dangers, but
there are no alternatives. The old man will see that and will
not attempt to remove me until the right time. Rei is not
in any position to fight, what else would you suggest we do?
Fuyutsuki: …
Seeing the unwavering look the Commander kept
on her, Misato was forced to concede, as much as she distrusted
the orders.
Misato: Shinji… go.
Shinji: …
Shinji wasn't in the position to argue, he
ducked and dodged between the two attacks as best he could.
Occasionally, the Maser beam would skim sections of his armour
for a few milliseconds, but still enough to burn through the
whole way to the flesh. Splashes of molten alloy dripped onto
the concrete roads, sizzling a trail of vapor amidst the rain.
Ignoring the scorching pain from the burns,
Shinji headed towards retrieval point 194, where he would
be transported down to Terminal Dogma. An area he'd only heard
of but never allowed access to. To his horror, when he'd almost
made it, the Maser beam lanced in front of him and ripped
his destination to shreds.
Shinji: Damn!
Now he found himself out in the open, with
no retrieval points within reach of his power cable, his onboard
NAV system displaying ever so nicely the retrieval points
which had been compromised. It seem that the Angel had been
smart enough to destroy them all before anyone had noticed
it. Painfully, he realized that if he were to stop to change
the extension, he'd be sliced and diced before he could move
again. He was already merely by chance, that the beam hadn't
struck his cable so far.
Oddly enough, the universe is always ready
to comply.
Shinji could only watch as the beam spiraled
around after destroying retrieval point 194 and burnt clean
through his power cable whilst he was distracted.
He groaned as the all too familiar countdown
appeared.
He had to get out of there.
Voice: Shinji…
It was back, the voice at the back of his
head, the voice of what he could only now presume was his
Eva, the voice that helped him when he fought against the
14th Angel. Hell' have to freeze over before he told anyone
about it though, he didn't fancy spending the rest of his
life in confinement due to probable 'mental contamination'.
Voice: Shinji…
Shinji: Help me! I don't know what to do!
Misato: Calm down Shinji!
Angela: Find him a way out of there now!
Ritsuko: She right Misato! He can't go on
for much longer!
Misato ( panicking ): … I… I don't
know… There's got to be a… That's it! The vent shaft!
She quickly ordered Maya to bring up the plans
for any vents shafts nearby. They would have to make use of
them instead, just like when the 9th attacked.
Misato: That's right! Shinji! The vent shaft,
it's next to the retrieval point!
Ritsuko: Maya! Open the vent's surface barrier,
close it and the other barriers progressively as he gets down
to Terminal Dogma.
Maya: Yes Sempai!
Ritsuko: Shinji, that particular vent goes
all the way down to Terminal Dogma, it's a very long drop.
Misato: It'll have to do though, we've got
no choice. It's either that or being out there when your power
runs out.
Shinji: I… I understand…
Ritsuko: The barrier's open! Go!
Shinji: Right!
With the massive strides an Eva was capable
of, Shinji reached the vent in no time, but the beams were
now closing on to him. He noticed that the white one was speeding
in front of him, most likely to intercept him. He therefore
did the only thing he could do, dive heads first directly
into the vent, where he met a 'very' long drop. The red beam
immediately positioned itself right above the vent, though
the surface barrier closed behind Shinji, it served only to
delay the beam for several seconds. Luckily, as Unit-01 descended
at terminal velocity, more and more barriers closed behind
it, delaying the Angel's attack even longer. To Shinji, the
fall seemed like it took forever, but by the time he could
see the bottom of the vent, he had managed to skillfully flip
his Eva into an upright position through his newfound synchrony
with the Eva. He then engaged his emergency thrusters, enabling
him a controlled landing at the bottom of the shaft.
Misato: Shinji! Hurry! Break through the wall
at you left.
Shinji immediately complied, hammering the
wall with both of his Eva's fists, until it cracked and crumbled
under the force.
Misato: Good! Now get in there!
Shinji did as she told him, just in time to
get out of there before the Maser pieced through the last
barrier and flooded the shaft with the molten alloy of which
once formed the barriers from above.
Gendo: Open the gate to the LCL plant.
The armoured seals hissed opened as the barrier
baring the gateway to the LCL plant was opened. As so as the
entrance was clear, Unit-01 made it's way inside. Shinji found
himself in a massive space, almost as large as the Geo-front
itself. He bent over, allowing himself a small pause before
having to resume his task at hand.
Voice: Shinji… listen to me…
Shinji ( whispering ): I'm… listening…
Maya: The Angel's diverted it's attack to
the center of Toyko-03 ma'am, the Magi estimates it'll break
through in less than ten minutes.
Ritsuko: This is the Maser when it's not at
full strength? I'd hate to see it when it was.
Misato: How's Rei?
Aoba: The recovery crew has her. Physically
she'd fine, but her psycho-graph's off the charts and abnormal
brain activity has been detected.
Maya: The sensors report the composition of
its secondary attack if similar to that of an AT-field.
Angela: A psychic attack…
Ritsuko: A form of psychic attack, yes…
nothing to do with ESP nonsense though.
Angela ( thinking back to her Catholic upbringing
): Talk about demonic attacks… who's ever heard of angelic
attacks before…
Misato ( staring at the Commander ): What
now sir?
Gendo: Unit-01's pilot will proceed with obtaining
the weapon at the center of Terminal Dogma, he will regard
whatever he sees in there as extremely classified material.
He will then proceed to re-establishing connection with a
power cable, upon which he will then be launched again to
intercept the Angel with the weapon.
Fuyutsuki: You better move it, or Unit-01
will run out of power.
Misato: ...
Strangely enough there wasn't even an acknowledgment
from Shinji, but they could see him nodding on the Comm screen.
The Eva's external cameras themselves had been switched off,
due to the sensitive nature of the interior of Terminal Dogma.
Unit-01 began wading into the lake of LCL.
It's target in sight.
Gendo: Major.
Misato: Yes?
Gendo: Prepare Unit-00 for re-activation.
Misato: But Rei's not… oh…
She turned around until she met Touji's gaze.
Unit-01 reached the crucified Lilith and swiftly
extracted the Lance of Longinus from it. Enabling the creature
to regenerate further, it's legs growing back within a split
second. They tumbled down into the LCL, causing massive waves
and ripples on the surface of the lake. Unit-01 promptly ignored
it and turned towards the exit.
The one minute mark was reached in the entry
plug's remaining activation time display.
Touji: Me!?!
Ritsuko: What did you expect… you're
the backup pilot.
Misato: But it's not going to work! You remember
what happened when Shinji tried to synchronize with Unit-00!
Ritsuko: None the less we must try. Or would
you rather Shinji go against this Angel alone?
Unit-01 reached the exit, where upon it found
the transport rails, which would take it back to the surface.
It also found a power socket and promptly plugged it in. The
display reverted to a triple set of eighty-eight, confirming
that the power connection was re-established. The unit then
smoothly settled on the transport rails, allowing the magnetic
clamps to lock on to the Eva.
Touji ( rushing off to where Unit-00 was docked
): It's alright Misato! I can do it!
Misato: Be careful!
Ritsuko: Shinji! We're going to attempt activating
Unit-00 with Touji, if that works we'll send him to help you.
Shinji: That won't be necessary.
Ristuko: …?
Gendo stared suspiciously at the Comm screen,
having expected some sort of weak outburst from his son. Yet
he was however proven wrong, as he suddenly realized that
Shinji had already retrieved the Lance and was in position
to launch back to the surface again. There wasn't even a query
about the huge white figure mounted on the cross in the middle
of a LCL lake, or why the weapon he was meant to retrieve
was impaling the creature.
It was as if Shinji had already known about
them.
But that was impossible.
Shinji: Launch Eva.
Before anyone could react, Unit-01 shot up
with the force of several G's. The route had been plotted
already, depositing him and his Eva almost outside the city
limits. Far way from the focus of the beam attack.
As far as he was from the attack, the Angel
was already redirecting its Maser beam towards Unit-01, with
the white beam trailing it quickly behind it, which meant
that he had to act quickly. He positioned himself in readiness
to throw the lance when a channel opened up, interrupting
him.
Conrad: Stop!
Shinji: Conrad!? What the hell are you doing?
Conrad: Don't throw the lance yet.
Shinji: Give me a good reason why not, considering
the fact that there's a bloody Maser beam streaking across
the city towards me right now!
Nervously, Shinji became aware that that his
channel to NERV had been cut off in the process. Even the
voice, which had been guiding him, has been fading into soft
barely audible whispers.
Conrad: The platform's anti-missile system
is still fully active, the Angel chose it especially because
of that feature. Nothing can normally stop that lance, but
the system's powerful enough to at least deflect inbound angle
of the lance once you throw it.
Shinji: So what the hell do I do now!
Conrad: Buy me some time! I can bring the
system down!
Shinji: But! You…?!
Conrad: Just shut up and run!
Not being exactly in the position to argue
at the moment, Shinji turned around and run, carrying the
massive lance with him as the beam continued its chase.
Back in NERV
Misato: What the hell is going on!
Ritsuko: We've been cut off! We can't contact
unit-01!
Misato: So why had Shinji been running away
from the damned Angel when he's just got to throw the damned
lance!
Peter: Because it'll be pointless.
Misato: Huh?!
Amidst the confusion, they had completely
forgotten that they still had an open channel to OMBRA. But
it still didn't help them understand what he meant by that.
Peter: Don't worry, we'll be remedying the
situation soon.
Outside, in the rain, stood Conrad. He waited
on top of a building in the path of the beams. Although cold
and soaked head to toes, he stood unwavering as the red beam
skimmed off the western flank of the building.
He knew he could block the system somehow,
but he needed a way to up-link with it. The platform's receivers
have been redirected so that even Antrum-5 couldn't gain access
anymore. So that means was out of question.
However, he did know of another way to get
through to the system.
But it was going to be quite unpleasant.
Unfortunately for him, it wasn't an option
anymore.
Conrad didn't have to wait long before the
chance he was waiting for reached him. He winced as the light
of Arael's soul enveloped him.
A second later, the whispering voice at the
back of Shinji's mind suddenly became clear. It was so forceful
that even if he wanted to, he couldn't have refused it.
Voice: Now!
The conviction in the voice commanded him
to turn around and throw the lance. But there wasn't any doubt
in Shinji's mind that it was the right thing to do. The stress
caused by the force of the throw was enough to rip apart several
strands of muscles in unit-01's arms. But the lance flew true
towards its target. Tearing though the clouds, creating a
spiral trail of powerful turbulence as it moved through the
atmosphere.
Far above, the eighteen automated anti-missile
systems begun tracking the advancing projectile. But somewhere
along the way they slowly came to a halt. The system failed,
its remaining ammo was jettisoned into space. The platform's
only defense became the Angel's AT-field.
Which had much of a chance of standing up
to the lance as a snowball in hell.
Inside Unit-01's entry plug, Shinji finally
breathed a sign of relief as he saw the bright implosion that
signified the destruction of the 15th Angel.
It was finally over. Another Angel had been
destroyed.
But at what cost?
It still wasn't clear what happened to Rei.
But most of the city had been reduced to ruins.
Scorch marks scared the streets. Homes and
businesses were lost. Shinji wondered why anyone would even
bother remain in the city this time.
Although the Angel was destroyed, the tattered
remains of the Janus platform began to fall unrestrained into
the atmosphere of the planet. Technically, it should burn
up completely upon re-entry, but even if by some chance it
didn't, the Magi had already calculated that it would fall
in an uninhabited area far away from the city.
In fact, the participation of the Janus platform
in the incident was never to be logged down in any 'official'
report. There were too many political issues at stake. After
all, if NERV were to expose OMBRA as being an organization
powerful enough to have launched an orbital weapons platform
in secret, what would stop OMBRA in turning in certain dirty
little secrets under NERV's rug.
Officially, the story was that the Janus platform
was an unfortunate casualty of the angel's attack. Having
being forced out of its orbit by the angel and destroyed upon
re-entry.
Some time later
A tall figure wearing a blue poncho stepped
out into the rain. She immediately sighted the prone body
on the rooftop, and advanced towards it. Upon reaching the
waterlogged body she came to a halt and stared down at it.
She then nudged it a few times with her foot.
Angela: You dead yet?
Her answer came in form of a slight groan.
Conrad: Uhhhhhhh…
Angela: Guess not… come on…let's
get you cleaned up and somewhere warm before you catch a cold…
She reached down and grabbed one of his arms,
and hefted him onto her shoulders. Slowly, she began carrying
him back to the doorway.
In the darkness of his office, Gendo Ikari
contemplated the events of the day. From the Angel's attack
to Rei's current condition. Then there was the mystery of
what had happened at the end of the battle, where the communication
link was temporarily lost to Unit-01. The pilot feigned memory
loss, the same old excuses. But he knew better.
Although the events of the day went against
his plans, he found that there were new elements, which he
could use to reinforce his them. He waited patiently for the
phone call that would report the outcome of the special engineering
team he'd sent out.
He smiled slightly as the phone rang.
Gendo: Report.
Voice: The target has been retrieved. It was
in surprisingly good shape, considering what it had been through.
Gendo: Transport it immediately back to NERV,
begin repairs as soon as it is in the secured bay.
Voice: Acknowledged.
Gendo: One more thing.
Voice: Yes?
Gendo: Make sure you don't leave any trace.
Destroy the crash site.
Voice: I will see to it myself.
Gendo place the receiver down.
One more item secured for the final battle
he thought.
Two more to go, and then… I will see
her again…
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