[Ooookay, C&C section 2, thanks to the AOL mailer...GRRR....]
"I guess that's the real thing behind it, though -that I come
back. I wonder if anyone would miss me if I didn't. Well, Pops, sure,
but anyone here? Misato, maybe; Ritsuko too. And Rei, she might miss me,
since we've been talking every day. I dunno about my Father, though.."
Nice trick, that, Shinji referring to Gendo as "my father," rather
than just "Father." Adds more distance between them.
Kizuko glanced at him. "I must have misunderstood. Did you not
say that your 'Pop' would miss you? Do you not mean your father when you
use this term?"
"Nah, when I say Pop I mean my foster father, Saotome Ranma-
sensei. I have a hard time thinking of Gendou as anything but 'Father',
with a capital F."
A few moments of silence went by as Kizuko thought that over. "I
do not understand. Why do you think of 'father' with a capital?"
Well, he just kinda has that effect, y'know?
Shinji shrugged. "Why do I think of 'Teacher' with a capital T?
It's a title. Father gained it because that's what he is -my Father. But
The second "father" shouldn't be capped, I'd say -- he's using it as a
more general description, there, rather than a direct reference.
he really hasn't done anything to make me feel like he isn't a stranger;
I just don't think of him as family. So, it's a title, and titles get
capitalized."
Nickleback: "Father's a name you haven't earned yet..."
(from _Silver_Side_Up_, "Never Again.")
"I see. Do you respect your father?"
"Humnn.." He said, crossing his arms behind his head as he
thought, swinging his book bag behind himself. "Yeah, I suppose I do.
Even though I didn't know him while I was growing up, I realize now it
was because of his work on the Evangelion's that made him unable to care
for me after mom was taken from us... I don't blame him for leaving me
with Pops, 'cause mom had him do that, but it woulda been nice if he had
dropped by to say hi or written or something. I guess he's just the type
who gets lost in their work."
There's different kinds of respect. There's respect for people you
care for and value, and there's the respect you give people for what they
accomplish, regardless of their worth of human beings. I think Shinji's
giving Gendo too much credit at the end, there, but you're writing this.
Yui had Gendo leave Shinji with Ranma? Huh. How'd that happen?
"Yes, he is. I respect your father as well."
Shinji raised an eyebrow. "Yeah? What he do to get your
respect?"
"What he do"? ITYM "what DID he do"
"He saved my life."
The other eyebrow shot skyward. "Really? Huh. Lemme guess,
problem with Unit Zero?"
Heh. Quick on the uptake.
She nodded. "Yes. It failed the activation test, in which I
received these injuries."
Shinji shuddered. "Well, at least you came back. Maybe not all
of you, but you came back."
Interesting comment. Does she know about what she left behind in Zero?
She paused, looking up at him after he turned to face her. "Why
do you say that?"
He blinked. "Huh? Say what?"
"You sound as if you are happy I did not disappear within the
entry plug."
"That's because I am.. Arn't you?"
Spelling: Aren't.
She thought for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly as her
mind searched for an answer. "I am not sure."
Guh! Well, Kizuko has canon-Rei's lack of value for herself, that's
for sure.
He answered her with silence, failing to understand her at all.
"You're not... Sure? You mean... you're not glad you didn't die?"
"It is not important to me. I am easily replaced." She said,
beginning to walk by him, but stopping as he grabbed her arm. She looked
at him from the side, her gaze questioning.
Huh...yeah, I recall the clones being mentioned. And Shinji ought to
slap Gendo around some, at least, for raising Kizuko to feel this way about
herself. It's obviously not genetic, given Rei's example.
"Don't ever say that." He said softly as he released her arm,
using that hand to instead brush her cheek with his fingers. "You're not
replaceable. Not to me."
Ahh... Now here's a reminder that this Shinji is more than just a skirt-
chasing, butt-kicking, male-bonding smartass. Small, but beautiful.
Thank you.
A slight blush colored her cheeks as she met his gaze for a
moment; then, turning away from him, she resumed walking. Within a few
minutes of strained silence, they arrived at HQ.
Heh. Poor girl, she has no idea how to deal with such obvious,
selfless concern.
Shinji saw her to the Medical Ward before making his way to the
command center. A quick glance up revealed his father's desk to be
empty.
The techs looked up as he arrived. "You're pilot Ikari, right?"
asked Hyuuga.
He stopped, and bowed. "Yeah, I'm sorry for not introducing
myself last time..."
Well, things *were* a bit hectic...
"Hey, don't worry about it." Aoba said, looking up from Love
Hina Volume 11. "It was a little tense when you got here."
Love Hina? <snerk!> No Heavy Metal Aoba, huh?
"Eh... Still. I'm Ikari Shinji. Nice to meet you all."
"Hyuuga Makoto." Said the shorthaired guy in glasses. "Nice to
make your acquaintance, Pilot. Thanks for saving our asses."
"...Makoto," said the...
"Aoba Shigeru." Said the suspiciously American-looking Manga
reading guy. "Thanks to your efforts, I will live to read the rest of
Love Hina! You're my hero, man!"
"...Shigeru," said...
Yeah, he does look kinda like a California surfer duuude, don't he?
"live to read the rest of LH"? Good grief, Aoba, get a LIFE! Heh heh.
"Aoba, you're such a fool." The shorthaired girl said, sticking
her tongue out at him. Shinji recognized her voice from his brief spat
in/with Unit-00. "Ibuki Maya. You have my admiration, Ikari-san."
"I'd rather have your number, or a date. Preferably both." He
said, throwing his suave charms into full gear.
Smooth. Very smooth.
`Oh my god! WhatamIgoingtodo?` Maya thought, blushing fiercely.
Tell him you're a lesbian. Or is she bi, in this story?
"Ouuooo!!!" Aoba and Hyuuga chorused.
"Smooth, man!"
"Way to go!" Matoko said in bad English.
<cocked eyebrow> Is using bad Enrish catchphrases a habit of his?
"Is.. Isn't it against corporate... I mean, government policy to
date coworkers?" Maya asked meekly.
Aoba and Hyuuga switched their attention from Maya to Shinji.
Like a pair of matched turret guns. I can just SEE this. Heh.
"Nah. I'm piloting and general ass-kicking, while you're in the
command-technician department. It's like if my Father was getting some
with Dr. Akagi. No one'd care."
<plotz!> Ooookay: first, he's probably right about himself
and Maya, although it could be iffy.
Second...oh, Shin, if you only knew (or is Rit-chan smarter in this
story than in canon? One can only hope)
Third: He's wrong about Ritsuko and Gendo, anyway -- *anyone* below
him in his chain of command would be verboten to Gendo. But I can see
Shinji
making this mistake, and I can see why you threw it in. My nose still hurts
from the facefault...
Hyuuga and Aoba switched focal points again, waiting for her
reaction.
Turret guns, again. Heh.
"Eh!? But, I, um.. I'm older than you?"
<smirk> Geez, Maya, why are you *asking,* instead of *telling*?
Could it be your mental faculties are faltering under the effects of his
flirting? (:)
Again, the two men switched their view, interested in how Shinji
would refute this remarkably valid point.
Turrets. 'nuff said.
The young man gave it a moment of thought, then shrugged. "Eh,
what's four years in the face of love, let alone wide-scale destruction,
Alien Invasion, and the possibility of immanent death?"
Well, it beats "We could all die tomorrow -- I don't / do you
want to die a virgin?/." But I think it springs from the same sentiment.
Sighing in abject defeat, the poor girl deflated somewhat, her
coworkers snickering. "It's 0109-88-4142."
Suggestion: "while her coworkers snickered." And that's an odd
number. Is that the way they work in Japan, or is this an author-created
post-2nd-Impact thing?
Aoba and Hyuuga gave Shinji the victory sign as Shinji whipped
A&H (wearing rising-sun beadbands): "Banzai! Banzai! BANZAIII!!!!"
out a pocket book, scribbled down her number, and put it back wherever
it came from. "Thanks! I'll give you a call sometime. Maybe I could talk
you into showing me around the city? I haven't had the chance to see
much of it yet."
And still more smoothness from the Shinjinator.
"Yeah? I.. I think that might be a possibility."
A pair of hands alighted on Shinji's shoulders, causing him to
raise an eyebrow, Hyuuga and Aoba quickly swiveling around as they began
to work again. "Chatting up the cuties, are we, Shin-chan?"
"Hey Ritsu. I even got her number, too."
The blonde scientist cringed slightly at the nickname, being
reminded of a certain person who called her the same one and shared many
of Shinji's attributes. Or was it the other way around? "Oh, I see.
Congratulations. You've smitten my daughter, frustrated Misato, broken
through Kizuko's ice veneer, and working on Maya too?"
Well, he can't resist a challenge...or a bunch. One problem: what
happens if/when several of these girls get serious about him? He hasn't
thought about *that* yet, has he?
"Yup. But, don't forget -I hit on you as well." He said,
smiling.
"You're so shameless." She said good-humouredly, ruffling his
hair. "Is he bothering you, Maya?"
Heh. I like this version of Ritsu better, too. She's happier.
"No.. Not at all. I'm... flattered, really."
"Lucky you, Ikari. But.. I'm going to kick you out anyway."
Heh. He and Ritsu are going to enjoy fencing with each other...
"Figures. Hey, where can I find the old man?"
"You could try his office." Ritsuko offered.
*Knock Knock*
The sound echoed off the large metal door and continued,
unabated, down the empty hallway.
"Enter."
Upon opening the door, Shinji found himself under his father's
inscrutable gaze. He almost felt intimidated. Almost. *Click*
Almost. Now, what would Gendo have to do to make Shinji feel
intimidated, I wonder?
"Wonderful job you've done, Shinji.." Gendou started, his hands
dropping from their usual position to rest on the large desk in his
office. "Telling the student body you're a pilot. What does it get you?"
"A few one night stands and a bunch of female admirers?" The
young man offered.
I could make a comment here about his priorities.
"Well yes.." Gendou seceded, "But it could also get you killed."
"Seceded"? Errr...
"Assassination?" Shinji hazarded, only to have Gendou nod.
"Damn, didn't think of that." He frowned. "'Bout the only thing I can't
dodge is bullets. Guess I'll have to be more careful."
Geee, ya THINK?
"What's done is done. My recommendation is for you to refrain
from telling anyone else."
"But.. that 'I'm a pilot and tonight my be our last night to
live' line works so well! I mean.." He pulled an address book from his
back pocket and flipped through a few pages, "I've already gotten
seventeen phone numbers, six dates, three offers for sex, and one girl
who wants to marry me. It's great! And you want me to stop?" He paused,
shaking his head slightly while giving his father a dubious look. "Are
you out of your mind?"
Pay me no mind, I'm just banging my head against my desk, here...
Gendou blinked. "Well.. Continue at your own discretion."
"After all, I can't let planetary security get in the way of my
Manly Son's sex life! Go, boy -- sow those wild oats!"
Shinji smirked. "Thanks, Father. That all you called me in for?"
"Not quite." The elder Ikari said, adjusting his glasses. "How
are you finding your accommodations?"
"...quite," the elder...
"Very much to my liking. Babes, Beer, and a bird. What else
could a teenager want in a room?"
I'm...not...saying...anything......
"I see. School?"
Shinji snorted in contempt. "All the teacher ever does is drone
on about second impact. It's boring, not to mention grossly inaccurate."
"Indee-Wait a second. How do YOU know about THAT?" Gendou asked,
a note of alarm in his voice.
Ah, the Ice King cracks! "This is *not* according to the Plan."
"Duh. You're the one who sent Ryouji to Ranma-Sensei for stealth
training." Shinji intoned, offering his father a placid look.
"...training," Shinji...
"Oh. So he told you?" Shinji nodded and Gendou sighed. "I swear,
if the man wasn't so useful I'd have him shot."
No, no, no! Dammit, Gendo, I keep telling you, you can't do that for
at *least* another 10 episodes! It's in his contract!
"You do know he's a double agent, right?" Shinji asked.
<plotz> Okay, this is obviously another HD-brand joke... but
how *did* Shinji figure that out?
"Of course."
Like, Duh.
"Just checking. Well, I'm off. See ya later, old man."
"Feh." Gendou snorted as his son left. "Rambunctious youth."
Heh. Watching these two get along should be...interesting.
*Knock Knock*
Rei looked up from the history book she was currently reading to
see Shinji standing by the door to her room. "Yes?"
"Hey. I've got some time to kill before the Induction Mode test
tonight. Feel up for a bit of a walk?" He asked.
"Sure! Let me just slip a hospital gown on real quick." She
said, dropping the schoolbook on a nearby hospital tray table stacked
with assignments before tossing the covers aside and gingerly standing
up.
Though only clad in her underwear, and feeling his gaze on her
lithe body, Rei didn't mind, much, anymore. Over the past six days she
and Shinji had come to an understanding: As long as he refrained from
stealing her panties and didn't touch without permission, he was free to
look as long and as hard as he pleased.
That's an...interesting arrangement. But at least he's better than
Happy.
It was still unnerving at times, but the rational part of her
mind knew he was just curious about a woman's body. She got a bit of a
<tonuge-in-cheek> I don't think it's "curiosity," exactly...
thrill out of it, though, knowing his undivided attention was on her,
and that he would probably do anything for a chance to run his hands
over her smooth, soft skin...
<supressing hentai comments>
She snapped herself out of that thought as a searing lance of
pain ripped through her injured arm. She gasped slightly, then sighed.
"Shinji, would you mind...?"
Suggestion: replace "snapped herself" with "was snapped out...
by a searing..."
"Sure thing, Rei." He replied, moving behind her and tying the
gown shut. "You know you're beautiful, right?"
Ah, another sincere-Shinji moment, masked in a bit of flirtatious
innuendo.
"Of course. You only tell me every day."
He chuckled as she also donned a robe, the IV line trailing out
of her collar. "I can't help telling the truth."
Ooooh, smooth *and* sincere. What girl could resist? (;)
She cinched the robe's belt about her waist with little
difficulty, and took the wheeled IV Hanger in hand. "Well, shall we?"
Hanger shouldn't be capped.
He bowed, saying "Ladies first."
The Medical Wards were located just under the main command
center, and just above the Evangelion Cage, affording the two teens with
a beautiful late evening view of the Geofront's landscape. They stopped
at one point along the gigantic pane of Plexiglas, which extended the
entire length of the Medical Ward on all sides of the Nerv Pyramid,
enjoying the view in a companionable silence.
"...medical ward on all sides of the NERV pyramid..." Does this mean
that the medical ward takes up an entire floor?
"Say, Shinji...?"
"Mnn...?"
"When do you think the next Angel will attack?"
She watched his features turn serious for the moment he mulled
over the question. "I dunno." He finally said. "I do hope it'll be a
while, if at all."
"I hope so. I don't want you out there alone."
Yeah. She's been there, done that, got the t-shirt.
"Regardless, it's not the fighting that worries me. It's the
fact that no one seems to know just who, or what, our Enemy is."
That always bugged me that no one pursued that question, in the
original series.
Rei idly wheeled the IV stand back and forth, not quite knowing
what to say. "They're obviously not peaceful. But, someone must know
something -we have the Eva's, after all. Creating a weapon of that scale
requires some foresight, you know."
Yep. The next question is, "just how much *did* they know...and how
long?"
He turned his head to look at her, narrowing his eyes. "You know
something. But what?"
So, Rei, how much do *you* know?
She dropped her gaze, looking out to the deep man made lake
below, watching the orange light play across the water's surface. "I'm
not at liberty to discuss that information with persons under Ultra-
Violet clearance."
Man-Made, I think. And maybe "below," rather than "under."
He blinked. (*SqueegieSqueegie*) "UV Protection?! You mean
you've got UV Clearance? Then what am I?"
"No, I'm just held under high confidence by the Commander." She
smiled wryly. "As for you, I think you're Blue level, but you'd have to
verify that."
Interesting. This Rei isn't under Gendo's control like canon-Rei, or
Kizuko, so why would he confide in her so much more than in his own son?
Hmm.
He grumbled. "In other words, you're saying if I want answers, I
should ask my Father."
"Ind.. Er, yeah. Pretty much."
"Indeed". Heh heh. Wonder who she picked that up from? (:)
He made a soft disgruntled sound before removing himself from
the rail and walking on. She followed, easing her way up to walk next to
him. "So, how was school today?"
"Eh, not too bad, but a bit busier than normal."
Hmmm...he didn't bring her homework with him?
"How so?"
"Well... Some girls tried to chat with me over the computers,
but... Umn, when I tired to respond, mine kinda... blew up."
She scrunched up her face. "Your computer blew up? Why?"
"I'm not entirely sure. Every time Me, my Pops, or any of the
Me should not be capped.
martial artists he knows who are as good as he is touch a computer,
something strange happens. They blank out, or erase themselves, or
sometimes just... blow up. Damn, the school's prolly going to send me
the bill, too."
Hmmm. Ki overload? Of course, that would imply that EM weapons
might be able to affect ki auras, or counter ki attacks.
And the bill? Tell 'em to send it to Gendo. Speaking of, does
Shinji (or the Ayanamis) get paid for piloting in this series?
"That's bizarre."
"Tell me about it. A friend of Pops said once that it had
something to do with how we regulate our Ki, said that since we kinda
store it like, and keep a reserve, we turn our bodies into one big
capacitor. And when we touch sensitive electronic equipment and the
like, we screw it up. Too much electromagnetic radiation, or we cause a
short circuit, or somethin'. I wasn't really paying attention to the
conversation at the time."
Hmmm. Sounds like Tofu.
"Must be hard, not being able to use a computer." Rei mused.
"Eh, it's not so bad. Xian Puu said she thought that heavy duty
magnetic radiation shielding might keep that from happening. Since I've
got some cash now, I'm thinking about bugging the guys in R&D to slap
something together for me. On the up side, I can get free games at
Arcades and cokes out of vending machines and the like." He finished
smugly.
Okay, that's handy. Can he pick electronic locks...like the one
leading into LCL Production in Terminal Dogma?
"I don't believe that for a second." She said, then, "Your
Sensei knows someone named Xian Puu?"
"...second," she said. Then: "Your...
"The lounge is up ahead, I'll prove it. And yes, he does. Nice
gal, too... Though still a bit sore that she didn't get to marry Pops, I
think. Any way, after that, the guys in our class managed to get me to
squeal that I was a Pilot. It's kinda funny, my pocket book's almost
filled with addresses and phone numbers of beautiful girls. One of 'em
wants to marry me even, can you believe that?"
Groupies. Gotta love 'em. But only with protection.
Odd. When he was talking to his father, he acted like he *loved* all
the attention. Yet now, with Rei, he seems more ambivalent.
"Welcome to the world of instant celebrity." Rei commented
wryly.
Comma after "celebrity"
"Feh." He said as they reached the small lounge area. All three
walls were covered with vending machines of various make, with various
wares: Coffee, Soda, instant ramen, assorted snack foods, beer, and one
that sold an assortment of undergarments. Shinji raised an eyebrow at
that last one, then wandered over to the ICC Coffee machine. "I can see
Undergarments vending machine? Wait, ISTR that they really *have*
those in Japan. But I wonder how Happi would react...?
it now..." He smacked the button for a light coffee. After a moment the
machine made a series of complaining noises, and a can rolled out
obligingly. He stooped, retrieved it, and then posed for Rei. "ICC
coffee: rich flavor, for those with discerning taste."
And cold, apparently, unless they serve hot coffee in cans.
She snorted at him, amused. "Yeah, dress you in your Plug Suit
and you could probably sell that stuff easy. Hey, and get me a sour
apple soda while you're at it."
Product placement and corporate endorsements: Gendo's backup plan
for keeping NERV funded if SELEE cuts them off...
Nike: The only running shoe that KICKS ANGEL @$$!!!! (size 438EEEEEEE
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE not available for civilian sale)
Body Glove: If our plug suits can protect Them (shots of pilots)
from This (clips of Angel combat), do you want to go diving in anything
else?
Wheaties: The breakfast of EVA pilots!
He shrugged, then browsed the machines, finally finding one with
the requested beverage. He pressed the button, and two popped out.
"Oops. Held the button too long, I think."
Rei tittered softly. "That's okay. I'll drink the other one
later."
They sat on one of the benches, sipping at their drinks. "What
else happened today?"
"Eh, I got pestered by this guy named Aida for a tour of the Eva
Cage..."
She rolled her eyes. "Will that boy ever give up?"
"Oh, bugged you about it too, did he?" She nodded an affirmative
and he continued, "Anyway, then there was this guy, Suzahara. He dragged
SuzUhara.
me outside and started going off about how his younger sister got put in
the hospital because of the Angel attack. I 'apologized' to him. Not
much I can do about it, but I feel sorry for the kid."
"Yeah. I hope he wasn't too harsh with you. When something like
this hurts family, it really hits hard. The poor guy is probably feeling
a bit helpless about this entire situation."
"Uun. Next Angel I see, I'm going to belt it one for Suzahara's
little sister. Those invading bastards deserve it, for all the pain
they've caused."
SuzUhara.
Yeah! Go kick some @$$, Shin-kun! Win one for the sister!
She reached over and covered his right hand with her still
recovering left, giving him a gentle squeeze. "Shinji... I'm sorry you
had to get caught up in all of this..."
He turned to look at her, catching her eyes; and moving his hand
so that he could return the gentle sign of kindness. "No, don't be. All
my life, I've been raised, trained, and told countless times to help
people, no matter what. And now, I'm helping everyone, even if they
don't realize it. It's not exactly what I was planning to do at this
stage of my life," He said, smirking slightly, "...but I think it's for
He shouldn't be capped.
the best. I can make a difference here. And that's all I've ever wanted
to do with my life. Make a difference."
And another sincere-Shinji moment. You can see the Ranma influence.
Problem is, can he figure out what's *really* going on in time to do
anything about it?
`Damn you, Shinji Ikari!` She cursed mentally, trying not to
cry, `I'm so proud of you, and I love you so much... and I can't tell
I'd put a period after "Cry"
"I love you so much"...mmm, seems a bit premature. I'd be more
inclined to see her, at this stage of things, thinking something more
like "and I think I'm falling in love with you, and..."
you without you asking questions I can't answer!` Unable to speak, she
did the only thing she could think of.
That sounds ominous. Just what does she know that she can't tell
him? And why would she be afraid of him finding out?
Shinji was surprised when his vision was filled with a pair of
half lidded red eyes holding tears at bay, fair flawless skin, and cool
cobalt blue hair. He pulled back just slightly before her lips met his,
and a distinct trill ran through his body, stealing his breath away.
Heh. He may be a flirt, but he's not jaded, is he?
To Rei, that image of shocked innocence would be treasured
forever.
Yep, that's women for you, always looking to despoil innocent
young men...<dramatic sigh>. Kidding aside, that *is* the kind of
memory I'd expect her to cherish.
Now all we need is for Kizuko to walk in on them...
[_}~'\-/'~{_] Stanza Six: Absolute Kindness
^ " ^ End
--------------
Author's Notes
--------------
And finally, this Stanza is closed. I can't tell you all how
good that makes me feel, as it's been close to a year since I last
released anything for this series. My apologies.
I hope you've enjoyed this chapter of Honor's Duty.
Just one comment: WRITE FASTER!
No, scratch that. Just keep writing. I can wait.
Like I mentioned in-line, the only really jarring note I couldn't
swallow was Toji and Shinji's attitudes about Toji's sister's injuries,
but I think that can be fixed. Loved the "male bonding" bit.
--
David McMillan, Imagineer at Large.
Chief Systems Analyst and Integration Engineer, Exotic Technologies Division,
KUKA GmbH. Mecha and Weapons Design Specialist.
"Agent Mulder? My name is Neo. I believe I may be able to show you part of
the truth you've been searching for. I should warn you, however -- it's not
what you think."
--
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