SCRIBES OF TOKYO-3
By Eva On The Rocks
CHAPTER 8 Anti-climax / Fic Challenge!
MATSUSHIRO SECONDARY TEST FACILITY
"T minus 300 minutes until Unit Three activation test," a voice announced.
Evangelion Unit Three, the first Production Model to be built in the United States, appeared to glare furiously from its cage at the two women standing before it. Forgetting the dark colour of the armour and the fact it possessed two eyes instead of four, it could be said the Eva resembled Unit Two more than any of NERV's other functioning Units.
This was expected though, what with Unit Two being the world's first Production Model as well as a template for future Evas, and Misato knew that Asuka would make a point of mentioning this over and over to anybody who would listen.
"What do you think?" Misato asked, glancing at her companion.
Ritsuko continued to look over the contents of her clipboard. "The scans we've run so far show no sign of infection, but from what we know of this particular Angel, there may not be any signs until we flick the switch."
"That doesn't fill me with comfort," Misato sighed, rubbing her forehead. "At least I don't have to worry about how to tell Shinji about the pilot."
"How did he take it?"
"So far so good. But I think his mind's a little overloaded with all the other information from you-know-where."
"Understandable."
"So..." Misato began, trying to sound innocent but failing miserably. "How's your personal life?"
"Pardon?" Ritsuko finally looked up from the clipboard.
"You heard."
"That's none of your business."
"Yeah," Misato grinned. "But I've read so much about it I want updates now."
"I'm still angry with you." Ritsuko frowned, trying to change the subject.
"Oh, that." Misato looked away. "It's not my fault that food didn't agree with Maya-"
"Misato, how long have I known you?" Ritsuko sighed. "It was you who used to use that same excuse when you were too hung-over for class."
"How were Kaji and I supposed to know she couldn't handle a few cocktails?" Misato protested, as Ritsuko continued to glare at her. "And besides, it's your fault that she agreed to come drinking with us anyway."
"Me? How is this my fault?"
"You did read those fan-fictions, didn't you?"
"What?" Ritsuko blinked, before a look of comprehension crossed her face. "I thought..." Her eyes widened. "You don't mean...?"
"You know, for a scientist, you're kind of slow sometimes." Misato began to chuckle, while Ritsuko stared off into space for a moment.
"Excuse me," a young technician interrupted, looking a little wary of the two women. "The Fourth Child has just arrived."
"Understood." Misato waved him away. "Ritsuko?"
Ritsuko still appeared lost in thought.
"With exclusive control of four Evas," Misato said, turning her attention again towards the face of Unit Three. "A person could conquer the world."
Still no response from Ritsuko.
"Hey, Ritsuko?" Misato said. "Whose soul is in this one?"
That caught Ritsuko's attention.
NERV HEADQUARTERS
"Okay guys." Maya looked up from her data readouts at the three pilots standing before her. "You're to remain here on standby until we hear something from Matsushiro."
"Understood," Rei replied quietly.
"If the Eva is taken over, we have to stop it before it reaches the city to avoid any casualties."
"Why are they even activating that thing if it's probably an Angel?" Asuka asked. "That's just stupid!"
"I just follow the orders, Asuka," Maya replied. "With any luck, everything will go smoothly."
"Do you really believe that?" Asuka snorted. "In this place, nothing goes smoothly."
Shinji cleared his throat, appearing as if he had a question, but Asuka whirled on him, eyes blazing.
"Except of course for Shinji." Asuka's tone turned sarcastic. "Taking Ayanami's hand under the tree like some smooth Casanova, gazing lovingly into her eyes, aww...so cute together! So alike!"
Rei, naturally, ignored the rant from Asuka, while Shinji blushed uncomfortably.
Maya looked from one pilot to the other, aware of Asuka's temper, before deciding it was safest to simply monitor this situation. From a distance.
Shinji and Rei weren't giving Asuka the reaction she wanted - Shinji's slight cowering under her glare didn't count - so the Second Child opted for another approach.
"Have you kissed her yet, Shinji?"
"What?" Shinji choked, his hand flew to cover his nose and he turned away.
Asuka chuckled, apparently satisfied, and Maya hoped that was the end of it.
"Were you not conversing with Pilot Suzahara during lunch yesterday, Pilot Sohryu?" Rei asked, the monotone voice a total contrast to Asuka's animated tone.
Uh-oh, Maya thought.
"You were talking with Toji?" Shinji blinked.
"So?" Asuka snapped. "It's none of your damn business who I talk to!"
"Then why do you consider it your business who Pilot Ikari converses with?" Rei asked, turning her head slightly to look Asuka in the eye.
"Because..." Asuka faltered.
Not a good sign, Maya thought.
Recalling the fan-fictions, Maya had been partial to the Shinji/Asuka pairings, liking the way Asuka brought out a more animated side to Shinji. Not that Shinji and Rei didn't look cute together in their own way, but to Maya, there seemed to be more spark between the Second and Third Children.
There were about to be some definite sparks in a moment, Maya feared.
"What were you talking with Toji about?" Shinji asked.
Asuka's moment of speechlessness disappeared and the fiery expression returned. "Jealous, Third Child?" she asked. "Maybe I just felt like talking to a boy who possesses a spine!"
"Ikari has a spine," Rei said. "How could he not have a spine?"
"I didn't mean literally!" Asuka shouted.
"Enough!" Maya shouted, surprising all four of them. "You're acting like..."
"Children." Shinji lowered his head, and Maya could have sworn he was smiling.
"Unit Three's activation test will be commencing in twenty minutes," Maya said, taking a deep breath to calm herself. "Shinji and Asuka, you two will be launched first."
MATSUSHIRO SECONDARY TEST FACILITYAs Misato and Ritsuko looked over readouts concerning Unit Three, Toji studied the face of NERV's newest Evangelion on the display screen.
My Eva, Toji thought, trying not to sneer at the sight of the beast.
After Asuka had told him what she had read about this activation and what would be his apparently brief career as an Eva pilot, Toji had kicked himself for not having read the fan-fiction earlier.
Shinji must have known, Toji realised, recalling his friend suggesting he refuse if NERV called upon him.
"Why didn't he tell me?" Toji murmured.
Kensuke hadn't spoken much to him lately, probably jealous because he was living out Kensuke's dream of being an Eva pilot. And when he had asked the Class Rep about a lunch date, Hikari's curt reply had definitely not been what he expected.
"I'll see if I'm busy, Suzahara."
Then there was Red Devil. Toji didn't know what to make of that strange encounter. Asuka had seemed...almost tolerable. Almost. But it allowed Toji to understand why Shinji defended her when Kensuke and he complained about her.
If Asuka was truly the evil bitch they thought she was, then why would she have warned Toji about what might happen with Unit Three's activation?
"Girls are weird," Toji thought aloud, shaking his head.
"What was that, Mr Suzahara?" Ritsuko raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing, Miss Doctor Lady," Toji replied, grinning at Ritsuko's reaction to the nickname.
"Miss Doctor Lady?" Misato chuckled.
"I would prefer you address me as 'Doctor Akagi', Mr Suzahara," Ritsuko scolded, but Toji sensed she found some amusement in the nickname.
"Nah," Toji said. "I like 'Miss Doctor Lady' better."
Misato smirked again, but several loud beeps made the atmosphere serious again.
"Initiating first stage connection," one of the techs announced.
Misato took a deep breath. "Get ready."
INSIDE THE ENTRY PLUG OF UNIT ONE
Shinji clenched the butterfly controllers tightly, dreading the expected sight of Unit Three appearing on his visual display.
Toji was the pilot. If something went wrong and Unit Three's plug couldn't be ejected, how was Shinji supposed to fight knowing that his friend was trapped inside?
Trying to distract himself from the impending battle, Shinji's thoughts drifted to Asuka's words earlier. Clearly, Asuka had witnessed what Shinji considered a gesture of friendship; when he had held Rei's hand in his own the day before.
Was she jealous? How could she be, when she spent so much time claiming he was nothing but a spineless idiot?
Shinji had read many fan-fictions about Asuka and it had provided some insight into why she behaved the way she did, but it brought him no closer to understanding her.
"I don't understand," Shinji whispered to himself.
And Asuka talking with Toji - that surprised him. The twinge of jealousy he felt at the idea also surprised him.
Asuka had insulted Shinji yet again when he asked about that, and then Rei, in her own unique way, had defended him.
"Why?" Shinji whispered, closing his eyes, as the smell of blood seemed to grow stronger.
All around him, the Eva hummed with life, as if listening to his thoughts.
"Mother, are you here?" Shinji asked.
No response from the Eva.
NERV HEADQUARTERS
"Unit One in position, Unit Two preparing for launch..."
The announcement faded into the background, along with most other noises that Rei found to be of little importance. She was aware the Evas were in the process of being launched, just as she was aware that Unit Three was due to be activated within five minutes, and it would be then that NERV would know whether it was battling another Angel that day or not.
Rei glanced at Lieutenant Ibuki, addressed as 'Maya' by most of her co-workers, and found herself recalling the details of various fan-fictions.
Maya apparently felt affection towards her immediate superior, Doctor Akagi, and according to what Rei had read, if the world ended right now, Doctor Akagi would be the last person Maya would desire to see.
Rei had a question though, and she wondered now if Lieutenant Ibuki might be able to answer it for her.
"Lieutenant Ibuki?"
Maya stopped what she was doing and stared at Rei, appearing surprised that the First Child had spoken to her for no apparent reason.
"Yes, Rei?"
"When two people are attracted to one another, it often leads to sexual intercourse," Rei said. "While I understand this concept - the act of 'becoming one' with one another - both for the purpose of reproducing and for pleasure, there is something that I do not quite understand."
"And what might that be, Rei?" Maya asked, trying not to stammer as she started to blush.
"I wish to know how two females might become one."
"You...wish...to...know..." Maya blinked. "What?"
"I understand you have feelings for Doctor Akagi and might wish to become one with her," Rei replied calmly, not understanding why Maya was apparently so flustered by this line of questioning. "I do not understand how two women would become one. I wondered if perhaps you might be able to clarify this for me."
Maya had never imagined she would feel relief at the sound of Commander Ikari summoning her to the Command Centre, but on this particular occasion, his voice was the most wonderful sound in the world.
MATSUSHIRO SECONDARY TEST FACILITY
In the Holding Cage of Eva Unit Three, restraints were automatically bolted back into place, securing the black Eva once more as the residual energy left its body. Soon it would be a dormant beast again, awaiting the spark of the soul piloting to awaken its form.
Inside the beast though, hidden from the scans of NERV, a presence lurked.
Not the soul of a human sacrifice, like inside other Evas. No, this presence was alien.
And it was aware now. The Angel.
A surge of energy had coursed through its body, shaking the presence from its slumber, and consciousness had streamed through it, fusing the Angel's essence to the flesh of Unit Three.
Bardiel. Inside this thing - Eva - shadow of Adam.
Find Adam.
But something had halted the Angel's original plan.
Thoughts and reflections of something else, not a human soul as expected. Rather, it was a fake soul.
Information imprinted on this fake soul became imprinted on the Angel. Faces, names, feelings, places, school, NERV, Entry Plug, Evas...
Most important though, was knowledge of the future, of the Angels yet to come, that had allowed the Lillim to prepare for Bardiel and his kind in advance.
The next Angel...it would be Zereul, brother of Might. He would arrive soon, within days.
In the depths of Bardiel's consciousness, a plan formed.
Wait for Zereul. Together, we can defeat these Evas and reunite with Adam.
Adam called, and Bardiel longed to go to him, but that would not help his kind.
Wait for Zereul.
Patience.
In the small Control Centre of Matsushiro Secondary Test Facility, the staff looked over the data and had nothing abnormal to report. No Angel infection, no berserker attack, just a standard activation that had occurred without incident.
"Activation successful." Ritsuko breathed a sigh of relief. "Let Headquarters know."
"Yes, ma'am," a tech replied.
"Are you sure it's safe?" Misato asked, glaring at Unit Three.
"No," Ritsuko replied. "But whatever happens with it now is the Commander's decision."
"That fills me with comfort," Misato said sarcastically.
"So, it's not an Angel?" Toji asked, watching as the Unit was powered down.
"At this point, we believe not." Ritsuko moved to look at the computer screens, while Misato stared through the glass at the dark Eva.
Toji's eyes widened. "You mean you're not sure?"
His incredulous tone was echoing Misato's feelings on the matter, and when the tech reported Ikari's orders that the Eva would be transferred to Headquarters, it took all of Misato's self-control not to start shouting and cursing at NERV's utter stupidity.
"That's it then. We're done here." Ritsuko barely repressed a sigh as she turned to look at Misato. "Misato, we can suspect that Eva all we like, but it's not our decision. We just need to remain prepared in case something does happen later on."
Misato nodded, deciding the best way to keep control of her temper would be to use her usual calming technique.
Teasing somebody, or at least make embarrassing somebody.
"The whole activation just now reminded me of bad sex." Misato grinned as Toji began to blush.
"Oh?" Ritsuko raised an eyebrow, the discomfort of the Fourth Child not going unobserved by her either.
"Yeah," Misato continued. "You're building towards a climax and then..." She paused, watching Toji's expression change to one of horror. "Nothing."
Ritsuko nodded. "We've all been there."
Misato grinned, pleased that not only was Toji looking ready to run screaming from the two women, but because Ritsuko had taken the bait.
"Well, I haven't," Misato said, smirking as Ritsuko winced. "Does that mean your current relationship is leaving you...unfulfilled?"
Ritsuko, now the same shade of red that Toji was, gritted her teeth, clearly angry with herself for having fallen into Misato's trap.
"The details of my former relationship..." Ritsuko said slowly, earning an eyebrow raise from the Major.
This was news, Misato thought. It was over?
"…are none of your damn business, Major!"
Before Misato could say anything, Toji finally spoke up, looking for all the world like he was ready to gag.
"Misato, I think you're a babe and all," Toji said. "But hearing two old chicks talk about their sex lives is just..."
"Old?" Ritsuko and Misato glared at him, a dangerous tone in their voices.
"It's just..." Toji squirmed. "I didn't sign up for this!"
THE CHAMBER OF SEELE
Commander Ikari sat patiently at his desk, the dark chamber around him silent except for the hum of electronics, waiting for the Old Men to show themselves. Normally it gave Ikari great pleasure to arrive to these conferences late, for the Seele members took this to be a sign of disrespect - which it was - and no doubt questioned his commitment to their cause once he was dismissed from proceedings.
This day, however, Ikari decided to arrive a few minutes early. Preparations needed to be made for the next Angel attack, and he suspected the Old Men might have been made aware of the Eva Fan-Fiction by now and would wish to discuss the matter.
Inconvenient if they knew of its existence, and the valuable information within the stories, but not unexpected.
Ikari knew there were spies lurking within his organization - one long-haired man came to mind immediately - and did his best to filter any information that might be leaked. The discovery of the fan-fiction had made that task somewhat more difficult, rendering the fabricated truths he put into circulation useless.
This meant that obstacles would have to be removed from the scenario, rather than misled, which posed a problem. If the number of missing personnel was to suddenly become too high, it would draw the attention of the government and, most likely, some inconvenient U.N. investigators.
So, it came down to trusting in the nature of these fools and instilling fear in them.
Trusting that they would wait until the Angels had been defeated before attempting to thwart his ultimate goal, allowing him time enough to make any necessary adjustments to his plan so that their efforts would be too late. Trusting that Project E had become their only real purpose in life and, without it, they would have nothing and therefore would remain loyal.
Trusting their predictability.
Instilling fear in them was almost as easy. All that was required was they believe that he was indeed the ruthless bastard they had always suspected him to be, something most fan-fictions had confirmed, and they would be too frightened to dare oppose him. That fact they suspected he had posted a fan-fiction, but were unable to confirm it without incriminating themselves, also kept them on their toes.
The Monoliths materialised then, interrupting his train of thought as they formed a circle around Ikari.
Monolith Number One, also known as Lorenz Kiel, spoke first.
"Unit Three's activation was successful and without incident." Kiel's words dripped with disappointment and suspicion. "This is deviating from the scenario."
"Yes," came the voice of another, the French representative. "With the next Angel due to arrive within days, there is no time for adjustments to be made. Ikari, how do you explain this?"
"I don't." This response was met with sounds of outrage from around the circle.
"Ikari." A hint of warning entered Kiel's voice. "This occurrence - or lack there of - was not depicted in the Dead Sea Scrolls. If this Angel does not appear within the time frame, or does not show at all, then the scenario is at risk-"
"I am aware of this," Ikari said. "However, I am confident that the Angel will reveal itself within the required time frame."
"I hope so," the French representative said. "For your sake."
"Hmm."
"We shall see," Kiel said. "As it stands now, NERV has four functioning Evangelions, and they will defeat the Angels so that our plans may be realised. Unit Four will be arriving within the month, along with the experimental S2 Engine the Americans decided to abandon."
"The risk posed by the activation of that Eva with the S2 Engine was deemed too great, but it still remains unknown how that risk came to their attention," the American representative said angrily.
"You should have taken steps to make sure the activation went ahead regardless," the French representative snapped.
"The Second Branch acted of their own accord. Intervention on my part was impossible and would have risked exposure."
"It does not matter now," Kiel interrupted. "Unit Four will either serve us in defeating the Angels or it will be sacrificed."
"Then there is only the matter of the Fifth Child's selection to worry about," Ikari said. "Will the Marduk Institute-"
"We have already selected a candidate."
"I see." Ikari allowed the faintest hint of surprise to enter his voice. He had suspected this would be the case, but it was best to let the old fools believe him to be in the dark about some things.
"He is currently residing in Germany," Kiel explained. "but is due to arrive in Japan within the next few days so as to gain experience and training." A pause, allowing Ikari the opportunity to comment if he desired. "A report will be sent to you."
Would this be the same Fifth Child from the fan-fictions?
Most likely, Ikari decided.
Not one to believe in coincidence, Ikari suspected that Seele must be aware of the stories - or at least some of the information from those stories - and were probably busy comparing the facts amongst the fiction with their own detailed schedule.
"You have no comment on this?" the French representative asked, almost taunting.
"Should I have?" Ikari asked, ignoring the bait. "If Seele has already found a suitable candidate, that saves the time and resources of NERV."
"Very well," Kiel said. "The rest of this meeting does not concern you, Ikari."
The Monoliths faded away, returning the chamber to darkness and leaving Ikari to contemplate things.
NERV HEADQUARTERS
"What a waste of time!" Asuka groaned, sliding her card through the slot and waiting for the gate to open.
"Are you not relieved that Unit Three was activated without incident?" Rei asked quietly.
Shinji cringed, hoping there wouldn't be another shouting match between the two - well, Asuka shouting and Rei...being Rei.
"Well," Toji said. "At least you didn't have to listen to Misato and Doctor Akagi talking about their sex lives."
"Huh?" Shinji blinked.
"Nobody over the age of thirty should even be having a sex life, let alone discussing one!" Asuka cried.
"I agree." Toji gave a nod. "Don't get me wrong. Misato's hot, but..."
Shinji chuckled as they passed through the gates and moved towards the train platform. "Now you know what I put up with living with her."
"I live there too, remember?" Asuka said.
"Yes, Asuka." No, Asuka. Three bags full, Asuka. Of course, Shinji didn't dare speak those thoughts aloud as he continued walking, strategically placing Toji between himself and the line of potential fire from Asuka.
"Why is it unacceptable for persons over the age of thirty to indulge in sex?" Rei asked. "It was my understanding that a woman does not reach her sexual peak until-"
"Can we please change the subject?" Shinji pleaded.
"What would you prefer to discuss, Ikari?" Rei asked, oblivious to his discomfort.
"Um..." Shinji looked from Toji to Asuka, then shrugged.
"I'm going home to check on the reviews for my story," Asuka announced, as the group came to a halt on the train platform.
"But we're not supposed to-" Shinji began.
"Don't be such a coward," Asuka cut him off. "I know that Kaji and Misato are still reading it. If they are allowed to, then so am I!"
"We must follow orders," Rei said.
"Of course you would say something like that." Asuka gave a snort of disgust. "Don't you ever think for yourself?"
"Who else would think for me?" Rei asked.
Asuka rolled her eyes before turning her back to them, focusing her attention on the slowly approaching train.
"I think what Red Devil means," Toji began, taking several steps away from Asuka, "is that you shouldn't live your life according to somebody else's rules."
"But the Commander knows what is best." Rei frowned slightly. "I have no right to question his orders."
"You're happy to be his little doll then?" Asuka asked.
"I am not his doll."
"Really?" Asuka spun around, eyes narrowed. "Prove it then."
"Asuka..." Shinji frowned, worried what the red-haired girl was planning.
"Prove it?" Rei stared questioningly at Asuka.
"Uh..." Toji looked from one girl to the other. "I feel like I've missed something here."
"That might be a good thing," Shinji said, trying to read the expressions of both girls but having no luck.
"Post a story, Wondergirl." Asuka placed a hand on her hip. "Surely there's something inside of you that could be expressed in words. Write something and post it."
"That is not permitted," Rei replied blankly.
"See?" Asuka said. "She's a doll."
Shinji thought about Asuka's challenge to Rei. While he didn't want Rei to get in trouble from his father, he would have liked to see what kind of story the First Child would write...
"Would you like to write a story?" Shinji asked Rei.
"I..." Rei seemed to contemplate the idea. "I had not considered it, Ikari."
"Well," Shinji said, half-smiling. "Why don't you consider it?"
"Because-"
"It wouldn't be against orders to just consider a story, would it?" Toji asked, not really sure what the big deal was, but joining in anyway.
"I suppose not," Rei admitted.
"Good!" Asuka grinned. "You don't have to write some epic, just a poem or one-shot will do."
"A poem," Rei repeated.
Watching her now, Shinji began to think the idea was starting to appeal to her.
"Yes!" Asuka said. "Write a poem or a short story, I'll pre-read it for you, and then we'll post it!"
"But we are not allowed-"
Shinji spoke before Asuka could snap at her again, surprising himself with what he said.
"Ayanami," Shinji said. "If you write something and post it, then...I'll post some of my story too."
"What?" Asuka's eyes widened.
"You will?" Rei asked.
"Y-yes," Shinji said, giving a nod.
"I..." Rei began. "I will write something then."
"Train's here." Toji walked towards the carriage as the doors slid open. "You guys coming or not?"
Part 9
Notes:
Thanks again to my pre-readers. Happy Holidays :-)