From: JJ Corley <warhawk@dcsi.net>
Subject: [Eva][FanFic] Honor's Duty, Stanza One


    ****
        Disclaimer: The original Neon Genesis Evangelion belongs to
Gainax. This particular plot devation was constructed by me, JJ Corley,
and has been dubbed an 'Alternate Universe (AU)'. Therefore, the term
Alternate Universe or AU shall serve as my disclaimer for any future
posting of this series. Do not sue me, for if you do you'll only get a
few bucks and an old 486DX with a copy of edit.com. What A Prize. I've
made my point.
    ****

Ludicrous Configuration! Productions
                Presents
A Neon Genesis Evangelion Alternate Universe
        By JJ Corley

                                Evangelion: Honor's Duty

        'I've only had one cherished dream.. and even then it's not
truly mine. I share it with my adoptive father..

        'I don't aspire to any particular career or profession in the
future...

        'And so far, in the sixteen years of my life, things have
happened as fate would have it. And, that is how it shall continue...

        'Note: thank mother, if she's listening in whatever afterlife
there is, for that. Life with Saotome-san has never, never been boring.

        'And the training trips keep me out of school. Dual thanks, mom.

        'And Father....'

        Ikari Shinji's further thoughts were jarred from him as the
train suddenly stopped. He disembarked, the only person aboard, and
silently set off for the next train he would need to take for Tokyo-3.
He hesitated for a moment, and turned to look over the surrounding
terminal, relapsing into thought.

        "Father.."

[_}~`\-/'~{_]      Neon Genesis Evangelion: Honor's Duty
    ^ " ^               Stanza One: Angel's Choir

        "We're sorry, but the Tokyo-3 telephone systems have been taken
off-line due to the emergency. Please remain in your shelter. Repeat:
The Tokyo-3 telephone systems have been ta-"

        Shinji set the pay-phone receiver back into its cradle gently.
Something was going on. Something big. He reached into the pocket in the

white Chinese pants he wore, removing a letter and a makeshift postcard.

The letter he had received from his father. As for the postcard.. it had

once been an enticing photo of a purple haired vixen, but its previous
owner had decided on using it as so much stationary. 'I'll come and pick

you up, so please wait! Katsuragi Misato' was what it read. Well, that
and an arrow pointing at the woman's ample cleavage saying 'P.S.: Take a

LOOK at this!'.

        The sporadic tremors started again; the faint vibrations
traveling through the sidewalk were slightly more pronounced this time.
Yes, something was going on, and that something was very wrong.
        An erie silence slowly settled, and an almost tangible feeling
of apprehension lay thick in the air; Shinji suddenly wished it was
tangible, then he could just beat the crap out of it and his senses
could get out of their danger zones.

        The tremors became immense, until they were audible. After
listening for a while, he decided that if one of the surrounding
skyscrapers had decided to get up and walk away, this would be the sound

it would make. The buildings were violently shaking with the tremors,
and nearby windows rattled. Shinji reflexively slipped into a defensive
stance, his years of Martial Arts training coming into the fore. His
warning sense screamed.

        Someone was watching him from behind.

        Shinji turned to face the person; his eyes narrowing as he saw
her, roughly 12 meters away. Blue hair, cute face, standard sea-green
girl's school uniform with a red bow tie, white socks, and black shoes.

        An exceptionally large tremor struck, and his attention was
diverted to the -as yet unseen; lovely mountains, though- source to his
left. He looked back to the girl.

        She was gone.

        "Weir-" Tremor, "d-d-d-d-d-da.." Shinji turned back to the now
seen source of the tremors. A monstrous black figure loomed over the
surrounding buildings, locked in unarmed combat with an equally
monstrous purple figure. Ikari Shinji summed it up as best he could.

        "Holy Schnikies!"

[_}~`\-/'~{_]
    ^ " ^

        Misato belted the navigational-computer a good one. Said Navi-
comp filckered, beeped, and finally blinked the correct map of the area
on its screen..

        For all of twelve seconds.

        Misato growled. She wasn't having a good day.

        "G-r-r-r-r.. Stupid thing! Damn!! Why'd I have to lose him at a
time like this?!?" As she sighed, she noticed a guy sitting on the
sidewalk. The car skidded, slid, and came to a stop with a sickening
crunch. From the sidewalk, and now a full meter away, Shinji winced.

        Misato opened the driver's side window. "Hey, You Ikari Shinji?"

The boy, dressed in a blue Chinese silk shirt and white pants, pulled
his attention from the sky and nodded weakly. "Good. Get.."

        *Swoosh* *Slam!* *Click*

        "..in." Misato blinked.

        "If you wanna live.. I SUGGEST YOU DRIVE, VERY FAST, VERY
NOW!!!"

        "Huh?" It was then that Misato noticed the falling angel, the
end result of Unit-01's sloppy shoulder throw. Misato quickly threw the
vehicle into reverse. Tires squealed as rubber burned; and the car
screamed backwards, finally finding friction. Shinji white-knuckled the
dash as Misato chanted her mantra. "oh my god we'renotgonnamakeit
we'renotgonnamakeit, we'renotgonnamakeit..."

        Sachiel slammed into the cement and surrounding buildings,
impacting into the ground with a large cracking sound. Misato's vehicle
barely avoided being smashed by debris before the shockwave caused an
upset, spilling the car onto its roof.

        For the briefest of moments, Shinji thought of moving to the
valley between two hills, as it was indeed a comfortable place to rest.
Misato, however, apparently didn't want anything to do with the change
of address forms; she pulled Shinji's head from her cleavage and scowled

at him.

        "Err.. Sorry?" he said, sheepishly.

        "I'll let it slide.. this time." She smiled wanly. "You should
really buckle up. For safety." The car shook for a second, then slowly
began to rise from the ground. It was turned right side up and placed
back down again.

        Misato looked at the upside down Shinji, his head where his feet

should have been. "That looks painful.."

        "Incredibly so.." Shinji squeaked. Misato mercifully opened the
door. Shinji tumbled out, tucked into a roll, and stood up - his neck
bent to the right at a strange angle. "Thanks, I think.." Shinji winced
as he straightened his neck. "Oww."

        Misato poked her head out of the opened door. "Thanks, Rei!" She

said, waving to the purple giant. Then to Shinji, "Come on, we gotta
go!"

        As Shinji re-situated himself into the vehicle, he asked "Just
what is that thing?"

        Misato hit the acelerator before answering. "The black one's an
Angel, and the purple one's the Eva. The Eva's on our side."

        Shinji blinked, then looked to Misato. "But, arn't Angel's
supposed to be the messengers of God?"

        Misato took a hand from the steering wheel, subconsciously
fingering the small white cross around her neck. Shinji watched her,
awaiting an answer; and finally, after a few moments, she sighed.

        "I just don't know any more. I just don't know..."

[_}~`\-/'~{_]
    ^ " ^

        From inside Unit-01, Ayanami Rei watched the two depart.
Something inside both her and the Eva wanted to run to the boy's side,
to protect him from any threat. "Why do I feel this way?" She asked to
no one in particular.

        While Rei was doing that introspection thing, Sachiel had picked

himself up off the ground.

        He was not in a good mood.

        First those annoying 'Humans' had bothered him with their
'Airplanes'. Now this dark servant of the Lillim, who's soul was vying
with the artificial soul of the rider for control - or, were they the
same? - had dared to throw him, HIM!, The covering of God, angel of the
order of Hashmallim, resident of the first heaven (and sometimes
vacationer of the sixth), heir bringer of the dreaded Monday and
wanderer of the south into a building??!? WELL, WE'LL JUST SEE ABOUT
THAT, NOW WONT WE, YOU FOOLISH PUNY PSEUDO-MORTAL?!?!?

        Sachiel ran, building momentum, interlacing the three digits of
each hand to supply an almighty-swinging-whap-to-the-back-of-the-head to

be felt by the artificial child's next clone. Rei, to her credit, turned

Unit-01 just in time to see it coming.

        *GATSU!*

        The Eva spun head first into a building, collapsing a wall and
several floors. Sachiel followed his attack with an excellent 'Boot to
the head' maneuver. It was a truly mighty kick, a kick to make all
previous Low Earth Orbit launching kicks look minuscule in comparison.
Not that anyone would ever bother to do such a comparison, mind you.

        Fortunately for Rei, the umbilical cable snapped taut, halting
the Eva's LEO ascent at 200 feet. And thus, the Evangelion came tumbling

down, unceremoniously crashing through an abortion clinic.

        Sachiel looked to the sky, leaving Unit-01 to crawl out of the
rubble. There was just something symbolic about two of man's own
creations destroying that which man used to destroy himself. Sachiel
shrugged, leaving the ways of God to be pondered at a later date.
Perhaps he could find some more of those 'Airplanes' to destroy..

[_}~`\-/'~{_]
    ^ " ^

        Ikari Gendo Sat behind his desk, staring impassively at the
screens that displayed the battle before him. The reports began to come
in.

        "Pilot's blood pressure is dropping...  Neural link is
reversing! ...  A10 synchrograph is down 8 percent!! ....  3 minutes and

counting until Operation N2 ... She canna take much more o' this,
cap'ian!"

        Gendo sighed. "It can't be helped. Commence recovery at
ludicrous speed through route I-5!"

        Hyuuga Makoto swiveled in his chair. "Sir, we can't! The
umbilical cable's locking mechanisms were damaged when it went taut; we
can't disengage it from here!"

        Ikari slammed his hands onto his desk. "Damn! Rei, disengage the

umbilical cable." After waiting for a few moments, he called again.
"Rei?"

        Ibuki Maya turned from her station. "Sir? Pilot Ayanami has lost

consciousness."

        Defeated, Ikari Gendo slumped back into his chair. "It seems
Ikari's little toy is out of order.." One member of the military
advisory panel, seated behind him, scoffed.

        "Perhaps it will be destroyed during Operation N2, and save us
the trouble of dismantling it..?" Said another.

        "Rest assured, gentlemen," Ikari intoned menacingly from his
chair, "It will remain unharmed from your small display of idiocy."

        Fuyutsuki smirked, and added another point to Gendo's side of
the scoreboard.

        Unnoticed by all, Gendo pulled a copy of 'The Big, Big Book of
Angels, Including the Fallen Angels and Those Angels Most Likely To
Attack Large Cities' from his desk, placed it on his lap, and searched
through it. Finally, he copied something out of said book onto a piece
of paper. He then turned the paper upside down and wrote 'this way up'
on the top. He placed the book back into its drawer and snapped for his
pet.

        "Fuyutsuki!"

        The old professor was by Gendo's side in less than a moment.
"Yes sir?"

        Ikari handed the slip of paper to his second, then resumed his
normal sitting position. "This is the flight pattern for operation N2.
Be sure they follow it EXACTLY."

        'But this Sigil is...' Fuyutsuki frowned. "You're mocking him on

purpose, arn't you?"

        Gendo simply smiled behind his hands. "Feh."

[_}~`\-/'~{_]
    ^ " ^

        Lt. Phillips looked to his co-pilot, Lt. Yamamoto. "Are you sure

this flight pattern is correct?"

        "Hey, that's what I said. But the guy's on the horn were
insistant we follow it to the line, soo.."

        "Right.." Lt. Phillips rolled his eyes. Flipping on the con, he
announced: "All right, Bujoku Squardron, form up.."

[_}~`\-/'~{_}
    ^ " ^

        Sachiel stopped running, jumping, and generally causing massive
amounts of chaos, to cock his head to the side and blink in a
destructive-as-all-get-out-but-cute kind of way as he noticed the
fighter planes of 'Operation N2'.

        The Angel's left eye began to twitch and water. What kind of
idiot bothers to write 'Sachiel' upside down in the sky?

        From inside of Nerv HQ, Commander Ikari smiled. The Angel had
stood perplexed long enough for the bomber to to aquire a target lock
and lauch the N2 mine.

[_}~`\-/'~{_}
    ^ " ^

        "Ouch.. That HAD to Hurt.." Shinji said sympathetically for
Unit-01. "You said the purple one's on our side, right?"

        Misato nodded. "Yep, that's right."

        "Well.. I hate to say it, but.. It's getting beaten. Rather
badly, too."

        Misato groaned. "..Oh, I told them not to place such a burden on

Rei. But did they listen, Nooo, sir - don't listen to Katty.."

        Shinji waited for Misato to calm herself before asking another
question. "Err.. Miss Katsuragi.. Why are the planes running away..?"

        Misato looked from the road she was speeding on long enough to
glance at Shinji, then followed his gaze. "oh shit." was all she said.

        Unknown by all, Sachiel was thinking much the same thing.

        Then the world turned an interesting shade of off-pink...

[_}~`\-/'~{_}
    ^ " ^

        The government cronies were estatic. "Got it! .. Yes! ... We did

it! .. Nothing could have survived that, absolutly nothing! ... Such is
the power of our N2 mines! ... Ha ha ha! .. Do you know what this means?

The Eva's are no longer necessary! ... More funding for us, yea!"

        And through the entire outburst, Ikari sat emotionless, staring
at the screens. "Status report?"

        "Continuing EMP shockwave interference from the explosion. We're

still on standby for target destruction confirmation!"

        One of the miltary advisers laughed. "With a blast of that
force? Can there be any doubt?"

        Hyuuga checked another monitor. "Sir! The blast has severed
Unit-01's umbillical cable. Beginning recovery through Route 66, due to
extensive damage in Route I-5 and HWYS 99 & 32.."

        Aoba Shigeru put down his manga long enough to shout, "Sir! I'm
getting energy readings from ground zero!"

        The entire military panel fell over in shock. "_W_H_A_T_?!?"

        "Visuals are back online!"

        Sachiel stood in the epicenter of the crater, basking in the
heat as his new head was formed. The Angel's only thought was 'Oww..'

        Ikari smiled. "Indeed."

        The military panel slowly sat down, each of its members at a
loss for words. "Our last gambit.. for nothing! ... We destroyed an
entire city! ... It's a monster.. .... A demon.."

        Ikari smirked. "As god created both, is it not fitting his
minions recieved such qualities as well?"

        As the board grumbled amongst themselves, one of them got off
the Emergency Hot Line. "Ikari, HQ has informed me that total command of

this operation has been transferred to YOU. Don't Screw Up." And with
that, the entire military panel, desk and all, sunk under the floor.

        "There they go, playing turtle, and leaving us to do the hard
work.." complained Aoba.

        Ibuki and Hyuuga nodded in agreement; then paused, realizing
just who they were agreeing with. Aoba studiously ignored the glares his

fellow techies directed at him as he returned to his manga.

[_}~`\-/'~{_}
    ^ " ^

        Shinji blinked his eyes furiously, tring to rid himself of the
flash-induced blindness. Fortunatly for them both, Misato's sunglasses
had spared her from the worst of it, and she had continued driving.

        Feeling the inertia of the car slow, then speed up twice as fast

as before prompted him to say something. "Where are we?"

        "Car lift, express. Don't worry, we're almost there." She picked

up a packet and placed it on Shinji's lap. "Here, read this."

        Shinji vainly rubbed his eyes, wishing he could see.

        He and Misato sighed at the same time. This caused Misato to
laugh. "What is it?"

        "Miss Katsuragi.."

        Misato waved her hand in a dismissive gesture, smiling. "Oh..
don't worry about all that formal stuff. Just 'Misato' is fine."

        He shrugged. "Can you tell me what my father does?"

        She blinked, twice (*Squeegy-Squeegy*). "You mean you don't
KNOW?"

        He sighed again. "No.. not really. All Saotome-san ever said
was.. 'He thinks it's important to the future of Humanity. Don't worry
to much 'bout it, though.'"

        "Saotome-san?"

        Shinji nodded, his sight on the verge of returning. He turned to

the greater glob of grey that he figured -correctly- was Misato. "Yeah.
Saotome-san was my guardian, teacher, and foster father." His sight
finally returning, he looked at the pamphlet in his lap. "Nerv? What's
that?"

        "It's a secret government organization directly under the
control of the UN." Misato smiled and leaned forward to check her makeup

in the rear view mirror. "Hummn.. I work there, too -you know, as an
international civil servent.." She said, pulling out a compact and
powdering her nose. "So does your father. Ah.." She glanced over at
Shinji nervously, putting the compact back into her purse. "Your, err..
biological one, I mean."

        Shinji chuckled slighly, shaking his head. "Don't worry. I know
who you mean when you're referring to my 'Father'." He shook his head
again, this time sadly. "So.. you're in 'the admirable job of defending
humanity', eh?"

        Misato frowned. "What's with the sarcasm?"

        "I just don't think peace can be achieved through threat of a
greater force, that's all." He leaned back in his seat, idly fliping
through the pages of the pamphlet. "Heh.. 'One can only achieve true
peace after conquering oneself'." He said softly.

        "You sound like a philosopher.."

        Shinji smiled. "No, I'm just a Martial Artist.. Although it's
been said that both are the same, after a fashion. Philosophy teaches
one the disipline of the mind, while Martial Arts teaches one the
disiplines of mind, body, and soul..." He trailed off.

        Misato watched Shinji with a bemused expression as the Geo-front

came into view. Shinji's eyes widened as the buildings of Tokyo-3 cast
their shadows across the car lift, looking for a moment like the world
was standing on its head.

        "Holy.. Schnikies!!" He whispered in english.

        Misato caught it, but didn't understand. "'Shi.. nai.. kii..'?
What?"

        He blinked, coming out of his stupor. "Huh? Oh, That? It's just
an expression I picked up from one of Saotome-san's gaijin students."

        "Ah."

[_}~`\-/'~{_}
    ^ " ^

        Rei slowly broke through the black veil of unconsciousness,
disoriented. It took her a moment to realize she was still within the
confines of the entry plug. Hurt. A world of Hurt. The feeling of her
head being used as a football. The pain of the Eva was the pain of the
pilot. She clutched her head and moaned, "Can you reduce this pain?"

        Her answer came as the pain retreated. Rei slowly blinked away
the tears, and watched as the saline floated upwards. She voiced her
thanks to the Eva, then wondered aloud. "Who was that man?"

        Again, the answer came unbidden into her soul. "Our Son?" A slow

smile played across Rei's features. "Shinji-kun.." Another thought came
into her, and she agreed whole heartedly. "We must protect him."

        "This," Both halves of Ikari Yui's soul vowed - Rei I and Eva
Unit-01 -  "I will do unto death."


[_}~`\-/'~{_}
    ^ " ^

        "At last. It has begun." Said the monolithic holograph labeled
'SOUND ONLY - SEELE 08'.

        "Yes," Said another, identical except for the number: SEELE 04.
"The angels have attacked us, after only fifteen years."

        "Perhaps we should have lent more.. enthusiasm to our 'Requests'

of the UN. The situation is acceptable, but if there is a loss now.."
SELE 07 allowed the rest to go unsaid, leaving the others to their own
dark speculations..

        The tweleve SEELE monoliths sat silent for a moment, all but one

questioning their actions. SEELE 01 spoke. "It is too late now for
speculation. We have commited ourselves to this course, and there is no
possibility of turning back."

        Several other monoliths grumbled agreement, a few opting to stay

silent.

        "What is the status of the First Child?" SEELE 06 queried.

        "The pilot of Unit One is becoming mentally unstable, as in
accordance to the plan." SEELE 04 answered, adding: "The reserve pilot,
and his value to us, is still an unknown."

        At this, SEELE 01 chuckled. "He is Ikari's son, and therefore
his value is immesuarble to us. Besides, if he does prove troublesome,
we can eliminate him -since we have the Second Child already in our
thrall, due to Agent R."

        "Ah, yes.. Her." SEELE 12 blanched behind his monolith. "I
believe you place too much value upon her. Elimination of the Third
Child should only come as a last resort. There are, as they say, more
than two ways to persuade a catspwan."

[_}~`\-/'~{_]      Neon Genesis Evangelion: Honor's Duty
    ^ " ^               Stanza One: Angel's Choir
                                  End
From: JJ Corley <warhawk@dcsi.net>
Subject: [Eva][FanFic] Honor's Duty, Stanza Two

Ludicrous Configuration! Productions
		Presents
A Neon Genesis Evangelion Alternate Universe
	By JJ Corley

	"God keep thee, thy works, and all thy transgressions; for verily as ye
shall sow, so shall ye reap."

				Evangelion: Honor's Duty

	Commander Ikari Gendou sighed. That damn headache was back, and the
third Angel, Sachiel, would recover -only to resume in drawing ever
closer when it did. 'Great. Juuust wonderful. As If I really needed to
give SEELE a reason to chew my ass off.'

	Movement caught his eye, and he spared a glance at the surveillance
monitor built into his desk. The forms of Misato and a young man played
across it for a brief moment, before the image cycled again.

	His son had arrived; action could now be taken against the Angel. 

[_}~`\-/'~{_]      Neon Genesis Evangelion: Honor's Duty
    ^ " ^               Stanza Two: Retrograde

	"What is Eva Unit One's current status?" 

	Hyuuga paused in mid-type to look at Ibuki. Ibuki did likewise to look
at Hyuuga. They both looked at Aoba.

	Aoba giggled behind his tokuban as Youta was berated, once again, by Ai
for hurting Moemi-chan's feelings. Gotta love that classic Manga.

	Hyuuga shrugged, punched a few buttons, and took a sip of his Dr.
Pepper as the relevant data began to scroll in. "Unit One should be in
the cage in T-Minus four minutes and counting, sir. Pilot Ayanami has
regained consciousness, and has reported no serious injuries. Once in
the cage, Unit One can be prepped and ready in two minutes."

	Gendou absorbed the information without a word. Then he stood.
"Fuyutsuki, handle this."

	"Yes, sir."

	From his left, a new voice emerged. "Commander.. May I ask your
intentions?"

	Gendou paused, turning to face her. "Yes, Dr. Akagi, you may. We are
going to reinitialize both Units."

	"I needn't remind you that you're short a pilot." Fuyutsuki said.

	"Unit Zero hasn't even been fully activated yet.. we have tests yet to
preform, and the second Rei.."

	"Her name is Kizuko, Dr. Akagi. You seem to forget that."

	"..has not yet recovered from your failed experiment with Unit One."
Ritsuko continued, undaunted.  

	"I know."

	"Also, the first Rei seems to be unduly suffering from some
psychological battle.. Her synchrograph was down four points yesterday,
and another five before launch today."

	"Hummn.. I see." Came the standard, uncaring reply.

	"Do you? Do you _Really_?" Ritsuko narrowed her eyes at the commander.
Sometimes, she wanted to scream at how callous the man could be. She
knew Gendou cared for the Ayanami clones, but he seemed to be damned and
determined to contridict - or.. could it be to hide? - those feelings in
how he acted towards them. "You don't seem to realize how serious this
truly is. If this keeps up, she will no longer be a viable pilot for
either Unit." Ritsuko shook her head. "I simply can't see how we are to
survive this."

	"That is why I am the Comander and you are not. The.. 'Reserve' pilot
has arrvied. He is currently with Captian Katsuragi. Dr. Akagi: you will
find them, then bring them to the Cage. I will be there shortly."

	"And what are you going to do?" asked Fuyutsuki.

	Gendou sighed. "If you must know, I shall be in the lavatory."

	Fuyutsuki and Ritsuko both blinked. They looked to each other, and then
to the Commander. All Fuyutsuki could think to say was "Oh."

	Grumbling, the Commander strode behind the gaurd rails of his personal
lift; He hit the button and slowly descended from view.

	When the lift doors swished shut, Fuyutsuki turned to Ritsuko. "Their
first meeting in ten years..."

	"Who? The Commander and the toilet?" She snarked. 

	Fuyutsuki giggled like a drunken college boy just released from an all
night drinking binge. This drew more than a few looks from the console
techs. "That too. But seriously, though."

	"Yeah. To think that the reserve pilot is the Commander's own son."
Ritsuko shook her head sadly. "I just hope Gendou knows what he's
doing."

	"As do we all." Fuyutsuki whispered as the doctor left. "As do we all."

[_}~`\-/'~{_]
    ^ " ^

	Footsteps echoed in empty corridors, rebounded off the walls of
gargantuim chambers, and stopped for the occasional escalator or two.
Continually. In that order.

	"Are you sure you know where we're going?"

	Misato growled at Shinji, her patience waning. "Of course I am! We'll
be there in a few minutes!"

	Her younger companion rolled his eyes. "Riiight. That's why we've been
wandering around in circles.." He paused as a pair of doors swished open
diagonally, then continued. ".. Oh, look: There's juntion J-34 AGAIN;
that's what? 5 times in as many minutes?"

	Misato turned on her heel and glared at him. "Oh, SHUT UP! Just be
quiet and follow me, OK?"

	Shinji wisely stayed silent; that is, until junction J-34 came into
view for the sixth time. "We're hopelessly lost. Give me the map."

	Misato complied, handing it to him over her shoulder with a disgruntled
'Fine'. Shinji looked at it for a moment, then turned it sideways. They
passed a door - which, oddly enough, was clicking - before Shinji asked
the important question. "Just where ARE we going, anyway?"

	The answer of "Nowhere, fast" came from behind him, catching him by
surprise. He turned quickly to face the newcomer, wondering how she had
snuck up on him. It was embarassingly obvious: The clicking doors had
been an elevator; standing inside was an attractive woman with blond
hair. Shinji looked her over: lab coat, a high-collared blue silk shirt
with a pull-ring zipper and a black skirt. She also wore a look of mild
annoyance.

	"You're late, CAPTAIN Katsuragi."

	Her tone carried 'mild' annoyance to new levels. Misato winced. "Eh heh
heh.. Hi ya, Ritsuko.."

	"So late.." Ritsuko continued, "That they sent ME to find you. We don't
have the time or the man power for this."

	"Well, I.. You know.. I mean-"

	Ritsuko sighed, cutting her friend off. She then glanced at Shinji, who
was nonchalantly leaning against the corridor wall, watching them. "Is
this him? The Third Child?" 

	"Yes. Shinji, introduce yourself."

	Shinji nodded, came forward, and bowed. "I'm Ikari Shinji. Pleased to
meet you."

	Ritsuko, slightly amused, bowed somewhat. "Akagi Ritsuko. Resident
Doctor, Scientist, and Supervisor of Project E. If you have any
questions, please feel free to ask. My door is open, if you need to see
me at anytime."

	"Thank you. I'll try to remember that."

	"Well then, Since we are currently under attack, I think we should be
going. Don't you, Captian?"

	Misato nodded, then folded her arms. Her head fell and the normmaly
hyper-chearful Misato became rather somber. "Is the Commander still
planing to..?"

	"Yes, and no."

[_}~`\-/'~{_]
    ^ " ^

	Ayanami Rei tiredly crawled out of the entry plug and onto the
surrounding catwalks. She set her shaking frame down and leaned her back
against the purple giant's shoulder. She was weary.

	But it was more than that.

	'No time for such thoughts now,' she chided herself mentally as she
pulled her knees up to her chest, the material of the plug suit making a
squishy scrunching sound. Her body, mind, and soul were fatigued. The
constant testing, probing, analysing, scynchrograph readings, and now
live combat.. all had taken their toll on her. 

	She desperately needed a break, but as long as she was the only one who
could pilot the Eva, she could not rest. Piloting is what she would have
to do.

	A famillar shadow fell across her, and she addressed it without
looking. "Is this why he is here? Shinji? Will you make him ride as
well?"

	Ikari Gendou sighed. He had to tell her. He owed her that much. "I will
give him the choice I could not afford to give you."

	"And if he refuses?" She asked, looking up to the older man. Gendou's
gaze softened slightly. Rei's hair fell into her eyes, only slightly
masking the tears wich began to fall. She knew the answer, but she also
knew she would fail. And her demise would mean Shinji's as well. 

	Gendou supplied the answer she dreaded.

	"Then you shall pilot it again.. alone."

[_}~`\-/'~{_]
    ^ " ^

	"First wave personnel to battle stations!" The P.A. screeched,
"Reapeat, first wave personnel to battle stations!!"

	Ristuko removed her gaze from the speaker above to her companions on
the stairs below. "It must be moving again."

	"The angel?" Shinji queried as he reached the doctor's level, Misato
gasping not far behind.

	"Prepare to launch Anti-Ground Attack Units One and Zero!" the P.A.
system belched before Ristuko could answer. From behind him, Shinji
could hear Misato groan.

	"They.. *gasp!*; have got to be.. kidding.." Said the wheezing captain
as she tried to regain her breath. "..Right? Rei's probably.. injured
and Unit Zero hasn't even been fully activated yet.."

	"It has a point zero eight one one seven nine four percent chance of
actavating.."

	"That's not even a full numerial!" Misato countered.

	"Still, it's not a negitive. And if we can activate two units at
once.."

	"Save your survivability profiles for someone who cares. Kizuko's still
in the hospital, so you don't have a pilot." At this, Ristuko remained
silent - yet that was all the answer Misato needed. She covered her
mouth and surpressed the cry of grief and outrage she could feel
swelling within her breast. "Oh my god.." she murmured, "You were right.
The Comander really is going to.. *Haaa*" she gasped, realizing just who
could over hear her. Shinji's eyes narrowed slightly.

	"The final choice isn't the Commander's.." Ristuko whispered fircely to
her friend as she took her aside, "It's HIS."

	`Something is going on here..` Shinji thought as a faint vibration
swept through the building. He looked high over head to see the ceiling
lights slowly begin to sway. `Why do I get the feeling I'm going to
regret ever reciving that letter?` He asked himself. Then aloud,
"Shouldn't we get going?"

	Ritsuko turned her head, speaking to him over her shoulder. "We are
here. We only need to take the final step. Are you ready, Misato?"

	As the younger woman nodded, Ristuko strode forward and swiped a card
through a reader. It beeped, and the wall next to the landing pulled
apart into darkness. Shinji, not knowing what else to do, vainly
attempted to follow Ritsuko's advice of watching his step as the three
of them entered. The massive door closed, and all was silent. 

	The lights came on with a resounding *ClacK!*, and Shinji found himself
looking into the glassy surface of a single, cycloptic eye.

	"'Holy Schinikies!' What is this?" He asked in awe.

	"This," A voice emerged from the shadows above the yellow giant, "Is
Evangelion Unit Zero. And you, Ikari Shinji, shall pilot it."

	Shinji forced his eyes from the Eva's blank stare to meet the
unwaivering gaze of Ikari Gendou. "Father.."

	From the observation window above, Gendou cracked a small smile. "Been
awhile, eh?"

	Shinji stared up at his father with his mouth open for a few moments.
Then he began to laugh. It was a hollow, haunting sound with no mirth
involved. It was a sound born from cynicism. It was wholly unappropriate
for the situation, but it continued.

	Ritsuko glanced at Misato, who raised an eyebrow and shrugged at the
unasked question. (What's going on? I don't know, ask him.) Ritsuko
frowned, and Misato shook her head. (I'm not going to ask him, You ask
him. Nah-uh, you're the one who cares, YOU ask.) Ritsuko sighed, Misato
striking a victory pose - which she quickly dropped at the Commander's
dissaproving glance and Ritsuko's glare. (Alright.. I'll ask him. Heh, I
won again! Hey, I heard that! You Idiots.)

	During this unspoken exchange, Shinji had stopped laughing. "That is
just so like you, Pops. You don't give a damn about me for ten years;
then when you have a use for me, you whistle." He said quietly, staring
at his shoes. As he lifted his gaze to meet that of his father's, he
continued, "Do you really expect me to always jump at your beck and
call? This is your one chance. You have forty five seconds to convey
just WHY I am needed here. And it had DAMN well better be good, pop."
Gendou smiled, and his eyes narrowed at his father's bemused expression.

	"Shinji, You will use the Evangelion to battle the angel. Why? Because
if you do not, all of mankind shall perish in fiery oblivion."

	Shinji folded his arms across his chest and let go of the anger inside
of him. "All right. Clocks' stopped, you have my attention. Now explain:
Why am I needed to do this?"

	Before Gendou could answer, another voice emerged from the shadows,
along with its owner. Shinji recognized her. It was the girl from the
street. 

	"I can't do this alone. That is why you are needed." She said. She was
dressed in what appeared to be a wet suit, and crossed her arms around
her stomach. "I am Ayanami Rei. First child, and designated pilot of
Evangelion Unit One. And if you will not help me to defeat this threat..
then I will die, alone, in the attempt."

	A brief look of concern flashed across Shinji's face, his left arm
falling to the side while the other gestured towards Rei. "Wait.. You
were the pilot of the purple robot, right?"

	"Strictly speaking, these are not robots." Ritsuko informed from behind
him. "They are man made, all purpose weapons for the war to end all
wars.. Artificial Human Evangelion."

	Shinji almost jumped out of his skin. "'ARTIFICIAL HUMAN'?!? Is that
why you have them so restrained? Are they going to get up and walk
away?"

	"You may rest assured, that while such an improbable thing, in most
variables, could never occur.. It is still a possibility; and no matter
how remote that possibility may be, we must be cautious." Gendou said.

	Shinji turned to his father. 'That is the stupidest crock of shit I've
ever heard..' He thought. `If a chicken can live with only the lower
portion of its cerebellum intact, then what of us?' "How do you plan on
controlling these.. 'Evangelions'?"

	A brief tremor shook the building, and Gendou attempted to briefly
explain. "We have devised a system which we call the 'Entry Plug', a
large cylindrical device in which a pilot is enclosed, and then inserted
into the Unit's spinal cord. Without the plug, none of the impulses from
the brain of the Unit may get through. With the plug, the pilot serves
as the brain of the Unit."

	"And what if the pilot is knocked unconscious? Or if there is no pilot
inside this 'Entry Plug'?"

	"Then.." Rei began, hesitating slighly, "There is the possibility of
the unit going beserk. Or rather.. of the Unit controlling itself, as do
you and I. If such a thing were to occur.. I only hope the Evangelions
will fight for us." Rei hugged herself tightly. "If not.. then humanity
may be twice damnned.."

	"..." Shinji shook his head. "I don't like this one bit. This entire
situation reeks of disaster." Out of the corner of his eye, he could
almost see Rei's spirit fall. "But.. I'll help you pops. Under three
conditions."

	"What are they?"

	"One: I'm on the pay roll." 

	"Agreed."

	"Two: There is no way this side of your personal hell that I'm going to
live with you."

	"Of course."

	"Three: Tell me. Is this why you sent me to be trained? Answer me,
Father! Is this the purpose you had for me all along?!?"

	Gendou shook his head. "Your training was your mother's idea. if you
have a complaint, register it now. If not, then prepare yourself for
battle."

	His fists clenched tightly, he had known his training was due to his
mother. And through it all, Shinji had but one question. "Why? Why did
she place me on this path?"

	It was Rei who gave him the answer he had both wanted, and yet had also
known all along.

	"A Martial Artist's duty, his honor, lies not with himself, but in
helping and protecting those in need - those who cannot, or will not,
defend themselves - to the best of his ability. In this, and for this,
you have been trained; have you not?"

	Shinji dropped his head and closed his eyes. 'Mother knew this was
going to happen all along..' he shook his head, then turned to Ritsuko.
"I'll do it."

	Rei silently came from behind him, and he only registered her presence
as she touched his back. "Thank you." She said. Then she was gone. 

	Gendou, high above, smiled a slow resentful smile. It would work.

	It had to.

[_}~`\-/'~{_]
    ^ " ^

	"So then, Shinji.. You understand the reason behind this test?" Ritsuko
asked over the comn.

	From the confines of Unit-00's entry plug, He nodded. "With the Angel
above, making sure I'm able to pilot seems like a good idea.. But I'm
still not clear on how to pilot this.." Shinji guestured around himself,
"..Thing.."

	From inside Unit-01's entry plug, and already inserted into the Eva,
Rei smiled. "Think, and it shall be done. But do not dwell on the goal,
but of the very essence of the action you wish to take."

	"Oh, THAT helps. Might as well tell me to run on instinct.." He
muttered.

	"Shinji: Run on instinct." Said a voice over the comn.

	Shinji narrowed his eyes as the door of the entry plug swung into
position. "Oh, Thanks pops. You're a REAL help."

	"Don't mention it. Inject the entry plug!" From his desk in the command
center of Nerv, Gendou watched as Ibuki swiftly complied.

	"Roger! Inserting entry plug!" Maya's fingers flew across the keys,
routing comands to the Magi and other sub-systems. "Plug lock-in
procedure complete! Initiating first contact and flooding entry plug!"

	Inside Unit-00, Shinji was immensely glad for that liquid oxygen dive
training last summer, but found it amazing that he could still talk.
"What in the hell? It this even..? It isn't! You know this is physically
impossible, don't you?!"

	A small box with Ritsuko inside poped into his view. "Just except it."

	"But..!" It was obvious he couldn't.

	"Look, just except the fact and get on with it!"

	"But I..!"

	"No 'But's!"

	"I! You! GyAh.." Shinji's arms waived wildly, his hands forming several
interesting gestures. He tensed for a moment, then let it go. "Yes
ma'am.." he sighed in abject defeat.

	"Better."

	The box winked out of existance as weird things began to happen.. First
floating words, then some type of graph followed by sparkling lights..
Shaking his head, he tried to focus on Ibuki's voice and concentrated on
not having a bad trip. 

	The lightshow stopped and the world became red, almost a blood colored
sheen. Shinji waited a moment, beliving this to be normal. 

	Then it spoke. Not in words, but in images flashing through his mind
with an intensity akin to a raging fire. Shinji couldn't help the small
gasp of pain and surprise.

	It was Hers. Not Rei, but someone identical to her. This was her Eva,
her soul had taken the Evangelion's massive bulk as its own residence.
He screamed in pain as it attempted to rip out the very thing which made
him Human and replace it with what, to his distorted perceptions, seemed
nothing more than a man made mockery.

	Then the invasion stopped. An image appeared in his field of vision,
flawless white skin and blue hair an almost painful contrast to the red
ichor he floated in.

	\You do not have permission\
	\Why are you here, He Who Is The One\

	He struggled with the pain and his mind to find an answer, barely able
to belive what was happening. "To prevent the death of the innocent..
It's my obligation now! I must go, lemme go!"

	\Why should I comply with you, He Who Is The One\

	`This is insane..` he told himself, shaking his head to clear it. "I
don't have an answer for that, I don't even know what's going on here!
Just let me go! If you don't," He guestured around, "None of this will
matter! She won't exist! We'll all die!

	\That is your perception, He Who Is The One\

	Shinji blinked in confusion. "What do you mean, my perception? The
Angel is here!"

	\So it would seem\
	\What would He Who Is The One have me do about it?\

	"Just let me go kill the damn thing already! You're waisting time!"

	The image of the Rei look-alike smiled ruefuly for a moment before
speaking again.

	\I shall help He Who Is The One, I shall give He Who Is The One the
knowlege needed to Ride\
	\Be warned, however\
	\Come inside me again without permission and I shall destroy the soul
of He Who Is The One\

	"Just what the hell do you mean by that?"

	Shinji recieved no answer as the world seen through the eye of an Eva
came sharply into focus; Ibuki's voice faded rapidly, saying: "Opening
riciprocal circuits." 

	He found his head swimming with pain, and a dark sense of foreboding
took root within his soul. Surprizingly, no time seemed to have elapsed
while he was in communication with Unit-00. He wanted to say something
about what had happened - although, try as he might, his voice failed
him. Just what could he say that wouldn't sound like a frightened child
making lame excuses to get out of saving the world?

	In the end, Shinji hardened his resolve and said nothing. No matter
what, the Angel would die, and that was all that truly mattered at the
moment.

	Wasn't it?

[_}~`\-/'~{_]
    ^ " ^

	From inside the control room, Ritsuko was in shock. "This.. is
amazing.." She whispered. "Synchro errors are within point two percent..
It's going to work!" She said, turing to Misato.

	"But, can we REALLY do this to him?" Misato turned to the commander,
knowing even as she asked what the answer would be.

	"Of course. If we fail to defeat the angels, Humanity has no future.
Proceed, captian Katsuragi."

	Misato turned back to Ritsuko. "Are the Eva's ready?"

	"Primary and secondary restraints have been released, and all
preperations are complete."

	"Gates 4 and 5 are clear, Eva's loaded and ready for launch sequence."
Ibuki added.

	"Then let's do this.." Misato muttered. "Evangelion Units Zero and One,
Launch!"

	Inside Unit-00, Shinji scowled as the electromagnetic rail system sent
the Eva rocketing towards the surface. In less than a moment, he was
above ground, Unit-01 some distance to his right. But that was not what
concerened him, it was the Angel.

	Sachiel blinked both sets of eyes. Very disconcerting, rather, yes.
Either this four eye thing had him seeing double, or there really were
two of these dark servants of the Lillim.

	`Wait a minute,` Sachiel blinked agian, recognizing the battle between
the purple servant's soul and that of its rider which was absent from
the orange/yellow servent, `those is two dark servents of the Lillim`

	That thought was quickly followed by another as Sachiel sized the
orange/yellow servant up. The servant's soul seemed to be almost
complementing that of the riders, although the link beteen them was non
existant. And as for the rider.. 

	Shinji glared at the Angel, wanting nothing more than for the final
safty locks to release, so he could jump on it and pummel it to death.
Unit-00 did as Shinji did, its single eye reflecting the surrounding
light in an almost ominous manner.

	Sachiel began to sweat. `Oh, shit.` 

[_}~`\-/'~{_]
    ^ " ^

	"Release final safty locks! Rei, concentrate on the Angel. Shinji, I
want you to try-"

	"Negitive, Captian!" Came Rei's voice from the comn, "The Angel's
ignoring me, it's heading straight towards Shinji!"

	Misato's eyes widened. "What?!? Rei, stop the Angel!"

	Unit-01 ran from its harness, coming along side Sachiel. Rei made a
grab for the Angel, but it evaded, turing on her.

	Inside Unit-00, Shinji narrowed his eyes. "Let's do this." He said,
confusing the entire Command staff.

	"Shinji, what do yo.." Misato started, only to drop off as the
Evangelion lept into the air. Ritsuko dropped her pencil, the sound
echoing through the silent command center.

	"He.. He shouldn't be able to do that.." The doctor murmered.

	As Unit-00 came down on Sachiel with a mighty kick, Misato agreed with
as much intelligence she could muster. "Uh-huh."

[_}~`\-/'~{_]      Neon Genesis Evangelion: Honor's Duty
    ^ " ^               Stanza Two: Retrograde
                                  End

-- 
 -JJ Corley
ronin_salsolo@hotmail.com
jjcpub.cjb.net OR lcp.minos.net
Otaku Cheiftan of Ludicrous Configuration! Productions.
----
"This new missle will go through Godzilla like crap through a goose!" 
   -General Bakayouru from 'Godzilla 2000'

"The reason why I'm scared of a woman's tears is that they have the
power of transferring the woman's guilt unto a man. This is a bad
thing."
   -Hajime from "Virtual Reality Dating MAYCLUB'