FicWad

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Chapter 14: (Chapter 13 is just bad luck)

Shinji and Rei made it home after a long debriefing at headquarters. Somehow Asuka had escaped punishment for disobeying orders a fact that was not lost on Shinji.

“Are you ok brother?” Rei asked dropping her keys on the table in the kitchen

“Yeah just a little drained I guess” Shinji replied

“Is there anything else?” She pressed on

Shinji smiled “Just peeved Asuka didn’t even get spoken to about disobeying orders, I mean Misato grilled me over the fourth and I thought this was a lot worse” Shinji replied

“It was though I don’t understand either, the Second Child constantly causes problems yet nothing is done about it” Rei added

“Well it’s late I’m just going to unpack and go to bed. Good night sister and thanks” Shinji replied

“I don’t understand why are you thanking me?” Rei asked

“For taking me in, it’s nice to be able to call this place home” Shinji replied with a smile

“Yes it is” Rei returned the smile also enjoying being able to call this place home, and Shinji headed for his room.

The people of Tokyo-3 returned to their homes largely unaffected. The part of the city that was attacked was an older industrial complex and at worse two or three businesses would be a total loss. Fortunately no one had lost their homes and those who lost their jobs would be able to look for more work in Tokyo-3 or relocate somewhere else. There would be a bunch of new construction jobs opening up in an old part of the industrial sector though.

“I’ve got to admit I’ve never seen an Eva looking as scary as it did yesterday” Ritsuko commented

The commander just looked on and didn’t say anything waiting for Ritsuko to go on as Unit-01 was still being cleaned up.

“Also I think Misato suspects something” Ritsuko added

“Leave her be for now she can’t get too close to the truth from where she is” Gendo replied

“What about the committee they are not going to like that a part of the city was lost even the unused industrial sector?” Ritsuko asked

“It will have no overall effect the space can be used to create jobs for those that were lost and we can use it to our advantage” Gendo replied

“If Shinji and Rei were to ever find out the truth about the Evas they would never forgive us” Ritsuko added

“Have you figured out why the Third Child’s sync ratio is so high?” Gendo asked

“Not yet sir but I have more data to analyse now” Ritsuko replied

“I’ll explain over dinner tomorrow night” Gendo replied handing the doctor a form

“Yes sir” Ritsuko replied with a grin

Her time with Gendo was always so limited but this was a pleasant surprise. She looked down at the form and her eyes went wide with shock. A core transplant procedure form that took place before the weapons test at Matsushiro ‘Well that explains the initial rise but what about the rest?’ Ritsuko asked herself. This was why she loved Gendo Ikari he truly was a great mind always challenging her.

Shinji awoke to his phone ringing.

“Hello” The tired boy mumbled into the phone

“Shinji we have an opportunity this weekend were going to Kyoto then you will have an extra assignment for the night” Kaji spoke

“Alright but I’m not living with Misato anymore” Shinji got out his brain still trying to reach normal functioning ability for the day

“It’s ok we can work around that I’ll have more information later” Kaji replied ending the call

Shinji closed the phone and dropped it back on the floor next to his futon and laid his head down wondering if he could sneak five more minutes before getting up. A knock at his door ended that

“Come in” he called out

“You need to get up brother or we will be late” Rei spoke softly

“Alright I’m getting up” Shinji replied

The siblings made it to school on time to see everyone crowding around Kensuke’s computer

“What’s going on?” Shinji whispered

“I don’t know” Rei replied just as quietly

They dropped their bags at their desk and went over to the group to see what was going on. Everyone was looking at Kensuke’s footage from the evacuation yesterday. Unit-01 was tracking the angel, everyone laughed when Toji told Kensuke to get going, then looked on in shock as a bus was heading straight towards them on its side until a purple hand intercepted. The rest of the footage was Unit-01 tracking the angel moving away from Kensuke as he evacuated until he was almost near the Geo-Front access then Unit-00 came into view tracking the angels position with a sniper rifle then the footage ended.

Kensuke had already uploaded it to his blog with PR’s permission and again it had been a frenzy of activity.

“Wow Kensuke that is amazing” some of the boys commented

“You’re so lucky getting saved by Ikari” some girls added

“It was nothing really” Kensuke replied

Hikari caught sight of Shinji and Rei standing at the back of the group and made her way there. “Shinji Rei thank you for saving us”

“We were just doing our jobs” Rei replied

“Still I had no idea what it was like on the surface during an attack” Hikari replied “It was so scary”

“That is what we are here for to protect you against the angels” Rei replied

Hikari looked at the clock “Alright you guys the teacher will be here soon take your seats” she spoke up getting order about the class in an instant

The morning went like normal in class. Everyone was still a buzz with gossip about the angel attack, Asuka was still popular but Kensuke was starting to get requests for pictures from his website now more than pictures of Asuka a fact he was quietly happy with. While they were more dangerous to obtain not dealing with the devil was always a bonus even if it was just trying to capture her picture.

Shinji handed Hikari a change of address form he filled out.

“You moved house?” Hikari asked

“Yeah Misato decided it was for the best” Shinji replied

Looking at the form closely “Wait this is Ayanami’s address are you living with her?”

“Yeah Misato has had me transferred there because things aren’t working with living with Asuka” Shinji explained

“Is everything alright?” Hikari asked

“Its fine don’t worry I’ll still take tutoring with you” Shinji reassured the class representative

“Alright then well I just hope you’re ok” Hikari replied honestly a light blush filling her cheeks

“What does that Baka want?” Asuka asked

“Just handing in some paperwork” Hikari replied

Asuka snorted “I’m surprised that lazy fool does any work” Asuka commented

“You didn’t say Shinji moved out?” Hikari asked

“Misato explained everything yesterday with the angel fight I didn’t get a chance to talk to you” Asuka replied

“What’s so bad about Shinji?” Hikari asked

“There’s a lot to it and I can’t get into it” Asuka replied

“If you say so” Hikari replied not believing her friend at all now.

“Hey Shinji you got a minute” Toji called out to his friend at lunch

“Sure what’s up?” Shinji replied

“I just wanted to say thank you for saving us yesterday, you know the bus and then the angel” Toji replied

“It’s ok” Shinji replied “Looks like Kensuke got most of it on tape anyway”

“What happened man? A huge part of the city was levelled” Toji asked

“It’s long and complicated and I can’t really get into it, maybe after the war” Shinji offered

“Alright I understand” Toji replied clasping a hand on Shinji’s shoulder “Thanks anyway and there is one more thing”

Shinji just looked up to his taller friend waiting for him to go on.

“You know Hikari likes you right man?” It was more of a statement than a question

“Rei did say something about that to me” Shinji replied scratching the back of his head as his nerves got the better of him. He knew Toji and Hikari had been friends a long time and didn’t want to make Toji angry over a subject like this.

“Well what are you going to do about it?” Toji asked directly

“I don’t know” Shinji replied

“Well do ya like her?” Toji asked

“Yeah I do”

“So ask her out or something man” Toji replied not seeing how it was going to be a problem

“I don’t know” Shinji replied

“What’s so hard about it, ya like her she likes you its obvious man” Toji spelt it out

“I’m not very good with friends plus she is my tutor” Shinji replied

“What do ya mean you aren’t good wit friends?” Toji asked “Are ya nervous wit the laydies or somefin? You can stare down the destroyers of the world and kill em all but you can’t ask a girl for a date” He added

“It’s not like that” Shinji replied

“Then what’s it like?” Toji asked

“I’ve only had one friend before I came here and met you and Kensuke and he died in front of me. I’m just not that good with friends let alone girls” Shinji replied

“I don’t get it? What happened?” Toji asked then regretted asking seeing the look on his friends face

The bell rang signalling the end of lunch

“I’ll tell you later ok” Shinji replied

“Alright let’s get back to class before we get in trouble” Toji replied

The pilots sat in the test plugs undergoing another routine sync test. The only difference about this one was that Maya was running the test and Shigeru was manning her station. Nerv’s resident guitarist was doing well in the role even if he was not as serious as Maya who was a bundle of nervous energy.

“Relax Maya you’re doing fine” Misato encouraged the tech in an effort to calm her slightly

“You really think so ma’am?” She asked

“Absolutely I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it” Misato replied with a warm smile

Across town in one of the more fancy restaurants a bearded man and fake blond sat in a private table hidden away in the corner.

“So what was the core exchange for?” Ritsuko asked getting to what she wanted to know once they had finished eating

“I pulled Yui’s core from Unit-01 because I was worried about a total loss for the unit in combat with the angels” Gendo replied

“How did you get the Eva and Shinji to take another soul so well?” Ritsuko asked

This really was the only question left to ask as once an Eva and pilot synced especially in one as difficult as Unit-01 changes were unadvised and successful changes were few and far between.

“I used the one thing the Third Child would be able to sync with” Gendo replied seeing if Ritsuko was able to figure it out.

“You used a Rei clone?” Ritsuko asked

“No that wouldn’t work even if Shinji’s knows their relation it was another clone though” He replied grinning sadistically.

“I thought there were no other clones?” Ritsuko asked

“I had one made of the Third Child while he was in the orphanage all it took was a blood sample which was easy enough to come by” Gendo replied

“You mean he is syncing with himself?” Ritsuko asked

“Yes the Eva may as well be an extension of his body now such is his control over it and judging by the further improvements he has made since the core switch he is probably aware of this as well” Gendo explained

Ritsuko ate it up, the planning, the foresight, it was evil as hell but she just couldn’t get enough of Gendo Ikari. They finished their meal and conversation and left together for Gendo’s apartment in the Geo-Front.

“Hikari its Toji” Kodama called out putting the phone down on the bench

Hikari raced down stairs and picked up the phone

“What’s a boyyyyy doing calling so late?” Kodama teased

Hikari ignored her older sister and put the phone to her ear concentrating on the unexpected call

“Hello Toji is everything alright?” she asked figuring the boy must be in trouble to be calling so late

“I’m fine class Rep” Toji started “I’m calling about Shinji” He continued

“Shinji?” Hikari asked a little startled “Is everything ok?” she asked

“He’s fine” He could hear a sigh of relief on the phone “How do I say this” the jock continued stuttering over his words “The thing is I learnt something about Shinji today and I know you like him and....”

“I already know Shinji moved into Rei’s place but what are you talking about Toji” Hikari asked not correcting Toji about liking Shinji or telling him to stay out of it either

“Wait Shinji moved into Rei’s place he never said anything about that” Toji replied

Then the penny dropped “Wait you like him a lot” Toji got out

Hikari blushed furiously on the phone and then decided she could do this it was just a phone call after all.

“Yes I do” Hikari replied twirling her finger through a loose strand of hair as she fidgeted with nerves she never knew she had “But no one knows” She added

“Well I’m sorry to tell you this class rep but that ain’t right, Ayanami figured it out ages ago” Toji replied

“But how do you know Ayanami knows?” Hikari asked

“Shinji told me today he said Ayanami mentioned something about it to him”

Hikari paled at this ‘Oh god Shinji knows and he hasn’t said anything he must hate me and I’ve been so hard on him as well’ Thoughts like this started swirling around in her head ‘How could I be so stupid’

“Class rep you still there?” Toji asked for the third time a little louder

“Yeah I’m here” Hikari replied being snapped out of her thoughts.

Though many wouldn’t know Toji actually knew Hikari really well, their families had been friends for a long time before their mothers died. “Relax Hikari it’s not bad” Toji automatically reassured her.

“How can it not be bad Shinji knows?” Hikari asked “Everything by the sounds of it” She added her voice getting louder as she spoke getting the attention of her sisters listening in behind the door way

“Well that’s because he likes you too” Toji replied

Hikari went silent at this, the boy she liked who just happens to be one of three saviours of the world likes her back

“Still there class rep?” Toji asked again

“Yeah, so why hasn’t he said anything?” Hikari asked. She wasn’t usually one to gossip but this was different and she just had to know.

“He hasn’t had many friends before and something bad happened to his last good friend I guess he’s just scared” Toji replied

“Oh what happened?” Hikari asked

“You have to ask him that, but my point of this call is I see how much you like him and I see that when he’s not sleeping in class he’s checking you out, if you want something to happen you have to start it” Toji replied

“Oh alright” Hikari replied a little confused

“Anyway I got to go you know homework to do and all that” Toji replied

“Ok bye Toji” Hikari replied on auto pilot

“Don’t forget just talk to him Hikari” Toji replied hanging up the phone

Hikari sat there dumbfounded she had no idea what to do so many emotions rushing through her mostly nerves and joy but she was also puzzled, what could be so bad about Shinji’s past.

Shinji and Rei made it home after another round of tests. Shinji could already see the benefits of living with Rei, for one he enjoyed walking home with his sister and the conversation was good, and secondly he didn’t have to listen to Asuka complain, talk herself up or try to pick a fight with him.

Also when he didn’t cook Rei did and she had been working hard at it. While she didn’t cook with meet her meals were always so good. Tonight was a simple vegetable stir fry on rice with tofu and it was great.

“Rei” Shinji got his sisters attention

“Yes?”

“You figured out Hikari likes me what do you think I should do next?” Shinji asked his conversation with Toji had been playing over in his mind all evening.

“I don’t know I am not familiar with these types of emotions” Rei replied

Shinji realised this was a very fair answer “Sorry you’re right, well what would you do if you knew someone liked you?” Shinji asked

Rei thought about this for a moment she wasn’t worried about saying the wrong thing she just didn’t know what to say. “I would find out how to make the other person understand how I feel” Rei replied

Shinji smiled at the answer it was so simple and made sense “Thanks Rei” Shinji replied

“What are you doing this weekend?” Rei asked

“I’m not sure yet probably just catching up on homework I’m falling behind again” Shinji replied

“I have to go to Nerv on Saturday for tests but my books are on my desk in my room if you want to use them” Rei replied

“Ok thanks. Is everything ok?” Shinji asked concerned

“Everything is alright” Rei replied

Thursday came around and the pilots were going through another sync test. Everything was routine so far and everyone in the observation deck was letting their minds wander Shigeru was practicing guitar on his keyboard he was holding, Makoto was reading manga and Maya was trying to concentrate on the test readouts without success.

“So Rits are you going to tell me the great story behind that shiner?” Misato asked pointing out her friend’s black eye

Maya’s ears perked up at this as she wanted to know as well as she had noticed a poorly concealed black eye that Ritsuko was sporting when she came to work. While there was a great story involving Gendo and his activities with the doctor after their dinner that was not a story for this room.

“Sorry Misato there is nothing great about how I got the black eye I just slipped in the shower and hit my head on the tiled wall” Ritsuko replied

“You’re no fun Rits. So are you still going to the wedding?” Misato replied

“Yes this should have healed up by then” Ritsuko replied

“Man all these weddings are killing my bank account” Misato replied

“Tell me about it we’ve been to so many lately” Ritsuko replied “So which dress will you be wearing?”

“I wore the pink one to Kyomi’s wedding, I wore the dark blue one to Kotoku’s shower’” Misato started mentally going through her wardrobe

“What about the orange one? You haven’t worn that one in a while” Ritsuko asked

“There’s a reason I haven’t worn that one” Misato replied

“It’s too tight?” Ritsuko asked seeing her friend squirm now

“Ack thank you!” Misato got out

“Alright the test is done you can go now” Ritsuko spoke into a microphone letting the pilots know they were done.

Asuka went on a tirade about pointless tests but Ritsuko cut the power to the simulation plugs before she could get going sparing everyone in the observation deck for once.

“Hhhh maybe I should just buy another one” Misato sighed. She packed up and headed for the locker rooms.

“Shinji do you have a minute?” Misato asked. The young pilot had the luxury of a locker room to himself which meant no one to interrupt a long shower when he wanted time to think alone like tonight.

“Sure Misato” he turned away from Rei heading back to Misato

“Tomorrow is a big day for you are you nervous?” Misato asked

“A little I guess but a lot has changed since I was there last” Shinji replied

“Are you going to take Rei?” Misato asked again

“I haven’t asked I mean I want to but I don’t know if I should?” Shinji replied a little unsure of himself

“Well it’s totally up to you but she is Rei’s mother as well, you guys are twins, plus I’ll get her a pass out from school” Misato replied

“Yeah thanks Misato. I’ll ask I mean I want her there if she wants to come and if I was Rei I would want the chance” Shinji replied

“Good and just hold your head high like always, I know she would be proud of you” Misato replied

“Thanks Misato. I better get going”

Shinji and Rei had walked home in silence since leaving the geo-front

“What did Misato want? Is everything ok?” Rei whispered in a quiet voice by her standards

“It was about tomorrow, everything is ok” Shinji replied.

“Good” Rei replied “I’m just worried about you”

“About tomorrow do you want to come?” Shinji asked

“To your mother’s grave?” Rei clarified

“Yes but she is your mother as well” Shinji countered

“What if the commander does not approve?” Rei asked

“This is about you and me sister and our mother he has no say whether you are there or not.” Shinji replied

“I would like that” Rei replied with a smile and a warm feeling in her heart ‘Is this what it means to have a family’ she thought as her loyalty to the scenario faded just a little more

“Let’s call the role” The teacher looked around the room seeing two regularly empty seats “Ayanami and Ikari are absent again?” The old man asked

“Yes sensei” Hikari replied formally

“Is there a reason?” He asked

“I’m not sure” Hikari replied getting an uneasy feeling. Asuka was in class which meant it might not be Nerv related so that didn’t leave much and they lived together now.

“Find out off their guardians at break” He replied

“Yes sir” Hikari replied as class got under way

“It’s been a while since I was here last, I’m sorry mum” Shinji whispered

Rei stood next to him as they looked down at the grave marker Yui Ikari 1977 – 2004

“I’ve brought my sister with me” Shinji continued

Rei placed her hand on her brother’s shoulder seeing him struggle with what he wanted to say. She really was good at reading her brother

“Hi mum it is nice to finally be here with Shinji” Rei spoke just as quietly with Shinji “I just know you would be so proud of what he is doing”

The siblings continued to stand there an arm around each other’s shoulder enjoying their time together and that in front of their mother. They both heard footsteps approaching and then saw a shadow move over them as another person joined them

“It’s been 8 years since you were here last” came the coldest voice on the planet

“Yes it has” Shinji replied

“What is Rei doing here?” a question with plenty of anger in the voice

“The same thing as me paying her respects” Shinji replied turning around to look at his father

His face unreadable, but that wasn’t a surprise coming from Gendo Ikari. Shinji just wanted to rip those stupid glasses off his face and strangle the man for all the wrong he has done.

“Are you trying to prove a point Third Child?” Gendo questioned in a dangerous voice

“No I’m just here to pay my respects to my mother” ‘And reaffirm that I will not stop in fulfilling my mother’s goals for a better world’ he added mentally

It seemed appropriate that Shinji confirmed all this in his mind in front of his mother’s grave while staring down the man responsible for so much misery and pain

“Your mother left a legacy behind... Eva and you two” Gendo spoke feeling a little melancholy but then his look hardened behind those glasses and the walls went back up.

This took Shinji by surprise as information about is mother was scarce especially coming from his father though it was nice to know.

“I’m leaving now” Gendo spoke up as a Nerv VTOL came into view and touch down on the far side of the cemetery

Shinji let him go without saying another word or even looking at the man as he headed away. “I will stop you” He whispered as silence passed back over the cemetery.

Rei let out a gasp at this though it wasn’t heard by Shinji her eyes going wide with the shock. ‘What are you getting yourself into brother’ she thought

Shinji got a message on his phone in class looking at the screen discreetly ‘Apartment building rooftop midnight Ryoji’

Shinji shut the phone off and put it in his pocket. They must be on for Saturday now.

The bell for lunch rang and Shinji didn’t move still thinking of the nice day he had spent with his sister yesterday after visiting his mother’s grave

“Shinji do you have a minute?” Hikari asked

“Sure” he replied snapping out of his daze.

“I need to know where you were yesterday for school records?” she asked

“I was with Rei” Hikari’s eyes widened with shock as she prepared for the worst the boy she likes has a girlfriend “We were visiting our mother’s grave it was the anniversary of her death” Shinji added when Hikari didn’t say anything.

“Oh... I’m sorry Shinji” Hikari apologised floored by the shock of Shinji having done something like that “Wait did you say our mother?” Hikari asked as her brain finished processing everything

“Yeah I did” Shinji replied

“So you and Ayanami are related?” Hikari asked

“We are twins” Shinji replied

“Oh... well I’m sorry for your loss” Hikari replied

“Thanks but you don’t have to apologise, it’s not your fault” Shinji offered

“So ah when will you have time for study next?” Hikari asked

“Not till after the weekend sorry Hikari I’m busy at Nerv the rest of the week” Shinji replied

“No worries just let me know when you are free” Hikari replied.

“In class today why didn’t you take Hikari up on her offer for study?” Rei asked

“I didn’t want to commit to anything I’ll just study on my own and pick up the tutoring next week” Shinji replied between mouthfuls of dinner

“Have you figured out what you are going to do with Hikari?” Rei asked

“Not yet I’m still trying to figure it out” Shinji replied honestly, he really had no idea how to go about it

“Well it’s getting late I’m going to go to bed” Rei replied “Goodnight brother”

“Goodnight sister”

Shinji busied himself the rest of the night cleaning up and doing some homework once midnight came around he opened his window to find it raining again. ‘Great so much for climbing the wall’ Now he would have to take a chance and take the stairs to the roof and hope Rei didn’t hear him. Taking his keys and getting to the roof he kept to the shadows staying out of sight.

“Shinji” The quiet voice got his attention as Shinji looked around then caught the reflection off some metal in a shadow moving.

Breaking away from his cover he walked over to where the reflection was and found Ryoji under an umbrella in the shadows. “You are very quiet” Ryoji greeted his partner

“I was taught well” Shinji replied

“Indeed, alright this Saturday we have to go to Kyoto to investigate a company associated to the Marduk Institute. Here are the details” Ryoji laid out the plan for Shinji “I’ll e-mail everything to you”

“Alright, where are we going to meet?” Shinji asked

“I’ll get you from here, you need a story to cover your absence for the day” Ryoji replied

“It’s ok Rei is at Nerv all day I can go and just come back when I’m finished” Shinji replied

“That’s lucky” Ryoji replied with a smile “Alright we need to get into this building and take copies of everything we can, then I have to meet my handler from the government and we will get another target back here that we will need to infiltrate and get as much information on as well.”

“Ok sounds alright so far” Shinji replied looking at the schematic and picture of the Marduk building

“I need you to provide cover for me when I meet my handler but then I’m going to have to go to a wedding with Misato and Ritsuko during the night you will be on your own for the last part” Ryoji replied “Are you sure you’re up for this?” He asked

“I’m certain, don’t worry I’ll get a message to you if I’m in trouble” Shinji replied

“Alright. I’ll pick you up tomorrow at eight, where is all your stuff?” Ryoji asked

“It’s in my room” Shinji replied

“Good check all your gear and bring everything be ready” Ryoji replied

Shinji nodded with a determination in his eyes that Ryoji liked

Kaji picked Shinji up Saturday morning at eight sharp. Rei had left earlier for Nerv and the two made their getaway easily heading for Kyoto. Kaji’s driving was a lot more sedate than Misato’s but that meant that suspicion was not drawn.

Getting to a chemical lab in Kyoto owned by the Marduk Kaji stopped his red sports car in an underground parking garage one block away. “We are here you remember the plan?” He asked

“Yeah all set, at least the rain and cold will be keeping people off the streets” Shinji replied

“Yeah just watch out for security once we are inside” Kaji replied

Heading down the street there was not a soul in sight even though it was the middle of the day.

“There’s the shipping warehouse” Kaji pointed out their objective.

The two headed inside finding a large warehouse with pallet racking everywhere.

“Here is all the gear up you go” Ryoji said handing Shinji a harpoon and zip line

“Remember leave what you don’t need up there we are never coming back here after this” Ryoji reminded his partner.

“No worries” Shinji replied as Ryoji headed out and Shinji headed up the pallet racking

Climbing the racking was easy just like a big ladder made awkward by all the gear Shinji was carrying but he made it to the top. Coming to the top he reached a skylight and pressed up on it but it didn’t budge, looking around found that there was still no staff in the ware house so he pulled his USP out and fitted the silencer then smashed the gun against the skylight. On the third hit the window broke, the broken parts falling onto the pallet he was standing on.

Climbing up onto the roof and the young man was exposed to the cold and rain again, he was thankful he had put extra layers on under his combat gear. Making his way to the edge of the warehouse roof he could see Hidoshi Heavy Chemicals the last company on Kaji’s list that was directly owned by the Marduk Institute. Shinji set up the harpoon and zip line.

“I’m in position” Shinji reported in with his partner

“I see your location, no one is on that side of the lab anytime you’re ready” Ryoji replied

Shinji wasted no time and fired immediately. Hooking up to the zip line he jumped out from the warehouse roof. With the angle down on the zip line the journey across was fast and Shinji punched through the window. Once inside he went back and cut the zip line

“I’m in”

“Good work the security office is on your level it should be in the section east of your position” Ryoji replied

“On it”

Shinji moved through the corridors quietly not encountering anyone he found the security office, the massive blue metallic door was a giveaway.

“I’ve found the security office there is no one around” Shinji reported

“Use your blue box to hack the door lock tell me what you see once your inside” Ryoji replied.

Shinji clipped the box onto the card reader and the little device went to work an orange light bar moving across the front to let Shinji know it was working.

“How long should this take?” Shinji asked getting impatient

“It depends on the level of security on the door” Ryoji replied “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing I’m just exposed out here” Shinji replied

The bar turned green and the door unlocked with a click. Shinji put the blue box in his bag and drew his pistol. Moving through the door he found another empty office.

“I’m in”

“Good work what do you see?” Ryoji replied.

“I’ve got the cameras up there are a lot of guards but they are all on the other side of the building. I can see your position too” Shinji replied.

Good our target is the mainframe everything these guys have will be on it and we are taking all the data for analysis if we get the right information hopefully we can stop what they have planned or at least make arrests” Ryoji replied

“Do you have any idea what it is Ryoji?” Shinji asked quietly while looking at the security feeds

“Nothing provable” Ryoji replied “You got a fix on that room?”

“Yeah it’s in the basement at the centre of the complex we have to pass through all the guards to get there” Shinji replied “Find some cover someone is approaching” he warned

Kaji took cover in some bushes behind a wall as three guards passed by his position “You’re clear” Shinji informed him

“Thanks” Ryoji replied

“What’s the plan?” Shinji asked

“We need to meet up can you get me a way in?”

“No there are guards every where even with a diversion there are still enough to cover all the exits” Shinji replied

“Alright we need a big diversion how much C4 do you have?” Ryoji asked

“I’ve got 5 bars and three detonators” Shinji replied

Alright you need to destroy the control room use two bars and we can meet up on the north wall you need to use another two bars to make an entry point for me, keep the last bar for later. I’ll cut the power, once that’s done we make our move and escape in the confusion before they can organise their forces” Kaji laid out the plan simply this was going to be a quick operation with time to meet Kaji’s contact after.

“Alright I’m on it” Shinji replied and went to work on laying the C4 charges in the security office

Moving around was easy even with all the gear Shinji had to carry, the lack of security in this half of the building made life easy but Shinji kept on his guard for anything as he moved about in his combat armour.

“Shinji you ready?” Ryoji asked

“All set I’m on the north wall half way between the loading dock and service entry” Shinji replied

“Good I’m at your location once the power is out blow the C4” Ryoji replied

“Affirmative” Shinji replied

He waited in the corridor for the lights to go out then without warning everything went dark. Shinji instantly pressed the button on the remote for the trigger a loud explosion sending dust and debris everywhere at the end of the hallway as Shinji blew a hole in the wall for Kaji to get into.

Over at the security office the small room and all its recorders computers and monitors were obliterated by the C4 leaving no record of any intrusion. The only indication to security that something was up was the entire complex being plunged into darkness and then a loud bang coming from somewhere.

“Get over to security and see what the hell is going on” The head of security ordered

“Everyone spread out and start looking for possible intruders” He ordered to his men.

Kaji walked through the hole in the wall and through a room into a dark hall way. Shinji’s whistle got his attention.

“Nice work” He greeted his partner “Let’s get going watch out for patrols”

Shinji nodded and the two men took off for the server room finding the patrols easily as their flash lights made them easy to spot. “Three maybe more coming this way” Ryoji informed Shinji

Both men started backtracking to avoid detection. “Get into the elevator shaft” Ryoji said

Prying the doors open they both dropped into the shaft and hung off the access ladders inside and closed the doors as the search group came past

“What’s the plan? We can’t go like this and there is no point shooting our way out until we have the intel” Shinji asked.

“You’re right let’s take this to B2, we can crawl through a ventilation duct to get into the server room” Ryoji replied.

They made the climb down to B2 one floor above the server room. Exiting the elevator shaft was easy and no one was around. Making their way down a narrow corridor two guards came around the corner at the end.

Pfft Pfft. They shot one guard each the bodies falling to the floor making more sound than the silenced shots that were fired

“Leave the bodies we don’t have much time” Ryoji ordered

Shinji just passed by the bodies with his USP raised looking for the next threat. They both continued down another corridor and then they could see the ventilation shaft they wanted. As they closed in on the ventilation shaft a body walked around the corner. Shinji quickly covered the mouth and pushed the body into the wall hard, the muffled feminine cry of pain caught the young man off guard but he kept her quiet. He dropped his hand out of reaction but Ryoji was quick to see what was happening and clamped his hand over her mouth before she could scream.

He put his flash light in her face showing a secretary with blond hair who looked terrified. Shinji pulled his knife and held it up to the light putting his light on his face showing the balaclava and combat helmet he then drew it across to his shoulder showing the grey image of the Japanese flag on his urban combat fatigues, he then brought the light back to his face and put a finger to his lips and the receptionist stopped struggling

“Make any noise and you’re dead” Shinji whispered with a fierce voice that showed he meant it.

She just nodded her head

“How many guards down stairs?” Shinji asked

She went to reply but Shinji put his hand over her mouth again “No noise indicate with your hands” He whispered

She nodded again and indicated two then five. Shinji looked at Ryoji who shook his head, “That’s too many to fight our way through”

“What if we exit through the parking garage?” Shinji asked

“There is no door way there” Ryoji replied

Shinji held up the last stick of C4 “Good man let’s go” Ryoji replied and knocked the receptionist out while Shinji pulled the panel off the ventilation shaft in the wall.

He looked back seeing the receptionist on the ground. “She will wake up with a headache” Ryoji replied reading his partners thoughts.

The two men dropped down the shaft coming to the roof of the server room. Pulling a grated section up and into the ventilation shaft two heads popped down for their first look, seeing several flash lights roaming around the perimeter of the room and three groups of three more at each exit it was obvious the receptionist had not lied.

“Plant the C4, I’ll cover you from here then we can hack the mainframe together and we are out of here” Ryoji said in a whisper.

Shinji just nodded and dropped down from the ventilation shaft not making a sound. Moving quietly in the dark he made it to the wall and planted the C4. Pushing a large pot plant in the way he was able to cover up the explosive and little red light so the patrols would have no idea what was happening till it was too late.

Shinji signalled Ryoji and he dropped down as the snuck into the glass room with the mainframe in it

“We have a problem the main frame is shutting down and only has a minute of power left. It must have been triggered by the black out” Ryoji spoke

“Let’s do it now then” Shinji whispered

“It’s not enough time for the data box” Ryoji replied “If we cancel the shutdown it will be obvious”

“Let it power down” Shinji whispered and pulled his knife out and started undoing screws on the case.

“What are you doing?” Ryoji asked

“Taking the hard drive your guys can analyse it later” Shinji whispered as the case came off as the shutdown sequence finished

Shinji pulled the cables from four hard drives inside the mainframe and the two men got to work on unscrewing the drives. Taking two each the drives came out and were pocketed as they made their way out of the mainframe room a flash light came towards them as they separated allowing the single guard to pass between them until Ryoji nabbed the man and stabbed him in the chest without making a sound laying the body down they made it to the far wall from the explosives.

“Hudson is down someone is here” A guard alerted the others

“Spread out and search” An order was barked

“I can’t see shit in this sir” A voice was heard

“Blow the charge when those two guards pass” Ryoji whispered.

Shinji stood up and shot a guard in the head the body falling to the floor getting everyone’s attention as the search headed away from Shinji and Ryoji and towards the C4. Once two guards were close enough Shinji blew the C4. The fireball killed the two close guards instantly and knocked everyone else to the ground. Ryoji and Shinji made a dash for the hole in the wall and out into the parking garage.

“I’ll find a car cover me” Ryoji called out

Shinji stopped and killed three guards the instant they came through the hole in the wall. The rest of them falling back into the room, Shinji turned and ran after Ryoji seeing a car coming straight at them he put a round through the drivers head as Ryoji ran towards another car that had been abandoned when the power was cut and jumped in and hotwired the car.

Shinji had fifty metres to the car and the crashed guard’s car was in the way, his legs burning from the sprint he strained for that little bit of extra energy pushing himself harder. A guard appeared next to Ryoji as his head came up from hotwiring the car, the machine gun coming into view pointed straight at Ryoji. Time slowed down for Shinji, he jumped and slid across the hood of the car levelling his sights at the guard, and ‘CRACK’ ‘CRACK’ ‘CRACK’ Shinji let three rounds loose. The first one went through the window behind Ryoji’s head and into the guards stomach the second one went across the roof and into his chest and the third hit his head through the left eye and exploded out the back of his head as the body snapped back and fell to the floor.

Shinji hung his arm behind him as he continued to run and emptied the clip at the hole in the wall to halt the progress of anyone trying to follow them. Ryoji opened the door as Shinji got close the young man slipped in and Ryoji gunned the accelerator flying out of the parking space and up the entry ramp in reverse, getting to the street Ryoji turns a corner and spins the car 180 degrees and hammers the accelerator again as the two speed of down the road.

Shinji thought his first drive with Misato was fast but that looks pedestrian compared to Ryoji’s work behind the wheel now.

“Did you and Misato learn to drive together?” Shinji asked seeing the similarities in their looks behind the wheel and the way they drive.

“Not so much as learn together but we use to race each other everywhere in college” Ryoji replied getting nostalgic at the memory

Pulling up at the parking garage where their car was Ryoji just left the car running in the middle of the garage.

“We leave no traces understood” Ryoji said to Shinji before they exited the car.

Shinji nodded and got out drawing his pistol he shot the two security cameras. Ryoji opened and started their car. He pulled two timed mines out of the car and set them to one minute. He dropped the first one on the front seat of the stolen car then smashed a window on the car next to theirs and threw the mine in. The two men got in their car and left removing their balaclavas as the exited the parking garage.

45 seconds later two explosions destroyed both cars the white phosphorus charges burning all evidence they were ever there and giving authorities nothing to come after them with.

After a short drive across town Ryoji stopped at an abandon shed

“What are we doing here?” Shinji asked

“I need to meet my handler and drop off the hard drives” Ryoji explained

Pulling out a board from the dash Ryoji hooked up the four hard drives and copied all the information to another drive for his analysis later. “I’ll go through all this tonight right now we need to hand these on” Ryoji pulled the drives from the board and got out of the car.

“Cover me from the opposite side of the door” Ryoji instructed

They cleared the room and went in finding it deserted. Ryoji waited by the door with his back to the wall Shinji covering him like he wanted. The spy actually felt safe for one a rare luxury in his line of work. He heard a body sit down on the stoop in front of the door and opened the door a crack. He could see his contact feeding some stray cats.

“This is Shannon Bio-8 the last company you need to investigate from the Marduk you may recognise the board of directors”

Commander Ikari and Dr. Akagi’s names were on the list along with a few others he recognised

“I know these names” Ryoji replied

“Investigate only action is not advisable”

“It’s too late for that” Ryoji replied

“What do you mean?” The reply sounded shocked

“These came from Hidoshi Heavy Chemicals have them analysed” Ryoji replied

“This is a dangerous step we aren’t going to be able to protect you if they strike back”

“I know I have my own protection” Ryoji replied

“Who are you working with?”

“It’s best you don’t know I don’t want to endanger my partner any more than necessary” Ryoji replied

“When will you be done with Shannon Bio-8?”

“Tonight. Till next time” Ryoji replied as he signalled to Shinji to leave out the back window.

The two men left and hoped back in their car Ryoji started driving to Tokyo-3

“Enjoy your trip to Kyoto?” Ryoji asked

“It was a good learning experience” Shinji replied with a smile

“Now comes the hard part” Ryoji began “You need to investigate Shannon Bio-8 alone. I have to go to a wedding with Misato and Ritsuko to keep up appearances” Ryoji explained

“Alright so I’m going in tonight?” Shinji clarified

“Yes infiltrate at 2300 hours use the black box and get everything off the lab computers and executive offices on the top floor” Ryoji replied as he pulled the car over. “This PDA will have real time satellite feed of the building from 2245 and there are building schematics and your contact numbers stored on it as well” he added giving Shinji the PDA

Shinji nodded but didn’t say anything

“Your contact at the JSSDF is General Hamada he operates under the call sign Raven you call in is Sparrow” Ryoji continued explaining

Shinji nodded again

“If you’re in trouble call me on my cell or raise Hamada on secure channel one”

Shinji nodded his understanding again

“You ok with all this?” Ryoji asked

“Actually I am this is what we are working towards and these guys are going down” Shinji replied with some determination in his eyes

“I’ll drop you home the helicopter will pick you up in the park at 2200 hours don’t be late” Ryoji replied

Shinji nodded and the two drove on in silence with Shinji going through everything on the PDA. Ryoji dropped Shinji home and the apartment was empty ‘Rei must not be finished with Ritsuko yet’ Shinji thought. He was hoping his sister would be home but knew it would be easier to get away tonight if she wasn’t

Ritsuko and Misato enjoyed the ceremony and sat at their table for the reception with Kaji’s seat empty.

“Looks like little boy blue is late” Ritsuko commented

“That over sexed idiot has never been on time for anything in his life” Misato replied feeling a small pang of guilt at the insult.

“For your dates you mean he’s always on time for work” Ritsuko needled

“Hello ladies you’re looking particularly lovely this evening, sorry I’m late got stuck at the office” Kaji greeted the two women.

“I find that hard to believe since you don’t even do any work” Misato replied standing up “You could at least straighten your tie” She added fixing the offending article just a little tighter than is necessary “You didn’t even shave that awful stubble” She finished sitting back down.

“You two act like you’re married” Ritsuko commented

“You’re very astute Ritsy” Kaji replied leaning into Misato smiling

“Who’d marry this bum” Misato replied pushing the spy away

They continued making small talk until Ritsuko left for the bathroom

“Why were you late Kaji?” Misato asked

“Why do you think Misato?” Kaji asked back

“I think you are up to something what is it?” she asked a very serious look on her face

“I am but I will let you know when the time is right” Kaji replied honestly

“What’s wrong with now?” Misato asked

“I need to do a little bit more digging then I will show you what I have” Kaji replied

“Is this what you have been working with Shinji on?” Misato asked starting to put the pieces together

“Don’t worry about Shinji he’s doing really well” Kaji tried to ease the lavender haired woman’s concerns.

“I am worried he has no one else and I don’t want you getting him into something he can’t handle” Misato replied

“I know you care for him Misato and I would never do anything to hurt him, he’s a good guy and I like him” Kaji replied “But remember he does have family” Kaji reminded Misato Shinji was never alone

“I know he has Rei” Misato replied

“Rei?..... I was talking about his father” the spy replied confused

“Did you miss that one? Rei and Shinji are twins and I don’t think Shinji considers his father family” Misato replied

“I had no idea and what makes you say that about Shinji and his father?” Kaji asked

“He always refers to his as Commander or some such never father or dad I know what happened when he was a kid and it isn’t nice” Misato replied

“I see well just remember he has you, Rei and I will always look out for him” Kaji replied

“I will but why is it that you will always look out for him?” Misato asked

“He’s a good guy who deserves the help and I like him” Kaji replied

“I’ve never seen this side of you till you came back you’re nothing like you were when we were in college” Misato commented

“I know, I guess I’m just trying to correct my mistakes” Kaji replied honestly

“Yeah like what?” Misato pressed on

“You and me for one” Kaji replied flatly

Misato looked on in stunned silence ‘This was not expected’ All those thoughts about how Kaji was different made sense then it hit her ‘Maybe he isn’t like my father at all’

“What are you two talking about?” Ritsuko asked as she sat down

“You have changed Kaji” Misato commented quietly

“Homeostasis and Transistasis” Ritsuko replied

“Homeo what?” Misato asked

“One is a force to allow change the other is a force to maintain the present status. Any living thing is always made up of these two conflicting forces” Ritsuko explained

“Like men and women” Kaji replied

“Excuse me I need to go powder my nose” Misato said standing up and leaving barely keeping her composure

‘High heels’ Kaji thought “She has changed I can’t even remember her owning a set of high heels” Kaji commented

“She’s losing control” Ritsuko commented thinking back to the last angel battle

“Actually she has never been more in control” Kaji replied knowing the conversation he just had with Misato. The old Misato would have gotten childish and demanded her answers rather than wait for the whole story when the time was right.

“Just how long can she take anyway” the spy commented

“As long as it does Kaji never try to understand a woman’s business” Ritsuko replied

‘A loaded statement if ever there was one’ Kaji thought “Before I forget” Kaji replied handing a small parcel to Ritsuko

Ritsuko unwrapped it and found a cat ornament it was a very thoughtful gift but she also realised it was very rare and only came from Kyoto

“What were you doing in Kyoto?” She asked immediately putting the pieces together

“I ah wasn’t in Kyoto” the spy replied lamely knowing Ritsuko had figured it out

“Be careful playing with fire you‘ll get your fingers burned. That’s the advice of a friend” Ritsuko replied confidently

“I won’t get burned not even when the big bang comes at the end” Kaji replied

“Well should I buy you some fireworks then?” Misato asked as she slid into her seat

“Thank you for being honest Kaji” Ritsuko replied as the spy just shrugged

“Well I must be going work to do” Ritsuko spoke as she stood up

“Now?” Misato asked unable to believe the timing

“Yes goodnight you two” Ritsuko replied as she left

Misato pulled her phone out of her pocket “Hey Asuka, I’m going to be out late tonight don’t wait up” She spoke and didn’t reply when the German fired a hundred question down the line at her

Shinji made it out of the house and down to the park easy, Rei still wasn’t home when he left at 2000 hours and if she came home and he wasn’t there he knew she would have questions for him and he didn’t know how he was going to answer them because lying to his sister was not an option but for now he was just focusing on his mission. He had checked all his gear he had everything and looking at the PDA showed little activity at the target building

The light helicopter gunship touched down and Shinji broke from the cover of the bushes he was hiding in and hoped into the back where the co-pilot handed him a head set.

“Raven this is Little Bird1 do you copy?” The co-pilot spoke

“This is Raven Copy”

“We have the sparrow proceeding to target over”

“Good work we have you on satellite Raven out”

“We are going to drop you on the roof take the repelling harness and rope to break into the top floor” The co-pilots voice was calm through the head set

“Yes sir” Shinji replied

“Don’t worry about noise the rotor wash and noise will be drowned out by the noise from the city and the surrounding buildings” the co-pilot added

“Yes sir” Shinji replied again and sat back just relaxing for the ride over

“You look like you’re travelling a little light son take the pack from under the seat” The pilot spoke up

Shinji pulled the bag out and found the rappelling harness and rope plus an M4 with thermal scope and extra mags and smoke grenades and a head set radio

“What’s all this?” Shinji asked

“A care package from the best melons in town” The replied the pilot

Shinji got all the gear stowed check the sights on the M4 then put the rifle across his back and sat back in the chair

“One minute” the co-pilot spoke up

“One minute copy” Shinji replied as a little red light came on in the back of the compartment he was sitting in

The minute dragged on for ever but Little Bird1 touched down on the roof of Shannon Bio-8 and the light went green and Shinji was out and his mission was under way

“Sparrow on the deck Little Bird1 moving to a high altitude holding pattern” Shinji heard through his head set

“This is Raven Sparrow do you copy”

“Go for Sparrow” Shinji replied

“Keep reporting your situation once you have all the intel report to the roof where Little Bird will pick you and your cargo up”

“Sparrow copies” Shinji replied

“Setting rappelling line” Shinji added as he stood at the edge of the building ‘Misato would definitely chuck a shit if she ever saw this’ the young operative thought as he saw the view of Tokyo-3 from the top of an 80 story skyscraper and it actually looked good.

Dropping twenty metres of rope over the edge Shinji slid down the rope until he came to the top floor windows. Using a glass cutter he cut a big hole in the window and slid the cut section out letting it hang from the end of the cutter that was fixed to the window frame.

Making his way inside the dark room Shinji started looking around but couldn’t see anything in the dark even with his glasses amplifying what little light there was

“Sparrow here I’m inside the top floor visibility is zero” Shinji reported

“Keep looking Sparrow” It was the pilot’s voice the chopper could just be heard through the radio

‘How am I going to find computers in the dark?’ Shinji asked himself then the idea hit him raising the M4 and looking through the scope Shinji could see five small heat sources the CPU’s from the office computers. Moving quietly he got to the first one and connected the black box like he had seen Ryoji do the first time they were on mission together. Waiting for the light to come green seemed to take forever, Shinji instantly realised the complexities of working alone with no one to watch his back he had to look out for guards and couldn’t watch the black box.

The beep got his attention when it was done he quickly grabbed the box and moved onto the next PC. “First computer copied moving to second”

“Good work sparrow we show 4 more on that level plus two servers on the level below in the labs keep going”

“Sparrow copies” Shinji replied

Misato and Kaji were walking home after enjoying themselves at the wedding. They even had time for a quick bite to eat on the way.

“Kaji....” Misato broke the silence “You know when I told you there was someone else I was lying right?”

“No I didn’t” The spy replied

“I just woke up one morning and realised how much like my father you were I was so scared to have fallen for a man just like my father, but now after seeing you again I realise you’ve changed you’re nothing like him......” Misato explained

Kaji waited in silence for her to go on

“After my father saved me during second impact I didn’t know what I felt about him so I swore my revenge against the angels” Misato continued

It hurt Kaji to see Misato feel the need to explain herself like she had done something wrong “Making those decisions was your choice you don’t have to apologise for any of that” he replied

“Don’t bullshit me Kaji I just turned tale and ran, I have no right to be Shinji’s guardian the boy is fearless and I’m nothing but a chicken, I turned on you and my problems and ran” Misato spat

“That’s enough Misato” Kaji replied getting her attention by grabbing her shoulders “You’ve done nothing wrong and all that matters is what you do from here on out” Kaji replied

“How can I make up for mistakes as big as that?” Misato asked

“The same way I do, just keep trying” Kaji replied

Misato eyes went wide with shock at that admission “What do you have to make up for?” She asked

“Letting the woman I love more than anything go without a fight” Kaji admitted

Misato raised a hand to her mouth “Kaji” she whispered as the spy pulled her into a hug that was nothing like any they had shared before. It was warm, tender and loving as Kaji let his feelings for Misato bleed into the hug so she would know she was safe while he held her.

“Come home with me Misato” Kaji whispered in her ear. Misato just nodded as she held her love tighter.

“Raven this is sparrow first floor completed five packets done moving to second” Shinji whispered into his head set

“Stay sharp Sparrow intel shows enemy trying to find your position there is lots of chatter”

“Do they know where I am?” Shinji asked

“No not even the building but it’s only a matter of time. Raven out”

“Copy Sparrow out” Shinji replied

Moving down the fire exit to the next floor the lights were on and there were several guards plus employees. The two servers were in the middle of the room staying low Shinji moved into the floor through the employees and guards. Shinji pulled four smoke grenades leaving himself with only one and popped them all near the servers thick clouds of smoke started rising up from the floor.

“Is that fire?” A female voice called out “Someone get the alarm” She continued her voice taking on a panic

Then sirens and bells blared out on the floor. “This is not a drill evacuate now” Came an automated voice over the speakers.

Shinji squinted and moved through the smoke into the server room, what he wouldn’t give for a gas mask now. Connecting up the black box he started the download.

“Sparrow intel has enemy picking up on the building you’re in but not the floor you need to hurry”

“Sparrow copies I’m at the last two packets now” Shinji replied

He knew that the fire alarm would look very suspicious now and his time was at a minimum. Pulling the M4 from his back again and flicking off the safety Shinji got himself ready as he checked the door ways for hostiles that would be coming.

“Sparrow your location has been compromised get all packets and get out of there”

Shinji moved from the first server to the second one seeing the hard drive loaded in a cage at the front of the tower he griped the handle on the hard drive and just ripped it out of the cage, the room being plunged into darkness the minute the hard drive came out.

“Sparrow report”

“I didn’t have time to secure the last packet so I took the source, building services seem to have gone down with it” Shinji replied as the light went green on the black box “Final packet has been secured I’m on exit” He added

“Raven copies report when you are ready for evacuation”

The door to the floor swung open as it was kicked off its hinges the guards unable to see anything with the room filled with smoke. Shinji shot two guards with the M4 and took cover as the remaining guards moved to positions of cover and started firing blindly into the smoke. Moving along the far wall Shinji picked off two more easily.

“He must be going for the roof” One of the guards called out

“Central this is Alpha we need air support” Another guard called over the radio

“Alpha this is Central we copy air support is on route”

Shinji heard it all over the radio

“Sparrow you have a civilian chopper armed with two hostiles with machine guns heading towards your position” The pilot reported

“Sparrow copies can you shoot it down” Shinji asked

“Negative not unless it is hostile to us” The pilot replied

“I need a secondary extraction point then” Shinji replied

“You need to find it we will follow you movements and support as we can” The pilot replied

“Sparrow copies” Shinji replied as he made it to the stairs

Heading up he came to the top floor and headed into the kitchen he bypassed earlier pulling the stove from the wall he ripped the gas line out the natural gas flowing from the wall line freely he then pulled his almost empty mag from the M4 and threw it into the microwave and set the timer for 20 minutes and hit start before getting out of there.

Heading across to the far side of the office and taking the second set of fire stairs down the outside of the building he moved down one floor and headed back inside. The hostile patrol was moving through the top floor as Shinji made his way back past the server moving carefully to watch for enemies.

“Do you smell gas?” One guard asked

“Nah your imagining it let’s just kill this little prick so we can get back to central” Another guard replied

“I kind of smell it too”

“Wait is that a microwave going?” Another guard asked

“Shit.... TAKE COVER”

BOOOOOOM!!!!!! The explosion once the rounds caught a light inside the microwave was huge for the confined space it was in a fire ball exploding out one side of the building shattering all the windows on that side. Everyone of the guards were knocked out in the explosion

“Report in Sparrow”

“I’m ok” Shinji replied as the roof above him shook and some small parts of plaster board came down around him “I’m heading down can I get Evacuation from the street?” Shinji asked

“Affirmative call your floors and we will follow you down” The pilot replied

“Sparrow copies leaving the 79th now” Shinji replied

Shinji raced down ten flights of stairs as the fire alarms rang out everyone else was long gone “I’m at the 69th floor getting a lift” Shinji reported as he thumped the button repeatedly trying to call the lift faster

“Copy that don’t forget to call your floors” The pilot replied

The lift came with a ding as the doors opened and one hostile stepped out Shinji shot him point blank in front of the lift before he could even draw his machine gun dragged the body out and stepped in pressing the button for the ground floor. The lift started its descent and Shinji called out his floors in tens as he went down.

“Sparrow this is Raven large enemy numbers in the lobby you need to find another way out” Raven reported

Pressing the button for the second floor “Sparrow copies getting off at two” Shinji replied

“Little Bird copies we will be there you can jump for it from the west side” The co-pilot replied

Shinji exited on level two and ran across the floor. The hostiles saw where the lift stopped and made their way up to the second floor. Shinji shot out the window “Little Bird I’m in position” Shinji called out as the chopper dropped down into view.

At the sound of a door being kicked open Shinji turned and started shooting cutting down hostiles as soon as they came to the door way. Running the mag empty Shinji loaded another one and fired two short bursts before turning and running jumping from the windows ledge he stretched with his arms out. A vision of his failed jump with Unit-01 flashed through his mind for an instant as he saw his target the landing skid and caught it with both hands.

Turning to see who was following Shinji saw a hostile carrying an RPG crouching down ready to fire. Shinji let go with one hand grabbing the M4 he emptied the mag into the window hitting the hostile multiple times. As the hostile fell out the window the RPG fired the poorly aimed rocket easily missing the chopper but hitting the building behind. The explosion and Shinji’s tiring one handed grip caused him to fall the two story drop stopped by a rubbish skip as he hit the closed lid hard leaving a big dent and cutting his side on the metal edge as he fell onto the ground.

“Sparrow report in” The co-pilots voice came over the radio

Shinji groaned “Sparrow here I’m ok come get me” Shinji coughed out as he limped into the middle of the street as the chopper descended.

Once the chopper touched down Shinji hobbled over to it not checking his shoulder as a hostile ran from the front of the building and fired at Shinji’s retreating form. The round hit Shinji in the upper back as he fell forward onto the choppers weapons rack. Shinji dragged himself in as the co-pilot hung out the window firing an MP5 at the hostile emptying the mag as the bullet riddled body fell to the street and the pilot lifted off immediately.

“Sparrow are you ok?” The co-pilot asked

“I’m fine the round didn’t go through my vest” Shinji replied

“Raven this is Little Bird1 come in” The pilot called

“Raven copies”

“We have secured sparrow and all sensitive information returning to drop off point” The pilot reported

“Raven copies good work Little Bird”

The flight back was uneventful. The civilian chopper was easily evaded without any confrontation given their higher performing helicopter, to the slight disappointment of the pilot who would have loved to shoot it down.

“Sparrow do you want to be dropped at the park or the roof of your building?” The co-pilot asked

“Take me home” Shinji replied he was too tired to do anything else tonight.

“Your handler will come get the intel you collected tonight for analysis you have to sit tight till then” He added

“No worries” Shinji replied as the helicopter started a slow descent onto Shinji’s roof.

“Alright no one has followed us you should be right, just wait for the handler to make contact” The co-pilot reminded Shinji

“Thanks for the ride” Shinji replied as he got out of the helicopter and headed for the stairs.

Thank god Rei’s apartment was nice and high at the moment there were two advantages to this. The first being a nice view of Tokyo-3’s skyline and the second being only a short walk when your extraction drops you on the roof which Shinji was thankful for. Taking off his combat helmet and balaclava and dropping his glasses inside the helmet. He staggered through the front door and headed for his room and found Rei sitting on his bed. ‘This is going to be tough to explain’ He thought

“Rei” Shinji got out surprised

“Shinji where have you been?” Rei asked concern in her voice “I didn’t know where you were and I got worried” She added

Shinji was taken aback by this, here he was sneaking around and his sister is only worried about his well being and not what he is up to. “Just let me get out of this stuff and I’ll explain everything” Shinji replied getting over his shock. ‘If this was Misato I’d be dead by now’ Shinji thought.

Changing quickly and dumping everything into the corner where he kept his sniper rifle Shinji sat on the bed next to his sister. “I’ll explain everything but it’s going to take a while” Shinji began and Rei just nodded indicating that her brother had her undivided attention. So Shinji began at the start with the coded message leaving out the Sub-Commanders role in all this for some reason he seemed to need to protect the old man and left nothing else out. He went through it all, training with Kaji, investigating the labs and offices in a secret section at Nerv the trip today to Kyoto to Hidoshi Heavy Chemicals and finally tonight’s excursion to Shannon Bio-8.

The last name piqued Rei’s interest, she was familiar with the company that Nerv used to produce all its in house medication for research subjects, a company that had made countless amounts of medication for her as a young child and also a company that was close to the Marduk Institute Shinji and Kaji were getting close to the truth, perhaps even closer than the commander thought, which is unheard of. She had once over heard the Sub-Commander in his office a long time ago and wondered if he was really behind the commanders scenario, now she knew that was not the case and it was time to choose her alliance.

She could side with the commander her creator who had given her everything she had ever known. A cold calculating man who factored every possible outcome and always got what he wanted and who is possibly the most powerful man on the planet. Or she could take a chance on her brother the one person who had been kind to her and never expected anything in return, who is fighting for the lives of those who cannot defend themselves and asks for nothing in return.

“This is all too much Shinji” Rei replied once her brother had finished a tired look on his face as he had been wracking his brain for all the details and the right order to recount everything since he started working with Kaji.

“What do you mean?” Shinji replied not getting his sisters meaning

“You’ve taken on too much between piloting and investigating the Marduk and keeping yourself in shape for everything plus school and tutoring with Hikari you can’t keep going like this something will break eventually and it’s probably going to be you..... Don’t think I didn’t see your shoulder either” Rei replied

Shinji smirked at the last statement Rei was too perceptive for her own good “I know it’s a lot but it needs to be done” Shinji replied

“The tutoring?” Rei asked

“Yeah well I could do without that I’m just keeping Misato happy for now” Shinji replied

“Remember what I told you about my origins?” Rei asked having made her decision

“Yeah I remember and it still doesn’t matter you will always be my sister” Shinji replied

“Please remember that while I explain this then” Rei replied as Shinji nodded like she had earlier. “You’re a lot closer to the truth you seek than you realise. I was created by the commander for a specific reason and that was to allow him to control third impact to allow him to resurrect our mother by forming all of humanity into a single being with them at the top ruling over everything” Rei began

She continued on with her history the death of Naoko Akagi her resurrection into a second body, her first body being put into Unit-00 to make it activate, the countless memory backups that were made so she could be replaced whenever she was needed to be or deemed to be too much trouble for the commander her treatment at the hands of the Commander and Dr. Akagi everything she left nothing out.

“Wow I knew you had it tough before I came here but I had no idea it was this big” Shinji replied pulling his sister into a hug.

“Aren’t you ashamed of me?” Rei asked the question muffled into Shinji’s shoulder though he understood it

“Never it wasn’t your choice for all that to happen, and all that matters is what you do next” Shinji replied not ending the hug

Rei gave a sigh of relief before pulling back “What are you going to do?” She asked

“Kaji needs to pick up the intel I got from tonight it will be analysed and then we will go from there I guess I don’t know how far we are from being able to stop the commander but I will keep trying” Shinji replied

“You don’t know how far he is though?” Rei asked

“No I’m helping with field work but he works the investigation himself with his bosses I guess” Shinji replied

“When is he coming to get the intel?” Rei asked as Shinji’s phone started ringing

10 Minutes earlier

Kaji slipped out of his bed being careful not to wake his love, she really did look peaceful asleep there. Slipping his pants on and grabbing his phone the spy closed the door quietly and headed to the kitchen and sat at the table. Picking up his mobile he held it to his ear as it rang.

“Hello” Came down the line

“Shinji”

“Ryoji”

“How did you go tonight?” The spy asked

“I got everything” was the reply. Kaji grinned at this they were getting close and if Shinji got everything that would get them really close to figuring out the commanders end game hopefully

“Did you have any problems?” Ryoji asked

“Plenty of resistance lots of casualties and destruction but nothing that can be traced” Shinji replied

“Good work I need the intel now, I’ll come and get it” Ryoji replied

“No problem it’s ready for whatever you need to do” Shinji replied

“Great I’ll be around in a bit” Ryoji replied hanging up he stood up to find Misato standing in the door way a sheet wrapped around her

“Where are you going Kaji?” Misato asked

Kaji looked at his love a little surprised that she was there but he thought he should have expected it. Misato despite her appearances is very very smart.

“I’m going to Shinji and Rei’s place Shinji has some intel that will help my investigation” Kaji replied

“What are you two getting yourselves into?” Misato asked

“The truth and if you want to know get dressed and come with me” Kaji replied

“Fine but I’m driving” Misato replied with a grin that Kaji returned knowing she was only driving because she is impatient.

True to her word Misato got them to Shinji and Rei’s in record time.

Knocking on the door Misato stood there impatiently, she was close to finally getting some answers that she had been waiting for and now she would know what these two men in her life had been up to.

“Hello” came the soft voice of the first child as the door opened

“Rei what are you doing up it’s late?” Misato asked

“I am helping my brother” she replied as she stood aside to allow the couple to come in

“Care to tell me what you’ve gone and gotten yourself into Shinji?” Misato asked as she sat down. Her voice only carried the concern she had for her ward and not the anger at the situation she found herself in

“I’m helping Kaji search for the truth” Shinji said as he went to his room and returned immediately with a computer hard drive and a black box.

The young man gave everything to Kaji and went and sat down on the lounge with a cup of tea.

“Would anyone like some tea?” Rei offered

“Sure why not I get the feeling I’m going to need it” Misato replied

“I see you got me another hard drive Shinji” Kaji commented looking at the extra item

“I was pressed for time at the end” Shinji replied

Rei came back with three cups of tea distributed them and sat down next to Shinji with her own.

“Now can someone explain what is going on?” Misato asked

Kaji proceeded to fill Misato in on his investigation. Starting with the transport of the Adam Embryo along with the journey on the pacific fleet, then looking into all of Ritsuko’s work when Nerv’s dealings became suspicious with the Japanese government, pulling information from the labs in the depths of Nerv and trying to get closer to the truth of the Marduk institute. Going to Kyoto this morning with Shinji for their raid on Hidoshi Heavy Chemicals and getting the information from his contact that sent Shinji to Shannon Bio-8 this evening in the hope of finding out what the Commander and the higher ups in Nerv are up to.

Misato looked shocked at the revelation “I knew corners were being cut and people were looking the other way when it came to Nerv but I thought it was all in the name of saving humanity from the Angels” Misato got out

“That’s not all we’ve just learned that the Marduk is just a front for Nerv to pick pilots” Kaji added

“Wait you mean...”

“Yes the commander and Ritsuko are pulling the strings by themselves” Kaji replied for Misato

“To what end?” Misato asked

“We just don’t know but hopefully this will go towards that” Kaji replied

“So how did you get into all of this Shinji?” Misato asked

The question caught him a little off guard Shinji thought he was going to escape Misato’s questions once she started looking into Kaji’s investigation and like him started searching for the truth

“I got a message that put me in touch with Kaji” Shinji replied

“From who?.... Wait I don’t want to know” Misato replied

Shinji just shrugged at that

“When did you two have the time to sneak into the lower levels of Nerv and collect surveillance?” Misato asked “Wait it was after those two bodies turned up down there please don’t tell me that was you two?” Misato asked

“I’m afraid so Misato. It wasn’t planned but we took a chance and unfortunately we had no choice” Kaji replied

“When were you actually down there?” Misato asked looking at Shinji

“When we were floating in the lake after the angel invaded the test tank then the Magi” Shinji replied

Misato seemed to understand all this “What’s your part in this Rei?” she asked

“I only found out about this tonight” Rei replied quietly

“What else should I know, have you two had to kill anyone else lately?” Misato asked.

“Just guards from the commanders inner circle” Kaji replied

Strangely Misato seemed ok with this and the tension in the room eased.

“So what do you need from me?” Misato asked Kaji.

“Nothing yet once the intel is sorted I’ll let you know Misato” Kaji replied

“Alright, just make sure you three stay safe from here on out” Misato replied

“Well I guess that settles it, we’ll head off, get some rest Shinji, Rei” Kaji nodded at the siblings as he stood up.

Misato stood up with him. “Just be careful you two” Misato added again as she left.

Kaji stood before a large gate in terminal dogma laptop in hand as he keyed the preset instructions into the computer that was connected to the door decoder. He wished he could have used the same unit that Shinji did to break into the security office the other day but Nerv’s secrets were a little more guarded than a control room. As he finished entering the last line of code that would get him in he heard a voice clearing it’s throat.

Kaji turned around to see his lover standing behind him.

“You need to be more careful when you are sneaking around Kaji” Misato spoke quietly

“Yes I do but I need to see the truth as well” Kaji replied

“Just be careful Nerv isn’t stupid” Misato replied

“Did the commander send you?” Kaji asked

“No but I did cover for you once I realised what you were doing” Misato replied

“Thank you my love” Kaji replied “But the commander and Ritsuko are keeping lots of things from you and this is one of them” Kaji replied pressing a button and bringing the card through the reader

The large metal doors groaned and slowly started to open. Neither of them were prepared to see the large white being with no legs nailed to a large red cross with a giant two pronged spear through its chest

“Is that Adam?” Misato asked not believing what she was seeing “No it’s not the same” She corrected herself after a mini flashback of the destructive being confirmed the differences

“It’s no Adam” Kaji confirmed pulling Misato close to himself to let her know she is ok “It must be the second” He added

“Why is the second angel here?” Misato whispered

“I don’t know but I’m going to find out” Kaji replied quietly “Let’s get out of here before we are seen” Kaji added as he shut the doors and they left.

The days continued on for Misato and although she hadn’t had to deal with nightmares when she slept with Kaji at night she still couldn’t shake the visage to the second angel in the basement nailed to the cross.

She continued on like everything was normal secretly covering for Kaji and helping where she could and taking extra care to make sure Shinji and Rei were ok. She was less worried about Asuka for two reasons. The first being that she lived with the red head and could keep an eye on her and the second being that she didn’t know what Shinji and Rei did so she wasn’t a threat to the commander and Ritsuko.

She continued compiling reports on her desk thankful that there had been some time since the last angel attack meaning she had been able to sort the three business’s claims for damages from that attack and stay on top of the rest of her paperwork.

Loud sirens and a red emergency flashing light ruined the silence in her office but it wasn’t the angel alarm. Grabbing her jacket off the back of her chair she raced towards the bridge and found Ritsuko, Maya and Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki looking over a bank of monitors but she couldn’t tell what was going on.

“What’s going on?”

“We are still getting details but something has gone wrong at the second branch” Fuyutsuki replied not taking his eyes off the screen.

The alarm stopped Shigeru cancelled the alarm and Makoto put an image on the main holographic display.

“Woah” Shigeru let out

“It’s gone” Misato whispered

“This is terrible” Maya murmured

An hour had passed and the data had been pored over carefully as everyone from the bridge stood over the holographic table in conference room 1 with the exception of Commander Ikari who must have more pressing issues

“Nerv’s second branch all its facilities and everything in a 50Km radius have been completely wiped off the map” Maya got out quietly.

“Including Eva Unit-04 and its experimental S2 Engine” Ritsuko added

“This is the video picked up from a low orbit satellite that was in the area” Shigeru said then hit play on a short recording

The main screen showed everything looking normal then a small white flash followed by a yellow fireball that expanded until it covered the entire view of the satellite then a red fireball grew in the middle and expanded out looking like the top of a mushroom cloud as it expanded out. Within thirty seconds everything had gone completely red and got brighter and hotter until the satellite was lost and the feed went blank.

“Judging by the timeline they were due to be testing the experimental S2 Engine” Makoto reported

“The Magi estimate there are over 435 000 possibilities for the explosion everything ranging from a calculation error to equipment malfunction” Maya added

“And that’s not including sabotage” The Sub-Commander spoke up for the first time

“It’s more than likely that they were sucked into a Dirac sea like Unit-01 was” Ritsuko said with certainty

“Then everything is lost” Misato murmured

“Yes it’s all gone” Ritsuko confirmed

‘This sucks we are being forced to use things we don’t understand’ Misato thought ruefully

The briefing finished and everyone was back at their stations while Misato found herself in Ritsuko’s office.

“So what is the US going to do with Unit-03?” Misato asked the one question she had left

“It is being shipped here as we speak Nerv US doesn’t want to risk losing their second branch as well” Ritsuko replied

“What but they insisted the rights to Units -03 and -04 in the first place” Misato replied

“Yes but you can’t blame them after this” Ritsuko replied

“So they are just going to dump all the work on us, they are really pushing it” Misato replied

“Either way there is nothing we can do about it now” Ritsuko replied “The committee has already made their decision” She added

“What are we going to do?” Misato asked

“The testing will be done at Matsushiro we will keep it isolated until it is fully activated” Ritsuko replied

“Are you going to use the dummy plug to do the activation?” Misato asked

“No it isn’t advanced enough or complete to do something like this we need a pilot” Ritsuko replied

“Who are you going to use?” Misato asked

“I’m not sure we will decide in a couple of days there are two potential candidates that have just been identified it depends on what happens there” Ritsuko replied with no certainty at all

“The fourth child has been found? I haven’t received a report from the Marduk Institute yet” Misato replied angrily at being kept in the dark again

“Don’t worry Major you will get your report once the final candidate has been selected” Ritsuko replied

“Yeah right” Misato replied not buying Ritsuko’s bull shit at all

The Major turned and left it at that as she headed back to her office but as she got there she kept going to Kaji’s office.

“Come in” Kaji replied when he heard an unexpected knock on the door

Seeing his love standing in the door way with an angry look on her face made his good mood drop a fair amount

“What’s wrong Katsuragi?” Kaji said quietly

“What have you got on the Marduk Institute?” Misato asked

“The only extra thing I’ve found since going through all the data is Code 707” The spy replied

“Code 7 0 7 but that’s Shinji’s school” Misato replied

“All of the companies I’ve investigated with direct links to the Marduk have been dummy corporations. Ritsuko and Ikari are pulling the strings all on their own” Kaji replied

“You’re kidding to what end?” Misato asked

“I don’t know” Kaji replied in a hush

“What about the companies you and Shinji investigated they can’t be dummy corporations?” Misato asked

“They aren’t they all had direct links to Nerv as well” Kaji replied

“Now it all makes sense” Misato replied

“What do you mean?” Kaji asked

“Nerv is controlling everything Commander Ikari must have something big planned but what?” Misato whispered

“That’s the big question” Kaji replied

“You heard about the first branch?” Misato asked

“I just read the memo on it” Kaji replied “What is happening with Unit-03?”

“It’s on route Ritsuko is doing activation testing at Matsushiro” Misato replied

“So the fourth child is to be identified and used for the testing?” Kaji stated more than asked

“It looks like it but how did you know?” Misato asked

“Just a hunch but it is very covenant isn’t it?” Kaji replied

“Yeah very” Misato replied

“Here are the two candidates” Kaji replied turning his screen so Misato could get a better look

“Those two? You’re kidding................ I mean Asuka will be fine she is dedicated to piloting even with all the problems she has had with Shinji, we have never had any problems with Rei but Shinji has so much on his plate I don’t know how he will take this” Misato finished in a murmured voice.

“Hey Shinji is it true?” Kensuke asked

“Is what true?” The young pilot replied not following his friends vague question

“I was looking through my dad’s work stuff last night and I saw a report that said Nerv USA’s First Branch disappeared and that Unit-03 was being sent here for testing” Kensuke replied

“I don’t know anything about that” Shinji replied while glancing at Rei. She gave him a look back that indicated she had no idea either.

“Well that means they need a pilot for it do you think you could ask Misato if I could do it?” Kensuke asked pressing on and getting to his point

“I don’t think it works like that” Shinji replied uncomfortably. He really didn’t want any more of his friends in harms way than they already were

“Oh well I see” Kensuke replied

“Aren’t you concentrating on your web site and business activities anyway?” Shinji asked

“Yeah of course and it’s been going great” The military otaku replied enthusiastically.

The students were making their way through another physics lecture. Shinji had his head down and was concentrating on his notes, Hikari had gotten him to commit to another study session in at the end of the week after school and dinner at her place after. It was the dinner that had swayed him to agree though Rei had a small smile for him once she overheard Hikari had gotten her way.

“Toji Suzuhara Kensuke Aida Report to the principal’s office immediately” Came an announcement over the PA

All the students looked at two thirds of the three stooges for an explanation

“We didn’t do any fin honest” Toji said

“Yeah” Kensuke added

“You better not keep the principal waiting” Hikari added and the boys got moving straight away

They arrived at the principal’s office promptly where the receptionist greeted them “You have to go in one at a time it doesn’t matter who goes first” The elderly lady explained without looking up from her work

‘This sounds really bad’ Toji thought and before his brain could get into gear Kensuke spoke up

“I’ll go first then” He stated marching towards the door

‘That was unexpected’ Toji thought

“Hello Principal?” Kensuke asked uncertainly as he closed the door

“Not quite I’m Dr. Ritsuko Akagi Head Scientist at Nerv” Ritsuko introduced herself

Kensuke recognised her immediately from Misato’s promotion party

“I know you” Kensuke replied

It felt like Toji had been sitting outside that damn door for hours. He could only hear muffled conversation through the door so he had no idea what was going on then the door opened and Kensuke walked out

‘At least he is in one piece and hasn’t cried or pissed his pants’ The jock thought

“It’s your turn” Kensuke replied and sat in the chair vacated by Toji when he stood up

The jock took a deep breath to steady himself and walked through the door and closed it

“Toji Suzuhara?” Ritsuko asked

“Yes” Toji replied a little stunned at seeing a hot blond woman where the principal should be

“I’m Dr. Ritsuko Akagi Head Scientist at Nerv” Ritsuko introduced herself again

The two boys returned late in the afternoon lesson neither one saying anything about what had happened in the principal’s office.

“Are you guys alright?” Shinji asked his two friends once the final bell for the day rang and let all the students out.

“We’re fine Shin man nothing to worry about” Toji replied

“Yeah it was just mistaken identity some first class kids got caught peeping on the girls locker rooms they thought it was us” Kensuke bluffed

“Alright so long as you guys are ok” Shinji replied

“Like Toji said nothing to worry about” Kensuke replied

“Good” Shinji replied with a small smile now that his friends were ok. “Well I have to go to Nerv more tests, see you guys tomorrow” Shinji added with a wave as he left with Rei for Nerv.

Asuka had taken off and gone straight to Nerv she had to see Kaji. She was sick of these boys at school always hassling her for a date what she needed was a man, a man just like Kaji. Standing in front of his door she knocked and entered not waiting for a reply

“Kajiiii Heyyyyyy” She called in a sing song voice as she hung her arms around the man’s neck

Kaji was caught off guard which hardly ever happens and he was a little too slow closing the window he was working on.

“These are our sync data reports, four of them. Who in the hell made him the fourth child? I won’t stand for it” Asuka got out angrily discovering the identity of the fourth child early.

The testing continued as normal Asuka’s rate was a point lower than normal but no one was concerned about it. The red head left in a huff as soon as it was possible.

Rei and Shinji were walking home and Shinji could tell something was on his sisters mind she was unusually quiet even by her standards.

“Penny for your thoughts sister mine” He whispered to her

Rei looked across at her brother with a small smile, it really was nice to have someone looking out for her.

“Just some bad news I overheard from the commander during my last memory backup” Rei began. Shinji didn’t press her knowing she would get to it when she knew how she wanted to say it. “Nerv US’s Second branch in the Nevada Desert was lost in an accident” Rei explained

“Lost? What happened?” Shinji asked

“Some kind of explosion during a test with the S2 Engine in Unit-04 no one really knows what happened but the whole facility has been wiped off the map” Rei explained as best she could with what little information she has.

“That’s terrible” Shinji replied “Are you worried about anything else?” Shinji asked

“No I just wanted to let you know but didn’t want you to worry” Rei replied

“Thanks for letting me know but I’m not going to worry about it” Shinji replied

Rei looked at him since she wasn’t expecting an answer like that

“Don’t worry we just have enough going on at the moment while it’s sad there is no point in worrying about what we can’t control” Shinji explained

“That is a good idea” Rei replied liking her brother’s logic “There is one more thing, Unit-03 is being shipped here for all it’s testing” Rei added

“Well if it means we are getting more help that is good” Shinji replied hoping that the new pilot would not be like Asuka.

“Yes” Rei replied as the siblings made it home and Shinji began cooking dinner.

Shinji noticed Kensuke was absent from class the next day and went to Toji

“Hey do you know where Kensuke is today?” He asked

“He’s gone to New Yokozuka to see some battleship that’s docked” Toji replied

“Wow I bet he’s in heaven” Shinji replied

“He sure is” Toji replied “So are you going to do anything about the class rep?” The jock whispered

“Yeah” Shinji replied but said nothing else.

Once the bell for lunch rang all the students piled out of the classroom leaving Hikari alone with Shinji. The young pilot pushed his nerves aside as he headed for the class representatives desk

“Hikari” Shinji got her attention as she looked up from her notes

‘God she looks so cute like that and that smell vanilla and strawberries I could get lost in that forever’ Shinji thought for a moment and then focused on what he was doing so he didn’t end up looking lie an idiot

“Are we still on for tomorrow?” He asked

“Of course, unless something has come up?” Hikari asked

“No there is just one thing” Shinji replied Hikari looked on a little nervous she was hoping her plans weren’t about to unravel when she was so close to Friday “I was hoping I could take you out to a movie after dinner” Shinji blurted out

The cutest small smile graced her lips but her modesty won out straight away “You don’t have to do that to thank me for the tutoring” She replied ‘Idiot just shut your mouth and say yes’ Raced through her mind the minute the words came out of her mouth she wanted the ground to swallow her u right there for being so dumb

“I’m not asking for that, I’m asking because I want to. I really like you Hikari” Shinji replied

Hikari’s brain shutdown for a moment at those words then she recovered herself and didn’t waste the second opportunity

“I’d lie that” She replied with that cute smile again

“Great, well I better let you get back to what you’re doing” Shinji replied and left for lunch

Hikari did a dance in her seat once Shinji was out of the room

Friday couldn’t come quick enough for Hikari she was a bundle of Nerves all morning, a fact that wasn’t lost on her sisters and they knew Shinji was coming to study. Nozomi pointed out Shinji’s promise to stay for dinner and it was all clear why, so as good sisters do they teased her to no end until she threatened to spike their dinner.

Kensuke was absent again Shinji figured he was having the time of his life and was glad his friend could have some real fun for once but classes dragged on as usual

“So when are you going to tell the other children?” Ritsuko asked Misato as they were waiting in the control room at Matsushiro as the all black Unit-03 was being set up for testing.

“There are enough rumours going around for now I’ll tell them once all the testing is finished and everything is official” Misato replied, in all honesty Asuka already knew which was apparent from her worse than usual bad mood and Shinji and Rei would be fine once they had all the details.

“Well the unit is being assigned to your detachment” Ritsuko replied

“Yeah exclusive control of four Evas, if you wanted to you could conquer the world” Misato replied with a grin

Ritsuko sighed at this unable to believe some of the stuff her friend comes up with some of the time. Ritsuko picked up the phone on the control unit once it started ringing

“Control 1” She answered

“I see I’ll send her down now” She replied hanging up the phone

“Everything is set and the fourth child is ready we better get started” Ritsuko said to Misato when she gave her a questioning look.

“Alright I’ll go get him” Misato replied and headed for the locker rooms

Getting there easily Misato found the fourth child standing outside the locker rooms in his black and grey plug suit

“Are you ready?” Misato asked

“You know I am I’ve been dreaming about this since forever” He replied

“Alright just don’t get over excited and pop your first test, this isn’t a game” Misato replied

All the checks on Unit-03 were completed and everything was ok.

“Team B commence operation” Ritsuko ordered

“Data link to Evangelion Unit-01 established” A tech reported

“The systems up and ready for full activation” Ritsuko replied to Misato

“Terrific let’s get started” Misato replied very unenthusiastically

“Well that was enthusiastic” Ritsuko replied

The entry plug dropped into the back of Unit-03

“Kensuke are you ready?” Misato asked

“You bet” He replied getting hyper in the entry plug

“Begin first stage connection” Ritsuko ordered

“Transmitting pulse, graph read out is normal” came a tech’s voice

“Graph display is normal” was another report

Ritsuko looked over the readouts with a careful eye

“Proceed to second stage connection” She ordered

“Full nerve link established” Reported a tech

“Harmonics are all normal” Another tech reported

Ritsuko watched as all the readouts came back green. Misato didn’t know what she was looking at but she had seen enough tests to know that everything was going to plan.

“We are now approaching the absolute borderline” Reported another tech as the Third stage connection was opened up.

Power to Unit-03 came on line and Kensuke could feel everything for a moment then it all went black.

Unit-03’s eyes went red the graphs flowed backwards and all the green light indicators started disappearing. Alarms rang out everywhere

“Break the nerve circuits about the test” Ritsuko ordered

“Massive energy readings up in Unit-03” A tech reported

“No it can’t be. An angel?” Ritsuko cried out

Unit-03 started moving in its restraints and then its mouth opened to reveal those red teeth. It let out an ear splitting roar that shattered all the viewing windows in the control room. Then it pulsed its A.T Field and set off a massive explosion at the test facility.

“There’s been an explosion at Matsushiro” Aboa reported

“Damage level unknown” Maya added

“Send the rescue squad and third battalion we have to stop this before the JSSDF gets involved” Huga replied

“We’ve got an unidentified object detected at the site” Aboa added punching keys on his console trying to get a handle on the situation

“Wavelength pattern is orange no ID confirmed” Huga added

“Go to first stage alert” Commander Ikari ordered and retrieve the pilots.

Three phones rang at once as the pilots looked at each other and dashed out of the room to the waiting car that would be out the front of the school.

“Be careful Shinji” Hikari whispered to herself. Her bundle of nerves about tonight being replaced with nerves of dread even though the evacuation alarm didn’t sound

The three pilots piled into the black sedan with the red Nerv logo on it and it sped off towards headquarters. They arrived quickly enough as there was next to no traffic on the surface which was unusual for a Friday day.

The pilots raced to the locker rooms to get suited up while the bridge tried to come up with an intercept plan.

“Prepare for surface to surface combat” Commander Ikari ordered

“Prepare for maximum intercept full weapons assortment” Aboa reported

“Air transport to Matsushiro will go in 20” Maya added

“Deploy our forces at Mount Nobe we will eliminate the threat there” Commander Ikari ordered

There was such a rush to make the air transport in time details about the target were sketchy at best. Information started filtering through to the pilots once they had deployed at the base of Mount Nobe.

“An explosion at Matsushiro what about Misato?” Shinji asked once he saw a communiqué come through.

“Communication hasn’t been restored yet brother” Rei replied quietly.

“Who’s going to run the operation?” Shinji asked

“We’re going to have to go for it ourselves we’ve got no other choice!” Asuka exclaimed

“Commander Ikari will run this operation” Rei replied

Shinji didn’t like the situation at all as the weather grew overcast reflecting the mood arond the area.

“We are receiving an image from the Nobe Mountain observation station putting it on screen” Aboa reported

The image of the large black Evangelion Unit-03 lumbered into view it appeared to be walking aimlessly along without a care in the world.

“As I thought....” Fuyutsuki commented

“Transmit the about signal, force eject the entry plug” Commander Ikari ordered

The rockets fired on the hatch but the hatch never moved staying glued in place over the entry plug

“It’s not working sir neither the abort or plug ejection codes are being accepted” Maya replied once the commands failed twice each.

“What about the pilot?” The commander asked

“His hearts still beating and he’s still breathing but he probably.....” Huga trailed off.

“I see.... Abandon Evangelion Unit-03 reclassify it as the Thirteenth Angel have our forces destroy it at the base of Mount Nobe with extreme prejudice” Commander Ikari ordered quickly.

Hushes fell across the bridge once the order was given but no one questioned it

“Target is approaching” Aboa’s voice sounded over the com of each unit

Shinji brought Unit-01 into a standing position and raised his sniper rifle; he got a good look at a head, shoulders and shoulder pylons as they strode towards him.

“No way is that Unit-03?” He asked

“All units prepare to engage” Huga reported over com

“That is your target” Commander Ikari clarified

“God it’s hideous how could it have been possessed?” Asuka whispered

“It may be but that’s an Eva there must be a pilot in there” Shinji countered not liking this one bit

He had no problem killing mercenaries hell bent on destroying the world but he wasn’t about to take an innocent life of some kid stuck in an Eva.

Lightning crackled in the background adding to the menacing visage of the black Unit-03

“You mean you still don’t know who the pilot is?” Asuka asked

“What are you talking about?” Shinji asked urgently

“The pilot of Unit-03 is.... Arraagh ahhhhhh...........” Asuka got out as the feed went to static and then went dead

“Asuka..... ASUKA!!” Shinji called out getting no response

“Eva Uit-02 has gone silent” Huga reported

“The pilot has ejected, no injuries recovery teams moving in” Maya added

“The target is moving towards Unit-00” Aboa reported

“Rei stop it but avoid close range combat” The commander ordered

“Yes sir” Rei replied

“Unit-01 cover Unit-00 now” The commander added not missing a beat

“What about the pilot?” Shinji asked

“The Eva was infected before testing started there is no pilot in the plug” The commander replied grinning evilly behind his glasses and folded hands

“Yes sir” Shinji replied all concerns being thrown away with that information

Unit-00 waited for the angel to move into a position so it could gain a shooting solution, the possessed eva seemed unaware of her position as it walked right past her.

Shinji raced to get Unit-01 into a position where he could shoot at the angel without endangering his sister with a missed shot at the moving target. Getting the angel he wanted he put Unit-01 into a crouch.

Rei brought her pallet rifle up though she did wish she had her positron sniper rifle.

The angel stopped and turned about itself it’s arm swinging in a big arc and extending to three times it length at the same time struck Unit-00 with a vicious backhand knocking Unit-00 to the ground the angel then jumped high into the air and came down on Unit-00’s chest

“Rei hang on I’m trying to get a shot” Shinji called out

The angel opened its mouth viciously as it moved to finish Unit-00 off. For the first time in her life Rei was scared, she has never had so much to lose as she did now, all she could think about was Shinji

“Help me please brother”

The desperation in her voice crushed Shinji as he pushed Unit-01 to its limits

The angel seemed to focus more on Unit-00 as it decided the best way to finish the eva off.

“I’ll never stop protecting you sister” Rei heard over the com channel

She looked into the eyes of the angel and suddenly felt safe. Then the side of the angels head exploded knocking the angel off Unit-00. Another perfect shot hit the angel in the head at the exact moment to inflict maximum damage while protecting his sister.

The angel rose to its feet a massive hole in its head from the depleted uranium round Shinji had fired. The wound started closing up but Shinji didn’t wait for orders standing tall he emptied the mag through the angels body. Each round a testament to the power of the sniper rifle as each round left a massive hole in the body.

The angel started to stagger forward Shinji loaded another mag and put rounds through its eye, neck and upper torso the angel’s progress slowed but Shinji was out of ammo. He laid the rifle down carefully drew his pistol and advanced on the angel. Closing the distance menacingly he emptied his first clip into the angel and loaded another one. The angel kept advancing but Shinji shot it point blank in the chest five times and delivered a savage kick that knocked the angel to the ground.

“Target has gone silent” Aboa breathed a sigh of relief

“Rei? Are you ok?” Shinji asked

“I’m ok. Thank you brother” Rei replied

“Come on get up we’ve got to get you back to Nerv” Shinji replied

Unit-01 pulled Unit-00 to its feet come on Rei let’s get out of here.

“Third Child destroy the target” The commander ordered

“You heard Aboa its dead” Shinji shot back as he helped Rei to her feet and started moving out

“You must destroy the core do it now” The commander ordered

“I’m busy” Shinji replied

“Damn it shut down all Unit-01’s connections. Transfer all connection to the dummy plug” The commander ordered.

“But Doctor Akagi hasn’t approved its use yet” Maya replied

“It’s better than the current pilot do it now” The commander ordered

Unit-01 stopped abruptly causing Unit-00 to fall forward onto the ground again. Rei wondered for a moment what had happened to her brother then looked up to see Unit-01 motionless with its eyes blank.

“Brother?” She murmured

Shinji wondered what was going on. He had never had a total power loss like this in Unit-01 then he could see a small icon in the bottom of his HUD “Dummy System” He whispered “What the hell are you doing? We need to get Rei out of here” Shinji yelled at the com but got no answer

“Connection completed Dummy System on-line” Maya reported

“38.9% of emotions can’t be monitored they are unknown” Huga reported

“Irrelevant commence attack” The commander ordered

Unit-01 turned and started towards the downed angel “Make it stop” Shinji yelled realising he was going to have to do this on his own but he had no idea if it would work

Concentrating hard to find his connection to the Eva he searched with all his might ‘If you can hear me I really need your help’ Shinji thought

‘I told you we can do anything together’ came the reply ‘but if you are here who is syncing with me....... never mind I will fix this’

Unit-01 went silent again just as the angel started twitching

“Blue pattern detected the angel is regenerating” Aboa reported

“The dummy plug has stopped” Maya reported “The connection has gone” This was followed by a pop and some black smoke coming from the back of her terminal “My terminal has crashed” She cried out exasperated at everything going wrong.

“Restart the system get it back on-line” The commander ordered

‘What is going on in Unit-01’ He thought

Unit-01 restarted with its eyes glowing white hot it turned and headed straight to Unit-00

“Come on Rei we have to get you to your transport back to Nerv” Shinji said through com

“Are you ok brother?” Rei asked as Shinji Helped Unit-00 to her feet

“I’m fine sister mine just someone trying to hijack my Eva” He replied with a smirk

“Shinji’s sync ratio is at 300%” Aboa reported

Unit-00 and -01 continued making their way to a transport that was circling over head

“Aboa get that transport to Evac Rei now” Shinji requested

“Roger providing approach coordinates just sit tight” Aboa replied

An earth shaking roar erupted from the angel that had been following as it gathered up its strength and charged at the two remaining evas. Launching itself at Unit-01 it raised its right hand catching the angel around the neck while supporting Unit-00 with its left arm it stopped the angel’s momentum instantly.

“Hold onto me Rei” Shinji said as used his left hand to draw his pistol and push it up under the angel’s jaw and emptied the clip. Bullets exploded out the top of the angel’s head and it fell to the ground silent again as the transport approached.

Shinji got Rei and Unit-00 secured onto the transport and it lifted off.

He turned around to see the angel twitching again.

“What the hell is this thing?” Shinji asked looking down at the horribly disfigured Eva body at had been possessed. It seemed to be regenerating itself somehow but it kept all its injuries its body was riddled with gunshot holes purple blood seeping out everywhere.

“You have to destroy the core pilot or the angel will keep regenerating” Fuyutsuki confirmed Shinji’s thoughts for him.

Shinji approached the angel again intent on finishing the job this time but it sprang to its feet and charged. Shinji was equal to the task raising his pistol quick as a flash and emptied the last 4 rounds into the body and loaded another clip. The angel kept charging and lashed out with it extended arms. Shinji missed the first attack as it punched through his lower side and grabbed the second arm as it was passing him by and broke the limb like it was a twig. The loud crack picked up by the bridges audio recorders making Maya pale at the sound.

The angel howled in pain retracting its arms to a normal length then there was two small explosions under the armour and two solid limbs with points on the ends grew from under the arms. They made the perfect stabbing weapons and the angel charged at Unit-01.

Shinji put more rounds into the angel and holstered his weapon saving what was left of his ammo for later. Once the angel had closed enough with three limbs raised for a huge strike to finish the fight Shinji evaded the attack spinning and delivering a savage round house kick that knocked the angel to the ground. Shinji had his opening to finish the fight and he took it. Moving over the angel that was laying on its stomach he ripped one of the new limbs from the body the angel shrieking out in pain and stabbed it through the lower back trapping it on the ground.

Unit-01 rose up pilot and Eva panting heavily from the exertion of the fight as the sky darkened and the storm clouds moved in. Unit-01 drew its progressive knife and drove it through the shoulder of the angel into the dirt completely immobilising the angel as it laid there straining to escape to no avail. Drawing his second progressive knife Shinji cut down the spine of the angel splitting the armour wide open. Unit-01 started ripping at the armour plates trying to find just one thing the core. Armour, organs and mechanics came out and were tossed aside the entry plug came out and was placed aside it was the only thing that wasn’t tossed out from the angel.

Then the core emerged the grey sphere pulsed with a yellow beating. “Is this it?” Shinji asked

“Analysing.......” Aboa replied as Unit-01 held it up for all to see “Yes that’s to core destroy it” Aboa confirmed

Shinji dropped the core to the ground and stomped on it blood and LCL coming out everywhere drenching the country side as lightning lit up the evening sky overhead.

“Target destroyed” Aboa reported

“Follow orders next time third child and this fight might have finished sooner” The commander spoke up “Standby and await for further orders” He added

“Yes sir” Shinji replied

Rei watched the whole exchange from Unit-00’s entry plug as she was air lifted back to Nerv and she felt for her brother she had a feeling the commander would come down hard on him and this worried her to no end.

Shinji waited in the entry plug he used the Eva to help out the rescue crews as they needed it. Rolling Eva-02 onto its stomach for easier retrieval by the drop ship was a bonus and so was moving the remains of the angel as clean up picked their way through the wreckage. Now he was just standing idly as he watched the movements of all the teams and awaiting his next orders, he noticed with some interest there was a team going through the entry plug.

“Katsuragi you there?” came a familiar voice

“Kaji?” she asked weakly

“It’s ok you’re ok now” Kaji replied once his loves eyes focused on him as she laid on a stretcher

“What about Ritsuko?” she asked

“She’s fine she wasn’t hurt as bad as you” Kaji replied

“Good.... And Unit-03?” she asked the last question dreading the answer

“It was destroyed as an angel...... By Unit-01” Kaji replied sadly

“Oh God I never told Shinji” she croaked out through the pain of her injuries

“Shinji can you hear me?” came through Unit-01’s com

“Misato..... Thank god you’re ok” Shinji replied thankful to hear his guardian’s voice

“Shinji I’m so sorry, I’m so so sorry” Misato continued “I never told you who the pilot was”

“What are you talking about Misato?” Shinji asked

“The pilot of Unit-03, the Fourth Child is Kensuke Aida” Misato got out tears flowing from her eyes “I’m so sorry Shinji”

“Ok but what’s the problem the plug was empty the commander said the eva was possessed before the testing could start” Shinji replied not following

“No the fourth child was in the eva when it was possessed” Misato replied

Shinji snapped his head to look at the team working on the plug from Unit-03

“Report from the plug retrieval team the pilot is dead there is nothing that could be done for him” Came over com as the mangled body of Kensuke Aida was pulled from the wreck of the entry plug not moving

“Shinji.... Shinji.... SHINJI!!” Misato cried out

“What the.......... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Shinji cried out

To be continued:

A/N: I hope you’re still enjoying the story. I know it’s a long chapter but I wanted all this stuff in it and by the time I put it all together this is what I got I hope it works for you.