Evangelion The Reprint and Repackaging of Evangelion
- Thread starter Anonguy
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Disclaimer: Gratuitous Girlfriend of Steel cameo incoming, so please be wary of a sudden influx of ship to ship combat.
Author note: And now, chapter 16. Leliel and the Dirac Sea are up, and what lies in wait therein. It'll be a long, strange trip to say the least. Buckle up guys, we're hitting the rapids of the ripples.
The Reprint and Repackaging of Evangelion
Chapter 16 Heaven Holds a Sense of Wonder
by Anonguy
Time flowed forward once more, and three weeks had passed since the incident with Iruel. All was quiet on the Angel front, and so the pilots were able to settle themselves down from their crisis of faith in the mission. Or that's how they acted, but they were young and bad at lying, and no one wanted to press the issue.
As things progressed, more and more weird instances of ruins and patches of animals and land disappearing in a massive shadow were reported. The UN investigated the Shadow, but were unable to determine what it was and was ordered off by NERV in order to make sure there wasn't anything lurking beneath the surface. A breakthrough was made, and announced to the world by Dr. Akagi and a press conference just a matter of minutes ago.
ôWe have discovered an actual Dirac sea, as it fits all of the notes left by the inventor of the theoretical model Paul Dirac.ö She announced to the UN and JSSDF. ôIt is currently stationed forty to fifty kilometers east of Tokyo-3. At this time, NERV has no idea how to approach the subject, but I assure you we are working around the clock to figure this out. Please, bear with us, we don't want to see anyone be harmed in our stead.ö
ôDr. Akagi! Is it true that the Dirac sea is swallowing anything that it touches?ö a UN rep asked, waving his hand like a crazed news reporter.
ôThat certainly seems to be the situation. Unless we say it's okay, don't touch it. It's like lava, but instead of being burned to death you get sucked into a void of infinite negative particles.ö Ritsuko answered, doing her best to deflect any curious heroes from being eaten by another dimension. Alledgedly another dimension anyways.
ôBut didn't the Evangelion fight by an active volcano?ö someone pointed out.
ôI don't know how they did it, it was like convection took a vacation. And cleaning them off was a fucking nightmare, ugh.ö Ritsuko hated when the laws of science took a pounding, as it was here job to deflect the rampant waves of bitching from the scientific community when they violated the rules of what was generally accepted as how shit worked. Not as much as she hated cleaning them off after that mission, there was a ridiculous amount of ash in various nooks and crannies.
The audience laughed good naturedly at the self-depreciation, accepting it for now.
ôöJust trust me on this, we have a good idea that the Dirac sea is connected to the Angels somehow, so please, leave it to us.ö Ritsuko adopted a semi-heroic prose. ôWe're here to protect you from those guys, and that means everyone, even the soldiers.ö
/-\ /-\ /-\
The press conference ended with little fanfare and it was back to NERV HQ to determine just how they were to deal with it. Scanners had failed to penetrate the massive shadow, leaving them uncertain of where the Angel might be inside it. To say nothing of the fact that the shadow didn't give off the blue signal, which meant they couldn't tell if the shadow was an Angel in and of itself.
ôDoctor, I believe you had a suggestion.ö Gendo said, sitting at the head of the big conference table used for really important meetings that would deal with the end of the world. Like this one, for example.
ôIt's not the best, but the only way we can be sure to get the Angel is to go inside the Dirac sea and search for it.ö Ritsuko began her presentation, using 3D models provided by the MAGI to help her points. ôNow, while there are an infinite number of negative particles, there has to be a generation point inside the shadow for the Angel to make the sea appear.ö She highlighted several spots where it likely could be.
ôSo what you're saying,ö Misato said, as she looked at the model. ôis that there are a set number of hiding spots inside the sea for it to be located.ö
ôThat is correct.ö Ritsuko nodded, grateful for the help.
ôI see that the middle is not highlighted.ö Fuyutsuki made note of, rubbing his chin in contemplation.
ôThat's too obvious, as we could just figure out the center point and just start dropping bombs into it until we kill it.ö Misato cut in before Ritsuko could answer.
ôThat, and we can't tell how big it is inside the shadow. We could conceivably drop every N2-mine into it we have and still miss it.ö Ritsuko said, in all seriousness.
ôWe have a lot of N2-mines.ö Gendo mentioned.
ôThe Dirac sea could be infinitely wide inside. If we don't know where to drop them, we'll waste them.ö Ritsuko countered, poking a finger at the model. ôThis is just the outside, the MAGI refused to even begin to calculate a scale model of the inside, saying that they couldn't make a scale downed vision of infinity.ö
ôAnd if they can't do it,ö Fuyutsuki said, looking at Gendo, who looked at Misato, then Ritsuko, before back at Fuyutsuki.
ôThen we won't know unless we go inside.ö Gendo sounded grim, grimmer than anyone present had ever heard. Then they remembered Shinji and realized the source of the uncharacteristic concern.
ôIt'll take some work, but we should be able to convince them to go in.ö Ritsuko tried to sugarcoat things, knowing that this course of action was the exact opposite of the game with Iruel: a huge gamble.
ôSome work?ö Misato laughed with open derision of her friend's choice of words. ôWe're convincing them to dive into infinite negative space and hopefully find the Angel in a space that could be as wide as the goddamn universe. This isn't tricking them into going on a school trip they don't want to, this is their lives.ö Not once, was the idea of any single pilot going alone brought up. The kids would never agree to that.
ôI admit, my phrasing was poor, but I'm trying to remain optimistic here.ö Ritsuko accepted the verbal salvo, they had to be the adults and figure this shit out first before they could even fool themselves into thinking they could order the pilots into this scenario.
ôWe must have faith that they will understand.ö Fuyutsuki added, bringing a third opinion to the field.
ôNo matter how we decide to go about it, when it comes time to give the order, I will be the one to give it.ö Gendo interjected, the weight in his voice silencing the debate for a second. ôI will have faith in my son, and the other pilots as well. I want them to know I am behind them, always behind their every effort. I... I can't stay quietly in the shadows now.ö Oh man, he was close to breaking down there.
Ritsuko and Misato shared a tiny smile off to the side, as they understood the man's feelings very well, no matter how awkwardly he may go about expressing them.
ôIf that is your wish Commander.ö Fuyutsuki replied, as if soothing the nerves of a worried child. He had been working with the man for a number of years now, he had a decent amount of knowledge of his many quirks.
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôHey Shinji, what are you doing?ö Asuka asked, being on standby with the other pilots meant that they were in the pilots briefing room. The Second Child decided to strike up a conversation with the Third.
ôNothing really.ö Shinji wasn't exactly lying, he was keeping himself busy tracking an E-net thread while organizing his music collection. ôJust tidying up my laptop, rearranging stuff I had misfiled.ö
ôA worthwhile endeavor.ö Rei commented off to the side, who sat in her chair with perfect posture.
ôStill gives me the creeps when she talks like that.ö Shinji muttered, shaking his head.
ôOh, and how should I talk?ö Rei turned to face Shinji, a false look of confrontation on her face.
ôHey now, no need to get all peevish.ö Shinji waved off from the potential argument, even if he thought the feistier speech suited the blue haired girl more.
ôHmph!ö It was perfectly delivered with enough fake indignation that Asuka had to laugh.
ôOh come on Rei, you know how Shinji is. Always barking because he's afraid to bite.ö Asuka poked him in the ribs, much to the Third Child's annoyance.
ôI didn't think you'd like getting bit.ö Shinji retorted, turning away from Asuka in a mock sulk, which only made her laugh more.
ôSomeone is in a good mood.ö Rei tossed out, playing along with the way the conversation had shifted.
ôI try. Besides, I always figured smiling a lot was like exercising.ö Asuka said, shrugging a little.
ôHow's that work?ö Shinji wasn't curious, but he didn't want her poking him again. If there was poking to be done, it'd be done by him! Wait, no, that sounded dirty.
ôThe narrator's being a pervert.ö Rei noted, poking the fourth wall hard for the interruption.
ôIt's okay, we're all perverts here.ö Asuka said, putting on a lopsided grin.
ôSpeak for yourself.ö Rei said, though a little defensively.
ôI can speak for us both,ö Asuka said, before leaning in and whispering to Rei. ôYou should be more quiet if you're going to do that in the bathroom.ö
Rei turned redder than the color of Asuka's plug suit and bolted out of her chair.
ôI so don't wanna know,ö Shinji said theatrically, sighing in a put upon way that looked so fake that it looped back around to genuine. Or something like that.
The fun times ended when Misato came in, with Gendo and Ritsuko in tow.
ôAlright you three, listen up.ö Misato said, whipping them all into shape with a single command. ôThe operation is special, as such, the Commander himself will explain it.ö
Alarm bells sounded in Shinji's head, but he kept his features stern.
ôThe mission plan has been decided, and it is one of great risk.ö Gendo paused, gathering his steam to get the rest out. ôThis plan is one that we deliberated long and hard on, and one that we're still not sure if we should do it. But as it seems the Angel is in the shadow, we need to find it.ö
ôSo what you're saying, is that you want to send the Evangelion inside it.ö Rei spoke up, before Shinji could.
ôYes, but only because we're not sure just what we're dealing with. Our sensors can't penetrate the shadow, so we can't be certain if it is an Angel at all. What we have to go by is the fact that it moves around from time to time, giving off a sense that there is something alive about it.ö Gendo continued the briefing, using the visual aids provided by Ritsuko to show what he was talking about. ôAnd besides, something like this doesn't just appear from nowhere.ö
ôSo, we have to go in eh?ö Shinji said, relatively calm. ôIf this is our only path, then we can't waste time arguing over whether it is right or wrong. If the Angel hides in the shadow, then we will have to find it won't we?ö
ôThat's right, we just have to find it. And we will, because that's what we're here for right?ö Asuka added on, as the three pilots stood.
ôYou three...ö Gendo said, a minor laugh escaping his lips. ôThen if you understand the mission, all that is left is the order.ö
ôIndeed.ö Shinji said, bowing his head. ôI won't worry about what this means and any negative garbage like that. I am a pilot of Evangelion, I take my life into my own hands. You are the Commander, while also my father. Please, don't let them interfere with each other, because we'll be fine.ö
ôThank you.ö It was almost too quiet to be heard, but Shinji heard it, and for the two Ikaris, that was all that was needed. ôThe mission has been decided on, prepare the Evangelion for transport immediately. We will infiltrate the Dirac sea!ö
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôIt's like a hole in the world itself.ö Rei said, as she saw the Dirac sea from the hypersonic transport above it.
ôNo time to be wondering how deep the rabbit hole is,ö Asuka said, grinning a bit to herself as she was psyching herself up for another sortie. ôWe'll be going in shortly.ö
ôIt feels weird you know?ö Shinji added, looking at the black mass pooling below them. ôIt almost looks too unnatural to be real. Even with everything we've seen and done, I can safely say that this is the weirdest of them all.ö
ôNo argument there,ö Asuka agreed, looking at it again with frank wonder and more than a little discomfort.
ôNow, remember,ö Misato spoke up then, having received word they were ready to unload the Evangelion. ôKeep the umbilical cable connected and stay in contact with each other. We'll be cut off due to the sea's effect alright?ö
ôYes ma'am!ö The pilots chorused dutifully.
'It seems they're mostly over the last Angel.' Misato thought quietly to herself, watching them all file out and to their rides. 'These kids are made of sterner stuff than I imagined. But who know what lurks under that shadow?' Ritsuko had pulled her aside with a small briefing on the idea that the Angels were becoming smarter, craftier, and well, more human. It was imperative they be careful with the kids from now on, especially since Iruel had left such a deep impression on them.
ôThe Evangelion have made it to the ground safely.ö The pilot announced, shaking Misato from her thoughts.
ôCables are in properly right?ö Misato radioed Shinji to be certain, this wasn't the time for a slip up.
ôYes ma'am.ö The reply was crisp and focused, Shinji was ready for this.
ôOnce everyone is set, we will begin the operation.ö A pit formed in Misato's stomach, they had always been there for the kids in piloting the Evangelion, but they couldn't now.
ôEveryone is ready.ö Rei said, all three Units were holding hands.
She didn't want to say it, but when she took this post, she knew it would be dirty dirty business that had to be done. Humanity was at stake and only children could save it, experience and wisdom weren't welcome on this battlefield. The words she was about say would echo in her mind for days following, but she had a duty to perform, just as they did.
ôThen, begin the breaching of the Dirac sea.ö
/-\ /-\ /-\
The three units sank beneath the surface of the shadow, easily as though it were water. They had almost no time to brace themselves before they were falling, surrounded by darkness as far as the eye could see. Desperately, if not futilely, the Evangelion clung to one another for reassurance that they were still together.
ôIt's like descending into a whole new world.ö Shinji said with a bit of awe, the sensation of the Evangelion falling not stopping in the least. ôI can almost feel the turn of the Earth.ö
ôYeah, we're falling through space.ö Asuka added, her own wonderment at the sensation getting the better of her.
ôIt's so bizarre. This should be terrifying and destroying my sanity, but I can't stop feeling awed.ö Rei said, doing her best to remain calm.
ôMan, I don't think we're gonna stop.ö Shinji peered downward to the best of his Evangelion's ability. There was nothing underneath them. ôThough we might stop when we reach the end of the cable length.ö
ôThat was the idea wasn't it?ö Rei put in, not sarcastic like the phrasing was set.
ôWait a second, I'm picking up something.ö Asuka said, having volunteered to attach a sensor array to her Evangelion to try and find the Angel in this infinite negative space. ôIt's not an Angel, but it's... it's a mass of land!ö
ôSay what?ö Shinji exclaimed, for all of a second before a huge chunk of land appeared below them.
ôThis is bad, we're falling too fast now.ö Rei said, noting the rapid approach of said land.
ôHow is that even possible!?ö Shinji yelled, even as he braced for impact.
ôIt's this place, as a potential portal to another dimension, it'd only make sense that the laws of physics would be made a mockery of!ö Asuka exclaimed, somehow getting in over the cries of a thousand physicists howling in sorrowful anger. By that note, how can they even see anything anyways? Wasn't it established they can't see just a few moments ago?
ôYou're getting off track again.ö Rei said, just in time for the Evangelion to crash into the suddenly appearing chunk of land. While I was ranting, it turned out that they had attempted to stop their fall or at least slow down with their AT-fields, only for them to fail because something in the sea of nothing canceled them out. Oh and if you're wondering, all of the pilots have been knocked unconscious... lovely.
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôShinji! Shinji! Get up, you're going to be late for school!ö Misato called, waking Shinji back to reality. Or so he thought, as he tried to shake off both sleep and wonder how he wound up home so fast.
ôI'm up, I'm up.ö He noted that his voice sounded deeper for some reason, he stood up and swayed a little. Had he had a growth spurt or something? He put it from his mind when an unfamiliar but still recognizable voice called him.
ôC'mon Shinji,ö the voice called, sounding like someone he knew. ôI even came by earlier than usual so we could walk to school today.ö
ôI'll be right out Mana,ö he called, the unfamiliar name rolling off his tongue as though he had said it a thousand times before. He just needed to get dressed, and quickly now.
ôAbout time,ö Mana said with a feigned indignation as Shinji emerged from his room. Hands on her hips, the mousy redhead perfectly flashed that annoyed look that seemed to have been honed from years of feminine outrage. Even in jest, it made her looked rather peeved.
ôYeah, I know. I have to open up time in my schedule between saving the world from itself and helping bridge humanity's way to the future for sleep.ö Shinji smirked at his own joke, deciding to dismiss the amused looks on their faces for anything but agreement with his statement.
ôEnough of that, we have to get to school, Mr. World Saver.ö Mana came over and took Shinji's arm in a familiar manner, one that ticked away at a small part of Shinji's mind.
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôIt's a beautiful day out.ö Shinji said, looking out at the city as they drove to their high school. He couldn't remember Tokyo-3 looking this good. And then, that thought turned up on itself. Tokyo-3? It had always been Tokyo hadn't it?
ôShinji, are you alright?ö Mana asked, somewhat concerned at how his mood became somewhat pensive.
ôNothing, just thinking about this weird dream I had.ö Shinji flashed a smile to try and calm her nerves, succeeding nominally. The drive continued in silence, but it was a comfortable one.
They arrived at school, and Shinji was struck by the wreckage he saw off in the distance behind the school. His mind whirled as he tried to make sense of everything, this whispering voice talking of angels in the back of his head. He leaned against the nearest wall to catch his breath, while Mana studiously looked on, understanding this episode for what it was.
ôYou always get like this when you look at the wreck of the Space Walk.ö It was understandable, considering this was the disappeared Yui Ikari's greatest work... and the place where many believe she had died. Not Shinji's father, or the boy himself, which tugged at Mana's heartstrings all the more.
ôI really should stop.ö Shinji said, with an uncharacteristic bite of sarcasm. Mana laughed though, so that bit of odd behavior had slipped past... for now.
ôLet's just get to class.ö Mana helped Shinji up, and lead him into the building.
/-\ /-\ /-\
Time rolled forward a bit, and school had finished for Shinji and Mana. However, both would part ways here, as Shinji went to continue his intern work at NERV, his father's company. While it was unheard of in most cases of a high school student getting such a thing, nepotism trumps tradition sometimes.
Also, it didn't hurt that he was the first to have a significant breakthrough with artificial intelligence for robots. Basing a thesis off the work of Doctor Naoko Akagi and her daughter Ritsuko, he had successfully constructed a working model for what would be the first true AI. His mother had only figured out space flight and safer Terra-forming projects before she had supposedly died in the attack that destroyed the Space Walk. If you were wondering, that is a system of elevators that took you to a space station above Earth so you could walk around in space, sort of anyways.
Which meant that he had to help with the project, interning under Department Chief Aoi Mogami.
ôAh, right on time as usual, Ikari.ö Aoi said, adjusting her glasses as way of greeting him. She had taken a professional liking of the young man's work ethic, the same of which could not be said of her underlings.
ôShinji, you came back to me! I've been so lonely here without you!ö A tall blonde woman promptly wrapped herself around him, in quite the lewd fashion, which was very inappropriate considering the age gap.
ôMs. Ooi.ö Aoi admonished the woman, forcing her to release the young genius from her hold.
ôPlease, Satsuki.ö Shinji said in a level tone, not totally unhappy with the attention but he was engaged after all. ôWe're coworkers here, so behave yourself.ö
ôBut it's just so mean of you to be engaged before I ever got a chance at you!ö Satsuki whined, crocodile tears in her eyes as she did her usual routine whenever their shifts lined up.
ôDear lord, why do I keep putting her on the same shift as him?ö Aoi muttered to herself, she felt a migraine coming along. Joy.
ôWe've been over this time and again, I proposed to her when we were kids with the express purpose of making sure we would be reunited later. I intend to keep that promise, and it is frankly, rather rude of you to try and break it.ö Not missing a beat, Shinji lectured Satsuki as he usually had to, considering the woman's attitude.
ôAh, Shinji, here's the data.ö A short brunette said, pushing Satsuki out of the way. Roughly too, considering the very dark look give to the back of the other woman's head.
ôThank you Kaede, nice to see some people want this project to get done.ö Shinji took the data pad with grace, nodding and smiling his thanks.
ôAnd that is how you do it,ö Kaede whispered to Satsuki, setting the blonde off.
ôAgano!ö Satsuki roared, causing everyone present to break out laughing. It was a cheery scene, one that seemed out of place here where the future of mankind was being further formed. Shinji looked at the data pad and saw the finalized schematics for the testbed.
ôRei...ö he whispered, the name familiar and taut on his lips, before he shook his head and got to work.
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôChancellor! Chancellor! Wake up, it's the start of the Parliament!ö an older male voice sounded outside the door, awakening Asuka from her peaceful slumber.
ôI'm awake, Johann, I'm awake.ö Asuka got up from bed, not really noticing the different to her height, hair, or the fact that the request to wake up was given in perfect German. What she did notice, was the fact that her bust had increased a little, straining a bit against the silken nightie she wore. ôWhat the...?ö And as quickly as the shock came, it flowed away, as her mind woke up more and she took her puzzlement as a result of tiredness.
ôMadam Chancellor, the Parliament will be meeting in ten minutes, please hurry and get dressed!ö Johann called from behind the door, poor man sounded positively panicked.
ôShouting at me like I'm a horse will not get me dressing faster.ö Asuka admonished the man, sighing theatrically at his antics, even as she complied with his request. Chancellor of Germany and her butler couldn't stop yelling at her like she was deaf and insensate. But he was a faithful one, so she didn't hold it against him. ôI can bathe later, I slept longer than I wished to have. Busy night last night, wasn't it?ö
ôVery busy, Madam Chancellor. You broke the impasse between the two parties last night after a marathon debate over taxes of the Lunar colony.ö Johann wasn't informing her, just allowing her to focus on him and less on other things that didn't involve her dressed to open the Parliament session today. She was a good girl, young woman, who was the shining light for the future of Germany and the whole of Europe. By 2020, every country on the continent would have a Lunar city, making the loss of the International Space Station and the Space Walk a distant memory.
ôWith time to spare, I am ready.ö Asuka announced with a feigned regal tone, posing in her form fitting red dress that looked more suited for a ball than politics. But that's what the public loved about her, she'd been Chancellor since 12, so they got to see her grow up, as it were. ôLet us go.ö
/-\ /-\ /-\
Time flowed forward and Asuka had finished her duties at Parliament for the day. And just in time too, as a young girl with red hair waited impatiently for her. Right as the youngster's patience began to wane, Asuka appeared with arms out.
ôSister!ö the little girl cried, running over to give Asuka a great big hug.
ôSorry I'm late Cecilia, Parliament ran later than usual. But it was for a good cause, the taxes on the Lunar colony have been lowered, which means an easier time for Papa.ö Asuka explained to her sister, sure that the girl didn't really understand.
ôYay!ö Cecilia cheered, not getting it but anything that made things better for her father was something to cheer for to her.
ôThere's still time, you want to go to the park today?ö Asuka asked, more as a formality than anything, as she already knew the answer.
ôOf course!ö Cecilia said, her tone almost chirping she finally wormed her way from her elder sister's embrace and stood holding her hand.
ôHold on tight, okay?ö Asuka smiled at her sister's serious nod in response and shook her head. ôWell, we're going now.ö
The two exited the building and into the late afternoon air, the sun casting a glow of vibrant life on the scene. Asuka took a deep breath and marveled privately at the beauty of the sight before her, a Germany unblemished and unmarred by the ravages of disaster. It really took her breath away, if only in the figurative sense.
/-\ /-\ /-\
Rei returned to her senses when she perceived she was floating in mid-air. Her eyes snapped open and she took in the familiar sight of Tokyo-3... but different. The passage of time had surely come and left the city looking both the better and worse for it, if that makes sense to you. Some parts were worn out while others looked positively brand spanking new.
The First Child looked around some more, before noticing she wasn't alone, as Shinji and Asuka sat on a bench not five feet away. But there was something vastly different about them, most noticeably being the fact that they were both grown ups now. In fact, Rei barely recognized them, save for Asuka's still red hair and Shinji's usual cocksure posture.
What had happened to them all after they fell in the Dirac sea?
ôLong day huh?ö Asuka said, looking out at the city sprawling before them. It was a sight that inspired awe in her every time she looked upon it.
ôNo longer than usual, just feels that way.ö Shinji said, somewhat even keeled for him, but perhaps maturity had taken the bite from his words.
ôIt must be hard, all the eyes of this world upon you. It's enough to make a girl jealous.ö Asuka said, teasing a bit, almost a casual flirt.
ôIs it? I don't pay attention to other people much when you're around.ö Shinji smirked, flashing that old snarker charm.
ôMercy, you do have a way with words, don't you?ö Asuka didn't sound annoyed, though the wording may have one feeling something was off. She leaned forward, and Rei quickly turned away when she realized what was about to happen.
ôWhat is going on? What the hell happened?ö Rei looked around again before something about her hands caught her attention. It took a few seconds, but she could see right through herself!
Her scream pierced outward unto infinity, contained only by the black void that encased her.
/-\ /-\ /-\
Shinji sat up groggy in the entry plug of Unit-01, his head aching as he felt he was slammed back into himself. Which sounded impossible now that he thought about it, ignoring any potential existentialist viewpoint of course. But yeah, he had a pretty terrible headache, not helped by the fact that he couldn't really see.
He closed his eyes and breathed, feeling Unit-01's animal conscience against his, a questioning feeling coming from the alien machine of destruction. He could feel the Evangelion pulse beneath him, as if it were... alive. But that wasn't possible, right? It was just a robot, right?
...Right?
ôShinji.ö Asuka's voice came over the communicator surprisingly clear, meaning that the sea apparently didn't block their communications.
ôAsuka, are you okay?ö He put his worries about Unit-01 aside for now and focused on his fellow pilots.
ôHead hurts like hell, and I've been better, but I'm not particularly injured.ö Her reply was filled with surprising cheer, before her voice grew grave. ôI can't contact Rei at all.ö
ôOh man, this is seriously messed up.ö He was worried, but he couldn't voice it properly right now. ôMaybe she's still unconscious.ö
ôWe can't look for her, because we can't see.ö Asuka pointed out, the lights in their cockpit didn't even work, even though everything else did.
ôIf you seek Light little humans, you only need but to wish for it in your hearts.ö An ethereal, and oddly feminine with a youthful lilt to it, voice rang out from all around them. Like the richest musics, it pulsed through every bit of their beings.
ôWhat the hell?ö Shinji asked, looking around. Who had said that?
ôWho said that?ö Asuka demanded, whipping her head around in the dark in fear.
ôI am Leliel, and this is my domain.ö The voice replied, still as smooth as before.
ôShinji this is!ö Asuka said, before she was cut off.
ôDon't say anything Asuka, we have to be careful.ö Shinji replied, hoping to keep what they suspected to be the Angel they came to kill off guard.
ôDo not worry, your unease is probably a by-product of the dark. Your kind has always lost their nerve when their sight is taken away. This darkness has always been here, even as I slumbered, it took in things, people and animal. Though I was asleep, I could hear their dying screams in my dreams.ö Leliel didn't pay any attention to their exchange and went on like they never said anything. ôNow please, restore the light from your hearts and come out of those dreadful machines, your friend needs you.ö
ôRei!ö They both exclaimed, and instead of making threats to Leliel, they decided to concern themselves with Rei first and making sure she was safe. The return of the light did little comfort them as they worked quickly to exit their Evangelion and find their imperiled companion.
/-\ /-\ /-\
Back at NERV, things were tense, to say the least. Not only had they lost contact with the Evangelion pilots, there was little to no response of data streaming into the MAGI. Whatever was happening down in that hole, they had no way of knowing.
ôMan, this sucks.ö Aoba complained, sitting at his console with nothing to do. He had been barred from video games after the Iruel incident, but only for a month or two.
ôThat's not funny.ö Hyuga frowned at the unintentional pun. But then, he frowned at puns whenever he felt he could get away with it.
ôIt wasn't a joke.ö Aoba defended himself quickly, not feeling like an argument.
ôMakoto, leave it alone.ö Maya didn't want to hear an argument about nothing either, so she stepped to Aoba's defense.
ôFine, fine. Sheesh.ö Hyuga quieted down and the depressed atmosphere grew deeper for the bridge crew.
ôI can't blame them, this waiting is driving me nuts.ö Misato said, as she waited back with the Commander, Sub-Commander, and Ritsuko. It had been hours since the pilots had submerged and they could only wait.
ôWe're running long on patience here though.ö Ritsuko said, even as she knew the labs and the MAGI were working at full tilt to find someway to contact the pilots.
ôWe will have to make plans for the possibility of their loss.ö Fuyutsuki decided to be the one to breach the bad news.
ôNot yet.ö It was quiet, nearly inaudible sound coming from around Gendo.
ôPardon?ö Misato asked, not sure if she head him right.
ôNot yet. The umbilical cables are still connected, they're still there. Still there...ö It was still quiet but loud enough to be heard. Gendo's hands were shaking, causing the other people around him to smile as they understood the words and their meaning.
ôVery well, we'll table that talk for now,ö Misato said, as she got up with Ritsuko. ôCome on, let's get down to the lab and see if they have anything for us yet.ö Misato and Ritsuko exited the bridge without a further word.
ôI see, the one worried most of all is you, huh Commander?ö Fuyutsuki said, plying the man from his worried silence for a brief bit of chat.
ôWhen a soldier puts their faith in their commander, they're counting on that commander to lead them home alive. I can't call myself the Commander of NERV if they all don't make it back here in one piece.ö Gendo was calm in his delivery, but the fact he never stopped looking forward, meant that he couldn't do anything to dispel the notion he was worried.
ôMore than the Evangelion themselves, those Children are wonderful pilots that we won't be able to replace easily.ö It was a simple statement, but one that carried heavy meaning. Equating the lives of the pilots to that of the Evangelion would seem ludicrous, you couldn't just snap your fingers and make more appear. But then, you could say much the same for people able to pilot them this well, right?
ôThey'll be back, but the state they're in when they return will have to be dealt with carefully.ö Gendo let out a slight sigh, it came and went in the blink of an eye, but it was there. Gendo Ikari, the man who destroyed the World with Second Impact was worried. For the pilots who had believed in him enough to risk their lives on a gamble of foolish proportions. Sleep wouldn't be easy tonight for him, as rarely as it had ever been.
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôRei!ö Shinji and Asuka flanked the First Child on either side, leaning down to check on her condition. ôAre you okay?ö They could see nothing psychically work with Rei, but they did notice she was trembling slightly.
ôNot there, I'm not there.ö Rei appeared to be muttering this to herself, a light sign of tears at the edge of her eyes.
ôRei, get a hold of yourself! Rei!ö Shinji vigorously shook the crying girl, snapping her out of her daze.
ôShinji? I can hear you but I can't see.ö Rei turned herself towards the voice, hoping for some help here.
ôIt's okay, just close your eyes and wish for light in your heart. It's how we found you.ö Asuka instructed Rei, more because she didn't want Rei being too emotional towards Shinji at the moment. Not out of jealousy, just wanting to keep Rei under control.
ôAlright, I'll try.ö Rei closed her eyes and did as instructed, and when she opened them, by some miracle she could see. Shinji helped her to her feet without a word, when Leliel's voice came to them again.
ôI see that the blue haired one is back on her feet. Good.ö The voice sounded genuinely relieved by this, a puzzling thing to be sure.
ôThis is...ö Rei said, feeling the connection between herself and Leliel so very keenly. She trailed off when Shinji grabbed her arm and motioned for her to be silent.
ôAh, I have forgotten what I believe you'd call, 'my manners.' I am Leliel, the ah, I suppose 'mistress' would be the closest to correct, of this domain.ö As Leliel spoke, countless fractals of light spiral before the eyes of the Evangelion pilots before coalescing into the form of a young looking girl.
ôIt's a pleasure to meet you.ö Asuka said, as the one of the trio with the best manners. She bowed slightly, the other two copying the movement for now.
ôI have been sleeping for a long time, so this is the first time I have talked to your kind in person. Those who have not gotten lost in the dark have been lost through to the other side. I do not know where it always goes, just that the entrance and exit rarely match up to favorable worlds.ö The word were precise and clear, but they lacked a certain... quality to them that made them more than a little strange to the human ear.
'So these are the words of an Angel.' Shinji thought to himself, as he tried to make sense of how to deal with Leliel. 'But I don't get the sense that this Angel is actually an enemy.'
ôI see.ö Asuka said, continuing as the speaker for the group. For now at least, as it was likely that the others would have their own piece to say. ôIt must be pretty lonely in here.ö Ply with an easy point, even if it wouldn't understand the words or their meaning, it would keep the Angel busy.
ôDuring my long sleep, I have not had a chance to understand this term you say, 'lonely' was it? I could hear the voices and calls of countless beings and creatures, so the noise is not something I am unfamiliar with. I suppose, I can appreciate that word, as you are the first humans I have been awake to speak to.ö Leliel trailed off, as if thinking a great deal about her next words. ôThe difference between us is striking, to me at least. You seem small, almost tiny to my senses, but you carry yourselves with greater import than my mind would allow you. In contrast, I am vast, seemingly ageless and have to contort myself into this form so that we can actually have this conversation, but you speak to me as if we are equals. It is incredibly audacious and yet humbling all the same.ö
ôWe do not speak to high beings often,ö Shinji said, before Asuka or Rei could stop him or speak their minds. ôAs humans, we can only speak as we have been taught, and treat others as we understand ourselves. It is true that you are far beyond what our senses can effectively measure, but that face you wear allows us the comfort to speak to you on our level.ö The Angels weren't humans after all, so it was only logical that they would seem so alien and foreign to them. But this was an opportunity denied to them by the fight with Iruel, a legitimate chance at understanding the nature of the beast they fought. He was Yui Ikari's son after all.
ôSo I see, it is but the nature of our respective kinds. It makes sense in a way, as we are on two different planes of existence.ö Leliel seemed amused by the direction the conversation had taken, even if she didn't really understand the meaning behind the words that were said to her.
ôWe clearly have a lot to talk about, but I'm afraid we won't have time before something rash is done.ö Rei said, having been quiet and studying the Angel for signs of hostility. ôOur respective kinds have not gotten along well, so this is an unprecedented chance for diplomacy and discovery.ö
ôYeah, but the others are probably nervous since they haven't heard from us at all.ö Shinji said, looking over towards the Evangelion. ôPerhaps we could send a message to them?ö
ôBut how?ö Asuka asked, more to draw Leliel in than anything.
ôI should be able to dampen the waves that block your communication, but it sadly only works for messages leaving.ö Leliel offered, which the three took eagerly.
ôThen I'll go prepare the message at once.ö Rei sprang towards Unit-00 with a quickened step, mentally going over the note in her head.
ôAre we sure we should do this?ö Asuka whispered to Shinji, a bit pensive about staying here longer than may be necessary.
ôFor now, we need to keep our host pacified. We have no idea how to kill this one, so we shall have to play it by ear. Don't worry though, I'm sure what we'll learn will be invaluable to us in the future anyways.ö Shinji whispered back, hoping that Leliel wasn't eavesdropping on them.
ôI hope you're right.ö Asuka looked over at the Evangelion, and wondered for a spell.
ôSo do I.ö
End Chapter 16
Teaser for Chapter 17: ôMeet Me In Outer Spaceö
ôWe have a message coming in over an encrypted line.ö Hyuga said, as he opened it.
ôIt's from Rei, they're alright!ö Maya cheered, throwing her hands up as she read the message.
ôThey have engaged the Angel in... a conversation?ö Aoba sounded doubtful of this, but wasn't prepared to voice this concern out loud.
ôCommander, what do we do?ö Ritsuko asked, before Misato could say something careless. Not that she would, but you have to cover your bases after all.
ôWe should have faith in them, as they are either gathering valuable information on the Angels, or they are waiting for an opening to exploit.ö Gendo replied, though he looked a lot less... stressed than before.
ôAnd if we're lucky, both.ö Misato added, looking towards the screen displaying the message. She hoped those kids had the right idea, but she'd be ready with something to bail them out should it go wrong. That was her job as tactical commander, and it was one she wouldn't fail easily.
ôSo what does this do to the message from the higher ups?ö Ritsuko asked, referring to the cryptic message to expect Unit-03 and a new pilot any day now.
ôNothing, for now.ö Gendo replied, shrugging his shoulders. ôBut as long as the worst case doesn't happen, we won't need Unit-03 at all.ö
Author note: And that's where we stop. Took my time with this one, think it came out alright. Hope to be back with 17 and the conclusion to Leliel and another Angel appears? What does the sinister Bardiel have in store for our heroes? And who is this mysterious new pilot, who is totally not Touji? Tune in... next time!
So uh yeah.
Author note: And now, chapter 16. Leliel and the Dirac Sea are up, and what lies in wait therein. It'll be a long, strange trip to say the least. Buckle up guys, we're hitting the rapids of the ripples.
The Reprint and Repackaging of Evangelion
Chapter 16 Heaven Holds a Sense of Wonder
by Anonguy
Time flowed forward once more, and three weeks had passed since the incident with Iruel. All was quiet on the Angel front, and so the pilots were able to settle themselves down from their crisis of faith in the mission. Or that's how they acted, but they were young and bad at lying, and no one wanted to press the issue.
As things progressed, more and more weird instances of ruins and patches of animals and land disappearing in a massive shadow were reported. The UN investigated the Shadow, but were unable to determine what it was and was ordered off by NERV in order to make sure there wasn't anything lurking beneath the surface. A breakthrough was made, and announced to the world by Dr. Akagi and a press conference just a matter of minutes ago.
ôWe have discovered an actual Dirac sea, as it fits all of the notes left by the inventor of the theoretical model Paul Dirac.ö She announced to the UN and JSSDF. ôIt is currently stationed forty to fifty kilometers east of Tokyo-3. At this time, NERV has no idea how to approach the subject, but I assure you we are working around the clock to figure this out. Please, bear with us, we don't want to see anyone be harmed in our stead.ö
ôDr. Akagi! Is it true that the Dirac sea is swallowing anything that it touches?ö a UN rep asked, waving his hand like a crazed news reporter.
ôThat certainly seems to be the situation. Unless we say it's okay, don't touch it. It's like lava, but instead of being burned to death you get sucked into a void of infinite negative particles.ö Ritsuko answered, doing her best to deflect any curious heroes from being eaten by another dimension. Alledgedly another dimension anyways.
ôBut didn't the Evangelion fight by an active volcano?ö someone pointed out.
ôI don't know how they did it, it was like convection took a vacation. And cleaning them off was a fucking nightmare, ugh.ö Ritsuko hated when the laws of science took a pounding, as it was here job to deflect the rampant waves of bitching from the scientific community when they violated the rules of what was generally accepted as how shit worked. Not as much as she hated cleaning them off after that mission, there was a ridiculous amount of ash in various nooks and crannies.
The audience laughed good naturedly at the self-depreciation, accepting it for now.
ôöJust trust me on this, we have a good idea that the Dirac sea is connected to the Angels somehow, so please, leave it to us.ö Ritsuko adopted a semi-heroic prose. ôWe're here to protect you from those guys, and that means everyone, even the soldiers.ö
/-\ /-\ /-\
The press conference ended with little fanfare and it was back to NERV HQ to determine just how they were to deal with it. Scanners had failed to penetrate the massive shadow, leaving them uncertain of where the Angel might be inside it. To say nothing of the fact that the shadow didn't give off the blue signal, which meant they couldn't tell if the shadow was an Angel in and of itself.
ôDoctor, I believe you had a suggestion.ö Gendo said, sitting at the head of the big conference table used for really important meetings that would deal with the end of the world. Like this one, for example.
ôIt's not the best, but the only way we can be sure to get the Angel is to go inside the Dirac sea and search for it.ö Ritsuko began her presentation, using 3D models provided by the MAGI to help her points. ôNow, while there are an infinite number of negative particles, there has to be a generation point inside the shadow for the Angel to make the sea appear.ö She highlighted several spots where it likely could be.
ôSo what you're saying,ö Misato said, as she looked at the model. ôis that there are a set number of hiding spots inside the sea for it to be located.ö
ôThat is correct.ö Ritsuko nodded, grateful for the help.
ôI see that the middle is not highlighted.ö Fuyutsuki made note of, rubbing his chin in contemplation.
ôThat's too obvious, as we could just figure out the center point and just start dropping bombs into it until we kill it.ö Misato cut in before Ritsuko could answer.
ôThat, and we can't tell how big it is inside the shadow. We could conceivably drop every N2-mine into it we have and still miss it.ö Ritsuko said, in all seriousness.
ôWe have a lot of N2-mines.ö Gendo mentioned.
ôThe Dirac sea could be infinitely wide inside. If we don't know where to drop them, we'll waste them.ö Ritsuko countered, poking a finger at the model. ôThis is just the outside, the MAGI refused to even begin to calculate a scale model of the inside, saying that they couldn't make a scale downed vision of infinity.ö
ôAnd if they can't do it,ö Fuyutsuki said, looking at Gendo, who looked at Misato, then Ritsuko, before back at Fuyutsuki.
ôThen we won't know unless we go inside.ö Gendo sounded grim, grimmer than anyone present had ever heard. Then they remembered Shinji and realized the source of the uncharacteristic concern.
ôIt'll take some work, but we should be able to convince them to go in.ö Ritsuko tried to sugarcoat things, knowing that this course of action was the exact opposite of the game with Iruel: a huge gamble.
ôSome work?ö Misato laughed with open derision of her friend's choice of words. ôWe're convincing them to dive into infinite negative space and hopefully find the Angel in a space that could be as wide as the goddamn universe. This isn't tricking them into going on a school trip they don't want to, this is their lives.ö Not once, was the idea of any single pilot going alone brought up. The kids would never agree to that.
ôI admit, my phrasing was poor, but I'm trying to remain optimistic here.ö Ritsuko accepted the verbal salvo, they had to be the adults and figure this shit out first before they could even fool themselves into thinking they could order the pilots into this scenario.
ôWe must have faith that they will understand.ö Fuyutsuki added, bringing a third opinion to the field.
ôNo matter how we decide to go about it, when it comes time to give the order, I will be the one to give it.ö Gendo interjected, the weight in his voice silencing the debate for a second. ôI will have faith in my son, and the other pilots as well. I want them to know I am behind them, always behind their every effort. I... I can't stay quietly in the shadows now.ö Oh man, he was close to breaking down there.
Ritsuko and Misato shared a tiny smile off to the side, as they understood the man's feelings very well, no matter how awkwardly he may go about expressing them.
ôIf that is your wish Commander.ö Fuyutsuki replied, as if soothing the nerves of a worried child. He had been working with the man for a number of years now, he had a decent amount of knowledge of his many quirks.
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôHey Shinji, what are you doing?ö Asuka asked, being on standby with the other pilots meant that they were in the pilots briefing room. The Second Child decided to strike up a conversation with the Third.
ôNothing really.ö Shinji wasn't exactly lying, he was keeping himself busy tracking an E-net thread while organizing his music collection. ôJust tidying up my laptop, rearranging stuff I had misfiled.ö
ôA worthwhile endeavor.ö Rei commented off to the side, who sat in her chair with perfect posture.
ôStill gives me the creeps when she talks like that.ö Shinji muttered, shaking his head.
ôOh, and how should I talk?ö Rei turned to face Shinji, a false look of confrontation on her face.
ôHey now, no need to get all peevish.ö Shinji waved off from the potential argument, even if he thought the feistier speech suited the blue haired girl more.
ôHmph!ö It was perfectly delivered with enough fake indignation that Asuka had to laugh.
ôOh come on Rei, you know how Shinji is. Always barking because he's afraid to bite.ö Asuka poked him in the ribs, much to the Third Child's annoyance.
ôI didn't think you'd like getting bit.ö Shinji retorted, turning away from Asuka in a mock sulk, which only made her laugh more.
ôSomeone is in a good mood.ö Rei tossed out, playing along with the way the conversation had shifted.
ôI try. Besides, I always figured smiling a lot was like exercising.ö Asuka said, shrugging a little.
ôHow's that work?ö Shinji wasn't curious, but he didn't want her poking him again. If there was poking to be done, it'd be done by him! Wait, no, that sounded dirty.
ôThe narrator's being a pervert.ö Rei noted, poking the fourth wall hard for the interruption.
ôIt's okay, we're all perverts here.ö Asuka said, putting on a lopsided grin.
ôSpeak for yourself.ö Rei said, though a little defensively.
ôI can speak for us both,ö Asuka said, before leaning in and whispering to Rei. ôYou should be more quiet if you're going to do that in the bathroom.ö
Rei turned redder than the color of Asuka's plug suit and bolted out of her chair.
ôI so don't wanna know,ö Shinji said theatrically, sighing in a put upon way that looked so fake that it looped back around to genuine. Or something like that.
The fun times ended when Misato came in, with Gendo and Ritsuko in tow.
ôAlright you three, listen up.ö Misato said, whipping them all into shape with a single command. ôThe operation is special, as such, the Commander himself will explain it.ö
Alarm bells sounded in Shinji's head, but he kept his features stern.
ôThe mission plan has been decided, and it is one of great risk.ö Gendo paused, gathering his steam to get the rest out. ôThis plan is one that we deliberated long and hard on, and one that we're still not sure if we should do it. But as it seems the Angel is in the shadow, we need to find it.ö
ôSo what you're saying, is that you want to send the Evangelion inside it.ö Rei spoke up, before Shinji could.
ôYes, but only because we're not sure just what we're dealing with. Our sensors can't penetrate the shadow, so we can't be certain if it is an Angel at all. What we have to go by is the fact that it moves around from time to time, giving off a sense that there is something alive about it.ö Gendo continued the briefing, using the visual aids provided by Ritsuko to show what he was talking about. ôAnd besides, something like this doesn't just appear from nowhere.ö
ôSo, we have to go in eh?ö Shinji said, relatively calm. ôIf this is our only path, then we can't waste time arguing over whether it is right or wrong. If the Angel hides in the shadow, then we will have to find it won't we?ö
ôThat's right, we just have to find it. And we will, because that's what we're here for right?ö Asuka added on, as the three pilots stood.
ôYou three...ö Gendo said, a minor laugh escaping his lips. ôThen if you understand the mission, all that is left is the order.ö
ôIndeed.ö Shinji said, bowing his head. ôI won't worry about what this means and any negative garbage like that. I am a pilot of Evangelion, I take my life into my own hands. You are the Commander, while also my father. Please, don't let them interfere with each other, because we'll be fine.ö
ôThank you.ö It was almost too quiet to be heard, but Shinji heard it, and for the two Ikaris, that was all that was needed. ôThe mission has been decided on, prepare the Evangelion for transport immediately. We will infiltrate the Dirac sea!ö
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôIt's like a hole in the world itself.ö Rei said, as she saw the Dirac sea from the hypersonic transport above it.
ôNo time to be wondering how deep the rabbit hole is,ö Asuka said, grinning a bit to herself as she was psyching herself up for another sortie. ôWe'll be going in shortly.ö
ôIt feels weird you know?ö Shinji added, looking at the black mass pooling below them. ôIt almost looks too unnatural to be real. Even with everything we've seen and done, I can safely say that this is the weirdest of them all.ö
ôNo argument there,ö Asuka agreed, looking at it again with frank wonder and more than a little discomfort.
ôNow, remember,ö Misato spoke up then, having received word they were ready to unload the Evangelion. ôKeep the umbilical cable connected and stay in contact with each other. We'll be cut off due to the sea's effect alright?ö
ôYes ma'am!ö The pilots chorused dutifully.
'It seems they're mostly over the last Angel.' Misato thought quietly to herself, watching them all file out and to their rides. 'These kids are made of sterner stuff than I imagined. But who know what lurks under that shadow?' Ritsuko had pulled her aside with a small briefing on the idea that the Angels were becoming smarter, craftier, and well, more human. It was imperative they be careful with the kids from now on, especially since Iruel had left such a deep impression on them.
ôThe Evangelion have made it to the ground safely.ö The pilot announced, shaking Misato from her thoughts.
ôCables are in properly right?ö Misato radioed Shinji to be certain, this wasn't the time for a slip up.
ôYes ma'am.ö The reply was crisp and focused, Shinji was ready for this.
ôOnce everyone is set, we will begin the operation.ö A pit formed in Misato's stomach, they had always been there for the kids in piloting the Evangelion, but they couldn't now.
ôEveryone is ready.ö Rei said, all three Units were holding hands.
She didn't want to say it, but when she took this post, she knew it would be dirty dirty business that had to be done. Humanity was at stake and only children could save it, experience and wisdom weren't welcome on this battlefield. The words she was about say would echo in her mind for days following, but she had a duty to perform, just as they did.
ôThen, begin the breaching of the Dirac sea.ö
/-\ /-\ /-\
The three units sank beneath the surface of the shadow, easily as though it were water. They had almost no time to brace themselves before they were falling, surrounded by darkness as far as the eye could see. Desperately, if not futilely, the Evangelion clung to one another for reassurance that they were still together.
ôIt's like descending into a whole new world.ö Shinji said with a bit of awe, the sensation of the Evangelion falling not stopping in the least. ôI can almost feel the turn of the Earth.ö
ôYeah, we're falling through space.ö Asuka added, her own wonderment at the sensation getting the better of her.
ôIt's so bizarre. This should be terrifying and destroying my sanity, but I can't stop feeling awed.ö Rei said, doing her best to remain calm.
ôMan, I don't think we're gonna stop.ö Shinji peered downward to the best of his Evangelion's ability. There was nothing underneath them. ôThough we might stop when we reach the end of the cable length.ö
ôThat was the idea wasn't it?ö Rei put in, not sarcastic like the phrasing was set.
ôWait a second, I'm picking up something.ö Asuka said, having volunteered to attach a sensor array to her Evangelion to try and find the Angel in this infinite negative space. ôIt's not an Angel, but it's... it's a mass of land!ö
ôSay what?ö Shinji exclaimed, for all of a second before a huge chunk of land appeared below them.
ôThis is bad, we're falling too fast now.ö Rei said, noting the rapid approach of said land.
ôHow is that even possible!?ö Shinji yelled, even as he braced for impact.
ôIt's this place, as a potential portal to another dimension, it'd only make sense that the laws of physics would be made a mockery of!ö Asuka exclaimed, somehow getting in over the cries of a thousand physicists howling in sorrowful anger. By that note, how can they even see anything anyways? Wasn't it established they can't see just a few moments ago?
ôYou're getting off track again.ö Rei said, just in time for the Evangelion to crash into the suddenly appearing chunk of land. While I was ranting, it turned out that they had attempted to stop their fall or at least slow down with their AT-fields, only for them to fail because something in the sea of nothing canceled them out. Oh and if you're wondering, all of the pilots have been knocked unconscious... lovely.
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôShinji! Shinji! Get up, you're going to be late for school!ö Misato called, waking Shinji back to reality. Or so he thought, as he tried to shake off both sleep and wonder how he wound up home so fast.
ôI'm up, I'm up.ö He noted that his voice sounded deeper for some reason, he stood up and swayed a little. Had he had a growth spurt or something? He put it from his mind when an unfamiliar but still recognizable voice called him.
ôC'mon Shinji,ö the voice called, sounding like someone he knew. ôI even came by earlier than usual so we could walk to school today.ö
ôI'll be right out Mana,ö he called, the unfamiliar name rolling off his tongue as though he had said it a thousand times before. He just needed to get dressed, and quickly now.
ôAbout time,ö Mana said with a feigned indignation as Shinji emerged from his room. Hands on her hips, the mousy redhead perfectly flashed that annoyed look that seemed to have been honed from years of feminine outrage. Even in jest, it made her looked rather peeved.
ôYeah, I know. I have to open up time in my schedule between saving the world from itself and helping bridge humanity's way to the future for sleep.ö Shinji smirked at his own joke, deciding to dismiss the amused looks on their faces for anything but agreement with his statement.
ôEnough of that, we have to get to school, Mr. World Saver.ö Mana came over and took Shinji's arm in a familiar manner, one that ticked away at a small part of Shinji's mind.
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôIt's a beautiful day out.ö Shinji said, looking out at the city as they drove to their high school. He couldn't remember Tokyo-3 looking this good. And then, that thought turned up on itself. Tokyo-3? It had always been Tokyo hadn't it?
ôShinji, are you alright?ö Mana asked, somewhat concerned at how his mood became somewhat pensive.
ôNothing, just thinking about this weird dream I had.ö Shinji flashed a smile to try and calm her nerves, succeeding nominally. The drive continued in silence, but it was a comfortable one.
They arrived at school, and Shinji was struck by the wreckage he saw off in the distance behind the school. His mind whirled as he tried to make sense of everything, this whispering voice talking of angels in the back of his head. He leaned against the nearest wall to catch his breath, while Mana studiously looked on, understanding this episode for what it was.
ôYou always get like this when you look at the wreck of the Space Walk.ö It was understandable, considering this was the disappeared Yui Ikari's greatest work... and the place where many believe she had died. Not Shinji's father, or the boy himself, which tugged at Mana's heartstrings all the more.
ôI really should stop.ö Shinji said, with an uncharacteristic bite of sarcasm. Mana laughed though, so that bit of odd behavior had slipped past... for now.
ôLet's just get to class.ö Mana helped Shinji up, and lead him into the building.
/-\ /-\ /-\
Time rolled forward a bit, and school had finished for Shinji and Mana. However, both would part ways here, as Shinji went to continue his intern work at NERV, his father's company. While it was unheard of in most cases of a high school student getting such a thing, nepotism trumps tradition sometimes.
Also, it didn't hurt that he was the first to have a significant breakthrough with artificial intelligence for robots. Basing a thesis off the work of Doctor Naoko Akagi and her daughter Ritsuko, he had successfully constructed a working model for what would be the first true AI. His mother had only figured out space flight and safer Terra-forming projects before she had supposedly died in the attack that destroyed the Space Walk. If you were wondering, that is a system of elevators that took you to a space station above Earth so you could walk around in space, sort of anyways.
Which meant that he had to help with the project, interning under Department Chief Aoi Mogami.
ôAh, right on time as usual, Ikari.ö Aoi said, adjusting her glasses as way of greeting him. She had taken a professional liking of the young man's work ethic, the same of which could not be said of her underlings.
ôShinji, you came back to me! I've been so lonely here without you!ö A tall blonde woman promptly wrapped herself around him, in quite the lewd fashion, which was very inappropriate considering the age gap.
ôMs. Ooi.ö Aoi admonished the woman, forcing her to release the young genius from her hold.
ôPlease, Satsuki.ö Shinji said in a level tone, not totally unhappy with the attention but he was engaged after all. ôWe're coworkers here, so behave yourself.ö
ôBut it's just so mean of you to be engaged before I ever got a chance at you!ö Satsuki whined, crocodile tears in her eyes as she did her usual routine whenever their shifts lined up.
ôDear lord, why do I keep putting her on the same shift as him?ö Aoi muttered to herself, she felt a migraine coming along. Joy.
ôWe've been over this time and again, I proposed to her when we were kids with the express purpose of making sure we would be reunited later. I intend to keep that promise, and it is frankly, rather rude of you to try and break it.ö Not missing a beat, Shinji lectured Satsuki as he usually had to, considering the woman's attitude.
ôAh, Shinji, here's the data.ö A short brunette said, pushing Satsuki out of the way. Roughly too, considering the very dark look give to the back of the other woman's head.
ôThank you Kaede, nice to see some people want this project to get done.ö Shinji took the data pad with grace, nodding and smiling his thanks.
ôAnd that is how you do it,ö Kaede whispered to Satsuki, setting the blonde off.
ôAgano!ö Satsuki roared, causing everyone present to break out laughing. It was a cheery scene, one that seemed out of place here where the future of mankind was being further formed. Shinji looked at the data pad and saw the finalized schematics for the testbed.
ôRei...ö he whispered, the name familiar and taut on his lips, before he shook his head and got to work.
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôChancellor! Chancellor! Wake up, it's the start of the Parliament!ö an older male voice sounded outside the door, awakening Asuka from her peaceful slumber.
ôI'm awake, Johann, I'm awake.ö Asuka got up from bed, not really noticing the different to her height, hair, or the fact that the request to wake up was given in perfect German. What she did notice, was the fact that her bust had increased a little, straining a bit against the silken nightie she wore. ôWhat the...?ö And as quickly as the shock came, it flowed away, as her mind woke up more and she took her puzzlement as a result of tiredness.
ôMadam Chancellor, the Parliament will be meeting in ten minutes, please hurry and get dressed!ö Johann called from behind the door, poor man sounded positively panicked.
ôShouting at me like I'm a horse will not get me dressing faster.ö Asuka admonished the man, sighing theatrically at his antics, even as she complied with his request. Chancellor of Germany and her butler couldn't stop yelling at her like she was deaf and insensate. But he was a faithful one, so she didn't hold it against him. ôI can bathe later, I slept longer than I wished to have. Busy night last night, wasn't it?ö
ôVery busy, Madam Chancellor. You broke the impasse between the two parties last night after a marathon debate over taxes of the Lunar colony.ö Johann wasn't informing her, just allowing her to focus on him and less on other things that didn't involve her dressed to open the Parliament session today. She was a good girl, young woman, who was the shining light for the future of Germany and the whole of Europe. By 2020, every country on the continent would have a Lunar city, making the loss of the International Space Station and the Space Walk a distant memory.
ôWith time to spare, I am ready.ö Asuka announced with a feigned regal tone, posing in her form fitting red dress that looked more suited for a ball than politics. But that's what the public loved about her, she'd been Chancellor since 12, so they got to see her grow up, as it were. ôLet us go.ö
/-\ /-\ /-\
Time flowed forward and Asuka had finished her duties at Parliament for the day. And just in time too, as a young girl with red hair waited impatiently for her. Right as the youngster's patience began to wane, Asuka appeared with arms out.
ôSister!ö the little girl cried, running over to give Asuka a great big hug.
ôSorry I'm late Cecilia, Parliament ran later than usual. But it was for a good cause, the taxes on the Lunar colony have been lowered, which means an easier time for Papa.ö Asuka explained to her sister, sure that the girl didn't really understand.
ôYay!ö Cecilia cheered, not getting it but anything that made things better for her father was something to cheer for to her.
ôThere's still time, you want to go to the park today?ö Asuka asked, more as a formality than anything, as she already knew the answer.
ôOf course!ö Cecilia said, her tone almost chirping she finally wormed her way from her elder sister's embrace and stood holding her hand.
ôHold on tight, okay?ö Asuka smiled at her sister's serious nod in response and shook her head. ôWell, we're going now.ö
The two exited the building and into the late afternoon air, the sun casting a glow of vibrant life on the scene. Asuka took a deep breath and marveled privately at the beauty of the sight before her, a Germany unblemished and unmarred by the ravages of disaster. It really took her breath away, if only in the figurative sense.
/-\ /-\ /-\
Rei returned to her senses when she perceived she was floating in mid-air. Her eyes snapped open and she took in the familiar sight of Tokyo-3... but different. The passage of time had surely come and left the city looking both the better and worse for it, if that makes sense to you. Some parts were worn out while others looked positively brand spanking new.
The First Child looked around some more, before noticing she wasn't alone, as Shinji and Asuka sat on a bench not five feet away. But there was something vastly different about them, most noticeably being the fact that they were both grown ups now. In fact, Rei barely recognized them, save for Asuka's still red hair and Shinji's usual cocksure posture.
What had happened to them all after they fell in the Dirac sea?
ôLong day huh?ö Asuka said, looking out at the city sprawling before them. It was a sight that inspired awe in her every time she looked upon it.
ôNo longer than usual, just feels that way.ö Shinji said, somewhat even keeled for him, but perhaps maturity had taken the bite from his words.
ôIt must be hard, all the eyes of this world upon you. It's enough to make a girl jealous.ö Asuka said, teasing a bit, almost a casual flirt.
ôIs it? I don't pay attention to other people much when you're around.ö Shinji smirked, flashing that old snarker charm.
ôMercy, you do have a way with words, don't you?ö Asuka didn't sound annoyed, though the wording may have one feeling something was off. She leaned forward, and Rei quickly turned away when she realized what was about to happen.
ôWhat is going on? What the hell happened?ö Rei looked around again before something about her hands caught her attention. It took a few seconds, but she could see right through herself!
Her scream pierced outward unto infinity, contained only by the black void that encased her.
/-\ /-\ /-\
Shinji sat up groggy in the entry plug of Unit-01, his head aching as he felt he was slammed back into himself. Which sounded impossible now that he thought about it, ignoring any potential existentialist viewpoint of course. But yeah, he had a pretty terrible headache, not helped by the fact that he couldn't really see.
He closed his eyes and breathed, feeling Unit-01's animal conscience against his, a questioning feeling coming from the alien machine of destruction. He could feel the Evangelion pulse beneath him, as if it were... alive. But that wasn't possible, right? It was just a robot, right?
...Right?
ôShinji.ö Asuka's voice came over the communicator surprisingly clear, meaning that the sea apparently didn't block their communications.
ôAsuka, are you okay?ö He put his worries about Unit-01 aside for now and focused on his fellow pilots.
ôHead hurts like hell, and I've been better, but I'm not particularly injured.ö Her reply was filled with surprising cheer, before her voice grew grave. ôI can't contact Rei at all.ö
ôOh man, this is seriously messed up.ö He was worried, but he couldn't voice it properly right now. ôMaybe she's still unconscious.ö
ôWe can't look for her, because we can't see.ö Asuka pointed out, the lights in their cockpit didn't even work, even though everything else did.
ôIf you seek Light little humans, you only need but to wish for it in your hearts.ö An ethereal, and oddly feminine with a youthful lilt to it, voice rang out from all around them. Like the richest musics, it pulsed through every bit of their beings.
ôWhat the hell?ö Shinji asked, looking around. Who had said that?
ôWho said that?ö Asuka demanded, whipping her head around in the dark in fear.
ôI am Leliel, and this is my domain.ö The voice replied, still as smooth as before.
ôShinji this is!ö Asuka said, before she was cut off.
ôDon't say anything Asuka, we have to be careful.ö Shinji replied, hoping to keep what they suspected to be the Angel they came to kill off guard.
ôDo not worry, your unease is probably a by-product of the dark. Your kind has always lost their nerve when their sight is taken away. This darkness has always been here, even as I slumbered, it took in things, people and animal. Though I was asleep, I could hear their dying screams in my dreams.ö Leliel didn't pay any attention to their exchange and went on like they never said anything. ôNow please, restore the light from your hearts and come out of those dreadful machines, your friend needs you.ö
ôRei!ö They both exclaimed, and instead of making threats to Leliel, they decided to concern themselves with Rei first and making sure she was safe. The return of the light did little comfort them as they worked quickly to exit their Evangelion and find their imperiled companion.
/-\ /-\ /-\
Back at NERV, things were tense, to say the least. Not only had they lost contact with the Evangelion pilots, there was little to no response of data streaming into the MAGI. Whatever was happening down in that hole, they had no way of knowing.
ôMan, this sucks.ö Aoba complained, sitting at his console with nothing to do. He had been barred from video games after the Iruel incident, but only for a month or two.
ôThat's not funny.ö Hyuga frowned at the unintentional pun. But then, he frowned at puns whenever he felt he could get away with it.
ôIt wasn't a joke.ö Aoba defended himself quickly, not feeling like an argument.
ôMakoto, leave it alone.ö Maya didn't want to hear an argument about nothing either, so she stepped to Aoba's defense.
ôFine, fine. Sheesh.ö Hyuga quieted down and the depressed atmosphere grew deeper for the bridge crew.
ôI can't blame them, this waiting is driving me nuts.ö Misato said, as she waited back with the Commander, Sub-Commander, and Ritsuko. It had been hours since the pilots had submerged and they could only wait.
ôWe're running long on patience here though.ö Ritsuko said, even as she knew the labs and the MAGI were working at full tilt to find someway to contact the pilots.
ôWe will have to make plans for the possibility of their loss.ö Fuyutsuki decided to be the one to breach the bad news.
ôNot yet.ö It was quiet, nearly inaudible sound coming from around Gendo.
ôPardon?ö Misato asked, not sure if she head him right.
ôNot yet. The umbilical cables are still connected, they're still there. Still there...ö It was still quiet but loud enough to be heard. Gendo's hands were shaking, causing the other people around him to smile as they understood the words and their meaning.
ôVery well, we'll table that talk for now,ö Misato said, as she got up with Ritsuko. ôCome on, let's get down to the lab and see if they have anything for us yet.ö Misato and Ritsuko exited the bridge without a further word.
ôI see, the one worried most of all is you, huh Commander?ö Fuyutsuki said, plying the man from his worried silence for a brief bit of chat.
ôWhen a soldier puts their faith in their commander, they're counting on that commander to lead them home alive. I can't call myself the Commander of NERV if they all don't make it back here in one piece.ö Gendo was calm in his delivery, but the fact he never stopped looking forward, meant that he couldn't do anything to dispel the notion he was worried.
ôMore than the Evangelion themselves, those Children are wonderful pilots that we won't be able to replace easily.ö It was a simple statement, but one that carried heavy meaning. Equating the lives of the pilots to that of the Evangelion would seem ludicrous, you couldn't just snap your fingers and make more appear. But then, you could say much the same for people able to pilot them this well, right?
ôThey'll be back, but the state they're in when they return will have to be dealt with carefully.ö Gendo let out a slight sigh, it came and went in the blink of an eye, but it was there. Gendo Ikari, the man who destroyed the World with Second Impact was worried. For the pilots who had believed in him enough to risk their lives on a gamble of foolish proportions. Sleep wouldn't be easy tonight for him, as rarely as it had ever been.
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôRei!ö Shinji and Asuka flanked the First Child on either side, leaning down to check on her condition. ôAre you okay?ö They could see nothing psychically work with Rei, but they did notice she was trembling slightly.
ôNot there, I'm not there.ö Rei appeared to be muttering this to herself, a light sign of tears at the edge of her eyes.
ôRei, get a hold of yourself! Rei!ö Shinji vigorously shook the crying girl, snapping her out of her daze.
ôShinji? I can hear you but I can't see.ö Rei turned herself towards the voice, hoping for some help here.
ôIt's okay, just close your eyes and wish for light in your heart. It's how we found you.ö Asuka instructed Rei, more because she didn't want Rei being too emotional towards Shinji at the moment. Not out of jealousy, just wanting to keep Rei under control.
ôAlright, I'll try.ö Rei closed her eyes and did as instructed, and when she opened them, by some miracle she could see. Shinji helped her to her feet without a word, when Leliel's voice came to them again.
ôI see that the blue haired one is back on her feet. Good.ö The voice sounded genuinely relieved by this, a puzzling thing to be sure.
ôThis is...ö Rei said, feeling the connection between herself and Leliel so very keenly. She trailed off when Shinji grabbed her arm and motioned for her to be silent.
ôAh, I have forgotten what I believe you'd call, 'my manners.' I am Leliel, the ah, I suppose 'mistress' would be the closest to correct, of this domain.ö As Leliel spoke, countless fractals of light spiral before the eyes of the Evangelion pilots before coalescing into the form of a young looking girl.
ôIt's a pleasure to meet you.ö Asuka said, as the one of the trio with the best manners. She bowed slightly, the other two copying the movement for now.
ôI have been sleeping for a long time, so this is the first time I have talked to your kind in person. Those who have not gotten lost in the dark have been lost through to the other side. I do not know where it always goes, just that the entrance and exit rarely match up to favorable worlds.ö The word were precise and clear, but they lacked a certain... quality to them that made them more than a little strange to the human ear.
'So these are the words of an Angel.' Shinji thought to himself, as he tried to make sense of how to deal with Leliel. 'But I don't get the sense that this Angel is actually an enemy.'
ôI see.ö Asuka said, continuing as the speaker for the group. For now at least, as it was likely that the others would have their own piece to say. ôIt must be pretty lonely in here.ö Ply with an easy point, even if it wouldn't understand the words or their meaning, it would keep the Angel busy.
ôDuring my long sleep, I have not had a chance to understand this term you say, 'lonely' was it? I could hear the voices and calls of countless beings and creatures, so the noise is not something I am unfamiliar with. I suppose, I can appreciate that word, as you are the first humans I have been awake to speak to.ö Leliel trailed off, as if thinking a great deal about her next words. ôThe difference between us is striking, to me at least. You seem small, almost tiny to my senses, but you carry yourselves with greater import than my mind would allow you. In contrast, I am vast, seemingly ageless and have to contort myself into this form so that we can actually have this conversation, but you speak to me as if we are equals. It is incredibly audacious and yet humbling all the same.ö
ôWe do not speak to high beings often,ö Shinji said, before Asuka or Rei could stop him or speak their minds. ôAs humans, we can only speak as we have been taught, and treat others as we understand ourselves. It is true that you are far beyond what our senses can effectively measure, but that face you wear allows us the comfort to speak to you on our level.ö The Angels weren't humans after all, so it was only logical that they would seem so alien and foreign to them. But this was an opportunity denied to them by the fight with Iruel, a legitimate chance at understanding the nature of the beast they fought. He was Yui Ikari's son after all.
ôSo I see, it is but the nature of our respective kinds. It makes sense in a way, as we are on two different planes of existence.ö Leliel seemed amused by the direction the conversation had taken, even if she didn't really understand the meaning behind the words that were said to her.
ôWe clearly have a lot to talk about, but I'm afraid we won't have time before something rash is done.ö Rei said, having been quiet and studying the Angel for signs of hostility. ôOur respective kinds have not gotten along well, so this is an unprecedented chance for diplomacy and discovery.ö
ôYeah, but the others are probably nervous since they haven't heard from us at all.ö Shinji said, looking over towards the Evangelion. ôPerhaps we could send a message to them?ö
ôBut how?ö Asuka asked, more to draw Leliel in than anything.
ôI should be able to dampen the waves that block your communication, but it sadly only works for messages leaving.ö Leliel offered, which the three took eagerly.
ôThen I'll go prepare the message at once.ö Rei sprang towards Unit-00 with a quickened step, mentally going over the note in her head.
ôAre we sure we should do this?ö Asuka whispered to Shinji, a bit pensive about staying here longer than may be necessary.
ôFor now, we need to keep our host pacified. We have no idea how to kill this one, so we shall have to play it by ear. Don't worry though, I'm sure what we'll learn will be invaluable to us in the future anyways.ö Shinji whispered back, hoping that Leliel wasn't eavesdropping on them.
ôI hope you're right.ö Asuka looked over at the Evangelion, and wondered for a spell.
ôSo do I.ö
End Chapter 16
Teaser for Chapter 17: ôMeet Me In Outer Spaceö
ôWe have a message coming in over an encrypted line.ö Hyuga said, as he opened it.
ôIt's from Rei, they're alright!ö Maya cheered, throwing her hands up as she read the message.
ôThey have engaged the Angel in... a conversation?ö Aoba sounded doubtful of this, but wasn't prepared to voice this concern out loud.
ôCommander, what do we do?ö Ritsuko asked, before Misato could say something careless. Not that she would, but you have to cover your bases after all.
ôWe should have faith in them, as they are either gathering valuable information on the Angels, or they are waiting for an opening to exploit.ö Gendo replied, though he looked a lot less... stressed than before.
ôAnd if we're lucky, both.ö Misato added, looking towards the screen displaying the message. She hoped those kids had the right idea, but she'd be ready with something to bail them out should it go wrong. That was her job as tactical commander, and it was one she wouldn't fail easily.
ôSo what does this do to the message from the higher ups?ö Ritsuko asked, referring to the cryptic message to expect Unit-03 and a new pilot any day now.
ôNothing, for now.ö Gendo replied, shrugging his shoulders. ôBut as long as the worst case doesn't happen, we won't need Unit-03 at all.ö
Author note: And that's where we stop. Took my time with this one, think it came out alright. Hope to be back with 17 and the conclusion to Leliel and another Angel appears? What does the sinister Bardiel have in store for our heroes? And who is this mysterious new pilot, who is totally not Touji? Tune in... next time!
So uh yeah.
Some of them have been short just because I hadn't had the greatest of inspirations for the fights. Even Sandalphon was mainly just Asuka and Shinji goofing around.
The fights are as follow, off the top of my head:
Shinji squashing both Sachiel and Shamshel, mainly due to everyone and their mother copying the TV battles verbatim over the years. For them, I purposely kept it short and one sided because they were the first two bosses, and shouldn't be that hard.
Ramiel would have been longer had I actually spaced in another chapter of set-up, where they would have the means to kill it without Yashima. Ah well, though I personally think Shinji and Rei flipping him off after killing him was pretty funny.
Gahgiel was the first Angel to show animal cunning. Ramiel showed basic thinking in recognizing Shinji's beam throwback, but Gahgiel pretty much outsmarted them. He was so surprised he caught them, he didn't know what to do with them and well, Rei h4xored him.
Israfel was a combination of both showing how well the trio was gelling and also a way for the Angel to outsmart them without much more than the threat of running away all the time. The tag battle would have been longer, but the names I chose for the halves kinda grew stale and I got lazy instead of rewriting it.
Sandalphon was on the verge of actually becoming dangerous when Shinji managed to kill him, with the help of Babylon Drill Break. In fact, another five minutes and not even that would have slowed him down. Again, I was more focused on the play between the two, just because it was more entertaining to write, for me anyways. If I could do it over, I might have restructured things to where they never found him and he got out and got big mean and nasty. Might have been funny.
Matariel was smart to attack during the storm. She did have the minor ability to predict certain events, so she attacked because she knew the power would be out. Too bad Rei spotted her before she could get going. Kinda sad for her, really.
Sahaquiel I'll admit I couldn't come up with anything, so I just skimmed it. Sorry.
Iruel was actually supposed to be funnier, but the problem was my initial idea relied far too much on Portal and Touhou jokes, and I got blocked on it. Then I had the idea of the more emotional end, and focused on getting through to there. The battle was specifically vague because there's only so many ways to write "fires millions of bullets" and not just want to slap yourself. Still, his character remains my best work, so I am proud how it turned out. I even hit all of the mains' secret emotional weak spots, so bonus.
Leliel right now is just a move back into somewhat more Evangelion territory by making it more about the philosophy and the motives behind the characters and less about fighting. We'll see if it lasts.
Thanks for the feedback, and as a juicy bit for your troubles, wait for Zeruel. The epic fight is coming.
The fights are as follow, off the top of my head:
Shinji squashing both Sachiel and Shamshel, mainly due to everyone and their mother copying the TV battles verbatim over the years. For them, I purposely kept it short and one sided because they were the first two bosses, and shouldn't be that hard.
Ramiel would have been longer had I actually spaced in another chapter of set-up, where they would have the means to kill it without Yashima. Ah well, though I personally think Shinji and Rei flipping him off after killing him was pretty funny.
Gahgiel was the first Angel to show animal cunning. Ramiel showed basic thinking in recognizing Shinji's beam throwback, but Gahgiel pretty much outsmarted them. He was so surprised he caught them, he didn't know what to do with them and well, Rei h4xored him.
Israfel was a combination of both showing how well the trio was gelling and also a way for the Angel to outsmart them without much more than the threat of running away all the time. The tag battle would have been longer, but the names I chose for the halves kinda grew stale and I got lazy instead of rewriting it.
Sandalphon was on the verge of actually becoming dangerous when Shinji managed to kill him, with the help of Babylon Drill Break. In fact, another five minutes and not even that would have slowed him down. Again, I was more focused on the play between the two, just because it was more entertaining to write, for me anyways. If I could do it over, I might have restructured things to where they never found him and he got out and got big mean and nasty. Might have been funny.
Matariel was smart to attack during the storm. She did have the minor ability to predict certain events, so she attacked because she knew the power would be out. Too bad Rei spotted her before she could get going. Kinda sad for her, really.
Sahaquiel I'll admit I couldn't come up with anything, so I just skimmed it. Sorry.
Iruel was actually supposed to be funnier, but the problem was my initial idea relied far too much on Portal and Touhou jokes, and I got blocked on it. Then I had the idea of the more emotional end, and focused on getting through to there. The battle was specifically vague because there's only so many ways to write "fires millions of bullets" and not just want to slap yourself. Still, his character remains my best work, so I am proud how it turned out. I even hit all of the mains' secret emotional weak spots, so bonus.
Leliel right now is just a move back into somewhat more Evangelion territory by making it more about the philosophy and the motives behind the characters and less about fighting. We'll see if it lasts.
Thanks for the feedback, and as a juicy bit for your troubles, wait for Zeruel. The epic fight is coming.
You.
I like you.
This is pretty much my ideal form of Evafic: takes the piss out of things, while still showing respect to the source material. Shinji and Asuka Final Atomic Bustering, then Cross Bombering the Israfel(s) to death is pretty much everything I want from anything forever.
Now that I've finished hugging your nuts like a vice, it seems like this fic isn't about the fighting. It makes sense for things to be sparse, since you primarily use them as a backdrop for wacky Shinji/Rei/Asuka interplay. From the explanation you gave, this seems to be what you're aiming for, if unconsciously.
I like you.
This is pretty much my ideal form of Evafic: takes the piss out of things, while still showing respect to the source material. Shinji and Asuka Final Atomic Bustering, then Cross Bombering the Israfel(s) to death is pretty much everything I want from anything forever.
Now that I've finished hugging your nuts like a vice, it seems like this fic isn't about the fighting. It makes sense for things to be sparse, since you primarily use them as a backdrop for wacky Shinji/Rei/Asuka interplay. From the explanation you gave, this seems to be what you're aiming for, if unconsciously.
Everything's kept sparse to keep things moving along at a clip, with just enough content to feel like a chapter, but not too much to where it feels cluttered.
Some of what Reprint is about is basically, "Evangelion is awesome, and it doesn't become less awesome if you go away from the high art style of the original." It's an affectionate parody, more about joking along with the series for its serious nature and warped characters instead of lashing out against it. The way it is written is direct because it won't work if I go too far off point. 16 started to spiral away from me, but that was mostly just because I had too many good ideas to go with and couldn't decide.
And I'm glad you liked it, really.
Some of what Reprint is about is basically, "Evangelion is awesome, and it doesn't become less awesome if you go away from the high art style of the original." It's an affectionate parody, more about joking along with the series for its serious nature and warped characters instead of lashing out against it. The way it is written is direct because it won't work if I go too far off point. 16 started to spiral away from me, but that was mostly just because I had too many good ideas to go with and couldn't decide.
And I'm glad you liked it, really.
Disclaimer: Also a source of the essential vitamin AWESOME, an excellent provider of the mineral of WIN.
Author note: And chapter 17. Leliel is still around and there seems to be sinister happenings afoot from SEELE. How will our heroes fair? Let's find out, together.
The Reprint and Repackaging of Evangelion
Chapter 17 Meet Me In Outer Space
by Anonguy
ôWe have a message coming in over an encrypted line.ö Hyuga said, as he opened it.
ôIt's from Rei, they're alright!ö Maya cheered, throwing her hands up as she read the message.
ôThey have engaged the Angel in... a conversation?ö Aoba sounded doubtful of this, but wasn't prepared to voice this concern out loud.
ôCommander, what do we do?ö Ritsuko asked, before Misato could say something careless. Not that she would, but you have to cover your bases after all.
ôWe should have faith in them, as they are either gathering valuable information on the Angels, or they are waiting for an opening to exploit.ö Gendo replied, though he looked a lot less... stressed than before.
ôAnd if we're lucky, both.ö Misato added, looking towards the screen displaying the message. She hoped those kids had the right idea, but she'd be ready with something to bail them out should it go wrong. That was her job as tactical commander, and it was one she wouldn't fail easily.
ôSo what does this do to the message from the higher ups?ö Ritsuko asked, referring to the cryptic message to expect Unit-03 and a new pilot any day now.
ôNothing, for now.ö Gendo replied, shrugging his shoulders. ôBut as long as the worst case doesn't happen, we won't need Unit-03 at all.ö
ôI am worried though, as we didn't arm them too heavily as we normally would.ö Misato switched subjects, deciding there didn't need to be anything more said about an Evangelion and a pilot who weren't here.
ôWe couldn't risk the more exotic weapons we built for them. Sure, they could be replaced, but why replace them when we can just not get them destroyed?ö Ritsuko was being practical after all, as it would take time to replace any weapons lost in the Dirac sea.
ôWe did conceal a sidearm in each Unit, so it's not like they're defenseless. And those three are pretty damn good when it counts.ö Gendo added, lips thin as he tried to keep himself focused.
ôYou're right, I shouldn't limit my thinking to how many guns they have to wield against an opponent. They've done far better than we could have hoped already.ö Misato let out a sigh and got up. ôFuck it, I need a beer.ö
ôI think we could all excuse ourselves for a bit to relax.ö Ritsuko hopped up as well, Maya doing much the same. The three of them promptly excused themselves from the bridge.
ôHey, Aoba, why don't we got out into town?ö Makoto saw the dark look as Aoba watched the trio of women leave. ôI know a good bar, we can put a few back, get your mind off things.ö
ôYeah, sure. Whatever.ö Aoba didn't care, he felt sick to his stomach at the moment. The other part of the bridge crew departed quickly, leaving just Gendo and Fuyutsuki left.
ôWell Commander, it seems we are the last ones left. Is there anything you can think of to while away the time?ö Fuyutsuki deferred to Gendo for the express purpose of retaining the right to complain about the activity to come.
ôA few things come to mind, Professor. Tell me, are you any good at Racquetball?ö Gendo asked, leaning just at that precise angle to reflect the light off his glasses. He loved doing that.
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôLook at these vermin, scurrying around like the filth they truly are, ignorant of their fate.ö A voice echoes from seemingly nowhere, the tone of disgust evident in it as it rumbled forth. ôAnd that is because they are ignorant and filth.ö The voice continued, seemingly unaware of the redundancy in that statement.
ôHmph, the ones who came before me were just fools, and idiots too! You could say they were foolish idiots! Haha!ö The voice sounded amused with its poor sense of humor, likely the only one.
ôDon't you sass me, Narrator! I am Bardiel, the thirteenth Angel and the Angel of Haze! Don't think you can just insert your own snippy comments without reprise.ö The voice retched like a spoiled child, given one the image of a five year old throwing a tremendous tantrum. It was sad in a way, but that's how it goes.
ôYou did that on purpose.ö The voice stated the obvious again, as though just now keying in to the fact that was obvious from the beginning.
ôHey!ö The voice should get back to his intro and quit leaning on the fourth wall already. It's crowded enough here without him pushing it at me.
ôTch, alright alright! Now, where was I? Oh yes, about idiots and fools and the like. Ahem, but the lot before me had one glaring flaw: They weren't as SMART as I am, and as such, they never quite figured out how to use their brains. It's a shame really, as even the mightiest foe can be laid low without a single blow.ö The voice continued his earlier monologue, even managing a snazzy little effect for the word smart, nice.
ôAnd as I am SMART, I will outwit the foolish vermin and their fanciful 'Evangelion' by doing what they least expect: Taking one of them as my vessel.ö The voice punctuated this statement with an evil laugh, as a totally not ominous cloud of mist rolled on across the land without being noticed by anyone important.
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôThe updates from Ikari are too encouraging.ö The monolith marked 1 pronounced, a tag of Great Britain attached for the reader's sake to fill in the accents accordingly. Or something like that.
ôAnd they lack the details of earlier reports.ö Monolith 2 added, marked as France for those keeping score.
ôThe Angels are being exterminated at an unexpected rate, with little in the way of collateral damage which would turn the public at large against the project, leading to an easier removal of NERV at the scenario's apex.ö Monolith 3, tagged Russia, droned on, revealing some juicy tidbits for the discerning audience to digest.
ôWe have already failed to eliminate Ryoji Kaji, and have lost several good operatives and may have compromised another's deep cover in another failed attempt to correct this oversight.ö Monolith 4, with a cheery USA label, reported without much cheer of his own. ôMr. Chairman, are you certain we should take such an action?ö
ôRegardless of the battle with the Twelfth, we need to have a closer set of eyes inside NERV. As such, I took the liberty of hurrying Unit-03 to duty, and it won't be receiving its on-site activation test until it arrives in Tokyo-3.ö The lone man in the room, Keel Lorenz, cupped his hands in front of his face and thought for a long while. He had only gathered these four because they were important to the decision to convince Gendo Ikari to initiate Second Impact, well the only ones who were there and still alive. Poor China, he was a good, hardy fellow, but not even those admirable qualities could stave off a nuclear bomb to the face as he had disappeared with Hong Kong in the world war that followed the initial wave. And the less said about Sweeden or Hungary the better.
ôThe selection of a pilot has to be a prudent one, as if they pick another one as competent as the others, we're just making it easier on them.ö Monolith 2 stated, a thrum of annoyance rippling through the clip.
ôGendo still has that school of children from the Marduk report, the odds of him finding another suitable pilot is astronomically low.ö Monolith 3 bristled at the idea of needing to be cautious here. Gendo wasn't playing with loaded dice here, he was bond to make a mistake somewhere.
ôWe said that about his son when Gendo decided to activate him.ö Monolith 4 reminded the others, causing a round of insults that were promptly muted by Keel.
ôI hope you have a pilot already in mind, Chairman.ö Monolith 1 said ominously, cutting the chatter in an instant.
ôOf course, of course. It's early in the scenario to be sending him in, but I trust him with my life after all.ö Keel didn't need to elaborate further, as the quartet knew just how paranoid the Chairman was. Hell, he made Stalin look conservative in his rampant paranoia. ôAnd if anyone can get things back into our favor, it's him.ö The image of a white haired boy with red hair, a devilish smirk on his roguish face, drifted by the background.
From there, the meeting broke down into meaningless chatter, as the members did their usual back patting and posturing routine, as they were wont to do when there was nothing else to say but they didn't feel like going away yet. It hurt Keel's pride a little, seeing Humanity's best and brightest, those culled from the herd for the qualities required to form a secretive organization dedicated to the ascension to godhood, reduced to sentimental wrecks who were more concerned with aimless buddy chat than being mysterious and evil. But they hadn't been the same since Second Impact, the deaths of many of the original SEELE council had jarred them all spectacularly. Even Keel barely escaped it and that was only thanks to an experimental cyborg operation performed in the back of a dilapidated hospital that left him with a permanent rash.
But they were the one who were going the snatch the reins of this world and become a Godlike being to drive the collective of Humanity into the future, one where death did not exist at all. They were old, with only Keel guaranteed to awaken to a new day, which awakened a primal sense of fear of the old inevitability to life: You live just to die. And for these men who dreamed of ultimate power, the feeling of mortality just hurt all the more. That they could die before they could achieve that glory was the worst nightmare that they couldn't even begin to speak aloud.
And so on they dreamed, awaiting the day of their ultimate glory, even during the times they were awake.
/-\ /-\ /-\
Back down in the Dirac sea, the three Evangelion pilots sat around the projected image of Leliel as they continued the impromptu meeting of Angel and Humans. Not much had been said in the interim since they had sent that message off, but they were in a thoughtful silence right now. The situation they found themselves in right now was almost too bizarre for them to believe, save for all the crazy shit they had seen and done since they had met one another.
Still, it wasn't to say that a sudden philosophical discussion with what had been a member of their persistent foes didn't raise a few red flags in their head. Leliel had been far too accommodating to them, even pleasant to talk to after a fashion. They were waiting for the other shoe to drop, for Leliel to drop the affable persona and reveal what she was planning.
It would be easier to comprehend than what was happening now.
ôSo, what shall we talk about now?ö Leliel attempted to break the ice as it were, since she was something of the 'host' here.
ôHow much of time and history are you actually aware of?ö Shinji asked, the most pressing question was to determine if the Angel was actually a hostile. It could be as nice as it wanted, but if it was actually something that had to be taken down, he wouldn't hesitate.
ôThe ebb and flow of time is more akin to a reel of events than an actual experience or awareness of said events. I may have knowledge of things that have happened in my slumber, but it is a fuzzy, clouded haze that I can discern nothing from.ö Leliel answered, pausing to consider her answer first.
ôThat makes sense.ö Asuka decided to allow Shinji time to digest the answer more carefully, so they didn't jump to anything rash. ôOne long, pointed dream that just seems to fog away the more you are awake.ö
ôA suitable analogy I suppose.ö Leliel allowed the point, nodding her head with the reasoning.
ôDo you know when your dream began?ö Rei asked, more than likely wanting to know when exactly Leliel first sprang to life. Having accepted her nature as the vessel of the soul of Lilith, Rei found herself more than a little intrigued with the nature of the other Angels.
ôAn accurate time I don't have, but it seems long to my senses. Before the great fires at the very minimum.ö Leliel said, not sure how to answer, but gave it a shot anyways.
'Before Second Impact at the very minimum eh?' Rei nodded, accepting the answer and deciding not to prod further.
ôHow long have you been awake?ö Asuka asked, deciding that it was her turn.
ôRoughly 4 or 5 weeks, it is difficult to tell time here.ö Leliel liked easy questions, she didn't even have to think very hard for this answer. ôDuring this time I have been moving from place to place, the voices changing from place to place.ö
It was during the pause that followed this answer that the Evangelion pilots found themselves conflicted. They had come to kill this Angel, and found a likeable entity, one that offered kinship and knowledge without reservation. In essence, they had stormed the tyrant's castle to find a lonely little girl looking for a friend.
Before now, this had been a simple job: giant monsters are attacking, you must fight them to the death because they will never surrender, never stop until you and everyone else is dead. The doubts that had creeped in during the aftermath of the encounter with Iruel were being reinforced something fierce now. What if they were wrong to have killed the other Angels? What if they were equally intelligent and had much the same to offer, if only they could communicate with them on the same level?
And could they really kill this Angel, this being who had been nothing but a courteous host to them since they had met her?
ôI wonder sometimes,ö Leliel said, seeing as no questions were forthcoming and needing to break the silence, ôjust where I came from and what I'm supposed to be doing. No matter the time I spend on this question, the answer still isn't clear. It is... troubling.ö
The three teenagers shared a chuckle at Leliel's confession, feeling the very familiar uncertainty behind it. While they weren't get exponents of existential angst, they at least understood the emotions behind the thought. I mean, who didn't think about their place in the grand scheme of things once in a while?
ôYou're not alone on that.ö Asuka, as the most diplomatic of the group, managed to answer the inquiry. ôBut the answer isn't easily found, but the journey for it is definitely worth it.ö
Before things could proceed further, there was a loud growling that seemed to come from every direction.
ôWhat the hell is happening?ö Shinji asked, not really caring about minding his words at the moment.
ôI'm not sure,ö Leliel admitted as she began to check things out. After a second, it became apparent as the ground they were stationed on began to tremor violently.
ôWhat the...?ö Rei managed to get out, before being pitched forward.
ôOh no, I forgot about the exit of this place.ö Leliel muttered to herself as she looked up to see the subtle movements of the Dirac sea start to warp and contort themselves into odd shapes. ôThis landmass is about to pass through this area.ö
ôThat means what for us?ö Shinji asked, even as he got a real bad feeling about it.
ôI don't know. No one has survived in her for any period of time that I was aware of them. But I do know that what lies on the other side is not the same place you came from.ö Leliel tried to sum it up as best and fast as she could. ôWe only have minutes before the landmass crumbles from the strain of passing through.ö
ôNot the same place...?ö Shinji asked before he shouted to Rei and Asuka, ôTo the Evangelion, hurry!ö
It took them only thirty seconds to be back inside the machine gods that they rode about like faithful steeds, but they found the instruments going haywire on them. The negative energy around them was fluctuating heavily and they wouldn't be able to be pulled out by the cables. They'd have to find another solution, but what?
ôYou three, my friends, you must listen because I can only say this once.ö Leliel began, chewing her lip as she revealed a secret she had been keeping from them. ôThis place isn't just my domain, it is my body. You are inside me, and are in danger of being passed from this dimension to somewhere else.ö
ôThose dreams then,ö Asuka began, looking over towards Shinji, Unit-02 mimicking the motion.
ô...were a glimpse of the world where we'd go.ö Shinji finished as a pit began to form in his stomach, but not because of what lie on the other side. He could feel the emotions hiding beneath the words being said and he did not like them one bit.
ôI don't know if you'll make it through, or if you could ever return to your world.ö Leliel started the hard part of her speech, when she was suddenly cut off by Shinji.
ôDon't! Don't say what I think you're going to say,ö his voice thick with emotion as he tried to choke back the sudden feeling of fear and despair threatening to overtake him at any moment. ôThere has to be another way, there is always another way!ö
ôShinji, what are you saying?ö Rei asked for herself and Asuka, Unit-00 now staring at Unit-01 as well.
ôSo you've already grasped what I mean to say,ö Leliel seemed relieved about that, closing her eyes as she took a deep breath. ôIf you understand, then please don't make this harder than it has to be. You know what I mean to say, and arguing only brings us both closer to disaster.ö
ôWhat is she talking about?ö Asuka suddenly felt very afraid of the answer.
ôSince this is her body, and if we pass through it, we'd no long be in our world and would be lost in whatever world is on the other side. We might never come back to this one and we don't have a way out of her as of now, the only recourse is to stop the motion of the sea.ö
ôAnd we do that how?ö Rei demanded, though she suspected the answer, which didn't seem to be a desirable solution right at the moment.
ôBy killing her.ö Shinji never sounded so small, defeated and sad in his life before now. This Angel was one that deserved to live, damn it all! She deserved more than to be forced to sacrifice herself so that they would be able to stay in their world! In the name of whatever deity is watching, damn it all to their approximate versions of hell!
ôI'm sorry, so very sorry but we have little time to debate. I won't force you, but I would be honored to lay down my life for you. I was so alone before, but now, I have these feelings that I have shared with you, and have gotten from you, to buoy my soul to its final rest. If I have to die, let it be to save you.ö She was crying now, and likely, they all were.
ôIt's not fair, it's really not fair! First Iruel and now you! Why? Why does it have to be this way?ö Asuka buried her hands in her face, missing as Shinji slowly drew Unit-01's sidearm.
ôShinji, you don't... you can't!ö Rei moved to stop him, but Unit-01 held up a hand and stopped her.
ôDon't. Just don't. I don't want to do this, oh god, I don't want to do this, but I don't want to risk everything being alright.ö He was bawling, probably couldn't even really see at the moment. ôWe lost track of time, and we all are paying the price. But if it has to be done, let me carry the sin. Don't burden yourselves with it, please.ö
ôFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF-ö Unit-00 turned blue, but moved away as Rei couldn't even finish the swear before she broke down.
ôShinji.ö Asuka said quietly, eyes closed as her heart threatened to break further. ôDon't let her suffer, please.ö
ôI won't. One to two shots, as swift as I can.ö He promised, wiping his eyes clean as he turned to face Leliel, who had become transparent to show her core.
ôI wish we had more time, wish it didn't have to be this way.ö She said, before she opened her eyes. ôDo it now, before either one of us stops.ö
ôI'm sorry.... I love you.ö The gun roared louder than anything Shinji had ever heard, and echoed for what seemed to be forever. It was all that was needed, as the darkness broke and splintered around them. The light of the sun only served as a reminder of the horrible deed that was just done.
Unit-01 collapsed to its knees, as Shinji stared where Leliel was, where she had been smiling and talking so innocently. He begged his eyes to not forget how she looked, begged his ears not to forget the sound of her voice. It wasn't long before he broke down again, being forcibly removed from the Entry Plug by Asuka and Rei, who held him close and cried as well.
The transport that retrieved them was fast to arrive, but slow to return, the understated need to allow them some time to heal, even a little, was overwhelmingly obvious.
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôCommander,ö Aoba called, having returned to the vigil about an hour ago. ôUnit-03 and its pilot have arrived.ö
ôA new kid, I wonder what he's like.ö Hyuga said, pausing briefly to glare at Maya's seat, whom was still gone. So was Misato and Ritsuko, which just made things worse.
ôExcellent, we shall have to greet our new weapon against the Angel shortly, eh Sensei?ö Gendo was being slightly smug, which rubbed Fuyutsuki the wrong way. I mean, who gloats about beating an old man in racquetball?
ôOf course, Commander, but I am curious as to the pilot that was sent. He wasn't one of the school children, and the last Marduk Report did not list him.ö Fuyutsuki said, mentally flipping Gendo the bird and vowing to kick his ass in chess for a week straight instead of allowing him to escape with his dignity intact.
ôA puzzle indeed, but we are both familiar in ways of circumventing the channels of Evangelion pilot selection.ö Gendo mouthed 'Rei' and suddenly, Fuyutsuki understood all too well. Another clone huh? If Rei was Lilith, then this would be...
ôIt's him isn't it?ö Gendo's smug little smirk answered the question, and it took a great deal of willpower not to punch his face in. If only because Fuyutsuki still needed his hands.
ôI am surprised that they had unveiled him so soon, but all will be revealed in due time.ö Gendo led the old man from the bridge, intent on checking out Unit-03 first. He was curious as to the reason why they sent this thing out, but he supposed they weren't too far along with other projects. Speaking of, he got a text from Kaji that revealed that he had secured the target and he had to laugh, pure unadulterated madness as he remembered what this particular thing was.
ôCommander, is something wrong?ö Fuyutsuki asked, not really concerned, but rather to try and get the man under control. The interns were watching, they might think this thing is acceptable, and soon everyone would be laughing mad.
ôOh nothing, nothing at all. Just a text from Kaji, it was a blooper video of people getting hit in the groin by footballs.ö Gendo had to hand it to the E-Net, they knew how to dig in and survive in this world: Viral videos of people harming themselves always had a place in society.
ôI suppose that warranted the maniacal laughter?ö Fuyutsuki was doing his usual 'I don't approve of this, but I don't want to say it, so I'll shame you instead' routine. It was a personal secret honed from years of teaching assholes just like Gendo how to tell their asses from a hole in the ground.
ôAlways.ö Gendo grinned, just flat grinned and Fuyutsuki realized that Gendo had been bullshitting him hard. He'd inquire later about what was actually in the text, but they had a new blasphemous machine god to welcome to the stable. It felt good, sometimes, to wake up and flip the divine the bird something fierce. Sometimes.
ôI do believe we have an Evangelion to inspect.ö Changing the subject just to keep things on schedule, it was this talent that lead the old man to this position after all.
ôWe're taking all precautions with it I take it?ö Gendo didn't need to ask, but they were having a conversation and so needed something on-topic to say.
ôOf course,ö Fuyutsuki said, looking ahead while keeping Gendo in his side view. ôyou and I both know not to trust them, and there's always the possibility raised by that Angel, Iruel I believe he was called?ö
ôIf they could infect and take over a computer terminal, then an Evangelion should be child's play, considering what's underneath the shell.ö Gendo shrugged, the odds were low that such a thing could happen... but then, he wasn't he the one who held that the less likely something could happen, the more likely it was that it would?
ôYes, we're taking that into account, though the techs running the scans have no idea what their filtering out.ö Just as well, they wouldn't want to have to kill them for discovering the big secret. Fuyutsuki stretched a little as Unit-03 came into view.
ôAnd I thought Units-00 and 01 were hard on the eyes.ö Gendo wasn't a fan of the bluish color scheme, but it did lack Unit-01's overall eat your face menace. Maybe he was expecting a little too much here, but the head looked kinda goofy, kinda.
ôIt is amazingly mundane looking.ö Fuyutsuki turned to the techs. ôIs it clean?ö
ôWell if you mean outwardly, yeah, it's like it's been shined the entire flight over.ö The first tech tried to make a joke, but only exceeded in making a mess in his drawers when Gendo lifted him up by the throat and glared at him.
ôThis is not amateur mic night at a comedy improv.ö Fuyutsuki did the admonishing, just because Gendo remained far scarier by being silent.
ôYou'll have to pardon him, he has a terrible sense of humor and timing.ö The second tech, female and clearly having more sense than her partner, attempted to get him off the hook. ôThe scanners show that Evangelion Unit-03 has been infected by something, possibly an Angel. It's practically holding a neon sign over its head to say, 'Hi, I've been body snatched by an Angel, please destroy me.' ô Gendo dropped the first tech and actually chuckled at the joke, which showed that if you were going to tell a joke, it had to be good.
ôA sense of good protocol and an acute sense of timing in the matters of humor, she's definitely a keeper.ö Fuyutsuki gave an impromptu evaluation, as Gendo handed her a key card.
ôCongratulations, you've been promoted and will receive full lab tech status.ö Gendo turned to look at Unit-03 for a long second before continuing. ôPlease see Tatsuya in accounting before consulting Masaru in parking to receive you upgrades in both pay and parking space.ö
The woman bowed heavily as she beat a hasty exit to do just that.
ôSo what do we do with our friend here?ö Fuyutsuki looked ill at ease, if only because it could come alive at any moment and kill them all.
ôWell, we won't activate it, since they apparently hadn't had time to test it out first to see if it'd even move.ö Gendo had spied a discarded PDA that had the relevant info and a request to do the stress testing for them. For a bunch of shadowy men seeking to become God, they were really stupid.
ôBut the Angel...ö Fuyutsuki tried to make him aware of the threat, before Gendo silenced him with an annoyed look.
ôYou and I both know that an Evangelion that has never been activated is nothing more than a mass of flesh and metal If the Angel had any intelligence, it would have picked a better target or at least wait for a chance to infect this Evangelion before doing so.ö Gendo shook his head bruskly, looking up at Unit-03 and its quartet of nostrils. Hmm, that must be what was so off putting about it.
ôSo it's essentially useless to us and it?ö Fuyutsuki couldn't believe their dumb luck.
ôYep.ö Gendo thought to himself for a long second, before turning to Fuyutsuki. ôWe need to stash this somewhere, even if it can't move at all, we don't want someone doing something stupid and turning it on.ö
ôBut where? If it's still here, it's in danger of being turned on.ö Fuyutsuki looked around for a second, before a chiming sound alerted them to the fact that Gendo just got another text.
ôOh ho, it would seem the kids have been recovered and that the current target has been neutralized. Not much else, but then I suppose I shouldn't have been a cheapskate on our texting plan.ö Gendo shook his head, having a bad feeling about what was left out of the text. ôAnyways, what do we do with our Midnight Blue friend here?ö
ôWe do have rockets and a special clearance from Tokyo-3 for emergency space launches in the name of defense.ö Fuyutsuki figured that if it was lost in space, no one could turn it on and damn them all.
ôI knew there was a reason I liked you, Sensei.ö Gendo grinned madly again, as he moved to make the necessary orders to do just what was suggested.
ôAnd here I thought it was my dashing good looks that kept you coming back.ö Both men shared a hearty laugh at that, as they left Unit-03, and by extension, Bardiel behind to stew in horror.
/-\ /-\ /-\
In an empty apartment, a young boy with white hair stands alone, a single suit case and the clothes on his back to his name. He looked down at the text message he received from NERV and could only feel a horrible sense of sadness and disappointment. He had been looking forward to this meeting for so very long, he hadn't slept at all over the course of the flight.
ôBut... they said it was to be my debut.ö Kaworu Nagisa complained, a lone tear tracing its way down his all too perfect cheek. His red pupils shined with irritation as he read the message over again. ôHow the hell do you lose an Evangelion?ö Ah well, he'd get to meet Shinji another day he supposed, until then, his adoring public would have to wait.
End chapter 17
Teaser for chapter 18: ôOnly the Strong Surviveö
ôHello Kaworu.ö Gendo's voice was chilling over the phone, but it wasn't everyday that the Commander of NERV made a courtesy call, so Kaworu let it slide.
ôHey, what's up?ö Kaworu decided to play it cool, if only because he'd have to depend on Gendo to keep him around in Tokyo-3.
ôJust making sure you're settling in.ö Gendo paused, before deciding to move on with the next bit of info he had. ôI just wanted to let you know that your Evangelion came down with a nasty case of Angel poisoning and we had to put her down. Sorry.ö
ôThat's horrible!ö The vessel of both Tabris and the soul of Adam managed to actually sound legitimately horrified.
ôYes, but don't worry, I have taken steps to replace that which you have lost.ö Gendo figured he'd throw the kid a bone here.
ôAnd what might that be?ö A night of hookers and blackjack would be a good start, though one without the other would suffice in a pinch.
ôWell you'll see. For now, just enjoy the complimentary gift that will be arriving shortly.ö
Author note; And that about does it. Sorry it took so long, but writer's block. See you for 18.
Author note: And chapter 17. Leliel is still around and there seems to be sinister happenings afoot from SEELE. How will our heroes fair? Let's find out, together.
The Reprint and Repackaging of Evangelion
Chapter 17 Meet Me In Outer Space
by Anonguy
ôWe have a message coming in over an encrypted line.ö Hyuga said, as he opened it.
ôIt's from Rei, they're alright!ö Maya cheered, throwing her hands up as she read the message.
ôThey have engaged the Angel in... a conversation?ö Aoba sounded doubtful of this, but wasn't prepared to voice this concern out loud.
ôCommander, what do we do?ö Ritsuko asked, before Misato could say something careless. Not that she would, but you have to cover your bases after all.
ôWe should have faith in them, as they are either gathering valuable information on the Angels, or they are waiting for an opening to exploit.ö Gendo replied, though he looked a lot less... stressed than before.
ôAnd if we're lucky, both.ö Misato added, looking towards the screen displaying the message. She hoped those kids had the right idea, but she'd be ready with something to bail them out should it go wrong. That was her job as tactical commander, and it was one she wouldn't fail easily.
ôSo what does this do to the message from the higher ups?ö Ritsuko asked, referring to the cryptic message to expect Unit-03 and a new pilot any day now.
ôNothing, for now.ö Gendo replied, shrugging his shoulders. ôBut as long as the worst case doesn't happen, we won't need Unit-03 at all.ö
ôI am worried though, as we didn't arm them too heavily as we normally would.ö Misato switched subjects, deciding there didn't need to be anything more said about an Evangelion and a pilot who weren't here.
ôWe couldn't risk the more exotic weapons we built for them. Sure, they could be replaced, but why replace them when we can just not get them destroyed?ö Ritsuko was being practical after all, as it would take time to replace any weapons lost in the Dirac sea.
ôWe did conceal a sidearm in each Unit, so it's not like they're defenseless. And those three are pretty damn good when it counts.ö Gendo added, lips thin as he tried to keep himself focused.
ôYou're right, I shouldn't limit my thinking to how many guns they have to wield against an opponent. They've done far better than we could have hoped already.ö Misato let out a sigh and got up. ôFuck it, I need a beer.ö
ôI think we could all excuse ourselves for a bit to relax.ö Ritsuko hopped up as well, Maya doing much the same. The three of them promptly excused themselves from the bridge.
ôHey, Aoba, why don't we got out into town?ö Makoto saw the dark look as Aoba watched the trio of women leave. ôI know a good bar, we can put a few back, get your mind off things.ö
ôYeah, sure. Whatever.ö Aoba didn't care, he felt sick to his stomach at the moment. The other part of the bridge crew departed quickly, leaving just Gendo and Fuyutsuki left.
ôWell Commander, it seems we are the last ones left. Is there anything you can think of to while away the time?ö Fuyutsuki deferred to Gendo for the express purpose of retaining the right to complain about the activity to come.
ôA few things come to mind, Professor. Tell me, are you any good at Racquetball?ö Gendo asked, leaning just at that precise angle to reflect the light off his glasses. He loved doing that.
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôLook at these vermin, scurrying around like the filth they truly are, ignorant of their fate.ö A voice echoes from seemingly nowhere, the tone of disgust evident in it as it rumbled forth. ôAnd that is because they are ignorant and filth.ö The voice continued, seemingly unaware of the redundancy in that statement.
ôHmph, the ones who came before me were just fools, and idiots too! You could say they were foolish idiots! Haha!ö The voice sounded amused with its poor sense of humor, likely the only one.
ôDon't you sass me, Narrator! I am Bardiel, the thirteenth Angel and the Angel of Haze! Don't think you can just insert your own snippy comments without reprise.ö The voice retched like a spoiled child, given one the image of a five year old throwing a tremendous tantrum. It was sad in a way, but that's how it goes.
ôYou did that on purpose.ö The voice stated the obvious again, as though just now keying in to the fact that was obvious from the beginning.
ôHey!ö The voice should get back to his intro and quit leaning on the fourth wall already. It's crowded enough here without him pushing it at me.
ôTch, alright alright! Now, where was I? Oh yes, about idiots and fools and the like. Ahem, but the lot before me had one glaring flaw: They weren't as SMART as I am, and as such, they never quite figured out how to use their brains. It's a shame really, as even the mightiest foe can be laid low without a single blow.ö The voice continued his earlier monologue, even managing a snazzy little effect for the word smart, nice.
ôAnd as I am SMART, I will outwit the foolish vermin and their fanciful 'Evangelion' by doing what they least expect: Taking one of them as my vessel.ö The voice punctuated this statement with an evil laugh, as a totally not ominous cloud of mist rolled on across the land without being noticed by anyone important.
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôThe updates from Ikari are too encouraging.ö The monolith marked 1 pronounced, a tag of Great Britain attached for the reader's sake to fill in the accents accordingly. Or something like that.
ôAnd they lack the details of earlier reports.ö Monolith 2 added, marked as France for those keeping score.
ôThe Angels are being exterminated at an unexpected rate, with little in the way of collateral damage which would turn the public at large against the project, leading to an easier removal of NERV at the scenario's apex.ö Monolith 3, tagged Russia, droned on, revealing some juicy tidbits for the discerning audience to digest.
ôWe have already failed to eliminate Ryoji Kaji, and have lost several good operatives and may have compromised another's deep cover in another failed attempt to correct this oversight.ö Monolith 4, with a cheery USA label, reported without much cheer of his own. ôMr. Chairman, are you certain we should take such an action?ö
ôRegardless of the battle with the Twelfth, we need to have a closer set of eyes inside NERV. As such, I took the liberty of hurrying Unit-03 to duty, and it won't be receiving its on-site activation test until it arrives in Tokyo-3.ö The lone man in the room, Keel Lorenz, cupped his hands in front of his face and thought for a long while. He had only gathered these four because they were important to the decision to convince Gendo Ikari to initiate Second Impact, well the only ones who were there and still alive. Poor China, he was a good, hardy fellow, but not even those admirable qualities could stave off a nuclear bomb to the face as he had disappeared with Hong Kong in the world war that followed the initial wave. And the less said about Sweeden or Hungary the better.
ôThe selection of a pilot has to be a prudent one, as if they pick another one as competent as the others, we're just making it easier on them.ö Monolith 2 stated, a thrum of annoyance rippling through the clip.
ôGendo still has that school of children from the Marduk report, the odds of him finding another suitable pilot is astronomically low.ö Monolith 3 bristled at the idea of needing to be cautious here. Gendo wasn't playing with loaded dice here, he was bond to make a mistake somewhere.
ôWe said that about his son when Gendo decided to activate him.ö Monolith 4 reminded the others, causing a round of insults that were promptly muted by Keel.
ôI hope you have a pilot already in mind, Chairman.ö Monolith 1 said ominously, cutting the chatter in an instant.
ôOf course, of course. It's early in the scenario to be sending him in, but I trust him with my life after all.ö Keel didn't need to elaborate further, as the quartet knew just how paranoid the Chairman was. Hell, he made Stalin look conservative in his rampant paranoia. ôAnd if anyone can get things back into our favor, it's him.ö The image of a white haired boy with red hair, a devilish smirk on his roguish face, drifted by the background.
From there, the meeting broke down into meaningless chatter, as the members did their usual back patting and posturing routine, as they were wont to do when there was nothing else to say but they didn't feel like going away yet. It hurt Keel's pride a little, seeing Humanity's best and brightest, those culled from the herd for the qualities required to form a secretive organization dedicated to the ascension to godhood, reduced to sentimental wrecks who were more concerned with aimless buddy chat than being mysterious and evil. But they hadn't been the same since Second Impact, the deaths of many of the original SEELE council had jarred them all spectacularly. Even Keel barely escaped it and that was only thanks to an experimental cyborg operation performed in the back of a dilapidated hospital that left him with a permanent rash.
But they were the one who were going the snatch the reins of this world and become a Godlike being to drive the collective of Humanity into the future, one where death did not exist at all. They were old, with only Keel guaranteed to awaken to a new day, which awakened a primal sense of fear of the old inevitability to life: You live just to die. And for these men who dreamed of ultimate power, the feeling of mortality just hurt all the more. That they could die before they could achieve that glory was the worst nightmare that they couldn't even begin to speak aloud.
And so on they dreamed, awaiting the day of their ultimate glory, even during the times they were awake.
/-\ /-\ /-\
Back down in the Dirac sea, the three Evangelion pilots sat around the projected image of Leliel as they continued the impromptu meeting of Angel and Humans. Not much had been said in the interim since they had sent that message off, but they were in a thoughtful silence right now. The situation they found themselves in right now was almost too bizarre for them to believe, save for all the crazy shit they had seen and done since they had met one another.
Still, it wasn't to say that a sudden philosophical discussion with what had been a member of their persistent foes didn't raise a few red flags in their head. Leliel had been far too accommodating to them, even pleasant to talk to after a fashion. They were waiting for the other shoe to drop, for Leliel to drop the affable persona and reveal what she was planning.
It would be easier to comprehend than what was happening now.
ôSo, what shall we talk about now?ö Leliel attempted to break the ice as it were, since she was something of the 'host' here.
ôHow much of time and history are you actually aware of?ö Shinji asked, the most pressing question was to determine if the Angel was actually a hostile. It could be as nice as it wanted, but if it was actually something that had to be taken down, he wouldn't hesitate.
ôThe ebb and flow of time is more akin to a reel of events than an actual experience or awareness of said events. I may have knowledge of things that have happened in my slumber, but it is a fuzzy, clouded haze that I can discern nothing from.ö Leliel answered, pausing to consider her answer first.
ôThat makes sense.ö Asuka decided to allow Shinji time to digest the answer more carefully, so they didn't jump to anything rash. ôOne long, pointed dream that just seems to fog away the more you are awake.ö
ôA suitable analogy I suppose.ö Leliel allowed the point, nodding her head with the reasoning.
ôDo you know when your dream began?ö Rei asked, more than likely wanting to know when exactly Leliel first sprang to life. Having accepted her nature as the vessel of the soul of Lilith, Rei found herself more than a little intrigued with the nature of the other Angels.
ôAn accurate time I don't have, but it seems long to my senses. Before the great fires at the very minimum.ö Leliel said, not sure how to answer, but gave it a shot anyways.
'Before Second Impact at the very minimum eh?' Rei nodded, accepting the answer and deciding not to prod further.
ôHow long have you been awake?ö Asuka asked, deciding that it was her turn.
ôRoughly 4 or 5 weeks, it is difficult to tell time here.ö Leliel liked easy questions, she didn't even have to think very hard for this answer. ôDuring this time I have been moving from place to place, the voices changing from place to place.ö
It was during the pause that followed this answer that the Evangelion pilots found themselves conflicted. They had come to kill this Angel, and found a likeable entity, one that offered kinship and knowledge without reservation. In essence, they had stormed the tyrant's castle to find a lonely little girl looking for a friend.
Before now, this had been a simple job: giant monsters are attacking, you must fight them to the death because they will never surrender, never stop until you and everyone else is dead. The doubts that had creeped in during the aftermath of the encounter with Iruel were being reinforced something fierce now. What if they were wrong to have killed the other Angels? What if they were equally intelligent and had much the same to offer, if only they could communicate with them on the same level?
And could they really kill this Angel, this being who had been nothing but a courteous host to them since they had met her?
ôI wonder sometimes,ö Leliel said, seeing as no questions were forthcoming and needing to break the silence, ôjust where I came from and what I'm supposed to be doing. No matter the time I spend on this question, the answer still isn't clear. It is... troubling.ö
The three teenagers shared a chuckle at Leliel's confession, feeling the very familiar uncertainty behind it. While they weren't get exponents of existential angst, they at least understood the emotions behind the thought. I mean, who didn't think about their place in the grand scheme of things once in a while?
ôYou're not alone on that.ö Asuka, as the most diplomatic of the group, managed to answer the inquiry. ôBut the answer isn't easily found, but the journey for it is definitely worth it.ö
Before things could proceed further, there was a loud growling that seemed to come from every direction.
ôWhat the hell is happening?ö Shinji asked, not really caring about minding his words at the moment.
ôI'm not sure,ö Leliel admitted as she began to check things out. After a second, it became apparent as the ground they were stationed on began to tremor violently.
ôWhat the...?ö Rei managed to get out, before being pitched forward.
ôOh no, I forgot about the exit of this place.ö Leliel muttered to herself as she looked up to see the subtle movements of the Dirac sea start to warp and contort themselves into odd shapes. ôThis landmass is about to pass through this area.ö
ôThat means what for us?ö Shinji asked, even as he got a real bad feeling about it.
ôI don't know. No one has survived in her for any period of time that I was aware of them. But I do know that what lies on the other side is not the same place you came from.ö Leliel tried to sum it up as best and fast as she could. ôWe only have minutes before the landmass crumbles from the strain of passing through.ö
ôNot the same place...?ö Shinji asked before he shouted to Rei and Asuka, ôTo the Evangelion, hurry!ö
It took them only thirty seconds to be back inside the machine gods that they rode about like faithful steeds, but they found the instruments going haywire on them. The negative energy around them was fluctuating heavily and they wouldn't be able to be pulled out by the cables. They'd have to find another solution, but what?
ôYou three, my friends, you must listen because I can only say this once.ö Leliel began, chewing her lip as she revealed a secret she had been keeping from them. ôThis place isn't just my domain, it is my body. You are inside me, and are in danger of being passed from this dimension to somewhere else.ö
ôThose dreams then,ö Asuka began, looking over towards Shinji, Unit-02 mimicking the motion.
ô...were a glimpse of the world where we'd go.ö Shinji finished as a pit began to form in his stomach, but not because of what lie on the other side. He could feel the emotions hiding beneath the words being said and he did not like them one bit.
ôI don't know if you'll make it through, or if you could ever return to your world.ö Leliel started the hard part of her speech, when she was suddenly cut off by Shinji.
ôDon't! Don't say what I think you're going to say,ö his voice thick with emotion as he tried to choke back the sudden feeling of fear and despair threatening to overtake him at any moment. ôThere has to be another way, there is always another way!ö
ôShinji, what are you saying?ö Rei asked for herself and Asuka, Unit-00 now staring at Unit-01 as well.
ôSo you've already grasped what I mean to say,ö Leliel seemed relieved about that, closing her eyes as she took a deep breath. ôIf you understand, then please don't make this harder than it has to be. You know what I mean to say, and arguing only brings us both closer to disaster.ö
ôWhat is she talking about?ö Asuka suddenly felt very afraid of the answer.
ôSince this is her body, and if we pass through it, we'd no long be in our world and would be lost in whatever world is on the other side. We might never come back to this one and we don't have a way out of her as of now, the only recourse is to stop the motion of the sea.ö
ôAnd we do that how?ö Rei demanded, though she suspected the answer, which didn't seem to be a desirable solution right at the moment.
ôBy killing her.ö Shinji never sounded so small, defeated and sad in his life before now. This Angel was one that deserved to live, damn it all! She deserved more than to be forced to sacrifice herself so that they would be able to stay in their world! In the name of whatever deity is watching, damn it all to their approximate versions of hell!
ôI'm sorry, so very sorry but we have little time to debate. I won't force you, but I would be honored to lay down my life for you. I was so alone before, but now, I have these feelings that I have shared with you, and have gotten from you, to buoy my soul to its final rest. If I have to die, let it be to save you.ö She was crying now, and likely, they all were.
ôIt's not fair, it's really not fair! First Iruel and now you! Why? Why does it have to be this way?ö Asuka buried her hands in her face, missing as Shinji slowly drew Unit-01's sidearm.
ôShinji, you don't... you can't!ö Rei moved to stop him, but Unit-01 held up a hand and stopped her.
ôDon't. Just don't. I don't want to do this, oh god, I don't want to do this, but I don't want to risk everything being alright.ö He was bawling, probably couldn't even really see at the moment. ôWe lost track of time, and we all are paying the price. But if it has to be done, let me carry the sin. Don't burden yourselves with it, please.ö
ôFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF-ö Unit-00 turned blue, but moved away as Rei couldn't even finish the swear before she broke down.
ôShinji.ö Asuka said quietly, eyes closed as her heart threatened to break further. ôDon't let her suffer, please.ö
ôI won't. One to two shots, as swift as I can.ö He promised, wiping his eyes clean as he turned to face Leliel, who had become transparent to show her core.
ôI wish we had more time, wish it didn't have to be this way.ö She said, before she opened her eyes. ôDo it now, before either one of us stops.ö
ôI'm sorry.... I love you.ö The gun roared louder than anything Shinji had ever heard, and echoed for what seemed to be forever. It was all that was needed, as the darkness broke and splintered around them. The light of the sun only served as a reminder of the horrible deed that was just done.
Unit-01 collapsed to its knees, as Shinji stared where Leliel was, where she had been smiling and talking so innocently. He begged his eyes to not forget how she looked, begged his ears not to forget the sound of her voice. It wasn't long before he broke down again, being forcibly removed from the Entry Plug by Asuka and Rei, who held him close and cried as well.
The transport that retrieved them was fast to arrive, but slow to return, the understated need to allow them some time to heal, even a little, was overwhelmingly obvious.
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôCommander,ö Aoba called, having returned to the vigil about an hour ago. ôUnit-03 and its pilot have arrived.ö
ôA new kid, I wonder what he's like.ö Hyuga said, pausing briefly to glare at Maya's seat, whom was still gone. So was Misato and Ritsuko, which just made things worse.
ôExcellent, we shall have to greet our new weapon against the Angel shortly, eh Sensei?ö Gendo was being slightly smug, which rubbed Fuyutsuki the wrong way. I mean, who gloats about beating an old man in racquetball?
ôOf course, Commander, but I am curious as to the pilot that was sent. He wasn't one of the school children, and the last Marduk Report did not list him.ö Fuyutsuki said, mentally flipping Gendo the bird and vowing to kick his ass in chess for a week straight instead of allowing him to escape with his dignity intact.
ôA puzzle indeed, but we are both familiar in ways of circumventing the channels of Evangelion pilot selection.ö Gendo mouthed 'Rei' and suddenly, Fuyutsuki understood all too well. Another clone huh? If Rei was Lilith, then this would be...
ôIt's him isn't it?ö Gendo's smug little smirk answered the question, and it took a great deal of willpower not to punch his face in. If only because Fuyutsuki still needed his hands.
ôI am surprised that they had unveiled him so soon, but all will be revealed in due time.ö Gendo led the old man from the bridge, intent on checking out Unit-03 first. He was curious as to the reason why they sent this thing out, but he supposed they weren't too far along with other projects. Speaking of, he got a text from Kaji that revealed that he had secured the target and he had to laugh, pure unadulterated madness as he remembered what this particular thing was.
ôCommander, is something wrong?ö Fuyutsuki asked, not really concerned, but rather to try and get the man under control. The interns were watching, they might think this thing is acceptable, and soon everyone would be laughing mad.
ôOh nothing, nothing at all. Just a text from Kaji, it was a blooper video of people getting hit in the groin by footballs.ö Gendo had to hand it to the E-Net, they knew how to dig in and survive in this world: Viral videos of people harming themselves always had a place in society.
ôI suppose that warranted the maniacal laughter?ö Fuyutsuki was doing his usual 'I don't approve of this, but I don't want to say it, so I'll shame you instead' routine. It was a personal secret honed from years of teaching assholes just like Gendo how to tell their asses from a hole in the ground.
ôAlways.ö Gendo grinned, just flat grinned and Fuyutsuki realized that Gendo had been bullshitting him hard. He'd inquire later about what was actually in the text, but they had a new blasphemous machine god to welcome to the stable. It felt good, sometimes, to wake up and flip the divine the bird something fierce. Sometimes.
ôI do believe we have an Evangelion to inspect.ö Changing the subject just to keep things on schedule, it was this talent that lead the old man to this position after all.
ôWe're taking all precautions with it I take it?ö Gendo didn't need to ask, but they were having a conversation and so needed something on-topic to say.
ôOf course,ö Fuyutsuki said, looking ahead while keeping Gendo in his side view. ôyou and I both know not to trust them, and there's always the possibility raised by that Angel, Iruel I believe he was called?ö
ôIf they could infect and take over a computer terminal, then an Evangelion should be child's play, considering what's underneath the shell.ö Gendo shrugged, the odds were low that such a thing could happen... but then, he wasn't he the one who held that the less likely something could happen, the more likely it was that it would?
ôYes, we're taking that into account, though the techs running the scans have no idea what their filtering out.ö Just as well, they wouldn't want to have to kill them for discovering the big secret. Fuyutsuki stretched a little as Unit-03 came into view.
ôAnd I thought Units-00 and 01 were hard on the eyes.ö Gendo wasn't a fan of the bluish color scheme, but it did lack Unit-01's overall eat your face menace. Maybe he was expecting a little too much here, but the head looked kinda goofy, kinda.
ôIt is amazingly mundane looking.ö Fuyutsuki turned to the techs. ôIs it clean?ö
ôWell if you mean outwardly, yeah, it's like it's been shined the entire flight over.ö The first tech tried to make a joke, but only exceeded in making a mess in his drawers when Gendo lifted him up by the throat and glared at him.
ôThis is not amateur mic night at a comedy improv.ö Fuyutsuki did the admonishing, just because Gendo remained far scarier by being silent.
ôYou'll have to pardon him, he has a terrible sense of humor and timing.ö The second tech, female and clearly having more sense than her partner, attempted to get him off the hook. ôThe scanners show that Evangelion Unit-03 has been infected by something, possibly an Angel. It's practically holding a neon sign over its head to say, 'Hi, I've been body snatched by an Angel, please destroy me.' ô Gendo dropped the first tech and actually chuckled at the joke, which showed that if you were going to tell a joke, it had to be good.
ôA sense of good protocol and an acute sense of timing in the matters of humor, she's definitely a keeper.ö Fuyutsuki gave an impromptu evaluation, as Gendo handed her a key card.
ôCongratulations, you've been promoted and will receive full lab tech status.ö Gendo turned to look at Unit-03 for a long second before continuing. ôPlease see Tatsuya in accounting before consulting Masaru in parking to receive you upgrades in both pay and parking space.ö
The woman bowed heavily as she beat a hasty exit to do just that.
ôSo what do we do with our friend here?ö Fuyutsuki looked ill at ease, if only because it could come alive at any moment and kill them all.
ôWell, we won't activate it, since they apparently hadn't had time to test it out first to see if it'd even move.ö Gendo had spied a discarded PDA that had the relevant info and a request to do the stress testing for them. For a bunch of shadowy men seeking to become God, they were really stupid.
ôBut the Angel...ö Fuyutsuki tried to make him aware of the threat, before Gendo silenced him with an annoyed look.
ôYou and I both know that an Evangelion that has never been activated is nothing more than a mass of flesh and metal If the Angel had any intelligence, it would have picked a better target or at least wait for a chance to infect this Evangelion before doing so.ö Gendo shook his head bruskly, looking up at Unit-03 and its quartet of nostrils. Hmm, that must be what was so off putting about it.
ôSo it's essentially useless to us and it?ö Fuyutsuki couldn't believe their dumb luck.
ôYep.ö Gendo thought to himself for a long second, before turning to Fuyutsuki. ôWe need to stash this somewhere, even if it can't move at all, we don't want someone doing something stupid and turning it on.ö
ôBut where? If it's still here, it's in danger of being turned on.ö Fuyutsuki looked around for a second, before a chiming sound alerted them to the fact that Gendo just got another text.
ôOh ho, it would seem the kids have been recovered and that the current target has been neutralized. Not much else, but then I suppose I shouldn't have been a cheapskate on our texting plan.ö Gendo shook his head, having a bad feeling about what was left out of the text. ôAnyways, what do we do with our Midnight Blue friend here?ö
ôWe do have rockets and a special clearance from Tokyo-3 for emergency space launches in the name of defense.ö Fuyutsuki figured that if it was lost in space, no one could turn it on and damn them all.
ôI knew there was a reason I liked you, Sensei.ö Gendo grinned madly again, as he moved to make the necessary orders to do just what was suggested.
ôAnd here I thought it was my dashing good looks that kept you coming back.ö Both men shared a hearty laugh at that, as they left Unit-03, and by extension, Bardiel behind to stew in horror.
/-\ /-\ /-\
In an empty apartment, a young boy with white hair stands alone, a single suit case and the clothes on his back to his name. He looked down at the text message he received from NERV and could only feel a horrible sense of sadness and disappointment. He had been looking forward to this meeting for so very long, he hadn't slept at all over the course of the flight.
ôBut... they said it was to be my debut.ö Kaworu Nagisa complained, a lone tear tracing its way down his all too perfect cheek. His red pupils shined with irritation as he read the message over again. ôHow the hell do you lose an Evangelion?ö Ah well, he'd get to meet Shinji another day he supposed, until then, his adoring public would have to wait.
End chapter 17
Teaser for chapter 18: ôOnly the Strong Surviveö
ôHello Kaworu.ö Gendo's voice was chilling over the phone, but it wasn't everyday that the Commander of NERV made a courtesy call, so Kaworu let it slide.
ôHey, what's up?ö Kaworu decided to play it cool, if only because he'd have to depend on Gendo to keep him around in Tokyo-3.
ôJust making sure you're settling in.ö Gendo paused, before deciding to move on with the next bit of info he had. ôI just wanted to let you know that your Evangelion came down with a nasty case of Angel poisoning and we had to put her down. Sorry.ö
ôThat's horrible!ö The vessel of both Tabris and the soul of Adam managed to actually sound legitimately horrified.
ôYes, but don't worry, I have taken steps to replace that which you have lost.ö Gendo figured he'd throw the kid a bone here.
ôAnd what might that be?ö A night of hookers and blackjack would be a good start, though one without the other would suffice in a pinch.
ôWell you'll see. For now, just enjoy the complimentary gift that will be arriving shortly.ö
Author note; And that about does it. Sorry it took so long, but writer's block. See you for 18.
I will say that the words were meant to reference something else, but I won't say what that is simply because it would ruin the surprise.
Though the gift showing up is most likely a person, but I won't say who, nor if there is more than one person too.
I will confirm that it won't be another Rei. Though it wouldn't surprise me if Gendo didn't have another vat of clones just for such a task, since he does think outside the box and would likely come up with something like this.
....And now I'm regretting that disclaimer immensely now. Ah well. >.> <.< Hrrmmmm...
Though the gift showing up is most likely a person, but I won't say who, nor if there is more than one person too.
I will confirm that it won't be another Rei. Though it wouldn't surprise me if Gendo didn't have another vat of clones just for such a task, since he does think outside the box and would likely come up with something like this.
....And now I'm regretting that disclaimer immensely now. Ah well. >.> <.< Hrrmmmm...
Just as an update, since I'm getting towards the meat of the series and thus where the writing will have to pick up some level of wordiness, I've slowed things down on purpose to allow the story to come together to avoid things getting rushed. While, yes, I have done this the past few chapters, that was also a degree of laziness.
But fear not, if I get the right inspiration, I could have it done any day now.
Further note: I don't like posting snippets since I post a brief teaser scene at the end of each chapter as both a stinger and, to be honest, a way to get a head start on the next chapter. If you read the teaser carefully, you'll note that it almost always leads off the next chapter.
Oh and I will say I always reserve the right to change my mind. When I wrote the joke disclaimer that Mari wouldn't be appearing, it was mostly just a cop out excuse so no one would expect to see her show up or suggest she appear. And then I got the perfect idea for her intro and said what the hell. Yeah, this does ruin the surprise of her inclusion... but I'd rather get that out of the way now. Also, she will not pilot Unit-02 and I'm not sure if I'll trot up Unit-05 at all. She is more just a bit of fanservice and to stick with my theme of inserting Gainax characters into this fanfiction.
That said, I will apologize in advance in case there is any appearance by Panty and Stocking in this. You know, because things are growing somewhat more serious (Bardiel notwithstanding) and all, and you know, they'd totally be a gag bit.
See you next time, with either a response to this or another chapter. Author away! *flies off.*
EDIT: I will have to remember to credit Fourthwall for inspiring the idea that lead to Mari joining the cast. I also should mention that Reprint was originally just a redo of the original series, but I had too good of an idea to pass up.
But fear not, if I get the right inspiration, I could have it done any day now.
Further note: I don't like posting snippets since I post a brief teaser scene at the end of each chapter as both a stinger and, to be honest, a way to get a head start on the next chapter. If you read the teaser carefully, you'll note that it almost always leads off the next chapter.
Oh and I will say I always reserve the right to change my mind. When I wrote the joke disclaimer that Mari wouldn't be appearing, it was mostly just a cop out excuse so no one would expect to see her show up or suggest she appear. And then I got the perfect idea for her intro and said what the hell. Yeah, this does ruin the surprise of her inclusion... but I'd rather get that out of the way now. Also, she will not pilot Unit-02 and I'm not sure if I'll trot up Unit-05 at all. She is more just a bit of fanservice and to stick with my theme of inserting Gainax characters into this fanfiction.
That said, I will apologize in advance in case there is any appearance by Panty and Stocking in this. You know, because things are growing somewhat more serious (Bardiel notwithstanding) and all, and you know, they'd totally be a gag bit.
See you next time, with either a response to this or another chapter. Author away! *flies off.*
EDIT: I will have to remember to credit Fourthwall for inspiring the idea that lead to Mari joining the cast. I also should mention that Reprint was originally just a redo of the original series, but I had too good of an idea to pass up.
Yay, I'm helping in some manner!
And I have an idea for sneaking Panty and Stocking in: rejected Fourth Child candidates. When in doubt, slip 'em in there. Hell, you can put in a bunch of shout-outs by just having Ritsuko go through kids who just happen to have the same names and quirks as certain GAINAX characters.
And I have an idea for sneaking Panty and Stocking in: rejected Fourth Child candidates. When in doubt, slip 'em in there. Hell, you can put in a bunch of shout-outs by just having Ritsuko go through kids who just happen to have the same names and quirks as certain GAINAX characters.
Disclaimer: Ladies and gentlemen, Zeruel.
Author note: And here we are, hitting the stretch run. Let's get to it. I would also like the time to thank the TFF/SB user Fourth Wall for the inspiration that led to our new cast member.
The Reprint and Repackaging of Evangelion
Chapter 18 Only the Strong Survive
by Marik Kurakashi
ôHello Kaworu.ö Gendo's voice was chilling over the phone, but it wasn't everyday that the Commander of NERV made a courtesy call, so Kaworu let it slide.
ôHey, what's up?ö Kaworu decided to play it cool, if only because he'd have to depend on Gendo to keep him around in Tokyo-3.
ôJust making sure you're settling in.ö Gendo paused, before deciding to move on with the next bit of info he had. ôI just wanted to let you know that your Evangelion came down with a nasty case of Angel poisoning and we had to put her down. Sorry.ö
ôThat's horrible!ö The vessel of both Tabris and the soul of Adam managed to actually sound legitimately horrified.
ôYes, but don't worry, I have taken steps to replace that which you have lost.ö Gendo figured he'd throw the kid a bone here.
ôAnd what might that be?ö A night of hookers and blackjack would be a good start, though one without the other would suffice in a pinch.
ôWell you'll see. For now, just enjoy the complimentary gift that will be arriving shortly.ö That perked Kaworu's ears up, as Gendo wasn't known for his generosity.
ôHuh, if that isn't sweet of you.ö It was, in a way, but he was just being cheeky.
ôI'm a regular Saint, aren't I?ö With that, Gendo hung up.
ôWell, he hasn't changed all that much.ö Kaworu put the phone back in the cradle and contemplated what this gift could be. He didn't have long, as a brisk knock at the door interrupted his musings. Not wasting time, he quickly moved to the door and opened it, staring at the person on the other side.
She had long brown hair and her piercing, hungry blue eyes were hidden by a pair of stylish glasses, which were accented in red. Her face was smiling, and not the 'hello, nice to meet you' kind either, and she stood arms at the ready. Her clothing, a simple blouse and skirt combo with a pair of knee socks, clung to her form and made her all the more visually appealing.
This girl wasn't a stranger to Kaworu, he had seen her before when she was escorting Gendo to the place they happened to meet face to face. As feral now as then, the subtle threat of pain belied the invitation to experience pleasure with her. It was a typical statement made by Gendo Ikari: Loaded with promises and threats, though it was on your end to see which were fulfilled.
It was an absolute statement of explicit distrust from the Commander, one that Kaworu really should have expected.
ôIt's you.ö Kaworu wasn't as disappointed as the words might sound, if only because he didn't want to offend her.
ôHow good of you to remember me Nagisa.ö She said, her voice trilling with excitement as she sized him up. ôI'll be your supervisor until the Commander calls upon you.ö
ôWhich means what exactly?ö He had a good idea, but it didn't hurt to ask.
ôBe a good boy and do as I say, and you will live to enjoy the fruits the Commander has cultivated for you.ö And yes, she did stroke her breasts at fruits, why do you ask?
ôIf not, I'll die right? Hard choice there.ö He rolled his eyes, which was surprisingly allowed, considering that she had been sizing him up as though she was going to kill him, fuck him, or kill him by fucking. As far as experimental cloning procedures went, Gendo nailed a lot of low denominators in shaping her.
ôI am not a harsh mistress,ö she said, her tone explicitly patronizing as she finally entered the apartment uninvited. ôSo I will allow you your smart talk for now. But be wary, the Beast is always hungry.ö She showed her teeth, all of them sharpened like fangs, giving her a bestial appearance under the beauty.
ôThey really need to feed that guy some time.ö Kaworu was mostly kidding with that, as he had seen first hand how she 'fed' the Beast, a wild Evangelion machine soul embedded into the body of something almost human.
ôAre you offering a snack to Him?ö Mari showed an impressive set of teeth, which caused Kaworu to reassess his statement.
ôNo, no, just making a stupid comment.ö He shrugged, not sure how else to continue this conversation.
ôWell, for now, we shall have to get... acquainted for a bit.ö The unbelievable amount of suggestion in her tone actually makes Kaworu balk a little.
ôI know you were created to fuck, kill or even kill by fucking, but that is just a bit much.ö Kaworu, while not the most sensitive man ever, had at least enough sense not to fall straight into such lurid exploitation. Yet.
ôAnd I'm dressed in a totally sexualized manner, were you expecting me to be a great philosopher?ö Mari shrugged, which wound up displaying the wonders of her very flimsy bra. ôBesides, keeping me happy keeps me from coming after your neck.ö
ôYou make a very convincing argument as to why I should just shut the hell up and do as you say. So I might do that, but I warn you, the bed looks mighty uncomfortable.ö Well, he tried. And if she was threatening to kill him if he didn't do as she said, well, what was he to do? Fight her? Considering she was created by the same process as he was, she likely had powers specifically designed to kick his ass. Gendo would not send someone to guard him if that someone couldn't also take him out if the need arose for it.
ôWe'll have to soften it up a little then.ö She stalked past him, towards the bedroom, likely having been briefed on the layout before hand.
ôAh well, there's worse things to be doing.ö Like killing cats. Anyways, Kaworu followed Mari to the bedroom, deciding that keeping her happy was more important than moral high ground.
/-\ /-\ /-\
In the weapons lab, Ritsuko was overseeing the final touches on the new weapon suites to be used by the Evangelion the next time an Angel popped up. The kids had been given lots of time off to deal with what they saw down in that hole, with only Rei showing up occasionally to check Unit-00. It seemed she had grown fond of her war steed, as she called it, after an absurd fashion. But her, she had to fly the damn thing, so if she cared for it, it would make her even more reluctant to get it smashed to bits.
Ritsuko shook her head as she remembered the mess those three had been in, and the looks on their faces. Those looks made her hate the Evangelion just a bit more than she already did as a scientist, because if those things weren't finicky fuckers, they could have adults piloting the things and hopefully not have to subject teenagers to this shit. She bit off a growl as she thought about the data they had gathered on the Angel down in the hole, Leliel they called it, and it really wasn't good.
Their enemies were growing far more intelligent and more sapient seeming than before, which was the root of the problem.
Sure, Asuka and Rei were both trained for most of their lives for this job, but Asuka's personality and uncanny empathy undermined all the lessons she had learned. And Rei, well, Ayanami's new emotional self just made it harder for the really big hits not to hurt like hell. Besides, they were still teenagers, well physically for Rei the second, and that really didn't help with all those hormones running around in their systems.
But what really concerned Ritsuko was Shinji, the cocksure ace of Project-E was completely off his gourd with guilt. He didn't seem into the whole blaming himself for everything schtick, but he had been doing a good job picking it up. Thankfully, Misato and the others had cut off or stopped it from going beyond some loud moping, so there wasn't a lot to worry about right now.
What really threw her though, was Gendo's intervention back into his son's affairs after leaving him autonomous for his stay in Tokyo-3.
It seemed the strength of the father's stoicism bled off onto the son, the latter becoming more stable the longer he spent time with his father. He had been with him for the last couple days, and already he was cracking wise again, which alleviated some of her linger stress. Warm fuzzies were in short supplies with the elder Ikari around, but you had to at least admire his ability to shepherd his troops when he had to.
Misato was overseeing the preps for the disposal of Unit-03 right now, the process taking a while as they tried to keep the secret of it being infected with an Angel from the kids, given their attachment to the last one. But the red tape was finally cut away and they'd be launching the sucker into space, the idiot not even having the common sense to possess an already active Evangelion. She had also been keeping tabs on the new kid, the poor sap they shipped with the infected Evangelion, who would apparently join them once they had everything ready to slot him on the roster.
Even now, with no Angel bearing down on them, they were all so very busy.
ôAt least the Commander has kept the new kid away, I'd hate for him to get caught up in this circus.ö Ritsuko muttered to herself, not out particular compassion for Kaworu, but more just because she was afraid he'd get lost somewhere in the HQ and never be seen again.
ôYou say something Doctor?ö Ron asked, over his shoulder as he directed the final adjustments like a conductor.
ôNothing of much importance, I'm used to having Misato or someone else to share my evil scientist thoughts with.ö It was true, at least with Misato. Talking to Maya was to be done only if you had the word pillow in front of it.
ôOh I know the feeling. Sometimes I wonder if I hired Lei for her brains or if I just like having someone to scheme up new weapons with.ö Ron, as a mad engineer, shared the passion for mad rantings to a cohort it would seem.
ôNothing like a good co-conspirator to brighten your day.ö Ritsuko said, not entirely lying as Misato was often good for a laugh. She paused to watch the interns work and a thought occurred to her. ôWe have one hell of an intern program.ö Some of that was a pretext for Gendo's other duties as the chief of SCIENCE at NERV, but it did produce good workers.
ôThey do most of the heavy lifting around here, along with whoever else gets recruited.ö Ron agreed, though if he were in the know, the term 'created in a mad experiment' would have applied too.
ôAh, secretly funding the pipeline college so we can abuse the interns as we please. Sometimes I wonder what we'd do if there weren't giant monsters bent on Humanity's destruction rampaging about.ö Not too often, as it sounded pretty boring in her head.
ôI don't, because I love this job too much to worry about that morality bull.ö Ron shot from the hip, drawing a nod from NERV's other mad scientist.
ôYeah, I mean, where else would we have access to these wonderful toys?ö Ritsuko and Ron shared a smile, one that made the interns sweat more from nerves than the actual work.
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôThanks for telling me of the situation, and I'm glad I could help you in keeping Daten City in check.ö Gendo said into the phone, having been called by an old acquaintance of his. ôThe Anarchy sisters are of particular interest to me, as their development will help future projects along.ö He looked at the folder of the two, one a blonde with a facial scar, the other with long dark blue hair, eating a cake. And of course, he couldn't say what those projects were, but the other man didn't need to know that.
ôHeaven thanks you all the same, and don't hesitate to call me if you run into a ghost, because...ö Gendo cut the other man off, having heard this all before.
ôGhosts can only be defeated by the garb of the Holy Virgin wielded by those two. You say that every time.ö He didn't mean to sound annoyed, but he wouldn't forget something like that.
ôNice to see you pay attention.ö The other man laughed heartily and hung up.
ôI really shouldn't have given him my number.ö Gendo muttered, always coming away with an unclean feeling from these calls from the man in Daten.
ôCommander, the launch is finally ready.ö Fuyutsuki showed up just in time to derail any oncoming angst trains.
ôFinally, some good news.ö Gendo was exaggerating a bit, he had also found out he saved a bunch of money on his car insurance today as well. ôEven if it is just pushing the button after a countdown, I still feel a certain... thrill at the thought.ö
ôLaunching your enemies into space was always a threat from super villains in the comics I grew up with.ö A pointless factoid, but relevant to the topic. Fuyutsuki liked this part of his job of having to keep Gendo in line.
ôYou threatened to shoot the heavyweight champion into space after he attacked me backstage once.ö That had been a hoot and a half, as the champ sold the threat for all it was worth. He missed Osaka sometimes. Only sometimes though.
ôI had to ad-lib since I had missed your big turn the week before.ö Damn head colds, always ruining things.
ôIt's still played in clips on the e-net somewhere.ö Gendo watched his old promos, remembering when he was younger, fitter and lacking a dead wife. But hey, Yui was a fiend in the sack, and she had a way with words too. And surprisingly, the sex came in second in that equation.
ôI would hope so, it was a classic line.ö The old man preened a bit and Gendo pretended not to notice it as they made they way to the command center, now serving as launch control for their shuttle.
ôAoba, tell me that everything is ready.ö Gendo really wanted to send the Angel into space, really really wanted to make it so.
ôWe're waiting on your order sir.ö Aoba managed with a lack of fear. If only because he had good news to say, so he didn't need to fear reprisal.
ôVery good,ö Gendo said, a wide grin splitting his features. He had been waiting for this moment for a while now. ôIf everything is ready, then let's send that Evangelion jacking bastard into space.ö
ôRoger, the order has been given and received, the countdown will commence.ö Maya said, feeling a bit giddy. ôT-minus 1 minute, launch area is clear.ö
ôIt occurs to me that this is a very nasty thing to do to a living, sentient creature.ö Fuyutsuki commented quietly to Gendo, if only to move the conversation further along.
ôYeah, it is. But then I remember the origins of the Evangelion and then I realize that I have no moral legs to stand on.ö Gendo was honest when he felt like it, which seemed to be now. ôBut hey, we do have to give him a special farewell, he made it all the way here without us knowing it. If only his luck had held up, we'd all be dead.ö
ôDuly noted, Commander.ö Fuyutsuki let the comments wash over him and for once, found comfort in his pupil's inhumanity. That pragmatic practicality is what kept him in charge after all.
ô...three, two, one! Ignition! We have lift off!ö Maya exclaimed in an overly exuberant tone. On screen, the rocket carrying Unit-03 and its angelic passenger shot off into the sky. The crew of NERV watched it go, bidding a silent farewell to the Evangelion they never got to use. Opinions on the design were mixed, but they all agreed that the pilot had shitty luck because of what happened.
Still, space was a nice place this time of year... or so they say anyways.
/-\ /-\ /-\
There was a place Rei liked to go from time to time at NERV HQ that no one knew about, a heaven for no one else but her. The Commander and Dr. Akagi probably suspected she came here, but they said nothing, so she assumed they didn't care enough to know. But here she was, way down in the bowels of the HQ, in what was known as the Terminal Dogma, where all the naughtiest secrets of NERV was kept.
Down here you had the always scenic Evangelion graveyard, the poor unfortunate failures of the process to build a new age machine god. There was also some giant white thing trussed up to the wall, that Rei had finally recognized as Lilith, the Angel whose soul she was carrying around. Creepy looking to say the least, but Rei waved in the general direction of the matriarch and progenitor of mankind.
She took a left, and found herself at her destination: the holding vat for all of the Rei Ayanami clones.
It was to be expected really, with the fragility of life and the odds of successful cloning being what they were, that there would be a large number of copies made of the same clone. And moreover, exhaustive tests to see if tweaking the process, formula and all manner of variables to see if the process could make a perfect duplicate of the original purpose. Needless to say, that was a huge failure on the Commander's part, but Rei couldn't hold it against him, since she owed her very life to this screw-up.
A moment passed before she stripped naked and entered the special entry plug that would basically jam her into the giant vat of LCL and well, herself. The feeling of the LCL against her naked flesh always tickled a little, something she was sure she'd never get used to, as if she'd want to at any rate. The clone nearest the entrance opened her eyes and smiled at the prodigal clone, and soon, the whole place was awake and alert.
ôWelcome back Second.ö The clone said with an odd warmth, if only because she looked just like Rei, but sounded more human than her. Must be one of the later clones, after Gendo did some experimenting with the process.
ôAye, it's good to see you all again.ö It had been weeks since she had visited, and she felt a bit guilty about it. You couldn't call them her ôsistersö, since, well, they were her as well.
ôThings a bit hectic outside are they?ö Another clone spoke up, her voice wafting off the mass of Reis.
ôJust a bit, yes.ö Rei returned easily, looking around from face to face, and allowing herself to become more docile. They were her other clones, other parts of herself, and unlike the First, she would appreciate them. And if the unexpected happened, the one to carry on for her would do so with pride.
ôIt's not Shinji or Asuka is it?ö Yet another clone asked, somewhere from the back. Ah yes, she had informed them of this development with the other two Evangelion pilots.
ôNo, but then, I would not be here if it was.ö Rei shook her head and smiled, trying to show she didn't mean to sound defensive.
ôThen what could it be?ö came the inevitable query, such as it was.
ôI just need to recenter myself a bit after a rough time or two.ö Rei really didn't want to elaborate too much, but she would probably have to unearth the entire incident with both Iruel and Leliel
ôIs that all?ö None of them brought it, but the Second never really came down here outside of courtesy visits and to take a dip with them meant she was really messed up. ôWell, we won't make you tell us, so just relax and try to forget your troubles for just a little bit.ö So understanding, it almost was weird until Rei remembered they all were her, with subtle changes in appearance and personality to each.
ôMm.ö She said nothing, but that bit of reassurance, of a place that she could escape for them world and forget. Just forget her pain, her insecurity, and everything that was bothering her. The one would return among the many and lose herself for a while, empty out all the interred angst and anguish, squeeze out the sorrow and become whole once more. Rei Ayanami was many things, clone, Evangelion pilot, budding young woman, but here, she was just one of the many. She wasn't special, she wasn't unique, she was just Rei the Second, the follow up model to a predecessor who couldn't keep her trap shut long enough.
In this tank, hidden away from humanity, Rei Ayanami had finally come home.
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôI must say, Kaji,ö Gendo said as the man landed the transport carrying the special cargo that the named man had acquired for the commander of NERV. ôwhile I ask a lot of you, you have a knack for coming through in a pinch.ö
ôNormally, I would be modest or say something about how hard it was, but the people in charge of this thing were just so stupid.ö Kaji bowed his head a little as he engaged the conversation at a leisurely pace. ôAnd I'd make an analogy, but I can't think of one that isn't horribly insulting, I shouldn't insult them by comparing them to those bunch of bozos.ö
ôYes, it is most unfortunate that our branches do not have the eye for talent or the mind required to helm such a delicate operation.ö That and Gendo had personally jacked all the competent people for himself. He was going to save the world, and he knew he needed help to do it. But even then, it didn't excuse the apparent ease of this theft.
ôI didn't have to mention those people, and just said that I was under orders to bring it to NERV Japan so they could finish the work and get it ready for battle.ö Kaji continued, letting the boast slide by without comment, it just wasn't his place. Gendo had Fuyutsuki to call him out when his head began to swell.
ôTo be fair, they had been working around the clock since we sent them the corpses of several Angels trying to incorporate the secrets of them into the Evangelion.ö Gendo said with a shrug, both verbally and non, giving their American staff some credit.
ôI'm sure the staff here can do that better, though we might want to wait to turn it on first.ö Kaji said, having read over the disturbingly detailed notes from the staff who seemed too happy to just hand the project over to him. ôThey were successful in just implanting the S2 engine when I took it.ö
ôFrom your warning, I doubt they figured on a way to regulate a perpetual energy source so it doesn't go sky high on them.ö Gendo frowned, making sure to turn his head to the side, just so Kaji would know it wasn't directed at him. Now he had a reason to completely agree with the assessment that they were idiots of stupendous proportions, who would think that an infinite supply of energy wouldn't need regulating in some fashion? Besides, if this integration was so easy, they'd have done it themselves and not shipped it off on the B-team. ôWell, Akagi has been complaining she hasn't gotten to do much SCIENCE in a while, so I suppose this will make her happy.ö Gendo had apparently lifted the nifty vocal effects from Bardiel.
ôOh, I'm sure Ritsuko will just love this.ö Kaji said, looking on as Evangelion Unit-04 was unloaded. The chrome with red and black highlights were a nice touch, so he had to give them credit for picking a decent color scheme. ôI suppose the only other issue is making sure there is no passengers on this one.ö
ôIndeed, and the other package you got for me a while back has finally come in, lousy postal service.ö Gendo said, segueing into another topic. It felt good to know that the Lance was finally in his possession, but now he needed to store it away before one of the kids did something stupid with it. Like chuck it into orbit or something.
ôMy bad, I couldn't afford the postage from Antarctica.ö Kaji laughed a little at the joke, though the reason for the slowness was because of the sudden change in his mission to go to NERV USA and get Unit-04.
ôOh it's no worry,ö Gendo said, stretching a little. ôIn fact, I think that it has taken a while to get has been good for us.ö
ôHow is everyone anyways?ö Kaji asked, curious as to status of Asuka and the others.
ôPhysically, good. Now, emotionally... that's a whole can of worms. I suppose I can brief on all the messy details of the last couple missions. Except the stuff about Unit-03, since I already relayed that to you.ö Gendo finished his little speech, glancing sidelong at Kaji.
ôSounds like this might take a while,ö Kaji said, having a bad feeling about this. ôBut I asked, so I can't back out now.ö
ôTo the cafeteria then, we need something to drink first.ö Gendo said, as lead the way.
/-\ /-\ /-\
Three weeks had passed without incident, but in this shattered world, such time was a fleeting thing. There was a JSSDF base 100 km west from Tokyo-3, and it was a routine day of patrol and drills. All these soldiers went through their days, secure in the knowledge that this was just another day, just another one of those ho-hum boring days that you needed a stiff drink to forget.
ôAnd lo do my eyes weep at the state of this base planet filled with worthless wretches. It pains me to think of this world, once a shining gem of richest blue and brilliant green has been reduced a ball of mud, clung to by vermin who should not be. They scurry about, as though they have purpose, as though they have meaning. As though their lives have any intrinsic value in the grand schemes of the Almighty powers that be.ö A voice boomed from on high, peeling along like the deepest roll of thunder, reverberating like the aftershock of an earthquake. The soldiers could not hear the words spoken, but they could feel their menace. Their blood ran cold, they broke out in a nervous sweat as a tidal wave of killer intent washed over them and pulled them under. All these men could tell that this voice belonged to a being far their greater, to an entity beyond the scope of their minds. Its words were too grand for their ears, its logic far above their punitive imaginations.
ôOnce more do I stand upon this defiled Earth, here to cleanse it of the infestation that has plagued it for far too long. Look at what these pieces of trash have done to you, O Noble Gaea, how they have ruined everything that you have given to them, provided for them as the loving Mother you are. I can feel them scuffling about, scampering around all across your once lustrous skin. And I say, NO MORE!ö The voice snarled, a shadow blacker than midnight enveloped the base in an instant. The soldiers could not see, nor could they understand what was about to occur. A speck of light, as brilliant as the first rays of dawn, cut through the twilight, bringing the wonder of light unto these doomed men before they were obliterated in a massive explosion, the flames twisting into a large cross. For miles you could see the fire reach for the heavens, after if drug upward by the souls that were lost within its wicked embrace.
ôThe creature known as man, hear my words and shiver as I am the harbinger of your demise. Tremble as you perceive my name and know that your doom is a certainty, ordained by the forces that govern this wretched existence.ö Descending from the sky was an enormous figure, roughly on par if not larger than an Evangelion, it used an AT-field to slow its descent. Its legs were short and stubby, lacking feet, marking that bipedal transit via them was not very likely. It lacked apparent arms, two very thin strips were attached to what was likely the being's shoulders. Its face was garish, looking like it was cobbled together at the last second with no thought given to how it would turn out. Still, it looked damn scary, as the act of drawing breath alone was enough to subtly alter the pattern of the wind.
ôMy name is Zeruel, the Angel of Might. Strength is my domain and I will crush your precious Evangelion as if they were ants before an elephant. You have struggled admirably for a while now, but it ends now. Before me, you are nothing but specks of dust on the winds of the cosmos. I hear the cries of He who gave me life, His desire that all of you pathetic worms be exterminated.ö Zeruel drew breath once more and unleashed it all in one tremendous roar that rattled loose the branches of the surrounding trees.
ôAnd I obey.ö
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôBlue signal detected and it's a big one!ö Maya cried as she analyzed the data coming back from the scanner.
ôCurrently 70 miles from Tokyo-3 and rapidly approaching! Current estimated time of arrival: 2 hours!ö Hyuga called as he brought up a visual of Zeruel hovering towards Tokyo-3 with purpose.
ôIt seems to have evaded our scanners before now,ö Aoba said, checking the back logs for any unnoticed detections. ôThe direction it's approaching from, there's a JSSDF base there a hundred miles back.ö
ôBut if we couldn't detect it before...ö Maya said, trailing off as she realized the implication: the Angel had destroyed the base with all too apparent ease.
ôThere's a large dissipating heat source behind the Angel roughly 30 miles from it. It's... it's likely the base.ö Hyuga's heart fell through to his stomach. Before now, the Angels had seemed pretty ineffectual at accomplishing their goal of destroying humanity. Yet this Angel just now was already looking to be the biggest threat they faced.
ôNo pressure Captain, but we'll have to wing it a bit if we want to stop it.ö Gendo said to Misato, who was deep in thought. She had always come up with a plan, a talent she used to gain fame for something other than surviving at ground zero of Second Impact. But Gendo knew all those other times, she had ample warning to plan her moves and crunch the data accordingly, this wouldn't be easy.
ôWhat's the status on the Evangelion?ö Misato asked, who let out a heavy sigh as she tried to think as fast as she could.
ôThey've finished being outfitted with their new weapon systems and are being loaded onto the catapults. Looks to be ready for launch in 45 seconds tops.ö Aoba answered, having already started tracking their progress before the question had been asked.
ôGood,ö Misato said, steeling herself to go through with this plan of action. ôI want them to form a gauntlet for the Angel: Rei, then Shinji, then Asuka. They are not to engage the Angel as a group.ö
ôBut that's crazy!ö Maya cried, thinking Misato had clearly flipped her lid.
ôNo, that's taking into account all the data we've had up to now. It's moving too fast and we don't have time to waste on a quick skirmish and withdrawing if it appears we can't hack it. Also, considering the fortress Angel, the battlefield would be too crowded for them to use their new weapons effectively and they'd like be forced to defend each other too much, wearing them down as the Angel exerts minimal effort. This way, they can maneuver around without having to dodge each other and there's no one else to cover so they can fight back instead of shielding themselves over and over.ö Misato didn't even look out of breath, nor did she let it show that she had just come up with that speech a minute ago.
ôI suspect there's another reason too, Captain.ö Gendo managed to order her to speak without being overtly forceful. And for Gendo, that was like holding back the tide.
ôThe last Angel, Leliel they called her, shook them pretty bad. The kids have been hanging out a lot more and talking about her, and that Iruel as well.ö Misato shook her head as she revealed what was likely very private information on the pilots, but she had to get this out there. ôIf this was before those two incidents, I'd likely say that they'd be able to work together. But now, their minds aren't on fighting as a team, they seem to be treating each other like they're made of glass. I can't put them in a situation where they'll be helpless because they're too worried about the others beside them.ö
ôVery well, I will trust your judgment on this.ö Gendo said, looking at Misato for a long second. When she nodded her head, it told Gendo that there was indeed far more going on than he was aware of with his son and the other kids. He'd have to sit down with the boy sometime and chat with him, at least try being fatherly, couldn't hurt. ôRelay the order and launch the Evangelion once they are acknowledged.ö
ôTransmitting orders to Evangelion now.ö Aoba said, Hyuga and Maya far too worried about the possible outcome of this coming battle to do their jobs.
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôAlright Rei, you're up first.ö Misato said, as Unit-00 hefted its new chaingun suite and waited for Zeruel to appear. ôDo not sacrifice yourself to take it out, if you win, good. If not, just make sure he can't kill you. You are only the advance guard, so your job is to aid the others as much s possible by making him drag out all of his tricks.ö
ôRoger that,ö Rei said, trying her best to focus on the fight before her. It was hard, especially with the idea of an Angel who could talk and appeared capable of intelligent thought. That it wanted to destroy them all just seemed like a waste.
ôOh ho, is this the first of your Evangelion? Are you wretched vermin so arrogant to think that one alone could defeat me?ö Zeruel sounded amused, which was a feat to say the least. He continued forward, just getting sight of Unit-00 to make that quip.
ôYou can blame the ones who carried the torch before you.ö Rei said, as she took aim an waited for the Angel to give her an opening.
ôIf you are comparing me to them, then you must consider the pebble a suitable comparison for the mountain.ö Zeruel halted his movement, hovering across from the Evangelion. A long moment passed as he felt a very familiar feeling. ôThis sensation, so it is you then. How trite, that you would stand as the advanced guard for these creatures far your inferior.ö
ôSo you can tell what I am.ö Rei closed her eyes, a picture of Lilith strung up on the wall flashing in her head. ôOf all the Angels, it would be you who would recognize me.ö
ôOf course, I can almost smell Her from where I stand. It is a pity to see Her so reduced.ö Zeruel growled, his strip-like arms unfolding as he prepared for battle.
ôAnd it's a pity that you're so conceited.ö Rei said, opening fire once Zeruel made a hostile move. The rounds splattered against the AT-field of the Angel, the slugs being shattered by the imposing force of the barrier. Rei ceased fire almost immediately. ôI hope this works. Switch to oscillating rounds.ö The chaingun whirled loudly for a second, then Rei once again opened fire, the rounds emitting a frequency that allowed them to start penetrating the AT-field before them.
ôSo you have some tricks, o possessor of Her Rotten Soul. But you aren't the only one with some tricks up your sleeves.ö Zeruel laughed as the rounds pounded through his field, the rounds impacting heavily on his skin. They didn't gain much penetration as the flesh seemed to harden and repel the frequency that allowed them to bypass the field.
ôSwitch to armor piercing incendiary round.ö Rei commanded, stopping her onslaught for a second to change rounds again. She wasn't sure the amount of bullets in there, but she would have to guess that was a lot. Steeling herself, Rei expanded her own field, removing Zeruel's protection before she resumed firing.
ôHah! At least you shall provide me entertainment before I crush you neath my heel!ö Zeruel laughed again even as the rounds laced through his skin, by passing the hardened shell like it wasn't even there. Blood sprayed as the titanic Angel fell back under the assault, the thin strip-like arms shooting forward in a surprise attack on Unit-00.
ôWhoa!ö Rei jinked out of the way, stopping her onslaught momentarily to ensure that the sudden attack failed. ôGuess I shouldn't let my guard down around you.ö
ôHow prudent, wench.ö Zeruel's head warped in grotesque fashion, becoming a gaping maw with a single bead of light. Rei just barely pulled her field back and defended herself when the Angel unleashed a beam attack that would have made Ramiel proud if the giant diamond fortress was capable of such emotions.
ôThis could be... troublesome.ö Rei said, her AT-field retracting from around her once the beam had subsided. She gazed into the gaping maw of Zeruel and dug in, knowing this fight was gonna be a long one.
End Chapter 18
Teaser for Chapter 19 ôMy Destruction is On Your Mindö:
ôThis is getting out of hand.ö Misato said, as she watched the fight between Zeruel and Rei pick up. ôHow the hell can that thing do all that?ö
ôWhat, besides being an alien monstrosity bent on humanity's destruction?ö Aoba asked which earned him a slap on the back of the head from Maya. ôOw!ö
ôYes, beside that! It has to have bones or something solid to give it shape! It shouldn't be able to do that!ö Misato was, of course, referring to Zeruel warping his body as though it were made of clay.
ôNot necessarily.ö Gendo said, drawing attention to him. ôBeyond the enormous regenerative abilities of the Angels, we have seen something similar to this before.ö
ôThe Angel of the Volcano I presume?ö Fuyutsuki asked, drawing a nod from the Commander.
ôI think we may have misidentified that Angel's capabilities,ö Gendo said, as he watched Rei attempt to outmaneuver Zeruel. ôIt wasn't rapid evolution, but really hyperactive re-adaptation.ö
ôSay what?ö Misato asked, drawing agreeing nods from the bridge crew.
ôNot so much misidentified but dumbed down, I suppose.ö Fuyutsuki spotted the problem immediately when almost no one caught what was said.
End note: Wow, I took forever. Well, the good news is that with the next chapter being nothing but action and no need for set-up, I might be able to get it done faster. See you for 19.
So yeah, I think the cameos from Gainax stuff ends with Panty and Stocking (with Garterbelt!). Unless I somehow come up with a way of inserting in Diebuster and Nausicaa. Which I think I should really stop before I go too overboard.
Author note: And here we are, hitting the stretch run. Let's get to it. I would also like the time to thank the TFF/SB user Fourth Wall for the inspiration that led to our new cast member.
The Reprint and Repackaging of Evangelion
Chapter 18 Only the Strong Survive
by Marik Kurakashi
ôHello Kaworu.ö Gendo's voice was chilling over the phone, but it wasn't everyday that the Commander of NERV made a courtesy call, so Kaworu let it slide.
ôHey, what's up?ö Kaworu decided to play it cool, if only because he'd have to depend on Gendo to keep him around in Tokyo-3.
ôJust making sure you're settling in.ö Gendo paused, before deciding to move on with the next bit of info he had. ôI just wanted to let you know that your Evangelion came down with a nasty case of Angel poisoning and we had to put her down. Sorry.ö
ôThat's horrible!ö The vessel of both Tabris and the soul of Adam managed to actually sound legitimately horrified.
ôYes, but don't worry, I have taken steps to replace that which you have lost.ö Gendo figured he'd throw the kid a bone here.
ôAnd what might that be?ö A night of hookers and blackjack would be a good start, though one without the other would suffice in a pinch.
ôWell you'll see. For now, just enjoy the complimentary gift that will be arriving shortly.ö That perked Kaworu's ears up, as Gendo wasn't known for his generosity.
ôHuh, if that isn't sweet of you.ö It was, in a way, but he was just being cheeky.
ôI'm a regular Saint, aren't I?ö With that, Gendo hung up.
ôWell, he hasn't changed all that much.ö Kaworu put the phone back in the cradle and contemplated what this gift could be. He didn't have long, as a brisk knock at the door interrupted his musings. Not wasting time, he quickly moved to the door and opened it, staring at the person on the other side.
She had long brown hair and her piercing, hungry blue eyes were hidden by a pair of stylish glasses, which were accented in red. Her face was smiling, and not the 'hello, nice to meet you' kind either, and she stood arms at the ready. Her clothing, a simple blouse and skirt combo with a pair of knee socks, clung to her form and made her all the more visually appealing.
This girl wasn't a stranger to Kaworu, he had seen her before when she was escorting Gendo to the place they happened to meet face to face. As feral now as then, the subtle threat of pain belied the invitation to experience pleasure with her. It was a typical statement made by Gendo Ikari: Loaded with promises and threats, though it was on your end to see which were fulfilled.
It was an absolute statement of explicit distrust from the Commander, one that Kaworu really should have expected.
ôIt's you.ö Kaworu wasn't as disappointed as the words might sound, if only because he didn't want to offend her.
ôHow good of you to remember me Nagisa.ö She said, her voice trilling with excitement as she sized him up. ôI'll be your supervisor until the Commander calls upon you.ö
ôWhich means what exactly?ö He had a good idea, but it didn't hurt to ask.
ôBe a good boy and do as I say, and you will live to enjoy the fruits the Commander has cultivated for you.ö And yes, she did stroke her breasts at fruits, why do you ask?
ôIf not, I'll die right? Hard choice there.ö He rolled his eyes, which was surprisingly allowed, considering that she had been sizing him up as though she was going to kill him, fuck him, or kill him by fucking. As far as experimental cloning procedures went, Gendo nailed a lot of low denominators in shaping her.
ôI am not a harsh mistress,ö she said, her tone explicitly patronizing as she finally entered the apartment uninvited. ôSo I will allow you your smart talk for now. But be wary, the Beast is always hungry.ö She showed her teeth, all of them sharpened like fangs, giving her a bestial appearance under the beauty.
ôThey really need to feed that guy some time.ö Kaworu was mostly kidding with that, as he had seen first hand how she 'fed' the Beast, a wild Evangelion machine soul embedded into the body of something almost human.
ôAre you offering a snack to Him?ö Mari showed an impressive set of teeth, which caused Kaworu to reassess his statement.
ôNo, no, just making a stupid comment.ö He shrugged, not sure how else to continue this conversation.
ôWell, for now, we shall have to get... acquainted for a bit.ö The unbelievable amount of suggestion in her tone actually makes Kaworu balk a little.
ôI know you were created to fuck, kill or even kill by fucking, but that is just a bit much.ö Kaworu, while not the most sensitive man ever, had at least enough sense not to fall straight into such lurid exploitation. Yet.
ôAnd I'm dressed in a totally sexualized manner, were you expecting me to be a great philosopher?ö Mari shrugged, which wound up displaying the wonders of her very flimsy bra. ôBesides, keeping me happy keeps me from coming after your neck.ö
ôYou make a very convincing argument as to why I should just shut the hell up and do as you say. So I might do that, but I warn you, the bed looks mighty uncomfortable.ö Well, he tried. And if she was threatening to kill him if he didn't do as she said, well, what was he to do? Fight her? Considering she was created by the same process as he was, she likely had powers specifically designed to kick his ass. Gendo would not send someone to guard him if that someone couldn't also take him out if the need arose for it.
ôWe'll have to soften it up a little then.ö She stalked past him, towards the bedroom, likely having been briefed on the layout before hand.
ôAh well, there's worse things to be doing.ö Like killing cats. Anyways, Kaworu followed Mari to the bedroom, deciding that keeping her happy was more important than moral high ground.
/-\ /-\ /-\
In the weapons lab, Ritsuko was overseeing the final touches on the new weapon suites to be used by the Evangelion the next time an Angel popped up. The kids had been given lots of time off to deal with what they saw down in that hole, with only Rei showing up occasionally to check Unit-00. It seemed she had grown fond of her war steed, as she called it, after an absurd fashion. But her, she had to fly the damn thing, so if she cared for it, it would make her even more reluctant to get it smashed to bits.
Ritsuko shook her head as she remembered the mess those three had been in, and the looks on their faces. Those looks made her hate the Evangelion just a bit more than she already did as a scientist, because if those things weren't finicky fuckers, they could have adults piloting the things and hopefully not have to subject teenagers to this shit. She bit off a growl as she thought about the data they had gathered on the Angel down in the hole, Leliel they called it, and it really wasn't good.
Their enemies were growing far more intelligent and more sapient seeming than before, which was the root of the problem.
Sure, Asuka and Rei were both trained for most of their lives for this job, but Asuka's personality and uncanny empathy undermined all the lessons she had learned. And Rei, well, Ayanami's new emotional self just made it harder for the really big hits not to hurt like hell. Besides, they were still teenagers, well physically for Rei the second, and that really didn't help with all those hormones running around in their systems.
But what really concerned Ritsuko was Shinji, the cocksure ace of Project-E was completely off his gourd with guilt. He didn't seem into the whole blaming himself for everything schtick, but he had been doing a good job picking it up. Thankfully, Misato and the others had cut off or stopped it from going beyond some loud moping, so there wasn't a lot to worry about right now.
What really threw her though, was Gendo's intervention back into his son's affairs after leaving him autonomous for his stay in Tokyo-3.
It seemed the strength of the father's stoicism bled off onto the son, the latter becoming more stable the longer he spent time with his father. He had been with him for the last couple days, and already he was cracking wise again, which alleviated some of her linger stress. Warm fuzzies were in short supplies with the elder Ikari around, but you had to at least admire his ability to shepherd his troops when he had to.
Misato was overseeing the preps for the disposal of Unit-03 right now, the process taking a while as they tried to keep the secret of it being infected with an Angel from the kids, given their attachment to the last one. But the red tape was finally cut away and they'd be launching the sucker into space, the idiot not even having the common sense to possess an already active Evangelion. She had also been keeping tabs on the new kid, the poor sap they shipped with the infected Evangelion, who would apparently join them once they had everything ready to slot him on the roster.
Even now, with no Angel bearing down on them, they were all so very busy.
ôAt least the Commander has kept the new kid away, I'd hate for him to get caught up in this circus.ö Ritsuko muttered to herself, not out particular compassion for Kaworu, but more just because she was afraid he'd get lost somewhere in the HQ and never be seen again.
ôYou say something Doctor?ö Ron asked, over his shoulder as he directed the final adjustments like a conductor.
ôNothing of much importance, I'm used to having Misato or someone else to share my evil scientist thoughts with.ö It was true, at least with Misato. Talking to Maya was to be done only if you had the word pillow in front of it.
ôOh I know the feeling. Sometimes I wonder if I hired Lei for her brains or if I just like having someone to scheme up new weapons with.ö Ron, as a mad engineer, shared the passion for mad rantings to a cohort it would seem.
ôNothing like a good co-conspirator to brighten your day.ö Ritsuko said, not entirely lying as Misato was often good for a laugh. She paused to watch the interns work and a thought occurred to her. ôWe have one hell of an intern program.ö Some of that was a pretext for Gendo's other duties as the chief of SCIENCE at NERV, but it did produce good workers.
ôThey do most of the heavy lifting around here, along with whoever else gets recruited.ö Ron agreed, though if he were in the know, the term 'created in a mad experiment' would have applied too.
ôAh, secretly funding the pipeline college so we can abuse the interns as we please. Sometimes I wonder what we'd do if there weren't giant monsters bent on Humanity's destruction rampaging about.ö Not too often, as it sounded pretty boring in her head.
ôI don't, because I love this job too much to worry about that morality bull.ö Ron shot from the hip, drawing a nod from NERV's other mad scientist.
ôYeah, I mean, where else would we have access to these wonderful toys?ö Ritsuko and Ron shared a smile, one that made the interns sweat more from nerves than the actual work.
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôThanks for telling me of the situation, and I'm glad I could help you in keeping Daten City in check.ö Gendo said into the phone, having been called by an old acquaintance of his. ôThe Anarchy sisters are of particular interest to me, as their development will help future projects along.ö He looked at the folder of the two, one a blonde with a facial scar, the other with long dark blue hair, eating a cake. And of course, he couldn't say what those projects were, but the other man didn't need to know that.
ôHeaven thanks you all the same, and don't hesitate to call me if you run into a ghost, because...ö Gendo cut the other man off, having heard this all before.
ôGhosts can only be defeated by the garb of the Holy Virgin wielded by those two. You say that every time.ö He didn't mean to sound annoyed, but he wouldn't forget something like that.
ôNice to see you pay attention.ö The other man laughed heartily and hung up.
ôI really shouldn't have given him my number.ö Gendo muttered, always coming away with an unclean feeling from these calls from the man in Daten.
ôCommander, the launch is finally ready.ö Fuyutsuki showed up just in time to derail any oncoming angst trains.
ôFinally, some good news.ö Gendo was exaggerating a bit, he had also found out he saved a bunch of money on his car insurance today as well. ôEven if it is just pushing the button after a countdown, I still feel a certain... thrill at the thought.ö
ôLaunching your enemies into space was always a threat from super villains in the comics I grew up with.ö A pointless factoid, but relevant to the topic. Fuyutsuki liked this part of his job of having to keep Gendo in line.
ôYou threatened to shoot the heavyweight champion into space after he attacked me backstage once.ö That had been a hoot and a half, as the champ sold the threat for all it was worth. He missed Osaka sometimes. Only sometimes though.
ôI had to ad-lib since I had missed your big turn the week before.ö Damn head colds, always ruining things.
ôIt's still played in clips on the e-net somewhere.ö Gendo watched his old promos, remembering when he was younger, fitter and lacking a dead wife. But hey, Yui was a fiend in the sack, and she had a way with words too. And surprisingly, the sex came in second in that equation.
ôI would hope so, it was a classic line.ö The old man preened a bit and Gendo pretended not to notice it as they made they way to the command center, now serving as launch control for their shuttle.
ôAoba, tell me that everything is ready.ö Gendo really wanted to send the Angel into space, really really wanted to make it so.
ôWe're waiting on your order sir.ö Aoba managed with a lack of fear. If only because he had good news to say, so he didn't need to fear reprisal.
ôVery good,ö Gendo said, a wide grin splitting his features. He had been waiting for this moment for a while now. ôIf everything is ready, then let's send that Evangelion jacking bastard into space.ö
ôRoger, the order has been given and received, the countdown will commence.ö Maya said, feeling a bit giddy. ôT-minus 1 minute, launch area is clear.ö
ôIt occurs to me that this is a very nasty thing to do to a living, sentient creature.ö Fuyutsuki commented quietly to Gendo, if only to move the conversation further along.
ôYeah, it is. But then I remember the origins of the Evangelion and then I realize that I have no moral legs to stand on.ö Gendo was honest when he felt like it, which seemed to be now. ôBut hey, we do have to give him a special farewell, he made it all the way here without us knowing it. If only his luck had held up, we'd all be dead.ö
ôDuly noted, Commander.ö Fuyutsuki let the comments wash over him and for once, found comfort in his pupil's inhumanity. That pragmatic practicality is what kept him in charge after all.
ô...three, two, one! Ignition! We have lift off!ö Maya exclaimed in an overly exuberant tone. On screen, the rocket carrying Unit-03 and its angelic passenger shot off into the sky. The crew of NERV watched it go, bidding a silent farewell to the Evangelion they never got to use. Opinions on the design were mixed, but they all agreed that the pilot had shitty luck because of what happened.
Still, space was a nice place this time of year... or so they say anyways.
/-\ /-\ /-\
There was a place Rei liked to go from time to time at NERV HQ that no one knew about, a heaven for no one else but her. The Commander and Dr. Akagi probably suspected she came here, but they said nothing, so she assumed they didn't care enough to know. But here she was, way down in the bowels of the HQ, in what was known as the Terminal Dogma, where all the naughtiest secrets of NERV was kept.
Down here you had the always scenic Evangelion graveyard, the poor unfortunate failures of the process to build a new age machine god. There was also some giant white thing trussed up to the wall, that Rei had finally recognized as Lilith, the Angel whose soul she was carrying around. Creepy looking to say the least, but Rei waved in the general direction of the matriarch and progenitor of mankind.
She took a left, and found herself at her destination: the holding vat for all of the Rei Ayanami clones.
It was to be expected really, with the fragility of life and the odds of successful cloning being what they were, that there would be a large number of copies made of the same clone. And moreover, exhaustive tests to see if tweaking the process, formula and all manner of variables to see if the process could make a perfect duplicate of the original purpose. Needless to say, that was a huge failure on the Commander's part, but Rei couldn't hold it against him, since she owed her very life to this screw-up.
A moment passed before she stripped naked and entered the special entry plug that would basically jam her into the giant vat of LCL and well, herself. The feeling of the LCL against her naked flesh always tickled a little, something she was sure she'd never get used to, as if she'd want to at any rate. The clone nearest the entrance opened her eyes and smiled at the prodigal clone, and soon, the whole place was awake and alert.
ôWelcome back Second.ö The clone said with an odd warmth, if only because she looked just like Rei, but sounded more human than her. Must be one of the later clones, after Gendo did some experimenting with the process.
ôAye, it's good to see you all again.ö It had been weeks since she had visited, and she felt a bit guilty about it. You couldn't call them her ôsistersö, since, well, they were her as well.
ôThings a bit hectic outside are they?ö Another clone spoke up, her voice wafting off the mass of Reis.
ôJust a bit, yes.ö Rei returned easily, looking around from face to face, and allowing herself to become more docile. They were her other clones, other parts of herself, and unlike the First, she would appreciate them. And if the unexpected happened, the one to carry on for her would do so with pride.
ôIt's not Shinji or Asuka is it?ö Yet another clone asked, somewhere from the back. Ah yes, she had informed them of this development with the other two Evangelion pilots.
ôNo, but then, I would not be here if it was.ö Rei shook her head and smiled, trying to show she didn't mean to sound defensive.
ôThen what could it be?ö came the inevitable query, such as it was.
ôI just need to recenter myself a bit after a rough time or two.ö Rei really didn't want to elaborate too much, but she would probably have to unearth the entire incident with both Iruel and Leliel
ôIs that all?ö None of them brought it, but the Second never really came down here outside of courtesy visits and to take a dip with them meant she was really messed up. ôWell, we won't make you tell us, so just relax and try to forget your troubles for just a little bit.ö So understanding, it almost was weird until Rei remembered they all were her, with subtle changes in appearance and personality to each.
ôMm.ö She said nothing, but that bit of reassurance, of a place that she could escape for them world and forget. Just forget her pain, her insecurity, and everything that was bothering her. The one would return among the many and lose herself for a while, empty out all the interred angst and anguish, squeeze out the sorrow and become whole once more. Rei Ayanami was many things, clone, Evangelion pilot, budding young woman, but here, she was just one of the many. She wasn't special, she wasn't unique, she was just Rei the Second, the follow up model to a predecessor who couldn't keep her trap shut long enough.
In this tank, hidden away from humanity, Rei Ayanami had finally come home.
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôI must say, Kaji,ö Gendo said as the man landed the transport carrying the special cargo that the named man had acquired for the commander of NERV. ôwhile I ask a lot of you, you have a knack for coming through in a pinch.ö
ôNormally, I would be modest or say something about how hard it was, but the people in charge of this thing were just so stupid.ö Kaji bowed his head a little as he engaged the conversation at a leisurely pace. ôAnd I'd make an analogy, but I can't think of one that isn't horribly insulting, I shouldn't insult them by comparing them to those bunch of bozos.ö
ôYes, it is most unfortunate that our branches do not have the eye for talent or the mind required to helm such a delicate operation.ö That and Gendo had personally jacked all the competent people for himself. He was going to save the world, and he knew he needed help to do it. But even then, it didn't excuse the apparent ease of this theft.
ôI didn't have to mention those people, and just said that I was under orders to bring it to NERV Japan so they could finish the work and get it ready for battle.ö Kaji continued, letting the boast slide by without comment, it just wasn't his place. Gendo had Fuyutsuki to call him out when his head began to swell.
ôTo be fair, they had been working around the clock since we sent them the corpses of several Angels trying to incorporate the secrets of them into the Evangelion.ö Gendo said with a shrug, both verbally and non, giving their American staff some credit.
ôI'm sure the staff here can do that better, though we might want to wait to turn it on first.ö Kaji said, having read over the disturbingly detailed notes from the staff who seemed too happy to just hand the project over to him. ôThey were successful in just implanting the S2 engine when I took it.ö
ôFrom your warning, I doubt they figured on a way to regulate a perpetual energy source so it doesn't go sky high on them.ö Gendo frowned, making sure to turn his head to the side, just so Kaji would know it wasn't directed at him. Now he had a reason to completely agree with the assessment that they were idiots of stupendous proportions, who would think that an infinite supply of energy wouldn't need regulating in some fashion? Besides, if this integration was so easy, they'd have done it themselves and not shipped it off on the B-team. ôWell, Akagi has been complaining she hasn't gotten to do much SCIENCE in a while, so I suppose this will make her happy.ö Gendo had apparently lifted the nifty vocal effects from Bardiel.
ôOh, I'm sure Ritsuko will just love this.ö Kaji said, looking on as Evangelion Unit-04 was unloaded. The chrome with red and black highlights were a nice touch, so he had to give them credit for picking a decent color scheme. ôI suppose the only other issue is making sure there is no passengers on this one.ö
ôIndeed, and the other package you got for me a while back has finally come in, lousy postal service.ö Gendo said, segueing into another topic. It felt good to know that the Lance was finally in his possession, but now he needed to store it away before one of the kids did something stupid with it. Like chuck it into orbit or something.
ôMy bad, I couldn't afford the postage from Antarctica.ö Kaji laughed a little at the joke, though the reason for the slowness was because of the sudden change in his mission to go to NERV USA and get Unit-04.
ôOh it's no worry,ö Gendo said, stretching a little. ôIn fact, I think that it has taken a while to get has been good for us.ö
ôHow is everyone anyways?ö Kaji asked, curious as to status of Asuka and the others.
ôPhysically, good. Now, emotionally... that's a whole can of worms. I suppose I can brief on all the messy details of the last couple missions. Except the stuff about Unit-03, since I already relayed that to you.ö Gendo finished his little speech, glancing sidelong at Kaji.
ôSounds like this might take a while,ö Kaji said, having a bad feeling about this. ôBut I asked, so I can't back out now.ö
ôTo the cafeteria then, we need something to drink first.ö Gendo said, as lead the way.
/-\ /-\ /-\
Three weeks had passed without incident, but in this shattered world, such time was a fleeting thing. There was a JSSDF base 100 km west from Tokyo-3, and it was a routine day of patrol and drills. All these soldiers went through their days, secure in the knowledge that this was just another day, just another one of those ho-hum boring days that you needed a stiff drink to forget.
ôAnd lo do my eyes weep at the state of this base planet filled with worthless wretches. It pains me to think of this world, once a shining gem of richest blue and brilliant green has been reduced a ball of mud, clung to by vermin who should not be. They scurry about, as though they have purpose, as though they have meaning. As though their lives have any intrinsic value in the grand schemes of the Almighty powers that be.ö A voice boomed from on high, peeling along like the deepest roll of thunder, reverberating like the aftershock of an earthquake. The soldiers could not hear the words spoken, but they could feel their menace. Their blood ran cold, they broke out in a nervous sweat as a tidal wave of killer intent washed over them and pulled them under. All these men could tell that this voice belonged to a being far their greater, to an entity beyond the scope of their minds. Its words were too grand for their ears, its logic far above their punitive imaginations.
ôOnce more do I stand upon this defiled Earth, here to cleanse it of the infestation that has plagued it for far too long. Look at what these pieces of trash have done to you, O Noble Gaea, how they have ruined everything that you have given to them, provided for them as the loving Mother you are. I can feel them scuffling about, scampering around all across your once lustrous skin. And I say, NO MORE!ö The voice snarled, a shadow blacker than midnight enveloped the base in an instant. The soldiers could not see, nor could they understand what was about to occur. A speck of light, as brilliant as the first rays of dawn, cut through the twilight, bringing the wonder of light unto these doomed men before they were obliterated in a massive explosion, the flames twisting into a large cross. For miles you could see the fire reach for the heavens, after if drug upward by the souls that were lost within its wicked embrace.
ôThe creature known as man, hear my words and shiver as I am the harbinger of your demise. Tremble as you perceive my name and know that your doom is a certainty, ordained by the forces that govern this wretched existence.ö Descending from the sky was an enormous figure, roughly on par if not larger than an Evangelion, it used an AT-field to slow its descent. Its legs were short and stubby, lacking feet, marking that bipedal transit via them was not very likely. It lacked apparent arms, two very thin strips were attached to what was likely the being's shoulders. Its face was garish, looking like it was cobbled together at the last second with no thought given to how it would turn out. Still, it looked damn scary, as the act of drawing breath alone was enough to subtly alter the pattern of the wind.
ôMy name is Zeruel, the Angel of Might. Strength is my domain and I will crush your precious Evangelion as if they were ants before an elephant. You have struggled admirably for a while now, but it ends now. Before me, you are nothing but specks of dust on the winds of the cosmos. I hear the cries of He who gave me life, His desire that all of you pathetic worms be exterminated.ö Zeruel drew breath once more and unleashed it all in one tremendous roar that rattled loose the branches of the surrounding trees.
ôAnd I obey.ö
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôBlue signal detected and it's a big one!ö Maya cried as she analyzed the data coming back from the scanner.
ôCurrently 70 miles from Tokyo-3 and rapidly approaching! Current estimated time of arrival: 2 hours!ö Hyuga called as he brought up a visual of Zeruel hovering towards Tokyo-3 with purpose.
ôIt seems to have evaded our scanners before now,ö Aoba said, checking the back logs for any unnoticed detections. ôThe direction it's approaching from, there's a JSSDF base there a hundred miles back.ö
ôBut if we couldn't detect it before...ö Maya said, trailing off as she realized the implication: the Angel had destroyed the base with all too apparent ease.
ôThere's a large dissipating heat source behind the Angel roughly 30 miles from it. It's... it's likely the base.ö Hyuga's heart fell through to his stomach. Before now, the Angels had seemed pretty ineffectual at accomplishing their goal of destroying humanity. Yet this Angel just now was already looking to be the biggest threat they faced.
ôNo pressure Captain, but we'll have to wing it a bit if we want to stop it.ö Gendo said to Misato, who was deep in thought. She had always come up with a plan, a talent she used to gain fame for something other than surviving at ground zero of Second Impact. But Gendo knew all those other times, she had ample warning to plan her moves and crunch the data accordingly, this wouldn't be easy.
ôWhat's the status on the Evangelion?ö Misato asked, who let out a heavy sigh as she tried to think as fast as she could.
ôThey've finished being outfitted with their new weapon systems and are being loaded onto the catapults. Looks to be ready for launch in 45 seconds tops.ö Aoba answered, having already started tracking their progress before the question had been asked.
ôGood,ö Misato said, steeling herself to go through with this plan of action. ôI want them to form a gauntlet for the Angel: Rei, then Shinji, then Asuka. They are not to engage the Angel as a group.ö
ôBut that's crazy!ö Maya cried, thinking Misato had clearly flipped her lid.
ôNo, that's taking into account all the data we've had up to now. It's moving too fast and we don't have time to waste on a quick skirmish and withdrawing if it appears we can't hack it. Also, considering the fortress Angel, the battlefield would be too crowded for them to use their new weapons effectively and they'd like be forced to defend each other too much, wearing them down as the Angel exerts minimal effort. This way, they can maneuver around without having to dodge each other and there's no one else to cover so they can fight back instead of shielding themselves over and over.ö Misato didn't even look out of breath, nor did she let it show that she had just come up with that speech a minute ago.
ôI suspect there's another reason too, Captain.ö Gendo managed to order her to speak without being overtly forceful. And for Gendo, that was like holding back the tide.
ôThe last Angel, Leliel they called her, shook them pretty bad. The kids have been hanging out a lot more and talking about her, and that Iruel as well.ö Misato shook her head as she revealed what was likely very private information on the pilots, but she had to get this out there. ôIf this was before those two incidents, I'd likely say that they'd be able to work together. But now, their minds aren't on fighting as a team, they seem to be treating each other like they're made of glass. I can't put them in a situation where they'll be helpless because they're too worried about the others beside them.ö
ôVery well, I will trust your judgment on this.ö Gendo said, looking at Misato for a long second. When she nodded her head, it told Gendo that there was indeed far more going on than he was aware of with his son and the other kids. He'd have to sit down with the boy sometime and chat with him, at least try being fatherly, couldn't hurt. ôRelay the order and launch the Evangelion once they are acknowledged.ö
ôTransmitting orders to Evangelion now.ö Aoba said, Hyuga and Maya far too worried about the possible outcome of this coming battle to do their jobs.
/-\ /-\ /-\
ôAlright Rei, you're up first.ö Misato said, as Unit-00 hefted its new chaingun suite and waited for Zeruel to appear. ôDo not sacrifice yourself to take it out, if you win, good. If not, just make sure he can't kill you. You are only the advance guard, so your job is to aid the others as much s possible by making him drag out all of his tricks.ö
ôRoger that,ö Rei said, trying her best to focus on the fight before her. It was hard, especially with the idea of an Angel who could talk and appeared capable of intelligent thought. That it wanted to destroy them all just seemed like a waste.
ôOh ho, is this the first of your Evangelion? Are you wretched vermin so arrogant to think that one alone could defeat me?ö Zeruel sounded amused, which was a feat to say the least. He continued forward, just getting sight of Unit-00 to make that quip.
ôYou can blame the ones who carried the torch before you.ö Rei said, as she took aim an waited for the Angel to give her an opening.
ôIf you are comparing me to them, then you must consider the pebble a suitable comparison for the mountain.ö Zeruel halted his movement, hovering across from the Evangelion. A long moment passed as he felt a very familiar feeling. ôThis sensation, so it is you then. How trite, that you would stand as the advanced guard for these creatures far your inferior.ö
ôSo you can tell what I am.ö Rei closed her eyes, a picture of Lilith strung up on the wall flashing in her head. ôOf all the Angels, it would be you who would recognize me.ö
ôOf course, I can almost smell Her from where I stand. It is a pity to see Her so reduced.ö Zeruel growled, his strip-like arms unfolding as he prepared for battle.
ôAnd it's a pity that you're so conceited.ö Rei said, opening fire once Zeruel made a hostile move. The rounds splattered against the AT-field of the Angel, the slugs being shattered by the imposing force of the barrier. Rei ceased fire almost immediately. ôI hope this works. Switch to oscillating rounds.ö The chaingun whirled loudly for a second, then Rei once again opened fire, the rounds emitting a frequency that allowed them to start penetrating the AT-field before them.
ôSo you have some tricks, o possessor of Her Rotten Soul. But you aren't the only one with some tricks up your sleeves.ö Zeruel laughed as the rounds pounded through his field, the rounds impacting heavily on his skin. They didn't gain much penetration as the flesh seemed to harden and repel the frequency that allowed them to bypass the field.
ôSwitch to armor piercing incendiary round.ö Rei commanded, stopping her onslaught for a second to change rounds again. She wasn't sure the amount of bullets in there, but she would have to guess that was a lot. Steeling herself, Rei expanded her own field, removing Zeruel's protection before she resumed firing.
ôHah! At least you shall provide me entertainment before I crush you neath my heel!ö Zeruel laughed again even as the rounds laced through his skin, by passing the hardened shell like it wasn't even there. Blood sprayed as the titanic Angel fell back under the assault, the thin strip-like arms shooting forward in a surprise attack on Unit-00.
ôWhoa!ö Rei jinked out of the way, stopping her onslaught momentarily to ensure that the sudden attack failed. ôGuess I shouldn't let my guard down around you.ö
ôHow prudent, wench.ö Zeruel's head warped in grotesque fashion, becoming a gaping maw with a single bead of light. Rei just barely pulled her field back and defended herself when the Angel unleashed a beam attack that would have made Ramiel proud if the giant diamond fortress was capable of such emotions.
ôThis could be... troublesome.ö Rei said, her AT-field retracting from around her once the beam had subsided. She gazed into the gaping maw of Zeruel and dug in, knowing this fight was gonna be a long one.
End Chapter 18
Teaser for Chapter 19 ôMy Destruction is On Your Mindö:
ôThis is getting out of hand.ö Misato said, as she watched the fight between Zeruel and Rei pick up. ôHow the hell can that thing do all that?ö
ôWhat, besides being an alien monstrosity bent on humanity's destruction?ö Aoba asked which earned him a slap on the back of the head from Maya. ôOw!ö
ôYes, beside that! It has to have bones or something solid to give it shape! It shouldn't be able to do that!ö Misato was, of course, referring to Zeruel warping his body as though it were made of clay.
ôNot necessarily.ö Gendo said, drawing attention to him. ôBeyond the enormous regenerative abilities of the Angels, we have seen something similar to this before.ö
ôThe Angel of the Volcano I presume?ö Fuyutsuki asked, drawing a nod from the Commander.
ôI think we may have misidentified that Angel's capabilities,ö Gendo said, as he watched Rei attempt to outmaneuver Zeruel. ôIt wasn't rapid evolution, but really hyperactive re-adaptation.ö
ôSay what?ö Misato asked, drawing agreeing nods from the bridge crew.
ôNot so much misidentified but dumbed down, I suppose.ö Fuyutsuki spotted the problem immediately when almost no one caught what was said.
End note: Wow, I took forever. Well, the good news is that with the next chapter being nothing but action and no need for set-up, I might be able to get it done faster. See you for 19.
So yeah, I think the cameos from Gainax stuff ends with Panty and Stocking (with Garterbelt!). Unless I somehow come up with a way of inserting in Diebuster and Nausicaa. Which I think I should really stop before I go too overboard.
I will readily admit that this chapter really came at a bad time as my creative process died. I would rewrite it, but 1. I don't believe in rewrites and 2. I don't know what to really change in them that wouldn't be as stilted.
Not my best chapter, but I think the need to build for the end is kinda slowing things down.
19 will hopefully be better.
Not my best chapter, but I think the need to build for the end is kinda slowing things down.
19 will hopefully be better.