Konnichiwa!

	Here's the final two parts to Angels. As always, constructive comments
are welcome (please send me some).

-- 

-Mark
Eternally Lost Member of Oklahoma Megazone / Babylon 5 Fan / Follower of
Ivanova's Recommendations / Friend of the People / Enemy of the State / 
In the Memory of the Nine and the One / "I have always been here."

Babylon 5 and its characters with the exception of Epsilon Squad were
created by J. Michael Straczynski and copyrights are held by Warner 
Bros. and TNT. The characters of Epsilon Squad, as well as the 
characters of Rei Ayanami-Miranami and Danielle Asuka Langley are my 
own creation. Please ask for my permission to use them in your own 
fics.

Neon Genesis Evangelion was created by Project Eva and copyrights are 
held by Gainax in Japan and A.D. Vision in the U.S. Please let me know 
if there are any other copyright holders for either series I may have 
missed, as I'm not out to make any sort of material gain; I'm merely 
expressing my interest in both these series. In other words, please 
don't sue me.

Sailor Moon and its characters were created by Naoko Takeutchi, with 
the exception of Shane and Selene. Again, I didn't plan on it when I 
conceived this story, it just happened!

Previously on Babylon 5:

     After the Earthforce Special Operations frigate Perry comes to 
Babylon 5 after discovering the Angels on M-235. Their orders are to 
enlist the aid of the Interstellar Alliance to deal with them. While 
the Perry's commanding officer, Commander Rei Ayanami-Miranami, is on-
station the 15th Angel comes out of the local jumpgate and the station 
goes on full alert, launching fighters. Danielle Asuka Langley also 
goes out in Eva-02 to face down the Angel which attacked her ancestor. 
When he is the first Starfury pilot to penetrate the Angel's AT Field, 
Lt. Commander Jesa Marason is psychologically attacked by the Angel, 
and is driven to a suicidal rage quelled only when he is forcibly 
pulled away by two fellow pilots. Meanwhile the station itself is 
threatened when the 11th Angel awakens and begins infecting Babylon 5's 
computers. Danielle ultimately kills the 15th Angel, but at the cost of 
her ability to pilot the Eva, as her purpose in piloting it had been 
fulfilled. After the battle the Interstellar Alliance Council votes to 
engage the Angels at M-235 before they can threaten Earth or anywhere 
else. Upon hearing this news, Jesa volunteers to pilot the Eva because 
he doesn't want anyone else to suffer at the hands of the Angels like 
he did. A fleet of Interstellar Alliance ships gathers at Babylon 5 and 
Sheridan lays out his plan. Jesa and Danielle confess their love for 
each other just before the battle begins. It is a brutal affair, with 
several ships destroyed and others heavily damaged, including the 
Griffin and the Missouri.

Well enough of the preliminaries, let's get it on!"



Babylon 5: Angels
A Babylon 5 / Neon Genesis Evangelion crossover
by Mark Craig

Part 12 - Knockin' on Heaven's Door

     "Commander," said Lt. Jeanette Deveraux from the Perry's tactical 
station, "Range to target 25,000 kilometers."
     "Status of Eva-02?" Akagi asked from the command chair.
     "Unit 02 is still active," said Lt. Sara Mirai from one of the 
three Ops consoles monitoring the Eva's progress. "Slight damage to 
forearms, but no major problems. Commander Marason's synch rate is at 
85.1% and increasing."
     Damn, he's a natural, Akagi thought. I'll have to see to it Nerv 
knows about this. "Very good," she said. She did wish her captain were 
here. Rei should be directing this fight from here rather than with 
Sheridan and Eva-02. Still, they needed Thunderbolt Omega and its AT 
Field, and Rei was the only pilot aboard the Perry qualified to fly it.
     Akagi then got a good look at the reddish-orange colored 7th Angel 
on the Perry's main view screen. While it didn't really look too 
imposing it could still put the Perry in a world of hurt if she got too 
close to it.
     "Angel's AT Field is active," Deveraux said from her console, 
wiping away a stray brunette ringlet. "Registering Pattern Blue."
     "Activate our AT Field and maintain course. Mobius Squad and all 
ships, stand by."
     "AT Field is active and at full power."
     "Understood," Akagi said. "All engines ahead 1/2."
     "Aye, Commander," said Lt. Dana Mihoshi from the helm. "Engines 
ahead 1/2."
     "Bring Mobius Squad to an elliptical escort formation. White Stars 
11 and 13 and Centauri cruiser Turhan on left flank, White Stars 19 and 
30 and Centauri cruiser Caliban on right flank."
     "Aye, Commander," Deveraux said.
     "Commander," said Lt. Michelle McDonald at the communications 
console. "The Griffin has engaged the 10th Angel and is taking heavy 
fire. The Missouri has also engaged the 16th Angel. Status of 
engagement unknown. The others are moving in and will engage in a 
matter of moments."
     This coupled with the fact Eva-02 is locked in combat with 
Sachiel, Akagi thought, as are Rei and Sheridan. 
     "Time to intercept 7th Angel: thirty seconds," Deveraux reported.
     "Forward batteries, stand by to fire on my order," Akagi ordered. 
"Target the Angel's core."
     "Understood, Commander," Deveraux said in acknowledgment.
     "All ships, stand by. Target the Angel's core but hold your fire 
until we've neutralized the AT Field."
     "All ships have acknowledged," McDonald said.
     "Good. Perry to Mobius Leader."
     "On-line," said Lt. Commander Dana Komiria, leader of Mobius 
Squad.
     "Commander, we're nearly in weapons range. Remember, keep your 
attacks perfectly synchronized in order to defeat this Angel, and don't 
let it touch you whatever you do."
     "Understood, Perry," Komiria said with the confidence Akagi had 
come to expect in a Starfury pilot. "We'll be ready."
     "Good luck, Commander," Akagi said and signed off.
     "Commander," Deveraux broke in, "We are within weapons range. 
Range 12,000 kilometers. Contact with AT Field in eighteen seconds."
     "Stand by," Akagi repeated. "Fire on my order and not one second 
before."
     "Range 10,000 kilometers. The Angel is moving towards us. Contact 
in ten seconds."
     What's on your mind this time, Israfel? Akagi thought.
     "Five seconds to contact," Deveraux reported. "Four...three... 
two...one...contact."
     The bridge lurched slightly as the two AT Fields met each other. 
Out of reflex Akagi gripped the sides of the command chair, as did 
Deveraux and McDonald with their consoles.
     "AT Fields neutralizing, Commander," Deveraux said as the bridge 
shook again. "Range 5,000 kilometers. Angel is accelerating towards 
us."
     No, not yet, dammit! "Hold your fire."
     After another tense moment, Deveraux finally said, "Commander, the 
AT Fields have been neutralized. The Angel's gone to Pattern Orange. 
Range 2,000 kilometers."
     "All ships, open fire."
     The White Stars and the two Centauri ships opened up with pulse 
cannon fire on the Angel's core. The Perry joined in with fire from her 
main guns with weapons fire from the lead fighters of Mobius Squad, 
penetrating the core of the Angel.
     "We got it," Deveraux claimed. "We ran the core through."
     "Don't be too sure of that, Lieutenant," Akagi advised. Just as 
she said that, the Angel split itself into two entities: one the 
original orange color, the other a grayish color. "See what I mean? 
Mobius 1, 2, and 3, move in."
     As they started to do so, the Angel split itself twice more for a 
total of eight entities. The Caliban fired on one of the gray spawn and 
it immediately turned around and lunged at the Centauri ship's upper 
hull. It clawed its way into the hull and into the decks below. The 
Caliban's guns blazed away on the spawn's core and it split itself
again. Akagi winced as the two Angel-spawn continued their handiwork of 
systematic dismantling of the Centauri cruiser, sending Centauri bodies 
into space. Another Angel-spawn also jumped on the dorsal side of the 
cruiser, activated a small AT Field and began pummeling the engine 
housing.
     "Commander, the Turhan is moving to its sister ship," said 
Deveraux. "Weapons are hot."
     No! "Lt. McDonald, hail them. Tell them to back off."
     "I've been trying to hail both ships, Commander," McDonald said in 
near desperation. "No response."
     Damned Centauri! "Perry to White Stars and Mobius Squad. Prepare 
to fall back. Do not fire on them; we need time to regroup."
     "Understood," everyone said.
     Four of the Angel-spawn now were on top of the Caliban, pummeling 
and ripping at the besieged Centauri ship. The Turhan closed range 
quickly and opened fire with its main guns and struck one of the Angel-
spawn. It split into two more entities and one lunged at the Turhan and 
began pummeling away at the bow. The other three gray Angel-spawn 
continued mauling the Caliban while the Angel and the others waited
impassively.
     Akagi couldn't bear to watch as the two Centauri ships were 
mercilessly ripped apart at the seams, sending more debris and bodies 
into space. Moments later, the Caliban erupted in an orange-red 
fireball as the engines and the reactor were ripped wide open. The 
Angel-spawn then turned their attention to the Turhan and ripped it apart in a similar fashion. Moments later, the Turhan also exploded in 
a fiery orange blossom.
     Akagi again had to turn her head away from the main screen. "All 
ships, fall back," she ordered. "Helm, all back 2/3."
     "Aye, Commander," said Mihoshi. "Helm answering all back 2/3."
     "Commander," Deveraux said. "The Angel and its spawn are moving to 
surround us."
     It figures! Akagi thought to herself. Persistent bastard, isn't 
it? This is the kind we women hate the most. "Helm, belay that order. 
All back full."
     "Aye, Commander, all back full," Mihoshi said.
     "Tactical display, Deveraux. Now."
     She did so, replacing the main screen image with a display showing 
the immediate area. The Perry was in a state of retrograde with the 
four White Stars and all of Mobius Squad. The Angel and its ten spawn 
quickly moved to encircle the Perry, destroying six Mobius Squad 
Starfuries which had the misfortune of being in the way. The enemy's 
faster than us, Akagi thought. It's pointless to try and outrun them. 
like she really needed a tactical to tell her that now. In moments, the 
Angel and spawn completely surrounded the Perry and began circling 
around her. Wait a minute. This might be our chance.
     "Helm, all stop. All ships, circle the wagons. Move as the Angel 
moves. Interpose yourselves between the Angel and the Perry, aligning 
your weapons systems with the cores. Mobius Leader, you're on point."
     "Roger that, Perry," Komiria said. "Mobius 3 and 5, form on my 
wing. Synch with the Angel itself. Line up on the cores of all of them. 
Make it good, people. We may have only one shot at this."
     "Roger that," came the reply from the rest of Mobius Squad and the 
four White Stars. As the Angel and spawn circled the Perry, Mobius 
Squad and the White Stars did their best to match them. Akagi watched 
the tactical with fascination as the fighters and Angel-spawn rotated 
laterally around the Perry, each slowly becoming aligned with its 
target less than 1,000 kilometers from the Perry's bow.
     "Looking good, Mobius Leader," Akagi said. "The decision to fire 
is yours."
     "Roger that, Perry," Komiria said. Tense seconds ticked by as the 
Starfuries and White Stars continued to position themselves, matching 
vectors and velocities with the Angel and spawn. Akagi had to keep from 
biting her nails down to her elbows as time itself seemed to slow to a 
halt.
     Finally after when seemed like an eternity, the fighters were in 
perfect alignment. "Mobius Leader to all ships, prepare to fire."
     Five more seconds passed, then Komiria rapped out. "Let 'em have 
it, everyone."
     As one, the nine Starfuries and four White Stars fired, each 
hitting the cores of the Angel and the Angel-spawn simultaneously. 
Within seconds, they blasted through all the cores and all ten spawn 
and the Angel itself disintegrated in a flash of bluish-white light, 
leaving the embattled ships behind. 
     "We've done it," Komiria called. "Cease fire."
     "Confirmed," Deveraux said. "The 7th Angel has been destroyed, 
Commander."
     Only then did Akagi allow herself a sigh of relief. "What's our 
status?"
     "Six Starfuries destroyed: Mobius 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 13," Deveraux 
clipped off. "Plus the Caliban and the Turhan. Remaining fighters, all 
four White Stars, and the Perry are undamaged."
     The price of victory has already been high, Akagi thought, and 
this isn't over yet. Not by a long shot. "Status of remaining groups," 
she said, eyeing the continuing battle around them.
     "White Star Prime and Eva-02 still engaged with the 3rd Angel," 
Deveraux began. "Thunderbolt Omega is still active. The Griffin has 
lost most of its group to the 10th Angel and has taken very heavy 
damage. 2/3 of its Starfury squads and 1/2 of her Thunderbolts are 
destroyed. Commander, the 10th Angel is less than 1,000 kilometers
from them and looks set for the kill."
     "What's our distance to them?" Akagi asked.
     "75,000 kilometers, Commander."
     Damn, too far away. "What about the others?"
     "The Crystal Tokyo battlecruisers are just now engaging the 4th 
Angel. The Missouri has taken damage from its own group which has been 
partially infected by the 16th Angel. They've been forced to fire on 
their own ships. Distance to Missouri 60,000 kilometers. The Minbari-
led group is engaging the 14th Angel, and it doesn't look good for 
them. White Stars 16 and 18 destroyed, the Narn cruiser Tu'Prna has 
taken heavy damage; its jump engines off-line, its fighter squads all 
but completely wiped out. White Stars 15 and 17 are damaged but are 
still active. One Minbari cruiser-"
     "Distance to the 14th Angel?" Akagi interrupted.
     "40,000 kilometers."
     Akagi's decision became brutally clear. The Griffin and Missouri 
are too far away for us to be able to help them. We'd never make it in 
time. Rei and Sheridan have the 3rd Angel in hand. And the Minbari-led 
group is embattled with the 14th Angel. "Send word to the lead Minbari 
ship. Tell them we're on our way to assist them. Inform President 
Sheridan as well."
     "Yes, Commander," McDonald said as she sent the message.
     "Helm, take us to the 14th Angel, maximum speed. Perry to all 
ships, follow us."
     "Aye, Commander," came the resounding chorus.
     As the Perry raced towards the northern polar region of the planet 
above which the battle with the 14th Angel raged on, Akagi tried not to 
think too much about the plight of the Griffin or the Missouri. She 
would get around to them if time allowed it, and if Zuriel left them 
with anything to assist either ship.

     Jesa winced in pain again as fire from the 3rd Angel grazed the 
Evangelion's left shoulder. The shot also hit and damaged Epsilon 6 and 
10, but thankfully, Jaclyn and St. John were able to eject before both 
Starfuries exploded into deadly blossoms with another shot. He brought 
the palette rifle to bear, hoping they were all right, but the Angel 
snatched the rifle away and tossed it aside. It grabbed the Eva's left 
hand and stabbed at it with that damned energy lance repeatedly. Jesa's 
own hand felt as if it were being impaled with staples from a staple 
gun over and over again. Jesa grabbed the hand and clenched his teeth 
against the pain. He was not about to give the Angel the satisfaction 
of his scream. He brought one leg up and kicked the Angel away again
where plasma cannon fire struck its core, knocking it back even further 
and giving Jesa a much-needed break. He thought it was Rei at first 
until the comm channel opened.
     "Greetings, Jesa," called a familiar voice.
     He looked around and saw his own Starfury forming up behind him 
next to Rei's Thunderbolt. What in the- "Danielle, is that you?"
     "In person, Jesa," she said cheerfully. "I couldn't keep out of 
this fight, and someone just left this Starfury sitting on White Star 
Prime's hangar bay, so I hope you don't mind me borrowing it."
     "But I thought-"
     "Jesa, I may not be able to pilot an Evangelion any more, but I've 
been flying Starfuries a lot longer."
     "You know, if you scratch my fighter, I won't let you get away 
without some form of retaliation," Jesa said in mock seriousness. "Come 
to think of it, if we both live through this, I still won't let you get 
away with without some retaliation because you're using my fighter. 
Just come out of this okay, and we'll finish what we started when we get back."
     "Now that's a proposition if I ever heard one," Danielle said. 
"Okay, Jesa, it's a date."
     "Jesa, watch it!" Rei yelled in warning.
     He turned around to see the Angel had closed back on him again. 
Before he could react it fired again, the cross-shaped shot hitting the 
Eva squarely in the chest.
He gritted his teeth and grunted loudly as he felt someone took an acetylene torch to
his chest at full intensity.
     "Jesa!" Danielle screamed. "No!"
     Feeling as if he were in a sea of fire Jesa pulled the Eva 
downward and he went towards the progressive knife which was still 
embedded in the Angel's core. "That hurt, dammit!" he cursed, angered 
by the constant abuse he was taking. He rose up and grabbed both the 
Angel's arms and twisted them into awkward positions, putting the 
positron rifle aside for the moment. He willed more power into the 
Eva's arms and after a few more seconds the Angel's arms gave out, the 
forearms ripping out in the Eva's hands. Jesa then grabbed the 
progressive knife and started to pull downward. The Angel looked at the 
Eva as if to fire again but was stopped by a combined attack from 
Danielle and Rei, blowing the Angel's head off again. Two additional 
shots from White Star Prime took care of what was left of the arms.
     "It's all clear, Commander," Sheridan said over the comm channel. 
"Kill this thing."
     "With pleasure, Mr. President," Jesa said tightly and still in a 
sea of pain from the beam attack. With one final pull the lower half of 
the core shattered and the Angel was finally defeated. He extracted the 
progressive knife from the remains of the Angel and retrieved the 
positron rifle, his pain slowly fading. "Rei, Danielle, do the honors."
     Both the Starfury and Thunderbolt opened fire, tearing the Angel 
to shreds until there wasn't enough left of the damned thing to 
regenerate. 
     "Angel destroyed," Rei said.
     Jesa sat back in the entry plug, breathing heavily after what he 
had just been through, his chest and arms smarting after this first 
battle. Then he saw the Griffin's battle in one of the monitors. Oh, 
hell, Ivanova's in trouble. "Mr. President, the Griffin's in trouble 
with the 10th Angel. I'm going to go help them."
     "Go, Commander," Sheridan said. "We're right behind you."
     Going to maximum burn, Jesa whipped Eva-02 towards the Griffin and 
the 10th Angel, hoping he wouldn't be too late. He saw Rei and Danielle 
right behind him along with the rest of Epsilon Squad, with White Star 
Prime following.

     The three Crystal Tokyo battlecruisers led two Brakiri cruisers 
and White Stars 26, 27, 28, and 31 towards the 4th Angel, a reddish 
slug-like creature with two glowing tendrils along either side. In 
addition, Delta Squad provided an additional escort to the 
battlecruisers' own fighters. Each ship had only one squadron of 
fighters despite their size; most of that was taken up by the twin 
accelerated railguns each ship was equipped with. Only the larger heavy 
carriers and the dreadnought Tranquillity possessed more fighters.
     Neo-King Endymion sat at the command position of the lead ship 
watching the Angel on the forward screen intently. The bridge, like 
most of the ship, was composed largely of solid crystal, save for the 
control positions, displays, and deck plates. The crystal walls gave 
the bridge a slight pinkish-red hue light generated by the crystals
themselves. Endymion called up the strategy board at his chair which 
showed the ships under his command were in place. This was Crystal 
Tokyo's first joint engagement with ships of the Interstellar Alliance 
since their admission in mid-January, and it was just as well Luminous 
and Selece commanded the other two battlecruisers; he knew they were 
experienced tacticians in their own right, and he needed that 
experience with such young crews for all three ships.
     "Sir," said the weapons officer, Blaustein, "Range to target 
15,000. Bearing directly."
     Endymion decided to pass on royal protocol, as there was no time 
for that nonsense here. "Very well. Status of its AT Field?"
     "Blue wavelength pattern, sir. Angel's AT Field active."
     "Understood."
     "Sir, the Brakiri ships and all White Stars report ready," said 
Fauster, the communicator. "Delta Squad also reports ready."
     "Fire control, charge railguns and lock on target," Endymion 
ordered. "All ships, lock weapons on target and prepare to fire."

     Lt. Commander Tom Mosvani had seen many an engagement in his 
twelve years of being the best Starfury pilot he could be. The last 
three of those years had him stationed on Babylon 5. But as the 4th 
Angel loomed ahead of him and the other fighters of Delta Squad, he 
knew he'd probably never be on another mission quite like this in his 
lifetime.
     "Okay, Delta Squad, listen to your master's voice," he said. 
"We're almost in position. As soon as Neo-King Endymion fires the 
railguns we move in and attack the Angel. We snake 'em right, that 
Angel will never know what hit it."
     "Understood," came the reply from the squad. 
     Still more seconds ticked by as the distance between himself and 
Angel closed. 10,000 kliks now, 9,500, 9,000. Unexpectedly the Angel 
got impatient and lashed out with those whip-like energy tendrils 
towards them. Before he could give the order to evade, they had sliced 
Delta 3, 6, 9, and 13 in half, exploding a split second afterward.
Bloody hell, this thing can kill us all without thinking about it. That 
is, if it even thought at all. "Delta 1 to all fighters, evade, evade!"
     Starfuries and Crystal Tokyo Hotaru-class medium fighters 
scattered in the wake of the Angel's attack retreating back towards the 
battle cruisers. Come on, Endymion, fire the damned railguns! A series 
of explosions rang out around him as the Angel simultaneously ripped 
apart three Hotaru-class fighters and the Starfury designated Delta 8. 
Other crystal fighters moved to attack the Angel, joined by the White 
Stars, concentrating their fire on preselected locations to attempt to 
penetrate the AT Field. Mosvani could see Delta 2 and 7 joining him as 
the Angel whipped at both Brakiri ships, destroying one before it even 
knew what hit it and slicing the lower section completely off the 
other.
     As they retreated, the Angel then turned its attention towards 
them. Oh, damn, "Delta 2 and 7, break now!"
     They did so. Mosvani arced the Starfury upward and spiraled back 
downward in what Jesa Marason called a Spiral Hammerhead maneuver. 
Mosvani barely escaped one of the tendrils and Delta 7 joined him a 
moment later. Delta 2 wasn't so lucky. He tried spinning away from the 
Angel, but the tendril vertically sliced through the center of the 
Starfury before it, too, exploded in a mass of flame and debris. 
     "Delta Squad," Mosvani called out, "fall back, regroup behind the 
lead Crystal Tokyo battlecruiser."

     "One Brakiri ship destroyed, the other lost its lower 15 decks," 
Blaustein reported. "Delta Squad has lost five Starfuries. White Stars 
are undamaged."
     That was in a span of mere seconds, and it did that much damage? 
Endymion thought incredulously. "Status of railguns?"
     "Railguns charged and loaded."
     "Lock railguns on target. Target the center of the Angel. And get 
me Delta Leader."
     "Yes, sir. Railguns locked on target."
     "Delta Squad Leader on-line," Fauster said.
     "Commander Mosvani, I'll apologize for my lack of foresight later. 
Our original attack plan still goes. We'll penetrate the AT Field with 
the railguns and you can strike at the Angel's core."
     "With all due respect, I hope you're right, Neo-King Endymion," 
Mosvani replied, "because I've already damn near lost half my squad to 
this thing."
     The Angel whipped its tendrils onto White Star 31 and it sheared 
off the port and starboard sections. The White Star turned around and 
returned fire, but its rounds impacted harmlessly off the AT Field. The 
energy tendrils then finished the job by snaking through the ship's 
midsection, sending White Star 31 to a fiery death. Then it cut a swath 
through the crystal fighters which nearly eliminated two entire 
squadrons.
     "Railguns standing by," Blaustein said.
     "Luminous and Selece report ready," said Fauster. "The Angel's 
attacking White Star 27."
     "Fire," Endymion ordered.
     Two projectiles shot out from each of the three Crystal Tokyo 
ships and struck the AT Field at a velocity near the speed of light. 
Even an AT Field couldn't withstand that kind of piercing abuse and it 
soon collapsed.
     "AT Field is down, Delta Leader," Endymion said. "Move on in."
     "Roger that," Mosvani replied. "Move in and watch out for the 
bullwhips."
     "Have our surviving fighters go with them," Endymion ordered.
     "Yes, sir," Fauster said.
     The Angel's attack grazed White Star 27 and it joined White Stars 
26 and 28 in the attack run with Delta Squad and the surviving Hotaru 
fighters, striking the Angel with concentrated weapons fire and 
retreating before the Angel could counterstrike. But when Delta Leader 
made his attack run, the Angel managed to shear two thrusters off his 
Starfury, spinning it out of control and slamming it into the Angel's 
lower section, destroying the Starfury and damaging the Angel slightly. 
May your way be green and golden, Commander Mosvani, Endymion thought 
sadly upon seeing Delta 1's demise. Five more Hotaru fighters also 
exploded against the Angel's attacks.
     "Railguns reloaded," Blaustein reported.
     "Target the core and fire."
     Endymion's ship fired two more railgun rounds, this time striking 
the Angel's core with accuracy. Sparks flew out from the core as the 
surviving Starfuries and Hotaru fighters opened up on the core, a small 
measure of redemption for what the Angel's attacks have done. After the 
White Stars added their firepower the Angel went completely silent, its 
core blackened and nearly shattered beyond repair.
     "4th Angel destroyed," said Delta 4, Lt. Janine Caspar.
     "Status report," Endymion demanded. The situation wasn't good. The 
Angel had wiped out two and a half squadrons of their more advanced 
Hotaru medium fighters. One Brakiri ship was heavily damaged and 
another destroyed. White Star 31 destroyed. White Star 26 damaged but 
able to continue. More than half of Delta Squad destroyed, including 
Alpha Leader. Despite their losses, the commander of the Brakiri ship 
contacted Endymion and vowed to stay in it as long as he was able to do so. After quickly checking the overall situation, Endymion decided the 
only course of action was to assist the Missouri against the 16th 
Angel.
     "Helm, lay in a course for the Missouri. The 16th Angel is our 
next target."
     "Yes, sir."

     What the hell is it waiting for? Ivanova's mind screamed, glaring 
at the three-eyed 10th Angel from what was left of the Griffin's 
bridge. It's got us dead to rights, so why doesn't it finish us, the 
sassy bastard?
     "Captain," Tasuki said. "Engine room reports maneuvering thrusters 
are back on-line. However, main engines are still down."
     "That'll do," Ivanova said. "Weapons?"
     "Negative, Captain. All weapons systems are still off-line. The 
Angel's still primed to fire."
     We've got to move this crate. "Helm, back us away five degrees 
starboard, best possible speed."
     "Aye, Captain," Tasuki replied. "Reversing maneuvering thrusters."
     The Griffin backed away from the Angel at an agonizingly slow 
pace. Ivanova watch the Angel's AT Field visibly intensify as a 
rippling in front of it, as if it were saying, "You won't get away. I 
won't let you."
     "Captain, its entire AT Field is increasing," Tasuki said 
urgently. "I think it means to ram us."
     We're dead, Ivanova thought. Suddenly an intense white light 
formed behind the Angel. At first she thought it was some new weapon 
the Angel was using, until she saw its port side get blown completely 
off and it's AT Field collapse.
     "Captain, the AT Field's down; it's gone to Pattern Orange," 
Tasuki said in obvious relief. "Sensors indicate residues from a 
positron weapon."
     "Positron weapon? But that would mean..."
     She saw Evangelion Unit 02 appear above the Angel and interpose 
itself between the Griffin and the Angel, progressive knife in hand. 
Starfuries began appearing around them all, buzzing around the Angel 
and from their markings Ivanova could tell these were from Epsilon 
Squad. As one, the Starfuries peppered the Angel with plasma fire while 
Eva-02 stabbed the core with the progressive knife. White Star Prime 
also appeared with Thunderbolt Omega and White Star 23. Eva-02 left the 
knife in the Angel's core and proceeded to rip the core open with its 
hands. Within a few moments the Angel was engulfed in a blinding white 
light, forcing the remnants of the bridge crew to turn away.
     When the light faded, Ivanova saw the Angel was gone, leaving the 
Griffin, White Stars Prime and 23, Epsilon Squad, Thunderbolt Omega, 
and Eva-02.
     "Griffin, this is Eva Unit 02," she heard the strained voice of 
Jesa Marason over the link. "The 10th Angel has been eliminated."
     "Confirmed, Commander Marason," Ivanova said, trying to hide the 
relief from her voice and for once failing miserably. "Your timing's 
something else."
     "We were preoccupied," Sheridan replied. "What's your status?"
     "Not good would be an understatement," Ivanova admitted. "We've 
taken a great deal of damage and I have over two hundred dead and 
injured, plus our fighter complement has been all but wiped out."
     "Understood," Sheridan said. "Commander Marason, proceed to your 
next target, the 14th Angel. They need your help and quickly. Take all 
the fighters with you. We'll stay behind and render assistance to the 
Griffin."
     "Of course, Mr. President," Jesa said and Eva-02 departed, taking 
Epsilon Squad and Thunderbolt Omega with him.
     Godspeed, Jesa Marason, Ivanova thought. She knew Jesa had already 
been through a great deal in the Eva, and the 14th Angel would be the 
most dangerous one yet.

     The Missouri's bridge shook repeatedly as fire from nearly three 
entire fighter squads taken over by the 16th Angel peppered the bow and 
midsection of the battleship. Small fires broke out from a couple of 
blown-out consoles and the bridge smelled of acrid blackish smoke. The 
main doors along the aft wall were little more than piles of shattered 
glass. Lind reluctantly returned fire on her own fighters from the 
secondary guns and the close-in defenses and destroying several of 
them. White Star 3 made an attack run and scored a direct hit just 
above the bridge, setting the remaining consoles afire and damaging the 
main screen. The sounds of escaping gas from a broken conduit nearby 
filled the air . Lind looked back and saw Reider had been caught in the 
explosion, a gaping gash on his neck and obviously dead. Still more 
fighters fell to the Missouri's onslaught. Fire from the fighters also 
damaged the non-infected White Stars 7 and 10.
     "Captain," Miles said, his voiced ragged with despair, "the Angel 
is moving towards us."
     "Target secondary guns and fire at will. Helm, turn us away, 20 
degrees to starboard, 10 degrees down. Engines ahead full."`
     "Aye, Captain," Hiyama replied. "20 degrees starboard, 10 down, 
engines ahead full. Helm answering, but sluggish."
     "Understood."
     As the Missouri began to turn the Angel struck the bow, all its 
strands reunited into one rope-like form. Growths began appearing on 
the bow and began spreading rapidly aft as the infectious nature of the 
Angel was felt by the Missouri and her crew.
     "Captain," Miles said. "The Angel is penetrating the ship. 
Internal sensors register foreign organic substances in Decks 2 through 
15 spreading rapidly along the entire ship."
     More Starfuries and Thunderbolts exploded into a multitude of 
Blossoming fireballs as pilots pulled their self-destruct systems. 
"Captain," Miles continued, "at present rate, the Angel will fully 
absorb itself into the ship in less than five minutes."
     Captain Emily Lind realized there was no hope for any of the 
Missouri's crew if the Angel did merge with the ship, and she didn't 
see any way of forcing the Angel out, either. Plus, the crew would also 
be infected like the dozens of fighter pilots she'd been forced to 
kill. A captain was responsible for the lives of the crew, and when the 
reports started coming in from the affected areas of men and women 
being infected by this Angel, Lind's heart sank in a mix of horror and 
despair. She knew her crew didn't deserve to suffer like this; they'd 
been through too much together and too loyal to her and to each other. 
The infection spread to the bridge, veinous growths spreading along 
walls, the ceiling, and the deck plates below. Still more sparks flew 
as wiring conduits broke in protest over the Angel's intrusion.
     The main screen finally gave out and a glowing human form appeared 
in front of it, looking like a 14-year-old version of Rei Ayanami-
Miranami. She smiled on the remnants of the bridge crew as she floated 
towards the command chair and Captain Lind.
     Lind then felt something crawl up her legs. She looked and saw the 
Angel beginning to infect her. The infection spread like a dry brush 
fire to her abdomen, chest, and arms, as well as visible growths 
encroaching her face. Her hands became gnarled with these same growths 
as well as she stared into the eyes of the Angel.

     Lind found herself on a beach, along the coastline near what was 
Tokyo-3, looking up at a reddish-purple sky. Waves from the ocean 
lapped gently around her as the air smelled faintly of salt water. She 
slowly got up and noticed the infection had vanished. A few feet away, 
hip deep in the rolling seawater stood the human form she saw on the 
bridge of the Missouri looking straight at her with bright red eyes.
     "Who are you?" Lind got out, her voice sounding ragged as well. 
"Are you an Angel?"
     "What does it matter?" the girl said in a soft voice betraying 
absolutely no emotion. "You of the Lillin see us as you wish to see us. 
I see your people really have not changed since the Third Impact. You 
must follow our way now or we will punish you again as we never have 
before."
     "It is not your place to decide our fate for us, Angel!" Lind shot 
back.
     "Oh, but it is, Captain Emily Ann Lind. You see, the First Ones 
were wrong about the Lillin. So were the Vorlons and the Shadows. They 
all were wrong. The Lillin are not truly ready to decide their own 
fate. They themselves have proven it. You have learned nothing since 
Third Impact, and the time of your judgement is close at hand."
     "Judgement?" Lind said uncertainly.
     "Yes, Captain," The girl replied. "Judgement. Judgement of the 
Lillin and all the other races in the galaxy. For you see, you are all 
of the Lillin. Humans, Minbari, Centauri, Narns, Drazi, Brakiri, all of 
them are of the Lillin. They are descended from Lillith, the keeper of 
all souls."
     "You will not extinguish us, Angel!" Lind shouted. "We all have 
been through too much to allow ourselves to be defeated by your kind. 
We proved we don't need the Vorlons, the Shadows, and the First Ones 
directing our existence in the universe, and we don't need Angels 
either. All this is ours now. We will decide if we stand or fall. Do 
you hear me, Angel?! We will decide!"

     And Lind found herself back on the bridge of the Missouri, the 
contact with the Angel broken, and she noticed the infection spreading 
throughout her own body, and through her bridge crew. She heard the 
shrieks, screams, and moans from the links of her infected crew. They 
were infected as she was, and slowly dying as she would. She gave an 
angry defiant glare at the Angel, she set out to do what she knew she 
had to do.
     "Computer," she said with some venom in her voice, "activate self-
destruct sequence. Authorization Gamma-6-3-Omega-9. Set for one minute 
to detonation. From this time forward, no command in the universe can 
abort your destruct orders."
     "Confirmed," replied the Missouri's master computer, "Commencing 
self-destruct sequence. Sixty seconds to detonation."
     "Noooo!" the Angel screamed and it sent the surviving fighters to 
ram the Missouri, hoping to hit the computer core and stop the destruct 
order from being carried out.
     "Captain Lind," Miles said, "it has been an honor to serve with 
you."
     "Same with me," Hiyama added.
     "Likewise," Lind replied.
     The bridge sat silent as the seconds ticked off. It shook with 
more impacts but even they couldn't stop the Missouri's countdown to 
its final act. Lind sat at her chair to await the inevitable.

     "Neo-King Endymion," said Delta 4 over the comm link. "I'm picking 
up a building of energy into the Missouri's main engines and to various 
points around the ship. The Angel has assimilated nearly 70% of the 
entire ship."
     Oh, in the name of the moon, Endymion thought in half-shock, half-
horror.
     "The infected fighters are trying to ram the Missouri. Lind's 
invoked a self destruct order."
     "How soon, Delta 4?" Endymion asked.
     "Less than thirty seconds."
     We'll never get there in time, Endymion thought in despair. She's 
sacrificing herself to destroy the Angel. You're a valiant woman, Emily 
Lind.
     "Endymion," Luminous broke in over the link. "I recommend we break 
off our present course and help deal with the 14th Angel."
     "Agreed," Endymion responded. "All ships, break off present course 
to intercept the 14th Angel."
     As the group turned towards their new target, Endymion got one 
last look at the largest ship Earthforce had ever produced, now in 
flames and infected by the 16th Angel, a shell of what it once was. He 
felt sadness, pity, and regret over what the 16th Angel had done, and 
wondered if any of it would have happened if he'd gotten there any 
sooner. Farewell, Missouri.

     The human form the Angel took gazed over everyone on the 
Missouri's bridge with a look of contentment.
     "Twenty seconds, Captain," Miles said.
     "I can see we were wrong about you," the Angel said. "You have the 
courage to decide your own fate. I realize that now. The Lillin have 
evolved, and this day has proven it to be so."
     "Ten seconds," Miles continued.
     In her final act, Lind gave the Angel a contemptible glare. "See 
you in hell," she snarled.
     "Five...four...three...two...one...Destruct."

     One by one explosive charges detonated at critical points of the 
Missouri's hull. The explosions progressed their way aft, 
systematically blowing apart the superstructure. Soon after two 
blinding explosions obliterated the bridge and most of the bow. Then 
the main engines went, sending up a fireball which engulfed the entire
ship, the light bright enough to rival the nearby local star. All 
combat momentarily ceased upon the death of the Missouri.
     Jesa, in Evangelion Unit 02, had to turn away as the Missouri 
erupted several thousand kilometers to his right, the light bathing the 
interior of the entry plug. He could not believe the largest ship in 
all of Earthforce had just fallen. We fought alongside her and we 
fought against her, he thought. The Missouri was a tough ship, just 
like her captain, and a fine ship to behold.

     "Laura, did you see that?" Rico called from Epsilon 7. "That's the 
Missouri. It's got to be."
     She shook her head in disbelief. The Missouri, the ship she spent 
her two-month tour aboard back in the Academy just after it was re-
commissioned after the Earth-Minbari War. She always thought the 
Missouri would survive no matter the conflict. But despite how much she 
didn't want to believe it, the Missouri was no more.
     "Yeah, Rico, it's the Missouri, all right." This is something else 
we owe the Angels for.
     "Laura, we'll intercept the 14th Angel in thirty seconds," said 
Shanna Adams from Epsilon 3.
     No time for self-realization now. "Jesa, you copy that?" Laura 
asked.
     "I got it," he said, still with a strained sound to his voice. 
Laura wondered briefly if it was the result of the damage the Eva took 
or if it was due to the Missouri's demise. She concluded it had to be 
the damage the Eva took. The blast to the chest had to hurt like hell, 
and all that added to her abject hatred for the damned things. She 
couldn't begin to guess how much pain he was in, but with a synch rate 
now pushing 90% it had to be considerable. Hold on, Jesa, she willed to 
Eva-02. Just hold on. We've only got one more of these things left to 
fight.

     From their respective ships, Ivanova and Sheridan stood in shock 
when the Missouri went up, taking the 16th Angel with it. Ivanova 
recalled that was how Eva-00 had to destroy this Angel the last time, 
by self-destructing it. When the explosion faded, the sensors showed 
little trace of the ring-like thing that was the 16th Angel. Ivanova
had to conclude the explosion killed that Angel this time. At the cost 
of 1,200 men and women aboard the Missouri, she thought, plus all the 
pilots Emily Lind was forced to kill during the battle. The cost of 
this battle has already been immeasurable in lives and equipment, 
higher than in any previous conflict humans have been involved in since
the Earth-Minbari War.
     Tasuki handed her a full damage report as acting XO following 
LaSalle's injuries. LaSalle had been taken to one of the overflowing 
medical bays after Sheridan arrived. Dr. Piper had assured Ivanova that 
her XO would make a full recovery in a matter of weeks. And Ivanova 
believed it would take four to six weeks for repairs to her ship. All
this destruction already, and the 14th Angel may be the worst of all, 
Ivanova thought demurely. It'll be a great miracle if we manage to live 
through all this.

     Commander Mitchell Slate knew he and his people were in some very 
serious trouble when he saw the 14th Angel looming outside the cockpit 
of his Starfury designated Alpha 1. That thing looks twice as ugly as 
in the briefing, he thought, and twice as menacing as well. His 
demeanor was hardly improved when the Angel extended its mono-molecular 
arms and initiated the battle by slicing through most of the Minbari 
and Narn fighters flanking Alpha Squad, and a few of Alpha Squad's as 
well with four well-placed blasts shaped liked crosses. Great, just 
like the 3rd Angel, only this bastard can fire more of them at once. 
The Minbari and Narn cruisers returned fire as well as White Stars 15, 
16, 17, and 18. The Angel, in turn, whipped out an arm and sliced White 
Star 16 in half bow to stern, after which it exploded. It then fired 
another cross-shaped blast at White Star 18 which did not quite dodge 
it and the aft half of the ship wound up being completely destroyed. 
The rest of it exploded soon afterward.
     Alpha Squad also joined in on firing at the Angel, but its AT 
Field proved too strong for their weapons. Alpha 4, 6, and 8 combined 
their weapons fire on one spot of the AT Field, and Slate saw the Angel 
whip an arm around and slice through the Starfuries as if they weren't 
even there; they blossomed into three orange-red explosions.
     "Commander," said Lt. David Reeves in Alpha 7. Reeves was normally 
reliable and unflappable, but Slate sensed some fear in the man's voice 
this time. "This Angel's killing us out here, and we're not doing squat 
to it in return. How the hell are we supposed to kill this thing?"
     Slate saw the Minbari and Narn ships line up on the Angel and 
training their weapons on the AT Field right on the core. Both 
surviving White Stars followed suit. "There might be a way. Alpha 
Squad, form up. Target the core of the Angel, but hold your fire until 
my order."
     "Yes, sir," came the replies from the remainder of Alpha Squad.
     "Minbari cruiser Tuzanor, this is Alpha Leader. We're going to 
fire at the same location you are. If we all combine our fire we might 
be able to break through this thing's AT Field."
     "Precisely our thinking, Commander," said the captain of the 
Tuzanor. "Stand by, we are sending you our exact targeting data."
     Slate received it in a few seconds and passed the information on 
to the rest of Alpha Squad. He then locked the Starfury's weapons on 
the Angel's core. The Angel moved slowly towards them and the order 
came to fire. As one, all ships opened fire on the Angel, peppering the 
AT Field covering the core with weapons fire. The Angel retaliated by 
taking both arms and slicing the Tuzanor into thirds, destroying the 
lead Minbari cruiser in the blink of an eye. The Angel fired from its 
eyes again, damaging the other Minbari cruiser, the Anla, and the 
Tu'Prna. Two more Starfuries, Alpha 8 and Alpha 12, a Nial fighter and 
a Frazi fighter also perished in angry red-orange blossoms courtesy of 
the Angel's blast. White Stars 15 and 17 moved in to make strafing runs 
on the core. As they left to make another pass, the Angel whipped an 
arm around and sheared off White Star 15's port side and White Star 
17's starboard side, sending them spinning out of control away from the 
action. It also cut through White Star 15's bridge and Slate couldn't 
bear to see its bridge crew flung out into space as it continued to
spin away. This is not good, Slate thought as two more Alpha Wing 
Starfuries exploded near him and he barely missed being sliced himself. 
This Angel's taking us apart.

     "Commander," Jeanette Deveraux said from the Perry's tactical console, "time to intercept the 14th Angel: forty seconds."
     "Understood," Akagi said from the command chair. "All ships, stand 
by. All White Stars, take flanking positions, 11 and 13 port, 19 and 20 
starboard."
     "Understood," came the replies from the four White Stars, all 
captained by Rangers.
     "Mobius Leader, you're on point."
     "Roger that, Perry," Dana Komiria replied. "Mobius Squad, form up 
until we reach weapons range, then break and attack. Use 'stick'n'move' 
tactics."
     "Weapons status?" Akagi asked.
     "All onboard weapons ready to fire," Deveraux replied. "Sensors 
have a solid lock on the Angel. Time to intercept: thirty seconds."
     "Commander," Michelle McDonald broke in, a tone of despair in her 
voice, "the Missouri. It's going up."
     Akagi went over to McDonald's console and witnessed the Missouri's 
fiery death as a faint orange glow bathed the Perry's starboard side. 
Oh, damn. How much more will this fight cost us?
     "Range 20,000 kilometers," Deveraux said.
     And Zuriel's wiped out much of the group assigned to deal with it. 
They really didn't have a chance. Let's hope we fare better than they. 
"Helm, all ahead full," Akagi said, returning to her chair. "Lt. 
Deveraux, activate AT Field. "
     "Helm answering all ahead full," Mihoshi said.
     "Aye, Commander," Deveraux added. "Deploying AT Field."
     Akagi opened a link. "Any ships in Group Four, this is Lt. 
Commander Mina Akagi of the Perry. We're on our way to assist you."
     "Glad to have you here, Perry," said a male voice over the link. 
"Your timing's something else. We're getting cut to pieces out here and 
we could use the help."
     "Just hold on. We'll be there in fifteen seconds. Who might you 
be?"
     "Commander Mitchell Slate of Babylon 5. Leader of what's left of 
Alpha Squad."
     Akagi saw the debris field ahead and even though this was the 14th 
Angel they were fighting she still could not believe what she saw. All 
four White Stars crippled or destroyed. One even had its bridge sheared 
off laterally. One Minbari cruiser destroyed, the other crippled. The 
Tu'Prna was also crippled but still fighting like Narns always had. 
Nearly all Minbari and Narn fighters, plus about half of Alpha Squad
destroyed. What a mess!
     "Commander," McDonald said, "Eva-02 and Epsilon Squad are moving 
in on the 14th Angel as well. Thunderbolt Omega is with them. They will 
intercept in twenty-five seconds. Group Five is also moving on the 14th 
Angel. They will intercept in one minute."
     "Understood," Akagi said. This is it. The last Angel.
     "Commander, we are within weapons range," Deveraux reported. 
"However, AT Field power is reading at only 60%."
     Of course it would be from when we neutralized the 7th Angel. 
"That'll have to do, Lieutenant. All ships, target the core and fire 
when ready. Helm, initiate evasion pattern 2-1-7. All White Stars, 
strafe it, maximum speed and use erratic evasion tactics."
     Weapons fire from the reinforcements of the Perry, White Stars 11, 
13, 19, and 20, and Mobius Squad lashed out and impacted the AT Field 
covering the Angel's core. The four White Stars darted in at maximum 
thrust, concentrating fire on the core, nearly all bouncing harmlessly 
off the AT Field; they moved out of range before the Angel could strike 
back. It grazed the Perry on its port side with another blast from its 
eyes, the ship taking damage despite its own AT Field being deployed.
     "Slight hull damage to Decks 10 and 11," Deveraux reported as the 
bridge shook briefly. "Minimal damage to gravity controls. Gravity on 
Decks 10-20 reduced to 0.8G. AT Field generator damaged. Field power 
reduced to 45%."
     That can't be. "Switch to evasion pattern 1-1-9, starboard down 
variation," Akagi ordered. "Engines ahead full. All batteries return 
fire."
     The Mobius Squad Starfuries employed what Komiria called 
"stick'n'move" tactics, hitting the target hard and getting out before 
the target could retaliate. This group of Starfuries proved to be more 
elusive than the Alpha Squad Starfuries the Angel had munched on. The 
remaining Alpha Squad Starfuries then formed up with Mobius Squad just 
outside the Angel's attack range.
     The Perry's main guns once again fired on the Angel, striking the 
AT Field above the core. Are we damaging this thing at all? The Angel's 
retaliatory blast grazed the port side once again, and the bridge once 
again shook from the impact.
     "Hull damage to Decks 9, 10, and 11. Gravity controls also hit, as 
well as port main batteries."
     "Change course, evasion pattern 1-3-5, port up variation. Range to 
target?"
     "13,400 kilometers and closing."
     "Status of AT Field?" Akagi asked.
     "AT Field at 28%."
     With her AT Field that low Akagi knew she couldn't slug it out 
with this Angel and expect to win. She also knew the Perry would still 
be subject to some damage if the AT Field dropped below 50% due to the 
fact it could not block all of the energy from the enemy's weapons. If 
she made the attempt now, the Angel would cut the Perry to ribbons. 
That's what happened to the original group sent to fight this thing. 
She couldn't drop the AT Field, either because that would yield the 
same result. Also, to neutralize an AT Field the power level also had 
to be above 50%. So she had to borrow some power to build the AT Field 
back up.
     "Helm, reduce speed to 2/3. Deveraux, power down aft batteries. 
Transfer all excess energy from the engines to the AT Field. Use power 
from the jump engines if you have to."
     "Aye, Commander," Mihoshi replied. "Slowing to 2/3."
     "Transferring energy to AT Field," Deveraux added. After a moment, 
she continued, "Transfer complete from both main and jump engines as 
well as from aft batteries. AT Field now at 85% with 20% power from the 
jump engines remaining."
     Still not where she wanted it, but it would have to do. "Okay, 
Deveraux, tell Engineering to keep that 20% power in abeyance if we 
need it. Helm, take us right to that thing."
     "Aye, Commander," Mihoshi said.
     "Commander," Deveraux broke in, "Eva-02 and Epsilon Squad are in 
range."
     
     As the Perry started to turn to the Angel, Eva-02 led the next 
wave of calvary followed by Epsilon Squad and Thunderbolt Omega. Bloody 
hell, that's a big sucker, Jesa thought, still smarting from the 
encounter with the 3rd Angel, though no blood had appeared under the 
uniform yet. 
     "All right, Epsilon Squad," he heard Laura say over the comm 
channel. "I think it's time we used our own version of "Wraith" 
tactics. Break into two-by-two cover groups and smite that thing."
     Jesa had to smile, wondering what Allishar would think of Epsilon 
Squad taking a page out of Tau Squad's playbook. Oh well, I guess he'll 
just have to deal with it.
     "Rei, you and Danielle cover the Eva. Jesa, it's your call."
     "Okay, everyone," Jesa said, still sounding strained due to the 
abuse his chest had taken. "Coordinate your attacks with Mobius Squad. 
Break off...now. Rei, Danielle, it's time to punch the core."
     The Starfuries broke away into multiple diamond formations and 
thrust away to join Mobius Squad and the remains of Alpha Squad. Eva-02 
followed with Danielle and Rei in formation towards the core. Here we 
go, Angel! Jesa thought as he threw on the Eva's AT Field. Time to send 
you where your friends are!
     "Commander," McDonald said. "Epsilon Squad is moving in to join 
Mobius and Alpha Squads. Eva-02 is moving in to engage the Angel 
directly."
     He's going to try to cut through. "Ops, what's his synch rate with 
the Eva now?"
     Sara Mirai turned towards Akagi. "93.8%."
     Damn, Nerv will find out about this if I have to personally tell 
them. We may have a need for a combat-ready Evangelion pilot when we 
restore Eva-01. "All fighters concentrate fire away from the Angel's 
core. We don't want to risk Eva-02 being hit by friendly fire."
     "Understood, Perry," Komiria said.
     Another blast from the Angel struck the Perry's bow, and the 
bridge shook violently once again. "Damage?" Akagi demanded.
     "AT Field power down to 30%," Deveraux said. "Hull damage to Decks 
2 through 8. Main power down on Decks 9 and 15. Secondary guns off-
line. Gravity controls hit again. Main gravity down to 0.7G, gravity on 
Decks 11-20 down to 0.6G. Commander, we risk going z-gravity if we take 
another hit."
     "Noted. Main batteries return fire, Deveraux, and apply that 20% 
power to the AT Field."
     "Aye, Commander. AT Field power now 55%."
     A few seconds later the Angel's arms whipped around and hit White 
Star 11 with a grazing shot, slicing off a portion of its starboard 
side. The other arm sliced off White Star 13's nose and the remainder 
exploded into white-hot nothingness. The Angel cut a swath which 
eliminated Alpha 13, 14, 15, and Mobius 4 and 12. Epsilon 11 had one 
thruster surgically removed as well.
     It gets bumpy from here, Akagi thought.

     Del Tarrant in Epsilon 5 had just barely dodged an attack by one 
of the Angel's arms and it struck Epsilon 11, piloted by Lt. Sandra 
Levitt. Sandra had started to dodge when the Angel sheared off her 
upper right thruster. The same attack wiped out five other Starfuries, 
and he angled over to assist Epsilon 11.
     "You all right, Sandra?" he asked when he reached her.
     "I will be in time, she replied. "Del, look out!"
     Del arced up and back just as another arm shot between him and 
Sandra. Spinning the Starfury around, he hit upon an idea. He extended 
the grapple and grabbed the thin arm of the Angel and started to pull 
at it to buy time for Sandra to escape. "Go on, you'll only get 
yourself killed if you stay."
     "Sorry," Sandra said and Epsilon 11 limped away.
     Del saw the Angel turn its attention to him and he gave it a 
defiant glare. Let's see how you like one of these arms ripped off. You 
can't kill me; I've got someone to go back to. He looked at the picture 
of Saki Nijino he had in his cockpit, the only true love he ever had in 
his whole life. He knew he would come back for her. He had to, for she
would never be happy again otherwise. He applied more thrust to the 
Starfury and saw the Angel's eyes start to glow. Oh no you don't, his 
mind yelled out and he dropped the Starfury down, still grappled to the 
arm. Suddenly the arm lurched back and flung Epsilon 5 off, ripping out 
the grapple in the process, sending him spinning away towards the 
derelict White Star 15. He regained control in moments and barely 
avoided being hit by one of the cross-shaped blasts which finished off 
the dead White Star. He was then met by Epsilon 9, Lt. Naoko Kaguya.
     "Are you all right, Del?" she asked softly.
     "Fine, just like those old mechanical bulls you still see in some 
bars in Texas. Yippie Kai Yay! Come on, let's rejoin the others."

     "5,000 kilometers," Jesa said softly to himself as he approached 
the Angel. He had just seen Del Tarrant get flung off one of the 
Angel's arms he had grappled and nearly kill himself against a dead 
White Star. Interesting trick, something I probably would've done. Saki 
would kill him if she knew how much of a daredevil he's being. "Twenty 
seconds to AT Field."
     He knew he himself could neutralize the AT Field of this Angel, 
but he also knew Rei had the Thunderbolt's AT Field up as well, and 
both in tandem could accomplish the task in half the time. Danielle 
also flew in with him, heeding his instructions to hold her fire until 
the AT Field was neutralized. She was also positioned in such a way so
she could get some clean shots of her own and quickly dive for cover 
behind the Thunderbolt or the Eva. Hit and run, those were the tactics 
called for today. 
     They made contact with the AT Field and the Angel finally noticed 
them. Jesa targeted and fired the positron rifle on the Angel, just 
missing the core by a hair. Rei and Danielle also opened fire and 
scored several hits on the Angel itself. In an angry swath the Angel 
sliced at the three new attackers. Jesa and Danielle dodged, but Rei
was hit in the upper left engine and she spun away from the Angel.
     "Jesa, she's in trouble," Danielle said.
     "All right, go help her. I'll be all right," Jesa replied, and 
Danielle took off after Rei.
     And the Angel wasn't done yet. Before Jesa could react, another 
slice forcibly removed the positron rifle from Eva-02's left arm. He 
screamed as intense needling pain ripped through his right arm as the 
attack had actually penetrated the Eva's skin as well. The rifle 
floated off and exploded some meters away. He looked at his arm and saw 
blood seeping into the sleeve of his uniform. He saw the Angel attack 
again and dodged, but the arm sliced off half the Eva's left leg. Jesa 
felt his own leg being torn apart, muscles tearing and even the bones 
of the lower leg cracked and broke, sending an intense pain through 
Jesa like none he had ever felt before, seemingly amplified by the fact 
he was so in synch in the Eva. Damned neural feedback! No wonder they 
said the original children went insane in these damned things!
     He transferred the palette rifle to the Eva's right hand, still 
gritting in pain from both the right arm and left leg and he angrily 
opened fire, emptying the rifle into the core of the Angel. The rounds 
did penetrate the core, but the Angel still did not go down. Instead it 
fired another shot and blew off the Eva's right arm completely. 
     "Jesa!" he somehow heard Laura cry out.
     His right arm felt as if were dipped in liquid fire as the skin 
burned, the muscles strained and ripped, and bones broke. The pain from 
his leg didn't go away, either, but intensified anew and Jesa felt as 
if he would pass out, and a part of him wished he would. He leaned over 
the edge of the pilot's seat, screaming like he had never done before. 
White-hot fire burned all over him, from his legs to his arms.
     In a red haze of pain and suffering, he saw Mobius Squad attempt 
to engage the Angel, and another cross-shaped blast wiped most of them 
out. The remainder of Alpha Squad fared little better against the Angel 
as another pair of swaths decimated them as well. The Perry took 
another hit, as did the newly arrived Delta Squad, and two more 
Starfuries went down. Even the Crystal Tokyo ships were not spared 
damage from the Angel's continuing attacks. Oh, damn! Everyone's dying! 
With the good left arm, he grabbed the progressive knife and charged at 
the Angel. With one of the arms the Angel grabbed the Eva and spun it 
around. Jesa grunted as the left arm was wrenched by this attack. The 
other arm snaked around and opened up the lower abdomen area of the 
Eva. Jesa screamed again as the fire spread to the pit of his stomach 
And intensified as the Angel ripped out a reddish sphere from the 
abdomen of the Eva. His stomach felt as if someone reached in and 
ripped it out the hard way. He was barely aware that the Eva's S2 
engine had just been ripped away. The Angel tossed the sphere aside and 
did the same to the Eva. He barely realized the internal batteries 
kicked in and the Eva had five minutes of time remaining before it 
completely shut down.
     Oh, this was a bad idea! he thought
     He saw three Starfuries flying in towards him: Rico, Laura, and 
Danielle, and with sheer force of will, he steadied the Eva, surprised 
he had the progressive knife still in hand. The pain subsided slightly, 
but it would not let him forget the abuse his body has taken this day. 
His breathing came in short, rapid, gasps, his heart rate had to be
near 200 beats per minute, and every nerve in his body throbbed with 
pain.
     "Jesa, are you all right?" Danielle asked with a mix of concern 
and worry.
     "No, I'm not," he admitted, his voice ragged from all the 
screaming. "I feel like I've just been put through a damned sausage 
grinder, and I've got less than five minutes before this Nerv 
contraption shuts down. How's Rei?"
     "She's fine, Jesa," Danielle replied. "She sent me back here when 
you were attacked."
     "Jesa, you're hurt," Laura cautioned. "You're on reserve power and 
you've only got one good arm. Get out of that thing before you do get 
yourself killed."
     "So far it looks like I'm the only one who's been able to do 
anything to this Angel. I've got 4 1/2 minutes remaining and I've 
gotten damn good with the prog knife. So as long as there's power in 
this monster I've got to keep at it or else we'll all go down."
     "But, Jesa-" Laura voiced in protest.
     "He's right," Danielle said. "Our side's getting slaughtered out 
here. The Eva may be our only chance."
     "Now go on, Laura," Jesa added, trying to sound commanding once 
again, "you've got a fighter squad to lead. And I'll make it through 
this."
     "You'd better, Jesa," Laura replied. "Come on, Rico, let's rejoin 
the others."

     The Crystal Tokyo-led group arrived within range and Delta Squad 
Immediately flew out to bolster Alpha Squad. White Stars 26, 27, and 28 
also moved in to engage the Angel. Epsilon Squad and Eva-02 were also 
out there and they had just moved into optimum firing range for the 
railguns when the Angel attacked them. Halo's ship became crippled 
within moments, no main power or weapons, and Torrent's was not much 
better, and Torrent had been apparently injured in that last exchange 
and his condition was unknown. The bridge of the lead battlecruiser 
shook with another hit. Neo-King Endymion gritted his teeth at each 
impact. "Damage?"
     "Helm control 2/3 down," Blaustein reported. "Number One railgun 
rack damaged. Plasma batteries not functional. Main power down 25%. 
Targeting systems destroyed. Jump engines down. Number Two railgun 
loaded and ready to fire. Range 5,000 kilometers and closing."
     "Best guess on the Angel's core and fire when ready."
     "Firing, sir," Blaustein said, and a single railgun round shot 
off, grazing the Angel on the left shoulder. The Angel retaliated by 
slicing through White Star 26 and part of White Star 27. Then two more 
Starfuries interposed themselves, only to be sliced in half for their 
trouble. Another shot grazed the battlecruiser's bow, and the bridge 
shook again.
     "Forward hull damaged. Main power down 40%. Sir, recommend we 
withdraw."
     Reluctantly Endymion had to agree. He was in a bad position 
against the Angel and he knew it. Better to retire and save your ship 
than try and push a bad position. Besides, the two sister ships were 
even more damaged than his own. "Agreed. Contact President Sheridan and 
inform him we have been forced to withdraw. Then back us away from the 
Angel. Rendezvous with White Star Prime and the Griffin. It's all up to
the Earth ships and the White Stars now."
     "Aye, sir," Fauster said. "Initiating full reverse."
     Good luck, my friends, Endymion thought. Good luck from all of us.

     The Perry's bridge shook from another grazing hit from the Angel. 
"Status?" Akagi demanded.
     "AT Field at 47%" Deveraux reported. "Maneuvering down 1/3, jump 
engines down, main batteries just came back on-line and charging. 
Secondary guns off-line."
     "Status of Eva-02?"
     "Damage to chest area indicated," Mirai said. "Half the Eva's left 
leg and the right arm destroyed. Positron rifle destroyed, palette 
rifle destroyed. She glanced at her console as a new indicator came on 
and quickly turned back a horrified look in her eyes. "Commander, the 
Angel just ripped out the S2 engine."
     "What!?"
     "Confirmed," said Lt. Karsten, another of the Ops officers 
monitoring the Eva. "S2 engine has been disconnected."
     "Eva-02 has switched to internal batteries," Mirai added. "4 
minutes, 55 seconds of activation remaining."
     "The Angel just tossed Eva-02 aside like a doll," Karsten said.
     Akagi's heart sank. She could not begin to comprehend the agony 
that Jesa Marason had to be suffering with that much damage to the Eva. 
With a synch rate as high as his, he'll probably be spending several 
weeks in Medlab, and he's still going.
     "Commander, Eva-02's pulled out the progressive knife and moving 
back in on the Angel," Deveraux reported.
     "Status of Thunderbolt Omega?" Akagi asked.
     "Upper left engine destroyed but it's still active. Commander 
Miranami's on-line."
     "Rei, this is the Perry, are you all right?"
     "I'll live if that counts for anything, Mina," Rei replied. 
"What's left?"
     "Not much, I'm afraid. Mobius Squad's been all; but completely 
wiped out. Delta Squad had joined up with the remainder of Alpha Squad. 
Epsilon Squad's lost five fighters, status of pilots unknown. The 
Griffin is disabled and unable to continue. The Crystal Tokyo ships are 
also damaged and unable to continue. They're meeting up with White Star 
Prime at the fall-back position. Three White Stars are still active and 
in the fight: 7, 10, and 23."
     "That's it?" Rei said.
     "I'm afraid so."
     "All right. Have all ships provide covering fire for the Eva. He's 
still got about four minutes left. We need to keep the Angel distracted 
until Jesa punches the core."
     "Understood," Akagi replied.
     "I'll move in and give the Eva some covering fire as well."
     It'll take him half that time just to get back into range, Akagi 
thought. "Very well. The AT Field's at Pattern Orange, but we still 
haven't been able to cause much damage to the Angel."
     "I know, and maybe we won't have to. All we have to do is keep it 
distracted and let the Eva do the rest. Good luck, Commander Akagi. 
Ayanami-Miranami out."
     Good luck to us all, Akagi thought as Rei signed off. "All ships, 
this is the Perry, we're going to provide covering fire for the Eva. 
Stand by to open fire on my signal." And if Jesa can't kill this thing before time expires, God help us all.

     Jesa kept himself fixated on the Angel which caused him such 
grievous harm just moments ago as he moved a crippled Evangelion 
towards it, progressive knife in his good left hand. I started this 
fight, and by God I'm going to finish it. That was one of Jesa's pet 
peeves. He hated leaving things undone. He hated that as much as the
Raiders he fought what seemed like millennia ago, but it was only a few 
days. Before he ever thought of piloting an Evangelion. So to leave the 
battlefield with this one Angel still active was unthinkable, because 
if it survived and something cataclysmic were to result, i.e. a Fourth 
Impact, who's to say he wouldn't be held responsible?
     He checked the activation timer above him and just to his right. 
Four minutes remaining, and two of those would be spent getting back 
within melee range. That leaves two minutes to stab the core and kill 
it. Plenty of time.
     "Laura," he heard Rico say over the comm channel, "Epsilon 12 and 13 just went down. Status of pilots unknown, but Del and Naoko said 
they saw them eject."
     Epsilon 12 and 13, Jesa thought. Tom Carrollton and Leorna 
Dermott, respectively. Also Epsilon 11, Sandra Levitt, withdrew from 
the battle at Del's insistence. Five fighters destroyed, one more 
withdrawing. Damn! At least only one pilot was lost in this fray. 
Sorry, Phil. I tried to stop them from taking any of us. He also knew 
Jaclyn and St. John were also floating out there in lifepods. Assuming 
anyone survived this, their locator beacons would enable any rescuers 
to locate and safely retrieve them.
     "Understood," Laura replied. "Epsilon Squad, form up and let's 
give the Eva some cover."
     "We're on our way," said Shanna Adams in Epsilon 3."
     "Jesa," Laura said, "Rico and I are going to join the others."
     "Right," Jesa got out, his voice both strained and ragged from all 
that's happened. "Good luck."
     "Good luck to you, Jesa. Danielle, stay with him."
     "Not a problem," Danielle said as Laura and Rico took off ahead of 
them. Jesa glanced at a scanner just below him. Ninety seconds to melee 
range and 3 1/2 minutes of time remaining. "Danielle?"
     "Yes, Jesa?" she replied.
     "I'm sorry," he said in regret.
     "Sorry? About what?"
     "It doesn't look like we'll be able to finish what we started when 
we get back."
     "Don't say that, Jesa," Danielle interjected. "We'll make it 
through this. Look at it this way. You're alive, that's all that counts 
right now. So we'll have to wait a while. I know how you feel about me, 
Jesa, and I feel the same way about you. So I'll wait, as long as it 
takes."
     Jesa's heart lifted upon hearing her say that. It was as if her 
words alone could help lessen the pain he felt from the Eva's damage. 
He knew then she was the one for him now. Barring some unforseen 
circumstance, he and Danielle had a bond which could last a lifetime.
     "Thanks, Danielle," he said from the bottom of his heart. "That 
helped a lot. Now you keep your end of the bargain and survive this, 
too."
     "Depend on it, Jesa."
     As one, Eva and Starfury pressed on, closing on the Angel for one 
last battle for everything they held dear. This one's for all of us, 
Jesa said to himself in determination. For my family and friends I 
pilot Eva. My mother and sisters Shanna and Juliet, and Laura, Rico, 
Allishar, Allyson, Devon, Del and Saki, Danielle, and all the others, 
you all are the reason I pilot Eva. I'm expendable but none of you are. 
So let's end this once and for all, Evangelion.
     The timer showed three minutes activation remaining.

     "Mobius Leader," Rei said over the link, "who's left?"
     "Just myself, Mobius 5, and Mobius 15," Komiria said in regret.
     "Okay, Dana, hook up with Epsilon Squad; they're nearly in 
position. Key your attacks from them."
     "Will do. Good luck, Commander." And with that the three surviving 
Mobius Squad fighters veered off towards the approaching Starfuries.
     "Rei, White Stars report ready," Akagi said from the Perry. "Eva-
02 will engage in one minute."
     "What's his time like?"
     "Three minutes to activation limit, Commander," Mirai said. She's 
a young officer yet, Rei thought. She'll be one of our best, it'll take 
some time.
     "Mina, can we expect any additional assistance from the Crystal 
Tokyo ships?"
     "I don't think so. They're already withdrawing with two of their 
battlecruisers disabled."
     Rei nodded grimly. "Well, they put up a hell of a fight. I'll have 
to send my regards to Neo-Queen Serenity for their valor today."
     "They did at that, Commander."
     "And we will make it, Mina," Rei said with conviction. "We will 
because we still have faith. For as the Minbari say: 'Faith manages.'"
     For long seconds the group of ragtag ships and the 14th Angel 
stared each other down like two champion prizefighters sizing each 
other up. The Angel raised its arms, ready to slice anything that came 
too close.
     "Commander," Lt. Deveraux said over the link, "the Angel's AT 
Field is reforming. It's back to Pattern Blue!"
     Oh damn! "All ships, open fire!"
     The Perry, White Stars, and Starfuries opened up on the Angel 
again. Rei moved her damaged Thunderbolt towards the Angel, her own AT 
Field up as well. Only 40% power. Hell, that'll have to do. 1500 
kilometers out. The Angel just stood there while fire from the weapons 
banks poured into the newly formed AT Field, causing no effect 
whatsoever.
     The Thunderbolt contacted the AT Field with its own. Rei could see 
The wavelengths converge as the AT Fields interacted with each other. 
Let's hope I've got enough left to take it down. Well, faith manages, 
so there has to be enough. The power levels dropped: 30%, 25%, 20%, 
15%, 10%, 5%, and the wavelengths finally matched, neutralizing the 
Angel's AT Field as the Thunderbolt's AT Field gave out.
     "Pattern Orange," Deveraux said. "Commander, you did it."
     In retaliation the Angel sliced off the lower right thruster and 
sent Thunderbolt Omega spinning out of control towards the Angel.
     "Rei!!" Akagi yelled.
     Seeing she wasn't going to recover this time, Rei pulled the eject 
levers above her and the Thunderbolt's cockpit shot down and away form 
the Angel. A split-second later, Thunderbolt Omega exploded upon 
crashing into the Angel's head.
     Well, I've done what I could, Rei thought as the lifepod floated 
away from the battlefield. It's up to Jesa now.

     "Commander," Deveraux reported, turning to face Akagi, 
"Thunderbolt Omega destroyed. Angel's head damaged. Its eye lasers 
appear to be nonfunctional."
     "Lifepod confirmed," McDonald said.  "Reading strong beacon 
signal. Commander Miranami's alive."
     Akagi breathed a sigh of relief. "Prep a shuttle to retrieve her 
as soon as the Angel falls."
     "Aye, Commander," Deveraux said.

     As Jesa and Danielle closed on the Angel they saw the demise of 
Thunderbolt Omega as it spun into the Angel's head and exploded, 
sending the Angel lurching back a few meters.
     "Danielle, check for the lifepod," Jesa said.
     "On it, Jesa," she said. "Confirmed. Wonder Girl made it."
     Jesa breathed a sigh of relief as well. "Okay, Danielle, we're 
entering melee range. Look sharp."
     "Epsilon Wing, maintain continuous fire," Laura said over the comm 
channel.
     Jesa engaged the Angel with two minutes activation remaining. He 
could see the head start to regenerate as the Earthforce ships 
relentlessly pounded away on it. The Angel fixated its attention on the 
approaching Eva and it lashed out. Jesa saw an arm coming in and spun 
out of the way. Another lash went right for the Eva's head and Jesa
pulled up the progressive knife. The mono-molecular arm split right 
down the middle and missed the head entirely. The Angel got another 
grazing his on the Eva's chest and Jesa gritted his teeth against the 
stinging effect. He took the progressive knife and sliced the Angel's 
right arm, the one that split and struck him, in two.
     Then in a fit of pure rage he dropped an AT Field below the Angel, 
bent the Eva over and drove the good shoulder into the Angel's 
midsection, sending it crashing into the AT Field. The Angel tried to 
fire its eye lasers but Jesa stabbed them, breaking part of the 
progressive knife in the Angel's eyes. Pulling the stubby knife he re-
extended it with additional sections stored beneath the handle. One 
minute remaining. Using the flat end of both arms, the Angel pushed the 
Eva away.
     Danielle couldn't believe she saw the Eva give a textbook shoulder 
tackle to the Angel. Or was that a Spear? Jesa's been watching too much 
wrestling, she concluded. Just like that arrogant, stuck-up idiot 
Allie.
     She saw the Eva get pushed back and Jesa stabilized the machine 
about fifty meters in front of her.
     "You okay, Jesa?" she asked.
     "Fine. This thing's pissing me off." And with a yell from Jesa, 
Eva-02 jumped back into the fray.

     "Commander, I can't believe this," Mirai said from her console. 
"His synch rate is now at 105%."
     Oh, hell, what the hell is he? Akagi thought. Nerv could 
definitely use him. "Time?"
     "Forty seconds to activation limit."
     "All ships, cease fire. Let Eva-02 finish this." Come on, Jesa, 
kill this thing.
     "He's going in again," Deveraux said.

     Jesa re-engaged the Angel with a single-arm takedown on another 
generated AT Field he was using for a wrestling mat, ripping the left 
arm away. He jumped off the Angel and stabbed down at the core with the 
progressive knife. Thirty seconds. The knife stabbed the bullet-riddled 
core and red sparks flew out. "Die, you son of a bitch!" Jesa growled.
     Twenty seconds. The Angel still wouldn't give up, slashing at the 
Eva with what was left of the left arm. Jesa grunted at the pain but he 
held fast, trying to drive the knife deeper. After another slash from 
the right arm, Danielle grappled it and pulled it away. He saw the 
Angel struggling to break the arm free. Don't let it kill you, 
Danielle. Hold on, hold on, dammit!
     Ten seconds. In one last thrust Jesa pushed on the progressive 
knife with the last of his and the Eva's strength. Suddenly the Angel's 
left arm regenerated, reared back and stabbed the Eva in the forehead 
and right eyes.
     Jesa howled with agony as his right eye seemed to rip apart. Blood 
rushed out of the eye and forehead as the core finally broke. As it 
broke the activation timer hit 0:00:00 and Evangelion Unit 02 shut 
down, the entry plug going to a dark blue light as the monitors and all 
systems went out. Jesa doubled over with the pain of the Angel's 
apparent final act ad the blood flowed freely out from his head, chest, 
arms, and legs, crying out as he had never done before.

     Lt. Mirai stared at the status display of Eva-02, or rather, at 
the portion of the display showing the Eva's time limit had expired. 
"Commander," she said shakily, "Eva-02 has reached its activation 
limit. It has ceased operation."
     "Status of the pilot?" Akagi demanded.
     "Unknown beyond the fact he's still alive."
     "The Angel has gone silent," Deveraux said in relief. "The 14th 
Angel is defeated."
     We did it, Akagi thought, relief filling her being like it never 
had before. We actually did it. We won this day, but what a price to 
pay. "Stand down from battle stations. Lt. Deveraux, launch that 
shuttle to retrieve Commander Miranami. Damage Control, begin 
assessment of total damage and commence repairs. All ships regroup
and rendezvous with White Star Prime." 

     Laura nearly screamed when she and Rico returned to Eva-02, one of 
the Angel's arms still embedded in the Eva's head. No, Jesa, that can't 
be fatal. You can't die, you promised me you'd come back. She saw 
Danielle fly over to the Eva as well.
     "Jesa, this is Laura," she said, trying to keep her voice calm. 
"Can you hear me?"
     "Yeah," he replied weakly. She knew he had to be in a great deal 
of pain. "I'm here."
     "You're alive!" Laura said excitedly.
     "If that counts for much, yeah, I'm still alive and with you. 
Barely, though. That last shot hurt. Did we do it?"
     She finally allowed some tears of joy to flow. "Yes, Jesa, you did 
it. The Angel's dead."
     "Hooray for our side," he cheered weakly, then coughed a bit.
     "Hey, Jesa, just take it easy," Danielle interrupted. "You've been 
through enough hell already without you adding more for yourself. 
Laura, why don't you and Rico help me get him back to White Star 
Prime?"
     "We'll help out as well," said a new voice. Laura recognized it as 
Commander Mitchell Slate of Alpha Squad. Lt. Commander Dana Komiria of 
Mobius Squad also appeared with Slate. 
     "But won't we injure him more by moving the Eva?" Laura asked in 
concern.
     "No," Danielle said. "The neural connections broke away when the 
Eva shut down. It'll be fine."
     Laura, Danielle, Slate, and Komiria each grappled the Eva and 
Epsilon Squad led them away from the dead Angel and back to White Star 
Prime. I can't believe it's over and we survived it all, Laura thought. 
No matter what happens from now, Jesa will probably never be the same 
person he was before the Angels came. "Epsilon 14, did you find our 
missing pilots?"
     "Sure did, Epsilon Leader," Will Jansen said. "Shuttles from the 
Griffin are already on the way to pick them up. So Jesa, what'd you 
think of the Eva?"
     "Painful, Will," Jesa replied. "Very painful. I don't recommend 
it."

Almost the end...
End Part 12

Comments can be directed via private e-mail to mcanime@swbell.net. 
Constructive comments are welcome and will be read. Non-constructive 
Flames will be used for PPG target practice.

Here's the final part.

Babylon 5: Angels
A Babylon 5 / Neon Genesis Evangelion crossover
by Mark Craig

Part 13 - In the Depths of Human Hearts

     The next thing Jesa knew he was being extricated from the entry 
plug and transferred to a medical bay on what he thought was White Star 
Prime, but he wasn't entirely sure, and secured and stabilized for 
transport to the superior medical facilities on Babylon 5. He saw many 
faces when he returned, but they were a blur to him, and so he would 
never remember who was there to see him in the most undignified 
position of being carried out of the entry plug. He really didn't 
remember much after that as he flitted in and out of consciousness, 
doubtless it was due to the rather potent medications that the on-board 
doctors gave him, the entire trip back. During the time he thought he 
could hear a soft voice whispering to him, but he couldn't make out who 
it was or what it was saying.
     In the nether regions where Jesa's consciousness now dwelt, Jesa 
dreamed of being in a rolling green meadow, meeting his friends as 
young children between the ages of eight and eleven. He, Allishar, 
Allyson, Danielle, Laura, and Rico all playing typical childhood games 
and in general having the fun children that age should be having. He 
then dreamed of reuniting with his friends as they were now, especially
Danielle. He knew she would be there for him even if everyone else were 
to turn their backs on him. He didn't know how he knew this, he just 
did. Until he met Danielle after encountering the 15th Angel, he had 
forgotten what love was after Jenelle's death, and for some time he had 
accepted that. Now that Danielle came into his life, he could see it 
have more meaning than ever before, even when he still had Jenelle.
     He also dreamed of Angels, not the ones he had just fought against 
which were real and hell-bent on destroying everything, but the 
mythical ones with wings and halos over their heads and baby faces who 
flew around the realms of what some would call Heaven. But Jesa knew 
Heaven was what one made it into. Anything could be Heaven, just like 
anything could also be Hell. Wait a minute. Why was he dreaming about 
this when he himself was an agnostic? He didn't believe in any of this, 
not really. Though one really has no control over the mind when it 
dreams. What was it Freud said some three hundred years ago: "All men 
are great in their dreams?"
     The only time Jesa could remember being this injured was during 
the battle for Mars last year when a freak shot from an Earthforce 
fighter from the destroyer Horatio shorted out his Starfury's 
electrical systems, causing his instruments to explode in his face. But 
that only put him out of action for about a week, causing him to miss 
the final battle for Earth.
     He then saw three women in the distance standing in a field of 
green. One he recognized as Danielle wearing an Earthforce uniform. 
Another he recognized as Asuka, looking exactly as she did when she was 
fourteen wearing a yellow sun dress and she was smiling at him. The 
third he really didn't recognize but he guessed it could be Asuka's 
mother. She was an older-looking woman, about mid-to-late-30s with red
hair, blue-gray eyes, and an equally pleasant look on her face. I see 
where Danielle gets her looks from, he thought.
     "Where am I?" he asked aloud.
     "You fought bravely, Jesa Marason," Asuka said. "My mother and I 
are very proud."
     "The Angels are no more, as it was meant to be," Asuka's mother 
said. "You served the Evangelion as it had served you. But now it 
should also be no more. It has served its purpose, and should never be 
used again."
     "Why?" Jesa asked. "I don't understand."
     "The Fourth Impact," Asuka replied. "Just as Eva was the key to 
initiating the Third Impact, it will also be the key to initiating the 
Fourth Impact if it were used again, and the whole galaxy will feel the 
Fourth Impact as it spreads like ripples away from its origin."
     "We fear nothing will survive the Fourth Impact if it were to be 
triggered," Asuka's mother added. "To avoid this possibility Eva must 
never be used again."
     "I know, now," Jesa said. "I piloted Eva for my family and 
friends. But after doing so I have to agree, it belongs in the past and 
should remain part of it. We're repeating the same mistakes we made in 
2015 when Third Impact resulted, and we were very nearly extinguished 
for it. Unfortunately there are those who do not see it that way and 
who will use Eva for their own ends. I can't make that decision."
     "We know," Asuka said, a touch of sadness in her voice. "All you 
can do is try, and hope sensibility takes over before everything ends."
     "I'll try to make them understand," Jesa said finally.
     "Then our task here is complete, Jesa Marason," Asuka replied in 
satisfaction. "Farewell. May you and Danielle have a long and fruitful 
life." And with that, Asuka and her mother faded away.

     "Del-chan! You made it back!"
     When Del Tarrant walked back onto the station with John Jansen and 
Tom Carrollton the first thing he saw was Saki Nijino running to him, 
jumping into his arms, kissing him, and giving him a near crushing bear 
hug. Before he could really say anything he could hear her crying onto 
his shoulder. He felt that shoulder become damp after a few moments.
     John and Tom gave Del looks of askance and Del merely shrugged as 
best as he could and they walked off, shaking their heads. They're 
thinking, how can he put up with her, as psychotic as she can get in a 
fighter? I say, so what? Love knows no bounds.
     After a moment she jumped down and left Del gasping for air. "Wow. 
I've got to come back more often. I hope you left at least one rib 
intact."
     Saki just gave a girlish giggle. "Well, I'm just glad to see you 
made it out of there. After we heard what happened I feared the worst." 
She noticed the bandage wrapped around his head and gingerly touched 
it. "What is this, Del-chan?"
     "Oh, it's nothing, really. Just a mild concussion. An Angel 
decided to take me bull-riding and I smacked my head against my helmet. 
No big deal. Dr. Piper aboard the Griffin said it'd fade in a few 
days."
     "Well, come on," she said, taking him by the arm. "Let's get you 
home so we can take care of that."
     "I'm all right, Saki. Really I am.
     "Are you sure?" she asked in concern
     "Yes, I'm sure," he answered. "Look, Jesa came out of this a lot 
worse than I did. He got mangled up inside the damn Evangelion."
     "That may be," she said firmly, "but though Jesa's a nice guy and 
all, I'm not in love with him. I'm in love with you. And I insist we 
get you home so you can rest and tell me everything that happened out 
there."
     Sighing, Del just let Saki lead him to his own quarters. He knew 
there was no way he would win this argument. She wouldn't let him. Saki 
would insist on playing mother hen to him until he'd fully recovered. 
There is no love that doesn't have a price tag attached. Sometimes I 
wonder if I deserve her, she's too good to me.

     Jesa slowly awoke and found himself in Medlab 1, realizing he was back on Babylon 5. We're back already? Bloody hell, and I slept the 
whole way, too. He noticed bandages around his forehead and right eye. 
Additional bandages wrapped around his left arm. His right arm was in a 
sling as well as an air-cast. His left leg was also in an air-cast. His 
vision in his good eye seemed to be a bit distorted, expanding and 
contracting like he was looking at a fun house mirror without seeing 
his own reflection. His head gave a dull, throbbing ache as did all his 
other injuries. He looked to his left and was surprised to see Allishar 
sitting in a chair by the bed. What's he doing here, being my nursemaid 
or something? I wonder what Terry would make of this. He'd probably 
think we were getting too close, knowing the warped sense of humor that
seems to run in their family. But still, has Allishar been there since 
I got back? Come to think of it, how the hell long ago was that?
     "Allishar?" he croaked, his throat parched. Jesa could see 
Allishar looked as distorted as everything else in the room. "Are you 
okay?"
     Allishar stirred about in the chair. Bloody hell, has he been 
asleep in that damned chair? Jesa wondered. That couldn't have been 
comfortable. Jesa remembered spending a few nights in those chairs 
himself in the past.
     "Jesa," Allishar said, "I'm glad to see you're finally awake. Why 
do you ask?"
     Jesa gave a slight grin. "Well, you look a little bent out of 
shape." He blinked a couple of times and put his bandaged left arm to 
his forehead. "Oh, I guess it's just my eyes. How long?"
     "Four days," Allishar said.
     "You mean I've been back on Babylon 5 for four days?"
     "Yes, you have."
     "And you've been here the whole time?"
     Allishar nodded. "Ever since Dr. Franklin managed to get you 
stabilized after surgery. I'll let him explain. But don't worry about 
me, Jesa. I'm fine. You, on the other hand, look like crap."
     Jesa gave a slight chuckle. "Gee, thanks. At least I have an 
excuse. But why, Allishar? Why would you abandon your duties to stand 
vigil over me?"
     "You're a true friend, Jesa, something I don't have many of. About 
the only true friends I have are you, Devon, Allyson, Laura, and Rico. 
I could do no less for you or any of them in your situation."
     "Well, I don't know how to thank you," Jesa said.
     "Just get the hell out of here," Allishar replied, "and that'll be 
thanks enough."
     "Where are Rico and Laura? I thought they'd be here as well."
     "They have been, as have Devon and Allyson, for more than two days 
until Dr. Franklin ordered them all to bed. As the ranking officer, I 
convinced Dr. Franklin to let me stay, since I figured you needed to 
see a friendly face once you finally woke up, and he agreed. We were 
going to go in shifts, but when we first got here we got to talking and 
we lost track of time. I'm sure you know how that goes. They should be 
back again in a few hours. Besides, it's 0330 hours. Most of the 
station's asleep."
     "Anyone else show up?"
     Allishar shook his head no.
     Where is she? I thought she'd be here, Jesa thought, then changed 
the subject. "So will I live?"
     "According to Dr. Franklin, yes. Believe it or not, you'll even be 
able to fly a Starfury again, but it'll be some time before you'll be 
restored to flight status. Maybe five weeks. He can give you the 
details; medical science is way over my head."
     "Mine, too," Jesa said and he made the mistake of trying to sit up 
until his protesting ribs made it impossible and he lay back down.
     "Hey, Jesa," Allishar said, helping ease him back on the bed, "you 
just lay back and rest. You don't need to be moving around like that 
for a while. Just rest for now. From what I heard about what went down 
out there, you've earned it."
     "Oh, man, Allishar," Jesa recollected after a moment, "it was the 
worst fight I ever dreamed of. A lot of good people died out there at 
the hands of those six Angels. Starfuries and other fighters dropped 
like flies. I take it you heard about the Missouri."
     Allishar nodded grimly. "Yeah, we heard. Alpha and Delta Squad's 
nearly wiped out, and I heard about Phil. I'm truly sorry. Losing 
someone under your command never gets any easier."
     "I know. Phil may have been headstrong and a risk-taker, but he 
was a good guy, and a damn good cook. He was like Mr. Garibaldi in this 
respect: he wanted original ingredients when he cooked Mexican food. 
Nobody could cook enchiladas and burritos like Phil."
     "I know. By the way, the memorial services for all the dead at 
M-235 were yesterday," Allishar said. "During the service Sheridan 
announced everyone who served in that battle would be recommended for a 
presidential citation. And Lochley's going to recommend you for the 
Earth Alliance Medal of Honor for your actions at M-235."
     "Whatever for?" Jesa said. "I don't deserve it. All I did was 
pilot Eva and fight Angels. That's all it was designed to do. And I 
nearly died in the Eva. Give it to those who did die, like the 1200 men 
and women of the Missouri."
     "But you do deserve it, Jesa. I can see my reservations about the 
Evas were justified. If anything more happened to you, I would've been 
tempted to find the nearest Nerv facility and blow it to hell with a 
couple of Captain Benton's 'crowd pleasers.'"
     "Well, I don't think that will be necessary. But in spite of 
everything, we won. We got the bastards."
     "You did, all right. And you had the courage to go in knowing 
what the Eva could do to you. That alone is worth something there."
     Just then, Dr. Franklin walked in and studied a clipboard he was 
carrying. "I see you're finally awake, Commander," he said.
     "Yeah, Doc. So how bad is it?"
     "Bad enough. Lacerations in both arms, chest, forehead, abdomen, 
and both legs. We also had to do reconstructive surgery on your right 
eye, but the good news is we were able to save it and you should be 
able to see normally when it heals. It'll itch and sting for several 
weeks while it's healing though. Plus compound fractures in both 
your right forearm and left leg. You'll be in a lot of pain for some 
time and I can give you something for that. I'd say you'll be on the 
shelf for the next five to six weeks. But the good news is I think 
you'll make a full recovery."
     "That's good, Doc," Jesa said.
     "It sure is," Allishar agreed. "Jesa, I need to go get something 
in my quarters and I'll be back in a little while." He got up to leave.
     "Hey, Allishar."
     "Hm?"
     "Devon and Laura were right. The Evangelion is demonic. It belongs 
in the past or we risk repeating the mistakes of that time. I'll sure 
as hell never get in that thing again. Just give me a Starfury and 
it'll see me through."
     "I don't blame you, Jesa," Allishar said. "But I'm not so sure 
Nerv will see it that way. They know how well you fought in it, and 
they'll come one day asking you to pilot it again."
     "Nerv can go to hell. I know what an Eva can do to someone better 
than those idiots at Nerv, and I'll be damned if I'll get in it again. 
By the way, those wrestling videos you showed me last month helped. I 
gave an Angel a Spear, but the right arm was gone, so I really couldn't 
follow it up with a Jackhammer. Surprised the hell out of everyone."
     Allishar howled with uproarious laughter as he walked off. Jesa 
joined him but found even laughing too painful. "The Man!" Allishar 
yelled in the distance, and Jesa had to keep from laughing again. Oh, 
Allishar is something else.
     "I'll be back to check on you again in a couple of hours, 
Commander," Franklin said and he also left, oblivious to the joke 
shared between Jesa and Allishar. Danielle then came sauntering in, 
giving Jesa a warm smile.
     "How are you doing, Jesa?" she asked.
     "Been better," he replied, smiling back. "What happened to you? I 
thought you'd be here before now."
     "In debriefing with President Sheridan and Captain Lochley. Get 
this, she's thinking of dropping the psych discharge and reinstating me 
into Earthforce. I'm going to be a Starfury pilot again. President 
Sheridan said I handled myself well out there and he recommended I get 
a second chance."
     "That's great," Jesa said with sincerity, though he thought she 
was hiding something.
     "Isn't it, though? I finally think I'm getting my life back after 
what happened at Proxima-3. And now I've got this second chance, I 
won't give it, or you, up so easily."
     "Well, if you can't get onto a squad, just give me a call. I'll 
fly with you."
     "I know you will," she said and kissed him on the cheek. "Well, 
I've got to go, but I'll see you a little later on, okay?"
     Again he sensed she was hiding something from him. "Another 
debriefing?"
     "From Nerv this time. Wonder Girl wants to know everything I know 
about the Eva, and about the Angels and all that. They may want me to 
join up with them, but I'm not about to work for the likes of 
Thirteen."
     "I don't blame you. Tell them the Eva should be destroyed. I'll 
drop it into the local star myself if they'd like."
     "I will, but I don't think they'll go for it."
     "Typical Nerv," Jesa said. "Just remember one thing. Never trust 
them."
     "I never have. Bye, Jesa," Danielle said and she started to leave.
     Jesa couldn't shake the feeling she was keeping something from 
him, and he couldn't keep silent any more. "Hey, Danielle?"
     "Hm?" 
     "Before you go, why don't you tell me why you're really leaving?"
     She stopped in her tracks. She turned around and opened her mouth 
to protest, but instead she stepped back towards him. "You wouldn't 
want me to."
     "Why not? Come on, Danielle, I may be flat on my back and look 
like a freaking mummy but I'm not stupid. So whatever it is, you can 
tell me."
     Nodding, she sat down in the same chair Allishar was in a moment 
before. "Okay, Jesa. I'll tell you. But I want this to be our secret. 
It's a part of my past I'm not proud of, and I'm not ready to have 
everyone else know about it."
     "All right."
     Danielle took a deep breath. "It's because of the Tau Squad pilots 
that were in here the last few days. That's why I haven't been here 
before now."
     "You mean Allishar, Allyson, and Devon? Why?"
     "I served with them aboard the Damocles. I was a cocky little 
vixen back then, and I made sure everyone knew it. Especially rookie 
pilots like Allishar and Allyson. Back then, their squad was known as 
Sigma Squad."
     "Yeah, the Ghost Riders. I've heard of them."
     "Right. Anyway, this group had this habit of gathering together in 
the mess hall and talking among themselves. Several pilots and I 
thought they didn't talk with anyone outside their own little clique as 
it were, and we thought they were a bunch of stuck-up, arrogant pansies 
who thought they were better than us. So I, being just as arrogant and
conceited as I thought they were, took it upon myself to take them down 
a few pegs, particularly Allishar, Allyson, Saki Nijino, and a few 
others. So I harassed them. Tormented them, actually, and I took a 
perverse pleasure in doing so. All to prove I was better than they. And 
I hurt them. I hurt them bad, particularly Allyson."
     Jesa lay in silence, not believing what he was hearing. Where did 
she get the idea they were arrogant? Just because they took their 
lunches together and talked among themselves? That's no big deal. Only 
thing is they always use the biggest table in the officers' lounge, but 
since I usually eat in my own quarters that doesn't matter, either. "Go on. I'm listening."
     "I thought they were like that for years, and just a minute ago I 
stopped outside Medlab and I heard Allishar in here talking to you 
about how you were a close friend to him and I realized I was wrong 
about them. I've been deluding myself all this time for nothing. I had 
no idea he could be so kind as to stay with anyone outside his group. I
was a stupid, selfish bitch, Jesa, and in some respects I still am. 
That's not a nice thing to know about yourself."
     "Danielle, you know damn well that's not true. You had the guts to 
tell me about all that. That proves something to me right there. What 
happened on the Damocles happened nearly seven years ago. It's history 
now, and nothing you can do will change that. So why don't you just go 
to them and admit what you did was a mistake and let them forgive you 
for it, because I'm sure they will."
     "It's not that easy, Jesa. What I did was a mistake. I realize 
that and I'm willing to make up for it. But I'm not sure if they will 
accept anything I say now."
     You never know unless you give it a chance. They're close friends 
of mine, Danielle, and I can assure you that if you want to clear 
things up with them, they'll listen. I'm certain of it."
     "Perhaps I will," Danielle said, getting up. "But in my own time. 
Just don't tell them about me, okay?"
     "Okay, I won't. But you'll likely run into them sooner or later if 
you're reinstated."
     She sighed. "I know. I'll deal with that when the time comes. 
Thanks, Jesa. I'll see you later." And she did walk quickly out before 
Allishar returned,. leaving him alone in Medlab. I really hate being 
alone like this, he thought. Especially now, with all I've been 
through.

Personal Log, August 12, 2262

     It has been four days since our battle with the Angels at M-235, 
and while we were victorious, the cost of the victory in terms of lives 
and equipment was immeasurable. And the worst blow of all was the loss 
of the battleship Missouri. In her memory a plaque will be mounted in 
the station's customs area and construction just began on a memorial 
for the Missouri and her crew on the EarthDome grounds.
     Captain Ivanova said her good-byes and left for Earth Station 
Prime yesterday morning for repairs to the Griffin, and Commander 
Miranami is also due to return to Earth this afternoon after finalizing 
her final reports for Nerv. However, I made it clear she will be 
leaving without Evangelion Unit 02. Unit 02 has been declared 
Interstellar Alliance property by the Declaration of Principles, and 
Earth Alliance President Luchenko supports this decision.
     The Angels were undoubtedly the most dangerous foe the 
Interstellar Alliance has yet faced, and we almost didn't survive the 
encounter. But the Angels are also a problem I don't believe we'll have 
to face again, because I don't think any of us will survive if we did.
     Commander Marason is resting in Medlab after what he went through 
in piloting the Evangelion. I couldn't blame him if he were to refuse 
to pilot it again, not after how it made him suffer. Captain Lochley 
has recommended Commander Marason for the Earth Alliance Medal of Honor 
for his actions in piloting the Eva, and we could all learn from his 
example. In addition, I am awarding special presidential citations to 
each and every one who served at M-235. Captain Lochley and myself will 
visit Commander Marason in Medlab after the Perry departs Babylon 5. It 
seemed the least I could do. If it hadn't been for him, I wouldn't be 
here making this entry right now.
     But I still can't help but think there's an even greater darkness 
awaiting us, and that darkness comes in two forms: Nerv and Seele. I 
get the feeling we haven't seen the last of them. And what of 
Evangelion Unit 01, being restored at the Nerv facility in Tokyo-4? And 
also what of Unit 04, missing after it was stolen by a group of Raiders
from the ruins of the Mars Kingdom under the Nerv Mars Branch? I feel 
we haven't seen the last of them, either, and the legacy of Evangelion 
will be around for some time. But will we survive it in the end? Or 
will we go the way of the unfortunate souls lost in Third Impact? Only 
time, and perhaps faith, will answer that question.

     "End recording," Sheridan said, leaning back in his desk chair, 
staring out the window opposite him overlooking Babylon Park. The cost 
was indeed high, but Sheridan had to believe the cost of inaction 
would've been infinitely greater. After this last battle, he still 
didn't know what the Angels were, nor did he know whether humanity
itself was really the 18th Angel. If he were asked that a week ago, 
Sheridan would've said no. But too much has happened in recent days to 
be sure any more. And if there's one thing John Sheridan loathed, it 
was not being sure of something.
     "John?"
     He was so lost in though he hadn't noticed Delenn standing in 
front of him. He got up and went around the desk to embrace her.
     "Thinking long thoughts, I see," she said.
     He shook his head. "No, no, no. Just reflecting on what's 
happened." He led her over to one of the couches he used for more 
personal meetings over near the window. "I sometimes find it difficult 
to believe all that destruction was caused by six Angels."
     "It was tragic, and it will be some time before we'll be able to 
rebuild. But it had to be done, John. You know that as well as I. If we 
had done nothing, Commander Miranami's warning of a Fourth Impact would 
very likely come to pass."
     "Nerv's still up in arms over Earthforce's handling of the Angel 
situation," Sheridan admitted. "I don't think we've heard the last of 
them or of Eva. They're restoring Eva-01."
     "In Valen's name," Delenn said. "Have they learned nothing from 
Third Impact?"
     "I don't know. But that's for another time."
     "What about Eva-02?"
     "It's in Bay 2. I've declared it Alliance property, and Luchenko 
supports this, but Nerv's wanting it back. And I don't believe I should 
turn it over to them."
     "Then, don't. I'll support whatever decision you make concerning 
Eva."
     "Thank you. These Evangelions belong in the past, and I don't 
think Nerv or Seele realizes it. You see, back in 2015 Nerv and Seele 
were working together toying with forces which could destroy 
everything, and look at the result. We can't afford to make those mistakes again."
     "Yet you fear we are."
     "Hell, yes, Delenn. We are. Look at the facts. Nerv's trying to 
rebuild Eva-01. They also wanted Eva-04 after it was found in the Mars 
Kingdom before they even knew Eva-02 was found. And Seele's out there 
operating under some agenda we can only guess at. I have to be honest, 
Delenn. Nerv and Seele frighten me."
     "I can see why," Delenn agreed. "But remember, John. What is, is."
     "True. And whatever comes we'll deal with it."

     When Allishar returned to Medlab a few minutes after he left, Jesa 
noticed be brought Allyson and Devon along, with Allishar and Allyson 
entering hand in hand. So that's what he meant. Bloody hell, who 
would've thought they were that far along? He wasn't too surprised, 
though. He'd seem them walk hand in hand before. He also noticed
Allyson was carrying a flat box. Still, despite everything, he couldn't 
help feeling a little mischievous.
     "So, this is what you meant by 'getting something from your 
quarters,' eh, Allishar?" Jesa asked, indicating Allyson. "Why didn't 
you tell me you two were shacking up?"
     "No we're not," Allyson said indignantly. She didn't believe Jesa 
could be so lewd. "You know, Jesa, if you weren't all bandaged up and 
lying helpless on your back, I would smack you for saying that."
     Jesa chuckled. "I see your sense of humor's improved, Allyson."
     "The hell it has." She sighed. "Well, if you can make remarks like 
that, you're fine. Just don't scare us like that again."
     Jesa gave a mock salute with his bandaged left arm. "Yes, ma'am. 
Never again."
     "I still don't like the fact you even considered piloting the 
Eva," Devon said. "That was bloody insane for you to do it. Look what 
it did to you, Jesa. But I think I understand why you did it."
     "Hey, if it's any consolation," Jesa replied, "I won't get near 
that infernal contraption again."
     "You just make sure of it. Say, would you mind if I dropped a 
couple of thermite grenades into the Eva?"
     "If it were up to me, I'd say go for it. But it's not, so I'd get 
Sheridan's approval first."
     "So, anyway," Allyson said. "How are you doing, Jesa? Really."
     "Well, I'll be out of action for several weeks, but I'll be back 
buzzing the station again before you know it. Laura will be leading 
Epsilon Squad until I return."
     "Well, that's good," Allyson replied, "because Allishar's right. 
You do look like hell."
     "Oh, it looks a lot worse than it really is," Jesa said.
     "Yeah, sure, Jesa," Allishar said, not buying a word of it.
     "At any rate," Allyson broke in, "I bet you're wondering about 
this box I'm holding."
     "The thought had crossed my mind," Jesa admitted.
     "Well, the three of us decided to bring you something. We were 
going to do this some days from now, but with all that's happened, we 
thought now would be a good time." And with that Allyson handed the box 
to Jesa.
     "What is it?" Jesa asked, trying to sound suspicious.
     "Just open it," Allyson insisted.
     Jesa did so, laying the box on his stomach and opening it with his 
good left hand. From the box he pulled out two black T-shirts. One was 
a Goldberg "Who's Next?" shirt, and the other a green-lettered 
"Degeneration X" shirt with "Two Words: SUCK IT!!!" on the back.
     "Oh, you guys shouldn't have," Jesa said, chuckling again.
     "Actually it was my idea," Allishar said. "Laura had told me about 
the Spear you pulled in the Eva, and the arm takedown, but I couldn't 
really believe it until you yourself told me."
     "I didn't know they still made T-shirts for 20th-century 
wrestling? How'd you get them?"
     "Ryoko. Her cousin's a big wrestling fan back on Earth and he was 
able to get them for us."
     "Why, I don't know what to say."
     "Well, 'thank you' usually works," Allyson said.
     "Thank you, guys," Jesa said, smiling at them.
     "Not a problem," Allishar replied. "But tell me one thing. How the hell did you pull a spear and an arm takedown in space?"
     "Oh, that," Jesa answered. "It was in a pure fit of rage. I 
dropped an AT Field beneath both myself and the Angel. I then kicked 
the thrusters to maximum and speared the thing."
     "Clever," Devon said, "using the AT Field as a wrestling mat. What 
possessed you to think of it?"
     "Heat of the moment. Still it's a pity the Eva had only one arm, 
or I would've followed the Spear up with a Jackhammer."
     Allishar laughed at the mention of the Jackhammer again, and his 
merriment spread to Allyson and even Devon. Jesa also joined in, even 
though laughing made his chest protest in pain.
     "You okay, Jesa?" Allyson asked in concern.
     "Fine. It just hurts to laugh. But that's okay. With you guys 
here, I can live with it."
     Hey, who decided to throw a party and not invite us?" Laura said 
as she and Rico came in. "Nice shirts, Jesa."
     "Not our fault," Allyson said.
     "Sure it wasn't," Laura jibed, then turning her attention to Jesa. 
"And you! What have you got to say for yourself for making us worry 
about you so much?"
     Jesa shook his head. "Nothing."
     "Hey, at least he thinks of the Evas the same way we do," Devon 
said.
     "Yeah, now," Laura replied, "after the damned thing nearly killed 
him. Jesa, don't ever do that again."
     "I won't," Jesa assured her.
     "We did like the spear, though," Rico jumped in.
     "What is this 'we' crap, Vazquez?" Laura demanded. "You might've 
liked it, but I don't recall liking that stunt."
     "Laura, you're so mean," Rico said, sounding hurt.
     "Those two ought to get a room," Devon said, to which Jesa, 
Allishar, and Allyson laughed.
     Laura glared at him. "Don't go there, Devon. Or should I bring up 
some of the lewd remarks you've been known to spew out in the casinos?"
     "Oh, that's cold," Rico said.
     "And don't think I've forgotten your cheesy pick-up lines, Rico," 
Laura fired back.
     "Well, Rico does live life between his legs," Jesa said.
     "You mean he thinks he does," Allyson added, to which everyone 
except Rico laughed.
     The group talked well into the morning. As Jesa lay on the bed 
talking and laughing with the others without regard for his injuries, 
he realized just being with his friends, even though he was laid up in 
a medlab bed, was his Heaven. And for that, Jesa couldn't be happier.
     I only wish Danielle were here.

                    --- End of Babylon 5: Angels ---  

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