A Guyver Forever Voyaging
By: Matthew De Mouy aka FOG3
C&C welcome, realize this is my first fanfic.
Chapter 5: Of pride and arrogance
< > actions, sounds
* * thoughts
[ ] Telepathic communication
Disclaimer: fanfiction writers are like free advertising for various series we can cause people's interest to be piqued enough to seek out the series in question. Do I really need to say Guyver belongs to Yoshiki Takaya? I'm not presently using the suit and the character I am using has been modified. Neon Genisis Evangelion is property of Gainax and Hideaki Anno.
Shinji awoke to an unfamiliar ceiling, which was to say he was in his own designated room in the NERV infirmary recovering from his ordeal. Seeing no one around he eventually ended up wandering to a window in the hallway outside his room. As he stood there h noticed a person on a gurney pass by with a start he realized this was person who had disappeared like a ghost practically before his eyes when he had first come here but how had she been hurt between then and now. Better yet who was she and why did he feel strangely drawn to her. (1)
-Asgard-
Munching on popcorn from a bowl which mysteriously enough never seemed to have any less popcorn in it no matter how much was taken out Skuld comment, "Well that's an interesting twist. His meeting with Rei was delayed because Ritsuko's stress level had been raised to such a high level because of the previous events with Sho that she performed that flaming bighead and insured that there was no dilly dallying and thus Rei wasn't called up."
"Well it should add to her mystique but its eventual consequences could be minor or major depending upon how this all plays out. I wonder how much the unconscious connection between the two will come into play." Urd commented taking a handful of popcorn.
"Should we check in on Agito again?"
"Nah, Mara has taken over dealing with him personally, which means he might show back up later as some form of demon seeking vengeance but that would take even her a while especially with all the paper work on it she would need to do."
"Sort of gives a whole new meaning to the phrase 'infernal paper work', ne?"
-Timeline being viewed-
Gendo Ikari sat before five members of the SEELE council, well technically before five holograms of members of the SEELE council. SEELE the true power behind the world and NERV which meant that they were the ones Gendo had to deal with to insure not only his continued usefulness to the project but NERVs as well.
"Well it would appear that our investments weren't a waste after all."
"You can't say that, yet. If it doesn't pay off then it's still a waste."
"But I wonder, Ikari are you sure EVA was used efficiently?"
"You gave that toy to our own son."
"The cost of repairs to Unit 01 when added to the development costs of Unit 00, is simply staggering."
"Time, money, and manpower. How much will continue to be wasted by you and your family Ikari?"
"The Human Instrumentality Project, that should be your top priority."
"Silence. Ikari the reappearance of the Angels does not excuse a delay in that project."
"The rest of this meeting does not concern you."
"Your presence was appreciated."
All but the leader of SEELE faded away, "Realize Ikari that there is no turning back now. We might readjust the budget." Then even he was gone leaving Gendo alone. SEELE always seemed to be more concerned about petty little things like how much money would end up coming out of their pockets ignoring the larger picture.
"I know, humanity has no time left." Gendo said to himself, as all the SEELE members had already broken their connections, speaking for the first time since the meeting had begun.
-------
Ritsuko and Gendo stood at the Observation Bridge looking on at the cage where the as yet to be repaired EVA Unit 00 rested.
"Did you see Rei today?" Ritsuko inquired.
"She will be able to pilot within twenty days which will coincide with when Unit 00 will be ready."
"Don't you think you are being to hard on these children?"
"They are the only ones who can pilot the EVAs. As long as they survive that is what I'll have them do." Gendo stated with conviction.
Ritsuko stopped before making a biting comment on that. Gendo had recently reprimanded her to insure she knew her place. There was no point antagonizing him further it wasn't like it would influence his decision and as much as she hated to admit it he had a point it wasn't like they had a choice.
-------
Despite the fact that Shinji had been willing to just have his own apartment and was quite responsible enough to maintain it Misato had decided to take him home getting a much deserved reprimand from Ritsuko when she had even suggested that she might put the 'moves' on Shinji.
Shinji himself couldn't really decide what to make of it all. Misato Katsuragi seemed very prone to mood swings especially during dinner and the 50 gallons of beer that she had in her fridge didn't help matters. This combined with his other observations led him to the inevitable conclusion that Misato was a dangerous woman that you had to be especially careful around, like a minefield. Which is incidentally why he wasn't overly eager to do anything that might bring down either her ire or just general weirdness upon him.
-------
Misato lay in the bath talking over the phone with Ritsuko.
"I don't know if he'll pilot it again." Misato commented.
*We don't exactly have a choice. We will need him to pilot whether he wants to or not. He is one of the few people able to pilot the EVAs and we can't waste anyone, especially someone of his capability. * "What whining already? It's your job to maintain him and you did volunteer after all." Ritsuko taunted.
The phone conversation continued with Misato giving lame excuses and Ritsuko making highly accurate criticisms.
Then Misato made the inane comment, "I'm as shameless as Ritsuko, I was only thinking of Shinji as a tool." A lightening bolt then mysteriously struck out of a otherwise clear night sky thundering ominously and incidentally causing a current in Misatos bath water which result in her performing all sorts of muscle contortions before it finally stopped and a singed Misato got out of the bath a quickly as possible falling flat on her face as she slipped on the tile with her wet feet.
-Asgard-
"Was that really called for?"
"She was asking for it, Ritsuko is by no means shameless or uncaring, however those words do quite accurately describe Misato with her general sleeping around and arrogance. Besides her being fried in the bath is so much more gratifying then just having thunder roar ominously in the distance." Skuld finished with enthusiasm.
Urd sweat dropped, "I guess you have a point. She never really did stop treating Shinji as a tool to be used. She seems to see everyone as objects to be manipulated more then as thinking beings and her nonsense which normally delays the first launch is only one example."
-Observed Timeline-
It had been approximately three weeks since the First Battle of Tokyo-3 and Sho was now recovered enough that he was no longer bed ridden. Since his list of injuries did include a broken leg and both the infirmary people and Ritsuko didn't want him aggravating those injuries, which were still healing, he was presently going around in a motorized wheel chair that had been borrowed from the infirmary.
*He's been abnormally quiet since then, almost like Rei. However he has been coming along with his computer skills amazingly well. He is now at the point he can actually help me with my work and Sempai is having him do exactly that, which I suppose is why he's now helping with this test. * Maya thought to herself as she looked over from her own console at Sho.
Ritsuko had just finished greeting Shinji over the com to which he responded "No problem. I think I'm getting used to it."
Ritsuko proceeded to inquire, "Have you memorize the all the EVA emergence points, emergency power junctions, armament equipment buildings, and recovery zones.
Shinji responded with a "I guess so" that was lacking any enthusiasm or conviction.
To which Ritsuko responded with what was quickly becoming a routine lecture, "Lets review it now. Normally the EVA runs of electricity provided by an umbilical cable. In emergencies, it can switch to a built in battery, with an active life of one minute at full power, and no more than five minutes in the minimal activity gain mode. This is due to our current limits in battery capacity technology. Do you understand?"
Shinji responded with a "Yes" that had the bored tone many parents come to know all to well.
Ritsuko however was undaunted by Shinji's obvious lack of enthusiasm. "Now lets continue where we left off yesterday. Initiate Induction Mode."
Induction Mode was a rather interesting function on the EVAs that had been programmed in. It allowed for the pilot to be in the actual EVA and pilot it like in a Virtual Reality simulator for basic training purposes. The input came from a computer and EVA 01 was presently carrying a training version of the standard Palette Rifle that just shot off laser beams which were then picked up by various sensor set throughout the special cage that were used by the computer to give the pilot feedback on whether he had hit the target or not in this particular exercise. The built in targeting computer in an EVA greatly aided targeting all Shinji had to do was center the target and pull a trigger like switch on the control of his command coach corresponding to the hand the EVA was holding the rifle in. Shinji repeated the basic instruction like a mantra.
"It surprising that he is willingly piloting." Maya commented.
"Shinji just seems to do what he is told. Maybe that's just how he deals with life or maybe he realizes that there is no choice, he has to pilot humanity depends upon him and the other few who can."
Misato stood in the background her face showing blatant disapproval at what however was not clear. Sho did take note of it however as he worked at his console but did not comment.
-------
Shinji had been punched by Suzuhara twice and was still laying on the ground from being punched the second time when Rei approached him. Standing over his prone form her bandages now limited to a cast covering the head and one eye and another covering the left arm informed him, "There is an alert, I'll report in first."
After a few seconds delay sirens came on and a loud speaker conveyed the same message to the civilians.
-------
Commander Ikari was absent and no one was particularly pleased that this was the case when another Angel was attacking especially as they had only been given a break of only three weeks for this one.
"Transform Tokyo-3 to battle mode." Subcommander Fuyutsuki ordered. With this command every building that wasn't somehow used by the EVA in combat descended into the ground multi-layered blast doors closing over them.
"Synchronization successful." Maya informed them of Shinji's readiness.
"Eva launch." Misato ordered, three weeks had been enough to heal any blows to her ego that may have occurred just prior to the First Battle of Tokyo-3.
This time EVA 01 appeared in a completely enclosed building with a Palette rifle. As the front cam down revealing it to two boys who were foolish enough to sneak out of the provided shelters. Shinji turned the corner bringing the rifle to bear.
"Neutralize the AT field then fire a volley just like we practiced." Ritsuko reminded Shinji.
However there was one minor problem with that. The practice had not forced him to neutralize the AT field first. So Shinji followed the well-known pattern of fighting liked one trains just centered the target and pulled the switch.
Which wouldn't have been that bad if the Rifle hadn't been loaded with explosive ammunition causing a cloud of smoke to form and obscure his opponent. Misato always quick to criticize insulted his intelligence over this development. The Angel who had reared up like a snake ready to strike and created energy tentacles seemingly out of thin air just prior to being obscured showed it was still quite combat capable. The first strike damaged the Palette Rifle EVA 01 had been using a severely damaged the building he had come up in. Misato ordered another Palette Rifle sent up in another armament building but Shinji was to busy dealing with his own problems to take advantage of it.
When one considers that Shinji had received no training or instruction on dealing with Angels when they're attacking you and fighting back plus the shock and fear that comes to any soldier in combat when they realize they can die, Shinji's performance was quite acceptable. He kept trying to get back and prevent himself from being hurt an admittedly normal and expected reaction, as was his apparent terror. In the process his power cord was cut and the timer began running down. Somehow Sho knew this as he looked on from his sub bridge control console, still in his motorized wheel chair.
-------
Shinji had been flat out loosing the most recent attempt to do something, anything sending him crashing into a mountain spread eagle as a tentacle grabbed his ankle picked him up and threw him. He looked down at his hand and noticed that two of his classmates had literally just barely managed escape death and a probable Darwin award were right between the fingers of the EVAs left hand. His opponent however was not going to just give him a respite though. Now with something to fight and hold his ground over he grabbed the energy tentacles holding them at bay.
-------
"What are they doing there?" Ritsuko asked rhetorically.
"Shinji lock the EVA on your present orders and eject the plug. Get those to in the entry plug and retreat." Misato ordered.
"What makes you think you can allow civilians in the Entry Plug?" Ritsuko admonished.
Misato reply was curt and full of derision for anyone who dares to disagree with her, completely forgetting that Ritsuko not only had a higher rank then her but had terrified her only three weeks prior. "I'm authorizing it."
"You're exceeding your authority, Captain Katsuragi!" Ritsuko made a point of emphasizing Misato's rank but Misato didn't care.
"Shinji, follow my orders." Misato commanded and Shinji ended up doing just that.
-------
Shinji managed toss the Angel back towards the town. The EVAs hands steamed most of the armor around the hands literally burned off but Shinji was not going to run. Chanting a mantra of "I won't run away" he deployed a progressive knife in his right hand and charged back down the slope at his opponent.
He did not pay attention to Misato's insults or Ritsuko informing Misato what a bad idea letting foreign bodies into the entry plug was because it caused noise in the system messing with the delicate procedure of synchronization.
His aim proved true as the progressive knife found the Angels core but this maneuver was not without its cost. The two energy tentacles were jammed through the EVAs torso. Shinji however did not let the pain deter him if anything it just gave him more motivation as he held the right control with both hands screaming in challenge and pain as the tentacles squirmed. This paid off as he killed his opponent just as his power ran out leaving EVA 01 and the Angel locked in a pose of combat like two giant statues.
-------
Sho was on his way to help his mother assess the extent and type of damage that EVA Unit 01 had sustained when he passed by a door from which he could here Misato chewing out Shinji on not following her orders. Anyone who had happened to be looking at him at that time would have been surprised at the seeming transformation apparent in Sho's face while he had been serious and unemotional of late the face he wore now was hardened in a way that it otherwise was not. *Her arrogance could get us all killed. What a fool, his actions showed courage and while a gamble the results were better then those her plan would have resulted in. Step need to be taken so this quisling is stopped, however evidence needs to be accumulated. *
-------
Sho was not surprised when Shinji ran away, he was glad however that he had been able to interview him and others about Misato's previous actions. That Misato didn't report the disappearance for a while was predictable however as he insured her apartment was bugged he knew about it when it first occurred. When Shinji was brought back and Misato wanted to talk with him in a room he insured the room they were directed into was bugged and recorded the conversation.
It came out that Shinji was not only willing to pilot and knew his necessity but he also brought up an important argument about Rei. Misato didn't seem to give a damn about Rei and was more than willing to shove her in harms way even if they had yet for her to successfully sync with either EVA and she was injured. This realization brought an almost unchecked rage into Sho's heart and only through will and the knowledge that in order to get her for it he couldn't just burst in that room now kept him in check. * That, that wretched <censored> how can she be so heartless. She will not get away with this; I will not allow it! I will not allow her to not only attempt to destroy humanity by getting rid of the only pilot that can pilot right now! She has to know quite well that an Angel can show up any time. And Rei* his thoughts temporarily softened at the thought of her but once again hardened as he considered what Misato was doing *Your blatant disregard or her welfare is enough for me but I will ensure you regret this day, Katsuragi. *
Katsuragi did not have the authority even with her attempt to stretch it to fire Shinji. So she used duress twisting his arm and forcing him to leave. Misato made a comment to Ritsuko about it being for Shinji's welfare but that rang as a lie as NERV agents came in and arrested her, Shinji had not been allowed to board the train. With her obvious incompetence at actually commanding the military section, her attempts to exceed her authority, placing the organization's security at risk, almost dooming humanity multiple times, and generally a quisling she was brought before a military tribunal.
To be continued...
Author's notes: Misato fans are probably going to flame me but I stand by what I've written. Her actions have always seemed more that of a quisling then anything else and it is my view that the children have won despite instead of because her. The only time she showed anything like competence at her job was against Ramiel and even that wasn't completely her idea. I have a replacement I intend to bring in who will have an influence, which should show up when I eventually finish this arc and start on the next one. However I will give the readers I've convinced myself I have one key choice to have Misato tripped of her rank and given some menial task at NERV or to be summarily executed for treason. I will freely admit Misato is one the anime characters I most dislike, I can understand Gendo, I see SEELE's thirst for power, but I don't see Misato's reasoning for being willing to doom all of humanity especially in the happenings of Episode 4 as Rei really wouldn't be able to pilot correctly and they had yet to get either to behave with her.
.---Anime/Manga Fanfiction Mailing List----.
| Administrators - ffml-admins@anifics.com |
| Unsubscribing - ffml-request@anifics.com |
| Put 'unsubscribe' in the subject |
`---- http://ffml.anifics.com/faq.txt -----'