Evangelion: The World Set Free

[TheNaut131]

Alexander drove down the road, weaving between cars, getting a feel for the road and his new moped. Piggy had given him a call, reminding him that their plan was soon gonna be set in motion. Alexander simply said, "Yes, yes, I'll be ready" and drove down to the shop to meet Addison. He wanted to get back at NERV, but honestly didn't care that much for their plan, if there was one at all. He ignored his own musings on getting to the computer and simply worried about driving. Then Samuel floated p alongside him and filled Alexander's head with more thoughts.

"So, what do you plan to do once you meet up with her?"

"I honestly don't know. I was sorta hoping it would come to me."

"Oh great, you're practically about to proclaim your undying affection to a girl but have absolutely no idea about how to do it. Gosh, if this is how the men in our family address the opposite sex, it makes me wonder how dad ended up with mom."

Alexander ignored Samuel's minor mocking and continued to drive. Though he tried not to think it, he felt that his brother had a good point. What was he gonna do. He felt the box and strange bag slap against his thigh while he drove over a few bumps.

"And then there's that. Alexander, I know you're trying to be nice and all, but with those things you made, she might think you're trying to 'buy' her."

"Castor, I simply noticed that her parkour could cause a few issues, so I made a few things to help her out."

"I don't think she'll see it that way and I don't believe she'll take it. Maybe she'll see the thought behind it, maybe accept the gift simply to be polite, but I honestly doubt that. One, because shes humble. Two, shes independent. And three, because shes kinda apathetic to pretty much everything."

Alexander knew Samuel was pretty right. But the apathy part was kinda bugging him. She would smile as any normal person would, she would follow along with the Rev's and his joking, nicely listening to boys being the obnoxious creatures they are, but she typically kept her reaction to everything at a base line level. Plenty would call it self control, but something was off about it. Nothing really phased her except for that one time a few weeks back when he slightly criticized her plan which helped defeat the first angel. She hadn't shown it, but after remembering her slight body movements after he'd said it, Alexander realized he may have really hurt her. Was she trying to keep herself from letting things get the better of her? Alexander didn't know. He wondered what she actually thought of him, and if she did want to go anywhere with him, whether or not she'd be with him because she honestly liked him or because she didn't see any harm in it.

"And then there's the scattered-ness, that thing you're trying to ignore about her. You feel it, you know something isn't right with her, and that it's more than just something on the surface. It probably doesn't matter, but it still bothers you. The fact you don't know much about your team bothers you. Chris, or 'Grim' died and you didn't know one damn thing about him aside from fact that he was a bit grumpy. You're worried that after all this, you guys will simply disperse and never see each other again. Or worse, that most of you will die without truly knowing each other. Pollux, I know you don't want Addison to simply walk by you the same way she walked right by Chris's body without even a glance, right?"

Samuel had said this with the greatest amount of care he could muster, to prevent himself from sounding like a jerk. He let the words sink into his brother, and slowly faded away.

Samuel said some pretty true things, things Alexander had been trying to ignore. He actually liked the team, flaws and all. If this all ended with them never speaking again and Alexander slowly slipping into schizophrenic insanity without anyone there to actually give a crap about him, he'd go insane just from the prospect alone. Truth was, Alexander didn't really have many friends. Most people at his dorm honestly thought he was just another smart kid being exploited with all the bills paid thanks to NERV. They were actually pretty right.

He rolled up to shop and parked his moped. Addison was reading a book, unable to see Alexander. He picked up the small box and strange bag and sat down at the table where Addison was sitting, and put his things on the ground next to his chair. She sensed the movement and looked up.

"Hey, Addison."

Spoiler: OOC

Samuel discusses how Alexander is gonna go about talking with Addison and feels the need address other issues Alexander is trying to ignore. Alexander finally meets up with Addison.

 

[Viking Incognito]

Aiber had slid his right hand out of the restraint they put on him, because they weren't sure if he was mentally himself, then undid the others. He took his clothes next to the bed and changed then gently laid his hat on top of his head. After checking through the window that no doctors were outside, he casually slid out and began walking.

He had had more than enough medical and mental tests back on the home front, the last thing he needed was more. As he walked toward the door at the end of the hallway, he saw saw his sqaud leader Lisa in one of the rooms. The look on her face was pained, as if she needed something that they wouldn't give her.

For just a second he wasn't sure if he should just leave or try to help her.

No goddamnit! Stop thinking like your father!

Aiber picked the lock on Lisa's room and stepped inside. He looked at her, just lying there on the bed, and realized that he had just decided to help her, not out of the goodness of his heart, but to defy his father. His fists tightened and he began to hate himself all over again.

"Hey, Lisa, come on, let's get you out of here before anyone realizes I'm gone."

 

[CJ1145]

"Can you move. Mikhael? Here, try to stand on one leg now. Use the table to lean on if you need it."

A new concession. An odd one at that. Mikhael was beginning to worry. He had only woken up several hours before. He had been told he'd been told he had many visitors while he was asleep. None of his friends had been among them though. He laughed and said he understood. They had more important things to do than stare at an unconscious person. Rev was good at lying to himself.

The doctors had been much kinder than usual today. They had let him take three breaks already, and the exercise wasn't even strenuous. He began to ponder their motivation. He wondered, maybe they were thankful. The doctors had never let his job as a pilot influence their opinion of him. It seemed impossible that they cared now. Maybe he was worse off than he thought. Maybe he had developed some terrible disease and only had months to live. Too ridiculous. Or
maybe... they were coercing him. Maybe they had.
some inkling of what his friends were up to. They
wanted him on NERV's side when all was said and
done. That seemed the likeliest to him.

He had considered asking about Fifteen, whether she had come when no one else would. But he didn't. He was afraid to know.

At the end of several hours of testing they finally let him go. But he didn't know where to go now. It seemed like his options were to go home and rot or go find friends too caught up in their own lives to give him a moment's notice.

He went to the ice cream shop. There was nothing else worth doing.

Spoiler

Rev is finally released from the hospital and wonders why the doctors are treating him so well. He is rather bitter thinking no one appreciates him, and goes to the ice cream shop, not knowing what else to do with himself.

 

[Asclepion]

Spoiler: OOC

Fun fact: The Tattletale was written as just a mass produced bio-engineered thing for Seele. But the creature has been given a name and personality and played like a sentient being. This raises the idea that Tattletales may develop individual traits from their hosts, even become aware of their nature as derived from divinity. Characterization marches on!

Fifteen was becoming socially conditioned. Gradually, she was given a degree of autonomy, and introduced to situations where she could interact with people on the outside. And so it was that the girl with red eyes was led around New Masau, chaperoned by plainclothes security. After the GSED incident, her handlers took extra precaution- they carried submachine guns in their briefcases, with officers monitoring from afar. But otherwise left her to her own devices to explore integrate into society. Synch testing and combat simulations mixed with commercial districts, aquariums, and restaurants.

Addison-15 was shown the the ocean. People were all around, talking, eating. Kids. Adults. People Fifteen didn't know. There were ball games and people and people climbing dunes, or swimming and cooking barbecue ribs. The sun was out, the air was warm, and there were even African penguins walking down the shore. But her thoughts were on the team, and on the pilot from the hospital, who had both embraced her and stood her down.

Rev was one of those people who always seems to have a spotlight on them wherever they go. Who know what the pilots would have become in their lives if this war with the Angels hadn't happened? But once it did happen, it was like Mikhael had found his place in the universe, like the Evangelion was his real body and the teenager part was just clothes that he wore when he didn't need to be as tall as a building and swinging a chainaxe into a demigod's face. It was all some inevitable part of him that finally found a way to come out.

And somehow Fifteen, the one who others were meant to envy, felt unworthy herself. It didn't matter that she could lay him out in 5 seconds or how far away she could hit targets with a pallet gun or if her Synch Ratio could match his. Because he could be smiling all the time, getting shit done on adrenaline and attitude alone.

He was free in all the ways that she was not.

She knew that the fat kid was trying to decieve her, planning something. She knew the others were as well, and Mikhael. So she said nothing to her officers and otherwise avoided the others. But her eyes were opened in the fight that followed, when Unit-27 ploughed through astonishing damage, impaled with so many spears that it looked like a porcupine and did not fall. Having an arm ripped off couldn't stop the Evangelion, it only drove itself to a berserk rage- unbelievably, incomprehensibly, all-consumingly enraged and hit the Angel so hard it was painted with the Eva's own blood.

We have to live to our fullest - now, because tomorrow may never come. So Fifteen resolved to tell him- that she longed to experience the world, to pierce the heavens like him. She told herself that tomorrow will be the most beautiful day of Mikhael Rev's life. His breakfast will taste better than any meal you and I have ever tasted. I will do whatever I can to help him find fulfillment here, as long as we still draw breath.

[hr]

Piggy had wracked his brains but saw no easy way in. But the layout was familiar and the personnel all recognized them, so biometrics and checkpoints shouldn't be an issue. The plan was pretty much:
1). Get the Director's personal computer before he moves to the subterranean facility.
2). Scan the data off it.
3). Do it fast as shit.

Thirteen stands watch. If they time it, they could have a window of 1-2 minutes in between patrols (Nerv did not release employee rotas, so Nikolai had to deduce it from the base transportation schedule). Nikolai and Pollux work the device itself- Piggy running decryption and hiding their tracks, Alexander trying to make sense of the information itself. Rev watches from another hallway and deals with the freak if she comes back. Aiber and Lisa would be put to use if they could be convinced.

Spoiler: OOC

Addi-15 prepares to ask Mikhael out. Piggy informs them of his plan.

 

[Mr.Ivebeenframed]

Addison looked at Pollux and gave him a polite smile as she put her book away.

"You wanted to meet me?" Addison inquired wondering what the boy had in mind. She looked at him, trying to get a read for him but she found something else. He looked troubled, anxious even. Deep in her mind she wondered what the matter was, why had he looked so worried when a few moments before he appeared calm and happy as he always did.

Was it her?

Addison wasn't one to fool especially if it was herself. She was given a sense of self-awareness far later in her adolescent life than most kids but did she take to it. Most of the scientists considered her meticulous nitpicking into her appearance as normal for any girl of her age but not for her. It was overwhelming at first. When she was allowed to go outside by herself or even watch television she was bombarded at what girls her age was supposed to be or act or look like. It was both a appeal for identity and a yearning for conformity. While she was told that looking "herself" was best in life she wanted to be like those girls. Those girls that had blonde hair, well-manicured nails, giddy laughs, or multiple boyfriends.

As much as she wanted to be them, Addison knew that she couldn't for one fact and it was her role in life. It far exceeded anything that those brats could ever offer and Addison took pride in that. She was piloting a technological achievement into battle against otherworldly beings that had the power to destroy humanity. It was far better than becoming a secretary. But once in a while she still envied those girls with French Tips on their nails.

She fazed back into reality looking to Pollux, to this boy that looked like he was about to recite a love sonnet to her. Whatever the answer was she decided that she would go with it because at least for once she would have her slice of a "normal" life.

Spoiler: OOC

Addison asks Pollux the meaning of their meeting and wonders what he is going to say.

 

[TheNaut131]

"Uh, yeah."

Addison smiled at him and Alexander felt fluttering in the pit of his stomach. Alexander had never really taken the time to think about it, but it occurred to him how beautiful she really was. Oh God, how was he gonna do this.? Samuel, though trying ignore the gushy thoughts that passed by, couldn't help but peek at his brother's stammering, secretly urging him on.

Alexander honestly didn't know much about Addison, but he felt he knew enough. She was strong, independent, smart, attractive and pretty great all around. And though she could be a bit cold, he knew she wasn't. There was something holding her back, something that nagged at her day in and day out, but through it all there was a fantastic person there. Alexander didn't want to mess this up and cause any minor grief for her, so he started out small.

"Um, I've been thinking about things. A lot of things. Mainly our last fight with the angel. We cut it close there, with most of our evas shutting down, hanging by threads. I think it was a bit too close."

As he said all this, he realized that things were reaching a crescendo, the angel's progressively getting stronger, smarter, more vile. Was it possible this all could actually end someday. What would they do then?

"I-I don't want to be Grim. I don't want any of us to be him. None of us will be Chris. But, if this all ends someday, the angels stop coming and we can have some form of our lives back, if they ever existed-"

Alexander paused for a bit, letting Addison take in what he was saying and seeing how she was reacting to it. He hoped he wasn't coming off as a sad little boy, experiencing the death of a loved one for the first time. She was keeping it low as usual, but it didn't look like apathy as much as it looked like acceptance. He remembered Piggy's message about the plan. Maybe they'd learn some interesting things about NERV, damning things, but what if they got caught? Could NERV simply kick them to the curve, or worse, make them simply fade from existence? He was sure that NERV could just call up any number of pilots waiting in the wings and the public wouldn't give a damn. Their faceless heroes replaced by other faceless heroes.

"-I-I don't want to lose the team. I don't want us to just disappear and never see each other again. I mean, yeah Rev's humor can be annoying and we barely know our per-pubescent, pointman Piggy, but they are perhaps the only other people on Earth who truly understand our situation. Even the newer pilots on our team, Aiber and Leonidas, are pretty great people. Aiber, eager to fight and Leonidas, eager to lead. Honestly, when this is all I over, I want us to truly get to know each other. Joke around, talk, learn, without having to worry about the threat of being called away to defend the Earth and return minus one."

Alexander realized he had to get to point, but the words weren't forming. They were stuck in the back of his throat. Maybe he should just stop now and live with the awkwardness of this day. Samuel wasn't gonna allow that.

"Oh no you don't! I had to listen to all of this, so I want it to end the right way."

Alexander felt his brain lurch, and realized he was being pushed into the back of his mind. Samuel was taking control. Alexander demanded to know what was happening, but his words were simply thoughts. Suddenly the words emerged, the ones he'd been looking for. It was his voice, but it wasn't him doing the talking. It was Samuel.

"Addison, I love you. I really honestly do. I don't want to just fight along side you and then walk away like none of it actually matters. You're a great pilot, and a great person. You honestly deserve better than what the word does to you. What NERV does to us. I don't know if I'll be that person, the 'better', but I'll sure as hell try."

Samuel took Addison's hand that lay on the table, looked her straight in the eyes, and leaned in a bit. He quickly gave control back to Alexander, nearly finishing the words Alexander had desperately tried to push out. Samuel waited a bit before impatiently saying, "Well? I'm not gonna be your voice the entire time."

Alexander found the words and let them fly. "Maybe we can both help each other have a chance at being...normal."

Alexander stopped, pretty much satisfied with himself. He looked at Addison, simply watching her take it all in and waiting for some form of a response.

Spoiler: Holy lighting love confessions, Batman!

Alexander gets a few things off his chest and reveals his love for Addison, with a bit of help from Samuel. Who apparently has similar powers to that of Dr. Laurence's Alastor. Hmm...

 

[CJ1145]

Rev's mouth dropped open a bit, staring at Addison and Alexander, a bit dumbfounded neither had noticed him there for the past minute. He considered saying something, but shrugged and went to order himself a triple fudge swirl from the shop. He needed something sweet to work through a feeling not unlike when an older brother catches his sibling writing love letters to their crush. A mixture of pride, shame, confusion, and a bit of nausea.

Spoiler: OOC

Rev is interrupted by Alexander's speech before he can announce his presence, and leaves the pair alone, feeling a bit dumbfounded.)

 

[ZapperX]

Lisa left the hospital with Aiber, both of them weak from the previous battle. She, and by extension, her Eva, was very lucky as to have received very little actual damage against such a dangerous foe. Some of the other Evas had been torn up, and that was without mentioning Unit-03...

Lisa lamented the loss of a pilot, even though she didn't know him. She had heard mention of "Grim" from a few of the NERV staff members. A sniper. A Neo-Spartan. A kid. When it came down to it, they were all kids, even her. Sure she may have been a legal adult, but she wasn't even a quarter of the way into her natural life yet. And then there were pilots like Nikolai... But he was different. People like Lisa and Grim were trained to fight, trained to be the guardians of the Earth, not the others. The fighting should be left to the soldiers. How can she protect civilians if civilians fight with her?

Her gaze went over to Aiber. He was muscular, toned, carrying himself with a certain pride. He must have been a Neo-Spartan as well, she could see it in his posture and stride. She was leading him back to the ice cream shop where she had been before the battle. She wanted to see if the other pilots were there. She wanted to meet them and get a chance to know them, build a sense of comradeship so that when shit hit the fan in a battle...

She was thinking too much again. She needed to stop herself, now. She wasn't going to freak out. She just did what came naturally, and reached into her pocket were she pulled out her stash of marijuana. Not even thinking of Aiber, she rolled a joint and lit up.

Spoiler: OOC

en route to the ice cream shop, Lisa contemplates who should be fighting and starts smoking pot in front of Aiber.

 

[Viking Incognito]

Aiber, distracted by his thoughts, didn't realize what she was doing until he smelled the smoke. He looked over at Lisa and did a quick double take before he grasped that she was actually smoking weed in public.

"What do you think your doing?" he hissed at her, pulling her into an alley behind a dumpster.

She took another drag on the joint before answering "Catching a buzz. You look like you could use some, you need to relax. The world could end any day now."

Aiber was about to respond but then he realized how close he was standing to her. Their faces almost touching. He thought about it for a moment and realized she was right, what could it possibly hurt? Besides, when was the last time he had ingested anything that wasn't approved by scientists.

With a sudden confidence brought on by adrenaline, Aiber said "You're right. But uh, I've never done this before. How dose it work?"

"Like this." Lisa said with an odd grin, then she brought her face closer to his and exhaled the smoke into his face. Aiber breathed it in deeply, letting it fill his lugs and blanket his senses.

He had never felt so free, so at peace. He took a half-step back and looked at Lisa up and down. Her smooth healthy skin, her soft curves, her gleaming eyes.

When was the last time I actually wanted something for myself? Aiber thought.

He moved in closer to Lisa.

When was the last time I actually touched a person?

He moved in closer again as the built up sorrow and frustration ballooned inside him, doing battle with the haze of the drugs.

Why do I even need to ask myself these things?

His hands began to shake as he reached toward Lisa.

Just this once, I won't be my father's toy.

Aiber laid his right hand just below her waist and his left hand in the small of her back. A smile began to spread on her face.

Just this once, I want to know what it's like...

He leaned in until his nose touched her's.

...to be human.

Aiber pushed himself forward, mouth open, kissing her with everything he had. He kissed her the way a man who almost drowned comes up for air.

He pulled her body up against his, and kissed her more deeply. Then Aiber began to pull up her shirt...

 

[Viking Incognito]

[double post]

 

[Mr.Ivebeenframed]

It took some time before Addison answered back, a lack of words at the moment fell over like a fog.

Pollux could feel Addison's hand grow cold.

Overwhelmed couldn't describe what Addison could feel. It was a rush of emotions that ranged from love to undeserving, not worthy of having Pollux, this person lay out his feelings for her. He was too good and Addison knew it. She didn't deserve him, she didn't want to break his heart but at the same time this is what she was looking for. This is what she sough in him, a feeling of longing almost indescribable yet articulated. She saw that in Alexander and did she crave it.

Half of her wanted to jump the table. Kiss him. Undress him and-

"I...I don't know what to say..." Addison whispered. She drew her hand back from the grasp of his and cupped them underneath the table, wringing her wrists, wondering what to say. She didn't expect to hear this amount of yearning for her from Pollux. She thought she was ready but how wrong she was. "I don't deserve you.."

Addison got up. Leaving her bag. She went to the exit and on the way she heard the screech of Pollux's chair against the floor. An internal battle ensued. She moved but her body didn't budge. Instead she turned around and went back to Pollux.

"I'm sorry." She grasped his head. Their lips locked. She kissed hard. She let go and threw him back.

She couldn't remember running so hard before. Addison didn't cry. She didn't speak. She only breathed hard.

Some where along that road she found a familiar figure. A lonely silhouette walking the streets. Was it Rev? Either way she needed to dispose of baggage and guilt she gained when she left the ice cream parlor.

First she ran up to him, not even taking a deep breath from all that running. She looked frightened, frazzled at appearance. Then she turned him around by force almost making him fall off balance.

"I'msosorryIdon'tknowwhatIdidHe'sgoingtoreallymadatmeIdon'tknowwhattodoIdon'tknowwhattodo." It was a rush of words that seemed like her breathing out a lengthy gasp of air rather than a stream of words. "IkissedhimandIleftandhe'sgoingtohatemeforeeverwhatamIdoingIdon'tknowwhatI'mdoing." Her eyes darted from place to place, from him to her, to ground and to the sky. "Do I look pretty?"

Spoiler: OOC

Addison is overwhelmed with what Pollux has to say. She has a nervous breakdown, kisses Pollux and leaves. She sees Rev and decided to unload on him.

 

[Asclepion]

Nerv HQ

The updates and reports came streaming into the command room. The brass were not in a pleasant mood.

"See that, gentlemen? That's all your time and money running away. We've had our disappointments in the past, hanging on for years, hoping they'll pull through, and then they ice out or drop themselves off a bridge and we're left with nothing."

"Give her time. To see what she does with it."

"We don't have time."

"We don't have time to not rush her ahead in an emotional disarray and get killed?"

"Use Fifteen."

"Out of the question. She needs to build an ego and define herself. Synching with an Eva now will just turn her to orange juice."

"Use a Dummy Plug."

"From who? Germany? The United States? You know how worried everyone is about espionage- are you going to put them in our Entry Plugs too?"

"If we have to. The Dummy System's reflexes, target identification, and calculations are leagues ahead of a human pilot."

"The System is also not famous for making clever decisions, or using an A.T. Field effectively, or not being forcibly rejected by the Evangelion. And besides, who's going to tell the UN that after twelve tries we can't get it right? You?"

"..."

"We haven't lost her. She's still capable."

"In the meantime, make sure she stays unlost."

"I told you. The recorders on, it's always on, your ass is covered, and let me take care of things."

"The world is looking for supersoldiers. There's nothing to take care of until you get me that."

[hr]

Piggy stared in confoundment.

"ADDI- D.. shit!"
He got up, taking his plan with him. There was no time for this. They had to get to Owen's drive before he moved from his office. But he couldn't do it without them.

Spoiler: OOC

Knowing it is frequented by the Eva pilots, Nerv has been doing surveillance at this shop.

 

[TheNaut131]

"I-I think we broke her...

Alexander ignored Samuel's voice and laid there as other confused bystanders wearily helped him to his feet. His mouth was slightly agape. An assortment of fallen chairs and ice cream toppings sprinkled off him, as he shakily stood up and saw the fleeting image of Addison running off. He simply stood there, people looking at him with confusion, weariness, and slight sympathy. He blandly apologized for the mess he'd made, not hinting any actual emotions. He gathered his things, the small box and weird bag as he slowly walked over to his moped. He put on his goggles, strapped on his helmet, looking off in the direction Addison had taken off. He quickly turned away, ignoring it, and drove off towards the dorm. As Alexander looked straight ahead, his brother materialized a few feet beside him.

" Pollux, I'm sorry, this is all my fault. I shouldn't have just taken over, I shouldn't have said anything at all actual-"

"No, no, Castor you didn't do anything. Those were my words, in my voice, from my head. And they scared her off. I really fucked up today, I-I sounded crazy, didn't I? God, I'm such an idiot."

Samuel just let his brother drive a bit, not really sure what to say.

"Listen, I'm pretty sure she does have feeling for you but, she's too proud and thinks you're too great. You heard her yourself. Just before she kissed you, might I add.

"It felt so great to finally get it off my chest. All this time, our battles and whatever time we actually get to see each other, my feelings had been growing. Yeah, sometimes she could aggravate me, but that's just how people are. What made her different was that there wasn't really much she could ever do to piss me off. Not with someone like her, that beautiful and that smart. If anything, I've caused her more grief than anyone around here could wish upon a person."

Pollux, I can't stand to listen to you talk like this and think these thoughts. You did all you could. You were honest and said what you needed to say It's her who-"

Alexander wasn't gonna let Samuel go there.

"Don't even fucking go there! Don't pin this on her, just don't-"

Alexander felt a tear roll down his face and he began to shake slightly, his moped weaving along with him. The road looked strange and began to blend into a strange hue. He was losing control. Suddenly, Samuel took control and the moped moved retained balance.

"Okay, okay, I won't. Just let me get us home in one piece. I should've stopped you, her eva warned Dioscuri about this but he still gave us the go ahead. Still, the risk of such at thing nagged at me, but I didn't want to stop you from going through with it. I'm sorry."

Alexander had heard Samuel say some strange things. He'd mention Unit-09, Addison's eva warning his eva about Alexander going through with this. And he didn't care. He didn't care to know about whatever crap his brother was going on about. He simply wanted to talk to someone. Someone real. He didn't have Aiber's number or know where to find him, Miss Leonidas was supposedly under lock-and-at the hospital for having illegal substances found in her system, and Piggy was probably too young to truly understand, smart kid or not. He was gonna have to do the unthinkable.

"Samuel, when we get home give me immediate control. I need to call Rev."

Samuel was confused and hinted slight worry with the suggestion, but simply kept driving down the road. Samuel didn't want alexander to turn into a sad sack, things were falling into place. He needed to keep things in order.

"And the moment you're asleep, I'm calling Piggy. You wanted even the slightest revenge on NERV remember? I know you want it, and I'm gonna make sure you get it." He said this to himself, making sure Alexander didn't sense the thought.

I'm tired of being on the sidelines.

Spoiler: OOC

Alexander beats himself up for what happened, thinking he came on too strong and perhaps a bit crazy. He then decides to call Rev. Samuel plans to call Piggy and talk about the plan behind Alexander's back.

 

[hiei82]

The flight back to HQ was much like the flight there: filled with endless requests for money and scientists interested in some vague aspect of the last battle. Owen, being a man of science, was noticeably more interested in the later, though that meant little in comparison. Already NERV's finest were constructing theories that might emulate the effects of the singularity, though none saw fit to ask why they would want to do that. For his part, Alastor again seemed content to hide deep within his mind, and Owen began to suspect that the creature was Acrophobic.

Still, the trip had been at least a partial success. Unit-13 was being boxed up and shipped back to NERV, destined for Abaddon: NERV's wonderful little basement storage facility. He had learned a great deal regarding the nature of the Evangelions, a subject that was enigmatic at best. They had even recovered Grim's entry plug - in remarkably good shape no less, save the shrapnel that had pierced it and it's unfortunate occupant.

Thinking of the grim discovery, and berating himself for the uncouth pun, soured Owen's mood. He had hoped against hope that the pilot would be found alive and well by some miracle. What was the old saying? "He who dines on hope goes to bed hungry"?

His prayers being unanswered, a problem he was finding considerably more often than he would have liked considering his "house guest", forced Owen to adjust his figures. They still had several pilots, all skilled beyond their greatest hopes, and their Eva's were in relatively good shape considering their proximity to the miniature black hole. But the loss of a pilot and an Evangelion would hinder their defenses more than they could even begin to grasp; forcing Owen to consider alternatives. If this battle had shown him anything, it was that even the god-like Evangelions could die.

Not that any of these "alternatives" would ever get Seele approval. Most were still in the theoretical stage and ran counter to Seele's own "Human Instrumentality Project" - not that he could understand any of that particular plan aside from the long term goal; a goal that was insanity at best. Owen ran through all the possibilities in his mind while he went through the motions of signing yet more requisitions. All his alternatives would never work as long as Alastor could merely flip through his mind like a book and rout any plan with a word.

As Owen reached for the next requisition, a document about pushing a new Evangelion armor design into full production, a plan started to emerge. Well... not so much a plan as a possibility. A risky one, but one that may turn the tables on Seele and give NERV the edge it desperately needed; and take some of the pressure off the pilots to boot.

Owen was jarred from his thoughts once more as the transport began it's final approach back to NERV HQ. Owen quickly buried his thoughts, hiding them as deeply as possible to prevent his constant companion from gaining any foreknowledge. His mind, now free from such deep thoughts, turned to his fellow passengers. Out of paperwork for him to sign, they had turned to giving status updates of everything around NERV.

"...should increase the efficiency of the A.T. Fields by approximately 2.5%, which would be a great help to the Narcissus Project." A man in his late forties and dressed in a semi-formal business suit concluded, quite content with his presentation. The other scientists seemed to be impressed, so Owen just smiled and nodded. Before Owen could begin to excuse himself, a women in a lab coat, Her name tag reading 'Dr. Amanda Shelley', began to speak.

"There have been some unexpected developments with the pilots. It appears that pilots Thirteen and Gemini are showing signs of courtship behavior, though surprisingly, Thirteen, despite the rapid increase in hormonal levels, is resisting. We have noticed a similar reaction in Fifteen compared to Rev though the results are inconclusive. They show a marked contrast with Ms. Leonidas and Mr. Blake who, security tells me, are in each-others company at this moment." she spoke matter-of-factually, much to the horror, embarrassment, confusion, and intrigue of the remaining passengers. "We recommend watching the developments closely as they could reduce their Sync rates drastically; with estimates being up to a full 18 percentage-points" she concluded.

The plane was silent for a moment before Owen let out with his first genuine laugh in a week, "Teenagers". The other passenger, save Dr. Shelley who looked dumbfounded, laughed with great enthusiasm.

Spoiler: OOC

Owen flashbacks to the battle-field, considers plans to stop the angels and screw-over SEELE, and witnesses a rather awkward presentation on the relationships of Evangelion pilots.

 

[TheNaut131]

"Farewell, Reaper. I understand that those final messages were extremely difficult for you, but you managed to muscle on. Thank you, from me and the others. Shall Grim pass into the next world safely and shall you enjoy your slumber."

Samuel broke off the connection with the practically dead eva. Though he was acting as an ambassador, he seemed more like a message relay for the evas. Then again, Unit-31's A.T field had strengthened his projection, along with the angel's intrusion, so it only felt fair to help them out here and there. Though, the damage it had caused to his brother's mind may be irreversible. There are many forms of medication that can combat schizophrenia, but in Alexander's case, his mind could fall apart at some point. Having the thoughts of sentient, alien, mechanical beasts and angelic doom bringers pass unknowingly through your head could be dangerous.

"Uh, hello. Rev? I don't know when you'll get this message but can we, um, talk about something. I'll explain later. Thanks." Alexander quickly hung up.

"Don't worry about explaining, he was there for most of the conversation. Before you ask how I know, let me just say peripheral vision is a wonderful thing."

Alexander lay in his bed, simply looking up at the ceiling. Slim rays of light entered through his window, blinds obscuring them. He was in deep thought, not even flinching at the idea that someone else on the team had witnessed that failure.

"You know what, Pollux? Just take a quick nap, maybe you'll feel better."

Alexander looked over at Samuel and followed. In a few minutes he was asleep.

"Wow, he does not care. Geez, I really hope this doesn't mess with his sych rates." The words he'd heard Chris's fallen eva transmit from the passengers aboard the flight rang through his mind. "He was making such progress, I hope this whole thing doesn't leave him cold."

Samuel figured that now was a good time to do his thing. After a bit of tinkering, Samuel rose and opened Alexander's eyes. He tested his hands, his feet, his toes, and quickly scratched his butt.

"I've been waiting to do that for so long. It feels good to have a body again." He quickly thought about taking full and constant control of his brother, but shook the thoughts out of his head. "That would just be wrong. I just need it for this one quick thing."

Samuel walked over to the computer and found out what he needed. He found what he was looking for, Owen's flight. They'd be gone for awhile, so they had to act soon. He picked up Alexander's phone.

"Hello, it's me Cas-Pollux. Hey Piggy, we need to put our plan in action soon. Owen isn't really around right now, they're transporting or at least about finished transporting Grim's eva to it's final resting place. We need to act now."

"Trust me, I know that more than anyone. I need you all ready, but I've got a few things to handle. Once I've worked on that, try and get everyone together. You know where to meet up."

Samuel thought he could hear a voice in the background, but ignored it.

"Pollux, did uh-did anything happen with you today? Because Addison's here and she's rambling on about something, pretty incoherently. Do you have any idea whats going on with with her?"


"No idea whatsoever. Make sure shes ready. Oh, and can you find Aiber? Samuel tuned into Unit-7.5 "I hear he can pick locks. I'm gonna see Rev in a bit. See you later."

Samuel took a quick shower, had a snack, and laid down giving control back to Alexander.

"Yep, I feel good about my life."

Spoiler: OOC

More of Samuel's abilities are explored and he quickly talks to Piggy, giving him some intel.

 

[Pappytech]

If one was asked to describe NERV's PR division in a single word, they might find themselves presenting several convincing choices, depending, of course, on their relation to the department. Resourceful. Wily. Manipulative. Honest. False. The most popular choice, however, would typically be some variant of timely, punctual, or expedient. In less than 48 hours after the latest angelic assault, the internet, news stations, and papers had experienced a veritable flood of new ads, press releases, and promises of further action. New video clips, featuring particularly impressive stills of Ohotorael's defeat, had sprung up everywhere the public could see them. Informational videos explaining the mechanics of the Angel's actions, dramatic shoots boasting mankind's prowess and strength, even a few cleverly faked "home-footage" to subtly remind the public that NERV did care for the people's well-being. And it had paid off.

Simply walking outside, a NERV ID badge pinned to your lapel, was enough to ensure a small mob of admiring civilians would soon surround you. Venturing into the streets wearing a full-blown uniform would net you an impromptu parade in your honor, lasting the approximate length of your walk home. For some employees, this was a godsend, a long deserved reward after all their hard work, a chance to bask in the praise of those they protected.

To David Ashford, it was a barely noted distraction.

A distraction, because being swarmed simply for waving his ID at a security guard ensured that he would arrive late at his destination. Barely noted, because he had hardly stepped outside his office since Ohotorael fell.

Preaching philosophical and religious beliefs to a clandestine organization was all well and good when protected by walls of solid steel; having your life threatened by men you didn't know exist was quite another. The future of mankind aside, the fact remained that SEELE had attempted to have him killed, and had likely almost succeeded. Despite his stubborn words, a chilly aura of fear and paranoia had slowly enshrouded David over the past few days, worming its way into his thoughts and heart. Security cameras seemed to trace his every movement, men reaching inside their coats were undoubtedly wrapping their fingers about the stock of a loaded gun, windowless vans parked outside his apartment and next to his car.

However, as the old saying went, "Neither sleet nor snow nor rain nor hail, shall keep a postman from completing his appointed rounds." Regardless of threats on his livelihood, Mr. Ashford had a task to complete, and by God he was going to make sure it got done, assassins and death threats be damned! Granted, he may have spent the next few days sequestered in his office, refusing almost all visitors and barely eating or drinking. But, his task was completed, his work done. Soon, he had no reason to linger at NERV, no excuse to prolong his stay. Eventually, he would have to leave, to reenter the outside world, exposing himself to who knows what.

At least, that was until his cell buzzed lightly, the vibrating nearly knocking the device off its precarious perch on his desk.

UNKNOWN

"Dr. Laurence, retrieving wreckage of Unit-13. Physical contact resulted in Unit "attacking" the doctor. Unknown cause."

A quick scan of NERV's security cameras revealed the temporary commander's convoy reentering the complex. A few moments later, and the good Dr. Laurence exited his vehicle, chuckling over some joke. As he entered the main building, the scientist took his familiar route, no doubt heading for his office.

Distractions, though tedious and unwelcome when there was work to be done, could be sources of great knowledge and aid when used correctly. And David was under the impression that Dr. Laurence would make a wonderful distraction at the moment...

Spoiler: OOC

David, despite his response to SEELE's threat on his life, is still somewhat worried by said threat. After isolating himself in his office for a while, he emerges to finally interrogate Dr. Laurence about a few topics (Specifically SEELE and why Unit-13 reacted violently to Laurence's touch). Heads to the doctor's office.

Also, due to the pretty damn impressive manner in which Asc described the sniper's death, I'm probably going to go with that. Because who wouldn't want to die in a spacial-warping vortex of doom?

 

[Viking Incognito]

Aiber sat up in the bed of his hastily rented hotel room and looked at Lisa's form laying beside him. They gave each other satisfied smiles for a moment, then Aiber began to look around for something.

"What is it?" Lisa asked.

"Whered my hat get tossed to?" he replied amused.

Lisa gave a curt laugh before tossing of the sheets and heading for the bathroom. Aiber stopped for a moment to watcher her walk until the bathroom door closed.

The sound of the shower starting could be heard in the room as Aiber stood up and stretched. He looked around the room for his hat, finding it upside down on the floor by a lamp. He scooped it up and placed it on the dresser by the bed, where the clock was. The red numbers said it had been a little less than an hour since this encounter started in the alley.

Aiber laid back down on the bed and sighed happily. For the first time in a very long time, he felt content.

Well, who would have thought a little weed could give a guy so much perspective?

Another 20 or so minutes passed and Aiber was pulling his black sports coat on over his dark grey t-shirt, followed by his black trim-cut fedora. He looked at Lisa putting her phone in her pocket after adding his number to her contact's list, and he smiled at her again.

"If you ever want to blow off a little steam, just call." He said.

"Ditto. Now lets get out of here." she replied.

The two of them exited the room and walked down the stairs to the lobby. The sunlight from the windows was a stark contrast to thier room, but it wasn't the only source of light. There were cameras snapping pictures of the front of the building and dozens of journalists, surrounded by an even greater number of the fans of all things Nerv. They were waiting for the pair outside.

Spoiler: OOC

Aiber and Lisa finish up their business at the hotel, and find that they are surrounded by fans and so forth. Fame has a cost huh?

 

[CJ1145]

Rev found himself stumbling through a dark alley. He cursed himself for his weak legs and low running speed. It seemed like Addison had taken off with the speed of an Olympic sprinter, there was no way a scrawny kid like him could keep up with her. She had looked frightened. Confused. He should have been quicker to help her. He cursed his own inaction, but his self-loathing took a backseat to worry. He wondered if Addison would be OK by herself.

He tripped over a yowling black cat, nearly giving himself a heart attack as the little beast scurried behind a corner, hissing at him. Rev peeked down at it. It looked starved, almost as feeble as he was. He smiled, feeling a bit of pity for the poor thing, and retrieved a sandwich from his jacket's pocket. He broke off a piece and offered it to the wretched little thing. The cat cautiously sniffed the peace offering before taking a small bite. The thing mewled in contentment. Apparently it liked chicken. Rev chuckled
a bit to himself, and took another bit of sandwich to
give Tue cat. Over the span of the next minute the little
cat chomped down the whole sandwich, leaving only a
few stray crumbs. Rev nodded at the little thing and
turned to leave. Before he could take a step, the little
cat had climbed its way onto Rev's shoulder, where it promptly fell asleep in a ball. He chuckled again. Apparently he was the proud owner of a cat.

Despite the little diversion he still needed to check on Addison. He picked up his phone and dialed her number. "Come on, pick up..."

Spoiler

Rev adopts a stray cat by accident, and attempts to call Addison to check up on her.

 

[hiei82]

Coffee: Never underestimate it's power. Owen had never much cared for the stuff, it tasted acrid and did horrible things to his stomach but after a solid week of endless meetings, paperwork, and repairs, the caffeine it contained appeared a blessing. Not to say that the coffee was in any way good: normal coffee tasted terrible but vending machine coffee... Owen assumed it had similar properties to paint thinner. [i/] "Now if only I can figure out why people like Decaf..."[/i] he started to wonder, before being drawn out of his daze.

Owen had been marching in auto pilot toward his office, with a slight detour to the vending machines for some much needed caffination. He had passed a few people; a pair of soldiers who had saluted at his presence, and a handful of scientists who all merely nodded. He returned each in kind while in he strode to his office. It was not until he arrived that his stupor was pierced, by a man who looked to need the coffee more than Owen did; an impressive and sorry state indeed. The man in question, Mr. David Ashford, was waiting by his door, his eyes darkened and blood-shot as though he had spent the last week in his office; a fair assessment considering how busy PR was at the moment.

Owen paused for a moment before speaking, in genuine confusion. "And what can I do for you, Mr. Ashford?"

Spoiler: OOC

Owen gets coffee and finds Mr. Ashford (Pappytech) waiting outside his office.

 

[Asclepion]

Piggy was not sure why he was so eager to get inside, to have his eyes opened to whatever knowledge was kept within, but he wasted no time getting there. It was a powerful presence that seemed to be pushing him on, like there was some force within him, working through him. He planned the breach and felt the sensation of rising action- the feeling of a beginning, a point on which an entire time line may turn. It was like getting on a roller coaster and realizing you couldn't get off until it was over, come what might.

The world will tell you a story. You will tell it the ending.

Piggy was experimenting with hidden partitions on his tablet, figuring out how to send messages disguised as another person without creating any new entries or alerting the system. Piggy had the idea of Owen-blank, L-A-U-R-E-N-C-E space, so the computer didn't kick it out as a repeat of another entry. He toyed with it, writing code while he talked. The task was made even harder knowing that adults watched every keystroke, and he constantly had to write long sections of pointless diversion. The habit became instinct - the assumption that every sound you made was overheard, and everything you did scrutinized.


"Hello, it's me Cas-Pollux. Hey Piggy, we need to put our plan in action soon. Owen isn't really around right now, they're transporting or at least about finished transporting Grim's eva to it's final resting place. We need to act now."

"Trust me, I know that more than anyone. I need you all ready, but I've got a few things to handle. Once I've worked on that, try and get everyone together. You know where to meet up."

"Pollux, did uh-did anything happen with you today? Because Addison's here and she's rambling on about something, pretty incoherently. Do you have any idea whats going on with with her?"

"No idea whatsoever. Make sure shes ready. Oh, and can you find Aiber? I hear he can pick locks. I'm gonna see Rev in a bit. See you later."

In any case, Nikolai had decided that we should act quickly, and they were asssembling for the mission. Piggy prepared to enter Nerv. No turning around, he thought. No one goes home until we get to the end. I'm scared to go into the uncharted, but would rather die than let the truth be lost.

Spoiler: OOC

Piggy talks to Pollux and prepares to seize the opportunity.