Martin: Mandy...Hay, Mandy wakeup...

Slowly and groggily the sleepy girl complied, wiping the sleep form her eyes.

Mandy: Huh?...What's wrong...

Martin: What's wrong...well for one thing "somebody" set my clock one hour late and the other thing another "somebody" is lay in my bed, again...

Martin looked at Mandy angrily but couldn't keep it up. No matter how much he tried he just couldn't be mad at her even thought she got him in trouble more times than he cared or wanted to remember.

Mandy: I'm sorry Martin...I had a bad dream again...

Martin: Again? Man there must be something wrong with you. Maybe you should see the base shrink or something. Any way I got to go, I'm late as it is. Why do you always do that with my clock?

Mandy: What, I didn't do any thing.

Mandy looked up at Martin, her face plastered with the most innocent look she could muster.

Martin just looked at Mandy with a "ye right" expression on his face.

Mandy: You probably just set it wrong again. You better hurry up or Dr.Murcott will kill you.

That was all it took to set Martin into over drive. He jumped out of bed and tripped over his guitar in the process. After getting himself up he started getting his clothes and sped off to the bathroom. A few seconds later...

Mandy:..Hehe...Hehehehe....Hahahahahah!

Mandy burst into uncontrollable fits of laughter, the site of Martin stumbling around like a chicken with it's head cut off was just too much to bare. After calming down she got up and went to make Martin his lunch.

Not much later Martin came out of the bathroom, dressed in his army fatigues and ran into the kitchen.

Mandy: Here's your lunch. You really better hurry or you'll be dead before you reach the entry plug.

Martin: I know, I know, I'm going.

And with that Martin was out of the door. Mandy watched him thought the window and then goes to make the bed.

Dr.Murcott: PILOT PERISH!! You're late AGAIN!!

Martin shriveled back at the shouting of the doctor but then sturdily stands to attention.

Martin: I'm sorry sir! It wasn't my fault sir! It was...

Dr.Murcott: I don't care! If it happens again that girl will have to find a place of her own. This is not a game we are playing! This is the army and we cannot have people showing up late, like you do! If we could get another pilot soon we would but as luck has it right now a suitable candidate can't be found...

Martin fidgeted in the red and blue plug suit. Every time he had to rush putting it on it always chaffed him in the most uncomfortable of places.

Dr.Murcott: ...Now get your ass in that entry plug before I have you put in solitary confinement!

Martin: YES SIR!

Martin did a hasty salute and sped down the catwalk to the entry plug of his Evangelion Unit Seven.

In the entry plug Dr.Murcotts image appears on a floating screen.

Dr.Murcott: You know the drill. This is a simple Synchronization test. Are you ready?

Martin: Yes sir.

Dr.Murcott: Well it's about time Start the test!

He barked to a nearby technician, sending shiveres down the pore myoung man's back.

Martin: Sheshhh Why does he have to yell so much. Dr.Mathers was much better than him till he transferred.

The entry plug was filled with LCL fluid then bathed in a sea on multiple colours, finally the cage outside was shown thought the entry plug "windows".

Technician: Every thing green sir! Ready to go!

Half an hour later and Martin's mind had started to wonder.

Martin: *Why does Mandy always do that! I wake up and she's in my bed. She say's it's from a bad dream but she can't have them that much. Not only that she's always messing with my clock too, I don't know why I put up with her but there's something about her that I can't place. I think maybe...

Dr.Murcott: Pilot Perish! The test is over.

Martin: Great! Now I can go home and...

Dr.Murcott: No you can't, the Commander wants to see you.

Martin: What?

The LCL drained from the plug and Martin clambered out frustrated.

Martin: God Damn it...

Now back in his army fatigues Martin stood outside two giant white doors, with a plaque on them which read "Commander Hutchinson". Dusting himself off he pressed the intercom button. A level voice crackled over the small speaker.

Commander Hutchinson: Who is it?

Martin: It's Pilot Perish sir! You asked for me?

Commander Hutchinson: Yes, please come in.

The two metallic doors slid open and Martin preceded thought. At the other end of the room there was a thin man with black hair and a crew cut, sitting behind a large white desk, the rest of the room was filled with filing cabinets and pictures. Most of the pictures were of great world leaders but there were some that were of family members, enjoying happier times.

Martin soon covered the short distance, between the door and the Commanders desk and made a quick salute.

Martin: You called me sir?

Commander: There's no need for that Perish. I've known you since you were a little child. Take a seat.

Martin droped his salute and takes the offered chair.

Martin: What is it you wished to talk to me about?

Commander: There are two things I want to talk to you about, one of them is your being late...

Martin let out an audible gulp and fidgeted in the chair.

Martin: Here it comes

Commander: I have reprimanded you on this numberless occasion, so I wont bother again but let me warn you. You better not keep it up when you're transferred.

Martin:...Tran...Transferred?...

Martin jumped up from the chair and slammed his hands down hard on the Commanders desk.

Martin: Sir! I'm sorry it won't happen again! I swear! Please I...

Martin's panic was quickly replaced with confusion as the commander began to laugh.

Martin: What...What's so funny?

Commander: hahaha...Your not being transferred because of being late, your being transferred because your being put on the active combat roster.

Many emotions flashed across his face in that short time it took Martin to digest the information.

Martin: So you mean I'm being...

Commander: Yes your being transferred to Tokyo 3.

Martin: Sir?

Commander: Yes?

Martin: Permission to speak freely?

Commander: granted.

Martin: yaaaHOOOOOOO!!!! I can't believe I'm going to Tokyo 3! I can finally fight the Angels!

Martin started to happily dance around the office, the commander just sat and laughed at the over excited pilot. After a few minutes he cleared his throat to get the happy pilot's attention.

Commander: Pilot Perish!

Martin stopped in his tracks and turned to the Commander.

Martin: Ermm yes sir?

Commander: You will go home and pack your belongings you are leaving tomorrow.

Martin: Tomorrow? Isn't that a bit sudden? How will I be getting there?

Commander: The Navy have a carrier ship to take you and Unit Seven to Tokyo 3.

Martin: I see. Sir will I be able to take Man...

Commander: No.

Martin: B-But why sir?

Commander: Because she is not under military jurisdiction this is top secret. Civilians are not aloud.

Martin hung his head, his long brown hair covered his eyes.

Martin: I...I understand sir Crap how am I gonna tell Mandy

Commander: Dismissed.

Martin saluted and left the room, trying to think of a good way to tell Mandy he's leaving and she couldn't come.

Martin had been wondering the base for almost three hours since his meeting with the commander. It had started raining during that time and Martin was drenched, he was also hungry, very hungry but he ignored it. He was too busy trying to figure out a way to tell Mandy he'd be leaving; he couldn't go back to the apartment yet. A young guard was on petrol in the area, when he saw Martin he walked up to him to see what was wrong.

Ian: Hay! Martin what's up?

This snapped Martin out of his thoughts. When he looked up he saw one of his friends he had met on the base standing before him. Ian was taller and was eighteen, four years older than Martin.

Martin: huh? What?

Ian: I said- what's up? You shouldn't wonder in the rain like this you'll get ill. Did you and Mandy have another fight again? Girls are nothing but trouble, that's why I like guys. Maybe you should...

Martin: IAN! For god's sake man!

Ian couldn't stop laughing. He clutched his side as it threatened to split wide open on him.

Martin: Hay it's not funny!

Ian: Haha...sorry...hahaha...your just so fun to tease...hahaha

With a "humph" Martin turned his back on his "friend" and started walking away. Ian stopped laughing and ran up to Martin. Walking along side him he continued.

Ian: Hay you know I'm only joking. So what's wrong?

Martin: I'm leaving...

Martin replied flatly, no emotion present in his voice, not even a twitch on his expression.

Ian: Ow...Why?

Martin: I'm being transferred to Tokyo-3...

Ian: That's good isn't it? You've wanted to go there for ages, for a chance to fight the Angels. It's your dream come true, so what's the problem?

Martin: Mandy...

Ian: What about Mandy?

Martin: She can't come...

Ian: Ow�Now I think I'm starting to get the picture...

A few minutes of silence passed between the two friends. Then Ian spoke up.

Ian: So I'm guessing...You haven't told her yet...right? That's why you're wondering around out here?

They came to a bunkhouse with an over hanging roof and ducked under it for shelter for a while. The rain seamed to be getting worse. Martin rubbed his arms, damning himself for not wearing his leather jacket but after all it was sunny this morning. He wondered to himself if the weather was just mimicking his feeling's inside. He didn't mind the rain in fact he liked it, it was calming to him, it offered peace and time to think, almost cleansing. When he looked to Ian he remembered he hadn't yet answered his question.

Martin: No...No I haven't told her yet and.�and I don't know how I am going to tell her...She has no one else to turn to, Ian. I've looked after her ever since I found her under that bridge. Sure I was young but I had been forced to look after myself after my farther died. So I thought I should be able to look after some one else...hehe...I wish I knew what I got myself in for. Any way I'm the only one she's had all this time and I know if I leave it'll be real hard on her...

Ian: And how will it be on you, Martin? How do you feel about leaving her? How do you feel FOR her?

Martin was taken a back at the question why had Ian asked? Martin looked away at his friend as his cheeks flared, Ian didn't notice.

Martin: I don't know...I...I tired to act like a brother to her but some times...I think...

Ian: What?

Martin: I...I...I don't know! I can't think of things like that right now! I have to be responsible for her! Besides if I told her that I, I...If I told her things like that now it would be even harder on her!

Ian: All you seam to be saying is how much it will hurt her, what about you?

Martin stud up and glared at his friend.

Martin: That doesn't matter I can't be worrying about myself right now!

With that Martin fled into the night and left his friend under the bunker roof.

Ian: Poor kid...Wont even admit it too himself, not even on the last night they'll be together. Well better get back to my shift of the Commander will have my ass... hahaha...Well I really don't think he's that way inclined but you never know.

Ian laughed all the way back to his petrol post.

Martin was stood outside the apartment door, he didn't attempt to enter or even knock. He still hadn't thought of what to say but he'd run out of time. Letting out a sigh he slowly opened the door.

Martin: Hay I'm home!

...No answer.

Martin: Huh? That's odd...hay Mandy?! You here?!

Again there was no answer, just the deafening silence of the empty apartment. Martin took his shoes off and headed to the kitchen. All the lights were off, and there was no sound of cooking either. Mandy always made him dinner when he got back, even thought he told her she didn't have to. On the kitchen table there was a note addressed to him. Picking it up he started to read.

Martin sighed again, placing the letter back on the table he went into the living room and sat down on the sofa.

Martin: Great! This makes things worse! I hope she comes home tonight...I don't want to leave with out saying good bye...

Martin woke to the sound of quite beeping. He groggily looked around his surrounding's, a little confused. Realising he was in the living room he guessed he had fallen asleep while waiting for Mandy to come back...she hadn't. Shutting off his watch and glancing at The time, he realised he had to get going. Every bone and muscle in his body ached as he stood, he couldn't sleep comfortably on chair as it was but that damn thing was the most uncomfortable thing he'd ever sat in.

Martin: I wish I could have got a new one. Well I better get my bag's ready. I'll have to leave a note or something, she never told me where this Donna lived, so I'm stuck.

And so he did, after collecting his few belonging's he wrote a small letter out to Mandy, leaving it next to the one she had wrote him and headed for the front door. He stopped and looked around thinking of the memories he's had here, good and bad.

Martin: Good-bye, Mandy. I hope you will be okay while I'm gone.

And Martin left, closing the door silently behind him.

The ship had finally arrived that would take Martin to Tokyo-3. He quickly rushed on, he didn't want to waste any more time. It was hard enough as it was he couldn't stand it, he just wanted to get away as soon as possible and leave it all behind. Ten minutes later and Eva unit seven was loaded onto the deck of another craft. Martin watched as the giant behemoth was lay across the deck, and then strapped down. The light brightly shinned of the blue and red armour, making it look like a glowing monster rather than a robot deigned to save humanity. Another half an hour later the Eva was covered and the ships we're ready to set sail. Martin noticed another ship, with what looked like another Eva on it, but unlike his he could only see red. The cover had been removed half way as checks were made on the unit.

Martin: What the heck? Who's...Who's is that Eva?

Asuka: Mine!

Martin turned around from the view to see a young girl his own age with long read hair and blue eye's. She was wearing a yellow sundress that fluttered in the wind.

Martin: And who might you be?

Asuka: I'm Soryou Asuka Langley, Charmed huh? I'm your escort for this trip but you better not give me any trouble or I'll toss your sorry ass over bored!

Martin pulled his head into his neck like he was a turtle retreating to the safety of his shell.

Martin: ermmm...ye...sure.

Asuka closely scrutinized him; she didn't look impressed with what she saw.

Asuka: I thought so just as bad as the Third.

Martin stood toe to toe with Asuka, who was probably a tinny bit taller than him.

Martin: What do ya mean by that?! And who's the third?!

Asuka: I mean you look like another pathetic, young, stupid boy. And as for the Third he's a cowardly baka who I live with back in Tokyo 3.

With that she stormed off the deck leaving a confused Martin to stand looking on.

Martin:..........What the hell was that all about?...Women....

Martin grabbed his bags and walked towards the doors that led inside the ship. He had a feeling it was going to be a looooong trip.