Neon Genesis Evangelion Fan Fiction ❯ Mark of The Beast ❯ Chapter 8

"Misato, there's more I've uncovered but I starting to get a little uneasy, this system they've set up is something I've never seen." Makoto tensely called, as Misato was down the freeway on to her apartment "well then you've done enough, when in doubt pull out." She hung up the phone and continued to drive glancing down at the clock on the GPS unit it was around three and she was hungry. Her last paycheck was little more than usual, rather than being frugal in her spending her mind was already set on spend mode. It would be a few more hours until Asuka or Shinji would be back and with this free time, she decided to go shopping.

"Such a decision to make, I could get this baby of mine repaired or I could get a new dress." Continuing to ponder the outcome her female mind was heavily leaning to the new dress "something sexy yet classy." Pulling into the third lane, she decided to spend some time in the Shinjuku district since the best deals were there. Driving alone harkened to days before she was the guardian to Shinji and Asuka, passing traffic with ease she thought of the young teen. "At least he's out doing something with his friends rather than sulking around looking as if he'd failed in life. Still though something dark is lurking within him a raw emotion that yearns to lash out."

***

"Dr. Akagi we've completed the repairs to Eva unit 00 and 01 but 02 took some heavy damage and it's going to take a little longer than we've expected." The head repair manager reported to Ritsuko "Very well, everything is on track keep up the work." Ritsuko walked to her office where it overlooked the Eva's "Dr. Akagi I've completed updating the Magi with the information the fallen Angels, is there anything more needed." Maya asked as she stood outside her office "yes, I'm going to be attending a meeting in a few minutes, I need you to input the battle data from the Middle East into the Magi." Maya nodded as walked to her workstation. Ritsuko took off her lab coat and changed into a dark blue suit she took a copy of her findings and research, placing it her leather brief case she walked out of her office where it automatically closed down. Walking down the hallway she met up with other techs, the courteously waved her before returning to their work.

Entering an elevator, she input her code and was taken directly to Gendo's office she once more input her code and entered his detached office. A large bright window and a lone desk was all that greeted her as she walked in. "Mrs. Akagi what brings you to my office?" Gendo asked not bothering to look up at her "I've brought news that your son has dramatically improved in his synch scores and is becoming a rather capable pilot." Gendo slowly looked up at her "and that Dr. Hazuki and Takeda are nearly complete with their research." Gendo folded his hands "well then have you documented the sudden rise of activity with Lillith?" Ritsuko nodded "it seems that the discovery and sudden appearance of the fated fallen angels has caused some rather unsettling problems. You're to keep this under wraps until further analysis is completed. If the two theologians are right, this could bring about something worse than the second impact and could very well set back everything we've ever worked for." Ritsuko turned her back as she started to walk out of his office.

"You of all people should have known Adam is nothing more than a pawn to the them, our own Eva's are insignificant to the power they posses." Gendo growled "I will accept that there are Angels stronger than Adam. Our research as proven that Adam is the only Angel ever to cause the second impact!" Ritsuko folded her arms "Talmud was proof enough that Adam's power is only a fraction of what they are capable of. If Hazuki is right then We are in the darkest of days and the Mark of the beast will start to claim those that fall prey to it." Ritsuko walked out leaving her findings with Gendo, collecting himself he watched the young woman leave. "It seems that our plans are threatened by them, never the less everything will go on as scheduled."

***

Outside a popular coffee house Asuka and her friends sit around a large wooden table as the smell of coffee fills the air with its aroma. With various bags of newly acquired clothes and other purchases the young teens are enjoying the afternoon. "You know that guy was checking you out Asuka, no matter where you go guys just fall in love at first sight with you." Hikari teased as Asuka drank her coffee "you know that guy had to be in his early twenties! What a pervert." Another girl teased "well let them look its all there going to get." She condescendingly announced "please Asuka, deny it all you want but we know your madly in love with Shinji." Hikari ribbed causing her to blush for a moment before she calmed herself "believe, if want to date the timid crybaby then by all means please do I'd rather lock myself always than hear him whine all day." Hikari laughed "honestly Asuka, he's not all that bad sure he hangs out with Toji and Kensuke but its not like he's anymore perverted than them." Asuka folded her arms "is that so Hikari? Well tell us, do you have a crush on the loudmouth?" Hikari blushed as her friends leaned to see if she was telling the truth. "Yes, I do have a crush on him." Her friends giggled "honestly what do you see in him he's a jerk all the time?" Her short haired friend asked trying to pry more out her. "He's charming" was all she could muster before Asuka stepped in "don't worry if they do date you'll know, common now what's the plan for the rest of the day?"

Just down the street Toji was walking with a bright red mark across his face "what the hell were expecting in talking to that twenty four year old. Your lucky her husband didn't kick your ass!" Kensuke said as Shinji stayed quite "so Shinji have you made your move on Misato yet, you lucky bastard?" Toji asked as Shinji timidly stayed silent for a moment. "She's not really my type of woman…" He answered as his face slightly redden for a moment. "Please Shinji, a good looking woman like her has nothing on her mind more than enjoying some loving." Toji boasted remembering the photo Shinji showed him when he first arrived to Tokyo3. "Like it or not Shinji if you play your cards right you'll be living out the dreams of every horny guy in class." Walking down the usually busy avenue they found themselves only a few stores away from the popular coffee shop. "Say you got some change to spare?" Kensuke asked as they were nearing the coffee shop. "Nope I hate that stuff, it tastes like crap." Toji answered while Shinji shook his head, just like that it was settled.

Passing the shop Asuka noticed her skinny roommate walking with his friends "just great, the three stooges are here." Hikari watched Toji walk right past them "don't worry Hikari, he'll come around after all no guy can resist a woman for long." Asuka whispered as they were no longer in view. "Did you see the troll and her friends?" Toji asked "yeah, but what'd you expect it's a popular hangout all the girls go there." Shinji answered "so got any more plans for the day?" Kensuke thought a bit yet nothing to came to mind, Toji looked down the street "well it seems she's here, lets pay her a visit." Referring to the blue sports car that just pulled up across the street outside a fashionable boutique that many of the girls in their class loved. Toji admired her figure as she gracefully entered into the shop, it wasn't long before the three started to walk to the window outside. "Honestly is she really worth chasing after?" Shinji groaned "shut up, you get to see her all the time this is as good as it gets!" Toji yelled while Shinji folded his arms "you know if I brought my camera I could make a fortune at school." Kensuke chimed in knowing many of the guys loved any kind of picture with her.

Misato went straight for the newest dresses "I love the feel of this one, but it just doesn't show off my figure." Before long she had a stack of various outfits and walked into the dressing room the first one she tried on was a low cut sliver dress that embraced her skin "a little tight." She thought as she unzipped the back, slipping out of the sliver dress she tried on the last on the stack, an violet dress that with a slit up the sides. She tried it on and like magic she fell in love with it just the right amount of cleavage and a little slit that showed off her long legs. Changing back into her outfit she walked out and paid for it. Thinking it time to show off her looks she changed into her new dress and walked out of the store. As her figured swayed from side to side she noticed Shinji and his friends standing outside. Toji was thunderstruck with Misato and her new outfit "Shinji I didn't know you'd be out here as well." Shinji shrugged "nothing else to do so we came out here." Misato noticed the mark on Toji's face "what happened?" She asked touching the mark with her hand "it's a long story, pretty boring if you ask me." Kensuke said trying to save his friend and get some her attention "well I have the time, say lets go you to he lunch my treat." Following her into her Car Shinji and his friends jumped right in Toji kept looking through the corner of his eye at the nice view of her upper thigh.

***

Ryo walked around the temporary office pacing back and fourth with the thoughts of the impending closing date Gendo handed them on the research of the Tablets found. "Its not a matter of the text not being translated, it's a matter of telling them that Armageddon is only a week away." Kenji had already resigned and headed back to Osaka to visit his aging father and brothers. All Ryo could remember was the last conversation a few hours ago.

"Ryo, we've had some great times together but right now this is my stop, I can't take it knowing everything will be destroyed in the coming days. I lost my family and I never did get to see them…I'm heading back to Osaka to visit my brothers and father. Keep in touch before the beast shows." With a handshake the two friends had walked apart from each other knowing full well that they had treaded too far. "I leaked my work to a hacker within the system. Hopefully all traces were killed before the system could trace them." Ryo poured himself some imported scotch to ease his raging nerves "the very tablet said after the fallen angels had tainted the earth all mankind would face the wraith of God and his Angels for the final time." Downing his scotch his mind raced to the last few passages of the first tablet.

"Mankind will welcome their destruction with futile efforts to repel thy wraith, cast with the sin from the Serpent they are marked. Souls are doomed to suffer as my Angels will battle on the very earth the sinful hold dear. Covered in blood the fallen will fight on as the lake of fire is open for all to suffer." Pouring another shot Ryo looked at his watch "its going to be ten minutes till he comes down here." Organizing his files Ryo awaited Gendo's arrival. Soon enough Gendo had show up "Is everything complete?" Ryo handed him the rest of his files "I know you caused the second impact, but this is something far more absolute than Adam. You can't fight the first fallen angel with your copies." Gendo said nothing "try as you will and you'll fail, there is nothing that can stop them they will show up in seven days from now, read it all you'd like Ikari but on Easter mourning they will show!" Gendo walked away ignoring Ryo until he stopped at the door "In any case Doctor, your services are done I suggest you file resignation your no longer need."
Ryo folded his arms "before you go, you might want to talk to your son. He along with the other pilots deserve some kind of thanks for their efforts. it's the least a cold bastard like you can do." Gendo quickly turned around "you have no right to tell me what I should and shouldn't do! What concerns you have are irrelevant!" Ryo stood his ground "what a pathetic father you are, fine cast out your own hold to sanity as you try to combat the divine wrath." Ryo walked out of the office with his key card and briefcase. Gendo stood there in silence reflecting on the matter before he walked out "nothing will be able to stop my plans."

***

Eating out was as common as sleeping when you live with Misato, had Shinji not cooked he'd be stuck eating ready made meals from the same delivery company day in and day out. "This is great Misato! I haven't had ramen this great in a long time." Toji show appreciation as he at the noodles. "I've been here more than enough times to enjoy it." Shinji mumbled while everyone else enjoyed their lunches.

Soon after Misato's phone rang, she looked into her purse and took out the sleek mobile phone. To her embarrassment a loud classical score came on she quickly answered "Major Katsuragi." She excused herself from the table and went to secluded place to conduct her conversation. "well that's the end my break, when ever that phone rings I'm gone for the week." Toji and Kensuke looked at him curious at what he implied "you mean your going to have to go back to Nerv?" Kensuke asked interested in seeing the facility first hand.

"Well don't get your hopes up, she's already coming back." Misato came back looking serious no longer did she express a carefree attitude "Shinji we business to, I've already called Asuka; I hope you guys enjoyed your lunch sorry to run on such a short notice…don't worry I already covered the bill." Not a moment too soon were they already in the blue sports car and off to pick up Asuka. "Damn Ken, did you see that dress!" Toji asked as his mind still lingered with the image of her perfect figure in it. "Yep, only a woman looking that great can pull off wearing such a dress."
***
Asuka folded her arms as she was already in Misato's busted up car sitting the back seat obviously irate at the loss of her break. "Just what the hell is going on this time? Another synch test, an angel sighting! Why is that a young woman like myself can't get a few days rest." Shinji ignored her as best as he could but Asuka was rather persistent in her efforts to get some kind of attention from the meek teen. "Asuka, calm down something came up at Nerv, if it was an angel sighting then we'd of been gone a lot sooner. It probably has to do with something the recently resigned doctors have released." Shinji thought of the older man he'd met a few weeks ago "You mean, Dr. Takeda has quit?" Misato nodded her head "It seems the two of them were finished with their research and just left as quickly as they came." Asuka slowly grew interested into the conversation. "I heard from Kaji that Dr. Hazuki and Commander Ikari didn't get along too well so Hazuki just left. Sounds like someone I know." Shinji looked back at her and gave her a dirty look, before turning his attention to Misato.

"Well, if it wasn't for their work you'd both be brunt to a crisp in the desert." Shinji stayed silent as the trip to Nerv was only a few more minutes, driving down the restricted road Misato showed her Id to the guard. And was granted access to the main facility from the road into the main parking garage Misato parked her Car. Once they exited the garage several armed guards escorted Asuka and Shinji down the corridor into the Hangers. "Get your hands off me!" Asuka yelled as the guard eased his grip on her shoulder. "Official orders are to ensure your safety to the Eva's." He coldly answered as they were led to the hangers where they were handed their plug suits. "Something isn't right, this isn't routine." Shinji contemplated as they changed at opposite ends of the locker rooms. Shinji remembered the first time he seen Asuka on the pacific ocean on the U.N. cruiser "over the rainbow" he smiled as he seen his first naked woman for a few moments anyways.

The two pilots were greeted by the same cold guards that brought them in, being escorted down the main hanger entrance they entered by scanning their retinas, once they entered Ritsuko met them. "Several of our satellites have confirmed disturbances outside Tokyo3 near the old city. We believe this to be the work of the angel. "Several people have been evacuated into deep underground shelters as the destruction caused is on a massive scale." Shinji looked for Rei "where is Aynami? Why isn't she here?" Asuka gave Ritsuko a concerned look "Aynami is already on recon, we've ordered her not to fight until back up arrived, the photo's sent back are astonishing." She answered giving a signal to show the images of the possible angel. A dark figure using shadow to move quickly before the feed was lost. "From the composite drawings we suspect the Angel to look like this." An outline of a large bulky figure with several arms confused Shinji. "How can something this size move so fast?" Ritsuko couldn't find an answer as it bewildered herself. "Deployment is now, we have not time to lose, get into your Eva's and wait for further orders."