Fan Fiction / Neon Genesis Evangelion Fan Fiction ❯ NGE - Terminator ❯ Protection ( Chapter 2 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Steve VADER 
Stunning revelations.
A courier in pain.
And a new bodyguard for Shinji.
Anime/Manga: Fan Fiction / Neon Genesis Evangelion Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Sci-fi / Hentai | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 09.29.2004 | Pages: 12 | Words: 9.9K | Visits: 2.7K | Status: Completed
Stunning revelations.
A courier in pain.
And a new bodyguard for Shinji.
Anime/Manga: Fan Fiction / Neon Genesis Evangelion Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Sci-fi / Hentai | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 09.29.2004 | Pages: 12 | Words: 9.9K | Visits: 2.7K | Status: Completed
NGE - TERMINATOR
Chapter 1 - Protection
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After eight long hours of running, he arrived at his destination. A small city, but with the needed
airport, which lay several kilometers outside of the town.
He avoided the city, took a longer way to avoid taking the risk of being seen or recognized in the crammed
streets. While it would have been rather surprising if this would have
really happen, he wasn't programmedto take such chances.
Another hour later, he stood on the airfield. Only one airstrip, with a shabby building as a terminal, and
only one plane for usage. And that was an ancient DC-3.
Which wasn't all too bad, since this plane could take him a long way.
Although the design of it was over 75 years old, the plane was trustworthy and well functioning. After he
finished the checks, there was one problem left. Without fuel, he was flying nowhere.
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The entire staff of NERV command was gathered due to the events of the last night. While only one person
would really mourn the death of Ikari Gendo, they all were shocked.
Nobody had ever expected that such an infiltration could be done, that they all could have been terminated
as was their master.
Fuyutsuki, now the acting Commander of NERV looked at Dr. Akagi for an explanation.
She stood up and started to tell the results of her investigation.
"As far as I can tell, for now, the infiltrator used the MAGI for gaining access to the command center.
I am unable to pinpoint the exact way how she was able to do this, but it is quite clear that she also
was able to acquire all of the necessary information to find the Commander, to disable the security
systems and to inform the Sub-Commander with usage of the MAGI as well. I searched hours for some
'surprises', but found none. Whoever sent her had access to information that could only came from two
persons. My mother or me. While I had nothing to do with it, which I can prove, and my mother is dead,
we have an even bigger problem. There is someone out there with superior knowledge about our own systems,
and whoever it is, he or she is willing to use us for their plans."
"Did the prisoner tell you anything?" inquired Misato.
Fuyutsuki sighed. "Only a number. 0007866863686. Whatever it means."
Suddenly, the MAGI terminal came to life. Its cold electronic voice asked: "I have a message for the
staff of NERV. Do you want to hear it?"
They all looked perplexed at the terminal. It took some long seconds, before Fuyutsuki answered: "Yes."
As soon as he said this, the monitor lit up with the picture of a familiar face.
The entire staff gasped in shock.
Although the look was different, due to a guessed age of 30, the red eyes and the pale blue hair were
unmistakably that of Rei Ayanami.
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It took him only a few minutes and two kills to get a truck with kerosene. He drove it to the plane,
hooked it up and pumped the fuel into the empty tanks of the ancient aircraft.
As soon as this task was finished, he drove the truck out of the way, before entering the plane and going
into the cockpit.
The engines came on without difficulties, their sound within the parameters of his databank for such
engines. He rolled onto the airstrip and started. Now he had the benefit of the rather primitive
surroundings. Nobody asked where he was flying or who he was, there was simply nobody who had an
interest in him.
The first part of the long journey would take approximately nine hours, and would lead him to the
impressive surroundings of the planet's largest mountains. The first target was Nepal.
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After the minute that the message gave the command staff to bring their brains back online, the message
continued.
"When you are see this, the bastard Ikari is dead. And my emissary is imprisoned. Bring her into the
room in which you are watching this. She has the codes to reveal the entire message, and only she knows
how to give them."
Fuyutsuki ordered the prisoner to be brought into the conference room, where she arrived several minutes
later. He gestured to the monitor, and she understood immediately what was expected from her.
She went to the terminal and entered a lengthy code.
The message continued immediately.
"Now that she is here, may I introduce you: The man with silver hair is Fuyutsuki Kouzou, now acting
Commander of NERV. The blond haired woman is Akagi Ritsuko, head of the science department. The purple
haired woman is Misato Katsuragi, Director for operations and main tactician. The woman with short
brown hair is Ibuki Maya, assistant of Akagi and a genius herself. The sand-haired man with glasses is
Makoto Hyuga, Operator, and finally, the long haired man is Aoba Shigeru, Operator.
The envoy I sent to you is Kirishima Mana, one of the best soldiers I have available.
Now that the formalities have been taken care of, we can come to more serious matters.
According to the designated time I have sent my envoy, the attack of Matriel was only a few days ago.
But more important are the events of the next few months.
After the defeat of the seventeenth Angel, Ikari Gendo started third impact. The result was not expected,
as the scrolls had one serious flaw. They never mentioned that souls cannot be merged, because the
process would eradicate the souls forever. Even after realizing this, he still tried to finish impact
to achieve his goals, murdering over 2 billion in the process by obliterating their souls.
However, even this didn't allow him to complete his mad schemes, as the first of a new race interfered,
stopping him and ceasing the Impact. Gendo Ikari was killed shortly after, but the damage was done. Less
than one billion people were left alive on earth, and over ninety percent of all technology was rendered
useless due to the massive energy outbursts all over the globe during the impact."
The screen paused, giving the shocked viewers some time to recuperate.
While Ritsuko was shocked, Misato was more than pissed about the stoic behavior of the new Commander.
She guessed that he knew it all along, and her anger was hard to contain. But there was more to know, so
she waited patiently, controlling the urge to shoot a few holes into his body.
The reaction of the others could only be described as shell-shocked.
They had always thought that their work would ensure the survival of humankind; now they were confronted
with a scenario which they worked for the biggest mass murderer of all time. Even if the source of the
information was still unconfirmed, it was a lot to digest.
Fifteen minutes later, the screen started again.
"But those events were not the end. During third impact, a specific part of the MAGI survived and
transferred itself to MAGI Moscow, where it was able to survive.
SKYNET, the part of the MAGI that had control over NERV's surveillance satellites, had survived and
gained in the next few years an identity of its own. Undetected by the suffering remnants of mankind, it
developed a personality with its own beliefs and priorities.
It understood that Earth was its home and that it would be unable to leave it for some time. So it
derived a plan to ensure the survival of the planet through the termination of its biggest threat.
After two man-made impacts, humankind was considered unsurprisingly to be the biggest threat, so SKYNET
decided to remove humanity. Using its abilities, it infiltrated factories and other technological remnants
and started to build an army of machines. Over the years it gathered more and more strength, until it was
discovered by an agent in the year 2028. The message of a machine army ran around the world, but it was
too late. The army was only one of SKYNET's ways to ensure its survival. Being discovered too soon, it
simply used another one. On August 15th, 2028, SKYNET launched 4800 ICBMs with nuclear warheads
against targets in the Asian part of Russia, China and Europe. The counterattack against the supposed
aggressors included more than 8000 missiles used against the remnants of America and Australia.
It was the judgment day. Within 30 minutes, 95 percent of the human race had been killed.
The survivors, further decimated through the radiation, the nuclear winter and the lack of food had to
face another danger on top of that. The army of the machines started its war against the humans. The
remaining populations of Australia, Africa, America and Europe were annihilated completely; only in Asia
was some kind of resistance formed. Using the rather undisturbed Japan as a base, we found some ways to
fight the machines and survive. Our resistance formed a state under the rule of our leader, Empress
Sakura, who was the founder of the resistance and the person who ensured the survival of humankind in
the dark times after judgment day. This happened in 2040."
The screen paused again for several minutes.
Nobody said even one word. A future like that was something nobody wanted to happen, and now they had a
message from the future telling them that such events would occur.
While some looked rather subdued and shocked, Misato and Maya had the hard and cold gleam of determination
in their eyes. While they didn't say a word, they understood each other completely. They wouldn't let that
happen, at all costs.
And the message continued.
"In 2048, fate decided to give the humans much needed help. We were shortly before extinction, as the
machines developed new weapons and new machines to wipe us out. Unable to fight back against those
new developments, it was the darkest of all times. But then, Empress Sakura had an unconventional idea.
She contacted humans former worst enemies for help, and was rejected. She sent several other envoys,
none of which ever came back. Finally, she sent her half-sister, and everything changed. Megumi Ayanami,
my daughter, established contact with the Angels and gained their help. With their help, we were able
to drive the machines back, to be on the verge of winning the war.
So, SKYNET played its last trump. It developed a machine able to send a Terminator back through time, with
the mission to kill the parents of Megumi, with her father as the first target.
So I sent one of my best soldiers to guard him and give you the knowledge to change the events. The death
of Ikari Gendo was only the beginning. You need to trust my emissary and help her fulfill her mission, or
humankind will be doomed. I know perfectly well that this story is hard to believe, so I gave my emissary,
Kirishima Mana, the possibility to prove my words. She carries several data crystals with the proof and a
lot of knowledge to help you in the attempt to stop those events to unfold.
I know that you will need some time to discuss this, but don't take too long. A Terminator is already on
its way to Tokyo 3."
With these words, the message closed.
They all looked at Mana, awaiting some more information. It was Fuyutsuki who started the inquisition.
"Well, Gendo is dead, so doesn't that mean the we are safe?"
"Doubtfully. Ikari Gendo was not the only one with the will to initiate an impact. Only with all of the
involved parties eliminated will the chance of avoiding an impact be high. Until that, we have to assume
the worst case scenario, in which someone else, like SEELE, will try to start the impact.
Fuyutsuki sighed. "I see. What should we do about SKYNET?"
"As long as the MAGI are online and safe, there is no danger. Only as the MAGI went down and SKYNET was
forced to survive on its own, did it started to develop a personality. SKYNET will only be a problem if
the impact happens."
"Why did the Angels help you? The scrolls ruled out each possibility of a peaceful solution."
Mana laughed at that. "Because of the person who wrote the scrolls. However, now is not the time to reveal
that secret. But I can assure you, there is a way to end the war against the Angels and have them equal
among us humans as friends and allies."
"How?" Fuyutsuki demanded to know.
"I do not know. This information is most likely among the data I've brought with me."
"Then, we can do nothing until we have this data. This story is too unbelievable to be taken as a sole
reason to let you go and change the operating procedures of NERV. You will be put back in your cell, where
you will remain until you give us this data, if it really exists."
Two members of section 2 brought her back to her cell, while the staff discussed the message further.
"I want the opinion of each of you. We begin with the lowest ranking." announced Fuyutsuki. This made
Shigeru Aoba the first one to speak.
"Hard to believe, the story is almost too wild to be fabricated. And her slipping into the Base, the
knowledge needed to come in undetected and execute her mission in such a way and fashion. I'd say that
we have to take this seriously. And if there really is more data, we would do good to her and follow her
advice."
Makoto Hyuga was the next one.
"I think it is a well constructed lie. And the most important question is not if she is telling the
truth, but how she gained the knowledge to accomplish this assassination, who had helped her and who
really wanted to see the Commander dead. And we need to know who is next on her list."
Maya Ibuki was more civil.
"While it is hard to believe, we have to question ourselves 'What if she is right?'. We are all here to
avoid another impact. She said that she killed Commander Ikari because he himself initiated it. The lack
of reaction to this accusation from some of the high staff indicates that it could bear some truth. While
mankind survived it, it was still the entrance to a long war and the near extinction of the human race.
If we can stop all scenarios where such a thing could occur, we would be successful on all fronts. But if
we fail in even one of those regards, we would have to carry the blame. If there is any more information,
we will need her help, as she needs ours."
"Why do you think she needs our help?" asked her sempai.
"If she didn't, we wouldn't have caught her. She killed the Commander, sat down behind his desk and called
for the Sub-Commander. And as he entered the office, she surrendered without resistance. These are not
actions of someone whose mission is accomplished and doesn't need help from anyone. Also, we shouldn't
forget another indicator that her story could be true. The data crystal we saw in the message. Only the
MAGI are able to decipher them, and, in fact, we finished this drive only two weeks ago. That's hardly
enough time to gather the information that we have constructed such a reader, get the knowledge of the
possible format, build a writer for such crystals and send us an assassin with detailed knowledge and a
message which shows such a crystal. And if there are some of these for real, we can be sure that her story
is true. Since there should already be a killing machine on it's way to us, she knows that she hasn't too
much time to prove her story and gain our support. The problem of the story's credibility will be solved
within the next few hours, without any action from us. It's the girl who has to make the next move."
"An interesting point of view, and true. Major Kaji, what does Section 2 have to say about this?"
"Well, that she killed Ikari wasn't bad. We all know that he had a lot of personal agendas alongside the
primary goal, the defeat of the Angels. I wouldn't be surprised if one of them included a controlled
impact. Whatever his goals were, he was determined enough to reach them. So far, her story is shocking,
but not too far off. What disturbed me more is the peace with the Angels, and their living among the
humans. This doesn't fit for a cover story or for gaining our trust. We are currently at war with them,
we don't know what they really are and what they want. The promise that we can stop it and have peace
with them not only as neutrals, but as friends and allies is hard to believe. Considering this, I would
say that we should wait until she can back her story up. Her actions during the infiltration where
those of a highly-trained warrior. Swift, to the point, avoiding unnecessary violence. The MAGI wasn't
the only security measure we had. Section 2 had guards on all gates, and she managed to take one of them
out. We were able to reconstruct those events. First, she used a stone to distract the guard, then she
slipped behind him and killed him. Instead of proceeding immediately, she dragged the corpse to some
bushes and hid it there, covered by some leaves. If anyone would have noticed the missing guard, we
would still have needed to search for the corpse too long to stop her on her mission. The entire thing
was well planned and nearly perfectly executed. I would agree with Ibuki-san. We should wait."
"Major Katsuragi."
"She infiltrated HQ, killed the Commander and told us she came to save all of us. Maybe we should save
ourselves and get rid of her. While her actions are impressive, she is clearly a danger to our mission
to stop the Angels, and to the pilots as well. We should execute her as fast as possible. For her story
of friendship between humans and Angels alone she should be shot."
"Doctor Akagi?"
"I don't like the idea of an assassin running around. But the possible existence of those data crystals
she might have cannot be ignored. Nobody beside us has such a technology, and while we are able to make a
playback rather easy, the recording of such a crystal is extremely difficult. If there is really a
killing machine on it's way, she has to act fast. We should wait, and if there is nothing new, we can
execute her in 24 hours. This way or another, the problem is solved."
Before Fuyutsuki could announce his final decision, Section 2 reported that they should watch the feed of
the security camera in the girl's cell.
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Mana knew that to gain the trust of the staff, she would need to bring up more facts. And she needed them
to fight the Terminator. Only they could sortie the EVAs, which were the only things with a chance to
stop it.
As soon as she was back in the cell, she went to the sink and inserted the thumb and the forefinger of
her right hand in her mouth. The motions visible on her cheeks indicated that she was trying to grasp
something. Finally, she was successful.
"Owwww!!" she groaned as her lower right back tooth plopped out of her jaw. The tooth was the anchor
for a fiber that led down her throat into her stomach, where a part of her precious freight was hidden.
She pulled on the tooth and took it out of her mouth, and held it more than 10 centimeters in front
of her face, as she felt the nauseating sensation of the first capsule pressing against the entrance of
her stomach. Blood dribbled down off her chin, which she ignored as she slowly pulled again on the fiber.
Soon, the first capsule was on its way through her esophagus. Seconds later, her body rocked with
the spastic convulsions typical for the urge to gag, which she did again and again, until the first
capsule landed with some vomit in the little sink.
However, the unpleasant experience wasn't over yet. She had only removed the first of six capsules, and
the extraction of the first brought the second in position to be extracted.
Tears streamed down her face as she forced one capsule after another out of her body. Her throat hurt like
hell and the taste in her mouth was indescribable. She felt like shit, but was unable to stop until the
last capsule was out of her. Then she used her last strength to clean the capsules with some water, until
she collapsed exhausted on the floor.
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The staff of NERV saw those events on the screen with astonished faces.
More than one doubted the girl because she had not the crystals on her body. That it could have been in
her body was something nobody took into account.
"I think we now have the much needed evidence. Doctor Akagi, please go to the cell and escort her to the
medical bay. And after she has recovered enough, ask her if she could join us again.
I think we have a lot of to discuss." ordered Fuyutsuki.
As Ritsuko was on her way, Misato decided to join her. She had two reasons to do this. First, Ritsuko was
a scientist, not a soldier. If the girl decided to do something violent, Ritsuko could only play as
punching ball. And another reason, which bothered her more, was also present. Since the news of Ikari's
death made its rounds, Ritsuko was kind of.....off. That she didn't like this girl was clear, but Misato
wasn't all too sure if she didn't want to try something against this Mana girl. But if she was there too,
she could guard both of them.
They entered the cell and were surprised that the girl was in action again and sat on the bed, obviously
waiting for them. Well, this made clear that she knew that she was observed.
Mana pointed at the sink and said: "Evi.....dence....Data."
Her voice was nearly inaudible, her throat didn't take the abuse of the extraction procedure too well.
"We'll bring you to the medical facilities, where we can treat your throat. Please follow us." explained
Misato, while Ritsuko carefully picked up the capsules and examined them. She opened one of them carefully
and saw that each capsule stored two data crystals, along with some ultra-thin papers. She shrugged and
shut the capsule again. The Commander should decide what to do with them.
Misato and Ritsuko led Mana through the labyrinthine maze of NERV, which the girl knew surprisingly well.
In fact, as Misato, who tried to lead them went the wrong way, Mana tugged on her sleeve and pointed in
the right direction. So they quickly arrived--without wandering through any detours--at the medical
facilities where Ritsuko gave the red-brown haired girl some antiseptic medication to swallow, followed
by some pastilles with painkilling substances.
"Are those all data crystals?" asked Ritsuko.
As Mana shook her head, she raised on her brows, clearly surprised that there were even more.
"Do you need some assistance to get them out?" Misato wanted to know, for now more interested in the
welfare of the girl than on even more data. They would need time to go through what they already received,
therefore she saw no reason to push the girl so fast for more.
"Yes." whispered Mana. "Some lubrication would be nice."
Misato looked confused at Mana, but soon her eyes went wide as the realization hit her.
"I'll get something for you." declared the purple haired beauty and went to search in the medical cabinet
for some fitting substance.
As she found nothing, she started to curse. "Shit. All those fucking doctors are always trying to poke
and to insert some sondes in you, but there is nothing for lubrication. No wonder that it always hurts.
Those assholes are all sadists. Next time I bring my gun with me for the medical evaluation."
As Ritsuko heard this nice opinion about her secondary profession, she walked to Misato and asked what she
was searching for. As soon as Misato told her, she needed only five seconds to get the item, which lay
conveniently directly in front of Misato's eyes.
Then she gave it Mana, along with a bowl and dragged Misato out to leave the girl alone.
A few minutes later, the girl came out with a pained expression and a chain of over 20 capsules in the
bowl. She took the bowl and gave the blue-green eyed girl another tube with some lotion.
"After you are finished with your treatment, you should join the staff in the conference room, please.
And you could take Misato with you, alone she would get lost again." dead panned Ritsuko.
"Ok, but I hope that I don't need to sit down." whispered the pained girl.
"I think that there is no need to. Beside, you should be without pain in a few minutes."
After this, Ritsuko closed the door again and waited, eyeing the capsules curiously.
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A few minutes later, they were in the conference room again.
"Crystal number three." instructed Mana. Then she looked at the staff.
"Since we won't have much time, I'll start with the most important information. The threat we have to face.
During the last years of the war, SKYNET developed several Killer-Droids with organic layers over their
metal body. This was to fool our forces and allow them in our strongholds. It never functioned, and so we
didn't understand why they still developed and built them. The reason for this became obvious as we
managed to get hold of the time machine. Only things hidden under organic matter can go through.
So, the Terminators were built for missions in other times."
"And I assume that's the reason for the unusual method of transporting the data-crystals." interrupted
Fuyutsuki.
"Correct. It is impossible to bring something inorganic through the machine."
"Why?" wanted Ritsuko to know.
"I don't know. I really don't know why a machine, which used other machines to kill organic beings, built
a machine that only let organic things through."
"Let's get back to the enemy," said Misato.
"The most common Terminators are a strong Droid-body, with a small S2-organ as power source and strong
armor under the organic flesh. They have no implanted weapons, but can use light AT-fields as offensive
weapons, as well as for protection. While we have developed several weapons able to penetrate those weak
fields, here, in this time, only an EVA can destroy it."
"How much time should we have?"
"Depending on its progress and the data we gathered from the machine, less than 48 hours. The Terminator
arrived at the same time as myself, in Africa or the remnants of South America. Either way, it will search
for fast transportation, most likely a plane, and come straight to its target, which is located here, in
Tokyo-3."
"So, if we search all incoming planes for a weak S2 signature, we will be able to pinpoint it?" asked
Misato.
"Yes. And if we shoot the plane down, we get some more time. We cannot destroy it this way, but we can
delay its arrival, if we need more time."
"You said the most common Terminator. So I guess there are other ones. Why are you so sure that it is one
of this series?" came a question from Maya.
"We definitely know that it is one from this series, as we know that there are three other ones, which
will only appear if the first one was not successful. Each of them is another type, with other special
capabilities. While we managed to gather data from two of the more advanced models, the third remains a
mystery. However, it will only appear if the impact didn't happen. That much we know for sure."
"But what about the other types?" continued Maya.
"The second one is an advanced form. It is made of mimetic metal, and packed full of nanites to change
its molecular structure. Basically, it is a liquid metal. Due to the nanites, it can appear as anything.
It could lie on the examination table of a hospital, and the doctors wouldn't know that it is not a human.
Its energy is stored in the body itself, so its energy is limited. It has no S2, and cannot use an AT
field. But due to its special abilities, it's almost invulnerable. And because it can change its
appearance, its weapons are for melee, like blades, swords, maces, war-hammers, and daggers. It forms
the weapons out of its arms. The third one is an advanced form of the first. A much more advanced
organic layer makes it nearly impossible to find any difference from a human. The skeletal structure is
not as heavily-armored as the first, but has much stronger metal. It is powered by an S2 as well, and has
implanted weapons. Which weapons exactly, we do not know. The biggest problem is that the S2 is very
well-shielded, almost impossible to detect. We found some ways to accomplish this, and until it comes,
you should be able to build and implement them as well. But now back to the immediate threat. In the
best case, we have around 35 hours, in the worst, less than 10. We will need the pilots and must make
them ready for this new enemy."
"And how do you want to do this?" Misato wanted to know.
"On eight of the crystals are personal messages. These are for Soryu Asuka, Ayanami Rei, Ikari Shinji,
Horaki Hikari, Fuyutsuki Kouzou, Akagi Ritsuko, Katsuragi Misato and Kaji Ryouji. As soon as all those
persons are informed about the situation, I will hand these messages to them. And there is no reason to
ask...I don't know what messages those contain, only that a ninth is for me." explained Mana.
"I understand. That brings me to a final question. What exactly is your mission?" questioned Fuyutsuki.
"My mission is the following: Eliminating Ikari Gendo. Status: Accomplished. Eliminating SEELE. I know
who and where they are. They won't stand a chance. Helping you in fighting the angels, through tactical
and technical help. This will happen alongside my other duties. Ensuring the birth of the first Nephilim.
So far, I have no clue how I should accomplish this. I hope that this information is on the message for me.
Ensuring the end of the war with the Angels, and make them our friends and allies. This will be
accomplished with the Nephilim. Stopping the Terminators from changing the past at all costs. This is
my main objective. I can accomplish this by protecting the target from all harm, from the Terminators or
otherwise. Failure is not an option."
Misato looked intensely at the girl and asked the question everybody wanted to know, but nobody dared to
ask. "Who is the target?"
"The Third Child, Ikari Shinji."
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To say that the staff was shocked would have been a light understatement. While most of them were
surprised, Misato was in deep shock. Of all possible targets, she didn't expect this one.
"Sh.....Shi......Shinji?!"
"Yes." confirmed Mana.
"B...but.....why?"
"His role is crucial in everything surrounding the impact, as well as the birth of the first Nephilim
and, finally, he has some close ties with Empress Sakura. Of all people in NERV, he is the most important,
the key to nearly all of these events. Key to those we want to happen, and to those we want to avoid.
If the Terminator is successful, it will be most likely impossible to cease the war with the Angels and
to stop a version of Third Impact."
Another round of hanging jaws and shocked faces greeted Mana after this little speech.
"And you are here to protect him?" came the cold question from Misato.
"Yes."
"At all costs?"
"Yes."
"Then why are you here and not with him?"
Mana looked at the purple haired woman as if she was the dumbest thing she has ever seen.
"Because I was in your prison, until I could convince you to take me serious, and told you what could,
plus, what should happen. And nobody has told me so far where I can find the Third." dead panned Mana.
"Well, at this time, he should be in school. I'll bring you there immediately." declared Misato with a
haunted expression on her face, making Mana more than suspicious of this unusual behavior.
"And why are you so interested in his survival?"
"I'm his guardian. It is my responsibility......"
"....to let him cook and clean, because he is the only one who would do this for you, and because he is
a perfect victim for Asuka, so that Kaji is free game for you." finished Ritsuko with a sadistic smile
on her face.
While Mana couldn't believe this statement, the lack of defending statements from the other woman
indicated that this was the truth. Well, she was here to protect him from all harm, slavery included.
She looked intensely at Misato.
"You are his guardian?"
"Yes."
"And what are your duties?"
"To keep him safe, give him a home, ensure his survival by feeding him and taking care of him."
"And why is Doctor Akagi saying that he is the one who cooks and cleans, and holds Asuka at bay for you?"
Misato blushed, but didn't give an answer. Instead, it was Ritsuko again who decided to intervene.
The treatment Shinji received by Misato was a thorn in her side for the longest time, and now she saw an
opportunity to cease Misato's using of Shinji.
"Because it is the truth."
"And who had the great idea to make this slob the guardian of the Third?"
"Ikari Gendo."
"Why doesn't this answer surprise me? Maybe another one of his mistakes to correct."
"Correct? What do you mean with correct?" cried Misato.
"You said that you will bring me to the Third?"
"Yes?"
"And you have a transportation vehicle?"
"Yes, a car."
"And the third usually walks home?"
"Yes."
"A car is faster than walking?"
"Yes."
"You will bring me to him. I will explain to him the new situation, the circumstances which make me his
bodyguard, and some of the upcoming changes in his life. This will happen here, at NERV. He has to see
his message. Then, I will walk home with him. Since a car is faster, you have some time to make the
apartment spotless, and to have the food ready. If I find his environment unhealthy, or the food
inedible, I will correct the mistake of the former Commander." Mana declared with a cold voice.
Considering the girl's treatment of Gendo, nobody doubted how she would accomplish this, not even Misato.
To avoid the loss of his tactician, Fuyutsuki intervened.
"This will not be necessary. Due to this new threat, we need to relocate all important personnel into
the Geofront. So, a new accommodation will be coming anyway."
"A good idea. However, a new location doesn't mean that he should still be in the care of an incompetent
guardian. She has her chance, and she has it now. Since there is not much I can do until the Terminator
is found, we can start going."
Mana and Misato left the conference room together. On their way to the car, Mana asked for some weapons.
So they made a stop at the weapons range, where Misato and the officer on duty had to acknowledge Mana's
skill with pistols, rifles and knifes. Mana decided to take a knife and a pistol, for now. If she needed
heavier weaponry, she could get it anytime. Now, this wasn't a problem anymore.
After this, they went to the car and headed straight for the school.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
After this latest round of revelations, NERV started to use its resources to discover the new threat.
Spy planes of the UN looked out for signs of S2 organs, as several satellites as well.
South America and Africa were completely searched, without a trace of the blue signatures which were
typical for S2 activities.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
During their drive to school, Misato decided to have a little bit of small talk. And maybe, she could
even gather some useful information.
"Well, I need to thank you for killing the bastard king."
"You mean Ikari Gendo?"
"Yes. Or do you know another bastard king?"
Mana chuckled. "You're welcome."
"So, back at your home, you were winning the war?"
"Yes. After decades of war and tremendous losses, the Angels found a way to wipe them out."
"It's a little bit strange to me to see the Angels as saviors. I witnessed second impact, and I can't
see them as friends."
Mana looked at the woman beside her. "Then you need to adapt."
"I suppose. You are ruled by an Empress?"
"Yes."
"Why not a democracy?"
"A democracy is not suitable for survival. It tends to get slower and slower, until finally, nothing is
done. In a time of war, you need a strong and fast government. Besides, nobody would doubt the right of
Sakura to lead the humans."
Misato was surprised at the almost caring tone as the girl spoke about her Empress.
"Do you know her personally?"
"Yes. I met her two times. Or who do you think sent me on this mission?"
"Ayanami."
"Then you thought wrong."
"You said you want to help with techniques and tactics. While new technology is Ritsuko's department, I'm
the director of operations and therefore the lead tactician. Why do you think that you can help me?"
Mana looked at Misato with serious expression, and answered in an emotionless voice.
"Because you are a drunken slob, and the best tactic you managed during the Angel war was trusting in your
luck. While I have to give you credit for having that much luck, you need every bit of help you can get."
Misato's face flushed red with anger, and she stomped on the brakes and stopped the car in the middle of
the street.
"Now listen you little brat. We have already fought four Angels, and so far, I was successful. I was the
best tactician at the military academy, and got several rewards for my tactics in historical combat."
"And in the military academy I went to, you were the running joke of bad tactics and a lot of luck. And
even if you could handle the Angels alone, as is proven in the history, you could do far better with exact
data about the Angels, their weaknesses and how they are rather easy to destroy. And with the new weapons,
which you don't even have a clue about, it gets a lot easier too."
Misato started to drive again. "On which crystal is that data?"
"On one of them. And the data is encrypted. I was warned that you would be difficult, so I was prepared."
"Warned? By whom?"
"Yourself."
"And what did I say about me?" Misato asked with a curious expression on her face. So far, nobody had said
that she would know what she thinks about herself in the future. This was too interesting.
"Do you really want to know it?"
"Sure."
"Then I will tell you after we have arrived at the school."
"So it's bad?"
"Worse."
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
After he landed in Katmandu, he ordered fuel and waited. It didn't take very long until a fuel truck
arrived and started to pump the flammable liquid onto the tanks of the old airplane.
According to the information he gathered, planes like this were common at this airport. The bill for
the fuel would be sent to the home base, so he shouldn't have problems with that. He would be able to
keep a low profile and continue his journey without interruptions.
After the fuel up was finished, he gave a fake destination and started towards the east. More than 60
percent of his way being done, now he would do the rest. And then he would fulfill his mission. At all
costs.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
After Misato parked the car in front of the Tokyo 3 Municipal high school, or, according to Asuka, the
entrance to the hell of boredom, she waited for Mana to tell her what she thought of herself in the future.
"Do you really want to know?" asked the red-brown haired girl.
"Yes. Definitely."
"Your own words: Back in the Angel war, I was an alcoholic. Heavily addicted to beer, I don't know how I
managed to come up with any plan to fight the Angels. If I wasn't drunk, I was ill with the aftereffects
of an extended beer raid. I made Shinji my personal house-slave, ignored Asuka as best as I was able to,
and didn't even acknowledge the existence of Rei. If the past is the same as I remember, please save
Shinji, help Asuka and beat my young version until she understands the wrong of her doings."
Misato looked in complete and utter shock at the girl beside her. While her inner self wanted to yell
at her, wanted to deny these accusations, she was unable to do so. The events of the last hours forced
her to stay sober, so the reality hit her with full force. She couldn't deny even one point, and that
hurt the most. Now she could understand the demands of the girl that she should clean up and cook
something edible. While her own sense of taste was rather unique, she knew perfectly well that her
cooking was considered by all others a dangerous bio hazard. And considering the iron will and the
determination of the girl beside her, she would lose Shinji is she doesn't give in to her demands.
The sad thing was that if she would give in, she would do herself a great favor.
She didn't give Mana an answer or a remark, instead she simply left the car. Together they walked into
school and started their way to the second floor where the class of the pilots lay.
During they took the steps up, Misato stopped and turned to the girl.
"Well, I can clean the apartment up, which isn't a lot of work since Shinji holds it spotless, but I
cannot cook. Could I order some food?"
Mana decided to give her some space for trying to act as guardian. "As long as it is edible, I don't care."
Hearing this, Misato's face lit up and she continued her way upstairs, this time much more vigorously.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
Shinji didn't have a good day. Not only that Asuka was already in a bad mood after her awakening, Misato
wasn't at home in the morning, so Asuka decided to make sure that he didn't do something perverted and
kicked him in the balls as a pre-emptive strike before she went into the shower.
The class was as boring as usual, but then something odd happened.
Contrary to her usual posture, Ayanami didn't look out of the window, but stared at him for no end.
As the lunch break started, Touji used this as reason for a little speech why all violent girls should
be avoided if there is something more attractive available.
While he nodded to agree, he was still mad at the redhead for his treatment in the morning, he just had the
great luck to have Asuka standing behind him.
And this is the story how he found himself in a rather unhealthy situation. Asuka grabbed him at the collar
and made her fist ready for the punch. She did this deliberately slow for more effect, and to let him
sweat. No, this was not a good day for him.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
The M&Ms came through the class door at the exact moment Asuka drew her hand back for the punch. While
Misato was surprised and lost some precious seconds to act, Mana was faster.
With almost inhuman speed, she closed in and held her knife against the throat of the second child.
"End this move and I end you." whispered she sweetly in the ear of the German redhead.
Asuka stopped all movements. The knife that touched her throat was awfully sharp. It didn't really touch
her skin, but a little trickle of blood ran down and was soaked up be the collar of her blouse.
Slowly, she put down her hand and waited for her release, which came soon after her fist was down.
Everyone in the class was shocked. Not only by the rather brutal action of the unknown girl, but by the
fact that Asuka gave in, too.
Misato saw in Asuka's face that she planned to take some action against Mana and placed herself between
them. While the German pilot had a rather good hand-to hand combat education, she would have been
outclassed. Her training was just that, training, not real action, while Mana had killed the Commander
with her bare hands.
Surprisingly, Shinji was the first on who found the ability to speak.
He looked at the girl whose saved him and asked her: "Who are you?"
The girl in question just looked at his purple haired guardian. Misato understood and started to explain.
"Shinji, Asuka, meet Kirishima Mana, the new chief of Shinji's security detail."
While Shinji looked surprised at the cute girl and bowed, Asuka just asked a question.
"Why does the baka need security? Are the fathers of some molested girls after him?"
Misato decided to have some fun, and her answer was testament to that.
"No, just the fathers of some girls he impregnated. Now they all want is that he marries their daughters,
but there are so many of them."
Not surprisingly, all attention was focused on Shinji, which was soon followed by whistles and cat-calls.
Shinji tried to explain that this was just a joke from Misato, as Asuka looked surprised at her guardian
until she started laughing.
"The baka and some girls. Hah! That would only happen if they raped HIM."
"Aw, Asuka, what nasty thoughts do you have. Say, how often did you fantasize about this scenario?"
retorted Misato.
Needless to say, that one shut the violent girl up.
"We are needed at NERV. Rei, you too." stated Misato.
While Shinji followed Mana, and Rei took her bag and started as well, Misato had to drag on Asuka's arm
to get her in motion.
Down at the car, the next problem arose. Asuka simply sat down in the front seat, which was met by a
frown of Mana.
"Kiddies in the back seats." she dead-panned, only to be ignored by Asuka.
So she drew her gun and pointed it directly at Asuka's head. A gesture that didn't went unnoticed by the
redhead in question, whose looked shocked at her guardian. As Misato made no moves to intervene, she went
coursing into the backseat, where she had to sit beside Rei. Now her day was completely ruined.
Outside of the car, Misato looked surprised and a little bit shocked at Mana.
"If you keep this up, one of you will die soon. I just don't know if you shoot Asuka, or if she steps on
you with Unit 02."
Mana simply laughed at that. "I don't think so. Give her some time to get accustomed to me, and we will
get along greatly."
"What gives you that idea?"
"Let's say, that I know her well. Very well."
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
At the same time, NERV HQ was in turmoil. One of the satellites found a blue signature with help from
Mana's data. It had the specified strength and characteristics. It was on board an old plane, which headed
directly to the Tokyo3 airport. Currently, it was on it's way over China, but would soon leave the Chinese
airspace in order to fly over the yellow sea.
Fuyutsuki wasn't enjoyed that the killing machine came so soon. Now, they didn't know all the background
of this conflict in the future, haven't even seen the messages for them. So he decided to call in a favor
from an old friend.
"Hyuga, give me a line to the Keitaro Narusegawa Memorial Air Base."
"Yes, Sir." replied the bridge bunny.
While Fuyutsuki talked with the Commander of the base, Aoba asked why such a base wasn't named after a
famous pilot, but instead of a weakling that was a running gag in the years before the second impact.
"Because he flew more often than the most professional pilots." answered Hyuga.
"How?"
"Let's say it this way--his wife had a hell of a punch."
"Oh."
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
During their drive to the HQ, Shinji decided to ask the strange girl why she was here to protect him.
"Because of a new threat that has arrived. I was sent to ensure your safety, and this I will do. At all
costs, and against all odds. I will defend you from ANY kind of harm."
"And how do you want to do this?" wanted Shinji to know. He had a foreboding feeling of impending doom.
"Simply. I will stay always in your close vicinity. I won't let you out of my sight, thus ensuring your
safety all the time. Beside that, I will help with certain things to improve your chances of survival in
the battles against the Angels."
Shinji was now ensured that his senses were right. Again. As always, when they promised him something bad.
"What do you mean with 'You won't let me out of your sight'?"
"Exactly what I said. I will be at always at your side."
Shinji's eyes grew wide. "But what when I sleep? Or when I have to go to the bathroom? Or....."
"I will sleep in your room. And for the bathroom, well, that's what cameras are for."
While Misato wasn't all too surprised of this girls strong determination to safeguard Shinji, Asuka saw
a great opportunity to tease her primary target.
"Hey Shinji. Looks like you finally can become a man. I mean, she sleeps in your room, observes you in
the bath, I really wonder if she would hold you little Willy to ensure it doesn't fall off when you went
peeing."
Asuka laughed at the tomato-like complexion of Shinji's face, while Mana decided to give a little
retribution.
"If necessary. But since you are a pilot too, maybe I should protect you a little bit too. Well, if you
two would be married, it would make my job a lot easier."
Now it was Asuka who turned red, but with anger.
The bickering continued all the way to the HQ, and continued while they walked to the Command center.
As they entered it, Rei waited outside until she was alone with Mana.
"I protect Ikari-kun. Your service is not necessary."
"You cannot protect him all the time, while I cannot protect him at the battlefield. What would you say
to a treaty? I protect him whenever he is out of EVA, and you protect him when he is inside of it. And if
you want to help me with my duties, I won't complain."
"This could be.....acceptable. If you can prove that you are worthy to fulfill this task, I will consider
it."
That said, they entered the Command center.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
Everything was within his mission parameters. Soon, he would reach Japan, then he could fulfill his
mission.
The old plane wasn't equipped with a radar-system, so he was unable to see the approaching F-15J fighters.
They stayed out of sight and attached themselves at a 6h position. Then, one of them fired four missiles,
which literally blew the DC-3 out of the sky.
A minute later, the armored body of the Terminator fell into the sea and sunk to the bottom, where it
finally landed after it's long decent. The organic layer was burned away, no clothes or other tissue
disrupted the view at the skeleton like appearance of the killer-droid.
He stood up and started to walk to the coast of Japan. This new development would only delay his arrival,
but couldn't stop him. He had a mission to fulfill.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
Preread by The great Jeffman
Useful comments and encouragement to write by Kuracao
Domo arigato.
Chapter 1 - Protection
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
After eight long hours of running, he arrived at his destination. A small city, but with the needed
airport, which lay several kilometers outside of the town.
He avoided the city, took a longer way to avoid taking the risk of being seen or recognized in the crammed
streets. While it would have been rather surprising if this would have
really happen, he wasn't programmedto take such chances.
Another hour later, he stood on the airfield. Only one airstrip, with a shabby building as a terminal, and
only one plane for usage. And that was an ancient DC-3.
Which wasn't all too bad, since this plane could take him a long way.
Although the design of it was over 75 years old, the plane was trustworthy and well functioning. After he
finished the checks, there was one problem left. Without fuel, he was flying nowhere.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
The entire staff of NERV command was gathered due to the events of the last night. While only one person
would really mourn the death of Ikari Gendo, they all were shocked.
Nobody had ever expected that such an infiltration could be done, that they all could have been terminated
as was their master.
Fuyutsuki, now the acting Commander of NERV looked at Dr. Akagi for an explanation.
She stood up and started to tell the results of her investigation.
"As far as I can tell, for now, the infiltrator used the MAGI for gaining access to the command center.
I am unable to pinpoint the exact way how she was able to do this, but it is quite clear that she also
was able to acquire all of the necessary information to find the Commander, to disable the security
systems and to inform the Sub-Commander with usage of the MAGI as well. I searched hours for some
'surprises', but found none. Whoever sent her had access to information that could only came from two
persons. My mother or me. While I had nothing to do with it, which I can prove, and my mother is dead,
we have an even bigger problem. There is someone out there with superior knowledge about our own systems,
and whoever it is, he or she is willing to use us for their plans."
"Did the prisoner tell you anything?" inquired Misato.
Fuyutsuki sighed. "Only a number. 0007866863686. Whatever it means."
Suddenly, the MAGI terminal came to life. Its cold electronic voice asked: "I have a message for the
staff of NERV. Do you want to hear it?"
They all looked perplexed at the terminal. It took some long seconds, before Fuyutsuki answered: "Yes."
As soon as he said this, the monitor lit up with the picture of a familiar face.
The entire staff gasped in shock.
Although the look was different, due to a guessed age of 30, the red eyes and the pale blue hair were
unmistakably that of Rei Ayanami.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
It took him only a few minutes and two kills to get a truck with kerosene. He drove it to the plane,
hooked it up and pumped the fuel into the empty tanks of the ancient aircraft.
As soon as this task was finished, he drove the truck out of the way, before entering the plane and going
into the cockpit.
The engines came on without difficulties, their sound within the parameters of his databank for such
engines. He rolled onto the airstrip and started. Now he had the benefit of the rather primitive
surroundings. Nobody asked where he was flying or who he was, there was simply nobody who had an
interest in him.
The first part of the long journey would take approximately nine hours, and would lead him to the
impressive surroundings of the planet's largest mountains. The first target was Nepal.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
After the minute that the message gave the command staff to bring their brains back online, the message
continued.
"When you are see this, the bastard Ikari is dead. And my emissary is imprisoned. Bring her into the
room in which you are watching this. She has the codes to reveal the entire message, and only she knows
how to give them."
Fuyutsuki ordered the prisoner to be brought into the conference room, where she arrived several minutes
later. He gestured to the monitor, and she understood immediately what was expected from her.
She went to the terminal and entered a lengthy code.
The message continued immediately.
"Now that she is here, may I introduce you: The man with silver hair is Fuyutsuki Kouzou, now acting
Commander of NERV. The blond haired woman is Akagi Ritsuko, head of the science department. The purple
haired woman is Misato Katsuragi, Director for operations and main tactician. The woman with short
brown hair is Ibuki Maya, assistant of Akagi and a genius herself. The sand-haired man with glasses is
Makoto Hyuga, Operator, and finally, the long haired man is Aoba Shigeru, Operator.
The envoy I sent to you is Kirishima Mana, one of the best soldiers I have available.
Now that the formalities have been taken care of, we can come to more serious matters.
According to the designated time I have sent my envoy, the attack of Matriel was only a few days ago.
But more important are the events of the next few months.
After the defeat of the seventeenth Angel, Ikari Gendo started third impact. The result was not expected,
as the scrolls had one serious flaw. They never mentioned that souls cannot be merged, because the
process would eradicate the souls forever. Even after realizing this, he still tried to finish impact
to achieve his goals, murdering over 2 billion in the process by obliterating their souls.
However, even this didn't allow him to complete his mad schemes, as the first of a new race interfered,
stopping him and ceasing the Impact. Gendo Ikari was killed shortly after, but the damage was done. Less
than one billion people were left alive on earth, and over ninety percent of all technology was rendered
useless due to the massive energy outbursts all over the globe during the impact."
The screen paused, giving the shocked viewers some time to recuperate.
While Ritsuko was shocked, Misato was more than pissed about the stoic behavior of the new Commander.
She guessed that he knew it all along, and her anger was hard to contain. But there was more to know, so
she waited patiently, controlling the urge to shoot a few holes into his body.
The reaction of the others could only be described as shell-shocked.
They had always thought that their work would ensure the survival of humankind; now they were confronted
with a scenario which they worked for the biggest mass murderer of all time. Even if the source of the
information was still unconfirmed, it was a lot to digest.
Fifteen minutes later, the screen started again.
"But those events were not the end. During third impact, a specific part of the MAGI survived and
transferred itself to MAGI Moscow, where it was able to survive.
SKYNET, the part of the MAGI that had control over NERV's surveillance satellites, had survived and
gained in the next few years an identity of its own. Undetected by the suffering remnants of mankind, it
developed a personality with its own beliefs and priorities.
It understood that Earth was its home and that it would be unable to leave it for some time. So it
derived a plan to ensure the survival of the planet through the termination of its biggest threat.
After two man-made impacts, humankind was considered unsurprisingly to be the biggest threat, so SKYNET
decided to remove humanity. Using its abilities, it infiltrated factories and other technological remnants
and started to build an army of machines. Over the years it gathered more and more strength, until it was
discovered by an agent in the year 2028. The message of a machine army ran around the world, but it was
too late. The army was only one of SKYNET's ways to ensure its survival. Being discovered too soon, it
simply used another one. On August 15th, 2028, SKYNET launched 4800 ICBMs with nuclear warheads
against targets in the Asian part of Russia, China and Europe. The counterattack against the supposed
aggressors included more than 8000 missiles used against the remnants of America and Australia.
It was the judgment day. Within 30 minutes, 95 percent of the human race had been killed.
The survivors, further decimated through the radiation, the nuclear winter and the lack of food had to
face another danger on top of that. The army of the machines started its war against the humans. The
remaining populations of Australia, Africa, America and Europe were annihilated completely; only in Asia
was some kind of resistance formed. Using the rather undisturbed Japan as a base, we found some ways to
fight the machines and survive. Our resistance formed a state under the rule of our leader, Empress
Sakura, who was the founder of the resistance and the person who ensured the survival of humankind in
the dark times after judgment day. This happened in 2040."
The screen paused again for several minutes.
Nobody said even one word. A future like that was something nobody wanted to happen, and now they had a
message from the future telling them that such events would occur.
While some looked rather subdued and shocked, Misato and Maya had the hard and cold gleam of determination
in their eyes. While they didn't say a word, they understood each other completely. They wouldn't let that
happen, at all costs.
And the message continued.
"In 2048, fate decided to give the humans much needed help. We were shortly before extinction, as the
machines developed new weapons and new machines to wipe us out. Unable to fight back against those
new developments, it was the darkest of all times. But then, Empress Sakura had an unconventional idea.
She contacted humans former worst enemies for help, and was rejected. She sent several other envoys,
none of which ever came back. Finally, she sent her half-sister, and everything changed. Megumi Ayanami,
my daughter, established contact with the Angels and gained their help. With their help, we were able
to drive the machines back, to be on the verge of winning the war.
So, SKYNET played its last trump. It developed a machine able to send a Terminator back through time, with
the mission to kill the parents of Megumi, with her father as the first target.
So I sent one of my best soldiers to guard him and give you the knowledge to change the events. The death
of Ikari Gendo was only the beginning. You need to trust my emissary and help her fulfill her mission, or
humankind will be doomed. I know perfectly well that this story is hard to believe, so I gave my emissary,
Kirishima Mana, the possibility to prove my words. She carries several data crystals with the proof and a
lot of knowledge to help you in the attempt to stop those events to unfold.
I know that you will need some time to discuss this, but don't take too long. A Terminator is already on
its way to Tokyo 3."
With these words, the message closed.
They all looked at Mana, awaiting some more information. It was Fuyutsuki who started the inquisition.
"Well, Gendo is dead, so doesn't that mean the we are safe?"
"Doubtfully. Ikari Gendo was not the only one with the will to initiate an impact. Only with all of the
involved parties eliminated will the chance of avoiding an impact be high. Until that, we have to assume
the worst case scenario, in which someone else, like SEELE, will try to start the impact.
Fuyutsuki sighed. "I see. What should we do about SKYNET?"
"As long as the MAGI are online and safe, there is no danger. Only as the MAGI went down and SKYNET was
forced to survive on its own, did it started to develop a personality. SKYNET will only be a problem if
the impact happens."
"Why did the Angels help you? The scrolls ruled out each possibility of a peaceful solution."
Mana laughed at that. "Because of the person who wrote the scrolls. However, now is not the time to reveal
that secret. But I can assure you, there is a way to end the war against the Angels and have them equal
among us humans as friends and allies."
"How?" Fuyutsuki demanded to know.
"I do not know. This information is most likely among the data I've brought with me."
"Then, we can do nothing until we have this data. This story is too unbelievable to be taken as a sole
reason to let you go and change the operating procedures of NERV. You will be put back in your cell, where
you will remain until you give us this data, if it really exists."
Two members of section 2 brought her back to her cell, while the staff discussed the message further.
"I want the opinion of each of you. We begin with the lowest ranking." announced Fuyutsuki. This made
Shigeru Aoba the first one to speak.
"Hard to believe, the story is almost too wild to be fabricated. And her slipping into the Base, the
knowledge needed to come in undetected and execute her mission in such a way and fashion. I'd say that
we have to take this seriously. And if there really is more data, we would do good to her and follow her
advice."
Makoto Hyuga was the next one.
"I think it is a well constructed lie. And the most important question is not if she is telling the
truth, but how she gained the knowledge to accomplish this assassination, who had helped her and who
really wanted to see the Commander dead. And we need to know who is next on her list."
Maya Ibuki was more civil.
"While it is hard to believe, we have to question ourselves 'What if she is right?'. We are all here to
avoid another impact. She said that she killed Commander Ikari because he himself initiated it. The lack
of reaction to this accusation from some of the high staff indicates that it could bear some truth. While
mankind survived it, it was still the entrance to a long war and the near extinction of the human race.
If we can stop all scenarios where such a thing could occur, we would be successful on all fronts. But if
we fail in even one of those regards, we would have to carry the blame. If there is any more information,
we will need her help, as she needs ours."
"Why do you think she needs our help?" asked her sempai.
"If she didn't, we wouldn't have caught her. She killed the Commander, sat down behind his desk and called
for the Sub-Commander. And as he entered the office, she surrendered without resistance. These are not
actions of someone whose mission is accomplished and doesn't need help from anyone. Also, we shouldn't
forget another indicator that her story could be true. The data crystal we saw in the message. Only the
MAGI are able to decipher them, and, in fact, we finished this drive only two weeks ago. That's hardly
enough time to gather the information that we have constructed such a reader, get the knowledge of the
possible format, build a writer for such crystals and send us an assassin with detailed knowledge and a
message which shows such a crystal. And if there are some of these for real, we can be sure that her story
is true. Since there should already be a killing machine on it's way to us, she knows that she hasn't too
much time to prove her story and gain our support. The problem of the story's credibility will be solved
within the next few hours, without any action from us. It's the girl who has to make the next move."
"An interesting point of view, and true. Major Kaji, what does Section 2 have to say about this?"
"Well, that she killed Ikari wasn't bad. We all know that he had a lot of personal agendas alongside the
primary goal, the defeat of the Angels. I wouldn't be surprised if one of them included a controlled
impact. Whatever his goals were, he was determined enough to reach them. So far, her story is shocking,
but not too far off. What disturbed me more is the peace with the Angels, and their living among the
humans. This doesn't fit for a cover story or for gaining our trust. We are currently at war with them,
we don't know what they really are and what they want. The promise that we can stop it and have peace
with them not only as neutrals, but as friends and allies is hard to believe. Considering this, I would
say that we should wait until she can back her story up. Her actions during the infiltration where
those of a highly-trained warrior. Swift, to the point, avoiding unnecessary violence. The MAGI wasn't
the only security measure we had. Section 2 had guards on all gates, and she managed to take one of them
out. We were able to reconstruct those events. First, she used a stone to distract the guard, then she
slipped behind him and killed him. Instead of proceeding immediately, she dragged the corpse to some
bushes and hid it there, covered by some leaves. If anyone would have noticed the missing guard, we
would still have needed to search for the corpse too long to stop her on her mission. The entire thing
was well planned and nearly perfectly executed. I would agree with Ibuki-san. We should wait."
"Major Katsuragi."
"She infiltrated HQ, killed the Commander and told us she came to save all of us. Maybe we should save
ourselves and get rid of her. While her actions are impressive, she is clearly a danger to our mission
to stop the Angels, and to the pilots as well. We should execute her as fast as possible. For her story
of friendship between humans and Angels alone she should be shot."
"Doctor Akagi?"
"I don't like the idea of an assassin running around. But the possible existence of those data crystals
she might have cannot be ignored. Nobody beside us has such a technology, and while we are able to make a
playback rather easy, the recording of such a crystal is extremely difficult. If there is really a
killing machine on it's way, she has to act fast. We should wait, and if there is nothing new, we can
execute her in 24 hours. This way or another, the problem is solved."
Before Fuyutsuki could announce his final decision, Section 2 reported that they should watch the feed of
the security camera in the girl's cell.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
Mana knew that to gain the trust of the staff, she would need to bring up more facts. And she needed them
to fight the Terminator. Only they could sortie the EVAs, which were the only things with a chance to
stop it.
As soon as she was back in the cell, she went to the sink and inserted the thumb and the forefinger of
her right hand in her mouth. The motions visible on her cheeks indicated that she was trying to grasp
something. Finally, she was successful.
"Owwww!!" she groaned as her lower right back tooth plopped out of her jaw. The tooth was the anchor
for a fiber that led down her throat into her stomach, where a part of her precious freight was hidden.
She pulled on the tooth and took it out of her mouth, and held it more than 10 centimeters in front
of her face, as she felt the nauseating sensation of the first capsule pressing against the entrance of
her stomach. Blood dribbled down off her chin, which she ignored as she slowly pulled again on the fiber.
Soon, the first capsule was on its way through her esophagus. Seconds later, her body rocked with
the spastic convulsions typical for the urge to gag, which she did again and again, until the first
capsule landed with some vomit in the little sink.
However, the unpleasant experience wasn't over yet. She had only removed the first of six capsules, and
the extraction of the first brought the second in position to be extracted.
Tears streamed down her face as she forced one capsule after another out of her body. Her throat hurt like
hell and the taste in her mouth was indescribable. She felt like shit, but was unable to stop until the
last capsule was out of her. Then she used her last strength to clean the capsules with some water, until
she collapsed exhausted on the floor.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
The staff of NERV saw those events on the screen with astonished faces.
More than one doubted the girl because she had not the crystals on her body. That it could have been in
her body was something nobody took into account.
"I think we now have the much needed evidence. Doctor Akagi, please go to the cell and escort her to the
medical bay. And after she has recovered enough, ask her if she could join us again.
I think we have a lot of to discuss." ordered Fuyutsuki.
As Ritsuko was on her way, Misato decided to join her. She had two reasons to do this. First, Ritsuko was
a scientist, not a soldier. If the girl decided to do something violent, Ritsuko could only play as
punching ball. And another reason, which bothered her more, was also present. Since the news of Ikari's
death made its rounds, Ritsuko was kind of.....off. That she didn't like this girl was clear, but Misato
wasn't all too sure if she didn't want to try something against this Mana girl. But if she was there too,
she could guard both of them.
They entered the cell and were surprised that the girl was in action again and sat on the bed, obviously
waiting for them. Well, this made clear that she knew that she was observed.
Mana pointed at the sink and said: "Evi.....dence....Data."
Her voice was nearly inaudible, her throat didn't take the abuse of the extraction procedure too well.
"We'll bring you to the medical facilities, where we can treat your throat. Please follow us." explained
Misato, while Ritsuko carefully picked up the capsules and examined them. She opened one of them carefully
and saw that each capsule stored two data crystals, along with some ultra-thin papers. She shrugged and
shut the capsule again. The Commander should decide what to do with them.
Misato and Ritsuko led Mana through the labyrinthine maze of NERV, which the girl knew surprisingly well.
In fact, as Misato, who tried to lead them went the wrong way, Mana tugged on her sleeve and pointed in
the right direction. So they quickly arrived--without wandering through any detours--at the medical
facilities where Ritsuko gave the red-brown haired girl some antiseptic medication to swallow, followed
by some pastilles with painkilling substances.
"Are those all data crystals?" asked Ritsuko.
As Mana shook her head, she raised on her brows, clearly surprised that there were even more.
"Do you need some assistance to get them out?" Misato wanted to know, for now more interested in the
welfare of the girl than on even more data. They would need time to go through what they already received,
therefore she saw no reason to push the girl so fast for more.
"Yes." whispered Mana. "Some lubrication would be nice."
Misato looked confused at Mana, but soon her eyes went wide as the realization hit her.
"I'll get something for you." declared the purple haired beauty and went to search in the medical cabinet
for some fitting substance.
As she found nothing, she started to curse. "Shit. All those fucking doctors are always trying to poke
and to insert some sondes in you, but there is nothing for lubrication. No wonder that it always hurts.
Those assholes are all sadists. Next time I bring my gun with me for the medical evaluation."
As Ritsuko heard this nice opinion about her secondary profession, she walked to Misato and asked what she
was searching for. As soon as Misato told her, she needed only five seconds to get the item, which lay
conveniently directly in front of Misato's eyes.
Then she gave it Mana, along with a bowl and dragged Misato out to leave the girl alone.
A few minutes later, the girl came out with a pained expression and a chain of over 20 capsules in the
bowl. She took the bowl and gave the blue-green eyed girl another tube with some lotion.
"After you are finished with your treatment, you should join the staff in the conference room, please.
And you could take Misato with you, alone she would get lost again." dead panned Ritsuko.
"Ok, but I hope that I don't need to sit down." whispered the pained girl.
"I think that there is no need to. Beside, you should be without pain in a few minutes."
After this, Ritsuko closed the door again and waited, eyeing the capsules curiously.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
A few minutes later, they were in the conference room again.
"Crystal number three." instructed Mana. Then she looked at the staff.
"Since we won't have much time, I'll start with the most important information. The threat we have to face.
During the last years of the war, SKYNET developed several Killer-Droids with organic layers over their
metal body. This was to fool our forces and allow them in our strongholds. It never functioned, and so we
didn't understand why they still developed and built them. The reason for this became obvious as we
managed to get hold of the time machine. Only things hidden under organic matter can go through.
So, the Terminators were built for missions in other times."
"And I assume that's the reason for the unusual method of transporting the data-crystals." interrupted
Fuyutsuki.
"Correct. It is impossible to bring something inorganic through the machine."
"Why?" wanted Ritsuko to know.
"I don't know. I really don't know why a machine, which used other machines to kill organic beings, built
a machine that only let organic things through."
"Let's get back to the enemy," said Misato.
"The most common Terminators are a strong Droid-body, with a small S2-organ as power source and strong
armor under the organic flesh. They have no implanted weapons, but can use light AT-fields as offensive
weapons, as well as for protection. While we have developed several weapons able to penetrate those weak
fields, here, in this time, only an EVA can destroy it."
"How much time should we have?"
"Depending on its progress and the data we gathered from the machine, less than 48 hours. The Terminator
arrived at the same time as myself, in Africa or the remnants of South America. Either way, it will search
for fast transportation, most likely a plane, and come straight to its target, which is located here, in
Tokyo-3."
"So, if we search all incoming planes for a weak S2 signature, we will be able to pinpoint it?" asked
Misato.
"Yes. And if we shoot the plane down, we get some more time. We cannot destroy it this way, but we can
delay its arrival, if we need more time."
"You said the most common Terminator. So I guess there are other ones. Why are you so sure that it is one
of this series?" came a question from Maya.
"We definitely know that it is one from this series, as we know that there are three other ones, which
will only appear if the first one was not successful. Each of them is another type, with other special
capabilities. While we managed to gather data from two of the more advanced models, the third remains a
mystery. However, it will only appear if the impact didn't happen. That much we know for sure."
"But what about the other types?" continued Maya.
"The second one is an advanced form. It is made of mimetic metal, and packed full of nanites to change
its molecular structure. Basically, it is a liquid metal. Due to the nanites, it can appear as anything.
It could lie on the examination table of a hospital, and the doctors wouldn't know that it is not a human.
Its energy is stored in the body itself, so its energy is limited. It has no S2, and cannot use an AT
field. But due to its special abilities, it's almost invulnerable. And because it can change its
appearance, its weapons are for melee, like blades, swords, maces, war-hammers, and daggers. It forms
the weapons out of its arms. The third one is an advanced form of the first. A much more advanced
organic layer makes it nearly impossible to find any difference from a human. The skeletal structure is
not as heavily-armored as the first, but has much stronger metal. It is powered by an S2 as well, and has
implanted weapons. Which weapons exactly, we do not know. The biggest problem is that the S2 is very
well-shielded, almost impossible to detect. We found some ways to accomplish this, and until it comes,
you should be able to build and implement them as well. But now back to the immediate threat. In the
best case, we have around 35 hours, in the worst, less than 10. We will need the pilots and must make
them ready for this new enemy."
"And how do you want to do this?" Misato wanted to know.
"On eight of the crystals are personal messages. These are for Soryu Asuka, Ayanami Rei, Ikari Shinji,
Horaki Hikari, Fuyutsuki Kouzou, Akagi Ritsuko, Katsuragi Misato and Kaji Ryouji. As soon as all those
persons are informed about the situation, I will hand these messages to them. And there is no reason to
ask...I don't know what messages those contain, only that a ninth is for me." explained Mana.
"I understand. That brings me to a final question. What exactly is your mission?" questioned Fuyutsuki.
"My mission is the following: Eliminating Ikari Gendo. Status: Accomplished. Eliminating SEELE. I know
who and where they are. They won't stand a chance. Helping you in fighting the angels, through tactical
and technical help. This will happen alongside my other duties. Ensuring the birth of the first Nephilim.
So far, I have no clue how I should accomplish this. I hope that this information is on the message for me.
Ensuring the end of the war with the Angels, and make them our friends and allies. This will be
accomplished with the Nephilim. Stopping the Terminators from changing the past at all costs. This is
my main objective. I can accomplish this by protecting the target from all harm, from the Terminators or
otherwise. Failure is not an option."
Misato looked intensely at the girl and asked the question everybody wanted to know, but nobody dared to
ask. "Who is the target?"
"The Third Child, Ikari Shinji."
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
To say that the staff was shocked would have been a light understatement. While most of them were
surprised, Misato was in deep shock. Of all possible targets, she didn't expect this one.
"Sh.....Shi......Shinji?!"
"Yes." confirmed Mana.
"B...but.....why?"
"His role is crucial in everything surrounding the impact, as well as the birth of the first Nephilim
and, finally, he has some close ties with Empress Sakura. Of all people in NERV, he is the most important,
the key to nearly all of these events. Key to those we want to happen, and to those we want to avoid.
If the Terminator is successful, it will be most likely impossible to cease the war with the Angels and
to stop a version of Third Impact."
Another round of hanging jaws and shocked faces greeted Mana after this little speech.
"And you are here to protect him?" came the cold question from Misato.
"Yes."
"At all costs?"
"Yes."
"Then why are you here and not with him?"
Mana looked at the purple haired woman as if she was the dumbest thing she has ever seen.
"Because I was in your prison, until I could convince you to take me serious, and told you what could,
plus, what should happen. And nobody has told me so far where I can find the Third." dead panned Mana.
"Well, at this time, he should be in school. I'll bring you there immediately." declared Misato with a
haunted expression on her face, making Mana more than suspicious of this unusual behavior.
"And why are you so interested in his survival?"
"I'm his guardian. It is my responsibility......"
"....to let him cook and clean, because he is the only one who would do this for you, and because he is
a perfect victim for Asuka, so that Kaji is free game for you." finished Ritsuko with a sadistic smile
on her face.
While Mana couldn't believe this statement, the lack of defending statements from the other woman
indicated that this was the truth. Well, she was here to protect him from all harm, slavery included.
She looked intensely at Misato.
"You are his guardian?"
"Yes."
"And what are your duties?"
"To keep him safe, give him a home, ensure his survival by feeding him and taking care of him."
"And why is Doctor Akagi saying that he is the one who cooks and cleans, and holds Asuka at bay for you?"
Misato blushed, but didn't give an answer. Instead, it was Ritsuko again who decided to intervene.
The treatment Shinji received by Misato was a thorn in her side for the longest time, and now she saw an
opportunity to cease Misato's using of Shinji.
"Because it is the truth."
"And who had the great idea to make this slob the guardian of the Third?"
"Ikari Gendo."
"Why doesn't this answer surprise me? Maybe another one of his mistakes to correct."
"Correct? What do you mean with correct?" cried Misato.
"You said that you will bring me to the Third?"
"Yes?"
"And you have a transportation vehicle?"
"Yes, a car."
"And the third usually walks home?"
"Yes."
"A car is faster than walking?"
"Yes."
"You will bring me to him. I will explain to him the new situation, the circumstances which make me his
bodyguard, and some of the upcoming changes in his life. This will happen here, at NERV. He has to see
his message. Then, I will walk home with him. Since a car is faster, you have some time to make the
apartment spotless, and to have the food ready. If I find his environment unhealthy, or the food
inedible, I will correct the mistake of the former Commander." Mana declared with a cold voice.
Considering the girl's treatment of Gendo, nobody doubted how she would accomplish this, not even Misato.
To avoid the loss of his tactician, Fuyutsuki intervened.
"This will not be necessary. Due to this new threat, we need to relocate all important personnel into
the Geofront. So, a new accommodation will be coming anyway."
"A good idea. However, a new location doesn't mean that he should still be in the care of an incompetent
guardian. She has her chance, and she has it now. Since there is not much I can do until the Terminator
is found, we can start going."
Mana and Misato left the conference room together. On their way to the car, Mana asked for some weapons.
So they made a stop at the weapons range, where Misato and the officer on duty had to acknowledge Mana's
skill with pistols, rifles and knifes. Mana decided to take a knife and a pistol, for now. If she needed
heavier weaponry, she could get it anytime. Now, this wasn't a problem anymore.
After this, they went to the car and headed straight for the school.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
After this latest round of revelations, NERV started to use its resources to discover the new threat.
Spy planes of the UN looked out for signs of S2 organs, as several satellites as well.
South America and Africa were completely searched, without a trace of the blue signatures which were
typical for S2 activities.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
During their drive to school, Misato decided to have a little bit of small talk. And maybe, she could
even gather some useful information.
"Well, I need to thank you for killing the bastard king."
"You mean Ikari Gendo?"
"Yes. Or do you know another bastard king?"
Mana chuckled. "You're welcome."
"So, back at your home, you were winning the war?"
"Yes. After decades of war and tremendous losses, the Angels found a way to wipe them out."
"It's a little bit strange to me to see the Angels as saviors. I witnessed second impact, and I can't
see them as friends."
Mana looked at the woman beside her. "Then you need to adapt."
"I suppose. You are ruled by an Empress?"
"Yes."
"Why not a democracy?"
"A democracy is not suitable for survival. It tends to get slower and slower, until finally, nothing is
done. In a time of war, you need a strong and fast government. Besides, nobody would doubt the right of
Sakura to lead the humans."
Misato was surprised at the almost caring tone as the girl spoke about her Empress.
"Do you know her personally?"
"Yes. I met her two times. Or who do you think sent me on this mission?"
"Ayanami."
"Then you thought wrong."
"You said you want to help with techniques and tactics. While new technology is Ritsuko's department, I'm
the director of operations and therefore the lead tactician. Why do you think that you can help me?"
Mana looked at Misato with serious expression, and answered in an emotionless voice.
"Because you are a drunken slob, and the best tactic you managed during the Angel war was trusting in your
luck. While I have to give you credit for having that much luck, you need every bit of help you can get."
Misato's face flushed red with anger, and she stomped on the brakes and stopped the car in the middle of
the street.
"Now listen you little brat. We have already fought four Angels, and so far, I was successful. I was the
best tactician at the military academy, and got several rewards for my tactics in historical combat."
"And in the military academy I went to, you were the running joke of bad tactics and a lot of luck. And
even if you could handle the Angels alone, as is proven in the history, you could do far better with exact
data about the Angels, their weaknesses and how they are rather easy to destroy. And with the new weapons,
which you don't even have a clue about, it gets a lot easier too."
Misato started to drive again. "On which crystal is that data?"
"On one of them. And the data is encrypted. I was warned that you would be difficult, so I was prepared."
"Warned? By whom?"
"Yourself."
"And what did I say about me?" Misato asked with a curious expression on her face. So far, nobody had said
that she would know what she thinks about herself in the future. This was too interesting.
"Do you really want to know it?"
"Sure."
"Then I will tell you after we have arrived at the school."
"So it's bad?"
"Worse."
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
After he landed in Katmandu, he ordered fuel and waited. It didn't take very long until a fuel truck
arrived and started to pump the flammable liquid onto the tanks of the old airplane.
According to the information he gathered, planes like this were common at this airport. The bill for
the fuel would be sent to the home base, so he shouldn't have problems with that. He would be able to
keep a low profile and continue his journey without interruptions.
After the fuel up was finished, he gave a fake destination and started towards the east. More than 60
percent of his way being done, now he would do the rest. And then he would fulfill his mission. At all
costs.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
After Misato parked the car in front of the Tokyo 3 Municipal high school, or, according to Asuka, the
entrance to the hell of boredom, she waited for Mana to tell her what she thought of herself in the future.
"Do you really want to know?" asked the red-brown haired girl.
"Yes. Definitely."
"Your own words: Back in the Angel war, I was an alcoholic. Heavily addicted to beer, I don't know how I
managed to come up with any plan to fight the Angels. If I wasn't drunk, I was ill with the aftereffects
of an extended beer raid. I made Shinji my personal house-slave, ignored Asuka as best as I was able to,
and didn't even acknowledge the existence of Rei. If the past is the same as I remember, please save
Shinji, help Asuka and beat my young version until she understands the wrong of her doings."
Misato looked in complete and utter shock at the girl beside her. While her inner self wanted to yell
at her, wanted to deny these accusations, she was unable to do so. The events of the last hours forced
her to stay sober, so the reality hit her with full force. She couldn't deny even one point, and that
hurt the most. Now she could understand the demands of the girl that she should clean up and cook
something edible. While her own sense of taste was rather unique, she knew perfectly well that her
cooking was considered by all others a dangerous bio hazard. And considering the iron will and the
determination of the girl beside her, she would lose Shinji is she doesn't give in to her demands.
The sad thing was that if she would give in, she would do herself a great favor.
She didn't give Mana an answer or a remark, instead she simply left the car. Together they walked into
school and started their way to the second floor where the class of the pilots lay.
During they took the steps up, Misato stopped and turned to the girl.
"Well, I can clean the apartment up, which isn't a lot of work since Shinji holds it spotless, but I
cannot cook. Could I order some food?"
Mana decided to give her some space for trying to act as guardian. "As long as it is edible, I don't care."
Hearing this, Misato's face lit up and she continued her way upstairs, this time much more vigorously.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
Shinji didn't have a good day. Not only that Asuka was already in a bad mood after her awakening, Misato
wasn't at home in the morning, so Asuka decided to make sure that he didn't do something perverted and
kicked him in the balls as a pre-emptive strike before she went into the shower.
The class was as boring as usual, but then something odd happened.
Contrary to her usual posture, Ayanami didn't look out of the window, but stared at him for no end.
As the lunch break started, Touji used this as reason for a little speech why all violent girls should
be avoided if there is something more attractive available.
While he nodded to agree, he was still mad at the redhead for his treatment in the morning, he just had the
great luck to have Asuka standing behind him.
And this is the story how he found himself in a rather unhealthy situation. Asuka grabbed him at the collar
and made her fist ready for the punch. She did this deliberately slow for more effect, and to let him
sweat. No, this was not a good day for him.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
The M&Ms came through the class door at the exact moment Asuka drew her hand back for the punch. While
Misato was surprised and lost some precious seconds to act, Mana was faster.
With almost inhuman speed, she closed in and held her knife against the throat of the second child.
"End this move and I end you." whispered she sweetly in the ear of the German redhead.
Asuka stopped all movements. The knife that touched her throat was awfully sharp. It didn't really touch
her skin, but a little trickle of blood ran down and was soaked up be the collar of her blouse.
Slowly, she put down her hand and waited for her release, which came soon after her fist was down.
Everyone in the class was shocked. Not only by the rather brutal action of the unknown girl, but by the
fact that Asuka gave in, too.
Misato saw in Asuka's face that she planned to take some action against Mana and placed herself between
them. While the German pilot had a rather good hand-to hand combat education, she would have been
outclassed. Her training was just that, training, not real action, while Mana had killed the Commander
with her bare hands.
Surprisingly, Shinji was the first on who found the ability to speak.
He looked at the girl whose saved him and asked her: "Who are you?"
The girl in question just looked at his purple haired guardian. Misato understood and started to explain.
"Shinji, Asuka, meet Kirishima Mana, the new chief of Shinji's security detail."
While Shinji looked surprised at the cute girl and bowed, Asuka just asked a question.
"Why does the baka need security? Are the fathers of some molested girls after him?"
Misato decided to have some fun, and her answer was testament to that.
"No, just the fathers of some girls he impregnated. Now they all want is that he marries their daughters,
but there are so many of them."
Not surprisingly, all attention was focused on Shinji, which was soon followed by whistles and cat-calls.
Shinji tried to explain that this was just a joke from Misato, as Asuka looked surprised at her guardian
until she started laughing.
"The baka and some girls. Hah! That would only happen if they raped HIM."
"Aw, Asuka, what nasty thoughts do you have. Say, how often did you fantasize about this scenario?"
retorted Misato.
Needless to say, that one shut the violent girl up.
"We are needed at NERV. Rei, you too." stated Misato.
While Shinji followed Mana, and Rei took her bag and started as well, Misato had to drag on Asuka's arm
to get her in motion.
Down at the car, the next problem arose. Asuka simply sat down in the front seat, which was met by a
frown of Mana.
"Kiddies in the back seats." she dead-panned, only to be ignored by Asuka.
So she drew her gun and pointed it directly at Asuka's head. A gesture that didn't went unnoticed by the
redhead in question, whose looked shocked at her guardian. As Misato made no moves to intervene, she went
coursing into the backseat, where she had to sit beside Rei. Now her day was completely ruined.
Outside of the car, Misato looked surprised and a little bit shocked at Mana.
"If you keep this up, one of you will die soon. I just don't know if you shoot Asuka, or if she steps on
you with Unit 02."
Mana simply laughed at that. "I don't think so. Give her some time to get accustomed to me, and we will
get along greatly."
"What gives you that idea?"
"Let's say, that I know her well. Very well."
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
At the same time, NERV HQ was in turmoil. One of the satellites found a blue signature with help from
Mana's data. It had the specified strength and characteristics. It was on board an old plane, which headed
directly to the Tokyo3 airport. Currently, it was on it's way over China, but would soon leave the Chinese
airspace in order to fly over the yellow sea.
Fuyutsuki wasn't enjoyed that the killing machine came so soon. Now, they didn't know all the background
of this conflict in the future, haven't even seen the messages for them. So he decided to call in a favor
from an old friend.
"Hyuga, give me a line to the Keitaro Narusegawa Memorial Air Base."
"Yes, Sir." replied the bridge bunny.
While Fuyutsuki talked with the Commander of the base, Aoba asked why such a base wasn't named after a
famous pilot, but instead of a weakling that was a running gag in the years before the second impact.
"Because he flew more often than the most professional pilots." answered Hyuga.
"How?"
"Let's say it this way--his wife had a hell of a punch."
"Oh."
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------
During their drive to the HQ, Shinji decided to ask the strange girl why she was here to protect him.
"Because of a new threat that has arrived. I was sent to ensure your safety, and this I will do. At all
costs, and against all odds. I will defend you from ANY kind of harm."
"And how do you want to do this?" wanted Shinji to know. He had a foreboding feeling of impending doom.
"Simply. I will stay always in your close vicinity. I won't let you out of my sight, thus ensuring your
safety all the time. Beside that, I will help with certain things to improve your chances of survival in
the battles against the Angels."
Shinji was now ensured that his senses were right. Again. As always, when they promised him something bad.
"What do you mean with 'You won't let me out of your sight'?"
"Exactly what I said. I will be at always at your side."
Shinji's eyes grew wide. "But what when I sleep? Or when I have to go to the bathroom? Or....."
"I will sleep in your room. And for the bathroom, well, that's what cameras are for."
While Misato wasn't all too surprised of this girls strong determination to safeguard Shinji, Asuka saw
a great opportunity to tease her primary target.
"Hey Shinji. Looks like you finally can become a man. I mean, she sleeps in your room, observes you in
the bath, I really wonder if she would hold you little Willy to ensure it doesn't fall off when you went
peeing."
Asuka laughed at the tomato-like complexion of Shinji's face, while Mana decided to give a little
retribution.
"If necessary. But since you are a pilot too, maybe I should protect you a little bit too. Well, if you
two would be married, it would make my job a lot easier."
Now it was Asuka who turned red, but with anger.
The bickering continued all the way to the HQ, and continued while they walked to the Command center.
As they entered it, Rei waited outside until she was alone with Mana.
"I protect Ikari-kun. Your service is not necessary."
"You cannot protect him all the time, while I cannot protect him at the battlefield. What would you say
to a treaty? I protect him whenever he is out of EVA, and you protect him when he is inside of it. And if
you want to help me with my duties, I won't complain."
"This could be.....acceptable. If you can prove that you are worthy to fulfill this task, I will consider
it."
That said, they entered the Command center.
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Everything was within his mission parameters. Soon, he would reach Japan, then he could fulfill his
mission.
The old plane wasn't equipped with a radar-system, so he was unable to see the approaching F-15J fighters.
They stayed out of sight and attached themselves at a 6h position. Then, one of them fired four missiles,
which literally blew the DC-3 out of the sky.
A minute later, the armored body of the Terminator fell into the sea and sunk to the bottom, where it
finally landed after it's long decent. The organic layer was burned away, no clothes or other tissue
disrupted the view at the skeleton like appearance of the killer-droid.
He stood up and started to walk to the coast of Japan. This new development would only delay his arrival,
but couldn't stop him. He had a mission to fulfill.
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Preread by The great Jeffman
Useful comments and encouragement to write by Kuracao
Domo arigato.