Neon Genesis Evangelion Higher Learning Strike Fiss, 2000 Twenty-Fifth Lesson: "Activation" It was one of those things that made Misato believe firmly in God. And that He was out to get her. The ten or so seconds (depending on how you counted) from 11:59:50 to Midnight that night were filled with the sound of someone walking into the bar in a hurry. She sighed, nursing her drink between her thumb and index finger, and watched Kaoru run up and sit down next to her. "Sorry I'm late." he groaned, ruffling his hair. It was even messier than usual. That, and the truly apologetic look on his face won him some points. "Ten seconds to spare. You're lucky I waited." Misato advised. He relaxed and leaned back in the seat. The bartender came by and he asked for a rye and coke, and three shots of tequila...one for Misato. "How did it go?" she blinked as Kaoru downed the two shots without even wincing, then started on his rye. "Rough night?" Kaoru smiled, then cringed as the mixing tastes caught up to his throat. "You could say that." he shook his head. "I want to apologize. I shouldn't have kept you waiting so long. It didn't go as well as I expected." "What didn't go well?" Misato finally asked as she watched him nurse his drink, downing half of it in a steady sip. It was a moment before he spoke, ruffling up his hair as he did. "Ex girlfriend dropped by. I politely told her to go, and she didn't until we had a nice long talk." Misato shook her head. "I hope I'm not keeping you..." He smiled and shook his head. "No no...it's been over for years." His face turned apologetic again. "She had the worst timing, though. This humble man begs your forgiveness." he bowed his head. Misato chuckled to herself. "Now how can a woman stay mad with an apology like that." she straightened up in her seat. "Very well, it's forgotten. Now keep drinking, humble sir, because you have to catch up to me." she hiccupped with a playful smile. Kaoru smiled and nodded. "That sounds perfect right now...I have such a headache." Misato groaned as the cheerful daylight hit her eyes. "I hate mornings." Ritsuko watched her friend exit the NERV transport with a smile. "Let me guess, you're allergic to sunlight?" "Hey...that can actually happen, you know." the Major grumbled, putting on her 'hangover' sunglasses as she walked past the Doctor, looking at the reports. "Is it here yet? Can I go back to bed?" They stood adjacent to one of the innumerable NERV controlled runways at the Bay Airport. Able to scramble half the bombers and fighter craft in a two thousand mile radius, it was indeed a huge airport. However, for today, it had been emptied of all traffic for the sole expected arrival. And there they saw it. At first, it was just a black dot on the sky, descending in what looked like a leisurely rate. Misato knew they were probably dropping altitude faster than a rock, however. Larger craft like the Neo Path series could drop out of the sky at a pace that would make comets jealous...yet still have enough lift to pull up if there was a problem. With the Evangelion under it's wings, however, the giant plane looked almost like a personal hang-glider for the beast. "Well, at least he's not late." Misato yawned as she watched the descent. "Oh?" Ritsuko blinked. "Do many men stand you up?" she smiled. "Or do you even wait around to find out?" "Normally I don't." she smiled back, but then winced. "But I suppose there are exceptions to the rule." "Well, it looks like today will be good." Ritsuko said. "The Forth is already at the base, and everyone looks ready. This should go smoothly." "I hope so." Misato yawned. "Okay, now I need a bobby pin or something." Kaoru said as his slightly clumsy fingers worked on the match. Misato laughed and started rooting through her purse. "You learned this all from school?" "Hell yeah. Even us teachers get to goof off." he chuckled. "We were students once too, you know." "Strange." Misato said, passing him the bobby pin that she found. "I would have thought you the kind that always did their homework and never goofed off." He looked up with mock offence. "I may have done my homework, but there was LOTS of time to goof off." he slurred back. Misato erupted into a fit of laughter, then calmed as she watched him continue working on his little 'project'. The conversation had been centred around bar-tricks, when he had suddenly gasped, exclaiming he had the COOLEST trick, and asked for a deck of matches and a cigarette pack. So far, the Sensei had constructed some kind of a hood around the match, using tin foil from the smokes, and was shaping it with his fingernail. Misato was watching in fascination, as was the bartender and three of the other people nearby. "Just don't burn down the place, buddy." the man had laughed, and handed him the matches. Finally, with the bobby pin, he had the entire thing rigged up. It was fairly unimpressive, but consisted of a foil-wrapped match propped up against the bobby pin like a ramp. Finally, he pointed it down the bar and lit up another match. Misato, in order to see, and a little tipsy, decided to rest her head on his shoulder to watch. He didn't seem to mind, although she could feel his cheek get warmer with a blush. "Stand back, everyone!" he announced, lighting the second match and holding it under the foil-wrapped tip of the other on the ramp. A few seconds later, and the match ignited, sending out all it's flame down the tiny lump he had crafted in the foil, and propelling the match like a tiny bottle rocket up and across the bar. Everyone laughed and clapped. Most were drunk enough that it was quite an impressive feat to behold. Misato smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek for his troubles. "Why is a guy like you teaching here when he could be at NASA?" "Beautiful women." he smiled, blushing terribly. "Those NASA chicks don't compare." She smirked and returned to her drink. "I bet you say that to all the NERV chicks." "So far, yes." he smiled. "Of course, you're the only one I know of." "We're sneaky ones, us NERVs." she cautioned around the rim of her glass. "You'd better watch out...we could be anywhere. Devious little buggers we are." He shrugged and cleaned up his little rocket-experiment. "Maybe, but I'm guessing you're worth the trouble." She grinned. "Do you now?" Everything in Project E was big. Big guns. Big airplanes. Big bullet. Big knives. Big trucks. And, unfortunately for Misato, big BIG engines to drive those big trucks. Now, with Eva-03 in tow, the pilots and crew of the aircraft long gone (and damn glad to be rid of that 'ugly fucker' as they put it) NERV had official control over it's newest Evangelion. All that was left was to test it's compatibility with it's pilot and pray the thing didn't turn his mind to Jell-O. To tow this massive weapon, however, they were in what Ritsuko liked to call her "REALLY big truck". Several thousand horsepower and more wheels than Detroit City moved this monster truck down the road at an impressive pace considering it's cargo. Misato had been gritting her teeth for most of the ride back to the research centre when Ritsuko looked over and sighed. "Would you like me to turn off the engine and put it in neutral? I'm sure we could just coast down the hill..." "That would be lovely." Misato grumbled back, now trying to rub her temples and the bridge of her nose. "How much did you have to drink last night, anyway?" the blonde smiled. "Oooh, that's right...your date must have been treating you." Misato cocked her head to the side with a sigh. "Actually, we didn't really drink that much." Ritsuko almost hit her head on the steering wheel in surprise. "You didn't drink that much???" Misato frowned, crossing her arms in her best attempt to look mad. "I'll have you know that I don't drink nearly as much as you probably think I do." The scientists' dry look told her she wasn't buying it. Misato sighed and turned away. "So what were you doing, then?" Ritsuko blinked. "...philosophizing?" Misato smiled weakly. "You know, some say a kiss is far more intimate than even having sex...or anything else..." Kaoru said as they walked down the street, enjoying the dark, cool air. "Mmm...depends on the kiss..." Misato hummed against his neck, firmly deciding not to move as they stumbled down the sidewalk. "I'd have to agree with you." he said with a hiccup, but was caught as the dark haired woman leaned up and pressed her lips to his. "Mmph!" She used the surprise to get a better angle on him and soon, they were wrapped in each other's arms, engulfed by a deep, long kiss. The light from the street lamps was low enough that they were secluded in a twilight shadow, with Tokyo 3 oblivious around them. It was only when a passing car's headlights shone over them for a brief moment was the spell broken and they parted. "How about that kiss?" Misato asked with a tiny, sheepish smile. It did nothing to lower the completely adult and completely inviting look on her face, however. Kaoru looked at her with groggy eyes. She was certain his brain was trying to come up with an excuse, but it looked like desire (with the help of the booze) was winning. "That..." he swallowed hard. "That was very..." She interrupted him with another kiss. He didn't seem to complain in the slightest. His arms came down around her waist and held her close as she reached up around his shoulders, making sure they wouldn't fall. "Maybe we should..." she gasped, finally breaking for air. He nodded, now completely under the spell. "Your place or mine?" She gave him a very hungry smile. "Yours. It's closer." Ritsuko sighed as she looked over and saw that same silly grin on her friend's face that had been appearing and disappearing for the last hour now. "Earth to Misato. Come in, Major." Misato shot her friend a growl. "I'm here, I'm here!" It was hard not to be. The control room rushed around them as they waited for cues that the test could begin. While they were more than adequate, the crew that had been stationed for this activation test was nowhere nearly as efficient as Maya and the others. The two senior officers had opted to stare at the inert Unit 03's ugly face in the meantime. A quick flick of her finger commanded the computers to bring up a video screen to the inside of the entry plug. "Hey, Toji-kun. How you doing in there?" Misato asked, trying to seem busy under Ritsuko's attention. With a flash, the yellow communications box came up on the screen and showed a meditating Toji seated in his chair. He sighed, causing a bubble or two to float up from his mouth. "Well, I don't feel like puking anymore." "Told ya it would just take you a minute to get used to the LCL." Misato smiled. "Yeah." Toji grimaced. "It smells like a locker room in here, though." Misato nodded and bowed her head apologetically. "Well, don't worry. We're almost ready. All you have to do is sit in the seat for five minutes like the sync test yesterday...then we can all go out for dinner or something." "Hai, hai." Toji nodded, looking at his plug-suit. "Hey, how come I get the cool colors?? Why doesn't Shinji get these?" Misato turned to Ritsuko with a shrug. Ritsuko smiled. "Wardrobe has a sense of humour. They were going to make his suit purple and green originally..." Toji laughed. "Oh, okay, never mind. Blue and white is fine." Misato chuckled as she cut the comm. link. "Purple and green? God..." "Hey, we could have just had them start off piloting naked..." Ritsuko grinned. "But we knew that would be a little too much." Misato breathed out in surprise as she lifted his shirt up over his head. For a teacher, he was fairly well built. She had been almost expecting either a skinny little man or someone with too much meat on a lanky little frame when she first met him. However, she figured, he would do very nicely. Kaoru raised an eyebrow as he saw her look. "Disappointed??" She grinned and responded by kissing along his chest, up to his neck before nibbling playfully all the way up to his lips. The way his hands were working to rid the obstacle of HER shirt, she knew he understood she was NOT disappointed. And he paid her back in spades by not even slowing when his hands brushed up against her scar. The thought that he might be freaked out only shimmered into her brain for half a second...then out when his hands moved down to her pants. "Oh my..." she shivered. "...you're rather good at this..." "I'm a fast learner." Kaoru nodded, bowling her over into the blankets with a hard kiss to the flesh between her breasts. Misato just enjoyed the ride, trying not to lose breathing control too early in the game. Well...that didn't last too long, she mused as he started to... "Major?" Ritsuko said...a little too sternly for her tastes. Misato snapped out of her little gaze and focused. "Hai! Fine. Fine." she grumbled. "Station report!" "All boards green." "Circuits 2011 and up all within tolerances." "Power is synced and we're receiving no signal echoes." "Pilot is ready." "Evangelion Unit 03 is standing by." "Recovery teams in position. All restraints show nominal and green." "Magi all show a go, Major." Ritsuko said at the terminal. She shrugged. "It's your call." She sighed and nodded. Her heart was a little...fast...but she knew that was because she was in her little daydreaming mode. She groaned inwardly and scolded herself. Sex always screwed up her woman's intuition. Still, everything looked to be green, so.... "Start the activation test." she ordered. All thoughts of last night with Kaoru were gone as the entire control room watched the board of nerve connections light up green in sequence, nearing the ever-fateful borderline. The point that made or broke the test. Where the Evangelion became 'alive' with the mind of it's pilot and was able to function as an entity. It was also the moment where all hell could break loose. And sometimes did. Misato prayed her intuition wasn't needed on this day. The green progression flickered slightly around the borderline mark...but then, in one final push...the later half of the board turned green, and a dull glow emanated from Unit-03's eyes. Misato sighed in relief, turning away from the window. "Well, I'm goinna go grab a beer." "Misato!" Inside the Entry Plug, Toji watched in awe as patterns of light, sparks, nerve-like-projections, and finally, a spectrum gave way to a view outside his cockpit. "Is this what you see, Ikari?" he smiled, looking out over the holding cage with his new eyes. "Eva's world?" "Good work, Toji-kun." the blond scientist's voice came over the comm.. "The test is successful, and your sync rate is holding at twenty-five point three percent. You'll be happy to know that's above your projected values!" Toji just nodded. "Hai. So can I help beat up some Angels now?" "Not yet." Ritsuko laughed. "You'll be lucky if you can walk for another week or so. But don't worry, we'll get you out there helping in no time flat." "Hai." he nodded with a sigh. He knew what that meant. A week of solid tests. He'd be breathing this LCL crap for another week or more...all just to get used to the Eva. It was a strange feeling. A kind of friendly echo of his thoughts and feelings. If it hadn't felt so...natural...Toji would have thought it felt like his skin was crawling. But it wasn't like that...it was almost like wearing a new shirt. A barely noticeable addition to ones self. Before he knew it, five minutes had passed, and the scientist's voice came back on. "Okay, Toji. We're going to de-sync now. Retrieval will occur in another two minutes after we make sure everything shuts down okay. Just tell us if you feel anything strange." "Yes, ma'am." Toji nodded as he watched the colors return and everything fade to the gray metal walls of the plug. He sighed and leaned back in his seat, letting a bubble of real air escape his mouth. The Sub-Commander sighed as he entered Gendo's office. It was colder than usual...or maybe it was just his imagination. Maybe both. "The Doctor just contacted us." he said, not wanting to stay in the room any more than was necessary. Gendo nodded. "Mmm." "Unit-03's activation test was successful." he said. "They'll be transferring the new unit to holding cage twelve by tonight. The Magi will be busy compiling the data all night, but it looks pretty straight forward." "Mmm." Gendo nodded again, then turned to the windows behind his desk. "Dismissed." With a sigh, the gray-haired man turned and left. "SEELE's going to be pissed..." To be continued... ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for tuning in. I apologize again for the day lateness of this Lesson. I hope to keep up if I can. Notes! ------ -Yup. Kaoru and Misato did it. It wasn't JUST a daydream. :P -More on that as I get the chance. -Will Kaji show Shinji his melons? ^_^ Stay tuned! -Hey! No Unit-03 Explodeee! All you people who were asking me, now you know. ^_^ -Blah. I'm tired. It's 5:30 am. Omake! (by, yes, you guessed it, Jonathan Gaters!) ----- SCENE: Shinji and Kaworu are sitting in chairs, with a monitor. The Words "Men On Fics" are stencilled on a sign above them. Kaworu is wearing a very revealing cowboy costume (neon pink chaps, matching thong and vest, and a small pink cowboy hat strapped to his head), while Shinji is wearing a Sailor Scout outfit (namely Uranus). They both sit with their legs crossed in a very effeminate manner. Shinji: (in a perky voice) Hi! And welcome to "Men on Fics"! Kaworu: (in an equally perky voice) Only when we're not on each other! Shinji: (giving Kaworu a friendly push) Oh, stop it! You're -so- bad! Kaworu: Yes I am! Shinji: (getting serious) Our first fic tonight is "Last Embrace, My Angel". A tale of love that could never be. Kaworu/Shinji: Loved it! Kaworu: This one gets an around-the-world-and-back snap! (Both Shinji and Kaworu move their arm in a large circle, and snap at the end of it.) Shinji: I just love how this author... Asuka: (bursting on stage) STOP!! What have you done to my Shinji!?!?!? Kaworu: (in an aloof manner) I've set him free, girlfriend! *SWAP* (Kaworu now has an imprint under his right eye in the shape of Asuka's fist.) Asuka: (grabbing Shinji and dragging him offstage) Come with me! I'm going to undo whatever that pervert did to you! (Time passes and suddenly Shinji's voice rings out.) Shinji: (yelling at the top of his lungs) OH GOD -YESSS-!!!! (Asuka leads Shinji back on stage, his hair slightly mussed. Asuka herself is slightly mussed. Shinji is no longer in his Sailor Uranus outfit, but in his normal school uniform.) Kaworu: (near crying) Shinji! What did she do to you?! Rei: (walking on) The same thing I'm going to do to you. Kaworu: (trying to get a handhold on anything as Rei drags him off) No!! Let me go! HELP! NOOOOOO!! Rei: (in her same monotone) Do not worry, we are the same. You will enjoy becoming one. (Time passes then Kaworu's voices rings out.) Kaworu: SCREW THIRD IMPACT!!!! I WANT MORE OF THIS!!!!! (No characters were harmed in the making of this fic, though one was tied up with leather and spanked till his bottom was red, at his own request.) --------------------------------------------------------------------- ^_^ e-mail: strikef@bigfoot.com homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/9110 Strike Fiss, Ninja Crowbotics 2000. Khattam-Shud, EOF.