NEON GENESIS EVANGELION is the property of GAINAX.
ADV Films and AD Vision have the distribution and
translation rights in their respective jurisdictions.
Used without permission.

You'll need to read the earlier parts to understand
this series. The rest of NGE:HERZ, as well as, my other
works archived at http://sunflower.singnet.com.sg/~toheel/


NEON GENESIS EVANGELION: HERZ
a continuation fanfic by TOH, Ee Loong (EeL)

Part 4: The Visitors/Unwelcome Guests


      "Katsuragi-shirei," said Hyuuga, raising his voice
just above the hum of the Vertical-Take-Off-and-Landing 
engine. "I don't like this, I don't like this one bit."

      Misato nodded. 

      "It has been becoming more and more difficult to 
resist pressure from the UN and the member-states. They've 
poured so much money and resources into maintaining Eva, 
it's inevitable that they would want them to be used in a 
more 'practical' manner."

      Hyuuga snorted, eyes still ahead and hands on the
instrumentation of the craft.

      "Preventing a Third Impact seems practical enough
for me."

      Misato allowed herself a small guffaw. She was glad
for the VTOL craft and the constant shuttling between 
Tokyo-2 and Tokyo-3. It allowed her and her trusted officers 
to discuss HERZ business in private. Despite of the loss of 
much of NERV's old autonomy, HERZ was still greatly feared.
Exclusive control of Unit 01 and the remaining Eva-05 series
meant that she could defeat any armed force on the field. 
Which was why HERZ was tied into the UN military hierarchy, 
why the MAGI were shackled to YGGDRASIL, why she and other 
old NERV staff were surrounded by bugs and spies. This 
craft had been Gendou's personal transport - the old NERV 
Commander had made sure that it would be very difficult 
indeed to eavesdrop on the conversations on board this VTOL 
craft. The only weak link would have been the pilot.

      Misato didn't have that problem. Also ever since 
Hyuuga had handed over the air transport of Eva to younger
officers like Aida, this was a good way to maintain enough
flight time to keep his wings and pilot allowance. Still,
it took some getting used to. The Antonov-242 Evangelion 
Heavy Transport was a flying fortress and anything else felt 
somewhat flimsy.

      "Now that the seventeen angels have been destroyed,
HERZ looks like a huge white elephant. Using Eva for peace-
keeping and peace-making operations will both stretch the
UN's dollar and entrench its power over the member-states,"
Misato reasoned. "Oh Hyuuga, I can't believe I just said
that... I've become a politician!"

      "Katsuragi-shirei, I think that you have needed all
your political skills to keep HERZ and Eva out of the 
hands of other politicians - like those in the member-
states. Could you imagine if the US Congress gained direct
control over HERZ?"

      Misato and Hyuuga rolled their eyes simultaneously.

      "Yeah, I can just imagine them using Eva to intimidate
their President," laughed Misato.

      "Anyhow our main responsibility is to protect Lilith 
from seizure by SEELE. Who's to say they won't manage to
finally throw together another Eva-series and storm the
Geo Front like the last time? Dividing our resources would
seem to invite an attack. Surely the UN doesn't want to
see the end of the world as we know it, ne, Katsuragi-
shirei?"

      "That will be my main argument before the Security
Council. But I doubt that they will be much swayed by it.
Without the Angels, the end of the world seems like such
a distant possibility. A clear and present danger does 
wonders for concentrating the mind. It doesn't help the UN
does have precedence on its side either."

      "You mean our intervention in Krasnoyarsk to help
the Russians get their rebel nukes back? That was to stop
a possible Third World War - probably just lower in the 
scale of magnitude for disasters when compared to the Third 
Impact."

      "My sources in the UN tell me the Security Council
wants a show of strength. They want us to use Unit 01 in
the Congo."

      "Hey, I thought I was the one who was in on secrets
and intelligence gathering? Man, I feel like I've let you
down, Katsuragi-shirei."

      "Don't feel bad, Hyuuga-kun. After all, you don't 
have my good looks and charm. These things do wonders for
intelligence gathering, you know. In any case, I'll put a
stop to this nonsense about an away deployment of Unit 01."

      "How? Not with good looks and charm, I hope."

      Misato swatted Hyuuga on the shoulder but nonetheless
she had an evil smile.

      "I have a cunning plan."

      Hyuuga decided to leave it at that. "Can we use this
opportunity to try and push for more measures against Eva
proliferation? All Col Gessler got from the last conference
was a load of empty promises. We've had incidents at Guantanamo, 
Volvograd and Lop Nor over the past five years! Surely the UN 
must realize that it's not in its advantage to have three of 
its Permanent Members are selling their souls to SEELE in 
return to Eva technology?"

      "For a start, there's no proof. The totality of the
destruction of those facilities saw to that. I know that
the resemblance to the loss of the Second Branch in Nevada
is uncanny but we simply don't have enough solid evidence 
to confront the USA, Russia and China. Our masters in the 
UN are probably eager to field Eva in a show of strength 
as warning to all the powers that be. Also, after that
attempt of revenge against the Children, SEELE has been 
lying low."
    
      "Gathering their strength, I suppose," said Hyuuga
darkly. "Waiting for the time when the moment is right.
They've already begun to put out feelers, testing the 
waters. Remember, last year when the Space Exploration Forces 
destroyed that unauthorized lunar rocket? I'll bet that
they were trying to recover the Lance."

      "Well, that incident certainly made Admiral Smith 
and the Orbital Defence Grid consortium happy. It proved
that their work was important - a timely boost to their 
budget. The UN wants HERZ to earn its keep. This Congo
crisis seems like the perfect opportunity for the UN to
remind the member-states of its trump card," Misato said
as she tapped her chin. 'HERZ needs its own trump card.'

      "So what's your take on the Congo, Hyuuga?"

      HERZ's Intelligence chief and Commander's VTOL-
craft chauffeur sighed.

      "Firstly, it was foolish to try and intervene in
Central Africa without the support of the Great Powers.
It was even worse that the local African powers seem to 
favour some of the warring factions. Oil on a fire. The 
UN looked like it was going to have a general war in 
Sub-Saharan Africa so it rushed in its Rapid Deployment 
Corps. And so we now have this fine mess..."

      It was Misato's turn to sigh. The UNRDC was indeed
rapidly deployed but the lightly armed peacekeepers were
soon hopelessly pinned down in Kinshasa and Brazzaville.
Nobody seemed interested in risking their own troops to
rescue the would-be peacekeepers who had arrived to find
that there was no peace to keep. The UN Secretariat and 
Military Staff Committee were now looking to HERZ to use 
Eva to relieve the sieges of the embattled RDC. The UN
Security Council found it an attractive option since even
the 'mercenaries' wouldn't go near the Congo, given the 
severe difficulty of the situation. If the UNSC passed a 
Resolution to send HERZ into the thick of things, she
would not be able to refuse.       

      The radio began to crackle as UNHQ Air Control 
began to issue landing instructions. As the HERZ craft       
approached the air strip, Misato noted the barracks,
bunkers, weapons platforms and other fortifications 
that surrounded the dome-like headquarters of the United 
Nations. After much wrangling, the Security Council had
allowed the creation of a United Nations Security Force
which was responsible for guarding major UN installations 
like those in Tokyo-2, Geneva and Tasmania. Unlike the
Rapid Deployment Corps, the UNSF were generously provided 
for. The UN had certainly taken the lessons from the 
JSDF massacre at NERV HQ to heart and were not willing
to quibble on their own security. An extra precaution
was that the UNSF was an autonomous body that answered
to the Secretary-General. Unlike HERZ which reported
to the UN Military Staff Committee and the UN Space
Exploration Forces that answered to the Security Council.

      At the landing platform, they were met by one of
the Special Representatives to the Secretary-General as
well as a UNSF Brigadier who conducted them to the 
chamber of the Security Council. 

      The arguments raged all morning. It was just after
lunch when Misato launched her coup de grace. In response
to a spin doctor's suggestion that the use of Unit 01 
would be very good for the television cameras, HERZ's
Commander released footage of the occassion when Unit 01
ate the 14th Angel. Only most of the military personnel and 
representatives from the commercial direct action firms 
(who disliked being called mercenaries) were able to keep
their lunches down. Of course, when the resolution was 
passed later, it was made manifestly clear that Unit 01
was to stay where it was.

	*		*		*

      The plain obsidian tombstone read:

      IKARI YUI
      1977-2004

      Shinji took a step forward and lay a bunch of pure 
white lilies before it. The assembled trio then bowed their
heads in a solemn minute of silence.

      Akiko did not really understand the full significance
of the observance but followed the lead of her father and
grandfather. After a long moment, she felt relieved as her
father took her hand and turned towards his own father.

      "It was good that you were able to come, Father,"
said Shinji, his manner polite and formal.

      "The higher-ups in GEHIRN found it in their hearts 
to let an old man visit his wife's grave on her death 
anniverary. It is good to see you, Shinji. And you too,
Akiko-chan. It has been too long," replied Gendou as the
three Ikaris began their walk to the train station.

      "Father, would you join us for dinner at our home?"
asked Shinji.

      "Of course, it would be a pleasure."

      The train ride was uneventful. Prof Fuyutsuki was in 
good health and spirits. Prof Akagi would be transferred to 
GEHIRN's Tokyo-3 facility. She would receiving the newest 
physiotherapy treatments under HERZ's own Dr Susan Ilandra. 
Dinner was a simple but wholesome affair. Asuka would not 
be joining them. She was needed at HERZ HQ and would be 
returning late. Gendou understood perfectly. 

      As Shinji was washing the dishes, Akiko clambered onto
her grandfather's lap. She looked up at him and smiled her
brightest smile. Gendou returned the smile as he stroked his
grandchild's long chestnut hair. His grandchild. Shinji's
child. Yui would have been so proud. He didn't need to see
the picture that was in Shinji's bedroom. He could see an 
image of Yui on his lap. And Rei.

      Akiko reached out tentatively to touch Gendou's beard.
He nodded and she sated her curiosity. She knew Otousan had 
thought about growing one. She also knew that Mama hated it.
Gendou looked left and right before bearing his gaze directly
on Akiko. He then stuck his tongue at her. He proceeded to
twist his ears slightly, retracting his tongue in the process.
Akiko squealed with delight as her grandfather tried a few 
more 'tricks'. He was such a funny man. She wished that he
would visit more often.

      Soon it was time for him to leave. As father and son
exchanged farewell courtesies, the former finally found it 
in himself to ask a question he had wanted to ask all this 
time.

      "I... I was just wondering. How... how is..."

      "Rei is fine. She sends her love."     

      Gendou bowed his head.

      "Thank you," he whispered. As he raised his chin, he
felt an impulse and acted on it. Stepping forward, he 
hugged his grown son. 

      "Goodbye, Shinji. My son."

      Akiko saw her father stiffen slightly and then 
quickly relax. He returned the hug. For the first time 
that day, Akiko saw her father's usual warm smile return. 
Everything was going to be alright.

	*		*		*

      "Aren't we done yet?" whined Asuka.

      An image from the Control Room of Dr Ibuki appeared 
before her. "Just another 25 minutes, Asuka-san."

      "Another 25 minutes!? Why do *I* have to take part
in these stupid exercises anyway?" demanded the irate Asuka.

      Maya smiled her patient smile as she smoothed her 
hands on her white lab coat. They had been through this 
many, many times.

      "Asuka-san, we need to keep your synchornization 
data up to date. Just in case we ever need you to pilot 
Eva. The refresher exercises are to keep you familiar 
with operating an Evangelion."

      "You don't really need me to do this. I haven't got
Unit 02 anymore. Shinji-baka-kun is the designated pilot for 
the Ugly Purple Thing and we can control the Eva-05 units 
with the dummy plug system. Well, most of the time anyway, 
apart from when Wondergirl feels like taking one of them 
for an evening walk. This is such a big fat waste of my 
time," grumbled Asuka.

      "Well, we do have to prepare for all eventualities.
It's our only guarantee of survival," recited Maya.

      "Awh geez, you sound just like Ritsuko!" moaned 
Asuka. She rather relished the chance to be a petulant
child once and a while.

      After some thought, Maya decided to take that last
comment as a compliment. 

      "Asuka-san, you did say that you would be 
available this evening."

      "Yeah, yeah," muttered Asuka. 'Sure beats having
to see Shinji's old man. Mr Use-Asuka-as-cannon-fodder.'
She quickly found something else to pick on.

      "Can't you do anything about this LCL? It's still 
so disgusting! Have you any idea how difficult it is to
get the smell out of my eye-patch? And this patch is a
brand new one too!"

      Behind Maya, Hosokawa Kurumi rolled her eyes.

      "How does Shinji-kun put up with that woman? 
Especially with the alternatives on offer!" Kurumi said as 
she gestured expansively with her arms, blinking her
green eyes in mock confusion.

      "Hey! I heard that!"


      Half an hour later, Asuka emerged from the locker
room. By then, Kurumi had already beat a fast retreat.
She did, however, find Deputy Commander Gessler at the
Command Tower. It seemed that he was showing a visitor
around HERZ. The visitor in question was of average
build, bearded and balding. He wore a grey business suit 
and an tan overcoat. His visitor security tag indicated 
a considerable level of clearance for an outsider.

      "Major Ikari, I would like you to meet Dr Karl
Meinecke, Chief Technology Officer at STERNBILD AG. We
worked together in the Third Branch on MAGI-05 back in 
Berlin before he got headhunted by the private sector."

      "Pleased to meet you, Herr Meinecke. I am Major Ikari 
Asuka Langley. I advise the Commander with respect to HERZ
Operations," Asuka said as she introduced herself formally.
She had heard about the Zurich-based defence contractors
who were deeply involved in the business of selling equipment
and expertise to the UN military.

      "The pleasure is mine, Major Ikari. The famous Second
Child will always be the pride of all who have worked in 
the Third Branch. You have sacrificed much and for that we
are all grateful."

      Asuka blushed at the unexpected praise before 
being excused by Col Gessler. Meinecke appeared deep in
thought as he considered Asuka's departing figure. His
melancholy did not go unnoticed.

      "What is it, Karl?"

      "Old friend, I fear that still more will be 
asked of your young Major and her family."

	*		*		*

      It was a very pleasant Sunday afternoon. Hikari
watched with no small satisfaction as Asuka wolfed down
the bento boxes she had prepared for this little picnic
at the park. 

      "Oh Hikari, you're such a great cook. Maybe Shinji
could pick up some tips from you," said Asuka between bites.

      "Oh, you're so lucky, Asuka. Shinji cooks, cleans
and looks after the baby while you bring home the bacon,"
teased Hikari. Being used to all the house-husband jokes,
Asuka decided to play along.

      "You know, Hikari, it's not just the cooking, cleaning 
and child-minding departments that baka-Shinji can be
so... satisfying," Asuka said almost nonchalantly as she 
grinned predatorily in Shinji's general direction. Shinji
who was helping his daughter catch butterflies, nonetheless
noticed and took a moment to wave back. 'She's giving me that
look again. Not in the park, I hope. Weeell, then again...'

      Hikari's blush appeared almost immediately and she
began to search for something to say. 'Hah, gotcha.' Asuka
decided to press her advantage.

      "So when can Akiko-chan expect a playmate?"

      "Asuka, I'm not married yet!"

      "That hasn't stopped others before. Besides you're 
engaged to that jock already."

      "Asuka!!! I... Oooh, you win."

      Asuka smiled triumphantly. She loved winning. "But
seriously, have you decided on a date?"

      "Maybe next spring when my teaching award should be
confirmed."

      "So can the wise Dr Horaki Hikari of the Department
of International Relations, University of Tokyo-3 give us
an appraisal of the Congo situation?"

      "Oh Asuka, don't be silly. Since when did academia have
anything to do with the real world? Hey, shouldn't you be the 
one with first hand knowledge?"

      "Yeah, yeah. But I can't make any sense out of it.
People like to fight over all kinds of stupid things. And 
because of that I've got to spend more time away from Akiko-
chan and Shinji-kun."

      "It looks pretty bad. HERZ will have to get involved.
I gather you've seen the Security Council resolution?"

      Asuka nodded. "At least baka-Shinji won't have to go
that hellhole. He'd probably step on someone and then moan
about it for a month."

      Hikari nodded as well. "You must be very relieved."

      "Though Misato doesn't see us as much since we moved 
out, she sort of sees Shinji-kun as a son or a little kid
brother. She wouldn't want to put him in that kind of place
for that kind of stupid reason."

      "Well, it sure helps that Shinji-kun's got a really
cute butt."

      It was Asuka's turn to turn goldfish. Eyes wide open
and mouth gaping open and shut without any sound coming out
of it. She just managed to recover as her husband and daughter
made their way to her side.

      "Mama, look! Isn't it pretty?" asked Akiko, holding 
up a jar with a butterfly in it. "And I caught it myself!
Right, Otousan?"

      Hikari seemed to gaze longingly the Ikaris. She also
noted that both Shinji and Asuka were wearing jackets 
despite the nice weather. She idly recalled that both of
them carried 9mm pistols wherever they went. There had been
an attempt on their lives almost 8 years ago, just before
Asuka had signed up for the HERZ officer corps. Now with a
family, neither could afford the luxury of chance. Her 
thoughts returned to the present as Shinji managed to 
convince Akiko that it was not a nice thing to take 'her'
butterfly home and that she should let it go later. Having
accomplished this, he turned to Hikari and asked about Touji.

      "Oh, he's fine. He's sorry he couldn't join us today
but the appointment at HOSHIZORA Corp really couldn't be 
changed."     

      "But he's their client, aren't they supposed to treat
customers better!?" Asuka was indignant.           

      "The treatment is free. The biomechanical arm and leg
replacements were free of charge too."

      "But they're using him as a guinea pig! They can get
lots of valuable data from Touji's trials."

      "They also paid for my university education with a
full scholarship. Touji-kun had thought of asking but they
made the offer first. That's on top of the 'supplement' to
his teacher's wage at our old school. Touji-kun doesn't mind
the tests. If they can help the company to make a better
product, it will help others like him. Being able to give
something to others is very important for him."

      Shinji nodded in agreement as he tucked into his 
bento box.

      "Oh, this is wonderful as always. Hikari, you must 
come over with Touji for dinner and we can exchange tips."
Shinji looked puzzled as Hikari and Asuka both burst out
laughing. Akiko simply continued eating. Adults could be
so strange sometimes.

	*		*		*

      Maya couldn't help but feel a little nervous as she 
stood in front of the Commander's desk. The lights were 
off and the huge office was only illuminated by the red 
glow of the arcane diagram on the ceiling above. The state
of the office tended to reflect Misato's mood. Currently,
it seemed that it was sombre and thoughtful, like a dark 
silent cloud on the horizon. Some of that blood red light 
reflected off the Commander's reading glasses as she shifted 
through the papers.

      "I see you are recommending that Lt Aida be confirmed
as a full lieutenant. In addition, he should remain on the
dual track scheme."

      "Yes, Katsuragi-shirei. I understand that Hyuuga-san
is satisfied with his intel performance. On my side, his 
technical training is going very well. I think he deserves
the confirmation - if not for the pay, then simply for the
recognition of his hard work," Maya said softly.

      Misato simply indicated her approval by initialling 
the document. She then brought another paper to the top of 
the stack.

      "Do you need Asuka to come down for more tests?"

      "Her synchorization data is sufficiently complete
at this time. Also Asuka-san doesn't like the tests. I
don't want to push her."

      "Who can blame her? But you're certain that you 
have what you need to complete the project?"

      "Just a few more tests to put on the finishing 
touches. But there's no need to press her on it. Ah, 
thank you," said Maya as she took the papers from her
Commander.

      "And you are not having any doubts or second thoughts
about this?"

      "None, Katsuragi-shirei. This can't hurt anyone."

      Taking her leave, Dr Ibuki Maya turned and walked
towards the door. As she reached it, she paused.

      "Katsuragi-shirei?"

      "Yes, Ibuki-hakase?"

      "Thank you for getting Akagi-senpai's transfer.
And for arranging for HERZ medical treatment."

      "Now, now, Maya. What makes you think this had
anything to do with me? You know how Ritsuko hates to
impose on others..." Misato couldn't help but grin
widely.

      "Still, I wanted to thank you," Maya said as she
bowed slightly and then backed out through the door.

      As the door closed, Misato adjusted her glasses
with her right hand. Smiling to herself, she murmured,
"You're welcome..."

	*		*		*

      She was here again. The guard quietly observed their
visitor. She usually ignored them and never offered any 
identification papers. But the light blue hair and red eyes 
were unmistakable. Sometimes it was a white sundress. Today 
it was the blue one.      

      The guard could understand why Rei came to the day
care centre at least twice a week. Although the children
found Rei different from other people, they had quickly 
accepted her as their friend. Rei seemed particularly fond
of the Ikari kid. They also had a strong physical 
resemblance - which had fed a lot of nasty rumours about
who the real mother was. Complete nonsense, of course, 
since Ikari Akiko's colour was a complete match for Major 
Ikari Asuka Langley's. Ikari Shinji was also famous for
being completely housetrained by the one-eyed battle-axe.    

      Her musings were interrupted by a scratching sound 
from outside. Probably her colleague at the day care 
centre's entrance. When she got no response on her walkie-
talkie, she checked the footage from the hidden security
camera just outside. Her eyes widened at the sight of her 
colleague slumped on the floor and a group dressed in cleaning 
crew fatigues at the door. It was the most heavily armed
cleaning crew she had ever seen. One of them was working 
on the electronic lock.

      "Everyone take cover!" she shouted as she smashed 
her hand on the alert button. Switching her submachine gun
from 'safe' to 'auto', she just managed to take up a 
position facing the entrance as the lock was disengaged.

      Rei noted the cry of alarm. All the children began
their 'evacuation' drills, heads down and finding shelter
behind various bits of furniture. There were no questions
and no crying. These were the children of the Second Impact, 
of the war against the Angels and of man against man. She
gathered up Akiko to her chest with her left arm and stroked
the little girl's head. 

      The remaining guard was quickly overwhelmed by superior 
firepower and numbers. But the alarm had been sounded. They 
would have to act quickly. The target was in the arms of a 
young woman who was recognized as the First Child. No more 
needed to be said. The sights of six automatic rifles trained 
on her. Rei raised her right hand over her head. As she swung 
her open hand down, they opened fire.

	*		*		*

      In the Command tower in Central Dogma, alert signs
appeared on the displays. Everyone realised the signficance
of its point of origin.

      "Hosokawa-san, you're in the area. Take a security
detail and investigate," said Col Gessler over the intercom.
"Notify Ikari Shinji at once."

      "What about me!?" cried Asuka from the deck below.

      Gessler glanced to his side to see the Commander 
emerge through the floor-lift. She gripped the railing
with some force and her eyes were steely. She simply nodded. 
Gessler grunted and looked Asuka in the eye.

      "Go."

      Without a further word, Asuka ran in the direction
of the day care centre as the command staff continued their
work.

      "We have six intruders in the area. They seem to
be heavily armed. Infra-red sensors only. We've just lost
visual. Oh my god!" cried Kensuke. "AT Field detected. No,
we just lost it! Security detail is arriving."

	*		*		*

      Asuka arrived to see a member of Kurumi's security
detail outside the door. There was a body on the floor 
covered with a sheet. The bulkheads around the entrance
were completely deformed with bulges. As she stepped in, 
she saw another soldier covering the body of the other 
duty guard. The floor of the room was covered with spent
bullet casings. Kurumi and the rest of her group were trying
their best to handle the children who now sensed that it
was safe enough to make a fuss. She headed straight for
Akiko who was safely seated on Rei's lap. Rei simply looked 
at Asuka with those piercing red eyes. She whispered into
Akiko's ear and gave her into her mother's embrace.
 
      The major then turned her mind for an explanation.
There seemed to have been fighting. When she got to 
Kurumi, the usually smart-ass Special Investigator seemed 
pale and nervous. 

      "What's going on? Where are the intruders?" Asuka 
demanded. Kurumi's only response was to weakly point in
the direction behind Asuka. She turned around, gasped and
then quickly patted Akiko's head with her free hand so 
that her daughter's gaze would remain somewhere on her
hair or shoulder.

      The metal wall surrounded the door seemed to have
been pulverised with the fist of an angry Evangelion. It 
was covered by a red goo which was interpersed with bits 
of cloth and lumps of twisted metal. It was beginning to 
drip. As more security personnel arrived, Rei simply got
up and walked out.

      "Mama, Aunt Ayanami said that she would never let 
anyone hurt me," volunteered Akiko softly into her mother's
ear.
 
	*		*		*

      Maya looked up from her terminal at the sound of 
the alarm signal. She got up and decided to head towards
Central Dogma to find out what was happening. As the door
slid open, she was surprised to find a member of the 
cleaning crew at the entrance. Strangely he seemed to 
have been preoccupied with the lock. Maya's eyes widened
as he recovered from her sudden appearance and swung a fist 
at her.

      Stinging pain erupted across her head as his fist 
struck. The impact hurled her onto the floor. Winded by
the fall and the shock, Maya could only clutch the left side
of her face as she whimpered in agony. Through her blurred
vision, she could just make out the man step through the
entrance. The door closed behind him with a terrible 
sense of finality. He drew a pistol from his overalls and 
carefully took aim. Maya felt a sharp pain in her chest and 
was surprised that there had been no sound. The pain was 
replaced by a numbness that spread rapidly to the rest of her 
being and she lost consciousness on the cold lab floor.     

end of part 4


Comments and criticism are most welcome!
Mail me at: toheel@singnet.com.sg

Production notes
Begun 12 Sep 98.
First draft 2 Nov 98.
Pre-readers 2 Nov 98.
FFML draft 4 Nov 98.
RAAC first posting

Apologies to those of you who have been waiting. The start
of term was the main factor. I also had to completely rewrite
part 4 after clarification of my ideas about what a post-
Second Impact UN should be organized.

I wish there was a better way of addressing Misato formally
in English. 'Commander' can mean 'commanding officer' or can
sometimes be confused with the US naval rank which is the 
equivalent of an army major (I think). That's why the 
honorific of 'shirei' (commanding officer) is used. 'Hakase'
refers to a person with a PhD, sometimes connoting 
technological research. I'm a sucker for Japanese honorifics.

Spot the Blackadder reference.

Ja Ne
EeL